Page images
PDF
EPUB

duce the above case of The King v. Eriswell, probably on account of
there having been no decision. We think, however, that it should
have been noticed by him; as well as the following case of Reed v
Jackson, B. R. E. 41 Geo. 3. 1 East 355, in which the Court de-
cided that a verdict against a defendant in trespass, on an issue of
a justification of a public right of way, negativing such right, is
evidence in another action against another defendant who justified
under the same right-and that the cases relative to the
inspection of corporation muniments and others might have been
introduced with advantage: more particularly since the law on this
subject appears to be settled by the case of Southampton v. Graves,
which we noticed in a late article on the Term Reports *. We
must, nevertheless, acknowlege that, if something be omitted in this
volume which might have been inserted with propriety, much has
been introduced that may be consulted with advantage.
Art. 34. An accurate and impartial Narrative of the Apprehension,
Trial, and Execution, on the 5th June 1798, of Sir Edward William
Crosbie, Bart. Including a Copy of the Proceedings of the Court
Martial, which tried him; together with authentic Documents re-
lating to the whole of his Conduct, and the Proceedings against
him. Published, in justice to his Memory, by his Family. 8vo,
PP. 130. 3s. Hatchard. 1801.

Sir Edward Crosbie was apprehended, and tried by a court martial, for traiterous and rebellious conduct in aiding and abetting a most villainous conspiracy for the overthrow of his Majesty's crown, and the extinction of all loyal subjects, and for endeavouring to conceal persons, knowing them to be engaged in the above-mentioned project. On these charges he was found guilty, and suffered the sentence of the law but it is the object of the present publication to shew that he was unjustly convicted, in consequence of improper testimony having been received, and admissible testimony having been rejected. It is impossible for us to give an opinion on this melancholy subject.

Art. 35. An Analysis of the Law on the Abandonment of Ships and Freight, as it relates to the Effects of the late Russian Embargo on British ships, and to the subsequent Liberation of the Ships from the Embargo; wherein the Subject is also discussed on Principles of Policy and Equity. By Aistroppe Stovin. 8vo. pp. 80. 1s. 6d. Butterworth. 1801.

Mr. Stovin here discusses the two following questions; first, If one of the abandoned ships bring home any cargo, for which she was chartered, or for the carriage of which the former owner had made any contract, whether the freight or carnings to be made by the carriage of such cargo belongs to the underwriters to whom the ship has been abandoned, or to the underwriters who insured the freight to the former owner, and have paid him a total loss thereon? Mr. Stovin argues with much knowlege and ingenuity in favour of the underwriters to whom the ship has been abandoned.The second question proposed, and which the author answers in

J

* Vide M. R. vol. xxxiv. N. S. p. 25.

the

S.R.

S.R.

the affimative, is; Did any contract for the carriage of goods (whether by charter-party, or otherwise) made by the owner of an abandoned ship previously to the abandonment, and which contract he was prevented by the embargo from performing, become null and absolutely void on the abandonment of the ship and freight to the respective underwriters thereon?' - This little tract shews no incon siderable share of information on the subject which it is designed to S.R. illustrate.

POLITICS.

Art. 36. The Crimes of Cabinets; or, a Review of the Plans and
Aggressions for annihilating the Liberties of France and the dis-
memberment of her Territories, with illustrative Anecdotes Mili-
8vo. pp. 318. 6s.
tary and Political. By Lewis Goldsmith.
Boards. Printed for and sold by the Author, No. 5. Thavies
Inn, Holborn.

The writer of this work must be confessed to have been a very bold man; and we are not surprized that he should have been unable to find a bookseller equally magnanimous with himself. A full budget of the blackest crimes is here laid at the door of cabinets and "regular governments:" but while he is performing this "vent'rous deed," he cautiously reminds us that by Cabinet he neither means nor assumes any other view, meaning, inuendo, or interpretation, than that of HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTERS;' and that he means the same by the term Government, whatever its adjunct, when applied to this country. This clause, designed to be a saving one, seems to have had its effect in bearing him harmless in his perilous undertaking; notwithstanding that some of the circumstances which he relates, and certain epithets which he employs, reflect much on those privileged The author indeed individuals who are said to have "long arms."

allows that, in this liberal use of his colours in giving public delinquency a public portrait, he subjects himself to ministerial vengeance: but he pleads, in excuse, conscious rectitude and indignation, and the duty which he owes to his country.

