Mr. Almon, the Editor, entirely silent in his Preface on the name of " the Author of the Heroic Epistle to Sir William Chambers." At this period of time, when " the frown of power" is no longer to be dreaded, and when Mr. Mant, in his Life of Thomas Warton, has clearly shewn that the Epistle was the production of Mason, there was, assuredly, no further occasion for mystery.

The contents of these sheets are, besides the Heroic Epistle and a Postscript, an Ode to Mr. Pinchbeck, an Epistle to Dr. Shebbeare, an Ode to Sir Fletcher Norton, and the Dean and the Squire, to Soame Jenyns, Esq. all of which have afforded, and will long afford, amusement to the admirers of lively wit and poignant satire. The Public is much indebted to Mr. Phillips for publishing them in this convenient form.

The History of England, from the Accession of King George the Third to the Conclusion of Peace in the Year 1783, by John Adolphus, Esq. F. S. A. Second Edition. in 3 Vols. 8vo. Cadell and Davies. 1805.

We descanted with great satisfaction on the numerous merits of the first edition of this skilful picture of a most interesting period of English History; and we are far from being surprised at seeing a work which comprises in it every excellence that belongs to the dignity and value of an historian, so speedily circulated through the country, and again committed to the press. Little was wanting to the perfection of Mr. Adolphus's labour, and that little has been supplied. Honestly alive to the general approbation of his countrymen, he thus expresses himself:

"The Author offers this new Edition of the HISTORY OF ENGLAND, with the warmest sentiments of gratitude for the reception it has met with from the public. He has not been negligent in revising the style, but has found no occasion to vary any fact, or retract any sentiment he had originally advanced." Preface to the Second Edit.

We are told that when all commend, it is too late to praise; still we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of observing, that though other historians may be found who are more florid in their style, and more philosophical in their detail, none will appear to deserve in a greater degree than Mr. Adolphus this solid and lasting eulogy of Augustinus on Cajus Sallustius Crispus-Nobilitata veritatis historicus.

* See Letter from W. Mason to T. Warton, in his Life by Mant, v. 1, p. xix. large paper.

The Melviad; or the Birth, Parentage, Education, and Achievements of a Grete Mon. Addressed to the Commissioners, &c. By I spy I. 4to. 2s. 6d. pp. 32. Robertson and Co. 1805.

The mirth of fools inspires melancholy.

Amasina; or the American Foundling, in 2 Vols. dedicated, by Permission, to Lady Cotter. Lane & Co. 1804.

of a

THE character of this Novel is frequent prophaneness (as at p. 32 and p. 81, vol. 1), some affectation of learning, abundant cant, and perpetual heaviness. Still we are assured that it is the production "child before she attained her fifteenth year," and we lament it, because as she by no means comes within the saying, "So young, so witty, are short lived," we doubt not that she will be blessed with a long life, to the no little annoyance of the novelreading public. But as genius in swaddling cloaths is so much the rage, why should such a distinguished quack-caterer for the town as Mr. Lane, who has so many of the fair sex of all ages daily committed to his press, be without his infant prodigy? We see none, except that it seems rather hard on John Bull, to be obliged to pay so hugely through the nose, as he has done, for other people's chil

dren.

Buonaparte! a Satire. His Coronation, a Vision. 8vo. pp. 22. Bab lantine, Edinburgh. 1804.

No period of poetical history has witnessed a more numerous school than the present, of authors who labour under the miserable error that not to write prose is, without doubt, to write poetry. Our satirist stands high in this class, and almost abuses his muse as much as he does Buonaparte.

Culina Famulatrix Medicina; or Receipts in Modern Cookery, with a Medical Commentary, written by Ignotus, and revised by A. Hunter, M.D. F. R. S. L. and E. Second Edition, 12mo. 6s. 6d. Constable and Co. Edinburgh; Wilson and Co. York; Mawman, London. 1805.

We took no notice of the first edition of this work, because we thought it must smack strongly of the ridiculous for literary cri tics to presume to give any opinion about highly-seasoned dishes, or to talk of repletion, or the consequences of rich living. We should be truly happy to be better acquainted with the subject, and when incipient magni procedere menses, shall most readily open our mouths. E-VOL. XX.

What you please; or Memoirs of Modern Characters. 4 Vols. 16s. Longman and Co. 1805.

THIS is, we understand, the production of a Mr. Marsh, a Barrister, and it is not altogether contemptible. But "Where be his quiddits now, his quillets,* his cases, his tenures, and his tricks,” that he can find time to write four volumes of what may be truly called What you please!

The Nobility of the Heart a Novel. By Eliz. Isab. Spencer. 3 Vols. Longman and Co. 1805.

The ingenious writer of this novel has before deserved the approbation of the public, by the production of Helen Sinclair. The present work will increase her reputation, as an elegant and instructive novelist.

Casualties. By Mary Goldsmith. 2 Vols. 6s. J. Hookham. 1805.

SABINA, the heroine of this story, is, we are sorry to say, a mantua-maker. Miss Goldsmith might as well have made her a staymaker, and then, with the assistance of Jemmy Jumps, we could have been witty on the occasion, saying what we verily believe, that she will "make some stay" in Mr. Hookham's shop.

Obsolete Ideas, in Six Letters, addressed to Maria. By a Friend. 12mo. 3s. Seeley. 1805.

These letters will be read with advantage. The piety and good sense of the author render his admonitions highly valuable and interesting.

