the grand principles on which they differ are fuch as claim every man's attention and decifion.' Certainly; but may not the points of difference happen to be fuch as to difincline individuals to reft the profecution of grand objects in the hands of particular leaders? An unbiaffed independent man, may not only have fufficient ability to form an opinion for himself, but too much courage and honefty to bend that opinion to the perfonal, temporary views of another, whom he may fee fufficient caufe to difapprove. Should a bold forward man, for inftance, labour for the fu.. preme direction of public business, with an eagerness that overlooks confiftency, and an inveterate rancour at difappointment, unrestrained by the leaft regard to the public tranquillity and welfare, however palatable he may render his profeffions, ability, courage, and honesty, will then all call upon us to keep the public caufe from being converted into a stalking horse to private intereft and ambition. An attempt of this kind feems to be artfully intended in the following paffage : The caufe now before us is between Prerogative on the one hand, and the Privileges of the Houfe of Commons, as Representatives of the people, on the other. This controverfy, after having flept, or rather appeared dead, for near a century, is revived again; and revived on the very fame principles, and purfued with the very fame fpirit, with which it was carried on during the reigns of King Charles the First, King Charles the Second, and King James the Second. Whether those Princes were in the right, or the Commons of those days in the wrong, is not at this time worth difputing. Events have decided against the Stuart Kings; and from that time the House of Commons have been in the peaceable and uninterrupted practice of controlling every one of the Prerogatives of the Crown without exception.' The tendency of this inflammatory reprefentation is too evident to be mistaken; but waving any investigation of motives, we hitherto imagined, that the due limits of each branch of the legislature had been fo well ascertained and defined by our prefent conftitution, as to put an end to that inftant hoftile contention and eventual ufurpation of contracting powers which fome turbulent afpirers feem anxious to revive. In the fame spirit the Author proceeds without apprehenfion of meeting with objection: As therefore the power of the House of Commons, in controlling the appointment of minifters, has been fo univerfally understood and allowed,' but this univerfal understanding and allowance is not fact; the power of controul has hitherto been directed to measures, which though it has often operated to the -removal of one minifter, never extended to the direct nomination or exclufion of another, until fome late efforts of that nature were attempted. The Author does not disdain to avail himself as much as poffible of thofe hacknied cant terms, fecret influence, fecret advisers, Lords of the Bedchamber, and back fairs, to give a due feafoning to his popular topics; but when the late numerous popular addreffes are reprobated, and afcribed to the magic operations of fecret influence, the best expofition it will bear may be, that this influence originated from Mr. F.'s India Bill, ftrengthened by fubfequent tranfactions; the uniform expreffed Cc.z expreffed with of the addreffers being, to prevent the equipoife of a conflitution we justly value, from being destroyed. The fyftem of reform for the East India Company that concludes the pamphlet, is a juftification of Mr. F.'s plan, backed with quota. tions from Mr. B's fpeeches; but the confiftency and credit of these flowery harangues have been too often impeached, to intitle them to be cited as authorities. Art. 17. Vulgar Errors. 6d. Debrett. The common, popular, and party objections to the late, or coalition-ministry, are the topics which are here encountered as vulgar errors. What the Author has advanced in defence of Mr. Fox's in dia Bill, is at leaft fpecious, if not folid. But people were fo much in a ferment, when this pamphlet was published, that it is not greatly to be wondered at, if they attended little to the reafonings of this fenfible writer; who has taken the fide diametrically oppofite to that of the author of Conftitutional Truths. See our last, p. 304. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 18. A Letter to her Grace the Dutchess of Devonshire. 4to. Is. Sewell. 1784. The late extraordinary appearance of the Lady to whom this Letter is addreffed, in the character of an electioneering canvaffer, hath again excited the attention of an old friend, who kindly offered her fome wholesome admonitions about feven years ago: See Review, Vol. LVI. p. 388.-This expoftulatory epiftle, like the Author's two former letters, is fraught with found sense and just obfervation, expreffed in plain but not unpolite language; and we fhould not have helitated to pronounce her Grace's correfpondent a good writer, had he not defcended [though but in a fingle inftance] to use the affected cant and jargon of the times. He reminds the Duchefs of a pleafing circumftance in her paft conduct, which he juftly applauds; at the fame time ftyling it a truifm." But what is a truifm? Is it more or less than a truth?