To fome of her equals they may be a treafare,
And country laffes may read them with pleasure.
That Amnon, you can't call it poetry neither,
There's no fights of fancy or imagery either;
You may flyle it profaic, blank-verfe at the beft;
Some pointed reflections, indeed, are expreft;
The narrative lines are exceedingly poor:
Her Jonadab is a the drawing-room door
Was open'd, the gentlemen came from below,
And gave the difcourfe a definitive blow.'

Whatever may be thought of the character of this poetry, we can not but form the most favourable conclufions with respect to that of the writer,-forming, as we do, our judgment from the uncommonly numerous lift of fubfcribers: among whom are many names of perfons of rank, and confideration. There could be no motive for extraordinary patronage, but a benevolent regard to merit-of fome kind.

Art. 39. The Fugitive; or, Happy Recefs. A dramatic Paftoral, in two Acts, as written for the Royalty Theatre: by Thomas Shapter. 8vo. IS. Bew, &c.

Mr. Shapter fays, in his preface, that this paftoral was flatteringly received by the managers.'-If the managers of the Royalty Theatre were capable of flattering the writer of fuch a poor performance as The Fugitive, it was lucky for the public that their undertaking mifcarried.

Art. 40. Political Mifcellanies. By the Authors of the Rolliad, and Probationary Odes. 8vo. pp. 156. 3s. 6d. Ridgway.

1790.

In our Review, vol. lxxviii. p. 77. we gave an account of a publication fimilar to the above, and printed for the fame bookfeller. We have not that collection at prefent before us but we obferve, that fome of its principal contents appear in the present edition; together with feveral ingenious pieces which, we believe, were not in the former; fo that the compilement now in review feems, in fome meafure, entitled to be regarded by the public as a new collection of Blue and Buff wit and humour; and we obferve, from the advertisements, that it makes a part of a general republication, in two volumes, of the works of thefe very ingenious party-writers. Art. 41. New Spain; or, Love in Mexico. An Opera, in three Acts. As performed at the Theatre-Royal in the Haymarket. First acted July 16, 1790. 8vo. Is. 6d. Robinsons.

The dialogue, in this opera, is, in general, eafy and natural; fome of the characters, though they cannot boaft of much novelty, are enlivened by a degree of wit, and of humour; and most of the fongs are distinguished by poetry that is rather fuperior to what we commonly find in this fpecies of dramatic compofition. To animadvert on the plan, conduct, and incidents, would hardly be juftified by the importance of the work. In truth, the modern English opera is not that kind of production which can ever be a favourite

favourite with a Reviewer, who coolly fits down to the perufal of what is more intended for the ear than for the understanding. Art. 42. Try again: a Farce, in two Acts. As performed at the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket. 8vo. Is. Robinfons. 1790. The following advertisement is prefixed to this performance: Whoever will be at the trouble of perufing Les précautions inutiles, in the Théâtre Italien of Gherardi, will be enabled to determine what are the debts of the following trifle to that piece, and what degree of claim it has to originality.'

We begin (it is to be feared,) to be too old to receive fo much pleasure from this fpecies of the lower drama, as we experienced about half a century ago. We could, then, laugh at feeing a farce acted; and we could fmile when perufing one in print. We can, now, feldom do either; and if this is the cafe, in regard to the entertainment before us, let the author folace himself by pronouncing where lies the deficiency: with him, or with us.

Art. 43. The New Cofmetic; or, the Triumph of Beauty, a Comedy. By C. Melmonth, Efq. 8vo. pp. 80. 2s. 6d. Printed for the author, and fold by Cadell. 1790.

There are fome pieces, of which it is difficult to make a fatisfactory report: our cenfure will be thought harsh by thofe who have not read them; and by us who have read them, no cenfure will be found equal to their demerits. We fhrewdly fufpect that it must have been fome jaded reviewer, who meeting with a comedy like this New Cofmetic,' and finding in his vocabulary no term fufficiently forcible to characterize its worthleffnefs, was obliged to invent a new phrafe; and decreed, in language which has fince become fashionable, that the thing was really Too bad! o. Art. 44. The Tempeft; or, The Enchanted Ifland. Written by Shakespeare; with Additions from Dryden: as compiled by J. P. Kemble. First acted at the Theatre-Royal, Drury-lane, October 13, 1789. 8vo. pp. 56. Is. 6d. Debrett.

