conduct of the perfon attacked, in the profecution to which it alludes. Paine indeed contends, that the previous queftion in the trial should have been the truth of the Bible itfelf; without deigning to con. fider what Mr. Erskine fo properly ftates, that the conftitution of our laws, the forms of the court, and trial, and every circumftance of them pre-fuppofe that truth, without which all the reft would be void and nugatory. The chief matters alledged against M. Erskine are in the introduction, and thofe are probably calumnies. From the latter part of the 21ft page, this pamphlet contains only an account of the Theo. philanthropists, a fociety lately established in Paris; and a discourse of Paine pronounced at that fociety. This difcourfe is compofed chiefly of arguments against atheifm, fome of which are acute,

ART. 49. Falsehood detected: being Animadverfions on Mr. Paine's Letter to the Honourable Thomas Erskine, on the Trial of Thomat Williams, for publishing" the Age of Reason" wherein bis Attacks upon the Bible are examined, and hewn to be founded in Mifreprefenta tion and Falsehood. In a Letter to a Friend. By John Marfom. Crown 8vo. 33 pp. 6d. Marfom, 187, High Holborn, &c. 1798.

The answers here given to the allegations of Paine, urged in the preeeding pamphlet, are fufficient for the purpofe intended, and are expreffed with propriety and modefty. If they who read Paine's fophiftries, would read alfo the answers to them, there would be little danger in the circulation; but the air of pofitiveness, and even of triumph, which that author conftantly affumes, is dreadfully calculated to millead those multitudes who either are not willing, or not able to weigh the comparative force of arguments on fuch fubjects. Mr. Marfom has done very laudably, in offering a plain and concife refutation, for the benefit of thofe who are defirous of fuch affistance.

ART. 50. Manual of the Theophilanthropes, or Adorers of God, and Friends of Men. Containing the Expofition of their Dogmas, of their moral, and of their religious Practices with Inftructions refpe&ing the Organization and Celebration of their Worship. Arranged by certain Citizens, and adopted by the Theophilanthropic Societies eftablished in Paris. Second Edition. Tranflated by John Walker, Author of Ele ments of Geography, and Univerjal Gazetteer. 12mo. 32 pp. 6d. Darton and Harvey. 1797.

It is a relief to fee even a fingle ftep made from that gloomy and tremendous Atheism, which of late infected fo many minds in France. Whether it be the purpofe of Providence to make a rational belief in God lead to a true and pure belief in Chrift, and the Gospel, we cannot prefume to fay; bur fuch is our hope, and it is not out of the compafs of probability; though Paine appears as a promoter of the prefent Manual.

ART.

ART. 1. Eafter Holidays, or Domeftic Conversations; defigned for the Inftruction, and, it is hoped, for the Amufement of young People. 8vo. 3s. 6d. Vernor and Hood. 1797.

A very fuitable book for young perfons, and written with fufficient attention to Ryle and arrangement of matter.

ART. 52. Remarks on a late Pamphlet entitled "Letters Political, Military and Commercial, on the prefent State and Government of Oude and its Dependencies," containing a Copy and Explanation of the Treaty of Commerce between the Eaft-India Company and the Nawaub Vizier; together with a Sketch of the Meafures taken during the Marquis Cornwallis's Government in regard to the Vizier. By Edward Otto, Refident at the Nawaub Vizier's Court. 4to. 25 pp. Debrett. 1796.

The publication referred to by Mr. Ives, has already had a place in our Review. The author of the prefent pamphlet, without differing altogether from the writer upon whom he remarks, offers fome obfervations tending to elucidate the commercial engagement between the Company and the Nawaub Vizier; and to demonftrate that the conduct of the late Governor General was wife and politic.

ART. 53. Confiderations on the Attempt of the East India Company to become Manufacturers in Great Britain. 4to. 34 PP. 25. Sewell. 1796.

