to tread on the fame ground which has been trodden by "a Trim mer, a Weft, a More, and a Hamilton." Nevertheless the ven tures, for the fake of her young pupils; and we do not conceive that she will at any time repent having fo ventured. The fub. jects on which the writes are, at least nomentous and interefting. They are thefe-1. Religious Example, and its Importance, 2. Truth. 3. The Duties of a Daughter. 4. Of a Siiter. -51. On Temper. 6. On Charity. 7. Friendship. 8. Attachment. 9. The Duties of a Wife. 10. Of a Mother. 11. On Seduc tion. 12. On modern Manners. 13. The Value and proper Ufe of Time. 14. Death.

Some very pathetic lines to the memory of a moft affectionate mother, who lost her life by a fcarlet fever, caught from her eldest fon, appear at page 145, and do honour to the writer, probably Mrs. Cockle herself.

ART. 27. Preceptor and his Pupils, Part the fecond; containing the Syntax of all Languages, together with special Rules, Dia Logues, Examinations, and Exercifes on the English; to which are added, a practical Syftem of English Compofition, and a concife Hiftory of the Formation of all Languages. By George Crabb, Mafter of the Commercial and Literary Seminary. 12mo. 218 pp. 48. Boofey. 1808. ART. 28. Preceptor and his Pupils, Part the third; or, the moft familiar Synonyms in the English Language, critically and etymologically illuftrated. For the Ufe of Schools and Private Students. 12mo. 237 PP. 5s. 6d. Boofey. 1810.

The first part of this work was noticed by us in our thirtieth volume, p. 338.-By what rule of Syntax, the author omits the article the, before the word preceptor, in the titles to these works, we do not perceive that he has difclofed. Nor is it much more eafy to fee what general connection they have, fo as to make them pafs as diftinct parts of one work. They are all of a grammatical kind, but otherwise they seem as unconnected as any works can be. The author, however, thinks otherwife; he profeffes to proceed upon a connected plan. He fays;

Agreeable [agreeably] to the plan laid in the former little volume, the writer has here drawn up the fyntactical rules, in a form that feemed most calculated for fyftematizing and generalizing the ideas of young people on the fubject of Language. To this end he has, in the first place, deviated from the usual order of English grammar, by dividing fyntax into two general heads; namely, 1. as it regards fingle words; and 2. as it regards the conftruction of fentences."

In the introduction to the third part alfo he says;

"Although the preceding parts of this work contain every thing relative to grammar which can lend to its illuftration; yet the author, agreeable [agreeably] to an opinion long preconceived in his mind, has thought proper to annex a third part,

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as an accompaniment to the other two, with a view of directing the attention of the enquirer to that most important of all fubjects, the proper ufe of words, the mifconception and mifufe of which have ever been a grand fource of human error."

There is certainly much that is ufeful in thefe volumes, particularly what the author calls, "writing exercifes," in the fecond volume; where in parallel columns are given the proper and improper form of various fentences. In the third part, there is much good etymology, and distinctions founded upon it; with the occafional illuftration of familiar dialogues on the various topics of difcuffion. With all the merit which Mr. Crabb's volumes poffefs, we are inclined to think that they will never be fo completely serviceable as when they are affifted by his oral, and perfonal inftruction.

ELOQUENCE.

ART: 29. The British Cicero; or a Selection of the most admired Speeches in the English Language; arranged under the three dif tina Heads of Popular, Parliamentary, and Judicial Oratory: with Hiftorical Illuftrations. To which is prefixed, an Introduc tion to the Study and Practice of Eloquence. By Thomas Browne, L.L.D. Author of "Viridarium Poeticum," the "Union Dictionary," &c. 8vo. vols. Il. 11s. 6d. Longman and Co.

1808.

