Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

have been hopeless to undertake, and impossible to complete it."

The present volume comes down no farther than the year 1640. At a future time we shall hope to present our readers with an elaborate detail of the contents of the complete work. We need not add that Mr. Southey's stile is clear and elegant.

In this division of our retrospect, also, we have to notice "The Annual Register, or a View of the History, Politics, and Literature, for the year 1795." Toward the close of the preface the volumes for 1796 and 1804, are announced to be in the press, and the proprietors add "they will be speedily followed by other volumes, both of the old and new series; and we have a well grounded hope that, in the course of a reasonable time, the arrear which we have incurred will be discharged, and the Annual Register be thenceforth laid before the public with due punctuality."

THEOLOGY, ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

"Biblia Hebraica, or the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament, without paints, after the text of Kennicott, with the chief various Readings, selected from his collation of Hebrew MSS. from that of De Rossi, and from the ancient Versions, accompanied with English Notes, Critical, Philological and Explanatory, selected from the most approved ancient and modern English and Foreign Biblical Critics. Part I. Comprising the Book of Genesis." This work, printed at Pontefract in Yorkshire, is in fact but a specimen of one intended, and is given to the world that it may be ascertained what patronage the whole is likely to receive.

The object of the editor has not been to give all the variations found in MSS. or the ancient versions; but to select such as the state of the text seems to demand, the best critics judge to be genuine, or at least probable and deserving notice. Such various readings have been preferred as contain the matrices lectionis-correct gramInatical errors-supply omissions and give beauty, strength, and propriety to the text.

The English notes have been chiefly collected from the works of the most eminent critics; and the editor flatters himself that the emendations proposed are such as will meet the approbation of competent judges. To the critical remarks of the learned Dr. Geddes he

has been much indebted: but he feels it necessary to state, that while he has selected what he found useful for bis purpose, he detests the spirit displayed, and the sentiments avowed in many parts of his work."

The present specimen is stated to be printed by and for the editor, B. Boothroyd, and seems to deserve encouragement.

In this class also, we have to notice "A brief View of the Doctrines of the Christian Religion as professed by the Society of Friends, in the Form of Ques-' tion and Answer, for the Instruction of · Youth." By JOHN BEVANS.

Nor must we forget "The Works of the Rev. THOMAS TOWNSON, D. D. late Archdeacon of Richmond; one of the Rectors of Malpas, Cheshire, and some time Fellow of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford. In two volumes. To which is prefixed, an Account of the Author, with an Introduction to the Discoures on the Gospels, and a Sermon on the Quotations in the Old Testament,” By RALPH CHURTON, M.A. Svo.

It is with pleasure we see the works of any author of profound ability collected by an editor: but a still greater pleasure to see the ainiable trait which marks the publication of the present volumes. Mr. Churton " was the younger son of one of Dr. Townson's parishioners, a yeoman. At a proper age he was put to the grammar-school in Malpas, with wishes of being educated for the church. It pleased God that both his parents died; but he continued at school; and his worthy master the Rev. Mr. Evans, mentioned him to Dr. Townson, who made him presents of books, and frequently assisted and directed his studies. By Dr. Townson's recommendation he was entered at Brasen-nose in 1772; and the same generous hand contributed one half towards his academical expences. In 1778 he was chosen fellow of his college, and his kind friend and benefactor lived to congratulate him on being presented by that society, March 12th, 1792, to the rectory of Middleton Cheney, in Northamptonshire."

The first volume of Dr. Townson's works, beside the life, introduction, and sermon, mentioned in the title, contains the "Discourses on the Four Gospels;" with a "Sermon on the manner of our Saviour's teaching."

The second volume contains, Dr. Towuson's "Discourse on the Evangelical

gelical History, from the Interment to the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;" a sermon "on Religi ous Meditation ;" another, "on the History of the Rechabites ;" and a third "" on the Righteousness and Peace of the Gospel;" "Babylon, in the Revelation of St. John, considered with reference to the Claims of the Roman church;" "Doubts," and "a Defence of the Doubts, concerning the Confessional;" and "a Dialogue between Isaac Walton and Homologisles."

The Life of Dr. Townson prefixed, is one of the most valuable productions in English biography we have of late seen, and dees credit both to the head and heart of Mr. Churton.

[ocr errors]

"The Wisdom of the Calvinistic Methodists Displayed, in a Letter to the Rev. Christ. Wordsworth, D. D;" by THOMAS WITHERBY; will be found a tract of no mean consideration. It contains much sound advice respecting several of our religions societies; and is ably and temperately written.

