taken place; after which the mineral may be administered, and combined with other remedies which tend to strengthen the frame, and decrease its irritable actions."

The prevailing fault throughout this essay is that want of clearness in his general deductions, which arises from too long quotations, and too frequent discussions of the opinions of others. It cannot, therefore, be expected to become a popular book, though it reflects much credit on the skill of its author.

MISCELLANIES.

ART. 22. Treatise on Diamonds and precious Stones. By John Mawe. 12mo. 166 pp. Plates. Longman. 1813.

To those whose peculiar taste directs them to an admiration of the beauties, or to a study of the distinguishing qualities of precious stones, the following treatise will prove of considerable value. Without entering into a dry or tedious analysis, it affords instruction sufficient both to amuse the fancy and to direct the judgment. The description of the diamond contains much curious matter, which has also the merit of being well arranged. From its commercial history we extract the following passage, which contains information by no means common.

"As a very large property both in this country and among the other nations of Europe is vested in diamonds; it may be interesting to be informed, not only that the price of these gems bas for several years been upon the whole gradually rising, but that it is likely still to continue on the advance. The best diamond ground at present known in the world is that of Serro do Frio; and this most assuredly has passed its zenith. The quantity of ground remaining to be explored, is perfectly well known, and the average annual produce may be estimated from that portion which has already been exhausted.

"The diamond mines in Brazil, belonging either to the Crown or to the Prince Regent, the trade in this gem, except through the medium of the government agents, is considered as contraband. In fact, however, they are not unfrequently offered to sale by private adventurers, at prices corresponding with, and regulated by, those which are agreed to by the agents of government, and a considerable portion of the whole produce, finds its way to market in this unlicensed manner, notwithstanding the very severe penalties annexed to these transactions.

of

"The government diamonds, however, form the chief part the trade. These are the produce of the different royal mines in the interior of Brazil; whence they are transmitted to the seat of government at Rio de Janeiro: the Prince Regent there selects from

3

the

the whole such stones as he chooses to add to his own collection, (which, by this means, has become the most superb of any in modern, and probably in ancient times,) and the remainder are consigned to the Portuguese ambassador, for the time resident in England, by whom they are deposited in the bank for sale.” P. 43.

ART. 23. Hortus Kewensis. By W. T. Aiton, Gardener to his Majesty. 12mo. 16s. Longman. 1814.

This is one of the most complete botanical epitomies which we have ever seen. The arrangement is so good, that at one glance the reader is enabled to collect all the knowledge he may immediately want, and is referred to the proper sources for further information, if it is desired. The Linnæan arrangement is followed. There are in each page six columns. In the first is given the Linnæan name of the plant, and a mark to denote its peculiar qualities, whether annual, whether green-house, &c. &c. The second column contains the English names. In the third, the reader is referred to the publication, wherein a figure of the plant is contained, and probably some farther description. The native country of the plant is given in the fourth, and the time of its first introduction, or cultivation in England, may be found in the fifth. The sixth denotes the time of flowering. Subjoined to the work are two indices, the one to the Linnæan, the other to the English names. As a useful compendium, this little work appears complete.

ART. 24. Builders' Assistant and complete Ready Reckoner. By T. Lovell. pp. 342. 6s. Baldwin. 1813.

Those who are engaged in building or alterations, and are desirous of calculating their own expences, will find this a very useful book. The tables of prices by the foot, the square, and the rood, are accurate and complete. We wish, however, that Mr. Lovell had omitted, in his previous account of what is termed Duodecimal Arithmetic, instructions for multiplying feet by inches and inches by feet. Our writing-masters of old strenuously maintained the possibility of this process? but we should be happy to know what idea the human mind can possibly entertain of a foot taken inch times-of a chaldron taken bushel times-or of a quart taken pint times. Let it be remembered, that multiplication is only repeated addition. We cannot therefore take an inch foot times-the expression is absolute nonsense. We do not say that the practical result is wrong, as it is in fact the multiplication of fractions, but the process should be de scribed in more appropriate terms.

MONTHLY

MONTHLY LIST OF PUBLICATIONS.

DIVINITY.

The Creed of St. Athanasius explained. By Olivia Wilmot Serres, Niece of the late Rev. Dr. Wilmot, of Oxford. 1s. 6d.

