Art. 15. Gil Blas corrigé; ou Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane: Par M. de Sage, &c. Par J. N. Osmond. 12mo. 4 Vols. 163. Boards. Lackington, &c. 1798. The novel of Gil Blas (to borrow the words of M. Osmond's preface) is so well known, that it would be useless to dwell on the merits of that celebrated romance. It is written in an easy and familiar style, and it contains a greater number and variety of idiomatic expressions than are to be found in most other works: but, with all its beauties, it presents passages so exceptionable, that many have hesitated to recommend the perusal of it to young persons. It has therefore been the intention of the editor carefully to expunge all profane, low, and indecent expressions. He has also altered some episodes of an immoral tendency: but, in general, both the sense and language of the original have been faithfully preserved. To this modest and fair account of a neat and correct edition, it only seems necessary to add that, at the end of the fourth volume, a poetical anthology occurs; consisting of many well-chosen passages from didactic, lyric, and dramatic French poets, which are adapted to be read in schools. POETIC and DRAMATIC. Art. 16. Nelson's Triumph; or the Battle of the Nile: A Poem. By William Thomas Fitzgerald, Esq. 4to. IS. Stockdale. Speaking of the British heroes who accomplished the victory of the Nile, this poet asks -Where is the pen Can trace the actions of those godlike men?" He does not say that Fortune has been propitious in throwing such a pen in his way, nor that the Muse has made him equal to the undertaking but he briefly describes the brilliant action, in not unharmonious numbers. The first bold prow, by envious Fortune cross'd Employed on such a subject, the poet must be considered not as conferring but as seeking renown. He may adopt the elegant address of Pope to Bolingbroke, Say, shall my little bark attendant sail Pursue the triumph and partake the gale?" Art. 17. Poverty and Wealth. A Comedy, in Five Acts. TransJated from the Danish of P. A. Heiberg, A. C. By C. H. Wilson, Esq. 8vo. 28. West. 1799•. The plot of this specimen of Danish genius is somewhat extravagant. A man of an amiable but cocentric character is driven to attempt attempt suicide, in consequence of a train of fictitious losses and dis. graces, imposed on him by his friends for the cure of his foibles. When he is about to destroy himself, they appear just in time, the masks are dropt, and every one is rendered happy. An attempt is made to exhibit a petit maitre, but he is not hap pily characterized. Some part of the failure may, perhaps, be imputable to the translator; for a fine gentleman ought not to say, as Dalton does; "let me see, Tom, that you make them pistols clean;" and we cannot discover the wit of his false Latin in another scene, "Finis coronus opus." The play concludes, however, with a sentiment worth transcribing, and we copy it with pleasure; not only because it is good, but because it is always more agreeable to praise than to censure. "How short-sighted is the human mind! who can look into futurity-how unmanly to despair, when a single moment can change the scene! WHO KNOWS BUT THE HAPPY MOMENT OF RELIEF WAS POSTING ON THE WING, WHEN THE FOOL RAISED HIS HAND AGAINST HIS OWN LIFE, AND IT CAME TOO LATE!" Art. 18. André: A Tragedy, in Five Acts: as now performing at the Theatre in New York. To which is added the Cow Chace; a satirical Poem, by Major André. With the Proceedings of the Court-Martial; and authentic Documents concerning him. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Ogilvy and Son, London. 1799. It is a soothing occurrence, to those who remember the unhappy contest with America, that one of the first efforts of the Transatlantic Muse should be to scatter cypress on the tomb of a gallant and unfortunate British officer. We regret, therefore, that the poetical powers of the author of this play are not equal to the generosity of his intentions. He has chosen, for the whole extent of his tragedy, the space between Major André's conviction and his execution; and, as the incidents are few, the piece necessarily drags very heavily. Something like an under-plot is contrived, to keep off the tedium of the principal action. Major André's slight verses, entitled the Cow-Chace, have been already published in this country. Art. 19. Innovation. A Poem. 4to. Is. 6d. