MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 32. The Speech delivered by the Order, and in the Prefence of the King, in the Affembly of the Notables, held at Versailles, the 22d of February 1787, by M. de Calonne, Comptroller General of the Finances. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Stockdale.

The objects for which this folemn affembly was convened, are of the most important and liberal nature; to improve the revenues of the ftate, by correcting abuses; by a more equal diftribution of taxes; and by freeing commerce from various restraints, that render the inhabitants of one part of the country ftrangers to thofe of another. M. de Calonne gives a flattering reprefentation of the improved ftate of the national circumftances in a variety of inftances; enumerates the public works now carrying on; ftates the deficiencies of the finances; and concludes with the propofed measures for rendering them efficient.

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But though this great public affembly was called together to give a kind of popular fanction to important regulations, it is impoffible to avoid remarking the ftyle in which the King and his minifter fpeak to them. The different orders of the state are not drawn together to confult on the best means of promoting the public welfare but, the business being already prepared and fettled in the royal cabinet, the King fays" I have affembled you to meet me here, that I may impart to you my defigns.-The plans which will be communicated to you on my part are great and important;-and as they all tend to the public good, I am in no fear to confult you upon their exe cution." The concluding words of M. de Calonne are,-" Let others recal that maxim of our monarchy, The pleasure of the king is. the law; the maxim of his Majefty is, The happiness of the people is the pleasure of the King." The firft is to be understood as a ftanding maxim, the latter is no more than an explanatory declaration of what the prefent King's pleasure confifts in. His people then are under the ftrongest obligation to pray that he may keep fteady in his pleafures, and that his reign may be long; as they have his perfonal fecurity for the enjoyment of good laws under thofe contingencies!

Since the delivery of the above-mentioned fpeech, M. de Calonne has been removed from his high office of Comptroller General of the Finances; but we do not perfectly understand the nature of the offence which he may have given.

Art. 33. Kearfiey's Table of Trades, confiderably improved. 1s. 6d. Kearfley. 1787.

We noticed the first edition of this compilement in our Review for September 1786, p. 234 The additions now made, confift of the laws relative to mafters and fervants, calculations of wages and

rents, &c.

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Art. 34. The Gentleman's Guide in his Tour through France. With a correct Map, &c. &c. 12mo. 3s. 6d. Half-bound. Kearsley. 1787.

We gave an account of the first edition of this work in our 35th volume, p. 31.; where we recommended it as a useful, though not an elegant publication. This edition has received feveral improvements and additions, particularly M. Necker's account of the pro

ducts,

ducts, manufactories, finances, divifion of the kingdom, &c.; and is fo neceffary a pocket Vade mecum to those who travel in France, that we think none who need fuch information should be without it.

Art. 35. The Gentleman's Guide in his Tour through Italy. Wita correct Map; and Directions for travelling in that Country. 12mo. 4s. 6d. Half-bound. Kearley. 1787.

It will naturally be afked (fays this Writer), why we have more travels into Italy, when we have had too many already? The answer I fhall make to the question is this: Mcft of our travelling books have been evidently written with a view to be read by the fire-fide at home, rather than to accompany a man abroad.' This obfervation feems very juft, and the Author has adopted a contrary method from that which, in the above extract, he has mentioned as the most general among voyageurs ;-accordingly, his book is not to be read by the fire-fide at home,' but to take in the pocket when travelling. It contains a great variety of information for this purpofe; and to all who make the tour of Italy we recommend it as a very ufeful pocket companion.

De Art. 36. Sketch of a Tour through Switzerland. With an accurate Map. 12mo. 2s. Half-bound. Kearsley. 1787.

• Advertisement. The following Tour is intended to fall within the compafs of the generality; and is chiefly tranfcribed from a journal written on the fpot. Whoever would penetrate deeper into the natural beauties, and variety of political conftitutions in this interefting country, must confult Mr. Coxe's Travels, M. de Luc's Letters, M. de Sauffure's Voyages dans les Alpes, Di&ionnaire de la Suiffe, &c.' This is ingenuous on the part of our Author, and we commend him for it. His Sketch comes under the fame defcription as the above-mentioned two publications, viz. the not being a firefide book, but adapted for the confultation of the traveller in his chaife; for this purpose only it is calculated, and for this it is very ufeful and receffary, as informing the Reader concerning the best inns, the roads, the curiofities in the different towns, &c. and many other things, which were we to enumerate, would occupy too much of our room. Do Art. 37. Reformation; or a Plan for abolishing Christianity. Humbly fubmitted to the Confideration of the Legislature. 12mo. 2s. Becket. 1787.

