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MONTHLY CATALOGUE,

For DECEMBER, 1797.

EDUCATION.

Art. 17. Pastoral Lessons, and Parental Conversations; intended as a Companion to A. L. Barbauld's Hymns in Prose.

Darton and Harvey.

12mo. 15.

THIS imitation of the Hymns for Children by Mrs. Barbauld is by no means an equally finished performance. A part of it is translated from the German of Sturm.

Art. 18. A New Universal French Grammar. By Nicolas Hamel, Rector of the Town of l'Aigle in Normandy. 2d Edit. 12mo. 38. bound. Lee and Hurst.

Of this work the first edition was noticed in our 22d vol. p. 90; it here appears improved and augmented by some dialogues on the history of France.

Art. 19. Grammatical Exercises on the French Language compared with the English. By Nicolas Hamel. 12mo. 2s. 6d. bound. Lee and Hurst.

These Exercises are conveniently constructed for the use of those who have used the author's grammar in acquiring the rudiments of the French language. We are less satisfied with M. Hamel's English than with his French.

Art. 20. Grammaire Anglaise comparée avec la Grammaire Française, &c. &c. Par Nicolas Salmon. 8vo. 4s. sewed. Dilly. 1797: This work is intended to facilitate the acquisition of the English language by foreigners, especially natives of France. It is well enough adapted for that purpose, yet we observe here and there a violation of English idiom in the translations, e. g. p. 25. Celà est au delà de votre intelligence: that is without your comprehensionwe say beyond. Venez un dimanche, Come upon a Sunday.-We have not, however, met with any similar work equally good.

Art. 21, Guide pour la Langue Anglaise pour la Langue Française, &c. &c. Par Nicolas Salmon. 8vo. 2s. 6d. sewed. Dilly.

1797.

The author of the above-mentioned Grammaire Anglaise here offers to the public another work adapted for the use of learners, which contains detached phrases and continuous specimens of French writing, accompanied with a translation, often elegant indeed, but scarcely close and verbal enough for the information of beginners. Montesquieu's beautiful fable of the Troglodytes, that excellent antidote to anarchy, opens this well-chosen collection.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Art. 22. Botanical Dialogues, between Hortensia and her Four Children; designed for the Use of Schools. By a Lady. 8vo. pp. 400. 78. 6d. Boards. Johnson. 1797.

Though

Though we very much doubt whether the scientific study of botany ean ever be well adapted to children at the school-age, whose attention is necessarily occupied with things of more general application, and who can scarcely be enough interested in a science, as such, to undergo voluntarily the labour of learning its rudiments, yet we are unwilling to throw any discouragements in the way of a laudable attempt to enlarge the bounds of knowlege, and to augment the store of rational and innocent gratifications. Farther, a well planned introductory work, though it may not come into use so soon as the author expected, cannot fail of being useful at one time or another.

The present attempt to facilitate the agreeable study of botany, sanctioned as it is by the approbation of Sir Brooke Boothby and Dr. Darwin, cannot be thought a trifling performance. Its language is clear and elegant; and the dryness of a mere explanation of the Linnean system is relieved by the introduction of various amusing and interesting facts, and detailed observations. It cannot, indeed, pretend to the sprightliness of Rousseau and his translator Martyn: but this is perhaps a necessary consequence of its closer adherence to the science. The work is illustrated by plates, and has the valuable addition of a minute analysis of its contents.

Art. 23. A short History of Insects, (extracted from Works of Credit,) designed as an Introduction to the Study of that Branch of Natural History, and as a Pocket Companion to those who visit the Leverian Museum. 12mo. 38. 6d. Bell, Oxford-street, &c. This little work consists of short descriptions of the genera of insects, with some of the most remarkable particulars belonging to them, illustrated by outline engravings, and seems well adapted to the purposes mentioned in the title-page.

LAW.

