Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

tion on a subject on which almost every individual is at present personally engaged, entitles him to great praise. His compendium appears superior to various similar publications, in several respects; but we have observed one or two errors of the press, not wholly unimportant; such as right heel for left heel, p. 45. 1. 22; and powder for paper, p. 55. 1. 18. The front of the company is thus increased by one third,' p. 86.1.8. This expression is rather ambiguous; as when the company, from three deep, as the author is describing, is formed into two deep, the front is lengthened one half of its former extent.

The definitions would have been more complete, had those which are the most difficult, particularly the echellon, been illustrated by one or two common plates.

While Mr. Workman restricts himself to the usual business of an adjutant, we find much to commend: but we are sorry that we cannot pay him the same compliment when he touches the subject of gunnery. If he aims, with a common musket, at one hundred and twenty yards, agreeably to his rule, two feet below the spot which he intends to hit, he will strike just those two feet below that spot. Or, in other words, instead of two hundred and forty yards, which he gives, he will find half of this distance, or even less, to be point blank. Indeed, the whole directions for taking aim, p. 63, are sa erroneous, that we sincerely wish that he had entirely omitted them, and thus have avoided such a blemish in a work of very considerable merit.

Art. 36. A Letter addressed to the Hon. Court of Lieutenancy, on the present State of the Discipline of the Armed Associations of the City of London. By an Officer of the London Militia. Svo, 6d. Debrett. 1798.

The observations contained in this letter appear to be very rational, and well calculated to render the London Associations what they doubtless wish to be, an uniform efficient force for the occasional protection of the metropolis.

Art. 37. Minutes of the Proceedings of a Naval Court Martial, assembled and held on board his Majesty's Ship Prince, before Cadiz, 12th June 1798, to try the Right Hon. Lord Henry Paulet, Captain of his Majesty's Ship Thalia, on a Charge exhibited against him by Lieut. Robert Forbes. By R. Tucker, Purser of his Majesty's Ship London; from the Minutes taken with the Per mission of the Court. 8vo. IS. Debrett.

The allegation against Lord H. Paulet was, that, in breach of the 33d article of war, he struck Lieut. Forbes, when in the execution of his duty, on the quarter deck of the Thalia; and the charge being established, the Court sentenced Lord Henry to be dismissed from his Majesty's service: " but, in consideration of the whole circumstances of the case, the Court did humbly presume to recommend him as a proper object for his Majesty's most gracious consideration." In consequence of these circumstances, which were of a mitigating nature, (though the rules of the service required the sentence which was pronounced,) and in purfuance of this recommendation, his Majesty has been pleased to reinstate Lord Henry Paulet in his rank 111 the

navy,

Art.

Art. 38. An Historical Journal of the British Campaigns on the Continent, in the Year 1794, with the Retreat through Holland, in 1795. By Capt. L. T. Jones, of the 14th Regiment. 4to. 11. Is. Boards. Egerton, &c. 1797.

We, who only saw from our garret windows what passed among the armies on the continent, during the memorable campaigns above mentioned, cannot be supposed to be completely qualified to sit in judgment on the journal of an officer, drawn up on the fpot, during the military operations to which it relates.-The best testimony, with regard to the merit of such a publication, will probably be found in Capt. Jones's very respectable list of subscribers, consisting of General and Field officers, &c. with his Royal Highness Field Marshal the Duke of York at their head. A list like this may be considered as a body of evidence, amounting to the most honourable testimony in favour of the work to which it is prefixed.-Descriptive notes are added, to illustrate the incidental mention of places, cities, towns, &c. as they occur in detailing the movements of armies and detachments; and expensive engravings are given, including a large map of the seat of the war, the principal actions, encampments, &c. &c. All these appear to be well executed; and we see no reason for questioning their accuracy.

LAND-TAX.

Art. 39. Observations on the Act for the Redemption of the Land-Tax: shewing the Benefits likely to arise from the Measure both to the Public and to Individuals; with practical Remarks upon the Detail of the Act: from which will be seen the Facility with which it may be carried into Execution, and the particular Means afforded to Persons possessing every Kind of Estate, of taking Advantage of it. 8vo. IS. Bunney and Co.

