525 declaration of the pre-existence of Chrift. "And on this account the Lord himfelf was fatisfied to undergo punishments "for the fake of our fouls, notwithstanding his dominion over "the whole earth; to whom God faid, before the beginning of the world—" Let us make man after our own image and likenefs." [Vid. §. v.] We call this a plain declaration of the preexistence of Chrift, though we acknowledge it may be allegorized away by those who have dexterity enough to use the fame method of interpretation with fome plain declarations of the Holy Scriptures. Upon fuch a mode of expofition we fhall, indeed, be fo perplexed between the real and the figurative, as not to know which to adopt. The world may mean nothing more than a difpenfation: and creation only the new modelling of old forms! There are, however, fome passages in a writer before Juftin which we think the ingenuity of Dr. Priestley cannot reduce (they are fo ftubborn!) to his plan of accommodation. Let us fe-for he hath declared that the doctrine of Chrift's divinity and pre-existence cannot be traced higher than Juftin.-Ignatius, in his Epiftle to the Ephefians, fays, "There is one phyfician, who is to be confidered "in a double view, as fleshly and as fpiritual; as made and not "made; God incarnate; real life in death; begotten of Mary " and of God; in one respect liable to fuffering, and in another "incapable of it, even Jefus Chrift our Lord." [§. VII.] There are other paffages in the writings of this moft ancient Father which are equally expreffive of the two natures of Chrift; but we think this fully fufficient to confute Dr. Priestley's affertion, without troubling the Reader with any more quotations.

6

VII. We fhall note one inadvertence more before we conclude. Speaking of the Shepherd of Hermas, Dr. Priestley fays, very decifively, This work is not quoted by Irenæus.' Now this work is not only quoted by Irenæus, but the manner in which that ancient Father hath quoted it, hath occafioned much fpeculation among the ecclefiaftical writers, That an hiftorian of the Corruptions of Chriftianity' fhould have overlooked this, is somewhat extraordinary! We could enumerate twenty authors who have mentioned, with particular minutenefs, the very fingular refpect which Irenæus paid to the Shepherd of Hermas-a refpect to great, that Toland, with an air of exultation peculiar to little and malignant minds, makes an invidious handle of it in his Amyntor; and he produces it with fresh triumph in a thing which he affectedly called Mangonentas.

But we have faid enough. If Dr Priestley can fairly acquit . himself of every charge of mifconftruction and mistake, we will acknowledge the injuftice of thefe animadverfions.

Friends to no fect, we take no private road.

The points in question lie on the very face of hiftory. There

we

we lodge our appeal; and if we are convicted of mifconftruction, mifrepresentation, or mistake, we will kifs the rod.-We shall in another article give a general view of Dr. Priestley's work, and leave animadverfions to others.

ART. VIII. Biographical Anecdotes of William Hogarth: with a Catalogue of his Works chronologically arranged, and occafional Re marks. The Second Edition, enlarged and corrected. Svo. 6 s. in Boards. Nichols.

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1782.

HE large account which we gave of the first edition of this work renders it unneceffary to dwell long on the prefent. We need only in general fay, that the value of it is enhanced to those who are attached to this kind of reading by the addition of many curious anecdotes, fome relating to Hogarth and his connections, and others to his prints and the various fubjects of them. Some fcarce pieces are republished-many of them, indeed, of little intrinfic value, but, perhaps, worth preferving on account of the light which they throw on incidents and events referred to by our inimitable artist.

The Poftfcript contains a caution to the purchasers of Hogarth's prints, which is worthy of attention.

