fluous for it is not to be fuppofed, that the chirping of the grafshopper is addreffed to the paffenger, or that of the cricket to the baker, or the farmer at his fire-fide. The organs of hearing, Mr. B. fuppofes (for who, confifidering the various appearance of these minute objects, can more than fuppofe) to be feated in the antenna. These parts he confiders, as neither offenfive nor defenfive, but endued with an exquifite fenfe of feeling; that by obfervation of the larger species, they are all hollow within, and flexible by their joints: he apprehends that they receive founds communicated by the repercuffions of the air, which is conveyed from one joint to another, till it arrives in a leffened tone, like a dying echo, beft fuited to the timid nature of the animal. If this fuppofition fhould be objected to, as diffimilar to the expanded ears of larger animals, he inftances the difference obfervable in their vifual organs. Confidering the variety of fubftances on which infects feed, Mr. B. deems it highly neceflary for them to be furnished with organs for fmelling. Thefe he fuppofes to be fituated in the palpi, or feelers, of which fome infects have four, fometimes fix; and which affift in conveying food to their mouths. The fe palpi are in continual motion, the animal thrufting them into every kind of matter, as a hog does his nofe, fmelling and fearching after food; as may be icen of thofe infects whole palpi are moft vifible and large. The inquiries and obfervations in the Preface are more entertaining, than thofe parts of the work itfelf where the Author defcends to particulars; where the technical harfhnefs and brevity of the language, will prove unfurmountable obftructions to general readers. Scientifical naturalifts do not, we think, condefcend fufficiently to common apprehenfions. Many of thefe infects are familiar to us on the copper-plate, though difquifed in the defcription; which, when underftood, is not always fatisfactory. Why fhould not the writer exhauft all he knows concerning their generation, modes of life, and food; their living ufes or medical properties, if difcovered, or how to rid ourselves of them if peftiferous? Some fuch articles occur, but in few inftances. On the contrary, thefe gentlemen principally content themfelves in writing for each other; and defcribing little more than generical diftinctions, merely inftruct us, in barbarous terms, to difcriminate one fpecies from another. Why fhould they not uniformly add the popular names, and *Remedies are indeed hinted at against those domestic plagues, bugs and fleas; but if people who want fuch remedies, have no guide at hand able to conftrue cimex lectularius, and pulex, fo much the better for the vermin; furnish furnifh an index of those names, that common readers of curiofity, whose money may be as acceptable as that of professors, and probably tell for more, collectively, might be invited to indulge themselves in, and reap fome benefit from, their studies? ART. XIV. An authentic Narrative of a Voyage performed by Captain Cook and aptain Clerke, in his Majefty's Ships Refolution and Difcovery, during the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780; in fearch of a North West Paffage between the Continents of Afia and America. Including a faithful Account of their Discoveries, and the unfortunate Death of Captain Cook. Illuftrated with a Chart, and a variety of Cuts. By W. Ellis, Affiftant-Surgeon to both Veffels. 2 vols. 8vo. 125. Robinfon, 1782. SSISTANT-Surgeon to both veffels! Mercy for the book that has occafion for fuch a pitiful puff?-Who is not aware that the navy knows no fuch officer, and that furgeon's maté was Mr. Ellis's proper title? We can affure him we did not fall to our peafe-porridge with the greater gout from finding a fpider in the firft fpoonful. However, as Mr. E. may himfelf have done, at Otaheite, &c. when a fat dog was on the table, and no other victuals before him, we proceeded to finish our meal; and, though we were in continual expectation of it, in confequence of our first naufea, we did not afterwards meet with any thing that greatly difgufted us. On the contrary, we must confefs the book contains much information, and in fome inftances of a very curious nature, if it can be depended on : but the account here given clafhes fo directly, in many particulars, with that published fome time ago, as to render both doubtful. For instance, the author of the former account tells us, that Omai, notwithstanding his inordinate defire for women, was fo difgufted with the natives of