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doubt of his carrying his point. His manner is all his own,-unri valled, and inimitable,-even by the celebrated Bellman of St. Giles's: • The man in armour-was a sight,

That pleasure gave to each beholder, but
From the dire effect, of the cold steel, on

Modern pigmy bodies, this practice now is laid aside.' P. 12.
Euge! Bravo! thrice worthy thou! and thou alone,
To sing the triumphs

Of that festal day, sacred to civic honors, mirth, and jollity!' P.3 Art. 37. OMH'POY BATPAXOMYOMAXIA. La Guerre des Grenouilles & des Souris, d' Homère, traduite, mot pour mot, de la Version Latine d'Etienne Berglere, imprimée vis-à-vis. Par M. François Cohen, de Kentish Town, agé de huit ans. A quoi on a ajouté une Paraphrase en Vers Anglois, publiée par M. Pope. 4to. 7s. 68. Boards. Boosey, Payne, &c. 1797.

As it is the most pleasing, and perhaps not the least beneficial, part of the critic's office to bestow praise wherever it is due, we willingly give all merited encouragement to youthful authors. Early industry is so valuable an acquirement, that few eminent works are successfully performed without it. We sincerely hope that a lad only eight years old, who is capable of translating a Latin version of Homer into his own native tongue with the fidelity which the specimen before us now exhibits, will not slacken his diligence through want of encouragement; nor be directed from his course of literature, so happily begun, by any untoward circumstances of chance or necessity. A very beautiful frontispiece, designed by Burney, decorates thie

volume.

Art. 38. The Italian Monk, a Play, in Three Acts; written by James Boaden, Esq. and first performed at the Theatre-Royal, Haymarket, Aug. 15, 1797. 8vo. 28. Robinsons.

We noticed, not long ago, a dramatic work by Mr. Boaden with some approbation: this play has less merit, or we are in worse humour. It is an attempt to dramatize some very striking incidents in a novel written by Mrs. Radcliffe; and it displays exactly genius enough in the common scenes to disappoint the reader in those which require a prominence of pathos (if we may use the expression);such as the discovery in the second act. Many persons come and ge without a motive. The plot is not neatly managed it might have been unfolded with fewer personages; and it might have afforded more trying situations. The spectacle is well imagined. From a writer of so much talent as Mr. Boaden possesses, we expected progressive improvement.

Art. 39. The Right to Life. A Sermon preached before the University of Cambridge; by R. Ramsden, M. A. Translated into Verse, with Notes and Illustrations. By Humphrey Horace, Esq. 8vo. IS. Robinsons. 1797.

In our Review for April 1796, p. 476, we, in plain prose, expressed our disapprobation of the main principle of Mr. Ramsden's sermon. The present versifier of that discourse has, in his preface,

done

done the same; and in his rhiming translation of the sermon, he farther endeavours to shew the pernicious tendency of Mr. R.'s doctrines. Had Humphrey Horace, Esquire, executed this design in HORATIAN verse, he would, doubtless, have secured to himself our commendation of both the design and the accomplishment of his undertaking: but, in truth, the present is a dull performance. Had he adopted the Hudibrastic metre, which (it seems) was his original intention, it is probable that he would have succeeded better.

Art. 40. The Wandering Jew; or Love's Masquerade. A Comedy, in Two Acts. By Andrew Franklin. 8vo. IS. Cawthorne. 1797.

This farce, mis-called a comedy, may have a diverting effect on the stage: but, in the closet, it offends by the bold absurdity of the plot and of the evolution, by the broad vulgarity of the dialogue and of the manners, and by the low cast of its morality and sentiments. Yet we observe a vivacity in the situations, an originality in the incidents, and a versatility in the humour, which announce an author of comic powers, capable of improvement.

Art. 41. Cheap Living; a Comedy, in Five Acts; as performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. By Frederick Reynolds. 8vo. 28. Robinsons. 1797.

