or two points, from Dr. Blayney, his Differtation* on the fecond Chapter of the fame Prophet deferves attention, as the work of a pious and able commentator. The publication of Mr. Kett, entitled, Hiftory the Interpreter of Prophecyt, is a book of merit and utility. The first volume, in particular, to which alone we can properly refer in this prefent Preface, contains the moft diftinct and ftriking view we have yet feen, of feveral highly important Prophecies, and the circumftances of their accomplishment. Other works in divinity, that have lately occurred, are of Jefs, extent, excepting a few volumes of Sermons. Among thefe, the Family Sermons of Mr. E. Whitakert, are diftinguished for practical utility; thofe of the late Dr. Enfields, for clear and fenfible reafoning, in a pure and placid ftyle. To thofe who can diftinguish what is found, from the parts tainted with peculiar opinions, the latter will be an acquifition of real value. But that diftinction is very neceffary. Two other fets of Sermons may be mentioned as deferving general approbation, thofe of Mr. Marshall and Mr. Butcher; they did not feem to demand either an extended review, or a more particular notice in this place. An Efay on the Character of the Apostles and Evangelifts, by Mr. Graves**, of Dublin, has much animation and much merit; replying, with confiderable force, to the new or revived objections of Deifts. The articles that remain for us to recapitulate, are of a lighter form, though in many inftances highly exceilent in matter. Among thefe a confpicuous place is certainly due to the well-timed Charge of the Bishop of Landafftt. Certain objections, which it was completely neceffary to make to a particular paffage‡‡, detract but little from the general value of the Charge, which deferves to rank with the Addrefs of the fame Prelate*, as a patriotic and very useful publication. Sermons feparately published, we have lately exImined an unusual number; and among them are very few without fome claims to notice and refpect. We can here mention only the most remarkable, which we will take in the order of their occurrence. The Affociation Sermon of Dr. Vincent, is one of thofe rare productions which, while they imprefs every mind by the originality of their views, are intelligible to all, from the clearness of their statements, and the foundnefs of their arguments. We learn with fatisfaction, that fome important extracts from it have been reprinted by perfons of difcernment and confequence, to facilitate their circulation. Two difcourfes were published together by Mr. Vincet, the Plumian Profeffor at Cambridge, in answer to the famous fophiftries of Hume, on the fubject of miracles. The topic is hardly more important, than the mode of treating it, adopted by the Profeffor, is fatisfactory and conclufive. The arguments that will satisfy a found mathematician, are feldom of a light or trifling nature. Among the Faft Sermons, of which the prefent warfare has produced an annual harveft, there have been few, if any, more worthy of diftinction than that of the Bishop of Durhams. The admonitions in it are well fuited to the time, and are expreffed with energy and dignity. Dr. Hay's dif course on the fame occafion, before the House of Commons, is characterized alfo by a piety and good fenfe, which, from having frequently remarked, we have learned to expect in what he publishes. The laft day of thankfgiving afforded to Dr. Rennél alfo an opportunity of difplaying that energetic eloquence, and truly Chriftian fentiment, by which his difcourfes are always diftinguifhed. The occafion was triumphant, yet the difcourfe breathed the most pious See vol. xi. p. 200. No. IV. p. 397. + No. II. p. 196. #No. V. p. 553. a 2 No. III. p. 258. No. VI. p. 669. humility. humility. If we point out no other writers in this clafs, particularly among the preachers on public or folemn occafions, it is not that we undervalue them; a reference to the head of Divinity, in our various numbers, will evince that we have felt their merits; but in this recapitulation we can only enumerate the moft confpicuous. MORALS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. To this head clearly belongs the excellent work of Dr. Gillies, comprifing, among other valuable materials, a tranflation of the Ethics and Politics of Ariftotle*. In the prefent volume we have only opened our account, with fome remarks on the Life of Ariftotle, and on the doctrine of the human mind, as given by that philofopher. We purpose to pay much more attention to a book of fuch