concludes his poem with a prayer. The other poems are on various subjects; on vaccination, on the Duke of Bedford, on sleep, Emiah, &c. &c. The last is a melancholy tale of a poor negro slave, so wretched and miserable that we trust and hope that, however cruel the white planters may have been, they could not have reached such a pitch of depravity, as that which is depicted in the story of poor Emiah's brother.

ART. 17,-Poeme sur la' Astronomie : avec des Cartes, &c. &c. A Poem on Astronomy, with new and correct Plates, containing the Number of the Stars, which compose every Constellation, with their right Ascension and Declination, tuken from the most celebrated Astronomers of the Age. By P. Villemer, Master of the Academy, No. 63, Stanhope Street, Clare Market. 8vo. pp. 41. Dulan, 1808.

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THE poetry of M. Villemer does not abound in Gallic conceits but we cannot affirm that his strains are sufficiently elevated for his subject; or that the luminous orbs, which he has attempted to describe, make a very dignified or interesting appearance in his verse. Plain prose is perhaps best suited to such a theme, of which it is impossible to add to the grandeur or the beauty, by any poetical amplification or embellishment. The astronomical descriptions, however, of Mr. Villemer do not rise much above the level of plain prose; but though this may favour the advance of his pupils in the knowledge of astronomy, it will not contribute much to the improvement of their poetical taste. The plates, which M. Vil lemer has added to his poem, are neatly executed, and he has subjoined some useful tables. From the advertisement which M. Villemer has prefixed to his work, we should suppose that he imagines it will have a most extensive circulation; and like a quack medicine, when much in request, will be attempted to be supplanted by a counterfeit. His notice is as follows: N. B. Toute copie qui n'est pas signée de l'auteur est une contrefaction, que l'on punira, suivant la loi."

MEDICINE.

ART. 18.-An Account of the Diseases most Incident to. Children; to which is added, an Essay on Nursing, with a particular View to Infants brought up by Hand. Also a short Account of the Dispensary for the Infant Poor. By the late George Armstrong, M.D. A new Edition, with many additional Notes, by A. P. Buchan, M.D. of the Royal College of Physicians. Small 8vo. Cadell, 1808.

THIS work having gone through three editions, has been found, it is presumed, an useful medical guide in the most prevalent diseases of childhood. Dr. A.P. Buchan has prefixed to this edition a sensible and well-written introduction. He has likewise added a considerable number of notes, and introduced into the text some. observations upon hydrocephalus internus. We must say, in gene

ral, that the matter of these notes is plain, practical, and judicious. We shall copy one of them, which contains a melancholy history of a fatal event proceeding from an unsuspected source of disease.

When this complaint (the intertrigo or galling) is seated upon or behind the ears, a small quantity of the ungt. calcis hydrarg. alb. applied by means of the point of the finger speedily removes it. I lately saw a very singular eruption take place on the ears, immedidiately after the operation of piercing. It gradually spread over the head, and was succeeded by blotches on various parts of the body, accompanied with hectic fever, which terminated in death: I considered this as an instance of infection communicated by a foul instrument used in the operation of piercing, and should be a caution to parents to whom they confide the performance of this apparently trifling business.'

ART. 19.-Observations on the Egyptian Ophthalmia, and Ophthalmia Purulenta, as it has appeared in England. By William Thomas, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Assistant Surgeon in the Eleventh Royal Veteran Batalion. 8vo. Robinson.

A USEFUL practical essay, obviously the work of a man of sense and observation. In his attempt to distinguish between the Egyptian ophthalmia and the ophthalmia purulenta we do not think him happy. But we cannot but remark, with some feeling of self-appro bation, how exactly his evidence on the effect of large bleedings coincides with the opinion we gave of this practice in our late review of Dr. Jackson's work on the cold affusion.*

In the opthalmia purulenta, he says, I have followed this practice to the extent recommended, and witnessed it with others, and I must acknowledge that the effect was instantaneous. Where the syncope was fully effected, it did, as I have heard it represented, act like a charm on the disease; but this good was of short duration, the symptoms frequently recurring with redoubled violence. In most cases it produced only temporary advantage, and that at great expence and hazard to the constitution. Blindness too often followed the practice, even when it was declared to have had the happiest effects; and under these circumstances it appeared to me, the cessation of the disease might be attributed to the specific action of the virus having no longer power to act, or that the parts, from morbid alteration, were no longer susceptible to (of) it.'

