guments. This writer, however, is certainly, in ability, of a fuperior clafs to the two we have laft examined.

ART. 37. Thoughts on a Union. By Joshua Spenfer, Efq. 8vo. 31 PP. IS. Stockdale. 1798.

We come with pleafure to a temperate and a rational work, on a fubject which, as has been feen, teems with productions of a different nature. Though we do not affent to all Mr. Spenfer's arguments, nor indeed to the terms in which he ftates his firft queftion (fince we cannot deem the act of uniting the Irish legiflature to that of Great Britain," refigning its legiflature into the hands of another country''), we cannot but give to this little tract the praife of good sense and propriety.

Mr. S. objects to the arguments in favour of an Union drawn from the difturbed state of Ireland, both because that fituation is merely temporary and accidental, and becaufe he perceives no connection between the evil and the propofed remedy, Ireland having obtained commercial liberty, and neither the religious differences in Ireland, nor het difcontents, being likely to be extinguished by an Union. It is not our purpose to examine into the validity of these opinions; but we muft obferve, that they are not wholly warranted by fact, nor much enforced by argument; and that this part of the fubject is, in our judgment, more fatisfactorily difcuffed in the tract afcribed to Mr. Cooke.

Mr. S. alfo afferts, that "all the arguments in favour of the meafure center in the convenience and alleviation of the public burthen to England." This furely does not apply to the work afcribed to Mr. Cooke, which argues the queftion of an union chiefly on the ground of benefits which Ireland alone may expect. Mr. Spenfer takes pains to show the fituation of Scotland at the time of its Union with England, to have been different from the prefent ftate of Ireland, and propofes, in cafe it is determined to bring forward the measure of an Union," that the Irish Parliament be diffolved, and a new one returned, bringing with it the fentiments of the country upon the fubject; or that the freeholders be convened in their counties, and the fenfe of the nation be declared upon a question of fuch national magnitude and importance."

The above are the chief topics of a pamphlet, which, if it difplay no extraordinary depth of research, or uncommon ingenuity of argument, yet treats the subject, in general, with candour, and throughout with temper and decency.

'We must, however, object to fome of thefe writer's expreffions, as containing an unfair reprefentation of the queftion in difpute; fuch as, that adopting the measure of an Union would be "transferring to another kingdom the right of legiflating for Ireland"; that it would

The "commercial liberty" of Ireland applies only to its foreign trade. That kingdom is ftill, in fome refpects, reftrained as to its trade with Great Britain.

render

render the franchises of the entire kingdom a mere nullity"; and, that "the handful of Irish fenators would be merged in the multitude of Englife legislators.' All thefe affertions are furely very questionable. They affume a perpetual oppofition of interests between Great Britain and Ireland; and they fuppofe, that fo large a body as would probably form the reprefentation of the latter kingdom, would have lefs weight in the common legiflature than we find, by experience, belongs to claffes of men, (the landed, for instance, or the mercantile intereft) which, feparately confidered, bear a lefs proportion to the rest of the British Parliament.

ART. 38. A Report of the Debate of the Irish Bar, on Sunday the 9th of December, 1798, on the Subject of an Union of the Legislatures of Great Britain and Ireland. 8vo. 90 pp. Moore. Dublin. 1799. There are few, if any, arguments in this Debate, either for or against an Union, which are not contained in fome of the tracts we have already noticed. The refolution propofed and carried by a great majority, was,. "That the measure of a Legislative Union of this kingdom (Ireland) and Great Britain, is an innovation which it would be highly dangerous and improper to propofe at the prefent juncture to the country.

The arguments in fupport of this refolution were grounded, on the disturbed itate of Ireland, which (it was alledged) rendered the minds of men unfit for impartial deliberation, on the prefence of a foreign military force (as it was called) which took from the Irifh the neceffary freedom of judgment, and laftly, on the impropriety and danger of the meafure itself. The fuperior competency of a local legiflature to promote the welfare of Ireland, was urged, but with far lefs vehemence than the favourite topic of national dignity and independence. In favour of an adjournment of the Queftion, it was contended by the friends to an Union, that no determination could properly be formed, either for or againft the measure, till it fhould be known in what the terms were to confift; that poffibly they might be fo advantageous, as to render it a defirable measure for Ireland; that no juncture could be more proper than the prefent for confidering this important queftion; fince the calamities lately fuffered had fobered the minds of men, and lowered that inordinate pride which, rather than give up the leaft point of national dignity, would facrifice folid advantage and permanent fecurity; and that, as the difaffected had gone every length to effect a feparation of the kingdoms, it was time to adopt fuch measures as would completely frustrate their hopes, by uniting them more closely than

ever.

