POETRY. The Thespian Oracle; or, a new Key to Theatrical Amusements: Containing the new Prologues and Epilogues. 12mo. Barker. The former collection of prologues and epilogues, in two volumes, may, perhaps, require a fupplement from the works of modern bards. Our editor has fupplied this defect, and added fome others, beyond the era of that publication. We do not, however, recollect that any of the pieces of the former collection are reprinted in the Oracle. The accuracy of the title we might object to, if fome inftructions in the art of acting were, not premifed. In the days of Garrick, it was enough to feel, and to enforce feelings. We have now accurate measures of the angle of the elbows, of the width of each step, and the exact altitude to which cach arm may be raised, in admiration, furprize, or agony. The Gentle Shepherd, a Scotch Paftoral. By Allan Ramfav. Attempted in English, by Margaret Turner. 8vo. 5s. Nicol. The merits of the Gentle Shepherd depend fo much on the fimplicity of its Doric dialect, and the peculiar manners ufually affociated with it, that we considered an Englih verfion as an arduous attempt. On comparing it with the original, which is printed in the oppofite page, we find, in a few instances, the force of the fentiment not perfectly preferved; but, in fome of thefe, it depends on a peculiar meaning of a Scottish word, which it was perhaps impoflible to exprefs otherwife than by a circumlocution, and which could only be rendered by a fimilar phrafe. Sometimes perhaps a word or two might be changed with fuccefs; but, in general, mifs Turner has fucceeded very happily. She has unfolded this pleafing paftoral to English eyes, and rendered its beauties more eafily acceffible: yet, as the legiflature has restored the Scottish drefs to the Highlanders, we know not how the will compound for her offence against the ftatute in that cafe made and provided.'-As fhe has taken off the kirtle, it is probable that, in her future life, fhe does not mean to monopolize the breeches. Letters from Simkin the Second to his dear Brother in Wales, for the Year 1790; giving a full and circumftantial Account of all the moft material Points in the Trial of Warren Haftings, Efq. in the three laft Seffions of the laft Parliament. 8vo. 3s. Boards Stockdale. Second parts ufually fall off; but in this we fcarcely find a veftige of the former fpirit. The meteor is burft, and even the brilliant fparkles are extinguished. Carmen Carmen Sæculare, pro Gallica Gente Tyrannidi Ariftocratica erepta. 4to. Is. Davis. We cannot compliment very highly the poetical fire, or the claffical elegance of this compofition; feveral of the stanzas are deficient in each respect, and the flame of liberty alone is meri toriously confpicuous. It feems to be the effect of the sudden fervour afflatu fubito moveri Sentio pectus. Perhaps the two following ftanzas afford a better fpecimen of the merits and defects of the poem, than any other we could Lelect. Xag, ter felix Ludovice, Xage! Crimine fceptra! • Te videt divus Ludovicus alter; Tandem aliquando!" N O VE L S. The Negro equalled by few Europeans. Tranflated from the French. 3 Vols. 12m0. 9s. Robinfons. We have already given a short account of this novel in one of our foreign sketches: it is only neceffary at present to observe, that it is tranflated with care and accuracy, and affords a pleasing variety in this department of our reading. Eloifa de Clairville. An Hiftorical Novel, written during the Reign of Philip Augufius, King of France. 2 Vols. 12mo. 550 Lane. This is a very uninteresting French ftory, perhaps tranflated from fome work of an earlier period. If we can except any part from the general character of trite infipidity, it is the ftory of St. Clair: yet that is debased by a timid abject superstition. Edmund; or, the Child of the Cafle, a Novel. 2 Vols. 12mo. 55. Lane. Uncommon and unexpected incidents please by their novelty and the furprize which they occafion; but when what is uncommon is abfurd, and what is unfufpected is highly improbable, difguft takes the place of pleafure; and it is a Reviewer only, fleeled by frequent practice to inflexible perfeverance, who does not throw afide the work with contempt. The adventures before us are not only abfurd and improbable, but almost wholly unintelligible. The The Perfidious Guardian; or, the Viciffitudes of Fortune, exemplifird in the Hiftory of Lucretia Lasjon. 2 Vols. 12mo. 650 Wilkins. The ftory of a youthful pen, abounding in love, rapes, refcues, and matrimony. It is very trite, very infipid, and very improbable. The young lady, for we are told in the preface that the author is an unexperienced female, talks too know. ingly of bagnios, of various modes of feduction, of keeping, &c. But, as a blind poet has defcribed vifible objects, fo we may suppose our young author speaks from imitation. POLITICA L. Leffons to a Young Prince, on the prefent Difpofition in Europe to a General Revolution. Evo. 25. 6d. Simmons. The author of this pamphlet profeffes himfelf to be utterly unconnected with any politi, al party; and it must be acknowledged that he writes with the freedom and apparent impartiality of a man whofe principles are independent. To the prince whom he has in his view, he fuggefts a variety of fentiments, which are worthy of being inculcated, and will always meet with a candid reception from a liberal and ingenuous mind. Some frong, and not very favourable traits are delineated of a few of thofe men who are fuppof d to be politically connected with the prince. It would be improper tor as to give any opinion on a fubject of this nature; and we muft, therefore, refer our readers to the pamphlet, which is far from being unworthy of a perufal. In the characteristical part of the fubject, we think we can recognize the author from a former production. Letters lately published in the Diary, on the Subject of the prefent Difpute with Spain. Under the Signature of Verus. 8vo. 15. 