A clearer view of the most important doctrines of Christianity will hardly any where be found in a more concise form than in "an Address from a Clergyman to his Parishioners." VALPY, D, D. Rector of Streddishall, Suffolk.

By R.

Nor have we of late seen a more valuable specimen of scriptural criticism, than the Attempt to throw further Light on the Prophecy of Isaiah, chap. viii. v. 14, 15, 16." By JOHN MOORE, L.L.B. Minor Canon of St. Paul's.

The "Analysis of Hooker's Eight Books of Ecclesiastical Polity." By the Rev. J. COLLINSON, though not the first, is certainly the most successful abridgement we have seen.

Among the single SERMONS, we cannot but commend that upon "The Duty of Church Communion, altered and abridged from Dr. Rogers, with additional Passages interspersed." By EDWARD PEARSON, D. D. Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

Dr. HAGGITT's" Sermon, preached at kis Majesty's Chapel at Whitehall, Jan. 21st, 1910, at the Consecration of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chester" is another discourse deserving attention.

NATURAL HISTO Y.

The most interesting work which has of late appeared in this class, is the

i

"Hortus Kewensis; or, a Catalogne of the Plants cultivated in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. By the late William Aiton." The second edition enlarged, by WILLIAM TOWNSEND AITON, gardener to his Majesty, vol.Į.

"In order to render this edition as convenient as possible to the English reader, for whose use the catalogue has been principally compiled, and at the same time to show to those foreigners into whose hands it may fall, that Englishmen have not of late years been inattentive to the advancement of their favourite study, care has been taken to refer in the synonyms to all the figures that have appeared in the numerous periodical works lately published, not excepting the few that have already been quoted by Wildenow, in his edition of the Species Plantarum ; in the case of new foreign publications such figures only are quoted from them, as are not cited by Wildenow.

"When no modern figure could he met with, an older one has been selected from the synonyms of Wildenow, preference having been always given to a coloured figure, when a good one could be found; the Hortus Romanus, however, and Knippof's Botanica in originali, have not been made use of; these books not having been deemed likely to assist effectually the studies of young botanists.”

As specimens of the general manner in which the work has been conducted we make the following quotations.

P. 9. GLOBBA. Gen. pl. 51.

Anthera duplex. Filam. lineare, incurvatum, longissimum, appendicu latum. Stylus laxus, filiformis, in me. dio antheræ receptus. Stigma incras satum. Nectarium utrinque bifidum,

1. G. filamenti appendiculo bilunato, spica foliis breviore, bracteis late ellip. ticis calyce longioribus. Roscoe in Linn. Soc. Transact. 8. p. 356. Smith Exot. Bot. 2. p. 85. t. 103. Marantine globba.

Nat. of the East Indies.
Introd. 1800, by lady Amelia Hume,
Fl. July and August.

P. 136. "SACCHARUM. Gen. pl. 104. Cal. 2-valves, lanugine longa invo, lucratus. Cor. 2-valvis.

1. S. floribus paniculatis, foliis planis. Willden. sp. pl. 1. p. $21. Arundo saccharifera. 1. p. 108. t. 66.

Common sugar-cane.
Nat. of both Indies.

Sloan, Jam,

[ocr errors]

Cult. before 1597, by Mr. John Gerrard. Ger, herb, 35.

Fl.
P. 320.

S. 2." "SPRENGELIA. Smith's Tracts, 270.

Cal. 5-partit, persistens. Cor. 5petala. Stam. receptaculo inserta. Anth. connat. Caps. 5-locularis, 5valvis; dissepimentis e medio valvularum.

1. SPRENGELTA. Willden. sp. p, . p. 833. Smith's Tracts, 272. t. 2. Andrews's reposit. 2. Brown prodr. 555. Flesh-coloured sprengelia. Nat. of New South Wales. Introd. 1793, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy,

Fl. April-June,

G.H. h." The utility of such a catalogue, so conducted, is too obvious to need further recommendation.

Another curious production which ought to have been noticed in our last supplement, will be found in “Petrificata Derbeiensia; or Figures and Descriptions of Petrifactions collected in Derbyshire," by WILLIAM MARTIN, F.L.S. A part of this volume was pub. lished some years ago in detached num. bers in fasciculi, but the completion of it was prevented. We believe it was at that time, the only attempt that had been made in England to give coloured figures of extraneous fossils. In the descriptive part of the work, Mr. Martin has applied to these subjects the mode of investigation established in botany and zoology. Hence instead of giving a mere list of names, and these chiefly of species formed from entire genera or tribes of organic bodies, he has considered in the first instance every genuine or permanent fossil species to depend on a single recent one; and accordingly has endeavoured to fix the essential characters, by which it may hereafter be discriminated.

