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left it, it was too argumentative and declamatory for the flage, and fitted rather to give pleasure in the perufal, than in theatrical reprefentation. As the prefent judicious Editor obferves, Divine as the arguments on temperance and chastity, and the defcriptive paffages are, the most accomplished declaimers have been embarraffed in the recitation of them. The fpeaker vainly laboured to prevent a coldnefs and languor in the audience; and it cannot, he adds, be diffembled, that the Mafque of Comus, with all its poetical beauties, not only maintained its place on the theatre, chiefly by the affiftance of mufict, but the mufic itself, as if overwhelmed by the weight of the drama, almost funk with it, and became in a manner loft to the flage. That mufic, formerly heard and applauded with rapture, is now reftored; and the Mafque, on the above confiderations, is curtailed.'

As a further argument in favour of the prefent alteration, the Editor very justly urges, that the feftivity of the character of Comus is heightened by his affiling in the vocal parts, as well as in the dialogue; and that theatrical propriety is no longer violated in the character of the Lady, who now invokes the Echo in her own perfon, without abfurdly leaving the fcene vacant, as heretofore [an abfurdity which we have frequently remarked, with the greatest difguft] while another voice warbled out the fong which the Lady was to be fuppofed to execute.-On the whole we apprehend that this admired drama, in its prefent improved form, bids fair for maintaining a lafting poffeffion of the flage.

Art. 22. The Irish Widow. In Two Acts. As it is performed at the Theatre in Drury-Lane. 8vo. 1 s. Becket. 1772.

There is more of the Vis Comica in this farce, than in most of our late pieces of the fame kind. The part of the Widow has afforded the town uncommon entertainment; and, great as it was before, has juftly extended Mrs. Barry's theatrical reputation: or, to ufe the words of our unknown Author (in his DEDICATION 1) this piece hath happily procured her the opportunity of gaining the additional merit of transforming the Grecian Daughter into the Irish Widow, that is, of finking to the lowest note, from the top of the compass.'

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The fong, by way of Epilogue, in the Irish firain, was a good hit; and its fuccefs was anfwerable.

POETICA L.

Art. 23. Poetical Bloffoms; or, a Collection of Poems, Odes, and Tranflations. By a young GENTLEMAN of the Royal Grammar School, Guildford. 4to. 2 s. 6 d. Hawes, Clarke, and Collins. 1772.

Bloffoms which appear too early in the fpring, feldom produce good fruit. That this young GENTLEMAN, as he ftyles himself, is

This piece underwent great alterations about 30 years ago, and was then much better adapted to the ftage than it was in the form in which its great Author left it.

+ Referring, we fuppofe, more particularly, to the alterations al luded to in the foregoing note.

To Mrs. Barry.

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too forward a genius, is a truth, of which time may convince him, notwithstanding his prefent defiance of the nipping froft of criticifm,' and his notable argument that it is an envious froft which nips the blooms in their bud, and that it is a ridiculous abfurdity to defpife the moon and the ftars, because the fun fhines brighter.'

There is fomething extremely engaging in the modefty of youth, which all men are ready to reward with approbation and encouragement; while they are equally inclined to check the prefumptive fallies of juvenile vanity, and over-weening confidence.

If the young Gentleman (who is totally unknown to us*) has temper and penetration enough to avail himfelf of this impartial and just rebuke, he will become fenfible that the Reviewers are more truly his friends than any who might induce him to over-rate his unfledged abilities; which, as he feems to hint, in his Preface, may have been the cafe,-if we mistake not the following paffage :

Nature, fays he, has implanted in us a kind of ambition, which, fometimes affifted by the importunities of friends, as foon as our thoughts are enlarged from the bounds of the mind, fuggefts to us a most prevailing inclination of ushering them into the world, though they are not always decorated with the moft engaging dress.

Whatever these importuners may think of the young Gentleman's 'Infant Mufe,' it is furely impoffible that any perfon, endued with fenfe, could ever approve of fuch profe, or be fo bafely complaifant as to encourage the Writer to fap the foundation of his future fame by offering fuch crudities to the public.

