L'Afrique, ou Histoire, &c. Africa;
or the History, Manners, Usages, and
Customs of the Africans of Senegal.
By R. G. V. 4 vols. 18mo. Paris.

of the Zahara, or Great Desert, their mode of living, &c. Their disposition to theft and pillage, forms a striking part of this character. This volume closes with an account of the Gum Senegal, an article of well known value among

us.

The last volume is devoted particularly to a description of the nations which inhabit the banks of the rivers Senegal and Gambia, and the countries between them; their government, policy, laws, imposts, wars, pillage, and what was then the great source of their public revenues, the Slave Trade. M. V.,extends his researches to their dwellings, arts, agriculture, and other civil labours, and

THE intention of our Government to execute, if possible, the plan, in attempting which the late Mr. Parke lost his life, gives importance to every work referring to Africa, whether it be published by any of our countrymen, or by foreigners. In truth, it may so happen, that what one person, extremely well acquainted with a part of the country, has not seen, or has not regarded, shall be seen, and strongly attended to, even under less favourable circumstances by another. For this reason we ocThe work is illustrated by more than casionally attach importance to the re- forty plates, and the author proposes, ports of foreigners: not as if we sus- if encouraged by the (French) public, pected our own writers, but because a to extend his description successively to multitude of witnesses contributes to eli- all the neighbouring nations, whether cit truth; and because, in such under- situated along the coast, or more retakings as that now proposed, intelli-motely in the country, the whole to be gence from all quarters should be col-collected from those who have been eyelected and studied. witnesses of what they relate.

1

The author had various opportunities of becoming acquainted with Africa and its inhabitants, while France had establishments on that Continent. During two years of residence in Senegal, he acquired the Walof language; and he made, by order of his superiors, several excursions into the interior of the country.

diversions.

His work was published as soon as possible, after it was known that the Treaty of Paris restored Senegal to France. Whether this was accidental, or by design, we do not know, but we conjecture that it was not accidental, The revival of the trade to Senegal, will require great efforts on the part of the French people, and among these, one pointed out by absolute necessity, is the raising a disposition for foreign adventure among that numerous body of malcontents who cannot turn their hands to any thing useful at home. To answer that purpose, this work seems to be extremely well designed and certainly were it well completed, nothing could be more beneficial to France. Qur notice, however, has rather been at tracted to it, from the scheme of the writer for penetrating inland, which he affirms is feasible, and of which be al

In the first volume the author sketches the history and character of the European establishments from Cape Bojador to the Gambia, Cape Blanco, &c. to Fort James. He describes a project for settling a free and extensive colony on the coast of Africa, and demonstrates the possibility of crossing this vast continent from coast to coast. He gives an entertaining account of the Natural History of the country, and adds a vocabulary of the Walof language, which he considers as being extensively spoken among the sovereigns and greatnost guarantees success. men of several adjacent countries; and by the greater part of their people. It is also understood by the Moors.

The second volume treats particularly concerning the Moors; the inhabitants

We have not seen this work ourselves, but are obliged for this account of it, to a foreign pen.

and this eloquence is now become almost necessary, when we have meetings of one: kind or other in every parish, in every ward, almost in every street; and when we meet for business, whether that of a public body, or a private society, it is necessary that there should be speakers as well as hearers; and though it is ridiculous on those occasions to ape the Orator or the Actor, it is desirable that all who do speak, should speak good: sense, intelligibly, and to the purpose..

The Moral Tendencies of Knowledge: a Lecture delivered before the City Philosophical Society, Dorset Street, and the Christian Philological Society, Spitalfields. By T. Williams. 8vo. price 2s. Williams and Son. 1815. There is much good sense in this Lecture. Only those can adequately judge Science is friendly to industry, more es-* on this subject who have had the painful pecially as it is the foundation of our arts: mortification of witnessing the embar- and manufactures. Without science, our rassments of ignorance, where better manufactures would be in a very low and things were expected or those who have defective state. It is from the discoveries seen instances of gradual progress in vice, in chemistry, and the improvement in mebecause knowledge had not exerted a sachanics, that agriculture and manufactures have attained to their present state of emilutary and preservative influence. Therenence; and it is by these means that our is no condition more dangerous than poor find employment. It is true, that every that of a vacant mind; the delu- now and then mechanical improvements, by sions which infect mankind would be re- superseding the use of manual labour, throw duced to a very few, comparatively a number of hands out of work; but then speaking, if those on whom they have the other arts come in to their aid, and, by: been practised had possessed a laudable suggesting new improvements, and new articles of manufacture, balance the account: portion of knowledge. We protest against and I am well persuaded, that if half the ignorance, as the degradation of our spe- money spent in Europe upon the arts of decies. Some of the advantages of know- struction, were devoted to the cultivation of ledge we shall state in the writer's own barren districts of earth-to the improvewords. ment of inanufactures, and the extension of employment, and the whole earth be covercommerce, every human being might find' ed with fertility, industry, and happiness.