As in some subjects of natural history the generical resemblance is so strong as almost to destroy specific differences, so the plays of Mr. Reynolds are so much alike in contrivance, style, and cast of humour, that a description of one may nearly serve for the whole. A prodigious bustle of incident, working a way through all sorts of improbabilities; two or three extravagant characters, meant to be of the non-descript class, but rather belonging to the non-existent, and commonly adapted to the talents of some particular actors; a perpetual aim at points and good things, which are frequently little better than quibbles; with an occasional sprinkling of sentimentality for effect; these are the main ingredients, which, variously compounded and denominated, come forth in the shape of a new comedy, as often as the author's purposes require. The stage is obviously the only place where such pieces can display themselves to any advantage. There Mr. R. has generally proved successful; and the solid benefits which he has enjoyed may well compensate for the loss of what probably he has never expected-closet-applause.

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The piece before us is enlivened by a diverting, though outréed, character of an impudent hanger-on, or parasite, called Sponge: but its principal serious character (if so it may be termed) is that of an Eton school-boy, a young baronet, who at sixteen has a complete knowlege of the world, and overflows with spirit, sentiment, and vivacity. This part appears to have been written for Mrs. Jordan, and on her acting its success must entirely have depended. Lest, however, the audience, recognizing her in breeches, should have expected her to resume petticoats before the end of the play, the prologue-writer (borrowing a hint, no doubt, from the Lion in Pyramus and Thisbe) has taken care to assure them that this female is really

a man,

Not

Not merely conceal'd in the manly array,

But a man, bona fide, throughout the whole play.

This we cannot but think one of the most ludicrous strokes in the whole piece.

Art. 42.
A Poem on the Authors of Two late Productions, entitled,
"The Baviad ;" and "Pursuits of Literature." 4to.
Rivingtons, &c. 1797.

Is. 6d. This angry bard most rancorously falls on his brethren of the Baviad, and the Pursuits of Literature, on account of their rancour ; and plenteously bespatters them, for having so liberally dealt about the contents of their Dung-Cart:

Two rhymers from the loins of Envy sprung,

Who spread with liberal hand their load of dung-.'

Many benevolent readers, however, will join with him, particularly, in reprobating the over-heated zeal and alarm of the author of the Pursuits of Literature, with respect to the national kindness shewn to the poor French emigrant clergy. A few lines from what is here said on this topic may be deemed a sufficient specimen of the poem before us :

• On these meek martyrs of the general cause,

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Our holy Vandal, with resistless power,

Would the full storm of fierce destruction shower ;-
Yes, he would rouse Intol❜rance from her sleep,
And from the saving breast of England, sweep

The noblest images of God below;

Men plung'd, for Virtue's sake, in deepest woe:
But Britain scorns the Persecutor's pray'r,

And his wild war-hoop* scatters in the air.'

If the present satirist has failed in his attack on the celebrated writers whom he has ventured, singly, to encounter, it is not through want of good-will to the service in which he is engaged :-but, apparently, his strength is unequal to the task.

Art. 43. Critical Trifles, in a Familiar Epistle to John Fisher, Esq. LL. D. Commissioner for the Spanish Prizes. By the Rev. Charles Edward Stewart, Author of a Collection of " Trifles in Verse." .8vo. Is. 6d. Bickerstaff. 1797.

A little poetry, and a little wit.-Had there been a little more of cach, the readers would, probably, have been a little better disposed to preserve their purchase, by binding it up with Anstey's pleasant performances t: an honour to which the writer evidently aspires. Art. 44. A Trip to the Nore. A Musical Entertainment, in One Act, as performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. By Andrew Franklin, Author of the Wandering Jew,' &c. 8vo. Cawthorne.

1797.

* It should have been war-whoop. + BATH GUIDE, &c.

15.

If

If this little piece had been written for representation on the Point at Portsmouth, we should readily have pronounced it well calculated for the place, and for the audience that would, in course, have attended and applauded the exhibition.

NOVEL.

Art. 45. The Village Curate, and his Daughter Julia, describing her Journey to London. A Tale. 12mo. 3s. 6d. Boards. Riley,

&c.

The style of this tale imitates that of Sterne, with little success; and though the incidents may have been probable in a ruder stage of our manners, they imply much vulgarity of imagination. In many scenes, however, we discover nature, simplicity, and humour; and the six engravings which have been executed to illustrate it do honour to the work,-they are sold for 12s. plain, or 1l. 1s. coloured.

