consists of an extensive system of fortified towns, and intrenched camps. This project speaks so sufficiently for itself as to require no comment. The XIIth chapter discusses the foreign military policy of Great Britain, which, the author says, is threefold; first, its own defence; secondly, its obtaining such a weight by conquests of colonies, or by its relative influence on the continent of Europe, that its commercial operations may be carried on without interruption; and thirdly, the noble policy of assisting the weak against the powerful, and the oppressed against the oppressors. - General observations on war occupy the last chapter. The author very properly recommends extensive summer-camps, for different bodies and descriptions of troops to go through their exercises and manoeuvres together, and thus prepare themselves for military operations in the face of an enemy or on actual service. His general sentiments may be learnt from the close of this chapter: It is therefore IN THE HEART OF EUROPE that we must gain battles, if we wish to obtain that influence which we have a right to expect, or even that security which is the object of war. But we cannot gain battles without possessing a large and efficient disposable force, and this we must not expect with the numerous militia defensive force now on foot. Let us not despair of seeing such a system acted upon and completed. Let us not despair of seeing, in the plains of the south of England, an army arrayed as if for instant war, in a camp of toil and fatigue, no way differing from a scene of actual warfare, except in the loss of lives; a camp in which the spade and pick-axe must not be idle; in which the infantry, even without the assistance of engineers, shall be exercised in the construction of all sorts of works adapted to defence or attack; in which the cavalry must study to season their horses to endure every kind of weather, and to subsist on every species of forage. By constant employment, and continual practice, has our navy been formed; from the result of their prowess, they have seldom occasion to engage in battle; but yet are they con stantly in war; contending, at least, with the elements, a war of toil and danger; varied, at long intervals, with seasons of actual hostility and consequent glory. Shall we not place the army in a similar situation? we may then expect similar results ; — undeviating victory, whatever opposes them.' In the first chapter of the appendix, under what the author calls A view of tactics in general,' after having repeated an axiom respecting evolution which was laid down by the late General Lloyd, Colonel D. speaks of the cardinal movements of troops,' or such as are either perpendicular or oblique to the base line; of the cardinal formations or constructions of bodies of troops,' which he says are three; namely, the ex tended tended order, the profound or deep order, and that of the parallelogram or square;' of the secondary movements of troops,' which he reduces to wheeling, and to filing, or any prolongation of the body perpendicular to its base; of the uses of the cardinal movements and formations;' and of the 'properties of secondary or internal movement.' He then introduces one of General Lloyd's orders of battle, with a plate of illustration; an order of attack on an army posted in a strong position,' with a plate of exemplification; and an 'order of retreat in an open plain,' with a delineation and description. In the second chapter, the author treats on the cadenced step.' After several remarks on the powers and configuration of the human frame, he proposes a plan of preparatory instruction for marching, which he considers as adapted to them. The third and last chapter relates to firing: but the Colonel's manner of considering projectiles is somewhat lame and defective; as well as, to a certain degree, incorrect. This work closes with five tables of the settings of farms in the west of Ireland, to which a reference is made in the chapter on the defence of that island; and a postscript, in which the author informs us that he intends, in his second volume, to examine particularly whether the Prussian tactics be not. derived from those of the antient Greeks and Romans. MONTHLY CATALOGUE For OCTOBER, 1811. NOVELS. Art. 10. Thinks I to myself. A Serio-ludicro, tragico-comico Tale. Written by Thinks I to myself who? 3d Edition, with Additions. 12mo. 2 Vols. 10s. 6d. Sherwood and Co. 1811. The first volume of this truly comic performance contains much good-humoured satire, and displays a natural and easy turn in the dialogue which brings all the personages as it were before us. In the new edition, the visit of Mrs. Fidget and her family is improved by a spouting performance of her little boy: the distress of Clod-pole at the ball is inimitably described, with his wishing so much that it were possible to dance with his father or mother; and his project of going to sit with the fiddlers, &c. The breakfast-scene with his tutor, when he receives a message from Emily, is also excellent: but we hear too much of the bumpings of his heart; and his reasoning this sensation into a malady is too broad a burlesque for the rest of the work. Mr. and Mrs. Dermont are described at the end as being models of conjugal affection, wisdom, and piety; an idea that is inconsistent with the worldly and artificial manners with which they are at first painted. 3 The Some of the poems are very indifferent; and the story being nearly finished in the first volume, the second is by no means equal to it in humour and originality. Art. 11. Frederic de Montford. By the Author of "The Pursuits of Fashion." 12mo. 3 Vols. 11. 18. Boards. Ebers. 1811. Many of the common traps for popularity are set in this novel, such as the names of Royal Dukes, gallant Generals, and various fashionables, introduced at full length; together with some amusing specimens of the language of the turf. It appears to have been hastily written. The hero is not altogether a pleasing character; and his naval friend Captain Bluffbank is made to use language which would be fit only for his boatswain. The author himself talks of a 'a bugeous pair of Hessian boots,' and asserts frequently that he dares for to say. He also employs intemperate expressions, calling attornies ministers of Satan; and giving to physicians an appellation equally ungentle. Nevertheless, we found in some passages a novelty of idea and a vein of, humour which announce talents that would be equal to the production of a more meritorious work. Art. 12. Gotha, or Memoirs of the Wurtzburg Family. Founded on Facts, by Mrs. S 12mo. 2 Vols. Chapple. 1811. 