7

old, who being armed, and carrying bows, are said to have turned back, when their services were the most needed.'

Dr.

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Art. 51. The Fall of Babylon, or the Harmony between Prophecy and
Providence, in the Rise, Duration, and Destruction of Antichrist: de-
livered to the Independent Congregation, Long-Buckby, North-
amptonshire, in which are considered the Opinions of Dr. Valpy,
and E. King, Esq. By William Mosely. 8vo. 18. Chapman.
The question on which Mr. Mosely principally dissents from the
writers above mentioned is concerning the epoch, from which the
1260 years allotted for the rise and ruin of Antichrist is to take its
date. Several opinions have been embraced on the subject.
Valpy and Mr. King have fixed on A. D. 538, the year in which
Vigilius is said to have purchased the popedom; and according to this
date they find the destruction of the man of sin in 1798. Mr. Mosely,
rejecting this ara, (as it should seem with good reason,) fixes on the
year 606 as the commencement of the reign of Antichrist; at which
period, as is generally agreed by writers most eminent for a knowlege
of antiquity, the despotical and hateful emperor Phocas was in-
duced to take from the bishop of Constantinople the title of acume-
nical, or universal bishop, and to confer it on the Roman pontiff.
The fact appears probable, and almost undoubted though Mosheim
delivers the account with some apparent hesitation. Several writers
of note have favoured the sentiment here espoused; among others,
bishop Newton speaks of it as meriting attention. This last men-
tioned author, many years ago, writing on the Revelation of St. John,
considered it as not improbable that the kings of France, who contri-
buted so greatly to the advancement of popery, might some time or
other be the principal authors of her destruction.-Mr. Mosely
justly observes that Antichrist is not yet destroyed. The secular
power, indeed, he allows to be lost: but even this, though he
does not seem to apprehend it, may be recovered:-present appear-
ances lead to a suggestion of this nature: but an impenetrable veil
conceals the result. The author before us discovers a considerable
share of that knowlege which is suited to his subject; he is not a
random theorist, but writes with attention and propriety, and gives to
his speculations a practical direction.

Hi.
Art. 52. Divine Mercy, the Refuge of Sinners in Distress : delivered
at the Funeral of the late Mrs. Littlewood, Rochdale, May 28,
1799, by John Fawcett, A. M. To which is added, an Address
at the Interment, by John Hindle. Published at the Request of
the Hearers. 8vo. 6d. Willis.

This sermon was no doubt acceptable and impressive to those who were present on the affecting occasion of its delivery. It is in the old calvinistic strain: but it presents many seasonable and useful truths in a declamatory style, perhaps rather too diffuse for the press. The annexed address corresponds with the discourse, is adapted to the melancholy occurrence, and is not, as is sometimes the case, drawn out to a tedious and inconvenient length. Hi. Art. 53. The Consolations of Pure Christianity; delivered at Collumpton, July 5, 1798, before the Society of Unitarian Christians, established in the West of England, for promoting

Christian

Christian Knowlege, and the Practice of Virtue, by the Distri bution of Books. By J. Isaac. 12mo. 8d. Johnson.

Happy would it be, if Christians of every denomination did heartily regard those sentiments of candour, liberality, and truth, by which the sermon before us is introduced. Its principal intention is to propose some considerations, which may support a cheerful frame of mind under the discouragements which attend Unitarian Christians; and which ought, also, to convince others, that all religious consolation is not confined to those who have embraced the doctrines of Calvin and Athanasius, which they conceive to be corruptions of Christianity.' Mr. Isaac illustrates his subject with serious simplicity, and concludes by observing, We will not triumph in the spread of any opinions; but will rejoice when we see the comforts and truths of the gospel, exciting all about us to more extensive benevolence and piery, and to the practice of the virtues which shone so brilliantly in the conduct of the Holy Jesus.'

Art. 54. Occasioned by the sudden Decease of Mrs. Christiana
Perkins, at Wilderly, in Shropshire, 18th March 1799, in the
Seventy-First Year of her Age. By Nathan Porteus. 8vo.
PP. 44. Johnson.

There may be somewhat peculiar in the air and manner of this discourse but it is plain, sensible, practical, and useful; while it convinces the understanding, it affects the heart, and exhorts the reader to a life of piety and virtue. The respected person, by whose decease it was occasioned, was the widow of a farmer; who was, like herself, industrious and contented, and discharged with attention, in the fear of God, the duties of his station. Hence, among other instructive remarks, the preacher observes that a rural life is favourable to virtuous habits, and perfecting the moral and religious character. This he does with the design of exciting those who are thus situated, to be sensible of their peculiar advantages, and to improve them wisely. It is (says he) in your situation, that every thing tends to promote that serenity of mind so friendly to serious thought and self-examination. That love of liberty and independence which you inhale with the breath of life gives strength and dignity to the mind.' Yet, inclined as he is to speak advantageously of rural scenes and employments, and to regard crowded towns and cities as unpropitious to virtue, he farther says, • doubtless there are many glorious and shining exceptions-many who have surmounted the wickedness of the world and "come off conquerors:"and I shall be glad to be convinced that vice is not on the whole, triumphant in metropolitan cities !-That Paris and London at present are better than Nineveh and Babylon of old.'

