And lastly, as the harpficord has neither ftrings nor keys for any of thefe founds D*, A*, E*, B*, F**, A», D3, Gb, &c. which yet are fo often wanted that far the greater C part of the best compofitions cannot be performed without them, except by fubftituting for them E, B, F, C, G, • G*, C*, F*, &c. refpectively, which by differing from them by near a fifth part of the tone, make very bad harmony; and as the old expedient for introducing fome of thofe founds by inferting more keys in every octave, is quite laid afide by reafon of the difficulty in playing upon them; I have therefore Invented a better expedient, by caufing the feveral keys of thofe fubftitutes, E, B, F C, G, G*, C*, F*, &c. to ftrike either Eb or D*, Bь or A*, For E*, C or B*, G or F**, G* or Ab, C* or Db, F or Gb, &c.

For fince both the founds in any one of thofe couples are feldom or never ufed in any one piece of mufic, the mufician by moving a few ftops before he begins to play it, can immediately introduce that found in each couple, which he forefees is either always or oftenest used in the piece before him.

Two different conftructions of thofe ftops are here defcribed (h), one of which is applicable at a small expence to any harpficord ready made, and the other to a new harpfichord, and upon putting them both in practice, they have perfectly answered my expectation.

Several properties and advantages of this changeable fcale are described in the eighth fection. In a word, the very worst keys in the common defective fcale, by changing a few founds are presently made as complete as the best in that scale, and more harmonious too, because the changeable scale admits of the very beft temperament, and, which is another advantage, will therefore ftand longer in " tune than the common fcale which cannot admit that temperament.

These improvements of the harpfichord, it is hoped, may encourage others to apply the like methods to the fcale of the organ, which is equally capable of them and to greater advantages.'

Referring thofe, who are ftrangers to this work, to the abstract above-mentioned; we prefume it needlefs to enter

(h) Sect. vii. art 18, 19.

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more particularly into the merits of a performance, which, in the few years fince its firft publication, has fo powerfully recommended itfelf as to be held in the greateft eftimation, as well by those who are verfed in the theory of mufic, as by every lover of mathematical and philofophical science.

We cannot, however, difmifs this article without repeating an obfervation made, by our learned and ingenious Author, in his former preface, as it perfectly coincides with our own sentiments relating to the extenfive use that might be made of his elaborate and curious enquiries. The obfervation is this; that, as almoft all forts of substances are perpetually fubject to very minute vibrating motions, and al our fenfes and faculties feem chiefly to depend upon fuch • motions excited in the proper organs, either by outward objects or the power of the will, there is reafon to expect, that the theory of vibrations given in this work will not prove useless in promoting the philofophy of other things befides mufical founds.'

We hope, alfo, this hint will not be loft upon fuch as have inclination and talents to purfue phyfical researches, to any degree of improvement.

K-n-k

An Essay on Fundamentals; representing the genuine Marks and Characters of a fundamental Doctrine; and what are the true fundamental Doctrines of the Gofpel; with a ferious Propofal of Union and Peace among all true Proteftants. H. Moore. 8vo. Is. Davey and Law.

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HIS Effay is written with great candor, and an excellent fpirit. The Author fets out with lamenting that fo few of the virtues and beauties of Christianity should be copied out in the lives and manners of its Profeffors that thofe, who pretend to know moft of religion, and boaft of the highest attainments therein, fhould be fo fond of fetting up for the heads of a party, and of exercifing fo much bitterness and animofity towards all thofe that differ from them. If we look a little narrowly into the grounds and reafons of this temper and conduct, it will appear, Mr Moore thinks, that it arifes, in a great meafure, from Christians conceiving of the Gofpel, as confifting of a fet of mental notions or doctrinal articles, fome of which they confecrate under the fpecious name of Fundamentals, fet them up as the main ground and bafis of the Gofpel, eftablish them in the

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room of true religion, and at the fame time make them the rule and measure of their temper and behaviour towards all the reft of their Fellow-Chriftians.

In order to obviate, in fome measure, fuch palpable mistakes, and, as far as poffible, prevent the pernicious confequences that generally flow from them, our Author examines into the nature and quality of fundamental doctrines, and endeavours to fhew what is the diftinguishing character of the Gospel, the true and grand foundation upon which it is built; that it may evidently appear to every Christian, where his chief dependance is to be placed, and where all his noblest hopes and most valuable interests muft neceffarily center and reft.

The first lays down the genuine marks and characters of a fundamental doctrine, and then particularly fhews, what are the true fundamental doctrines of the Gofpel. Every fundamental doctrine, we are told, must be clear and perfpicuous; common and univerfal; abfolutely necessary to true religion; and fuch as comprehends every other religious truth. Whatever doctrine, fays Mr. Moore, does not include in it every thing neceffary to true religion, but wants fomething befides to render it compleat; or whatever doctrines they be, which men may believe and profess, and yet continue deftitute of true religion, cannot belong to the effence of the Gospel; and therefore no doctrines that are not in themfelves fufficient to conftitute a religious character, can in any proper fenfe be faid to be fundamental, for this is implied in the very notion of a fundamental, that it is the pillar, or foundation of religion, upon which it was firft built, by which it is continually fupported, upon which every thing elfe has its main dependence, and without which it cannot fubfift; it being that which cements the whole body, unites together all its various parts and members, and forms them into a regular structure, into one uniform beautiful building; and hence it is eafy to fee, that a fundamental must be one uniform individual thing, that joins and connects the whole body, operates upon every part, and diffufes life and ftrength through the • whole.'