Knowledge, and especially Literature, is adapted to improve and exalt human nature, even when the manners have been the most

forbidding. What would Johnson have been without literature? Lusensible to the charms

unlettered gentleman is pining for want of Knowledge is Society; and while the poor company, the literary man has the best of' society in his library and surely he has no reason to complain of solitude, who can breakfast with Cicero, dine with Bacon, drink tea with Mr. Locke, and sup with Sir. Isaac Newton.

Knowledge (like all God's creatures) has the power of increase; and it propagates, like fire-by contact. It is criminal to be intimate with a man of science, and not to learn from him. It is more criminal to acquire knowledge, and refuse to communicate

of polite society, and a rebel against its rules; yet literature made him a companion for princes, whenever he would condescend to associate with them. Who can tell how much he is indebted to the love of letters for the improvement of his own character? And however ready the ladies may be to play their wit on a bookish man, they will hud, upon reflection, that they owe much of their domestic comfort to this principle. Those who have no taste for mental improvement, are seldom much at home; or if they be, smoking, tippling, and sleeping, are gene- Lastly. Knowledge, and particularly Lirally their favourite enjoyments. But why terature, is necessary to the support and do they not converse? They must feed the preservation of Religion. I am aware that hopper before they can give you meal. If in the first age of Christianity, the lamp of there be no water in the well, it is vain to knowledge was kindled by a light from Hea-> pump. A man may chatter indeed without ven; and that the sacred Scriptures were reading, and so may a magpie or a monkey: given by divine inspiration. But the age of but a man must read much to converse well. miracles was not of long duration; at least,, Knowledge also refines the taste. All men the gift of tongues remained but a short time think, but this teaches them to think justly. with the church; and though it was useful, They are not pleased without cause, nor dis- and apparently necessary to the propagation gusted without reason. of the gospel among barbarous nations, I ́am' Knowledge is essential to popular elo-not aware that it was employed in any inquence: I mean in an enlightened country; stance, either in the dictation of the ScripLat. Pan. N.S. III-No, 15.-Dec. 1815,

Q

tures, or in their translation into foreign | Seas, and when sailing on unknown tongues.*

Among the first converts to Christianity, were many eminent scholars, as we learn from their able Apologies in favour of Chris tianity, and from their other writings. When its ministers declined in learning, they at the same time declined in piety; for that secular spirit which damped the flame of religion, extinguished the light of knowledge, until the church itself was involved in total darkness—in da:kness which might be felt.

A Practical Treatise on finding the La titude and Longitude at Sea; with Tables designed to facilitate the Calculations. Translated from the French of M. de Rossel. By T. Myers, A. M. Svo. price 16s. Robinsons, London, 1815.

Nothing need be said to demonstrate the importance of scientific principles of practical navigation to a nation so nautical as Britain. Her ships visit every part of the globe; to contribute to the certainty with which they are guided, and thereby to the safety of those who guide them, is the honourable office of scicuce. The man who sits in his study, and scarcely stirs a foot out of doors, may essentially assist in navigating a vessel, among the intricacies of the Eastern Archipelago, or the currents and dangers of the Great South Sea. this beholden for power modern ages are their advantages over the ancients; and for those prolonged expeditions which the most experienced of former times, would have pronounced incredible.

coasts; consequently, where accuracy
was of vital importance. He was also
some time in the service of the British
The observations are re-
Admiralty,
duced to the simplest forms which sug
gested themselves to the author; and on
these the translator has improved, in se-
veral instances. He has also added Ta
bles of Logarithms, and others of great
utility. The life and soul of such a
work is correctness; and we doubt not
Mr. M's anxiety to secure this für his
volume; and thereby to merit the ac-
knowledgements and gratitude of British
anvigators.

The Belgian Traveller; or, a complete

Guide through the United Netherlands, &c. By E. Boyce, Esq. sm. 12mo, price Ss. Leigh, London, 1815. The late change of circumstances in Europe has restored those opportunities for travelling which our countrymen have long been famous for embracing. In particular, the residence of a New Court at Brussels, with the celebrity of the plains of Waterloo, at no great distance from that metropolis, have attracted British visitors by thousands. This is likely to settle into a custom, because the mercantile connections of our com Tomercial men, will naturally be strengthened by the intercourse of principals, and by the accession of additional branches. The Low Countries were for merly the mart of England; and though they do not retain that character, at this moment, in its full vigour, yet they may recover much of it, should peace continue.