This is a very fimilar compilation in its nature to Hazlitt's Eloquence of the British Senate, of which we gave (vol. xxxvi. p. 124.) a more detailed account than we can conveniently allot to this. It differs chiefly in its mode of arrangement, and in admitting popular and forenfic eloquence, which were excluded from the other plan. The popular part, however, is much the shortest, as it does not occupy more than a fourth of the first volume. The prior of that volume contains the introduction promised in the title-page; while the remainder, with the whole of the fecond, is devoted to Parliamentary eloquence. The oratory of the bar is given in the third volume. Nor does this volume take fo wide historical scope as Mr. Hazlitt's. "The matter of it comprehends," the author fays, the space of about forty years, and is brought down nearly to the time of publication. Should the work meet the approbation of the public, the editor propofes, in a fecond edition, to enlarge it, and continue it to the time of publication."

So very large a part of this work of neceffity confifts of mere compilation, that there is not much in it for criticism to do. We might indeed examine the author's introduction, or the opinions which are given in the hiftorical illuftrations. But rules of eloquence have been two often repeated to attract much attention; and in the other cafe, whatever the author's opinions,

BRIT. CRIT. VOL. XXXVII, MARCH, 1811.

may be, he has, wherever we have obferved, been cautious not to exprefs them in a manner offenfive to any party.

The fpecimens of forenfic eloquence, in the third part, do not much exceed twenty in number, and they are not all perhaps fufficiently remarkable to deferve that diftinction. But this can

not undoubtedly be faid of the speech of Sir James Mackintosh at Peltier's trial, (P. 126.) which is certainly one of the moft remarkable of fuch harangues. After all, in fo wide a field, no two felectors would perhaps take the fame materials, for which reafon we fhall forbear to offer our opinion on fpeeches, fome of which are in our recollection, which appear to us preferable to feveral that are here recorded. If the compiler has on the whole done well, as many perfons will certainly think, it is useless, as well as invidious, to fpeculate in what ways he might have done better.

ART.

30.

DIVINITY.

Letters on the Truth and Certainty of Natural and Revealed Religion, addreffed to a Student at the University, and intended as an Introduction to Bishop Butler's Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Conftitution and Courfe of Nature. By the Rev. Jofeph Wilson, A. B. 12mo. 236 pp. 4s. 6d. Rivingtons. 1810.

This book is intended as an explanation and analysis of the reafoning in Bishop Butler's Analogy of Natural and Revealed Religion; the acknowledged excellence of which fhould make any other a valuable appendage to it, which profeffes to clear the ground of thofe difficulties which metaphyfical language and reafonings generally prefent to common minds, efpecially if the undertaking has been fuccefsfully accomplished.

In eftimating the utility of abridgements in general, we may obferve, that among men of thinking habits there are three claffes of readers the ardent and impetuous, or fuch as are emulous and willing to engage in the moft abftrufe topics of enquiry which fcience can offer, whom no perplexities can deter, no difficulties overwhelm; another clafs are the fuperficial, who, fond of the jargon of fcience, prefer found to fenfe, and, fkimming the furface, lofe the treafures beneath; while among the laft, we may rank fuch as from idlenefs, or diftruft of their own capacities, are unwilling to engage in the obfcurities of metaphyfical subjects, or afford the patience and attention which fuch purfuits require.Irreconcileable as these characters may appear with each other, yet to each we venture to recommend the ufe of abridgements, and that not fo much from the wifh that the doctrines of the ori ginal authors, by being more easily understood, may be more univerfally known, as from a conviction that they are often capa. ble of producing thefe effects. The firft clafs of readers may per haps defpife any analysis which is not the produce of their own invefti.

investigation; yet to thofe they may yield fome flight telescopic view of the regions they are about to enter, or afterwards, taken up as an itinerary, afford the traveller fome amufement in the recollection of his paft encounters. The fecond may reap a harvest at which they never laboured, and in the present inftance at once enter into the merits of analogical reafoning, here fo successfully wielded against the enemies of his faith, perhaps to imbibe a thirst for becoming acquainted with the more extended views and argu ments of the author in his original dilated form. While the third, without the toil of refearch, may alfo readily enter into the fpirit of the fubject; and having his attention awakened or directed to fome fixed points in this field of enquiry, be likely to employ his time more worthy his dignity as a man, and more profitable to his ftate as a Christian. Such, we think, are the advantages of fynopfes in general, and in a high degree of the one before us. In the execution of the work, the author, keeping fully in view the chain of argument, has faithfully preferved the reafonings of the original, and accomplished the arduous task of reducing to common language, and the level of common capacities, the fublime thoughts of the acuteft genius, which the cause of Religion ever called forth in its defence.

