ferent nations exercifed their cruelties over thefe unfortunate people; and he inquires into the various caufes by which they were produced. The firft caufe whence fuch treatment originated, was, the commerce of the human fpecies; for, if men be confidered as poffeffions,-if, like cattle, they could be bought and fold, it will not be difficult to fuppofe that they would be held in the fame confideration, and treated in the fame manner. Our Author then traces the origin of the flave trade from its earliest date, and fixes the firft market for flaves, found on record, in Egypt; he fhews, that it travelled over the greateft part of Afia,—that it fpread through the Grecian and Roman world, that it was in ufe among the barbarous nations who overturned the Roman empire, and that it was univerfally practifed about that period throughout all Europe. The flave trade he proves to have declined in other parts of the world, but efpecially in Europe, about the time when the Northern nations were fettled in their conquefts, and to have been totally abolished foon after. A difference of opinion has arifen respecting the caufes of its abolition; fome having afferted that they were the necefiary confequences of the feudal fyftem, while others maintain that they were the natural effects of Chriftianity. The arguments on both fides of the queftion are fet forth, but the Author inclines to the latter, with no fmall appearance of reason. The Portugueze, within two centuries after the fuppreffion of flavery in Europe, were the first who renewed the flave trade among the moderns: they made their defcents on Africa, and in imitation of thofe piracies, which exifted in the uncivilized ages of the world, committed depredations on the coaft. Mr. Clarkfon enters minutely into the hiftory of this modern flave trade, recites its progrefs, and the manner in which it is carried on at prefent. If the Author does not exaggerate, it is a truly horrid trade!

very

In the fecond part, which, under gloffy language, contains much imperfect reafoning, our Author gives a curfory and unconnected hiftory of mankind,-treats of liberty as the natural and inherent right of man,-of the nature and end of government; and afferts, but without fufficient demonftration, all government to be adventitious. He next endeavours to determine whether mankind can be confidered as property, and examines the right, which the fellers and purchafers of flaves claim, of carrying on the commerce. The learning fo amply difplayed in the first part of this work, and the tinfel trappings which hide the falfe arguments in the fecond, are inconfiftent with each other.

The third part is employed in defcribing the treatment which the African flaves meet with in our colonies, and in refuting the feveral arguments that have been brought by the colonists, or their friends, to vindicate their conduct, We here again find

much

much learning introduced, and the argumentative part of the work becomes more rational. But the language is in general too much laboured, and in many inftances too obfcure for the fimple, unadorned, and clear ftyle of demonftration. Toward the conclufion of his work, we think the Author has facrificed at the fhrine of enthufiafm, where he fays, The violent and fupernatural agitations of all the elements, which, for a series of years, have prevailed in the European fettlements, where the unfortunate Africans are retained in a state of flavery, and which have brought unspeakable calamities on the inhabitants, and public loffes on the ftates to which they feverally belong, are fo many awful vifitations of GOD for this inhuman violation of his laws.'

ART. X. The Mifcellaneous Companions. By William Matthews. 12mo. 3 Vols. gs. fewed. Bath, printed; and fold in London

by Dilly. 1786.

HE first of these volumes is, in the Author's phrase, a short

TH tour of observation and fentiment, through a part of South

Wales. The fecond contains maxims and thoughts, with reflections on select paffages of Scripture. The third confifts of differtations on particular fubjects and occafions, together with Dialogues in the world of fpirits.

The tour in Wales does not furnish so many travelling events, descriptions, or obfervations on the country, as might be expected from fuch a title; but it is nevertheless entertaining in a plain and inoffenfive way, and always directed to fome kind of ufeful improvement. It gives a few amufing accounts of the country, the inhabitants, and their manners, intermixed with the Author's reflections; among which, Thoughts on Education, and Thoughts on Hunting, occupy many pages: the latter fubject is pursued through a courfe of arguments pro and con; and, in the conclufion, the amufement is condemned.