We give the following as specimens of the work; sufficiently indicative of its general execution.

Pl. xix. fig. 4, 5, 6. "PHYOLITHUS PLANTITES. (ste!latus) caule simplice tereti striato, foliis linearibus verticillatis. S. p.

"A fossil vegetable. Original a plant. Stem simple, round, slightly striated in a longitudinal direction, Leaves whorled, linear, entire, about twelve or fourteen in each whorl. The whorls numerous but distant.

Found now and then in ironstone,

coal, bind,&c. with other vegetable remains. The prototype of this petrifaction is generally supposed to be an Equisetum or Horsetail; but there are other plants with stellate leaves, to which it might with as much propriety be referred: Hippuris, Asperula and Galium, for instance.

"We may here observe, that little has yet been done with respect to discriminating the original genera of fossil plants those parts, indeed, on which such discrimination must be founded, are rarely, if ever, visible in the petrified state. The characteristic distinctions of the species are frequently attainable, if studiously sought after by a diligent and careful comparison of various specimens; and the habit or general appearance of the fossil often leads to the knowledge of the natural class and order of the recent plant: but its genus, for the most part, remains undetermined, or doubtful.

"Fig. 4. Part of a nodule of ironstone, broken (in regard to its con tents) in a transverse direction, showing three whorls of leaves belonging to the above described petrifaction. Similar remains have been called petrified flowers by collectors of fossils. These differ, however, from the next specimen, only in size, in being found three or four together in the same nodule, and in the direction in which they lie in the stone.

66

5. A nodule holding a single plant in a different direction."

66

6. I am not certain if the remains in this nodule are the same as those above. The stem is much thicker, and the whorls more distant, in proportion to the size of the plant, than in most other specimens I have examined. There is also some appearance of branches in one part of the stem; but I haye not, as yet, met with any specimens that would enable me to deter mine a specific distinction.”

Pl. xlv. fig. 4.

"ENTOMOLITHUS MONOCULITES, (lunatus) testà marginatá anticè subretusa, postice lunatá, caudà rectâ : stylo elongato simplici. S. p.

"A foss insec!, Original a Monoculus? its shell or covering semiorbicular, depressed, marginated: surface unequal: front subretuse, or ter minating in a slight blunt sinus: binde part of the shell lunate: the angle very acute. The tail or posteric

[ocr errors]

part of the body straight, rounded, and considerably less than the crcscent-shaped covering from which it proceeds. It is divided by segments, somewhat similar to those on the back of E. derbyensis, and terminated by an undivided, subulate style, equal in length to the rest of the tail.

I am sorry the rareness of this fossil in Derbyshire prevents me from giving a more accurate description. The specimen figured is in a nodule of ironstone; it was found in argillaceous sirata along with vegetable petrifac tions, on the borders of the county, I believe near Mansfield, and is the only one I have yet seen. It is not very perfect; but sufliciently so to determine its specific difference from the Entomolithus, before described Το this I have little to add, except that the original appears to have approached nearer in size and figure to the Monoculus Apus, than to any other known recent species of that genus, Another note of agreement is its hav. ing been a fresh water, and not a marine insect, if we may judge by the strata, in which the fossil occurred, and the petrifactions with which it was accompanied.”

These descriptions, though not accompanied here by plates, will be sufficiently intelligible even to those who have no deep acquaintance with extraneous fossils. We recommend the work with confidence.

[ocr errors]

Here also we shall mention "Interesting Discoveries in Horticulture ; being an easy, rational and efficaciors System of propagating all hardy, American and Bog Soil Plants, with ornamental Trees and Shrubs of general Description; Green-House Plants, including Botany Bay and Cape Plants; Herbaceous Plants, affording favourable Shoots and Fruit Trees, in every Variely, by planting Cuttings chiefly in the warm Months without artificial Heat," By THOMAS HAYNES.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

Agreeable to our promise in the last retrospect, we proceed to a more copious account of “Travels in various Countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa, by Edward Daniel Clarke, LL,D."

Part the first, (containing the observations collected in Russia, Tartary, and Turkey. The first chapter of the volume opens with the state of public affairs in Russia about the middle of March 1800, when the author, after

having suffered a number of indignities in common with others of his countrymen withdrew to Moscow. Previous, however, to the account of his depar ture, he presents us with a picture of the government as adininistered by Paul 1. in which some readers may possibly suspect that the characters both of the ruling powers and the inhabitants were drawn under circumstances and impres sions of an unfavourable kind.