NOVELS.

ART, 20.—Geraldine Fauconberg, 3 Vols. by the Author of Clarenline, Wilkie and Robinson. 1808.

THIS is an elegant and well written novel. Of story there is little but that little is simple and affecting. It is a correct and faithful picture of genteel life; and of what genteel life ought to be. The

* See Critical Review for January, 1809.

characters are easy, natural and well drawn, the lights and shades are properly varied and the whole picture displays good keeping. Any lady, who wishes her daughter to excel in that quiet elegance and correct maniere for which the heroine of this novel is famed, will do well to let her read and imitate the amiable Geraldine. The character of this interesting female we cannot better describe than by quoting the author's own words from her very sensible and well written dedication.

Geraldine has no brilliant qualities, she struggles through no tremendous difficulties-combats against no inordinate passions-but presents, in a probable situation, the calm virtues of domestic life; -and the only ones which are of daily utility and advantage.

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a youthful female, blessed with protectors and exposed neither by penury nor unkindness, to distress and sorrow, the path of propriety is smooth and obvious, and by few perhaps, it is entirely forsaken; but it may,at pleasure, be strewn with roses or perplexed with briars."

This remark is so forcibly true that we wish that the instructresses and guardians of our females would not only pay serious attention to, but take a leaf out of Geraldine. The quietness of her character, the steady judgment, the admirable presence of mind, which she displays, without a particle of pride or ostentation, and the retiring elegance of her demeanour, all, all are admirably pictured, and hold forth a most excellent example. The charac ter of Ferdinand Lesmore is well designed, well sustained, and well finished. Mrs. Nevil's is truly natural, and holds up a mirror in which most of our women of fashion might not only much improve themselves, but by a serious contemplation of it might be induced to stop that mad career which so often plunges them in disgrace and ruin. Mrs. Neville, with all her fashionable foibles, is a generous frank and noble woman; the little specks in her character are SO judciously discriminated as to render her good qualities the more luminous. The pitiable tale of Mr. Glenoswald is charmingly told; and the scene which Geraldine has with him in the library, is well worked up. We decline giving the heads of the story of this little work; the interest which it will excite on perusal, we are unwilling to anticipate. We think that the novel of Clarentine was ascribed to one of madame d'Arblay's sisters, a Miss Burney. We draw no comparisons between them, but if our conjecture be right the present performance strongly reminds us of the elegant and natural talents for delicate delineations of character which are seen in the incomparable novels of Evelina and Cecilia. This tale indeed is very inferior to those productions in interest and in merit, yet there is a something in the ease and elegance of it, that speaks of the Burney.

MISCELLANEOUS.

ART. 21.-Free and impartial Thoughts on the Dangers to be apprehended from the Increase of Sectaries in this Kingdom, and the Evils arising from the Want of Places of Worship for the lower Orders of the

Community. By a cordial Approver of the Doctrines, and a Well-Wisher to the Prosperity, of the Church of England. 2s. 6d. Taylor and Hessey. pp. 84.

THE author appears to be seriously alarmed by the rapid progress of methodism in this country. He portends the greatest evils from the propagation of this mischievous delusion. He does not however seem to be aware of the true cause in which that delusion originates and by which it is principally upheld. It does not originate in the negligence of the clergy,nor in the smallness of the churches, but in the want of such a radical reform in the articles and liturgy of the establishment, as would remove all uncertain doctrines and consequently all matter of religious or rather irreligious strife.

ART. 22.-The British Flora, or a systematic Arrangement of British Plants. By John Hull, M. D. of the Royal College of Physicians of London; Physician to the Lying-in-Hospital in Manchester &c. The Second Edition. In two Volumes, Vol, 1, Monandrias-Polygamia. 8vo. 98. Bickerstaff, 1808.

