so many places in Scotland, (as Kilrewel, Kilpatrick, &c.) signifies cell. Abernethy, however, continued the seat of regal and ecclesiastic authority, until the overthrow of the Pightish monarchy in 840, when Kenneth II. conferred on the Bishop of St. Andrews the primacy of all Scotland. The name and order of the Culdees ceased about the beginning of the 14th century, after which we no longer hear of them.

In 1471, Pope Sixtus IV. to silence the pretensions of the Archbishop of York to a precedencie over the church of Scotland, erected the see of St. Andrews into ane archbishoprick and primitial see, making the incumbent there primate and metropolitane of all Scotland.' The cathedral church was 160 years in building; and considering the time it was demolisht (viz. in June 1559) it stood entire 240 years; and from the foundation to the razing thereof (occasioned by a sermon of John Knoxes against idolatrie, preached at Crail to a giddy lawless multitude) was just 400 years.'.

We learn from the editor, that the general appearance of the remains of this large building (the cathedral church) makes a curious contrast with the entire steeple of St. Rule which stands beside it, and which is vastly more than twice as old. St. Rule's steeple is built of a much harder and more compact stone than the cathedral, and the masonry is also much better. The architecture of St. Rule is not Gothic, the arches above the doors and windows being uninterrupted semicircles.'

To the Scottish antiquary, Mr. Martin's composition may probably give pleasure; on others, it will operate as a soporific, and in some it may create nausea.

Art. 22.

NOVEL S.

Constantia Neville; or, The West Indian. By Helena Wells, Author of the Step Mother, &c. 12mo. 3 Vols. 158.

sewed. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1800.

A vein of moralizing runs through this performance, which is frequently of too censorious a cast: but in the preface the writer • disclaims all personality;' though she professes to be aware that. many will find likenesses to her portraits in individuals, to whose habits of life and modes of thinking she is an utter stranger.' Among those remarks which are more unequivocally of a general nature, we are sorry to observe that many of the sentiments of this lady betray a degree of intolerance, and a want of liberality, which ought not to escape animadversion. That unhappy portion of the human species, the Negroes in the West Indies, and also the mixed race called Mulattoes, are mentioned as beings with whom to associate is contamination. Political opinions, likewise, are introduced, without their Being necessary to the story.

The incidents in this novel appear, for the most part, to have been 'designed as representations of common life; and the language is easy and natural: but neither the sentiments nor the characters introduced possess much animation. The share of interest, which the story of Constantia might naturally excite, suffers some diminution from a greater portion of distress being attached to a few untoward circumstances, than they could reasonably be supposed to produce.

Art.

Art. 23. The History of Rinaldo Rinaldini, Captain of Banditi. Translated from the German of Vulvius. By J. Hinckley, Esq. 12mo. 3 Vols, Ios. 6d. Boards. Longman and Rees.

1800.

In a preface by the English editor, the reader is informed that the translation of this history was not undertaken by him till he had the fullest assurances, private as well as public, of the authenticity of the principal facts." The adventures, however, independently of the mixture of the supernatural which is plentifully thrown into the nar rative, have an appearance of the marvellous. Yet they do not possess the merit of variety, since most of them have great similitude with

each other.

Mr. Hinckley recommends the work for the moral instruction. which it is capable of communicating; remarking, that it is parti cularly valuable in illustrating that the most commanding of all talents, and those which give an individual the most power either to benefit or injure mankind, are energy and promptitude of mind. Surely a boastful relation of actions, which are the result of ill-directed energies, is not calculated to serve the cause of morality. The profession of a robber may admit of virtues, but vices are inseparable from his occupation. If a such a man be generous, from what source is his generosity supplied?-The praise of greatness of mind,' even such greatness of mind as the profession of a robber admits of being displayed, is ill applied to the hero of this story; who is vain-glorious and fickle, ferocious to his followers, revengeful to his enemies, and

an assassin.

Art. 24. Mystery. By Francis Lathom, Author of Men and Manners. 12mo. 2 Vols. 7s. sewed. Symonds. 1800. The story in this novel, as in most other mysterious productions of the kind, is not limited to sober probabilities. It awakens interest, however, and the incidents are not of the hackneyed kind. Some parts are scarcely within the line of decorum: but the whole is well calculated to exemplify the truth of the reflection contained in the motto to the work: "How narrow is the path of rectitude, and how much may be lost by the slightest deviation." (Dr. Johnson.) Art. 25. The Neighbourhood, a Tale. 12mo. 2 Vols. 78. sewed. Black. 18co.

