Fund, that would, by applying the interest, prevent the shutting up of the Box, which frequently occurs in almost all their Clubs, to the great mortification and distress of many of their old and sick Members.If all the Benefit Societies would unite in hiring one large room, by meeting on different nights, they might conduct their respective concerns without inconvenience, and with a great moral and pecuniary advantage.' The profits of this publication are devoted to the benefit of the Club. Art. XIX. The History of Rome from the Foundation of that City to the Fall of the Eastern Empire, related in familiar Conversations, by a Father to his Children: interspersed with moral and instructive Remarks and Observations on the most leading and interesting Subjects. Designed for the Perusal of Youth. By Elizabeth Helme, (Author of Instructive Rambles, Maternal Instruction, the Histories of England and Scotland, as related by a Father to his Children, &c. &c.) 4 vols. 12mo. pp. 1000. price 168 boards. Wilkie and Robinson, 1808. MRS. Helme is one of those ladies who feel a laudable desire for the instruction of youth and she has used much diligence in promoting the object. But we could wish it to be remembered, by these worthy persons, that, "of making many books there is no end." It does not appear to us that such a history as this was at all requisite; since we have others on the same scale, and written in a better style. To some, however, the form of family conversations may recommend it. We are pleased with most of her moral reflections, and with her indications of reverence for the Christian faith; but now and then we have occasion to complain of her attempts to apologise for the Roman laws and customs. Surely Mrs. Helme must have forgotten her religious lessons, and what was proper in the character of a British father, when she allows him to say, that the cus tom of putting children to death, who were born with any deformity, r was rectified by the consent of five being necessary to its execution." (Vol. I. p. 24.) present Art XX. A Letter from Mr. Whitbread to Lord Holland, on the to Spain are those of the whole British people; the success of the Patriots has more than satisfied the hopes of the most sanguine, and has nearly vanquished the scruples, we believe, of the most cautious and sceptical. What will be the result of their emancipation from foreign tyranny, is still a subject of anxious conjecture and apprehension. In Mr. W.'s opinion, the present moment is a highly proper one for Great Britain to make overtures of peace; and the design of his letter is chiefly to clear himself from the charge, rested on this opinion, of indifference to the liberties of Spain. Art XXI. A Treatise of Divine Providence, General and Particular, as relating to the Church of God in the World. By Stephen Charnock, B. D. Fellow of New College, Oxford. Fourth Edition. 8vo. pp. 270. Price 4s. 6d. boards. Maxwell and Wilson 1808. THE republication of this excellent treatise, in a handsome and commodious form, is much to be cominended. Of the author, we need scarcely speak; he was one of the devoutest ministers, and was perhaps the most accurate and profound, of the age in which he lived; his surprising copiousness of reflection, and the grandeur and force of his illustrations, evince a mind of unusual comprehension and energy. In this treatise, theological students will find much admirable dissertation, though they should not implicitly admit, to their full extent, the whole of its principles and arguments. The editor has prefixed some particulars concerning Charnock's life, supplementary to the account given by the original editors of his works, which were not published till after his death. Stephen Charnock descended from an ancient family in Lancashire, but was born in 1628, in the parish of St. Catherine Creechurch, in London, where his father, Richard Charnock, practised as a Solicitor. In 1649, he retired to Oxford, and the following year obtained a fellowship in New College. In 1652. he was incorporated Master of Arts, as he had stood in Cambridge; and two years after was made Proctor of the University, which office he sustained with great honour and applause. Upon the expiration of his office, he went over to Ireland, and resided in the family of Henry Cromwell. He also preached to a congregation in Dublin, and had most of the gentry and persons of quality in the city for his hearers. The Restoration putting an end to his ministry in Dublin, he returned to London, where he spent fifteen years in retirement, and, for his further improvement, took a tour occasionally to France and Holland. At length, in 1675, he accepted a call to become joint pastor of a congregation in Crosby-square, with the Rev. Thomas Watson. In this connexion he continued about five years, till his death, the 27th of July, 1680, in the fifty-third year of his age.' A fine portrait is prefixed, but is not stated to be engraved from any original painting. Art. XXII. Abradates and Panthea; a Tragedy, in Five Acts: from the Cyropædia of Xenophon. By John Edwards, of Old Court, Wicklow, Esq. 8vo. pp. 87. Ridgway. IT is fair, but " faint praise," to say of this performance, that it is equal to the general run of modern dramas. If it were entirely new to the reader, the plot would give it so powerful and tender an interest, as to conciliate pardon for