T

HE limits to which we are confined will not suffer us to do full justice to the extensive department upon which we are now entering. We have already exceeded our bounds, and shall be able to do little more than offer a catalogue of the works of most value upon the various topics it embraces, as they have fallen into our hands, and add such occasional observations as they may seem imperatively to demand. The chief historical productions that have reached us from Germany are, professor Eichhorn's Geschichte der drey letzten Jahrhunderte "History of the last three Centuries," 6 vols. octavo: M. Planch's Geschichte des Papsttbums-" History of the Papacy in the Western Churches from the Middle of the seventh Century:" M. Schröck's Christliche Kirchengeschichte-History of the Christian Church since the Reformation," of which two volumes have been antecedently published: Die Entdekungen des neunzehnter Jahrhunderts—“The Discoveries of the nineteenth Century as far as relates to Geography and a Knowledge of different Nations," by M. T. Hoepfner, of Erfort; the third volume of Posselt's Geschichte der Deutschen-" History of the Germans ;" and the third volume of Rüh's Geschichte Schwedens" History of Sweden." With the voluminous history of M. Eichhorn, we have upon the whole been well satisfied as an historian, how ever, he is a far more timid writer

than as a theologian; he does not dare to question the conduct of Bonaparte, as he has dared to question the authenticity of the pentateuch, and even at times, as it should seem, the conduct of the Deity himself. Yet we are aware that the present state of the continent will not allow a man of independent spirit-and such we know is the professor--tó express all the feelings he would wish to do. Upon every other point the historian writes with sufficient energy and fearlessness: he has spared no pains in his search after authorities, and whoever reads him may rely upon him. In M. Planck's Papal History we perceive nothing of prominent merit or defect. Hoepfner's work is altogether a compilation, but, upon the whole, from writers of credit; Bergman has furnished him with his account of the Calmucks, and Percival with his history of Ceylon.

In France the historic production of by far the most consequence, on a variety of accounts, is the posthumous works of Louis XIV. which already extend to six octavo volumes, and may perhaps, in a short time,' reach double the number. It was not till of late known that this extraordinary prince was a writer of any kind; but admitting the genuineness of the works in question, it now appears that he was not only a writer, but one of the most brilliant and polished writers, as well as one of the most accurate and profound reasoners of his age. It seems that 2 B 3

there

there have been lately discovered in the National Library three bound volumes in folio, independently of three large portfolios, which were deposited there in Dec. 1749, by the marquis de Noailles, with a certificate in the marquis's own handwriting, that the whole were the property and production of Louis XIV., and were saved from the flames to which a great portion of other papers were committed, at the urgent request of this nobleman, who had been ordered by Louis to bring the whole to him for this express purpose. The bound volumes contain both the originals and copies taken of them by order of M. de Noailles himself. They are now, generally, admitted to be genuine, and are published by different editors in a variety of forms. M. de Gain-Montagnac, under the title of "Memoires de Louis XIV.," has presented to the public,in one volume octavo, the first part of an entire series which is designed to include all the papers discovered; this volume contains memoirs composed for, and addressed to, the dauphin, the royal author's son; succeeded by several fragments of military memoirs, instructions given to Philip V., and seventeen letters addressed to that monarch on the government of his states. M. M. Grouvelle and Gen. Grimoard have conjointly engaged in publishing another edition, which is more fully entitled "Œuvres de Louis XIV." and is divided into the classes of historical, political, and military memoirs, letters, and miscellane ous pieces. The political and military memoirs have been edited under the especial care and superin. tendence of general Grimoard; the rest have received their revisal from M. Grouvelle. The whole are elucidated by fac-similes of the royal

author's hand-writing, prefatory compositions, comments, and notes. They add very considerably to the credit of this monarch's character, and are a very important accession to the political history of his age. We shall not at present offer another remark, under the full persuasion that we shall be again called to a survey of them, in the lucubrations of our next Retrospect, in the form of an English version.

