t the moral faculty. His language is fometimes tumid; but this may ASTRONOMY. Art. 39. The Aftronomy of Comets. By Blyth Hancock, Teacher of the Mathematics. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Murray. 1786. This work contains a brief account of the folar fyftem, and the method of calculating the places of comets moving in parabolic orbits. Our Author exemplifies his theory by calculating fome places of the comet, which is expected to return in 1789. We are forry to add that the prefent, like a former performance by the fame Author, muft evidently have coft no fmall portion both of labour and time, but can afford little affiftance to the tyro, and no information to the proficient. Do EDUCATION, &c. Art. 40. The Converfations of Emily. Tranflated + from the French 12mo. 2 Vols. 75. bound. The approbation and the fuccefs which have attended the literary productions of the Comteffe de Genlis, have, we fuppofe, given birth to the tranflation of the performance before us. We think fo, the rather, as the Converfations of Emily feem intended to convey inftruation, blended with amufement, which was the chief defign of Madame de Genlis. Thefe dialogues are carried on between a young lady and her mother; they are enlivened with little ftories, anecdotes, &c. and are well adapted to inftil into young minds, a defire for knowledge, a due deference to their fuperiors, a becoming condefcenfion to their inferiors, and a polite behaviour to all. The work does not feem to be ill tranflated; which is as much as we can fay, without feeing the original; though we often meet with phrafes that are evidently very literal renderings of the French expreffions. In this age, however, when bocks of education are fo exceedingly numerous, the volumes before us may be affigned, at least, a middle rank in that clafs; and will prove, no doubt, acceptable and useful to thofe for whom the publication is intended. In the Tranilator's Preface, we are informed that the famous Rouffeau was an intimate friend of Madame d'Epigny, and that he advised her to publish this work; we are likewife told, that in the year in which this work was published, a worthy citizen of Paris, zealous for the public good, depofited a fum of money with the French Academy, deftined as a reward to that author, who, in the courfe of the year, fhould produce the mit beneficial work to humanity. This learned fociety, according to the donor's intention, decided among the competitors, and unanimoufly adjudged the prize to Madame d'Epigny . Vid. Monthly Review, vol. Ixix. p. 519. By a Governefs, as a preface informs us, for the ufe of her Pupils. We fuppofe this prize to have been on the fame annual foundation with that beflowed on M. Berquin, for his Ami des Enfans: See Rev. vol. lxx. p. 481. The value was about 50 guineas. The The Empress of Ruffia, who knows how to reward merit, upon the reception of Madame d'Epigny's book, immediately appointed Emily ore of her Ladies of Honour, and fettled on the mother a handfome penfion, with the reverfion of it to the daughter.' Two fuch illuftrious teftimonials will, undoubtedly, have their due influence on the minds of the Public, and will prove a greater recommendation of the work, than any thing we can say in its favour. G.E.G. Art 41. A Spelling-book, defigned to render the Acquifition of the Rudiments of our native Language eafy and pleasant. By Mrs. Teachwell. 8vo. 1s. bound. Marshall. We do not perceive any real advantage or excellence that this Art. 42. Academic Leffons: comprizing a Syftem of Education par- POETRY. E. Art. 43. Ode upon Ode; or, A Peep at St. James's; or, New Year's Still at the K-! Friend Peter! What hath the poor man done? "Nothing." Oh! is it thereabout that the fhoe pinches? Well in time, perhaps, and then we shall hear no more of Mr. Reviewer, your province, I take it, is criticism, not prophecy." Cry your mercy, Squire Pindar: but, a word in your ear ;-Your rantum fcantum fatires, lampoons, and loufy lyrics, can never be tried by the rules and laws of criticifm: you might as well think of making a pig fqueak to the dead march in SAUL, while the butcher's knife is exploring his wind pipe. "Then cut me up, in your own way, and be d. -d!" Let folly fpring-my eagle, falcon, kite, No No-eurfe me if I do.