parochial expence, of which themselves are to be the projectors, the comptrollers, the operators, and the paymafters. To thofe, who think this estimate of parochial gluttony and impofition too high, the following fact, which can be eftablished by inconteftible evidence, is fubmitted by way of apology. The writer is credibly informed, that, in a parish not many miles from London, the inhabitants paid, in the year 1783, as a compofition for repairing the highways, upwards of 120l. of which fum, 751. were proved to have been spent in different entertainments, at the fame time that fome of the roads in that parish were not only impaffible, but a nuisance to the inhabitants who had houfes contiguous to them, and who paid their part of the compofition. But then the reader is requefled to remember, that thefe were not highways, but byways; and therefore it could not be fuppofed the furveyors would make a mifapplication of the public money, by laying out any part of it in mending them.' This author's obfervations refpecting the penal laws are not lefs judicious than those which relate to the treatment and maintenance of the poor. He defcribes, in pathetic terms, the great hardships and pernicious effects, of which the prefent legal fyftem, in criminal cafes, is productive; and for this defect, likewife, he propofes fuch falutary regulations as are highly worthy of attention. Mr. Lufon's plan for the reduction of the national debt, is not, in our opinion, equally eligible with his other propofals. An Account of the gallant Defence made at Mangalore in the Eaft Indies; against the united Efforts of the French and the Nabob Tippo Sultan, by a Detachment of his Majefty's and the Honourable the Eaft India Company's Troops, under the Command of the Late Colonel John Campbell. By a British Officer. Svo. 45. fered. Bathurst. The defence related by this British officer was made againft the united efforts of the French, and the nabob Tippo Sultan, by a detachment of his majesty's and the Eaft India company's troops under the command of the late colonel John Campbell, major of the 42d (or Royal Highland) regiment of foot, in May, 1783. In this narrative the good conduct of colonel Campbell, with the bravery, as well as paffive fortitude, of himself, the officers, and the troops, are placed by the author in fuch a light as does the highest honour to their zealous and noble exertions in the fervice of their country. The 42d regiment has long been distinguished for valour in the field; and has now, likewife, evinced its heroifm in fuftaining, with unremitting ardor, the diftreffes of a tedious defence. The Hiftory of a Revolution at Naples. Small 8vo. Ridgeway. 15. 6d. The worst motives could only have induced the compilers to collect the facts here detailed, and of which the tendency is Cc4 too too pointedly clear to be mistaken. But it fortunately happens, that malignity, in its eagerness to deftroy, overshoots its mark; for few would even purchafe fuccefs at fo great an expence. The force of political engines are, however, much weakened; for the world now fees that the difference between parties confifts entirely in the one being in place, and the other out. If the heads of the different leaders were fawed afunder, and the feparated parts applied to the antagonist, it would be of little confequence; for, as Swift obferves when he mentions the fcheme, that as for the integrity or information, contained in these heads of oppofite parties, to his knowledge there was little difference. Letters on Exceffive Taxation. 8vo. 25. 6d. Fryer. This writer, who affumes the name of Philanthropit, is, it feems, or imagines himself to be, in the poffeffion of a fecret, which, according to his fanguine expectations. would relieve the nation from all its political diftreffs. After many fruitless applications on this fubject to perfons of high rank, he now exhorts the people to appoint one gentleman out of every county to receive his propofal, and determine concerning its efficacy. We much fear that Philanthropift will long find occafion to reiterate his appeal to the public, before he can procure fuch a congrefs. Tax on retail Shops; or, the Plunderers of India erecting the Standard of Peculation in Great Britain. 8vo. 15. Ridgway. Old Square Toes, as this author calls himself, affects to be a fhrewd politician; but he difcovers much stronger symptoms of prejudice and ill-founded conceptions, than of political knowledge or fagacity. An Authentic Account of the Debates in the House of Commons, February 27, &c. on the propofed Plan of Fortifications. 8vo. 25. 6d. Ridgway. This Account has the appearance of being faithful, and may, therefore, afford fatisfaction to thofe who are particularly interefted in the debate relative to the plan of fortifications by the duke of Richmond. The Law's Diffofal of a Perfon's Eftate who dies without Will or Teftament. The Second Edition. To which is added, the Dif pofal of a Perfon's Eftate who dies without Will and Teftament. By Peter Lovelas. 8vo. 35. 6d. Buckland. This is another edition of a work, reviewed in our Number for March last, entitled, The Will which the Law makes.' To which is now added, Inftructions relating to the disposal of an eftate, either real or perfonal, with forms of wills, codicils, &c. The work is executed with care and accuracy; but we must ftill alledge, that the best inftructions are infufficient, without profeffional knowledge, and a proper education. An Enquiry into the Influence which Enclosures have had upon the Population of England. By the Rev. J. Howlett. 