[ocr errors]

Every day brought with it some new example of the sovereign's absurdities and tyranny, which seemed to originate in absolute insanity. The sledge of Count Razanoski "was, by the emperor's order, broken into small preces, while he stood by and directed the work. The horses had been found with it in the streets, with o! their driver. It happened to be of a blue colour; and the count's servants wore red liveries: upon which a ukase was immediately published prohibita g throughout the empire of all the Russias, the use of blue colour in ornamenting sledges, and red liveries, In conscocence of this wise decree, our ambassador, and may others, were com pelled to alter their equipage.

"One evening, being at his theatre in the Hermitage, a French piece was performed, in which the story of the English powder-plot was introduced. The emperor was observed to listen to il with n ore than usual attention; and as soon asit was concluded, he or dered all the vaults beneath the palace to be searched.

[blocks in formation]

12

[merged small][ocr errors]

"In the rare intervals of better temper, his good humour was betrayed by an uncouth way of swinging his legs and feet about in walking. Upon these occasions he was sure to talk with indecency and folly.

"But the instances were few in which the gloom, spread over a great metropolis, by the madness and malevolence of a suspicious tyrant, was enlivened even by his ribaldry. The accounts of the Spanish Inquisition, do not afford more painful sensations, than were excited in viewing the state of Russia at this time. Hardly a day past without unjust punishment. It seemed as if half the nobles in the empire were to be sent exiles to Si. beria. Those who were able to leave Petersburgh went to Moscow. It was in vain they applied for permission to leave the country, the very request might incur banishment to the mines. If any family received visitors in an evening; if four people were seen walk. ing together; if any one spoke too loud, er whistled, or sung, or looked too inquisitive, and examined any public building with too much attention; they were in imminent danger. If they stood still in the streets, or frequented any particular walk more than another, or walked too fast or too slow, they were liable to be reprimanded and insulted by the police officers. Mungo Park was hardly exposed to greater severity of exaction and vil lainy among the Moors in Africa, than Englishmen experienced at that time in Russia, and particularly in Petersburgh. They were compelled to wear a dress, regulated by the police, and as every officer had a different notion of the mode of observing these regulations, they were constantly liable to be interrupted in the streets and public places, and treated with impertinence. The dress consisted of a cocked hat, or for want of one, a round hat pinned up with three corners; long cue; a single-breasted coat and waistcoat knee-buckles, instead of strings; and buckles in the shoes. Orders were given to arrest any person seen in pantaloons. A servant was taken out of his sledge, and caned in the streets for having too thick a neck cloth; and if it had been too thin, he would have act a similar punishment. After every

precaution, the dress, when put on, never satisfied; either the hat was not straight on the head, the hair too short, or the coat was not cut square enough. A lady at court wore her hair rather lower in her neck, than was consistent with the decree, and she was ordered into close confinement, to be fed on bread and water. A gentleman's hair fell a little over his forehead, while dancing at a ball; a police officer attacked him with rudeness and with abuse; and told him, if he did not instantly cut his hair, he would find a soldier who would shave his head.

"When the ukase first appeared concerning the form of the hat, the son of an English merchant, with a view to baffle the police, appeared in the streets of Petersburg, having on his head an English hunting-cap, at sight of which, the police officers were puzzled. "It was not a cocked hat,' they said, " neither was it a round hat." In this embarrassment they reported the affair to the emperor. An ukase was accordingly promulgated and levelled at the hunting-cap; but not knowing how to describe the anomaly, the emperor ordained that “ 11:0 person should appear in public with the thing on his head worn by the merchant's son.".

"An order against wearing boots with coloured tops was most rigorously enforced. The police officers stopped a gentleman driving through the streets in a pair of English boots. The gentlenian expostulated, saying, that he had no others with him, and certainly would not cut off the tops of his boots; upon which the officers, each seizing a leg as he sat in his droski, fell to work, and drew off his boots, leaving him to go barefooted home."

These and other anecdotes which are

related, sufficiently account for the revolution which took place in Russia, shortly after.

In the second and third chapters we have the journey from Petersburgh to Moscow. The directions for a traveller, who sets out from the capital for the south of Russia are interesting."

"Setting out from Petersburgh for the south of Russia, the traveller bids adieu to all thoughts of inns, or even houses with the common necessaries of bread and water. He will not even find clean straw, if he should speculate upon the chance of a bed. Every thing he may want must therefore be

taken

« AnteriorContinuar »