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1799. The light-infantry of Parnassus are better adapted for some services, than the heavy cavalry of serious philosophic discussion. In this instance they are happily employed. Innovation is a good subject for a poem, and it is treated with sprightliness and effect by the present incognito; who, though he has not much respect for cri tics, shall receive from us the praise due to his merit. The maxim which some appear to have adopted, "That whatever is is wrong," merits ridicule; and subversion should be distinguished from amelioration and rational reform. The following extract will prove the author to be a poet of no very inferior rank. It is the conclusion of his attack on modern in novators: • When When Innovation with impartial scales By righteous means promotes a righteous plan; To prosperous gales be all her wings unfurl'd; Some milder scourge bid guilty nations feel, And bright with beams of love his pitying face reveal!' The poem oddly begins 'Tis March :' but it glows with a summer's warmth against Jacobinism. Art. 20. Saint Michael's Mount; a Poem. By the Rev. William Perhaps no spot in England affords a wider range for a poet's fancy, than St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall. Its situation is singularly beautiful and romantic; and the idea of its having been the haunt of giants and other imaginary Beings, and the scene of adventures peculiar to the age of Chivalry, cannot but impress a mind not wholly destitute of sensibility, with a certain elevation of sentiment, which bears some affinity to that enthusiasm which is of the essence of poetry. Did we not feel something within ourselves correspondent to what the poet describes, the finest passages in Homer, Virgil, Milton, and Thomson, would excite no emotion. That the insipidity of modern manners, and the refinements of luxury, are unfavourable to the vigorous effusions of poetic genius, must be admitted: but a taste for poetry, though it may be checked and perverted, can never be wholly extinguished; and these objects in the natural world, which allure by their beauty or astea by their grandeur, will be always contemplated with delight. REY. JULY, 1799. A a CE Of Mr. Bowles's poetic talents, we have had frequent occasion to speak;-and we are happy to find that our sentiments do not on the whole differ from those of the public. In the poem of St. Michael's Mount, we are struck with a quick succession of bright and glowing imagery, and bold description, interspersed with moral sentiment: but the rapidity of the author's thoughts sometimes renders him defective in perspicuity; and his versification, though animated, is not always harmonious, nor even correct. It may be doubted whether he be not too fond of introducing old words; which, however significant, being now rather obsolete, the frequent use of them may be considered by some as bordering on affectation. We point out these defects, not from a disposition to find fault, but from a regard for Mr. B.: who, we are satisfied, is capable of greater achievements than he has yet attempted; and we will venture to say that no person of taste can peruse the poem before us without feeling emotions of approbation and delight,-arising from his conception of the author's genius, and from the assemblage of pleasing images which are pre sented to his view. After this encomium, it would be unkind to deny our readers an extract; and we conceive that no part of the poem will afford them more satisfaction than the following view of Gothic manners in the days of Chivalry, compared with our present state of luxurious refinement. We climb the steps:-No warning signs are sent, So fade the modes of life with slow decay, The Castle, which belongs to Sir John St. Aubyn, was tenanted by Sir Walter James and Lady.' This, and the foregoing reflections, were suggested by seeing instruments of music, books, &c. in an apartment, elegantly, but appropriately fitted up.' Fled Fled are the grimly shadows of Romance, And her own beauteous world with tender touch displays! O'er its dead bird, while Want unpitied cries; Sick of the pictures that pale Lust inflame, And flush the cheek of Love with deep deep shame ; Would fain the shade of elder days recall, The gothic battlements, the banner'd hall, Pause o'er the working of some wond'rous tale, } Art. 21. Coombe Ellen: a Poem, written in Radnorshire. By the Rev. W. L. Bowles, A. M. 4to. 25. Dilly. 1798. Having spoken so fully of the merits of St. Michael's Mount, in the preceding article, we shall have less occasion to enlarge on the work before us. Yet it may be necessary to say something of the comparative excellencies and defects of the two poems. There is much fine description in both, but the former is more bold and animated, the latter more tender and pathetic. The versification of both is liable to the same exceptions: but in Coombe Ellen the faults are more glaring, owing perhaps to the loose and unrestrained measure of our English blank verse. Witching and swink'd are terms neither elegant nor harmonious; and booted and strapt is an expression A a 2 which |