fure he makes, at this time of day, depends upon the conftruction and extent of that discretionary power which is hourly exercised by the magiftrates in every part of the kingdom, of which experience proves the utility, and to which practice gives the fanétion.

That the magiftrates may be apprifed upon what principles they are empowered, and under what circumftances they will be warranted, and in what degree they are enabled to afford indemnity to an accomplice, fhould no longer remain a matter of uncertainty. And the criminal himself ought to be thoroughly acquainted with the purposes for, and the means by which, he, although guilty, is to efcape with impunity.

A publication therefore upon this fubject, can alone deferve attention when it is free from prejudice, and confirmed by authority.

The difcuffion of the topic by a writer merely, however learned or ingenious, would be fufpected of partiality to a particular cafe or perion, and therefore would afford no fanction for general practice, or future conduct.

To disclose to the world, and particularly to magistrates, what is the law, and what ought to be the practice, the editor communicates to the public at large, he flatters himself with the greatest accuracy, what the learned judges delivered, as their respective opinions upon Mrs Rudd's cafe.'

Art. 35. Law Obfervations relating to the Cafe of Mrs. Rudd. By a Gentleman of the Inner-Temple. 8vo. 19. 6d. Bell.

The Author undertakes to prove, in oppofition to the opinion of Lord Mansfield, &c. the legality of Mrs. Rudd's admiffion by Juftice Fielding as an evidence for the crown; and to establish her title ex debito juftitia, to the royal pardon. He also, very justly, analyses the obfolete practice of approvement.

Art. 36. The Cafe of Mrs. M. C. Rudd, from her first Commitment, to ber final Acquital at the Old Bailey. By a Barrister at Law. 8vo. I s. 6d. Bew.

This detail will be of ufe to the gentleman who advertised his defign of publishing the Life of the notified Mrs. Rudd.

Art. 37. The Trial of Mrs. Rudd, Dec. 8, 1775. Elucidated by fuch Matter as never before tranfpired. By Mr. Bailey, Barrifter at Law. 4to. 6 d. Bell.

More materials for the abovementioned hiftorian.

SCHOOL BOOKS.

Art. 38. A new compendious Grammar of the Greek Tongue, wherein the Elements of the Language are plainly and briefly comprised in English. For the Ufe of Schools and private Gentlemen, whether they have been taught Latin or not. By W. Bell, A. B. 12mo. 1 S. 6 d. Murray. 1775.

Works of this kind have been fo numerous, that one might almoft be ready to imagine, that any farther publications of the fame nature must be wholly unneceffary; yet (with fubmiffion to what has been advanced on this fubject, by a fellow labourer in our vineyard) if we examine into elementary books, we find very few of them

which answer every purpose we could wish, and that there is still room left for improvement. Befide, teachers derive fome advantage, both to themselves and their pupils, from delineating things in their own way, and according to the order of their own ideas.

The profeffed defign of Mr. Bell is, to remove the difficulty which is ufually experienced in acquiring the knowledge of the Greek language. With this view, he hath compiled the prefent treatise in as plain and eafy words as poffible, that the learner may be able to understand it as fast as he reads, whether he has or has not been previously taught the Latin tongue. Great care is taken to digeft the feveral parts of grammar in their proper order, and agreeable to the Latin grammars, that the fcholar, when he proceeds from the one language to the other, may go on with greater pleasure and advantage. The declenfion of nouns and verbs is exemplified with the English annexed to the Greek. The characteristic, augment, and formation of the tenfes are confidered feparately, and explained in a few concife rules for the fake of the memory. In the fyntax the Author has endeavoured to lay down rules for the construction of fentences, in as plain words as poffible; and, with regard to dialects, poetic licenfe, and profody, to comprise briefly whatever he could find taken notice of by the beft grammarians.

In fhort, perfpicuity and concifenefs, without omitting any thing of real importance, has been Mr. Bell's principal aim; and he evidently appears to have fucceeded in this respect, and to have execated the work in general with fidelity, fkill, and judgment. Art. 39. A new compendious Grammar of the Latin Tongue: wherein the Elements of the Language are plainly and briefly comprised in English, &c. for the Ufe of Schools and private Gentlemen. By W. Bell, A. B. 12mo. I s. 6d. Murray. 1775.

What has been faid of the preceding work may, with equal propriety and justice, be applied to the prefent. The Author, who has been a teacher for many years, finding that the tedious grammars, usually taught in fchools, greatly difcourage children in the progrefs of their education, and burden their memories, has drawn up this treatise, with a vew of removing that burdenfome task, and of rendering the grammatical part of the Latin tongue as plain and easy to learners as poffible, without omitting any thing materially afeful. The plan which he has followed, is that of Mr. Ruddiman's Rudiments, carefully fupplying what is wanting therein, efpecially rules for the genders of nouns, the preterperfect tenfes of verbs, profody &c.

