would retain possession of that place. By letters received from thence, it is known that it has again sailed, either for the Mauritius, or for India. It is stated in the same letters that the squadron under the command of the Dutch Admiral Hartsinck was daily expected at the Cape. Neither officer, non-commissioned officer, nor soldier, is to leave his platoon, or abandon his colours for a slight wound: while a man is able to do his duty, || and can stand, and hold his arms, it is infamous to retire. A soldier that takes his firelock from his shoulder, and pretends to begin the battle without orders, will be put to death that instant: the cowardice or irregu lar proceeding of one or two men, is enough to put a whole battalion in danger. The progress of affairs in Ireland is such as to give pleasure to every lover of his country. The conspiracy now seems to be very fully developed, and proved to have contained but very few partakers. A few more of the conspirators have been tried, and condemned, and a small number executed. Thomas Russel, a man of formidable qualifications, who was denominated General of the Northern district, under the provisional government, has been arrested. But 'The misbehaviour of any other corps will not the most remarkable circumstance has been the trial affect this battalion, because the officers are deterand execution of Robert Emmet, a young man of mined to give the strongest proofs of their fidelity, promising talents, liberal education, and elevated sen-zeal, and courage, in which the soldiers will second timents, who was regarded as at the head of the con- them with their usual spirit. spiracy. The speech made by this young man to the Court, on his trial, remarkable for a wild, and ill in- || formed enthusiasm, is valuable on one account, as it expressed the most violent abhorrence at the idea of French assistance in the disputes between Ireland and this country, and will no doubt make an impression on the minds of many of his deluded countrymen. The confession too, which he said he was obliged to make of the candour and moderation of the present government of Ireland, was not more than just, and will produce good effects. 'There is no necessity for firing very fast, a cool || well levelled fire, with the pieces carefully loaded, is much more destructive and formidable than the quickest fire in confusion. On modern Military Exercise. Mr. EDITOR, If entrenchments and redoubts are to be defended obstinately, the firing is to begin in a regular manner, when the enemy is within shot, and to continue till they approach very near, and when the troops perceive that they endeavour to get over the parapet, they are to fix their bayonets, and make a bloody resistance. "If the seat of war should be in this strongly enclosed country, it will be managed chiefly by fire, and every inch of ground that is proper for defence, must be disputed with the enemy; in which case the soldiers will soon perceive the advantage of levelling their pieces properly; and they will likewise discover the use of several evolutions that they now are at a loss to comprehend. The greater facility they have of moving from place to place, and from one enclosure to another, (either together or in separate bodies) without confusion or disorder, the easier they will fall on the enemy with advantage, or retire when it is proper to do so sometimes to draw the enemy into a dangerous position, and at other times to take possession of new places of defence which will be constantly prepared behind them. As military evolutions are now the general order of the day, they must of course attract general notice. || In the present system of modern tactics, there is one circumstance that has always surprised me; I mean, that as the fate of nations is principally decided by the firelock and bayonet, the being an excellent marksman, and exercising the bayonet as scientifically as the broad sword is exercised by the horse, should not form the principal part of military education. I have heard officers talk of levelling low, &c. but the English bowmen, who won the fields of Crescy and Agincourt, could hit the breadth of a penny at twelve score yards, while, if any credit is to be given to Saxa, Foland, and other celebrated writers on modern tac- If a body of foot is posted behind a hedge, ditch, tics, not above one shot in six from a firelock, hits so or wall, and being attacked by a superior force, is large a mark as a battalion at half that distance. If obliged to retire, the body should move off by files in we were to be told of an ancient nation who consi dered the perfection of archery to consist in the bowstrings twanging exactly together, we should not credit it. Yet such is all the merit of what we call a close I am, Sir, your's, &c. fire. SENEX. General WOLFE's Instructions to his Regiment, at the At this time of alarm and general preparation, perhaps the following extracts from the instructions of General Wolfe, for the 20th regiment of foot, lying at Canterbury in 1755, in case of the French landing, may not be unacceptable to some of our readers. If the battalion is to attack another battalion of equal force, and like number of ranks, and the country be quite open, it is highly probable that after firing a few rounds they will be commanded to charge them with their bayonets, for which the officers and men should be prepared. one or two lines, as perpendicular as possible to the posts they leave, that when the enemy extends himself to fire through the hedges, the object to fire at may be as smali as possible, and the march of the retiring body as quick as possible. 