its numerous defects and blemishes; but as this charming narrative is better known than perhaps any other tale in ancient history, no writer can hope even to escape contempt, in pretending to dramatise it, unless he is capable of adding new pathos to the most affecting incidents, and of adorning the most exquisite and consummate beauty. Mr. Edwards may be congratulated, if not on the success, at least on the innocence of his attempt; it would be no breach of the decalogue, we suppose, to improve the appearance of Raffaelle's Aladona with the addition of a wig and stomacher, or to heighten the charms of the Louvre Venus with rouge and ribbons; instead, therefore, of blaming Mr. E. for his dulness, his common places, his neglect of oriental costume, and his teaching Cyrus to worship "Jove," we shall civilly dismiss his performance to the repose which tragedies of the nineteenth century seem privileged to enjoy. Art. XXIII. Divine and Moral Precepts, for the Conduct of a Chris tian toward God and toward Man. By John Hamond, supposed to have been the Father of Dr. Henry Hamond, &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 175. Price 3s. 6d. Longman and Co. 1808. THESE precepts are for the most part judicious, the expression is for cible, and the tendency scriptural. But it is not sufficient to give the best advice; it should be given in the best manner and we fear that few young people will so far relish the quaintness and the dry abstract form of this work, as to consult it with sufficient care, or yield it the proper obedience. With general approbation of its substance, and very feeble hopes of its success, we shall leave it to float or founder, as it may, among the multitude of unnecessary publications. Art. XXIV. An Address to Time; with other Poems. By John Jackson, of a virtuous and deserving young man, (says the Editor) that pecuniary assistance which may enable him, in some measure, to co-operate with the wishes and liberality of his patrons and friends in acquiring the very important advantage of a classical education." The emolument arising directly from the sale of the work is likely to be but small; it may, however, attract the notice of some wealthy and liberal persons, and thus obtain the requisite aid to facilitate the author's literary pursuits. Its contents are of subordinate merit and interest; yet they display a portion of talent so far superior to what is common in young persons of Mr. Jackson's humble origin and scanty opportunities, as to justify the concern which is expressed for his improvement: he is now, it seems, about nineteep. Art. XXV. Scripture Versions, Hymns, and Reflections on Select Passages. By J. Waring. Designed for the Use of Young People. 8vo. pp. 170. Price 3s. 6d. Darton and Co. Hatchard, 1808. MR. Waring's design is extremely laudable, but we fear it will not be accomplished; his plan is good, but very inadequately executed. To furnish the young with serious and useful amusement, and to excite their attention and reverence toward the sacred scriptures, it is not sufficient for a writer to glow with the worthy feelings which actuate Mr. Waring; very superior talents are requisite to give fascination to solemn subjects, and to versify the histories and odes of Holy Writ, without degrading their simple dignity. It appears to us that Mr. Waring's compositions, with a few exceptions, are not better suited to the capacity and taste of children, than those of our most approved devotional poets, while they are inferior in elegance and spirit. The idea of selecting scriptural subjects for poetical paraphrase or illustration, we have on various occasions recommended; and we still consider a performance of this kind, suitably executed, as very desirable; but where is the devout Collins or Gray that shall undertake it? Mr, Grahame's minor poems are only a respectable approximation toward supplying the deficiency of which our author justly complains: but the appearance of a writer fully competent and ready to the task is, we fear, much rather to be desired than anticipated. In the mean while, there is a large class of young people, whose morality is better than their taste, and among whom Mr. W.'s book may find a respectable circulation. ART. XXVI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION, A Statistical and Geographical Survey of Spain and Portugal, with a detailed acCount of the several provinces, cities and towns, in a duodecimo volume, illustrated by coloured maps of the countries, will appear in a short time. A Vocabulary, Persian, Arabic, and English, is in the press; principally compiled from Richardson's Persian Dictionary, as improved by Dr. Wilkins, Mr. B. Boothroyd has in the press, and will publish as speedily as a proper attention to correctness will admit, a new edition of Bishop Newcome's justly admired Version of the Minor Prophets, with additional notes from Blaney, and Horsley on the Prophet Hosea. Speedily will be published, embellished with a head of Hesiod, from a genuine antique, the Remains of Hesiod, the Ascræan; translated from the Greek into English yerse, with a Dissertation on the Poetry and Mythology, the Life and Era of Hegiod, and copious notes, by Charles Abraham Elton, Esq. Dr. Noehden has prepared for the press a collection of German Exercises, as a companion to his Grammar. This work will be of particular service to