of the said Shakspeare and Milton. And then too she is very deeply smitten and she confesses her love in the true French diction of sentiment-with our philosophers, and the more pathetic class of our moralists. In short, she is in no small degree enthusiastic about Old England, and what it contains; and she has secured, unalienably, our deference for her knowledge and judgement in every thing she may say about us, by the striking accuracy of every part of the eloquent felicitation into which she breaks forth.

Happy is the country where the authors are melancholy, the merchants satisfied, the rich gloomy, and the middling class of people con tented!' V. 1. p. 322.

After all, France is, or at least may and shall be, the country of the Universe. In French eloquence, wit, taste, and refinement (as to this last point the English are sad barbarians in the comparison) it is, that the regency over the human mind is to be vested. But when, it is not so easy to divine; for it seems this will not be till the French nation is a well-harmonized and virtuous republic; and therefore there will be, in all appearance, some small privilege of time allowed to the neighbouring states to prepare for an intellectual and moral competition. On the present, or very recent state of France, she expatiates with very ample rhetoric of description and lamentation; and in this part we have several times fancied we discerned some gleams of truth and intelligence.

There is very frequent and very grand talk about "Glory," which is invariably held forth as the noblest object of existence, and the only adequate reward of great exertions and sacrifices; and whatever thing it really is which that word designates, (evidently not what is meant by the word in our religious books) it is something for which our author is tormented with a most rageful' passion,to borrow an epithet from the translator.

Some handsome compliments are paid, nevertheless, to Christianity, which is pronounced to be the most philosophical of all religions.' This we exceedingly wondered to find; because we were positively assured, rather early in the book, in an enlogium on Cicero, that it was impossible to advance farther in the establishment of a beneficent religion," than he did; and we had seen twenty times over in these volumes that whatever is the most philosophical is the most beneficent. This same Christianity, she understands, is much akin to pure Deism.'

She is extremely fond of pronouncing bold general observations, in the manner of Bacon; but much more frequently; which is, in conformity with her favourite doctrine of a con

tinual progress of the developement' of human reason; and may indeed be a proof of the truth of that doctrine. She exemplifies too a happy method of abridging the process by which he used to get at a generality. His timidity would not venture to enounce a general principle till he had got it by deduction from a dozen or a hundred particular facts. One fact is enough to furnish the Baroness with a general doctrine; and if the fact should also be an anomalous one, so much the better.

There is great abundance of brilliant novelties of remark; such as the following; True genuine wit is no other than the faculty of seeing things rightly; the more a man is endued with common sense, the more wit he possesses.' Vol. I, p. 40. And in the same page,-Important truths, when once discovered,' (that is, disclosed by the discoverer,) strike every mind with equal force.' There is no variety but in nature; and new ideas can only be inspired by justsentiments.' Vol. II. p. 268. It is morally impossible for any one to be eloquent, while he is obliged to abstain from truth. V. II. p. 272.

There is a great deal of a kind of half metaphysical investigating and declaiming about the faculties and affections; all as crude and indistinct as it is possible for a person to write, who can sometimes make a discriminating and even subtle remark on feelings which she has herself experienced, or observed in her associates; for now and then there is very discerning and almost philosophical remark. But the general course of the composition is totally devoid of that clear connected thinking, in the full absence of which even reviewers may be allowed to take an excuse for closing the book after having read about half of it, as we have done.

Art, XVII. The Situation of Great Britain in the Year 1811, By M. de Montgaillard. Faithfully translated from the French. 8vo. Price 9s. bds. Sherwood and Co. 1812.

THIS is one of those periodical exposes which Napoleon is very much

in the habit of setting his subordinate Ministers to compose and publish in the form of pamphlets. It consists, as usual, of exaggerated representations of the power and resources of France, and, if it be possible, of descriptions equally exaggerated of the distresses of Great Britain. M. de Montgaillard, though very inferior to his predecessor in the composition of these manifestoes, M. de Hauterive, is evidently a man of some ability; and his essay contains matter for serious meditation. It is not, however, our intention to analyze his book, the contents of which are too miscellaneous for such a purpose, and are moreover of daily discussion. We have no wish to invade the province, or copy the arguments, of the Newspapers.

