tion and preface, he has carried his praise beyond the utmost eulogy of the Muse. He speaks of the resplendent abilities of the late illustrious Chancellor of the Exchequer, which have added so much glory to our country;' of the brilliancy of his career;' and holds him up as a statesman, perhaps, the most conspicuous that ever had the honour of maintaining the glory and prosperity of Great Britain.' Mr. Perceval's talents were respectable, and his virtues, as a man, rendered him truly amiable: but what were the acts of his public life which intitled him to rank as the first statesman that his country ever produced?-In the poem, the eulogist is more moderate; and the stanzas have an easy flow which will make them be read with pleasure but they exhibit too great a monotony of common place sentiment; and neither in the Wreath nor in the Inscription is the name of Perceval introduced; so that, if the title were detached from the poem, it would be difficult to ascertain the object of the Muse's lamentations. In the Inscription, this omission is unpardonable. One stanza must suffice as a specimen: His was the daring, the intrepid soul, By honor prompted, and by freedom fir'd, A pattern to direct, and meliorate mankind.' For our account of "The Battles of the Danube and Barrosa,' see M R. Vol. Ixvi. N. S. p. 321.; and the author's subsequent production, intitled The Campaign, is noticed in our last Number. NOVELS. Art. 21. Histoire du Prince de Timor; &c. i. e. The History of the Prince of Timor; containing an Account of his Travels in different Parts of the World, and particularly in France, after he had been deserted and betrayed by his Governor in the Port of Lorient. By M. D. B. 4 Vols. 12mo. Paris. 1812. Imported by De Boffe. Price 18s. Our readers will not be propitiated towards this work by the slanders which it conveys against the English nation; as when it accuses us (Vol. i. p. 190.) of fighting dishonourably,' and (p. 214.). of ill treating prisoners of war,' &c. &c. Independently, however, of this circumstance, we think that the adventures of Prince Balthazar are generally dull and improbable; the intrigues of a profligate monk are detailed with offensive freedom; and a great part of the book is filled with the skirmishes and negotiations of native princes in Madagascar, whose fictitious commotions may be compared to "a storm in a tea-pot," if we imitate a simile from Lord Chancellor Thurlow. Art. 22. Mademoiselle de la Fayette; ou le Siècle de Louis XIII. Par Madame DE GENLIS. 12mo. 2 Vols. Paris; and London, Colburn. Price 128. 1813. P 2 This This book is written in Madame de Genlis' usually natural and graceful style; and it acquires plausibility not only from the historical ground-work, but from the fair author's skill in developing the motives which are supposed to actuate her personages, and in imitating the events of real life, while she displays their remote consequences. We cannot, however, applaud her choice of the present subject; because the weak and suspicious temper of Louis the Thirteenth excites a contempt which is almost reflected on the woman who admires him; and the episodes, which diversify the principal story, exhibit characters who forfeit our sympathy by unnatural generosity, leading them to sacrifice their best friends for unworthy objects or needless scruples. Madame de Genlis also hazards paradoxical assertions; as when, in the preface, she pronounces those instances of devotion to the sovereign, which the French nation displayed during the reign of Louis XIIIth, to have been more honourable to her country because that monarch could inspire neither affection nor admiration; and in Vol. i. p. 211. Madame de Beaumont is made to declare that the vassalage of the French peasantry, as it then existed, increased their virtues; and that its abolition would necessarily render them insolent and ungrateful.' In fine, we think that this work may interest on the first perusal, but that it will leave little impression on the memory, and will probably never be read a second time. Art. 23. The Ordeal. 12mo. 3 Vols. 18s. Boards. Gale, Curtis, and Fenner. 1813. Some striking instances of virtue, fortitude, and self-denial occur in this tale but the dialogue is strained; and the author, being a disciple of the weeping philosopher, has on the whole formed a gloomy picture, in which submission is substituted for content, and by which the gay will scarcely be softened or the afflicted consoled: while those readers, who dislike melancholy representations, may perhaps consider the perusal of the work as an ordeal for the trial of their patience. Were they, however, to pass through it, they might come forth the purer. EDUCATION. Art. 24. The Decoy; or an agreeable Method of teaching Children the Elementary Parts of English Grammar by Conversations and familiar Examples. Small 12mo. IS. Darton and Co. 1813. We may recommend this little book as an useful present to the nursery; the dialogues being simple and amusing, and explaining clearly the nature of the different parts of speech. Art. 25. Maternal Sollicitude for a Daughter's best Interests. By Mrs. Taylor, of Ongar. I 2mo. 5. Boards. Taylor and Hessey. 