13s. Boards. We inquire not whether this story has received its birth in the recesses of a brain in which the heroes of many novels were assembled; or whether, as the title-page imports, it is founded on facts which have been rescued from the dust of ages. In the latter case, however, we venture to predict that they will soon "return to the dust from whence they came:" but they will bury with them no moral errors, though many grammatical imperfections, since the tale is as harmless as it is insipid. The author talks of a lady going incognito: but she gives some well meant disquisitions on dangerous writers, and observes that it is not such works as are impious, profane, or indecent, as are the most alarming!' Vol. i. p.io. Art. 13. Frederick; or, Memoirs of my Youth, interspersed with occasional Verse. 12mo. 2 Vols. 128. Boards. Miller. 1811. The author of this novel is evidently a young man, but he has displayed very considerable abilities in the present composition. It abounds with lively sallies of humour, and manifests no contemptible acquaintance with the best productions of Grecian and Roman literature. The principal faults of it are an overcharged caricature of the ridiculous in the leading personages of the story; and, at times, a warmth of colouring in the amorous incidents of that story, which (exclusively of the frequency of classical quotation) renders these volumes not the most proper candidates for admission into the lady's library. We deem it necessary to state this, because the title, the size, and the pink appearance of Frederick, would be likely to catch the eye of the fair reader. Yet we should not do justice to the author, if we were not to observe that he has uniformly endeavoured to set the passions on the side of virtue," as far as the result of the immoral actions actions of his characters can have that tendency: though, as in most similar cases, the punishment of vice comes too late to counteract the evil effect of the description of its moments of enjoyment. The usual routine of the first stage of a college-life is here delineated with sufficient accuracy ;·- a little severely treated, perhaps, but on the whole with too much truth. On this subject; we have not room to dwell at present:- but we may return to it at some convenient opportunity. The style of this work deserves but little commendation. It is careless, and full of the ordinary specimens of an uncultivated taste. The closer imitation of those classical models, which the author has studied with some success, would greatly benefit him: but, on the whole, we must allow that he has produced an entertaining tale, very much above the usual stamp of novels. Let him, in any future publication, (and we hope to see him again in print, after due time and consideration,) avoid not only the errors which we have already pointed out, but carefully shun the recital of vulgar conversations, interlarded with oaths and low expletives. This is an egregious fault, into which Smollett, and some other superior novelists, have betrayed their numerous imitators. We conclude with a short specimen of the author's poetry, which we have selected because the scope of the passage is to convey the moral of the whole story. Art. 14. Extract from Lines written during Illness. EDUCATION. Simple Pleasures. Designed for young Persons above twelve Years of Age. By Miss Venning. 12mo. 3s. 6d. bound. Harris. 1811. When country-walks and a game at chess were proposed to the Regent Duke of Orleans, the reason which he alleged for declining them was, "" qu'il n'aimoit pas les plaisirs innocens ;" and this answer involuntarily occurred to us as we perused the volume of Simple Pleasures' with which Miss Venning has provided us. This work is, however, intended for readers between the ages of twelve and fourteen years; and to such it will certainly be innoxious, and may perhaps prove both instructive and amusing. The fair author has composed it according to the plans and hints contained in Mr. Edgeworth's book "Practical Education:" but she carries his system too far REV, OCT. 1811, P when when she describes a girl who receives exactly the same education as her brother, and is afterward taken into partnership with him, and made a clerk in her father's counting house! Art. 15. A New Introduction to Reading; containing many useful Exercises, or Lessons, adapted to the Capacities of Children of either Sex, from six to twelve Years of Age. By the Rev. G. I. Davies, A.M. 12mo. 25. bound. Lackington and Co. 1811. The materials of this little book are not original,, but the plan of it ia in some measure new; since the compiler has arranged his reading and spelling-lessons so as to furnish progressive studies during a long period of education. His selections appear well adapted both to amuse and to improve the pupil; and, notwithstanding the great number of school-books which already exist, we think that no parent or teacher can regret that the present publication is added to the list. NATURAL HISTORY and MINERALOGY, &c. Art. 16. View of the Mineralogy, Agriculture, Manufactures, and Fisheries of the Island of Arran. With Notices of Antiquities, and Suggestions for improving the Agriculture and Fisheries of the Highlands and Isles of Scotland. By the Rev. James Headrick. 8vo. pp. 395. 10s. 6d. Boards. Murray. The island of Arran, which lies on the west coast of Scotland, and in the mouth of the Frith of Clyde, is about 24 miles long, and from 12 to 15 miles broad; not 34 or 35 miles in length and 15 or 20 in. breadth, as the present author most erroneously conjectures.. Of this large extent of surface, not more than 15,000 acres, it is said, are capable of cultivation; and the quantity of land at present under actual tillage does not much exceed 10,000 acres from which it appears that the mountainous districts and waste lands, the greater part of which is in a state of commonalty, constitute by far the most considerable proportion of the superficies of the island. The net rent is about 5oool. per annum: but, in Mr. Headrick's opinion, by dividing, inclosing, and improving the waste lands, the value might be quadrupled. The Duke of Hamilton is proprietor of the wholeisland, with the exception of five farms, three of which belong to the Marquis of Bute, and two have continued in the possession of a family of the name of Fullarton, since the time of King Robert Bruce.. The population of Arran amounted in 1801 to about 5000 souls; and it would appear that the inhabitants are chiefly employed as farmers and fishers, or as both at different seasons.. The antiquities of the island afford little that is worthy of notice; and its civil records seem to present nothing of peculiar interest. The natural history of Arran, and especially its geological history, including in its details both primary and secondary rocks, has of late furnished more ample subjects of investigation. In this point of view, the island, from the distribution of the rocks, admits of a natural division into two great districts; which may be denominated the granits and sand-stone districts, the former occupying the northern, and the latter comprising the southern division of the island. The mountains in the central parts of the northern division are composed of granite, |