There is something excessively shallow in the artifices employed by

: ་

T

French writers, when asserting the power and claims of their own, and exposing the weakness and usurpations of our country. Of these artifices M. de Montgaillard avails himself to their full extent. He talks largely of his impartiality, and then with inimitable gravity, informs us, that an agricultural and warlike nation is naturally generous in its resolutions, and faithful in its treaties such is the spirit of the French empire. But a maritime and commercial nation is drawn on in spite of itself, to dishonesty and despotism in its connections with other nations such is the spirit of the kingdont of Great Britain. Again, every impartial man, of a correct understanding, whatever may be his country, profession, or political opinion, is forced to acknowledge in the conduct and will of the government of France, the fixed and liberal intention of giving freedom to the commerce and industry of the people of Europe of protecting their sovereignty and their maritime independence, and of insuring to them the honourable enjoyment of those commercial rights inherent in every crown. Such a man is likewise obliged to admit, that the intrigues, peculations, and cupidity of the English ministry have been the cause of wars, &c.'

6

A page or two after this, we learn that Napoleon is the wisest ad ministrator, and the greatest, as he is the best of monarchs. Far be from us,' indignantly exclaims M. de Montgaillard, every idea of flattery. With the conscription staring him in the face, this im, partial writer' enlarges most pathetically on the evils of Pressing, and laments the lot of Englishmen deprived of those sedentary and domestic delights which are the bases and preservation of families,' Every half dozen pages, in fact, contain some instance or another of this absurd and glaring partiality; which is carried to such a childish extent, as even to assert that England has got to that state, that such articles as France supplies are considered as wants, even among the lowest classes of the people. England does not in reality supply Europe, and France in particular, with any thing but superfluous goods, and those for the pampering of luxury, and the use of which has gone by for nearly a century. It appears by all this, that M. de Montgaillard is seriously of opinion, that the wines, oils, silks, brandies, and laces of France, are to us articles of indispensable necessity, while the use of our coffee, sugar, tea, and cotton, is on the Continent, superseded and gone by."

66

Mingled with these and many other specimens of absurdity, how ever, we find observations and statements, which if not incontrovertibly correct, bear so close a resemblance to truth, that they "give us pause.' When this writer, tells us that the territorial resources of Great Britain are by no means in proportion to its maritime and commercial strength' when he compares the physical and political strength of France with that of England-when he attacks the solidity of our financial, and the policy of our restriction system-and when he treats our ministers as men of shifts and expedients, instead of enlightened and high-minded statesmen-we are compelled to acknowledge at least, the plausibility of his speculations. And worst of all, when we are preparing indignantly to repel his charges against our national honour and integrity, our high character and spirit-the remembrance of Copenhagen

VOL. VIII.

2 D

է.

Art. XVIII. The Outcast Delivered, a Sermon, preached at the South Wales District Meeting, of the Ministers in the Connection of the late Rev. John Wesley, held at Swansea, June 12, 1811. By Thomas Roberts, 8vo. pp. 40. Harris, Caermarthen, 1811.

AS this sermon was preached a few days after the rejection of Lord Sid

mouth's unfortunate bill, the preacher made several allusions to that event; and toward the close of it, read a letter from Lord Erskine, "to the Swansea and Glamorgan committee for protecting liberty of conscience, acknowledging the vote of thanks they addressed to his lordship. These circumstances gave the discourse an interest which, though warm, devout, and not injudicious, it would not otherwise have possessed; and led those who heard it, to request the publication of it.

The discourse itself is a kind of paraphrase on the following_words:"Hear the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word. Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's-sake said, let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."

Art. XIX. Poems in the English and Scottish Dialects. By William Ingram, 12mo. pp. 130. Brown, Aberdeen. 1812.

