Art. 22. Conversations on General History; exhibiting a progressive View of the State of Mankind, from the earliest Ages of which we have any authentic Records, to the Beginning of the Year 1819. For the Use of Schools and private Instruction. By Alexander Jamieson, Author of a Treatise on the Construction of Maps, &c. 12mo. 6s. Boards. Whittakers. 1819. Both these works display acquirement and communicate instruction, have the merit of systematic arrangement and comprehension of topic, and seem adapted for the use of young persons, who are seeking in elementary books the outlines of a branch of knowlege, which at a period of greater leisure they propose to complete. Mr. Jamieson professes to have written for the use of schools, and keeps in view a division of his subject into successive lessons of nearly equal length; so that his sections do not dilate and contract according to the magnitude of the matter which they should embrace, but are interrupted at given distances, sometimes in the very midst of the argument. The Grammar of Rhetoric treats first of style, as the foundation of eloquence, and traces the rise and progress of spoken and written language. It then passes on to the structure of sentences, and to the principles of general grammar: to which succeed an extensive account of the figures of oratory, an analysis of the nature of taste, and a comparison of the forms of style. The concluding chapter treats of poetry, which is here divided somewhat unphilosophically into pastoral, lyric, didactic, descriptive, and epic of which classes, some respect the form and some the matter. Dramatic poetry has improperly been omitted altogether. An excessive use is made of Scotish writers, both for materials and illustrations; Blair supplies the theory and Macpherson the specimen, at every other page; and in the section 273., which treats of comparisons, four examples are taken from Ossian, no one of which deserves any praise. A short chapter, of which the very title is indefensible, climax and amplification not being the same thing, will give an idea of the book. Section 327. Climax, or amplification, is nearly related to hyperbole, and differs from it chiefly in degree. The purpose of HYPERBOLE is to exalt our conceptions beyond the truth; of CLIMAX, to elevate our ideas of the truth itself, by a series of circumstances, ascending one above another in respect of importance, and all pointing towards the same object. Illus. This figure, when properly introduced and displayed, affords a very sensible pleasure. It accords with our disposition to enlarge our conceptions of any object we contemplate; it affords a gratification similar to what we receive on ascending an eminence situated in the centre of a rich and varied landscape, where every step we proceed presents a grander and more extensive prospect. Example. Shakspeare exhibits specimens of almost every poetical beauty, and is not deficient in instances of climax. "The cloud-capt tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces, Yea, Yea, all that it inhabits, shall dissolve, 328. The effect of this figure is peculiarly pleasant, when the gradation of the sentiment is denoted by members, which rise with an analogous swell in point of sound; and in this view the following examples from Cicero have much merit. Example. Speaking of the power of language, in the first book De Oratore: "Quæ vis alia potuit, aut dispersos homines unum in locum congregare; aut a fera agrestique vita ad hunc humanum, cultum, civilemque deducere; aut jam constitutis civitatibus, leges, judicia, jura describere." " 329. Examples are sometimes found of an anti-climax, that is, of a gradation downward in the sentiment; and if the expression also present a correspondent descent in the sound, the sentence will possess uncommon merit. Example. Horace affords a pertinent and curious instance in the following line: "Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus." Analysis. The sinking in the sentiment, from the labour of the mountain to the birth of the mouse, is admirably imitated by a similar expression of the words. The verb, the most dignified word both in meaning and sound, is placed first, contrary to the common arrangement. The merit of the words in point of sound decreases to the last, which is the most diminutive in the sentence, partly on account of its being a monosyllable, and almost a repetition of the last syllable of the preceding word, but chiefly on account of the contrast between the insignificance of the word, and the dignity of the situation it occupies. 