poses,' Isa. xliii. 13.) is still nore defective in this respect. The text is admirably suitable ; and the plan is well contrived to develope its whole meaning ; but by attempting fully to explain the nature of the work of God, Mr. A. has given the sermon too much the appearance of a Compendium Theologie. His style is animated and diffuse ; it is rather overcharged with poetical quotation. The third sermon by Mr. Winter has for its subject, Union among Christians, the appointed means of diffusing the gospel.' His text is John xvii. 20. 21. He has selected the prominent idea of the passage, and arranged every observation so directly in illustration of it as

to exhibit

an admirable specimen of unity of design, combined with the most luminous and forcible Teasonings. The excellent discourse of Mr. Longmire presents to our view “the faithful Missionary's reward.' Dan. xii. 3. The arrangement is simple, and the sentiments appropriate and scriptural ; the whole sermon is an eloquent display of the affectionate and liberal feelings of a preacher who is animated with the spirit which • becometh the gospel of Christ.'

We sincerely rejoice in the prosperity of this institution ; persuaded that it will never decline, while directed by enlightened zeal, and aiming at an object so extensively benevolent and so certain of eventual accomplish. ment as the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world Art. XII. Sequel to the Useful Arithmetic : or an Attempt to explain

and exemplify the Nature, Principles, Operations, and pr per Application of the higher Branches of the Science of Numbers. Inclú, ding appropriate Exercises, Questions, Contractions, and Tables : designed to succeed the former Tract, and complete a System of Arithmetical Instruction. By Adam Taylor. 12mo. pp. 223. Price 3s. 6d.

Longman and Co. MR. Taylor seems to be grievously afflicted with that itch for writing

books of arithmetic, which is now so unhappily prevalent, and tends 80 much to increase the vexations of reviewers, without rendering any service to judicious teachers, or in fact answering any good purpose but that of advertising the writer's school Not content with • The Useful Arithmetic, and a · Key' to unlock its precious treasures, (no. ticed in our first volume) he now brings forward The Sequel to the Useful Arithmetic, and promises The Key to the Sequel:' nay, we have broad hints of • An Appendix' to the Sequel ; and time perhaps will at length produce not only a Key' to the Appendix, but a Supplement, and a Key to that.

The title-page of this Sequel is a little delusory. It promises to treat of the higher branches of the science of numbers, and to complete a system of arithmetical instruction ;' yet it terminates with Duodecimals, omitting Alligation, Single and Double Position, and Circu. lating Decimals; probably reserving them for either the Appendix or the Supplement, which may then appear in the superlative degree, and contain the highest branches of the science of numbers. Mr. Taylor does not always exhibit the best, nor even correct rules ; those he has given for the cube and higher roots will be found very operose in practice, compared with those which are now commonly used, independent of logarithms; and the method of reducing fractions to their least common denominator, p. 26. is not general, as it may fail unless the divisors are

1

T

Coxhead's Farewell Sermon.

1133 restricted to prime numbers. A gentlenian, who is so fond of writing, may perhaps find but little leisure for reading, we would beg, however, to refer him to p. 163. vol. ii. of Manning's' Algebra, where he will find this rule demonstrated, and the cause of the restriction pointed out.

Though we could write down perhaps in ten minutes the names of a hundred authors of Treatises on Arithmetic, we do not remember above three or four whose performances display either knowledge or taste : Bonnycastle's, English's, Hutton's, and Keith’s, are by far the best and most scientific for the use of schools ; but the only book we recollect, that contains a complete view of the theory as well as the practice of numbers, is the excellent old Malcolm, published in 1730.

We are afraid the publication of so many works under the title of
Keys to Arithmetic, will tend to encourage very pernicious habits of
indolence in both preceptor and pupil

. The pupil can obtain a • Key'
as well as his master ; and no ordinary vigilance can prevent his having
recourse to it. Arithmetic, though the humblest of the mathematical
sciences, is still of great importance, since its object is to impart the
habit of computation ; a habit which is called into daily exercise, either
in the pursuits of commerce, or in the abstruser mathematical investiga-
tions, but which can never be acquired by merely transcribing solutions
from a Key. A skilful tutor will not satisfy himself with ascertaining,
by reference to a Key, that his pupil's operations are right, but will
examine whether he understand them; and to this end, will see him
perform his work, he will try his adroitness at the invention of modes
of operation in novel cases, and will diversify his examples, so as to
prove the readiness and correctness of the methods the scholar adopts.
Scholars who are not thus instructed, owe very little to their tutor; and
must necessarily have almost every thing to learn, with regard to expert-
ness in calculation, after they have left school.
Art. XIV. Evangelical Advice and Encouragement. A Farewell Dis-

course, addressed to a Congregation in Ebenezer Chapel, Truro,
Oct. 2, 1808. By Benjamin Coxhead. 8vo. pp. 28. Price Is.

