Governesses. By Bridel Arleville, M. A. &c. &c. 12mo. 35. bound. Sael, Boosey, &c. We cannot applaud the execution of the design so vauntingly set forth in the title-page of this grammar. It appears to us to be recom. mended by no useful novelty; and to be a very perplexed perform. ance throughout. A new hypothesis in grammar is the effort of no mean mind; and rashly to attempt one betrays a cloudy intellect. We refer, in this observation, to page 45, where the author talks of pronouns interrogative and indefinite. Smy Art. 54. The Little Emigrant; a Tale. Interspersed with Moral Anecdotes and Instructive Conversations. For the Perusal of Youth. By Miss Peacock. 12mo. 38. bound. Sold by the Author, 259, Oxford-street; and by Carpenter, &c. Though it be not always an easy task for grey-beards, as we are, to r1 with a relish books suited to the nursery, yet we are sorry to withhold any praise that is due to respectable authors of this kind. The publication before us affords many useful lessons for youth; and it is not without instructive passages in science. In the twentysecond chapter, the forward ignorance of a young lady, a pretender to science, is justly and pointedly described. Altogether, we recom mend this little volume to our young friends. Art. 55. A short Introduction to English Grammar. In two separate Volumes. By Blanch Mercy. 12mo. 38. 6d. bound. Law. 1799. The first of these volumes is intended for the young scholar, and bears the price of one fhilling; the second, which rises to half-acrown, is designed for the instructress. We fear that Mrs. Mercy has had too much reason for the regret which she expresses, when she says, I have frequently been witness to children's toiling through three different grammars, without even knowing how to make the verb agree with the nominative case.'-The remedy here proposed for the evil is, to give the pupil little to learn by heart, but much to put in practice.This is done in the first volume, which explains the parts of speech, with their variations, and adds suitable exercises for the scholar. The other volume, which is modestly offered only to such as have not yet formed any particular plan for themselves, is designed to assist the understanding, and the ready application of such rules and observations as had been before exhibited. The only way (it is remarked) of teaching any thing effectually, is, by asking them repeated questions.' Works of this nature multiply, perhaps, too rapidly; yet we think that the present performance, if used with attention and thought, is likely to prove beneficial. It is designed for the use of young ladies. Art. 56. The English Reader; or Pieces in Prose and Poetry, &c. &c. By Lindley Murray, Author of an English Grammar, 12mo. 35. 6d. bound. Longman. This selection reflects much credit on the taste of the compiler; and the arrangement of the various pieces is judicious.-The different authors, from whom these extracts are taken, enforce vir tue by the graces of their composition. The preliminary rules for enunciation Hi enunciation are useful, and clearly delivered. We therefore recom. This is the second edition of an useful work, formed somewhat on the plan of Dr. Priestley's Scripture Catechism. The questions are confined according to the accounts given above: but this new publication is extended so far as to embrace some parts of St. Paul's epis. tles; and thus, with a little resemblance to Paley's Hora Paulina, the history and epistles may mutually illustrate and confirm each other. Whether it be any advantage to this work, that it proceeds on a supposition that the public ministry of Christ did not exceed one and a few months, we are uncertain: but the use of the questions needs not be prevented, and will not be incommoded, although per sons should adopt a very different opinion. year A calendar is added, marking in course of time the events during our Lord's ministry, until his ascension: also a chronological table from the birth of Christ to A. D. 63, the period of the Scripture history: this table commences at the twentieth year of the reign of Augustus, within which is placed the birth of Jesus. Art. 58. The History of John Wise, a poor Boy in the Parish of published for the Use of all Little Children. 