from the Christian dispensation. This dispensation, indeed, seems to be considered as the basis of a metaphysical theory, and a moral code, the most agreeable to truth and reason; but by no means as a message of reconciliation to perishing sinners, or a declaration of the important fact that Christ is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to bestow repentance and remission of sins,' having died, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God.' If nothing more than a philosophical system was necessary for the human race, why was not a philosophical system more clearly revealed, and why was a divine mission indispensably requisite to establish it? and if a divine mission was not indispensable, how surprising is the immense waste of that miraculous agency, which no person can reasonably dispute, who admits the authenticity of oue sentence in the New Testament? In fact, what does the Divine legation of the Redeemer avail for Mr. Carpenter, and those who imbibe the system which apparently he has adopted? They will not admit its authority over their faith; all they will admit is, that it shall suggest, or confirm, the inferences of reason; that is, shall render us such assistance as scientific theorists are accustomed to furnish. Yet surely, it did not require such operose and magnificent preparations, to instruct us in the same manner as Sir Isaac Newton or Adam Smith has instructed us.

That these objections should appear formidable to Mr. Carpenter, we have little hope. We know too well how powerful a principle is the love of system; and that, when not only the vanity of man is concerned in the defence of a human system, but his pride is deeply interested in its truth, a far greater power is requisite, than we can expect from common means, to accomplish its demolition.

The typographical appearance of this publication demands particular praise; it is very creditable to a provincial press.

Art. XVI. The History of Scotland, related in familiar Conversations, by a Father to his Children; interspersed with Moral and Instructive Remarks, and Observations on the most Leading and Interesting Subjects. Designed for the Perusal of Youth, by Elizabeth Helme, Author of Instructive Rambles, &c. 2 Volumes, 12mo. pp. 550. Price 8s. bound. Longman and Co. Ostell. 1806.

MRS. Helme, in her brief but comprehensive History of

Scotland, has taken upon herself the task of preceptor to the rising generation, in a very useful department of study; and has been in no inconsiderable degree successful. She has with great impartiality traced the history of the Scottish people to the earliest records, and conducted her readers

through scenes of devastation, to the period when the Scottish monarchy became united to the English, in the person of James the First. The work will certainly prove a suitable present to youth; for though it ought not to supersede books of more importance on the same subject, it is an excellent epitome of facts; and the reflections, which are tolerably well introduced in the form of conversations, are creditable to the understanding and the heart of the fair author. A sentence uttered by our Saviour, is quoted from the Gospel of Luke, and ascribed to the evangelist, who is called an apostle; and more than once, in reference to the acceptance of individuals with God, Mrs. H. represents their sufferings as atoning for their crimes; a notion which is inconsistent with common sense, as well as Revelation, and which we are sure a little reflection would have corrected.

Art.XVII. Reflections on the recent Extension of the Porver of their Lordships the Bishops, &c. 8vo. pp. 44. Price 18. 6d. Longman and Co.

1806.

SOME sensible clergyman, we may suppose, viewing the

subject in a serious light, has here undertaken to plead against robbing Peter to pay Paul, by taking power out of the hands of the rectors to give it to the bishops. We shall not venture to obtrude the profanum vulgus as arbitrators between men in holy orders, or incur the charge of presumption by deciding where doctors disagree. But we must seriously declare that the anonymous writer has stated a strong case, and made a forcible appeal to the judgement and feelings of his countrymen. He conceives that the recent acts, which have given to the bishops so much power with regard to the curates and the residence of the beneficed clergy, are incompatible with the principles of the British constitution; a violation, both of the act of union with Scotland, and of the coronation oath; an infringement on the liberty of the subject, and a concealed mine under the church as established by the law. The reader will readily perceive, with us, that the writer has weakened his cause by the common error of contending for too much. His arguments would almost prove the illegality of any alteration in the church. The summary and arbitrary mode of procedure which the Bishop is empowered to adopt, appears to us capable of bearing hard on the clergy; but at the same time it arises out of the nature of episcopal authority, and accords with the system of ecclesiastical courts, which we by no means suspect the author of any disposition to undermine.

The hardships complained of are, that bishops are em

powered to license any curate who shall be employed at the time by the incumbent, though neither nominated nor intended to fill the place permanently; that the ordinary may revoke, summarily and without process,' any licence granted to any curate, and remove him from his curacy, subject to an appeal to the Archbishop, to be determined in a summary way: and lastly, that the Bishop may allow to any curate any stipend, not exceeding 751. over and above the use of the parsonage house, or 157. per ann. in lieu of it; even where the living itself may not be worth 501. or even 107. per ann.

Such are the powers of which this writer complains. We advise him, and the many who think with him, to continue their appeal to the public in a way of temperate argument, as preliminary to a more solemn appeal to the legislature; and we doubt not but there is sufficient equity and good sense in the country, to procure the abrogation of such laws as can bet proved oppressive and uncongenial with the constitution.

Art. XVIII. More Miseries!! addressed to the Morbid, the Melancholy, and the Irritable. By Sir Fretful Murmur, Knt. 12mo. pp. 190. Price 5s. bds. Mathews, 1806.

