correctness to his text, and illuftration to his ideas. Mr. Todd, whofe accuracy and diligence have been abundantly proved by former works, has crowned his labours, by an edition of this poet, which combines every requifite that an intelligent reader can demand. Maflinger, the next dramatic poet to Shakspeare, in vigour and livelinefs of genius, has been very feldom edited, and never with any care, till Mr. W. Gifford t undertook the tafk. In the hands of a true poet, the works of a congenial spirit were likely to fare well; and the refult has been, as might be expected, a correct and judiciously illuftrative Edition. Mr. G. Ellis, a poet alfo, of much originality and livelinefs, has condefcended to become the Editor of fome of the earlieft efforts of English Genius. For what could not be read, at this day, in the early Metrical Romances ‡, he has fubftituted his own elegant profe; but, wherever his authors could appear with credit, he has fuffered them to speak for themselves.

Felltham's Refolves §, an early fpecimen of English Moral Effays, have been republished by Mr. Cumming. It is not clear to us that all the alterations and omiffions of this Editor are real improvements; but the book deferves to attract attention, and probably will not fail to do so.

LANGUAGES.

Studying the facred books, with the moft minute and fcrupulous attention, Mr. Granville Sharp has made important difcoveries in both the languages in which they are penned. His rules for the Greek prepofitive article we have long ago approved and defended; in the Hebrew, he has now laid down a fyftem for the effect of the converfive Vau, which reduces to exact regularity that apparently anomalous conftruc

No. II. p. 139. + No. IV. p. 347. No. III. p. 277. No. V. p. 565. No. I. p. 53.

tion.

tion. He has illuftrated alfo the pronunciation, and other peculiarities of that venerable diale&t. Mr. Newton has employed hin felf in reducing the Hebrew Grammar to the forms employed in other languages. The Greek Grammar, lately produced by Dr. Valpy, has the merit of fimplicity in its rules, and gives the refult of much reading and information in the notes fubjoined to them. His Delectus Sententiarum, a fmall book, fubfidiary to the acquirement of the Latin language, has already paft through feveral editions.

EDUCATION.

To one branch of education the preceding articles belong; but there are many other parts, which require a feparate confideration. For religious inftruction, Mr. Eyton'. Catechifm §, formed on the divine fermon of our Saviour on the Mount, may be employed with great advantage. Nor fhould the fuggeftions be, on any account, overlooked, which Mrs. Trimmer has # thrown out in her Comparative View. Mrs. Pr. Wakefield combines, as utual, delight and inftru&ion, in her Domestic Recreation. The work, in fact, deferves an ampler form; and a place fomewhat more exalted than the juvenile library. Mr. Frend endeavours to teach arithmetic by a method in fome measure original. He calls it 7angille Arithmetic**, and employs a modification of the Roman Abacus, both to facilitate calculations, and to explain the principle of them. Mr. Alurray views the Morality of fiction tt in a new and pleafing light; and has produced a book of no fmall merit, both in fentiment and language,

MISCELLANIES,

We have found no more appropriate place than this, for a work of vast labour, and of confiderable uti

lity, Mr.F.Twifs's Index to Shakespeare*. Among the inftruments of information, efpecially on the fubject of the English language, this work must hold a refpectable place. The Oration pronounced by Mr. Hunt, at the opening of the Pontcyfylte Aqueduct may clofe our prefent enumeration: it records a memorable event, and deferves therefore itself to be had in remembrance.

And now, gentle reader, adieu. There are few things which we have more at heart than to amufe and inftruct you; " prodeffe et delectare;" if at any time we are lefs fuccefsful than at others, in the one part or the other of this defign, attribute it to any thing rather than a failure in our zeal, which would difgrace us; or a diminution of our powers, which would deftroy your hopes of us. We have long been traverfing the ocean of literature, on perpetual voyages of difcovery. We fet out in the face of enemies, prepared to combat as well as to difcover; our chief enemies have defroyed themselves, but fhould any equally formidable arife, our hearts are whole, and our hands yet strong, and huzza! for our King and Country !

No. IV. p. 448.

+ No. IV. p. 418.

TABLE

TO THE

BOOKS REVIEWED IN VOLUME XXVII.

N. B. For remarkable Paffages in the Criticisms and Extracts,
fee the INDEX at the End of the Volume.