Page images
PDF
EPUB

ed, interefting, and original. Thefe Tranfactions contain two memoirs on Mathematics, and five on History and Philology. The first, on the improvements made in military arms, fince the time of the ancient Greeks, by profeffor Heyne: the fecond, on the time in which Michael Glycas lived, one of the Byzantine hiftorians, by profeffor Walchius the third, relative to certain works and fragments of the Socratic fchool, particularly the Dialogues of chyles, Plato's Epiitles, thofe of his con-difciples, and the Table of Cebes, by profeffor Meiners, in which ftrong proofs are brought that they are most of them fpurious: the fourth concerning 'Thrace, as defcribed by Herodotus and Thucydides, by profeffor Gatterer: the fifth, an enquiry into the fources of information and authors, from whom Diodorus Siculus compofed his hiftory, written with infinite erudition by profeffor Heyne. M. de Hertzberg, minifter of state to the late king of Pruffia, and one of the Berlin academicians, has printed his "Difcourfe read on the King's Birth-Day, concerning Population in general, and on that of the Pruffian Dominions in particular." The author is the known panegyrift of his royal mafter, and therefore must be read with caution. He pretends, that Frederic doubled the population of his hereditary do minions, and by means of his new ly acquired provinces trebled that of the whole Pruffian ftates; but we prefume he muft date from the conclufion of the laft war his majefty waged against the houfe of Auftria, when the population of the Pruffian territories was miferably decreased. This pamphlet fhould be read with infinite caution; it may otherwife induce people, not fufficiently accustomed to confider such subjects, to believe that an ab

folute monarchy is the best of governments ; a detellable opinion, ' destructive of mankind, and which we are always forry when we find. learned men endeavouring to pro pagate.

The twenty-first and twenty-fecond volumes of the Haarlem Society have appeared, the latter of which contains a moft excellentTM Differtation, by profeffor Caftillon, of Berlin, concerning the principles and characters of analogy, and how it ought to be applied in the investigation of phyfical and moral truths. Another Differtation in the fame volume is as contemptible as the above is excellent. It is an enquiry into the moral state of children after this life, by Lambert Meyer. The difcuffion of fuch a question cannot be read without pity, for the ill-directed labours of the author.

While fpeaking of German lite rature, let us mention two different works in French, confifling of tranf lations from the German, from their most esteemed tragedies and comedies. The firft, in twelve volumes, is completed. The authors were meffieurs Freidel, and de Bonneville. Freidel was a German ;and his part of the work chiefly confifted in procuring the pieces, and giving a mere literal tranflation to his fellow-labourer, whofe task it was to bestow on them that fpirit and elegance, without which fuch works are little likely to be read. This tranflation has been very fuccefsful. The fecond is by meffieurs Junker and Leibault, four volumes of which are only yet printed; but the authors propofe a continuation, if they meet the fuccefs they hope. A sketch likewife of a "New general Code of Laws for the Pruffian States," has appeared at Berlin, and our accounts fay is very much fuperior, as

X 3

far

imagination, and poetic energy. His "Sympathy," and the "Tears of Genius," are diftinguished by many picturefque beauties, and inftances of genuine pathos. But in none of his pieces do we meet with any ftrength of genius. His ideas appear exceedingly confufed; and his language, befides being a perpetual offence against correctnefs and grammar, is rendered finical and unmeaning by an affectation of meretricious ornaments. In addition to his poems, thefe volumes confist of "The School for Vanity," a comedy; and Moral Tales, and Effays on various fubjects. The comedy, if we confider its comparative merits, deserved a fairer trial from the public than one night's hearing could give it; and the Tales and Effays, if they difplay no great vigour of fentiment, may, neverthefefs, be perufed with advantage by his younger readers.

The Elegies and Sonnets" of an anonymous author, afforded us confiderable pleafure, during our perufal of them. They are written, profeffedly, after the manner of Hammond; and poffefs that tendernefs and fimplicity, which fo powerfully recommend his produc

tions.

The fentiments are natural and eafy; the language chafte and elegant, and in no one refpect deferving of critical cenfure."

The "Probationary Odes, by the various Candidates for the Of fice of Poet-Laureat to his Majefty," &c. are written with the fame fpirit and humour, which diftinguifhed the criticisms on the Rolliad; and are of the fame political complexion. We have joined heartily in the laugh which the author's power of ridicule continually excite; while we regretted that fo much ingenuity fhould be proffituted

to gratify the illiberality and fpleen of party.

In the "Lyric Odes for the Year 1785," Peter Pindar, with more than his ufual pleafantry, bestows his praife and cenfure on the royal academicians. We have been highly diverted with the peculiar oddities of this writer; and, did not his fatire degenerate into perfonal abufes we should be happy in the frequent returns of that entertainment, which his brilliant genius is capable of affording. -.