Το

To such treatises as the present much of this power is owing: and though they cannot be perfected without practice, yet, on the other hand, correct theory is of infinite consequence, as the guide and support of whatever in practice deserves the name. The present work is a performance of great labour, and so far, as we have examined it, appears to be learned, ingenious, and useful. M, de Rossel was a captain in the French navy, coadjutor in, and writer of the voyage of D' Entrecastcaux. This accounts for many of his examples being transcripts of real calculations made in the South

* Campbell on the Gospels, Diss, I. §. 4.

A work, describing the routes, which offer themselves to the Traveller, with so much of the character of the people, and of the places he proposes to visit, as may guide his judgment, or excite his caution, is a proper companion on the journey. A cursory passenger loses much, that he might have seen, had he possessed the necessary previous knowledge; and, were there no other advantage, this alone might give value to a book of instructions and premonitions.

The Belgian Traveller performs its duty as well as can be expected; it

gives a general idea of places and people; the history of the country; cursory remarks on the productions, natural and] artificial; on the commerce and management of the Dutch, Flemings, &c. The routes through the country, and the principal buildings in the towns, are distinctly described. A map of the country is prefixed, and a plan of Brussels is inserted; one of Amsterdam should have been added.

The way to Paris being now opened, many Englishmen, no doubt, will take a little round, either in going to or returning from that city. They will do well to be much on their guard; and to recollect that in all parts of the continent, Milords Anglais are reckoned "fair game," by all who accidentally or purposely join their company.

dered as a compendium of maxims learned from observation and experience; yet, if we rightly conjecture, not forming a complete whole, but introductory to a further continuation of counsel, such as suited a young man of family, to whom his country might look for services, and who, himself, might look for ward to the highest honours.

The present edition is conducted with great care: most of the difficulties are fairly noticed, and generally removed. The notes are useful, and instructive;" but, ever and anon they speak the En glishman, distinctly. So, in p. 14.-We have been in possession of New Holland long-and it has been very costly :—yeť we know not the interior of the country.

This ignorance may be termed both malum et turpe." Now, this does not. appear so clearly to us, who know what difficulties that colony has had to struggle with; and who have not long ago submitted to our readers the discoveries recently made. The Editor's vindication of merchants and mercantile dealers, marks British feelings: Cicero, proba bly, knew no such, in his days. Various other evidences might be pointed out, in proof that this is an English performance, intended for English youth; to whom under a judicious preceptor, the work may prove, as heretofore, very useful in their more advanced study of the Latin language.

Conversations on Matrimony, by B. J.
Ovington. 12mo. For the author.
Buttons, London. 1815.

M. Tullii Ciceronis de Officiis, Libri tres; juxta editionem, J. M. et J. Frid. Heusingerorum, accedunt, in gratiam juventutis, notæ quædam, Anglice Scriptæ. Small 8vo. price 6s. Law and Whitaker, London. 1815. "Cicero's Offices," says Sir Roger Le Strange, in his preface to an English edition, 1699," is one of the commonest School-books we have; and as it is the best of books, so it is applied to the best of purposes - the training of youth to the study and exercise of virtue." We cannot subscribe to this in its full import; for, in our judgment, the principles which have prevailed since the introduction of Christianity, may claim an influence that would complete, if not correct, several of the arguments discussed by Cicero: But, the application of these principles were, probably, found to be beyond the power of youth at School: The Editor confesses in his preface, that the exaggerated praises of some of the panegyrists of the work, were the most likely cause of its gradual disuse. However that might be, the performance bespeaks the master: it de-source of strife and coolness, if not avernotes the orator, the statesman, and the casuist. Composed at the close of his career, after he had long been engaged in public business, and had witnessed various turns of fortune, it may be consi

A very important subject treated in a religious manner, and with constant reference to the doctrinal principles of Scripture. Undoubtedly, this pious view of things is exemplary, nor can it be too much commended in those whose upderstandings are enlightened. Congenial. sentiments in religious matters contribute essentially to domestic harmony; while contradictory sentiments are often a

s'on. But will this authorize a life of celibacy by all who are not religiously inclined? will the mass of mankind, all the world over, reduce this counsel to practice? We doubt it. Those are:

In the course of next Spring, will be published The Botanist's Companion, containing descriptions of all the Plants grow ng wild in this Country, and also such as are cultivated for the purposes of Medicine, with an account of their virtues, preparation, &c. Also, descriptions of the Nature, Uses and Culture of the British Grasses, and Mr. Sharon Turner has in the press, the other Plants useful in Agriculture, the Arts, second volume of his History of England, and Rural Economy, with the best modes containing the history of the reigns of Edof forming Meadow and Pasture land. Toward I. Edward II. Edward III. Richard which is added, a familiar Introduction to H. Henry IV. and Henry V,Also the