and I do not think vou are improved from being so. I do not mean that practice and further experience may not have rendered you more ready, more perfect in the same style of speaking-affuredly they woud, -certainly have done fo. But I mean, that it is a partial tyle of speaking-it wants enlargement- and withoui which, you cannot be rated either as an able or a good political speaker. I have often compared you in speaking, to Mr. Wilkes in acling--who, if you examine bis public line throughout, has never done any thing from himself; but in every inliance has derived all his consequence, throve entirely by a happy power which he poffeffes of catching at the weak. erroneous parts of conduct in those with whom he is in contest -and by a mallely exposure and turn of these-not by ar y self-superiority or excellence-bas constantly worked out his own private advantage, has established his political importance In like manner speaking in P -t, - - your power and weight of parts confilt noc in the mass of information and force of argument thrown by you upon the question, or into the debate-but in an art you have of twilling to your purpose, and shewing the weak side of argument in those who have spoken before you, giving no proof on your own part either of uncommon reach of ihought, or superior intelligence of mind. In a word, you seem generally to have gathered your knowledge of the subjeë in discusion, from those who have previ. ously delivered their sentiments, and almolt always appear to speak upon the debate rather than to it. With such a House of Commons as the present, this may fucceed; -was it composed of such characters, as this country in former days saw ficting there you could not fail of very soon feeling the insufficiency of this. What I have just remarked, is peculiarly obiervable in that reply you made to the miniller, which has given rise to this Letter I have the honour to address to you. And unless you correct it-unlessyou practice-give your abilities a wider range-which can only be done by the directions laid down in the motto I have taken from Lord Bolingbroke-you shortly will be outfiript and quite loft in the politie cal race :-for there is a character that started it is true, at great distance from you, but is now coming falt up, gains considerably upon you. He has to force him forward all those advantages which you have played away-and besides ample polilions and good name, has to proof, excellent judgment-and though perhaps not the grea:eft brilliancy, yet a solidity of parts, which while ihey reflect lufire upon himself, give his country every promising hope.- As your glare ofAaly ones wears off-he with that conscious dignity trce merit gives, will rise rapid in opinion-will gain the nation's confidence, and win himself the general esteem. You must have anticipated me here, and already have repeated Mr. Grenville's name.' The passage alluded to from Boiingbroke, in the preceding extract, is this: * They who affect to head an opposition, or to make any considerable figure in it, muit be equal at least to those whom they oppole ; I do not say in parts only, but in application and industry, and the fruits of both, information, knowledge, and a certain con tant preparedness for all the events that may arise. Every admini. Rev. May, 1778. Dd Araiion Stration is a system of conduct : Opposition, therefore, should be a system of conduct likewise ; an opposite, but not a dependant fyftem.' BOLINGB, on the Spirit of Patriotism. Art. 24. A Letter to his Grace the Duke of Buccleugh on National Defence; with some Remarks on Dr. Smith's Chapter on that Subje& in his Book entitled, An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, 8vo. 1 s. 6 d. Murray. 1778. The general object of this letter is to display the utility of a da. tional militia: Its more immediate design appears to be, to recommend the establishment of a militia in Scotland. On these topics the writer makes many fencible observations; and, in the course of his remarks endeavours, but we think without success, to discover some inconsistencies in Dr. Smith's reasonings on this subject. E. Art. 25. An Appeal to the People of England, on the present Situation of National Affairs, and to the County of Norfolk, on some late Transactions and Reports. 8vo. 6 d. Bew. 1778. A warm expoftulation with those who acted in opposition to the measures lately proposed at Norwich, for the support of Government, parricularly by a subscription for recruiting the army. The author writes with zeal, but not without knowledge. He gives a fair view of our present critical situation with respect to the American quarrel,-allowing a little for some degree of resentment agaicit the provincials, whom he supposes to have long enterained ideas of independency; and he ardently exhorts us to lay aside all party disputes, and like good citizens, to unite in the defence of the honour and welfare of Old England. NOVELS and MEMOIR s. before her Retirement. 12mo. 2 Vols. 6s. Noble. E. Art. 27. The History of Eliza Warwick. 