Concerning the Maxims and Thoughts, which conftitute a chief part of the fecond volume, we cannot do better than to extract from them a fhort paragraph, as follows: All I have to say for this part of my work, is, that they [the Maxims, &c.] were written moft confonantly with my own occafional views and perfuafions of truth and if they appear fometimes trite, fometimes unflattering to human vanity, and fometimes recurrent of the fame fense, they may nevertheless be generally found among the useful way-marks of public and private virtue.' Thefe obfervations fall very properly under the description of way-marks. They contain much good-fenfe, piety, and virtue. A tincture

In a note the Author recites the different earthquakes in the Weft-Indian Islands, and the loffes our navy has frequently fuftained by the hurricanes in thofe parts.

of

of this writer's peculiar tenets runs through them, and alfo discovers itself in the Tour, and in the whole publication*. It is however to be remarked, concerning intelligent perfons of this denomination, that, making allowance for fome exceptionable explications, and for what is myftical and unintelligible, when they fpeak of the light, the word, &c. they appear to understand, and enter deeply into the real fpirit of Chriftianity. We much approve the philanthropy and charity that breathe throughout thefe pages, and the warm attachment which they manifeft to the juft liberties of mankind. Thus, indeed, it must be with thofe, who have a true acquaintance with the Chriftian doctrine; fuch knowledge and influence will render them advocates for a full and rational freedom, civil and religious. Our Author's maxims, together with the differtations which compose the remainder of this volume, are chiefly of the grave kind; but, while the reader is edified, as certainly he may, or muft be, by the perufal, he will probably be diverted alfo by fuch a paffage as the following: It may be nearly as edifying to hear two fish-women fcold about reputation, as two grave divines, or any two fyftematic religionifts, difpute about a right or saving faith!

The third volume prefents us with differtations on Marriage, on the Laft-day, and on Everlasting punishment. In each, the writer manifefts thought and ingenuity, piety and goodness. On the second of these topics, he difcovers fomewhat of the peculiarity belonging to his immediate party, while he not only fupposes, that death is to every man the Last-day, and that the Judg ment is progreffive and continual, as human fouls are perpetually dif miffed from this world; but farther conceives that the accounts of a refurrection of the body are merely to be explained in a figurative and fpiritual manner. We shall principally take notice of the third differtation, written with great modefty, fimplicity, and candour; and fhall infert what is faid relative to it in the Preface:

< The longest treatise in these volumes, viz. that on Everlasting punishment, will perhaps meet fome ftrong objections among the more timorous and inconfiderate part of mankind: while I think it right to say in this place, that, under my own full perfuafions refpecting the fubject, I could not, with an eafy mind, avoid treating on it in the manner I have done. In my childhood, I found it impoffible to fix my belief in the common notion of endless torments; as I grew older, my fentiments occafionally became known. I was affailed, in confequence, by fome few zealous and implicit believers, among my friends; particularly by one, for whom, on account of his moral character, I had confiderable respect. And being under the common frailty of human nature, I was influenced, for a short time, to

* Mr. Matthews is one of the people called Quakers.

doubt

doubt of my right to profefs, even contractedly, my belief in the future difpenfation of univerfal refinement from iniquity. In this interval, and at the inftance of the perfon to whom I allude, I was prevailed on to fign fomething like a condemnation of the freedom of my fentiments. But though this was not a declaration of my belief in a partial ultimate falvation, I foon found condemnation of mind for my wavering and timidity. And I can truly fay, that no other fingle circumftance of my whole life, hath ever given me fo much uneafinefs. I am now cheered with the rational, fcriptural, and, as I think, glorious doctrine of the punishment of Divine juftice, being eventually fubfervient to an univerial purification and fitness for heavenly habitations.'

Such is our Author's account of this part of his work; which is concluded by a well-written dialogue, fuppofed to have paffed between four perfons, in different fentiments, who had read his differtation.

We have only to add, that this volume clofes with three Dialogues in the world of fpirits: the firft, between Theophilus, Zelotes, and Purgatus; the fecond, between Henry VIII. and the Dukes of Somerfet and Northumberland; the third, between the Apostle Paul and a Proteftant Martyr. Poor Henry here makes a very different figure, indeed, from what he did in his days of earthly magnificence and violence: all that fplendour, luxury, and power are fled, inftead of which we fee the forlorn, deftitute, dejected fufferer; happily too he is ftripped, in appearance, of his haughtiness, tyranny, cruelty, and other vices; he is now the humble penitent; and has a glimmering of hope that after fome unknown period his miferies may end; for the dialogue proceeds on this writer's plan, that the purpose of punishment is purification, and recovery.

