will grow indolent, inactive, and trou- N fenfes, and never proceed to riot, or any violence beyond bad language. "The men are in general very jealous of their wives; and I make no doubt but the fame fpirit reigns among the women; but they are kept so much in awe of their husbands, that the liberty of thinking is the greateft privilege they enjoy. The prefence of a Northern Indianman、 ftrikes a peculiar awe into his wives, as he always allumes the fame authority over them that the matter of a family in Europe usually does over his demic fervants.” Mr. Hearne is a philofophical obferver, without being warped by any theory, which, with the bett judges, will be the best recommendation. He is attentive to nature inanimate, auimated, and human, and an air of probity and candour pervades his work. in early life the romantic fenfibility and refined feelings which, particularly in female bofoms, prompts the imprudent indulgence of this MASTER PASSION, is the object of the prefent performance, and the fair Author has executed her philofophic and benevolent talk with extraordinary ability. It has been commonly the bulinets of fiction," fays the, "to pourtray characters, not as they really exift, but as we are told they ought to be a fort of ideal perfection, in which nature and paffion are melted away, and joining attributes wonderfully combined. In delineating the character of EMMA COURTNEY I have not had in view thele fantastic models. I meant to reprefent her as a human being, loving virtue while enflaved by paffion, liable to the mittakes and weakneists of our fragile nature. Let thofe readers who feel inclined to judge with feverity the extravagance and eccentricity of her conduct, look into their own hearts, and fhould they there find no record, traced by an accufing fpirit, to foften the afperity of their cenfures, yet let them bear in mind that the errors of my heroine were the offspring of fenfibility; and that the refult of her hazardous experiment is calculated to operate as a warning rather than as an example." Memoirs of Emma Courtney. By Mary Hays. In Two Volumes, Twelves. 220 Pages. Robinions. NOVEL writing, as it peculiarly extends its influence over the unformed minds of the rifing generation, merits the highest applaufe, or the deepit execration, in proportion as its aim and effect are the increase of VIRTUE or the fuppreflion of VICE; for, notwithstanding the fpecous doctrines which have too frequently been inculcated to the contrary, every character is ultimately HAPPY or MISERABLE in proportion as thefe opponte qualities guide the fentiments of the mind, and prompt the feelings of the heart. To female characters, indeed, the tenor of this fpecies of compofition is particularly important; for it is fran this fource that they, in general, derive thote primary notions which tend to powerfully to direct their future conduct, and to lead them to their fate in life. The perfection of human nature confifts in a high cultivation of the noble faculty of REASON, and in a proper regulation of the PASSIONS; for it is by the intemperate and indifcreet indulgence of inordinate paflions that our realon is dethroned, and our nature difgraced. Love is the great and unrivalled Monarch of the female breaft; the fuperior paflion to which every other is fublervient; and on the difcreet indul, gence of which, earthly felicity almoft entirely depends. To exhibit the dangerous and dreadful confequences which muft unavoidably flow trom cherishing VOL. XXXI. JAN. 1797. An attempt to give an outline of the pleafing, affecting, ingenious, and natural story by which this virgin work, F fo fo eloquently inculcates the very important moral, that the finest feelings and most virtuous affections, when carried to excefs, or directed to improper objects, become pgnant with mifery, and that the paffions fhould furrender themselves to prudence and reafon, would be doing injuftice to the fair Author, for it is fo entire and connected, that its feveral parts cannot, without mutilation, be compreffed or disjoined. The reader, however, muft not expect to find the heroine of this inftructive piece a mere love-fick maid, pouring out the effufions of extravagant paffion; the is a character of a much higher defcription and more exalted fpecies; a character anxious to conquer the vifionary notions which the prejudices of education had implanted, and to difpel the mists of ignorance in which a folitary Bafancy had involved her naturally virtuous but bewildered mind: Every thing I fee and hear," fays fle, "is a difappointment to me; brought up in retirement; converfing only with books; dwelling with ardour on the great characters and heroic actions of antiquity, all my ideas of honour and diftinction were allociated with thofe of virtue and talents. I conceived that the puriuit of truth, and the advancement