Lord Orrery, speaking of Swift's argument against abolishing Chrif tianity, obferves, that a fmall treatife, written with a ipirit of mirth and freedom, must be more efficacious than long fermons, or laborious leffons of morality.' Such was, obviously, Swift's view, in writing that exquifite piece of wit and humour, and fuch is plainly that of the Author of Reformation; who tells us, however, that his prefent publication contains only the outlines of a plan projected chiefly for the good of the ftate.' Not that he is altogether unmindful of himself; for he pleasantly adds, if, admiring my patriot-fpirit, his Majefty's minifters fhould be pleafed to fend for me (and I very humbly infinuate that I am to be found at my bookseller's every day about dinner-time), I fhall certainly wait on them with the greatest pleasure.

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One part of his plan of reformation, is to pull down all the churches, and other useless places of worship, and, with the materials, to erect a magnificent palace for the King; a building really wanted. As the revenues of the bishops and clergy are to be appropriated to the use of the ftate, the Author is a little pofed to know what we are to do with the men! He hints at Botany Bay; but, on fecond thoughts, he prefers the idea of fending them forthwith to America.' Yes,' adds he, America is certainly the place for them. There they may be fure of finding friends, particularly the prelates, who will be welcomed with acclamations, and received with open arms. A few years ago, this would have been thought a fevere sentence for the clergy-even worse than Botany Bay; where, at least, they would run no risk of the fcalping knife, or the tarbarrel and feather-bag: - but now, tempora mutantur !

LAW.

Art. 38: The Country Lawyer: containing large Abftracts of feveral Acts of Parliament, &c. &c. By Dr. John Trufler. 12mo. 35. Sewed. Murray. 1786.

A ufeful compilation for those who are not in poffeffion of Burn's Juftice, the books on parish law; or works of a fimilar kind. 'It is defigned' fays the Author, to give perfons information on fubjects which daily occur, and which they are frequently at a lofs to obtain.' There is an ample index, which will enable the inquirer eafily to find what he is in fearch of. R-m

Art. 39. The Trial at large, in feveral Informations in the Nature of a Quo Warranto, The King against Mr. Amery, one of the Aldermen, and Mr. Monk, one of the Common Councilmen of Chester. Before Sir James Eyre and a Special Jury, at the Affizes at Shrewsbury, August 9, 1786. 8vo. 3s. 6d. Chefter, printed, and fold by Lowndes, London.

This is merely a local affair, relative to the charters of the city of Chefter. To perfons interested in the fubject, this publication may appear to be of importance.

MEDICA L.

Do

Art. 40. An Effay for a nofological and comparative View of the Cynanche Maligna, or putrid fore Throat; and the Scarlatina Anginofa, or Scarlet Fever with Angina. By William Lee Perkins, M. D. Member of the Royal Medical Society at Edinburgh. 8vo. Is. 6d. Walter, &c.

1787.

The extreme danger, with which the difeafes here described are univerfally attended, is a ftrong inducement to the humane phyfician for minutely investigating their nature and determining their characteristics. In the beginning they affume, efpecially in robuft habits, fuch highly inflammatory fymptoms, as may frequently mislead an able, much more a young and incautious practitioner, in the method of cure: an injudicious bleeding on the firft, fecond, or third day of a putrid fever or fore throat, has been productive of more harm

As there would be a great furplus, might it not be applied to the finishing of Carleton House?

than

than the power of medicine could afterwards remove; and we have no doubt, but that even death has frequently been the effect of the evacuating and refrigerating method having been too freely purfued, in fuch putrid cafes as put on, in their first stages, an inflammatory appearance. In cafes of fuch ambiguity, and where the life of the patient is fo immediately concerned, every endeavour to elucidate the difficulties with which the practitioner is perplexed, and to point out the diftinguishing marks of thefe difeafes, is highly laudable; and where that endeavour, as is the cafe in the prefent learned performance, is well executed, the medical art receives confiderable improvement; of which the public at large muft finally reap the benefit.

HORTICULTURE.