6d. Keartley. It is one of the inconveniencies attending a free government, that its measures can not only be difcuffed, however unfeasonably, but an attempt be made with impunity to mislead the minds of the people, even with regard to a fubject in which both the honour and interests of the nation are deeply concerned. We have not without indignation feen this remark lately verified by a writer who appears in the character of a Spanish advocate; but whofe object, instead of afferting the claims of that nation, is evidently to traduce the meatures, and injure the credit of our own government. It affords us pleasure to find that a conduct fo reprehenfible has excited the attention of the writer now under confideration; who developes with much force and perfpicuity, the various mifreprefentations, and expofes the fal lacious arguments of that interested difputant. Thefe Letters may ferve to prove that the object of negociation on the part of Great Britain, is founded in fentiments of national justice and dignity; and with refpact to the conduct of minifters on that 5 head, head, nothing furely ean be determined with any degree of cera tainty, until not only every tiep in the negociation, but the refult of it, be publicly known. Translation of a Letter from Monfieur de Tracy, Member of the French National Affembly, to Mr. Burke, in Anfwer to his Remarks on the French Revolution. 8vo. 15. Johnson. This Letter relates to fome obfervations made by Mr. Burke on the French Revolution, in a fpeech in the house of commons, on the ninth of February laft; and the author acquaints us, that he is indebted entirely for his information o extracts given in the newspapers. It must occur to M. de Tracy, that newspaper-authority is a bad foundation for difpute. Mr. Burke's obfervations on the revolution in France are, we are informed by an advertisement, foon to be published under his own infpection. M. de Tracy, therefore, will then be better enabled to judge of his principles. In the mean time, we think he reafons plaufibly, but perhaps with fome partiality, on the fubject. Mifcellaneous Propofals for increafing our National Wealth tavelve Millions a Year; and also for augmenting the Revenue without a new Tax, or the further extension of the Excife Laws. By John Donaldjon, Ef. Svo. 8. 25. Muray. Thefe Propofals, which are, doubtlefs, in their nature very important, are specified by the author under a variety of heads; the mott confpicuous of which are, to find employment for convicts, to put the fisheries on a folid foundation, to put an end to fmuggling, to prevent houfe-breaking, &c. The leading principle of Mr. Donaldfon's projects feems to be, to encourage induftry in various ways; the beneficial consequences of which must be univerfally acknowledged. He addreiles himfelf particularly to the minifter, from whom only he can hope for any effectual attention to his Propofals. Philofophical Reflections on the late Revolution in France, and the Conduct of the Diffenters in England; in a Letter to the Rev. Dr. Prieffley. By J. Courtenay, Efq. M. P. The Third Edition with Additions. 8vo. 25. Becket. : Thefe ironical reflections are extremely humourous and entertaining they are replete with judicious remarks, in energetic, and elegant language, and difplay no little knowledge both of political and religious fubjects. Our ironical author recommends abfolute monarchy, as the only peaceable and quiet fyftem of government; tythes as the teft of religion; and hierarchy as the pureit model of Christianity. The revolution of France, and the attempts to abolish the flave-trade, fhare equally our author's farcastic fhrewdnefs. Be this as it may, it is inconteftibly proved by the celebrated author of Ancient Mythology, and univeríally admit ted, ted, that the Europeans are the fons of Japheth: it is therefore, our indifpenfable duty to accomplish the divine predictions of Noah, and to hold Ham's defcendants in chains for ever. But it is the avowed intention of the national affembly to weaken the credibility of the facred history, by emancipating the ne groes. However, I truft we fhall not be made the dupes of this profane policy on the contrary, I fincerely with, that the corporations of Bristol and Liverpool would fend out the reverend author of the Scriptural Researches to the West Indies, with a cargo of Bibles; which may be conveniently flowed in the flave-fhip, as they are not now fo much crowded as formerly. Let him teach the unfortunate Africans to read and study the book of Genefis ;-let their genealogy be condensed into a fhort catechifm, fuited to their untutored capacities, and taught them every Sunday by one of the negro-divers.-It is impoffible to fay what a fudden and falutary effect it may have on their unenlightened minds, to know that their fufferings are folely owing to the wickedness of their ancestor, Ham. It will conciliate their affections, and endear the fons of Japheth to their hearts, if they are once perfuaded that we hold them in bondage, and inflict ftripes on them, neither to obtain any bafe and fordid profit from their burning toils, nor to gra tify the impulfe of vindictive paffion, but merely in obedience to the decrees of Heaven, to accomplish the word of prophecy, as faithful executors to the laft will and teftament of Noah, our common progenitors, the fecond father of mankind.' We are forry that we can only give a fhort fpecimen of the humour of this pamphlet, and perhaps few of our readers would be fatisfied without reading the whole, even if our extracts were longer. We shall conclude our article with one other specimen: it is most probably a fact in a ludicrous dress. I am extremely glad that doctor H. has boldly and openly alluded to the treasonable negociation carried on between Spain and the Diffenters of Ulfter, in 1779, as the Irish fectaries are very irritable, and fore on this tender point 1 he fact is, that a fynod, denominated the Northern Affociation, was affembled at Belfast, and fome propofitions actually moved, for delivering up the province and the linen manufacture to Spain, if government any longer oppofed the repeal of the test act. It is reported, that Mr. Fletcher (who recently faved the charch and state, by difclofing the dreadful confpiracy of the diffent. ing minifters at Bolton, in Lancashire,) was providentially a member of the Irish fynod; and fecretly withdrawing himself from the affembly, he took poft, arrived in a few hours at Dublin caftle, and laid this alarming intelligence before the lord lieutenant.-A council was fuddenly called, and the heads of a bill drawn up and certified, (Poyning's excellent law being then in force,) and tranfmitted to England, for a repeal of VOL. LXX. 07. 1790. li the |