46. The History of the Ancient Town and Borough of Uxbridge, containing Copies of interesting Public Documents, and a particular Account of all Charitable Donations, left for the Benefit of the Poor; with Plates, and an Appendix, &c. By George Redford, A. M. and Thomas Hurry Riches. 8vo. pp. 334. Longman & Co.

FRO ROM the continual change of property in the neighbourhood of the Metropolis, a complete Topographical History of Middlesex is an undertaking scarcely to be expected from any individual. Meantime we are thankful to those who, like the present Author, contribute the description of a single parish; of which several respectable writers have already set the example.

Uxbridge, anciently a borough town, and still famous for a considerable market, is a chapelry within the parish of Hillingdon; and is si

tuated at the North-western extremity of the county of Middlesex, fifteen miles from London, in a direction nearly North-west; and nine miles North-east of Windsor.

"The town stands on a gentle declivity towards the South-west and West, and is thereby greatly sheltered from the North and North-east. The soil is gravelly at a little distance below the surface; the air remarkably salubrious and pure, and free from fogs. The situation has been frequently recommended to asthmatical and consumptive persons. The water is excellent. The river Coln passes the Western end of the town, in a direction nearly Southward, and is, by means of the mills which it works, one of the chief sources of wealth and prosperity to the neighbourhood. The elevation of the town, in relation to the other parts of the county, and also to the metropolis, is considerably higher than any one, entering it directly from London, would suppose. The surface of the ground on which it stands, is at its lowest depression, ninety-seven feet eight inches above low water-mark at Brentford bridge, and six feet above the basin of the Grand Junction Canal at Paddington; and, consequently, considerably higher than most parts of London.

*"Middleton's Survey of Middlesex, 2nd. edit. p. 530."

GENT. MAG. March, 1819.

Yet from the elevated grounds to the North-East, it is protected, in the severest seasons of the year, from the coldest winds that blow; and its atmosphere is esteemed as mild and agreeable as any within the neighbourhood of London.”

"The Chapel is dedicated to Saint Margaret, and is of Gothic structure, composed of brick and flint, and consisting of a chancel, nave and two ailes, separated by octagonal pillars, and pointed arches. We can discover no particulars relative to the old Chapel, which

is said to have existed here as early as 1281: but Newcourt says of the present chapel, it was built by Robert Oliver, Thomas Maudin, John Palmer, and John Barford, in the 26th year of the reign of Henry VI. A. D. 1447 : *"

The monumental inscriptions are not numerous; but amongst them is one for Dame Leonora Bennet, relict of Sir John Bennet, Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, and Chancellor to Anne of Denmark, Queen to James I. He was ancestor to the present Earl of Tankerville, and resided at the Treaty-house. His widow died Sept. 30, 1638.

"The town of Uxbridge is well known in history, as the place where a long and unsuccessful effort was made by King Charles I. and his Parliament, to bring their differences and mutual grievances to an amicable adjustment. After a painful struggle on the one side for liberty of conscience, and on the other for regal prerogative, when both parties were greatly exhausted, and the nation harassed with hostile armies in alternate pursuit of each other, traversing the country in all directions, and spreading universal desolation and misery, it was felt to be highly desirable that some serious efforts should be made to obtain a satisfactory peace.-The King accordingly sent two messengers to request a Treaty: but this measure was not adopted till his army was reduced to great distress, and his cause nearly desperate. These circumstances might have convinced him, that the proposal was less likely to be listened to by the Parliament, or that, if listened to, seeing the disadvantageous situation in which he was placed, their demands would be rigid and peremptory. It does not ap

* Newcourt, vol. I. p. 650.

pear

rehearse,

Night seems rather a strange period of time for the description of local scenery; and we regret to perceive the gloom which pervades this otherwise entertaining Poem, as well as the minor productions which accompany it.

After an address to the Setting Sun, and to the Night, Mr. Brooke describes some of the prominent features of Canterbury Dane John Field, the Castle, Martyr's Field, St. Martin's Church, Ruins of St. Augustine's Monastery, the Cathedral; Tomb of the Black Prince, of Henry IV., Casaubou; the King's School, and the River Stour.

We shall copy a few lines from the description of the Cathedral: "Pride of old Kent! thy venerable walls, [a dye, Thy storied windows, rich with many Through which the varied day-beam dimly falls, [brave the sky, Thy gorgeous shrines, and towers that Long shall attract the stranger's won

dering eye: [Becket's tomb, Though now no pilgrim bends o'er Though Dunstan's ashes all unhonoured [illume Though now no longer pious hands The lamp o'er Anselm's grave, gilding the midnight gloom.

lie,

rather claim,

O Casaubon! one memorizing verse,

Fit tribute to thy own, thy father's fame.