New Holland, that he fired his piece in the air to frighten them out of his fight. On the contrary the Author before us afferts, that the mufket was fired by the officer who had charge of the boat, to deter them from hauling it afhore, which he could not prevent by any other means; and that this was the cause of the natives running away both from the watering and wooding parties. Again, Captain Cook, in the account of his fecond voyage, combats an opinion which had been almoft univerfally received, that the natives of New Zealand would difpofe of their children for iron, or any other article of traffic which they had taken a fancy to; and relates a story which tends to confirm this opinion, and to fhew that he, as well as others, had mifin See Review for September laft, p. 236. Journal of Captain terpreted terpreted their meaning when they drew a different conclufion from what they had feen. But the author of the Journal, publifhed fome time ago, afferts, that Captain Cook lived to see the former opinion established beyond contradiction, and to find that he had himself erred in the conclufions which he had drawn from the circumftance he relates; for that Omai purchafed two fine boys of their father, one about 15, and the other about 10 years of age, for two hatchets and a few nails. Now the Author of the narrative before us fays, that the father of the elder boy was killed in an affray amongst themselves, about fix weeks before Captain Cook arrived in Queen Charlotte's found; and that he, and the other ladhaving expreffed a defire to continue with Omai, were permitted by the Captain to accompany him.' He adds farther, that the mother of the boy whofe father was killed, came on board, and with tears intreated him to remain behind; telling him, amongst many other powerful arguments, that they would kill and eat him; but he was too refolute and firm to pay any attention to her perfuafions, and the poor woman went on fhore quite inconfolable. A number of inftances might be quoted in which the two accounts flatly contradict each other; and reading them will but make every one, who interefts himself in the natural hiftory of his own fpecies, impatient for the publication of a more authentic account of this very interefting voyage; which we are affured will make its appearance in the course of next winter, illuftrated with a fet of maps and engravings, more fplendid and more numerous than those which accompanied Captain Cook's account of his former voyage. The narrative will be printed from that celebrated navigator's own account; which, it feems, was complete to the evening before his death: and it will be continued from that time by Captain James King, who fucceeded to the command of the Discovery on the death of Captain Clerke. But to return to the work which is more immediately our fubject. It must be owned there is fome reafon for placing more confidence in it than in the former account; for befides fome internal evidence, fuch as a vein of fplenetic and ill-natured remark which runs through the whole of the Journal, and is wanting in this Book, the Author of it has put his name to his performance; by which we know that he was in a fituation that enabled him to come at information; which we are not fure was the cafe with the other; befides, his work fhews him to be a man of fome reading and obfervation. The plates which accompany this account, though small, are neatly executed; and, excepting the map, which in fome inftances is prepofterous, appear to have been drawn with tolerable correctnefs. But we think, if it had been as convenient to the bookfeller, and the Author had thought well of it, all the information which the two volumes contain, might very eafily have been compreffed into one. However, in saying this, we are not confcious of fpeaking worfe of Mr. E's performance than might, with juftice, be obferved of the greater part of books which have lately been publifhed in two volumes: wide lines, a large letter, broad margins, and a volume not too thick, being, in thefe days, among the principal things which are to be confidered in making what is emphatically called a gentleman's book. Mr. E. was therefore perfectly right in conforming to the taste of his cuftomers. Linen-drapers, haberdashers, &c. all do the fame. And why, ye difpenfers of medicine, and difpenfers of incle, fhould ye not, when you become difpenfers of literature, follow the fame prudential maxims, and endeavour to pleafe your customers by bringing your goods to market in the moft marketable condition! MONTHLY CATALOG U E, For JUNE, 1782. Art. 15. Sacred Odes: or, Pfalms of David, paraphrased from the Original Hebrew. 