cough; however he could not avoid coughing, hurt himself some how or other, and on saturday evening * died in great agonies internally.

I fear I an encroaching upon the plan of your work, which I am aware is anti-political, but I cannot help lamenting that the administration of our public affairs should undergo these frequent changes. It is true that, guarded as our constitution is, a moderate share of talent, with honest intentions, is sufficient for the exercise of the functions of government; but when it is considered that ministers, before they go out of office, must provide for themselves and their dependents; that when they came in, many extravagant arrangements of their predecessors were set aside for others perhaps equally expensive, which will again be abandoned for new schemes and undertakings of an extensive nature; that the present ministers have but just acquired the necessary information to enable them to fulfil their official duties; and that a considerable time must elapse before their successors can see their way with sufficient clearness; that conditions will be demanded by those who may be invited to support the new men and the new measures, and that, weak as they are in numbers, rank and talent, those conditions must be complied with, at almost any rate;---That to these is likely to be added, from the strong opposition in parliament, the tumult, excesses, corruption and EXPENCE of another General Election, though some of the members returned at the last are scarcely seated. I say all these things considered, Mr. CONDUCTOR, we have no cause to rejoice, much to lament, and every thing to dread from a change in the Cabinet, at this crisis, in favour of such successors, and upon so AWFULLY-SERIOUS A QUESTION!

I am,

March 23.

Sir, &c.

A BRITON.

*He received the Seals on the previous Wednesday Evening, and died before his patent of Peerage was completed.

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

PROBATQUE CULPATQUE.

Anecdotes of Literature and Scarce Books. By the Rev. William Beloe, translator of Herodotus, &c. 8vo. 16s. Rivingtons, 1807.

Mr. Beloe's name ranks very high in the literary world. His acquaintance with books is very extensive, and his late situation at the British Museum, afforded the opportunity to a gentleman of his learning and diligence, of collecting the most ample and valuable materials for a work of this nature. We lament to call it his late situation; for no man was qualified to fill it more honourably; but a circumstance of a singular nature required his dismissal, and in his preface to these volumes, Mr. Beloe adverts to it in a mauner that shews how deeply his feelings have been affected by the measure, though the mens conscia recti has sustained and consoled him under the heavy mortification he has endured.

"If ever there were a time when I might wish for the unclouded use of my faculties, and to be divested of all prejudice and passion, it would surely be the present. I am about to give an account of a work which was commenced under the most auspicious prospects, with the most favourable hopes of its successful and protracted continuation, with the best possible meaus to give it every aid of variety, with the opportunity of choice among almost infinite materials; and finally, with every thing I could possibly desire to cheer the present, and to animate me to future exertion.

"My situation at the conclusion of these two volumes is very different. But I hasten to give the following concise account of the matter."

Mr. Beloe then states the particulars of his appointment to the office of under librarian in the British Museum:

"How I conducted myself in this situation I may fairly challenge the most rigid investigation to determine. I appeal to my brother officers; I appeal to every one connected with that insti tution to decide; I appeal to that part of the public who knew and observed me in the execution of my office. I conceived it my duty,

and I felt it my delight, to assist and facilitate the researches of the learned, to gratify the ingenuous curiosity of strangers, and to exhibit, where the recommendation justified confidence, the sources of instruction and amusement which were committed to my care. But this I did not conceive to be sufficient; I thought that the public might not unreasonably expect more.

"As my office, therefore, confined me to the care and examination of printed books, I formed the determination of selecting such as were more extraordinary for their intrinsic value, or sought after for their rarity, and I undertook, from time to time, to give such a description of them and their contents, as might be interesting and useful both to the student and collector. I thought I should perform no unimportant office in communicating to the student the place where he might find what he wanted, and in representing to the collector the genuine marks by which he might ascertain the object of his curious pursuit.

"The Museum contains great treasures of this kind, and most particularly in old English literature, which had ever been a favourite branch of my occasional investigation, and which I knew, at this particular time, to be an object of very earnest research, Such was the foundation, and such the motive of my commencing the present undertaking. But on announcing my plan and design among my literary friends, I had the satisfaction of discovering that my ideas were generally approved, and I almost immediately received such countenance and assistance, that I was not only confirmed in my determination, but induced to believe that I should be able to produce a miscellaneous volume once in every year. I had the grateful opportunity of reversing the exclamation of Teucer in Sophocles.

Πολλοὶ μὲν ἐχθροὶ παῦρα δ ̓ ὠφελήσιμοι.

"I had no discouragement, but every thing to stimulate me in persevering in my purpose,"

Mr. Beloe here enumerates his obligations to the Marquis of Stafford; Mr. Todd; the Bishop of Rochester; Mr. Barnard, the King's librarian; Mr. Douce; the late Mr. Isaac Reed; Mr. Kemble; Mr. Malone; Mr. Chalmers; Mr. Watts, the librarian of Sion College; and Mr. Nares.

