tended for the ufe of fchools, it would perhaps have been beft to fol low Caftellis entirely; for, in that application of it, the Latinity becomes important, for which that tranflator is most celebrated. The book is neatly and closely printed, and of a convenient size and form. ART. 40. A Letter to LL. D. F. R. S. &c. (America,) Printed by an Antipado-baptift. By Jofeph Priestley, Though Dr. Prieftley is happily at a distance from us, and likely now to remain fo, we are every now and then treated with a fpecimen of his doctrines. It they are directly hoftile to the prevailing opinions of Chriftians, fome of his good friends here are careful to reprint them. The prefent tract, being rather in favour of established doctrines, is fuffered to take its chance for importation. The Doctor argues in favour of infant baptifm, by fhewing the prevalence of it in the primitive ages, by authorities, which he confeffes to have taken chiefly from WALL's treatife on the fubject. He gives however, a clear and ufeful view of the question, and marks also the hiftory of the oppofite doctrine, which he denies to be capable of being traced to an earlier period than the 12th century, when it originated with the fect called Petrobruffians. Yet, after all, he is very lukewarm about the continuance of the rite of baptifm in any fhape, only faying, "if it be continued," (to which I fee no good objection,) I hope no exception will be made to the cafe of infants." A faithlefs fort of an advocate surely b But even this comparatively orthodox pamphlet cannot be closed without an infolent attack against the facred doctrine of the Trinity, which he hates, as Voltaire hated Chriftianity; because he has treated it unjully. He dares to fay, "I have shewn that from the Fathers themfelves may be collected the moft decifive evidence, that the great body of Chriftians, in the age immediately following that of the Apoftles, were Unitarians." Who, reading this cool and most audacious affertion, would fuppofe that this pretended proof of Dr. Priestley's had ever been controverted?-Who would fuppofe that fuch works exifted against it, as Bifhop Horfley's celebrated letters, or Dr. Burgh's decifive anfwer to Lindfey, the retailer of this falfe opinion?Who could think it poffible that this pretended proof of his had been totally difproved and contradicted in these and other works -But fuch is the nature of Socinianifm, as well as of infidelity, to which it is fo nearly allied. Nothing is too impudent for the profeffors of either to affert; and to have been completely confuted, neither destroys their confidence, nor even produces a more modeft demeanour. For the fake of pointing out this curious inftance of audacity in affertion, rather than for any other reafon, have we been induced to notice this not very valuable pamphlet, of a man for whom, whether he happens to be right or wrong, we cannot feel the flightcft refpect. ART. 41. A Difcourfe on the Immortality of the Soul, and a future State of Retribution; felected with a View to general Utility from the Writings of Maffillon, Bishop of Clermont. Tranflated into English, and recommended to the Perufal of all Ranks of People. To which is Juhjained, an Ode written in Anfwer to One that was chanted in the Church of Notre Dame, then called the Temple of Reafin, in Paris, on the Occafion when a common Courtefan was exhibited to the People as the Reprefentative of their new Divinity. 8vo. 1s. Baynes. 1802. The atrocious circumftance which gave rife to this publication, only lives in remembrance from the indignation and difguft which it excited. The Difcourfe is judiciously felected and ably tranflated; it exhibits the most forcible arguments against the corruptions and vanities of foolish men, the ignorance of pretended philofophers, the. impudence of fceptics. The Ode is perhaps more diftinguished by its. religious ardour, than poetical spirit. ART. 42. The Comparison; or, the Gospel preached unto the Patriarchs compared with what is now called the Gefpel; being the Substance of Thoughts delivered on Galatians iii. 8. By John Coward, One of the Preachers of the final Reftitution of all Things, at Windmill-freet Chapel, Finsbury-Square. 8vo. IS. Richardfon. 1803. The characteristic of this difcourfe is most certainly not perfpicuity. The preacher calls himfelf" One of the Preachers of the final Renitution of all Things," about the precife meaning of which alfo, we may well be allowed to be in doubt. The difcourfe will, however, without doubt, be acceptable to the author's congregation, and perhaps this is all that he wishes to be faid. ART. 43. An Efay towards reconciling the jarring Sentiments of Unitarians and Trinitarians, addreffed to the miderate Enquirer. Compiled from facred Record, By Philo Elaim Jah. 8vo. 22 pp. 63. Rofe, Bristol; Arch, London. 