to more copious works for Descents, Marriages, Issues, and other minute particulars. In point of style, we do not think it peculiarly elegant; but it appears to have a strong claim to notice on the ground of accuracy.

The original design of Dr. SIMs's "Inquiry into the Constitution and Economy of Man, was to endeavour to give the reader who might be unacquainted with anatomy, a clear and useful conception of his nature as an intelligent, active, and conscientious creature; and of his death and future existence. In the prosecution of the plan, however, Dr. Sims found so many mischievous errors, founded upon and defended by wrong notions of Luman nature, offering themselves to view, that he did not think it right to pass them by without notice, and there fore concludes with a few strictures on them, and animadversions on that irreligious philosophy, whose pernicious doctrines have been spread over Europe and America, to the unspeakable injury of the religion, morals, and interests of the inhabitants. Dr. Sims is in his eightyeighth year; we like his work and recommend it.

Strictly speaking, perhaps Mrs. Lry's Pamphlet" ought to have no place in a Retrospect of literature. The public, we believe, received an impression from the evidence which was adduced upon the trial of the Gordons, that is not likely either to be altered or removed by any defence of conduct at this time. We only wonder that such a defence should have appeared.

The last work that we shall mention is Dr. GREGORY'S "New and Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences" In this, the articles which relate to the several branches of natural and experi mental Philosophy, and Natural History; the Chemical Articles, those on Antiquities, Trade, Commerce, Finance, llistory, and the Arts and Manufactures, are probably the best. The style it is writ ten in is generally unexceptionable; in the scientific articles it is plain and clear, and in some, which admit of ornament, it rises to elegance. The plates which accompany this very useful work are well engraved,

HISTORY.

HE French at this present moment,

Tunfortunately for the repose of Europe, appear to have turned their attention solely to war. We accordingly find that their historical compositions, instead of being diccted, as formerly, to the purpose of tracing the means by which small states become great, and mighty empires in their turn dwindle into insignificance, are now chiefly employed in the details of their own exploits. Not coutent with their vernacular tongue, some of their writers have recurred to that of other nations for this purpose, and the language adopted by Sallust to narrate the particulars of the Jugurthine war, has recently been employed to pourtray the battle of Jena, and the campaigus in Germany »

The following title is prefixed to another work, of which we shall hereafter, perhaps, furnish a more complete analysis.

Campagne des Armées françaises, en

We allude to a work just published, entitled "Commentarii de Bello Germanico, Didot, 1806-7.

Prusse,en Saxe, et en Pologne, sous le com mandement de S. M. l'Empereur et Ro

en 1806."--The Campaign of the Frenc Army in Prussia, Saxony, and Poland, under the Command of his Majesty the Emperor and King, &c. with the Por traits of the Emperor, Prince Murat, Mr. Fox, &c.

The first volume onlyof this work has been as yet published, which is accompanied with a plan of the battle of Jena, and adorned with copper-plates and six por traits. The next is to contain engravings of the King and Queen of Prussia, the Marshals de Mollendorff, Kalkreuth, Blucher, the Duke of Brunswick, and Mr. Fox, copied from full length pictures.

The Author boasts in his introduction, that he has not confined himself to a simple recital of the celebrated actions and famous marches of the French army, but has taken care to compare recent events with those that have occurred on the same theatre during former times, su that officers may be enabled to judge, and to decide for themselves. In addi tion to this, two celebrated men are brought into contact, and Frederick II who himself wrote a History of the Seven

Youry'

Years' War, is called forth, from the shades for the purpose of serving as a foil to Bonaparte 1.

In addition to the correction of a variety of geographical mistakes, several authentic biographical notices are here introduced; and not only such military men as have perished in the field of battle, are introduced into this gallery of portraits, but also those who have survived the combat. The basis of the work is allowed to have been founded on the official relations printed by order of the French government. The whole of the bulletins are therefore to be published in a regular, chronological series; but these are to be accompanied with notes and explanations, so as to produce an ample commentary to the text.

"Thus," says the Author, "France, Europe, and our gallant warriors, to whom we now address this description of the most memorable campaign which military genius ever executed, will find in this work whatever is calculated to re-call these glorious events, and preserve the memory of the triumphs of one of the greatest monarchs who ever regulated the destiny of nations."

"Notice Historique sur l'Agriculture des Celtes et des Gaulois, &c."-An historical Notice relative to the Agriculture of the Celts and the Gauls, 8vo. forty-two pages. M. de C. formerly a Prefect of the department of the Oise, is the author of this little work. He begins by observing, that his studies have always been directed towards the consideration of the national antiquities of his native soil, and adds that this taste has been fortunately favoured by a variety of circumstances, some of which are of a personal nature.

It is further stated by way of introduction, that the Greeks and Romans were very jealous of attributing any discoveries in the arts, sciences, &c. to those nations styled barbarous by them. Notwith standing this, M. de C. is at some pains to prove, that the ancient Gauls invented the art of enameling, and were the first to gild the harness and bridles of their horses, &c.

