form a volume of more than 500 pages a year. This work is so highly prized in England, as to sell 25,000 to 30,000 copies a month. Price of each number

19 cents.

By Moses Thomas, Philadelphia,

Sentimental Anecdotes. By Madame de Montalieu, author of Caroline of Lichfield, &c. Translated from the French, by Mrs. Plunkett, formerly Miss Gunning. One vol. 12mo.-Price one dollar.

By Edward Earle, Philadelphia,

A handsome miniature edition of the "Whole Duty of Woman," by a Lady. Price, in extra boards 37 cts.

By David Hogan, Philadelphia,

Evening Entertainments, or Delineations of the Manners and Customs of various nations. By J. B. Depping.

Also-A new Grammar of the English Language, for schools, entitled, The Union Grammar. By D. Jaudon, Ladies' Preceptor, Union Hall, Philadelphia. Also The New Universal Letter Writer, or Complete Art of Polite Correspondence. Fourth edition.

By J. & A. Y. Humphreys, Philadelphia, Psyche, or the Legend of Love; with other Poems: by the late Mrs. Tighe. Also-Arabian Nights, Vols. 1 and 2.—Vols. 3 and 4 in the press.

PROPOSED AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS.

We are informed, that a translation of a very late and interesting work, on Public Law, is now preparing in Philadelphia for the press, from the original in French; and will probably be published in the course of the ensuing summer. The work is entitled, De la Liberté des Mers, (Of the Liberty of the Seas), and is a scientific treatise on the rights of belligerents and neutrals in a maritime war. It contains an elaborate analysis and refutation of Selden's Mare Clausum, and of Lord Hawkesbury's (afterwards Lord Liverpool's) celebrated observations on the conduct of Great Britain towards neutrals.

The author is Monsieur de Rayneval, who has filled several important diplomatic places under the late, and present, government of France; and who is said to be brother to Monsieur Gezand, the first Minister Plenipotentiary sent from France to the United States of America, after the signature of the treaty of alliance between the two countries.

The translation, we understand, will be accompanied with notes, by an American publicist; in which those points of national law, most interesting to the American public, will be particularly discussed and explained.

The nature of such a work, when well executed, must recommend it in an especial manner to the notice of our fellow-citizens; and we have reason to be. lieve the present performance will be found in all respects entitled to consideration.

Letters explaining the Abrahamic Covenant, with a view to establish, on that broad and extensive basis, the divine right of infant baptism; and the question relative to the mode of administering this Christian rite. By Jacob J. Janeway, A. M. Junior Rector of the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

By John Kingston, Baltimore,

In one vol. duodecimo, the Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. John Wesley, with a sketch of his life, labours, and death-adorned with a fine likeness. Also-In one vol. duodecimo, Lectures to the Asiatic Churches, by the venerable Thomas Taylor, the oldest Methodist preacher in the world. Also-In one vol. duodecimo, from the London copy, the very excellent Ser mons of Joseph Benson, from his own collected and corrected copy.

By Moses Thomas, Philadelphia,

A handsome miniature edition of the Letters of the late Lord Lyttleton. Also-An elegant edition of the Book of Common Prayer. 18mo. and 12mo. with engravings.

Also Vol. IV. of Bianey's Reports.

SELECT

REVIEWS OF LITERATURE,

FOR JUNE, 1812.

FROM THE ECLECTIC REVIEW.

Lachesis Lapponica, or a Tour in Lapland, now first published from the Origi nal Manuscript Journal of the celebrated Linnæus; by James Edward Smith, M. D. F. R. S. &c. President of the Linnean Society. In two Volumes, 8v... Price 17. 18. boards. White and Cochrane. 1811.