RELIGIOUS and POLEMICAL.

Art. 46. A Charge delivered at the Primary Visitation of the Province of Ulster, in the Year 1796, by William Newcome, D. D. Member of the Royal Irish Academy, and Archbishop of Armagh. 8vo. IS. Dublin. Sold in London by Johnson.

The learning, the piety, and the liberality, of Abp. Newcome, have long rendered him an ornament to the Christian world; and the present charge is such as might be expected from a man deeply impressed with the importance of the clerical character, and zealous for the cause of TRUE RELIGION, and of that peace, harmony, and benevolence, which are its inseparable attendants.-Perhaps no expedient, that human ingenuity could devise, would be so effectual for the reformation of manners, as the constant residence of the clergy on their livings; which is the subject of this discourse. The influence of example, in every individual, is much greater than even our vanity would at first suppose: but in a minister of the gospel, it might be difficult to calculate the full extent of the beneficial consequences which are the result of a conscientious discharge of his duty, by instructing the ignorant, comforting the afflicted, relieving the necessitous, checking every tendency to immorality, and alluring the vicious to a love of virtue, by exhibiting in his own conduct a pattern of Christian purity.

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From these and other considerations, we presume it will be allowed that no subject is more deserving of a place in a visitation charge than the duty of residence; the foundation (as the worthy prelate remarks) of all other ecclesiastical duties." The Archbishop enforces the observance of this duty by arguments drawn from the engagements which every clergyman contracts when admitted to orders, from a conscientious concern for the present and future happiness of the persons committed to his care, and even from a regard to his character; together with a decent respect for the opinion of the world.

Of the manner in which this excellent discourse is written, a judgement may be formed from the following passage:

• Those

• Those professions which men hold in the greatest estimation. are conversant about objects far inferior to that of our ecclesiastical function. To us is committed, as the common but instructive expression is, the cure of souls. Our attention is directed to the highest interests of mankind, to their superior and spiritual part; the due regulation of which secures their true happiness in this life, and for ever. Shall then the duties of other professions be daily and hourly discharged; and shall those of the most important office be neglected for months and years? The stipend allotted to us is very honourable in many instances; and indeed is much larger to the parochial clergy in general than in our sister-island. The payment of these our wages for service due to the national church is wisely enforced by law; that the general propagation of Christian truths, and the ge neral performance of Christian rites, may be secured in the most ef fectual manner; that, unfettered by interested motives, we may exhibit a manly and upright conduct in every trying occurrence of human life; that we may preach the genuine gospel of Christ even in opposition to the prejudices of our hearers, and may censure or rebuke offences notwithstanding the power of the offender; that an independent and lasting provision may create us respect, may furnish us with the means of acquiring useful learning, and may gain us access to pleasing, reputable, and improving society; and that, after the labours of our youth and manhood, we may enjoy, as in reason we ought, a tranquil and honourable old age. But shall we take so ungenerous and unjust an advantage of the privilege by which we are distinguished, as to exact the emoluments annexed to our preferments without performing the conditions expressly stipulated or necessarily implied? What will the world think of us, if we act in so unreasonable and ungrateful a manner? What shall we think of ourselves, in those hours of serious reflection which must occur to all of us by the condition of our nature?'

We need not say more, we should hope, to recommend this charge to the serious attention of our clergy.

Art. 47. A Summary of the Evidence of Christianity. By J. Faw 12mo. IS. Knott, &c. 1797

cett, M. A.

Art. 48. An Essay on the Wisdom, the Equity, and the Bounty of Divine Providence. By John Fawcett, A. M. 12mo. 4d. Knott.

With unaffected pleasure we observe, and record, the efforts of independent men to diffuse a knowlege of the evidences of Christianity, and to revive a zeal for decaying morality. Although our inquiries may not lead us to embrace the almost Manichean doctrines of Mr. Wilberforce, and although we suspect the worthy author of the tracts now before us of some leaning towards the tenets of that school, we attribute the purest motives to his exertions, and expect from them no inconsiderable utility.

The first of these pamphlets is the most valuable: yet it has, perhaps, the defect of insisting too much on the miracles that are less

* See vol. xxiii. p. 241.

completely

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