In respect to agriculture, it is contended, that every word contained in the modern technical vocabulary is derived from the vernacular tongue, not a single term having been borrowed from any foreign language. He at the same time insists, that, his native country is the best within the confines of the habitable carth, as may be gathered from the following exulting description.

"Gaul, by its position on the globe, is most advantageously situate, being placed between those hyperborean regions which constrain the faculties of inan, and those southern climates which entceble them. By means of the north, and north-west winds, it regains all that the summer heats have deprived it of. Defended by the seas, by the Rhine, the Alps, and the Pyrenees, rich in wine and in corn; abounding with inhabitants, with warriors, with engineers, with soldiers prompt as lightning, patient under privations, estimating life at a high rate, and yet sacrificing it for a sprig of laurel; replete with men of genius, able senators, and profound politicians, Gaul was and ever will be, at all times, and under every species of domination, the mistress and the exainple of the world. This assertion is not the dictate of a prophetic vision: it is the result of a calculation, arising out of the union of strength and situation."

At the conclusion, the author combats the opinion so generally received, that the lys or lilly was only known to the ancestors of the present French as an instrument of war, worn at the ends of their lances: he maintains, that it was also respected as a symbol of purity and nobility. This subject leads him to the "language of flowers," employed in the gallantry of a former age, and he presents his readers with a vocabulary of a new kind: in fine, the author seems ambitious to prove that erudition may be accompanied with the graces, and that it is possible for a fine imagination to embellish any subject.

"Science de la Histoire, contenant le Systeme géneral des Connoissances à acquerir avant d'etudier l'Histoire, et la Methode à suivre quand on se livre à ce genre d'Etude, developpée par Tableaux synoptiques."-The Science of History; containing the general system of knowledge necessary to be acquired before any one commences the study of it, and also the method to be followed in this pursuit: the whole developed by means of synoptical tables, by N. CHANTREAU, professor of history in the military school established at Fontainebleau, ineinber of several literary societies, translator and continuator of Blair's Chronological Tables, dedicated to his Majesty the Entperor and King, while First Consul, S vols, in quarto.

Of all the pursuits that contribute to the instruction of mankind, that of history is undoubtedly one of the most use

ful,

ful, as well as most agreeable. Accordingly, in all countries, and in all languages, we find a multitude of elementary books on this subject; it must nevertheless be acknowledged that M. Chantreau is in the right, where he maintains that too little importance is attached to this study in the public schools, and that such a general neglect must inevitably introduce a vicious method of teaching. It is for the express purpose of remedying this that he has undertaken the present work, and endeavoured to discountenance those puerile methods but too frequently adopted. Hitherto history, he observes, has been regarded but as a secondary branch of instruction, and a mere object of memory: he thinks however, that it is a subject that calls for and demands the severest exercise of the judgment.

To teach it in conformity to his notions, a variety of preliminary knowledge becomes necessary, so as to enable youth to study with advantage. He has accordingly divided his work into two portions, the one of which he denominates the Notional, and the other the Methodical part. The former is subdivided into chronology, geography, and civil organization, which form so many separate subjects. The course of chronology constitutes four sections.

1. Mathematical Ch onology, containing the notions relative to the division of time for the civil and religious usages of

nations.

2. Documental, or Historical Chronology, as necessary for the support of facts.

3. Comparative Chronology, presenting the calculations relative to the reciprocal æras adopted by nations.

4. Chronology of Facts, or the principal events of ancient and modern history, properly arranged.

The present work forms the most extensive article on this subject that has hitherto appeared; it commences at the most remote epoch, and finishes with the peace of Amiens, in 1802; thus enbracing fifty-eight centuries, or the space of 5,800 years. The mode here adopted is to divide the subject into three different columns, the first of which presents the dates, the second the facts, and the third the historical sources or authorities, whence the confirmation has been drawn.

In respect to ancient history, the Claro nology. of Usher has been followed, and in regard to modern times, the authority

of the work entitled, l'Art de verifier le Dates, has been adopted. The epoch of the Olympic games serves as a landmark to the Grecian history; while that of Rome is reckoned from the foundation of the city. The Hegira is used for the history of the Saracens and all the Mahominedan nations; and in respect to France, the division of time is so adjusted, as to make the Revolution the chief æra.

Adopting a different system from the writers who have preceded him, M. Chantreau has divided biographical chronology into two sections; the one political, and the other literary: in the former of these is contained the sove reigns, the generals, the statesmen, &c. while the second presents the philosophers, the historians, the men of letters, the lawyers, the mathematicians, and the artists.

This is a most laborious work, and bas evidently occupied a large portion of the author's time; but whatever may be its traits, it is too voluminous for translation.

"Memoires et Lettres du Maréchal de Tessé, contenant des Anecdotes et des Facts historiques," &c.-The Memoirs and Letters of Marshal de Tessé; containing historical facts and anecdotes hitherto unknown, relative to certam portions of the reigns of Louis XIV. and XV. 2 vols. 8vo.

