siderable intellectual endowments, but of unrestrained passions; wha occasionally commits both good and evil actions; who is finally guilty of a crime that puts his life in danger, but is rescued on a point of law; and who subsequently reforms, and makes amends to mankiud for his past misconduct.

Mr. Holcroft's strong manner of writing, in compositions of this pature, and the peculiarity of some of his opinions respecting errors or crimes and punishments, are well known to the public. The tale before us displays both these characteristics of his pen; and we think that it will interest generally, please in many parts, and offend in some: against the vice of gambling in particular, it furnishes many striking admonitions. With regard to the general theory respecting Punishments, none will dispute that the primary intention of punishment should be reformation, and that no reformation in this world can take place in that man who is sent out of it by the hands of the execu tioner: but for the prevention of the higher crimes, the most serious forfeiture, that of life, has been decreed by the institutions of society in terrorem. The difficulty consists in laying the line of discrimination: a difficulty which perhaps involves the impossibility of guarding against instances of lamentable severity, any otherwise than by the prerogative of mercy which the sovereign possesses. It is easy to imagine such cases as Mr Holcroft has delineated, though the crime may be more readily exemplified than the amendment; and in all such, bis termination is much more pleasing and more benencial than that of the hangman: but general laws are not to be founded on particular facts.

POLITICAL.

Art. 32. Observations addressed to the Public. in particular to the Grand Juries, of these Dominions. 8vo. pp. 73. 2s. 6d. Rivingtons. 18c6.

This writer is of opinion that, in the course of the last fifteen years, a great moral degeneracy has prevailed among the middle and lower orders of the community; and mourning over the lamentable change in appropriate strains, he warmly exhorts all persons of weight and influence to stem the growing torrent. His counsels are well in tended, and in general shew his good sense not less than his regard for religion and virtue: but we are sorry to find him discouraging Sunday Schools, and countenancing the vulgar cry against unshackled trade.

Art. 33. Advantages of Russia in the present Contest with France. With a short Description of the Cozacks. Evo. 2s. 6d. Jordan

and Co. 1807.

The gigantic power of France is now in close contact with the gigantic power of Russia, and Europe is looking with anxious expectation to the result of the sanguinary conflict. In opposition to the opinion of many, and to the fears of more, this writer contends for the superior advantages of Russia, and would induce us to hope that the exorbitant domination of France will be curbed by the present warfare in Poland. Much, however, as we wish to see the strides of Bonaparte to universal empire effectually checked, we cannot build

Our

our persuasion of the certainty of this event on any of the statements of this pamphlet. Declamations on the abilities of Suwarow, or on the result of the battle of Austerlitz, (here called not a victory, but 'a handsome present from the Cabinet of Austria to the Emperor of the French,') are little suited to the present purpose. We expected to find calculations of the physical strength of the two contending empires; instead of which, we are presented with a display of the loyalty, incorruptibility, and in lividual superiority of the Russian soldier, and with accounts of the value of almuck and Cozack tribes as irregular troops. It is hinted, indeed, that Russia is inferior to her adversary in point of revenue; which intimation will no doubt incline the liberal John Bull to accede to a handsome subsidy.

Towards the conclusion, the writer seems to fear, notwithstanding the display of advantages on the part of Russia, that France will succeed in the contest: hut, if this should be the case, it must arise, he says, from its being the will of Heaven that Bonaparte should be the scourge of mankind. Thus, if Alexander triumphs, the author will plume himself on his discernment; if Napoleon, he will shelter himself under the decrees of Providence.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 34. A View of Religions, in three Parts; Part I Containing an Alphabetical Compendium of the Denominations among Christians. Part II. Containing a brief Account of Paganism, Mahomedism, Judaism, and Deism. Part III. Containing a View of the Religions of the different Nations of the World. By Hannah Adams. A new Edition, with Corrections and Additions. To which is prefixed, An Essay on Truth, by Andrew Fuller. 12mo. PP. 500. 63. Boards. Button. 1805.

