'my readers may pleafe to take notice, that if any envious, abufive, dirty fcribbler, fhall hereafter take it in his head, to creep into a hole like an affaffin, and lie lurking there on purpose to fcandalize and rail at me; and dare not thew his face like a man, I shall give myfelf no manner of trouble about fuch an animal, but look upon him as even below contempt.' As we have no defire to incur Mr. E's contempt, or, fhould he alter his purpofe, the vengeance implied in this awful menace; but more especially as the principles and calculations in this volume are, for the most part, too intricate and operofe for the generality of readers; we fhall content ourselves with enumerating the feveral articles contained in it: viz. Laws of Chance-Annuities-Societies-Moon's Motion-Conftruction of ArchesPreceffion of the Equinoxes-Conftruction of Logarithms -Interpolationthe Longitude-Intereft-Figure of Sines, &c.-Fortification-GunneryArchitecture-Mufic-Rules of Philofophy-Optical Lectures-Problems., MISCEL LA NEO U S. R..s. Art. 23. A brief Defcription of the Cities of London and Vete The defign of this compilation is fufficiently explained in the title. In a publication of this kind, which is copied with little variation or addition from other works, the Editor can have no pretenfions to That it is an old work, is evident from the many mifreprefentations of the prefent ftate of the metropolis: Newgate remains the city and county jail; Black Friars Bridge is not built; and the Adelphi-buildings are not to be found, &c. &c. &c. F 3 any any other merit, than that of a judicious felection. And on this head we have little to fay in favour of the prefent work; for we cannot but be of opinion that the pages which are filled up with the gallantries of Rochester, and with trifling anecdotes of theatrical characters, might have been enriched with materials much better "adapted to the inftruction of youth of both fexes," and better, "calculated to infpire them with the love of virtue." E. Art. 25. Selecta quædam ex C. Plinii Secundi Hiftoria Naturali ad ufum Scholarum accommodata. 12mo. 3s. Warrington printed, and fold by Johnfon in London. 1776. This collection from Pliny is a valuable acquifition to the fcholaftic library: his Latin is elegant, copious, beautiful; and though his habit of tranfpofition, poffibly indulged for the fake of variety, will be fometimes puzzling to the young reader; yet at the -fame time the difficulty of finding out his Author will exercise his ingenuity, and teach him to think. The parts felected are chiefly defcriptions of the animal creation, and, therefore, the more adapted to the inftruction of youth; but though the Editor has announced, in his very elegant Latin Preface, that he has left out all the incredibilities of the great Naturalift, ' plurima prorfus incredibilia narrat, que OMNIA a delectu noftro ablegavimus,' yet we apprehend he has admitted many things of very problematical faith, and fome which later difcoveries in Natural Hiftory have proved to be without foundation. Marginal quotations from the most approved modern writers on thefe fubjects, would have fet matters right, and would have been a great improvement to this edition. L. Art. 26. The North American, and the West Indian Gazetteer. Containing an authentic Defcription of the Colonies and Islands in that Part of the Globe, fhewing their Situation, Climate, Soil, Produce, and Trade, with their former and prefent Condition, &c. Illuftrated with Maps. 12mo. 3 s. 6 d. Robinson. When the Gazetteers already in circulation, include all the principal places in the habitable world, a partial work of this kind, calculated to fuit a partial temporary occafion, must be as limited in its utility. But publications as well as potatoes and cucumbers, have their feafons, though, like the latter, they are frequently forced. N. Art. 27. The Adventures of Telemachus the Son of Ulyffes. Tranflated from the French of Monf. F. Salignac de la Mothe-Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray. By T. Smollet, M. D. 2 vols. 12mo. 6s. Crowder, &c. 1776. Concerning a work fo univerfally read and admired as Telemachus, it is wholly unneceffary for us to offer any critical remarks. After the feveral English translations of it already published, it will perhaps be thought that another was unneceffary. But if it ferve to recal the attention of the public to a work whofe merit, both poetical and moral, is fo diftinguished, and occafion a few hours to be devoted to this juftly celebrated writer, which would otherwife have been facrificed to fome petty modern novelist, it will not be without its ufe. This tranflation is, we think, at