Art. 24. A Digest of so much of the Law respecting Borough Elections, as concerns Cities and Boroughs in general, their Representation, and Returning Officers; the Carriage and Delivery of the Writ; the History, Form, Conveyance, and Delivery of the Precept; the Duty of the Returning Officer, previous to the Election; the Form and Effect of Decisions and last Determinations; the Right of Electors for Boroughs in general, and of Burgage Tenants, Freeholders, Leaseholders, and Copyholders in particular. By Samuel Haywood, Serjeant at Law. 8vo. pp. 454 3s. 6d. Boards. Johnson. 1797;

The Digest of the Law respecting County Elections, of which we gave an account in our 3d vol. N. S. p. 466, may now be considered, according to the information of the author, as the first volume of the general work, and as such is cited in the present publication.—This part (which is intended as a continuation, not a completion, of Mr. Haywood's Plan) has been conducted, as nearly as the nature of the subject would admit, in the same manner with the former volume. — The portion now published, (Mr. H. observes,) contains some general observations on cities and boroughs, and their returning officers; and then traces the writ through the hands of the messenger attend

ing

ing the great seal, to those of the high sheriff of the county, and the
precept from the high sheriff to its delivery to the returning officer,
and points out his duty preparatory to the election.' The subject
in the first volume till after the delivery of the writ
was not taken up
to the high sheriff; the chapter on the carriage and delivery of it was
then omitted, but is inserted in the present work.

As the voters for boroughs cannot, like those for counties, be com prehended under one general description, the author has found it convenient to arrange them under the following classes: those who claim to vote in right, first, of tenure, secondly of residency, or thirdly, as members of a corporate body.-The first of these, namely the right of voting by tenure, is alone treated in this volume; and at the same time the different claims of burgage tenants, leaseholders, and copyholders, are discussed.-A separate chapter is allotted to the consideration of the Rights of Electors in general, and the Law concerning the last Determinations of the House on Select Committees.

The author acknowleges his obligation to Messrs. Dealtry and Barlow, of the Crown-office, for furnishing him with the curious information filed against Billinghurst, which is inserted in the Addenda.

These are the contents of the present publication; for the appear ance of the remainder of the work, the learned Serjeant acknowleges no time can be fixed, though he declares that the design of completing it is not abandoned. From the manner in which this performance is executed, and which is highly creditable both to the talents and the industry of the author, we are induced to express our hopes that the undertaking will not be relinquished, till the original plan is fulfilled. Art. 25. A Syllabus, or Heads of Lectures publicly delivered in the University of Cambridge. By Edward Christian, A. M. Professor of pp. 90. 2s. 6d. Butterworth, the Laws of England. 8vo.

1797.

This publication has been drawn up for the convenience of those gentlemen who attend the Common Law Lectures at Cambridge. It is difficult to form a decided opinion on the merit of these Lectures from the mere outline which is here presented of them:-but it is only justice to the author to observe that the subjects appear judiciously chosen, and well arranged.

Art. 26. A complete Collection of Abstracts of Acts of Parliament and Cases, with Opinions of the Judges upon the following Taxes; viz. upon Houses, Windows, Servants, Horses, Carriages, and Dogs: the Duties upon Hair-Powder Certificates; and also the Twenty per Cent. upon Assessed Taxes; together with the several Deter the Post-Horse Act. By John Smee, of the Exminations upon 8vo. 2 Vols. PP. 750% chequer, Westminster, Gentleman, 12s. Boards. Butterworth. 1797. To those persons who are not in possession of the Statutes at Large, the present Collection of Abstracts will prove an useful publication, be cause it will furnish them with all the information which they may require, to regulate their conduct in regard to the payment of the taxes now so freely imposed on the public. To the professional reader, who may be supposed to have the larger works from which this Abridgment

is

is compiled, it will also prove serviceable; because the important matter of the acts is compressed in a narrow compass, and their object and meaning are rendered more distinct and certain.-Mr. Smee appears to be entitled to the praise of accuracy and fidelity; the most useful qualities that could be exerted in such an undertaking.

Art. 27. An Essay on the Law of Usury. By Mark Ord, Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo. pp. 190. 55. Boards. Brooke. 1797. We have read this work with much pleasure, because it gives all the requisite information on an important branch of law, in clear and distinct language. The author has divided his subject under the following heads the Nature of Usury; what Contracts are usurious; how far Usury affects the Validity of the Contract, and how Usury is punishable. In each of these separate chapters, he has brought forwards and arranged the Cases, belonging to each, with accuracy and judgment.

Art. 28. A Treatise on Copyholds. By Charles Watkins, Esq. of the Middle Temple, Author of an Essay on the Law of Descents, &c. 8vo. pp. 450. 9s. 6d. Boards. Pheney. 1797.