[ocr errors]

This author considers the benefits that are likely to accrue to the public from this measure, as more important than any other operation in finance since the funding system took place, except the acts passed within the last twelve years for ensuring a gradual reduction of the National Debt; to individuals the advantages are equally certain and considerable: perhaps there is no instance of any measure so plainly and powerfully combining the public and private interests; while it will increase in a very great degree the resources of the country, it not only will not impose any burthen on the subject, but will actually give a pecuniary advantage to all those who become purchasers."

Those who are curious to see in what manner this very advantageous character of the act is supported, by the present writer, must consult his claborate performance; in which they will find a distinct view of the different provisions and regulations which this act contains.

Our readers, however, will probably recollect that Sir John Sinclair passed a very different judgment on the merits of this measure, in his speech against the bill, on its second reading. See "Alarm to Land-owners, &c." noticed in our Catalogue for September, Art. 24. Art. 40. Interesting Suggestions to Proprietors and Trustees of Estates, respecting the Land-Tax Sale and Redemption Act. By Simeon Pope. 8vo. IS. Richardson. 1798.

9

Mr.

Mr. Pope is a strong advocate for the act, and earnestly recommends a speedy attention to the advantages which it holds out to land proprietors, without loss of time, before those advantages are lessened by the probable rise of the funds;-and for other cogent reasons, for which we refer to the pamphlet.

POETRY, DRAMATIC, &c.

Art. 41. A Day at Rome*: A Musical Entertainment, in Two
Acts. As it was damned at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden,
October 11th, 1798. 8vo. 15.
1s. Symonds, &c.

Notwithstanding the long-experienced good-nature of English audiences, (when party is out of the question,) their decisions on the merit of a new piece do not always err on the side of indulgence; nor do disappointed authors always implicitly submit, but frequently carry their appeals to the public at large, in the hope that by printing their productions they may shame their censurers. In this, however, the unfortunate dramatist seldom succeeds, for the decrees of the Pit are generally affirmed in the Closet.-The present is one of those instances:-yet this little drama is not destitute of wit and humour; though there seems to be nothing very attractive in the songs t; nor is there either character or business of sufficient importance to fix the attention or command the applause of a London audience.-We say command; for if, in these cases, the writer is not possessed of that power, it is in vain to think of inferior considerations.

Art. 42.
The Forester; or the Royal Seat. A Drama. In Five
Acts. Written by John Bayley. 8vo. Is. 6d. Lee and Hurst,
&c. 179S.

This imitation of the Midsummer Night's Dream caricatures the faults of Shakespeare, without approaching his beauties: can it have been intended as a satire on the admirers of our greatest dramatic poet?

Art. 43.

Matriculation: A Poem. 4to. Is. 6d.

Davies. 1798.

Cadell jun. and

If an assembly of drunken undergraduates, quizzing a Freshman and kicking up a row, with a school-boy just matriculated, wallowing in the effects of his own intoxication, and drinking diuretic whey to remove his sickness,-be a fit subject for the grave and sober dignity of blank verse, the present publication has perhaps some claim to attention. We think, however, that with such a subject the youthful author had better have tried his skill in Hudibrastic doggrel.

Of the literary merit of this performance, we have little more to say than that we regret to see some very tolerable lines associated with such sorry company; that there are marks of ability in the poem;

* In Carnival time.

The music was furnished by the masterly hand of Atwood :— but nothing, as the author intimates, with very natural regret, could charm the audience into a fair hearing of the whole entertainment.

and

and that we augur better things of the juvenile writer, should he hereafter employ his talents on some happier subject.

Art. 44. The Inquisitor: a Tragedy, in Five Acts. Altered from the German. By the late James Petit Andrews, Esq. and Henry James Pye. 8vo. 25. Hatchard. 1798.

Art. 45. The Inquisitor: a Play, in Five Acts. As performed at 2 S. Robinsons. the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket. 8vo. 1798.

