Art. 59. Orwell Manor. By Mary Elizabeth Parker. 12mo. This novel is introduced to the public under the patronage of a handsome lift of fubfcribers, and we bring it before our readers as a performance not wholly unworthy of such an introduction. It relates a complete tale of love, of which the incidents are well arranged to produce an interefting effect: it exhibits a confiderable number of characters, fuch as may be easily conceived to have been copied from real life; and the fentiments which it afcribes to them are natural, and often strongly impaflioned. The principal faults are in the ftyle, which is negligent, and often grammatically inaccurate. Art. 60. The Motto: or Hiftory of Bill Woodcock. By George Brewer. Izmo. 2 Vols. 6s. fewed. Sael. 1795. Authors commonly adapt their productions to the understandings and tastes of the higher claffes of readers, and forget that there are numerous inferior claffes, which have as much occafion for instruction, and as much right to be amufed, as theif betters. The prefent writer has avoided this error, and has very condefcendingly provided a tale, the incidents, fentiments, and language of which are happily fuited to the comprehenfion of thofe readers who know nothing of the learning of the schools, and the manners of high life. While the gentlefolks are entertained in the parlour with the adventures of my Lord and my Lady, Mr. Thomas may amuse Mrs. Sufan in the kitchen by reading to her the natural and interefting history of Bill Woodcock the player; and if the faid Mrs. Sufan be a good fort of body, fhe will not like the book the worfe for having in it, literally, a fermon on the fear of the Lord. N. B. The author requests us to defire his readers, in the Latin quotation, for fortiter in e' to read fortiter in re:' but he has left another fcrap of Latin in the introduction uncorrected. Laudare et läudetor viro, should, we fuppofe, be read laudari à laudato vira. THEOLOGY, POLEMICS, &c. Art. 61. Candid Reafons for renouncing the Principles of Antipado Bap tifm. By Peter Edwards, feveral Years Paftor of a Baptist Church at Portfea, Hants. Svo: pp. 192. 3. fewed. Chapman. 1795. Perhaps there is no fubject in the whole compafs of polemic theology, which has produced fuch prolix and tedious publications as the difpute concerning infant baptifm. We cannot introduce the prefent publication as an exception to this remark. It is not, indeed, quite fo large as fome of the old tracts on this fubject, but, in pro portion to its balk, it is equally tedious. We cannot be expected to enter into the merits of this threadbare controversy. Those who wish for the kernel of the author's argument must take the trouble to break through a thick shell of words. Art. 62, Sermons on various Subjects. To which are fubjoined Hymns, fuited to the feveral Difcourfes. By William Peebles, Minister at Weston upon Ayr. 8vo. pp. 456, 5s. 6d. Boards. Edinburgh, 1794 Thofe Thofe readers of fermons, who are not fond of modern innovations in preaching, will probably be pleased with this volume of discourses; for they retain, in great perfection, the antient fyftem of orthodoxy; and they are drawn up in language and method after the true old puritanical model. The fubjects are for the most part rather devotional than contraversial, and the author appears to have written under the influence of what the French divines formerly called onction. The hymns annexed are more to be praised for their piety than their poetry. Art. 63. The Confiftent Chriftian, or Truth, Peace, Holinefs, Unanimity, Steadfastnefs, and Zeal, recommended to all Profeffors of Christianity: the Subftance of five Sermons. By D. Taylor. The fecond Edition corrected; with an Appendix, on Self Examination. 8vo. pp. 100. Is. 6d. Button. The author of thefe fermons appears to have had principally in view two leading objects: to keep his hearers found in the faith, and to render them zealous in good works. For the former purpose, he relies more on an authoritative appeal to what he calls the plain words of fcripture, than on logical argumentation or learned criticifm. For the latter, he delivers much serious and practical exhortation and counfel; which, though it may not exactly fuit the taste of faftidious critics, will be very acceptable and useful to a numerous clafs of humble Christians. Art. 64. Obfervations on Burdy's Life of the late Rev. Philip Skelton. In two Letters to the Rev. Samuel Burdy, A. B. By a Lover of Truth and Common Senfe. 12mo. pp. 28. Dublin. 1794. This obferver, ftrong in his attachment to methodifm, but not a Hercules in authorship, having taken offence at certain paffages in the Life of Skelton* reflecting on his fect, has ventured to attack the biographer, and through his fides (as the phrafe is) to aim fome deadly ftabs at the character and memory of Mr. Skelton.-By this time, probably, he has repented of his rafhness. Art. 65. A Vindication of Burdy's Life of Skelton, in Answer to an angry Pamphlet, entitled, "Obfervations, &c." in a Letter addreffed to its Author, who ftyles himself " A Lover of Truth and Common Senfe." By DETECTOR. 