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"Iltrattato è molto

pronounces on one of his own performances :erudito. L'autore ne ba studiato là materia in eccellenti scrittori." We have likewise to applaud the disinterested spirit of a teacher, who shews how a language may be easily acquired by the meanest capacity without his personal intervention. Health, then, and long life all' Eccel.ma Sigre Sig.re Prène. Cõlmo. Il Sig.re Dott. Antonio Montucci!

Art. 19. English Grammar epitomised, for the Use of Schools. 2d Edition. 12mo. 18. 3d. Button.

Art. 20. English Exercises, for the Use of Schools. 4th Edition. 12mo. PP. 120. Is. 3d. Button. 1806.

Art 21. Introductory Lessons in Astronomy, and other Branches of Natural Philosophy, for the Use of Schools. 2d Edition. 12mo. pp 74. Is. 3d. Button.

These publications are compiled by the same author, and, as the titles express, are introductory works for the use of young persons. The English Grammar is a tolerably good abridgment, in which the rules are brief, and well condensed: the English Exercises contain a great variety of lessons for the improvement of young persons in Spelling and Syntax; and the book on Astronomy, which likewise contains lessons on Geography, is, as far as it goes, useful. These works furnish a compendium of the sciences of which they treat; and for those persons whose stations in life do not require much information, they may be sufficient without having recourse to others.

Entertaining Instructions, in a Series of familiar Dialogues between a Parent and his Children: interspersed with original Fables well adapted to the Capacities of Youth. 12mo. pp. 150. 3s. 6d. Boards. Hatchard.

The author of this work having frequently observed that fables are read by children merely as a temporary amusement, without their paying the smallest regard to the application; and, judging that a previous Dialogue, somewhat analagous to the Fable, might impress it deeper on the mind of the young reader than by merely running through a succession of them which are no sooner read than forgotten, has interspersed a few Dialogues and Fables in such a manner as, from their novelty, may arrest the attention.' This idea is commendable, and the volume is well calculated to fulfil the intention of the author: the subjects are treated in a pleasing and judicious manner; and they are successfully adapted for imparting instruction and amusement to young minds. We have heard the name of a Lady of Distinction mentioned as the writer of these dialogues: but we do not feel at liberty to make it public.

Art. 23. The Second Part of the Pronouncing Spelling Book containing Exercises upon Sound, and short Rules for Pronunciation, &c. By Mrs. Wilmshurst, of Maldon, Essex. 12mo. Is. Conder. The object of this book is to teach young persons, by means of definite sounds given to the letters, the proper mode of pronouncing the English language. To fix standard rules for the pronunciation of a language which is derived from so many sources, and which is REV. MARCH, 1807.

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subject to so many variations as ours, is certainly an impossibility. Mrs. Wilmshurst differs from Mr. Walker; others will likewise differ in opinion from her; and perhaps no two persons, who carefully consider the subject, and trust to their own car, will agree in every respect. Mrs. W., however, has taken pains in adapting the exer cises to the comprehension of young children; and for this as well as other tracts written for their improvement, she deserves well of the public.

MILITARY and NAVAL AFFAIRS.

Art. 24. Observations and Instructions for the Use of the Commissioned, the Junior, and other Officers of the Royal Navy, on all the material Points of professional Duty. Including also Forms of general and particular Orders for the better Government and Discipline of His Majesty's Ships: together with a Variety of new and useful Tables; among which are, General Tables for Watching Ships' Companies in all Rates;-for shewing the Stations of the different Officers at Quarters;-for the general Appropriation of Men at Quarters, in Ships of every Class ;-for Furling Sails;-Mooring and Unmooring-Making and Shortening Sail;-Tacking Ship, &e. &c. With an Appendix, being a complete Set of Forms for Watch, Station, and Quarter Bills for Ships of War. By a Captain in the Royal Navy. 8vo. pp. 78. Steel.

Practical knowlege and experience have evidently dictated this work; which, as appears from the long title-page, contains very numerous and necessary instructions for naval officers. The author proposes it for the use of juniors, and to assist the recollection of others who may have been long absent from duty: for which objects we think that it is well calculated. It may also be advantageously consulted by the most experienced even who are in constant service, as the remarks of the author display good sense and a propriety of judgment, added to knowlege of the subject.

