with Mr. Canning as the classics, he would probably have been ready to admit that the law which regulates silver, a subordinate coin in our circulation, may with great propriety be different from that which regulates gold. A considerable seignorage, to the extent of ten per cent., may be safely levied on the former; while on the latter it may be unadvisable to impose any higher premium than the cost of fabrication into coin. In other points, however, we are more disposed to agree with Mr. Canning. He censures very justly the law which prohibits the free exportation of our coin; and he ridicules with success the notion that the enemy is engaged in decoying from us our specie, and compressing it in his grasp, like a spider in his web. The chief cause of the exportation of our coin is to be found, he adds, in our own regulations, in the law which makes paper of equal value with gold in all home transactions; and the of which, particularly during the last three years, has been that gold has travelled abroad in large quantities. Gold,' he says, (p. 50.) would cease to be a preferable article for transmission abroad, from the moment at which it, like other articles, could be sold for its real value at home. But, imprisoned in the coin, and degraded by its im prisonment, gold has an unconquerable tendency to escape from a situation so unnatural; and it would make its escape from such a situation, even although you did not owe the continent any thing.'

consequence

While Mr. Canning thus forcibly and successfully illustrates one of the divisions of this complicated subject, he confesses (p. 56.) his slender knowlege of another most essential department; namely, the effect of the exchange on the state of our circulation. Like other men who are desirous to under-rate the difficulties which they find it not easy to surmount, Mr. Canning would gladly persuade himself that it is unnecessary to examine the operations of exchange; and that the existing anomaly in our money-system is fully explained without them. Yet he is far from asserting (p. 58.) that they pass for nothing among the causes of the disorder of our money-currency; and the discriminations which he is able to make, notwithstanding a limited acquaintance with the nature of exchange, are sufficiently striking to cause us to regret that he did not carry his researches farther. He sums up a part of his speech (p. 67.) by owning his entire though unwilling conviction, that a depreciation of our Bank-paper does actually exist; that the permanently unfavourable state of the exchanges with foreign countries is an indication, and the long-continued high price of bullion at home the proof

of it.'

After having exclaimed (p. 72.) against the arguments brought in opposition to the recommendation of the Committee to reduce the amount of bank-notes, Mr. C. enters on the consideration of the propositions moved by Mr. Horner. Of these he approves the first seven, and, we may say, the first ten: but he records (p. 81.) a qualified dissent from the 11th, in as far as it has a tendency to impute the blame of over-issue to the Bank-Directors. The restriction in 1797 (the original source of mischief,) was the act, he states, not of the Bank but of Government; and, the check of cash-payments

being once removed, it was not easy, he conceives, for either BankDirectors or any other men to perceive at what time an over-issue began to exist. Mr. Canning opposes also several of Mr. Vansittart's opinions, and then proceeds to comment on Mr. Horner's remaining propositions; with all of which he concurs except the last, the object of which was to compel the resumption of cash-payments within two years. While he gives a negative (p. 90, 94.) to the idea of imposing a specific obligation on the Bank, he advises the House to sanction by its vote the other propositions of Mr. Horner, as accurate declarations of the principles of our money-system, and as land-marks to the Bank-Directors for operating a gradual retrenchment of the excess of our paper-currency. In the present state of the discussion,' he adds, I shall be well contented, if we come out of the committee with the principles of our money-system unequivocally recognized, and with the prospect of our return to the practice of them only not impaired.'

Mr. Canning's second speech is not possessed of equal interest with, his first. It is more hastily composed, and is confined to animadversions on Mr. Vansittart's propositions, particularly the 1st, 3d and 15th. The 1st of these declared that the "regulation of the legal moncy of the kingdom has at all times been a royal prerogative;" an assumption which Mr. Canning considers as by no means established, and which, were it so, ought, in the language of Lord Liverpool, to be "exercised with the greatest judgment and discretion." The weight of Mr. Canning's argument and sarcasm is reserved for Mr. Vansittart's 3d proposition, which pronounced it the opinion of the House that Bank-notes continue in public estimation, equivalent to the legal coin of the realm." To decree an opinion explanatory of the opinion of the public appears to Mr. Canning a novel kind of absurdity; and it excites his efforts of ridicule in a degree which we cannot help thinking is somewhat unsuited to the gravity of the subject. He does not appear to us much more successful in his strictures on Mr. Vansittart's 15th resolution; which declared that the high price of bullion was the consequence, not of depreciation of notes, but of the circumstances of our political and commercial situation. Mr. Canning's observations on this head, however pointed and animated, discover little knowlege of the operation of the causes on which he ventures to comment. He concludes his speech by recommending that the Bank should make a fund of all their profits beyond the annual dividend of ten per cent., for the purchase of bullion and for other arrangements preparatory to the resumption of cashpayments; and that a beginning should be made forthwith in the reduction of our paper-circulation.

