We deprecate any pun on the last line: but we once heard an incorrigible punster say, "When he looks on these grave-stones, a man must be a stone to be grave." In reading the epitaph above cited, the subject of which is one of the most awful visitations of Heaven, namely, the sudden dissolution of youth, it is scarcely possible to refrain from smiling; and we were sorry to find no better lesson inculcated on such an occasion, than the necessity and benefits of learning to swim. If the whole collection resembled this, and in compositions professedly religious none of the consolations and hopes of religion were introduced, which here they are not, we should deem it our duty to pass a severe sentence on it: but this is far from being the case; though it might be difficult to point out any one inscription which merits the name of poetry in a much greater degree than the specimen that we have given. Art. 21. Elegy on the National Character. By Peter Pratt. Of the political sentiments of this little piece we will say nothing but Mr. Pratt must forgive us if we confess that we have failed in being much edified by the poetry of it. Exalt ye honour's path pursued' is rather too strong an instance of the ellipsis to be admissible into so concise a poem. The following stanza, too, betrays symptoms of nonchalance; and the second line, in particular, gives no very favourable idea of the author's ear for harmony: 'The courteous victors scarce withdrew Ere Gallic genius flash'd anew, Ambitious, fond of change, deceiving.' P.9. We entirely sympathize with Mr. P. in his regret that the mas culine powers of Englishmen are so strangely misapplied in fingering lace,' and looping ribbands,' behind a counter: but we must think that the improvement, which he suggests, would be at least of a doubtful nature; viz. that they should become assistants to laundresses : The laundry haunt, the mangle ply, &c.' P. 19. To the offer of such a remedy as this, we should feel disposed to answer in the words of Jacqueline, in Moliere's Médecin malgré lui: "Je suis votre servante, mais j'aime bien mieux qu'on ne me guérisse pas." Art. 22. The Life and Lucubrations of Crispinus Scriblerus: a Novel in Verse, written in the last Century: with Annotations and Commentaries. By a Friend, 8vo. pp. 90.. Sold at No. 211. Oxford Street, The editor of this precious performance is justly intitled to our thanks for having published a part only, and not the whole, of his friend's manuscript. The artless Crispin, whose chief merit appears to have consisted in sliding through life,' in company with one little cow, a puny pig,' and a proportionable stock of poultry, may may (for aught that we know to the contrary) have been a very good kind of person: but whosoever wrote his life and lucubrations may be assured that he never was a poet. That this opinion, on so important a point, may not appear without sufficient autho rity, we will present our readers with a few specimens of the writer's style, as they chance to fall beneath our notice. Crispinus' parents, true preceptors, taught, No flying happiness could e'er be caught: Bliss might be found in vice's wretched road.' P.81. Taught passion's rabble-rout, suborned by pride, Ne'er let Heav'n's blessings in loose hearts abide.' P.83, 4. At the conclusion, the author deprecates the censure of criticism, by submitting it to his reader whether Crispin may not display More piety, than impious proud high-priests, But act themselves, as tho' 'twere all a lie?' P.90. On this point, only one opinion can be formed: but, were not the whole performance too ridiculous to be treated with gravity, we might severely reprobate the sentiments contained in these latter lines. If the virtues of Crispin were highly commendable, why should his praises be sung at the expense of the characters of his reverend brethren, thus blasted in a breath?" We trust that we shall not hereafter have occasion to exclaim, Art. 23. Glenarvon. NOVEL. 12mo. 3 Vols. 11. 4s. Boards. Colburn, 1816. This is altogether a strange publication. It is generally understood to proceed from the pen of a lady of rank and excentricity, the daughter of an Irish Earl, and wife of the heir to an English Viscount; and to contain a delineation of her own life, as well as of the lives of the principal personages introduced. We have even on our table an index to the real and the fictitious names, as they are commonly identified in the circles of fashion and of literary gossiping. It is not allowable for us, therefore, to consider the work as a mere romance; while its story includes so many events that are material deviations from the actual history of the persons implicated, that we cannot view it as wholly a narrative of facts. feminine We may truly say, then, that it is of the doubtful gender, though a feminine production; for its morality and its literary merit are also of a similarly mixed character. It is not without marks of genius, yet it is wearisome and even unpleasing: it is (as we have stated) partly a record of facts, yet its incidents are often revoltingly im probable; and it may be made useful as a warning against passion, imprudence, and vice, yet its appeal to the taste of its readers would frequently be of dubious success, and its effect on their minds be of ambiguous tendency. It is one of "those things we know not what to call, Their generation's so equivocal;" and, with this appropriately indecisive account of it, we leave it to the uncertainty of fate. CLASSICS, EDUCATION, &c. Art. 24. Grammatical Figures, and a System of Rhetoric, illustrated by Examples of Classical Authority, for the Use of senior Forms in Grammar-Schools. By the Rev. G. Whittaker, A.M. Author of the "Latin Exercises," &c. 12mo. pp. 89. Law and Whittaker. We have no doubt that this little book will be useful to pupils who are somewhat advanced in classical knowlege, and who are endowed with some share of perseverance in the pursuit of a dry study but to the younger tyro, we apprehend, it will be found perfectly unintelligible, unless indeed frequently accompanied by the oral instruction of the preceptor. To his explanation of the grammatical figures, the author has added a short system of rhetoric, together with some observations on verbs, participles, and prepositions in composition; a perusal of which, we think, will be productive of advantage to persons who have a turn for reflection, and an inclination to cultivate the Latin tongue. At the conclusion of the volume, the derivations of figurative and other difficult terms are alphabetically arranged. Art. 25. Ovidii Metamorphoses, in usum Scholarum excerpta ; quibus accedunt Notule Anglica, et Questiones: Studio C. Bradley. 