We must difmifs this article with obferving, that, if fome of the accounts in this Tour fhould be deemed rather frivolous, or the ftyle not always and equally pleafant, yet this Writer, on the whole, appears to be a perfon of knowledge, reflection, and ability; and what is of greater worth, the man of piety and benevolence, and a fincere lover of veracity.

ART. XI. Sermons, by J. N. Puddicombe, M. A. Fellow of Dulwich College, late of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, Svo. 5s. Payne, &c. 1786.

F

INDING it fomewhat difficult to characterise these fermons in general terms, we fhall only copy two fhort paffages, taken accidentally from the volume, as a fpecimen of the whole : Speaking of our Saviour's fufferings, the Author exclaims,

And does the God, the fupreme arbiter of nature, fubmit to her laws, and die! Does he fleep, cold and motionlefs, in the gloomy manfion of the filent grave! How dreary and narrow an apartment! how unfit for Him who reigned above, pavilioned in eternal day, and inhabited immenfity! But fhort is the triumph of death; foon muft

he

he furrender up his illuftrious prey. On the third morning the wondering ftars beheld him burft the barrier of the tomb, and afcend triumphant through the air, leading captivity captive, haying fub. dued and fpoiled principalities and powers, and overwhelming his prefumptuous adverfaries with aftonishment and confufion! Ye empyrean abodes, open your everlafting doors, and let in the King of Glory! Thou heaven of heavens, refound with univerfal jubilee, and admit the celeftial Conqueror to the right hand of the paternal Majefty on high! He has completely foiled the prince of darkness, and all his confederate powers.

In confequence of this victorious and fuperlatively momentous action, what a metamorphofis takes place in the appearance of the human condition! How wonderful a contraft! Lately, how depreft! now beyond measure exalted! Where is that vale of tears through which we travelled, ftruggling with difficulties, and inwrapt in darkness! Where are thofe horrors which threatened us on every fide? They are all vanished, and Paradife fucceeds in their room. Behold in the middle of it the Tree of Life, blooming in confpicuous majesty, and loaden with the ambrofial fruitage of heaven. Difmiffed are the terrific cherubim, and sheathed the flaming fword, which were appointed at the fall of man to guard the paffage to it. The heavenly Jerufalem appears unfolding wide her dazzling portals; tupendous magnificence ! her walls of jafper, her foundations adorned with every precious ftone, and her ftreets all of pure gold.'

On the fubject of death, he makes this apoftrophe to Beauty: And thou too, Beauty, confider in what a destiny all thy triumphs muft terminate? Frequent the filent manfions of the dead, and attend the lecture of the tomb. What does yonder grave-ftone fay? How eloquently, how pathetically does it fpeak! It tells thee that it holds the remains of what was lately vigorous and blooming. Ah! what are the remains? An unlovely mafs of putrid earth! But hark! the powerful monitor fays to thee, or feems to fay, prepare for a fimilar doom.' And muft that form where fymmetry and elegance are fo confpicuous, be enveloped in an unfightly fhroud, and configned to the ground, to moulder away and perifh! Muft that velvet cheek which outblushes the morning rofe, fade like that rofe, and be fhriveled up into deformity: and that dewy lip, which breathes nothing but fweetness, putrefy and become loath fome! Muft the radiance of thofe eyes which fparkle with intelligence and vivacity, which dart life and joy wherever they fhine, be extinguished in everlasting night! Ah, mournful fpectacle, hideous metamorphofis! That frame fo fair, so justly admired, whofe every motion is activity and grace, fhall be converted into an unconfcious impaffive lump of clay, and become a prey to corrofive reptiles! Death, how doft thou infult the vaunted but vifionary accomplishments of humanity!'

In fuch a ftrain of exclamation and rhapfody are all thefe dif courfes written! What has criticifm to do with flights like thefe, but to lament that their Author has not learnt from his Alma Mater-fo well able to inftrut him-to diftinguish between turgid extravagance, and the chafte fimplicity and manly dignity of pulpit eloquence.

REV. Nov. 1786.