with being a Sabbath breaker and a duellist; and who, indeed, is very roughly treated throughout.-The abilities of Mr. Tierney are considerable, and may materially aid administration: but we believe that, in the higher departments of the state, no one can be found who is less a favourite with the public. We respect his talents, and we shall be glad to see him retrieve his credit by his able and laudable conduct in office.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 37. Sacred History, in familiar Dialogues for the Instruction of Children and Youth, by the late Miss H. Neale; with a Recommendatory Preface, by the Rev. John Ryland, D.D. Second Edition. 8vo. 2 Vols. 75. Boards. Gardiner.

Some years have passed since these volumes were noticed in our Review. We have now looked into them again with rather increased approbation and satisfaction. If we do not always concur with the writer in sentiment, we must acknowlege ourselves much pleased with the manner in which she converses with her young friends; and which is easy and natural, adapted to engage their attention, cal culated to strengthen the understanding, and to improve the heart. A third volume, containing the History of the Jews from the time of Nehemiah to the destruction of Jerusalem, may be had, separate, of the Booksellers mentioned in the title-page.'

Art. 38. Simplicity recommended to Ministers of the Gospel, with respect to their Doctrine, Method, Style, and Delivery in Preaching; with Hints on other Branches of the Ministerial Office. With an Appendix. 12mo. 2s. 6d. sewed. Williams & Smith. These concise Lectures on preaching are intended for Dissenting Ministers, and especially for those who have not enjoyed the advan tages of a liberal education. Some denominations of Dissenters will be disappointed at finding the doctrines of the Trinity, Original Sin, Satisfaction, Imputed Righteousness, Predestination, and the Eternity of Hell, recommended as simplicities: but, if they will pardon the writer's creed, and proceed to the advice which he gives respecting the composition and delivery of a sermon, &c. they will find some hints not unworthy of notice. Extemporaneous preaching, or preaching from e few notes, is the mode which the author advises. would be a degree of courtesy,' he says, to call reading a sermon, preaching-Dr. Foster has observed that it is not necessary to the true preaching of Christ, to use his name as a charm, by which enthusiasm and not true religion is promoted: but this lecturer seems to be of a different opinion, for he insists on the importance of preserving in every discourse the savour of the name of Jesus and free grace.'

It

The Appendix contains examples of Exordiums; Skeletons of Sermons; Extracts from Claude, Doddridge, Mather, and Newton; Garrick's Sentiments of Pulpit Eloquence; and Dr. Watts's Advice to Students.

Much is here compressed into a narrow compass, and offered at a low price.

MATHEMATICS.

MATHEMATICS, &c.

Art. 39. Nattes's Practical Geometry, or Introduction to Perspective. Translated from the French of Le Clerc, with Additions and Alterations.-The Explanations rendered so simple, that very young People, by Attention, may soon be enabled to go through the different Problems with perfect Ease. A Work not only useful to those who cultivate the elegant Art of Drawing, but also recommended to the Student in various Branches of the Arts and Sciences. To which is added, an easy Method of making an Oval, of any given Proportions: also the Rule for forming a Geometri cal Plan and Elevation; being the last Problem previous to the Commencement of the Study of Perspective. With Forty Vig nettes, etched from Designs analogous to the different Geometrical Figures, by W. H. Pyne. The Problems engraved by T. King. 8vo. pp. 98. Ios. 6d. Boards. Miller.

The original of this work, by Le Clerc, we have never seen, but we suspect that it is very unlike the present translation; which, we apprehend, has been prepared chiefly in order that many beautiful vignettes, &c. might be engrafted on it:

"Pars minima est

Ipsa puella sui."

It is but justice, however, to state that the vignettes and embellish ments are very neatly executed, and taken from subjects happily chosen. The work is also expensively printed, and is altogether adapted to those young persons who must be enticed into the study of Geometry: yet it is well worth half a guinea, though not for its Geometry, which may be learnt at a cheaper rate. Some inaccu racies occur; and the practical is better executed than the theoretical part.

POETRY.

Art. 40. Cromer, a descriptive Poem. 12mo. pp. 64. 2s. 6d. Boards. Ridgway. 18c6.

