ART. 30.-A Discourse in Defence of the Country, delivered in the Parish Church of Clewer, the County of Berks, on Sunday, August the 7th, and before the Troops in Garri son, at Windsor, on Sunday, August 14, 1803. By the Rev. M. H. Luscombe, A.B. &c. Published by Request. 12mo. 3d. Hatchard. 1803.

The patriotism of the orator prevents us from exercising the seve rity of criticism on his discourse.

MEDICINE, &c.

ART. 31.-Three Letters on medical Subjects: addressed to the Reverend Gilbert Ford, Ormskirk, Lancashire. Containing 1. An Account of the Effects of an Aloetic Medicine in the Gout and other chronical Complaints. 2. A Practice which has been successful in the individual Prevention of the late Epidemics. 3. An Account of the sedative Properties of the granulated Preparation of Tin, in some Affections of the Mind. By John Ford, M. D. 8vo. 2s. 6d. White.

1803.

The first and second of these letters relate to an aloëtic medicine, recommended for obstinate costiveness, for gout, and designed to guard against the contagion of fever. The preparation is a secret: but, as its excellencies are asserted to depend on the fineness of the powder, on its being carefully sheathed, and rendered soluble in the fluids, it may be easily understood. The third letter is on the effects of granulated tin. 'It is said to have a sedative power, acting as an opiate, in many cases of nervous irritability. By its weight, also, it is supposed to carry off, more effectually than any other medicine, accumulations of phlegm in the stomach, indurated mucus, and other obstructing matter from the bowels. The author gives it in circumstances of peculiar delicacy, and thinks it perfectly safe. After three doses, it is followed by a dose of an active purgative.

POETRY.

ART. 32-A poetical Petition against Tractorising Trumpery, and the Perkinistic Institution. In four Cantos. Most respectfully addressed to the Royal College of Physicians, by Christopher Caustic, M.D. LL.D. ASS. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Aberdeen, and Honorary Member of no less than nineteen very learned Societies. 3s. 6d. sewed. Hurst. 1803.

820.

We formerly remarked, that, on the publication of Dr. Haygarth's work, it was not impolitically alleged by Dr. Perkins, that there was not the slightest collusion between him and that author. On the present occasion, we see more striking symptoms that the poem is an attack of a friend in disguise. Yet the author deals his blows around with such causticity, sparing neither friend nor foe, from the indelible ink' of Dr. Lettsom, and the kindred jingle of Matilda's lyre,' to Dr. Darwin, tracing organised molecules from slaughtered armies to tribes of insects, and thence again to the nobler animals, through the

profoundest parts of the bathos, and the sublimest of the hupsos, that his real object cannot be always ascertained. We think him, however, the friend to the tractors, and peculiarly severe against Dr. Haygarth and Dr. Lettsom.

Our author's knowledge seems to be extensive; and he is by no means sparing of his communications: his descriptions are animated, and sometimes poetical; but his wit often borders too much on punning; and the whole is too extensive. Quidquid præcipics, esto brevis, is a precept of Horace, and is peculiarly applicable to smart satire. Convulsions, it is said, may be produced by tickling. Scientific and professional humour is not generally attractive, because not generally understood. As we wish to steer clear of controversy, we shall select a specimen which, we trust, will give no offence.

But, hark! what means that moaning sound!
That thunder rumbling under ground!
What mean these blue sulphureous flashes,
That make us all turn pale as ashes.

Why in the air this dreadful drumming,
As though the devil himself were coming,
Provok'd by magical impostors,

To carry off a doctor Faustus!

Why scream the bats! why hoot the owls!
While Darwin's midnight bull-dog howls!
Say, what portends this mighty rumpus,
To fright our senses out of compass;
'Tis Radcliffe's sullen sprite, now rising,
To warn you by a sight surprising,
More solemn than a curtain lecture,
Or Monk-y Lewis' Spanish Spectre !
Now, in a sort of moody mutter,
These awful sounds I hear him utter,
Which make my heart to beat and thwack it,
And burst the buttons off my jacket.

