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frequent and distinguished marks of his esteem; placed him in the financial commission of the Academy, and the architectural department, with the the title of Superior Counsellor, at the same time making a considerable addition to his appointment- During these twelve years, which have passed away like a dream, Mr. Lambert, in his proper element, devoted his incessant labours to the improvement of science and the public good. He published some excellent performances, and furnished tracts without number, which have been inserted in the Memoires of the Academy, the Astronomical Tables of Berlin, and other collections. All his writings are highly expressive of a universal and original genius.'

The following passage in the Eloge deserves notice :-the concluding sentiment belongs (we think) originally to Voltaire, and was applied by him to Newton, on the occasion of his commentaries on Daniel:

Mr. Lambert was a stranger to the three kingdoms of nature *: he had never given his attention to individuals, nor to facts in that arrangement. All his points of view centered in the starry vault, in a straight line before him, and in the chamber of his brain, where he was continually immured, even when you thought you were with him, and fixed, or at least divided his attention. No divergency in him either to the right or to the left, always in the region of abstractions, objects in the order, of what are called concretes scarcity grazed his sphere.

In fine, it must be admitted that he was almost destitute of taste; nor was this owing to his neglect of those smiling fields where this fair flower shoots and flourishes; we have already seen that he ventured to climb Parnassus; but in spite of his partiality for the muses, he was ever ready to ask as to subjects of taste, What does it prove? I should not have chosen to speak so plainly on this topic in his life-time; I was no stranger to his pretensions to wit: I got a sight of a memoire in form of a dialogue, which he had been at pains to besprinkle with attic salt; but in which the academician in disguise had too strong a resemblance to a player out of his part. Great men would drive their inferiors to despair, if they paid no cribute to humanity.'

Respecting the present work of M. Lambert, we cannot say that we have been much pleased with it. Undoubtedly it contains many excellent observations, and much sound philosophy: but the specu lations concerning planets, comets, their inhabitants, atmospheres, &c. appear to us to be puerile and uninteresting. Of the translator we know nothing: but from his language we suspect that he is a foreigner. Many of his sentences are aukward, some unintelligible, and several words are erroneously spelt. We continually meet with elipse, for ellipse; lense, for lens; ecliptic curve, for elliptic curve; niece for nice; apoques, for epochs; Mar's, for the abbreviated genitive case of Mars, &c. &c. .

He was however tolerably conversant in chemistry; he made various experiments on salts; which made the subject of different papers read in the Academy."

Art.

R.W.

Art. 22. A Week's Conversation on the Plurality of Worlds. By
The 7th Edition, with considerable Im-
Mons. De Fontenelle.
provements. Translated by Mrs. A. Behn, Mr. J. Glanvil, John
12mo. 3s. Boards.
Hughes, Esq. and Wm. Gardner, Esq.

Jones. 1801.

Fontenelle's Entretiens sur la Pluralité des Mondes are written with such perspicuity and admirable vivacity, that they might be read with delight, even if the doctrines which they taught were totally false. A hundred philosophers could now, indeed, produce a deeper and more learned book: but very few could compose a work of similar merit. To the present impression, the editor has added what he calls Mr. Addison's Defence of the Newtonian Philosophy, a very strange defence, in which the name of Newton is only once mentioned, and then in a parenthesis; in which his peculiar doctrines and discoveries are not at all recorded; and in which the chief praise is that of Descartes, whose system of physics was overthrown by Newton.

RELIGIOUS.

R.W.