8vo. Richardfon. Mr. Howlett, whofe examination of the population of England has fo materially elucidated the fubject in this little tract, endeavours to obviate the gloomy apprehenfions of thofe who look on enclosures as the bane of increasing numbers; and the provifion for raifing additional food, as the fureft means for leffening the number of mouths which are to confume it. Indeed, if any great error was committed in this way, it would correct itself. Enclofing would not be encouraged if provifions were not at a high price; and the practice muft foon ceafe when it becomes fo difadvantageous, as it would be, if it tended to depopulate. Mr., Howlett has combated Dr. Price, who has continued to reprint his opinions, though their fallacy has been often demonftrated, by actual enquiries, in thofe parifnes where enclofing has been moft general. His letters were not confined, but extended to every parish which the Journals of the Houfe of Commons told him had applied for, and obtained bills of enclofure. His enquiries were not, however, generally answered. The answers to about ninety which he received, are thrown into the form of a table, and compared with parishes, in the fame county, not recently inclofed. For obvious reafons, he has avoided taking into his calculation the large flourishing towns of Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, &c. In this table we fee that the recently enclosed parishes have vaftly, the advantage of thofe which have not been recently enclosed. The baptifms in the 89 parishes of the former defcription, during the five years, beginning with the year 1760, to the baptifms during the five years beginning with 1775, or 1776, are nearly as 100 to 121; whereas in the 490 of the latter, for the fame periods respectively, the advance is only as 100 to 109; that is, the enclosures are increased more than th, the non-inclosures scarcelyth. This is furely little lefs than abfolute demonftration of the point in queftion, the influence of enclosures upon the population of this kingdom, and that, fo far from having diminished, they have much increased it. It is alfo to be obferved, that the increafe from hence arifing is certainly greater than here appears; because thofe enclosures which converted arable to pafture, must have leffened the employment of the inhabitants, and of courfe their number, in the feveral parishes in which they refpectively took place, and proportionably augmented and employed thofe in parishes where enclosures had not taken place.' From the militia-returns Mr. Howlett calculates, that the county of Rutland has increased 12 or 1600 in the course of ten years. We are always indebted to this author's attention and induftry for valuable information, and are well pleafed to think that he has not forgotten his favourite subject: we need not not tell him that we should receive, with pleasure, the refult of his continued enquiries, POETRY. A Supplement to the Pharfalia of Lucan, tranflated from the Latin of Thomas May. By the Rev. Edmund Poulter, M. A. 4to. 15. 6d. Cadell. This performance of May's met with the peculiar pre-eminence of being received into, and incorporated with, the most eminent editions of the claffics that have been published fince its time; and particularly thofe of Barbou, the Elzevirs, and Oudendorp; an honour perfectly fingular, there being, I think, no other inftance of a work fo modern being admitted to that claffical diftinction, which it is in full and peaceable poffeffion of, as it seems now by common and uncommon confent. Ordinibus adfcribi quietis Hor. 'The attestations of contemporary genius have been abundant. It may be fufficient to mention the names of Heinfius and Johnfon, and the complimentary address of fir Richard Fanshaw Maio Lucanizanti.' Notwithstanding this encomium, and the fanction of Germanic bookfellers; notwithstanding the praise bestowed by contemporary writers, we cannot but exprefs our difapprobation of this common and uncommon confent,' and enter our protest against it. The first book, which is the only one fubmitted to our confideration, is certainly a very puerile performance; devoid of claffical beauty, and fometimes of grammatical precifion. The introductory lines will ferve as a fhort fpecimen, not the most unfavourable that might be selected, both of the original and verfion; which conveys nearly as juft an idea of the fpirit of the former, as Rowe's animated tranflation does of the Pharfalia of Lucan. A comparison in other refpects need not be mentioned. The fea no longer frown'd, fafe from the waves, } • Per € • Perdiderant fréta fæva minas, et ab æquore tutus, Vindictam fpirans, tantâque efferbuit irâ, Quæ vix armipotens eft aufa laceffère Roma; Quam libertatis jacturâ, et funere Magni.' A Poetical Review of the Literary and Moral Character of the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D. With Notes. By John Courtenay, Efq, 4to. 25. Dilly. Probably 'we expected too much; but Mr. Courtenay's talents in ferious irony and pointed allufion, which have so often kept the table,' and the house alfo, in a roar,' we supposed might have found ample fubject for his pleafantry in the peculiarities of Johnfon. At prefent, this is a tedious dull homily, as ever parishioners were wearied withal,' and has never cried your patience, good people.' 6 We need fcarcely enlarge on the fubject of the poem : the title informs the reader fufficiently in that refpect. Some of the beft lines are the following. Loft is the man, who fcarce deigns Gray to praise, But in his Savage finds a moral heart; The poetical fire, of which a little gleam enlightens the paffage we tranfcribed, is foon extinguifhed, and the rest of the review, we will not call it a poem, is almoft measured profe. Perhaps the following is a more impartial fpecimen of the general complexion of the work. Thus fings the mufe, to Johnfon's memory juft, A bound |