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And at their verie thresholde met their fate!--
The dreadful worke of nations thus performed,
Soon did the furie of his front subside;
And when their Chieftain's banner graced his feete,
A sigh of sympathie came sweetlie forthe,
Presage of something nobler still, when all
The bitterness of wrathe was done away "

PAGE 100.-GENUINE.'

• CCLXXXII-Dr. L—wr—CE.

"I did betake me, t'other morn, to Father L-wr-ce, a Soothe-sayer, and grave Oracle o' the Arches, one who dothe retaile you civille lawe and politiques most villanouslie compounded!-I found him in learned tribulation, having just escaped the COMMONS not Doctorial, where, being far from home, he did make it a dubitable question with his own pericranium, whether he had risen by his heade, or on his feete?-The wagges had laughed incontinentlie at his confusion, and told his Reverence to his bearde, that he had been assessing his five senses quintuplie, without levying from thence one graine of common understanding!"

'PAGE 104.-GENUINE." The author still delights in a play on words, and sometimes (though perhaps not so frequently as before) in double entendres. Art. 54. The Cause of Truth, containing, besides a great Variety of other Matter, a Refutation of Errors in the Political Works of Thomas Paine, and other Publications of a similar Kind. In a Series of Letters, of a Religious, Moral, and Political Nature. By Robert Thomas, Minister of Abdie. 12mo. pp. 437. 38. Printed at Dundee, and sold by Vernor and Hood, in London. Mr. Thomas has the merit of having taken uncommon pains to refute the systems of some modern theorists; and if what is here offered to the public for the small price of 3s. (and to subscribers for 2s.) had been printed as some works are, it would have made a very handsome quarto volume. On the score of quantity, therefore, the reader, who wishes to have a pennyworth for his penny, owes his thanks to Mr. T.; and the object of the writer being laudable, we should be happy to have it in our power to say as much for the quality: but, here, truth obliges us to remark that, in supporting the cause of truth, he has been too diffuse, and is more verbose and figurative than argumentative. Even in his introduction, instead of placing the general doctrines, which he intends to refute, in a clear manner before his readers, he gives them the following indistinct and metaphorical view of Mr. Paine and his works. This artful man has so blended truth and error, he has so infused the poison of asps [who ever heard of the poison of asps being infused? the poison of serpents is fatal, not by infusion, but by its being introduced, by the bite of the animal, into the circulation] into the salutary draught of truth, that he has blinded the understanding and infuriated the hearts of many. His falsehoods, his errors and his visionary schemes have served him as an enchanter's wand; [we have read in the old romances of strange visions proceeding from the touch of an enchant

er's

er's wand, but never of the visions themselves being a wand;] with the touch of which he introduces his reader into Fairyland; leads him in flowery paths through myrtle groves; [who ever before sus pected Thomas Paine of this?] and presents nothing to his view but harmony, peace, riches, and happiness. He conceals the pit, which lies before the traveller. He hides the dæmons of discord, war, and all confusion and misery: which are ready to burst forth, and to change this fair and pleasing scene into a blasted heath covered with ruins and slain.'-This perhaps Mr. T. inay esteem fine writing: but it contributes nothing either to the clear statement or to the refutation of an error.

Mr. Thomas may say that he has most clearly and fully stated the doctrines which he opposes, and that he has largely replied to them in the subsequent letters, which are sixty-six in number. He here indeed undertakes to combat not only Mr. Paine, but Mr. Godwin; and he enters on a very wide and extensive field,--treating of the State. of Nature-the Rights of Men-Equality and Inequality-Universal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments-Liberty-Kingly GovernmentHereditary Succession-The British Constitution-Taxes-The National Debt, &c. He has not, however, elucidated these subjects, on which so much has been written, by any novelty or strength of remark; though he has laboured hard to prove that "whatever is, is right," and of course to make us contented with things as they are. He maintains not only the superiority of the British Constitution over every other, but the superiority of the Government, in this country, over all the governments that either are, or ever were, in any other. Taxes, he allows, are great: but he must take the liberty of affirming (he tells us) that they are not heavy, that is, not a sensible burden. After this, we were surprised to find the next letter beginning with the following sentence: The most unpleasant of all tasks is to write in defence of our taxes; and even whilst a person is so employed, he can scarcely help wishing that they were less." Surely if they be an insensible burden,' why should Mr. T. wish them less?

