credulity, the party-spirit, the effeminacy and fastidiousness of our days, which occupy the attention of so many of our moral censors; judging from this view alone, the sentence of condemnation will be passed upon whole age, and it is branded with the characters of invective and reprobation. Plausible however as these excuses may be, they are by no means favoured by the admonition of the venerable sage whom we have selected for our guide in the present discourse. Say not thou, thus he speaks after the experiences of a long life, what is the caase that the former days were better than these: for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. And in reality where is the wisdom of allowing oneself in a general censure which would be degrading to the greater part of our contemporaries? Where is the wisdom of tacitly assuming to oneself merits and excellences, which rest only on a warped and partial comparison of the past with the present? Would it in short be wise, by openly complaining of the deterioration of the times and the degeneracy of mankind, to arraign Providence of having withdrawn its patronage from our species and surrendered it to unprecedented obliquities? Is it not a far nobler, worthier occupation, as leading to more liberal and loftier sentiments, to consider the spirit of the age on its fairer side, to bserve in it the preparatives and approximation to a better order of things; and by these views to confirm our minds in the belief in God and in his care of the human species? Let us then chuse this elevating and beneficial consideration as the theme of our present discourse, by directing our attention to the praiseworthy qualities of the age. And that it may be at once interesting both to our understanding and to our heart, our first endeavour shall be to make good this commendation, and thence to form the necessary determi nation on our parts to merit, to maintain and to augment the worth on which it is founded." After demonstrating that "ignorance is the great parent of credulity and superstition ;" and that "the effects of religious truth on the minds and passions of a people are no less favourable to liberty;" the Preacher, with great liberality, observes, "The spirit of toleration, which is peculiar to the present æra, deserves to be included amongst its nobler and laudable qualities. After a sanguinary conSet of many centuries, mankind are GENT. MAG. July, 1814. ร becoming gradually weary of quarreling and fighting, of murdering one another about their diverse conceptions of God, his purposes and dealings. They begin to perceive, that, if reason already acknowledges even in religion only one truth, yet that each individual conceives and must conceive of God and his ways according to his own sense and apprehension; they perceive that the exterior and sensible forms of religion are only means to the generating of inward sentiments of devotion, and that this end can only be obtained by various methods and diverse external rites and ceremonies. They perceive in short, that the religion of the individual, as an affair of the soul and the conscience, belongs not to the jurisdiction of human tribunals; and that in every instance it is an abnegation of true religion and blasphemy against the Supreme Being, to open dungeons, to forge fetters, and to spill the blood of brethren under the specious pretext of advancing his glory." After strenuously recommending "the resolution to do all that in us lies to preserve pure and unenervated the moral sense of our contempora ries, and thereby to enhance the sanc tion of duty as the public rule of our actions and judgments," he continues, "Would we have the glory of living in an age propitious to the perfecting and ennobling of our species; we must endeavour above all things to keep unsullied the moral sense of human dignity and human obligations, we must protest openly and resolutely against whatever has a tendency to suppress and diminish the proper liberty of immortal beings; we must by a discreet frankness in behalf of what is the sacred right of every man, vindicate and uphold the cause of general instruction and moral improvement. To this end nothing can more efficaciously under the divine blessing conduce than the Institution which it is not more incumbent on me as a lover of our country than it is my delight to recommend. An Institution patronized by our august and beloved Sovereign, and encouraged by the illustrious Princes of his House, the emulators of his virtues. If then you would follow their patriotic, their yourselves the grateful attachment of pious example, if you would derive to a numerous population, if you would prove a blessing to the rising generation, if you would have your names enrolled by an enlightened and virtuous posterity among the benefactors of mankind, if you would merit the approbation of God, God, and attract upon your country the smiles of Heaven, if you would follow the example of the divine founder of our religion, who went about doing good, you will cordially embrace the opportunity that now offers of contributing of your substance to the Royal Institution for the Education of the Poor upon the British system for One Thousand Children, extending, like the bounties of Heaven, to all religious denominations. Hearken now to the account of what is proposed under God's superintending Providence by this Institution from the statement of those who understand it best :-[Here the Report was read.]