which fhall make the fpirit of the 43d Eliz. the main object of all its provifions, which fhall adopt only fuch of the other ftatutes as have a manifest tendency to the fame principles, and with the affiftance of other regulations fhall digeft the whole into one uniform fyftem, will furmount every obstacle, and produce a reform at once fimple, certain, and immediately beneficial. But then fuch an act mut leave nothing to the diligence, nothing to the difcretion, of those who are to execute it-IT MUST EXECUTE ITSELF.' The draught of the propofed act follows, drawn up according to the preceding ideas; in which the deviations from the prefent laws are distinguished by being printed in a different character. This we do not mean to enter into, further than to obferve, that the overfeers in each parish are made one half of them overseers of relief, and the other half overfeers of the working poor, to fimplify the objects of their attention. POLITICA L. Art. 28. The Speech of the Right Hon. William Pitt, on introducing the Plan for confolidating and fimplifying the Duties of the Cuftoms, before a Committee of the Houfe of Commons, February 26th, 1787. 8vo. 6d. Lowndes. The advantage of fimplifying any intricate fubject is fo obvious, that the bare propofal is inviting; and the plan for fimplifying the cuftoms was fo well explained by the minifter, that, ftrange to add, all oppofition was difarmed, and even his propofal was unanimoufly accepted. The publifher of this Speech propofes, fpecdily, to give to the public the New Book of Rates. Art. 29. The true Policy of Great Britain confidered. By Sir Francis Blake, Baronet. 8vo. 1s. Debrett. 1787. Sir Francis Blake's propofal for the liquidation of the national debt, like an act of parliament, requires fubfequent propofils for explanation and amendment. He now tells us, that A thought occurs, whether it would not be more advantageous, as well as fatisfactory, to fimplify the plan throughout: it goes already to the utter abolition of taxes, let it go to cuftoms in like manner; let us make of this island a free port, and let the whole revenue be collected by a pound rate, which will then raife as much at five, as is now produced at fifteen fhillings. That is to fay, it will raife a revenue of fifteen millions, fuppofing that part of the income of individuals which is here fpoken of, to be no more than fixty millions per annum. And, therefore, fetting afide for the public expenditure, the round fum of 14,500,000. there will remain a clear annual overplus of half a million. How this fhould be employed has been faid already; but of that faying fo fweet is the found, and fo much in tune with British ears, I cannot help repeating," That of all poffible applications of a furplus revenue, the belt and wifeft is the naval fervice." To throw back the remnant into our pockets, what would it do for us? It would add to the annual weight of our purfe-What? Two-pence in the pound! O! well indeed might Britain fay, degenerate fons, if fuch a circumftance could weigh * See Rev, vol. lxxiv. p. 461. vol. lxxv. p. 142. upon upon our minds, if fuch a fum were better faved in our conceit, than freely spent to gain us in return the loft dominion of the feas. As to all other lofs, I look upon it as nothing, compared with the lofs of our naval fuperiority, for that involves our certain and speedy downfal.' He is a determined enemy to any commercial intercourfe with our ancient deadly foes,' who are fortifying Cherburgh, and will be our foes for evermore. To take them for friends he confiders as taking poifon, which puts us paft the power of caution. But, may not fome future thoughts occur to temper the harfhnefs of these? Let us wait a little. In the interim, it is impoffible to avoid hinting how much his language is exposed to objection, though it is fcarcely worth the trouble of defcending to inftances of his careleffness. Towards the close, indeed, he becomes inflated by a contemplation of his propofal, and declaims like an improvifatore poet, in a kind of measured profe, that might be cut out for theatrical ufe. One fpecimen verbatim may fuffice. Now this, my countrymen, is our look out; The general good and fafety of the whole, The good which comes, the evil which befals, Nor can we have a wifh of any public kind, So intimately clofe are we conjoined, So firmly knit and riveted together. Thefe points premifed, we cannot fail to fee What grofs abfurdity, &c.' Art. 30. The Letters of a Friend to the Rockingham Party, and of an Englishman. 8vo. 25. Stockdale. 1787. A mere fcolding-bout between two correfpondents in the Public Advertifer, collected and printed by one of the parties to fhame the other; and for the emolument of the printer, Art. 31. An Abstract of the Bill for manning the Royal Navy with Volunteers. With a full Defence of its Principles and Operations, &c. By John Stevenfon. 