Whofe ear could never bear the sportive found
That laid the pheafant fluttering on the ground:
Whofe hand could ne'er inflict the fatal pain
The partlet-brood are deftin'd to sustain.
'Twas your's to feel the fympathetic glow
That with your own, could weep for others' woe.
Oft as to pass the winter nights away,
I've at your elbow read the tragic lay,
(Your kilful hands, by practice often try'd,
While one the fteel and one the lawn employ'd)
I've mark'd the tear that glisten'd in your eye,
And feen your bofom heave the pitying figh.
Not then the goddefs ancient poets drew,

The queen of beauty, feem'd to vie with you.

Art. 37. Poems, with Notes. By John Walters, Scholar of Jefus College, and Sub librarian in the Bodleian Library. 8vo.. 55. Kearfly. 1780.

If a reasonable degree of allowance be made for the period of life when these poems were written (fo early as before the age of nineteen) they will be intitled to confiderable praife. The principal poem is The Bodleian Library. Little as fuch a fubject feems capable. of poetic embellishment, Mr. Walters has made it the vehicle not only of information, but entertainment. But the beft written and' moft fpirited piece in this collection, is the Epistle to Mr. Talbot, on his travels.

-3

The following paffage will poffibly convey no imperfect idea of the general tile and manner which pervade the whole compofition: But hence we hafte to feek the wintry plains,

The land of old Helvetia's hardy fwains,

Whose arms the Julian legions long with flood,

And bach'd the chains, that Rome had forg'd, in blood.
They ne'er, with hands in kindred wounds imbrued,

Th' imperial eagle's dreadful track pursued

O'er heaps of dead, with whom they once were free,
(Sad reliques of expiring liberty!)

But fill the fmiles that Cæfar's brow display'd,
With fullen frowning majefly repay'd.

Like them, their rough defcendants, fam'd in arms,
Whom the fame foul of dauntless valour warms,
Still to the charge advance with martial rage,
But, ah! no more in freedom's fields engage:
Intent no more their country's rights to fave,
With palms inglorious crown'd, and meanly brave,
From their own Alps and native mountains far,
They wake the rage of mercenary war,

And bend, as onward fweeps their Pyrrhic dance,
The Corfic neck beneath the yoke of France.
Guide of their march, Ambition lifts her eye,
And waves her glitt'ring oriflamb on high.

Befide thefe and fome few others, there are two Latin poems; the title of the one is The Progress of Religion; of the other, which is á poem of fome length, Botany. Neither of thefe, in our opinion,

are

are of equal merit with his English compofitions. At the end of the volume is added a loco-defcriptive poem, entitled Landough, by Daniel Walters, head fcholar of Cowbridge fchool. This poem (fays Mr. John Walters, with perhaps lefs truth than modefty), had its place been determined by its merit, would have appeared at the head of this collection; it was written by my brother in 1779, at the age of feventeen.' It certainly poffeffes no inferior degree of merit. Art. 38. The Cafile of Infamy, a poetical Vifion. In Two 2s. 6d. Bew. 1780.

Parts. 4to.

To reprove vice, and to expofe folly, is the province of fatire. The inftruments fhe makes ufe of are wit, ridicule, and argument: argument to establish the truth and justice of her accufations, and wit or ridicule to give force and poignancy to argument. To criminate, therefore, even the fairest objects of fa:ire without proof or propriety, is to calumniate and libel rather than to fatirize: for abuse, even though it may be justly deserved, will no more conftitute fatire (as this Writer feems to imagine) than mere rhymes will conftitute the effence of poetry.

This poem, like others of the Writer's compofitions, contains fome few marks of ingenuity, accompanied by many that are the ret verfe of modefty and good manners,

. In his Dedication to his very good friends the Monthly Reviewers," he charges them with inconfiftency, because on one occafion they spoke of him as an ingenious Writer, and on another cenfured him for writing Billing/gate poetry. We with, for the credit of human nature, that fuch a charge were really inconfiftent. The head is by no means a fufficient fecurity against the depravity of the heart. How common is it for men who are much fuperior in point of ingenuity to the Writer of this poem, if once they give themfelves up to the dominion of paflion, to be petulant, abufive, and intolerant! Our Author muft know little of human life, and confequently be ill qualified to fuftain the character he has affumed, if he has not observed many, who, notwithstanding the flattering prefages. they may have once given, have afterwards, either through vanity, or other motives, turned out impertinent coxcombs, or fomething worse. There are too many infances indeed, of perfons who have: even the manners of gentlemen (our Author will perceive we are not. alluding to him), who, from ill temper, or natural malignity, have fo far forgotten what they owe to themfelves and their own dignity, as fometimes to make use of language both fcurrilous and indecent. Art. 39. The American Times: a Satire. In Three Parts. In which are delineated the Characters of the Leaders of the American Rebellion. Amongst the principal are, Franklin, Laurens, Adams, Hancock, Jay, Duer, Duane, Wikon, Pulaski, Witherspoon, Reed, M Kean, Washington, Roberdeau, Morris, Chafe, &c. By Camillo Querno, Poet-laureat to the Congrefs. 4to. 2 S.

