found, however, to prepare them but indifferently for the counting-house; and Mr. K. is, therefore, desirous to impart to his scholars, destined to commercial pursuits, an early and familiar acquaintance with the phraseology, adapted to a well conducted mercantile correspondence.

The design is commendable, and we think that the merit of the work keeps pace with the pretensions of its author. It is, on the whole, a well executed performance, although we have occasionally met with phrases, both in French and English, which have no claim to the praise of purity or neatness. These instances, however, are not sufficiently numerous to detract from the general merit of the work...

The value of it would have been increased, if Mr. K. had subjoined an index, by which a reference to passages might be facilitated, as the need for them occurred in real business.

Art. XVII. Select Passages from the Diary and Letters of the late John Blackader, Esq. formerly Lieutenant Colonel of the 26th. or Cameronian Regiment of Foot, and afterwards Deputy Governor of Stirling Castle. Written chiefly during the most interesting Scenes and Engagements of the War in Flanders and Germany, conducted by John Duke of Marlborough. Now first published from his own MSS. and interspersed with Explanatory and Historical Notes; to which is prefixed an Account of the Life and Parentage of the Writer. With a Preface by John Newton, Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, London. 12mo. pp. 310. price 2s. 6d. Edinburgh, 1806.

THE letters here presented to the public,' says the venerable Mr. Newton, were providentially preserved from being destroyed as waste paper, by coming, after having been thrown aside and neglected for many years, into the hands of a person who knew their value... It appears from his, (Col. B's) letters, that he was an officer of rank in the army of the duke of Marlborough in Flanders, during that war with France which was terminated by the peace of Utrecht. He was a married man, and happily married. The letters, most of which were written to his wife when he was engaged in military duty, and some of them from the field of battle, are chiefly in the same strain, and do not afford that variety which may be expected from writers who have much leisure. But they exhibit a beautiful picture of tender conjugal affection, heightened and sanctified by true religion; the sure tendency and effects of which, when it really possesses and influences the heart, are to increase the relish of our temporal comforts, and to sweeten and alleviate the cares and trials incident to bur respective situations in life... The God whom he served and trusted protected him in many seasons of danger; his dependence upon his providence and care was habitual. He was a wise and brave officer, a solid, pious, and consistent Christian.' Pref. pp. 1, 2-5, 6. ·

As some further account of this exemplary man may not be unacceptable to our readers, we shall copy a few particulars

from the Account of Col. Blackader's Life and Parentage,' which is subjoined to Mr. Newton's recommendatory preface, by a gentleman competent to that service.'

The subject of this memoir was fifth and youngest son of Mr. John Blackader, minister of the parish of Troqueer, situated in the county, and very near the town, of Duinfries.' Mr. B. was born in 1615, ordained a minister of the church of Scot-. land in 1653, and deprived of his living, with other Presbyterian ministers, in 1662. He died in prison for conscience sake in 1687. To his great grandson, Mr. John Blackader, Accomptant General of Excise, the public is indebted for a considerable part of the communications now published. Lt. Col. Blackader was born on the 14th Sep. 1661. His piety is said' to have been early, and it proved abiding. He was admitted to the Lord's Supper when he was only 12 years of age. He entered the army as a cadet in the twenty-fifth year of his age.' In this situation, as we have already seen, he honourably united the intrepid officer with the conscientious Christian, cherishing the flame of vital godliness in the corrupt and pestilent atmosphere of iniquity; enjoying the esteem of the brave, and the special care of providential protection. In 1711 he left the continent and the army, and in 1712 was appointed Deputy-Governor of Stirling Castle. After several years of painful affliction, from a calculus in the bladder, he died in faith and tranquillity August 1729.

The editor has ingrafted into his memoir a sketch of Mr. John Blackader's life, a brief historical account of the persecutions under Charles II., and of the causes of the war in which Col. B. was engaged. He has vindicated the lawfulness of a military life, in particular cases, and has related two interesting anecdotes of the Colonels' fortitude and Christian magnanimity in refusing challenges. He has also warned his readers against a degree of fanciful and enthusiastic sentiment, which he thinks is sometimes discoverable in the papers before us. This diary commences with the year 1704, and concludes with that of 1715, in which Col. B. had the honour of rendering useful service to his country, by training a body of troops to repel the Pretender. Important historical notes are very properly introduced to explain and connect the narrative.

