Art. 25.

Whilst every waken'd fibre strains
And throbs with palpitating heat.
With eyes, where sparkling rapture swims,
She contemplates his sleeping grace,
Hangs fondly o'er his well-turn'd limbs,
And joins to his her fervid face.
But as her views intent to foil,
Or as that form it long'd to kiss,
Dropt from the lamp the burning oil,
Arous'd him from his dreams of bliss.
Sudden loud thunders shake the skies,
Th' enchanted palace sinks around,
And sanguine-streaming fires arise,
Meteorous from the trembling ground.
And swift as when in fury hurls

Jove's red right arm the forky light,
The wounded Godhead eddying whirls
Into the heaven of heavens his flight.'

Grecian Prospects; a Poem in two Cantos.
Polwhele. 8vo.. 2s. 6d. Chapple.

By Mr,

In this poem, a Welsh bard is supposed to be contemplating a beautiful prospect in the isle of Lesbos; and, as the objects sink before him in the shades of night, he laments the present degraded situation of the Grecian States. Then falling into a slumber, the guardian genius of Greece appears before him; corrects his mistaken notions as to the hopeless degeneracy of the natives; shews him all Greece and the Grecian Isles illuminated with a supernatural splendor, and the British fleet delivering Cephalonia and Corcyra from Gallic tyranny; and foretells the revival of Grecian glory under the auspices of Britain. An heroic tale is added in a postscript, originally forming part of the poem, but which was detached from a suspicion of its being defective in the unities.

In the execution of this poem, the author displays much classical taste and knowlege; and he seems to possess a considerable store of information concerning the present state of Greece and the Grecian Isles, of which he has agreeably contrived to give a partial detail in the notes. The subject of the poem is of an interesting nature, well adapted to the enthusiasm of the Pindaric Muse; and the style, images, and sentiments, possess in general a correspondent elevation. It appears to us, however, that a too anxious desire of avoiding what is tame, prosaic, and mean, has rendered the author in many respects inflated and obscure, by a puzzling inversion of style, and a too frequent use of obsolete and affected words. There is also a meretriciousness of splendor, arising from too profuse an introduction of gaudy epithets, and too liberal an accession of " alliteration's artful

aid."

LAW.

The Office of Sheriff: shewing its History, Antiquity, Powers, and Duties; the Manner of appointing the High Sheriff, REV. APRIL, 1800.

Ff

his

his Under-Sheriff, and other Deputies; also the Election of Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, with the Bye-laws of the City relating thereto, and other useful Matter; together with the Nature of Actions by and against Sheriffs, including all the modern Dcterminations to the End of Trinity Term last, with necessary Precedents to Returns of Writs, &c. The 2d Edition, corrected and considerably improved. To which is added, the Office and Duty of Coroner, with an Appendix of useful Precedents. By John Impey of the Inner Temple, Author of The Modern Pleader,' calculated for the Office of an Attorney: and The Practice of the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas.' 8vo. pp. 800. 125. Beards. Butterworth. 1800.

When we consider the powers and duties attached to the office of Sheriff, it becomes a matter of considerable importance that a full, distinct, and accurate treatise on this subject should exist. The authority of this officer is partly judicial and partly ministerial; and he is, in his own county, the principal conservator of the king's peace. In his judicial capacity, he hears and determines all causes not involving the value of more than forty shillings; and in his ministerial capacity, he is bound to execute all process issuing out of the King's courts of justice.

A comprehensive and useful work entitled, Officium Vicecomitum, was published in folio in the years 1682 and 1700, from the papers of Michael Dalton, a Master in Chancery, and author of the Justice;and in the years 1710, 1718, and 1727, the Complete Sheriff (in 8vo) appeared, to which was added the Office and Duty of a Coroner. From that period to the year 1786, when Mr. Impey published the first edition of the present work, (which we noticed in our 80th vol. p. 266,) nothing on the subject has (to our knowlege) been made public. The author has now rendered his volume more worthy of the acceptance of the profession, by the diligence and attention which he has bestowed on it: all the cases applicable to this branch of our law, which have been decided in our courts down to the end of the last Trinity Term, have been inserted.