-If writers, otherwife refpectable for their flyle and manner, adopt fuch fopperies of expreffion, and bring them into literary vogue, we may expect, by and bye, to see fibbism iffued, in fimilar coinage, and the corruption of our language, in time, become "the rage," even at court :-" that's the barber," figuring in his Majefty's most gracious Speech from the throne; and "bum-bug," in the Lords and Commons' moft dutiful and loyal Addrefs! 66 Art. 19. Remarks on the Climate, Produce, and Natural Advantages of Nova Scotia. In a Letter to the Right Hon. the Earl of Macclesfield. 8vo. IS. Debrett. A much more favourable account of the fituation, climate, and produce of Nova Scotia is given, and, we believe, juftly, in this pamphlet, than in fome former publications; but it is time for the rage of colonizing to fubfide. A few years produce great political altera. tions, and however fairly the advantages of Nova Scotia may be here itated, it is not clear, how England would be indemnified for the expence and trouble of preparing a fourteenth member for the American confederacy. * Except, indeed, the article of timber for the British navy, should be deemed an object fufficient to warrant any risk of remote confequences. Art. Art. 20. Remarks on the French and English Ladies, in a Series of Letters; interfperfed with various Anecdotes, and additional Matter arifing from the Subject. By John Andrews, LL. D. 8vo. 5s. boards. Longman, &c. 1783. In this performance Dr. Andrews entertains his readers with defcriptive details and obfervations, on a fubject which will for ever engage a confiderable fhare of attention. The female character is fo infpiring a theme, that it would be almost impoffible for a writer of abilities inferior to thofe of our Author, not to offer many remarks which muft both amufe and intereft the Public. We cannot, however, fay that, in our opinion, Dr. A. hath treated this fubject with all that acutenefs, or depth of penetration, which the philofopher will look for. In his narrations, or "various anecdotes," though they may amufe the generality, we think we obferve an air of negligence, and even a tendency toward infipidity; inftead of that vivacity, humour, or wit, which are neceffary to render a work of this kind acceptable in the fashionable world. Yet, whatever may be its deficiencies, there is, in the book, as much truth of portraiture, and juftnefs of difcrimination between the French and English femalecharacter, as will certainly preferve it from that oblivion to which "Time bears, on his rapid wing," the greater part of our modern works of tafte. The former publications of this writer, as far as we can, at prefent, recollect them, are, I. Letters to Count de Welderen, on the Differences between Great III. Inquiry into the Manners, Tafte, and Amusements, of the two laft Centuries, in England; Rev. Vol. LXVIII. p. 56. IV. Analyfis of the principal Duties of Social Life; Rev. Vol. V. Effay on Republican Principles; Rev. Vol. LXIX. p. 339. by the Red Sea and Egypt, to Europe; containing a short Account of an Expedition undertaken against the Cape of Good Hope. In a Series of Letters, by Henry Kooke, Efq; late Major of the 100th Regiment of Foot. 8vo. 2s. 6d. fewed. Faulder, &c. 1783. This Narrative, though it contains no very important information, has every appearance of veracity, and relates many amufing incidents. Art. 22. Hints for a Reform, particularly in the Gambling Clubs, by a Member of Parliament. 8vo. is. Sold by Baldwin and Walter. Among the various fpecies of reformation, which have been pra posed in modern times, the rage for amendment feems to have been con fined to the conftitution of this country, nor do these zealous reformers appear to have ever dreamed, that any fpecies of improvement is neceffary, or can take place in their own conduct, and among themfelves. The Author of these pages is of an opinion widely different, for he strenuously afferts, that no reform ought to be allowed in the con Cc 3 ftitution, ftitution, that the people of England, in general, do not wish for it, but that the neceffary reform ought to be in the members of both Houses of Parliament. In this he agrees with the ingenious author of Thoughts on a Parliamentary Reform. See p. 378. The vice, at which he chiefly points his arrows, is that of gaming. He is not, however, one of thofe violent reformers who would annihilate, in order to correct. He only wishes to bring back the rules of play, to the fame moderate plan which was adopted thirty years ago. There was then, he tells us, only one gaming club, which was decent and regular, nor was there then more than one lady who played high. In private parties, the company affembled about feven, and were at home by eleven. They now meet at midnight, and part in the morning, while the young men fpend their nights with their gaming affociates. In order to prevent thefe evils, he propofes, that an affociation of reform should be made of the virtuous and the powerful, who fhould bind themselves under great penalties never to play beyond a certain extent, who fhould endeavour to promote low play in every company and fociety, as well as to profecute thofe who take advantage of minors; and to abolish gaming at fchools and in colleges. Such are the contents of thefe Eints. The plan feems a good one, and we join with the Author in wifhing it may be put in execution. The pamphlet is well written, and the fituation of the ruined gamefter defcribed with fome humour. NOVELS. Art. 23. The Double Surprize. In a Series of Letters. 