His letters are chiefly addressed to Mrs. Blackader in the years 1705-1711. With an extract from one of these, combined with a passage in the diary, we shall conclude our notice of this pleasing and useful publication. The event recorded is the celebrated and bloody battle of Malplaquet, August 21, 1709.

Aug. 31. This day is one of the greatest Ebenezers in my life. We haye fought a battle, and by the mercy and goodness of God have ob

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tained a great and glorious victory. We attacked the enemy in their camp, a strong camp, and strongly entrenched by two days working.

The battle began about seven in the morning, and continued till about three in the afternoon. It was the most deliberate, solemn, and well ordered battle that ever I saw- -a noble and fine disposition, and as nobly executed. Every one was at his post, and I never saw troops engage with more cheerfulness, boldness and resolution. In all the soldiers faces appeared a brisk and cheerful gayness, which presaged victory.” It has not been a cheap battle to the army, especially the Dutch foot have suffered much. We attacked them in strong entrenchments. Thề most that we suffered was by their cannon. Our los is considerable, but the greatest is poor colonel Cranston. He was killed by a cannon ball (sitting upon the head of the regiment) shot in at the left pap, and out at the back. He spoke not a word.'

It is put upon you to prepare Mrs. Cranston, and to give her the doleful news; every body sympathises tenderly with her, and none I am sure more than me; none more universally regretted than he. My dearest what reason have we to adore the Divine goodness, who puts such songs of praise in our mouth, while others are employed in mournful lamentations and sorrow!'

Let us have our hearts the more filled with thankfuluess, and our mouths with praise, to the God of our mercies, and who gives us such signal and frequent deliverances. Jehovah nissi! For as busy a day as if was, and hot action, I never had a pleasanter day in my life, for all was well with me. My mind stayed trusting in God, I was kept in perfect peace-frequent ejaculations in the intervals of action; and, applying to the throne of grace, I received bountiful supplies for whatever I had to do-faith was in lively exercise, and I had communion with God sometimes by prayer, sometimes by praise, according to the various turns that affairs took; for the French stood stiffly to it, especially their horsethey behaved well, and repulsed ours several times, but our foot sustained our horse. Brigadier Lalo is killed, and poor Captain Monro Argyle's and theirs have suffered most of the English and the Guards. Lord Tulibarden is killed, and Colonel Swinton, Colonel Holburn and his Lieutenant, Colonel Hamilton, and their regiments almost ruined. Brigadier Douglass ill wounded. In short, it has been a very dear vic tory, but it was a glorious day. The Lord of hosts went on upon out head as captain of our hosts, and all the army followed with great courage and resolution.'

I cannot yet tell you what will be the fruits of our victory—I hope a lasting peace.' pp. 102-103. 225-228.

Art. XVIII. Considerations for and against a South American Expedition. 8vo. pp. 83. Price 2s. 6d. Budd. 1805.

WE notice this pamphlet that our readers may not be cheated, as we have been, of half-a-crown, by so barefaced an imposition, consisting of extracts from the public prints. The subject, however, connected with the expédition now on foot. under General Miranda, is otherwise important and interesting

FRENCH LITERATURE.

Art. XIX. Travels in the two Louisianas, and among the Savage Na. tions on the River Missouri, in the United States, on the River Ohio, and the adjacent Provinces, in 1801, 1802, 1803. By M. Perrin Dulac, with a Map of the Missouri, and a plate of the Mammoth, as seen in the Philadelphian Museum. At Lyons, Brunset and Buynard; at Paris, Treuttel and Wirtz.

1 vol. 8vo. 5s.

THE author commences his work by expatiating on the city of Philadelphia, and its inhabitants; on the Jerseys, Baltimore, George Town, the Fœderal city, &c.; but as these subjects have no novelty, we pass them without remark.

