ART. IX.-Memoirs of the Life of Agrippina, the Wife of Germanicus. By Elizabeth Hamilton. 3 vols. Small Robinson. 1804.

Svo.

THE author informs us in her preface, of the object and intent of the present work, in the following words:

To point out the advantages which are to be derived from paying some attention to the nature of the human mind in the education of youth, was the object of a former work: the author's aim in the present, is to give such an illustration of the principles that were then unfolded, as mayrender them more extensively useful.' This being determined upon, Miss H. informs us that her next desire was, to render this practical illustration of the principles advanced in her treatise, alluring. To take examples from living or recent characters, was considered as too delicate a ground. To delineate an imaginary one would not answer the purpose, because feigned events may be accommodated to any theory. Led by these considerations, Miss H: had recourse to ancient biography, and among the personages there to be found, she saw none which offered more materials for her >purpose, than the characters of Agrippina and the amiable -Germanicus, as pourtrayed by the masterly hand of Tacitus. There is certainly much interesting matter contained in that historian, tending to give us definite notions of the personæ dramatis of his times. But of the minuter circumstances which, in early youth, determined the bias and direction of their characters, and gave a certain form and pressure to the little world within, what do we what can we know? In the ancient historiaus we have only the course and . strong outlines. They detailed characters no farther

than as these were connected with events, and without any reference to the history of mind. Now, if a modern chooses to fill up these outlines and to finish the picture, it is (considered as an illustration of any theory) to all intents and purposes a modern manufacture-a fiction, with this disadvantage, that the author, cramped by facts, is not likely to amuse us half so much as if the whole piece was left to himself. Thus, in the work before us, after all, we are frequently put off with the proxima veris,' with suppositions and possibilities; and the only conclusions which a reader can draw froin the Memoirs of Agrippina, are of a general and common-place kind; as, that the passions when not early inured to a wholesome restraint run out into excesses, that evil communications corrupt good manners, &c. &c. The mere novel-reader will, we fear, be averse to the labour of

acquiring clear ideas of the intricate affinities of the Julian family, though distinctly enough laid down in the outset ; and even when this is acquired, he will demand perhaps something more piquant, and more highly seasoned with sentiment or romance to gratify his palate than the series of incidents here recorded. We see in imagination some soft Belinda led by the soothing sound of the title Agrippina, to order it from the circulating library, and when arrived, scudding over a page or two, and throwing it down on her sofa, with a yawning-Quis leget hæc.'

To be serious, this work is not meant to be an elucidation of history, and therefore it would be unfair to treat it as such. Perhaps one that would examine it with severity by the original sources, might discover some peccadillos. We ourselves find Octavia having two daughters by Mark Antony, (Vol. i. p. xxxvi.) and only one in page 296. But peace to all such. As a practical view of the influence of early associations and the developement of the passions, for which it was intended, those, we think, who do not suffer themselves to be ravished by words and sounds, will confess that it teaches them little or nothing:

By the way, association of ideas is a term of which Miss H. is very fond, and without doubt it is a most extensive principle. It is to the human mind what attraction is to the material world, almost the master-key of all phænomena. But with regard to the advantages accruing to the art of education from the use of this principle, let us not be too sanguine. It is something, but it is not all. Association is a principle of which we easily discern the power in general; but, when we begin to apply the doctrine with practical views, it involves too many and too subtle workings of the mind for us to operate upon it to any extent. Association is spoken of by some writers, as if it were a mechanical engine whereby we had power to mould the human soul to whatever form we please. But, in reality, it is a piece of clock-work of too complex a construction to be adjusted or set at work by any mortal hand, and the danger arising from playing tricks and trying experiments with its. wheels are incalculable. Such are Rousseau's ridiculously technical plans in his Emilius, though not immediately flowing from this source. Let every parent, however, remember that there is one general, safe, and infallible precept which may be derived from this principle, or rather from the more pal pable one, the propensity of youth to imitation, a precept which suits all orders and all understandings, which is sime ply this: be what you wish your child to be.

Every one knows the insidious irony with which Gibbon in his history sneers at the christian religion, representing the pannos assutos as an essential part of the original gar ment, and then obliquely attacking it by extolling the liberality of heathen toleration-an argument which, even granting the solidity of its premises, makes against christianity about as much as one would be thought to prove a pocket-piece not sterling, by stewing that the possessor took more care of it than of a brass counter. But little as is his claim to honest and open dealing in an adversary, it is our duty, for the sake of the sanctity of the cause. Gibbon says, that the public spectacles were an essential part of the cheerful devotion of the Pagans, &c.' meaning by cheerful' perhaps voluntary,' in contradistinction to that devotion which is exacted by compulsion. Miss H. after advert ing to the horrid barbarities of the Arena, adds—' One who has been educated under the benevolent system of the Gospel, must have successfully combated with many early preJudices, before he can allow to such exhibitions the appellation of cheerful!