THE poetry of this volume though certainly not of a very towering cha

racter is far from unpleasing. Most of the pieces have something useful in their tendency: and as the author seldom aims at more than he is adequate to accomplish, and is by no means extravagant in his expectations of applause, there are few readers, we conceive, who will be likely to throw down his book in ill humour.

Art. XX. Scripture Geography; In two parts. Containing a dese cription of the most distinguished countries and places noticed in the Holy Scriptures. With a brief account of the remarkable events connected with the subject. Intended to facilitate the study of the Holy Bible to young persons. For the use of schools and families, and ́illustrated with maps. By John Toy, private teacher of Writing, Arithmetic, and Geography. Price 6s. Scatcherd and Co. 1810.

THIS is a respectable compilation, and illustrated by intelligible, and

well executed maps. The principal objection to the volume is, that it is published on an extremely ill-advised scale of expence. The inform ation might have been contained verbatim in a manual of half the cost, and we are much mistaken if Mr. Toy do not find this error materially interfere with the sale of his book.

Art, XXI. Jonah's Deliverance and Gratitude, a Sermon preached at the Rev. J. Leifchield's Chapel, Kennington, on Sabbath Evening, Nov. 10th, 1811, being the Anniversary of the Author's Shipwreck. By John Clunie, M. A. 8vo. pp. 43. Hamilton, Williams. 1811.

IN this sermon, founded, on Jonah, II. 7, and 9. Mr. Clunie takes notice of the circumstances connected with Jonah's deliverance; his dis

9

tress, his devotion, and the result of it, and the return the prophet made in offering sacrifice, performing his vows, and ascribing his rescue to God. It is a judicious discourse, full of pious sentiments, and well adapt ed to the occasion. Though it is peculiarly appropriate to those, who like the author, have escaped from shipwreck, every one who has met with perilous adventures' may read it with advantage; its scope being to make us thankful for such interpositions of Providence.

Art. XXII. Religionism: a Satire. 12mo. Price 4s.

WE should not have thought this anonymous performance deserving

of the smallest notice, had it not possessed an imposing front, and been liable from the seeming attraction of its subject to obtain a share of circulation, which neither its design, nor execution would merit. It is intended to hold forth to contempt, certain clergymen in the establishment, in the dioceses of London and Chester, who have attained an extent of fashionable popularity, at which our reverend author, (for he also is a clergyman) feels mightily envious. It is further intended to exhibit a caricature of "evangelical extemporisers,"&c.; in which he discovers about as much knowledge of the principles and character of "the evangelical clergy," as appeared in a late "primary visitation charge;" from which our Satirist quotes a long extract, in confirmation of his own libellous insinuations. There can be no one, however, possessing the least sensibility, who would not blush to appear only for a moment in contact with the scribbler before us; and if the book should chance to fall in the hands of any of the more respectable part of the anti-evangelical faction, we are not without hopes it may lead them to suspect the justice of their cause.They will here find their laboured attempts, for once identified with obscene ribaldry, and malignant accusation; and it will be well, if they are led to imagine, that probably their more decorous opposition has been a work of superfluity.

Art. XXIII. Christian Loyalty and Patriotism; a Sermon preached in Saint Andrews Chapel, Bolton le Moors. On Wednesday the 20th day of March, 1811. By George Lawson. 8vo. pp. 32. Price 1s. 6d. Gardner, Bolton.

THE text chosen by Mr. Lawson is Psalm 1xxii. I. "Give the King thy judgements, O God, and thy righteousness unto the King's son." After a short introduction he alludes to the occasion on which this psalm is supposed to have been penned, and then observes that the text teaches us that it is the duty of Kings to pray; and we may justly infer from it that it is the duty of others to pray for them.' He goes on to remark, that Kings like other men, are entirely dependent on God-that the most valuable quality of Kings is the spirit of piety and righteousness-that it is our duty to implore this blessing for them by prayer and supplication-and that the conscientious discharge of this duty is a genuine evidence of Loyalty and Patriotism. Each of these observations he illustrates in a manner highly creditable to his judgement and piety. The following passage may serve for a specimen.

'The text,' says he, furnishes us with an example fitted to reprove the