12mo. pp. 242. 4s. 6d. Bound. Longman and Co. 1816. Mr. Bradley appears to have bestowed some time and attention on the important task of correctly editing our ordinary schoolbooks, and has here presented to the public a cheap and useful edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses. The text is clearly, and, on the whole, correctly printed. The notes, which are all in the English language, are given in a plain, easy, and simple style; and we are glad to observe that a sufficient degree of attention appears to have been paid to the rare and happy art of exciting the curiosity and the powers of the youthful understanding to the object proposed for its attainment. Mr. B. has also kept in view the necessity of frequently illustrating the sense of the poet, and for this purpose has intermingled with the notes some translations of obscure passages, and added to them his own remarks. At the conclusion, is subjoined a regular series of questions, adapted to the several chapters, by which the learner will be enabled to acquire 219 acquire much necessary information, previously to examination before his preceptor. Art. 26. Esopi Fabule selecta; with English Notes, for the Use of Schools. With English Fables from Croxall's Esop, intended as First Exercises for Translations into Latin. 12mo. Bound. Law and Whittaker. The editor of this little volume flatters himself with the hope of being serviceable to the young student, by presenting to him a correct Latin text of Esop's Fables, illustrated with notes; which, he acknowleges, are taken in a great measure from a Latin grammar, written in English, and now very generally used.' We believe that he means the grammar of Dr. Valpy. With the view also of facilitating the progress of the young beginner in the principles of grammatical science, he has prefixed to the fables some extracts from a MS. belonging to a friend, intitled, Explanation of Lilly's Syntaxis, compiled for the Benefit of Kirton-School, in Lincoln Holland, A.D. 1729; by Francis Warcup." The whole, we conceive, is well calculated in every respect to answer the purpose of elementary instruction: but we see no reason for its superseding the established use of Phædrus, either in a public or a private system of education. 66 RELIGIOUS. Art. 27. The leading Heads of Twenty-seven Sermons, preached at Northampton, by Philip Doddridge, D.D. in the Year 1749; and taken in Short Hand by a Lady, at whose Death they were presented to and transcribed by the Reverend T. Hawkins, of Warley, near Halifax, Yorkshire. 8vo. 5s. Boards. Longman and Co. 1816. We are disposed to receive with satisfaction any thing connected with the name of Dr. Doddridge, and purporting to be even a small relic of the works of that truly pious and eminent character. Of the accuracy of the transcription of the notes now given to us, those who have received the benefits of the pastoral care and private friendship of the alleged author may be considered, as the ablest judges: it is possible that such persons may here recognize the traces of the departed fire: but we fear that those who knew him only as the author of "The Family Expositor" would be rather disposed to say, on considering these "heads" and "skeletons" of a mighty trunk, "Quantum mutatus ab illo !” Art. 28. The Young warned against the Enticement of Sinners, in The leading features of these two discourses are simplicity and perspicuity. Utility, not ostentation, appears to have been the author's object, and he has kept steadily to his purpose, without attempting any display of oratorical talents. The sermons indicate such a warmth of feeling, such a propriety of sentiment, and such such a freedom from affectation, that we can imagine them to have been heard with much satisfaction; and we should hope that they would produce beneficial effects not merely on the young, to whom they were principally addressed, but on persons also of a more advanced age. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 29. Four Dissertations, Moral and Religious, addressed to the Rising Generation: I. On Covetousness. II. On Hypocrisy. III. On the Prosperous Condition of Men in this World. IV. On Continuance in Well-doing. 8vo. pp. 68. Nichols and Co. As the necessity of inculcating just sentiments of morality and religion in the minds of the rising generation is obvious, and the benefits thence resulting are of the most important nature, we are unwilling to withhold our approbation from any attempt to promote so desirable an object. If the means, of which the author of these essays has made use, be not altogether proportionate to the end which he has had in view, they may yet, we think, contribute in a degree towards the ultimate attainment of it: his efforts are at least something thrown into the general stock, which may be productive of utility, and ought not to lose their reward. Art. 30. Theology and Mythology of the Antient Pagans, written particularly for Female Education. By Miss Hatfield. 6s. Boards. Robinsons. : 12mo. The design of this publication is to meet the wishes, and obviate the objections, of those parents who conceive the study of the Heathen mythology to be prejudicial to the interests of morality and revealed religion but this is an opinion so contradictory to reason, that we cannot feel persuaded of its existence to any great extent. If, however, we see no great necessity for this undertaking, we have no objection to the fair author's intention, and we think that her work will prove an acceptable addition to the book-case of female readers. Art. 31. The Mourner Comforted: or Consoling Reflections for Parents in the Loss of a Child. 8vo. 2s. Longman and Co. Although the anonymous author of these sheets appears to be endowed with a degree of piety which is highly creditable to the excellence of his heart, we conceive, from his style, that he has not been much accustomed to the art of composition. His language wants simplicity and conciseness, his sentences are without connection, and he is often betrayed into repetition. The circumstance, however, of the subject having been so judiciously treated before him, by abler pens, may have contributed to throw the present writer somewhat into the shade; and we confess that, on the interesting topic of religious consolation, our own minds have been so long habituated to the unrivalled and energetic language of the Rambler and the Idler, that perhaps our taste may have been rendered fastidious. Art. |