Thy classic labours, which have stamp'd thy name

With an unfading verdure, long shall guide

Our steps through Learning's labyrinth;

and should shame

49. Strictures on the Uses and Defects of Parish Registers and Bills of Mortality, in reference to Marriages, Births, Baptisms, Diseases, Casualties, and Burials; to the Probabilities of the Expectancy of Life; und to the ascertaining of the Progress of Population; with Suggestions for improving and extending the System of Parochial Registry. By George Man Burrows, M. D. F. L. S. &c. &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 72. Underwood.

WE do not think the term Strictures fairly used, because Parish Registers are formed upon legal considerations alone; but the utility of their amendment upon the statistical and medical plan recommended might be, under circumstances, incalculable; and therefore the suggestions of the Author highly merit the attention of the Legislature. The pamphlet is written in excellent good sense, and properly supported by documents and authorities. Tables of the proposed alterations are added; but we suggest to the Author, without disrespect, that the subject being in certain parts professional, the impossi ly kept by the parochial Clergy, or, bility of such registers being accurateby any persons, upon mere hearsay information, is clear. In obscure country villages there are no medical men, and hundreds perish without their aid being invoked. However, we feel with our Author, that the subject is truly momentous; and under a hope, that the difficulties may be overcome, heartily wish that a petition upon the subject may in the next Session be presented to Parliament.

50. 1. Sensibility, the Stranger, and other Poems; by W. C. Harvey. pp. 319, 8vo. 2. The

2. The Grave of Hope, an Elegy upon the Princess Charlotte. pp. 14, 8vo. THE title of this second Poem is so felicitous, as by itself, to enrol Mr. Harvey among our men of genius; but it is our duty to judge of books by their public bearings, more than individual merits of Authors.

We have often found it occur, that were there no other merit, (and there is much more) derived from the modern Poets, almost all are successful in the ballad. It is a form of composition, which implies interesting incident, and lively emotion, of a kind which all persons feel. Other poems are laboured, artificial compositions, of which the ideas are mere deductions, or rather creations of the Author's own brain. These do not interest the reader, because they feel no sympathy in things not of a public and general character. Such poetry is therefore unsuccessful of course.We say this, because we have a very pleasing ballad, called the Tournament, in Mr. Harvey's poems, (p. 219), and some good imitations of Milton's L'Allegro and Penseroso, p. 279, seq. though the first is the best.

It is

astonishing, that our modern Poets do not know how much more easy it is to themselves, and interesting to the reader, to oblige us with lively subjects. We conceive it seriously injurious to indulge so eternally in whining. It creates a morbid sensibility, ill adapted for the business of life, gives to talents a mere taste for romance and idleness, and renders every trifling evil painful. There is nothing of the kind in the Classicks. Their heroes are not sentimentalists, but men of action and business. Who else are fit for executors, trustees, husbands, fathers? &c. &c. If Providence held pap-spoons to the mouth, it might be all very well; but even inanimate Nature, by her agent Time, is in constant action, and all her creatures are destined to motion or action. Lord Byron and his successful contemporaries consult incident and effect; but other Poets think that mere reverie is sufficient. The works of the former are founded upon the principles of novel-writing. The story, the character, form the basis of the success of these Poets; accompanied with delicacy of taste and fine sentiment, but only occasionally introduced. We speak this in the pure