The late Marshal de Tessé was considered by his contemporaries as a man of talents; he was accordingly employed to negociate with several different courts, and kept up a direct correspondence with Louis XIV. As he was acquainted with all the celebrated men of his day, be was of course enabled to estimate their respective merits, and thus at once anuse and instruct posterity. His life precedes his correspondence, &c.

“Les Anténors modernes, ou Voyagea de Christine et de Casimir en France, pendant le Règne de Louis XIV. esquisse des mœurs générales du 17e. sècie, d'après les Mémoires des deux Ex-swverains. The moderu Antenors, or Tra vels of Christine and Casimir in France, during the Reign of Louis XIV; comtaining a sketch of the manners of the 17th century, &c. continued by Hur, bishop of Avranches.

"The subject of this work," says the author in his preface, "is extracted fr the following neglected passage in the younger Racine, while treating of the age of Louis XIV."

* Refexions sur la Porsit.

"It appears as if all the great poets, the great painters, great orators, the great philosophers, &c. had determined on a place and time of rendezvous, in order that they might meet, and dispute together, for the palm of glory and perfection in each particular branch of knowledge. "According both to the order of dates, and the order of geniuses, Descartes ought to be placed at the head of the numerous assemblage of men, who have rendered that age so celebrated throughout the world. What a multitude of illustrious names is contained in this list! Petau, Nicole, Arnaud, La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyere, Le Sueur, Le Poussin, Le Brun, Mignard, Jouvenet, Girardon, Lully, Rohault, Mallebranche, Flechier, Massillon, Corneille, and his rival Moliere, La Fontaine, Boileau, &c. Many other famous characters might also be added, so as to comprehend the youthful days of Rousseau. The space of time during which all these appeared was far from being extensive, for a single man had beheld them all; and, indeed, M. Huet, so illustrious himself on account of his acquirements, had witnessed Descartes early in life, and died ten years after Boileau."

We are informed, however, that it is not a gallery of portraits, comprehending the great personages in question, that the author of the Anténors intends to describe; he resolves, indeed, that both men and events shall occupy the places in his work, which chance has assigned them on the theatre of history; but he is chiefly desirous to designate three grand epochs, and describe three personages appertaining to the seventeenth century. "Christina, Queen of Sweden (says he) resigned her crown precisely at the moment when Louis XIV. was about to obtain possession of his. The daughter of Gustavus met with the Prince of Condé at Brussels, and the Cardinal de Retz at Rome. It was in the society of these grand actors during the troubles of the minority, that Christina became initiated in the mysteries of war, of gallantry, of politics; in fine, acquired a complete knowledge of all the intrigues, and of all the parties, that had divided France. She herself, at length, repaired to that country, for the express purpose of assisting at the festivals, the amours, &c. of the times.

"Casimir, who had been desirous of espousing Christina, when he was King of Poland, resided in France also at the epoch of the grandeur of Louis MONTHLY MAG., No. 159.

XIV. It is well known that he became Abbot of St. Germaine des Prés, and was enamoured with a woman whose rank in society was far from being estimable.

His unostentatious life, and simple character, formed a marked contrast with the prying inquietude and petulant vivacity of Christina. He observed, and is here made to describe, the physical and moral state of Paris at that epoch, when pleasure and the fine arts divided his nights and his days.

"The Bishop of Avranches (the celebrated Huet), who had lived in intimacy both with Christina and Casimir, witnessed all the grandeur and all the humiliation of Louis XIV. whom he survived six years. He sighs here over the misfortunes of the state; he paints too in the most lively colours the odious and impolitic revocation of the Edict of Nantz.

"Thus are contrasted both the shades of epochs, and the tints of characters. The first æra comprehends the licentiousness of the Fronde; the second, voluptuous and brilliant, is consecrated to the developement of the arts; the third, sombre and obscure, exhibits every thing delightful extinguished in bigotry. The character of each particular personage seems to be appropriated to these different scenes: we accordingly behold shining in succession, Christina and her follies; Casimir and epicurism; Huet and jesuitism.

"Anquetil was the first to furnish the example of the composition of an interesting work, by means of fragments extracted from contemporary writers. We have followed a similar track, but yet have omitted, like him, to disclose the name of the author of a mere compilation. It would have been far more easy, perhaps, to have imitated the present writers of romances, by infusing into the language of the personages brought forward our own particular manner of thinking and expressing ourselves. But as this would be to throw a modern drapery over an antique figure, a different mode has been adopted; throughout the whole of this work, therefore, the costume is rigorously observed, and the author has made those whom he has introduced both speak and act precisely as they would have spoken and acted in their relative situations.

"In short, this is not an historical romance. The author has been desirous to open a new career, and has endeavoured, at the same time, to accelerate the pro gress of the art itself, by placing fiction 4 P

as