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enunciation are useful, and clearly delivered. We therefore recommend this small volume to those who wish to attain, without the help of instructors, the important advantages of thinking and speaking with propriety :-but a very diligent perusal is necessary to render the compilation useful to persons of this description.

Art. 57. A Set of Questions, comprising the History of the Four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles: with References to the Scriptures, instead of Answers: designed for the Exercise and Improvement of Young Persons. 12mo. pp. 104. Johnson. 1799.

This is the second edition of an useful work, formed somewhat on the plan of Dr. Priestley's Scripture Catechism. The questions are confined according to the accounts given above: but this new publication is extended so far as to embrace some parts of St. Paul's epistles; and thus, with a little resemblance to Paley's Hora Paulina, the history and epistles may mutually illustrate and confirm each other. Whether it be any advantage to this work, that it proceeds on a supposition that the public ministry of Christ did not exceed one year and a few months, we are uncertain: but the use of the questions needs not be prevented, and will not be incommoded, although per sons should adopt a very different opinion.

A calendar is added, marking in course of time the events during our Lord's ministry, until his ascension: also a chronological table from the birth of Christ to A. D. 63, the period of the Scripture history: this table commences at the twentieth year of the reign of Augustus, within which is placed the birth of Jesus.

Art. 58. The History of John Wise, a poor Boy in the Parish of , published for the Use of all Little Children. 12mo. 6d. bound. Willis.

This small volume is likely to entertain and instruct those early readers for whom it is designed. The story will interest them, and impress religious and moral truth on their minds. They may hence learn virtue, industry, and contentment; though they should not attain an advancement like that with which John Wise was favoured. The poetry is suited to their years.

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Art. 59. The American Gazeteer, exhibiting, in Alphabetical Order, a much more full and accurate Account than has been given, of the States, Provinces, Counties, Cities, Towns, Villages, Rivers, Bays, Harbours, Gulfs, Sounds, Capes, Mountains, Forts, Indian Tribes, and new Discoveries, on the American Continent: also of the West India Islands, and other Islands appendant to the Conti nent, and those newly discovered in the Pacific Ocean: describing the Extent, Boundaries, Population, Government, Productions, Commerce, Manufactures, Curiosities, &c. of the several Countries, and of their important Civil Divisions; and the Longitude and Latitude, the Bearings and Distances, from noted Places, of the Cities, Towns, and Villages: with a particular Description of the Georgia Western Territory. The Whole comprizing upwards of seven thousand distinct Articles. Collected and compiled from the best Authorities, and arranged with great Care, by, and under the

Dircetion of Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Author of the American Universal Geography, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Member of the Massachusets Historical Society. Second Edition corrected, illustrated with seven new and improved Maps: To which are added, Facts and Calculations respecting the Population and Territory of the United States of America. 8vo. pp. 634. 10s. 6d. bound. Dilly. 1798.

We have chosen to give this verbose and tedious title-page at its full length; since it becomes the less necessary for us to enter into a detail of the contents of the volume. Yet we are rather surprised that a literary man, as we suppose Dr. Morse to be, should have introduced his publication by such a shew-bill. His American Geography * has been well received, as a work of accuracy and merit; and while he was providing materials for that volume, an idea was suggested of another, in the form of the present Gazetteer. He speaks very handsomely and gratefully of Captain Thomas Hutchins, Geographer General of the United States, and the Rev. Dr. Belknap of Boston, who had each contemplated a work of the same kind: but who, when they heard of Dr. Morse's design, relinquished the purpose, and with a true liberality consigned to his disposal the colicetions which they had made. This performance, however, we fiad, is in a considerable degree a re-publication of the American Geography; over which, notwithstanding, it may claim a just superiority on account of the amendments, improvements, and additions, with which it is now offered to the public.

The article, Georgia Western territory, describes that country as highly desirable and advantageous for settlements. Yet what we are told concerning the disputes which have arisen, and the precarious te nure of purchases which have been made, seems sufficient to disconrage future attempts. This, however, is a subject which requires more full and satisfying details than are generally to be expected from a Gazetteer for which reason, though such a work has great utility, we should still wish for the Geography, including the real state of the country. In looking over the volume, we observe, p. 383. Northumberland, for what reason we know not, twice mentioned as a county of Pennsylvania. This is, no doubt, an oversight, and there may be others of a similar kind: for, as the author very properly remarks, after all the pains which have been taken, and the expence bestowed, it must not be expected, for it is not pretended, that the work is free from errors. That great labour and attention have been exerted, for accomplishing and improving this publication, will be evident to every one who consults its pages.-It is calculated for information and utility, and may be safely recommended to public regard. Art. 60. What is our Situation? and What our Prospects? or a Demonstration of the insidious Views of Republican France. By an American. 8vo. IS. Printed in America; reprinted in London for Black, Leadenhall-street.

America appears to have had reason for complaining of her republican ally; and the author of this pamphlet has probably reasons

* See Rev. for August, 1791, vol. v. N. S. p. 382.

that

that will justify this address to his countrymen, though we should think that in some respects his declamation was intemperate. He tells us that the peace and safety of America are assailed by the French, and by internal hellish factions in league with them, who aim at nothing short of universal uproar and plunder. He endeavours to rouse the good sense and spirit of America against this Jacobin faction, and calls on his countrymen to rally round their government, and to combat Republican France by open war.