-Thou art a comical, merry fellow! Thou has just treated thy Reviewer with a hearty laugh, and shall he, in return, cut thee up? He, WHO BEARS THE CRITIC'S NOBLE NAME, Mafter Peter, difdains the office of a carcass-butcher! "In return, I now cry your mercy, and wish you a good morning." Exit PETER PINDAR. Go thy way, for a droll, witty, whimsical, magotty mortal, as thou art! And now for thy Ode upon Ode. The Laureat's laft annual production is the fubject of the prefent burlesque; and, as Squire Pindar hath managed the bufinefs, it hath not proved a barren one. The whole court figures in the group poetic. Kings, Queens, Courtiers, Laureats, Flatterers, Toad-eaters, and Connoiffeurs, all pafs in review, in this "FINE GALLANTY SHOW ;" and high will be the entertainment,-to thofe who can afford to pay for peeping. Do,-fee the show. 'Tis richly worth the money-where that commodity is not fcarce. Art. 44. Maria; an Elegiac Poem. By J. M. Good. 4to. 2s. 6d. Dilly. The infpiration of grief alone, without the aid of a cultivated genius and correct tafte, is not fufficient to produce the fimple, tender notes of genuine elegy. In poetry it is much eafier to be magnificent, than touching. With the admirers of the pure language of nature, this piece will never fupplant Lord Lyttelton's Monody, or Shaw's Evening Addrefs to the Nightingale. Art. 45. E. The Vifion; a Poem: to the Memory of Jonas Hanway, The zeal for the memory of a good and benevolent man, which inspired the writer of this day-dream, commands our approbation; but his performance is over-charged with fanciful and flowery defcription, which feems to intimate the youth of the writer. Confidered on the whole, the poem manifefts an amiable turn of mind, congenial with the fubject. Art. 46. The Twaddle, a Christmas Tale. 4to. 1s. Law. 1787. Twaddle, like bore, and hum, and that's the barber, means-fomething that has no meaning at all. If our Readers are not fatisfied with this definition, we wish them to try their hands at a better. Meanwhile, in the true fpirit of this twaddling poet, let what we have here written ftand as a full and true account of his rhiming Chriftmas Tale; to which his prefent publication must be confidered as the preface. Next winter may poffibly bring us the Tale itself. DRAMATIC. Art. 47. The Sultan; or a Peep into the Seraglio; a Farce, in two Acts. By Ifaac Bickerstaffe. 8vo. 6d. Dilly. 1787. This piece is founded upon one of thofe tales which form the elegant collection of Marmontel. From that writer it may be proper, fhortly, to give the ground-work of this little drama. It is pleafant,' he says, to fee the pains, with which hiftorians labour to affign great causes for great events. The fervant of Sylla would probably laugh at the profound reafons given by politicians as the motives of his mafter's abdication. The mcft important revolutions fpring very often from trifling caufes.' To illuftrate this, Marmontel has given a fhort, but entertaining fable, with all thofe graces of ftyle and fentiment, with which he generally adorns his narrative The ftage of Paris has feen it in the form of a drama, called Les Trois Sultanes. Whether Bickerstaffe's performance is a tranflation, or a new fable upon his own ideas, we cannot now determine. Be it as it may, invented or imported, this farce has been, fince the year 1775, a favourite exhibition on the English ftage. The Sultan is reprefented of a character that gives probability to the tale of a delicate and refining temper. He is weary of pleafures, which though varied, pall upon his appetite, from the eafe with which they are attained; he is tired of beauties, that yield their charms through fear or interest. Elmira (one of the train of his feraglio) loves him with true affection. but the Sultan wants fome of thofe difficulties that give a zeft to pleasure. Roxalana an English girl, throws thofe difficulties in his way. She tells the Sultan, that, being born in a free country, fhe muft enjoy her native liberty even in love. To obey in filence is not her maxim. She gives her advice; difapproves of the customs of the feraglio, and freely tells him, that if he will become her pupil, fhe will make him an accomplished prince. The Sultan orders her away. When he is gone, he reflects upon the air of freedom which marks her behaviour. She is not handfome; yet her little nofe, faucily turned up, her fmiling eyes, and playful poftures have an effect all together. Roxalana is recalled: the refufes to obey, but comes unexpectedly with the vivacity of a romp. The Sultan agrees to dine with her; Roxalana invites the company, and fends her orders to the clerk of the kitchen. The Turkish laws of the table are all fet at nought by Roxalana: fhe must have chairs, knives and forks, and