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BIOGRAPHY.

Memoirs of Major-General Sir Robert Rollo Gillespie, K.C.B. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

There is something uncommonly chivalrous in this narrative, and many incidents are related which would serve to parallel the most romantic adventures of ancient herocs. We are perfectly satisfied, however, that nothing of an apocryphal character has found a place in the volume, being well assured from the best testimony, that the picture here sketched of the gallant general is rather under than overdrawn. It is manifest, indeed, that a scrupulous care has been taken in drawing up the memoir to avoid all appearance of exaggeration in the facts, or high colouring in the description. As a piece of military history the memoir is interesting in many respects, and particularly in throwing considerable light upon recent events in the East. Much is it to be lamented that so valuable a life should have been lost in the Nepaulese war, for the want of seasonable support; and that calamity seems aggravated by the consideration that the extraordinary actions of this gallant officer at Vellore and in Java had met with a very ill return. On the former occa. sion, by his prompt exertion, he quenched a flame which would otherwise have quickly spread desola. tion over the Carnatic; and in the latter island, by storming the entreached camp of General Janssens, he succeeded in terminating the conquest,-the value and security of which he afterwards established and extended by an expedition against Palmitang, and detecting a confederacy of the native powers. After these exploits, such a man might have expected a long enjoyment of the otium cum dignitate; instead of which, he met slights and injuries, new perils and death!

Memoirs of the late Thomas Holcroft, written by Himself; and continued to the time of his Death, from his Diary, Notes, and other Papers. 3 vols. 12mo.

These volumes exhibit a striking and instructive instance of what may be accomplished by resolu tion and perseverance, where difficulties are formi dable and the means of surmounting them few and feeble. That a person born in the lowest state of life, and employed incessantly for years in a wretched round of itinerant labours, should have attained by his own application a competent share of literature, and thereby raised himself to a sphere of honourable connexions and comparative ease in his circumstances, is an exemplary lesson well worthy of being generally considered and adraired. We have been highly amused by those parts of the work which issued directly from the pen of Mr. Helcroft, who has related his early history in a strain of genuine simplicity, and expressed his opinions of men and things with a candour and modesty not often to be found in self-educated minds. The continuation by the editor is of so coarse a texture as to make us regret very sincerely that the narrative did not still go on for a longer period in the first person, and in the same style of unaffected garrulity and good humour. The lovers of the drama, however, will here be gratified by the perusal of many amusing anecdotes of authors and actors; shewing the management of theatres, and the vicissitudes which chequer the life of a strolling player. In 1798 Holcroft began a regular diary containing the heads of conversations and sketches of incidents that occurred to him in so. eiety, as well as of the course of his reading and occupations. From this diary, which extended during the space of two years, it appears that he

[June 1,

embarrassed himself greatly by picture-dealing, without knowing any thing of the subject; and as he speaks much of his playing at billiards in company with sharpers, we suspect that this amusemeat contributed also to the distress which com. peited him to sell his property and go abroad. The account of his travels, we are told, was purchased by a bookseller for the enormous sum of 1,5002; and we can complete the story by saying, that the publisher lost by his bargain full as much more. A few lively and well-written letters to and from Mr. Holcroft close the third volume, and add bet a little to the value of this posthumous miscellany.

Memoirs of Mrs. Harriet Newell, wife of the Rev. Samuel Newell, American Missionary to India; who died at the Isle of France Nov. 30, 1812, aged 19. Also a Sermon on occasion of her Death, preached at Haverhill, Massachusetts. By Leonard Woods,