The office and power of a Coroner are also, like those of the Sheriff, either judicial or ministerial, but principally of the former description. Since Mr. Umfreville's publication (in 1761) on the subject of this very antient officer of our law, who in some cases is the substitute of the Sheriff in executing civil process, no tract has been printed. Mr. Impey's consideration of this subject is in course a valuable accession to his work; and indeed he has rendered it a very useful compilement by the variety of information which he has given, and the judgment with which he has arranged his materials.

With the Addition

By John Wyatt of 8vo. pp. 500. 9s.

Art. 27. The Practisal Register in Chancery. of the Modern Cases, and a copious Index. the Inner Temple, Esq. Barrister at Law. Boards. Butterworth. 1800. The Practical Register in Chancery was published anonymously in the year 1714, and has always been considered as an accurate and useful collection of the standing orders and rules of the court. It had the honour of being praised by Lord Hardwicke, and of being recommended

8

recommended to the attention of the profession as the best work on the subject. The utility of compilations of this description is evident, and sensibly felt by practitioners. The scarcity of the book, and the reputation which it deservedly bears, have induced Mr. Wyatt to publish the present edition; in which many valuable additions will be found, that incontestably prove the diligence and judgment of the editor.

Art. 28. A System of the Law of Marine Insurances, with three Chapters on Bottomry; on Insurances on Lives; and on Insurances against Fire. By James Allan Park, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn. The 4th Edition, with considerable Additions. Royal 8vo. 14s. Boards. Butterworth. 1800.

We have on more than one occasion mentioned this work in terms of commendation; and every succeeding impression has justified the praise which we have bestowed. The value of the present edition is considerably increased, by the author having inserted the various important cases on this subject of our law, which have been decided in the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas since the year 1796. -An account of the nature and plan of this publication may be found in our 80th vol. p. 344.

Art. 29. A Treatise of Equity. With the Addition of Marginal References and Notes, by John Fonblanque, Esq. Barrister at Law. Second Edition, with Additions. 2 Vols. 8vo. 19s. Boards. Clarke and Son. 1799.

In our 13th and 15th volumes, N. S. we gave an account of the first edition of this valuable treatise, which has usually been ascribed by the profession to Mr. Ballow of Lincoln's Inn, though its author is not certainly known; the work having been originally published without a name.-The additions made by the present editor entitle him to high praise, on account of the diligence and judgment which they display; they are indeed so considerable, as greatly to exceed the size of the original publication.

In this edition, the cases applicable to the subject, which have been decided since the appearance of the former impression, are inserted. We have not often in the course of our reading been favoured with an opportunity of perusing a work, from which we have derived so much information, so appositely and accurately arranged, as from this Treatise of Equity; and we recommend it with perfect confidence to the attention of the public.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 30. Remarks on the Prefaces prefixed to the first and second Volumes of a Work entitled, The Holy Bible, or Books accounted Sacred by Jews and Christians, faithfully translated, &c. &c. by the Rev. Alexander Geddes, LL. D. in four Letters addressed to him, by the Rev. John Earle. 12mo. 28. Booker, &c.

The bold criticisms and conjectures of Dr. Geddes, in the prefaces to his translation of the Bible, must inevitably shock the prejudices and excite the displeasure of a great part of the Christian world. We therefore are not surprized at this publication, which appears Ff2

to

to come from the pen of one of the doctor's catholic brethren: but it rather evinces the author's disapprobation of Dr. Geddes's manner of speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures, than his ability to contend with him. Dr. Geddes's intrepid assertions demand examination but they are not to be overthrown by such flippant remarks as are contained in these letters. We mean not to engage in the controversy: but most of what Mr. Earle has advanced is in our opinion very superficial, and admits of easy refutation.

Art. 31. Four Sermons, preached at the fifth General Meeting of the Missionary Society, May 8th, 9th, 10th, 1799: by the Rev. T. Finlay, Paisley. Rev. J. Tozer, Taunton. Rev. J. Moody, Warwick. Rev. G. C. Brodbelt, Aston-Sandford. To which are added, the Report of the Directors, the Proceedings of the Meeting, and a List of the Subscribers. By order of the Directors, published for the Benefit of the Society. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Chapman. When these discourses were delivered, the success which had attended the labours of the Missionaries opened to the society the most flattering prospects. In the introduction, it is remarked, each annual meeting of the society, to the fifth, which we now record, has increased in zeal, vigour, and unanimity; indeed, the favourable circumstances which have attended the first efforts of the society, have strongly inscribed the Divine approbation on the objects to which they have been directed, and warrant us, at least, to hope, that the Lord will eventually crown them with success.'