On the subject of the National Debt, the writer consoles us by assuring us that we derive strength by living beyond our income. Indeed! why should we be frightened by the bugbear of a National Debt, when our Constitution, by making all free, has tended and does tend to make all rich? Let Britons, then, know when they are well, and beware of all republican changes: for Mr. T. informs them, through the medium of one of his brilliant metaphors, that the troubled atmosphere of a republican government, though of the best kind deviseable by the wit of man, would blast that Tree of Liberty, under which Britannia kindly nurses and provides for her children, and which is perpetually covered with blossoms, and loaded with the richest and most delicious fruit.'

Art. 55. Buonaparte in Britain: Every Man's Friend; or Briton's
Monitor. In Two Parts. Part I. an Historical Narrative of the
Invasions of England from Julius Cæsar, &c. &c. Part II. A
Catalogue of French Cruelties, &c. &c.
2s. 6d. sewed.
Richardson, &c.

8vo.

Bb 2

The

The first part of this volume comprises, in a small compass, muck historical information: in the compiling and arranging of which, it appears that considerable industry has been exercised.

The 2d part, which we can recommend to those who delight in borrors, contains a collection (we believe) of all the enormities which the author's utmost zeal and diligence could discover, that have been committed by the French, since the commencement of the revolution,

IRELAND.

Art. 56. A Report of the Proceedings in Cases of High Treason, at a Special Commission of Oyer and Terminer, held in and for the County and City of Dublin, in July, 1798. By William Ridg. way, Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo. 3s. Dublin printed; London reprinted, for Stockdale, Piccadilly.

We have perused this Report of the trial of " Henry Sheares and John Sheares, Esqrs. Barristers," with considerable interest and information, as the detail discloses many particulars concerning the rebellion in our Sister-kingdom.-Although humanity, lamenting the stern obligations of justice, may feel for the suffering delinquents* it is impossible for impartiality not to applaud the just and fair proceedings and conduct of the gentlemen of the SPECIAL COMMISSION, This is, indeed, not only an important publication, but a very curious and, we may be allowed to add, an affecting display of the horrid effects of traitorous conspiracies.-The unfortunate brothers, abovenamed, lost their lives by their connexion with the infatuated party known by the denomination of United Irishmen."

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the EDITORS of the MONTHLY REVIEW.
GENTLEMEN,

IN Mr. Good's valuable Dissertation on the best means of maintaining and employing the Poort, there is an important mistake, that, if it is suffered to remain unnoticed, may be productive of much evil; by leading many parishes to submit to an unreasonable charge for the sup port of their Poor, and by discouraging others from those exertions, which alone can effectually reduce the present enormous amount of the parochial expenditure. You have on several late occasions paid particular attention to this very important subject, and if you should be of the above opinion after perusing what follows, will perhaps think your last page not unusefully employed, in allotting it to the insertion of this address. Mr. Good states that the actual expence incurred for the diet of the Poor by the Court of Guardians at Norwich is averaged at 2s. 10d. per week each. Their prudence, perseverance, and œconomy are justly extolled by Mr. Good; and they are entitled to equal applause for their humane and liberal treatment of their paupers; I conceive therefore that it is very material the public should be informed, that the Poor are

They were both bred to the profession of the law; and one of them, Mr. Henry Sheares, has left a widow and six young children without support, the property of the husband and father being forfeited. See Rev. for September, p. 77.

15

actually

setually supplied with provisions in the very place here stated at less than 28. per week each. If Mr. Good had consulted a document which he ought not to have overlooked, namely, the annual account printed by order of the Court of Guardians at Norwich, he would have seen his error. That account for the year ending April 1798, states that the average number of Poor supported that year in their Workhouses and Infirmaries, was 1343, and their expence in provisions as follows; viz.

