654 Review of New Publications. [July merates feveral advantages which would refult from deriving our ftandard meafure from this fource: but he allows that the trouble, time, and expence of first finding it, and recurring to it after ward, are very great objections to it. He aifo, very juffly, doubts whether it admits of being determined with fufficient accuracy; and gives his reasons for this fufpicion. The fourth ftandard is proposed to be taken from the length of a pendulum, which makes one vibra to our author, and perhaps juftly, to be "the most proper for a standard, as it is "the fimpleft, the moft easily obtained, "and the most accurate." But, for a fuller view of the fubject, we must refer our readers to the pamphlet itself, and to fome remarks on it, fuggefted by our brethren the Monthly Reviewers, in their Review for May last, vol. V. p. 60-65. 95. A Vindication of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolu"tion in France;" in Answer to all bis Opponents. fame. The three firft are felf-evident propofitions; the fourth is not difcuffed in this pamphlet; and, in refpect to the fifth, Sir John ftates the effential and eligible qualities of an univerfal ftandard for weights and measures. The effential qualities feem fully enumerated in his explanation of his fifth object; and those which may be thought eligible are, that if it be of a proper extent; neither fo large nor fo fmall as to create any difficulties either in the conftruction or use of it; that its denominations betion in a fecond of time. This appears in tens; that, if poffible, it may be derived from, or connected with, two things in nature, fo that one of them may be a check on, or proof of, the other; that it should agree nearly with fome one of the measures now in common ufe; that it fhould correfpond, in fome degree, with the measures of other nations; and, if poffible, be a medium between them; and that both the flandard, and its denominations, be fuch as neighbouring nations may be inclined to adopt. He next examines the properties of feveral objects which have, at different times, been propofed as proper flandards for an universal measure; and points out the advantages and defects of each. The first that he mentions is taken from a drop of diftilled water, or fpirit of wine, rectified to a certain degree of ftrength, and the drops made in a certain temperature of the atmosphere; a certain number of thefe drops may be denominated a ton weight; and the fide of the cubic veffel which contains them, as it will be about 38 or 39 inches, if the ton weight be of its prefent magni. tude, may, very conveniently, be eftab. lifhed for the ftandard yard. The internal capacity may alfo be a ton of liquid measure, 32 bushels, or four quarters of corn, and a chaldron of coals. Sir John Miller thinks this the most unexceptionable of small standards; but The doubts whether the drops, whatever care may be taken, can be made fo nearly alike as not to admit of a very confiderable error in the total quantity of fuch a vaft number as would be requifite for the purpose. The fecond ftandard which he propofes is taken from the admeafurement of the space through which heavy bodies fall in a fecond of time. This Sir John rejects, on account of the difficulty which would occur in determining the pace with fufficient exactnefs. The third ftandard is taken from the meature of a degree of a great circle of the earth. He enu IF Mr. B's Reflections needed a Vindication, this writer has taken-in the whole range of his opponents; and if, while he fets up for candour and liberality of fentiment, he appears to depart from his profeffions, he does no more than the generality of those whom he replies to. These are, Mrs. Wolftencraft; the Leffons to a young Prince, by a Statefman; Major Scott; the Short Obfervations on Mr. Burke's Reflections; Doctors Price, Towers, and Priestley; Meffieurs Lofft and Rous; and Mrs. Macaulay Graham : all whom he characterizes; and, in doing this, fhews that he is not deftitute of abilities, improved, in this inftance, by a refidence, for the last three years, in Paris. In characterizing the National Affembly, he is not a whit more favourable to it than Mr. B.; nor is he, perhaps, wide of the mark when he calls it "a disgusting mixture of weak"nefs and effrontery, fuperftition and "impiety, ignorance and prefumption, "folly and cruelty, mifchievous boys "in legiflation, protectors of unheard"of cruelty, and notorious violators of property (p. 50); who have reduced 66 robbery to a fyftem. There is no"thing that men can do, that I do not "conceive the National Affembly capa"ble of; I mean the majority, that are "led by Mirabeau: and nothing more "probable "probable than that the people would "affent to any thing they could do" (p. 102. One inftance we have, and this writer was eye-witnefs to it, in the condemnation of M. de Favras by the Chatelet, for fear of the mob. This vindicator of Mr. B. declares himself totally unacquainted with him, or with any one who knows him; and that he has only feen him once, and fhall, in a few weeks, leave this country, perhaps never to return (p. 142). He" conceives Whiggifm to be a jealous at "tachment to the Conftitution, as fet"tled at the Revolution; and, on this "principle, Mr. Burke is the best "Whig, and Mr. Burke's book the best Whiggih book in the language. "He is not a Whig that fays Mr. "Burke is not a Whig: he is not an "honeft man that fays Mr. Burke is "not a virtuous Whig" (p. 141). Upon the whole, we confider this Vindication as the beft detection of the fophifms and evil principles adopted by the revolutionifts of France, and their worshipers in this country. 