In fome few places, with refpect to ftyle, the author has not been able to avoid the difficulties which always attend the compreffion of any series of reafoning, where every fentence is pregnant with evidence and meaning into a narrower compafs: there are too a few faults in the general ftyle, which a fecond revifion may point out and amend. Such, we think, is a fpecies of enthymem, never intended by the author; an appearance of logical conclufion, where only a continuation of argument is meant, by the frequent recurrence and often infignificant ufe of the particles fince and then. On the whole, we think it a liber defideratus in theological ftudies, and recommend it as capable of yielding pleafure or profit to every class of readers.

ART. 31. Extracts from the Religious Works of Monfieur Francois Salignac de la Mothe Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambray. Tran flated from the original French, by Mifs Marshall. 8vo. 291 pp. 10s. 6d. Hatchard. 1809.

Of Fenelon, tranfcendent as his merits were, little is known in this country, but from his Telemachus, which is also very imperfectly known, being read chiefly in learning French, His theological works are, for obvious reafons, lefs likely to be read than any others. Yet was his piety as eminent as his talents were dif tinguished; and if he was in one inftance too favourable to mystic reveries, he was in general as rational in his piety,, as he was humble and fincere. We have no hesitation therefore in saying, that Mifs Marshall has done well in felecting, from his theological

works, fuch paffages as cannot fail to be edifying to Christians of every denomination.

Mifs M. has claffed her felections under a moderate number of heads; and has rendered the original in pure and perfpicuous English. We cannot, however, fupprefs the opinion, that she would render an equal, if not a fuperior fervice to the public, if she would publish the fame collection of paffages also in the original French. Whatever may be the fidelity, or even elegance of a tranflation, there is more fatisfaction and more advantage to those who are capable of reading them, in having the very words of the author; efpecially when that author is diftinguished for a pure, elegant, and even eloquent ftyle in his own language. From the very high patronage announced in Mifs Marthall's lift of fubfcribers, we have no doubt that her talents are also greatly valued by those who can eftimate them beft: nor do we mean in the flightest degree to depreciate her efforts, when we thus exprefs a wish to fee her originals collected. Both works might fell; both we have no doubt would fell; and neither of them the lefs for the exiftence of the other.

ART. 32. Earnest Contention for the True Faith. A Sermon preached at Scarborough, at the primary Vifitation of the most Reverend Edward, Lord Archbishop of York, July 28, 1809. By the Rev. Francis Wrangham, M. A. F. R. S. of Trinity College, Cambridge. Published at the Request of the Clergy, with the Approbation of his Grace. 4to. 51 PP. Mawman, &c. 1809.

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3s. 6d.

This is a difcourfe of confiderable merit, in which the author ftates very fully, and with much eloquence, his own ideas of the true faith ideas which feem to us not only correct, but animated with the zeal and warmth of fincerity. His ftatements in oppofition to the Unitarians are particularly clear and strong; and the following view of their ftrange expedients to get rid of the only real faith in Chrift, the belief in his divinity, is such as we are very glad to repeat in this place.

"If the fubject indeed were less awfully folemn in its bearings and confequences, it would not be unamufing to trace the various and occafionally conflicting expedients, by which the antagonists of this doctrine, ftaunch to the interefts of preconceived hypothefis, endeavoured to elude the force of fcriptural teftimony. One of them finding the epiftolary parts of the New Teftament unconquerably hoftile to his gratuitous theory, requires us to fift with jealous fcrutiny, as of fufpicious credibility, the evidence of Paul and Peter and James and John; although the first received his credentials by a moft fplendid commiffion from Heaven, and the three latter were conftantly felected by their Mafter, upon every more diftinct exhibition of himself, to bear witnefs of his Godhead. From fimilar motives, another explodes the introduc