We should be very sorry to lessen the good effects which this interesting narrative is calculated to produce in the cause of practical religion and philanthropy; but after expressing our unfeigned admiration of this accomplished and excellent female, justice compels us to call in question the propriety of setting up her conduct as an example worthy of imitation. At an age when the passions are ardent, and the judgment requires discipline, she formed the resolution of visiting India, to assist in the work of spreading the knowledge of the gospel. With this view she united herself in marriage to a young missionary who was devoted to that cause, and ordained by the General Association of Massachusetts, in company with some other students. Mrs. Newell sailed from Salem Feb. 19, 1812, and after a tedious voyage arrived at Calcutta; but the government there refusing her husband permission to settle in the country, he and his partner were obliged to go to the Isle of France. On the passage Mrs. Newell became a mother, but in a few days the child died, and she fell herself a victim to an indiscreet zeal shortly after her arrival at the Mauritius. From her letters and diary, it is evident that she possessed a highly cultivated mind, and a inost benevolent heart, which, had it not been for the impulse of enthusiasm, might have rendered her a lasting ornament to society, and a blessing to her friends. The author of the funeral sermon has presumed to say-" God has permitted her to be the first martyr to the missionary cause from the American world. The publication of her virtues will quicken and edify thousands; and henceforth, every one who remembers Harriet Newell, will remember the foreign mission from America." What ideas this reverend gentle. man has of martyrdom, or of duty, we are at a loss to conjecture. This amiable young woman suffered no persecution, and the immaturity of her fate was unquestionably the consequence of her own imprudence, in quitting her maternal roof and the domestic circle, where she might have been eminently useful and a brilliant example, to embark in a concern which, without a special revela. tion from heaven, was nothing more nor less than a renunciation of natural obligations, and a violation of positive duties.

Memoires de Mad. la Marquise de Larochejaquelein. 8vo. 12s.

The Life and Studies of Benjamin West, esq. President of the Royal Academy, prior to his arrival in England. By John Galt.

8vo. 15s.

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moved; and thus the interests of literature, as well as of justice, have obtained a complete triumph. It is curious to see what a frivolous ground the Irish lawyers took for their defence; and the specimen here given of their pleadings affords a rare example of legal quibbling.

A Digest of the Rules and Practice as to Interrogatories for the Examination of Witnesses in Courts of Equity and Common Law, with Precedents. By John Walpole Willis, of Gray's Inn, esq. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Six Letters on Mr. Preston's Treatise on Conveyancing. By a West Country Attorney. 3s.

Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Court of Chancery during the time of Lord Chancellor Eldon, containing Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, 66 Geo. III. 181516. By J. H. Merivale, esq. of Lincoln's Inn, barrister. Vol. I. Part 1. 7s. 6d.

Speech of Charles Phillips, esq. barrister. as delivered at Galway, April 1, 1816, in the Case of O'Mullin v. M'Korkill, for Defamation. 15.

The Doctrine and Practice of Attachment in the Mayor's Court, London. By Robert Woolsey, gent. 7s. 6d.

General Index to the Old Law Reports, No. II. 75.

A Free Inquiry into the Insolvent Act, with an Introduction of some New Clauses. By J. Clayton Jennyns, esq. barrister at law. 3s. 6d.

The Law of Infancy and Coverture. By Peregrine Bingham. 8vo. 14s.

Digest of the Law of Partnership. By Basil Montagu, esq. of Gray's Inn, barrister at law. 2 vols. roy. 8vo. 11. 1s.

A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and other Crimes, from the earliest period to 1783, with Notes and Observations. By T. B. Howell, esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. 21 vols. roy. 8vo. 331. 1s. 6d.

MILITARY.

MISCELLANEOUS.

[June 1,

A Plan for a County Provident Bank, with Observations upon Provident Institutions already established. By Edward Christian, esq. barrister, Professor of the Laws of England, &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 78.