Such are the prominent features of this debate, by a body of men certainly very refpectable in themfelves, but apparently fomewhat prejudiced, and fuppofed to be powerfully interested, on this question. We muft, however, make fome exceptions. One gentleman is reprefented as having faid, that "It was his right as an Irishman, to be governed only by the King, Lords, and Commons of Ireland, and, Bred as he was to the ufe of arms, he would not tamely furrender that

right

right to the cunning or the infolence of that ferpent and political apaftale, Mr. Pitt." Another fays, "God and Nature never intended that Ireland fhould ever be a province; and, by God, fhe never shall.” This abfurd and impious rant was, we are told, received with reiterated applaufe! If this be true, what are we to think of the temper and impartiality of the gentlemen affembled?

This debate is very inaccurately printed.

ART. 39. An Address to the British Forces, by Sea and Land, armed to refift the threatened French Invafion. 8vo. 18. Yarmouth. 1798. The threatened French invafion ceases to excite alarm; but we are happy to notice this teftimony of the zeal and loyalty of a fincere friend at Yarmouth. There is confiderable energy in this Address: and a very spirited fong is to be found at the conclufion.

MISCELLANIES.

ART. 40. Reports with Plans, Sections, &c. of the propofed dry Tun nel, or Paffage from Gravesend, in Kent, to Tilbury in Effex; demonftrating its practicability and great Importance to the two Counties, and to the Nation at large; alfo on a Canal from near Gravefend to Stroud; with fome mifcellaneous and practical Obfervations. By R. Dodd, Engineer. Illuftrated with Plates. 4to. 5s. Taylor. 1798.

This is a vaft and magnificent project, which appears, nevertheless, from the account here given, to be both highly important in its object, and far lefs difficult of accomplishment, than might at first fight be imagined. It will of course be well weighed and examined before it is commenced, other engineers confulted, and various obfervations made. At the firft view, one objection which arifes is, that the benefit proposed -.. by this plan, hardly feems adequate. Yet the first expence which must neceffarily be incurred, Mr. Dodd eftimates at lefs than twenty thoufand pounds. The author expreffes himself with much perfpicuity; and he has our fincere wishes for the fuccefs due to his ingenuity.

ART. 41. The Structure of the English Language; exhibiting an eafy and familiar Method of acquiring a grammatical Knowledge of its conflituent Parts. Particularly useful for Foreigners. Published by Subfeription. 12mo. Richardfon. 1798.

At a time when this country abounds with foreigners from every part of Europe, the utility of a more easy introduction to the English language feems particularly obvious. The prefent performance is calculated to affift the ignorant in fpeaking and writing our language grammatically, and will be found useful, as far as it relates to the government, inflections, &c. of the parts of fpeech. But though the author afferts, that it contains no abftrufe difquifitions upon the foreign roots," yet in a book entitled, " An eafy and familiar Method of acquiring a Language," we think that his origin and deduction of its conftituent parts might have been difpenfed with, as too obfcure

for

for foreigners, or even those of our countrymen, who may need a common grammar. We must alfo obferve, that the number of literal errors (fometimes making falfe grammar) throughout the work, ought to have been particularly guarded againft, as they muft greatly embarrass those who have occafion to ftudy fuch an elementary treatise.

ART. 42. Obfervations on the Expedition of General Buonaparte into the Eaft, and the probability of its Success confidered. To which is added, alief Sketch of the prefent State of Egypt. An historical Account of Alexandria. The Two Harbours of that City accurately delineated; its former Splendour and prefent State contrafted; with fome Remarks on its local Importance, fhould it become the Mart of the Eaft. Together with a few Particulars relating to the Navigation of the Red Sea. By the Editor of the Hiftory of Peter III. and Catharine II. of Ruffia. 8vo. 89 pp. 2s. 6d. Cawthorne, &c. 1798.