In forming an estimate of the general merit of these speeches, we are disposed to consider them as indicative rather of dexterity in argument than of profundity in research. Without affixing to them altogether an inferior estimation, we must confess that we rate them less highly than many are disposed to do, who have formed their opi nion from the vivacity and fluency of the style: but while we are thus slow in bestowing praise on these compositions, it is due to Mr. Canning's general reputation to bear in mind that the subject is altogether

altogether distinct from his accustomed pursuits; and that he appears to have engaged in it on the spur of the moment, without much previous inquiry into it, or into collateral topics.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 22. The Contemplatist; or a Series of Essays upon Morals and Literature. By William Mudford, Author of Nubilia, &c. - Izmo. pp. 336. 9s. Boards. Sherwood and Co.

Periodical papers have so far had their day, that very extraordinary powers of genius are become requisite to invite general attention to this species of writing; and that man will be supposed to have his full share of vanity, who now seeks for celebrity in this department of literature. Mr. Mudford is fully aware of the difficulties and discouragements under which the Essayist labours, and commences his undertaking with a mixture of confidence and timidity:' but it is easy to perceive which of these two ingredients floats at top. Yet, as our motives are often complicated, as "self-love and social are the same," and as a man may court fame by striving to be useful, it is proper to attend to the avowed motive of the Contemplatist in the publication of these papers. His purport is thus stated:

It is to make the improvement of life and the diffusion of morality my first and greatest object: to inculcate whatever can arm the mind against the passions, or eradicate any unworthy sentiments which may prevail to watch over the manners of society, and to stigmatize them with fearless severity, whenever they tend to corruption and degeneracy: to furnish arguments for virtue, and objections to vice: to seek the purification of the source of action, that, by cleansing the spring, the stream may flow undefiled; and finally, to omit nothing (speaking with a reference to the individual powers of man,) which can either promote our moral happiness in this world, or our eternal welfare in a world to come.'

From the region of morals, the writer occasionally discurses into. that of literature: but in the latter he discovers little taste or bril liancy. In his style he is evidently an imitator of Johnson; and in the various physiognomy of his papers, he has copied those models which occur in every series of periodical essays, from the Spectator. to the Mirror. Here we have an introductory essay, in which the. Contemplatist exhibits himself in all the glories of egotism, followed by a dreaming allegory, in which truth, wit, and humour, are repre sented to be as obliging to him as if he possessed the fee-simple of Parnassus; and having thus shewn himself off to advantage, he falls into the common track of moral essays, literary disquisitions, lovestories, letters, &c. His literary papers have no great merit; and though in his moral essays he professes zeal in the cause of virtue, they discover a licentious warmth and a laxity of principle which do not comport with an imitator of the Rambler. Mr. M.'s remarks on marriage, when taken in connection with the story of Julia, are likely to make an impression which his thoughts on adultery and seduction will probably not counteract. His papers on the dignity of the human mind, on self-knowlege, and against cruelty to brute-animals, are written with feeling and energy; but we must add that, considered

as a whole, the volume will not rank high among publications of the class to which it belongs.

Art. 23.

Chronology, or the Historian's Companion: being an authentic Register of Events, from the earliest Period to the present Time. Comprehending an Epitome of universal History, antient and modern, with a copious List of the most eminent Men in all ages of the World. By Thomas Tegg. 12mo. 6s. bound. Tegg. 1811.

It appears to us that Mr. Tegg has inserted every event which we can reasonably expect to find in a work of this size, while his arrangements are judicious, and his little volume will be found both portable and useful: but, from a laudable desire to furnish as much information as was admissible, he has introduced some derivations of old phrases and contradictions of vulgar errors which have no connection with chronology, and very little with common sense. Many names which occur in this publication are also printed inaccurately; such as Spencer for Spenser, the poet;- Le Seuer for Le Sueur, Conimbra for Coimbra, Herrin hunters for Herren buters, or Moravian brethren; &c. &c.