[ocr errors]

He

In the fifth volume of the Nouveau Theatre Allemand, under the title Diego & Leonore, we find the tragedy which has been thought worthy of a brace of translations; and which is now offered to the English public, both in verse and prose. The improbable plot is to this effect. A Portuguese gentleman cones to England, marries, and has a son, who is a protestant. He then goes to his own country, and obtains the offer of high preferment in the church, which he hesitates to accept on account of his marriage. His deserted wife hears of this, and transmits to him testimonies of her death. is now made archbishop of the Brazils, and finally returns to Lisbon as Patriarch. Meanwhile, his son, the hero of the piece, grows up, comes to Lisbon as an adventurer, falls in love with the niece and heiress of the patriarch, and, being rival to the nephew of the grand inquisitor, is arrested as a protestant and threatened with the faggot. An escape from prison, and an attempt to elope with his mistress, form the business of the piece. He is retaken; and both he and the lady determine to swallow poison. Now comes the discovery of his relationship to the patriarch; too late, according to the poetical translator, to prevent the death of the lovers: but in good time, according to the prose translation *, in which the poisoned chalice is indeed provided for them, but in which they are only preparing to hob or nob, when the patriarch's influence with the holy brotherhood sets them free, and he consents to their union.

In the poetical version of Messrs. Andrews and Pye, the dialogue is simple and elegant, but somewhat insipid: it is decorated with various praiseworthy maxims, favourable to the introduction of religious toleration.

The style of the prose translator seems, for the most part, bloated and affected: but he has preserved many well-imagined traits of cha racter which escape in the other version.

On the whole, we think that the reading public will not materially disagree with the audience, which effectually discouraged the exhi bition of the play.

Art. 46. Poems, on various Subjects. By Mary Ann Chantrell, of Newington-Butts. 8vo. pp. 110. 2s. 6d. bound. The first poem in this volume professes to be in in our opinion, it differs little from plain prose. rent if we transcribe any part of it without the division and measure of the lines, viz.

Symonds. 1798. blank verse: but, This will be appacustomary poetic

The passion of envy seems to be a curse that is entailed upon mortality, as it is found in almost every breast; and oh! when

That which was acted,-without applause.
7

once

once it gains ascendant there, what labor it requires to chase it thence! Unless one keep strict watch on all our actions, we soon, alas! too soon, must feel its lash. Such is the frailty of our mortal nature, that it admits this vile disgraceful passion, and gives it preference to every other; though in reality 'tis most unsolid,' &c. &c. This is copied exactly.

It would require more sagacity than we possess, to discern here any thing poctical either in the diction or the thoughts. Of the pieces which follow, viz. Pastorals, Epitaphs, Dreams, and Political Rhapsodies, we shall not waste time in going through a minute detail. They differ in kind from that to which we have already adverted, only by being in rhyme; and they seem to have been written rather with a view of filling a volume, than from the resistless impulse of genius or fancy.

In pronouncing an opinion thus unfavourable on the production of a female, we certainly feel pain :-but it affords us some consolation, to perceive that the pecuniary success of the author is already secured by a numerous list of subscribers.

Art. 47. Ode to Lord Nelson on his Conquest in Egypt. By Har modius. 4to. IS. Egerton. 1798.

His

Harmodius praises the Hero of the Nile, and celebrates his triumph, with the Temple of PEACE in his view. Peace, indeed, appears, in the poem before us, to be the favourite object of his Muse. poetry does not displease us: but his humanity claims our highest eulogium.-May our glorious victories be soon followed by the full gratification of the Poet's best wishes!

POLITICAL, &c.

Art. 48. Reflections on the late Augmentations of the English Peerage, to which are added a short Account of the Peers in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and a Catalogue of all the Knights created in that illustrious Reign. 8vo. PP. 137. 3s. 6d. Robson.

1798. The preliminary page of this pamphlet contains the facts on which the spirited strictures of the author are founded: .

Mr. Pitt having just made another large addition of thirteen persons to the English Peerage; it is impossible to reflect on the augmentations which have taken place in the Upper House, during his ministry, without strong sensations of doubt, fear, and astonishment,

In 1682 the House of Peers consisted of 2 Dukes of the bloodroyal, 9 Dukes and 2 Duchesses in their own right, 2 Marquisses, 68 Earls, I Countess in her own right, 8 Viscounts, 1 Vis countess in her own right, 65 Barons, and 3 Baronesses in their own right; forming altogether 161 temporal Peers *.

In 1728 it consisted of 4 Dukes of the blood-royal, 24 Dukes (besides those of Dover, Brandon, and Greenwich, which were supposed to be contrary to the articles of union), I Marquis, 71 Earls, 15 Viscounts, 64 Barons, with 7 Peeresses in their

< * Dugdale's Catalogue of Nobility, at the end of his Antient Usage of Arms.'

Own

« AnteriorContinuar »