1802. "I think it plainly appears, from the first chapter of Genefis, that there were two, from the beginning of the creation, co-operating in it, joined in one, under the appellation GoD." P. 8, "It does not occur to my understanding, that there were any greater number than two divine creative beings, and thefe known by the name God: and the time drawing nigh, that a third being of divine creation, as was Adam, though not in the fame manner as Adam was created." P. 15. "I fhall further obferve, that though the word God included Lord or Holy Ghoft, until the appearance of Jefus Chrift; yet when he came, there was Father, Holy Ghoft, and Son; in which Son, the Holy Spirit, or Anointing, was, under the name Chrift, which is the Anointed and when, with his people,, the Jews, might properly be understood as three; but when Jefus was crucified, that is, the flesh or created part was dead, the Lord remained; and, after the putting to death of Jefus by the Jews, reanimated, the body of Jefus, the third day." P. 18. Probably thefe fpecimens will fatisfy our readers, that the jarring fentiments, mentioned in the title-page, are not likely to be reconciled by this notable effay ist.. MISCELLANIES, ART. 44. Mooriana; or, Selections from the moral, philofophical, and mifcellaneous Works of the late Dr. John Moore; illuftrated by a news biographical, and critical Account of the Doctor and his Writings; and Notes, hiftorical, claffical, and explanatory. By the Rev. F. Prevoft and F. Blagdon, Efq. In Two Volumes. 12mo, 10s, Crosby 1803. This publication brings with it a moft vaunting title, and feems to have demanded the elaborate exertions of two persons. They who like this fort of Anas, which we confess we do not, will find amusement here; but how comes it to pafs, that before the sheets of these two volumes, for which ten fhillings were demanded, were dry from the prefs, one volume, containing the whole of thefe Anas, was publifhed at the humble price of four fhillings fixpence ? ART. 45. A critical Enquiry into the moral Writings of Dr. Samuel Johnson, in which the Tendency of certain Paffages in the Rambler. and other Publications of this celebrated Writer, is impartially confidered; to which is added an Appendix containing a Dialogue between Bofwell and Johnfon in the Skades. By Attalus. 8vo. 3s. Faulder. 1802. This is a free, but not altogether impartial or profound examination of certain portions of Dr. Johnfon's works, from which the author attempts to prove that Johnfon's reprefentations were not thofe of real life, and that he was of a mifanthropic difpofition. He also prefers the Idler to the Rambler. We cannot think that he makes out his cafe. Unnumbered acts of genuine benevolence fufficiently prove that Johnson was no mifanthrope, though perhaps fome of his reprefentations of life may be of too gloomy a tendency. ART. 46. The Praife of Paris: or a Sketch of the French Capital ; in Extracts of Letters from France, in the Summer of 1802; with an Index of many of the Convents, Churches, and Palaces, not in the French Catalogues, which have furnished Pictures for the LouvreGallery. By S. W. F. R. S. F.A. S. 8vo. 186 pp. 59. 6d. Baldwin. 1803. In a book fo common as Saintfoix's "Effais hiftoriques fur Paris," we find the true and candid account of an etymology, which is dif played in the frontispiece, and in the very firft words of this little book, as new or certain; neither of which it is. Saintfoix eftimated it rightly." Le commerce," fays he, "que les Parifiens faifoient par eau, etoit trés-floriffant; leur ville femble avoir eu de temps immemorial un Navire pour Symbole; lfis préfidoit a la navigation; on l'adoroit même chez le Suéves fous la figure d'un Vaiffeau; voilà plus de raifons qu'il n'en falloit à des Etymologiftes, pour fe perfuader que Parifii Parifii venoit de wapa laidos, proche d'Ifis; les langues Grecque et Cel tique ayant été originairement la même, et l'une et l'autre fe fervant des mêmes caractères. Je ne prétends pas deffendre cette Etymologie; mais Moreau de Mautour fe trompe lorfqu'il foutient que cette Deeffe n'a point été adorée dans les Gaules, même après qu'elles furent foumifes aux Romains." Tom. i. p. 3. In this book, it is made par Ifis inftead of par' Ifidos, and is illuftrated by a vile engraving, or rather. etching, of Ifis holding the infant Orus, faid to be brought out of a French church; but little worthy of prefervation or reprefentation, unlefs much disfigured in this copy. The whole contents of the book are fo fcanty, that they might be printed handfomely in a fourth part. of the fize; and they feem to have little object, except to difplay imperfect glimples and fcraps of knowledge on a variety of fubjects, which are yet ftrangely difgraced by incorrectnefs of printing. The ftyle is a mixture of the familiar and pedantic. If it really proceeds from the author whom report and the initials in the title-page indicate, we do moft heartily with that he had paid more refpect to himfelf or to the public. He will gain no acceffion of praise by this book. ART. 47. A few Days in Paris; with Remarks characteristic of feveral diftinguished Perfonages. 