2 Vols. os. Bew. 1777. This is an entertaining tale, related in easy and agreeable, and where the occasion requires, in pathetic language: it is calculated to touch the springs of tender sympathy; and, notwithstanding its dir.. trefling catatrophe, is better adapted to produce a good moral efa fect, than many of those agreeable stories in which virtue is made at last triumphant. We bear this settimony to the merit of Eliza Was. wick, not because the writer has relpe a fully solicited mercy, but becaufe juflice requires it. E. 12mo. Art. Art. 28. The Offspring of Fancy. By a Lady. 12mo. 2 Vols. 6 s. Bew. 1777. We find too much confusion in the plan, and negligence in the execution of this novel, to allow it any considerable share of merit, If it ferve to beguile one of those tedious hours, which our countrywomen, with such invincible patience and perseverance, devote to the external labours of the head, it is all that can be expected. E, Art. 29. The History of Melinda Harley, Yorklhire. 12mo. 2 s. od. fewed. Robinson. 1777. A very inoffenfive, but a very doll and ill-writen book, which, Short as it is, the author has been under the neceficy of ekeing out with-a fermon. If this piece of clumsy patch work was put together by a fais sempitress, we wish her better success in the labours of the needle, to which we would advise her for the future to confine her ambition. E. Art. 30. The Unfortunate Union, or the Test of Virtue ; a Story founded on Facis, and calculated to promote the Cause of Virtue in younger Minds. Written by a Lady. 2 Vols. 12 mo. 6s. bound. Richardson and Urquhart. 1778. There is something so exceedingly disgusting in the exhibition of characters, which have no cines of elegance or virtue, to soften the coarse lines of vulgar manners, or enliven the dark thades of abandoned libertinism - here is something so extremely painful, in feeing such characters employed in harafling, tormenting, and defaming an innocent and gentle spirit that it is surprising such representations should be thought capable of affording entertainment, or calcu. lated to promote the cause of virtue in young minds. Characters and scenes of this kind, make so capital a figure in the present novel, that we cannot think eicher the variety of incidents and chasacters which the author has introduced, or her attempt to punish and reform her rakes in the issue of the tale, a sufficient compenfa. tion for the disagreeable impressions which the preceding part of the narrative leaves upon the mind. The Ayle of the piece is not, however, of the lowest order. E. Art. 31. Greenwood Farm. Written by a Warrant Oficer belonging to the Navy. 2 Vols. oble. 1778. It is fortunate for this gentleman, that he does not place his point of honour in the management of the quill, and that having « formed no expectations, he is prepared not to be disappointed, let the face of his work be what it may.” The piece is so extremely defective in incident, sentiment, and language, that we apprehend he will find few readers who will think him entitled to praise as an author, whatever claims he may have upon the public as a naval officer. E. Art. 32. The History of Miss Maria Barlowe, in a Series of Letters, 2 Vols. Fielding and Waiker. 1777: This tale is so perfectly infipid, and related in such vulgar language, that it cannot, we imagine, afford a moment's gratification to the most eager devourer of novels. If it can be read at all, it may however be read with safety, for its ftupidity renders is perfectly inoffensive. Even the forward Miss in her teens, who in this Dd 2 I 2mo, 6s. wriver's 12 mo. writer's language) begins to feel that she wishes Dot to travel E. This Novel is so much in the manner of the Letters from the DR A M A TI c. nally written, and intended for Representation, by the late Sa- The Trip to Calais having been reviewed in manuscript by the C, Three Acts. As it is performed at ene Theatre Royal in the Hay. Introduced to the stage, and perhaps touched and retouched here Royal'in Drury-Line. <vo. 18. od. Robinson. 1778. This drama has 101, it seems, been regularly enrolled in the catalogue of theatrical rerformances. It is not, indeed, a capital performance ; yet the Maid of Kent, taken altogether, is four fuperior 10 many cmedies that have been inuoduced to the Public with alt the spicndurs of theatrical sunshine. Nature and simplicity, fomeLiibes however falling into puerility, are she characteristics of this performance. The prologue and epilogue are contemptible. C 4 Art. o c. Art. 37. Songs and Chorusses in the Comic Opera of Belphegor • Now.performing at the Theatre-Royal in Drury.lane. 8vo. Od. This poetaster very properly 'submits, with timidity, his efforts for Po E TICA L. I s. od. 19-8. • SIR, c. Art. 39. John and Susan; or, the Intermediler rewarded: A Tale, addressed to the French King. 410. od. Bath printed, John and Susan quarrelling, neighbour Raiph interferes, and takes King. 4to. 2 s. 6d, Rivinglon. 1778. • The meek American can fast and pray, Can beg his God to wash his fins away.' Death or William Earl of Chacham. By Thomas Haitings. 4to. Alas, poor Britannia, how wofully doft thou lament thy loss! Art. - This poel L. |