As in confequence of the extraordinary prices lately paid for the collected works of this great mafter, certain dealers, &c. are supposed to be affembling as many of his prints as they can meet with-binding them up in pompous volumes-writing "fine old impreffions" either over or under them-specifying the precife fums pretended to have been disbursed for several of them (perhaps a guinea for a three fhilling article)—preparing to offer a few rare trifles to fale, overloaded with a heap of wretched proofs from our artifts more capital performances ;exhibiting imperfect fuites of fuch as are cut out of books, and intending to ftation puffers at future auctions, whose office it will be to intimate, they have received commiffions to bid up as far as fuch or fuch an amount (i. e. the fum under which the concealed proprietor refolves not to part with his ware), &c. &c. it is hoped the Reader will excufe a few parting words of admonition. Perhaps it may be in the power of Mrs. Hogarth to felect a few sets from fuch of her husband's pieces as have remained in her own cuftody from the hour of their publication. Let the multitude, who of course cannot be supplied with thefe, become their own collectors. Even ignorance is a more trufty guide than profeffional artifice.

'It may be urged, indeed, that the proportionate value of impreffions can be ascertained only by thofe who have examined many of them in their various ftates with diligence and acutenefs. But, furely, to qualify ourselves for eftimating the merit

of the curiosities we are ambitious to purchase is wifer than to rely altogether on the information of people whofe intereft is commonly the reverse of our own. Let it alfo be remembered, that the leaft precious of all Hogarth's productions are by far the scarceft; and that, when at an immoderate expence we have procured impreffions from tankards ornamented by him, and armorial enfigns engraved for the books of his cuftomers, we fhall be found at last to have added nothing to his fame, or the entertaining quality of our own collections. By fuch means, however, we may open a door to impofition. A work like the Harlot's Progrefs will certainly remain unimitated, as well as inimitable. But it is in the power of every bungler to create fresh coats of arms, or fhop bills, with our Artift's name fubfcribed to them': and wherein will the lion and griffin of Hogarth be difcovered to excel the fame reprefentation by a meaner hand? A crafty felection of paper, and a flight attention to chronology and choice of fubjects, with the aid of the hot-prefs, may in the end prove an overmatch for the fagacity of the ableft connoiffeur. How many fraudulent imitations of the fmaller works of Rembrandt are known to have been circulated with fuccefs! But it may be afked, perhaps, from what fource the Author of this pamphlet derives his knowledge of fuch tranfactions. His answer is, from the majority of collectors whom he has talked with in confequence of his prefent undertaking.-He ought not, however to conclude without obferving, that feveral genuine works of Hogarth yet remain to be engraved. He is happy alfo to add, that a young artist, every way qualified for fuch a tafk, hath already published a few of thefe by fubfcription.'

To this improved edition is added a general Index, in which the ingenious Author hath acquitted himself with his ufual accuracy and precifion; and which will be peculiarly acceptable to those who wish to procure information with respect to any particular plate of Hogarth, or who are defirous of making a general collection of his works.

N. B. With regard to certain points in altercation between the Compiler of this work and the Monthly Reviewers, relative to fome of the anecdotes animadverted on in our account of the first edition, we have neither leifure nor inclination for any farther contest about them. Our Biographical Hero is, therefore, heartily welcome to parade the ground alone, and to plume himself with the triumphant conclufion, that his antagonists dare not enter the lifts with him a fecond time.

ART.

ART. IX. Sacred Hiftory felected from the Scriptures, with Annotations and Reflections, fuited to the Comprehenfion of young Minds: particularly calculated to facilitate the Study of the Holy Scriptures in Schools and Families, and to render this important Branch of Education eafy to the Teacher, and pleafing to the Pupil. Vol. III. From David's Victory over Goliah, to Ahab's Conquest of Benhadad, King of Syria. By Mrs. Trimmer. 12mo. 3 s. Dodiley, &c. 1783.

OUR

UR obfervations on the 1st and 2d volumes of this work appeared in the Reviews for April 1782 and February laft; to which our Reader is referred, as they are equally appli cable to the present publication. In the volume before us, not only the unlearned reader, but all who have neither leisure nor opportunity to confult various commentators, will be gratified by feeing fome of David's most beautiful compofitions introduced in the proper periods of his hiftory; by which particular facts are confirmed, and the compofitions appear to great advantage indeed, by this means we difcover beauties, which would otherwife have efcaped our notice.-We shall lay before our Readers fome of Mrs. Trimmer's obfervations on the life and character of David.

