Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

necessity of a farther importation, we should think, would before this time have been at an end. We would not overlook the interest of the West India planter, but his interest ought not to be promoted by an unjustifiable waste of human life, even in a black skin.

Art. 39. Substance of the Debates on a Resolution for abolishing the Slave Trade, &c. which was moved in the House of Commons, 10th June, 1856, and in the House of Lords, 24th June, 1805. With an Appendix, containing Notes and Illustrations. Cr. 8vo. pp. 216 49. boards. Phillips and Fardin. 1806.

At length the public his been gratified by the success of the attempt to procure an abolition of the odious traffic in human liberty and happiness; and it will receive with pleasure the present record of the debates in both houses of parliament, which immediately led to the recent ratification of the ministerial plans for accomplishing this laudable design. The speeches appear to be in sub-tance carefully detailed; and the notes afford various interesting exemplifications of the argument.

Art. 40. The genuine Art of Guaging made easy an 1 familiar, exhibiting all the principal Methods actually practised by the Officers of his Majesty's Revenue of Excise and Customs, also the established Rules for finding the Areas and Contents of Stills, &e &c. Peter Jonas, late Supervisor of Excise. 8vo. 95. boards. Dring and Page, Tooley Street.

By

The genuine art of guiging, as the author calls it, is explained sa tisfactorily and fully in this treatise: indeed too fully, since the bulk of the volume might have been considerably c contracted. What neces sity was there for making a discourse on decimal fractions, and on square and cube roots, as an introduction to this genuine art? Are not these things learnt previously by him who undertakes to make, himself master of the science and practice of guaging? With equal reason, the author might have transcribed Euclid's Elements into his treatise. In page 77, he has restricted the meaning of the word parallelogram; and according to him a parallelogram must be a icctangle.

This work, as it must necessarily happen, has excited in our min 1s but small interest: we have, however, examined several of its rules, and they appear to us sufficiently commodious. The author speaks of Clarke's hydrometer. Is not this instrument, by a late regulation, ordered to be disused, and another substituted in its stead?

Art. 41. Public Characters of 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806. 8vo. 3 vols Ics. 6d. boards, each. R. Phillips. In noticing the former volumes of this compilation, we sufficiently pointed out the general objections to which all living biography inust be liable, and those in particular to which the present work was exposed, on the score both of selection and of composition. The same remarks apply to the subsequent volumes: but the same recommendations also continue, which seem to insure to the design a degree of public countenance. These recommendations are, its indulgeace of a spirit of curiosity which is ever calling for gratification, its supply

of

of interesting anecdotes, its occasional delineations of amiable traits and instructive examples, and its record of facts and dates. On these grounds, the publication has claims to patronage and in the latter point of view, especially, it may supply materials for more complete biography and history: but it must ever be consulted with grains of allowance, not only where partiality or hostility is obvious, but even with respect to the total suppression of disobliging circumstances. We could point out some instances of hiatus of this kind, which leave the chain of events most staringly open.

Art. 42. A complete Verbal Index to the Plays of Shakspeare, adapted to all the Edicions. Comprehending every Substantive, Adjective, Verb, Participle, and Adverb, used by Shakspeare; with a distinct Reference to every individual Passage in which each Word occurs. By Francis Twiss, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 1180. 31. 3s. boards. Egerton, &c.

If it be drudgery to compile an Index. what must be the task of reviewing it by an ample verifying examination? We can boast of being equal to the former, but from the latter we shrink with fixed despair. The renowned Jedediah Buxton, of word catching memory, is, alas! no more, and we know not any worthy successor to his fame. Were he living, his talents might, in this industrious age, be made subservient to literature, in index-making, or in index revising; and on the present occasion, we should eagerly have sought his assistance. Seriously, however, the merit of an index can only be ascertained by experience, by a trial nearly as long as that to which Horace would submit an original composition: but the utility of such an achievement as that of a verbal index to Shakspeare, must be as obvious as its labour; and to Mr. Twiss, for having accomplished this Herculean service, the thanks of the public are due, in a mode in which we trust he will copiously receive them.