"'Tis not from motives of endearment
That I have burst my marble cearment;
No; I'm from Hades, in a hurry,
To make above ground one d-d flurry!
"Arm'd, as the dread occasion urges,
With Ate's borrow'd snakes and scourges,
I come to rouse ye into action,
To crush the Perkinizing faction.
"I'll batter ye with Pluto's bludgeon,
Unless to battle you now budge on,
And make more bluster with your train,
Than devils in a hurricane!

"I'll drive ye down"-but dawning day
Bids bullying phantom hie away;

While horror makes each hair stand stedfast,
Like quill of hedgehog in our head fast!'

P. 31.

It is, indeed, the burden of the song, that the tractors are to ruin the physician.

ART. 33.—John and Dame; or, the loyal Cottagers: by Mr. Pratt: to which are added interesting Particulars of the History of John and Dame. 800. 1s. 6d. Phillips. 1803. The loyalty and affecting simplicity of this little story render it much more attractive than its poetry: yet the latter, in the pathetic strain, merits our commendation. It sometimes, however, partakes of the lullaby; and, affecting peculiar and minute simplicity, is occasionally puerile.

The story occurs in the second volume of Mr. Pratt's Gleanings. The conclusion of that work has reached us, and is under considera-, tion.

NOVELS, &c.

ART. 34.-Frederick Montravers, or The adopted Son: a Novel. By Sophia Woodfull. 2 Vols. 12mo. 6s. Crosby and Co.

Boards.

We had flattered ourselves that the race of novelists was improving, but have, we find, been mistaken. The present work can be characterised only by negatives-without characters, without conduct, without interest or probability, it will not even strut its little hour. We trust that miss Woodfall may be more successful in another character, or in another office-that her next production may not be abortive, that her son may not require adoption.

ART. 35. The deserted Wife: a Tale of much Truth. 2 l'ols. 12mo. 7s. Boards. Lane.

If such are the tales of truth, our novelists are spared the labour of fiction; for though, in this department, poetry is most successful, yet, in modern novels, invention seems to be an animal of slow growth, and no great activity, often distorted and rickety. As it is true, we must not blame the conduct, nor the catastrophe. The tale is, however, interesting and eventful, not often carried beyond the bounds of probability; in many parts, simple and natural. The display of so much artful villany is not, we think, in general, proper. Some may copy the lesson, and overlook the event, as boys read the fable, and pass over the moral. Though Brisac, however, is severely punished, the subordinate agents escape. Ralph and Birtha, indeed, fly to the continent: had it been said to France or Holland, under the protection of Buonaparte, we should have thought the punishment sufficiently

severe.

ART. 36.-Tales of an Exile: by W. F. Williams, Author of Sketches of modern Life, &c. 2 Vols. 12mo. 68. Boards.

Lane.

The Exile is a slight bond of union for three tales, light, pathetic, and not without interest or instruction: yet they possess not any striking merit, either in the display of character, in situation, or language.

MISCELLANEOUS LIST.

ART. 37.-A Reply to the Anguis in Herba of the Rev. James Hook, M. A. and F. S. A. Containing a Refutation of his Defence of Pluralities, Non-residence, and the Employment of Substitutes by the beneficed Clergy. By a Member of the established Church. 8vo. 2s. Mawman. 1803.

Mr. Hook's arguments are fairly refuted in this work, though much school-boy Latin is introduced, which neither assists the reasoning, nor gives any embellishment to the composition. The author wishes for a new survey of the value of livings, which would tend to the improvement of those of inferior worth, and prove the little need there is of the combination of livings in one person, too frequently to be met with in many dioceses. He would also recommend to the legislature to order that more than one living, of a certain value, should not be held by the same incumbent; yet even in livings calculated at. less than a hundred a-year, which he thinks have a fairer shew of argument in their favour for combination, he conceives, and with reason, that the person who does the duty is entitled to the profits. There cannot be a doubt that the present system of non-residence is a great evil it has led to the shameful advertisements and sales of livings in coffee-houses, where they are often treated as mere sporting boxes; and a neglect of ancient discipline has been the consequence. The author of this pamphlet sees the evil in its true light; and he argues with due zeal for the church, of which he is a judicious advocate. ART. 38.-A Sketch of the Character of Dr. John Erskine, one of the Ministers of the Old Gray Friars Church of Edinburgh, who died on the 19th of January, 1803; being the concluding Part of a Sermon delivered in that Church, on the Lord's Day immediately after his Funeral. By Thomas Davidson, D. D. &c. 8vo. 6d. No London Bookseller's Name. 1803.

