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"Five years, she now hath been his wife, Whose faith will never vary; But whilst he holds one spark of lifeThat spark shall burn for MARY." p.112. We take our leave of Mr. Paynter with considerable satisfaction,

72. Fifteenth Report of the Directors of the African Institution, &c. 8vo. pp. 108.

13. Abstract of the Information recently laid on the Table of the House of Com mons on the Subject of the Slave Trade. 8vo. pp. 180.

WHEREVER a high profit attends illicit commerce, wretches will be found to engage in it, and the proper remedy, if it deals in murder (see Abstract, p. 85), and similar black crimes, (for what else is the Slave Trade?) is summary execution of the parties convicted. If the Captain and Mates of every vessel engaged in this nefarious traffick (and we do not speak in passion) were hanged at the yard. arm of the capturing vessel, for only a year or two, none would hereafter be found to run the risk. There are numerous situations, in which such military processes are absolutely indis. pensable, e.g. by this means Buonaparte stopped the nocturnal assassinations at Rome. Wretches more vile than the Masters of Slave-ships

cannot exist; and the death of one of them may save the lives of a thousand Africans. This is the only sug. gestion (and murderers ought to be killed) which we can offer in aid of the excellent intentions of the Society, who have the warmest prayers of every person worthy the name of man for their complete success. The Reports exhibit their admirable energy, and are luminously drawn up.

74. Hudibras. By Samuel Butler; with Dr. Grey's Annotations. A New Edition, corrected and enlarged. In Three Volumes. 8vo. C. and H. Baldwyn.

OF this work it is unnecessary to speak at any great length; it is an improvement on Dr. Grey's elaborate edition, as many errors have been amended, and much subsidiary information supplied in the form of Notes. The original designs, however, of Hogarth, are omitted, and their places supplied by modern illustrations. On the whole, this edition deserves great praise, as a spirited service to literature, and as an act of justice to But

[Nov,

ler himself. Views are given of Sir Samuel Luke's house at Cople, in Bedfordshire, and of Butler's tene ment at Strensham, in the county of Worcester; as well as portraits of Butler, Lilly, and Dr. Grey. It is speedily, we understand, to be followed by a new edition of the ‘Remains' as published by Thyer, from the MSS. of Mr. Longueville, with additional notes and plates.

75. Report of the Proceedings of the Phrenological Society. 8vo. pp. 21. WE all know that Phrenology professes to determine the moral and intellectual character of man by cerebral appearances. We had the following fact from a celebrated man. When in company with Spurzheim, he observed to him, that he (Spurzheim) would not suppose that the speaker had been very fond of Mathematicks in his youth, and acquired a considerable proficiency in them. Spurzheim then looked at his head, and observed, that he saw little or no signs of the Organ of Calculation. True, replied his friend, it was with difficulty I could comprehend a sum in arithmetick. We also know, that when a man hanged for murder was the Lecturers pointed out to the Pudissected at St. Thomas's Hospital, pils the Organ of Murder, as extremely prominent. We agree, however, with Dr. Elliotson (in his translation of Blumenbach, p. 130), “that the enumeration of faculties and or. gans by Gall and Spurzheim may and probably is very imperfect and incorrect, and that infinitely more rẻmains to be done."-We, therefore, proceedings may ultimately lead to wish success to the Society, whose

some very curious and important discoveries.

1821.]

stances are quoted in Spence's MS notes upon Virgil. The first person who wore a close modern crown is Justinian; and the subject is exhausted by Paschal. (Paris, 1610, 4to, and Lugd. Bat. 8vo.) Custom proves no more than the existence of a thing, whether it be a right or an abuse; and there is no doubt, that this Champion is correct in stating, p. 55, “that the Coronation of a Queen consort is merely an honourable but matrimonial distinction, in the gift of her husband." If it had been otherwise, the summonses of the Peers and Peeresses for the Coronations of Queens, would have been issued in their own names, not those of the Kings. We consider the thing so plain, as not to require disquisition: and are surprized, that so obvious a circumstance, in negation of right, did not occur to this Champion, who, with his Harry Brougham, &c. p. 6, censures that very able person, as a Man, for his conduct as an Advocate. Perhaps all parties take this liberty; but it is inconsistent with the principles of the Gentleman's Magazine to consider it fair in any; though we know, "les passions ne pardonnent point à ceux, qui professent des principes contraires à ceux qu'ils cheris

sent."

77. The Reply of the People to the Letter from the King. London, 8vo, pp. 77. MANY good things occur in this Pamphlet, but so momentous and various, as to require dissertations which would fill a volume. Every public topick of the day is discussed. We quote an ingenious observation:

"The setting loose by redemption (were it possible) of the capital debt of the nation, would raise the price of laud to double its value, and consequently advance every article of subsistence in adequate proportion." P. 29.