-What you have now heard, and the earnest desire I cherish of contributing as far as in me lies to the rendering of not only the present days but future generations still better than the former, instead of idly complaining that the present days are worse than the former, will, I trust, be my apology, if any apology be necessary, in making this appeal to the best affections of your nature. As national provision, however copious, and however managed, will not answer all the wants and distresses of mankind. They will break in from a thousand sources, in forms which no laws can foresee or provide for. Whenever then, as at present, such abjects present themselves: when you can by a little seasonable relief effectuate so great a good, I mean the education of the children of the necessitous; in which number may be justly included, not only the children of those who are themselves the proper objects of our charity, but likewise those of the industrious labourer or mechanic, who, although able to maintain himself and family, may yet be unable to give his children a proper education. Now, though the poor of every age, who are incapable of labour, have a natural right to our care and benevolence, yet our liberality can never be so well bestowed as in securing the proper education, of poor children; because, by the same sums given we do them services infinitely greater than we can bestow on the full-grown or the aged. For after a certain time of life. we can have little hope of rectifying their morals, even by the most ardent and generous efforts of our charity. Their habits and vices are already too strongly rooted to be effectually removed, either by our munificence instruction. But their children, if so fortunate as to fall under the care of the good and charitable, are like tender shoots under their forming hand, capable of being fashioned into any shape, or our of having their crookednesses of mind set straight, their obliquities easily and effectually corrected. More particularly the children of the necessitous in great and populous cities have an uncommon claim to the charity and compassion of mankind. In country villages, if the poor be sometimes distressed and ignorant, yet the few ill examples they meet with, the few opportunities of abandoned wickedness, and the more tolerable state of religion and morals in these solitary scenes, are so many happy checks to their progress in vice and villainy. But he who views the state of the uninstructed poor in great cities, views buman nature in its lowest and most abject state of misery, wretchedness, and profligacy. Urged by want, let loose to every impulse of inordinate appetite by frequent opportunity and secrecy of action, tempted by wicked examples, inflamed by evil communication and intoxicating liquors, their life is too generally a horrid compound of riot and distress, rapacity and thieving, prostitution and robbery, wickedness and despair. In a word, they commonly adopt all the vices of untamed savages, without the counterbalance of their virtues." 6. Proverbs chiefly taken from the Adagia of Erasmus, with Explanations; and further illustrated by corresponding Examples from the Spanish, Italian, French, and English Languages. By Robert Bland, M. D. F. S. A. small 8vo. 2 vols. THIS amusing book is founded on though it bears no proportion_in the celebrated Adagia of Erasmus, size to that celebrated work. We jection to Dr. Bland's collection, excannot, indeed, justly make any obcept that the illustrations are sometimes too concise. Erasmus occasionally runs out into very long digressions, which when they relate to temporary matters, such as the corruption of the Monks, are certainly better omitted: but they are sometimes interesting and instructive, in which cases they would have borne a closer imitation, or even a translation. His learned references to Greek authors would, perhaps, have been too formidable for modern readers: yet, when they are moderately introduced as translated in the elegant Anthology published by the Doctor's Son, they have a very attractive effect. The Proverbs are given in Latin, but an English trans . lation is generally subjoined, and parallel sayings in other languages are very often introduced. No particular order seems to be observed in the arrangement of them. We shall give one or two specimens: "Quæ uncis sunt unguibus ne nutrias Do not feed, or take under your roof, animals of ferocious and savage dispositions, that have sharp and crooked claws. Do not cherish a snake in your bosom, or enter into friendship with crafty and deceitful persons. Otez un vilain du gibet, il vous y mettra,' Save We may add two familiar lines to these, The above version of the Greek epigram Toy Auxo, &c. is by Mr. Bland. We choose another example, chiefly because it contains the Author's further explanation of his own plan. "Manilnus, pedibusque. With the utmost exertion of our hands and feet, or with tooth and nail, as we say. Nervis omnibus, straining every nerve, exerting our utmost power and ability to effect our purpose. Remis velisque, pushing it on with oars and sails; Omnem movere lapidem, leaving no stone unturned, to discover what we search of:-are forms of speech used by the Romans, which have been adopted by us, and are therefore here admitted; as may also be, Toto pectore, with our whole soul, loving or hating any one. These are all, and indeed many more similar expressions, treated of by Erasmus as distinct Proverbs; but it was thought better to bring them together here, in this manner." "It may not be amiss, once