We cordially recommend this valuable pamphlet to all who are animated by the spirit of philan thropy, and feel a wish to promote the morals and comforts of the poor. The provident, or savings banks as they are called, have been tried and ap proved in the northern part of the kingdom, to a degree that has induced an adoption of the pisa pretty generally in the south Professor Christian has here suggested an improvement of the system, which we shall give in his own words. "la every county a number of gentlenen, wo wish to pre mote such an establishment for the benefit of the lower classes, shall voluntarily subscribe & sum, as two or three guineas. The subscribers may be called 'The Patrons of the County Provident Bank." These may elect from themselves a president and a certain number of acting or managing trufets, as fifteen or twenty, who will be willing gratultously to take upou themselves more immediately the management or superintendence of the concern. In the names of three of these trustees the stock for the benefit of the proprietors must be bought and sold. The donatious by the patrons will be invested in the three per cents; and these, increased by the advantages afterwards described upon the deposits, will coustitute a fund which may be called the Surplus Faud; from which all the necessary expenses and contingent losses must be paid; and the remainder, when it is of sufficient magnitude, may be applied to increase the dividends of the proprietors. Any sums may be received from a depositor or subscriber, not less than is; and so interest or dividend to be allowed till it amounts to 12s. 6d.; and then the depositor of that sum shall be considered as the holder of one pound stock in the three per cent. consolidated annuities. It is intended that the whole money deposited should be invested in the funds; it is therefore a simple and reasonable regulation, that as soon as any one has paid so much as will purchase one pound, or any number of pounds of that steck, that he should have a half-yearly dividend upon every 12s. Od., or every pound of that stock. The same will be true of every pound, whether the number of the pounds of stock be one, ten, our hundred, or one thousand. When the three per cents are at sixty, the price of one pound stock will be one-hundredth part, or exactly 195.; if at sixty one and a quarter, the price of one pound is exactly 12s. 3d. But I propose that no halfpence shall ever be received or paid in receiving the deposits, or in paying them back; 12s. 6d. will therefore be received at present as the price of every pound of stock. This addition upon the price of each pound of stock will be carried to the surplus fund, for the payment of the necessary expenses; and when i will admit of it, to the increase of the dividenda Whatever may be the price of stock between fe! and 627. 108-12s. 6d. must be paid for each pound; and when it is between 621. 10s. and 61. in like manner 135. must be paid; so that the surplus fund, upon an average, would gain 3d. epo each pound of stock. The dividend upon cat pound, or one-hundredth part of three pounds, is 7d. and one-fifth of another penny; but this frace tion must be disregarded; and then the whole dividend upon every hundred pound stock in the three per cents, to be paid by the provident bank, wou

1816.]

be 21. 18s. 4d., leaving 1s. 8d. in favour of the surplus fund. So that every holder of stock in the county provident bank would moon every pound stock receive half-yearly t pence halfpenny. This might be paid every Jay and July, soon after the dividends ere paid at the Bank. If the dividends are not called for by the proprietor, as often as they amount to a pound stock they will again be entitled to a dividend. This would be one of the great advantages of such a county bank, that the property invested in it would be augmented by compound interest or dividends, without any trouble, art, or exertion of the proprietor; and that too, which accelerates the aug. mentation, by half-yearly rests." Such is the sketch of this excellent plan for the accomodation of the poor, and the encouragement of industry and economy; but there are many details and explana tory observations subjoined for which we must refer our readris to the work itself.

A Popular Description of St. Paul's Cathedral, including a brief History of the Oid and New Cathedral, explanatory of the Monumental Designs and other Interesting Particulars. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

This guide to the great ornament of our metro. polis will be found very useful and entertaining, not only to strangers who visit the church out of curiosity, but to those who are well acquainted with that noble structure. A ground-plan of the cathedral is prefixed, with a table of references to the monuments. which will enable the reader to discover any that he may wish particularly to see without the trouble of inquiry. The historical account subjoined is neatly and clearly written, though a few more anecdotes would have heightsned value of the book. Some notice, for instance, ought to have been taken of the famous cross which contributed powerfully to the reformation, by the sermons there preached in the open air. The Pamphleteer, No. XIV. 6s. 6d. Observations on the Wrongs of the Navy. By a Friend to Justice and a Foe to Decep

tion. 3s. 6d.

The Bazaar, its Origin, Nature, and Object explained and recommended as an important branch of Political Economy, in a Letter to the Rt. Hon. Geo. Rose, M.P. By the Rev. J. Nightingale.

Reply to Mr. Giblett's Pamphlet, entitled a Refutation of the Charges of George HarTower. By Capt. Geo. Harrower. 2s.

Narrative of the Imprisonment and Escape of Peter Gordon; comprising a Journal of his Adventures in his Flight from Cambrai to Rotterdam and England. 75.