'The death of an officer commanding a company or platoon, should be no excuse for the confusion or misbehaviour of the platoon, for while there is an officer or non-commissioned officer left alive, no man is to abandon his colours or betray his country.' Taken from the Military Medley, printed in 1768. NOTICES. LITERARY. The Life of WASHINGTON, by his nephew Judge Washington is nearly ready for publication. This gentleman resides at Mount Vernon in the state of Virginia, which was left him by his uncle. His abilities as a writer have not been tried, but his reputation as a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, has been long approved. Curran, the Irish orator, is so great a favourite in America, that a Collection of his Speeches is now printing at Baltimore in Maryland. Of the many Newspapers published in America, the Aurora printed in Philadelphia, and The National Intelligencer, printed in Washington city take the lead. The Farmers' Magazine, which consisted of original essays, and poetry on different subjects was conducted by Mr. Denny, a native of New England, with considerable success. We are sorry that the publication of this work has ceased: since it tended to encourage a general taste for publications of the year, we select the five following; 2. History of the Hanseatic League. By G. Sartonius, 3. History of the Jesuits-from the Origin of that Order to the present Time. By P. P. Wolf. New Edition, 4 large vols. 8vo. 4. History of Piedmont, and of the other States of the King of Sardinia. By the Abbé Denina, translated from the Italian. vol. 2. Svo. 5. History of Modern Philosophy, since the Revival of the Sciences. By J. G. Buhle. vol. 4. 8vo. We think it proper to remark, that the work of the Abbé Denina, (No. 4,) was never published in Italian, as some may understand from the title. Mr. Denina, while at Berlin, last year, delivered his Italian MS. to a German translator, for the purpose of making it an original publication in Germany. In the last number of the French Magazin EncycloA young man of the name of Clifford, gained conside-pedique, we find the important notice, that a new periodical rable reputation in America as a poet-but we fear he did work entitled, Giornale della Litteratura Italiana, is now not live to display the full powers of his genius. publishing at Padua, under the inspection of the two brothers, Count Jerome del Rio, and Count Nicholas del Rio. in all its branches. Three numbers, two of which constiIt is entirely and exclusively devoted to national literature, tute a volume, have already appeared. literature in America. A map of the United States of America, from actnal surveys, and in a beautiful style of engraving, has been long in hand by Mr. Lewis, of Philadelphia, who occupied a station in the American war-office, during the administration of Mr. Adams. In almost all the principal towns in America, Libraries have been formed by private subscription on a most extensive scale of these, we believe, that in Philadelphia takes the lead. The Correspondence Politique et confidentielle de Louis XVI. avec ses freres et plusieurs personnes célèbres dans les dernières années de sa vie et jusqu'à sa mort," edited by Miss H. M. Williams, has been suppressed at Paris by order of the French government. The National Institute of France has published, “ Mémoires de l'Institut national des Sciences & Arts, Literature et beaux Arts. Tome quatrieme." Two memoirs on the Persian costume, under the dynasty of the Achaemenides, Arsacides, and Sassanides, by Citizen Monacz, form the most interesting part of this volume. Although his observations are chiefly devoted to the instruction of artists, yet they derive additional importance from the ingenious manner, in which he applies them to the coins of the Arsacides and Sassanides and the ruins of Persepolis. A very important and instructive work on Time-pieces, has been published at Paris, under the title-" Historre de la Mesure du Temps par les Horloges, par Ferdinand Ber We are informed, that Lalande, the celebrated French astronomer, who has during a long life been a noted atheist, has lately made a public profession of his belief of Chris-thoud, Mechanicien de la Marine, Membre de l'Institut tianity. National de France, et de la Societé Royale de Londres, c. 2 vols. 4to. This valuable production of one of the most eminent artists in Europe, claims in a peculiar degree, the attention of the mechanician, but the historical part of the subject is treated in a more satisfactory manner in a German work, published in 1801, under the title of “ A Complete History of the Art of Watch-making. By II. Poppe." We learn from an advertisement prefixed to the Journal Général de la Literature etrangère, No. 8, 3d year, that the catalogue of German books brought to the late Leipsic Fair, is more voluminous than any preceding one. The whole number of publications which have appeared in Germany, from Michaelmas, 1802, to Easter, 1803, amounts to 3000, of which nearly a third consists of translations and re-publications. If therefore the number of We learn from Petersburgh, that Captain Saritschef, of really new works is reduced to 2000, and to these are added about 1000, which are advertised for the approaching Mi-able mention is made in Sauer's account of Billing's the Imperial Russian navy, of whom so frequently honourchaelmas Fair, the number of new works published during known voyage of discovery, intends to publish a full and the course of one year will be 3000. What, however, minute