The chief historical works which France has furnished us with, independently of this of Louis XIV. are, Histoire des Evenemens, &c.— "History of the Events which teck place in France during the Months of June, July, August, and September, and which produced the Fall of the Royal Throne," by M. Maton-de-la-Varenne. The writer's name is well known-and he has here advanced various documents which have not hitherto been placed before the public, among which are two original letters of Louis XVI. of some interest and importance. Histoire de l' Occupation de la Ba vière, &c." History of the Occupancy of Bavaria, and of the Nego tiations which preceded the Peace of Teschen, by M. Francois de Neufchateau, Senator and Member of the National Institute." The work is full and explicit, and the literary reputation of the author stamps upon it a sufficiency of authority. Revolutions d' Allemagne- Revolutions of Germany" but not the present revolutions, for Germany has submitted to many, yet to none so destructive of the general happiness and independence of Europe, as those of our own time: the work before us is merely a translation of Denina's Revoluzione della Germania: it is ably executed, and extends to six volumes octavo. Histoire de France, &c." History of France

from

from the Time of the Gauls to the Fall of the Monarchy: by M. Anquetil," the earlier volumes of which we have formerly noticed, and which is now brought down from vol. x. to vol. xv. inclusive, so as to complete the undertaking, and reflect additional lustre upon the very comprehensive talents of the author. And lastly, Histoire de Guerres des Gaulois, &c..." His tory of the Wars of the Gauls and French in Italy; with a View of the Civil and Military Events which accompanied them, and of their Influence on the Civilization and Improvement of Mankind, from Bellovesus to the Death of Louis XII., by M. Auguste Jubé, Mem. ber of the Tribunate; and from the Death of Louis XII. to the Treaty of Amiens; by M. Joseph Servan, General of Division; with a Portrait of the Emperor Napoleon by Isabez and Tardieu: an Atlas of twelve Folio Maps, by M. Lapie, Geographical Engineer; and two Views, by M. Le Jenne; 7 vols. 8vo. Paris." With the exception of that preponderance of mind in favour of the new dynasty which it is natural to expect in the writings of one of Bonaparte's own officers, this is one of the best general histories of France which has ever yet been of fered to the world. Gen. Servan is an able successor to the labours of M. Jubé; he is intimately acquainted with his subject, and has accurately disposed and arranged it.

M. Eyler Hagerux, of Vördalen in NORWAY, has published a "Fis. tory of St. Olave, King of Norway," a work replete with paleo. graphic information, and peculiar ly interesting to the early history of our own country, from the close connection that subsisted between itself and the north of Europe to

wards the close of the first chyliad of the christian æra: and M. Holbech, of Copenhagen, is engaged in a long detailed history of the Stuart dynasty. His chief object is to give a comprehensive biography of the late cardinal York, with whom this dynasty has become completely extinct: introductory to which he has already published his "Historical View of the Reigns and For tunes of the Stuarts." The work is upon the whole impartial: in the midst of many hereditary virtues possessed by this family, he admits that there was a large preponde rance of criminality and weakness and a preponderance that rendered❤ it impossible for them to escape the ruin which befel them.

SWEDEN has found an able and accomplished historian as well as critic in M. Hallenberg, royal librarian, and national historiographer. Among biblical scholars he is already known and esteemed for his translation of the Apocalypse, with a large body of critical notes: he has since been engaged in an "Universal History," of which the third volume has lately made its appearance; and he has just completed, in five volumes octavo, "The History of Sweden during the Reign of Augustus Adolphus the Great."--There is a smaller work upon a more extensive scale just published, by M. Silverstolpe, that is by no means deficient in merit, and will ably answer the parpose it professes, we mean that of being A Compendium of the History of Sweden."

That we may not have to return to Stockholm in the course of the present chapter, we shall notice the following works, which equally ap pertain to it: Resa igenom en del af England och Skottland Travels through Parts of England and Scot2 B 4

land,

land, in the years 1802, 1803: by Eric. Th. Svedenstjerna." M. Svedenstjerna is a pupil of Vauquelin; he was placed under his care at the expense of a society of iron-workers at Stockholm, and by them franked in the course of his present travels, which were chiefly indeed for their benefit, and hence partake much of a mineralogical character. Liberality was never better bestowed; our traveller, who was well recommended to our own country, is always observant, always active, always in good humour: he has thrown a great portion of interest into every page, and will be found to have given to many of our countrymen a new insight into their native land. We cordially recommend these volumes to be translated. They are well worthy of being naturalized amongst us, and will abundantly repay the trouble of writing.

"Nagra Korta underrättelser om Fayal och de öfrige Açorerne." These excursions of M. Hebbe over Fayal, one of the Azore islands, is not confined to Fayal alone; for it gives a detailed account of the whole clustre of the Azores, and may be perused with considerable instruction. M. Ruders, in his Portugisisk Resa, &c.-"Travels through Portugal," has also well described the interior of that kingdom; and we perceive, in an abridged form, a Swedish translation of Mr. Barrow's Travels in Southern Africa, from the pen of M. P. Olof Gravander, of the university of Upsal.

