miftrust him, at least for a time,' and to say to him of Mrs. Courtly, “She has been too good to you~' than to cry out with Sir Jacob, I'll answer for your nephew. The truth is, that the circumstances of the play, though partly gleaned from Plautus and Deftouches, are neither sustained by pleasantry, nor conducted with art; and there is but little comic force in the characters or dialogue.

I Si

TH

MONTHLY CATALOGUE,

For FEBRUARY, 1781.

POLITICA L.
Art. 18. Considerations Preliminary, to the fixing the Sup-

plies, the Ways and Means, and the Taxes, for the Year 178!.
Addressed to the Minister and the Public. Svo.

Almon.
"HESE preliminary Confiderations.compose a melancholy repre-

sentation of the present state of our national funds; though
the Writer admits the readiness with which subscribers still offer their
money to the Government. But by dropping the public argument
toward the close of the pamphlet, and digrefling to perfonal confi-
derations, he appears confessedly to be a disappointed, discontented
senator. P. 28, he declares himself to be slave to no fyftem, at-
tached to no party, weaned from ambition, nor wishing nor hoping
for place or preferment, poflessed of all the wealth I want, of titles
that I could well spare.-In the very next page, he is · Mut out
from public consequence, public use, from all the splendid diftinc-
tions in a free state, which the generous mind pants after, dearer far
than fordid heaps of hoarded gold,' Now, as this account of him.
self is not altogether fo correct as might have been expected ; there
may be some comfort in the suspicion that he may be erroneous in
his state of the national circumitances. Indeed, if suspicion went
even farther, there is warrant for it in what follows the last citation;
for he goes on to inform us, that 'one poor presumptuous hour of
difference in opinion, backed by no vote, cancelling all former obliga-
tions; for, called forth by ministers, I had flood their champion,
warred on their fide, had fought and won their battles ;'-his cafe
therefore brings to remembrance that of Sir Francis Wronghead in
the play ; who accounts for the loss of his seat in Parliament much in
the same manner.
Art. 19. The Speech of General Conway-on moving in the

Hovte of Commons (May 5, 178c), “ That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for quieting the Troubles now reigning in the British Co. Jonies in America, &c.' 8vo. I s. 6 d. Cadell.

Slightly touches on those leading principles on which hollilities in America were begun, and have been pursued ; pathetically expatiate's on the miseries produced by the war, and inflicted on both parties ; and then proposes a plan of conciliation, to be previously fan&tioned and ratified by Parliament.-- The Author was heard with attention, and his ideas were generally admitted : but the hour was not yet

come in which a proposal of so pacific and equitable a tenor should be countenanced by a majority of the British House of Commons.The Order of the day was called for, and the " darling child *” of the patriotic Orator, which he had so earnestly recommended to their care, was left to perish! Art. 20.

A Collection of Treaties of Peace, Commerce, and Alliance, between Great Britain and other Powers, from the Year 1619 to 1734. To which is added, A Discourse on the Conduct of the Government of Great Britain, in respect to Neutral Nations. By the Right Hon. C. Jenkinson t, Secretary at War. The whole being a Supplement to a Collection of Treaties between Great Britain and other Powers, from the Revolution in 1688, 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. Almon. 1781.

When this collection is declared useful to those who wish for a clear understanding of our present unhappy contests with other Powers on the rights of neutrality consistently with subfifting treaties, we have said as much as this republication requires : for we must suppose the treaties above mentioned to have been carefully reviewed by certain right honourable brechren at another board ; whose decifions are final: and an account of Mr. Jenkinson's excellent Dis. course, which was first published in the year 1758, has already been given in our Review, vol. xix. p. 542. Art. 21. On Government ; addressed to the Public.

By Thomas Wycliffe, of Liverpool. 8vo. 5 5. Warrington printed. 1780.

In our 55th volume, p. 317, we mentioned the firft edition of this singular tract, then published without the Author's name.--In our 62d volume, p. 85, we again noticed Mr. W.'s performance, which then appeared in an enlarged form; and now we see it, yet more increased, both in bulk and price.-The Author ftill abides by his favourite idea of an universal empire, of which Great Britain is to be the centre, and seat of government; and he again recommends to our attention bis new plan for a more equal parliamentary representation, viz. into 69 counties, to be represented by 292 deputies, and 197 members for parishes. His scheme is illustrated by a map;-to which the ingenious inventor might, not improperly, have given the title of “ British Utopia." Art. 22. Unity and Public Spirit, recommended in an Address

to the Inhabitants of London and Westminster. To which are added, Two Odes : viz. The Miseries of Diffention and Civil War; and The true Patriot, inscribed to Earl Cornwallis, and Sir George Brydges Rodney, Bart. 8vo. Is. 6 d. Davis.