4to. I S. Wilkie. 1782. THE HESE Pfalms are intended (fo fays the prefatory advertisement) as a specimen of a confiderable number of others, paraphrafed in a fimilar manner, and accompanied with obfervatious og the Hebrew Text. To paraphrafe the Pfalms is an attempt that has, for what reafon it is needless to point out, almoft as frequently failed as it has been made. We much fear whether the perfent adventurer will be more fuccef-ful than his predeceffors. Of his attempts the most that car be faid is, that fome of them are tolerable. Art. 16. The Galeniad. A Satirical Poem. 4to. I s. 6d. Fielding, &c. 1782. Whether this contemptible poem be written in commiferation or derifion of the fraternity of journeymen apothecaries, is a point we prefume not to folve; nor does it feem to be a point worth fettling. Art. 17. A Poetical Addrefs from Mrs. N****ŋ tọ L**y W*****y. 4to. 1 S. Swift. 1782, These epiftolary lines reprefent the fuppofed writer (a Mrs. Newton, of whom frequent mention hath lately been made in the public prints) as the most complete Meffalina of the age. The verfes being too good for the subject, we wish their Author better employment for his pen. NOVEL S. Art. 18. Colonel Ormsby: or the genuine Hiftory of an Irish Nobleman in the French Service. 2 Vols. 12mo. 5 s. fewed. Macgowan. A tale fimple without innocence, and warm without fentiment, F 3 Art. Art. 19. Anna: a Sentimental Novel. In a Series of Let ters. In 2 Vols. 12mo. 5s. fewed. Hookham, 1782. This novel is written with a kind of vivacity and smartness which fometimes approaches the borders of humour, but which much oftener fteps into the walks of affectation and pertness. The tale has animation enough to engage fome degree of attention, but is too deficient in connection and probability to intereft the paffions. Art. 20. Les Delices du Sentiment: or, the Paffionate Lovers, in a series of Letters which have recently paffed between Two celebrated Characters, well known in polite Life for their Virtues, Talents, and Accomplishments, with a Tranflation from the originals. Written in Cypher. 8vo. 35. 6d. Macgowan. Of all the pap that was ever prepared in the nursery of Venus, for the use of her pretty babes, this is the most infipid. MISCELLANEO U S. Art. 21. A New Defcription of the Terrestrial Globe: or, An abrioged Defcription of the Earth. For the Ufe of Schools. Tranflated into English. By T. Upfdale, French Teacher. 12mo. 3 s. Crowder. 1780. The original French of this volume is here printed together with the English translation. It may excite a fmile to find it entitled a Defcription of the Terreftrial Globe, or of the Earth. It confifts of two hundred and twenty-five pages; of this number fifty-feven are employed in a kind of introductory difcourfe, containing advice to youth; and between fixty and feventy more in what is called, A new treasure, and a new treatife of orthography; about one hundred pages which remain are devoted to the defcription of the world, and of thefe, feventy are appropriated to an account of the kingdom of France. This is in the true French air in the idea of a thorough Frenchman, the hiftory of France is the hiftory of the world! The introduction to the prefent performance contains fome proper and pertinent inftructions for youth; but, on the whole, the drift of it feems rather to form, what this Writer terms, as a kind of degradation, men of the world, than men of ftrict principle, piety, and virtue. The New Treasure, as it is affectedly denominated, is a fort of epitome of the history of the human race from the creation, and the far greater part of this is devoted to the honour and glory of the French nation. We think we have much better epitomes of the geographical and hiftorical kind, for the ufe of fchools, in our own language; and, in truth, better might have been felected from the French; fo that the tranflation of this work feems to have been a very unneceffary bufinefs. Art. 22. Mifcellanies in Profe and Verfe, moftly written in the Epiftolary Style: chiefly upon Moral Subjects, and particularly calculated for the Improvement of younger Minds. By Mrs. M. Deverell, Gloucefterfhire. 2 Vols. 12mo. 7 s. Dodfley. 1782. Although we cannot place this writer in the first class of female authors, her pieces, efpecially those which are written in profe, are calculated to afford fome entertainment, and much ufeful instruction to the young female reader. Throughout the whole, Mrs. D. appears |