A Discourse delivered in Boston, at the solemn Festival in Commemoration of the Goodness of God in delivering the Christian World from Military Despotism, June 15, 1814. By William Elbery Channing, Minister of the Church in Federal-street, Boston. 1s.

The Progress of intellectual, moral, and religious Improvement during the present Reign, represented in a Discourse delivered before the Unitarian Society, at Essex-street Chapel, in Commemoration of the Repeal of the Penal Laws against the Impugners of the Doctrine of the Trinity. To which is annexed, an Appendix, containing a summary Review of a Publication of the Lord Bishop of St. David's, entitled, "A brief Memorial on the Repeal of the 9 and 10 of William III." By Thomas Belsham, Minister of the Chapel. 5s.

An Essay on Immortality. By John Fearn, Esq. 8vo. 9s.

Additional Letters, in Answer to the Rev. Mr. D'Oyley's Attack on Sir William Drummond's Edipus Judaicus. Containing a Variety of interesting Biblical Criticisms, elucidating the Sacred Writings. By Vindex Biblicus and Candidus,

8s. 6d.

MEDICAL.

Remarks on the Pitcaithly and Dunbarney Mineral Waters in Perthshire. By William Horsley, M.D. 4s.

A Treatise on the hereditary Properties of Diseases, intended to remove the unfounded Terrors and ill-judged Cautions consequent on erroneous Opinions: with Notes illustrative of the Subject, particularly in Madness, Scrophula, and cutaneous Diseases. By Joseph Adams, Esq. M.D. F.L.S., &c. 8vo. 5s. 6d. Thoughts on Puerperal Fever and its Cure by Spirits of Turpentine, illustrated by Cases in the Lying-in-Hospital of Dublin. Also Cases of Inflammation and Spasm cured by the internal and external exhibition of that Medicine, with correspondence on the Subject. By John Brenau, M.D. 1s. 6d.

Professor Davy's interesting Inquiries concerning the Relation of Galvanism to Ilving Action, illustrated in the Removal of topical Complaints by the Appli cation of simple Galvanic Circles, and recommended as an useful assistant Branch of Medicine. By Matthew Yatman, Esq. 2s.

An Essay on Dew, and several Subjects connected with it. By William Charles Wells, M.D. F.R.S. 79.

LAW.

A Practical Treatise of the Law of Marriage and other Family Settlements. By By Edmond Gibson Atherly, Esq. of Gray's Inn. 8vo. 11. 4s.

A Moral and Political Essay on the English Poor Laws. By Richard Walthew, Solicitor, Egham, Surrey. 8vo. 5s.

Opinions of eminent Lawyers on various Points of English Jurisprudence, concerning chiefly the Colonies, Fisheries, and Cominerce of Great Britain, collected and digested from the Originals in the Board of Trade and other Depositories. By George Chalmers, Esq. F.R.S. and S. A. 2 Vols. 8vo. 11. 4s.

A Charge delivered to the Grand Jury of the County of Wexford, at the Summer Assizes, 1814. By Judge Fletcher. 1s. 6d.

Statutes relating to the Residence of the Clergy, and the Stipendiary Curates, including the Act which received the Royal Assent, July 30, 1814.

2s.

Trial of Major William Gordon, of the 2d, or Queen's Regiment of Dragoon Guards, on a Charge of the Murder of George Gregory, a Private of the same Regiment, at the Guildhall, Sandwich, Friday, April 15, 1814. 2s.

TRAVELS. HISTORY,

A Translation of the first two Volumes of the Relation Historique, under the Title of Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regious of the New Continent, during the Years 1799-1804; accompanied by the whole of the Text of the Atlas Picturesque, and a Selection of Plates, by M. de Humboldt, &c. By Helen Maria Williams. 4 Vols. 8vo. 21. 12s. 6d.

A Letter

A Letter from Paris to George Petre, Esq. By the Rev. John Chetwoodę Eustace.

49.

An Abridgement of the History of Rome. By Velleius Paterculus. Translated from the Original, by George Baker, A.M. Translator of Livy. 8vo. Os.

A short Excursion in France, 1814. 5s. 6d.

A Letter by an Englishman, lately on his Travels in Italy, written on his return in August 1814.

2s.

Paris in 1802 and 1814. By the Rev. W Shepherd. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

AGRICULTURE.

Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, on the Corn, Com merce, and Agriculture of the Kingdom. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Petitions relating to the Corn Laws of this Kingdom, with the Minutes of Evidence, and an Appendix of Accounts. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A general View of the Agriculture of the Orkney Islands, with Observations on the Means of their Improvement, drawn up for the Consideration of the Board of Agriculture. By John Shirrelf. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

EAST INDIA COMPANY.

Correspondence between the Supreme Governors of Bengal, and the Missionaries at Serampore in 1812 and 1813, relative to Messrs. Johns and Lawson, which terminated in the Expulsion of Mr Johus from India, for having gone thither without the Leave of the Directors. By William Johns, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and late Acting Surgeon at Serampore, in the Service of the East India Company. 1s. 6d.

POLITICS.

The Speech of Sir Samuel Romilly, in the House of Commons, on the 28th of June, 1814, on that Article in the Treaty of Peace which relates to the Slave Trade. 8vo. 15.

POETRY.

Canting, a Poem, interspersed with Tales and additional Scraps. 8vo. 85. Alexis and Katharine, a Russian Poem, translated from the original MS. of the Author, who fell in the Battle before Dresden. Illustrated with Geographical Notes. 5s. 6d.

Azora, a Metrical Romance, in Four Cantos. By Michael Head, Esq. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

The Captive Muse, a Collection of Fugitive Poems, written by the Author during his Captivity in France. By Thomas Dutton, A.M. 65.

NOVELS.

The Carthusian Friar, or Mysteries of Montanvillæ, 4 Vols. 11.

The Hypocrite, or Modern Janus. By Selina Davenport. 5 Vols. 12mo. 11. 5s.

Christabelle, or the Maid of Rouen. By Mrs. Hanway. 4 Vols. 12mo.
Montreithe, or the Peer of Scotland. 4 Vols. 11. 1s.

The Irish Girl, a Religious Tale. By the Author of Calebs Married. 1s. 6d.

MISCELLANIES.

The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. Dean of St Patrick's, Dublin, containing additional Letters, Tracts, and Poems, not hitherto published; with Notes, and a Life of the Author. By Walter Scott, Esq. 19 Vols. 8vo. 91. 19s. 6d.

How to be Happy; a Series of Essays on the Influences which produce Happiness. By George Brewer. 10s.

The Master's Last Gift to his Apprentice, on parting with him, pointing out his Way to Wealth and Reputation. By an Old Stager. 3s.

A Critical Analysis of several striking and incongruous Passages in Madame de Stael's Work on Germany, with some Historical Strictures on that Country. By a German. 7s. 6d.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

WORK IN THE PRESS.

A second Volume of Studies of History, containing the His tory of Rome to the Death of Constantine, by the Rev. T. Morell, of St. Neot's.

THE

BRITISH CRITIC,

FOR OCTOBER, 1814.

ART. I. Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind. By Dugald Stewart, F.R.S. Ed. &c. &c. Vol. II. Constable aud Co. Edinburgh.

1814,

ALTHOUGH more than twenty years have elapsed since Professor Stewart gave to the world the first volume of his Elements, yet we are not certain that any very general desire has been expressed for the appearance of the second, or that there has been produced, in that long interval, a more decided turn among reading people for metaphysical speculation. On the contrary, it cannot be concealed, we think, that inquiries into the human mind, and the study of hypotheses, relative to its essence--the generation and history of ideas-the first principles of belief-the freedom of the will-and the source and character of moral sentiment, have become rather unfashionable topics both among readers and writers. It would not perhaps be difficult to account for this fact in our literary history, and to explain the causes why, in the country of Locke, Berkeley, and Hume, so small a portion of talent should be directed towards the subjects which shed so much glory upon those illustrious names: in the mean time, it will better answer our purpose to make a few observations on the state of the philosophy of the human mind, at the time when Dr. Reid published his celebrated Inquiry on the principles of Common Sense.

DES CARTES was the first writer on metaphysical subjects, after the revival of letters, who turned his attention from mere technicalities in language to the study of what passed in his own mind; and he was accordingly led, at a very early period of his investigations, to call in question and expose the absurd theories of the Platonists and Peripatetics relative to the materials of human knowledge. It is indeed extremely difficult to make out what Plato taught, and what his disciples held, as the doctrine of our ideas; for their eternal matter and their eternal forms (the latter of which were represented as the sole object of human science) VOL. II, OCTOBER, 1814.

Bb