Cromer is a sequestered sea-bathing station on the north east part of the county of Norfolk, skreened from the blasts of the ocean by high cliffs, and celebrated for the sublimity of its maritime views and the beauty of its landscapes. To this place of fashionable resort, the author of this little poem is evidently partial; and to readers who are familiar with the scenery, his smooth blank verse may afford some moments of pleasing recreation. The interest which he excites is, however, that which chiefly depends on local associations, and in which the public at large cannot very cordially participate. He is occasionally pathetic, though rarely sublime; and if his pages pre sent us with few defects, they are also very rarely graced by striking beauties. We do not rank that poetry very high, which we would not gladly peruse a second time; and we fear that this anonymous effusion will hardly bear this ordinary test of original merit.

Many circumstances common to maritime situation in general,' the author observes, and many scenes and incidents of a nature pecu culiar to Cromer, remain to be described; and the delineation of these,

should

should this little volume be favourably received by the public, may probably form the subject of a second part.'-If the author enjoyed greater leisure than he seems to possess, he might, perhaps, apply his talents with success to some more ample and elevated theme.

Art. 41. Poems to Thespia. By H. Downman, M.D. 8vo. 4s. Boards. Cadell and Davies.

With some persons, the torch of Love burns longer than with others; and if it does not diffuse a radiance, it throws at least a gleam over the decline of life. Spirat adhuc amor is Dr. Downman's motto; whence we suppose that he ranks himself in this privileged class, and pleads the long duration of the tender passion as his inducement for continuing to woo the Muse. His doctrine is,

If Love on tardy wing retires
To kindle new and stronger fires,
His homagers shall still survey
The traces of his earliest ray,
Still in their charmed souls shall last

The conscious sense of joys o'erpast.'

Enraptured with his Thespia, Dr. D. professes to taste of happiness in a high degree, though he describes his situation in life to be close en the verge of want.'

But shall I therefore pine, and not enjoy
Retirement's solid good and learned ease?
Will not philosophy her balm employ,
And give the deepest solitude to please?
Revoke the word-what solitude is mine?
Am I not blest beyond a monarch's lot!
Possessing thee, what radiant sun-beams shine,
And gild with happiness our rural cot?'

We have on former occasions spoken of Dr. D.'s poetry as easy and flowing, and it continues to display the same features. He tells us that these Elegies are not entirely unknown, and that the greater part have been published before: but he has not sufficiently enabled us to distinguish the new from the old.

Our last notice of Dr. D. was in M. R. Vol. xlviii. N. S. p. 217; where, and in our General Index, other references will be found.

AGRICULTURE.

Art. 42. Georgical Essays.
Vols. V. and VI. 8vo.
Mawman.

By A.Hunter, M.D. F.R.S. L. and E. pp. 584. cach Volume. 11. 1s. Boards.

Many years ago, (see M. R. vol. 47. p. 237.) we announced the plan of this work; which is for the most part a compilation from various authors, occasionally interspersed with original essays. Dr. Hunter has en leavonred to render the whole amusing, by not confining himself rigidly to inquiries and discussions strictly georgical; and with agricultural papers he has mixed some which relate to natural history, natural theology, philosophy, political economy,

kc.

When

When we inform our readers that these two volumes contain seventy-six distinct essays, extracted from the writings of various authors, we shall not be expected to give even their titles. It must suffice to notice those to which Dr. Hunter has affixed his own name, and which are only five in the two volumes: not including those short hints which are introduced in the miscellaneous essays, intitled, • Experiments and concise Agricultural Observations.'

The first paper by Dr. Hunter (in vol. v.) treats on the Willow, of which genus there are thirty-one species, but he enumerates only the fifteen which are planted in this country. These are the Salix alba, or white willow; S. triandria, or smooth willow; S. pentandria, or sweet willow; S. vitellina, or golden willow; S. amygdalina, or almond-leaved willow; S. fragilis, or crack willow; S. purpurea, or purple willow; S. viminalis, or the ozier; S. rubra, or the red willow; S. babylonica, or the weeping willow; S. belix, or the rose willow; S. caprea, or the sallow; S. hermaphroditica, or the shining willow; S. phylicifolia, or the phylica-leaved willow; and S. bastata, or hastated, willow. A plate of the crack willow is given, exhibiting its fructification.