for all, to observe, that I have not confined myself to the sense given by Erasmus to many of the Adages. As I have frequently passed over very long disquisitions, when they appeared to me not suitable to the present state of litera ture, or of the times; so, on the other hand, I have sometimes expatiated largely, where he has given the exposition in two or three lines. Another considerable difference is, that here many corresponding adages in the French, Italian, Spanish, and English languages, none of which are to be found in his book. It is sin. are introduced gular, Jortin remarks, that though Erasmus spent a large part of his time in France, Italy, and England, it does not appear that he was ever able to converse in any of those languages; or per haps to read the productions of any of the writers of those countries, excepting such as were written in Latin; which, as a language in general use, appears to have been adopted by most of the literati down to his time; excepting perhaps by the Italians, whose language had attained a higher degree of polish and perfection than any of the others." Vol. I. p. 84. As there are few persons to whom . Proverbs are not an attractive species of Literature, there can be little doubt that these volumes will obtain an familiar, and their matter very vaextensive circulation. Their style is rious. 7. An Introduction to the Study of Bibliography. To which is prefixed a Memoir on the Public Libraries of the Antients. By Thomas Hartwell Horne. Illustrated with Engravings. 8vo. 2 vols. pp. 758 and 156. IT would be difficult to give a clearer idea of this useful "Introduction," than in the words of the modest Author. "It contains a series of observations on the different subjects connected with Bibliography. It comprises, first, a summary account of the materials used for writing in different ages and countries: next in order succeed the origin and progress of writing and printing, the mechanism of the art, with comparative observations on the typogra phical execution of early printed books. This division is followed by remarks on the forms of books,-different styles of bookbinding in various ages, the knowledge of books, and the causes of their relative value and scarcity, together with the best methods of preserving and repairing them. The principles on which the classification of a library should be conducted, are then explained, and illustrated by a copious system for its arrangement. The last and most extensive division of the work is appro priated priated to a notice of the principal writers, who have treated on the different branches of Bibliography.-With regard to the engravings which are. inserted, while the author hopes they will be found sufficient for the purpose of elucidating his work, it were unjust not to notice the fidelity and spirit with which they have been executed by a young artist [Mr. J. Lee], particularly the fac-similes of the Books of Images. -Throughout the ensuing pages, the author's object has been to compress as much as possible; many articles of lesser moment, therefore, have been omitted, for which ample materials had been collected. On the third part of the present work, he has bestowed most labour, being anxious that nothing of importance should be omitted: and in giving this list of works on Bibliography, such only have been inserted, as appeared to be principally deserving of attention from the Bibliographical Student. Each book, as far as was practicable, has been described from personal examination; and where the author could not obtain access to it, either in his own limited collection, or in public libraries, he has availed himself of the labours of MM. Brunet, Cailleau, De Bure, Peignot, Renouard, Santander, the Rev. T. F. Dibdiu. Dr. A. Clarke, and other Bibliographers, both British and Foreign. From their-volumes, as well as from the principal literary Journals, he has been enabled to glean the various critical notices interspersed through the following pages: where particularly valuable, rare, or expensive works are to be found in our public libraries, especially in the Metropolis, care has been taken to indicate such library, noticing those chiefly which are the most easily accessible.Such is the work now offered to the acceptance of the Public, as an Introduction to the infant science of Bibliography. Precepts, indeed, the Author does not pretend to give:-be merely suggests some practical hints for Students; at the same time, he ventures to indulge a hope, that his labours may be favour ably received by every lover of books, as well as by the more experienced Bibliographer."" We shall now transcribe Mr. Horne's bill of fare: Introductory Memoir on the Public Libraries of the Antients :-Libraries of the Jews-Of the Persians-Of the Chaldeans-Egyptian Libraries-Library at Memphis The Alexandrian Library Libraries of the Greeks-Library at Athens founded by Pisistratus-Library of Pergamus-Libraries of Rome-First public library founded by P. Æmilius Library of Sylla-Of Lucullus-Library erected by Asinius Pollio-The Octavian Library-The Palatine Library-Library of Tiberius-Library of Vespasian-The Capitoline Library-The Ulpian Library -The Gordian Library-Public Libraries in the Cities, &c. of the Roman empire-Library at Constantinople. On the different substances employed for Manuscripts and printed Books.Substances in use before the invention of Paper: Stone, Bricks, Lead, Brass, Wood, Leaves, Bark of Trees, Linen, Skins, Parchment and Vellum, Leather. Paper: Papyrus, Paper of Bark, Chinese Papers, Japanese Paper, Bootan Paper, Madagascar Paper, Asbestos Paper, Cotton Paper, Paper from Linen Rags, Paper from different substances, Coloured Paper. 