1814. The subjects of these essays are well chosen, and ingeniously diversified; and the fair writer displays a degree of piety, with a knowlege and application of the Scriptures, which increases the value of her work. Yet the comparison, in page 111., may be deemed rather strained between Solomon's knowlege of trees and plants, and a young lady's improvement of days and moments; and in page 155. a trifling mistake occurs in a passage beginning thus:-The being who ushers forth from under the paternal roof.' It was probably intended to have been, "The being who rushes forth," &c. Art. 26. French Phraseology. 2d Edition. I 2mo. Law. 1814 Though an accurate knowlege of the peculiarities of any language is best obtained by reading and conversation, yet, as the present collection of French idioms is compendious and methodical, it will be useful for occasional reference. The corresponding French and English expressions are accurately discriminated, excepting the very few instances which we must notice as erroneous. In page 10. "Ecrire au courant de la plume" is rendered thus: "To write currente calamo," which Latin phrase should have been "translated for the country gentlemen," or rather it ought not to have been inserted in this book of elementary instruction. Page 21. ' un maitre ès arts' is probably misprinted for des arts; as in page 94. ' amiable' is twice put for the French aimable.' The expression in page 83., Elle n'a point de naturel,' may be said to mean, She has no simplicity, rather than she has no natural affection,' as it is here explained; and in page 99. La contention d'esprit' is obscurely translated by great application or exertion of mind.' POLITICS. Art. 27. An Appeal to the Allies and the English Nation, in Behalf of Poland. 8vo. pp. 66. Harding. 1814. On the avowed principle of the allies, viz. that the several states of Europe shall revert to their independence, an appeal may be fairly made to them in behalf of Poland; but it is to be feared that those of the allied sovereigns, who were actors in the Partition-Treaty, and threw such large slices of dismembered Poland into their own stores, will not be disposed to weigh the case of this antient kingdom in the scales of impartial justice. The present appellant, however, flatters himself with the hope that the noble-spirited Poles will be restored to their liberties, and that the partition of their country is about to become a matter of history. He endeavours to persuade Russia, Austria, and Prussia, that the restoration of the throne of Poland will operate as an advantage to each; yet still he seems to fear lest "the liberation of the continent should turn out, after all, to mean no more in the Russian Dictionary than a new slice of Poland.' It is asked why England, who has manifested herself the champion of Spain and of Holland, will not interpose her good offices in favour of the Poles: but this question, politically viewed, admits of an easy solution our own security is implicated in the independence of Spain and Holland, but not in that of Poland. While, therefore, we applaud the benevolence of this attempt in behalf of a much injured and suffering people, and wish as much as the writer can do that Poland, with a population of 16 or 17 millions, should rear her head in Europe as an independent kingdom, we must honestly confess that we see no ground for believing that the object of this appeal will be realized. TRAVELS. Art. 28. Journal of a Tour in Iceland, in the Summer of 1809. By William Jackson Hooker, F.L.S., and Fellow of the Wernerian Society of Edinburgh. Second Edition, with Additions. 2 Vols. 8vo. 11. 6s. (Royal 8vo. 1l. 16s.) Boards. Longman and Co. 1813. Of the first edition of Mr. Hooker's pleasing and interesting narrative, we spoke at some length, in our lxviith Vol. p. 337. Although the corrections and additions in this impression are neither very numerous nor very important, yet the work is certainly, improved in its present enlarged form. With regard to the maps, in particular, Mr. Arrowsmith has, with great care and assiduity, collected information from the best authorities, in order to render them the most correct of any that have yet appeared; and he has not only made ample use of the volumes of M. Verdun, but also of manuscript-maps and charts which have been constructed by Danish officers, who have been employed