Button. 1808.
IT does not clearly appear from this sermon what were the causes of

that separation, on account of which it was delivered ; but if we may
judge from its spirit and sentiment, they could not be discreditable to the
preacher. The discourse is grounded on Philipp. i, 27, 28; it is not
particularly distinguished by excellence either of method or style, and would
probably not have been published except at the request of the society to
whom it was addressed; but it is sensible, affectionate, and appropriate; the
doctrines are those which all ministers should glory to preach, and the
advise is such as all hearers would do well to follow.
Art.XV. The Practical Norfolk Farmer ; describing the Management of a

Farm throughout the year ; with Observations founded on Experience.
Dedicated to Thomas Wm. Coke, Esq. 8vo. pp. 117. price 5s. bds.

Norwich, Stevenson and Co; Harding. 1808.
THIS little book is intended for Gentlemen of landed

property,
who reside in the distant counties, and are desirous of introdu-
cing the Norfolk husbandry on any part of their estates : and if any of

1

those gentlemen would rather give five shillings, than two, for common-place instructions on the most common operations of farming arranged in the form of a Calendar, these loosely but elegantly printed sheets may deserve their perusal. Art. XVI. Original Poems, Sacred and Miscellaneous, By Sarah

Medley. 8vo. pp. 228. Price 78. Liverpool, Robinson ; Johnson,

1807. MISS Medley's volume contains specimens of monstrous metaphors,

patchwork and buckram epithets, feeble and worn-out thoughts, bad English, and sheer unintelligible absurdity, that few critics would have the cleniency to pass over in silence ;-indeed we have seldom seen the faculties of imagination and judgement so unequally proportioned, as they appear to be in her mind. And yet the pious and benevolent feelings, by which we have no doubt she is animated, deserve praise and patronage : she only pretends, as she justly may, to “ the negative merit of having expressed no sentiment inimical to the best passions of the human heart, or the sublime influence and tendency of that religion inculcated in the sacred scriptures ;” and there are many passages among her poems for which very complacent readers may be found, especially among those who cherish the memory of her venerable father, the Rev. Samuel Medley of Liverpool. The Poems are of various kinds, chiefly narrative and descriptive ; some of these are founded on passages of scripture, and others on remarkable anecdotes or trilling domestic occurrences The versifica. tion is generally melodious. Few passages of equal lengih are less faulty than the following, though there are many perhaps which display much higher powers of fancy.

• Ye pious souls, beneath the Almighty's stroke
Whose spirits yield, by long afflictions broke,
Şure as the glooms of winter pass away,
And spring and summer bring refulgent day,
Your hearts shall live, and chang'd your pensive strain,
Shall of surprising goodness sing again.
Say not, while hovering clouds involve your breast,
That nought but thorns the wilderness infest ;
Superior still the fair, the fragrant rose,
Amidst the tangling mazes richly glows ;.
For you the sun's re-animating ray, ,
For
you

autumnal seasons tribute pay ;
From the first glittering beam, and melting shower,
To the ripe harvest, and encrimson'd flower,
All are for

you:

: 0 hear a Father's voice,
“ Rejoice," and yet again he saith “rejoice ;”
And bless the hand that cheers your

toidsome road To halcyon rest--the bosom of your God.' pp. 4, 5. Art. XVII. Mahomet : A Prize Poem, recited in the heatre, nxford,

in the Year 1808. 8vo. pp. 23. Price 18. Rivistons, Longinan and Co. 1808. THE author of this poem, Mr. Matthew Rolles:: of University Dei.

lege, seems to have owed his success to a 1984 eaty condirable

practice in reading and writing verses, and a sufficient acquaintance with the subject proposed. The following lines are among the best in his performance,

• Weep, lost Arabia, Land of sadness, weep !
Rude o'er thy head the storms of battle sweep.
Oft have thy deserts heard the anyry roar
Of midnight tiger, all athirst for gore :
Oft have they seen the Simoom's purple blast
Shed Plague, and Death, and Ruin as it pass'd;
Yet not the Simoom's blast, nor Beast of night,
Rag'd half so fierce as Mecca's Fiends of fight.
Dreadful they came; and, as the torrent flood
Rolls down its stream huge rock and ancient wood,
Till all, save where some scatter'd stems remain,
Lies one wide wat’ry scene, one liquid plain ;
So, thro' thy land, each tribe and wand'ring horde
Sank trembling down before Mohammed's sword,
And to the Koran's sterner rule resign'd
The charter'd birthright of a free-born mind;
Save that some nobler few, content to roam,
Their wealth the jav'lin, and the waste their home,
Dar'd live, tho' poor yet proud, tho' exil d free,

