ART. IV. Galiffe's Tour in Italy. P. 428-452.

Qualifications and excellencies of author-abstract of his tour, with incidental remarks-Mr. Galiffe's theory as to origin of Romans, and connection between Russian and Latin languages, expounded and rendered credible. ART. V. Such is the World. P. 452-455.

Commendation of novel-slight stricture-preface quoted.

ART. VI. Early English Poetry, P. 456–473.

Collyer's Poetical Decameron described-beneficial effects of bibliomaniasurvey of what has been done in restoring and preserving early English poetry-Warton's history-" The Muse's Library"-Headlay's Select Beauties-Ellis's and Campbell's specimens-notices of reprints, and illustrations of early poets, by Hearne, Tyrwhitt, Whitaker, Ritson, Weber, Todd, Haslewood, Nott, Chalmers, Singer, Evans, Anderson, Aiken, interspersed with critical remarks and opinions.

ART. VII. Mirandola, a Tragedy. P. 474-495.

Low state of drama in Britain-Miss Baillie pre-eminent, but a failurewhat the capabilities and probable defects of Byron-Maturin and Millman characterized-changes of taste require modifications of old drama▬▬ great peculiarities of earlier dramatists-the result apparently of superior intellect, or intellect better cultivated-comparison of old and modern writers-general views of poetic character and requisites-Mirandola appreciated-analysis and extracts.

ART. VIII. Third Exhibition of the Fine Arts in Scotland, P. 495–510. History of Institution-general notice of present exhibition-special references to various artists and productions-thanks to directors.

NUMBER FOR MAY.

ART. I. Chevalier de Johnstone's Memoirs of the Rebellion. P. 515–533. Study of history how advantageous-abstract of work, with extracts and remarks-its impressive character.

ART. II. Falconer on the Plague. P. 534-535.

General observations on Contagion, and danger from plague in Britain-opinion of author-his work commended.

ART. III. Godwin on Population. P. 535–557.

Sketch of Malthus's principles-why objected to-Godwin's hostility to him -examination of his work, with strictures-subject investigated-modification of Malthus's principles suggested-Caveat against legislative interference.

ART. IV. Mrs. Graham on the neighbourhood of Rome. P. 558-568. General opinion of work unfavourable, but mixed with commendation-specimens and abstract of Cherubini's narrative--admonition.

ART. V. St. Aubin; a Novel. P. 568-575.

Defence of fictitious composition-Classification of novel writers-St. Aubin commended-extracts-opinion respecting author.

ART. VI. Millar's Elements of Chemistry. P. 575—581. Curious fact as to works on Chemistry-partly accounted for-Dr. Millar's work characterized and praised, with specimens on various subjects.

ART. VII. Owen on the Regeneration of Society. P. 581-599. Judgment passed on Mr. Owen-his plans, &c. why noticed-report described and analyzed, with extracts and strictures-explicit condemnation of his extravagancies and philosophical character.

ART. VIII. Letter from the King to his people, &c. P. 599–608. Anti-constitutional nature, but good design of letter-general allusion to past and present influence of Queen's case-the Sovereign how recognized by English constitution-eulogium on public conduct of present kingpopular partiality towards Queen accounted for and partly honoured-her unhappy subservience to purposes of a malignant faction deplored-exhortation to loyalty.

ART. IX. Southey's Vision of Judgment. P. 609-616.

A bold enterprise-late king panegyrized-dangerous intrusion of the poethis failure natural-occasional displays of great genius-specimens. ART. X. Byron on the Pope and Bowles Controversy. P. 616—626. Byron's Letter to Mr. Murray in defence of Pope-unfavourable opinion as to sects of poets-how Pope ranks-extremes of judgment respecting him -danger of any theory as to natural and artificial poetry-passages quoted in behalf of the latter-summary animadversion on Byron for sundry er

rors.

NUMBER FOR JUNE.

ART. I. Study of Botany. P. 631-648.

High character of Sir J. E. Smith a guarantee-claims of botany-sketch of its progress-its influence and associations-artificial and natural systems compared-analysis of Sir J. Smith's Grammar of Botany, with extracts and remarks extension of study recommended-Dr. Millar's Guide noticed favourably, and quoted.

ART. II. British Ornithology. P. 648--654.

General interest of subject--historical sketch of works respecting it—Mr. Atkinson's Compendium an entire failure-some of its defects and errors stated.

ART. III. The Hermit in the Country. P. 655—661. Former general character preserved and appreciated-fair specimens of his observations.

2

ART. IV. James Hogg. P. 662-672.

His imprudence in publishing Memoirs-sketch of his life, with extracts and critical opinions on his various works-concluding strictures and ad

vice.