In juftice, however, to the young Gentleman's Mufe, we must obferve, that his verfes do not prefent us with fo many ridiculous abfurdities' as we obferve in his Dedication and Preface. The following lines which will please many Readers, and offend none, we fhall transcribe as a fpecimen of his poetry: they form the conclufion of his defcription of the Seasons :

While free, my friend, from baneful ftrife,

You lead a peaceful rural life,

Avoid the cares which honours bring,
And fcorn ambition's foaring wing.

In calm content ferenely great,
Laugh at the gaudy poinp of ftate.
Refign'd to Heav'n's autpicious pow'r,
Enjoy the prefent golden hour;
Think often grateful, on the past,

And neither with nor dread the laft.'

+ In his Dedication, where he revives the exploded nonfenfe of the patron's approbation being a fecure protection from the cenfure of critics.

In his Preface; where he repeats this obfervation, as having been conveyed in the words of a celebrated poet. The celebrity of the poet, we must fuppofe, procecded from fomething more than the mere profundity of this remark.

The Author figns his name (Richard Valpy) to the Dedication, of thete poems,--To Mr. Onflow, member for Surry.

There

There are fome imitations of Horace and Anacreon, which feem to promife that when the bloffoms are matured, the fruit will not be defpicable; provided the tree be not spoilt for want of pruning: of which there will be some room for apprehenfion, if the knife is held in too much contempt.

Art. 24. An Efay on Woman; a Poem *. 4to. 2 s. 6 d.
Baldwin. 1772.

We refpect too much the champion of the Fair, to criticife, with feverity, his generous and manly efforts to do juftice to thofe graces and virtues which distinguish the loveliest part of the creation.

The Author, who appears, from fome paffages in this poem, to be a married clergyman, writes fomewhat in Churchill's manner; i. e. with more spirit than correctness, more energy than harmony.

He has made reprizals on Wilkes, the defamer of the fex. He has made free with the title of an infamous performance, and confecrated it to better purpose: as the Chriftians of old ferved the Heathen deities, by defpoiling them of their temples, and dedicating them to faints.

The following just encomium on Shakespeare, for the noble juftice which he has done to female beauty and virtue, in the amiable characters of his heroines, may serve as one fpecimen of this Author's poetry:

• Oh, matchless SHAKESPEARE! thine it was to know
The worth of woman, and the joys that flow
From her foft excellence; 'twas thine to tell
Those charms, which none shall ever draw fo well:
Lectures, like thine, pierce every mortal part:
Strike at the head, and never miss the heart;
Chaftize the paffions, and exalt the sense
To noblest deeds of high beneficence;
Throw open bounty's hofpitable door
To clothe the naked, feed the hungry poor;

Teach yet delight, nor half fo foon forgot,

As ten dull preachments on-the Lord knows what.

Another specimen may be taken from his general advice to the Fair, in the conclufion of the poem :

Pant not for general fway ;-fhe rules the beft,

Who conquers one, and makes one conquered blest :
Leave to Coquettes the graces of a day,

And cherish those the most, which least decay;

So, fhall ye charm, when beauty charms no more;
When reafon rules, where paffion ruled before:
The flash of wit with judgment's finer flame,
Shall innocently play, yet pleafe the fame :
Eternal bleffings on your fteps attend,
And friendship ever be the female friend;
Unfading love fhall grace your setting fun,'

And age maintain the conquefts, youth had won.'

• The Author's name is not in the title-page; but S. Johnson ap pears in the advertisements.

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If we mistake not, this performance is the production of the fame pen to which we are indebted for a poem on Education: fee Rev. vol. xlv. p. 412.

Art. 25. The Kenrickad; a Poem. 4to. 1 s. Griffin. 1772. Abufes Kenrick for abufing Rofcius: a poor defign, and poorly executed.

NOVELS.

Art. 26. The Memoirs of an American. With a Defcription of the Kingdom of Pruffia, and the Island of St. Domingo. Tranflated from the French. 12mo, 2 Vols. 5 s. fewed. Noble. These volumes are intitled to rank immediately above the common clafs of novels. But though they poffefs, in fome degree, the power ⚫ of interesting the Reader, they are confufed in their manner, and furnish an imperfect entertainment. The hiftorical parts of them, though feemingly relative to matters of fact, are trifling, and want precifion.