There is something interesting in M. D.'s account of those settlers, who have penetrated far to the west, in America. Hunters by profession, as by necessity, they are at least as savage as the original inhabitants of these remote districts. They always choose for their first settlement the side of some spring, or running stream, on whose banks they construct a log-house, the completion of which rarely occupies a single man more, than three days. This spot they do not cultivate; but they cut a circle in the bark of the surrounding trees, and the progress of the sap being, by this means, interrupted, the tree quickly loses its verdure. The leaves falling off, no longer prevent the direct rays of the sun from penetrating to the earth. The maize sown beneath these leafless branches, prospers almost equally with that of the best cultivated grounds. The seed being cominitted to the earth, the labour of the man is terminated; and the chase becomes his sole occupation. That of his wife is, to furnish clothing for her household. If the necessaries for this purpose cannot be procured, the younger members of the family go naked, while the elder children barely obey, in point of covering, the dictates of nature. This traveller has seen girls of twelve, or thirteen, years of age, absolutely naked, but not the less merry, or satisfied. Maize, pounded, and mixed with milk, is their ordinary food. The flesh meat, procured by the father, is quickly expended; but nobody thinks of to-morrow. The skins of the animals he has killed afford dresses for him, and for the elder sons; and whatever can be exchanged against whiskey, prolongs their tipsy revels, while it lasts. Two years is their usual stay in one place. The most provident gather three harvests, and then proceed in search of a district where game is more abundant. Such is the life of these European savages! How astonishing, then, is the report of our author, that some persons of respectability in society, have abandoned their situations for the enjoyment of these wilds; and, like a Colonel Brown, whom he mentions, fancy they can breathe freely only in a wilderness, where they may travel fifty miles without discovering a human habitation. A horse, a cow, a musket, by which to procure food, are the whole establishment of such a rover.

Our traveller describes, in strong terms, the rapidity of the Missouri, and its dangerous navigation. He was favourably received at Sainte Genevieve, the first Spanish post, two miles distant from the river. This village comprises a population of about 1300 persons, one third of which are slaves. The soil is fertile beyond credibility. They sow and reap with

in the compass of a few days; and this ensures their subsistence for the year. Lead mines, in the neighbourhood, to which all have equal ́ right, furnish money, with which they purchase.clothes, and what few other necessaries are requisite. Void of instruction, nor willing to be instructed; the youth are always at the chase, on horseback, or dancing. The children, by associating with their savage neighbours, contract the same dispositions and manners, especially their indolence. This tribe of Indians, is the remnant of a once numerous nation, now greatly reduced by war, and by the small-pox; more fatally still, by the poison of strong liquors. They are characterized by our author as idlers, drunkards, and thieves.

Contrasted with this unmanly generation, is the nation of the Chawanons, which is so numerous as to be divided into several tribes, settled at considerable distances from each other. The principal community resides, on the banks of the lake Mechigan. Courageous, sagacious, active, industrious, and excellent huntsmen, they purchase, without difficulty, their clothing, and even exchange their superfluities for silver ornaments; of which they are extremely fond. Better stocked with horses, than the wealthiest villages in Europe, they have always a certain number at their doors, ready to pursue whatever enemies might attempt to seize those which are feeding in the pastures. Some breed cows and pigs, and cultivate maize, pumpkins, watermelons, potatoes, and even corn enough for their subsistence during the greater part of the year. In their late wars against the Americans they were bitter enemies; though generally, in previous wars, they were esteemed rather favourable to their prisoners. Like all the original natives of America, they preserve some confused idea of the Supreme Being; but they think little concerning him. They believe, also, the immortality of the soul, and expect after death to revive in a land of abundance; but this very slightly engages their attention. This expectation enables them to meet death in its most horrid forms, if not with indifference, yet with resolution. The Chawanons are, of all uncultivated people hitherto known, the most attentive to cleanliness, and personal decoration. In general, they are tall, portly, and well-made. The women, though not beauties, are infinitely superior to the neighbouring natious. More active, more provident, and attentive, they wash their linen and their coverings; make their own soap, and are incessantly at work for themselves, or their husbands. They are, for the most part, rich in silver decorations, bracelets, collars, head-circlets, or crosses. They frequently comb their long tresses; and bestow more attention on their children than most other women, of any nation. The young women, who pretend to beauty, and wish to obtain husbands, practice an amusing species of coquetry. They seclude themselves at home with the most persevering assiduity; or, if they go abroad, they muffle themselves up so completely, that only their eyes are visible. The very men of their own dwellings, cannot obtain the favour of beholding them without closely watching for opportunities. This indication of conscious beauty, produces many offers from among the young men. The most famous hunter, or warrior, usually acquires the suffrages of the family; but, as the consent of the lady is requisite, he is under the neces-. sity of obtaining that felicity by effecting a stolen interview with the fair invisible.

-Our author visited four Indian nations, the Kances, the Ottotacs, the

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