swer to a London bookfeller to purchase the plates and accompany them with a translated text. "Defcriptio Machinæ ad Combuftionem Gas Inflammabilis et Vitalis Idoneæ, von J. T. MAYER,-This Machine may facilitate the admixture and accenfion of the airs, and collection and measurement of the water precipitated or formed in the experiment; but it has afforded no new proof of the elemental fimplicity, or reputed compofition of water. Verfuche über die Farben des Lichts, von C. E. WUNSCH."-The object of this pamphlet is to prove that light confifts, not of feven, but of three, primary colours, the red, the green, and the violet. By ming ing prifmatic ftreaks of red and green, a bright yellow is produced; by mingling green and violet, a bright blue. In paffing through fucceffive prifms, the yellow rays feparate into a fringe, edged with red and green; the blue rays into a fringe, edged with green and violet; but the red, the green, and the violet rays do not feparate into fringes (?) by fucceffive refractions. The author feems to think, that rays of the faine colour are not all equally refrangible. "Verfuche über die Chemische Zerlegung des Luftkreifes, von A. v. HUM. BOLDT."-Thefe delicate experiments chiefly relate to the analysis of atmospheric air, which is found, on the average, to contain three-twentieths of carbon. The boldeft theory is that which fuppofes the folid parts of this earth to have been precipitated from an aqueous folution of the whole mafs: and the most probable is that which hints at the oxygeneity of light. JURISPRUDENCE Is fuddenly become a very productive field of literature; furely it is fymptomatic of great impending revolutions in the public conftitution of Germany, that the law of nature, of nations, of provinces, of cities, fhould on a fudden rind fo many expofitors and fo many critics, and that fyltems for its improvement fhould emanate from almost every univerfity in the empire. As moft law-books can excite but a local intereft, we omit the mafs, and felect for notice thofe of the more colmo-political kind. The philofophy of cofmo political law, or of law univerfally binding, was founded by OLDENDORP, who, in 1539, publifhed his "Ifagoge Juris Naturalis, Gentium, et Civilis."It was firft treated in a worthy manner by Grotius, whofe principles Zouch of Oxford practically applies in his "Juris et Judicii Fecialis Explicatio, 1650."-Wolf, in his "Jus Gentium," and in his own abridgement of it, intitled MONTHLY Mag. No. 75. "Inftitutiones Juris Naturæ et Gentium," laid the plan and gathered the materials of that fyftem, which Vattel has fo perfpicu oufly vernacularifed, and fo ably completed, and which has fuperfeded the system of Grotius. To the dry and graceless precifion-the ubiquitary research-the exhauftive fubdivifions and fcholaftic phrafeology, of Wolf, the modern Germans feemingly look back for the model and the guide of their compilations and relearches. The English writers, after Hobbes, mostly tranflate jus naturæ, jus gentium, by law of nature, law of nations: the French, after Barbeyzac, by right of nature, right of nations: but feveral Germans employ the phrase, right of nature;" for on men and nations nature has conferred rights, but no laws; and the phrafe, "law of nations," for on prescription and convention, that is, on common or written law, are founded the reciprocal duties of nations. But we must enumerate, not diffent. "KANT'S Rechtflehre" is a methodical condenfed exhauftive fyllabus of a theory of jurifprudence, full of new words. Kant, like Cudworth, is perpetually minting terms for purposes of exact diftribu. tion. "FICHTE'S Grundlage des Naturrechts" has obtained great reputation. Fichte is the Dupont of Germany he was noticed by the King of Pruffia, that a gracious example might be given of receiving tolerantly the utmoft licence of opinion. The zeal of his fellow-fectaries may have had some share in the magnifi cation of his merit. He is a glowing writer. HUFELAND'S "Einleitung in die Wif fenchaft des Privatrechts." HUFELAND'S " Abrifs der Methodo logie der Rechtsgelehrfamkeit. HUFELAND'S "Inftitutionen des Pofitiven Rechts." HUFELAND'S "Beytrage zur Berichtigung der Rechtfwiffenfchaften," are all fpoken of as the works of a man tedious, induftrious, and omnifcient in his line. The second is a good introductory work. "Populæres Naturrecht, von J. P. LEISLER."-A lucid, calm ftatement of the Theoretical Rights of Man, hoftile to flavery, favourable to property, confiftent with order. This is the first part of a larger intended work. "Verfuch einer Theorie des Gefellf haftlichen Menfchen, von P. C. REINHARD."