confequence; and we truft that no reader will accufe us of exceeding what the fubject deferves. Here alfo we may properly introduce our notice of Mrs. H. More's admirable Strictures on the modern Syftem of Female Educations; a book, which has obtained its first eulogium in the very honourable reception given to it by the public; and will remain a permanent monument of what female understanding, united with the true and appropriate worth of the female character, could effect at the clofe of the eighteenth century. To the female Illuminism of Mrs. Wollstonecraft, and her difciples, it forms a striking and a glorious contraft. In this very reputable company we fhall place the masterly Difcourfe or Lecture of Mr. Mackintosh, on the study of the Law of Nature and Nations; that is, on general and public Morals. It is among the triumphs of the prefent day, that we can rank this able writer with the friends of order; and we hear, with pleasure, that the Lectures + No. II. p. 109. No. V. p. 457. t No. VI. p. 643. which followed this introductory view, well fupported the expectations it had raised. POLITICS. From these extended Ethics, the tranfition to particular Politics is natural and eafy and in this class we cannot hesitate to give a confpicuous place to the republished Anti-Jacobin Paper. The found political fentiments and information, as well as the wit, humour, and good poetry of that publication, render it completely deferving of the more permanent and creditable form of octavo volumes; but, for the very fame reason, we cannot but wish that it had also been reprinted in the cheapest manner poffible, for more extenfive circulation. Mr. Bowles's volume, entitled the Retrospect, is alfo, for the moft part, a republication; it comprises much very excellent matter, with fome additions, adapted to the time of its appearance. The Letters of the Ghost of Alfred, attributed to the fame author, refer chiefly to the ftate trials of 1794 and 1795, with fome pointed ftrictures on Oppofition Politics. The publication of Mr. Rofe, on the Revenue, Commerce, and Manufactures§ of this country, may be confidered as an official report of the highest importance. The very animated statement which it gives, of the improvement and abundance of our refources, has fince been moft fatisfactorily juftified by the terms of the loan, the vaft premium accruing to the purchasers of it, and the great rife of the Funds. The remarks of Peter Porcupine, on certain intercepted Letters published here, have full as much reference to English as to American Politics, and were mentioned by us with the commendation generally due to the writings of that felf-taught ge ‡ No. IV. p. 442. No. I. p. 45. nius, nius, and truly honeft man. Other Intercepted Letters*, being the fecond part of those selected from the correfpondence of Bonaparte's army, were no lefs interefting than the first had beent. The report of that day, concerning Bonaparte's fucceffes, drew from us a remark, which fubfequent events have proved exactly juft. We could not, we then faid, perfuade ourselves, "that any very formidable progrefs could be made by an army, reduced by various modes of deftruction, and cut off from all kind of fupply from the mother country, or communication with it." That army is now annihilated. A short tract, on the Application of Barruel's Memoirs, to the fecret focieties of Ireland and Great Britain, contains fome very ufeful confiderations, and deferves the notice of the Politician. Nor will Carnot's§ tract, in defence of him. felf, be thought unimportant; though the iniquity it developes feems now likely to fall under its appropriate punishment. It was thought of confequence enough, on this fide of the water, to be called fpurious, though without a fhadow of reafon; by those who are always defirous to conceal the faults of the French rulers. Some political matters of importance in this country, have been admirably illustrated to the nation, by the publication of Speeches delivered in Parliament. On general topics, we noticed, with due praife, Mr. Canning's very animated and powerful Speech, on the fubject of Continental Alliances; Lord Auckland's, on the Income Bill; and Lord Grenville's, on the Duke of Bedford's motion, refpecting the difmiffal of the prefent Minifters**. The great question of the Union with Ireland, has produced both Speeches and pamphlets, of great merit and energy. Among speakers, Mr. Pitt is not often rivalled; and the publication of the fpirited and argumentative oration, which he deli No. IV. p. 442. 1 No.IV. p. 367. |