It is very natural for a man who has conscientiously devoted himself to the examination of the Scriptures, to suppose that his view of religious truth must be correct; yet, if he reflected that others, who differ from him, may be equally conscientious, and are equally interested with himself in the discovery of truth, he would see reason for ahating his self confidence, and for contemplating his own belief (if we may so express ourselves,) with a kind of scepticism. An Essay on Truth, prefixed to a dictionary of Religions, or rather to the long catalogue of the sects which have prevailed in the Christian world, may be well meant, but, by its very position, it seems to proclaim itself a hopeless attempt. Mr. Fuller ventures to reply to the difficult question, What is Truth? and we have no doubt of his having given an honest opinion: but how far he has actually succeeded, his readers must be left to determine. We purpose not to controvert his decisions, yet we beg to suggest to him the propriety of weighing the exact meaning of words, in deciding on the doctrines of Revelation. We must ask whether the phrase Christ died for us is precisely equivalent to he died as our substitute? For more frequently expresses in behalf of, than in the room of; the sense affixed to for will materially change the view of the subject; and a modest man, after having stated his particular notions of the benefits derived by sinners from the sufferings and death of Christ, would have been re

strained

strained from adding, If this doctrine be received, Christianity is reecived: if not, the record which Cod hath given us of his Son is rejected.'

Mr. F. enumerates three grand sources of error: 1. Unconverted Ministers. 2. Nominal Christians. 3. Unsanctified Wisdom found in godly Men :--but such an account will afford little satisfaction to philosophical inquirers. In stating the reasons why God permits error, Mr. F. is evidently unequal to the task. Who will regard the difficulty as solved by being told that false doctrine is permitted, that it may sweep away hypocritical characters?'-This Essay is indeed calculated only for one particular meridian.

The Dictionary appears to be compiled with much fairness; and it contains a long article on the Friends or Quakers, on which peculiar care has been bestowed. To such as are desirous of becoming acquainted with the credenda of this church, the particulars here inserted will be interesting, especially as they are exhibited for the purpose of obviating the representation given by Mr. Evans in his Sketch of Denominations," of the similarity of their principles to Socinianism. The evidence of Barclay is quoted, to prove that the Quakers, while they admit the Scriptures to be of divine authority, do not esteem them the principal ground of truth, nor the primary rule of faith, but only a secondary rule, subordinate to the spirit." How the members of that community can subscribe to this tenet, and maintain some of their late proceedings, we confess ourselves to be at a loss to determine. If they hold the Scriptures to be subordinate to the Spirit, how can they justify the excommunication or disownment of those who conscientiously plead the authority of the inward lace of the Spirit, in support of their conduct and doctrine? We intreat them duly to weigh the difficulty by which they are here embarrassed. The interests of truth and charity equally demand it of this very respectable body, to whose virtues we have often paid the sincerest tribute, and whose liberality we were reluctant to impeach.

In the 2d and 3d parts of this work, the reader will meet with curious and amusing accounts of the different religions that now pre. vail in the several quarters and subdivisions of the globe; and which concludes with stating that the extent of the Christian religion, compared with the parts overspred with Paganion and Mahometanism, is as five to twenty-five. We recommend this fact to the serious attention of Mr. Faber; and we request him to consider whether it be in the smallest degree probable that Christianity, which has occupied eighteen hundred years in propagating itself over a fifth part of the globe, should require only sixty years for the conversion of the remain, ing four fifibs? Why the Christian religion is still confined to so small a part of the earth, it is difficult to conceive; since it possesses the characters of truth, nations, as they become enlightened, must embrace it: but, looking at the ordinary march of Providence, we have no reason for supposing that a few years only are to elapse before the earth will be filled with the knowlege of the Lord." Art. 35. Indes to the Bible: in which the various Subjects which occur in the Scriptures are alphabetically arranged: with accu

rate References to all the Books of the Old and New Testaments, designed to facilitate the study of these invaluable Records. By Joseph Priestley, LL.D. F.R.S. 12mo. 58. Boards. Johnson,

The makers of indexes and of dictionaries (says Dr. P.) are never allowed the praise of much genius; but these works certainly require the exercise of judgment: he might have added, and of patience. This voluminous writer speaks of the present little work as the most laborious that he ever undertook, though he acknowleges that he derived considerable assistance in its compilation from Mr. Pilkington's Rational Concordance, or Index to the Bible, printed at Nottingham in 1749. Acquainted with the utility of index-making, as well as with the labour that attends it, we are always inclined to bestow praise on those who condescend in this way to become the finger-posts of literature. The work before us will be found very useful to those who wish to refer to the various subjects of sacred Scripture, and is much more portable than a concordance. It is very probable that many persons, who disapprove of Dr. P. as a commentator, will commend him as an index-compiler; and will wish, as he himself sus¬ pects, that he had aimed at nothing higher.