-Such categorical diftributions recall Hartley's Six Claffes of Intellectual Pleafures; but perfpicuity never refults from methodic formality, where it does 40 646 Retrospect of German Literature-Moral Philofophy, &c not inhere in the mind; and Reinhard's, ftrong as it is, has been somewhat nubilated in the fchool of Kant. "Grundfätze des Peinlichen Rechts, von P. J. A. FENERBACH."-The Theory of Penal Juftice is an important branch of political metaphyfics, the study of which is likely to contribute much to a better arrangement of crimes and punishments.. Beccaria's doctrine, that the damage done to fociety ought to be the measure of punishments, is abandoned: punishments are not vindictive, but prospective, and fhould keep exclufively in view the future prevention of evil. Several other treatifes in this line might be catalogued. "Grundlätze des Natürlichen Staatsrechts, von K. H. HEYDENREICH." A hafty Sketch of a Comprehensive Syftem of Civic Morality and International Obligation. "Geist des Grotius, von G. A. TITTEL."-The Spirit-no, the Skeletonof Grotius; an epitome inferior to that of Ompteda. "Verfuch einer Grundlegung zur Rechtflehre, von J. H. MEYER."-These first lines (as a Scotch Profeffor would call them) of jurifprudence, are drawn up in that fcholaftic diction which the Kantians affect. It is preferable to the barragouin of a profeffional lawyer, because lefs local; but not to the perfpicuity of a Parifian philofopher. Martens and Günther feem forgotten because they are clear. "Handbuch der in nern Staats ver waltung, von J. VON SONNENFELS."-A work by one-of the Abbé Barruel's Illuminees, who is, however, a friend to religion and to order, and fo fuperftitiously inimical to the French Revolution as to apologize for quoting the contrat focial. It treats of interior policy, and is well executed. "Nothwendigkeit einer Allegememen Sæcularization." "Unrechtmäffigkeit der Sæcularifirungen, &c. &c."-Twenty or more pamphlets, which it is ufelefs to enumerate, have appeared, and are appearing, on the fubject of Secularizing the Ecclefiaftical Sovereignties of Germany. Very many of them ferve merely as vehicles for difcuffing thofe changes in the Germanic conftitution for which the political reformers, the pupils of illuminifm, are anxious. Speculations,are thrown out, as if the whole North of Germany, within the line of demarcation might very conveniently become a feparate empire, with the fupreme title hereditary in the house of BrandenburgElectors and Counts to form a diet of Princes, each having one, five, or ten votes, according to his prefent relative confequence, and merging his local fove. . reignty in the extended co-sovereignty. "Urfachen des Englichen National Reichthums, von G. F. NIEMEYER."The wealth of England is here rather extolled, than accounted for. A geographical conformation, which has conferred on a small territory an extraordinary extent of coaft, could not but difpofe the inhabitants to maritime occupations, to fish . ery, to commerce, and to remote coloni. zation. Manufactures are the refult of tranfmarine traffic, and agriculture of the populouínets locally accumulated by manufactures. As to capital, it is a nominal thing, a paper-fiction, the mintage of credit, the creature of convention, the exhalation of a signature. It tends theretherefore to abound in exact proportion to to the probity and prudence of the people. MORAL PHILOSOPHY, METAPHYSICS, EDUCATION, &c. "Theorie der Sämmthchen Religions The order in arten, von D. HEYNIG." which the feveral poffible forms of religion arise, correfponds univerfally, in this writer's opinion, with the progrefs of national culture: at first he detects every where fetishifm, or the worship of tools, like that of Negroes for their kettles; fecondly, uranotheism, or the worship of fun, moon, thunder and meteors; thirdly, herotheism, or the worship of deified men ; fourthly, monotheifm; and fifthly and laftly, Chriftianifm, or Deism improved by the doctrine of pofthumous retribution. "Grundrifs der Metaphyfik, von Kr C. E. SCHMID." Old lead, recaft in the mould of Kant. "Theorie des Müffiggans und der Faulen Rünfte."-This theory of idlenefs, and critique of lazy tricks, is a very amufing piece of humour, which well parodies the formalities of German philofophy, and well fatirizes the foibles of literary loungers: but there is too much of it. "Maximum fen Archimetria." Seemingly an attempt to teach in fcholaftic Latin the realism of former philofophers, in oppofition to those followers of Kant who have fupported idealism: yet a tendency to irony and to moral libertinim pervades the book, and fuggefts the fufpicion of its being intended for an expe riment riment on the credulity of German philofophers. Unterfuchungen über Gegenstande der Moral philofophie, von J. C. HOFFbauer." More common place, recast in the mould of Kant: it is a pity Sempro. nius Gundibert was fo dull a book. MATHEMATICS. "Anfangs grüunde der Analyfis des Unendlichen, von A. G. KASTNER." Skilled alike in epigram and algebra, this veteran philofopher is now publishing a third edition of his Introduction to the Analysis of Infinite Quantities. "Aftronomisches Jahrbuch für 1802, von J. E. BODE."