330. Člimax appears with grace in the calmer parts of oratory, in essays, and in all compositions which address the imagination, but attempt not much to interest the passions. Illus. It is employed by the orator with advantage, in impressing the hearers with strong conceptions of a cause; in procuring favour to the argument he espouses; or in exciting disapprobation of that of his antagonist. It is also convenient in communicating sentiments that are striking or sublime, but it is too artificial to express any high degree of passion. The time and reflection necessary to arrange the sentiments according to their importance; the minute attention requisite to form the expression corresponding to the elevation of the thought, are all operations of a composed frame of mind, very different from that tumultuary state which is the attendant of violent passion. 331. It is, however, consistent with moderate agitation; and accordingly Longinus takes notice of the utility of it in managing a low degree of passion with address. In this case, however, the artificial arrangement of the words is relinquished. The swelling passion seizes the expressions most proper to denote it, and the phraseology is altogether artless. The best tragedies afford examples. • Example • Example 1. Oronooko thus utters his recollection of past happiness: "Can you raise the dead? Pursue and overtake the wings of time? And bring about again the hours, the days, 2. Almeria, in the Mourning Bride, expresses a similar sentiment in a similar manner: "How hast thou charm'd The wildness of the waves and rocks to this? 3. Another example in the same tragedy exhibits a beautiful picture of the gradual influence of passion, in prompting the mind to believe what it wishes to be true. "Let me not stir or breathe, lest I dissolve Analysis. The apparition is first painted air, and has some resemblance to Almeria. It descends, and appears to be seizable. It gets life, animal life, it is "she herself." A superior work to the Grammar of Rhetoric is the series of Conversations on General History. It is divided into seven books, of which the first examines primæval and Grecian history: the second relates that of Rome: the third concerns middle history, or the period between Mohammed and Charlemagne; and the fourth comments on the Decline and Fall of the Greek Empire, the revival of literature in Europe, and the ecclesiastical revolution commonly termed the Reformation. The adoption of an antarctic passage to the East Indies, and the discovery of America, are also introduced. In the fifth book, the history of England and Scotland is traced from the Reformation to the Revolution, and the cotemporary history of modern Europe is criticized. The sixth book surveys the Mohammedan countries, and India, China, and Japan. The seventh continues the British annals to the late peace, and discusses the French Revolution. The tone of criticism prevalent in this work is moderate, not pointed, as the reader may see in the ensuing extract: Section 1652. Charles. The King of Prussia, when Hanover fell to France, took possession of it by Buonaparte's command; but began at length to discover that he was but a tool in the hands of Buonaparte, who had made proposals to restore Hanover to England, and Polish Prussia to Russia, as an inducement to those two powers to make peace. This duplicity was not to be borne, and hostilities between the two powers commenced, Russia taking the part of Prussia. Buonaparte's good fortune, however, still attended him; and, after many hard-fought battles, Russia and Prussia Prussia were compelled to solicit an armistice. The two emperors met on a raft in the Niemen, to settle the terms of accommodation, and, on the 19th of June, 1807, the treaty of Tilsit was signed. By this treaty, Prussia was reduced one-half, and Alexander consented to acknowledge Joseph Napoleon Buonaparte King of Naples, Louis King of Holland, and Jerome King of Westphalia. 1653. Father. After the conclusion of this affair, Buonaparte went to Italy; but his attention was fixed on Spain and Portugal; and so rapid and decided was he in the execution of all his plans, that, before the end of the year 1807, the royal family of Portugal emigrated to the Brazils, with the assistance of the English. After their departure, the French troops entered Lisbon, and Buonaparte, who certainly deserved the title of King-maker as much, or even more, than Warwick, divided his new conquests into the following governments: Entre-Minho-Douro, with Oporto, was given to the King of Etruria, with the title of King of North Lusitania. Alantejo and Algarves to the Prince of Peace, with the title of Prince of the Algarves; the remainder of the kingdom was, for the present, to be left untouched. Having thus speedily settled the affairs of Portugal, Spain became an object of much interest to him. The King and Queen of Spain abdicated in favour of their son, the Prince of Asturias, and retired to France. Ferdinand VII. was hardly on the throne, when