Mr. T. justly observes that, by the aid of such an index, many obscure passages in our great dramatic author may be more readily illustrated; and that it will be eminently serviceable even to those who do not study him as a national classic, but recur to him as a writer abounding in common places, whose works contain something applicable to the occurrences of almost every hour.' He fairly admits that accuracy constitutes the sole merit of such a work, and that errors can scarcely have been avoided in several hundred thousand refer ences. but he asserts that he has spared no pains either in the notation of the words, or in the correction of the press and to the praise of general correctness he boldly puts in his claim.' The last labours of Mr. Stevens, as an editor of Shakspeare, being given to the world during the progress of this compilation, Mr. Twiss submitted to the duty of collating that edition with the one which he had used; and wherever any deviation in the text, not merely literal, was detected, he has inserted double references: thus adapting his index to every edition of Shakspeare's writings. He has also considered the play of Pericies as the composition of our celebrated bard, on the authority of Mr. Malone and Mr. Stevens, and has indexed it accord. ingly. The reader is not to expect from the phrase in the title page, complete verbal index, that he will here find a reference to every word

used in Shakspeare, but must attend to the restrictive denominations of words which follow in the title. Pronoung, for instance, are excluded, and therefore he must not seek for the constantly recurring monosyllables, I, thou, he, sve, you, they, &c.-nor for all the host of prepositions, conjunctions, relatives, articles, &c.

In the year 1790, the late Mr. Ayscough published an index to passages and words in Shakspeare, but it was more particularly constructed for the edition to which it was then appended. We gave an account of it in our 4th vol. N. S. p. 421. and not only made some remarks on the nature of the undertaking which will apply to Mr. Twiss's production, but produced a few samples of criticism, which perhaps we might parallel on this occasion: but, if any circumstances can make Every Gentleman his own Reviewer, this is one of them. Art. 43. Memoirs of the Life of Horatio Lerd Viscount Nelson, &c. &c. with the Account of the last Honors paid to his Remains by a grateful Country, &c. By J. Hardy, Esq. 1210 18. Crosby and Co. A concise and cheap compilement, which may serve for the more ordinary purposes of circulating the records of Nelson's great deeds, but puffed with claims to which it is not intitled, and intended to be sanctioned by a name which may be mistaken for that of the hero's Captain, and which we suspect to be only assumed for that purpose.

SINGLE SERMO N.

12mo.

Art. 44. The Duty of Stedfastness in Church Communion. By Edward Pearson, B D. Rector of Rempstone, Nottinghamshire. 6d. Hatchard. Though the antient Jews occasionally yielded to that intercommunity of worship which was prevalent among idolaters, it was inconsistent with their faith in Jehovah as the only true God, and is justly reprobated by the prophet. Jehovah and Baal could not be both acknowleged, in the same manner a. Gentile might, without any violence offered to his creed, prent offerings to Minerva at Athens, and to Jupiter Capitolinus at Rome. Mr. Pearson supposes that no more fellowship ought to subsist between the Protestane Established and the Protestant Non established Churches of this country, than between the communions of Jehovah and Baal; and he severely reprobates those who attend the service of the Church on one part of the Sunday, and that of the Meeting-house on the other. He considers these accommodating Christians as "halting between two opinions," (text 1 Kings xviii 21) and seriously urges them to reflect on the impropriety of their conduct. He charges them with violating the unity of the Church, with the sin of schism, and with pronouncing the sentence of their own condemnation. Assuming, perhaps, a loftier attitude than becomes a Protestant, he reminds the Meeting-house frequen.er that, in the most important concern possible, he gives up a certainty for an uncertainty ;' that dissenters in general are not as safe in separating from the Church of England as the Church of England from the Church of Rome;'- and that we bave ground from Scripture for supposing that there is an efficacy in the offices of religion, when they are administered by persons who are duly authorized to adicinister them, which they have not when ad

[ocr errors]

ministered

ministered by others.' The persons, against whom the preacher directs his discourse, may say that the principles of both churches, are nearly the same; and that they only wish to enjoy the benefits of two modes of worship both alike Christian, and to cherish a liberal, in opposition to a party spirit.-We shall not enter into any argument with Mr P.: but we think that he has exposed himself to some sharp animadversions; and that he will be laughed at for credulity, when he gravely states, on the report of a Mr. Somebody, that a Meeting house minister lately prayed that "it would please God to rain down bricks and mortar from heaven, with which Meeting houses might be built.” Could not Mr. P. smell a hoax?