8vo. 60 pp. 25. Hatchard. 18oz. This little tract certainly does not contain the praises of Paris, nor of the Parifians, nor of their rulers; but it is lively and patriotic, and therefore to us acceptable. The fpirit of the author may be seen in the following very juft paffage, and it is a fpirit to which we are proud to feel one perfectly congenial. After faying that the English are not niggardly in paying honour to the merits of their enemies, he adds, "In the late war the tribute was moft largely paid; indeed, had they been difpofed to withhold any arrears due on this fcore, the infamous papers and party in the pay of France," in the intereft, at least, we add; "were but too ready, and alas! too able, to detect and to expose the fraud. In all the various viciffitudes and crimes of her Revolution and ephemeral governments, the found in these men steady apologifts, and zealous admirers: infenfible to the fafety and glory of their country, the battles of Jemappe and Marengo, were the theme of their warmest eulogium; whilft thofe of Aboukir, Camperdown, St. Vincent's, and Alexandria,-but the fubject is too painful." In truth it is fo. The idea of men who ficken at the triumphs of their country, and rejoice at those of its enemies, is that of fomething beyond even French depravity. Short as this book is, it contains many characteristic touches refpecting our neighbours: but it regrets the great concourse of English to Paris, and endeavours, with fome force, to explain that the vifit is little worth the trouble and difgrace attending it. We should guess that it is the production of a military man. It evinces fagacity, good difpofition, and knowledge of the world. The motto feems to hint that the author is known. To us, however, he is not known. ART. ART. 48. Proverbs; or, the Manual of Wisdom; being an Alphabetical Arrangement of the best English, Spanish, French, Italian, and other Proverbs; to which are fubjoined the wife Sayings, Precepts, Maxims, and Reflections of the most Illuftrious Ancients. 12mo. 146 pp. Oxford printed; Kirby, London. 1803. The fault of this compilation, notwithstanding what the author fays. in defence of it, is the omiffion of all diftinction between the Proverbs of different countries. The dedication is whimsical and quaint, and we shall infert it, as the most remarkable feature of an odd book. "To the conceited fool who thinks himfelt wife, and is not fo: to the wife, who fenfible of his own defects, has humility enough to wish to receive a new ray of knowledge from another's wifdom: in other words to Mr. A? and Mr. B? with a fovereign contempt for the former, and a fincere affection for the latter, this little volume is warmly recommended, as fingularly ufeful to both, by their most obedient, humble fervant, the Editor." ART. 49. The young Englishman's Manual, containing, Part I. A Geographical and Topographical Defcription of England. Part II. A general View of the Conftitution, Lars, Government, Revenue, ecclefiaftical, civil, and military Eftablishments of England, defigned as an Introduction to the Knowledge of thefe important Subjects. By B. Price. Second Edition, confiderably enlarged. 12mo. 35. 6d. Szel. 1802. We do not remember to have feen the first edition of the work, but we find no reafon why it may not pafs through two or feveral editions. It appears fufficiently perfpicuous for young perfons, and certainly comprehends much important information in a finall compafs. A neat map is prefixed. ART. 50. Elements of Galic Grammar, in Four Parts; 1. Of Pronun ciation and Orthography. 2. Of the Parts of Sperch. 3. Of Syn tax. 4 Of Derivation and Compofition. By Alexander Stewart, Minifter of the Gospel at Moulin. Honorary Member of the Highland Society of Scotland. 8vo. 179 pp. 4s. Hill, Edinburgh; Vernor and Hood, London. 1'801. The Galic, or Gaelic (as it has ufually been written) is effeemed a very difficult language, and the elucidators of it, fince Shaw, who publifhed the Dictionary, have been very few. The prefent is a work of much care and labour, and undoubtedly a valuable addition to the ftores of knowledge, in this branch of learning. ART. 51. Elementa Grammatica Ciceroniana; or, an Introduction to 91 PP. We abound with Latin' as well as other Grammars. This author. appears to be of the Ciceronian clafs; but he is probably aware that the exclufive admiffion of the language of that great orator, has long been deemed by the learned a falfe refinement; tending too much to confine the fources of Latinity, which may be found alfo in perfect purity in Cæfar, Livy, and feveral other writers. ART. |