4 On Manuscripts in general, including the Origin of Writing. Origin and Progress of Printing, Mechanism of the Art, &c. On Books: General Remarks on the Denominations, Sizes, &c. of Books.Of the knowledge of books, their relative value and scarcity. Prices of books, &c. Essay towards an improved System of Classification for a Library. A Notice of the principal Works extant on Literary History in General, and on Bibliography in particular: Literary History. Writing. Works on Printing.-Books.-Bibliographical Systems, Catalogues, &c.: Catalogues, &c. of the principal Foreign Public Libraries, including Brief Notices of their Contents: Libraries of Denmark; of France; of Germany; of Holland and the Netherlands; of Hungary and Poland; of Italy and Sicily; of Russia; of Spain and Portugal; of Sweden; of Switzerland; of Turkey; of North America.Catalogues of British Public Libraries: Libraries in London; British Museum ; The Royal Society; Sion College; College of Physicians; Middle Temple; Inner Temple; Library of the Hon. East India Company; Protestant Dissenters' Library, Red Cross Street; London Medical Society; Royal Institution; London Institution; Surrey Institution; Russell Institution: The Appendix consists of Books of Images; Brief Notice of works printed on Paper of different Colours; List of the principal Vignettes or Marks used by the Antient Printers; Monograms and Devices of Antient Printers, &c.: Unique and illustrated Copies; Works in the Macaronic Style; Notices of some of the most eminent Printers of the 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries, and of the principal Editions executed by them; Codex Ebnerianus ; Collections 8. Campbell's [or Yorke's] Lives of the Admirals (continued from Vol. LXXXIII. i. p. 250.) Vol. VI. pp. 522. Barrington. WE closed our account of the Fifth Volume of this very useful National Work, by lamenting the death of its able conductor, Mr. Yorke; and with a sincere hope that the spirited Bookseller might find a Successor equal to the undertaking. That such has been the case, the Volume now before us is a sufficient pledge. "In order both to accelerate the publi eation, and to render the work more accurate and complete, it was judged expedient, that the Biographical and the Historical departments should be executed by different persons. The present volume is entirely confined to Biography. This deviation from the original plan of Dr. Campbell was rendered necessary by the circumstance, that no Biography is given in the volume edited by Dr. Berkenhout.-Another deviation from the original plan was also determined on: the lives written by Dr. Campbell are very short and meagre, but very numerous. In the present volume, a selection has been made of the lives of those naval characters which presented the most ample, or the most interesting materials for Biography. Besides the lives of the most illustrious of those seamen, who flourished during the period comprised in Dr. Berkenhout's portion of the work, a few others have been given, which had been omitted by Dr. Campbell.-The Editor of the present Volume has been indebted to a friend for the lives of Anson, Hawke, and Byron.-W. STEVENSON." The Naval Heroes whose Lives are now given, are, "Captain William Dampier; Captain Stephen Leake, master-gunner of England; Sir John Leake; and Captain Martin Leake; George Byng, Lord Vis Recollecting, as we perfectly do, the sensations excited by the lamentable fate of Admiral Byng; it is satisfactory to perceive many new lights thrown on the transactions of that memorable period. "Of the unfortunate engagement off Minorca, there is already an account given in the historical department of this work; but, nevertheless, we think it proper to lay before our readers, Admiral Byng's Letter respecting it; in order that his own opinions and feelings on the occasion may be clearly and fully brought out. We have another reason for printing this Letter. Admiral Byng was disposed to censure ministers, if possible, to turn aside the popular and they, on their part, were determined, clamour and indignation excited by the fall of Minorca, from themselves on the Admiral: this was apparent in all their conduct towards him, subsequent to the action; and it give rise to their withof his official letter: these parts we shall holding from the public eye, some parts insert, distinguishing them by Italics." The Letter itself appeared in the Gazette; and the variations and omissions are well worth the Reader's attention. For these we refer to the Volume; but a few of the many interesting traits of the Admiral's personal character shall be extracted. "When he was sent for, on the 27th of January, to receive his sentence on board of the St. George, he said to some of his friends, that he expected to be reprimanded, and possibly, he thought, he might be cashiered; because,' added he, there must have been several controverted points: the court martial has been shut up a long time, and almost all the questions proposed by the Court have tended much more to pick out faults in my conduct, than to get a true state of the circumstances; but I profess, I cannot conceive what they will fix upon.'-When he arrived on board the St. George, and as he was walking on the quarter deck, a member of the Court Martial came out and told one of his |