It is fufficient to fay, that the execution of the plan is anfwerable, to the ends intended by it, and does credit to the compiler. Art. 40. The Royal Golden Inftructor for Youth throughout the British Dominions. In order to furnish them with a complete Knowledge of their Mother-language; being a copious Abridgment of the Royal Univerfal British Grammar and Vocabulary, &c. &c. By D. Farroe, M. D. 12mo. I s. 1 s. 6d. Rivington. However commendable is the loyalty of this Author, we could not read without a fmile the Dedication (by permiffion) of his Golden Infractor

Inftructor to their Majefties; and we are perfuaded, if their Majeflies fhould read it, they will be a little diverted with their Elaborate Votary, as he terms himself.- Granting, fays he in the conclufion, moft gracious Sovereigns, your royal pardon to the Author, for affuming (though fincere) his weak ideas of the immenfe fund of your royal innate hereditary virtues; and permit him ever faithfully to fubfcribe in filial obedience, &c. &c.'

This writer's apology for his abridgment is, that it is reduced to half the price of the former, for the benefit of the poor, and for encouragement of allowing this only method of teaching in all charityfchools; that it is compiled in a new mode, and comprised to answer multum in parvo; and if poffible better adapted for the ufe of an infant.' Dr. Farroe, accordingly, in a particular manner, addresses himself to all governors, trustees, &c. of charity-fchools, that they. would admit his Grammar into their nurseries of learning.'

That a man should ever think of troubling poor children, and charity children, with all his rules and observations about words, names, tripthongs, derivations, qualities, &c. &c.! Whatever may be this elaborate man's defign, he is furely a little wrong-headed.

SERMON S.

I. Before the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign Parts; at their Anniversary Meeting in the Church of St. Mary le Bow, February 17, 1775. By the Bishop of Llandaff. 8vo. I S. Harrison and Co.

To this good Sermon is added, an abftract of the charter, and proceedings of the fociety. It appears that the benefactions, &c. for the year 1774, amount to the fum of 25391. 8 s. 6d.

II. The Doctrine of Faith and good Works, ftated and explained, at an annual Commemoration of Mr. Welt's Charity, on St. Thomas's Day, 1774, in the Parish Church of St. Giles, Reading, Berks. By John Halward, A. M. late Curate of the faid Parish, and Fellow of Worcester Coll. Oxon. 6 d. Vallance and Simmons, Cheapfide.

T

CORRESPONDENCE.

HE favour of CANDIDUS is acknowledged.-There are two different schemes now on foot, for accomplishing what he recommends to the Editor' of the M. R; who, however, has no concern in thofe undertakings. Should either of them be executed, it is apprehended the purpose mentioned by CANDIDUS will be anfwered.

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For FEBRUARY, 1776.

ART. I. Sir Eldred of the Bower, and the Bleeding Rack. Two Legendary Tales. By Mifs Hannah More. 4to. 2s. 6d. Cadell. 1776.

IR Eldred of the Bower is a fhocking performance indeedInfomuch that, though the Author fhould efcape under the privilege of her sex, the bookseller, the printer, and his whole diablerie ought to fuffer condign punishment.-For, what right have these dealers in fiction to prefent us with diftreffes that rend the very foul of fenfibility? Are there no real evils in life? Are not our friends, are not our fellow-citizens, falling around us?—Alas! we have now few tears to spare for ideal calamities. Yet, though the story of this poem barrows up the foul, it is too well executed not to seize on our attention. It bears every charm of ease, elegance, pathos, and melodious numbers.

We are, in the first place, prefented with the condition and character of the hero :

There was a young, and valiant Knight,
Sir ELDRED was his name,

And never did a worthier wight
The rank of knighthood claim.

Where gliding Tay her ftream fends forth,
To crown the neighbouring wood,
The ancient glory of the North,

Sir ELDRED's castle food.

The youth was rich as youth might be
In patrimonial dower;

And many a noble feat had he
Atchiev'd, in hall, and bower.

Rav. Vol. LIV.

H

He

He did not think, as fome have thought,
Whom honour never crown'd,
The fame a father dearly bought,
Cou'd make the fon renown'd.
He better thought, a noble fire,
Who gallant deeds had done,
To deeds of hardihood fhou'd fire
A brave and gallant fon.

The fairest ancestry on earth
Without defert is poor;
And every deed of lofty worth
Is but a tax for more.

Sir ELDRED's heart was good and kind,
Alive to Pity's call;

A croud of virtues grac'd his mind,
He lov'd, and felt for all.

When merit raised the fufferer's name,

He doubly ferv'd him then;

And those who cou'd not prove that claim,
He thought they ftill were men.

But facred truth the Mufe compels

His errors to impart ;

And yet the Mule, reluctant tells
The fault of ELDRED's heart.

Though kind and gentle as the dove,
As free from guile and art,
And mild, and foft as infant love
The feelings of his heart;

Yet if diftruft his thoughts engage,
Or jealousy inspires,

His bofom wild and boundless rage
Inflames with all its fires:

Not Thule's waves so wildly break
To drown the northern shore ;
Not Etna's entrails fiercer shake,
Or Scythia's tempefts roar.
As when in fummer's sweetest day,
To fan the fragrant morn,
The fighing breezes foftly stray
O'er fields of ripen'd corn;

Sudden the lightning's blaft defcends,
Deforms the ravag'd fields;

At once the various ruin blends,

And all refillefs yields.

But when, to clear his ftormy breaft,
The fun of reason fhone,

And ebbing paffions funk to reft,
And fhew'd what rage had done:

O then