1795: 12K10. PP. 59. Dublin. A friend of Mr. Burdy, if not Mr. B. himself, has taken up the cudgels, and given the angry obferver fevere chaftifement; and, as the latter had violently fallen on Mr. Skelton's memory, his too powerful antagonist has retaliated, with ten-fold vengeance, on the whole methodiftic body: who, no doubt, are forry for the indifcretion of a weak and unfortunate brother. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 66. Hints refpecting the Diftreffes of the Poor. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Dilly. We have perused with pleasure thefe fuggeftions of a public-fpirited individual, for the relief of the poor in seasons of scarcity of food. See Rev. N. S. vol. ix. p. 379. Here Here are various hints and propofals for the attainment of this benevolent purpose; moft of which, if not all, appear to be very practicable, and attended with no extraordinary trouble. There are among us many perfons who poffefs leifure, and every requifite, for carrying them into execution. The greatest difficulty, perhaps, will be to bring the common people into any tolerable degree of acquiefcence with what they may confider as " new-fangled fchemes,"-pregnant with no fubftantial good.-We hope, however, that trials will be inade. Among other important ideas here communicated to the public, the ufe of potatoes, in leffening the confumption of wheat-flour that is not made into bread, is recommended, in feveral refpects; and the different modes in which this wholefome and palatable root may be fubftituted are particularly enumerated, with plain directions for the cookery of the fimpleft and cheapest dishes, as potatoe pies, potatoe foups, and potatoe bread; the latter being mixed with a certain portion of wheat-flour. The potatoe has also been used, instead of wheat, in the making of ftarch; and we have here an account, founded on experiment, of the great utility of this manufacture *. With refpect to the general importance of this publication, as regarding the relief and advantage of the poor, we have to obferve, in the words of this benevolent author, that nothing contributes more cffectually to the establishment of good government among the middle and lower ranks of the community, than that fpecies of equality which enables every man by his industry to procure, at all times, the neceffaries of life. Without entering, at prefent, into the fources of thofe difficulties, which the poor, even the induftrious poor, of this country labour under, it must be obvious to every confiderate perfon, who is placed in a fituation fuperior to this clafs of the community. and who minutely calculates his own expences, that, with the utmost induftry, the labouring man muft find extreme difficulty to preferve his family from the miferies of real want, not only of the comforts, but even of the neceffaries of life. Many labouring men do not earn above eight fhillings a week, whilft fome individuals will earn a guinea; but happy is the labourer who, upon an average, makes half-a-guinea a week, or twenty-fix guineas a year; and many of the poor have a wife and four or five children to maintain. I know it is often urged, that the poor are improvident, and never avail themlelves of opportunities of faving a pittance to provide against times of difficulty; fuch as, being out of work, vifited with fickness, or affailed by the rigours of winter. I acknowledge that too many come under this defcription, but let it be remembered that one dranken or profligate man makes more noise, and becomes more confpicuous, than a thousand starving, We have feen a fpecimen of the potatoe ftarch, which feemed to anfwer fufficiently every purpofe: but, we fear, a great difficulty, in fome parts of our island, will arife from the fcarcity of the dry or meally kind of potatoe. In the neighbourhood of London, we most commonly meet with the watery fort, which is, in truth, good for little, as well as unpalatable. REV, SEPT. 1795· I modeft, modeft, industrious, and worthy perfons; as one eclipse of the fun attracts more observation than the annual brightness of this luminary.' Art. 67. Two Plans of the London Dock; with some Obfervations refpect ing the River, immediately connected with Docks in general, and on the Improvement of Navigation. By W. J. 8vo. 2s. Parfons. 1795. We have here plans and proposals for one or more capacious docks, for the purpose of lading and unlading merchant ships, after the manner of thofe of Hull and Liverpool, inftead of mooring the ships in the river, and laying them to the prefent wharfs and quays. At Hull and Liverpool, neceffity pointed out the use of docks: but the greatest extent of commerce ever carried on, perhaps, at any port in the world, having been profecuted under the prefent ftate of things in the port of London, we cannot think that the enormous undertaking here propofed can be required. It is true that inconve niences and fome loffes occafionally happen, in the river; and fo they would in the dock; efpecially in the cafe of fire. The propofed fituation of thefe docks is between Wapping and Ratcliff Highway; a fituation far lefs convenient to the prefent refidence of merchants, and the warehoufes and fhops of tradesmen, than the custom-houfe quays, and the private wharfs, now in ufe. The cartage, too, would be increafed three fold; while the town is already crouded, and the produce of the country eaten up, by horfes. This publication, however, ought to be perufed by our mercantile readers, who are the best judges on fuch a fubject. Art. 68. Artless Tales: By Anna Maria Porter. Vol. II. 12mo. Pp. 157. 