The New Year, an Essay; reprinted, with Additions and Corrections, from the Liverpool Courier. 35.

Considerations on the Rate of Interest and on Redeemable Annuities. By Edward B. Sugden, esq.

Oxford University Calendar for1816. 5s. 6d. The Noble Stock-Jobber, or Facts Unveiled; irrefutably to Disprove Lord Cochrane's Affidavits; in the shape of a simple Narrative, minutely detailing every Stage of

the Author's Intercourse with the Cochrane Family, and proving that Lord Cochrane was previously acquainted with, and deeply interested in, the Events that on the 21st

443

A Defence of our National Character and our Fair Countrywomen, from the Aspersions contained in the late French Publication of Mons. le Marechal de Camp Pillet. 2s. 6d.

Trial of Major-general Sir R. T. Wilson, M. Bruce, esq. and Capt. J. H. Hutchinson, at the French Assize Court of the Department of the Seine, for aiding in the Escape of Gen. Lavalette. By Mr. Nicholson.

Trial of Sir Rob. Wilson, Capt. Huschinson, and Mr. Bruce; with a Sketch of the Proceedings which led to the Arrest and Condemnation of Lavalette, and a Comparison of the English and French Laws in Criminal Cases. By the Rev. J. Nightingale.

Tables of the Weight, Magnitude, and Value of Ancient Coins. By the Rev. Holt Okes, A.M.

2s.

Metrology; or an Exposition of Weights and Measures, chiefly those of Great Britain and France. By P. Kelly, LL.D. 75.

NAVIGATION.

Practical Treatise on Propelling Vessels by Steam. By R. Buchanan.

8vo. 11. NOVELS, TALES, &C.

Glenarvon. 3 vols.

The characters and incidents in this romantic worked up to such a height of colouring as will history are drawn with uncommon spirit, and beget an instant suspicion that the whole is the result of personal observation and a delineation of living beings. Some of these portraitures, indeed, are marked with every impress of the demoniacal mintage; and the hero of the tale, like the leading personages in certain modern poems, is represented as vicious for the love of vice, and coolly moulding, bending, and directing all his passions to the work of human misery. Detection is with him no shame, suffering begets in him no remorse, and such is the innate depravity of his heart that love has no charm for him unless he can make the object of his attachment, like himself, unprincipled in mind and unfeeling in wickedness. We are aware that it will be said, such an embodied fiend is not to be found in the circles of polished society: and that even if it were otherwise, the picture ought to be shrouded in darkness instead of being exhibited as a warning to mankind. But though moral worth cannot be too frequently or promi nently brought forward in the way of example as a stimulative to virtue, the lesson of instruction will be greatly strengthened by the force of contrast. Glenarvon, therefore, may be serviceable as a fearful beacon to warn the young and inexperienced against the danger of talents unsanctified by a

sense of duty and directed solely to the ratification of pride or revenge. The wrecks that are scattered around this monstrous combination of iniquity and genius, will also afford much awful matter for serious contemplation and practical

444

direction in the progress of life. Experience shews that these planet-stricken times have pro. duced a Glenarvon who has blighted the peace of families and poisoned the principles of numerous individuals. May the history here so ably and vigorously drawn of his crimes and of the sufferings of his victims. prove an effectual antidote to the arts of deception and the blandishments of vice! In Calantha we see the perilous mischief of yielding to hasty impressions, and the certain ruin that attends an uurestrained temper where fortune gives the means of excessive indulgence, and parental affection lays no control upon the passions.

The Antiquary. By the Author of "Waverley," ani Guy Mannering." 3 vols.

12mo.