Or die, the martyr-sons of Liberty.' pp. 16, 17.
We might specify many uncouth lines ; for example,

• Here too Mohammed first, by pow'r, by rage
Unaw'd, dar'd ope

the Koran's mystic page.' Art. XVIII. Exercises on the Globes: interspersed with some Historical, Bio

graphical, Chronological, Mythological, and Miscellaneous Information; on a new Plan : to which are added Questions for Examination : designed for the Use of Young Ladies. By William Butler. 4th Edi. tion with additions. 12mo. pp. xxxii. 400. price 5s. 6d. boards

Mawman &c. 1808. AS S far as this book consists of · Exercises on the Globes,” it is

perhaps neither much better, nor much worse, than many other publications for a similar purpose in the curse of the last twenty years. But the peculiarity of this work is the immense quantity of literary gossip, Which the author has scattered over its whole extent, and often disposed very injudiciously. There are not wanting advoca'es for this miscellaneous' mode of conveying informa'ion, adopted by Mr. B. in all his school-books ; but we are much inclined to fear it has a tendency to enfeeble the mind, to give it a relish for desultory reading, and to indispose it for serious and systematic study. The shape assumed by the questions is often like the following ; “ When it is mid-day at the metropolis of England, what is the hour where Orellana arrived Aug. 26, 1541 ? where the Marquis de la Fayette was confined ? —where John the Baptist was decollated? where Octavius defeated Anthony and Cleopatra, Sept. 2, 31 years B. C.? - where Capt. Hawkins disposed of his first cargo of negro slaves ? where Sir Cloudesley Shovel was lost ? at the birth-place of the grateful black servant who supported his indigent and dying master,

VOL. VI.

4 Q

Camoens, by begging alms ?” And, our "author might have added, where a certain poet slept whom he dreamed of Mr. Butler, and on waking wrote the following prophetically descriptive line ;

Delphinum appingit sylvis, in fluctibus aprum.. Whatever else the “ young ladies” may learn, or neglect to learn, by means of Mr. Butler's book, and however it may increase that propensity for “ Alis ellaneous" conversation of which they are sometimes ungenerously accused, they cannot derive from it any disposition to slander or detraction. Mr. Buller praises in all directions. It is deeply to be lamented that “the elegant Addison” is beyond the reach of his commendation. But“ the amiable Mr. Tomkins"-"the learned Dr. Rees”Mr. But er's “ much beloved son-in-law”-his“ much esteemed friend Mr. John Hodgkin" - "the incomparable artist Mr. Ashby”-the “ unquestionably" best teacher of practical astronomy, and of geography too, Wm. Frend, M. A. &c. &c. if they wish to know how they are bepraised by Mr. Butler, may receive full gratification without the trouble of reading the book, as the author has kindly made very careful and accurate references in his index to prevent any loss of time in the search. We have already taken notice of this and certain other features of Mr. B's performances, in reviewing his“ Chronological Exercises,'' Vol- iii.p.917.

N. B. On the subject of geese, see the Author's “ Arithmetical Questions?!! — And on the subject of trussing and dressing them, see Mrs. Glasse's Cookery. Art. XIX. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. William

Humphryes. Preached at Hammersmith, October 9, 1808. 'By Robert Winter. And the Address delivered at his Interment in Bunhill-Fields Burial-Ground, October 6, 1808. By William Jay. Svo. pp. 64.

Price 2s. Maxwell and Co. 1808. FUNERAL Sermons are probably more read than any others ; not so

much, perhaps, because they usually refer to the important topics of death, salvation, and eternity, as because they are expected to contain more or less of biographical detail that may gratify curiosity and excite the feelings. The pamphlet now before us has an ample proportion of this favourite species of writing; and we mean no ill compliment to Mr. W. when we observe, that notwithstanding his observations prefixed to the memoir are truly appropriate and judicious, we are persuaded he will obtain more attention and do more good, as a Biographer than as a Preacher.

The sermon is a commentary on the record of Enoch's translation, Gen.v. 24. This event, it is presumed, would excite in the minds of his religious' acquaintance deep regret --devout submission-increasing faith in the promise of immortality and of a Messiah-farther views of the union between holiness here and happiness hereafter and the hope of re-union in the presence of God.

It would have a tendency to shew the profligate, that religion was both real and important to alarm them into a consideration of the truth of his awful doctrine (of a future judgement)--and to allure them to seek that' reconciliation with God, which must precede a course of holy walking with him. In the whole sermon, the similarity of the two cases is with much ingenuity kept constantly, yet indirectly in view ; a simila. rity which appears still more striking, when we find how eminently pious a man Mr. Humphryes was, and that, according to human calculation, he died preinaturely