We have read this publication; and we cannot avoid thinking, that it argued a declining taste in the actors, and in the audience, who could content themielves with this fubftitute for the Tempest of Shakespeare!

G

POLITICS and POLICE. Art. 45. A Plea for the Poor: or, Remarks on the Price of Provifions, and the Peafant's Labour: the Bounties allowed on the Exportation of Corn, efpecially Wheat: with Proposals for their Emendation. By Robert Applegarth. 8vo. pp. 14. 6d. Richardfon. 1790.

In this little pamphlet, Mr. Applegarth inquires into the cause of the prefent high price of provifions. This he imagines to exift in the granting a bounty on the exportation of wheat at very high prices. For many years pait,' fays he, the legislature, fan&tioned by parliament*, has granted a bounty of 5s. per quarter, the Ex

Where is the legislative power in this kingdom, which has not the fanction of parliament?

chequer

chequer measure, on all wheat exported from this kingdom inte foreign parts, whilft it is under 44s. per quarter in the ports from whence it is fhipped.' Now, if 5s. per quarter be a fufficient bounty, when wheat is at no more than 20s. per quarter; certainly it / must be too much when at 43s. 114d.-Or if it be too much when wheat is at the laft mentioned price, it must be too little at 20s. per quarter. For who would not wish to fee it at a more even price?Never at 20s. per quarter; for that would almoft ruin the farmer: nor at 435 11d.; because that starves the poor; and injures all the middling housekeepers."

The plan, recommended by Mr. Applegarth, is,

That there fhould be a bounty allowed,

Of 10s. per quarter on the exportation of wheat, when the price is under 20s. per quarter:

26s.

Of 7s. 6d. per quarter, when at 20s. and upwards; but under

Of 5s. per quarter, when at 26s. and upwards; but under 325. Of 2s. 6d. per quarter, when at 32s. and upwards; but under 389.

With liberty to export without any bounty at all, when at 38s. and upwards; but under 40s.

And liberty to export, paying fixpence per quarter duty, when at 40s. and upwards; but under 44s.

At 44s. and upwards, the exportation to be pro-1 hibited.

as is at preAnd at 48s. the ports to be opened for importa- sent the cafe." tion at the low duty;

By way of compenfation to the landed intereft, the author propofes to raise the bounties on barley, rye, oats, beans, &c.-but he does not feem to be aware that this would raife the price of these articles; and that, confequently, little advantage would accrue from leffening the price of one fort of provifion, to add to that of another.

The defign of the effay is good: but the writer does not feem fufficiently acquainted with the fubject, which he has undertaken to difcufs: we accordingly find him fometimes taking that for granted, which many will difpute; and at other times, paffing over difficulties, because he appears unacquainted with their existence.

MISCELLANEOUS.

95.

Art. 46. The Negroe equalled by few Europeans. Tranflated from the French. 12mo. 3 Vols. fewed. Robinfons. 1790. Among a variety of incidents, this ftory contains fome that are interefting and amufing: but what muft principally recommend it to thofe readers whofe hearts partake of the milk of human kindnefs, is the gentle and amiable fpirit of benevolence that feems to infpire the pen of the author: moft pathetically does it plead the caufe of that unfortunate race, whofe wretched exiflence has for many years been made fubfervient to the purposes of foftering the bafe paffions of avarice and pride. If Negroes were indeed fuch as this author reprefents them, fo fuperior are they in virtue to Europeans,

2

ropeans, that inftead of being our flaves, they ought to be our mafters the picture, however, we fancy, is too highly coloured. Itanoka, the principal figure, verifies what the title of the book afferts; he is indeed a Negroe equalled by ferv Europeans; poffeffing a portion of virtue that borders on a monopoly; and we cannot help wishing that fome of it could be brought to our market, and diftributed among our white brethren. Itanoka, after having encountered various misfortunes, (brought on him by the perfidy and ingratitude of Europeans,) becomes, by a fudden tranfition from adversity to profperity, the mafter of a plantation, and the ruler over flaves whofe fellow-flave he had been. This revolution affords him an opportunity of contrafting his amiable humanity with the diabolical tyranny and oppreffion of the European masters; whofe injustice and barbarity to the poor Africans, he frequently (with what truth or juftice we know not,) defcribes, and as frequently reprobates. If riches,' fays he, addrefing himself to them, which offer the means of folacing human miferies, have served to harden your minds; if the fciences, whofe object is to enlighten men, have but increafed your pride; if your compaffionate religion has no influence on your hearts; you must be the most vile, the most corrupt of men; to poffefs all the treafures which can give energy to virtue, and to turn them all into the means of vice! It is a degree of depravity, of which the whole world befide gives no example.'