This pamphlet is the production of a writer manifeftly converfant with the bufinefs which he undertakes to difcufs. The Eaft-India Company had formed fome refolations of importing raw filk in large quantities, and throwing fome portion of it into organzine (filk prepared) in order to ferve as a fubftitute for the organzine now imported from Italy. For effecting this end, they were to hire mills in different parts of the country. Againft the whole of this project the writer contends with much warmth, as teeming with detriment to the merchants now employed in filk manufactories, and on other grounds equally plaufible. Having ftated the injury which the revenue muft fuffer from the importation of raw, rather than organzine filk (the former paying three, while the latter pays feven fhillings per pound) he concludes by objecting to the right of the Company, which is a trading, and not a manufacturing corporation, commencing monopolifts in the latter fenfe." Who knows," fays this writer, "whether they will not foon print their own callicoes, make their own gunpowder, wind, fpin, and weave their own cottons, bake and refine their own fugars, &c." Should this become the cafe," the advantages refulting from the various energies and competitions of private capital in our manufactures, would be loft to the community."

α

BRIT. CRÍT. VOL. XII. AUGUST, 1798.

ART.

ART. 54. Pity's Gift, a Collation of interefting Tales, to excite the Com pollion of Youth for the Animal Creation, ornamented with Vignettes, From the Writings of Mr. Pratt, jelected by a Lady. 12mo. 147 PP. 25. Longman. 1798.

Compaffion to the animal race cannot be too early cultivated in the youthful breaft. Domestic animals, and fome infects, are a kind of dependents on children, and care must be taken left thefe powers fhould be abufed, and their dependents fuffer. Cruelty and infenfibility to man always commences in cruelty to animals. This may be fafely recommended as forming a useful and elegant little prefent for young people. We would, however, remark that a fenfe of true religion is the only adequate fecurity for compaffion even to the animal race. The ftories are pleafing, and the vignettes not ill executed, on wood. ART. 55. Biographical Curiofities, or various Pictures of human Nature, containing original and authentic Memoirs of Daniel Dancer, Efq. an extraordinary Mifer, &c. &c. 12mo. 3s. 6d. Ridgway. 1798.

In this entertaining little volume, the compiler has agreeably brought together a number of lives of perfons recently dead, whofe peculiarities or merits have much interested the attention and curiofity of the public. Such as thofe of Mr. Elwes, Jonas Hanway, Ludwig, &c. The life alfo of Eugene Aram is here detailed; a ftory, which, for the fake of morality, we are never forry to fee repeated, as its catastrophe is a remarkable example of the diftributive justice of Providence even in this world.

ART. 56. Cary's New Itinerary: or an accurate Delineation of the Great Roads, both direct and cross, throughout England and Wales, with many of the principal Roads in Scotland. From an actual Admeasurement, made by Command of his Majesty's Poftmaster General, for official Purposes; under the Direction and Infpection of Thomas Hafker, Efg. Surveyor and Superintendant of the Mail Coaches. By John Cary, Surveyor of the Roads to the General Poft Office. To which are added, at the End of each Route, the Names of thefe Inns which fupply Poft Harfes and Carriages; accompanied with a most extenfive Selection of Noblemens' and Gentlemens' Seats; a Lift of the Packet Beats, and their Time of failing; copious Indexes, Sc. Se. 8vo. 796 pp. 8s. Cary, 181, Strand. 1798.

We have not only heard, but have feen convincing proofs, that the materials of this volume have been fo collected, as to fecure a degree of accuracy never before attained. The affertions in the title page we believe to be strictly true, and the traveller will find not only more exactnefs, but a much greater quantity of information than was ever hitherto comprised in such a work. The notices of the country fears of the nobility and gentry are very copious, and by means of an accurate index are eafily found at pleasure, either by the name of the place or the poffeffor. A publication fo well executed, and offering so many conveniences, cannot fail to be encouraged.

AST.

ART. 57. The New Annual Regifter, or General Repofitory of British Politics and Literature for the Year 1796. To which is prefixed, the Hiftory of Knowledge, Learning, and Tafte, in Great Britain, during the Commonwealth and the Ufurpation of Cromwell. 8vo. 95. Robinfons. 1797•

