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strongly inculcated. Some excellent remarks on the breach of the Sabbath, and on its consequences, are appropriately introduced; and the whole Sermon displays considerable ability, and the soundest principles. The profit arising from the sale of this discourse, will be given to the Patriatic Fund.

The Destruction of the Combined Fleets of France and Spain; a Sermon, preached at Worship-street, Thursday, December 5, 1805. By John Evans, M. A. 8vo. Second Edition. PP. 32. Symonds. 1805.

MR. Evans is the Pastor of a Dissenting Meeting-house in Worshipstreet, and is a very loyal and good subject. The present Sermon is a plain discourse, containing many salutary admonitions, and enforcing many good precepts. His text, from the 8th Chapter of Revelation, part of the 9th verse, "And the third part of the ships were destroyed;" gave birth to a supposition, in some of his flock, that it was considered by him as prophetic of the event which he had undertaken to celebrate; but he, properly, disclaims all such intentions; and, indeed, his notions of prophecy are perfectly correct.

A Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, on the 31st of May, 1804, at the Visitation of the Reverend the Archdeacon. By the Rev. J. G. Thompson, A. M. Rector of Bolton. 4to. Pr. 20.

Hatchard. 1806.

THE subjects discussed in this Sermon are of great, of primary, of vital importance. They include original sin, its origin and conse quences; the glad tidings of the Gospel, and the duty and responsibility of a Minister of the Gospel. They are, of course, discussed in a cursory manner; but the author's notions of them are impressed with great force, both of language and of sentiment. Having expatiated on the duties of a Minister, he thus addresses his brethren.

"If these things be so, what manner of men ought we to be? Should the cares of the world engross our thoughts? Should its pleasures allure us from our duties? Should its pursuits be anxiously regarded by us? Methinks the limits of our lives are too short to give us an opportunity of doing what we would, and the unavoidable incumbrances in our way, too many already, to give us time to discharge even a portion of our obliga. tions: though it is often observed by the ignorant, that we have the least of all men to engage us.

"We profess ourselves to be called of God. Oh! let us answer that call, and never cease our labours till we cease to breathe! Multitudes of our fellow-creatures are to be saved by our means, and without means, let us remember, God saveth none; should they be lost because these means have not been used, how tremendous must be our reckoning at the Last day!"

This is evidently the language of the heart; it is also the language of truth, and cannot be too often repeated, nor too strongly enforced.

EDUCATION,

EDUCATION.

Compendious English Grammar, with a Key, by which Experience has proved that a Boy, with a tolerable Capacity, may, in a few Months, be taught to speak or write the English Language correctly, though totally unacquainted with the Latin or Greek Languages. By D. Pape, Vicar of Penn, Staffordshire. 25. Ostell, London; Swinney, Birmingham.

THERE certainly is no excuse left for speaking or writing bad Eng. lish; for there is scarcely a town in the kingdom which has not produced an English Grammar. They may be found of all sizes and prices, from the prolixity of Tooke, to the pocket-piece dimensions of Messrs. Ash and Murray. The Reverend author before us has treated the subject with great ability; and though, in many cases, he has dissented from his pre. decessors, he is always, if not right, extremely plausible. He has given the subjunctive mood its passport for the shades, and has introduced a clause to regulate verbs that follow the conjunctions if, unless, &c. &c.He objects to the terms neuter gender, and substitutes nenter state, because nothing associates with the idea of gender, but that which has sexual difference;" we presume that he meant that which has sex. Exem. plification" Peter is of the masculine gender; his wife Isabel of the feminine gender, and their house of the neuter gender, which is certainly of no gender at all." And again-" Peter is of the Catholic religion, Isabel of the Jewish, and their son Joseph the nexter religion, which is no religion at all." The latter conclusion is not correct; because Joseph is neuter in respect to the religion of his parents, if he be of a third reli. gion. Russia may be a neutral power in a war between England and France, and yet carry on a war against Tartary. The word neuter cannot be used with propriety for neither; and, if it could, it would be im. proper before the word gender, because it would bear an implication of third sex. To use it in the place of the adverb no (from the Saxon Na), would be still more improper, for a neutral state would then be no state at all. But allowing Mr. Pape to be right in discarding the terms neuter gender, his substitute neuter state is liable to an objection; because we are speaking of genders, not of states. But the error originates in the want of two terms, the one signifying sexual nouns, and the other moans having 210 sex. We then should see no more of the Iricism which is frequently found in our grammars, of "Nouns have three genders—the masculine, the feminine, and the neuter," or no gender!! Mr. Pape too, is certainly incorrect in classing the epicene, or name common to both sexes, in the neuter state. He, however, has written a very useful book; and, with a chance of learning grammar so easily and so cheaply, the rising genera. tion will have no excuse for ignorance. There are some very excellent rules for punctuation in Mr. Pape's book-a department in writing that has been most unpardonably neglected. Of the colon, Mr. Pape observes, that "according to Johnson, the particular use of it cannot be ascer. tained; however, it is more easily perceived than described;"-(the lat. ter part of this sentence should have been written thus it is, however,