of Reaton, were the grand objects of univerfal attention, and I panted to do homage to thofe fuperior minds, who, teaching mankind to be wife, would at length lead them to happinets. Accustomed to think, to feel, to kindle into action, I am at a lofs to understand the diftinction between theory and practice, which every one feems eager to inculcate, as if the degrading and melancholy intelligence which fills my foul with defpondency, and pervades my understanding with gloon, was to them a fubject of exultation. Is virtue then a chimera? does it exit only in the regions of romance? Have we any intereft in finding our fellow-creatures weak and miferable? Is THE BEING Who formed them unjust, capricious, impotent, or tyrannical? To admire, to esteem, to love, are congenial to my nature. I am unhappy becaufe these affections are not called into exercife. To venerate abstract perfection requires too vigo ous an exertion of the mental powers. I would fee virtue exemplified. I would love it in my fellowcreatures. I would catch the glorious enthufiafm, and rife from created to uncreated excellence. Cut off from the fociety of mankind, and unable to expound my fenfations, all the ftrong affections of my foul feemed concentrated to a single point. Without being confcious of it myself, my grateful love for Mrs. Harley had already, by a tranfition eafy to be traced by a philofophic mind, transferred itself to her fon. He was the St. Preux, the Emilius of my fleeping and waking reveries."-Thefe extracts will fully evince to the reader, that Einma Courtney is extremely unlike the heroine of a common Novel, and difcover that the Writer is not unacquainted with the celebrated works of ROUSSEAU, who very justly observes, that people in general do not fufficiently confider the influence which the first attachments between man and woman have over the remainder of their lives; they do not perceive that an impreffion fo ftrong and fo lively as that of Love, is pro ductive of a long chain of effects, which país unobferved in a course of years, yet nevertheless continue to operate till the day of their deaths."-An infinuation appears in the Preface of thefe memoirs, that the incidents and characters are copied from life; they are written indeed of and from an exifting perfon to the fon of the deceased object of her affection; but whether this be the fact or not, it is certain that it is a work of extraordinary merit, from the perufal of which much moral benefit, if properly underfood, may flow, as it inculcates the principle that Nature is uniform in her operations, and conftantly punishes deviations from rectitude with mifery and pain. An Authentic Account of the Shaksperian Manujcripts, &c. By W. II. Ireland. Svo. Is. Debrett. THE confeffion of a most enormous forge ry by the delinquent himfelf, with fcarce one word of contrition or repentance for his offence. On the contrary, with the impudence of detected guilt, he has the audacity to infult his principal detector, and to ridicule the fimplicity of Dr. P-r and Dr. W――n, who appear to have fuffered themselves at one time to be impofed upon by the daringness of his affertions. The effrontery with which this young unprincipled impoftor relates the circumftance of his fraudulent practices to impofe on the public and on individuals deprives him of every claim to pardon, and in truth feems to call aloud for more punish. ment ment than may arife from the mere contempt or indignation of every perfon in a wellordered fociety. The Italian; or, The Confeffional of the Black Penitents. A Romance. By Ann Radcliffe. 3 Vols. 12mo. 155. Cadell and Davies. In this romance we do not think Mrs. Ratcliffe has been fo fuccefsful as on fome former occafions, though we admit it exhibits many of the fane beauties, as well as the defects, of her former compofitions. The fame beautiful defcriptions of the fcenery, fometimes extended to a tedious length; the fame terrific events, but extravagant and improbable; and the fame kind of characters, either diabolically wicked, or unnaturally perfect, conftitute the prefent performance. Many of the faults of this work may, how ever, be defended from the nature of the work. The wildnefs allowed to romance admits of much licence; but fuch a charac. ter as the monk, even in a romance, humanity revolts at the idea of. The scenes in the Inquifition, and many other parts, feem intended only for the purpofe of lengthening the work. Mrs. Radcliffe has talents which might be better employed; and we shall be glad to fee her engaged in the fervice of truth and nature, free froin the wild extravagancies of the performance now under our confideration. Hubert de Sevrac. A Romance of the Eighteenth Century. By Mary Robinson. 