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Hampton-Court, Twickenham, and Kensington. By John Ferrar, Author of the History of Limerick. Svo. 6s. 6d. Boards.

Dublin. 1796. London, imported by Becket.

It is an unpleasant part of our office to pronounce judgments which may wear the appearance of severity: but we are bound, by a strict regard for truth, to deal impartially and justly. In the present instance, we cannot say that we have met with much to praise and little to censure. We acknowlege the pious and so far commendable turn of the writer, and the good intention with which, no doubt, his present work has been offered to the public: but good design cannot stand in the place of those talents which are requisite for the due execution of a voluntary engagement; nor are the public bound to dismiss with favour him who claims their attention under the ill-founded supposition of ability, because of the plea of well-meaning.

In the first of the two tracts which are contained in this volume, Mr. Ferrar professes to exhibit a view of the antient and present state of the second city in the British empire.' On such a subject, a writer of competent industry, regulated by a discriminating taste and judgment, might have easily collected matter which would not fail to gratify the antiquary and the philosopher, and might have given an interesting though local sketch of men and manners: but Mr. F.'s performance is too much confined to petty details, to the measurement of rooms, the enumeration of lamps, and the transcribing of epitaphs. Pages are filled with lavish encomiums on people who, we conclude, had promoted his subscriptions; and with the most hyperbolic praises of common objects.

To the second tract, the Tour from Dublin to London, we are sorry to apply the same characteristics. Most of what appears to be in any degree interesting in its details is historical rather than descrip tive, and is taken from other writers: to whom, indeed, this traveller candidly acknowleges his obligations. What we find of his own amounts to little more than a series of unimportant remarks, on trivial and common topics.

Let us not, however, refuse to Mr. F. his due praise; for to praise he certainly is entitled,-if contempt of fatigue, if the most minute and indefatigable industry, and a taste and good-humour which can be pleased with whatever presents itself to his notice, be praise-worthy. We have already observed that he transcribes epitaphs and counts lamps: but he does more,-he travels 60 miles in a day through the country which he describes; he preserves the substance and orthography of the directions on the finger-posts; and he collects for his readers the poetry which is to be found scratched on the windows of every country inn, by the idle hands of rhyming travellers.

For our account of a more respectable performance [to the best of our present recollection] by Mr. Ferrar, we refer to the 78th volume of our Review, Art. History of Limerick.

Art. 60. Remarkable Occurrences in the Life of Jonas Hanway, Esq. comprehending an Abstract of his Travels in Russia and Persia; a short History of the Rise and Progress of the charitable and political Institutions founded or supported by him; several Anecdotes, and an Attempt to delineate his Character. By John Pugh.

The

The 3d Edition, considerably abridged. 12mo. 2s. 6d. sewed. 1798.

This new edition of a curious and valuable work, which was first published in 1787, is abridged by its judicious author for the sake of reducing its price, and extending its circulation among those readers who have but little money to lay out in books.' The motive is laudable; especially as the work is well calculated for promoting the two great ends of reading,-USEFUL INFORMATION, and RA

TIONAL AMUSEMENT.

For our account of this publication, at the time of its first ap pearance, see M. Rev. vol. lxxvii. p. 320.

Art. 61. Mr. King's Apology: or, a Reply to his Calumniators. 8vo. 28. Wilkins. 1798.

We find, by the perusal of this detail, that a variety of troublesome and vexatious occurrences have, at different times, contributed to checquer the life of the present apologist with contests and litigations; some of which may have aided his calumniators' in their endeavours to stamp on the public mind unfavourable impressions with respect to his principles and conduct.-Expensive law-suits, and disagreeable contingencies, of one kind or another, are the subjects of Mr. K.'s complaint but the last of those troubles seems to have been chiefly instrumental in giving birth to the apology now before us; which principally relates to the circumstance that, about five or six months ago, the author was obliged to appear before a magistrate, on a very peculiar charge against him, which was deposed by two women of the town.-As, however, matters of this sort do not much relate to any branch of literary or scientific discussion, we shall only observe that the women were very soon induced to retract their charge, (before another magistrate,) acknowleging that it was merely a conspiracy to extort money from the person accused.

We have only to add that Mr. K.'s narrative is well written; that some parts of it are even entertaining; and that it will, doubtless, considerably interest such of its readers as are personally acquainted with the writer, or who may have heard of his fortunes or misfortunes: —for it appears that the hood-winked goddess has not always been averse to him.

