mitting thefe or other rules to memory, will not be greatly beneficial to a child, unfefs those who have the care of his education will fee that they are fo understood as to be explained and applied: And for this purpose the examples of bad English to be turned into good, may prove a beneficial exercife. We shall only observe farther, that Mr. Smetham has taken confiderable pains in compiling the grammar before us; and that, on the whole, it seems calculated to be of use. POLITICAL. Hi. Art. 40. The American Crifis; a Letter addreffed, by Permiffion, to the Earl Gower, Lord Prefident of the Council, &c. &c. &c. on the prefent alarming Disturbances in the Colonies. Wherein various important Points relative to Plantation Affairs are brought into Difcuffion; as well as feveral Perfons adverted to, of the moft diftinguished Characters. And an Idea is offered toward a complete Plan for restoring the Dependance of America upon Great Britain to a State of Perfection. By William Allen, Efq. 8vo. 13. 6d. Cadell. 1774. "Authors, before they write, should read"-was once deemed not an neceffary piece of advice; and we think it may not impertinently be extended to Patrons: who, if they would take due care of their own fame, should read the Book before they permit the Dedication. Here is an inftance of the ill confequence of not adhering to this rule. Lord G. certainly did not perufe Mr. Allen's treatife before he granted permiffion for the public mention of his name, as the Patronizer of the performance. His Lordship's nobler fentiments, we well know, are by no means compatible with the arbitrary principles of this hot-headed Author; whofe cavalier manner of attacking his fellow-fubjects of America, reminds us of the fhrewd politi cian in the news-papers, who propofed that we should fell the Colonists, with all their lands, &c. to the French or Spaniards, who he fuppofed would give at least two millions fterling for them; a fum which, as he wifely and well obferved, would go an hundredth part of the way toward a difcharge of the national debt. There is an unhappy affectation of fine writing in this pamphlet ; and it contains many illiberal paffages: but any particular attention to them would be doing honour to a performance which will reflect none upon its Author. Art. 41. A Brief Review of the Rife and Progress, Services and Sufferings, of New England, especially the Province of Maffachufet's Bay. Humbly fubmitted to the Confideration of both Houses of Parliament. 8vo. 6d. Buckland. 1774. Contains a very decent, and, to all appearance, a very fair and impartial state of facts, that ought to have due attention paid to them. Art. 42. Colonifing, or a plain Investigation of that Subject; with a Legislative, Political, and Commercial View of our Colonies. 4to. We cannot discover any new thoughts or principles in this fhort performance that may tend to decide the queftion of right between Is. Brotherton, &c. 1774. the N. the mother country and her colonies; or that may add firength to the pretenfions of either fide by valid arguments. The Writes indeed is above arguing; he dictates and affirms, where he should reason and prove; and stamps the pofitions he lays down with italics and capitals, to ftare his Readers into affent. That thefe charges may not be retorted, a fpecimen of his matter and manner is fubjoined: Who then hath maintained or doubted that Taxation and Reprefentation go not together? The fhortness of the fentence and the alliteration after Tax and represent hath brought it into vogue; but, in truth, it is no more, than one of thofe problems, in the beginning of a Scholar's book, which he, who reads, allows. Touching the fubjects of North America being, or not being reprefented among us. Should a more specific reprefentation be thought neceffary to the people, let it take place. But, fuppofing the prefent reprefentation not fufficiently ample to exterior idea, it cannot follow from thence that there is NO fubftantial reprefentation at all. Can it be faid that any individual of the realm, which the Laws defend (and they defend every fubject in every part of it) is NOT reprefented in the (at any time) formally and duly collected body of the people affembled in Parliament here ?-It cannot without an equal degree of folly and treachery. The Laws of England are standing Laws for all the fubjects of this Empire, and, as long as Parliament holds the guardianship of thofe Laws, it reprefents all the people, whom they rule! They, who affert that there is NO Reprefentation of the Americans in Parliament here, are not aware of what they fay: For, were it fo, our brethren subjects there can never now be reprefented, without a violation of the Conftitution, in its moft tender part-the people. But the fact is, THE SUBJECTS of this Empire, from Minorca to Otaheitee, ARE ALL virtually represented, afferted, fupported and defended (among the British People) IN PARLIA MENT. If we are wife, national virtue will do the work of felf-prefervation on all hands: and, when a more specific, or equal mode of election takes place for the people, fenfible and honeft men will remember that when forty-five Members were added to a great Council, the tone of that body was debilitated by its extenfion. : How much is the nation indebted to this Alexander, who can so eafily untie thofe Gordian knots that have puzzled our Statesmen for Home years paft! N. Art. 43. America vindicated from the high Charge of Ingratitude and Rebellion with a Plan of Legislation, propofed to the Confideration of both Houses, far establishing a permanent and solid Foundation, for a juft and conftitutional Union between Great Britain and her Colonies. By a Friend to both Countries. 