Having endeavoured to mark the effential characters of a fundamental doctrine, our Author proceeds to thew what are the true fundamental doctrines of the Goipel. And here he refers us to the explicit declaration of Chrift himself, whose judgment must be decifive and final. Our Lord's determination of the matter, is particularly recorded by the Evangelift John,

John, in that noble confeffion, fo juftly celebrated by the Apoftle Paul, which our Lord made in his defence before. Pilate, the Roman Governor.Jefus answered and faid, my kingdom is not of this world, &c.

The great diftinguishing character of the Gofpel, the foundation upon which it is built, and in which all the foregoing marks and characters do entirely meet, and abfolutely center, according to our Author, is this ;-That Chrift is our spiritual Sovereign and Head, and we the Subjects of his fpiritual Kingdom. As this, in Mr. Moore's opinion, is the main foundation on which the Religion and Church of Chrift are built, fo it was the great thing, we are told, the whole, that was ever required by our Saviour, and his Apostles, to be believed and profeffed by Chriftians, in order to their admiffion into the Church, to qualify them for the fellowship of Saints, and to entitle them to all the diftinguished bleffings and privileges of the Gofpel. He does not fay, that there are no other truths that would become fit and worthy to be entertained afterwards, when Chriftians were more fully acquainted with the Gofpel; but that no other are required and laid down as foundations, as neceffary to admiffion, and terms of Chriftian Communion, and whatever other truths might be neceffary afterwards, to be raised as a superstructure upon this foundation, would follow of course, and unavoidably flow from it; as every Christian that has fincerely fubjected his foul and confcience to the government and will of Chrift, will always be readily difpofed to embrace every truth and doctrine, that appears to be fupported by his authority, and contained in his word.

• What those doctrines are, fays our Author, is not my ⚫ business to determine here, as that must be left to the conscience of every particular Chriftian, to form the best judgment he can, from the reprefentation that is given of the doctrines of Chrift, and the Conftitutions of the Apoftles, in the Sacred Scriptures; and therefore it is impoffible but that, as to these things, the Sentiments of Chriftians must be very different one from the other, according to the different capacities, apprehenfions, oppor'tunities, and advantages they are intrufted with; but none of these things will have the leaft influence upon their fpiritual ftate or intereft, either here or hereafter, pro'vided they are firmly fixed upon the firft great foundation.

We do not read either that Chrift, or any of his Apoftles, ever thought of forming religion into a system of doctrines, or a certain number of fpeculative truths, to Rev. Jan. 1760. E

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be univerfally received by Chriftians; they never imagined that this would be a proper way to fecure the faith of the Gospel; all that they expected from Chriftians was, their < belief of Christ's fpiritual authority and dominion, as the fovereign and head of his Church; which indeed includes every other truth effential to the Gofpel, and whoever believes the one, must neceffarily receive all the other. All ⚫ therefore that Chriftians need be concerned for, or are • obliged to perform in this refpect, is to preferve uncorrupt and inviolable, in its native purity and fimplieity, that most excellent and perfect form of found words, which Chrift and his Apoftles have left us, and which renders all other artificial forms and all human compofitions needlefs and fuperfluous; namely, that noble confeffion which on 'Chrift's demand, Peter made; and which Chrift declares was not fuggefted to him by flesh and blood, but revealed by his Father which is in Heaven, Thou art Chrift the Son of the Living God, and accordingly was this ever after most justly eftablished, as the only unvariable rule and standard of the • Chriftian Faith, the one individual uniform term and con⚫dition of admiffion into the Church, of acceptance with • God here, and of eternal falvation hereafter; as we may fee in the profeffion of the Eunuch and of others."

R

A Letter addreffed to Two Great Men, on the Profpect of Peace, and the Terms neceffary to be infifted upon in the Negociation. 8vo. I S. Millar.

Tis easy to foresee that the arduous bufinefs of peacemaking, will occafion violent divifions among the turbilent politicians of this metropolis. Every one erects himself into a plenipotentiary, and boldly gives laws to Europe. Various are the fchemes which have been already reconmended, all different in their principles, and difagreeing in their propofitions: fo that the enfuing treaty will not, in all probability, give that general fatisfaction, which we could wifh to be the refult of the expected negociation, Amidst a diverfity of opinions, our Minifters may well exclaim quid fequar? aut quem? Neverthelefs from the oppofitions of fentiment on this important fubject, they may be better able to comprehend the full extent of the bufinefs, and act so as to merit the approbation of the dispaffionate few.

Among