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:

more

more, &c.)-Mr. Pape gives several examples where it generally is used; this, however, is no rule. Some of the examples are certainly right, and some are certainly disputable.

A New and Easy Guide to the Pronunciation and Spelling of the French Lan. guage; to which are added Lessons on Etymology and Analogy: also, a Short and Plain Introduction to the French Grammar: The Conjugation of Verbs, in all their various Moods and Tenses; together with an English Index to assist the Pupil. By Mr. Tocquot, M. A. Author of the Latin Scholar's Guide, &c. &c. 12mo. Pr. 170. 2s. 6d. Law. 1806.

THE object of the author is to facilitate the pronunciation of French words by a new arrangement, which seems extremely well calculated for the purpose. He begins with those words which are pronounced as they are written, according to the sound given to each letter in the alphabet, and in the three tables of vowels, inserted in the first pages of the book. In the lessons the same rule is observed: the first of them are composed of words which in meaning and orthography are the same as the English; the next, of words pronounced as they are written, but bearing less affinity to the English and those are followed by an explanation of the manner of forming French words from English words. By this accurate arrange. ment of words in series, the labour of the pupil is materially abridged, and the task of learning is rendered smooth and pleasant. The plan is entitled to praise both for its ingenuity and merit.

The Child's Monitor, or Parental Instruction; in Five Parts: containing a great Variety of Progressive Lessons, adapted to the Comprehension of Chil "dren, and calculated to instruct them in Reading, in the Use of Stops, in Spelling, and in dividing Words into proper Syllables; and, at the same time, to give them some Knowledge of Natural History, of the Scriptures, and of several other sublime and important Subjects. By John Hornsey, Author of "A Short Grammar of the English Language,” and “ Án Introduction to Arithmetic."

12mo.

Pr.

240.

THIS is one of the best conceived and most practically useful publications for children that we have seen. The title page sufficiently explains the intelligent author's plan and design; and we can safely assure our readers that he has executed them with equal skill and fidelity. We must, however, express our disapprobation at the introduction into such books of any word which is not strictly legitimate. Why will Mr. Hornsey use the verb to paralyze? It is not English; but a bastard French term, lately introduced, like many others of the same kind, to corrupt the native purity of our language:-the legitimate verb is to palsy. Mr. Hornsey observes, that "The letter & in favour, honour, inferiour, la, bour, superiour, vigour, &c. was for some time suspended; but, being now generally used, I have in this instance also conformed to custom." We confess ourselves totally ignorant of this suspension of the use of the vowel u in the words of which it forms a constituent and essential part; and still more so of any authority which could possibly justify such a wanton muti. lation, The jus et norma loquendi may, possibly, be admitted as a plea for

some

some deviations from the strict rules of grammar in conversation; but as to a custom, or rather fashion of writing, we can never allow that to be re. ceived as a guide to an author in literary compositions of any kind. Mr. Hornsey's good sense, we are persuaded, will immediately point out to him the justice of these observations, which are not intended to detract, in the smallest degree, from the general merit of his book.

The History of England, for the Use of Schools and Young Persons. By Edward Baldwin, E. Author of Fables, Ancient and Modern. With 32 Heads of the Kings, engraved on Copperplate, and a striking Repre sentation of an Ancient Tournament. 12mo. Pr. 224. Hodgkins.