spirit of vexation. Versification is made an apology for writing without ideas, which is just as rational as address is without manners. We repeat again, again, again, that it is not the jingle of rhyme, but beautiful, impressive, or grand ideas, which alone can cause Poetry to be esteemed. But, in truth, the first principles of poetical composition are not understood by those who profess it. We do not speak thus in reproach to Mr. Harvey, whose poems are pleasing, but only, that he and others could do much better, if they had studied the grammar of the art. The feelings of an Author are distressed by neglect, undeserved as to mind (young Poets often ending in superior writers), and the publick is robbed of much instruction and pleasure, because Authors adopt a form of composition, which implies substituting a fiddle-case for a fiddle. Mrs. Glasse, under the article" dressing a Hare," begins with "catch a Hare," if we are correctly informed, as an indispensable preliminary before roasting it; so let Poets previously collect the ideas or incidents which are to compose their Hare, the stuffing, &c. before they put their Poems on the spit. We, however, are severe judges. Tears have flowed down our rugged cheeks at the "Vixi, et quem dederat cursum fortuna, peregi," of the abandoned Dido; but we like not the manly character to be spoiled by romance, and the female by affectation. Very serious duties are infringed: a friend, upon a visit of condolence, can pity real grief, though he does not feel. deep sympathy at the squeaking in the hog-sty when the pigs are ringed; and absolutely half of our modern Poets would be much more interesting, if they did not whine so much upon fictitious distress. Pigs never whine but from fear or hunger; and, as the Poets choose them for their archetypes, let them never whine but upon similar grounds. But this is scouting sentiment. Pooh! sentiment is not complaint. "Jam seges est ubi Troja fuit." (Virgil.) upon the ruins of the capitol, that I Conceived the idea of writing this History." (Gibbon.) Gray's Elegy is wholly composed of fine sentiment, and so are leading admired passages in Shakespeare; but then observe, they are not feminine ejaculations,

"It was

but

but fine images, applicable to the species; and therefore universally felt. The sentiment of half the modern Poets is downright domestic grumbling mere ventilations of soul, bursts of smoke from a chimney, the creaks of old doors, howlings of dogs, complaints of the nursery, and many other things, which a sound mind corrects by necessity. The melancholy Jaques abounds in figures and

quaint humour. Milton's Penseroso is full of images; and so are Shakespeare's tragedies. A funeral is an impressive thing; but it is the black, the parade, the solemn silence, the awful ceremony, which produce the effect. Melancholy Poetry should be full of suitable figures; not, Oh! how unhappy I am! I am wretched! Don't make a noise! Do pray shut the door! I must go to bed: I cannot eat: &c. &c. &c. &c. yet even this is ten times more impressive, vulgar as it is, than such empty exclamations as "I feel a sigh; much like to end in groaning: [moaning." I wish to write; yet nothing else but Reviewer.

51. A Poem, occasioned by the Cessation of Public Mourning for H. R. H. the Princess Charlotte, together with Sonnets and other Productions. By Mrs. B. Hooper. Cr. 8vo. pp. 143. Suttaby and Co.

ONE would imagine, so dismal are their subjects, that all the Poets of this kingdom, with the exception of George Colman, were Undertakers' apprentices, practising first as Mutes, and then displaying the sable eloquence of Woe."-For our part, we prefer the Street of Tombs at Pompeii, to the mean miserable horror of shelves of coffins in the vaults of a London Church. The Shocking is not admissible in tragedy, as would be bringing a bleeding head upon the stage, nor ought mere groaning and sobbing to be introduced into Poetry. Oh's! and But ah's! are absolute emeticks.

We speak not thus in depreciation of Mrs. Hooper's often fine-always elegant verses: but the gloom of her subjects hurts her powers. The ti tle of one Poem, p. 36, is Peace succeeding Tribulation, a word odd enough, except from Quakers. But people will not mourn, unless they feel a previous interest in the subject. Of praising Mrs. H.'s poetry, none

my sorrows flow.

Of thy Love possessor, unmoved I could have borne The world's united anger, reproach, contempt, and scorn;

But no more the object of thy fond, tender care, [or for despair." This theme alone is left me, for hope

As to ourselves, our sighing days are past; but we recollect that they are the beauteous flowers which first shoot out in the spring of life. In this sweet song, we see the perfection of the feminine character; its heroic disregard of self, that another may be rendered happy, afterwards displayed in the noblest affection of Nature, "Maternal Love."

52. Conirdan: or the St. Kildians. A Moral Tale. By the Author of Hardenbrass and Haverill. 12mo. pp. 319. Sherwood and Co.

A PLEASING little story; interspersed with interesting sketches of the pastoral and patriarchal simpli city, accompanied with nobleness of mind and generosity of heart, which characterizes the natives of our most Westerly isle; and, if the fact be philosophically true, seems to be the result of a state of sufficiency, where the acquisition of riches is impracticable, and therefore not desired, i. e. Contentment produces noble and generous sentiment.

53. Constantine and Eugene; or an Evening at Mount Vernon [the seat of Washington], a Political Dialogue. By Junius Secundus. Brussels. 24mo. pp. 252.

THIS Book contains the plan of a Constitution, upon the American basis, exhibited in dialogue between one Constantine and one Eugene. The latter is, as Blair says, a man of straw,

who