95. A Statifical Account of Scotland, drawn up from the Communications of the Minifters of the different Parifes. By Sir John Sinclair, Bart. Vol. I. Edinburgh, 1791 †. IN the Introduction, dated Edinburgh, May 25, 1791, Sir John tells us, "It is now about twelve months fince I first had the honour of circulating, among the Clergy of the Church of Scotland, a variety of queries for elucidating the natural history and political ftate of that country. My original idea was to have drawn up, from their returns, a general Statistical View of North Britain, without any particular reference to parochial districts. But I found fuch merit and ability, and fo many useful facts and important obfervations in the anfwers that were fent me, that I could not think of depriving the Clergy of the credit they were entitled to derive from fuch laborious exertions; and I was induced to give the work to the publick in its present shape. It would have been more defireable to have had the accounts of the different parishes arranged by prefbyteries, or counties, for the purpose of connexion, and to prevent repetition, where the circumftances of the different diftricts were nearly fimilar. But it was not to be expected that complete information, * We wish our good neighbours of North Britain, who have already too many foreign words in their language, would not load or obfcure it with more. See p. 54. See an analysis of this account of a parochial in our p. 506. refpecting any one of the larger divisions of the kingdom, could be at once obtained. It was therefore thought most adviseable to throw as much variety as poffible into the first volume, that our readers might be enabled to form fome general idea of the state of the kingdom even from this part of the work. Whether the fame plan is to be per fevered in, or whether more regularity and connexion are to be attended to in future, will depend on the unanimity and difpatch with which the Clergy tranfmit the neceflary information to the author. "The variety of bufinefs, both of a public and private nature, in which I have been of late engaged, has prevented me from arranging or abridging, fo completely as I fhould have done, the answers included in this volame; and indeed that part of the work must be attended with confiderable difficulty, unless the Clergy in general will do what many of them have very fuccessfully executed; namely, tranfcribe the accounts prepared for immediate publication. Answers to the queries, however, which have been circulated are ftill requested; but where it is equally convenient, it is certainly more defireable that the Clergy fhould confider the answers merely as a key to inquiry; and the models which are now fet before them, together with the annexed analyfis, will be of fervice in pointing out the best mode of drawing up the ftatiitical account of the different dif tricts. "It would be improper to conclude with out returning my best acknowledgements to the Clergy in general for the attention they have paid to the different requifitions with which I have troubled them, and for the very polite and flattering manner in which they have perfonally addreffed themselves to me on the occafion. The spirit and alacrity with which they have engaged in fo laborious an undertaking muft ever do them infinite credit; and they must feel the utmost fatiffaction from the reflexion that they have contributed to the formation of a work, of which may be truly faid, in the words of a refpectable citizen of this county (George Dempfter, Efq.) that no publication, of equal information and curiofity, has appeared in Great Britain fince Domesday-book; and that, from the ample and authentic facts which it records, it must be reforted to hy every future ftatefman, philofopher, and divine, as the best bafis that has ever yet appeared for public fpeculation." The parishes defcribed are in number 53; viz. Jedburgh, Holywood, Port Patrick, Hounam, Kirmichael, Sprouston, Longformacus, Lauder, Hyton, Air, Carri den, Coylton, Ballantrae, Terregles, Edrom, Innerwick, Linton, Newlands, Kirkmaiden, Tin wald, Crofimichael, Parion, Covington, Trequire, blairavorside, Penpont, Cramond, Dalmeny, Sorbie. Killearn, Rothfay, Review of New Publications. 656 Rothfay, Kingarth, Houflon and Kilallan, Biggar, Dunfire, Yefter, Bathgate, Stranraer, Kettle, Delting. Kilrennie, Arngask, Dunnichen, Carmylie, Panbride, Lunan, Auchter derran, Kinlofs, Oarblaw. Gam. rie, Galk, Limore and Appin, Me:gle. The four firft are published in a pamphlet intituled Specimen of the Statifical Account of Scotland, drawn up from the Communications of the Minifters of the different Parifbes. By Sir John Sinclair, Bart.; given out in the beginning of the year. The principal heads of inquiry are, "name, fituation, furface, air, popula. ❝tion, cultivation and produce, manufactures, wages, prices, and poor; "rents of land, church, and ftipend; "mineral fprings and roads; manners, "customs, mifcellaneous obfervations, "including antiquities." The parish of Ballantrae has no perfon in it connected with