NOVELS.

Art. 18. Bouverie, the Pupil of the World. By A. F. Holstein, Author of "The Assassin of St. Glenroy," &c. &c. 12mo. 5 Vols. 11. 7s. 6d. Boards. Newman and Co.

This novel is one of Mr. Holstein's best performances, and really interesting, though its denouement is unnatural. It offers considerable variety of character, it exhibits the embarrassments which may result from pride and poverty with some comic humour, and many of the incidents evince talent and originality. Yet we are obliged again to animadvert on the writer's want of grammatical accuracy, though his style is certainly improved by practice. In Vol. i. p. 179.. a lady is said to drive about the country solo; in Vol. ii. p. 187. the polished Bouverie is made to exclaim, The cheerful gambols of this unconscious dog offends as irksome;' and in Vol. iii. p. 88. he asks, has no spring blossoms yet appeared?'- Mr. Holstein should avoid these and similar inadvertencies, if he wishes us to agree with him in ranking his works above what he terms the commonality of mere romance scribblers.'

Art. 19. Montgomery; or, The West Indian Adventurer. By a Gentleman resident in the West Indies. I 2mo. 3 Vols. Boards. Printed at Jamaica. 1812.

A Jamaica romance reminds us of the Botany Bay Eclogues; and this specimen of a work of fancy from the Kingston-press will not excite much regret for the scarcity of similar productions. The principal character is a Book-keeper on a plantation in Jamaica, and a few traits of negro-generosity form the only interesting part of the narrative. In the first volume, is renewed the old argument in favour of the slave-trade which has been so often answered; viz. that humane laws now exist, by which the white people can punish each other for ill treatment of their negroes; while in the second volume the writer involuntarily refutes his own plea, by shewing the power which overseers and slave-drivers possess in evading those statutes. -The vicissitudes of the tale consist chiefly of alternate voyages from England to the West Indies, and back to England; each volume being enlivened with two or three such expeditions, in which the occupation and conversation of every passenger in the ship are detailed. The writer seems to consider weeping as the most becoming indication of sensibility in both sexes; and, whenever Montgomery is affronted, • tears involuntarily fall from his eyes.' We should offend some of our readers if we extracted specimens of what is intended for wit and humour in this work; and the following samples of its erroneous phraseology may suffice. (Vol. i.) The fatigue she had underwent might endanger her health.' (P. 33.) A few of Col. O'Hara's men had got sick, and these he took care should be furnished with every thing requisite to their situation, while he saw that their births. (berths) were properly ventilated,' &c. (P. 46.) Mrs. O'Hara took a little fever from the cold she caught.' (P. 165.) Mr. Miller took the prudence of expressing his sentiments.' (P. 201.) The day though keenly cold by means of a sharp wind,› (Vol. ii. p. 13.)

• He had conducted himself towards my wife and I with singular politeness,' &c.

Art. 20. Sarsfield; or, Wanderings of Youth, an Irish Tale. By John Gamble, Esq., Strabane, Author of " Sketches, &c. in Ireland." 12mo. 3 Vols. 16s. 6d. Boards. Cradock and Joy. 1814.

Many parts of this tale are amusing, and the concluding scenes are affecting and well described; furnishing a warning to youth, by exhibiting the disgrace and remorse which may ensue from a single false step. Mr. Gamble's young readers, however, will purchase his moral lessons at too dear a rate, if they also imbibe the scepticism respecting a future state with which these volumes seem to be tinctured; and we must regret that the good taste, sometimes evinced in the writings of this gentleman, has not prevented him from making his present hero commit acts of dishonesty and meanness which are not sufficiently palliated by his difficulties. Such are Sarsfield's robbery of the poor tradesman who feeds and supports him on his journey to Belfast, and his forgery of the hand-writing of his friend, in order to produce a more emphatic letter of recommendation than the one which had already been penned for him.

Some grammatical incuria have also escaped the author's notice, among which are the following: Vol. i. p. 148. He neither slew cows or venomous creatures; he neither attacked castles or windmills.' Vol. iii. p. 124. The child that thou gavest me is innocent as he was when you saw him,' &c.

Art. 21.

Paternal Love; or, The Reward of Friendship. By P. Darling, Author of "The Romance of the Highlands," &c. 12mo. 6s. sewed. Gale and Co. 1814.

