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has been urged, on this head, by the Americans: for whom the author is a warm and zealous advocate.

Art. 21. Journal of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina, 1776. Published by Order of the Congrefs. 8vo. 2 s. Charles-Town printed, London re-printed, for Almon.

Contains the proceedings of the abovementioned Provincial Congrefs, from February 1ft to the clofe of the feffion, 1776.

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LIBERTY,

SLAVERY.

Motto. "Where annual election ends, flavery begins."

Hift. Eff. on Brit. Conft.

8vo. 1 s. 6d. Almon. 1776.

This zealous anti-minifterial politician reminds us of honeft Burgh, the author of Political Difquifitions*, whom he ftrongly resembles, and often quotes. He calls aloud for parliamentary reformation, and offers a scheme for effecting this great purpose; and this, he says, is a matter to easily to be accomplished, that the reader who has ever thought otherwife, will be surprised that he could have overlooked what will now appear to him to be fo fimple, and fo obvious;—but for particulars, we refer to his pamphlet.

Some readers, adepts in political science, may treat this gentleman as a vifionary; but, however that may be, we think that every rational and fober individual, who thus employs and communicates his thoughts, on fubjects of fuch vaft importance to his country, is worthy of attention. Of the multitude of bints which, on every interefting topic, are fo publicly diffeminated by the affiftance of the prefs, fome may, at one feafon or other, fpring up and bear fruit, to the real emolument of the community. We remember poor Jacob Henriques, whofe projects and advertisements were a ftanding jeft for many years, and yet government thought it no diminution of its wifdom to adopt his fcheme of a guinea lottery, and had honour and gratitude enough to reward him for his invention.

Art. 23. Strictures on a Sermon, intitled, "The Principles of the Revolution vindicated," preached before the University of Cambridge, on Wednefday May 29th, 1776, by Richard Watson, D.D. F. R.S. Regius Profeffor of Divinity in that University. 8vo. 6d. White, &c.

. The free notions of government entertained by Dr. Watson, could not be expected to pafs without academical animadverfion, when published ex cathedra. He is now under the hands of a shrewd examiner, who extends the doctor's principles to extremes, that we

L

• See Rev. vol. 1 and liii.

would

would charitably hope neither he, nor any other fenfible man ever intended: a treatment which may be efteemed hardly fair-excepting, perhaps, in fuch controverfial fkirmishes.

Art. 24. Obfervations on the Scheme before Parliament for the Maintenance of the Poor, with occafional Remarks on the present Syltem, and a Plan propofed upon different Principles. In a Letter to Thomas Gilbert, Efq; Member for Litchfield. Svo. 6d. Chefter printed, and fold in London by Wallis and Co.

Raifes fome objections against Mr. Gilbert's Bill (as well as against the prefent fyftem of the poor's rates), which feem to be reasonable and important; and offers a new fcheme, on the principle of those affociations fo well known in this kingdom, by the name of Beneficial Clubs. This bint, notwithstanding its fingular appearance at first fight, deferves (as far as we, who have not time to make fufficient enquiry into its merits, can judge) the ferious confideration of the public. The general outline only, of our author's plan is here given, with an hope that the fcheme might prove beneficial, if digefted into a regular system. A fingle parish, he adds, might try the experiment, but the fanction of the legislature is requifite to authorize the attempt.'

Our author appears to be well qualified for the investigation of this difficult fubject. His manner of writing convinces us, that he is a perfon of good fenfe, as well as learning; and his ftyle is fuch, as cannot fail of gaining him reputation as a writer.

66

NATURAL HISTORY.

Art. 25. Characteres Generum Plantarum, quas in Itinere ad Infulas Maris Auftralis, collegerunt, defcripferunt, delinearunt annis 1772-1775. JOANNES REINOLDUS FORSTER, LL D. et GEORGIUS FORSTER. 4to. 11. 7s. Boards. Elmfly, &c. 1776. Doctor Forster and his fon have, in this elegant work, prefented the botanical world with the first fruits of their late circumnavigation, confifting of seventy-five new genera of plants, fcientifically described according to the Linnæan method. The genuine botanist, in whose eye the hyffop of the wall," is an object equally interefting with the" cedar of Lebanon;" will, we doubt not, be highly gratified with this acceffion of treasure; but, farther than the addition it will make to his catalogue, we cannot think much advantage to science will accrue from the bare defcription and delineation of plants, the qualities of which are totally unknown, and which may probably fcarcely ever again come under the furvey of a naturalift. Perhaps too, the lover of botany for its own fake, will think he is made to pay rather too dear for the pleasure this work will afford him. As most of the fubjects delineated are extremely minute, the vaft comparative fize of the plates, while it greatly enhances the price of the volume, gives an air of oftentation approaching to the ludicrous. The names which it was neceffary to invent for the new genera are, for the most part, derived from the Greek, and ingeniously contrived to exprefs fome diftinguishing property of the plant. Several, however, are complimentary appellations, derived from the names of fome of the author's botanical friends, or others, to whom he chofe to pay this token of refpect. This practice is, we know, common among

1i4

botanifts,

botanists, yet we cannot think it a judicious one. Befide that it gives rife to many inharmonious aukwardly-compounded words, it is alfo the occafion of many needlefs fynonima, fince few writers have authority enough to establish names which may be confidered as deciding the claims which different nations, or individuals, may have to reputation in the fame walk. Were a French naturalift to go over the fame ground our authors have tred, it is fcarcely to be fuppofed, that his ear or his vanity would fuffer him to acquiefce in their Galizia, Schefflera, Sharvia, and Skinnera.

We have only farther to remark, that there is all the appearance of accuracy in the description and delineations; and that the engravings are neatly executed. Two of them, one the flower of the Barringtonia, the other the Bread-fruit, are remarkably beautiful.

MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 26. Remarks on British Antiquities, viz. 1. The Origin and Ceremony of judicial Combats. 2. The Solemnities of ancient Writs. 3. The ancient and modern Ufe of Armorial Figures. 4. The Form of Funeral Service. By William Borthwick, Efq. 8vo. 2 s. 6d. Edinburgh printed, and fold by Cadell in London.

Thefe northern memoirs will be thought curious and valuable by the antiquary. The firft and third effays more particularly merit attention and the author has added, what is not mentioned in the title page, a remarkable account of the family expences, mostly in the article cloathing of James III. king of Scotland, 1474. Art. 27. The Life of Robert Lord Clive, Baron Plaffey, &c. By Charles Caraccioli, Gent. Vols. II. III. IV. 8vo. 18 s. in Sheets. Bell, in Bell Yard.

To the fentiments excited by the appearance of the first volume of this crude jumble, it is only neceffary now to add, that the four volumes are filled with materials collected from the late Reports, and memoirs, of Indian tranfactions, ill digefted, worfe connected, and fuitably printed.

Art. 28. The Truth of the Chriftian Religion, a Poem, founded on a very celebrated Work of Hugo Grotius. By Charles L'Ofte, A. M. Rector of Langton in Lincolnshire. 8vo. 5 s. White, &c. We have not claffed this publication under the Article of Poetry, becaufe, fo far from coming under that denomination, it is hardly meafured rhyme. It is, indeed, a moft ftupid disfiguration of a mot excellent work.

POETICA L.

Art. 29. The Patriot's Progrefs; a familiar Epiftie, humbly infcribed to John Wilkes, Efq; 4to. I S. Wallis and Co.

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Some bold emulator of the great Sternhold here affails Mr Wilkes, and tells him his own,' as the faying is, in ftrains that would make even Sternhold (could he hear them) burft with envy :

See him one moment from his feat driv'n out,

The next an Alderman of Farr. Without;

See Rev. vol. iii. p. 80,

Now

Now to the Tower fent, and now by rabble
Reftor'd to his feat in Stephen's Chapel.'
"Sternhold himself he out-Sternholded."

SWIFT.

Art. 30. The General Faft; a Lyric Ode; With a Form of Prayer proper for the Occafion, and a Dedication to the King. 4to. 1 s. Fielding and Co.

Ridicules the faft, and infults the government.

Art. 31. The Genius of Britain to General Howe. An Ode. 4to.

Is. Sewell, &c.

It is not often that we meet with verfes of this temporary, fugitive clafs, fo worthy of an extract, as are most of the flanzas which com pofe this little fpirited poem ;-which commences with a well-imagined sketch of the portentous afpect of the awful night preceding our late victory at Long Ifland. Amidst the horrid folemnity of the fcene, the GENIUS of Britain appears to General Howe while repofing in his tent, and thus addresses him:

Dauntless fon of freedom hail!

Charg'd with many a victim's doom,
May thy Godlike arm prevail,

Though its valour load the tomb.

Several ftanzas are here employed in execrating the American rebels; after which, the former happy ftate of the country is pathetically contrafted with its fad reverse of fortune, fince the commencement of the present troubles :

• Sorrow was a ftranger here;

Diftant far! the Mourner's voice;

• Plenty rob'd the fmiling year;
Rapture bid my fwains rejoice.

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Having poured a volley of poetic thunder on the devoted head of Lord Chatham, the GENIUS turns with complacency to Lord North: whofe firm, high-kindling foul,

• Whilft the ftorms of discord rave,
• Whilst the feas of faction roll,
• Dares to dash th'infurgent wave.
Gods approve, though Dæmons blame
Though from earth no incenfe rife,
NORTH enjoys a brighter fame;

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His the pæans of the skies!'

The illuftrious apparition then takes leave of the hero, in the fol

lowing lines:

• Warrior, take thy wish'd repofe,

Gain from Sleep, his ftrengthning charm;

⚫ E'er the morrow's day fhall close,

• Deeds of wonder claim thy arm.

Know, ah know, my love will weep,
Whilft thy fword with vengeance falls;
Yet I'll aid its glorious sweep,

When my injur'd country calls.

Though my eye with pity ftream;

Though my heart with anguish moan;

Juftice, bid thy lightnings flame:

Virtue, let thy work be done.'

Art. 32. The Devil, a poetical Effay. 4to. 1 s. 6d. Dodiley. 1776.

This Devil is announced to us under a two-fold description.
Firft, he is Belzebub, a fine Gentleman :

A charming youth, with curls and laces,
Dreft by the hands of Loves and Graces.'
Secondly, a fine Lady:

While Satan, worst of deadly finners,
Shines forth in petticoat and pinners."

The moral and fatirical improvement of this ftroke of fancy, is diffufed through twenty-eight pages of pretty easy, though fome. what obfcure verses: evidently the production of no mean rhimester. Art. 33. To the Memory of the late pious Mr. Thomas Wilton, 8vo. 4 d. Buckland.

Thefe pious effufions of virtuous friendship, are not proper objects of critical regard; we fhall, therefore, only observe, with refpect to the prefent little elegiac poem, that we imagine the Author would have expreffed himself more to our fatisfaction had he recited the excellencies of Mr. Wilton's character in plain profe.

RELIGIOUS and CONTROVERSIAL. Art. 34. Concordia. Seu Sacra Cane Theoria Sacra. Autors P. D. K. S. T. P. Londini. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Dilly. 1776.

Written with a view of reconciling the Lutherans and Calvinifte in their fentiments, concerning the Lord's Supper. The Author conceives, that this ordinance, as it was administered by our Lord to

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