It must be admitted that the writer is well founded in maintaining the utility of one uniform system of orders and arrangements for all ships of war, since at present scarcely any two are regulated precisely alike. He will not, however, in all probability, experience equal concurrence in his proposition for an inspection of a ship by the respective classes of officers, previously to going to sea; because, though his reasons for such a survey are not without foundation and force, the service is already so much harassed by inquisitiorial mea sures, that officers will not readily assent to a suggestion for an addition to them.

Art. 25. Letter to Admiral Lord Keith, &c. &c. &c. With Advice to the Captains who were under his Command, on the Subject of a Dutch Frigate and Five Sail of Dutch Indiamen, found at Anchor, on his Lordship's Arrival at Simond's Bay, June 1795. 8vo. 15. J. J. Stockdale. 1806.

Art. 26. Answer to a Letter addressed to Lord Keith, &c. &c. 8vo. IS. J.J. Stockdale.

The

323 The object of this letter to Lord Keith is to implore his Lordship's interference, for the payment of prize money (or consideration-money) for the vessels mentioned in the title, and which has never yet been distributed. We understand that this is matter of fact, and that blame is certainly due somewhere, but not to Lord Keith who, equally with every seaman in the squadron, has hitherto been deprived of this remuneration. Whether the Admiral's remonstrances are likely to avail, with those who cause so injurious a delay, we cannot pronounce: but undoubtedly the service has reason for complaint.

It is stated by the author that a frigate and five Indiamen were found by Lord Keith lying at the Cape: but the fact is, that three of these latter came in after the Admiral's arrival, and were taken into our possession by the Rattlesnake sloop of war. however, in his argument arises from this little inaccuracy. No difference,

The Answerer accuses the letter-writer, in abusive terms, of a false statement at the outset, which vitiates all future claim to attention, in mentioning a frigate as being taken with the Indiamen. We speak on good information, however, when we confirm the first assertion. There was a Dutch frigate, commanded by Captain Dacres, lying in Simond's Bay; which Lord Keith afterwar permitted to depart, and proceed to Batavia, for reasons not publicly known.-The style of this pamphlet is extremely reprehensible, and the motives of the writer are not easily assignable. thank him for his vindication: done was required; or, if it were, Lord Keith, we are sure, will not none such as this could be acceptable; which, after all its scurrility, leaves the matter of complaint just where it was.

MEDICAL, &c.

Art. 27. Reply to Dr. James Carmichael Smyth, containing Remarks on his Letter to Mr. Wilberforce, and a farther Account of the Discovery of the Power of Mineral Acids in a State of Gas to destroy Contagion. By John Johnstone, M.D. &c. &c. Svo. 58. Boards. Mawman.

We have already noticed the former stages of this, controversy, in which Dr. Johnstone urged the claim of his father to the discovery of the acid fumigation, and Dr. Smyth endeavoured to vindicate his right to the parliamentary reward that was voted to him. This last publication has again called forth the pen of Dr. Johnstone, which he employs with the same talents as before, and with much greater severity. On taking a general review of the dispute, we are decidedly of opinion that the elder Dr. Johnstone was the discoverer of the acid fumigation; and it appears clearly from the work before us, that he was in the habit of using it, on all such occasions as those in which it was afterward recommended by Dr. Smyth. On the other hand, it seems equally clear that Dr. Smyth was ignorant of the method of applying acids in the gaseous state, until after not only Dr. Johnstone but also M. Guyton had published on the subject;

M. R. Vol. xlii. p. 211.; and Vol. xlvii. p. 436.

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and that he did nothing more than employ a different kind of acid, which we are much inclined to regard as less proper for the purpose. -Under these circumstances, we do not hesitate to consider Dr. Smyth's parliamentary grant as unmerited; and though we cannot but regret that the argument should have taken so personal a turn, yet the contemptuous manner in which Dr. Smyth treated his antagonist in some measure excuses the severity of the latter. We hope that the discussion will now be set at rest; and that Dr. Smyth will be satisfied with his 5000l. leaving the merit of the discovery to Dr. Johnstone and M. Guyton.