-This ephemeris is drawn up with its ufual completeness : the author has also published a well contrived map of the ftars, with directions for its ufe, under the title "Befchreiburg und Gebrauch einer allgemeiner Himmelfcarte. HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, CHRONOLOGY, &c. Under the direction of Profeffor Eich horn, a Hiftory of the feveral Arts and Sciences has been undertaken at Güttingen, by affociated men of letters. Of thofe fpecimens which have appeared, the public already admire, especially, two. "Fiorillo's Gefchichte der Schönen Künfte." This hiftory of the fine arts does great honour to the author: a tranflation would furely be received in Great Britain with eagerness. "Käftner's Gefchichte der Mathematik". Had Montucla not prepared the way, his reputation would be endangered by to skilful a competitor. G. W. Pauzer, an industrious micro logically learned antiquary, has illustrated the literary life of " Ulrich von Hutten," and has published an amended edition of Mattaire's Hiftory of Printing, with a continuation. The feven volumes are entitled "Annales typogaphici ab artis inventæ origine ad annum, MDXXXVI." "Protocoll der Reichfriendens deputation zer Raftadt von H. Münch. Six tedious volumes of documents and details relative to the late negociation at Raftadt: the hiftorian will figh who is one day to abridge them. "Epaminondas, Biographie von A. G. MEISSNER." An eloquent Life of Epaminondas, including all that is known of Theban History in his time. "Julius Cæfar," a fimilarly conducted biography, has also been published by the fame author. "Hiftoria Regum Hungariæ Stirpis Auftriacæ a Georgio Pray." A found hiftory, but with a Tory bias. "Unfer Jahrhundert von C. D. Voss." A rapid but convenient sketch of the "Pantheon der Deutschen, von J.A. EBERHARD, 2 vols." This work, which is to be continued, resembles our Fuller's Worthies, as it profeffes to include bio, graphies only of those men, who have deferved highly of their country. The life of Leibnitz is read with inoft intereft.s GEOGRAPHY, VOYAGES AND TRAVELS, Log STATISTICS, &c. "Heffische Denkwürdigkeiten, von JusTI und HARTMAN." These provincial illuftrations have their pertinent merit, "Mineralogische Reife durch Ungarn, von JENS ESMARK." A fhort but pro found mineralogical tour in Hungary. "C. D. Ebeling, the continuer of Büf ching's Geography, has published, as a thirteenth volume, a new defcription of North America, chiefly after Morfe.". "Tagebuch einer Keise durch die Portugiefifche Provinz Alentejo." This journey through the province Alentejo offers but every day fare: nada que pai, tọ borrow the author's Portuguese; the words fignify nothing but bread, and are the ufual anfwer of the innkeepers to our traveller, when he asks what he can have for dinner. "Geographie der Griechen und Römer, von CONRAD MANNERT." A fixth part of this admirable Ancient Geography has juft appeared. The whole work should be translated without delay. "Pragmatische Gefchichte der Zölle in Deutschland." A Hiftory of Tolls in Germany, compiled by the labour of J. W. von Ulmenftein. "Ueber Einrichtung einer Telegrafifchen Correspondeuz zwifchen Hamburg und Cuxhaven." The author of this pamph let thinks that the expence now incurred by fending expreffes to and from Cuxhaven, would more than pay for the erection and working of telegraphs, which might tranfmit in lefs time the fufficient intelligence. Telegraphs are fo very flow in Ipelling their words, that where details are neceffary, as is mostly the cafe in mercantile correfpondence, a fingle letter might bufy the fuite of telegraphs a whole morning: they cannot therefore be employed by a numerous public, but must remain a monopoly. Single merchants will find it cheaper to fend expreffes. "Dänemarks Städte und Schlöffer. Thefe views of the principal buildings 402 and and towns in Denmark are accompanied "Hauptveränderungen von Berlin." PHILOLOGY. "Horatii Opera ad exemplar Bentleii "Juftinus des Märtyrers Apologie." "Morgensternii Oratio de Litteris Hu. "Exodia dis hatava ex Codicibus mul- "Anty lhi Ve eris Chirurgi ta sava— BELLES LETTRES AND MISCELLANIES. "Aristippus und fein Zeitalter," by the "Darstellungen zu Vei'chinefung der "Propylæen herausgegeben von "HERDER'S Kalligone."-Some years "J. Stobæi Sermones e MSS. Codicibus Handbuch der Metrik von G. HER metaphors infinitefimally. Novels, Poems, Plays, and Periodical INDEX. |