Though we may not altogether agree with this Writer in attributing our diffentions to the same cause, or look for political salvation to the same point of union that he does, we, nevertheless, concur with him in recommending unity and public spirit to our country

* P.

27. † Justice to our Readers requires us to intimate, that the name of Mr. Jenkinson is noi to be understood as standing to the whole of the present publication ; but restricted to the particular tract, included in it, which appeared about the middle of the last war.

men at this alarming juncture. From the natural, civil, and religious advantages which we enjoy, he insinuates, that it is the daty of every citizen to acquiesce in all the measures of a Government which protects him in the enjoyment of these advantages. He forgets, and herein confifts the fallacy of his argument, that it is to the Conftitu. tion, and not to the administers of the government, that we are in-debied for the blessings he enumerates ; and chat, consequently, it is incumbent upon every man, as he will answer it to himself, to his posterity, and to a Atill higher tribunal, whenever he perceives the liberties of his country in danger, to apply for redress to thofe legal means at least, which the Constitution points out to him.

The two odes, which are subjoined, are not without merit, especially the first. We should have liked them better, had they been written in regular stanzaś. There is no species of composition we will to see exploded so much as that child of idleness and false talte, the irregular ode. Art. 23. Letters to his Excellency the Count de Welderen, on the

present Situation of Affairs between Great Britain and the United Provinces. By John Andrews, LL.D. 8vo. I s. 6d. White. 1781.

A serious, fenfibte, and, we apprehend, unanswerable impeachment of the conduct of the Dutch toward their old friends, and natural allies, the English. In regard to Count Welderen, whose character, indeed, merits every mark of the most decent attention, these Letters are couched in the most respectful terms: at once proving Dr. A. to be not only a found politician, but a polite writer. Art. 24. The Legal Means of Political Reformation, &c. &c.

By Granville Sharp. 8vo. White. 1780. We have frequently recommended the political speculations of this fenfible, patriotic Writer ; who is a ftrenuous advocate for the lately revived doctrine of " a more equal representation," and "annual Parliaments.” In this publication, Mr. Sharp offers many remarks which juftly merit the confideration of the Public. Art. 25. Letters addressed to Sir Thomas Charlos Bunbury, Mem.

ber of Parliament for the County of Suffolk. By a Freeholder. 8vo. 2 s. Dixwell, &c.

On the fuppofition, that we must conquer America, or be ourselves lost in the issue of the dispute ;-and in the perfuafion, that it is the

every good fubject to offer any hints that may occur to him, toward promoting the welfare of his country ;mour honest Freeholder hath here thrown together his ideas, on a variety of political and military topics, of great importance to government, and, confequently, to the community at large. The points which he has discussed are -Better methods of recruiting the army, and manning the navy:New schemes of military enterprize, in order to humble the pride of France and Spain. --Project for purchasing of the Portuguese the island of Tercera, or any other of the Azores, that hach a good barbour, and which, by its ficuation, might enable us to intercept every fhip from France and Spain, going to, or returning from any part of America.--Proposals for the better employment of convicted fefons, by removing them from the ballaft lighters to work in the coabmines.-Scheme for conciliating the friendihip of Ruffia, by giving to

I S.

duty of

her the island of Minorca, as a Mediterranean port; the advantages of which, to that Power, would, as our Author thews, be very confiderable: the place, he obferves, is of little wfe, but great expence, to us, whereas, in the hands of Russia, it would prove 'a formidable 'check

upon

the Bourbon-alliance, in confideration of fo valuable a cellion to the Court of Petersburg, he proposes that the Czarina shahi immediately aflitt us with twenty ships of the line, and 20,000 men.