The title-page to this pamphlet announces much; but Quid dignum tanto, &c. It begins indeed with an account of Buonaparte's expedition, compiled from the newspapers of the day, and a few vague and hypothetical fpeculations on his defigns and probability of fuccefs. But the writer foon quits Buonaparte, and gives a minute defcription of Alexandria, and an account of Egypt, copied from the works of the latest travellers, particularly Volney and Bruce. In fhort, the work is a mere compilation, without any novelty of remark, or a very judicious felection, publifhed to gratify temporary curiofity. It may, however, amuse those who have not read the works from which it is extracted.

ART. 43. Eftelle, Paftorale. Par M. de Florian. 12mo. 244 PP. Dulau, 107, Wardour-Street. 1798.

26. 6d.

A very elegant and convenient edition, of a juítly admired produc

tion.

ART. 44. Biographical Anecdotes of the Founders of the French Republic, and of other EMINENT! Characters, who have diftinguished themselves in the Progress of the Revolution. Vol. 11. 12mo. 466 pp. 5s. Printed for R. Phillips, fold by Johnfon, &c.

1798.

It not a ufual method, and may feem, perhaps, an idle one, to review one author by taking an extract from another, nevertheless we fhall do fo in the prefent cafe. M. Mallet du Pan is fo much better informed than it is poffible for us to be refpecting the fubjects of this work, that we fhall think we moft properly acquit ourselves of our duty towards our readers in laying his words before them.

66

"I open," he favs, a collection in two volumes, published in London, by R. Phillips, for the inftruction of England, under the title of Biographical Anecdotes, &c. The author in his preface affures us that he writes from the best information, and that he is perfectly master of all that he is about to recite to the public. This particular and perfect information confifts in tranfcribing the praises which the principal actors of the revolution have beltowed on themselves or

have

have received from their accomplices. The compiler mourns over the fate of these heroes, and over the deluges of blood which it has coft to acquire liberty! but he confoles himself with the recollection that this expence of lives will be amply compenfated by the happiness of an innumerable pofterity. It is thus that Mr. Phillips, or his biographer, exprefs their tenderness for their contemporaries.

"In thefe alphabetical anecdotes we read that the Abbé de Lille was imprifoned under Robespierre, and that his nephew compofed the Hymn of the Marfeillois. The Abbé de Lille was never imprifoned, and has no nephew,! We read that M. de Buffon was the friend and preceptor of Condorcet, who was in fact the man in France that Buffon detefted the moit; whofe character no perfon fo completely detected, and whom he laboured to banish from the French Academy. He tells us that M. Turgot employed Condorcet to affist him in fuch political operations as required a knowledge of mathematics. But Turgot gave Condorcet a finecure place, with a vaft falary, and a fine habitation in the Mint-Office, with the title of Inspector of the Coinage, for which he did nothing. Neckar took from him his falary and his lodging, and was attacked of courfe by the philofopher in twenty libels. This biographer admires the beauty of Condorcet's Speech to the Jacobins, after the affair of June 20, 1792, and particularly this phrafe: the people offered the king the red cap; Marcus Aurelius would not have difdained it." M. Aurelius would probably have punished both orator and audience for the good of the people and of the ftare. Obferve that it was this red cap which in the end drove Condorcet to famine, when he wandered in the caverns of Clamart, and finally forced him to fwallow poifon in the prifon where his brethren and friends had fhut him up. This compiler affirms that Condorcet voted for the banishment of the King: yet it is well known that he voted for the fevereft punishment after death, namely for the perpetual imprisonment of that monarch by whom he had been penfioned.

"The fame author informs the public that, I, (M. Mallet du Pan) am an Abbé, that the Imperial Government expelled me from Bruffels, and that i live in Holland, which I have never feen. But to make amends he praifes Collot d' Herbois to the skies. He foretells that this great man will be infcribed in the Temple of Hiftory, and that his memory will be honoured and revered as one of the illuftrius founders of the French Republic."

Such is this work, in the opinion of a moft competent judge. We reviewed and cenfured from our own observation, the former volume laft July, p. 85.

ART. 45. Letters of a Traveller, in the various Countries of Europe, Afia, and Africa; containing Sketches of their prefent State, Government, Religion, Manners, and Customs, with fome original Pieces of Poetry. Edited by Alexander Thomson, M. D. 8vo. 75. Wynne and Scholey. 1798.

We have to complain that there is fome delufion in this title-page. We took up the book with fome eagerness expecting the original

com