* The modern state of this manufacture in Africa, and more particularly in the quarter affigned to the temple of Minerva, furnishes a trong prefumptive proof of a curious fact adduced by our author : and if, as appears probable, the skins mentioned in Exodus were brought from Africa, we are furnished with another curious fact in the history of manufactures; for, in that cafe, the manufacture must have existed in the fame quarter about 3300 years: and even if the Greeks bor. rowed the Egis from the Minerva Tritonia, or any other of the African Minervas, it gives a duration of about 3000 years, to the manu factory.". P. 669.

. The Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Sections are on a fubject peculiarly interefting; namely, the circumnavigation of Africa by the fhips of Pharaoh Necho, King of Egypt. This circumftance has ever excited the curiofity of the world; that Africa was circumnavigated was believed by Herodotus and Pliny, but queftioned by Strabo, Polybius, and Ptolemy. Major Rennel concludes, that fuch a fact was very probable; and this opinion is confirmed by Larcher, who obferves that it is corroborated by this fact, that of the fun being on the right hand in failing round Africa, and which never could have been imagined in an age when aftronomy was yet in its infancy.

The last Section is extraneous, as far as relates to Herodotus, and exhibits an examination of the account of the Voyage of Hanno along the western coast of Africa. In this part, the author pursues his ufual method; he explains the thing itself, from his own conception of the data, and he illuftrates what is faid from ancient and modern authors, and finally concludes with fome general remarks. We have before observed, that this is merely a beginning and introduction to a far greater work, it is therefore an act of justice to reprefent to our readers the author's feelings at the conclufion of this portion of his labour.

"Thus having drawn from the great and celebrated work of the FATHER of profane HISTORY, the various geographical notices with which it abounds, the author has endeavoured to form the whole into a general fystem, fuch, as it may be conceived, exifted amongst the Greeks of that day; and having completed the plan, with great deference has fab:nitted it to the infpection of the public, from whofe tribunal he hopes for a favourable judgment, fince its decrees admit of no appeal.

it is poffible that fome readers may have condemned the work, for its containing matter, in their opinion, foreign to the main fubject; and others for its being, altogether, too diffufe. With respect to the firft clafs, it may be remarked that any fyftem, in order to be underfood, muft be regularly gone through; and it happens that the drynefs of geographical detail is fuch, that a continued feries of them would rather be referred to, than read: fo that the intention of explaining a fyftem, would of courfe have been fruftrated. It has there

R 2

fore

fore been the ftudy of the author, to intermix with the geographical matter fuch ingredients as, whilft they ferved to confolidate the whole mafs into a regular form, would alfo give it the moft agreeable colouring in other words, that by the addition of history, which it is the proper office of geography to explain; by mifcellaneous remarks and obfervations; and occafionally by remarks on the phyfical geography; he might fupply in part that intereft, which the generality of readers muft ever find wanting, in books of fcience.

"In refpect to objections to the bulk of the work, taken absolutely, the author can only answer in the words of an eminent hiftorian, that he, who in the defcription of unknown things, affects too much brevity, feeks not fo much that which fhould be plainly told, as that which should be paffed over." In effect, a great many of the notices afforded by Herodotus, could not be fo well explained, or illuftrated, as by a reference to the works of other authors; or by the introduction of foreign matter.

"It is a remark of Polybius on this very fubject of geography, that the ancient authors who had written concerning it, had fallen into fo many errors, that it was neceffary to enter into a full and deliberate examination of them; but, at the fame time, he with great candour allows," that their labours deferve, on the whole, rather praife than cenfure; and that their errors are ever to be corrected in the gentleft manner; fince it is certain, that they would themselves retract or alter many paffages in their works, if they were now alive."

"The author will receive that reward for which he has toiled, if the public, during the perufal of his work, have regarded it with the fame fentiments, as thofe which poffeffed the mind of Polybius: and which may be productive of more advantage in the present than in the former cafe: fince the author hopes that he may be enabled, in perfon, to retract or alter, what the difcernment of his judges may condemn." P. 7 • 745.