3 Vols. 12mo. Hookham and Carpenter. This is a romarce of a more fober and probable caft than the preceding, though there are not wanting in it fcenes ct horror of the fame kind, which we do not conceive add in the least to the value of it. The characters in Mrs. Robinson's work, particularly Hubert, are natural and well difcriminated; and there are interspersed through the whole many reflections on the conduct of human life, which fhew the author to be an attentive obferver of the manners of the world, and confequently better qualified to inftruct it than most who undertake this, fpecies of compolition. What we least approve of in this work is an evident partialty towards French Philofophy, and something too much of the cant of French Democracy. EDWARD. Various Vieris of Human Nature, taken from Life and Mannersclufly in England. By the Author of Zeluco. 2 Vols. 8vo. 16s. Cartell and Davies. We are glad to get out of the regions of romance, and amufe qurfelves once more with the views of real life and manners. Dr. Moore's Novel contains no adventures but fuch as may reasonably be fuppofed to have really happened; and his obfervations on life and manners are fraught with good fenfe, threwdnefs, and accuracy. The hero is a foundling, who cafually is brought under the obfervation of a benevolent lady, whofe family protects him, and his behaviour in every fituation juftifies the partiality with which he had been treated. At the conclufion he discovers his family, and is rewarded in the manner that his conduct merits. The characters in this work are fuch as may be feen every day in real life; they are pleasingly grouped, and placed in fituations which renIn the conduct of the performance, there is der them interefting objects to the read. nothing extravagant or out of the verge of probability, and the fentiments are fuch as are favourable to Religion and Virtue. Dr. Moore feems to have availed himself in this novel of a hint given him by Mr. Gibbon, printed in his posthumous works. William and Ellen. A Tale. 8vo. Reynel This tale imitates the verfification of "The Hermit of Warkworth," and is an interesting story pleatingly told The author has, however, left fome flovenly careles rhimes, as far and brow, breathes and leaves, take and back, quait and heart, which very much disfigure his performance. A Letter to the Right Honourable William Curtis, Lord Mayor of the City of Londen, on the National Debi and Resources of Great Britain, inter perfed with Objervations Financial, Commercial, and Political, and in Reply to Paine's "Decline and Fall of the Lingh "Syftem of Finance.' By Simeon Pope, of the Stock Exchange, Gent. 8vo. Stockdale. Mr. Pope in this pamphlet exhibits a profpect of the refources of Great Britain in oppofition to the clamours of the foes of the country, calculated to infpire confidence in people and dimay in the enemy. the THEATRICAL DEC. 19. HARLEQUIN AND OLERON; OR, THE CHACE TO GRETNA, a new Pantomime, was acted the first time at Covent Garden. Performances of this kind are hardly entitied JOURNAL. to the notice of criticifm; but, as hey afford entertainment to thicle who frequent the Theatre at no other time than during the feftivity of the holidays, we think it necessary to obferve, that the prefent is one of the best F& of of that fpecies of entertainment which has been exhibited for fome years. The scenery is beautifully picturesque, and is worked with much facility and perfection, and the machinery managed with the utmoft adroitnefs and effect. The tricks and changes are various; and the Fantoccini exhibits one of the moft whimsical and diverting scenes ever prefented on the ftage. The fuccefs, as might be expected, has been very great. 21. A Mr. Faulkner, we believe from Dublin, appeared, the first time in London, at Drury Lane, in the character of Oreftes, in the Diftreft Mother. As we cannot prefume that this performer will be seen any more as a capital actor, we shall decline enumerating his defects, which were many, and, apparently, infurmountable. ture, and goes to Bangalore Hall to pay his respects to the lady: Both Mifs Vortexes being present, an embarrassment takes place, from which, however, he is relieved by his frank avowal of his attachment to Mifs Ellen Vortex, who is reprefented to have given up to her uncle all her claims of fortune left by her father for 5000l. Sir Hubert had mortgaged his estate to Mr. Rapid, a taylor retired from business; and that old gentleman, accompanied by his fon Young Rapid, comes down for the purpofe of advancing 20,ccol. more upon the eftate. Young Rapid is ignorant of his father's wealth; but, while he is afleep after their journey, difcovers by accident the purpofe of his father's journey, and his immenfe poffeffions, which the old Gentleman at 1797. JAN. 7. THE HONEY MOON, a length acknowledges to him amount to a Comic Opera, by Mr. W. Linley, was acted plumb. Ned, upon this, determines to pu the first time, at Drury Lane. The author,, to dash, and become a man of fashion. who was alfo the compofer, feems to have devoted his attention and talents chiefly to the Mufic. He has, accordingly, fucceeded as the compofer, though he failed as author. The Mufic was fimple, elegant, and pleafing; but being unfupported by the dialogue, the whole could not escape the difapprobation of the audience. It was accordingly laid afide. 