those who wish to acquire an accurate and practical knowledge of German composition. Besides the references to the Grammar, the notes contain numerous illustrations of the idioms of the language. The author intends that the publication shall be followed by a volume of extracts from the best German authors, which he also designs as a vehicle for remarks and observations, explanatory of the peculiarities and difficulties that are to be met with in the construction and phraseology of the German language. Mr. Custance's Concise View of the Constitution of England will probably appear in the course of this month, Mr. Aceum has in the press a System of Mineralogy and Mineralogical Chemistry, with applications to the Arts. The work is formed chiefly after Hauy and Brogniart, and will make three octavo volumes. Mr. J. T. Davies, of Bath, has in the press, Observations on Carditis, or the Inflammation of the Heart, illustrated by cases and dissections. It is Mr. Davies's design to shew, that this disease occurs oftener than has been supposed, and that, Contrary to the opinions of our best syste matic writers, there are circumstances by which it may sometimes be distinguished in practice. Mr. Natt of Paisley, has in the press Cases of Diabetes, with Observations. The practice is new, and in many respects the reverse of that which has been generally followed of late years, Mr. Drakard of Stamford, is now printing a Guide to Burleigh House, the seat of the Marquis of Exeter, to be embellished with engravings by Messrs. Storer and Greig, from drawings by Mr. E. Blore. This work, it is expected, will be ready for publication about Christmas next. In the Spring of next year will be published, the History of India, during the administration of Marquis Wellesley, from the year 1797 to 1806; comprising an examination of his Lordship's System of Policy, both foreign and domestic; and a complete account of the actual state of the British provinces, in all their relations, under the operation of that system. By Laurence Dundas Campbell, Esq. To the History will be prefixed an introductory Chapter, containing a Review of the Genius and Character of the People of Hindûstan; of the Principles, Constitution, and Policy of the Native Governments; of the relative situation of those Governments respectively, and of the British Empire in India; of the General State of that Empire and its Dependencies, during the administration of Marquis Cornwallis and of Lord Teignmouth; and, finally, of the Political, Civil and Military Condition in which it was placed at the period of Marquis Wellesley's arrival in that Country. The whole of this Work is composed from official Records, and other original Documents, of which some interesting Parts will be given in an Appendix. This Publication will be illustrated with a General Map of Hindûstan, and embellished with a Portrait of the Marquis Wellesley. It will form two thick volumes, Quarto, and is printing on two sizes-Medium Paper, Price Three Guineas and a half, and Imperial Quarto Paper, Price Five Guineas. The Rev. T. Stabback, Lecturer of Helstone, proposes to publish in two large Volumes, Octavo, the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles: with Annotations, critical, explanatory, and practical, chiefly selected from the most able Commentators, in Divinity, ancient and Mo dern. To each Chapter will be added Reflections, drawn from some striking portion of its Contents. An Account of the Life and Writings of the late Mr. Joseph Strutt, is in the press, with a correct Likeness of the Author, en.. graved by Mr. John Ogborne, from an original Picture in crayons, by Osias Humphreys, Esq. Dr. Smith will shortly publish a Work in one volume, octavo, under the title of Botanical Illustrations, intended as a continuation of his Introduction to Botany. Preparing for publication, a Series of Portraits of the most eminent Persons now living, or lately deceased, in Great Britain and Ireland; including the most distinguished Characters in the Senate, the Church, the Navy and Army, the learned Professions, and the various Departments of Literature and Science: those who have most zealously exerted themselves in promoting the Arts, Agriculture, and Commerce of the Country, or, by their example and patronage, have most conspicuously contributed to its general prosperity and happiness. The Portraits will be elegantly and accurately drawn, in a uniform Manner, from Life, or from original Pictures, and the Engravings will be perfect Facsimiles of the Drawings. The Work will be published periodically, and the First Number, containing six Portraits, each accompanied by a short biographical notice, will appear very soon. A limited number of Proof Impressions will be taken off, in a superior manner, on large paper; and all the Copies will be delivered as nearly as possible according to the dates of orders received, for which a book is opened by Messrs. Cadell and Davies. Mr. Wilkins, Author of the Antiquities of MAGNA GRECIA, has announced a translation of the Civil Architecture of Vitruvius, comprising those Books which relate to the public and private Edifices of the Ancients, illustrated by numerous Engra、 vings, with an Introduction, containing the History of the Rise, Progress, aud Decline of Architecture among the Greeks, ART. XXVII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. |