NOVEL S.

Art. 61. Rash Vows, or the Effects of Enthusiasm. Translated from the French of Madame de Genlis. 12mo. 3 Vols. 10s. 6d. Boards. Longman.

The name of Madame de Genlis may give a temporary reputation to this novel: but, if we consider its intrinsic merit, we shall find less to praise than on some former occasions, when the writings of this ingenious lady have called for our attention. We are less amused by variety of incident, less instructed by a judicious discrimination of character, and less improved by an elevated strain of morality: while the sentiments are more forced, more unnatural; and the manners are more artificial.

The view of the writer is to exhibit the sad effects of extreme sensibility. Now, though to expect an exact definition of terms in a novel may seem rather unreasonable, we cannot help wishing that the authors of such productions would sometimes inform us what ideas they annex to the word sensibility. If by it they mean a compassion for the miseries of their fellow-creatures, with a tender anxiety to relieve them, they speak of a virtue which cannot be too much encouraged :-but we conceive this quality to be very different from the irritable weakness which shrinks from the common duties of life, is impatient under the least disappointment, and dreads nothing so much as labour and exertion. It may be asked, whether that appellation be not sometimes given to the indulgence of a sickly imagination, and the wild expectations of vanity? Certain it is, that the Lady Clarendon of Madame de Genlis, by attending to a sensibility of this sort, deprives herself of the affections of an excellent husband, of whom she was extravagantly fond. That this husband was jealous will not surprise many of our readers, when they hear that she could find no other confidential repository for her secrets and distresses, than Lord Elby, who was passionately in love with her, and was, as she well knew, suspected by her husband:-yet we are told that she is strictly virtuous: while, at the same time, she voluntarily exposes herself to temptations only justifiable in that order of females on whom Addison bestows the name of Salamanders. We hear many encomiums on her understanding, although ̧ it seems to have little influence on her conduct; and all her escapes may be ascribed to good fortune, rather than to prudence. -After her husband's death, she makes a vow (a Rash Vow!) of celibacy at his tomb, and we are informed that nothing can erase Lord Clarendon's image from her breast ;-yet she falls a victim to second passion,

That

That vows of this sort are not always religiously kept, we are ready to acknowlege: but surely such conduct does not partake much of that angelic perfection which Madame de Genlis ascribes to her heroine.

Art. 62. The Aristocrat. By the Author of The Democrat. 12mo. 2 Vols. 7s. sewed. Low, Law, &c.

This is a pleasing production; and though the characters are not new, nor the incidents very striking, yet an uniform interest is preserved in the mind of the reader, by the ease and elegance of the composition, and by the unvaried purity of the sentiments. The advantages of a public education over a private one are justly and strongly enforced, in the opposite conduct and manners of the principal male characters. We present to our readers the following specimen of the writer's talent for the poetic elucidation of natural sentiment:

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IV.

The woods as green, the skies as blue,
As bright the azure billow flows,
As when to cheer my infant view
The prospect first arose.

But while by grief for pleasures past
The gloomy scene is overcast,

The brightest landscape smiles in vain,
Sad memory each charm destroys,

And only points to wither'd joys

That ne'er must bloom again.'

The author's former work, entitled The Democrat, was noticed in our xixth vol. N. S. p. 207. with that disapprobration which a part of its contents demanded. We did not then know who was the writer, nor can we now positively mention his name: but we have heard that Mr. Pye, the Laureat, has amused himself with writing these productions; the latter of which we are pleased to see undisfigured by those blemishes which, in our apprehension, defaced the former.

RELIGIOUs, &c.

Art. 63. Lectures on the Nature and End of the Sacred Office, and on the Dignity, Duty, Qualifications, and Character of the Sacred Order. By John Smith, D. D. one of the Ministers of Campbleton. 8vo. PP. 344. 5s. Boards. Printed at Glasgow; sold in London by Vernor and Hood. 1798.

The author of these lectures observes that the times are awful beyond example, and call for repentance and reformation, which should begin with the clergy. Endeavouring to promote this good end, he offers the present volume to the world. It consists of twenty-nine lectures, in which the proposed subject is copiously and solemnly considered and displayed. Several quotations from writers, antient and modern, are intermingled with Dr. S.'s reflections; occasionally, also, are introduced apposite narrations and tales, some oriental, which will hardly fail to engage the attention of the reader. The language, in general, is correct and clear; and at suitable times we meet with considerable pathos and energy of diction and of sentiment. Much good sense, as well as devotion and morality, are contained in the work: yet it appears to us that it might have come forth to greater advantage, and have been more acceptable, had it been compressed into a smaller compass. Though the subjects of the lectures vary, they are still so closely connected, that this circumstance alone will occasion some tautology.

The excellent advice which this author gives has been often delivered, though he exhibits it in somewhat of a novel form, as well as with animation and cordiality. Possibly he may incline too much to the supposed austerity of the ascetic life, or may be rather too favourable to the accounts (often fabulous) which we have of monkish sanctity and superstition; and some of his readers will probably deem him too strict and severe. Genuine piety and benevolence, with stedfast virtue, ought undoubtedly to form the ministerial character; for the want of which, no punctuality in attending to forms and offices

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