Among the other poetical productions of the year, into the charac ters of which we cannot diftinctly enter, we may mention "The Exodus, a Poem, by the rev. Samuel Hayes; ""The Wanderer;" "An Invocation to Melancholy ;"«The Obfequies of Demetrius Poliorcetes, by Anne Francis ;"" Sonnets, and other Poems, with a Vertification of the fix Bards of Offian ;" Colls's "Poet, a Poem, infcribed to Mr. "The Veteran ;" Jerningham;" "Poetical Trifles, by Edward Trapp Pilgrim, Efq."; Carwithin's "Seasons of Life;" "Pictures from Nature, in twelve Sonnets;" and "Picturefque Poetry," &c. by the rev. J. Teafdale.

With refpect to the very few Dra. matic publications which we have to mention, we fhall follow our ufual practice, and content ourselves with little more than barely announcing their names. In tragedy, "The Patriot," pretendedly publifhed from a manufcript of the late Dr. Johnson, corrected by himfelf, was a literary impofition, which was detected and configned to oblivion, at the moment of its birth. The comedies of the year were, Mr. Cumberland's "Natural Son." which continues in poffeffion of the public favour; and "Fahionable

Levities," by Leonard Macnally, efq. It may be proper to mention, alfo, that Mr. Murphy has publifhed a new and improved edition of his favourite comedy, "The Way to keep Him." The comic operas were, "The Fair American," by Mr. Pillon; "The Choleric Fathers," by Mr. Holcroft; Liberty Hall;" and "The Nunnery." In farce, Mrs. Inchbald's pen produced "Appearance is aAppearance is against them."

Under the head of Mifcellaneous Productions, the first place is due to Mr. Nichols's "Collection of Mifcellaneous Tracts, by the late William Bowyer, Printer," &c. which the editor hath illuftrated by occafional notes. Mr. Nichols applies himself with indefatigable industry, in collecting and preferving the remains of fuch valuable men as have been distinguished, either by their literary abilities, or their ufetulnets to mankind. We fincerely applaud the fpirit which engages him in fuch an undertaking; and we view, with pleasure, fuch fcattered features of their fentiments and characters, as may be collected from their epiftolary correfpondence.

In the volume before us, Mr. Bowyer's Remarks on Kennett's Roman Antiquities; Bladen's Tranflation of Cæfar; on the Roman Hiftory, Commerce, and Coin; on Middleton's Life of Cicero; and his abridgement of a very curious work, called Pictor Errans, are an additional testimony to his literary abilities and tafte, and will afford much entertainment to his readers. The letters, likewise, of his friends, particularly of Gale, Clarke, and Maitland, will not be an unacceptable prefent to the public.

In our Register of last year, we expreffed great fatisfaction at the

endeavours of Mr. Ramfay, to meliorate the condition of the Negro flaves in our plantations; and our hopes that fuch benevolent endea vours would not prove wholly ufelefs. His pamphlet, of which we then gave an account, has been warmly attacked by Mr. Tobin, of Bristol, in his "Curfory Remarks upon the rev. Mr. Ramfay's Eflay on the Treatment and Converfion of African Slaves in the Sugar Colonies." The defign of this remarker is to fhew, that Mr. Ramfay's defcriptions of the hardships of the Negroes belonging to British fubjects, and their comparative happinefs in the French islands, are not founded in truth; that his motives in writing his Effay, were not those of humanity, but the effects of an irritable difpofition, and personal pique; and that many parts of his plan are impolitical, inconfiftent, and impracticable. We are ready to acknowledge that this author writes with great fhrewdnefs and plaufibility. But he has not been able to leffen our detestation of the inhuman custom of enflaving our fellow-creatures, which received a keener edge from the reprefentations of Mr. Ramfay; nor can what he fays of the peevifhnefs of his temper, of his cruel treatment of his flaves, of his avarice, and of his neglect of duty as a clergyman, be confidered as tending, in the least degree, to invalidate the principles for which he contends. To these "Remarks," Mr. Ramfay hath publifhed a "Reply," in which, after quoting and anfwe-ing many paffages from Mr. Tobin's performance, he indulges to the fame kind of perfonal invective, which we obferved in the compofition of his opponent. We with to lofe fight, entirely, of the afperities which have been very improperly admitted into

this controverfy; and to exprefs our hopes, that the various efforts made in favour of the interefts of huma. nity, will ultimately prove fuccefsful, in abolishing a practice inconfiftent with the genuine fpirit of the British constitution, and difgraceful to the improvement and liberality of the age.