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Art. 41. The Gardener's Pocket Dictionary; or a Syftematical Arrangement of Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, Flowers, and Fruits; agreeable to the Linnæan Method, with their Latin and English Names, their Ules, Propagation, Culture, &c. By John Abercrombie, Author of Mawe's Gardener's Kalender, and other Works. 3 Vols. 12mo. 10s. 6d. Boards. L. Davis. 1786.

Mr. Abercrombie has divided this work into four parts, each comprehended under a diftin&t alphabet. The firft alphabet, which is complete in the first volume, contains a catalogue of hardy trees and fhrubs, which are ufually planted in avenues, fhrubberies, groves, &c. The Author has given the generic name, and under it, he enumerates the feveral fpecies that belong to it; he adds to the botanical names, thofe by which each fpecies and variety is known to English gardeners; and gives particular directions for the planting and propagating each fpecies, thewing to what fituations and foil they are beft fuited, with the ufes to which they may be applied. The culture of fruit trees is alfo treated in this part.

The fecond alphabet contains thofe plants which are hardy enough to bear the inclemencies of our climate, and are ufually employed as ornaments for open borders, or for the more material fervice of the table.

The third and fourth alphabets, which compofe the last volume, contain those plants which cannot bear our climate; but are cultivated in green houses, ftoves, or hot beds.

The work is entirely adapted for giving information to the practical gardener; and may be confidered as a ufeful publication, on account of the variety of its contents, and the perfpicuous manner in which the directions are given.

SCHOOL-Book.

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Art. 42. An eafy English Grammar, for the Ufe of Schools. By A. Murray, Schoolmaster. 12mo. 1s. 6d. Newcastle printed. The general plan of this work is given under the three following heads. I. A fhort explanation of all the parts of speech, and their agreement and government reduced to grammatical rules; with notes, and parfing examples, in which every word is refolved at length. II. Additional remarks and obfervations on the feveral particulars of the first part: with rules of composition, or the

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proper arrangement of words in fentences. III. Exercifes of bad English, in two parts.

Works of this kind have so increased on us for years past, that it feems almost wonderful if the Authors reap any advantage from their publications. However, if tolerably executed, they may have their ufe. The prefent performance may affift any person who wishes to acquire a more exact and grammatical knowledge of the English language; and may alfo, we apprehend, be usefully employed by thofe who are engaged in the instruction of youth.

NOVEL.

H. Art. 43. Elfrida: or Paternal Ambition. A Novel. By a Lady. 12mo. 3 Vols. 7s. 6d. fewed. Johnson. 1786.

A very old ftory, and dull as a Comical fellow.' Outline: Two ancient maidens, who take delight in breaking off the marriages which are concerting in their neighbourhood, and railing at thofe which happen to be made who are in love with every man they fee, but who fpread their filken nets in vain: a kind but obftinate father who gives his daughter's hand to the man fhe hates, while her faithful lover is driven to despair: a gay and fashionable husband, who neglects an ami ble wife, who ruins himself by play, and who is at length obliged to quit his country on account of debt, &c. &c.

That part of the narrative which reprefents the husband of Elfrida as returned from abroad, and his wife united to another man, occafioned by a report of the former's death, appears to be borrowed from Southerne's tragedy of the Fatal Marriage; and the incident has certainly fomething affecting in it. But it is the fate of this Writer to mar her tale in the telling, as Shakespeare fays; and the inelegance of her language effectually deftroys the intereft of the fcene. A:B.

POETRY.

Art. 44. Dialogues of Lucian, from the Greek. Vol. III. By Mr. Carr. 8vo. 5s. fewed. Longman. 1786.

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The great encouragement which Mr. Carr hath received in confequence of his former tranflations of the antient wit, hath induced him to proceed in the fame work: and now, he confeffes, he doth not know where he may ftop:-perhaps (fays he) not till I have gone through every page of Lucian, excepting only fuch reading as is never read;' and fuch as no fober man will write. In ages far remote from the prefent, men of wit were fometimes very dull; and fometimes wanted prudence. To creep after dulnefs can only ferve to benumb the fenfes; and to revive the language of riot, is not the moft decent attempt.

Mr. Carr would by no means have his Readers fuppofe that he hath made his tranflation of Lucian a ferious bufinefs; or that he hath neglected any duty of his office for fo idle an employment. Duties,' fays he, far different from converfing with wits have been annexed to my life.-1 have tranflated Lucian in an evening, when I was not in a temper to face a graver author, and wished to forget every unwelcome occurrence of the day.'

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