the law, not even a conitable or sheriff's officer, nor a juftice of the peace, and the theriff's court is 36 miles diftant; there is no furgeon or phyfician within 12 miles, and it is doubted whether half a dozen fuch parishes would give bread to one. We prefume the fpiritual paflor fupplies all thefe wants. THIS Sermon, from Gen. xlix. 18, Speaks the language of the orthodox puritans and dealers in experiences of the laft age, of whom fo few furvive. The falvation Dr. S. waited for was very different from that which his friend Dr. Price fang his Nunc dimittis upon. Both are removed from the prefent fcene of turbulence in religion and po liticks, to contemplate the true principles of both in their full difplay; or, if we believe certain philofophers, to await the confummation of all things in the filent fleep of the grave, till Confcioufnefs, as well as Exittence, be reftored, and Doctors Frichtley and Pric fhall have fomething elfe to do than to talk over the fate of ftates and empires, and the fresheft news from France and England, whofe theatres of action will have been long annihilated. From Mr. Towe's Addrefs we learn, that, under the influence of Chriftian [July, evangelical principles, an unfhaken integrity reigned through Dr. Savage's whole deportment; an integrity which difcovered its reality and strength by roufing his indignation at every appearance of deceit and duplicity, and infpiring him with a difdain of all that was mean, base, and servile. "Dr. Savage's natural abilities," fays Mr. Towle, "were above the common fize. His apprehenfion quick-his memory retentive— his judgement difcriminating—to all which valuable endowments were joined a strong inclination, and proportionable capacity, to communicate his ideas, not indeed furrounded with those tinfel ornaments, or arrayed in that gaudy drefs, by which fome are greatly captivated, but attended with what is much more deferving esteem-perfpicuity-preci fion-and accuracy. indeed! By the bleffing of God, on exten"His liter my attainments were a treasure five reading and clofe ftudy he acquired learning, both various and valuable; infomuch, that whoever does juftice to his character, in this part of it, must acknowledge— be was an eminently learned man. "By the advice and under the patronage of good judges-after a courfe of fuitable preparatory studies, which he paffed through he was with reputation and advantage brought forward into public life. For many years he was pallor of that Chriftian Society of Proteftant Diffenters of the Congregational Denomination, where the greatly venerable Dr. John Owen, the eminently learned Mr. David Clarkfon, the truly ingenious and pîous Dr. Ifaac Watts, and the justly-esteemed Mr. Samnel Price-not to mention other names defervedly honoured in the religious world-fuftained the fame facred character. Nor was Li-honourable as this was-the only public department for which Providence had deugned him. After having conducted other parts of a learned education, to his own credit, and to the approbation of thofe with whom he was connected, be was feated in the divinity chair at that Seminary of Religion and Learning where the Rev. Dr. David Jennings for many years worthily and honourably prefided. * "That impartiality which I defire ever to maintain contrains me here to fay, that though there were many who highly esteemed him, and to whom he was greatly useful, in both thefe departments-of whofe regard he retained and expreffed a grateful fenfe to the day of his death-it must be acknowledged his apparent fuccefs was not fuch as, might expect. The caufs of this fact the prefrom his piety, abilities, and learning, fome fent rime and place will not permit me to in A feminary chiefly fupported by the liberality of William Coward, Efq. of Wale thamitow; who died in 1738. vestigate veftigate or declare but, whatever they might be, or should it even be fuppofed that any thing crminal was attached to them, juftice to the character of the deceafed obliges me to add my full perfuafion, that no crimine ity fled with bm. Moit earnestly did he defire that the great ends, in order to the attainment of which he was advanced to the ftations he filled, might be faithfully and punct ally accomplished. For this purpose, he laboured with indefatigable zeal and diligence. When he had reafon to fear his labours were not fuccessful, the thought pierced his heart with an anguish peculiarly pungent-but when there was ground to hope that fuccefs crowned them, his whole foul was filled with fenfations exquifitely delightful. "Such was my deceafed brother in the public characters under which he appeared; a general sketch of the manner in which he demeaned himself in orber fitutions may be expected, and thall be briefly given. "View him in his family, there you fee the indulgent husband, the tender parent, the good mafter. having the happiness to receive fuitable returns from thofe to whom he stood in these relations. Attend to him among bis friends; to rbm his attachments were fincere, ardent, and fteady. Confider him as a member of that large political body THE STATE; genuine love to his country warmed his heart, moved his tongue, and regulated his actions. As a good fubjeƐł, while he detefted-and, on proper occafions, expreffed his deteftation of all factious, feditious, and rebellious principles and practice; -he honoured