in Iceland at the expence of his Danish Majesty.' Appendix C, besides other matters relative to Hecla and the vol canos of Iceland, contains a translation of Stephenson's account of the great and disastrous eruption which visited the district of Skaptefield, in 1783a document which, though somewhat prolix, bears all the internal marks of fidelity, and may consequently be of service in counteracting the incorrect and exaggerated statements of Holme, who published a book on the same eventful subject. An engraved sketch of the crater of Glyser, when empty, has been added to the plates; and the paper and press-work are suited to the more intrinsic merits of the publication. HORTICULTURE. Art. 29. An improved System of Nursery-Gardening, for propagat. ing Forest and Hardy ornamental Evergreen and Deciduous Trees and Shrubs of general Description, by Seeds of British Produce, uniformly ripening in favourable Seasons: which may be found, more or less, in every County throughout Great Britain. Containing ample Directions for collecting and preserving them in the greatest Perfection; with competent Instructions for forming a Seedling Nursery, &c. &c. Peculiarly interesting to Nobility and Gentry, and the Agricultural, Ornamental, and Scientific Planter. By Thomas Haynes, Propagator of Trees, Shrubs, and Plants, at Orudle, Northamptonshire. Svo. pp. 222. Boards. Sold by the Author at Oundle, and at No. 24. Pitt Street, Fitzroy Square. Art. 30. Interesting Discoveries in Horticulture; being an casy, rational, and efficacious System of Propagating all hardy American and Bog Soil Plants, with Ornamental Trees and Shrubs of general Description, Green House Plants, including Botany Bay and Cape Plants; Herbaceous Plants, affording favourable Shoots, and Fruit Trees, in every Variety; by planting Cuttings, chiefly in the warm Months, without artificial Heat. By Thomas Haynes, &c. 8vo. pp. 180. 21. 2s. Boards. Sold by the author. As these works contain some just observations, and many useful directions, in practical gardening, they will be read by amateurs with satisfaction, and by professional men with some degree of curiosity and interest. To the latter, however, we apprehend that they will furnish less of new matter or instruction than the title-pages promise; and indeed an air of puffing prevails throughout, supported by enormous pretensions in the price of the volumes, which we consider as unfavorable both to Mr. Haynes and to purchasers. RELIGIOUS. Art. 31. Lectures on the Church Catechism; to which is added, a Lecture on Confirmation. By the Rev. Robert Rigby, Vicar of St. Mary's, Beverley. 12mo. 25. Crosby and Co. Being designed for the use of young people, these lectures are plain and concise: they are therefore better calculated for the purpose intended, than the compositions of Secker, Gilpin, and others. Mr. Rigby has omitted, he tells us, to speak of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, as being above the comprehension of youth; and he endeavours to lead his hearers into the plain paths of practice, rather than into the thorny wilds of controversy. We wish that at p. 37. he had not suggested the notion of evil spirits, which is already in a great measure banished from the modern nursery. He explains the descent into hell" to mean only the departure of the soul to the invi. sible world, and not a descent to the place of the damned. The design of confirmation is very clearly illustrated: it is stated to be a solemn personal dedication to God and virtue;' and parents would do well to read these short lectures to such of their children as are going before the bishop. Art. 32. Certain Principles in Evanson's "Dissonance of the Four generally received Evangelists," &c., examined, in Eight Discourses delivered before the University of Oxford, at St. Mary's, in the Year 1810, at the Lecture founded by the late Rev. John Bampton, Canon of Salisbury. By Thomas Falconer, A.M., of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. 8vo. PP. 400. Ios. 6d. Boards. Longman and Co. 1311. The preachers of the Bampton Lecture-sermons may now be considered as labouring under some difficulty in the choice of a subject, though Mr. Falconer is by no means willing to make any confession of this kind. His selection, however, we cannot regard as happy; being of opinion that the species of objections to the four Gospels, contained in Evanson's "Dissonance," are of a nature not best adapted for pulpit-discussion. Regarded, however, as universitydeclamations, in which the ingenuity of the disputant is the prime object of notice, these discourses may be a plume of feathers in Mr. F.'s cap; though the mode of examination is too loose and desultory to be completely satisfactory to the plain philosophic inquirer, who will P4 |