In RUSSIA, general Alexander Palizyn has translated sir George Staunton's account of lord Macart ney's Embassy to China, into his native language: it is magnificently printed, and illustrated by a variety of engravings. M. Von Rei mers, in his work entitled Reise der

Russischkaisserlichen Gesandtschaft,&c.

"Journal of the Imperial Russian Embassy to the Ottoman Porte, performed in the year 1793," has added considerably to our knowledge of the intervening country, we mean Wallachia, Bulgaria, and Romelia, and not a little to that of the Turks themselves. M. Von Reimers was one of the secretaries to the embassy which was fitted out by Catharine II. in 1793: his work extends to three quarto volumes ; in the first he describes his route to Constantinople, in the second of fers observations on this city and its environs, and in the third gives an interesting account of the Cherso nesus Taurica, through which, by particular permission of the Rus sian ambassador, he passed in his return home. These volumes, if curtailed of their redundancies, might also be naturalized with ample profit.

Bergmann's Nomadische Streifereyen unter den Kalmülen Bergman's Nomadic Excursions among the Calmucks in the years 1802, 1803. Riga. 2 vols. 8vo." A highly en tertaining, and apparently a faithful and accurate history of these Russian Asiatics.

Before we finally take leave of this immense empire, we will notice that M. Von. Murr, of Nuremberg, has sent to his imperial majesty three manuscripts of the great mathematician Joannes Regiomontanus, together with some rare printed works of the same author. They have been placed in the imperial library, and Mr. Murr has been ho noured in return with a present of a superb brilliant ring. We will notice also, that a new periodical journal has been commenced at Petersburg, under the superintendence of M. Martignon, the translator of Longmus, intended for general scienti

fic information, under the title of S. Notices of the North;" and that another entitled "The Friend of Information; or Journal of the Arts and Sciences," has been just essayed at Moscow, edited by M. Kutusow of the university of that city.

In ITALY the abbate Francesco Fontani, librarian of the Riccardine library, in his Viaggio pittorico della Toscana-"Picturesque Tourthrough Tuscany," has produced a work that may be perused with pleasure by every class of readers. It is, however, too extensive for general perusal, as comprising three voiumes folio: it is equally literary, historic, and descriptive; the style is agreeable and unaffected, and the taste and judgment evinced are highly cultivated and mature. Considerazioni sopra la Storia di Sicilia, dai tempi Normani sino ai Presenti "Reflections on the History of Sicily, from the Times of the Normans to the present Period." This is a production of the canon Rosario, and is printed at Palermo: the work however is not yet complete, the first two volumes only having hitherto appeared; the size, octavo. We shall return to it when finished, We have, from this quarter, to announce that M. Sestini, who is well known as a profound medallist, and who has already published several excellent works on this science, intends adding another volume, making the ninth, to his Lettere e Dissertazioni Numismatiche, which will contain the Grecian coins and medals of the cabinet of Gotha; and that he has just commenced a complete System of Geographical Numismatics, which is to extend to twelve volumes folio. It will contain a description of the most interesting coins and medals of antiquity, pub. lic and private, in Europe.

In PORTUGAL, and printed and

engraved at Lisbon, we meet with a most splendid and magnificent work, of an extent we are ignorant of at present, which is designed, as expressed by its title, to give "Portraits and Busts of the most eminent and illustrious Men and Women that have adorned the Portugueze Nation, whether celebrated for their Virtues or their Literature, for Arts or Arms, whether Natives or Foreigners, whether of ancient or modern Date; to be accompanied with biographical Sketches, deduced from History and ancient Monuments"

Retratos e Bustos dos Varos, e Donas, que illustraram a naçao Portugueza em Virtudes, Letras, e Artes, assim Nacionaes, como Estranhos, &c. This immense undertaking is projected, as it need to be, por uma Socie-lade Philopatrica (by a philopatric society): its size is quarto, and the two first numbers, containing eight portraits, with their respective lives, were completed last August.

The chief productions that have reached us from the American states appertaining to the present chapter are the following: "Description of the Genessee Country;" by Mr. R. Munro, of New York a description at once geographic, statistic, oryctologic, and commercial. "American Annals; or a Chronological History of America, from its discovery in 1492 to 1806, 2 vols.Svo. by Abiel Holmes, D.D." printed at Cambridge, New England. This is a work of much merit:-it contains much original mat ter, and that which is not new is for the most part drawn from unquestionable, often from original authorities. Recourse has frequently been had to Robertson: but there is abundant proof that the Spanish writers themselves have been sedulously consulted in their own pages.

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