2 Vols. 6s. bound. Hookham. 1783. Better than the common offspring of this moft common Mufe:who having been fo long on the town, we can scarcely expect any thing from her but fhapeless abortions, or a ftill-born iffue. A living child creates surprise; and a healthy one doubles it. Art. 24. Memoirs, Travels, and Adventures of a Cavalier. Firft published by Daniel Defoe, Author of Robinson Crufoe, &c. 3 Vols. 95. bound. Noble. 1784. This is a republication of a very interefting work. The Author places you on the fpot where he chufes you should ftand, or leads you away (" nothing loth") where he chufes you fhould go. You are only afraid of coming to your journey's end too soon. POETRY. Art. 25. A Rumble from Newport to Cowes, in the Ifle of Wight. By William Sharp, Jun. 4to. 2s. Printed in the Isle of Wight, and fold in London by Johnson, &c. This poetic Epiftle gives a curfory defcription of the various profpecls, inns, &c. which occurred in a fhort journey of only fix miles. The traveller alfo introduces fome eulogies on his friends, touches on politics, cenfures Lord North and his adminiftration, and concludes with praising the good towns, and the fine country of Veda; which, indeed, merit all his commendation. The title which this young writer has unluckily given to his crude Hudibraftics, together with the roughness of many of his lines, reminds us of Sir Richard Blackmore, who "Wrote to the rumbling of his chariot wheels." If Mr. Sharp, however, who manifefts good fentiments, and may not want tafte, continues to court the Mufe with affiduity and addrefs, he may, in time, be a better poet than the voluminous Knight:-and those who have read Sir Richard's CREATION, a poem, will not deem our prefumption in favour of Mr. S. a mean compliment. Art. 26. Ode; addreffed to the R. H. William Pitt. The Second Edition. By J. N. Puddicombe, M. A. 4to. Is.` Robfon, &c. The first edition was noticed in our Catalogue for March, Art. 34, under the title of "An Irregular Ode." It is here mentioned, on account of the Author's name; which did not accompany the former publication. It now appears with fome alterations. POLICE. Art. 27. Obfervations on the Police or Civil Government of Weftminfter, with a Propofal for a Reform. By Edward Sayer, Esq. 4to. 2s. 6d. Debrett. 1784. Mr. Sayer very justly afcribes the imperfect police of Westminster to its having grown out of the ecclefiaftical jurifdiction antiently granted to the monaftery of S. Peter, over the few furrounding innabitants. As trade and population advanced, extraordinary privileges were added to the franchife, and the fupreme authority ftill refides in the Dean and Chapter of Westminster (a body of men unfit for the conduct of temporal affairs), inftead of being vested in the hands of a trading corporation. Thus the magistracy is of fuch a loofe, fluctuating, and unsteady nature, that in attempting to fupply the ftrength it wants, by violent measures, it lofes that refpect and habitual reverence, which only can fupply a defect of real power. Add to this, that the intricate and laborious duties of a juftice of peace in fo large and populous a place, deter gentlemen of knowledge and character from undertaking the burden. Hence the ufual qualification is difpenfed with, in order to procure perfons to execute the duty; and an opportunity afforded for men deficient both in property and knowledge, to procure a fubfiftence from the perqui. fites of the office. Thus,' adds the author, from a want of union and confiftency in the magiftracy, as well as from an unhappy and fatal want of perfonal refpect and official weight in the magiftrates, the prefent government of Westminster is unable to prevent or suppress general infurrections of the people, without the affiftance of the military. A remedy, whofe corrofive violence, upon every repetition, inflicts a fevere wound upon the vitals of the conftitution.' Mr. Sayer proposes that the Dean and Chapter fhould refign their franchise and manerial rights to the crown, for a valuable confideration; that the High Steward fhould be appointed by the King; that the City should be divided into fixteen wards, and each of these into ten tithings, under proper refident officers, in order to bring justice home to every man's door. These officers are to be a Burgefs over each ward, who should be a justice of the peace by his office, and be gratified with a falary adequate to the fatigue of his duty. We capnot purfue the detail of the fubordinate parts of the plan, refpecting High Bailiff, Town Clerk, High Conftables, Deputy High Conftables, Petty Conftables, and Beadles, farther than to mention that he would have the militia to be conftantly embodied, to execute the nightly CC 4 2 |