even wine. Ofmyn, the minifter, is forced to drink; he fays, as people confcious of guilt are used to do in all countries, "Oh Mahomet, fhut thy eyes.", The Sultan yields in his turn to Roxalana, and having tafted of the grape, throws the handkerchief at her feet: fhe is not willing to furrender upon fuch easy terms. This enrages the Sultan: he orders her from his prefence, but his pride is mortified. That a giddy flippant girl fhould reject his offers, is provoking; but here is diffi culty, and to furmount that difficulty is a point of pride that gives an edge to defire. Roxalana is called in again; the Sultan tells her he is angry: I know it, fays fhe, but love and anger always go together. She is his flave, but will not be his mistress: in a cottage fhe would endeavour to foothe her husband, but were he mafter of a throne, the muft fhare it with him. The laws of the country reftrain the Sultan from marriage. She laughs at his laws, and tells him that he ought to be fometimes defpotic on the fide of virtue. This embarraffes the Sultan: what will his people fay? Her anfwer, is beautiful: make your people happy, and they will be glad to fee that you are fo.' All doubts are now difpelled to win Roxalana's affection, the Sultan agrees to her propofals of marriage. Thus the moral of the piece is fet forth in a firong light: "Who avould have thought that a little faucy cocked-up noję could overturn the laws of a mighty empire ?" Such is Mr. Bickerstaffe's Sultan. We have given it rather in the detail, as among our Readers fome may chufe to revife Marmontel's, and judge, from comparison, of the merit of the English performance. In the hands of Mrs. Abington, it is not a matter of wonder that the Sultan has flourished on the ftage. That lady has been, for fome years paft, the life of the comic mufe: the whims, the caprice, and little foibles of the fair are always reprefented in her action with the nicest art; and we are forry to fee, occafionally, in the common newspapers, a strain of malignity, which we think an illiberal and unjust retribution to the merit and genius of Mrs. Abington. M— yı NOVELS. Art. 48. Zoriada: or Village Annals. 12mo. 3 Vols. 7s. 6d. fewed. Axtell. 1786. This Novelift is fuperior to moft of his brethren at ftory-telling. His portraits likewife have really fomething ftriking in them; the highest coloured of which is that of Parfon Swinborne, a truly contemptible character. This picture we are inclined to confider as a likeness ;but whether it be actually intended for the clerical hero in our eye, or whether it be merely the work of fancy, we cannot pretend to fay; neither is it a matter deferving our inquiry. The fable of this Novel, as we have already hinted, is not unentertaining; we wifh, indeed, we could say any thing in praise of its language, but juftice obliges us to remark, that the whole is written in a very incorrect and faulty manner. Some of the errors, however, are poffibly typographical. Art. 49. The Child of Chance; or, the Adventures of Harry Hazard *. 12mo. 2 Vols. 5s. fewed. Hookham. A.B. The reader is here prefented with the adventures of a hero, who is a gambler and fortune-hunter; and who, at laft, after experiencing the viciffitudes to which people of that ftamp are ufually expofed, reforms, and becomes a refpectable character. The work is not ill written, and difplays a fertile imagination. Do G. Art. 50. Caroline of Lichtfield. Tranflated from the French, by Thomas Holcroft. 12mo. 3 Vols. 9s. fewed. Robinsons. 1786. In this beautiful and interefting novel, the lights and fhades of character are blended with great ingenuity: and in every part of it we discover the hand of an elegant and skilful artist. With wonderful energy and addrefs, the Authorefs unfolds the fecret fprings and complex movements of the human heart; and fo forcibly are the different feelings that agitate the foul, delineated by her magic pencil, that they ftrongly awaken the fympathy of the reader, and intereft him in the diftrefs of the story. Its excellencies are fo many, and fo great, that we wish to forget its blemishes; but our impartiality conftrains us to acknowledge that it hath fome faults to fhade its beauties, and fome defects that envy will magnify, and ftrict juftice muft condemn. In attending to the general execution, and in endeavouring to fecure the capital effect it was meant to produce, the fair novelift hath been too negligent about the minuter parts. * By John Huddleston Wynne, as an advertisement has informed us. |