leaft, as correct and elegant as any which had before appeared, and does no difcredit to the refpectable name which is prefixed to it, E. Art. Art. 28. The Preceptor, or Counsellor of Human Life, for the Use of British Youth. Containing felect Pieces in Natural and Moral Philofophy, Hiftory, and Eloquence; the Lives of Sir Ifaac Newton, Rollin, Demofthenes, and Milton: Alfo fhort Sketches of the Birth and Death of fome of the most illuftrious Men in all ages. The Whole defigned to be a most entertaining and inftructive Book for the Apprentices of the City of London, to affist them in recollecting and retaining the most important Parts of a good Education; with a Dedication to Sir Stephen Theodore Janffen, Bart. the late worthy Chamberlain of London; compiled by John Ryland, A. M. of Northampton. 8vo. 3 s. fewed. Dilly 1776. Several of the extracts in this performance are made from the works of Abernethy, Watts, Grove, Blackmore, Leland, Rollin, Woolafton, &c. In the 19th chapter we have the elements of moral philofophy extracted from the Scriptures, or Solomon's Proverbs methodized under thirty-two heads, containing the principal branches of vice and virtue. The following chapter, confifting of near forty pages, is a contemplation on the nature and madness of atheism, by the Editor himself. We were a little furprised to find him in his preface, after recommending to his young readers Rollin's method of studying hiftory, together with the Ancient and Roman Hiftory of the fame author, immediately directing them, for that of their own country, to the hiftory of England by Kimber, which is certainly a pretty little abridgement; but furely not fufficient for thofe who have leifure for the larger works before mentioned: he does indeed add to it Mrs. Macauley's volumes from the reign of James I. On the whole, though we have feen more judicious collections, and cannot say that the present is the most entertaining and inftructive, yet we think any young perfons who will perufe it attentively, may draw from it confiderable advantage. H. Art. 29. A concife Hiftory of England, from the earlieft Times to the Death of George II. By John Wesley, A.M. 12mo. 4 vols. 11 s. fewed. Hawes. 1776. One motive for this publication, according to the account in the preface, appears to be, that there may be one Chriftian history, of what is fill called (though by a strong figure) a Chriftian country. The compiler complains, among other things, that English hiftorians feldom take notice of Divine Providence, and propofes to fupply the defect. The complaint he makes is just, and his defign is good, but we do not find this writer very greatly, or properly pursuing it in his performance. He very truly tells us, that his hiftory is chiefly extracted from Goldsmith, Rapin, and Smollet; though he might almost have confined his acknowledgment to the first of these authors; for, on looking over these volumes, and comparing them in different places, we find them to be little more than a republication of Dr. Goldfmith's Hiftory of England, with fome omitions, fome additions, a few alterations and corrections, and fometimes, perhaps, emendations. Each of thefe writers hayd fallen into the error (though perhaps it may contribute to the fale of their work) of enlarging on fome particular events which tend to intereft the paffions of their F 4 readers, readers, fuch as the trial and death of Mary Queen of Scots, of Charles I. the flight of Charles II. &c. of which, in an Abridgment, fo particular an account was not to have been expected. Mr. Wefley has thought proper to employ upwards of fifty pages in an enquiry, whether or not Mary of Scotland was guilty of the murder of her husband. He is much more fevere on Queen Elizabeth, on this occafion, than Dr. Galdfmith has been. On the whole, this performance does not appear to us to reflect much honour on the publisher, who in great part of the work had little more to do than to fend Dr. Goldfmith's volumes to the printer, with a few notes, and directions where to omit, to alter, or to add. As to its being a chriftian hiftory, we cannot think it much entitled to the character, for we do not find religious obfervations fo frequently interwoven with the narration, as might be expected from a man of good fenfe and warm piety. Here and there a reflection is thrust in, as it were, just to warrant the account he has in this refpe&t given of his book. Thus, at the clofe of the reign of Richard I. after faying, that Richard was rather of an amiable character, it is added, How then came he to be fo unfortunate?