"Thus was I engaged, and with these resources and these aids, in an occupation, of all others, the most grateful to my taste, and most in conformity with my habits, when a dark and sudden tempest arose, which menaced my little bark with inevitable destruc, tion. While I was basking in the sunshine of a fair fame, with the fond hope, and strong expectation, that I had only to draw my vessel on shore and suspend my votive tablet in the Muse's Temple, a whirlwind swept me to a gulph, where all but inte grity must have foundered.

"Animus meminisse horret !"

A man was introduced at the Museum, with the sanction of the most respectable recommendation. I mention not his name-the wounds of his own conscience must be so severe a punishment, that I shall not increase his sufferings.

Satisfied with the credentials which he brought with him, and imposed upon by his frank, and seemingly honest manner, I received him in the progress of many attendances with unsuspecting confidence I believed, for why was I to distrust, the artful tale of what he had in view, and thought that I did no more than discharge my duty by promoting and facilitating its accomplishment.

He proved to be dishonest; he purloined valuable property which was in my custody, and it was thought that the good government of the institution required my dismissal.

I acquiesced in the decision, and retired with no murmurs of resentment, with no querulous expostulation; but with what anguish of mind, I leave those to determine who have experienced, or who can imagine what it is to have all their literary and domestic plans, in one unexpected moment, overthrown, and to exchange peace, competence, and a situation most congenial to their feelings and pursuits, for loss, anxiety, uncertainty; and above all, the dread of unmerited obloquy.

Such were, undoubtedly, my first sensations, but they have been since alleviated. Indeed, it was soon apparent, that not only my former friends and protectors still adhered to me, but that some of the most exalted, both in rank and character, among the trustees themselves, demonstrated the kindest sympathy, and expressed a willingress to confirm their professions of regard by substantial acts of friendship.

While, therefore, I am able to enumerate among those who have stood forth as my protectors, individuals of the most exalted rank ; and not only exalted by their rank, but by their virtues; while I can reckon among my familiar friends, some of the first scholars of the country, with a long list of the most excellent and amiable characters in private life, I may, and indeed I do, with many a pang, regret what I have lost, yet I cannot be considered as one who has no worldly consolation. The cup which was administered to me had gall, indeed, at the top-I found hope, serenity, and peace of mind at the bottom.

This account of a transaction of which every body has heard a little, but very few any thing accurately, will be perused with interest not unmixed with emotion. It is no doubt right that those who are entrusted with the care of any department in an institution like the British Museum, should be accountable for injuries or losses sustained through a want of sufficient vigilance; and we know not that the trustees could have avoided adopting the unpleasant course they have taken. But it is im→ possible for any librarian to prevent evil-disposed persons from effecting their object, even if he had as many eyes as Argus, and the hundred hands of Briareus: and

his office must be exceedingly irksome to a delicate mind, if it is incumbent on him to exercise a constant inquisition over visitors whose characters are known to be respectable, and who bring in their hands a satisfactory recommendation.

But to return to the anecdotes of literature. From the word anecdotes some persons may be led to expect more amusement than these volumes will furnish. Mr. Beloe is aware of this, and begs that it may be remembered that he only pledged himself to give a description of such rare and curious books as might happen to fall in his way; with such occasional anecdotes of literature interspers d, as might occur to his recollection or reading. He pretends not to give elaborate observations of critical disquisitions, but merely to point out to collectors and curious students, books known to be rare, and, as such valuable. He has however so diversified the position, and the quality of his materials, that while the scholar need not turn away in disgust, the miscellaneous reader may find various sources of amusement.

To the Black Letter men, and the collectors, the work will afford a treat of the highest order. The information it contains is very extensive, and the contents abound with scarce and curious miscellanies. A few of the anecdotes shall be selected and given in a future number of the Cabinet.

The Christian Officer's complete Armour: containing Arguments in favour of a Divine Revelation. By Colonel A. Burn, of the Royal Marines; 2d. ed. 12mo. 4s. Mathews and Leigh, 1806.

All the great, and we need scarcely add the irrefragable arguments in support of christianity, are here collected and enforced, in a dialogue between two officers; one of them very seriously impressed with the importance of religion, the other a man of the world, who has paid but little attention to the subject, yet is not unwilling to satisfy some doubts which dwell upon his mind respecting the authenticity of the scriptures. The publication being intended for the use of the officers in the army and navy, the author has assumed a style and manner familiar to their profession; and provided those who have just sentiments of religion, and wish to retain them, with sufficient weapons to defend themselves against the