The remarks on the Property-tax, p. 31, are very able; but under dis tress, (and this followed the close of the war,) it could not have been paid; and four out of five embarrassing political questions are very summarily and excellently settled by time. As to writing to the King, that august personage can constitutionally notice nothing, not previously discussed in Parliament.

We know two marriages, which were rendered very unhappy by in

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ferences, similar to those deduced from the early pregnancy of the Queen. We therefore beg to say, without the smallest allusion to that case, that such inferences are deemed untenable by physiologists. See Elliotson's Blumenbach," p. 303, note B. 2d edit. As these inferences are reprinted in this pamphlet, from the Letter to the King, we apprehend, that they may occasion injury to many innocent women, and for that reason only have noticed them.

78. Observations on the Increase of Fees and Costs in the Courts of Law and Equity, &c. pp. 51. Butterworth, &c. IF the lower Law-officers were stipended only, business would be con ducted in a way ruinous to suitors, through neglect, covert bribery, &c. and if fees become too extortionate, justice may be seriously impeded, and the revenue of the stamps sustain great injury. The quotas of fees should in our opinion be regulated under a commission from the Judges, and be submitted to Parliament. We cannot enter into the subject without incurring odium, perhaps not without doing mischief, at least not without playing with that tremendous fire-arm, "the glorious uncertainty of the Law," a fire-arm very apt to burst, e. g. high attornies do not practise the meanness mentioned, p. 26, and consider it only as a check upon teazing clients.

80. The History of George Desmond, founded on Facts which occurred in the East Indies, and now published as a useful Caution to young Men going out to that Country. Small octavo, pp. 290.

Scatcherd and Letterman.

81. Retrospection, a Tale. By Mrs. Tay

lor of Ongar. 12mo, pp. 230. Taylor and Hessey.

WE class these well-intended Volumes together, as though wholly different in subject, matter, and style, they have the same benevolent end in view, the amelioration of the

human

82. Table Talk, by WILLIAM HASLITT, consists of sixteen original Essays, written in a natural and unaffected style. The goodhumoured remarks interspersed throughout appear to be gleaned chiefly from actual observation of men and manners, and considerable intercourse with society. The peculiar characteristics of different individuals are admirably pourtrayed. The Essay 66 on People with one Idea" is an excellent pourtraiture of the eccentricities of human nature. The "Character of Cobbett" is humorously drawn. In short, many original ideas are introduced, which may afford ample compensation for the time devoted to the perusal of this Volume.

83. A Clue to Young Latinists, and The Greek Terminations, alphabetically arranged, by JOHN CAREY, LL.D. may be considered as valuable acquisitions to the youthful tyro in the study of the learned languages. One of the greatest difficulties that exists in acquiring the rudiments of Latin and Greek is that of understanding the various terminations, which cannot be discovered by the aid of a common dictionary. The infinite care bestowed on the arrangement of these little productions, particularly the Greek Terminations, reflects considerable credit on the talents and perseverance of the intelligent Author. We present one example from each. For instance, the Latin suppose the tyro to commence with the first line of Virgil, "Tityre, tu patulæ," &c. He wishes to learn the termination of " Tityre," and accordingly searches for E. He finds it thus illustrated: "E-Voc. sing. of nouns in US or OS of 2d decl. as Domin-us, Manal-os, voc. Domin-e, Mænal-e. In the same manner the Greek terminations are exemplified; for instance, in the first word of the Iliad, Mavi, the scholar will refer to

, and find it thus given: "y-Acc. sing. from nom.-is, as Пoλ-1, Пap-1v, from Πολις, Παρις.” The various significations of the same termination are thus clearly defined.

[Nov.

of temper, and is at length, by sad experience, convinced of the error of her ways, and of the superior happiness attending the performance of Christian duties even in this life.

Retrospection, however, places Religion in no, gloomy point of view, but forms a practical illustration of the advantages of sound morality, and benevolent affection. It is interspersed with some sensible remarks in Mrs. Taylor's best style; and her productions have frequently met with our warm approbation.

84. Directions for Settlers in Upper Canada appear to convey some important information to those labouring under the mania of emigration. The statements are doubtless given from a just knowledge of the particulars related, and that knowledge has possibly been gleaned from actual experience. But we apprehend the tide of emigration is so far subsiding, as to render the "plain directions" of this "English Farmer, settled in Upper Canada," utterly useless. The writer himself observes, although an encourager of emigration, that "many have expended large sums of money in search of farms and grantable lands, and have found themselves, at the expiration of two or three years, in more hopeless circumstances, and with worse prospects, than before their departure from their native country." these "plain Directions" will avert so dire a calamity, the publication may be considered as inestimable to all whom it may concern.-The map of Upper Canada, with its subdivisions into townships, is admirably executed.