Few of our readers are unacquainted with the general merits of the New Annual Regifter; as few are, we think, unacquainted with the Spirit and temper in which it is conducted. The historical part of this year (and it is to this department that we principally allude) is carried into great detail. Nearly 300 pages are taken up by the political events of that period, most critical to the fafety and exiftence of the British empire. We are far from condemning the length or minuteness of this narration in the compiler; but we fhould have been better fatisfied had the writer difcovered that fpirit of equity and moderation, without which hiftory becomes a libel. He might also have been more fparing of the Italic character (an artifice in great repute with politicians of a certain clafs) efpecially as he appears not to have known how to ufe them with impartiality. Of the other departments which this work contains, we can deliver our opinion with lefs referve and exception. They embrace an equal variety of matter with that which the preceding volumes have been found to exhibit: and, if we could difcover as much candour in the narration of political events, as we do industry and judgment in the compilation of general matters, we should neither fee nor feek an occafion to condemn the book. The most important part of it, however, must be condemned without referve, by all who do not wish to fee the fources of history corrupted, and the distortion of facts employed as a most powerful engine for diffeminating difcontent.

ART. 58. The Life of Bianca Capello, Wife of Francefco de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Tranflated from the German Original of J. P. Siebenkees, by C. Ludger. 12mo. 180 pp. 35. Lee and Hurt. 1797.

During a refidence of fome length at Venice, Mr. S. had opportu nities of collecting, not only feveral publications little known out of Italy, but also various unpublished documents concerning the life and myfterious death of this fafcinating lady; of which he has availed himself, to draw out the account of her life now before us. The particulars of her flight from Venice; her marriage with Buonaventuri; her intercourfe with Francefco de Medici before marriage; and the nuptials at length folemnized between her and the Duke, have been fo frequently related in recent publications*, that we think it needlefs to dwell any longer upon thefe fubjects. As to the catastrophe of this last mentioned couple, it appears by this account more than likely,

Among others, in Tenkove's History of the Houfe of Medici. Brit. Crit. vol. xi, p. 471.

that

that they both died a natural death; the Duke from the effects of intemperance, and Bianca of a dropfical diforder. The inquest which was given on her body after death, and is here produced for the first time, feens no doubt to favour that opinion: and as to the report that the and her husband were the victims of her atrocious defign to poison the Cardinal Ferdinando, her brother in law, arguments are adduced to prove the improbability of fuch an attempt, which, it is shown, would have been no lefs impolitic than wicked.

ART. 59. The Monthly Reviewers reviewed. By the Rev. J. Howlett, Vicar of Great Dunmow, Effex. 8vo. Is. 6d. Richardfon. 1798.

Of the pamphlet, of which the present is a vindication, we have given, as we conceive, a fair, impartial, and candid criticism, in a former volume; and we are particularly happy to find, that we are further countenanced in that opinion, by men of acknowledged experience in agricultural affairs. However uninteresting to the generality of readers, or however repugnant to our feelings a literary warfare may be, yet, in the prefent inftance, we think Mr. H. has a fair claim to the attention of the public; and upon their perufal of this publication, we entertain not the fmalleft doubt but that the claim will be admitted. In the prefent work, Mr. H. has given additional ftrength to his preceding remarks, and has by no means indulged himfelf in any illiberal cenfure upon thofe to whom the present sheets are addreffed.

ART. 60. Moral Reflections, fuggefted by a View of London from off the Monument. By John Evans, A. M. 12mo. 6d. Crosby.

1798.

A fenfible and truly moral little pamphlet. The author has before written, and written well, on religious and moral fubjects.

ART. 61. A Guide from Glasgow to fome of the most remarkable Scenes in the Highlands of Scotland, and to the Falls of the Clyde. By James M'Nayr. Svo. No Publisher's Name. 1798.

A very entertaining and well-written volume, which will be exceedingly ufeful to the vifitors of the romantic and beautiful scenes that are here described. The author has before been ferviceable to the public, by a Syftem of English Conveyancing, and an Effay on Contingent Debts, publifhed before the Britifa Critic appeared. We are forry not to have room to infert the verses written on a pane of glass, by Mr. Ruffel, and to be found at p. 158.

ART. 62. Infant Inftitutes. Part the Firft; or, a nurserical Effay on the Poetry, Lyric and Allegorical, of the earlier Ages. With an Appen. dix. 8vo. Is. 6d. Rivingtous. 1797.

It is by no means easy to fee the motive of this writer, but he has a portion of liveliness about him, and fome bumour. We little thought to fee a learned criticism on the lullaby of our infant years, fing hey diddle, diddle, &c.

ART.