39. fewed. Hookham. 1795. This volume of artlefs tales, as well as the former, (fee Rev. N. S. vol. XII p. 112.) bears marks of a ready invention; which are the more ftriking as the young author, who informs the public that fhe is Now fixteen, cannot be fuppofed to have written from actual experience and obfervation. The volume contains three love-tales, in each of which the tender paffion is exhibited with moft romantic ardour. The impaffioned flyle, in which thefe pieces are written, will probably render the volume more acceptable to young ladies than to their governeffes or parents. The author is, we think, a little miftaken when the fays that he has in this volume rejected all the tinfel foppery of allufion and defcription. When we read of large dark eyes fwimming in fluid radiance; of a cluster of watery brilliants crowding into the eye; and of Miranda, whofe breath was the richeft zephyr from a bed of violets, whofe complexion was the univerfal glow of the creation; we cannot compliment Mifs Porter fo far, as to congratulate her on having gotten entirely rid of tinfel foppery. However, fhe is ftill very young, and a little more reading and lefs writing may improve her tafte. N. B. The preface is dated in 1793: we understand that this is a flip of the prefs, and that it should be 1794. Art. 69. The Defcription of Corfica, with an Account of its Union to the Crown of Great Britain. Including the Life of General Paoli, and the Memorial prefented to the National Affembly of France, upon the Forefts in that Island. With a Plan highly beneficial to both States. Illuftrated with a Map of Corfica. Dedicated to his Majefty. By Frederick, Son of the late Theodore, King of Corfica. 8vo. pp. 211. 4s. Boards.. Robinsons. 1795. Public curiofity having been in course turned towards an inand lately added to the British empire, this publication is peculiarly feafonable; and, from the nature of the information which it contains, there can be no doubt that it will be well received. Its contents are fufficiently expreffed in the title. The most valuable parts of the work are the life of Paoli; the ftate papers by which the government of the island was transferred to the king of Great Britain; the heads of the new conftitution; and a memorial prefented to the national affembly of France concerning the exploitation of the woods, or felling of timber in Corfica; in which an estimate is given of the value of the wood, and an inquiry is made into the most profitable afe to which it can be applied;-the refult is, to fupply with fuel the forges employed in the fabrication of iron. A great variety of carious details is given in this appendix. Art. 70. Gerrald; a Fragment: Containing fome Account of the Life of this devoted Citizen, who was fent as a Delegate to the British Convention at Edinburgh, by the London Corresponding Society; for acting in which Capacity, he is now transported to Botany Bay, for fourteen Years!!! 8vo. 6d. Smith, Portugal. ftreet, Lincoln's Inn Fields; who is juft difcharged from Newgate, after having been detained there feven Months, on a fuppofed Charge of High Treafon. The extremes of praife and of cenfure are to be found in this little tract ;-the author lavishes the first on Mr. Gerrald; the latter on the statesmen and judges who caused his banishment. The zeal of the writer, in the caufe of liberty, however commendable in its principle, is alfo in the extreme: all is excess and extravagance. A fprinkling of moderation would probably have been attended with advantage, both to the compofition and to the bookfeller. Art. 71. Reflections on Profane and Judicial Swearing. By Jofeph Mofer. 12mo. 6d. Griffiths. 1795. A ferious, feasonable, and well-written admonition, on a fubje& on which there is unquestionably much neceffity for reformation. The practice of perjury in judicial oaths is, we fear, an increasing evil, which the philofopher, the divine, and the magiftrate, fhould unite to restrain. Art. 72. The Wanderer: or, a Collection of Anecdotes and Incidents, with Reflections, political and religious, during two Excurfions, in 1791 and 1793, in France, Germany, and Italy. By Joshua Lufcock Wilkinson, of Gray's Inn. 12mo. 2 Vols. 79. fewed. Jordan. 1795. Of this pedestrian wanderer we cannot speak in terms of unqualified commendation. Some of the incidents which he relates are amufing, and may ferve to caft light on the prefent state of manners : but many of them are too perfonal to be interesting; and, in one or |