ART. V. Bombay Literary Society Transactions. P. 673-690. General character creditable-analysis of some of its interesting contentsthe Miritolmemalik; Pearce on the present state of Abyssinia; Kennedy on Persian literature; Volcanic eruption in Sumbawa; Macmurdo on province of Cutch; Kennedy on the Emperor Akbar's attempt to introduce a new religion into India; Account of Mahummud Mehdi and his

sect.

ART. VI. N. Poussin, and Progress of Fine Arts in France. P. 689–717. Historical sketch and biographical notices respecting the fine arts in France -memoirs of N. Poussin, with extracts from Mrs. Graham's commended work.

ART. VII. The Allied Powers and Naples. P. 717-732. Presumption of Whig Pamphlet on subject-exposition of its sentimentspolicy of British interference doubtful-retrospective considerations as to conduct of England during revolutionary war-her general union with other governments admitted not to imply her agreement as to all their measures-she might have aided Neapolitans-inexpediency and probable consequences of such assistance-England in better guidance than to have been so committed-Carbonari pourtrayed-folly of Whig exultation as to Neapolitan revolution-that revolution variously described-its character ascertained-general moral effect of such ill-devised efforts.

THE

EDINBURGH

MONTHLY REVIEW.

JANUARY, 1821.

ART. I.-The Oppositionist; or, Reflections on the Present State of Parties. London, Hatchard & Son. 1820. Pp. 54.

WE E avail ourselves of the occasion which the perusal of this sensible and well-written pamphlet presents, to lay before our readers some of the reflections which have occurred to us upon the present state of the country.

It is but too certain, that a change has of late years been rapidly working in the political temperament of the mass of the people, which it would be folly alike for those who hail it as the precursor of human improvement, and those who denounce it as the omen of approaching convulsions, to dispute. The symptoms of this great change meet us every where in our progress through ordinary life, and appal us in every transaction that bears the stamp of publicity. They are audible in the impatient murmurs of discontent,-in the bold but shallow contempt of all authority and institution,—in the universal impetuosity with which the crowd rushes to every assemblage which displays the banners and avows the designs of anarchy,—and, not least of all, in the almost incredible consumption throughout the land of the pestilent product of that profane and abandoned press which has so greatly disgraced the cause of freedom, and furnished to future tyrants arguments that are all but triumphant for extinguishing it. The almost universal spread of the principles of sedition and impiety, is not more a proof of the wicked zeal of the workers of rebellion, than of the large preparation which has already been made in the hearts and habits of the people for their reception.

We know, that we shall by some persons be condemned as alarmists for making these statements; but we can without difficulty encounter or contemn that charge. We can anticipate the

quarter from which such an imputation will proceed,—and while we speak not at present of party, and disclaim every allusion to any constitutional body in the state, we must frankly declare, that the only thing, with reference to this matter, which we should dread, would be a sympathy in sentiment with persons who can overlook or despise the actual dangers of the country. We know what these persons have done, and are now doing; their past exploits are on record, and their present occupations shall in due time find their historian.

Who, we would ask, are the men who venture to bring this charge against all who read differently from themselves the signs of the times? Are they persons who endeavour to realize, by their healing and patriotic exertions, that tranquillity of which they are so forward to offer their own unavailing guarantee? While to our rulers they inculcate confidence, do they also read lessons of conciliation and of peace to the people? Do they follow up their pledge of internal security, by making any reasonable efforts to redeem it, or justify their mockery of alarm by soothing the spirit of disorder? For an answer to these questions, we have only to refer to all that has been spoken and written by our intrepid quietists for the last thirty years, and to pray the reader to observe, with what admirable consistency of aim the men who endeavoured to quell the spirit of patriotism in time of war, are now employed in relaxing the duty of constitutional obedience in time of peace,-how those who strenuously persuaded the people of this renowned empire, that they might find a foreign and a military yoke tolerable, now dare to preach to them that a British constitution passes all endurance?

Is there, indeed, no cause for rational alarm and considerate preparation in the present crisis of our public affairs?-It is something even that the general mind has become more enlightened,; because knowledge is power-and power being susceptible of a malignant as well as a salutary direction,-requires to be watched, of course. If the people be truly more knowing, and by consequence more powerful, may they not be tempted to abuse this power, and to aim, in the audacity produced by their new acquirements, at the destruction of a system of government which it is alike their interest and their duty to uphold? Unbridled power is the great corrupter of the heart, and the same possession which has ever been deprecated in the hands of princes and of states, may perhaps demand some little circumspection, even when entrusted to the boasted virtue of the populace.

Not only, however, is all knowledge power, but there is a knowledge of which the power is pure malignity and unadulterated evil. There are lessons which detach from all duty