-God putteth down one, and fetteth up another." H. RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL. Art. 30. A fort Scriptural Explication of the Faith and Doctrine of the Church of England: as established in her thirty-nine Articles, and Creeds. Illuftrated and confirmed by many Texts of Scripture, with the Teftimonies of all the primitive Fathers, &c. Abftracted from a very Scriptural Commentary on the 39 Articles, Written by the Rev. Tho, Rogers, B. A. Chaplain to his Grace Richard Abp. of Canterbury, in the Reign of K. James I. alfo many other valuable Notes felected from Archdeacon Welchman, Bishop Beveridge, &c. In which, all the Scripture References are carefully examined and revised. By the Author of the Christian's Memorandum Book, &c. 8vo. 9 d. Lewis. We doubt not the good defign of this publication: Mr. Rogers, and the other divines whofe names are here mentioned, were, no doubt, worthy men; but it does not follow, from their characters or their writings, either that any human power has a right to impose articles of faith, or that articles fo impofed are agreeable to fcripture truth, even though they produce fome texts of fcripture which in found feem to agree to them. Art. 31. The Duty of fecret H. Prayer, proved, opened, and enforced. By John Kello. 12mo. I s. 6 d. Bell. Aldgate. Thefe four fermons on the above subject are plain, pious, and practical, and written, with becoming moderation, on calvinistic principles. Art. 32. Pietas Redingenfis, or, A Vindication of the Rev. John Hallward's Sermon, &c. By Richard Hill, Eíq. 8vo. 6 d. Matthews. Mr. Hill, Author of Pietas Oxonienfis, is ftill, we fee, engaged in his favorite employment, the Defence of Calvinism. How different this taste and turn, from that of the generality of our country fquires !— The title of this pamphlet is derived from the Reading news-paper, H. ร in which this important controverfy began.-For the fubject of Mr. Hallward's Sermon, and the occafion on which it was preached, see our lift of fingle Sermons at the end of the Review for January, 176. Art. 33. Sentimental Difcourfes upon Religion and Morality By a Lady. 12mo, 2 s. 6 d. fewed. Becket. 1770 It The fair fex have, of late, difcovered a wonderful inclination, to invade fome of thofe prerogatives, which the lords of the creation have been accustomed, time immemorial, to look upon as their own, by antient prescription and indefeafible right: they have ventured to fet their foot within feveral enclosures, to which caftom had given the men an exclufive charter. They have laid hold on the philofopher's quadrant, the hiftorian's tablet, the poet's laurel, and the critic's rod; and lo! now the divine trembles for his caffock was referved for this female Quixote to attack the Jas Divinum of the clergy, and to fcale the tacred fteps of the pulpit. Leaving, however, thofe who are more immediately aggrieved by this daring attempt, to chaftife the offender in fuch manner as fhall feem to their reverences moft meet, we shall only take upon us to cenfure this female writer, for undertaking a fpecies of compofition to which the feems wholly unequal, and for offering to the public a crude medley of pieces, confiiting partly of large extracts (unacknowledged) from feveral authors, and partly of mifcellaneous reflections, baftily conceived, immethodically thrown together, and incorrectly expreffed, in the refpectable form of fermons. The Author has doubtless the merit of a good intention, in rifing up to support the cause of virtue, But we must not make fuch a facrifice to ceremony, as to allow her any farther praife. We exprefs ourselves the more freely, as the Author declares herself indifferent to applause, and affures the public, that no fuch mean motive as the defire of admiration gave birth to thefe difcourfes. LKE. SCHOOL-BOOK. Art. 34. The New London Spelling Book, or the young Gentleman and Lady's Guide to the English Tongue. In five Parts, &c. By Charles Vyfe. 12mo. I S. Robinfon. To criticife a fpelling book without fome very obvious caufe, would be breaking a butterfly on the wheel indeed. We have Vyfe's, Fenning's, and Dilworth's fpelling-books, as we have Par fon's, Calvert's, and Huck's, intire butt beer; with much the fame differences among them all: the conteft is, generally, tweedle dum, against tweedle dee. N. SERMONS preached December 13th, 1776, being the Day appointed for a Public Faft, on account of the Troubles in America, viz. 1. Public Tranquillity the Object of every Individual's Concern; in the Parish Church of Newbery, Berks. By the Rev. Thomas Penrose, Curate of Newbery. 4to. 6d. Davies. Mr. Penrofe is the preacher of peace. He makes a juft and ample encomium on focial tranquillity and happiness, contrasting the pleaf 3 ing |