Richardfon.

The obfervations, which were thrown out in the foregoing article, are not inapplicable to the prefent. This Writer empties his Jorden of invective with as little confideration or remorfe upon the American rulers, as the laft Writer does upon the rulers in England.

Camillo.

Camillo Querno is celebrated for his intimacy with Leo X. and Cardinal Bembo. He poffeffed qualifications, which, to unprincipled men of pleasure and wit, like Bembo and the Pope, gained him admittance on a footing of the greatest familiarity-He was, in short, a poet, a buffoon, and a drunkard. Why the prefent Writer fhould make use of his name, we know not. He is neither a poet nor buffoon. Without imagination he can hardly be the one, and without vivacity he is not even qualified for the other. It is not improbable, however (if we may judge from the intemperance of his rage), but in one refpect at least he may bear the resemblance to the bard whofe fignature he has affumed.

Art. 40. Private Thoughts on Public Affairs: with fome Apology for the Conduct of our late Commanders in Chief by Sea and Land. A poetical Eday, by a Stander by. 4to. Is. Payne, 1780.

*

This ftander by feems to look with no great degree of respect upon either party, the insor the outs: the latter appear to have the lealt Thare of his regard.With respect to his poetical powers, though of that clafs which e

Now bomines, non di, non conceffere columna,

they are nevertheless equal to the discussion of coffee-house politics. Art. 41. An Epiftle from Jofeph Surface, Efq; to Richard Brinfley Sheridan, Efq; Chairman of the Sub-committee for Westminfter. 4to. 18. 6d. Keardley, 1780.

A dabbler în poetry here attempts to cenfure a theatrical manager for dabbling in politics. Without examining how far such a conduct is prudent or defenfible, we shall only obferve, that an able fatirift might have purfued the thought with more addrefs, and have contrafted the dramatic and political avocations of a patriot, play-wright, and patentee, with more elegant raillery. The verfification does not rife above mediocrity.

Art. 42. The Senatorial Difpenfary, a Poem. Infcribed to his Grace the Duke of Rutland. 4to. I S. Portal. 1780.

On a fuppofition that the body natural and the body politic are logous, this pleasant projector recommends that in fimilar diforder, a fimilar mode of treatment should be adopted:

Where N-n, deck'd with due official form,
Rides in the whirlwind, and directs the form:"
Obferves, collected in himself, where glows
The too redundant rage of Ayes and Noes,
And coolly deals decorum to the reft;

Let there be placed a well-ftor'd MEDICINE CHEST,
With every drug that may each temper hit
Weigh'd out in dofes, quantum fufficit,

From which let all the members when they meet,

In order take their phyfic and their feat;

This would so harmonize each jarring foul
That one opinion would pervade the whole,
Concurrent voices would exclude debate,
And moderation foften party hate.

Great Galen's fav'rite fons, alike expert,
"To heal their patients or their country's hurt,

"Sage

Sage By and Addn fhall ftand,
Preferibe, and caft the water of the land,
"Whilft every member confcious of their skill,
Shall freely fwallow balus, draught, or pill,
The Bark infus'd in Ty Panaceas
Would top fome Patriotic Diarrheas.'

Though Mr. Tickell's Project in all probability fuggefted the hint on which this little poem is founded, the Author is, however, by no means a fervile imitator. VENE

Art. 43. The Prophecy a Poem. Addressed to Mr. Burke, on his Plan for the economical Reformation of the civil and other Establishments. 4to. 6d. Beeket. 1780.

This little fquib, though as deftitute of true poetry as of prophecy (if prophecy be the foretelling events not generally forefeen), is yet not without fome degree of merit. It is written in tolerable metre, and the fatire which it conveys is neither rude nor illiberal. Art. 44. A Sketch of the Times A Satire. 4tos. 6d. Bew. This Writer feems to have a modest opinion of his own powers and confequence. In a dialogue between him and his editor,, the latter exclaims,

Merciless pen! difdaining all confine:

Was ever goofe-quilt to severe as thiné ?>

Your fcorpion-fatire makes courc-patriots fore:

B-te, bufkin'd B-te, cries out I'll read no more!"