The first sermon is on The universal Diffusion of Divine Knowlege; with its happy Effects. It was preached before the society at Surrey Chapel, May 8th, 1799, by the Rev. Mr. Finlay, who took his text from Isaiah, xi. 6-9." The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb," &c. The second sermon is on The Excellency of Prayer in aid of Missionary Exertions, by the Rev. Mr. Tozer. The third, by the Rev. Mr. Moody, has for its subject, The Dominion of Jesus favourable to the Heathen the text from Zechariah, ix. 10. "He shall speak peace to the heathen." The fourth sermon treats of The Prophecy of the Extension of the Church: from Isaiah, lxii. 6, 7. by the Rev. Mr. Brodbelt.

The subjects of these discourses, as well as the manner in which they are treated, are expressive of the strong hopes entertained, that the endeavours of the society would be crowned with that success which the members were encouraged to expect from such prosperous beginnings.

The report of the directors, which was read at a meeting of the society held at Haberdashers' Hall, (May 8th, 1799,) contains an account of the proceedings to that date, and of their future views and prospects. Respecting the latter, the following curious information is given: Our hopes, likewise, have been raised by an unexpected solicitation from a General Bowles, who was providentially led to reside in London a few months, to send Missionaries to the vast nation of Creek Indians, situated on the Gulf of Mexico. Being one of the chiefs of that nation, and pleased, on inquiry, with the objects of our institution, he promised to lay the matter before a

* See the first article in this Review.

national

national council on his return, and favour us immediately with the result. Should his proposal be generally approved by them, we trust, you will empower the directors to accept the invitation, and send whatever number of persons may appear best suited for the work.'

The following statement bears testimony to the exertions and zeal of the society: We have eighty-nine persons already sent out; in. cluding women and children. Some of these must be maintained in their stations at a large annual expence; and our calls in Providence will speedily require us to double the number.'

At the end of the sermons, is an alphabetical list of the contributors to the Missionary Society, with the sums contributed: also an acsount of the disbursements.

Art. 32. The Importance of Religion considered, and the relative Duties it inculcates; with Meditations, occasional Prayers, and Hymns: designed for the assistance of Youth. 12mo. 18. 6d. Scatcherd. 1799.

This work has a good tendency; though to some parts we might offer objections, and though in some instances the author appears not perfectly consistent.-He tells us, respecting revelation,

What is clear in Christianity, we shall find to be sufficient: what is dubious, will appear unnecessary to be decided; and what is most obscure, will teach us to bear with the opinions which others may have formed on the same subject.' This is rational and scriptural'; yet, when he comes to speak, as he occasionally does, though gather in a slight and incidental way, of fundamentals and orthodoxy, it may not exactly correspond. One chapter brought to our recollection some of the earlier publications of that respectable and venerable man the late Rev. William Law, some of whose works furnish most excellent, interesting, and engaging instructions, when separated from those chimeras among which, in his last years particularly, he seems to have been bewildered and almost overwhelmed. In the concluding pages of the present performance, we find a slight, very slight account of the several books of the Sacred writings. It is concluded by a few hymns, chiefly selected from Dr. Doddridge's volumes. Art. 33. Influence of Religion in promoting the Peace and Prosperity of Kingdoms and States. 4to. 18. Longman. 1799. Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, observes in a letter which he wrote to his friend and minister, Chancellor Oxenstiern, not long before he was assassinated," However the cause be good and just, the event of war is uncertain on account of our sins."Such is the motto of this discourse, which is declamatory, and somewhat rhapsodical; abounding in quotations from Latin authors, and from others of more modern date. When and where, or whether, it it was preached, we are not told: but, if we may trust the title page, it has arrived at a second edition. Its general position is doubtless true and important, that religion is the best security for public and private peace and happiness: but to effect this purpose it must be somewhat more, somewhat far beyond what is merely nominal, political, and external.-The appendix calls our attention to the fall of Athens, Tyre, Corinth, and other famous cities and states.

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POLITICAL,