The immediate occasion of his sermon leads Mr. P. to take notice of a sudden decease as a blessing to those who are habitually prepared: On this principle, (he adds,) I never join in the prayer against sudden death.' In the liturgy, where there is so much to admire and approve, it is by no means wonderful that some exceptionable passages should still remain. When the good man has "finished his work," why should he not be glad to go home, and ❝rest from his labours," knowing that his works shall follow him?'

Art.

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Hi.

Art. 55. A Discourse delivered on the Fast Day in February 1799, in the Church of St. Lawrence, Winchester. By the Rev. Henry Gabell, A. B. Rector. 8vo. Is. Cadell jun. and Davies.

As a political Lecturer Mr. Gabell discovers considerable ability and adroitness in combating the principles of certain theorists. He may not be thoroughly correct in all his positions and reasonings, nor so perfectly calm and dispassionate as we could always wish the clerical politician to be: but there is a manliness in his style and sentiments which must please; and, while he labours to expose romantic ideas, he does not wish to repress and chill the noble energies of man, by the benumbing hand of despotism. He does not, like King James's preachers, quote scripture to prove the Divine right; nor express a desire to preclude the people of this country from any real improve ment in the art of civil government :-quite the contrary: men (he says) will sooner believe that the Christian religion is false, than that it is unlawful to resist oppression;' yet he feels himself required to expose the folly of prescribing revolutions as the remedy for every slight disorder in the state; and to guard his countrymen from rushing, under te fear of regal, on the more fatal extreme of popular despotism. He fairly puts the question: Is the British Constitution radically unfavourable to Human Happiness? Every rational person must assert the contrary.

Mr. G.'s observations on philanthropy may expose him to some critical comments: but we have not room for them. He might otherwise be reminded that his remarks apply as strongly against Christian benevolence, as against what he terms the new philosophy. It is true, as Mr. G. observes, that general philanthropy can rarely prompt to any great exertion: but then it tends to expand the heart, and to deliver it from stupid and irrational enmities.

The author farther considers war as an evil inherent in humanity,
as a casualty inseparable from the nature of society ;'-we do not deny
the position: but we may ask how, on this principle, are those pleasing
hopes to be realized which our religion excites, and those prophecies
to be fulfilled which promise the amity of the lion with the lamb?
Art. 56. Presentation of Colours by Mrs. William Garrett to the Royal
Garrison Volunteers, under the Command of Major William Gar
rett; preached in the Garrison Chapel, Portsmouth, May 29,
1799, by the Rev. John Davies. 4to. Is. Printed at Portsmouth.
This sermon accords with the occasion, being a popular discourse
on the Divine superintendence, and on the circumstances of the times,
and of our own country in particular. The writer makes great use
of Scriptural language, and animates us to splendid exertions' at
this period, when (he observes) it is evident, the Lord bath a contro
versy with us,

Art. 57. The Doctrine of Christianity on the Subject of War: preached
at the Consecration of the Colours presented by the Honourable
Mrs. Peachey to the Royston and Barkway Volunteer Corps, 1st
Aug. 1799.
By George Law, M. A. Prebendary of Carlisle.
4to. IS. Faulder.
In consequence of the title prefixed to this sermon, we opened it
with some expectation: but Mr. Law makes no discovery of any one
doctrine of Christianity on the subject of war; he only finds out that

we

Mooy

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we are left by Christianity, under the guidance of good principles, to the exercise of our own discretion.' This, however, may as well be called the doctrine of Christianity respecting the formation of constitutions, the making of poor-laws, or any other matter. Finding, indeed, that very little could be said on the title prefixed to this discourse, the preacher soon loses sight of it, and proceeds more properly to inquire how far we are sanctioned by the principles of morality and justice, in entering into and prosecuting that arduous contest in which we are at present engaged; and conceiving that our Constitution, Property, and Religion are at stake, he pleads for the justice and necessity of the war.-The sermon concludes with a sensible and animated address on the occasion. Moo.y.

Art. 58. Preached at the Lent Assizes, holden at Kingston, Surrey, March 18, 1799, and published at the unanimous Request of the Gentlemen of the Grand Jury. By John Hayter, A. M. 4to. IS. Hatchard.