Art. 23. A Memoir on the Importance and Practicability of translating and printing the Holy Scriptures in the Chinese Language, and of circulating them in that vast Empire. Including an Account of the Introduction, Progress, and present State of the Catholic By William Moseley The 2d EdiMissions in that Country. tion, improved and enlarged. 8vo. Is. Chapman. Every Christian, who is impressed with a conviction of the importance of the Gospel, must ardently wish to hasten the time when all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of Christ. Zeal is commendable in such a cause; and,the contemplative mind will suggest to itself various means by which this glorious work may be promoted and ultimately accomplished: but it is not always considered that the march of truth is slow, and that the operations of Providence rarely comport with our well-meant plans of assistance. How far this may be the case in the scheme detailed in this memoir, time must discover. To diffuse the knowlege of the Christian Scriptures over an empire containing a population (according to Sir George Staunton's account) of 333,0co,cco, is a most formidable undertaking, and we heartily wish it success: but so many difficulties oppose themselves, that we cannot contemplate it with any sanguine expectations.. We agree with Mr. Moseley that the more refined a heathen nation is, the greater is the probability of its conver "sion': but it does not appear that the Chinese are sufficiently cordial towards Europeans, to allow them even to travel through their country. The accounts of conversions made by Catholic Missionaries are very questionable. Admitting, however, their statement to be true, that there are 200,000 Christians in China, a Protestant Mission and a translation of the Scriptures into the Chinese language may be adviseable: yet a large edition of the proposed Chinese Version, sent out as a mere article of trade, to be distributed by our Merchants and Factors, is not likely to be attended with any benefit. Mr. Moseley is of a different opinion; and he contends that, if the

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time be net yet come to send Missionaries, it is always time to circu late the word of God.' Granting, what he says is demonstrated, that in no Heathen nation are Missionaries more likely to meet with more civilities, or a Mission, well-directed, with better success, than in China,' it seems most prudent to begin with a Mission, and to be regulated in the subsequent measures by its report: but Mr. M. would reverse this order; and he farther argues that the sacred seed, being widely scattered in China, would prepare the way for Missionaries to go over, at some future time, with the prospect of great success." The present Emperor Ka-King is declared to have given full liberty to the Missionaries, and the Mandarines are said to be friendly towards the Christians.' The Chinese language, we are noreover told, is easily learnt.' These, if facts, are encouraging circumstances; and it is hinted to us, as a commercial nation, that the Chinese are not likely to allow us the boon of a free trade till a change takes place in their religious sentiments. Hence it may appear that interest, as well as benevolence, invites us to attempt their conversion.

An account of Mr. Scott's Sermon on this subject will be found in this Review, in the class of Single Sermons.

Art. 24. A few plain Reasons why we should believe in Christ and adhere to his Religion: addressed to the Patrons and Professors of the New Philosophy. By Richard Cumberland, Esq. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Lackington and Co.

Modern unbelievers, to whom this little tract is professedly addressed, are not indebted to the author for politeness, whatever may be the obligations of the righteous for his serious exertions in a good cause. Mr. Cumberland first loads the Patrons and Professors of the New Philosophy' with a full share of contempt and abuse, and then benevolently attempts to convert them to the faith of Christ s but it appears to us to be a very strange mode of proceeding, to affront and disgust those whom we are labouring to convince and conciliate. It may perhaps be said, however, that Mr. C.'s address is sarcastic; that he has little hope of reclaiming men whom he compares to footpads in the cloaks of philosophers; and that his real aim is to confirm the wavering Christian. For this latter purpose, then, the work may be well calculated. It briefly recapitulates the arguments on the necessity, reasonableness, and importance of revelation, and details the author's reasons for his belief of mysteries as component parts of it.-In addressing sceptics cither of the old or the new school, it is not prudent, in the first instance, to encumber their faith with too many conditions.

Art. 25. A Dialogue between a Country Gentleman and one of his poor
Parish Neighbours, who had been led away from the Church, under
the Pretext of hearing the Gospel, aud attending Evangelical
Preachers. 12mo. 18. Rivingtons. 1801.

This Country Gentleman, who is a person of respectable abilities, here disputes with a poor honest fanatic, over whom he is in course completely victorious: but where is the honour of vanquishing a man of straw, brought forwards on purpose to be run through?

Moy.

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If, however, the contemplation of such a victory can do any good among the poor and the illiterate, who are always too ready to be deceived by fanaticism, (the bane of true religion!) this well adapted tract is worthy of praise.