By a variety of coinciding events, an agreeable neighbour hood is here supposed to be gradually collected in a pleasant part of the country, and under the most favourable circumstances. The narrative is rather composed of sketches, than of pictures sufficiently filled up to create permanent interest: but there is in the author's manner a lively vein of humourous description, which will scarcely fail to afford entertainment. The history of Mr. Callico is the least amusing part of the work, and has very little, if any, connection with The Neighbourhood.

Art. 26. Filial Indiscretions, or the Female Chevalier. 10s. 6d. sewed. Robinson 1799.

3 Vols.

12me.

The principal incident in this novel appears to be taken from Farquhar's comedy of the Inconstant: the heroine, in imitation of Oriana, dis

guises herself, and attends on her Mirabel in the character of his valet. The work is written with considerable spirit: but some parts manifest a glow and licence of description, which will not be suitable to every class of readers. The author has also introduced much political satire, which has less of poli: h than of strength; and we wish that some of the remarks, and also some of the circumstances related, respecting Ireland, (which is made the scene of one part of the story,) had been omitted. If they be fictitious, they are ill-judged, as they tend to keep alive remembrances which had better be suffered to sink into oblivion: if they be founded in fact, they should not have appeared without the real designations. Such narratives, when advanced otherwise than as specific accusations, have all the effect of general censure; and the mischief of general censure in this case is, that the shade which is thrown over the public character affords a sanctuary to the particular offender.

Art. 27. The Batavians; or, Virtue and Valour crowned by Perseverance. From the French of C. Bitaubé, Member of the National Institute of France, and of the R. Academy of Sciences and Belles Lettres of Prussia. 12mo. 2 Vols. 75. sewed. Robinsons. 1799.

The reader may see an account of the original of this Prose Epic, in the Appendix to our xxiid vol. p. 511. We shall therefore now only notice the merits of the version. The translator says, he has endeavoured rather to convey the ideas of his author than to pay the same strict attention to his exact expressions as he would have done in ordinary prose; for he could as soon have thought of a close literal version of the "Iliad" or the "Paradise Lost," as of the "Batavians;" -in short, he has throughout aimed at the same style, as from an attentive consideration of the original, he throught the ingenious author would himself have used if he had composed his work in English.'

This method, which requires the original not only to be well understood but to be studied con amore, is perhaps the only true mode of imparting the spirit of an original work to a translation.-The fol lowing extract will serve as a specimen of the manner in which the present translator has executed his undertaking:

In the midst of that august assembly, appeared Charles and Philip. Charles, enfeebled by age, and still more by the emotion of his heart, leaned for support on my arm. Seated on a throne more lofty than that where sat the youthful monarch, he descended from it,and with his own hand investing his son with the regal purple." My son," said he, "better pleased to see you reign with glory and moderation than to retain the sovereign power in my own possession, I spontaneously resign the sceptre to your hand, before death comes to wrest it from my grasp."-He then gave a short summary of his own exploits: he regretted-tardy unavailing repentance!- he regretted the tyrannic use he had made of his authority-the blood he had spilled-and laid his injunctions on Philip to repair his father's errors, and alleviate the miseries of his subjects.

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Philip dropped on his knees before his father,, who uttered the ost affecting prayers for his welfare; while the people, deeply im

pressed

pressed by this heart-touching spectacle, burst into tears. The moment was now come, when, in conformity to an established custom held sacred by our progenitors, Philip was to bind himself by a solemn vath to respect our laws. Then it was that his native pride, his secret designs, betrayed themselves to view. He long remained in hesitation: at length he pronounced the oath-pronounced it in a disdainful tone-but heaven and earth were witnesses to his words.