Dr. J. Erskine was a worthy man and a celebrated preacher. He had, it seems, a very exalted idea of his profession; for he was persuaded, that, in respect of dignity of utility and of personal satisfaction, the ministerial function, rightly discharged, is to be placed above the most splendid secular employments.' Such an opinion may very properly justify the small salaries paid to the ministers of the church of Scotland. The panegyrist also informs us, that, in a moment, this good man's spirit was, by that Almighty power which raised Christ from the dead, made perfect, and immediately conveyed, by ministering angels, into the joyful presence of his exalted Saviour. There he hath met an universal welcome, there he hath received the most significant testimonies to his labours in the Lord.' The writer is, we presume, a Swedenborgian, and has received this information, by post, from the heavenly regions; but, however well it might suit a friar extolling the praises of the favourite saint of a country-village, such language ill becomes the modesty of a protestant pulpit.

ART. 39.-A Letter to the Rt. Hon. Charles Abbot, Speaker of the House of Commons, containing an Inquiry into the most effectual Means of the Improvement of the Coasts and Western Isles of Scotland, and the Extension of the Fisheries. With a Letter from Dr. Anderson to the Author, on the same Subject. By Robert Fraser, Esq. 8vo. 3s. sewed.

G. and W. Nicol.

1803.

Mr. Frazer offers many arguments in opposition to the plan of what is called the Caledonian canal, from Murray Frith to Fort William. We cannot judge of the force of these arguments; but they appear to us satisfactory; and, after that very judicious canal of Crinan, joined to the communication between Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Caledonian canal appears to us unnecessary. Mr. Frazer proposes another from Saltcoats to Edinburgh (to the south of the former), passing through the northern part of Lanerkshire, which is very rich in coals, that may be conveyed to Edinburgh at an easy rate.

The great object, however, of this letter is to propose the abolition of the duty on salt, in order to assist the establishment of fisheries. This is undoubtedly a measure that would be highly salutary, and indeed alone sufficient, for the prosperity of the Highlands, as well as various branches of manufacture. It is, however, a financial object of such importance, that we greatly fear, at the present moment, the duty cannot be given up. Could it, however, take place, Mr. Frazer supposes that would occasion emigrations from America.

ART. 40. Additions to the Elements of general Knowledge, inserted in the second Edition. By Henry Kett, B. D. &c. 8vo. 1s. Rivingtons. 1802.

It was scarcely necessary to print these additions in a separate form. The author's portfolio will easily furnish him with a similar number, as long as readers are to be caught by the attractive title of the Elements of general Knowledge. One addition, on the subject of the mathematics, is too honourable to the writer to be here omitted. 'It was much my wish to have cancelled the sheet in which the note on Kepler appears, as it is replete with typographical errors, and my own incorrect notions of the subject.' These additions are not wholly free from inaccuracies. The odd hours and minutes which complete the year' make up more than a day in the space of a century, for they make up nearly a day in four years; but, by intercalating a day, there will be an error in excess which is corrected by onitting a day every fourth century, the error produced requiring a subsequent correction. The old style used till September 1752 (in England, should be added), when the new was adopted in all the countries of Europe' (except Russia), unless Mr. Kett has expunged Russia from the map of Europe, or his list of Christians.

Philips. 1803.

10s. 6d. Boards.

This selection is peculiar. It neither consists of the conversation of Addison, of his minuter works, nor of extracts from his publications It