This is not exactly fair play. Miss H. takes the epithet from one thing (devotion,) and affixes it to another (exhibitions.) With the latter it can be taken in only one sense; with the former it may mean either of two, of which we ought to reason upon the most favourable. We do not meau that Miss Hamilton's argument is materially hurt by the proceeding; but we do wish to see, in every application of an adversary's words, the most scrupulous-the most generous

accuracy,

Upon the whole, this work shews great diligence and moral ardour; the former, as proceeding from one professedly unacquainted with the ancient languages; the latter as interspersed throughout with pious and well-meant reflections. But we fear that, considered as a biographical piece, it wants interest, and (to use the author's own words) if from an interesting novel little is to be expected, from one void of interest we can hope for nothing.' That there is nothing essential in the work to distinguish it from a novel, we have shewn already.

ART. X.-Sermons on various Subjects; by the Rev. Joseph Townsend, M. A. Rector of Pewsy, Wills. 800. Mawman, 1805.

THESE Sermons, we are informed in the preface, were written more than twenty years ago; and it was the intention of their author to have reserved the publication of them for his executors. But lamenting to see that the progress of infidelity, and the licentious morals of the age, are such as to call loudly for the zealous exertions of all the friends of religion, piety, and virtue, he has rescinded that determination, and resolved to lose no time in committing his thoughts and admonitions to the press.

Did this laudable and charitable purpose stand in need of further justification, Mr. Townsend has supplied us with additional reasons for the present publication, viz, the naLure of its contents, and his own opinion of the advantages which he has enjoyed in life, and which have been such as to qualify him in some degree for encountering more particularly those evils, the contemplation of which had im-pressed him with so much paiu.

His walk in life, and his professional engagements during forty years, enabled him to observe the workings of the mind in the highest and in the lowest classes of the human race; to watch the progress of temptation; and to witness the prevalence of infidelity among transgressors, both rich and poor. Such are the objects which more particularly attracted his attention, and such are the evils against which he has directed these discourses. Vide Pref. p. viii.

In conformity to this statement, the first discourse contains some arguments for the existence of a God: the two next in order, treat of the moral law of God in its relations to the unbeliever, to the formal and professional Christian, and to the children of this world; with an exposition of the two great commandments, the summary of all the law and the prophets-Love to God, and to the brotherhood. The fourth and fifth sermons refer to the gospel: the former contains a brief but interesting view of some of the principal evidences of our religion; and the latter describes the wanderings of ancient and of modern philosophers, in their reasonings of God and of religion, when destitute of the light and guidance of revelation. The sixth sermon, and those which follow to the thirteenth inclusive, are on Temptation. We can only give a short and imperfect sketch of their contents:-Instances of temptation fallen into-the progress of temptation-the way and meaus to avoid the

power of temptation, such as constant occupation, temperance, courage in maintaining and avowing sound principles, choice of company, retirement and meditation, books, an estimate of human strength, removed alike from presumption and despair, care and culture of the understanding and the heart, together with prayer for the grace and support of God. Next to this succeeds an enumeration and display of the reasons and motives which are to encourage us to resist temptation, and to rescue us from the dominion of sin. These are stated to be retribution in this life, the sickness and the evil which falls upon our own heads; the effects of our guilt upon others; the certainty of future retribution; and the violation of our duties of gratitude and love to God, and attachment to his will, which ought to arise in our hearts from the sense of his manifold bounties and mercies. The fourteenth and fifteenth discourses, which conclude the volume, are on the leaven of the Sadducees, and the leaven of the Pharisees; and combine an account of the principles and conduct of those ancient sects, with many salutary cautions and instructions for modern Christians.

These important subjects are treated by Mr. Townsend, not with any very extraordinary powers of eloquence, but with much good sense and sound learning. His allusiont and illustrations are often derived from scripture with great felicity and the whole frame and manner of the composition and contents of his discourses give a very favourable opinion of the soundness of his judgment and the uprightness of his heart. Occasionally we meet with a word which is too technical for a sermon, or savours too much of book-learning, or which is not supported by sufficient homiJetic authority. In p. 5, we do not much approve the use of incredulity for unbelief or infidelity; nor in p. 9, that of substantives for substances; in p. 268, 279, and 282, there is something which offends us, in the use of the words softer passion;' and in most congregations such clauses as olfactory nerves spread over reiterated folds and convolutions of the Ethmoidal bones,' would seem to be of little use but to procure to the preacher the esteem and reputation of being a Latiner.' Still the style of these discourses partakes of the same valuable qualities with the matter, and is, generally speaking, correct, vigorous, scholar-like, and manly.

We perused with much interest Mr. Townsend's account in his preface of the great work upon which he has been so long engaged, on the Character and Writings of Moses. We heartily wish him success in this very important undertaking; and trust that it may add speedily another trophy to the literary honours of our country..