Art. 62.

Downes.

The Real Calumniator detected: being candid Remarks on Mr. King's Apology, &c. 8vo. Is. 6d. The answerer's principal view, in this publication, appears to have been the defence of Justice Bond, of Bow-street; who, as we have always understood, is fairly intitled to the character of an able, vigilant, and useful magistrate,-but who has been very harshly and severely arraigned by the resentful apologist in the preceding article, on account of the manner in which he (Mr. B.) conducted himself when Mr. K. appeared before him, to answer to the charge of the two harlots. This zealous vindicator and warm encomiast of the Bowstreet administration is, indeed, very severe and sarcastic on Mr. K. and also manifests (we think) peculiar illiberality, whenever he alludes, as he frequently does, to that Gentleman's belonging [if we mistake not his meaning] to the family of the children of Israel. This anonymous writer laughs at the recantation of the perjured women, and

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seems

seems inclined to credit only their first story:-the particulars of which, from respect to the laws of decorum, we have merely intimated, not detailed, on mentioning the Apology.

SINGLE SERMONS.

Art. 63. Preached before his Excellency John Jeffries, Earl Camden, Lord Lieutenant, PRESIDENT,-and the MEMBERS-of the Association for discountenancing Vice, and promoting the Practice of Virtue and Religion; in St. Peter's Church, Dublin, May 22, 1798, by the Right Rev. Thomas Lewis O'Beirne, D. D. Lord Bishop of Ossory. 8vo. Dublin.

We have here an animated sketch of what may be termed the moral and political state of the kingdom, including more immediately that of Ireland, at the period when this discourse was delivered from the pulpit. The text is Nehem. ch. xiii. v. 17: "Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, what evil is this that ye do?" Accordingly, the preacher, assuming with no impropriety a similar style of address, considers himself as deputed to expostulate on the evil that is doing in the land.'

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The worthy Bishop commences his view of the wide extent of the existing national evil in which he sees his country unhappily involved, by a display of the progress of modern infidelity on the neighbouring continent, with the incessant endeavours of the French free-thinkers to overturn the Christian Religion, by the effect of their antichristian writings, &c.-The consideration of this principal branch of his subject naturally leads him to expatiate on the great utility of so excellent a design as that of the Irish Association; so wisely and worthily formed to oppose the dangerous efforts of irreligion and atheism, by combating them with the same kind of weapons which they have but too successfully used to "turn the world upside down;"-and thus, (with views so different!) to enlighten, instead of perverting, the minds of the lower ranks of people; among whom the enemies of human happiness had every where so industriously employed themselves in disseminating their pernicious opinions. On the success which, in Ireland, has already attended this excellent design, the Bishop congratulates the Society; urging them, on every Christian and patriotic motive, to continue their truly laudable exertions ; and, by every means pointed out in that plan of association, to rekindle the sacred fire of true Religion among all ranks especially by a more commendable observance of the pious duties of the Lord's day,-the general neglect and misuse of which, he laments most pathetically and with admirable energy and pathos. He displays, in just and proper colours, the growing

*To counteract the endeavours of the enemies of Christianity, and to provide or disseminate an antidote against the poison which they have so plenteously administered, the society have published and circulated large impressions of seasonable extracts from the works of Bishops Horne 'and Watson, Mr. Erskine's arguments against Paine, and other writings of a similar nature,-particularly the Bp. of Ossory's circular letter to his clergy.

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profanation of the Sabbath, so glaringly observable in France, for many years past; and which he considers as one powerful cause of that horrid impiety and profligacy, which have but too naturally and effectually prepared the hearts and dispositions of the people, for that monstrous torrent of barbarism which has since overwhelmed that devoted country.

The Bishop then applies (we fear, too justly) his observations on the general disregard of the Sabbath, in France, for many years past, to the prevailing dissoluteness of manners in Ireland; and their fellow-subjects of England do not pass uncensured in this respect :sorry are we that we have very little to offer in their defence.

The eloquent and patriotic preacher appropriates the concluding part of his admonitory address to a discussion of the state and circumstances of the highly-respectable society before whom it was delivered. We must not forget to observe that, in the course of the sermon, his Lordship very properly adverts to the rise and progress of the recent unhappy rebellion, as yet, we fear, not wholly extinguished: but, for a more satisfactory idea of what is said on all the great and interesting topics *, which we are obliged thus briefly and imperfectly to mention, we must refer to the discourse at length.

