ART. III. Fraser's Tour through part of the Himālā Mountains. P. 540-557. Author's acknowledged defects-his excellencies, and value of his workabstract, with quotations on variety of topics, especially on the country, inhabitants, towns, &c. of Sirmore, Joobul, Bischur and Seran; the Sutleje, Bhagiruttee, and Jumna rivers; and ceremonies, &c. at Jumnotree and Gangotree-concluding estimate. ART. IV. Greenough's Principles of Geology. P. 557-571. Difficulties of subject-errors and uncertainties of mineralogical nomenclature-imperfection of geology-its chief objects-practical value of Wernerian system-defect of author-analysis of work, with various extracts and strictures-unfavourable verdict and condemnation. ART. V. Oxley's First Expedition in New South Wales. P. 572-589. Disappointment of hopes no argument against Mr. Oxley-extravagant as pect and cost of work reprobated-abstract and ample quotations touching first expedition. ART. VI. Essays, &c. by a Gentleman who has left his Lodgings. P. 589-593. Previous reports and high opinion of work not confirmed-silly introduction-no quarrel with author as to politics-moderate estimate of him-specimens. ART. VII. Lochiel. P. 593–606. Defence of historico-fictitious compositions-favourable judgment on present example-its subject-specimens-probable advantages of some ro mances. ART. VIII. Education of King of Rome. P. 606–623. Former sentiments respecting French Jacobins confirmed-work denounced -ample evidences of its outrageous absurdities, detestable blasphemies, and utter silliness-its high value as an exposé. NUMBER FOR DECEMBER. ART. I. Oliver Cromwell. P. 627-664. Alleged singular ill fortune of Cromwell as to posthumous fame not extraordinary-but the natural consequence of events-difficult task of author to relieve his character-Hume's predominant influence as historian of period-his prejudices and partiality-author not very judicious or effective in management of subject-view of political state of Cromwell's time-impossibility of accurately specifying origin and causes of popular commotions and revolutions-superiority of English spirit manifested in history of civil war-ardent affection for civil liberty, highly operative in the period-the principle of an illegal system then opposed-subsidiary causes of popular frenzy-reading of Scriptures unfriendly to oppressionunhappy crisis and inadequate policy of Charles-his misfortunes, difficulties, and behaviour considered-conduct of Cromwell and Parliament partly relieved and palliated-immediate occasion of the contest could not have been foreseen-constitution of House of Commons then, a stranger to influence, and did not admit of due management by executive-its power of purse excessively employed against sovereign-this presented a novel and insuperable difficulty to Charles-picture of parties in civil war, and eulogium on its brilliant though destructive character-murder of monarch, its great blot-Cromwell's share in it-his rise compared with that of other aspirants-his chief characteristics-common condemnation of him and military associates, inconsistent and invidious-specific charges against him, and particularly as to hypocrisy, investigated and reduced or obviated, by appeal to facts and general reasoning-qualified but high estimate of his conduct, spirit, sentiments, humanity, and glory. ART. II. Advice to Julia. P. 665-673. Leniency of Review, not without reason, and not without exception-present work furnishes occasion for latter-its fundamental vice, and its happily consistent worthlessness-specimens with critiques-indignant reproof of dissolute and silly fashionables. ART. III. Dr. Ranken's History of France. P. 673–690. Limited interest, but desirable knowledge of very ancient history of nations -summary view of earliest state of Franks-their condition under Pepin and Charlemagne-rapid glance at kingdom under Capetian race-contents of first three volumes of work generally stated-4th volume quoted as to Philip IV.-5th briefly noticed-6th quoted as to massacre of St. Bartholomew's day; and its view of council of Trent commended-7th and 8th volumes more particularly considered, with extracts as specimens and remarks, touching conversion of Henry IV. to Catholic religion, opinion of Du Plassis concerning it, and character of Lewis XIV.-general observations on histories of France, and judgment pronounced on those of Eginhart, Joinville, Froissart, Thuanus, Perefixe, Mezeray, Pere Daniel, Henault, Velly, Villaret and Garnier-Dr. Ranken's work characterized and commended. ART. IV. Neilson's Edition of Moor's Greek Grammar. P. 690. · High merit of Dr. Moor's Greek Grammar-Various attempts to perfect it— the present pronounced the most successful. ART. V. Monastery and Abbot. P. 691–717. Curious similarity in fate of very different literary works-these novels, why noticed now-fair estimate of their absolute and relative merit-critical observations on story, characters, descriptions and execution of both, with illustrative specimens. ART. VI. Oxley's Second Expedition in New South Wales. P. 717-727. Glance at former progress in New South Wales-reference to preceding number of Review for Mr. Oxley's first expedition—abstract of narrative of second expedition, with illustrative quotations--general remarks on country. ART. VII. Berchtold; a Novel. P. 727-735. Former delinquency of Dr. Polidori, the Vampyre, unsuccessfully attempted to be expiated-his literary character as a dealer in supernatural fictions-general nature of present wretched work-outline of story, with specimens and strictures-vituperative commiseration of such worthless progeny. ART. VIII. Posthumous Letters to the Colmans. P. 736–746. High excitement of letters from celebrated men-questionable morality of publishing them-editor of these ironically cleared-their general character unsuitable for publication---contents of volume specified--various extracts. Postscript. Notice of Mr. Jackson's Letter respecting the review of his work on Timbuctoo, &c. P. 747. THE A Defence of Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin, in Answer to certain Observations on his Life Character essential to success in Life. Addressed to those who are approaching Manhood. By ISAAC TAYLOR, Mi- nister of the Gospel at Ongar; Author of Self-cultivation, Advice to the Teens, &c........... 1. A complete Course of Lithography, containing clear and explicit Instructions in all the different Branches and Man- ners of that Art, accompanied by illustrative Specimens of Drawings; to which is prefixed, a History of Lithography from its origin to the present time. By ALOIS SENE- FELDER. Translated from the German. 2. A Manual of Lithography, or Memoir on the Lithogra- 61 Memoirs of Richard Lovell Edgeworth, Esq. begun by him- self, and concluded by his Daughter, Maria Edgeworth. 84 Memoir of the early Campaigns of the Duke of Welling- THE EDINBURGH MONTHLY REVIEW. JULY, 1820. ART. I.--A Defence of Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Pa trick's, Dublin, in Answer to certain Observations on his Life and Writings in the 53d Number of the Edinburgh Review. Lond. J. Nichols & Son. 1819. Pp. 67. IT has been the fate of the celebrated person named in the title, to be the object both of the grossest calumny and the most hyperbolical praise; and his life and character have furnished a fruitful and lasting topic of controversy, and discussion. While some have imputed to him every odious and malignant quality, and almost every crime that can disgrace humanity; others have held him up as a pattern of public and private virtue, the first of patriots, the truest and tenderest of friends, and, in short, as altogether a perfect character. The history of Swift has of course been very variously related. The account by Dr. Hawkesworth seems to be written with great candour and impartiality, though his information on many points is defective. That by Sheridan, though affording much authentic information, is a little too laudatory and apologetical; as, on the other hand, the observations transmitted by Orrery and others seem dictated by feelings of envy and malignity. The life by Dr. Johnson is written with his usual acuteness: he detects several mistakes in those who had gone before him, but throws little additional light upon Swift's character. In our own days, an eminent individual, possessed of more ample materials than any of his predecessors, has furnished us with a full, and, as far as we can judge, a perfectly fair and impartial account of the life and character of Swift, prefacing the best, and certainly the most complete, edition of his works which has yet been presented to the public. |