66

We are told in the preface to this novel that it completes the author's plan, which was to give three distinct pictures of Scottish manners at different periods of time. Such, indeed, might have been his original design, but we can see nothing in the execution, with the single exception of “Wa veriey," that can make us sensible of this progres. sive representation. The "Antiquary," for any thing it contes, might have preceded "Guy Mannering." and the contrary, without any charge of being out of character. Oldbuck, the laird of Monk barus, might have found his counterpart above half a century ago, and his irascible neighbour the speculating baronet who loses all his property in digging for hidden treasure by the artful persuasions of a German impostor is just such a man as might have been found in the days of King Charles or the reign of Queen Anne. But setting all this aside, we have been uncommonly delighted with the scenes and personages here delineated. Though the work is not so romantically dramatic as Mannering, it comes much nearer to nature and probability, and even Meg Merriless, in correctness of drawing and intrinsic excellence, must yield to the Gaberlunzie man Edie Occhiltree. Nothing can be more pathetic than the description of the young fisherman's tuneral; and there is something peculiarly avtul in the resuscitation of his grandmother's mind, at the very verge of mortality and in the depth of imbecility, to reveal the mystery connected with the house of Glenallan. A draw. back, however, there is from all this merit, and that lies in the hurried and hackneyed manner in which the whole story is wound up; where we are told as how Neville, who turns out to be the son of Lord Glenallan, is married to his old sweetheart Miss Wandour, and as how all the rest of the gentlemen and ladies, with honest Edie Occhiltree, are comfortably settled.

Owen Castle, or Which is the Heroine? By Mary Anne Sullivan. 4 vols. 11.

The Spinster's Journal. By a Modern Antique. 3 vols. 12mo. 16s. 6d.

Valentine's Eve. By Mrs. Opie. 3 vols.

[June 1,

tleman of high honor and passable morals, making all reasonable allowance for the vices and prej dices of his age. The fair author of the present performance has acted in a very different way to wards one of her own sex, and in spite of historical verity she has ventured to go beyond even the boundaries of poetical license in representing the intrepid consort of Henry VI. as a dæmon in human form. Margaret was, indeed, a woman of most energetic character, and of a masculine cast of mind; but no Yorkist, in the excess of his bigotry, ever presumed to charge her with want of feeling, and as destitute of principle. We are sorry that Miss Holford should have thought it necessary, in the prosecution of her design, to give so dark a picture of an heroine whose history afforded ample range and materials for the muse of epic song, without rendering the queen odious in the estimation of the reader. This is the great blot which disfigures a po m that is in all other respects, except its undue length, admirable in the plan, harmonious in the language, and rich in description. The leading incident is the well known interview between Margaret and the robber after the battle of Hexham: and the cottage to which the outlaw conducts his royal mistress and her wounded son affords inany remarkable adventures. The principal of these is the discovery of Geraldine, a lady of illustrious family, by her brother; and her secret marriage with the son of Margaret, which ceremony is performed by a holy hermit, who proves to be no other than Henry, the father of the prince! Setting aside the outrage committed upon probability in this circumstance, there is great beauty in this part of the roem. But the mast curious and well imagined point is the visit of Margaret, accompanied by Rudolph the robber, to the habitation of a sorceress for the purpose of as certaining the fortunes of the Lancastrian house. Here, by a singular coincidence, comes Richard of Gloucester upon a similar errand at the same time; and this improvement of the story of the witch of Endor will give the admirer of the marvellous no little pleasure.

Mador of the Moor: a Poem. By James Hogg. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

On an incident recorded of one of the Scottish kings in the fourteenth century, the mountain bard has contrived to form a very pleasing and highly descriptive poem. Mador of the Moor is the me narch in the disguise of a minstrel, who has an intrigue with a young damsel of exquisite beauty; and her adventures in search of her truant lover are affectingly narrated, but brought to a happy conclusion. The hunting scenes in the first cante are uncommonly animated and picturesque; but even these are exceeded by the solema and pathetic representation of Ila and her infant crossing the dreary heath, and taking up an abode for the night in the ruinous retreat of a penitent Palmer. The morning hymn of this religious, after a stormy night, is so exquisite that we cannot forbear extracting it for the pleasure and edification of our readers.

Lauded be thy name for ever,
Thou of life the guard and giver!

Thou canst guard thy creatures sleeping-
Heal the heart long broke with weeping-
Rule the ouphes and elves at will,
That vex the air or haunt the hill,
And all the fury subject keep
Of boiling cloud and chafed deep!
I have seen, and well I known is,
Thou hast done, and Thou wilt do it;