We have thus, we flatter ourselves, given a fair and just analyfis of this elaborate, excellent, and useful work, as far as it goes. We have entered into no partial criticifms, for various reafons; among which, thefe may be thought fatisfactory, both to the author and our readers. We would not with to check, in principio, the ardour and zeal of fcientific purfuit, particularly as any objections we could poffibly make are really trifling, both in themfelves and in their confequences. In fo vaft a work, verbal inaccuracies, incidental obfervations on the local defignation of lefs eminent towns or structures, ought not to weigh against that fagacity which difcovers, and that precision which defines, the more memorable scenes which bear the moft important characters of antiquity, which elucidate real fcience, and which are truly dear to every fcholar and every friend of learning.

Moft anxiously do we with health and leifure to the ingenious and accomplished author, that he may profecute to their

final end thefe geographical investigations of ancient writers, so aufpiciously commenced; and which, on the whole, as Dr. Johnson candidly acknowledged of Gray's celebrated Elegy, it would be vain to blame, and ufelefs to praife.

This volume extends to almost eight hundred pages; an excellent index is annexed; and eleven maps are introduced, explanatory of the different Sections.

ART. VI. A Difcourfe on fome Events of the laft Century, delivered in the Brick Church in New Haven, on Wednesday, January 7, 1801. By Timothy Dwight, D. D. Prejident of Yale College. Copy-right fecured. 8vo. $5 pp. New Haven printed, by Ezra Read. 1801.

AS we do not know that this difcourfe, though it well deferves it, has yet been reprinted in England, we fhall describe it from a copy which was tranfmitted to us from Ainerica; and thall extract the most important part, as our readers might not easily procure the book itfelf. Dr. Dwight, whofe name and merits we have already made known to the English public, takes a regular view of the progrefs and improvement of North America from the beginning to the end of the laft century; with the defign of exciting thankfulness in his hearers, for the mercies of God to that country. The progress is furprising. "In the year 1700, there were 116 incorporated towns in New England, and probably about 80,000 inhabitants. There are now about 860 towns, and probably 1,200,000 people." Other things are in proportion. To the whole of this retrofpect we have nothing to object, but that the author, as was doubtlefs neceffary in America, reprefents the feparation from England as a bleffing, which we have reafon to believe it has not yet proved, as we thall further explain in the fequel. A very ftriking view is given of the changes of morals, for the better or worse, which have taken place in America. But, in the close, great alarm is avowed for the actual ftate of things, and the danger of a Jacobinical regeneration. The addrefs of the Doctor to his countrymen, on this fubject, is forcible and highly impreffive; we fhall therefore infert it, as applicable no lefs, in many points, to the people of this country; and as illuftrative, in fome refpects, of the delufion already hinted at, on the fubject of the advantages gained by America by its Revolution.

"When

When we revert," fays Dr. D. " to the troublous times which are now revolving, the foul irrefiftibly returns to furvey the fins and er rors which rage around us, the temptations which alarm, enfnare, and feduce, and the miferies which are refounded from a fuffering world, In this fituation it intinctively asks, How fhall these evils be averted from ourselves and ours?

"This question is now in truth afked, with strong emotions, and many forebodings, by the great body of the people in New England; and is felt to involve the peace, freedom, and fatety, the morals, reli gion, and immortal welfare of themselves and their children. The mind is awake, the heart is alarmed; anxiety is on the wing, and the Spirit of foreboding looks through the eye, with melancholy fufpence and agitation. Suffer me then, in the indulgence of imagination, to affemble here this vaft multitude, to view them as already gathered around me, and to address to them, as to you, an answer to this folemn enquiry.