In page 298, the fays, You will often hear, among those who call themfelves learned and polite, the character of this King vilified, in the most opprobrious terms, because he is ftiled in Scripture the "Man after GOD's own heart," notwithstanding he was guilty of great violations of the moral law; it is therefore neceffary for me to inform you, how you are to understand this expreffion. You remember, my dear, that Saul, a fhort time after he was made King, broke through the conditions on which he had been raised to fit on the throne of the LORD over Ifrael, and arrogated to himself the fupreme power, inftead of acting as God's vicegerent; and for this caufe the prophet Samuel was fent to tell him, that he was rejected as Captain of the LORD's inheritance, and that his kingdom fhould not defcend to his pofterity, for "the LORD had fought him a man after his own beart;" that is to fay, one who would never forget that he received his authority from the Lord, and was bound to govern himself agreeably to God's commands.'

In page 302, fhe adds, I think we may learn from David's hiftory, that a man after GOD's own heart, is one who makes the Divine will the general rule of his life; who has a fervent zeal for the honour of God, and a benevolent regard to the happinefs of mankind; who is patient in adverfity, humble in profperity; who examines his own heart to fee if there is any way of wickedness in him; acknowledges his fins with fhame and .repentance, and avoids the repetition of them; who afpires after

that perfection of goodness which human nature in its prefent ftate Cannot attain to; and who trufts to the infinite mercy of GoD for pardon, efteeming his favour as the higheft bleffing he can enjoy, and longing to be admitted to thofe blifsful regions, where, freed from his prefent tumultuous paffions, he may render more acceptable fervice to this beft of Beings.

GoD vindicated his honour by fhewing difpleasure against David for his crimes, and has caufed his hiftory to be written for the edification of the world; if we turn it into ridicule, we defpife, the admonitions of the LORD; and if we harden ourselves in fin, instead of amending our lives BY DAVID'S EXAMPLE, and REPROACH GOD for calling him "the man after his own heart,” zve blafpheme, his HOLY NAME; therefore, I hope you will never join in fuch profane converfation, as it will prove that you are neither well grounded in religion, nor acquainted with facred history, and that you want to find pretences for continuing in wickednefs.'

We think David much obliged to his fair advocate. *** In page 156, for Afahel, read Abner.

232, for Jacob, read foab.

For this Lady's very fenfible Introduction to the Knowledge of Nature, &c. See Review, Vol. LXIV. p. 68.

ART. X. The History of the Revolt of Ali Bey against the Ottoman Porte, including an Account of the Form of Goverment of Egypt, together with a Defcription of Grand Cairo, and of feveral celebrated Places in Egypt, Paleftine, and Syria. 8vo. 5 s. Phillips, George Yard, &c. 1783.

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HIS narrative is written by a perfon who files himself S. L. Koμstorns, and who profees to teach the Greek language, ancient and modern, at No. 27, Compton-street, Soho.- As, fays he, the Reader may doubt of the veracity of the Author, and wish to know how he became acquainted with Ali Bey, I will therefore fatisfy his curiofity as far as delicacy will admit. In the year 1746, about the end of May, a very interefting affair happened to our family; my eldeft brother, to avoid death, or change of religion, thought proper to banish himself for ever from his native country; he took me with him, and we went to Damiata, or Pelufium; I ftayed with him there two weeks, being then about the age of ten years, till he received an answer from Grand Cairo, to a letter which he had written to a relation of my mother, who was then in the fervice of Rahip Mahomet, Pafha of Cairo; from thence I was fent from my brother's, to my uncle at Cairo. My uncle was intimately acquainted with Ibrahim Kiahaya, whom I mention in my work. Ali Bey was then in the office of Hainadar, and my REV. June, 1783.

Nn

uncle