It is painful to us to dwell on the inftances of cruelty here faid to have been inflicted by the white people, on a feeble, fubdued, defenceless race; to read of whips and fcourges, hard labour, fhort allowances of food and fleep, joined to the lofs of liberty, and the feparation from friends and dearest connections. We must therefore difmifs the melancholy fubject, and feek relief in the confolatory hope, that religion and morality will diffufe the light of their truths more and more on European hearts; and lead them to confider that humanity is a principle which not only endears man moft to his fellow-creatures, but is undoubtedly that which will make him most acceptable to his Creator; and that however men may be induced to fuppofe themselves authorized by prejudice, custom, and the law of nations, to ufurp a dominion over the unhappy Negroes, and to exercife that dominion with injuftice-whatever appeal they may make from their confciences to thefe tribunals, let them remember, that an hour will moft affuredly come, when they will be judged at a tribunal from which there will be no appeal. MrMooy

Art. 47. Il Mamalucco nel Frullone, per Iftruzione, e Divertimento degli Amatori della Lingua Italiana. All' Eccellentiffimo Signor Pecorone, Splendido, e generojo Protettore delle Scienze, e Belle Lettere nel Regno della Gran Bretagna. In Offegna, Capitale di Lagorara. 1789.

This pamphlet, which contains 124 octavo pages, and costs 45. 6d. is taken up in relating a difpute concerning an Italian tranflation of the "Ami des Enfans." Why are the public to be teazed with this unimportant and tedious hiftory?

Art.

Art. 48. A Narrative of the Difinterment of Milton's Coffin, in the
Church of St. Giles, Cripplegate, Aug. 4. 1790. 8vo. I S.
Egertons.

Notwithstanding the circumstances here defcribed, we have the fatisfaction to think that the ashes of Milton have not been diffturbed. The unhallowed vifitors of the filent grave have, it seems, been upon a wrong fcent; and (according to fome,) have actually fold, as precious relics, the teeth, and other bones, of a female corpfe, for those of the ever venerable author of PARADISE LOST. Art. 49. Memoirs of George Barrington; containing every remarkable Circumftance, from his Birth to the prefent Time.-Including his former Trials, and his celebrated Speeches, and a Print of Barrington. 8vo. I S. Bird. 1790.

This account informs us, that Barrington was born at Rush, in Ireland, in 1758; that his real name is Waldron; and that his father was a captain in the army. The author compares his hero to the famous Bampfylde Moore Carew, the king of the thieving beggars. His narrative concludes with the fubftance of his late trial, in September, for robbing Mr. Town fend.

Art. 50. Memoirs of George Barrington, from his Birth to his laft Conviction at the Old Bailey. 8vo. pp. 115. 2s. Smith. 1790. The account here given is much more ample than any other narrative of Barrington's adventures, that we have feen. It feems here to be wrought up in the novel ftyle, and contains fome tolerable poetry, of which this Old Bailey hero is faid to be the author. According to this narrative, Barrington was born at Maynooth, Kildare, Ireland, in 1755; and his father was a filversmith. A print of him is here prefixed, by way of frontispiece: but the feveral pictures of this worthy gentleman differ as much from each other in point of refemblance, as do the circumstances related in the feveral narratives.

Art. 51. A bort Account of the Nature and Obligation of an Oath; and the dreadful Confequences of Perjury, in this World, and in that which is to come, By the Rev. D. G. 12mo. pp. 13. 2d. Clarke. 1789.

This is, indeed, a fhort, well-intended explanation, published at an easy price, to come within the ability of thofe, who (we fear) will never think of either buying or reading it. If our parochial minifters could spare the time neceffary to imprefs the lower orders of their parishioners with a general idea of their religious obligations; and if oaths were adminiftered in courts of juice, as if thofe on the bench entertained any notion of the folemn nature of fuch affeverations, witneffes would anfwer under an immediate awe; which little books, compiled to fupply the need of regular parochial duties, can never effect.

N.

If the whole court were to ftand up with fome decent appearance of attention, while an oath was adminiftering, instead of whif pering, laughing, taking fnuff, and bowing to each other, as dur ing a fufpenfion of bufinefs, while the clerk hurries over the formal words, fuch a regulation might have a happy effect.

THEOLOGY