Art. 28. A Proposal for destroying the Fire and Choak-Damps of Coal-mines and their Production explained on the Principles of modern Chemistry: addressed to the Owners and Agents of Coalworks, &c. By Thomas Trotter, M.D., late Physician to His Majesty's Fleet, &c. &c. 8vo. 2s. Longman and Co.

We are sorry to say that, in the course of our critical labours, we have seldom met with a work which, under the garb of science, presented more ignorance or false reasoning than are here displayed. Fatal accidents frequently occur in coal mines, in consequence of the noxious gases which abound in them, and which are of two kinds, viz. what has been called the fire damp, principally composed of hydrogenous gas, and the choak-damp, consisting of carbonic acid. After much philosophic parade, Dr. T. proposes that the former should be destroyed by fumigating the mines with the oxy-muriatic acid gas; and that the latter should be absorbed by throwing water into them. We imagine that every person, who is in the least degree acquainted with collieries, must know that neither of these remedies would be adequate to the proposed object, and that the employment of them would render the mines absolutely useless.

Art. 29. A Manual of Anatomy and Physiology, reduced as much as possible to a tabular Form, for the Purpose of facilitating to Students the Acquisition of these Sciences. By Thomas Luxmore, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, &c. &c. 38. 6d. Boards. Highley.

This volume contains a great quantity of information, compressed into a small compass; and, as a manual of anatomy, it is fairly intitled to commendation: but the physiological part seems to be extremely defective,

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 30. Sermons for the Use of Families, Vol. II. By Edmund Butcher. 8vo. PP. 435. 7s. 6d. Boards. Johnson.

We noticed with approbation the first volume of these discourses, which was published in 1798.* A second edition has now been printed with this additional volume, in which some corrections have been made, and a sermon on Religious Education' has been substituted for the original Hymns that were subjoined to each discourse

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See Rev. Vol. xxx. N. S. p. 11c.

in the first impression. The contents of Volume II. are in no respect inferior to those of its predecessor. We trace in it the same liberal and enlightened views of Christianity, the same attention to the actual state of society in the choice and manner of treating the subjects introduced, the same union of piety and taste, and the same honourable notions of God and his Providence. The Discourses are truly practical, and in all of them are passages which speak to the feelings and situations of real life.-Mr. Butcher seems well aware that the mysteries of religion, on which questions have been started which no powers of the human intellect can decide, and by the discussion of which, few, if any, dispositions of the human heart have been improved, can never be the essential and most important parts of the religion of Jesus.-His style is animated, and often figurative, but it is never obscure nor difficult of comprehension. If his thoughts are not greatly distinguished by novelty, they are appropriate and judicious; and his appeal to the understanding and conscience of his reader is frequently solemn and impressive.

A short extract will enable our readers to form some idea of Mr. B.'s language and manner.-In the 4th Sermon, the character of the Apostle Paul is thus summed up:

The character of Paul has some shades, but they are faint and few. It is his extreme humility that leads him to speak of himself as he frequently does, "I am the least of the Apostles, and am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. I was before a persecutor, and blasphemer, and injurious:" and in this view he stiled himself" the chief of sinners." It is evident, however, that he was not an immoral character, for he elsewhere tells us, that as touching the righteousness which is of the law he was blameless. Paul of Tarsus had no littleness of soul, no insipidity and apathy about him. His understanding was sound, and his heart at all times ardently upright. When he was convinced of the truth of Christianity, he renounced, without hesitation, every contrary sentiment. Every prospect of honour and advantage from Judaism was given up; every prejudice was sacrificed; and reproach and persecution encoun tered rather than make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. To make others as happy as himself he travelled from country to country. Dangers and sufferings seem only to have invigorated his zeal, expanded his heart, and made him more and more desirous of turning his fellow creatures from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. He had a most lively and glowing sense of the divine love in making him instrumental in the spread of that cause which he once persecuted. His earnest desire to diffuse the Gospel, to make known the Grace of Christ Jesus, and to extend to as many regions as possible the benefits of redemption, are parts of his charac ter supereminently conspicuous. 1 shall close this imperfect sketch. of it with his own words to Timothy. "Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions and afflictions, which came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what conflicts I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Now I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished

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