The heroine of this tale is a young lady in Norway, attired in a gypsey straw-bonnet, who refreshes herself after sultry days by taking evening walks along the winding shores of the Atlantic ocean.' No peculiarities of climate, language, or manners, are regarded, and the most common rules of grammar are repeatedly violated, in this very defective performance.

EDUCATION.

Art. 22. The English Pronouncing Spelling-Book, on a Plan entirely new, calculated to correct Provincialisms, &c. By Thomas West. 12mo. bound. Darton and Co. 1812.

6

On recurring to the above title, we were ready to exclaim, like Sterne, after he had repeated the text of one of his sermons, "That I deny" since we discover nothing entirely new' in the plan of this publication, though it is a good spelling-book, containing many reading-lessons of very short words, and therefore well calculated for the use of young beginners.

Art. 23. Ellen; or The Young Godmother, a Tale for Youth, by
Alicia Catherine Mant. 12mo. bound. Law. 1814.
The opening of this little tale is pleasing both by its novelty and
its morality, and the latter recommendation is preserved throughout

the work: but, after the commencement, instead of displaying the peculiar situation and duties of a young godmother, the writer diverges into hackneyed improbabilities, such as making a father who was supposed to be dead suddenly re-appear, and find a son who was said to have been dead also, &c. Some few incorrect sentences occur, as, (page 67.) Ellen happy of an opportunity,' &c. P. 97. They were gratified by receiving dispatches from Henfield, and of learning that their friends there were all well,' &c.

Art. 24. Introduction to the Diurnal Readings, being choice Pieces in Prose and Verse, adapted to the Capacities of Youth; in which is employed a certain Mark, to point out the intermediate and almost imperceptible Pauses observed by good Readers and Speakers. By Thomas Haigh, A.M. Master of the BoardingSchool, Kitts End, Barnet. 12mo. 38. bound. Sherwood

and Co.

1814.

To the selection of these little pieces we offer no objection, but we think that the subdivision of sentences, introduced by the editor, is troublesome and fanciful; as it is more desirable to vary the tone and accent than to suspend the breath in reading those short passages. which are not interrupted by commas, and as the mechanical part of these inflexions must be learnt orally, and therefore cannot be communicated by Mr. Haigh's proposed hiatus.

Art. 25. An Introduction to the Epistolary Style of the French; or a Selection of familiar Notes and Letters in French; for the Use of Schools, with an alphabetical Index, explanatory of the Words and idiomatical Expressions. By George Saulez, D. F.I.M. Farnham, Surrey, Author of "Theory and Practice of the French Language," &c. 12mo. bound. Law. 1814.

This selection presents considerable variety, and is well calculated to assist young people in acquiring a good French epistolary style. In a few instances, however, we discovered errors of the press which may mislead, as (p. 12.) La compagnie' for la compagne; (ib.) la compagne for la campagne; (p. 60.) Monsieurs P for

Monsieur P. &c.

Art. 26. New Orthographical Exercises, with the correct Orthoëpy of every Word, for the Use of Foreigners, and Schools in general. By Alexander Power, Master of the Commercial Academy, Ashford, Kent. 12mo. bound. Law. 1814.

We have already objected to the plan of giving passages erroneously spelt, as exercises to children, who may probably retain some of the faults which they are desired to correct, and which might not otherwise have occurred to them. Those teachers, however, who approve of this method, will deem the present an eligible publication; since the proper accent is added to each word, and a kind of scale of the vowels is added which will afford some assistance in the pronun ciation. In p. 99. a letter from Lord Chesterfield to Dr. R. C.3 is made to begin and end with "My dear Lord."

Art. 27. A First or Mother's Dictionary for Children; containing upwards of 3800 Words which occur most frequently in Books'

H 4

and

and conversation, simply and familiarly explained, &c. By Anna Brownwell Murphy. 12mo. 4s. 6d. bound. W. Darton.

This dictionary is formed on the same plan with an ingenious little glossary which Miss Edgeworth added to one of her juvenile stories; and, though the present collection of words might with advantage have been made more copious, yet the explanations given are so well suited to the capacities of children that we have no hesitation in recommending the work.

Art. 28. The Juvenile Arithmetic, or Child's Guide to Figures; being an easy Introduction to Joyce's Arithmetic, and various others now in Use. By a Lady. 12mo. IS. Souter. 1814. As this little tract may be serviceable from the attractive form of dialogues, in which the lessons are conveyed, and from the clearness and simplicity with which it explains the first four rules of arithmetic, it is adapted to the perusal of juvenile accomptants.