IF Sir Fretful Murmur cannot be extolled for his original genius, he has at least an admirable talent for copying another man's plan, and for cribbing a jest from one part of his own book to enrich another part. It is true, he has not given us any Latin criticism to construe; but this he considered altogether superfluous, rightly judging how difficult we should sometimes find it to understand his English. Few readers, it must be confessed, will be hardy enough to assert that his jokes are often humourous or brilliant, but then none will deny that they are often licentious and indelicate. In short, Mr. M, we beg pardon, Sir F. M. has devoured and digested the Miseries of Human Life;' those persons who chuse, may accept his invitation to a second hand feast!

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Art. XIX. Italian Extracts; or a Supplement to Galignani's Lectures : consisting of an extensive Selection from the best Classic and Modern Italian Authors, preceded by a copious Vocabulary, with familiar Phrases and Dialogues, by the Editor, Antonio Montucci, Sanese, LL.D. 8vo. pp. 386. Price 7s. bds. Boosey. 1806.

IN compiling this little volume, Dr. Montucci has rendered a considerable service to the Italian student. It contains an extensive vocabulary taken from Facciolati's Ortografia Italiana, with an English translation; a collection of familiar VOL. II. & X

phrases, chiefly taken from Baretti and Vergani; and a set of easy dialogues translated from Goudar's French Grammar. After these are introduced anecdotes, letters, and sonnets, which are arranged in two divisions respectively, the Stil classico, and the Stil moderno; the same order is preserved in the extracts from Italian poets, in which the young reader will find some of the finest passages in Tasso, Ariosto, and Dante, contrasted with the writings of Metastasio, Goldoni, and the late Count Alfieri. The Dithyrambic poem of Redi, intitled Bacco in Toscana, is inserted entire. The volume concludes with selections from the prose of Boccaccio, as our Author prefers calling him, Segneri, and Algarotti. We may, without much limitation, pronounce it a respectable and useful work.

But if the young reader peruses it with attention, he may derive a prudential lesson, far more valuable than any assistance it can afford in the prosecution of his studies: he will perceive that when a learned and ingenious man is chargeable with vanity, pedantry, and affectation, his talents will not protect him from public animadversion; that the more he is elevated as a scholar, the more he will excite notice and ridicule as an egotist; and that in proportion as he claims too much respect, he will obtain too little.

Art. XX. The Swiss Exile, a Poem. By Shirley Palmer (Litchfield) with an engraving in aqua tinta. 4to. pp. 20. Price 3s. 6d. Longman and Co.

THE subject of this little poem will doubtless procure it readers; a subject, which time can never deprive of its preeminent interest, though dullness may. The moral tenor of the sentiments appears to be unexceptionable. The expression "yon God," is not respectful; but this we believe is a provincialism.

Art, XXI. Four Sermons, preached in London, at the Twelfth General Meeting of the Missionary Society, May 10, 11, 12, 1806. By the Rev. T. Charles, A. B. Bala; S. Bradley, Manchester; D. Bogue, A. M. Gosport; R. Whittingham, Everton; also the Report of the Directors, and a List of the Subscribers. Published for the Benefit of the Society. 8vo. pp. 150. Price 3s. Williams. 1806.

THIS annual volume contains, as usual, the Report of the

Directors of the Missionary Society, and four Sermons, preached before that Society, previous to collections for the support of its funds. The Report describes the state of the missions in Otaheite, North America, South Africa, Asia, and

Ceylon; the steps which have been taken in preparing for a mission in China; and the plans in contemplation for attempting the conversion of the Jews. To this report are an nexed a list of Missionaries, and the stations in which they are employed, and a statement of contributions and expenditure.

The length and diversified contents of this interesting article will not admit of its appearing in any form on our pages; we therefore feel it the more our duty to recommend the work itself, to the attention of our readers.

Of the sermons it may be sufficient to say, they possess con siderable, though very different merit, and may be read by every serious Christian with pleasure and edification. The subjects, are The yoke of bondage destroyed by Christ, Isa. x. 27. God's covenant the believers' plea in favour of the dark corners of the earth, Ps. lxxiv. 20. The duty of Christians to seek the salvation of the Jews, Rom. x. 1. Messiah lifted up as an ensign to the people, Isa. xi. 10.

The institution itself needs no praise of ours. The labo rious and expensive exertions of such societies, formed solely to advance the kingdom of the Redeemer, and the happiness of mankind, cannot fail to obtain the admiration of all who cordially admit the authority of Divine Revelation, or even recognize the excellence of disinterested philanthropy.

FRENCH LITERATURE.

Art. XXII. Travels in the Southern Governments of the Russian Empire, in the Years 1793, and 1794. By Professor Pallas, translated from the German into French, by M. M. de la Boulaye, M. D. of Goettingen; and Tonnelier, Member of the Societies of Natural History, and Philomatique, at Paris, Conservator of the Cabinet of Mineralogy, belonging to the School of Mines. 2 vols. 4to. with 28 Vignettes, and an Atlas of 55 Plates, oblong. Paris. 31. 3s.

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T is known to most of our readers, that the late Professor Pallas was a man of an enlarged mind, and of extensive science; he enjoyed the patronage of the late Empress, Catharine II. of Russia, and was employed by that sovereign for the purpose of exploring those districts of her vast empire, which compose the Caucasean governments. Previous to this appointment, they were seldom visited by any other than military officers, whose studies rarely deviated from the line of their profession; so that, for the most part, their capabilities of improvement were little understood, even by the supreme Government. The Empress, therefore, commissioned several distinct companies of learned men to explore these remote provinces. Their reports abound with information; and are valuable, not merely to the naturalist, the geographer, and the politician, but also to the serious investigator of the human heart, understanding, and manners.

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