account of that voyage, which cannot but prove characterizes the present state of literature in Germany, is highly interesting and instructive. the amazing number of Literary Journals of every kind which circulate through all classes of society. To each science exclusively are devoted several of these periodical publications: physics, for instance, have three or four; chemistry, five or six; medicine, eight or ten; botany, five or six, and so forth. Each of the universities also publishes its peculiar journal; and among them the most valuable are accounted those of Jena, Leipsic, Erlaug, and Saltzbourg; and besides these there are many other journals entirely devoted to arts, manufactures, new discoveries, commerce, public instruction, religious worship, theatrical performances, musical compositions, &c. From the editors' notice of some of the most important Mr. de Fuchs, Russian Counsellor of State, is preparing row's glorious campaign in Italy, for which work he had for the press an account of the late Field-marshal Suwa terials, as he was obliged constantly to attend that hero in the best opportunity of collecting the most interesting mahis official capacity, as chief of the Russian Chancery attached to Suwarow's army. Dr. Beresford, who has several years resided at Berlin, and published some excellent translations of German poetry and other works, is appointed professor of the English language at the Russian University of Dorpat. Assessor Reimers at Petersburgh, has lately published an PHILOSOPHICAL. The Academie de Législation," at Paris, held on the 20th July a public sitting; Grenier, the tribune, presided in the absence of Citizen Portalis, counsellor of state. Bruguière communicated several parts of the correspondence of the Academy, to prove the confidence reposed by the public in this Institute, and Lavallée delivered a speech on the eloquence of the Bar. In consequence of a supposed inferiority in the quality of Scotch barley to that of English, a lower rate of duty The Medical Society at Paris, has admitted the cele has been hitherto imposed on malt made of it. This dif-brated Professor Moscati at Pavia, Member of the Execuference was not attended to in the last taxes of the minister, tive Government of the Italian Republic, and President of and the Scotch barley has sunk in price. On an application the Italian National Institute, a Fellow of the Society. to the minister by the landed gentlemen, he has expressed his willingness, if they can ascertain the difference, to grant a proportional reduction of duty. They have in consequence taken a resolution to have a set of experiments performed to determine the point. From the tleman, of whom we understand they have made choice, Dr. Thomson of Edinburgh, we have reason to expect, not only the decision of this financial question, but a great many very important results, respecting a new and highly interesting branch of chemical investigation. gen As a proof how much the price of timber has advanced of late years-large oak timber which in 1798 sold in Sussex for £5. a load, is now worth £9.-Larch has been lately much planted by gentlemen in that county, and is found even to exceed the Scotch fir in growth: the Deal it produces is considerably superior. We also recommend the introduction of the White Acacia, which has been planted on farms in Surry, near Guildford, grows quick, and produces excellent timber. It may be of service to our good Housewifes to be informed, that the washing of painted Oil Cloths, now so much in fashion, for covering the floors of passages, and sooms; will frequently give the dry rot, to timber. tersburgh, an advertisement, stating, that Par déférence The "Batavian Society of Sciences," at Haerlem, held a general meeting on the 31st of May, wherein the prize for the best answer to the question proposed last year"Is the study of Natural History really useful to young persons? What are the branches of natural history best adapted for them? And which is the best mode of instruction?-was adjudged to Dr. J. A. Bennet, at Leyden. The physical class of the Academy of Sciences at Berlin, has prepared the following prize-question for the year 1805. "Is Mariotti's law a general law governing all elastic Among the various captures made by our ships of war, there is one which will be regarded as an inestimable trea-fluids, or is it confined to atmospheric air?" sure-viz. the Collection of Plants made by the French naturalists sent, on purpose, to Guiana, and which was in its way to Paris, in order to enrich the garden of Madame Bonaparte. These plants, packed with the most scientific care, are indeed an acquisition, as few of them were ever seen in this country. They are now safely deposited in his Majesty's Botanical Garden at Kew, where the intelligent gentleman, who superintends it, has caused a new house to be built in order to receive them. The truth of Voltaire's shrewd and ingenious remark"Quand Auguste buvoit, la Pologne étoit ivre." is unfortunately supported by numerous instances of the morals and manners of whole nations being corrupted by the pernicious example, set by a vicious monarch. But the powerful influence of a virtuous and enlightened Sovereign over his people, was never displayed with greater energy and effect, than it is in Russia under the present auspicious reign. The following unrivalled instance of public spirit and patriotic munificence strongly evinces the truth of our remark. Mr. Paul Gregoritsch Demidoff, at Moscow, counsellor of state, has lately presented the Committee of Public Instruction with The Society of the Friends of the Sciences at Warsaw, has proposed the following prize-questions for the year 1804.