Beef
Beer

Bread, Flour, and Dough

Butter

Cheese

Grocery

Milk

Oatmeal

Pease and Rice

£. s. d.
1645 4 4
440 6 6
2798 7
145 II 9

135 2 8
197 II

103 17 5

50 9 7

81 3 2

Potatoes

Salt

30 14 Q

64 2 O

Total coft of provisions for 1343 Poor £. 6692 9 11

which amounts to 41. 195. 7 d. per head per annum; or One Shilling and Eleven Pence each per week. In the printed account of the Shrewsbury House of Industry published in 1791, it was stated that the provisions for the Poor (one third of whom were children) cost one shilling and six pence half-penny for each, weekly; and those who calculate the advance that has taken place in most articles of provision since that period, will not think that statement erroneous, or incredible. Butchers meat, and many other items, are considerably dearer at Norwich than at Shrewsbury; and the Poor are now fed at Norwich for 1s. 11d. per head per week. Yet that statement in the Shrewsbury account, together with one of less moment-that only two children out of ninetyone born in the House, had died therein within two months after their birth ;-Mr. Good considers as sufficient ground for the following severe censure:-"Such inaccuracies should be avoided, because they tend to discredit a whole book, on whatever subject, and with whatever ability it may be compiled."-Your known candour, Gentlemen, will, I am persuaded, permit me through the channel of your Correspondence, to repel this insidious and undeserved reproach. I can assure Mr. Good that the fact respecting provisions was correctly stated; nor, after what I have above adduced, will it appear improbable: let me however be allowed to add, that this very year, the cost in provisions in the Liverpool Poor-house is estimated at no more than rs. 6d. ; and for the table of their diet, I refer Mr. Good to Sir F. M. Eden's second volume. With respect to the other particular, the number of infants born in the house who died, I admit that it is very possible the Secretary might have omitted registering one or more deaths. The general preservation of their lives during the two months after parturition had, however, been very remarkable; nor is it so "miraculous," when it is considered that the mothers were generally taken from the abodes of filth, wretchedness, and misery; lodged in warm and comfortable apartments, attended by nurses, and provided with every thing their condition required. Another mistake of Mr. Good's I am a little surprised he should have committed. He presumes, that both at Norwich and Shrewsbury, a very considerable diminution in the number of the Poor in their respective Houses had taken place between 1789 and 1794. It so happened in

dece

deed that at Norwich there were 300 fewer in 1792 than in 1789; but in 1794, the numbers were again advanced from 1141, which they stood at in 1792, to 1481 and at Shrewsbury, from 324 in 1789, to 364 in 1794. The events of the last seven years have not been calculated to diminish the number of those poor, who became chargeable to their parishes, nor the expence of their support. At Norwich their disbursements in 1789 amounted to 17,4861. 19s. 11d. In 1797, to 25,5161. 78. 8d. which great additional expence has been incurred by the increase of what they call their out-door allowances, together with their pay to militia men's families. Mr. Good then would have no just reason to complain, if I were to retort his charge; and say,—“ Such inaccuracies should be avoided, because they tend to discredit a whole book, on whatever subject, and with whatever ability it may be compiled."-But though I wish him to feel that he has failed a little in point of liberality, I very readily admit the value of his publication, which is written with much judgment and general impartiality; contains many useful suggestions; and is antinctured with those preconceived, groundless prejudices, that have disgraced many late pamphlets on this subject. I am, Gentlemen,

Shrewsbury, Nov. 19, 1798.

Your very humble Servant,

'J. WOOD. P. S. In the printed account of the House of Industry established at Dublin, the average cost of their Poor for 1797 is stated at 31. 108. per head per annum.-Mr. Good estimates bread at zd. per pound. Our bushel of wheat, which now costs seven shillings, will produce 80 pounds of very good bread.'

The letter of Dr. Vincent, dated the 2d August, would much sooner have been acknowleged, but that the gentleman to whom it principally referred has been long absent from his usual residence, and at a great distance. We would now submit to Dr. V.'s consideration the following remarks on the etymologics mentioned in his letter: first observing that to the thanks which he politely offers we have no claim, for that an erudite and laborious work deserved and only obtained its appropriate commendation.

Ambissar. For a confirmation of our remark, we beg to refer to Mr. Wilford on Egypt, page 164.-Apu is certainly water in Sanscrit, but P. and B. are not interchangeable.

Kern, signifies conjunction or meeting. Zulkernin applied to Alexander, and Sahib Keran to Timur, both signify lord of the conjunction, i. e. the fortunate conjunctions of the planets, and may be translated Ruler of events.

Mcdain, is the dual of Medina, and the latter is manifestly derived from Medd, extended. The addition of an h in modhi cannot be admitted, as the dal is a radiant letter. Dr. Vincent is perfectly correct in saying that it means two cities, for it is invariably used by Moslems to denote the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina.

Iravati-is not a compound word. Iravat is an elephant, and the i is the regular termination of the feminine gender. The river is consecrated to the female elephant which Hindu mythology bestows on Indra,

Chandra Bhaga-has in fact nothing to do with the moon. It is consecrated to Sereswaty, who is called the moon-beam from the

fairness

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