Mr. Watkins has already made himself known to the public in a respectable point of view by an Essay on the Law of Descents, and by an edition of Chief Baron Gilbert's Law of Tenures; both of which publications have been noticed in our Reports.-In each of these works, but particularly in the last, the author has shewn that he is possessed of that information, which is necessary for the elucidation of the present difficult and important subject.-A Treatise on the Law of Copyholds has long been a Desideratum, and we are happy in seeing it undertaken by so able an hand. We are informed in the Preface that a second volume will be necessary to complete the plan; the present contains the Doctrine of Manors, Grants, Surrenders, Entails, Remainders, Executory Interests and Trusts, Admission, Fines, Forfeitures, Extinguishment and Suspension, and Enfranchisement; under which heads are included the Nature, Creation, Transfer, and Destruction of Copyhold Interests. In the remainder of the work, if Mr. W.'s health and professional engagements will permit him to resume the subject, it is proposed to treat of Courts,Customs, (comprehending the doctrine of Free-Bench, Curtesy, Descents, &c.) Services, as Heriots, &c. &c.; and as such second volume (observes our author) will in many parts relate more immediately to local matter than the present one, the communication of any curious entries, customs, &c. relative to particular manors, will be much esteemed.'— Besides an accurate and comprehensive reference to the printed Cases on Copyhold Law, some MS. Cases, communicated by the friendship of Mr. Butler, are inserted in the present performance.

Thinking highly of the merit of this work, we recommend it with confidence to the attention of the public; and with unbiassed sincerity express our hopes that the author will be induced and enabled to per severe in his undertaking, till he has completed his original design.

Art. 29.
The Bankrupt Laws. By William Cooke of Lincoln's
Inn, Esq. The 4th Edition, including the Cases to the End of
Trinity

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Trinity Term 1797. 1797.

Two Vols. 8vo. 14s. Boards. Brooke.

The third edition of this useful work was published in the year 1793, and was noticed in our twelfth volume, N. S. p. 208; and the praise which we there bestowed on the author, for his persevering attempts to increase the value of his performance, is equally merited by him on the present occasion. We therefore content ourselves with informing our readers that a fourth edition, incorporating the later decisions on the subjects of Bankrupt Law, is now published. That a fourth edition should be so soon demanded is of itself a sufficient recommendation of the work.

POETRY and DRAMATIC.

Art. 30. The Church, a Poem. By the Rev. John Sharpe, B. A. 4to. 2s. 6d. Vernor and Hood. 1797.

This is a Concio ad Clerum in blank verse; sometimes, indeed, descending from the dignified gravity of its nature, for the salutary purpose of giving to invective the additional force of ridicule. The topics, though not new, are judiciously chosen; and the poetry, though not of the highest order, is yet above mediocrity. The similes are brought forwards with spirit, though with little attention to analogy and illustration. Those who emerge from curacies to bishoprics are compared to islands rising out of the ocean; and an audience infatuated by the doctrines of grace and faith, to the exclusion of good works, is likened to children who are seduced to taste the deadly nightshade by the beauty of the berries.

We think that the author is in his zenith when he quits the path of satire, to expatiate on the duties of an useful and respectable divine. We produce, therefore, the following passages as favourable specimens of Mr. Sharpe's sentiment and diction.

Oft will the faithful shepherd of his flock,
Nursing the growing intellect, inform
His rustic scholar in the ways of heav'n;
Oft thro' the verdant path of nature lead,
With kindest industry, the ductile stream
Of knowledge, springing from the gloomy cave
Of darkest ignorance; point the fair expanse
Fill'd by God's hand creative, with the stores
Of human pleasures, objects ever new,
Fresh with delight, throughout the green domain,
All whisp'ring praise, and all subservient still
To man, the noble potentate of all.

Nor will the pastor's zealous care subside

With tale of nature's wondrous works sublime,
As oft his list'ning auditor demands

With eye inquisitive, a farther view
Thro' the clear optic of religion's glass:

Soon his untutor'd proselyte shall learn,

Tho' nature's operations loudly speak

Th' Almighty architect, whose parent hand

Clothes with such matchless skill the vast terrenę,

And

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