8vo. Is. Nicoll. 1787. . Mr. Stevenfon has here advanced fuch arguments as tend to prove the utility of the fcheme which the bill propofes. The Pamphlet, befide containing an abstract of the bill, is the fubftance of fix letters addreffed to William Pulteney, Efq; and ten to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; in which, Mr. Steven fon has anfwered feveral objections that have been started against the bill, and hewn many advantages that may arise from adopting the plan here recommended. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 32. The Speech delivered by the Order, and in the Prefence of the King, in the Affembly of the Notables, held at Versailles, the 22d of February 1787, by M. de Calonne, Comptroller General of the Finances. 8vo. Is. 6d. Stockdale. The objects for which this folemn assembly was convened, are of the most important and liberal nature; to improve the revenues of the ftate, by correcting abufes; by a more equal diftribution of taxes; and by freeing commerce from various restraints, that render the inhabitants of one part of the country strangers to thofe of another. M. de Calonne gives a flattering reprefentation of the improved ftate of the national circumstances in a variety of inftances; enumerates the public works now carrying on; states the deficiencies of the finances; and concludes with the propofed measures for rendering them efficient. But though this great public affembly was called together to give a kind of popular fanction to important regulations, it is impoffible to avoid remarking the ftyle in which the King and his minister fpeak to them. The different orders of the ftate are not drawn together to confult on the best means of promoting the public welfare; but, the bufinefs being already prepared and fettled in the royal cabinet, the King fays-" I have affembled you to meet me here, that I may impart to you my defigns.-The plans which will be communicated to you on my part are great and important;-and as they all tend to the public good, I am in no fear to confult you upon their execution." The concluding words of M. de Calonne are,-" Let others recal that maxim of our monarchy, The pleasure of the king is the law; the maxim of his Majefty is, The happiness of the people is the pleasure of the King." The firft is to be understood as a fanding maxim, the latter is no more than an explanatory declaration of what the prefent King's pleasure confifts in. His people then are under the strongest obligation to pray that he may keep fteady in his pleafures, and that his reign may be long; as they have his perfonal fecurity for the enjoyment of good laws under thofe contingencies! **Since the delivery of the above-mentioned fpeech, M. de Calonne has been removed from his high office of Comptroller General of the Finances; but we do not perfectly understand the nature of the offence which he may have given. Art. 33. Kearley's Table of Trades, confiderably improved. 1s. 6d. Kearsley. 1787. We noticed the first edition of this compilement in our Review for September 1786, p. 234. The additions now made, confift of the laws relative to mafters and fervants, calculations of wages and rents, &c. Art. 34. The Gentleman's Guide in his Tour through France. With a correct Map, &c. &c. 12mo. 3s. 6d. Half-bound. Kearsley. 1787. We gave an account of the first edition of this work in our 35th volume, p. 31.; where we recommended it as a useful, though not an elegant publication. This edition has received feveral improvements and additions, particularly M. Necker's account of the pro ducts, ducts, manufactories, finances, divifion of the kingdom, &c.; and is fo neceffary a pocket Vade mecum to those who travel in France, that we think none who need fuch information fhould be without it. Art. 35. The Gentleman's Guide in his Tour through Italy. With a correct Map; and Directions for travelling in that Country. 12mo. 4s. 6d. Half-bound, Kearsley. 1787. It will naturaily be asked (fays this Writer), why we have more travels into Italy, when we have had too many already? The anfwer I shall make to the question is this; Moft of our travelling books have been evidently written with a view to be read by the fire-fide at home, rather than to accompany a man abroad.' This obfervation feems very juft, and the Author has adopted a contrary method from that which, in the above extract, he has mentioned as the most general among voyageurs ;-accordingly, his book is not to be read by the fire-fide at home,' but to take in the pocket when travelling. It contains a great variety of information for this purpose; and to all who make the tour of Italy we recommend it as a very useful pocket companion. Art. 36. Sketch of a Tour through Switzerland. With an accurate Map. 12mo. 2s. Half-bound. Kearsley. 