8vo. 15. Devizes printed, and fold by Ridley, &c. in London. 1774. Written by a warm advocate for the Americans, who proposes that a free conftitution fhould be confirmed to North America fimilar to that of Ireland; that the claim of taxation over it should be renounced; and that their freedom fhould be guarantied against all foreign invaders. He recommends that a Lord Lieutenant fhould represent the King there, and refide in a central province; and that a Parliament fhould be formed there, for the general purposes of legiflation Y 3 legiflation and taxation, compofed of Deputies from the feveral Provincial Affemblies. Indeed, taking all circumftances into view, it might be happy if mutual harmony could be restored by uniting thofe feparate governments, firft formed for the regulation of fmall bodies of adventurous fettlers, on fome durable plan, to operate for the reciprocal strength and profperity of the very diftant parts of the British empire. N. Art. 44. ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΥΣ ΔΕΣΜΩΤΗΣ, cum Stanleiana Verfione, Scholiis a, B, (ety ineditis) ampliffimifque variorum Notis; quibus fuas adjecit, necnon Scholia de Metro, ac Anglicanam Interpretationem T. Morell, S. T. P. S. S. R. et A. S. Efchylus's Prometheus Captivus. By Dr. Morell. DRAMATIC. fewed. Longman. 1773. 4to. 10 s. 6d. The Prometheus Captivus of Eichylus is one of the most striking monuments of genius that has been tranfmitted to us from antiquity. The inimitable ftrength, and ardour, fo peculiar to the great father of the drama, never more gloriously appeared than in this tragedy; too much attention, therefore, cannot be paid to it, nor too much light thrown upon it. For, founded on the deepest mysteries of the ancient mythology, it is difficult to draw it from its depth, and reduce it to the plan of a rational and fyftematic moral. This difficulty, on account of the lofs of two other tragedies, with which it was connected to make a whole, is rendered almoft infuperable, and appears too hard a tak for the fagacity and abilities even of M. De Gebelin himfelf, to whofe confideration, however, we recommend it. Dr. Morell's care and diligence in what he has here done, merit ́ our regard, and his blank verfe tranflation, though not impregnated with the fire of Efchylus, may be useful to fchool-boys; but when lo is defired upon the addreffes of Jupiter not to "kick and wince," the good old gentleman feems to have forgot that fhe was a cow; for fuch are rather the properties of a mare. 1. Art. 45. The South Briton; a Comedy of Five Acts: As it is performed at the Theatre in Smock-Alley, with great Applaufe. Written by a Lady. 8vo. I s. 6 d. Williams. 1774: When we cannot, with a proper regard to truth, pay a compli ment to a lady, we generally think it our duty to be filent. NOVELS and MEMOIRS. Art. 46. The Fortune-Teller. 12mo. 2 Vols. 6s. Bew. 1774Thefe little volumes are diftinguished by a vein of good fenfe and morality, which runs through the whole performance, and renders it far from being wanting either in entertainment or improvement. The juft and fpirited obfervations which the Author makes, and the excellent advice which he gives to the different perfons who feek to know their future destiny, reminds us of Dodfley's Toyshop; nor are the generality of his reflections inferior to thofe which are found in that pleafing performance. In a word, our Fortune-teller, at the fame time that be takes advantage of the weakness of those who arė It was also acted one night, this month, at Covent Garden. fo impatient to pry into futurity, to relieve his own wants, endeavours to render their confidence in the ftars of real and effential fervice to them in the future part of their lives. c. Art. 47. The School for Hufbands. Written by a Lady. 12mo. 2 Vols. 6s. Bew. 1774 As the ladies are generally acknowledged to be fuperior to our fex in all works of imagination and fancy, we doubt not this is deemed á fufficient reason for placing their names in the title-page of many a dull, lifelefs story which contains not one fingle female idea, but has been hammered out of the brainless head of a Grubstreet hireling. We quote not, however, the prefent work as an inftance of this impofition, nor do we doubt, from many of the fcenes which it defcribes, the femality of its Author. The story is lively, natural, and affecting; well told, and free from thofe frequent episodes which are fo often introduced in works of this kind, and which are too much for even the patience of a Reviewer. C. Art. 48. The Orphan Swains; or, London contagious to the Country. A Novel. By a young Libertine Reformed. 