The great object of this studied discourse is to extol the justly admired British Constitution. Political wisdom, or public justice, (it is observed,) is the most extensive, the most useful, the highest talent to which men can attain.' All judicial establishments are said to have been disgraced by one great and essential defect, a defect which, in the present day, is inherent in the same establishments of every country, except this.'-This defect, we understand, is partiality and inequality, in the attainment and possession of just rights and advantages. What Mr. H. has advanced on this subject seems worthy of

attention.

To the MONTHLY REVIEWERS.

GENTLEMEN,

'IN your Review of Dr. Woodville's Reports on the Variola Vaccine page 417, August Review, you say, " 5thly, The following nice ob servations we think should be repeatedly made before the conclusion be admitted: "If a person has casually received the infection," &c. &c.

Now, having had very considerable practice both in the natural and inoculated small-pox for upwards of twenty years, I have several times had an opportunity of observing appearances take place in the arms of my patients similar to those described by Dr. Woodville.-I have inoculated several patients who had previously received the infection of the natural small-pox, the puncture on their arms inflamed very faintly, stopped increasing as soon as the variolous fever came on, and afterwards became a simple pustule maturating like the rest.— I have also inoculated many patients on one arm, which has gone on very regularly, and a day or two previous to the eruptive fever's coming on I have inserted variolous matter into the other arm, and as soon as the fever took place, this last incision inflamed, got on rapidly, and was in a very short time as extensive as the first.

The concurrent testimony of different practitioners must be the most effectual support of Dr. Woodville's observations; for that purpose I have given you mine; and am, Gentlemen, with great respect and esteem, your constant reader and well-wisher, R. R. N.

"Colchester, Oct. 19, 1799.'

We find that this fact is now well ascertained, but we are obliged to R. R. N. for his communication.

Hi.

To the MONTHLY REVIEWERS.

N the Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, vol. xvi. p. 265, there is a communication from John Sneyd, Esq. respecting the preservation of seeds for vegetation, by packing them in absorbent paper, and surrounding the same by raisins, or brown moist sugar; which by experiment seems to afford that general moisture requisite to preserve the seeds in a state fit for vegetation. That this method is likely to prove successful, is in some measure confirmed, if not anticipated, by the late Phillip Miller, who observes in his Gardener's Dictionary, under the History of the Authemis Pyrethrum (pellitory of Spain); "the first time I raised this plant was from seeds which were picked out of (from among) raisins: this was in 1732, and the year after, the plants produced seeds, which ripened well, so that I had a supply of them to distribute."

As you have very properly quoted Mr. Sneyd's communication, I thought the above confirmation of the method recommended might prove acceptable to the Naturalist; and you will perhaps be led to introduce it into the Correspondence' of your Review, and thereby diffuse the knowlege of so easy a method of preserving seeds in a state of vegetation.

"Basinghall-street, Oct. 31, 1799.

J. C. LETTSOM.>

We have received a letter from Dr. Ferriar, of Manchester, in which we are desired to announce that he has used the infusion of digitalis, as a lotion, with remarkable success, in the inflammatory affection accompanying anasarca of the inferior extremities. As this species of inflammation has hitherto proved intractable, he wishes to communicate a knowlege of the method of cure without delay, through the medium of our publication.-We are happy in seconding the Doctor's good intention.

Dr. F.'s "Essay on the medical properties of the Digitalis Purpurea" (just published) is under our perusal, and will very soon be farther noticed in our Review.

The receipt of a second letter from A. B. is acknowleged: but we are prevented from entering into the subject of it, by having unfortunately lost the gentleman to whose remarks it particularly refers. We hope that this circumstance will excuse us from paying that minute attention to this correspondent, which the respectability of his communications would otherwise secure.

We are obliged by the general style and complection of the letter from E. M. of Sunderland, relative to a work published in the year 1795; in reviewing which, E. M. says, we committed a small oversight. If this were the case, we are sorry for it: but it is totally impossible for us, at this distance of time, to ascertain the point, or to remedy the evil, if such it be.

A. Z.'s 2d letter is just received.

In the Review for October, p. 146. 1. 7. for bright' read light, and 1. 9. for light' read bright; p. 149. 1. 14. for spred read spread; p. 217. 1. 7. from bott. dele the quotation.comma before As an instance, &c.; p. 239. l. 15. for not were,' read were not.

r.

1.244. l. 18. for plan, place, & l. 19. for identity, 264. l. 19. for reigns', r. reign

nature?

(292. l. 7. take the comma from "strange, & place it
after virtue, in live &.

271. l. 14. fr. bott. for in a plain", r. in plain.
3582.4. put a comme after Lecture