two conditions in society is often slender, and the public interest requires that it should be narrowly guarded, since every individual who retrogrades into indigence, becomes a loss to the body politic, not only in the diminution of a certain portion of productive labour, but also in an additional pressure on the community by the necessary support of the person and his family, who have thus descended into indigence."

The work will be found to contain an abundance of valuable information, arranged under different heads, and many wise and excellent propositions for the improvement of society. Among the remedies suggested are, the establishment of a board of general and internal police; an improved system of friendly societies; a board of education for the superintendance of the chil dren of the poor, under a national system; and some new regulations respecting apprentices. Mr. Colquhoun's statements are founded upon authentic documents, and his remarks and inferences merit the most serious and deliberate attention. Of such a production we can only point out the general tendency; and the author's chief design being to prevent moral and criminal offences, rather than to punish them, every friend to his country and to humanity will, of course, be anxious to promote so benevolent and desirable an object.

The Curfew; a Play, in Five Acts; as performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane. By the late John Tobin, Esq. Author of the Honey-Moon. 8vo. 2sp 6d. Phillips; 1807.

We have pointed out the dramatic merit of this play in a former Number. It remains to give a specimen of the language, according to our promise; and we consider the following as exhibiting the poetical powers of the author to their best advantage.

Matilda's exculpation of herself from the charge of witchcraft is in the true spirit of poetry.

MAT. Holy father,

I answer with the voice of innocence,
That I enjoy the silent hour of night,
And shun the noisy tumult of the day,
Prize the pale moon beyond the solar blaze,
And choose to meditate while others sleep.
If these are crimes I am most culpable.
For, from the inmost feeling of my soul,

I love the awful majesty sublimé

Of Nature in her stillness---To o'erlook,
Fixt on some bleak and barren promontory,
The wide interminable waste of waves;
To gaze upon the star-wrought firmament
Till mine eyes ache with wonder---these are joys
I gather undisturb'd---The day's delights
I am proscrib'd; and, if I venture forth
To taste the morning's freshness, I am star'd at
As one of nature's strangest prodigies.
At my unmeasur'd step, and rude attire,

The speechless babe is taught to point the finger,
And unbreech'd urchins hoot me as I pass,
And drive me to the shelter of my cottage.
The very dogs are taught to bark at me!

But to your charge: I am accused, most wrongly,
Of having both the faculty and will

T'infest the earth with plagues, and man with sickness-
Of holding converse with superior beings:

Why, what a mockery of sense is this?
It is the wildest stuff of folly's dreams,
That I, possessing super-human pow'r,
Should thus submit to human agency,

And being brought by your rude vassals here,
Stand to be judg`d by man!

Again, when she offers to restore to the baron his supposed dead wife:

MAT. Be she in heav'n or hell, I'll bring her to thee-
Scatter'd throughout the ocean, I'll reknit

Her sea-bleach'd bones, put living flesh upon them,
Light up her eyeless sockets with twin stars,

Bid the warm blood rush thro' her kindling veins,
And her heart beat with new-created life;

A breathing woman she shall stand before thee,
And thou, in freezing horror and amazement,
Shalt look more like a corse unshrouded.

After perusing these extracts, who can refrain, in the present theatrical dearth, from lamenting the early death of so promising a dramatic poet?

An Epitome of Scripture History; chiefly abstracted from Dr. Watts' Short View, &c. 12mo. 4s. Darton and Harvey; 1807.

We can heartily recommend this useful abridgement, as a very fit compendium to be put into the hands of

young persons, in order to familiarize them with the most striking events recorded in the Bible. The stile is judiciously adapted to their tender capacities.

A Defence of the Slave Trade, on the Grounds of Huma◄ nity, Policy, and Justice. 8vo. 2s. Hipley; 1807.

We think the author might have left humanity out of the question. Of the policy of the trade we have great doubts, but none of its iniquity. In point of justice, his ground is still less tenable; for how can we reconcile a justice to the interests of a few mercenary individuals, with injustice and cruelty to the whole African race?

REVIEW OF MUSIC.

Six Divertimentos for the Piano Forte, with an Accompaniment for the German Flute, composed by I. F. Hering, Op. 4. Price 6s. Longman. These divertimentos are evidently written for younger per formers than the sonatas which we noticed last month. They are composed in an easy, familiar style, and, although devoid of any striking beauties, are not by any means uninteresting. The movements are well contrasted, and relieve each other with considerable effect. The flute accompaniment is judiciously adapted, and the work on the whole will be found a pleasing and useful addition to the piano forte music of young performers.