-1st, Wherein consists the material difference between the cochineal of South America, and Polish cochineal, or Czerwiec [Coccus Polonicus Tinctorius].-2d, For what reasons has the former of late years been preferred to the latter? and by what means can the Polish cochineal, or Czerwiec be restored to its former importance, as an ar ticle of trade? The memoirs, or answers to these questions, written in the Polish, Latin, French, or German language, must be addressed to the "Secretary of the Society of the Friends of the Sciences at Warsaw," who is directed to receive and admit them, if they arrive before the end of August, 1804. The prize for the most satisfactory answer, is a gold medal of forty ducats in value. The Society of the Sciences and Arts of the department of Lot, at Montauban, held a public Sitting on the 19th June last, wherein the prize for the best answer to the question-" Which is the mode of education best adapted to the female sex, and best calculated to render man happy in a social state?" was adjudged to Mrs. Bernier, at Paris. For the next following year the Society has proposed the following subjects: 1st, Do there exist several species of itch, or are the pretended different species of itch, according to Murray's opinion, merely different stages or epochs of the same dis VOLUME II.] THE LITERARY JOURNAL. LITERATURE. REVIEW OF BOOKS. selves with pointing out, in their order, the different objects of his enquiry. He first describes the circumstances which attended the Norman conquest, and endeavours to ascertain the degree of power which it left in the hands of the Sovereign. He then considers the progress of the feudal system, and the circumstances which gradually turned the greater part of the || land in the kingdom, from allodial into feudal possessions. He gives a view of the several reigns before that of Edward I. in which the great charter, and charter of the Forest, and the struggles by which they were obtained are particularly considered. The next great object of enquiry is, to ascertain in what manner the changes produced in the reign of William the Conqueror affected the state of the national coun It An Historical View of the English Government, from the Settlement of the Saxons in Britain, to the Řevolution in 1688. To which are subjoined some Dissertations connected with the History of the Government, from the Revolution to the present time. By John Millar, Esq. Professor of Law, in the University of Glasgow, 4 vol. 8vo. London, 1803. Continued. N our last Number we followed this instructive writer through the first great period of the English history, from the settlement of the Saxons, till the Norman conquest. A new scene after this, opens to the student. The reign of William the Conqueror, while it put an end to the ancient line of kings, in-cil. They affected it chiefly in the manner in which troduced into England a multitude of foreigners, who obtained extensive landed possessions and spread with great rapidity the manners and customs of a nation more civilized than the English. The inhabitants were thus excited to a quicker advancement in the common arts of life, at the same time that the nation, by acquiring continental connections, was involved in more extensive military operations. When the advances of the country in improvement had opened a wider intercourse, and produced a more intimate union between the different parts of the kingdom, the accumulated property in the hands of the king became the source of greater influence, than the divided property possessed by the nobles. The prerogatives of the former, in a course of time, were therefore gradually augmented; and the privileges of the latter suffered a proportionable diminution. From the reign of William the Conqueror in England, we may date the first exaltation of the crown, which, under his successors of the Plantagenet and Tudor families, continued to rise in splendour and authority. The political history of this extensive period, the author thinks, may be subdivided into three parts; the first extending from the Norman conquest to the end of the reign of Henry the third; the second, from the beginning of the reign of Edward the first, to the accession of Henry the seventh; and the third, comprehending the reigns of the Tudor family. "In each of these periods," he remarks, "we shall meet with progressive changes in the English constitution, which appear to demand a separate examination, and, which, being analogous to such as were introduced, about the same time, in the other European governments, may be regarded as the natural growth and developement of the original system, produced by the peculiar circumstances of modern Europe." The political history of this period contains a great number of important particulars, which the author illustrates with great ability, and information. We cannot however, enter into so full an analysis of it, as of the former part, and must merely content our. VOL. 1. it was now constituted; the Wittenagemote being The account of the second subdivision commences with a general view of the kingly power from the reign of Edward I. to that of Henry VII. The author acknowledges some difficulty in ascertaining the alterations in the extent of the regal authority during this period. The powers of the monarch, he thinks, were upon the whole making advances, but by a 2 B fered with the legislative power of parliament. She neither disputed nor impaired the power