According to his own account, Mr. G. has had singular opportu nities of obtaining political knowlege; and his work is made amusing by many curious anecdotes, as well as by the very nature of his undertaking which professes to unveil the schemes of kings and ministers, and to discover to the reader the arcana of modern European politics. He severely stigmatizes the views and conduct of the coaHe reprobates lesced courts, through the whole course of the war. the division of Poland; and, in the most indignant terms, he narrates the bloody feats of the Russian General Suwarrow at Praga, the suburb of Warsaw, where 10,000 men, after they had surrendered, and all the inhabitants, to the amount of 15,000, were butchered in cold blood. Respecting the miseries of suffering Poland, he delivers (he says) the testimony of an eye-witness. He then goes on to state a number of atrocities committed by the allied powers, which we cannot particularize, and respecting the truth of which charges we are wholly ignorant.

In his character of Public Accuser of Cabinets, Mr. Goldsmith Pius VI. is termed a does not forget the crimes of the Vatican. 6 • mitred

1

• mitred hypocrite; and his proclamation, in which he promises that "every one who shall kill a Frenchman, shall have his name inscribed among the elect of God," is exhibited against him. The conduct of the court of Naples is not less severely stigmatized.

If all the crimes enumerated in this singular volume do not belong exclusively to cabinets, they may, however, be adduced as proofs of the malignancy and acrimony with which the late war was prosecuted. As Mr. G. discovers an extreme partiality for the French and their cause, he may be suspected of an undue leaning to their side but he assures us that what he has stated is nothing but the truth, and that he has no other motive than an ardent wish for the return of moderation, liberality, peace, and solid prosperity to his own country. He asserts that he has the best authority for his representations, and often appeals to particular personages for the correctness of them: but, altogether, his book appears in such "a questionable shape" to us who are wholly out of the secret, that we know not how to "speak to it."

Another publication by this intrepid writer (a translation from the French) lies on our table, and will soon be farther noticed.

CHEMICAL.

Mo-y.

Art. 37. Principles of modern Chemistry systematically arranged. By
Dr. Frederic Charles Gren, late Professor at Halle in Saxony..
Translated from the German, with Notes and Additions concern-
ing later Discoveries, by the Translator; and some necessary
Tables. Illustrated by Plates. 2 Vols. 8vo. 16s. Boards.
Cadell jun. and W. Davies. 1800.

These volumes contain an abstract made by the late Dr. Gren, from his own System of Chemistry published at Halle in 1794 in four vols. 8vo.; and although they are much more concise than the original book, they were by no means intended by the author as a mere outline of it. This circumstance, indeed, very evidently appears from his minute account of many of the experiments; and the mode according to which they are related also shews that the Professor has not, in general, copied them from books, but that the greater part of them are facts observed by himself.

A short sketch of the history of the science is given in the introduction; and in chap. 1. preliminary matters are considered, such as the Elements of Bodies, Primitive Powers and the forms of matter depending on them, Chemical Affinities, and Chemical Operations and Instruments. In the subsequent chapters, the author commences with the Simple Substances: but, differing from the generality of other chemical writers, he concludes with the Metals.

Dr. Gren has rejected the atomical'system of natural philosophy, and has adopted the dynamic system which is supported by Professor Kant. According to this theory, matter fills its space by its primitive powers of attraction and repulsion; its impenetrability is only relative; it is divisible ad infinitum; it fills its space by continuity, so that the objective vacuum is an imaginary being, and therefore even the particles of caloric and light exist in a state of continuity; and, lastly, the greater or less density of a body is only an expres

sion indicating the greater or less intensity of the primitive, attractive, and repulsive powers. The translator observes that, on account of this doctrine, certain unusual expressions, such as continuum, continuity, discrete fluids, &c. occur in the commencement of the book, which could not be suppressed without altering the sense of the text.

Howmuchsoever we may be inclined to differ from the learned author in certain matters of opinion, we must consider this as a very respectable work, since it contains many useful facts; and the translator has rendered an acceptable service to the chemical students of this country, by introducing it to them in the English language, and by making the requisite additions.

Art. 38. A Manual of a Course of Chemistry; or, a Series of Experi ments and Illustrations necessary to form a complete Course of that Science. By J. B. Bouillon Lagrange, Professor in the Central Schools of Paris, &c. &c. &c. Illustrated with Seventeen Plates. Translated from the French. To which is added an Appendix by the Translator. 2 Vols. 8vo. 18s. Boards. Cuthell. 1800.