By

Art. 26. Devotional Exercises for the Use of Young Persons. Charles Wellbeloved. 12mo. 2s. Boards. Johnson. 1801. The design of this little volume is excellent, and equal commendation, on the whole, may be given to its execution. It is not always easy to write in a manner sufficiently plain, intelligible, and attractive, to gain the attention of juvenile, or indeed of older persons: but we may hope that in general those youths, who have received a tolerable education, may enter into the ideas which are here imparted.-The exercises consist of Reflections on subjects highly suitable, each of which is accompanied by a prayer for the morning or evening of every day in the week. One of these meditations is on Christianity, concerning which the youth is led to determine that he will bind the gospel to his heart.' This we approve: but we may be permited to hazard the question, whether Christianity be sufficiently regarded in this pleasing little volume? It is this divine revelation, contained in the Scriptures, which has brought us from darkness to light;-to this we owe our knowlege of the living and true God, our access to him, with hope in his mercy and favour, our acquaintance with his will, his benign promises and purposes, &c.-it seems, therefore, right that Christian teachers should make it the basis of their instructions and devotions, without regard to those perplexities and mysticisms by which it has been disfigured and obscured.

POETIC and DRAMATIC.

Art. 27.
Julian and Agnes; or, the Monks of the Great St. Ber-
nard: a Tragedy, in Five Acts; as it was performed at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. By William Sotheby, Esq. F.R.S.
and A.S.S. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Wright.

This play is published without the usual accompaniments of a drama which has been actually represented: it has neither Prologue nor Epilogue, nor are the names of the Performers given with the Dramatis Person. The object of the author, however, is stated to be ⚫ to endeavour to strengthen the bond of virtuous affection, by holding forth to public view the miseries attendant on the indulgence of criminal passion.' Julian, Count of Tortona, is represented as so stung by remorse for his infidelity to his wife, (the beautiful and amiable Agnes,) his deception of the unsuspecting Ellen, and his murder of her brother, that he flies from his home to the convent of the Great St. Bernard; and there he performs, under the name of Alfonso, the functions of Hospitalier to the Convent. His behaviour excites suspicions, and to the Provost he at length confesses his crimes. Meanwhile, Agnes, accompanying the dying Ellen over the snowy rocks, and through the dangerous passes of the mountain, is attacked by assassins, and rescued by Julian, but not without his being mortally wounded. He now discovers himself to Agnes, who generously accepts his contrition, evinces the strength of her REV. JAN. 1802. attachment,

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attachment, and procures for him the forgiveness and blessing of Ellen, before she expires. He then also dies, after having taken an affecting leave of Agnes. Such are the tragical events of this piece; the scenes of which are laid among the rugged Alps, and, adding to the effects of the dialogue, must have produced emotions appropriate to the Tragic Muse. Of the merit of the composition, a judgment may be formed from a Scene in the last Act:

Agnes. In truth, I know thee not.

Lift up thy cowl! thy features may instruct me.

Alfon. Oh! ask not that-you'll turn away in horror. Let me depart unknown.-Yet, oh! her pardon.

I am-How shall I dare to look on thee?—I was,

In happier years, when virtue led my steps,

Thy husband.

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Agnes. Thou my husband!

Julian, Julian

(Recollecting him, streams.)

And yet I knew thee not.-These arms shall hold thee,
Husband.-

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Alfon. Oh! sound-once grateful to my soul.
But do not stain thy unpolluted lip.-

Look-look not on me so.-Oh! if thine eye
Flash'd vengeful lightning, I'd not turn away.
Why dost thou weep?-I cannot shed a tear.

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Agnes (embracing him). Weep in these arms;
And, as I clasp thee to my heart, recall

Past years of bliss scarce earthly?—Oh, recall
The nuptial vow that link'd our hearts in one;

And the fond hope, oft breath'd in prayers to Heaven,
That in each others arms, blessing and blest,
Our life at once might close.

It hath pleas'd

The Searcher of the heart, by misery's test,
To prove my soul and here 'mid lonely wilds,
Where none but Heaven can witness, l'invoke
Its minist'ring host again to grave the vow
That links my lot to thine.-O, Julian, Julian,
Come to my arms, and be at peace once more.
• Alfon. I have borne unmov'd

The shock of sternest horror-but thy kindness,
Agnes!-1 thought not ever to have known
The blessing of such tears.

Agnes. Oh, thou hast groan'd,

In bitterness of spirit, to the storm

That smote thee, sweeping by on icy wing:
And none has listen'd to thy woe, no voice
Spake consolation.

Behold me, now,

Firm at thy side, more blest to stand the storm,

And sooth thy misery, than in thoughtless years,

When,

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