Your poignant Mufe pale Mf-d'a choler ftirs

She wounds the wincing T-through his furs.

Reviewers have confpired to write you down, y

And prejudice the judgment of the town

The rest of the poem is in the fame ftrain. It concludes with vehement invective against the worthy Archdeacon of Rochester, who seems to have fallen under the difpleasure of this rancorous fcribe for no reason, that we can perceive, except it be that in his late Charge he has not been actuated by the fame malignant fpirit of intolerancy that runs through the whole of this abusive performance. RELIGIOUS.

Art. 45. Two Difcourfes: First, on the Pomps and Vanities of this World, from Romans xii. 11. Second, on the Nature and Defign of the Lord's Supper; with fuitable Meditations. To which are added, Two Forms of Prayer. 8vo. 6d. Buckland. 1779.

We find that Mr. Walder, the author of a fermon of which we have given fome account, in our lift for last month, is also the editor of this pamphlet. We fhall infert his advertisement, as containing all that is requifite for us to fay concerning it: Thefe plain, pious, and chriftian difcourfes are the production of a female pen, the author of several small valuable tracts, particularly, a difcourse concerning compaffion to the brute creation, a fecond edition of which was printed in 1768, and is now become very scarce. The worthy author, though he is far advanced in years, continues to spend the principal part of her time in reading, study, and writing; and the → Macbeth. Kk

REV. June, 1780.

appears

appears fincerely defirous to do all in her power for the intereft of piety, virtue, and charity.'-We fince find that this good Lady, who refided at Southampton, died in January last,

Art. 46. Difcourfes on felect Paffages of the Scripture Hiftory. By Jofeph Jenkins, A. M.. 12mo. 2 vols. 6s. Shrewsbury, printed. Sold by Buckland, &c. in London. 1779.

The author of thefe difcourfes expreffes his hope, that, in an age, wherein the Athenian fondnefs of hearing fomething new prevails; wherein fo many frivolous productions are dignified with the title of hiftory, and read with approbation; wherein the embelJifhments of language are fo frequently proflituted, to feed the corruptions of the heart, and deprave the morals of our youth, an attempt to engage the attention to the divine oracles, and fuggeft reflections which may be conducive to profit, will be received with candour.' The difcourfes, which are twenty-one in number, are rather on the Calviniftical plan; they contain many pertinent and fenfible reflections, and are of a ferious, practical, and useful tendency.

Art. 47. Serious and Free Thoughts on the Doctrines of Election, Reprobation, Free will, the Fall of Man, and bis Restoration through Christ Jesus. By Thomas Mendham, of Britton, in Norfolk, Teacher of the Gospel, 12mo. Is. Norwich, printed. Sold by Wilkie in London.

This appears to be the production of a plain honeft man, whose natural good fenfe, and principles of piety, will not allow him to receive the Calvinistical account of election and reprobation. He writes in a very religious, and what is called evangelical ftrain. He does not thine as an eminent mafter of language and compofition, but feems to poffefs what is of greater worth, true goodness of heart. They that know, fays he, the fcantinefs of my education, and are witneffes to my many daily avocations, I am fure will not expect a finished performance fhould come out of my hands.' He fuppofes, that though man loft the power of chufing good and refufing evil by the fall, yet that power is restored to him by Jefus Chrift. He writes at times with emphafis and fpirit. No reasonable being, fays he, on the top of fome high rock, from whence a mill stone had been hurled, will cry with any degree of seriousness, ftop! ftop! oh mill-flone flop! why wilt thou fall? Nor will one call aloud to the tempeftuous ocean, ftay yourfelves, ye foaming billows! ye reftlefs waves, be ftill! why will ye roll?-None thus will call aloud, and fpend their ftrength in vain.-And fhall, we then believe that the all-wife Jehovah, the incarnate Son of God, the holy prophets, apoftles, and all the minifters of the word, are rifing early, and continually calling finners to repentance, who have no more power given them to obey, than a mill-ftone has to refift its fall, or the billows to compofe their boisterous bofom? Will they offer mercy to the fons of men, for whom they know there is none in ftore? Will they require them to repent when it is known they cannot? Will they command them to believe on the Son of God, and threaten them with eternal punishment unless they do believe, when they can as easily make a fyftem of worlds as comply -Surely no- for it is to require impoffibilities.

Art.