Some other hints, for the service of Government, and the public benefit, are thrown out in the course of these Letters; for which we mult refer to the publication at large.-- The Author expresses himself like an honest intelligent man, whose meaning is good, although his ftyle and manner are not the most ' refined or elegant. Art. 26. An Address to the Committee of the County of York, or

the State of Public Affairs. By David Hartley, Big. Second Edit. Syo. 1 $. Stockdale, 1781. Mr, D. Hartley's sentiments relative to the state of our public affairs, are well known; and fo, likewise, are the opinions of the Yorkshire Committee, Those sentiments and opinions are here employed on the misconduct of the war, both in America and Europe, the evil measures of Adminiftration, the corruption of Parliament, plans of political reformation, particularly the great scheme for fhortening the duration of Parliaments, and for eftablishing a more equal representation of the people. Many things are here recommended to public attention, which deserve to be well considered by every friend to the true interest of this divided and difracted country.

Mr. Hartley having now no longer any parliamentary employment,' continues, we fee, to devoçe his abilities to the service of that GREATER SOCIETY of which he was born 4 member; and for this fresh proof of his patriotism, he is certainly entitled to the grateful acknowledgments of his countrymen. For his Two Letters to the YorkAire Committee, fee Review for June 1780, p. 486. Art. 27. A Transation of the Memorial to the Sovereigns of Ex

rope, upon the prelent State of Affairs between the Old and the New World, into Common Sense and intelligible English. 8vo.

Stockdale, 1781. In our Review for Aug. 1780, we gave an account of the morial to the Sovereigns of Europe;" the author of which was not then mentioned, nor even guessed at. The work was supposed to have been the production of no ordinary pen, but rather to have come from a masterly hand, who chose to conceal himself under the disguise of a peculiar style, and a fi&itious tale, with respect to the birth and parentage of the namelefs foundling.

The language of this piece was varioufy ipoken of, at the time of its first publication : “ It is ftiff and affected"-" It is quaioe"-" Ic is disguised by a ftudied obscurity"_" It ought to be tranflated into plain English."--Of the same opinion with the last objector, was (we

He honestly professes that his . Letters lay claim to no particular nerit, in finement of language and compofition, though in point of subject matter they deserve the ferious confideration of every man of judgment in this country.'

L 3

fuppose)

suppose) the ingenious Author of the present te-publication; who not only professes to have rendered this famous Memorial into intelligible English, but aiso to have reduced it to common sense: a point of improvement in which we did not perceive the original to stand in much need.

With respect to the real author of this performance, the present Translator scruples not to tell us, that the Memorial is said to have been written by Governor P-1*:- perhaps he is right; but who. ever was the parent, or whatever were his reasons for concealment, we think he had no cause to be ashamed of his offspring.

We have only to add, in regard to the merit of this translation, as it is called, that the Re-publisher of the Memorial bas certainly clothed it in a more easy, natural, and becoming dress. He has also considerably reduced it in fize; but some Readers will poflibly think, that while it hath gained by elegance of form, it hath rather Suffered by abridgment: as the rough diamond is reduced by the

polisher. Like the diamond, bowever, in the Jeweller's hand, this performance appears to much greater advantage, by having its sentiments new set, by a skilful artist.

Po E T ICA L. Art. 28. A Poem occasioned by the late Calamities of England;

in particular those, on the oth and 7th of June 1780. 4to. I s. 6 d. Becket.

This poem is written in such a strain of Lycophrontic sublimity as frequently to fet all sober criticism at defiance :

or Who bids in bick'sings fume before my eyes
Th' Abysmal Despot, gaunt ABADDON, rise?
His fell of locks in uncurl'd scorpion twift ;
A gore-itain'd jav'lin in each lab'ring fift:
He firides supported by no firm-set earth:
Mark you his van-guard, peftilence and dearth?
Mark you the war-hounds driving in the rear,
Rapine, breath-panting vengeance, murd'rous fear,
The measure's foll-Oh! my brain-fickly thought!
By heated fancy's strong illufion wrought!
'Twas horror's pageanimno, there's no such thing:
Memorial mock'ry all : whence mote-thick spring
Unreal spectres cross th' entranced frght :-
'Twas Desolation eyed too well aright

That thus inform’d my sense. This Writer's fault confifts not so much in the deficiency of his ideas, as in the want of taste and judgment in the arrangement of them. Art. 29. September. A Rural Poem. Humbly inscribed to

all Sportsmen. With Notes and Illustrations. By a Gentleman. 4to.

Baldwin. 1780. This good-humoured Satirist is a tolerably fair sportsman, seldom firing at any thing but lawful game. Though he sometimes makes a random shot, he hits his mark as frequently as many do who take a

* Some, with very small appearance of probability, ascribed it to Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

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