EVER since the Linnæan collection arrived in this country, this very curious journal, composed during the author's travels in Lapland, and frequently cited in many of his works, had been eagerly expected by British naturalists to make its appearance in an English dress. From various causes, however, such expectations were frustrated, till, as we are informed by Dr. Smith, • Mr. Charles Troilus, a young gentleman in the mercantile line, resident in London, undertook the task of translating it.' The manuscript having been written in Swedish, was the only bar to its publication at an earlier period, since, of all Linnæus's undertakings, this journey seems, for some time, to have been the most talked of. The work was considered as so valuable in Sweden, that some have said if every other part of the collection had gone out of the country, this precious relic of their celebrated naturalist ought at any rate to have been retained. The remark, however,' says Dr. Smith, was not made till long after the manuscript, with all the treasures which accompanied it, had escaped, by land and by sea, the pursuit instituted by the Swedish monarch to recover them, and had reached England in safety."

The reader would be greatly disappointed if he should expect to find a regular and systematic description of the unfrequented region which our author traversed with such enthusiastic delight. The composition,' as the editor properly remarks, 'is entirely

VOL. VII.

3 L

artless and unaffected, giving a most amiable idea of the writer's mind and temper; and it cannot but be considered as highly curious to contemplate in these pages the development of such a mind as that of Linnæus. It is, in short, such a journal as a man would write for his own use, without the slightest thought of its ever being seen by any other person.' The object of the tour, and the equipment of its author for the undertaking, are characteristically expressed in the following passage:

"Having been appointed by the Royal Academy of Sciences to travel through Lapland, for the purpose of investigating the three kingdoms of nature in that country, I prepared my wearing apparel and other necessaries for the journey as follows:*

"My clothes consisted of a slight coat of Westgothland linsey-woolsey cloth without folds, lined with red shalloon, having small cuffs and collar of shag: leather breeches; a round wig, a green leather cap, and a pair of half boots. I carried a small leather bag half an ell in length, but somewhat less in breadth, furnished on one side with hooks and eyes, so that it could be opened and shut at pleasure. This bag contained one shirt; two pair of false sleeves; two half-shirts; an inkstand, pencase, microscope and spying-glass; a gauze cap to protect me occasionally from the gnats; a comb; my journal, and a parcel of paper stitched together for drying plants, both in folio; my manuscript ornithology, Flora Uplandica, and Characteres Generici. I wore a hanger at my side, and carried a small fowling-piece, as well as an octangular stick, graduated for the purpose of measuring. My pocket book contained a passport from the Governor of Upsal, and a recommendation from the Academy." I set out alone from the city of Upsal, on Friday, May 12, 173, at eleven o'clock, being at that time within half a day of twenty-five years of age."

We shall not detain the reader in traversing the more cultivated provinces of Sweden, Upland, Gestrickland, Kelsingland, Medelpad, Angermanland and Westbothland. We pass over, too, many pleasing and intelligent remarks, in which our traveller derives and communicates instruction from the most common subjects in natural history in a manner almost peculiar to himself, as well as his interesting observations on the domestic economy of Sweden. These occur at every step, but we rather hasten to the immediate object of the tour-his information respecting Lap

land.

It is pleasing to contemplate the benevolent and religious feelings which constantly actuated the mind of Linnæus. Wherever he had an opportunity of attending divine service, we find him

A print, taken from Linnæus in this dress, was published some years ago in London, and may be frequently seen in the possession of his pupils and admirers.

invariably present, and he was particularly anxious to inform himself of the state of religion among the Laplanders. He tells us that

"At Easter, Whitsuntide and Christmas, as well as on the four annual festivals by law established, the Laplanders of the lower or woodland tracts) and the colonists usually attend divine service at church, where they stay till the holidays are over, and are accommodated in huts adjoining the sacred edifice. Those who live at no great distance from a church, attend there every other Sunday, to hear a sermon. On the intermediate Sundays, prayers are read to the members of each family at home."

Happy would it be for the more civilized part of mankind, if they were more generally influenced by the same zeal and devotion which characterize the simple inhabitants of these northern regions!-The subsequent passage may be taken as an example of Linnæus's classical taste in composition :

"Ovid's description of the silver age is still applicable to the native inhabitants of Lapland. Their soil is not wounded by the plough, nor is the iron din of arms to be heard; neither have mankind found their way to the bowels of the earth, nor do they engage in war to define its boundaries. They perpetually change their abode, live in tents, and follow a pastoral life, just like the patriarchs."