Journey into South Wales in the Year 1799. By George Lipscomb, Esq. 8vo. pp. 450. 7s. Longman and Co. 1802.

Our traveller has now travelled to

"The undiscover'd country, from whose bourn

"No traveller returns."

"A great man's memory," says the same author, " may outlive his life half a year: but by 'r lady, he must build churches then," and not expect to be remember'd for a whole six months, by leaving behind him such meagre, shallow works, as Mr. Lipscomb's Journey into South Wales.

* If Cole be right, that Quillet signifies res frivola, this query ought to be omit, ted. See his Latin Diction. 1679.

Observations on Water; with a, Recommendation of a more convenient and extensive supply of Thames Water to the Metropolis and its Vicinity. By R. Dodd, Civil Engineer. 2s. 6d. Richardsons. 1805.

THE more convenient and extensive supply of Thames water to the metropolis and its vicinity which is here proposed, relates particularly to the southern and eastern quarters. The scheme is certainly practicable, and we shall be happy to hear that Mr. Dodd meets with sufficient liberality to second his endeavours to effect so desirable a purpose.

The Domestic Medical Guide; in two Parts. Part I. The Family Dispensatory; or a complete Companion to the Family Medicine Chest, &c. Part II. The Modern Domestic Medicine: comprehending the most approved Methods of treating and obviating the different Diseases that assail the Human Frame; with the most important Information relative to the Cure of those Chronic Diseases which have been generally considered incurable. Third Edition, considerably enlarged and corrected. By Richard Reece, M. D. late of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and the General Infirmary at Hereford; Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in London; Author of the Medical and Chirurgical Pharmacopaia, &c. 8vo. Longman and Co. 1805.

THE copious title to this publication will furnish a clue to its contents; which are arranged with perspicuity, and divested, as much as may be, of that technicality, which has given to the science of medicine an imputation of professional mystery. Dr. Reece has laudably unveiled many of the arcana of his art, and has admitted the uninitiated not only to inspect his laboratory, but to prepare (under his guidance), a materia medica for all immediate family purposes, or neighbourly relief. He has thus enabled the benevolent and humane to exercise, at small expence, the truly Christian office of alleviating the sufferings of humanity, when labouring under the complicated pressure of penury and disease. It is the farther endeavour of Dr. R. to transfer a speedy aid in cases of emergency, as of poisons swallowed, of drowning, burns, fits, strangulation, &c. He has also supplied an alphabetical list of diseases, with their symptoms, causes, mode of treatment, and prevention: but he aims not to supersede the attendance of the regular practitioner, where ability and opportunity allow the patient such a resource. Hence,

the Doctor declares himself an inveterate enemy to the pernicious practices of empiricism, and has treated the purveyors of patent drugs with as little ceremony as Mr. Corry exhibited in his "Detector of Quackery." This the following memorabilia may evince :

"A gingerbread-baker at Bungay, in Suffolk, who was in the habit of attending all the fairs in that neighbourhood, for the purpose of selling gingerbread nuts, and amusing the people with music, which he played to attract them to his stall; his poney being affected with a cough, a person at Brundick, in the same county, advised him to give the animal a mixture of vinegar and honey, which, in a short time, had the desired effect, of restoring his donkey to health. The baker, reasoning on this rapid cure wrought on the animal, concluded that it might produce as salutary an effect on the human body: he therefore determined to give it a trial, under the name of the Vegetable Balsam, and commenced advertising it at a guinea per bottle, as a specific for consumption of the lungs, &c. &c. and, strange to relate, the efficacy of this medicine (merely simple oxymel), was soon attested by people, from whose elevated situation in life, one might have supposed would have known better. He soon gave up gingerbread baking and fiddling, for the more lucrative, but less honourable, pursuit of selling honey and vinegar at a guinea a pint, by which he amassed a very considerable fortune, which soon raised him to the distinguished honour of a Doctor of Physic, although perfectly ignorant of pharmacy, anatomy, and diseases.

"A gilder and frame-maker in Long-Acre, and a shoe-maker in Blackfri ar's-road, have likewise resigned their occupations, for that of patching up the human frame: and, what is still more extraordinary, this list of impostors has lately bean embellished with the name of a clergyman, whose celebrity will no doubt be transmitted to Aberdeen, with the necessary qualifications; the most eccentric, unintelligible doctrines of the bile* having lately been issued from the elaboratory of the Rev. W. Barclay. Not only the fallacy of his doctrines, but the exorbitant price of his medicine, without any other evidence, are sufficient to convince the public the doctrines he preaches are not for the good of the public, but for the good of himself; for, not satisfied with the tithe allowance of one tenth, he conscientiously puts a price on his articles that yield a profit of nine parts in ten."

Dr. Reece has added some important observations on the salutary treatment of chronic diseases by a distillation of common water, which will deserve the serious attention of the faculty, as do his citations of cases where children have taken the small-pox, after being infected by the cow-pox. Upon the whole, we are of opinion that his book is entitled to general recommendation, though we think his own views would have been better served by treating

"The only disease that is produced by a vitiated secretion of bile, is the cholera morbus, which consists in a copious evacuation of bile, both by stool and vomiting. In such cases, I have no hesitation in asserting, that one dose of the Rev. William Barclay's Patent Antibilious Pills would endanger, if not destroy, the life of the patient, by producing inflammation in the bowels."