of that assembly in imposing taxes. In one or two cases she obtained a loan from her subjects, but without com most other princes by repayment. She even refused progress slow, and frequently interrupted. If, in the vigorous and successful reigns of Edward first, of Edward third, and of Henry fifth, the sceptre was remarkably exalted, it was at least equally depressed by the feeble and unfortunate administration of Ed-pulsion; and she greatly distinguished herself from ward II; of Richard II. and of Henry VI. His chief attention however, among the different important subjects of enquiry which distinguish this portion of the English history, is directed to the changes which affected the legislative power. This subject he divides into three parts; first, the introduction of the representatives of counties and boroughs into parliament; second, the division of parliament into two houses, and the peculiar privileges acquired by each house; third, the manner of electing the national representatives, and the forms of procedure in parliament. This period is no less distinguished by institutions of great importance relating to the distribution of justice, than by those with regard to the legislative authority; and in both these particulars we may trace back to this period, the introduction of that regular system, which we at present enjoy. This renders the enquiry with regard to them of peculiar importance. With regard to both, it is conducted by our author with the greatest accuracy of research, and the greatest depth of judgment. But the investigation of the origin of our courts and forms of law is more peculiarly valuable, as it has been much more seldom attempted; we therefore regard this as a most interesting disquisition. It is conducted in the following manner; 1st. An enquiry is made into the establishment of the courts of common law at Westminster ; 2d. Of the Petty Jury, and Grand Jury; 3d. Into the circumstances which prevented the civil law from being so much incorporated in the system of English || jurisprudence, as in that of other European countries; 4th. Into the rise of the court of Chancery. in con "When we review," says our author," the English constitution, under the princes of the Norman, the Plantagenet, and the Tudor line, it appears to illustrate the natural progress of that policy which obtained in the western part of Europe, with such peculiar modifications, as might be expected in Britain, from the situation of the country, and from the character and manners of the inhabitants. By the completion of the feudal system, at the Norman conquest, the authority of the sovereign was considerably increased; at the same time that his powers, formity to the practice of every rude kingdom, were in many respects discretionary and uncertain. The subsequent progress of government produced a gradual exaltation of the crown; but the long continued struggles between the king and his barons, and the several great charters which they extorted from him, contributed to ascertain and defend the extent of his prerogative. While the monarchy was thus gaining ground upon the ancient aristocracy, the constitution was acquiring something of a regular form, and by the multiplication of fixed laws, provision was made against the future exertions of arbitrary power. About the commencement of the reign of Henry VII. a a new power began to shew its effects in the affairs of modern Europe, Commerce. The account || of the political state of England from this time till the accession of the house of Stewart, therefore, is preceded by an enquiry into the circumstances which promoted commerce, manufactures, and the arts, in modern Europe, and particularly in England. Then is given a view of the reign of Henry VII; an account of the circumstances which during his reign contributed to the exaltation of the crown, and a view of the powers exercised respectively during that period by the king, the national assembly, and the courts of justice. The most remarkable event in the reign of Henry VIII. was the Reformation. It receives a very able investigation. Its causes are examined; and the effects are detailed, which it produced upon the influence of the crown. A view too is subjoined, of the powers exercised respectively during this reign, by the king, and by the national council. The short reigns of Edward VI. and of Mary, produced little alteration in the state of the government. The government of Elizabeth has been represented by Mr. Hume, as altogether despotical. This is controverted "The same insular situation, together with the by our author. He asserts, that to the idea, which climate and natural produce of the country, by enshe seems to have formed of the constitution, her couraging trade and manufactures, gave an early con conduct was strictly conformable. She never inter-sequence to the lower order of the inhabitants; and, "By the insular situation of Britain, the English were little exposed to any foreign invasion, except from the Scots, whose attacks were seldom forvery midable: and hence the king, being prevented from carrying on extensive national enterprises, was deprived of those numerous opportunities for signalizing his military talents, and for securing the admiration and attachment of his subjects, which were enjoyed by the princes upon the neighbouring continent. Thus the government of England, though it proceeded in a similar course to that of the other monarchies in Europe, became less absolute than the greater part of them; and gave admittance to many peculiar institutions in favour of liberty." |