Art. 27. The Egg; or, the Memoirs of Gregory Giddy, Efq; with the Lucubrations of Meffrs. Francis Flimfy, Frederic Florid, and Ben. Bombaft. To which are added, the private Opinions of Patty Pout, Lucy Luscious, and Prifcilla Pofitive. Alfo the Memoirs of a Right Hon. Puppy, or the Bon Ton difplayed. Togother with the Anecdotes of a Right Hon. Scoundrel. Conceived a celebrated Hen, and laid bfore the Public by a famous Cockfeeder. 12mo. 3 5. Smith.

The title-page is enough.

EAST INDIES.

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Art. 28. The Genuine Minutes of the Select Committee appointed by the H. of Commons, to enquire into the Eaft-India Affairs. 8vo. 3 s. 6d. Evans. 1772.

Re-printed from the London Packet.

Art. 29. The Minutes of the Select Committee, &c. 4to. 2s. Bladon. 1772.

These Minutes are faid, in the title, to be compared with the original in the H. of Commons. We fuppofe that both this and the foregoing publication are of equal authenticity.

Art. 30. The Genuine Report of the Select Committee appointed to enquire into the Eaft-India Affairs. Containing the original Papers referred to in the Genuine Minutes. 8vo. I s. Evans. 1772. These are faid to be taken verbatim from the original on the table of the Houfe of Commons.

Art. 31. The Report made to the Houfe by the Select Committee, &c. Containing every Particular relative to the Petition of Gregore Cojamaul, in Behalf of himfelf and other Armenian Merchants; together with Copies of the original Papers referred to in the Minutes of the Select Committee. 4to. is. Bladon. 1772.

This edition is also faid to have been carefully printed from the copy compared with that on the table of the H. of C. All these papers are certainly of great importance, and very interefting in their nature, on account of the true light which they reflect on our affairs in the Eaft-Indies.

Art. 32. A Letter to Sir George Colebrooke, Bart. on the Subjects of Supervision and Dividend. By an Old Proprietor, and former Servant of the Eat-India Company. 8vo. 1's. 6d. Kearfly.

1772.

We can learn from this Letter that the Author is exceedingly angry, and that he has fome talents for abuse. We in vain, however, look for argument and reafoning. When his paffion abates, we may hope that he will have the merit of blufhing at the imperfections of this illiberal publication.

MISCELLANEOUS.. Art. 33. A practical Introdulim to English Grammar and Rhetoric. By Abraham Crocker, School mafter at Ilminster. borne printed; fold by Robinfon in London.

12mo. Sher

This little introduction to grammar recommends itself, by giving a coneife view of the principles of our native tongue, fufficient for the direction and allistance of the fcholar. The Author has thrown a part of it into a catechetical form, he has added examples of bad English, and examples to illuftrate the definitions and rules which are laid down; all of which may be ufefully employed by an inftructor for the benefit of his pupils. To thefe are joined a short account of the principal figures in rhetoric, with obfervations on reading, and directions concerning it, together with a brief explication cathe ftops, marks, notes, accent, emphafis, &c. all of which is comprized in a very small compafs, and we think is, on the whole, very well adapted to answer the end propofed.

We obferve that in the definition of adjectives, Mr. Crocker fays, They are words placed before nouns, to denote the manners, properties, &c, of fuch nouns: Now, being placed before a noun does not appear at all neceffarily to enter into the definition of an adjective, it may and often does come after, as, this fruit is good, that wine is become four; the words good and four follow the nouns at a little dif tance, but are as truly adjectives as though they preceded. The observation may not be very material in itself; but it is certainly of importance to be exact in rules and directions defigned for the affiftance of children: and this Author feems to write with modesty, and to be well difpofed to receive properly any hints that may be candidly offered.

T

CORRESPONDENCE.

HE Obstetrical tract recommended to our animadverfion, in the Letter figned MONITOR, hath not yet fallen in our way; owing, we fuppofe, to its being printed in the country, and never, that we have heard of, being advertised in the London papers. If our Correfpondent can inform us what bookfeller fells it in town, or will be kind enough to fend a copy of it to our publisher, Mr. Becket, he may depend upon feeing it impartially noticed in fome future

number of our Review.

Errata in our laft, in the Account of Dr. Prieftley's Book, viz. P. 305, 1.9 from the bottom, for Aphrodifcenfis, read Apbrodij,

cienfis.

P. 313, 1. 14 from the bottom, for M. du Foy, read M. du Fay.

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