If

85. Polar Scenes, is a neat little work, translated from the German of M. Camper, and exhibits the Voyages of Heemskirk and Barenz to the Northern Regions; with the Adventures of four Russian Sailors at the Island of Spitzbergen. It is embellished with 36 copper plates; and, though intended for juvenile readers, contains much that will amuse persons of all ages.

We recommend it as a pleasing Christmas present.

86. Scripture Melodies, by a CLERGYMAN, breathe the genuine spirit of piety and devotion. The versification is frequently pleasing and harmonious; but the ideas are scarcely entitled to the merit of originality; neither are the subjects, on the whole, likely to command an extensive sale of the work.

87. The Secretary's Assistant will prove highly useful to young correspondents,

and

1821.]

and even afford information to those whose avocations or connexions require their occasional correspondence with persons of superior rank. This little work exhibits the various and most correct modes of superscribing, commencing, and concluding letters to persons of every degree of rank, with many valuable particulars. The Compiler seems to have used considerable diligence in ensuring accuracy.

88. RUDDIMAN'S Rudiments of the Latin Tongue has received several judicious corrections and additions by the learned JOHN HUNTER, LL. D. Professor of Humanity of St. Andrew's. The Editor has subjoined a useful Appendix, containing an elementary view of the Tenses of the Latin Verb.

89. Mr. C. V. A. MARCEL has submitted to the Public a Practical Method of teaching the Living Languages, applied to the French. It is partly deduced from the new systems of education, adopted both in Great Britain and on the Continent, and points out several defects of the old method. The plan proposed may be considered as a combination of the systems of Bell, Lancaster, Pestalozzi, and others; consequently it cannot claim the merit of originality; but conveys many practical and ingenious hints.

It

90. An Italian and English Grammar,from Vergani's Italian and French Grammar, has been arranged by M. GUICHENEY. is very much simplified, and may suit beginners; but it is not calculated to qualify the student for a profound Italian scholar.

91. The Juvenile Miscellany, compiled and arranged by Mr. R.HUMBER, is profess edly intended for the use of Schools, and private tuition. It contains a catechismal analysis of Geography, Astronomy, Chro, nology, Botany, Heraldry, Trade, Commerce, &c. This little publication is certainly extremely varied in its subjects; but it is never likely to attract the same attention, or prove of the same utility, as Pinnock's or Irving's Catechisms.

92. Esop in Rhyme, by Mr. JEFFERYS TAYLOR, is written in very simple and familiar versification, and exactly suited to the comprehension of children. Each Fable is accompanied by an illustrative engraving. The designs are certainly executed in the most miserable and burlesque style, and would be disgraceful to an artist of acknowledged merit; but the bold relief of light and shade is so powerfully introduced by the Engraver, that the representations throughout are well calcu lated to produce a strong effect and deep GENT. MAG. November, 1821.

449

impression on infant minds; and this, we imagine, is the chief object of the Publication.

93. The Rambles of my Uncle Toby are attempted imitations of Sterne's Sentimental Journey. The style is easy and unaffected, and the incidents natural; but in true sensibility and genuine sentimentality, the writer, who is understood to be a poor Curate, is as much inferior to the immortal prototype he copies, as the Moon is to the Sun, or a meteoric exhalation to the Moon.

94. Dr. IRVING is still proceeding with the publication of his Catechisms for the use of Schools. The Catechisms of Botany, General Geography, and Geography of Scotland, manifest that judicious taste, in the selection of useful and necessary informaWorks have been so distinguished. tion, for which Dr. Irving's preceding little

95. The Scientific Monitor, by Mr. M.SEAMAN, of North-hill Academy, Colchester, embraces, in a slight degree, almost every subject connected with general Literature or Science. It is intended as a sequel to the "Scholar's Remembrancer," and is introduced by a modest Preface, stating some reasonable objections to former works of a similar nature. Most probably some of his successors may also express dissatisfaction at the scanty information contained under each particular head; and perhaps not without reason.

96. Mr. ACCUM's Art of making Wine from Native Fruits will be found a useful guide to domestic circles. It exhibits, in a philosophical and practical manner, the art of preparing the several varieties of wine which may be procured from fruits of domestic growth. We should warmly recommend it to the attention of all good housewives who are desirous of promoting the comforts of the "social board." A more skilful preceptor than Mr. Accum does not exist.

97. We are glad to observe the SOCIETY OF ANCIENT SCOTS still proceed, with so much credit to themselves, with the monthly publication of the Lives of Eminent Scotsmen. Part IV. recently published, contains the Memoirs of the Poets Hume, Bellender, Boyd, Wilkie, Fergusson, Mickle, Geddes, and Grahame. The portraits are neatly engraved on steel.

98. Rome, a Poem in Two Parts, is written in a very superior and energetic style. The verses in p. 113, alluding to Moore's Anacreon, are of the most brilliant description.

LITERARY