12mo, 2 Vols. 5s. Snagg. Thefe Orphan Swains are introduced to the world in two neat, fpruce pocket volumes; but like many other well dreft coxcombs, they are totally void of fenfe or fentiment.-High-flown profe, and grovelling verfe, compofe this ridiculous performance. Art. 49. The Hiftory of Lord Stanton. `Vols. IV. and V. 12mo. 6s. Vernor. The account which we gave of the former part of this work in our laft Review, will excufe our again entering into its merits; we cannot however help thinking, that thefe additional volumes are inferior to the former; efpecially the 4th, which appears to be spun out, merely to enlarge the work. Art. 50. The News-Paper Wedding; or, an Advertisement for a Husband. A Novel, founded on Incidents which arofe in confequence of an Advertisement that appeared in the Daily Advertiser, July 29, 1772, including à Number of original Letters on the Subject of Love and Marriage. 12mo. 2 Vols. 6s. Snagg. 1774. This curious collection chiefly confifts of a number of ridiculous letters, fuppofed to be fent to the publisher in confequence of the above-mentioned advertisement; the whole appears to be a moft un⚫eaning catch-penny performance, Art. 51. The Trinket. A Novel. By a Lady. 12mo, 3s. Lowndes. 1774. C. C. C. If Mr. Lowndes has taken the trouble to look over this novel, he muft have thought the Lady very extravagant in this Trinket of hers, as he has crowded flory and plot enough in the last twenty pages, to have formed, with the leaft degree of management, another whole volume of this valuable fpecies of writing. COOKER Y. C. Art. 52. The Royal Cook, or the Modern Etiquette of the Table, difplayed with Accuracy, Elegance, and Tafte: Being a full and exact Description of the Manner of dreffing and ferving up the Royal Dinners at St. James's, Buckingham Houfe, Kew, and Gunnersbury; with the like Particulars at the Houses of Glou Y + Lefter cefter and Cumberland. To which is added, a Specimen of the Mode of living at Northumberland and Sion Houfes, AlnwickCaftle, &c. As alfo the fashionable Style of decking the Tables of all the principal Nobility and Gentry, Foreign Ambassadors, and Minifters of State, both upon public and private Occafions. Among thefe curious and neceffary Particulars of fashionable Information, is interfperfed a new and polite, but ingenious and frugal Collection, founded on Experience, of the very best Directions for going to Market. By the Hon. Mrs. Pennington, of Kenfington. 12mo. 1 s. 6 d. Snagg. 4 Well faid Title-page! LAW. Art. 53. A Treatife upon Fines; to which is added, fome general A treatife on any fubject, must be underftood as intended for the inftruction of the uninformed; but it is worthy a remark, that moft of our law-books, perhaps from policy, (to guard against diffusing legal knowledge beyond the limits of the profeffion) are obfcure, even to the ftudent, and prefume more to be already known than ought to be fuppofed. The tra before us is a treatife on fines; but what is a fine? It may be anfwered, every lawyer knows what a fine is; and the definition in the first paragraph may indeed be intelligible to a lawyer: but an attorney's clerk, or a ftudent in any of our inns of court, can have no intuitive knowledge of the fubject, before practice or reading render it familiar to them. It were therefore to have been wished that the Author had not thought it below his notice to have premifed a more clear explanation of this abftrufe tranfaction, and the fiction upon which it is founded, for the fervice of those who most want fuch a work, as well as to render the work itfelf more finished as a compofition. The fubject of fines is copioufly treated in the laft edition of Jacob's Law Dictionary by Ruffhead and Morgan; and it need not be interpreted to the difadvantage of the prefent performance, when it is declared to be very little more than that article fomewhat amplified; including proper extracts from thofe ftatutes relating to fines, which are loosely referred to in the former work. N. RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL. Art. 54. The divine Character of Chrift confidered and vindicated. In a feries of Dialogues on that interefting and important Sub ject. In which the many fcriptural Evidences of the Deity of our Lord are fairly exhibited, and the various Objections thrown out againft it, particularly in fome late Publications, attempted to be obviated. By John Beatfon." 12mo. 1 s. 6d. Leeds, Printed. Sold by Rivington, &c. in London. What numbers of book's and pamphlets has this fubject produced? and after all, the point remains as difputable as ever! Many of the freatifes which it has occafioned, on each fide of the question, have been written with a' very good defign, and several of them with candour and temper; while others have appeared to flow from a narrow, bigotted party-fpirit, and have difcovered that rancour and bitternefs which muft furely be worfe than any mistake as to a matter 6 " |