Nos. 2 and 3. Monthly Minstrelsy; a periodical Miscellany of Poetry and Prose, written and composed by T. D. Worgan, Price 1s. each. No. 2 of this work contains a ballad, of which some of the passages are pretty, but the general effect rather dull, from the too frequent repetition of the same ideas. The air is supported by a busy accompaniment. The waltz which follows would have been more in place amongst a set of country dances. The complaint which Mr. Worgan makes so angrily against Messrs. Harris and Kemble, for rejecting his opera, we think had much better have been omitted; the prologue is very well. No. 3 contains a duett, which is certainly the best composition that Mr. Worgan has inserted in this work. Considerable ingenuity is displayed in the contrivance, and skill in the arrangement of it: the parts lead into, and answer each other, so as to produce an effect both novel and pleasing; and the accom paniment discovers taste and judgment,

"The Maid of Murlivale,"

As sung by Mr. Vaughan, with the greatest applause; the words by T. Moore, Esq. set to Music with an Accompaniment for the Harp or Piano Forte, by W. Fish. Price 18. 6d. Broderip and Wilkinson.

This song possesses some merit. The air certainly does not discover much originality; but, assisted by an accompaniment which is varied through every verse, the tout ensemble produces rather a pleasing effect. The chief fault of the song lies in the indiscriminate use of ornament; indeed, Mr. Fish has scattered his embellishments with so liberal a hand, that it is rather difficult for the singer to add to the number. Mr. Braham, we believe, began the custom of publishing his compositions with the ornaments which bedecked them; whether this was to shew his skill as a composer, or to display his powers as a singer, we know not; but, in our opi nion, it is a custom much "more honour'd in the breach than the observance."

"Borne in yon blaze of orient sky,"

A favourite Duett, as sung by Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan,with an Accompaniment for the Piano Forte, composed and respectfully inscribed to Lady Frances Pratt, by Dr. John Clarke, of Cambridge. The Poetry by the late Dr. Darwin. Price 2s. 6d. Birchall.

This is one of the best duetts that we have for some time noticed. Dr. Clarke has displayed much taste in the conception, and skill in the arrangement of it; the parts sing well together, and there iş a gracefulness as well as brilliancy throughout, which bespeaks the genius of the composer. The divisions, although no entirely new, are elegant; and the duett, on the whole, will certainly add to Dr. Clarke's well-earned reputation.

No. 3.

The Vocal Magazine, consisting of Canzonets, Madrigals, Songs, Duetts, Trios, Glees, &c. composed by Jos. Kemp. Price 3s. Wheatstone.

The first piece of this number is an air adapted to Shenstone's ballad of "O sweet Anne Page." The melody is very simple, and will depend for effect almost entirely on the ability of the singer. The ballad which follows is well conceived, a bold and somewhat novel accompaniment greatly heightens its effect, and gives it a considerable degree of spirit. The glee "I love a foe like Cathmor," displays very fair talents for that species of composition: the first movement opens well, and the subject is worked up with judgment; the larghetto which leads again into the first movement is pleasing and elegant. Mr Kemp keeps up the character of his work with considerable spirit, and we hope he meets with that encouragement of which he is really deserving.

Prelude and Air for the Piano Forte, composed by W. Crotch, Mus. Doc. Price 1s. 6d. Birchall.

Of Dr. Crotch, as a composer, it is impossible to speak but in terms of the highest commendation. It frequently happens that such persons as discover great and extraordinary talents at an early VOL. I.

age, do not as they grow up attain that pre-eminence which they at first seemed likely to claim; but of Dr. Crotch it may fairly be said, that his powers as a musician have "grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength." The exuberant and florid style, which some of his youthful compositions displayed, is softened and chastized by the experience of more mature judgment. Devotedly attached to the unrivalled works of Handel, he seems destined to preserve the style of that greatest of composers; and he is, perhaps, without exception, the most successful disciple of our great master of song. The present composition is evidently formed on the style of Handel's harpsichord lessons. The first movenient contains those rich and magnificent combinations of sound, those masterly strokes of modulation, which distinguish the preludios of Handel. The air forcibly reminds us of that w ll-known and exquisite one which is contained in the No. 5 of Handel's first set. The variations are most skilfully and pleasingly conceived, and the lesson will be found an exquisite treat to all lovers of good music.

"The Beggars,"

A favourite Glee for three Voices, sung by the Messrs Knyvetts at the Nobility's Concerts, composed by Wm. Knyvett. Price 1s. 6d. Birchall.

Mr. Knyvett very well known as a singer, but his compositions we believe have not been numerous. Such of them as have come under our knowledge, especially his glees, have been quite deserving that public approbation which they have generally obtained. The glee before us, we must confess, we do not think very,highly of: as a composition it is rather destitute of invention, and seems to depend on the assistance of a busy accompaniment for effect. We have before expressed our opinion on the practice of writing accompaniments to glees; we see no reason to change it for a good glee needs not the addition of an accompaniment; and the defects of a bad one are very ill compensated for, by an extra quantity of noise.

Mr. Dibdin is about to publish a periodical work, to be completed in twenty-six numbers, consisting of a series of short and simple essays and songs, calculated to assist the musical education of young ladies. The work will be entitled the Musical Mentor, or St. Cecilia at School.

Dr. John Clarke, of Cambridge, is preparing for publication a Selection from the Works of PURCELL, to consist of his most favourite songs, duetts, &c. with an accompaniment for the Piano Forte.

(Notices of musical publications will be thankfully received, and inserted in this department of our work.)