CORRESPONDENCE.

ENT. of Kennington obligingly communicates some remarks on a passage in Massinger, which attracted our notice in reviewing Mr. Gifford's late edition of that author. (See Rev. for January, p. 11. With regard to the term Galley-fist, he says, he has in his possession a very scarce large view of London, well engraved by vicholas John Visscher, who flourished in 16co, with the principal buildings, &c named in it; and which contains a large pleasure boat, with 3 or 4 masts, much ornamented and fitted up stemingly for parties of pleasure, called the Galley fuste." A naval friend, he informs us, describes it as "a ship-rigg'd vessel, with a jigger-mast abaft to set the mizen on," and our correspondent adds thatit certainly was not a Lord Mayor's Barge, as described by Mr. Gifford, as it stands very high out of the water, and is pierced for several Guns.'-E.N.T. then enters into some etymological conjectures, which we suspect to be erroneous; and we have now to subjoin, that our old friend. N. Bailey, in his valuable Etymological English Diction ury, (which we before unaccountably omitted to consult,) inserts the wind Feist, and calls it “a finnere, or small ship, with sails or gars” -These concurring evidences seem to set the question at rest with regard to the meaning of the term Gally feist:-Bullions, and Quirpo or Cuerpo, (see also Bailey) we have already explained:- so that this passage in Massinger, and the division of a beau's time in the days of that poet, may now be fully understood.

I. S. refers to an Extract from a book which we have not now at hand.

Our correspondent at Emanuel College is under a mistake. We have never seen a 2d Edition of the work which he mentions.

A very warm admirer' almost scorches us with his flaming praise: but we must coldly inform him, trat such publications as that which is the object of his warmest solicitude do not attract our attention.

In the APPENDIx to Vol. LI. of the Monthly Review, which was published with the last Number, P. 457. 1.. for there,' x. here. P. 507. 1. 11. after lovers,' add of. P. 1. 12. for .514. powers,' r. power.

[ocr errors]

In the No. for January, P. 62. 1. 26. for and indeed,' r. indeed, and. P. 90. 1. 17. for three into,' r. into three.

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For MARCH, 1807.

ART. I. Biographical Memoirs of the late Rev. Joseph Warton, D. D. Master of St. Mary, Winton College; Prebendary of Winchester Cathedral; and Rector of the Parishes of Wickham and Upham, Hants to which are added, a Selection from his Works; and a Literary Correspondence between eminent Persons, reserved by him for Publication. By the Rev John Wool, A.M., late Fellow of New College, Oxford; Rector of Blackford, Somerset; and Master of the Free Grammar School of Midhurst, Sussex. 4to. PP. 426. 11. 75. Boards. Cadell and Davies. 1806.

[ocr errors]

direct and extensive is the influence of letters in meliorating the condition of society, that the history of every eminent scholar may be safely regarded as a subject of more honourable record than that of heroes and statesmen, who too often shine with a dazzling but destructive splendour. Other views and feelings, too, than those connected with gratitude. alone, contribute to the importance of impartial displays of literary biography; since no object can more deeply interest the student of human nature than a cultivated understanding, and in no circumstances are the mental faculties more distinctly developed than in the acquisition of knowlege and science. We may be allowed to add that, next to familiar access to the living models of learning, the memorials of their talents and virtues are powerfully calculated to rouse genius and inspire emulation. It must at the same time be conceded that the task of commemoration too frequently devolves on those who are by no means qualified for its performance; and while one presents us with little more than a chronicle of dates, a second blends with facts the partialities of consanguinity or friendship, a third recites with complacency the most trivial incidents, and a fourth exalts the hero of his theme into a saint, or a demi-god.

These general reflections have been suggested by the title of the present volume respecting an eminent and amiable literary character, which sufficiently indicates the nature and VOL. LII..

divisions

« AnteriorContinuar »