12mo. 38.

Governesses. By Bridel Arleville, M. A. &c. &c.
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.

Smyth

Interspersed with Moral

Art. 54. The Little Emigrant; a Tale.
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 rd 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.

D:

Art. 55. A short Introduction to English Grammar. In two separate Volumes. By Blanch Mercy. 12mo. 3s. 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.

Hi

Art. 56. The English Reader; or Pieces in Prose and Poetry, &c. &c. By Lindley Murray, Author of an English Grammar, 12mo. 38. 6d. bound. Longman.

This selection reflects much credit on the taste of the compiler; and the arrangement of the various pieces is judicious.-The differ ent authors, from whom these extracts are taken, enforce vir tue by the graces of their composition. The preliminary rules for

enunciation

enunciation are useful, and clearly delivered. We therefore recom.
mend this small volume to those who wish to attain, without the
help of instructors, the important advantages of thinking and speak-
ing with propriety :-but a very diligent perusal is necessary to ren-
der the compilation useful to persons of this description.

Art. 57. A Set of Questions, comprising the History of the Four Gos-
pels, and the Acts of the Apostles: with References to the Scriptures,
instead of Answers: designed for the Exercise and Improvement
of Young Persons. 12mo. PP. 104. Johnson. 1799.

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 pub-
lication 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
year 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.

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.

Hi.

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.

Smyth.

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 at-
tain an advancement like that with which John Wise was favoured,
The
is suited to their
poetry
years.

D:

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

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 Conti-
nent, and those newly discovered in the Pacific Ocean: describing the
Extent, Boundaries, Population, Government, Productions, Com-
merce, 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

Direction of Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Author of the American Uni versal Geography, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Member of the Massachusets Historical Society. Second Edition corrected, illustrated with seven new and im proved Maps: To which are added, Facts and Calculations respecting the Population and Territory of the United States of America. 8vo. pp. 634. 10s. 6d. bound. Dilly. 1798. 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.

*

1:

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 discourage 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. 6o. 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
think that in some respects his declamation was intemperate. He
tells us that the peace and safety of America are assailed by the
French, and by internal hellish factions in league with them, who
aim at nothing short of universal uproar and plunder. He endeavours
to rouse the good sense and spirit of America against this Jacobin
faction, and calls on his countrymen to rally round their government,
and to combat Republican France by open war.

Mo-y.

NOVELS.

Art. 61. Rash Vows,-or the Effects of Enthusiasm. Translated
from the French of Madame de Genlis. 12mo. 3 Vols. 10s. 6d.
Boards. Longman.

The name of Madame de Genlis may give a temporary reputation
to this novel: but, if we consider its intrinsic merit, we shall find
less to praise than on some former occasions, when the writings of
this ingenious lady have called for our attention We are less amused
by variety of incident, less instructed by a judicious discrimination
of character, and less improved by an elevated strain of morality:
while the sentiments are more forced, more unnatural; and the
manners are more artificial.

The view of the writer is to exhibit the sad effects of extreme
sensibility. Now, though to expect an exact definition of terms in
a novel may seem rather unreasonable, we cannot help wishing
that the authors of such productions would sometimes inform us
what ideas they annex to the word sensibility. If by it they mean
a compassion for the miseries of their fellow-creatures, with a tender
anxiety to relieve them, they speak of a virtue which cannot be too
much encouraged :-but we conceive this quality to be very different
from the irritable weakness which shrinks from the common duties
of life, is impatient under the least disappointment, and dreads.
nothing so much as labour and exertion. It may be asked, whether
that appellation be not sometimes given to the indulgence of a sickly
imagination, and the wild expectations of vanity? Certain it is, that
the Lady Clarendon of Madame de Genlis, by attending to a sensibility
of this sort, deprives herself of the affections of an excellent husband,
of whom she was extravagantly fond. That this husband was
jealous will not surprise many of our readers, when they hear that
she could find no other confidential repository for her secrets
and distresses, than Lord Elby, who was passionately in love with
her, and was, as she well knew, suspected by her husband:-yet
we are told that she is strictly virtuous: while, at the same time,
!she voluntarily exposes herself to temptations only justifiable in that
order of females on whom Addison bestows the name of Sula-
manders. We hear many enconiiums on her understanding, although
it seems to have little influence on her conduct; and all her
escapes may be ascribed to good fortune, rather than to prudence.
-After her husband's death, she makes a vow (a Rash Vow!) of
celibacy at his tomb, and we are informed that nothing can erase
Lord Clarendon's image from her breast ;-yet she falls a victim to
a second passion,

That

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. 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 prin We present to our readers the following cipal male characters. specimen of the writer's talent for the poetic elucidation of natural sentiment:

1.

• Once more fair Devon's halcyon vales,
In radiant prospect meet my eyes,
Once more my breath the breeze inhales,
That fans her tepid skies.

I view once more the azure wave
Her forest's verdant borders lave,

Where gay Sylvanus' jocund train
To meet the sea-green nymphs advance,
And mingle in the festive dance,
Beside the placid main.

II.

Yet sure, or much my senses fail,

The scene with fainter beauty glows,
Less bright the skies, less soft the gale,

The wave with darker azure flows,
Than when in childhood's frolic hours
Sportive I cull'd wild nature's flowers;

First trod the heath-empurpled ground,
First paced the margin of the flood,
Or wander'd through the tangled wood,
Young pleasures laughing round.
III.

Izmo.

List to yon lay!-Where from the lyre
Once dulcet notes of rapture stole,
What frantic touch now wakes the wire,
And harrows all the soul?-
Not from itself the discord springs,
Unchanged the stops, unwarp'd the strings-
"Tis the changed minstrel's hand alone:
Thence, strains that took the imprison'd ear
And steep'd the sense in bliss, we hear
In wild disorder thrown.

-IV. The