Art 36. Sermons on various Subjects; by Alexander Hewat, D.D, Vol. II. 8vo. pp. 447. 75. Boards. Cadell and Davies. We mentioned the former Volume of Dr. Hewat's Sermons in our number for January 1804, and made sufficient remarks on their characteristic merits, as well as some extracts in exemplification of the Dr.'s manner. On the present occasion, we need only to refer to that article, and state that the subjects of these nineteen discourses are the ensuing:-The folly of distrust in regard to Providence; habitual awe of God; maternal obligations; education of children; education of youth; manlike conduct and character; right use and improvement of old age; mysteries; Christ's rule of equity; Christ's claim to the reward of spotless innocence, and perfect obedience; incredulity of Thomas; rise, progress, and establishment of Christianity; glorifying in the Cross of Christ; obligations on all Christians to live in peace; office and authority of conscience; forgiveness of offences: commemorating Christ's sufferings and death; joys and comforts of a Christian life.

Art. 37. Further Evidences of the Existence of the Deity. Intended as an humble Supplement to Archdeacon Paley's Natural Theology. By George Clark. 8vo. 2S. Faulder.

Practical atheism is not uncommon, but we hope that speculative atheism exsists in the mind of very few. It cannot be denied, how. ever, that the latter occasionally occurs, and is even abetted by some. thing in the form of argument: yet that the argument has no real strength has been repeatedly and most satisfactorily demonstrated. Dr. Paley has remarked that, in order to refute the atheist, he would be contented with taking his stand in human anatomy; since the design, contrivance, and adaptation of parts in the animal frame are indisputable proofs of pre-existing and superintending Intelligence. Mr. Clark assumes this ground: but he satisfies himself with resting his proofs of a Deity on the constitution of the sexes,

which manifests pre-copilation, a previous intention, and a pre-ordination. After having exposed the ridiculou, hypothesis of Mirabeau relative to the energies of matter, he observes;

If we were to allow, for argument's sake, that an animal might have been produced by the inere energies of matter, it will be too much to admit, that an animal with a Six, could have been so produced; because that circomist nce necessarily pre-supposes two things, an increase of the species by generation; and, to that end, 2. the production of another animal of the same kind, but of the ; and these anticipations could exist only with mind or inIt would be a con rauiction to the plainest dictates of com· ay, that they could exist where design or purpose were date or purpo-c could be, where there was tot mind,

t

,,

h...

As is mind and intelligence can only exist with a

sentient agent, it follows incontestibly, that design, intent, and purpose, were employed in the formation of animals, and that there did previously exist a LIVING, SENTIENT GENT, OF, FIRST

DESIGNING CAUSF

This argument is conclusive; and it is no small compliment to Mi Cark to add that he has furnished a Supplement to the Nataral Theology" of Dr. Paley, which that ingenious writer, were he alive, would not object to patronize.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 38. A Defence of the Slave Trade, on the Crounds of Huma. niy, Policy, and Justice Svo 28. Highly.

A defence of persecution on the grounds of humanity would not he more revolting to common sense, than a defence of the slavetrade on this principle. The history of slavery cannot be the history of human happiness; and when it becomes an article of trade and commerce, it cannot be conducted without considerable cruelty. Writers may endeavour to throw some bright tints over the picture: but, after their most laboured efforts, it must be revolting to the eye of the philanthropist. We are told that the slave trade prevents a greater evil, viz. murder: but it is difficult to prove this assertion to such an extent as the argument rq ires. It is more rational to suppose, calculating on the effects of avarice on man, that this trade stimulates the Africans to make war on each other; and that, if Furopeans withdrew from this nefarious commerce, a powerful temptation to crime in the negroe princes would cease: but, supposing more cruelty to exist in Africa than we are able to prove, is the slave-trade such a remedy as we should be induced to apply, were all motives of interest out of the question? When the word policy stands coupled with humanity, we have reason for surmising that the latter is not of the true Christian stamp. This writer tells us how well-fed and happy the negroes are in the West Indies: but does this assertion quare with the declaration that it is necessary, in order to keep up the population of the blacks, to have a large annual importation from Africa? After so many hundred thousands of negroes have been conveyed from their native land to the West India Islands, had moths of humanity operated as much as a regard to self interest, the

necessity