66

In the next place we fhall take notice of fuch mifcellaneous publications as are intended to affift in the formation and improvement of young minds. In this clafs we may place Williams's "Letters on Education;" Birch's "Confilia; or Thoughts upon feveral Subjects," &c.; Dialogues concerning the Ladies;" and "Moral and Sentimental Eflays, on mifcellaneous Subjects, written in Retirement," &c. Williams's "Letters on Education," contain fuch kind of information as may be found ufeful and agreeable to young minds. He has made frequent ufe of the thoughts of Bacon, Milton, Locke, Harris, and others, who have written on the fame fubject. His treatife, however, would have been more acceptable if it had not been loaded with fuch a number of quotations from the claffics; in many inttances they will be thought unneceflary, in others oftentatious and pedantic. Birch's "Confilia" appear to have been published from the best of inotives, that of engaging the hearts of the young to the love of virtue and religion. On this account the author is deferving of commendation; and his labours, if they are not diftinguished by any marks of novelty or literary excellence, may, nevertheless, prove an ufeful prefervative against the vices and fellies of the age. In the "Dialogues concerning the Ladies," we have a variety of fubjects difcuffed, with a peculiar reference to the informa

tion and improvement of the female mind. The fubjects are, female drefs, and the importance of fome attention in the ladies to intellectual acquifitions; female literary characters and talents, and the dif ferent reprefentations that have been given of them; marriage, and collateral topics; female politenefs, gentlenefs, and meeknefs. Thefe dialogues are interfperfed with amufing anecdotes and observations from different authors; and are followed by an hiftorical effay on the ancient Amazons. We recommend this little voluine on account of the valuable and inftructive fentiments conveyed in it, which are clothed in neat and perfpicuous language. The "Moral and Sentimental Effays, on mitcellaneous Subjects," &c. are likewife deferving our at tention, on account of the many just fentiments to be met with in them, and the fpirit with which they expofe the levities and vices of the fathionable world.

The Novels and Romances of the year have been exceedingly numerous. But as it would be inconfiftent with our plan to enter into their refpective merits, we fhall mention the titles only of fuch as have fallen under our eye. Thefe are," The Hiftory of Sir Henry Clarendon ;" "The Conquests of the Heart, by a Lady; "The Nabob;' "The Aeroftatic Spy;" "Anna, or Memoirs of a Welch Heirefs;" « Constance;" "Moreton Abbey;" "The Quaker," and "The Gamefters." The following are spoken of, by thofe who have read them, in terms of approbation: Walwyn's "Love in a Cottage," Potter's "Favourites of Felicity," "The Vale of Glendour, or Memoirs of "Modern Emily Westbrook," Times;" and more particularly fo,

"The

lifhed a fhort work on "Cofmo graphy, and the prefent ftate of the World," (meant as a profpectus to an intended large one) which he has executed with method, learning, and intelligence. The Abbé Curiazio, member of the Royal Academy of Naples, has published a "Memoir on Mulberry Trees and Silk Worms," very ufeful to all concerned in the culture of those objects, because the obfervations are made in a country where this culture has been brought to the higheft perfection; it is printed at Rome. The first volume of "Let ters on Meteorology" have been published by Abbé Cavalli at Rome, which form the first part of a complete elementary treatife on that Icience, with directions how to choose the best inftruments, and make obfervations leaft liable to error. At the fame city, the Abbé Marini has published "The Ancient Inferiptions of the Palaces and Country Houfes of the Albani Family," with notes; which is faid to be one of the most curious in its kind that has ever appeared. "An Eulogy in honour of Captain Cook," read before the Royal Academy at Florence, has appeared at that city; the author is M. Gianetti. Át Faenza, M. Zaccaria has republished, in two volumes, the "Diflertations Sacred and Profane," of the learned Florentine antiquarian, P. Lupi; whofe character is well known. At Florence the fecond volume "On Navigation Laws" has appeared, and the impatience with which thofe who had read the first waited for this work, is a prefage of its merit and fuccefs. A beautiful edition of "Anacreon, with a Latin verfion, has been given from the royal prefs at Parma, aud is faid to equal any thing which the typographical art

has hitherto produced. The learned editor Bodoni has, with no common erudition, written "An Eflay on the Life, Character, and Death of Anacreon, his Writings, and the Age in which he lived." An equally beautiful edition of "Hefiod" has iffued from the fame prefs, with the excellent Latin verfion of Abbé Zamagna. The Italians, and the learned world in general, are indebted for both to the royal munifi cence of the arch-duke Ferdinand.

The Abbé Seraffi has published "A Life of Taffo," of which the Italian reviewers fpeak in high terms. "The Phaoniad," a tranflation of new found hymns and odes of Sappho, from Greek into Italian verfe, has appeared at Naples without a date; the probabilities are, that they are fpurious. M. Offur, one of the literati of Petersburgh, on board a Ruffian veffel in the Ægean Sea, arrived at the ancient Leucata, whence, from the top of a rock, the unhappy Sappho is faid to have caft herself. M. Offur was defirous to observe if any remains of the famous Leucadian Temple of Apollo ftill exifted; his curiofity was completely fatisfied. Among other monuments, he found a fragment with an ancient infcription, importing that Sappho had been buried there. Defirous of farther discoveries, he caufed excavations to be made in the environs, where he had the happiness to find a hollow stone, in which papers were enclosed containing the verses of the present tranflation. This appears very apochryphal, yet fuppofes a confiderable fund of Greek erudition in the impoftor, and a refined taste. He pretends the original Greek is now at Petersburgh, among the papers of the late M. Offur, re cently dead; the learned would be

glad

« PreviousContinue »