1806.

THIS History is only fit for very young persons, or rather for young children; it is in general written in a style well adapted to the capacities of those for whose use it is designed; but here and there the author indulges himself in flippant remarks, which had better been omitted. In p. 151, he says, contrary to fact, and, indeed, to his own account of the fact, that "James was sent away," alluding to the abdication of James the Second. This is a loose mode of writing, very improper for the in struction of children, whom it is calculated to mislead. Again, he says, in p. 159, in allusion to two parties which sprang up in the days of Elizabeth; "They, were then called Episcopalians and Puritans; that is, persons who wished to have Bishops in England, and persons who thought religion would prosper better without them; these parties took opposite sides in the wars of Charles I." Here he has by no means given a just description of the opposite parties; and has, moreover, led children to suppose, that the difference between them was a mere matter of opinion, alike indifferent in itself and in its consequences. This is a mischievous

error, deserving of reproof. In p. 160, he asserts, that "Dr. Sacheverel was a very silly fellow," &c.-We shrewdly suspect that Mr. Baldwir never read his Sermons; if we thought he had, we should entertain a very poor opinion of his own judgment. Should this History go into a second edition, we trust the author will profit by our hints, and carefully revise it, and expunge all the objectionable passages. The plates are well executed.

Life of Lady Jane Grey, and of Lord Guildford Dudley, her Husband. By Theophilus Marciffe. 18m. Pp. 112. 15. Hodgkins. 1806.

THE interesting story of this amiable, but unfortunate, couple, who fell victims, in the prime of life, and in the bloom of beauty, to the jealousy of a sanguinary and ferocious Queen, is here narrated with a plainness and simplicity, alike appropriate to the subject, and to the understanding of children; in whose young minds it is peculiarly calculated to excite interest and pleasure.

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The Looking-Glass. A True History of the Early Years of an Artist; calculated to awaken the Emulation of Young Persons of both Sexes in the Pursuit of every landable Attainment; particularly in the Cultivation of the Fine Arts. By Theophilus Marcliffe. 18mo. Pr. 18. IS. Hodgkins. 1805.

WE are told that in this Mirror, "every good little boy and girl may see what he or she is; and those who are not yet quite good, may find what they ought to be." As the author has marked the character of his hero with several defects, we cannot agree that he is what every boy and girl ought to be. We well know, that perfection is not the lot of huma. nity; but the lesson to be impressed upon children, as well as upon adults, is, that it is their bounden duty to endeavour to attain as nearly to perfection as possible. "I do not wish to pass the young person whose his tory I am writing, though I think his actions worthy of record and of praise, for a saint or a faultless. A picture is nothing without shadow: and a character is nothing without a few dark strokes in it." This is certainly not proper language to be used to children; who should never see faults unaccompanied by punishment, nor merit without reward.

THE DRAMA.

The Laughable Lover. A Comedy, in Five Ads. By Carol O'Caustic. Pp. 100. Symonds. 1806.

THOUGH we are perfectly sensible of the modern perversion of dramatic taste; though we see with disgust pantomime triumphant over comedy and tragedy, and children draw crouded theatres, while our best actors and actresses play to empty benches; yet we must pity the managers for the public insults they receive from writers, who impute the rejection of their works to the predilection for show and sing-song, though such works are more replete with immorality and absurdity than the worst imitations of the German drama, without pageantry or music to gild, the nauseous pill.

Such is the case of the piece before us, A more monstrous mixture of folly and absurdity, without even an attempt at comic humour to enliven it, we have seldom read; and it is, besides, interspersed occasionally with sallies of the most pernicious political tendency. And yet, because the managers would not bring forward a piece whose general composition must disgrace their theatre, and whose seditious doctrines, if they could possibly escape the notice of the Lord Chamberlain, would draw down the resentment of the audience on the house and the performers, every epithet that disappointed self-conceit can suggest is lavished on them by the frantic author.

For such insults, however, the managers may in some measure thank themselves, Either from indulgence to the author, or from partiality to

some

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