In the Appendix, are some observations respecting the principal objects which this laudable institution has had in view, viz. I. The Dissemination of the Holy Scriptures. II. The Religious Education of Youth. III. Moral and Religious Instruction. A brief state of the receipts and payments of the Association, and a very respectable list of the Members, are also subjoined.

On the whole, this performance has given us so much satisfaction in the perusal, that we cannot but sincerely and warmly recommend it to the attention of our public-spirited readers, on both sides of the water. We wish to see an English edition, for the more general circulation of it in this country.

Art. 64. Preached in the Parish Church of Hanwell, in Middlesex, July 21, 1798, before the Members of the United Armed Association, formed within the Parishes of Hanwell and Ealing, including New and Old Brentford. By George Henry Glasse, M.A. Rector of Hanwell; Honorary Chaplain to the Corps. 8vo. I Se Cadell and Co.

The pious sentiments expressed in this discourse are well adapted to the occasion, and are delivered in appropriate language.

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Art. 65. Delivered in the Church of St. John Baptist, Wakefield, June 25, 1798. Before the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of the Lodge of Unanimity (N° 202), By Brother the Rev. R. Munkhouse, D. D. 8vo. is. Cawthorn.

We have reason for believing that the superstructure of British Free-masonry is formed on the sure basis of Christianity and loyalty, and that it differs, toto calo, from those impure mansions from which the hydra of Jacobinism has been said to issue forth for the destructien of every social good.

*Among which, we meet with some striking remarks on a point of no trivial moment: The Reform of the Criminal Poor.'

Dr.

Dr. M. judiciously observes that, To endeavour to ascertain, in the vast expanse of antiquity, the precise period when the appella tion we now bear was adopted; when the nature and objects of the masonic order were confounded with the mechanic arts, or the seience of architecture, would lead us far from the purposes of this assembly, and divert your regards from what may be practically beneficial, to vague conjecture, and desultory investigation.'

The perpetual occurrence of masonic terms consorts but aukwardly with the graces of pulpit oratory; particularly when the Doctor advises his auditory to carefully tyle their hearts." P. 29.

Were it allowable to criticise the language of a sermon architecturally, we might say that we discover more of the superfluous ornament of the Corinthian, than the strength and grace of the Ionic, in this production.

Art. 66. Preached at the Visitation held in Grantham, May 14, 1798 and dedicated, with due Respect, to the Rev. John Prettyman, D. D. Archdeacon, and to the Clergy in the Hundred of Beltishloe. By Samuel Hopkinson, B. D. late Fellow of ClareHall, and Vicar of Morton. 8vo. 6d. Newbery.

There is some appearance of singularity in this discourse, but the most striking part of it is the author's account of the methodists and their tenets. He has given his opinion of this very numerous sect with more attention and candour, than has usually been manifested by writers who have zealously brandished their pens in support of our religious establishment.

The profits arising from the sale of this publication will be appropriated to charitable purposes.'

Art. 67. Preached in the Parish Church of Midhurst in Sussex. By the Reverend Richard Lloyd, A. M. late Fellow of Magdalen College, Cambridge. 4to. 2s. Shepperson and Rey

polds.

In this charity-sermon the preacher inculcates, in a very strong and forcible manner, the importance of early education, as the only means by which that perverseness of the will, and that fatal disposition to evil, which are too often observable in children, may be checked, if not wholly subdued. He appears to be actuated by a benevolent regard for the happiness of mankind; which, he justly conceives, can be promoted by nothing so much as by the practice of those duties which the Christian Religion enjoins.

Art. 68. Delivered in the Parish-Church of Sheffield, to the Original United Lodge of ODD FELLOWs, on July 9,1798 (being their Second Annual Festival). By George Smith, M. A. Curate, of the said Church, and late of Trinity College, Cambridge. 6d. Matthews.

8vo.

Odd Fellows are not very uncommon: but who are these? Even the preacher avows himself to be unconnected and unacquainted with the society,-and totally ignorant of their principles: though he adds that he received an assurance that their purpose, in appearing at Sheffield church at that time, was to convince the world that they were neither associated to encourage antichristian nor antimonarchical

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