Linnæus's first attempt to enter Lapland was unpropitious. Finding the country intersected by marshes nearly impassable, he sent a native of the country in search of accommodation, and of a guide. The messenger on his return,

was accompanied by a person whose appearance was such that I did not at first know whether I beheld a man or a woman. I scarcely believe that any poetical description of a fury could come up to the idea which this Lapland fair-one excited. It might well be imagined that she was truly of Stygian origin. Her stature was very diminutive. Her face of the darkest brown from the effects of smoke. Her eyes dark and sparkling. Her eye-brows black. Her pitchy-coloured hair hung loose about her head, and on it she wore a flat red cap. She had a gray petticoat; and from her neck, which resembled the skin of a frog, were suspended a pair of large loose breasts of the same brown complexion, but encompassed by way of ornament, with brass rings. Around her waist she wore a girdle, and on her feet a pair of half boots. Her first aspect struck me with dread; but though a fury in appearance, she addressed me with mingled pity and reserve in the following terms. "O thou poor man! what hard destiny can have brought thee hither, to a place never visited by any one before? This is the first time I ever beheld a stranger. Thou miserable creature! how didst thou come, and whither wilt thou go? Dost thou not perceive what houses and habitations we have, and with how much difficulty we go to

church?" I entreated her to point out some way, by which I might continue my journey in any direction, so as not to be forced the way I came. "Nay man," said she," thou hast only to go the same way back again; for the river overflows so much, it is not possible for thee to proceed further in this direction. From us thou hast no assistance to expect in the prosecution of thy journey, as my husband, who might have helped thee, is ill. hou mayst inquire for our next neighbour, who lives about a mile off, and perhaps if thou shouldst meet with him, he may give thee some assistance, but I really believe it will scarcely be in his power." I inquired how far it was to Sorsele. "That we do not know," repled she, "but in the present state of the roads it is about seven days journey from hence, as my husband has told me."

My health and strength being by this time materially impaired, by wading through such an extent of marshes, laden with my apparel and luggage, for the Laplander had enough to do to carry the boat; by walking for whole nights together; by not having for a long time tasted any boiled meat: by drinking a great quantity of water, as nothing else was to be had; and by eating nothing but fish, unsalted and crawling with vermin, I must have perished but for a piece of dried and salted reindeer's flesh, given me by my kind hostess the clergyman's wife at Lycksele. This food, however, without bread, proved unwholesome and indigestible. How I longed once more to meet with people who fed on spoon meat! I inquired of this woman whether she could give me any thing to eat. She replied, "nothing but fish."-I looked at the fresh fish, as it was called, but perceiving its mouth to be full of maggots, I had no appetite to touch it: but though it thus abated my hunger, it did not recruit my strength. I asked if I could have any reindeer's tongues, which are commonly dried for sale, and served up even at the tables of the great; but was answered in the negative. "Have you no cheese made of reindeer's milk?" said I, "Yes," replied she, "but it is a mile off."—" If it were here, would you allow me to buy some?" "I have no desire," answered the good woman, "that thou shouldst die in my country for want of food."

"On arriving at her hut, I perceived three cheeses lying under a shed without walls, and took the smallest of them, which she, after some consultation, allowed me to purchase. The cap of my hostess, like that of all the Lapland women. was very remarkable. It was made of double red cloth, as is usually the case, of a round flat form. The upper side was flat, a foot broad, and stitched round the edge, where the lining was turned over. At the under side was a hole to receive the head, with a projecting border round it. The lining being loose, the cap covers more or less at the pleasure of the wearer. As to shift, she, like all her countrywomen, was destitute of any such garment. She wore a collar or tippet of the breadth of two fingers, stitched with thread. and bordered next the skin with brass rings. Over this she wore two gray jackets, both alike, which reached to her knees, just like those worn by the men."

Two very curious notices respecting natural history, occur at