the King, obeyed the Laws, and highly valued our well-framed Conftitution. Indeed, uuder the direction of his confcience, he was a Diffenter from the Eftablifhed Church of this country-but, while he thankfully accepted the liberty the Conftitution gave him, of acting up to his fentiments, as fucb, his words and actions uniformly expreffed a firm perfuafion that the diffint fhould be conducted, as with refolution and fteadiness, fo with decency and prudence. Trace him in his behaviour among mankind at large-though rather difpofed to retirement and folitude-there you will find him juft, benevolent, and honourable-habitually acting on gofpel principles under the influence of that equitable and lovely precept of our Divine Mafter-Whatsoever ye would that men fhould do unto you, do ye even fo unto sbem." p.42-46. 98. Youth reminded of a future Judgment, in a funeral Difcourfe, occafioned by the Death of Mr. John Vowel, who died at Hackney, Dec. 24, 1790, in the Twenty-fecond Year of bis Age. To which is added, fume Account of bis Sifter, Mijs Sophia Vowel, who died on the 7th of the fame Month, in the Sixteenth Year of ber Age. By W. Bennet. AN affecting difcourfe, from Ecclef. xi. 9, a text chofen by himfelf on his GENT. MAG. July, 1791. 99. The Eulogies of Howard. A Vision. CONCERNING the merits and virtues of the departed Howard there feems to exift but one opinion, amongst all ranks and characters of men. Even they who intimate that his conduct was tinctured with enthufiafm allow it to be an enthufiafm of the most amiable nature, equally deferving of imitation and reward. The pen which produced the prefent performance is certainly no mean one, and must have its effect in contributing to the final accomplishment of what the friends of Benevolence and Howard have in view. This beatific vifion reprefents another and a better world, in which the three more diftinguithed Profeffions concur in acknowledging the fervices of Howard to mankind to have deferved a permanent and immortal compenfation. Three different Eulogies are pronounced in his name, by three illustrious characters, in the Separate heaven affigned to the profeffors of Divinity, Medicine, and Law. A Funeral Sermon is added; which, per haps, with refpect to the compofition, is the best part of the work. The whole is entitled to our praife, and has our best wishes for its fuccefs. 100. The Aboriginal Britons. A Prize Poem, MDCCXCI. THIS is one of thofe original effu. fons of Genius which burst out when leaft expected. The author's talents are here developed; and, from the compofition as well as the fpirit with which it was delivered in the Theatre at Oxford, on the 8th inftant, as well as previously rehearfed, we augur well for his poetic fpirit, notwithstanding the little fymptoms he fhewed of it on his fit fettlement in the University. This is the third prize he has won; and for this he is indebted to the munificence of an unknown benefactor, who last year fent a letter, written in a concealed hand, to the Vice-chancellor, inclosing a bank-note of 20l. with a fubject for a poem. We do not recollect to have read a more animated compofition fince Mr. Howard's Conqueft of Quebec, in 1768, 1763, and Mr. Lipfcombe, On the Love of our Country, in 1772; and we cannot refift the pleafure of tranfcribing his defcription of the British fpirit: "Thus fought Britannia's fons-but, when More keen and fierce the flame of Freedom Ye woods, whofe cold and length'ned tracts of fhade Rofe on the day when fun and stars were made; Waves of Lodore, that from the mountains' brow, Tumble their flood, and shake the vale below; MajefticSkiddaw, round whofe tracklefs fteen, Mid the bright funfhine, darksome tempefts fweep; To you the patriot fled: his native land He fpurn'd, when proffer'd by a conqu'ror's hand, In you to roam at large; to lay his head To fee defpondence cloud each rifing more, And dark defpair hang o'er the years unborn. Yet here, even here, he greatly dar'd to be, And drain the lufcious dregs of Liberty; Outcast of Nature, fainting, wafted, wan, To breathe an air his own, and live a man! "But when, with conqueft crown'd, he taught his foes [ftows, What free born man on free-born man be"He, in the pride and infolence of war, Ne'er hound the indignant captive to his car, Nor with ignoble toils, or fervite chains, Debas'd the blood that fwells the hero's veins; Nor meanly barter'd for unworthy gold The foul that animates the human mould: But reverenc'd kindred valour, though o'erthrown; Difdain'd to hear a warrior meanly moan: Yet, gazing round him, he beheld the God The poem is hand fomely infcribed to the Hon. Lewis Thomas Watton, of And glance difdainful, PRUDERY pass them With mincing step, and fquinting cautious dread, Asthough their looks alone contagion shed.— I view each pallid WRETCH with grief fincere, And call on PITY for her tend'reft tear; See, on their cheeks, the blufh of VIRTUE bura; [mourn; Hear, from their fouls, the figh of RUIN View, veil'd in HORROR's gloom, their fwimming eyes, Beaming with hopeless wishes to the skies, Like the pale Moon's dim, folitary form, Wrapp'd in the darkness of the midnight form." For the former cantos fee our vol. LV. p. 817; vol. LVI. p. 519. 102. The Rights of Kings; or, Loyal Odes to 103. Odes to Mr. Paine, Author of "The Rights of Man," on the intended Celebration of the Doronfall |