-

Art. 24. Professional Characteristics: consisting of Naval Squalls, Military Broils, Physical Disasters, Legal Flaws, and Clerical Lamentations; uttered by an Admiral, a Colonel, a Lawyer, a Doctor, and a Parson, in the Coffee Room at Bath. Izmo. 38. Boards. Allen. 1811.

This title-page sufficiently describes the character of the jeu d'esprit before us, which is rather an aukward imitation of the Miseries of Human Life, though some of the notions which it broaches are whimsical enough, and the several technicalities are well preserved. Any very idle ten minutes, (those, perhaps, which take place just before dinner is announced,) may be amused by a lucky peep into this volume: but there are many chances against the good fortune of the reader. In truth, we have had enough of this idea of "Miseries". It was originally good, but has been worn to rags and tatters. The lowest sort of wits are now ashamed of it, even in conversation; and if the author pursues it any farther, we must address him in his own manner- "O MISER! inque dies ultra MISER!"

Art. 25. The Art of preserving all kinds of Animal and Vegetable Substances for several Years. A Work published by Order of the French Minister of the Interior, on the Report of the Board of Arts and Manufactures, by M. Appert. Translated from the French. 12mo. 5s. Boards. Black and Co. 1811.

We learn that M. Appert professes to have made some considerable improvements in the art of preserving alimentary substances; and he makes good his claims by a reference to authorities which we can scarcely dispute, since he brings forwards the testimony not only of some respectable individuals who hold official situations in France, but also the sanction of some of their public societies. The method proceeds on the principle that any substance, either animal or vege table, may be preserved without alteration, for an indefinite length

of time, without any addition, merely by first excluding the air, and afterward by subjecting the substance to the heat of boiling water. In this way are prepared different kinds of animal food, and fruits and vegetables of all descriptions; the first without salt or any kind of condiment, the latter without sugar. This notice will probably. induce most of our readers, who are interested in the details of domestic œconomy, to peruse M. Appert's work, and we believe that - they will agree with us in thinking that their time and labor will not be misemployed.

Art. 26. The Aleph-Beth or the first Step to the Hebrew Language. By H. V. Bolaffey, Hebrew Master, &c. lately Lecturer in the Talmudical College, Henage-lane, London.

I S. Lunn, &c.

12mo.

This first step extends only to the letters and the use of the vowel points, for the necessity of which to an accurate pronunciation of the language, this late Lecturer in the Talmudical college strenuously contends. He objects to the new mode of teaching the Hebrew tongue, and argues for the introduction of the Masoretic punctuation, as the true mode of acquiring that pronunciation of the Hebrew which has been transmitted from the most remote antiquity. The Jews cer→ tainly ought to understand their own language, and their method of teaching it ought to be considered. Many of their words cannot be pronounced without vowels supplied, and they must best know in what way this defect was obviated. Though the synagogue-copies of the Old Testament are without points, they are read according to the Masoretic punctuation, which is taught to their children. The present little book is useful in this view: but instead of vav and táv, surely Mr. B. ought to have written vau and tau.

Art. 27. An Essay on Morality, and on the Establishment of the Moral Principle. 12mo. 2s. 6d. Cadell and Davies. 1810. We strongly inculcate on this writer the necessity of studying English grammar, before he composes any more essays of any description. Neither human nor divine truths come recommended (much less "mended") from his pen, who conveys old arguments in such language as the following:

On this view we shall take religion upon the general idea of the belief in God, and a future state, and that of happiness, to accord with the general idea of religion and morality. As religion we might say almost universally consists of the belief in God, a future state, and that of happiness; and prescribe (prescribes) moral duties,. or certain conduct to be observed by man, as good and virtuous conduct; although there may be some religions which may have prescriptions or forms not congenial to morality, as before has been'

observed.'

This sentence has many parallels in a little volume consisting of eighty-six pages.

Art. 28. Letters, serio-comical, and ironical, on Education. From Cameleon, an experienced Schoolmaster, to his Brother. Crown Svo. 6s. Boards. Baldwin. 1811.

The