1787. Advertisement. The following Tour is intended to fall within the compafs of the generality; and is chiefly tranfcribed from a journal written on the spot. Whoever would penetrate deeper into the natural beauties, and variety of political conftitutions in this interesting country, muft confult Mr. Coxe's Travels, M. de Luc's Letters, M. de Sauffure's Voyages dans les Alpes, Dictionnaire de la Suiffe, &c.' This is ingenuous on the part of our Author, and we commend him for it. His Sketch comes under the fame defcription as the above-mentioned two publications, viz. the not being a firefide book, but adapted for the confultation of the traveller in his chaife; for this purpofe only it is calculated, and for this it is very ufeful and neceflary, as informing the Reader concerning the best inns, the roads, the curiofities in the different towns, &c. and many other things, which were we to enumerate, would occupy too much of our room. Art. 37. Reformation; or a Plan for abolishing Chriftianity. Humbly fubmitted to the Confideration of the Legislature. 12mo. 2s. Becket, 1787. Lord Orrery, fpeaking of Swift's argument against abolishing Christianity, obferves, that a fmall treatife, written with a spirit of mirth and freedom, must be more efficacious than long fermons, or laborious leffons of morality.' Such was, obvioufly, Swift's view, in writing that exquifite piece of wit and humour, and' fuch is plainly that of the Author of Reformation; who tells us, however, that his prefent publication contains only the outlines of a plan projected chiefly for the good of the state. Not that he is altogether unmindful of himfelf; for he pleafantly adds, if, admiring my patriot-fpirit, his Majefty's minifters fhould be pleased to fend for me (and I very humbly infinuate that I am to be found at my bookseller's every day about dinner-time), I fhall certainly wait on them with the greatest pleasure.' Bb3 One One part of his plan of reformation, is to pull down all the churches, and other ufelefs places of worship, and, with the materials, to erect a magnificent palace for the King; a building really wanted. As the revenues of the bishops and clergy are to be appropriated to the ufe of the state, the Author is a little pofed to know what we are to do with the men! He hints at Botany Bay; but, on fecond thoughts, he prefers the idea of fending them forthwith to America.' Yes,' adds he, America is certainly the place for them. There they may be fure of finding friends, particularly the prelates, who will be welcomed with acclamations, and received with open arms. A few years ago, this would have been thought a fevere fentence for the clergy-even worfe than Botany Bay; where, at leaft, they would run no risk of the fcalping knife, or the tarbarrel and feather-bag--but now, tempora mutantur! LAW. Art. 38. The Country Lawyer: containing large Abftrafts of feveral Acts of Parlament, &c. &c. By Dr. John Trufler. 35. Sewed. Murray. 1786. 12mo. A ufeful compilation for those who are not in poffeffion of Burn's Juflice, the books on parish law; or works of a fimilar kind. It is defigned' fays the Author, to give perfons information on fabjects which daily occur, and which they are frequently at a loss to obtain. There is an ample index, which will enable the inquirer eafily to find what he is in search of. Art. 39. The Trial at large, in feveral Informations in the Nature of a Quo Warranto, The King against Mr. Amery, one of the Aldermen, and Mr. Monk, one of the Common Councilmen of Chefter. Before Sir James Eyre and a Special Jury, at the Affizes at Shrewsbury, August 9, 1786. 8vo. 35. 6d. Chefter, printed, and fold by Lowndes, London. This is merely a local affair, relative to the charters of the city of Chester. To perfons interested in the fubject, this publication may appear to be of importance. MEDICAL. Art. 40. An Efay for a nofological and comparative View of the Cyranche Maligna, or putrid fore Throat; and the Scarlatina Anginofa, or Scarlet Fever with Angina. By William Lee Perkins, M. D. Member of the Royal Medical Society at Edinburgh. 8vo. Is. 6d. Walter, &c. 1787. The extreme danger, with which the difeafes here described are univerfally attended, is a ftrong inducement to the humane phyfician for minutely investigating their nature and determining their characteristics. In the beginning they affume, efpecially in robuft habits, fuch highly inflammatory fymptoms, as may frequently mislead an able, much more a young and incautious practitioner, in the method of cure: an injudicious bleeding on the firft, fecond, or third day of a putrid fever or fore throat, has been productive of more harm As there would be a great furplus, might it not be applied to the finishing of Carleton House? than |