Hatch.

This work may be considered as a syllabus, on an enlarged scale, of M. Fourcroy's Lectures; since the author, in his preface, acknowleges that the plan adopted in the distribution of the contents belongs to that celebrated chemist. The whole is divided into sixty lessons or lectures; in which the simple or primitive substances are first considered, and then the other bodies are progressively noticed, according to their relatively compound nature. As it would be superfluous to enter into a particular account of the different lessons, we shall only express our good opinion of the performance in general, and our high approbation of the perspicuity which prevails in the arrangement. Do

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 39. Louisa; a Narrative of Facts, supposed to throw Light
on the mysterious History of "The Lady of the Hay-stack."
Translated from a French Work, published in the Imperial Do-
minions, A. D. 1785. By the Rev. G. H. Glasse, A. M. Rector`
of Hanwell, Middlesex. The Second Edition.
Cr. 8vo. PP.
150. 4s. sewed. Faulder, &c. 1801.

The interesting story of The Bristol Stranger, known also by the name of The Maid of the Hay-stack, was translated from the French and first published by Mr. Glasse in the year 1785*, without his name. The reasons for its re-publication, at this time, are stated in the preface to this edition; from which the following extract may be given:

The unhappy Louisa was at that time (viz. the time when the first edition was published) considered as an object of very general interest and curiosity, both here, and on the Continent of Europe. A more convincing proof of this fact cannot be adduced, than the pamphlet in question; which, although from its tendency it was circulated with

See M. Rev. vol. lxxiii. p. 473.

extreme

extreme caution, found its way into every part of the extensive dominions of the house of Austria, and was considered of sufficient importance by the then reigning Sovereign to be suppressed by his own immediate command and authority.

To those persons who are acquainted with the facts detailed in a late interesting work, published by Nathaniel William Wraxall, Esq. containing memoirs of the Court of Vienna in the years 1777, 1778, and 1779, the co-incidence between the story of La Fieulen and that of Louisa will appear to be more than possible. The licentious character of the Emperor Francis I. and the pious anxiety of his august widow to draw a veil over his irregularities, afford the most perfect solution to every circumstance in the present narrative, which might otherwise be deemed obscure and enigmatical.

Soon after the first edition of this work had made its appearance in an English dress, the poor Louisa, from a state of temporary and partial insanity, fell into total idiocy, and deprivation of mental faculties. The names of every person mentioned in the French narrative were repeatedly and anxiously recited to her, under an idea of arresting her attention, and, if possible, of establishing the fact, on the supposition of which the work had been published. But the silence and reserve, from which in her more lucid intervals she had never been induced to depart, was now changed into the apathy and torpor of morbid insensibility. The secret, whatever it was, is probably dead with her; for there is now very little prospect of its be- ́ ing further elucidated.

The idea therefore held out in this narrative remains precisely in its original state, neither supported nor controverted by any evidence from abroad, subsequent to the first appearance of this work. At a moment when the death of the poor Louisa has in some degree recalled the attention of the public to her mysterious story, it has been judged proper to reprint the narrative, which on a former occa sion was so eagerly received, and so rapidly and diffusively circulated.'

This unfortunate female died a lunatic in Guy's Hospital, 19th Dec. 1800. A postscript contains some curious and authentic documents transmitted from Bristol by Mrs. Hannah More. Art. 40. The Angler's Pocket Book; or, complete English Angler: containing every Thing necessary in that Art. To which is prefixed, Nobbs's celebrated Treatise on the Art of Trolling. 8vo. Is. 6d. West and Hughes.

This angler, whoever he be, gives twenty small pages, the result of his own experience for many years in the art piscatory, containing instructions for taking minnow, loach, gudgeon, bleak, reach, dace, chub, bream, carp, tench, barbel, trout, pike, salmon, large salmon trout, and eel, with some general remarks, in order that we may become expert anglers in a short time; adding (not very piously) an angler's decalogue-and then he introduces to us Mr. Nobbs's complete troller, or the art of catching pike, (again) in twelve chapters; but if both these gentlemen had made more use of their 1ods, and none of their pens, we might have been spared the unprofitable perusal of this pamphlet, and the money of the public might be saved: for it

« PreviousContinue »