12mo. 6d. bound. Willis. This small volume is likely to entertain and instruct those early readers for whom it is designed. The story will interest them, and impress religious and moral truth on their minds. They may hence learn virtue, industry, and contentment; though they should not attain an advancement like that with which John Wise was favoured. The poetry is suited to their years. AMERICAN AFFAIRS. Smyth. Art. 59. The American Gazeteer, exhibiting, in Alphabetical Order, a much more full and accurate Account than has been given, of the States, Provinces, Counties, Cities, Towns, Villages, Rivers, Bays, Harbours, Gulfs, Sounds, Capes, Mountains, Forts, Indian Tribes, and new Discoveries, on the American Continent: also of the West India Islands, and other Islands appendant to the Continent, and those newly discovered in the Pacific Ocean: describing the Extent, Boundaries, Population, Government, Productions, Čommerce, Manufactures, Curiosities, &c. of the several Countries, and of their important Civil Divisions; and the Longitude and Latitude, the Bearings and Distances, from noted Places, of the Cities, Towns, and Villages: with a particular Description of the Georgia Western Territory. The Whole comprizing upwards of seven thousand distinct Articles. Collected and compiled from the best Authorities, and arranged with great Care, by, and under the Hi. Do 1. Direction of Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Author of the American Uni * We have chosen to give this verbose and tedious title-page at its full length; since it becomes the less necessary for us to enter into a detail of the contents of the volume. Yet we are rather surprised that a literary man, as we suppose Dr. Morse to be, should have introduced his publication by such a shery-bill. His American Geogra phy has been well received, as a work of accuracy and merit; and while he was providing materials for that volume, an idea was suggested of another, in the form of the present Gazetteer. He speaks very handsomely and gratefully of Captain Thomas Hutchins, Geographer General of the United States, and the Rev. Dr. Belknap of Boston, who had each contemplated a work of the same kind: but who, when they heard of Dr. Morse's design, relinquished the purpose, and with a true liberality consigned to his disposal the collections which they had made. This performance, however, we find, is in a considerable degree a re-publication of the American Geography; over which, notwithstanding, it may claim a just superiority on account of the amendments, improvements, and additions, with which it is now offered to the public. The article, Georgia Western territory, describes that country as highly desirable and advantageous for settlements. Yet what we are fold concerning the disputes which have arisen, and the precarious te nure of purchases which have been made, seems sufficient to discou rage future attempts. This, however, is a subject which requires more full and satisfying details than are generally to be expected from a Gazetteer: for which reason, though such a work has great utility, we should still wish for the Geography, including the real state of the country. In looking over the volume, we observe, p. 383. Northumberland, for what reason we know not, twice mentioned as a county of Pennsylvania. This is, no doubt, an oversight, and there may be others of a similar kind; for, as the author very properly remarks, after all the pains which have been taken, and the expence bestowed, it must not be expected, for it is not pretended, that the work is free from errors. That great labour and attention have been exerted, for accomplishing and improving this publication, will be evident to every one who consults its pages.-It is calculated for information and utility, and may be safely recommended to public regard. Hi. Art. 60. What is our Situation? and What our Prospects? or a Demonstration of the insidious Views of Republican France. By an American. 8vo. Is. Printed in America; reprinted in London for Black, Leadenhall-street. America appears to have had reason for complaining of her republican ally; and the author of this pamphlet has probably reasons *See Rev. for August, 1791, vol. v. N. S. p. 382, that that will justify this address to his countrymen, though we should NOVELS. Art. 61. Rash Vows,-or the Effects of Enthusiasm. Translated The name of Madame de Genlis may give a temporary reputation The view of the writer is to exhibit the sad effects of extreme order of females on whom Addison bestows the name of Sula- That Mo-y. That vows of this sort are not always religiously kept, we are ready to acknowlege: but surely such conduct does not partake much of that angelic perfection which Madame de Genlis ascribes to her heroine. Ban Art. 62. The Aristocrat. By the Author of The Democrat. Izmo. 2 Vols. 75. sewed. Low, Law, &c. This is a pleasing production; and though the characters are not new, nor the incidents very striking, yet an uniform interest is preserved in the mind of the reader, by the ease and elegance of the composition, and by the unvaried purity of the sentiments. The advantages of a public education over a private one are justly and strongly enforced, in the opposite conduct and manners of the principal male characters. We present to our readers the following specimen of the writer's talent for the poetic elucidation of natural sentiment: 1. Once more fair Devon's halcyon vales, I view once more the azure wave II. Yet sure, or much my senses fail, First trod the heath-empurpled ground, III. List to yon lay!-Where from the lyre Not from itself the discord springs, IV. The 1 |