Charles, then turning towards that people among whom he had spent the chief portion of his life, and whom he now beheld for the last time-attempted to address to them his parting adieux: but grief choaked his utterance; and the sentiments he wished to express were no otherwise conveyed to the assembly, than by the impassioned language of his eyes and whole countenance. At this moment, the people were wholly absorbed in their regret: sobs and cries alternately echoed through the crowd. Charles, now shaken by encreasing emotion, was seen to totter: I myself was affected to the soul, and could scarce support my trembling frame.-Philip alone envied his father this last testimony of national sensibility: he laboured however to dissemble his resentment; but the scrutinising eye of the public detected the inward workings of his soul, and every heart was frozen with fearful anticipation of futurity.'

Art. 28. Count di Novini; or, The Confederate Carthusians. A Neapolitan Tale. 12mo. 3 Vols. 10s. 6d. sewed. Robinsons.

1799.

The commencement of this tale promises but little entertainment, for the ideas seem to be crude and indigested, as if the author had begun his task without any preconcerted plan. After the first half of the first volume, however, the story acquires a more regular and natural appearance; the style of writing becomes superior to that of the common order of novels; and the conduct of the characters is better preserved: though the circumstance of Novini consenting to take the opiate, and his previous proposal to make the first experiment of its effects on a domestic, place his understanding and his principles below their general level. Some of the dialogues are continued to a great length: but they are enlivened with much ingenious and acute ar gument. In one or two instances, religious subjects are mentioned with too much levity. A few sentences will afford some idea of the work.

Then should it be necessary to the success of any undertaking to employ either open force or artifice, you hold it more honourable to adopt the former expedient?

Undoubtedly, my dear Count. Why does the general suffrage of mankind give the lion the appellation of noble and generous? Only because he disdains to lurk for his prey, and openly rouses-his enemy to the attack.'

-Why should a sagacious individual be condemned for outwitting his private and more powerful enemy, when, for a similar conduct, collective bodies are applauded?

The reason, my dear friend, is surely too obvious to have escaped your penetration. In the common intercourse of society, who expects to find deception or violence in every person he meets? But REV. OCT. 1800.

P

if

if one man were to say to his opponent, "Come, let us try who will, conquer in a contest where strength and artifice shall be equally allowable," the defeated party could not justly complain of circumvention. Now, such an agreement virtually ensues in every national contest ; consequently stratagems in war are not only lawful but honourable.'

In another conversation, of which human misery is the subject, it is observed that, if man were not liable to pain, compassion for his species would be unknown.' To this it might have been answered, that, if man were not liable to pain, he could never become an object of compassion. Nevertheless, as pain is allotted to the state of human nature, to demonstrate its utility is consolatory, and encourages resignation.

The character of Marco is an evident imitation of Sir Hugh Tyrold in Mrs. D'Arblay's Camilla. Tomaso, a faithful domestic, who had acquired a smattering of logic in the service of a philosopher, is the character most recommended by its novelty.-On the whole, this work appears to be the hasty production of a pen which is capable of more finished productions.

RELIGIO U S.

Art. 29. Report from the Clergy of a District in the Diocese of Lincoln, convened for the Purpose of considering the State of Religion in the several Parishes in the said District, as well as the best Mode of promoting the Belief and Practice of it; and of guarding, as much as possible, against the Dangers arising to the Church and Government of this Kingdom, from the alarming Increase of Profaneness and Irreligion on the one Hand, and the false Doctrines and evil Designs of fanatic and seditious Teachers on the other. Svo. 13. Rivingtons. 18co.

IS.

The matter of this report is well arranged under three heads Facts-Causes-Remedies. Under the first, it is stated that, by returns made from 79 parishes, it appeared that

The number of inhabitants was

Adults above fourteen years of age

Average number in the ordinary congregations

15,042

11,282

4,933

of communicants at each sacrament 1,808 So that not one in three attended divine service, nor one in six of the adults partook of the sacrament.

It is also stated, among the Facts which are made the avowed ground-work of this report, that sick persons seldom sollicit the attendance of their ministers;-that parents and masters are remiss in enforcing the attendance of their children and servants on divine worship; that Sunday schools do not flourish; and that there is an almost total disuse of family prayers, and of reading the scriptures.

The Causes of these evils are stated to be- the circulation of pro fane and seditious writings;-the irregular management of ale-houses; -the custom among farmers of shewing cattle, &c. on Sundays, and other irregularities;-and the inattention of churchwardens to their duty. The examination into the state of separatists has produced a testimony concerning real dissenters, which does them honour, and shows how little the church has to apprehend from them.

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