ther time on these or collateral topicks, but shall proceed to a cursory statement of the papers in this volume. Before, however, we begin our critical duty, we shall say a few words on the Rev. Dr. Clarke's and Rev. Dr. Belknap's characters, of which some account is prefixed to the work.

Dr. Clarke has been estimated too highly as a man of letters, both in general conversation and in the volume before us. He certainly was not a scholar of the first or the second class. Unquestionably he was a man of the mildest disposition, of the most amiable temper, and of easy, unassuming deportment. These are qualities always important and highly commendatory; and in Dr. Clarke they originated a course of conduct, as a man, a christian, and a preacher, perfectly correspondent. But to celebrate him "as distinguished in the literary world," as "no common proficient in the liberal arts and sciences," is a benev olent extension of eulogy, which resembles a glaring, though unintentional violation of truth. It is also highly detrimental to our lit erature, because it stops the progress of ambition; and it is injurious to our renown in Europe, because foreign scholars in vain seek for erudition or literature in the writings of Dr, Clarke; and they have a right to contend, as perfectly applicable, what we are disposed to consider as probably true, that " de non apparentibus et de non existentibus eadem est ratio."

The Rev. Dr. Belknap is a different character. His writings exhibit large extent of research, much depth of investigation, and variety of knowledge. He knew something of physical science. He chiefly delighted, like the Ger

In our opinions of literary men of this country we are always cautious, and therefore we wish to be clearly understood. Eulogy here is perfectly absurd. It is either the vilest daubing of colours, or the most grotesque caricature of expression. If a man write an historical work, he becomes a Sallust; if he stitch together doggrel couplets against democracy, he is transformed into a Butler; preachers have been likened to Masillon; and, by some strange, incomprehensible metempsychosis, Antonius and Crassus of the Roman forum are revived in more than former splendour in the persons of American pleaders.

"Remarks made during a residence at Stabroek Rio Demerary, lat. 6. 10. N. in the latter part of the year 1798. By Thomas Pierronet."

This paper contains much curiqus information, and some valuable facts. We submit the follow

ing to our readers.

The interiour will probably never be brought to a state of cultivation, owing to the want of drainage; or at least the tract fixty miles from the fea, which is a vaft drowned fwamp. All the improvements have been hitherto made on the

fea-coaft, and on the banks of the rivers, and very rarely has a plantation been carried farther back. The labour in

forming a new plantation is immenfe,

and can only be estimated by those who have been spectators thereof.

The produce of these fettlements are coffee, cotton, and sugar. Of these, cotton is fuppofed to be the most precarious crop. Too much rain rots it, and a fucceffion of dry weather caufes it to blast. Coffee, on the contrary, has nothing to fear, except from too much wet. Several estates make a good revenue from their plantain walks; a bunch of which previous to the importation of 60,000 flaves by the English into the colony, was fold for 24 ftivers, but now fetches 124.

Animal labour is totally excluded, unlefs it be that of the horfe, when ufed for the faddle or chair. This is not fo much to be wondered at, when it is confidered, that the low country does not produce even a pebble. A team of oxen or horfes, with a heavy draught, would destroy the best road in Demerary in the rainy season. As for the interiour, the foil is fo fwampy, that an animal of burthen would fink to its belly at every step. However, the colonists contrive to interfect the country with fuch a multitude of canals, that the heaviest articles are delivered them at a very cheap rate. The cutting of grafs is very laborious and tiresome; and as it is the only herbaceous food of the horses, it is neceffary

to procure great quantities of it. The only way used here, to obtain it, is by fending out the negroes with a knife, who by this tedious operation, each one at length collects a bundle, which may weigh eighty pounds, which he binds like a wheat theaf, and carries off. It is remarkable, that the feythe, fickle, flail, plough, waggon, or even hand-barrow, are abfolutely unknown in the colony.

Negroes. The negroes are fubfifted at a very easy rate; a bunch of plantains, which will last them a week, and a little falt-fish, form their delicacies. As for their clothing, the far greater part of them have only a narrow ftrip of bunt ing to bind round their middle, while many of the younger claffes have not even this ornament. However, in fonte families they are comfortably clothed, and fed with feraps, which have reached the fecond day. Their lodgings are, however, on the bare floor, where they generally lay promiscuously.

They are punished very feverely; although it depends very much on the difpofition of their owners, whether they go through a constant whipping, or whe

The vocabularies add to our knowledge of Indian languages. The author's source of information is apparently good, yet what is the

reason that he does not tell his own name? He often is known by the emphatical I; but now, for the first time in the world, a personal pronoun designates nobody, except a metaphysical entity.

"General John Winslow's Letter to the Earl of Halifax, relative to his conduct, and that of the troops under his command, on the Ticonderogo expedition in 1756.”

As General W. was "the only person, who had been in the whole of these matters," he is entitled to be heard, and his narrative has the the appearance of candour and fidelity.

"Secretary Willard's Letter to Mr. Bollan, agent for the colony the failure of Crown-Point expedis of Massachusetts-Bay, relative to tion, and reimbursement from G. Britain."

"the grand, the incomparable." Dr.Ames's Medulla is known only to the reader of catalogues. And for direction and encouragement in devotional exercises and holy meditation who would now read "The practice of Augustine, Bernard, or Gerard; or of more modern worthies J. Ambrose, R. Baxter, B. Hall, or W. Watson, as to the theoretical part"? The works of these men are now the secure lodgments of spiders, book lice and flies in winter. Their

the theological inquirer. They lay in old libraries, as long lances and baronial shields in gothick armouries, testimonials of ancient elaboration and gradual decay.

"Some memoirs for the continuation of the history of the troubles of the New-English colonies, from the barbarous and perfidious Indians, instigated by the more savage and inhuman French of Canada and Nova-Scotia. Began Nov. 3, 1726. By Benjamin Colman, D. D."

"Letter from Henry Newman, to the Rev. Henry Flynt.”

Upon some books for Harvard College.

"Letter from Paul Mascarenc to Governour Shirley."

This relates to the history of the government of Nova-Scotia from 1710 to 1748 with suggestions of amendments.

"Prince and Bosworth's petition to the government of Plymouth, relative to the mackarel fishery."

"Letter from William Bollan, agent for the Massachusetts, at the court of Great-Britain, to Josiah Willard, secretary of that province, respecting an intention of governing the colonies like Ireland."

"Mr. Bollan's petition to the duke of Bedford, relative to French encroachments, 1748."