THE present edition of this highly useful book has received so many additions, alterations and corrections that it may be considered as a new work. The author has inserted all the plants which have been discovered, and ascertained to be indigenous in this island since the publication of the first edition. He has also added some which prefer only a dubious claim to the denomination of indigenous, In the arrangement of the classes the author has wisely adhered to the system of Linneus without any innovations. : In the orders he has made two deviations from the system of the father of scientific botany. A great variety of botanical information is com pressed into this well digested volume.

ART. 23.-A new and accurate Description of all the direct and principal cross Roads in England and Wales, and of the Roads of Scotland: with correct Routes of the Mail Coaches; and a great Variety of new Admeasurements. Also an Account of Noblemen's and Gentlemen's Seats, and other remarkable Objects near the Roads; with some of the topographical History. Arranged upon a new and more convenient Plan, so that the Routes and the Seats relating to them are brought under the Eye in the same Page. A general Index of the Roads to the different Towns, denoting the Counties in which they are situated, their Market Days, and the Inns which supply Post Horses,&c.An Index to the Country Seats and Places described, A Table of the Heights of Mountains and other Eminences. From the grand Trigonometrical Survey of the Kingdom, under the Direction of Lieutenant Colonel Mudge. An alphabetical Table of all the principal Towns; containing the Rates of Postage, the Times of the Arrival and Departure of the Mails; the Number of Houses and the Population. The whole greatly augmented and improved by the Assistance of Francis Feeling, Esq. Secretary to the Post-Office, and of the several Surveyors of the Provincial Districts, under the Authority of the Post-Master-General. By Lieutenant Colonel Paterson, Assistant Quarter-Master-General of his Majesty's Forces. The fourteenth Edition. Longman. 1808.

WE have been so much obliged to Mr. aterson during our pe

regrinations, that we were much pleased to see so improved an edition of his useful work, and we can recommend it as surpassing in copiousness and accuracy of detail any that have appeared before.

ART. 24.-National Life Annuities; Comprising all the Tables and every necessary Information contained in the Act of Parliament for granting the same both on single and joint Lives with Benefit of Survivorship; also additional Tables, annexed to the former throughout; calculated to shew what Annuity can be purchased for one Hundred Pounds sterling, at the same Rates upon the same Lives. By F. T. Fortune, Stockbroker. pp. 96. 33. 6d. 1808.

MR. Fortune has been at considerable pains in selecting from the late act of parliament, for granting life annuities all the infor mation, which can generally interest the purchasers. His several tables, which shew, at one view, the sum which will be given for every £100 stock,or £100 sterling for any individual life,for the lives of two persons, and of the survivor, are calculated to throw the clearest light on the act itself, and to communicate all the information that can be requisite to those who may be inclined to become annuitants according to the terms proposed.

ART. 25.—Evening Amusements; or the Beauty of the Heavens displayed In which several striking Appearances to be observed on Various Even ings in the Heavens, during the Year 1809. are described; and Several Means are pointed out, by which the Time of young Persons may be innocently, agreeably, and profitably employed within Doors. Intended to be continued annually. By William Frend, Esq. M.A. Actuary of the Rock Life Assurance Company, and late Fellow of Jesu's College, Author of Principles of Algebra, Tangible Arithmetic, Essay on Patriotism, &c. London 1809. Mawman. pp. 336. 3s. 12mo.

IT is with unfeigned satisfaction that we announce every succeed, ing part of Mr. Frend's Evening Amusements; which have brought the sublime truths of astronomy to a level with ordinary capacities; and have converted the most exalted science into a species of recreation, in which the most rational instruction is conveyed through the medium of the most gratifying pursuit. The present volume is particularly valuable, not only from the accurate and perspicuous description of all the phenomena in the heavens, but from the excel-, lent reflections, which are occasionally interspersed; which from the clearness and the force with which they are expressed, must find a ready ingress into every mind, and operate very beneficially on every heart. We cannot resist the pleasure of quoting the feeling, impressive, and well-deserved eulogy on the late Mr. Lindsey, which closes the work, and does equal honour to the intellect and sensibility of Mr. Frend. Thus,' says Mr. Frend, we have noted the motions of the heavenly bodies for angther year; and, as at the conclusion of my last year's work, the merits of a departed friend were the uppermost in my thoughts, it has pleased Providence to take from me another friend, who used to congratulate me on the end of my annual employment. I am now writ