"My Friends and Brethren,

In all the changes which have befallen our native country, the in terpofitions of divine providence in its behalf have been wonderful. Think, if you are at a lofs on this fubject, of the manner in which God bare your fathers to this land on eagles' wings, and k: pt them in the hollow of his hand. Recal their numerous deliverances from the favages, and from the more bitter enemies*, who fpurred thofe favages to war and flaughter. Remember their wonderful prefervation from the armament of Chebucto, completed on the night of that folemn day, when with fafting and fupplication they lifted up their united hands to implore the falvation of their God. Who gave the artillery of your enemies into the hands of Manly; and their ammunition into thofe of Mugford? Who furrendered to you the army of Burgoyne? Who, in fpite of pretended friends, more malignant than open enemies, eftablished on folid grounds your independencet and your peace; and fet your feet in a broad place, a poffeffion rich, fecure, and immenfe? Who has filled your veins with health, and your garners with all manner of flores? Who hath filled your land with ceiled houses, adorned it with fchools, and enlightened it with innumerable churches?

"A work thus begun, and thus carried on, is its own proof that it will not be relinquifhed. We may be fcourged, for we merit it, but I truft we shall not be forfaken; we may be cart dawn, but we shall not be deftroyed. The prefent unufual and glorious prevalence of religion, is the hand of God, writing on the wall, that we are not yet numbered and finished."

The French, fee p. 9 of this difcourfe. Rev.

On this we shall subjoin a remark at the end. Rev.

The author has before (p. 17) fpoken of certain periodical revi pals of religion, the last of which, he fays, "itill extenfively exifts." He owns, however, that fame perfons of refpectability confider thefe fuppofed revivals as ebullitions of enthusiasm. At this diftance, we cannot judge. Rev.

I

After

After more exhortation to the fame purpose, applicable, in great meafure, like the reft, to England as well as America, the preacher proceeds thus.

"At the fire-fide, in the ftreet, in the court of juftice, and in the legiflature, be, and be feen to be, the friends and followers of Gop. -From the dawn of life let your children be taught, both in the family and the school, to fear GoD, to trust the Redeemer, to hate iniquity, and to do that which is good. Teach them to read, to love, and to obey the Scriptures; to reverence magiftrates; to rife up to the hoary head; to venerate the fabbath; and to worthip in the fanctuary. For this end, esteem, and fhew that you efteem, the fabbath a delight, and the Holy of the Lord honourable; and let them fee that you turn away your feet from finding your own pleasure on that day. Them that honour me, faid God, I will honour; but who so despiseth me fhall be lightly esteemed.

"In your daily intercourfe, recal the probity, fairness, and good will of your forefathers; their enlarged charity to the poor, the fick, and the friendless; and their principled refpect and obedience to the laws of the land. Unlearn yourselves, and unteach your children, the fenfelefs doctrines that no man is honet; that office makes an honest man a villain; that men whom you have long and thoroughly tried and approved are for that reafon to be marked with jealoufy, and, hunted down with flander. Remember, that it is equally a fin, and a fhame, a debasement of common fenfe, and an infult to God, to speak evil, without cause, of the rulers of your people; and cease to believe it an eafy or probable thing for thofe rulers to opprefs you, when the fame laws muft equally opprefs themfelves.

"In the meantime, let me folemnly warn you, that if you intend to accomplish any thing, if you mean not to labour in vain, and to fpend your ftrength for nought, you must take your fide. There can be here no halting between two opinions. You muft marfhall yourselves, finally, in your own defence, and in the defence of all that is dear to you. You must meet face to face the bands of disorder, of falsehood, and of fin. Between them and you there is, there can be, no natural, real, or lafting harmony. What communion hath life with darkness ? What concord hath Chrift with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel? From a connection with them, what can you gain? What will you not lofe? Their neighbourhood is contagious; their friendship is a blast; their communion is death. Will you imbibe their principles? Will you copy their practices? Will you teach your children that death is an eternal fleep? that the end fanctifies the means? that moral obligation is a dream? Religion a farce? and your Saviour the fpurious offspring of pollution? Will you fend your daughters abroad in the attire of a female Greek? Will you enrol your fons as confcripts for plunder and butchery? Will you make marriage the mockery of a register's office? Will you become the rulers of Sodom, and the people of Gomorrah? Shall your love to man vanish in a word, and evaporate on the tongue ? Shall it be loft in a tear, and perish in a figh? Will you enthrone a Goddefs of Reafon before the table of Chrift? Will you burn your

Bibles ?