10. A CURE FOR THE HEARTACHE, a Comedy, by Mr. Morton, was acted the first time at Covent Garden. The characters as follow: Sir Hubert Stanley, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Vortex, Mr Rapid, Ned Rapid, Frank Oakland, Heartly, Bronze, Mifs Vortex, Mr. Murray. Mr Farley. Mrs. Pope. Oakland, a tenant of Sir Hubert Stanley, an old Englith Baronet, becomes acquainted with the fervants of Mr. Vortex, a rich Nabob, who has bought an estate adjoining to that of Sir Hubert, and who lives there in a file of Eaftern magnificence. Oakland is enticed to play by Brunze, the Gentleman of Mr. Vortex, ruins himfelf, and is obliged to quit his farm. Young Stanley, the only fon of Sir Hubert, returns from his travels, and a match is agreed on by the fathers between him and Mifs Vertex ; but his heart is engaged to Mifs Ellen Vortex, the niece of the Nabob, 'whom he had feen at Spa, and who now refides with her uncle. He hears of the propofition of marrying Mifs Vortex with rap Mr. Vortex, hearing of their arrival in his neighbourhood, and accidentally learning their bufinefs, refolves, by way of mortifying Sir Hubert, to invite them to his houfe, and Mifs Vortex encourages his plan, in the hope of fupplying her recent lois of a lover. -Ned has been long attached to Jeffe Oak. land, whe, as well as her brother, is now become a fervant in Mr. Vortex's house. A match is agreed upon between Ned and Mis Vortex A duel meanwhile is fought between Young Stanley and Ned, in confequence of Sir Hubert being traduced at the table of Mr. Vortex. Ellen and Jaffe, both interested in the event, fly to Sir Hubert, who thus becomes acquainted with the predilections of both.-Ned, who has feveral qualms of confcience at forfaking Ellen, is, in a moment ef tender contrition, entrusted by Mr. Vortex with the fecret of his being poffeffed of about one hundred thousand pounds belong ing to Ellen. Vortex produces the receipt of Eller, by which the relinquishes her claimi for five thoufind pounds, which Ned tears in pieces. Mifs Vortex, fupported by her maid Jeffe, is languifhing for the arrival of Ned, who, entering, throws himself at the feet of his Jeffe. Mifs Vortex, enraged, quits the Stage. Sir Hubert Stanley and Ellen enter, and Young Rapid makes known the fraud of Vortex, and the lovers are made happy. This Comedy has character and humour ; and, though in fome inftances bordering on farce, and in others permitting too great a facrifice to be made to the part of one individual performer, it met with deferved fuccefs. The Da ogue is neat, and not unfrequently elegant. There is a number of excellent points and fprightly equivoques, and the whole produced the effect intended by the author. The performers alfo did great juftice to their feveral characters. POETRY. POETRY. EFFUSION WRITTEN IN THE NEW FOREST, HAMP- AS S thro' thefe woods, begem'd with dew, Fond Mem`ry, flor'd with many a blissful Enjoys once more her dear delirious As erft when Fancy tun'd my lyre to love. Has laughing Ceres ftr.w'd the yellow grain, To toil where Commerce crouds the bufy icene. Yet witness Heaven, if e'er the love of fame, The thirit of gain, or paffion's lawless fway, Allur'd my heart from Virtue's path aftray, Or fpread o'er my cheek the crimfon'd die of shame ; Yet fell Detraction's venom'd tongue effays To wound my peace, and throud with care my days. Aug. 13, 1796. EDWIN. IMPROMPTU, TO ELIZA ADMIRING THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE. Mild emblem of Patience, adieu! No more thy careffes I prize; For thy foothing endearments are vain, To hear the fo fondly complain. Ah why did the quit thofe proud courts And vifit our peaceable plains? For now, with her virtues imprefs'd, For lowly and mean is my lot, Contented and humble at most; With the riches a villain may hold. SOFT is the breeze when wanton Zephyrs Shall fuch my affection poffefs ? play Amid the fplendor of meridian day; Sweet is the rofe that scents the vernal gale When laughing Ceres crowns the yellow vale ; Shall the purchafe from riches arife? Who with fcorn from my poverty flies? Too warmly, too fondly carefs'd; A SHEPHERD'S COMPLAINT TO HIS For I know my pretenfions are vain, LAMB, IN THE MANNER OF SHENSTONE. ADIEU to each beautiful scene, To thofe haunts once fo fondly ad- And adieu to thofe fports of the green, Thofe virtues I tenderly lov`d, And with meekest humility fought. My hopes I must learn to refign; |