Dr. H.'s second essay relates to the Rot in Sheep. This disease is not attributed to marsh miasmata, but to the animals called flukes, which are found in the gall bladder and biliary ducts of sheep affected with this malady, and which are produced from water in a state of putrescency. Dr. H. gives it as his decided opinion that the rot in sheep is an animalcular disease; and he inclines to think that something might be expected in the way of cure from Mercury.

Essay 3. (Vol. vi.) on the Mulberry tree. Of the six species, the Doctor treats only of the Morus nigra, or black mulberry, and M. alba, or white mulberry; the latter of which is raised merely for feeding silk worms, and the cultivation of which is recommended in this country, since it has been introduced into Prussia with success. We know not how far such a speculation would succeed. A severe philippic is copied from Evelyn's chapter on the mulberry, against the education and pursuits of modern ladies; whora Dr. H. wishes, but wishes in vain, to transform into the house-wifes of old-fashioned times. To this essay a plate is annexed.

In essay 4. of the Smut in Wheat, no new light is thrown on this subject. All that Dr. H. advances is, that though this part of natural history is wrapt up in obscurity, it is a singular happiness that the vegetable principle may be destroyed by certain steeps.' Is this proved?

The 5th essay is devoted to the yew tree, or Taxus baccata. The botanical characters of this tree are given, and the mode of raring it is specified.

Besides these essays, we find one in vol. 6. without a name, whi we conclude to be the produce of Dr. H. viz. A political Renovatio addressed to the Year 1812; in which the writer preaches up th necessity of Spartan self denial as the only means of salvation. He recommends that all our plate, both public and private, should be sent to the mint, to be converted into money; that a sixth of every person's property should be applied to the liquidation of the nationa

debt;

debt; that the clergy, renouncing their tithes, should preach the strictest morality; that all places of amusement should be shut up; that we should force ourselves to live on the humble fare that is the produce of our own lands; and that society should be reduced to the three classes of husbandmen, fishermen, and manufacturers. To this advice he is aware that a million of objections may be raised but he ventures to assert that, unless all the people say Amen to it, we cannot be saved. What the year 1812 may produce, we shall not say but we are sure that 'Amen' will stick in the throat of 1806.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 43. Light Reading at leisure Hours; or an Attempt to unite the proper Objects of Gaiety and Taste, in exploring the various Sources of rational Pleasure, the fine Arts, Poetry, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Dancing, fashionable Pastimes, Lives, Memoirs, Characters, Anecdotes, &c. &c. 12mo. pp. 464. бs. Boards. Ridgway. 1805.

By the title of this miscellany, the nature of its contents is sufficiently indicated. The compiler has collected a literary nosegay, at which the purchaser may smell without producing the headache, and which he has arranged with thought and judgment. His aim seems to be to insinuate reflection in the garb of amusement, and to induce even cursory readers to cherish liberal and virtuous sentiments. The different pieces which form this volume are united by connecting and pertinent observations; and if such publications as are composed from a multitude of others be worthy of encouragement, we cannot withhold it on the present occasion; for these Light Readings are not frivolous.

Art. 44. The Duellists; or Men of Honour: a Story, calculated to shew the Folly, Extravagance, and Sin of Duelling. By William Lucas. 12mo. pp. 197. Cundee, &c.

Did Vice appear,' says the author, in her naked deformity, her baleful influence might be confined within a narrower sphere: her shameless front would then be reared in vain, and man would only look on to ahhor her: but when she attires herself in a specious garb, the world is deluded, and her contagion spreads in every direction. Thus she teaches that revenge is honour, and murder justice; and many has she persuaded that duelling is a virtue.' Impressed by such thoughts, Mr. Lucas exerts his well-intentioned endeavours to dissuade from this fashionable practice; and he has chosen to cast his observations into the novel form, as being the most likely to gain atteution from those whom he immediately addresses. The readers of novels,' he remarks, constitute the greater part of the youthful community. Among these, I hope to take by surprize some unwary idlers, who, betrayed by my title, will be led, unconsciously, to a few simple truths; where they may learn, that of all heroes, the greatest is a Christian; because, while the honours of others belong only to time, his will flourish in eternity.'

The tale is interesting, and appropriate to the design the reRections, with which the different relations and events are accom

7

panied,