Art. 29. A French Dictionary, on a Plan entirely new; wherein all the Words are 30 arranged, and divided, as to render their Pronunciation both Easy and Accurate, &c. By William Smith, A.M. 8vo. 8s. 6d. Boards. Law. 1814.

Mr. Smith's ingenious scheme for teaching the pronunciation of the French language, by analogy, may claim attention from such persons as learn French by an English fire-side; though we believe that no exhibition of similar sounds in English will enable them to speak French so well as they may hope to do it by practice and oral instruction.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 30. Proceedings of the Public Meeting for the Purpose of establishing an Auxiliary Bible-Society, for Hackney, Newington, Homerton, Clapton, Stamford-Hill, Newington-Green, Kingsland, Shaklewell, and Dalston: in Aid of the British and Foreign Bible-Society; held at the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney, Dec. 22. 1812. 8vo. pp. 112. 38. Hatchard. 1813.

When zeal for particular churches is absorbed by zeal for the promotion of the great interests of Christianity; when believers of various communions unite not for the sake of serving any party-views but to extend their common faith, and to advance the knowlege of Divine revelation; then indeed do they present a spectacle which angels must behold with pleasure, and of which the Father of mercies must approve. To such an union, none but perverse men and infernal spirits could object; and objections from such quarters always do more good than harm. Sacred truth and heavenly love rise in value by being brought to the test, and whoever attempts to vilify them overwhelms himself with disgrace. The Bible-Society, being a truly Christian and liberal institution, needs not be angry with its enemies; since it rises in dignity by means of their puny assaults.

With considerable pleasure we have perused the animated speeches of the gentlemen at the public meeting at Hackney, and contemplated the union of sentiment which pervaded Churchmen and Dis

senters,

pro

senters, the warmth of feeling which diffused itself like the electric fluid through the whole mass, and the predominance of the great principle, in which the Society originated, over all subordinate attachments. He who has any fears for his own particular creed or communion, from the universal dissemination of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment, renders to that creed and to that communion the worst compliment that can possibly be paid to it; and, indeed, the reflection included in such a fear is more fatal than the stabs of ten thousand enemies. The Bible-Society may be considered as a test of the sincerity of public profession. The Churchman, who cordially supports this Society, is persuaded that the Bible is pitious to his church, or that the latter is founded on the rock of the Scriptures; while the sectary, in like manner, who wishes for nothing so much as that " the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified," is also persuaded that this word is decisive in favour of his sect. The clergy and laity assembled on this occasion manifest that zeal for the diffusion of the Bible which indicates their individual sense of its importance; and the forcible and impressive manner, in which they combat the objections that have been alleged against the Society, does honour at once to the soundness of their judgments and the benevolence of their hearts. We cannot undertake to go over the ground occupied by the several speakers: but we shall confess ourselves to have been gratified not only by the unanimity of the meeting, but by the variety which was displayed in a discussion which promised to be monotonous. The replies to objections are conducted with much temper; and some general and local facts are mentioned which ought to engage the attention of the British and Foreign Bible-Society, and of the particular Society which it was the express object of this Meeting to establish. The general fact is that, taking the population of the world at 800 millions, about one-fourth are professing Christians, Protestants and Catholics; and the remaining 600 millions are Mahomedans, Pagans, and those who do not bear the Christian name!' How much then is to be accomplished, before all the kingdoms of the world shall be included in the kingdom of Christ!

It is stated, respecting the district specified in the title, that of 783 families, containing 3112 persons, who have been visited, 421 families were found without either Bible or Testament; these families contained 1683, and of that number 1030 were able to read. This enquiry did not extend to more than one-seventh part of the whole district.' Here is much room for the exertion of Christian charity: but the Society ought also to take into consideration that the poor must be comfortable at home before they will read at home; and that the habit of wasting their time in pot-houses must be cured, since otherwise the distributed Bibles will be pawned, not perused.

Art. 31. The complete Anagogue; or, an Explanation of such Portions of Holy Writ, which (as) have in general been deemed inscrutable. The whole tending to display the merciful Kindness of God towards his Creatures; but chiefly, as manifested through the Medium of those Transactions relative to the Fall of Man and his Recovery. To which is added a small Work, entitled ScriptureSufficiency,