he received intelligence that the French troops had passed the Pyrenees, on their way to the capital. Buonaparte, anxious for the further aggrandisement of his own family, wished particularly to secure the person of the King of Spain, who was conveyed by Murat, the artful Duke of Berg, to Bayonne. Buonaparte now informed Ferdinand, by General Savary, that he acknowledged no king of Spain but Charles IV., who, out of his great love and affection for his people, or Buonaparte, it is impossible to say which, nobly resigned the inheritance of his family in favour of a stranger, a decided enemy to the Bourbon name. Joseph Buonaparte was immediately proclaimed king, and, on the 20th of July, 1808, made his public entry into Madrid. 1654. Charles. In this extremity, the Spanish patriots had recourse to England, who readily offered her assistance. Buonaparte, hoping by his presence to restore order, and enforce his commands with more effect, appeared in Spain, but without producing much good; he therefore retraced his steps, and once more engaged the Austrians with his wonted success. Vienna, for the third time, beheld him within her walls as conqueror. The dominions of the Emperor of Austria were now reduced nearly onehalf, and Buonaparte returned once more to Paris in triumph. 1655. Father. The young King of Sweden, who had hitherto resisted all the innovations of the French Emperor, was obliged to resign his crown; his uncle, the Duke of Sudermania, was elected king in his stead, under the title of Charles XIII., June 6. 1809; and Bernadotte, one of Buonaparte's favourite generals, was appointed Crown-prince of Sweden. Charles XIII., at the request of of Napoleon, shut his ports against England. Much about this time the Pope excommunicated Buonaparte.' It will be perceived that the dialogue-form adopted in all this narration is mere form, and that either interlocutor can continue the story where his predecessor left off. Charles and Amelia are as able to make reflections as their father; and that happy communion of intelligence exists between them, which is the highest triumph of reciprocal instruction. HISTORY. Art. 23. History and Description of the Ancient City of York; comprizing all the most interesting Information already published in Drake's Eboracum; enriched with much entirely new Matter from other authentic Sources; and illustrated with a neat Plan of the City and many elegant Engravings. By William Hargrove. 3 Vols. 8vo. 11. 16s. Boards. Baldwin and Co. The title-page of this work announces that it takes for its basis Drake's learned and elaborate "Eboracum ;" and we will do the compiler the justice to say that it contains "omne quod exit in UM, seu Græcum sive Latinum," which bears the remotest reference to the antient or modern history and condition of the city of York. Mr. Hargrove is the editor of a weekly political journal in that city, and, much to his credit, has employed his leisure hours on a subject of all others perhaps the best calculated to allay the fervour, which an habitual and professional indulgence in political speculation is calculated to inspire. In addition to the sources of information accessible to every person, namely, the various publications on this "Northern Metropolis," Mr. H. says that he has derived much assistance from some valuable antient manuscripts and other authentic records, as well as from the friendly communications of several individuals; and, by personally visiting the various objects described, he gives his readers an assurance of the correctness of his accounts. Volume i. contains a general history of York from its earliest antiquity. The first section goes down to the Saxon heptarchy; the second, to the destruction of York by William the Conqueror; the third, to the establishment of the county of the city by Richard II.; the fourth, from that period to the arrival of James I. in 1617; the fifth, to the surrender of York to the parliamentarmy in 1644; the sixth, from its capture by the parliament-army to the Rebellion in 1745; the seventh, from the Rebellion to the present time; and the eighth describes the government of the city, containing also a list of lord mayors and sheriffs, an account of the courts of law held in York, a description of the city arms, and the antient customs of the place. The two remaining volumes are devoted to a description of the wall, bars, posterns, towers, bridges, churches, palaces, and public buildings, antient and modern; interspersed with historical and biographical notices; and concluding with an account of the various hospitals, schools, and public institutions, which now exist. The work is handsomely printed; and the wooden vignettes are characteristic and distinct, illustrating for the most part some curious relics of antiquity, Roman |