and adinired by every friend of truth and piety, who is ac quainted with his writings. His short view of Scripture History is, on some accounts, the most complete work of the kind that has fallen under our observation; but as it is too large to be committed to memory, its catechetical form is liable to ob→ jection.

In the first of the publications before us, we have a much shorter catechism than Dr. Watts's, which may be useful in assisting children to recollect the Scripture-History. We cannot, however, so cordially recommend it as we could wish, chiefly on account of its monstrous disproportion; the first half of its pages containing questions and answers on the History of Genesis alone; and all that is recollected of the remaining histories of the sacred volume being crowded into the other.

The second of these publications contains an abstract of Dr. Watts's Short View, &c. The editor has done little, besides leaving out the questions, and inserting the answers of the catechism-in the form of a continued narrative; a few words or sentences were sometimes necessary to make the connection appear nutural and easy; these are of course inserted, and sometimes we observe a few improvements of the style.

We know not for what reason, (unless to make the volume of a convenient size,) the editor has omitted Dr. Watts's very useful history, of what is generally termed the connexion between the old and new Testament: a part of the work which we esteem very necessary in the education of young people.

Art. XIX. An easy Grammar of History, ancient and modern; containing a brief Expression of the leading Facts of History, written so as to be readily committed to memory; with Questions and Exercises, by means of which History may be practically taught in Schools. By the Rev. John Robinson, Master of the Free-GrammarSchool, at Ravenstonedale, Westmorland. 12mo. pp. 155. Price 3s. Phillips, 1806.

THE ample title page of this little volume sufficiently explains

its design; we have therefore only to add, it is well written, according to the improved plan of Goldsmith's Grammar of Geography, and it is illustrated by four useful maps; three of them belonging to the ancient history, and one to the modern. We esteem it our duty to remonstrate against the positive assertion, (p. 42,) that Charles H. of England died by poison. Children should not be taught to receive that as an undoubted fact, which is only the conjecture of suspicion, and of which a celebrated historian affirms, (though it may be thought with too much confidence on the other hand) that, all circumstances considered, this suspicion must be allowed to vanish, like many others of which all histories are full.'

6

Art. XX. Cromer considered as a Watering-place; with Observations on the picturesque Scenery in the neighbourhood. By Edmund Bartelt, jun. second Edition, much enlarged, royal Svo. pp. 124. Price 8s. London, J. Taylor; Cromer, Leake, 1806.

THIS publication is designed to introduce the invalid to a small retired bathing place, on the coast of Norfolk, distant from Norwich about twenty-two miles; and those whose health or habits induce them to prefer quiet to dissipation, will probably find their advantage in adopting the suggestion. Cromer was formerly a considerable place, but the old town long ago yielded to the encroachments of the sea, together with the church, some remains of which, it is supposed, are still visible at very low tides. The inhabitants mostly subsist by fishing; some of them are engaged in salting and curing herrings. The work before us is chiefly occupied in describing the scenery of the adjacent country, the seats of the neighbouring gentry, and the market towns within a distance of ten miles. The author's reflections on the picturesque views he describes, and his deduction of landscape principles from these genuine compositions of nature, will be deemed the most entertaining part of the work. If we may depend on the accuracy of his eye, and the fidelity of his descriptions, the visitor will be amply gratified in such an excursion as our cicerone has suggested.

This edition, which is much improved, is handsomely printed; and is adorned with a view of Cromer, a view of interesting and luxuriant scenery on Fellbrigg Heath, and a neatly coloured map of the vicinity. This map is in some respects deficient; it should have delineated the eligible roads which are recommended in the work, and it should have distinguished the seats as well as the parks in which they stand; the churches should also have been inserted, and the mile stones should have marked the distance from London, &c.

These deficiencies we mention as hints for a succeeding edition, and for the notice of those who may be engaged in similar undertakings. We ought also to remark, that the work would have been materially benefited by a rigorous revision.

THANKSGIVING SERMONS.

Art. XXI. A Sermon preached to a Country Congregation, on the occasion of the late General Thanksgiving, &c. &c. By the Rev. Sir Adam Gordon, Bart. Rector of West-Tilbury, Essex. pp. 23. Price 1s. 6d. Rivington, 1806.

IT is our duty to apologize to the Reverend author of this discourse, and his numerous brethren, for our long neglect of the sermons they have published. With regard to performances of this kind, we believe there are almost as many writers as readers; and since it has become the fashion to publish sermons, merely on account of the event which occasioned them, they excite but little curiosity in the public, and not much attention from the critic. We do not expect to render any service to the author of this respectable sermon, by recording it in our pages; but at least we shall perform our duty, and obviate the reproach of neglecting him.

VOL II.

U u

Art. XXII. Victory and Death. The Substance of a Discourse, delivered December 5, 1805, &c. By Thomas Wood, (Huddersfield) pp. 25. Price 1s. 6d.

1806.

THIS is, like the last article, a declamation in praise of the gallant conqueror of Trafalgar, applauding our country and condemning our enemies. We do not see the necessity for preaching against religious establishments on such an occasion.

Art. XXIII. England's Greatness, the Effect of Divine Power and Goodness; a Sermon preached at the Nether Chapel, Sheffield, Dec. 5, 1806. By J. Dawson. pp. 46. Price 1s. Williams. 1805.

THE design of this performance is commendable; it is not in any respect particularly distinguished from the numerous tribe to which it belongs.

Art. XXIV. A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Sedgefield, in the County of Durham, &c. Dec.5, 1805. By the Rev. Thos. Sanders, A. M. of Christ-Church, Oxford, and Curate of Sedgefield. pp. 33. Price 1s. Hatchard. 1806.

SERIOUS and respectable discourse, which does not pompously panegyrize the fallen hero, or the country for which he fell, but which aims to impress more important subjects on the mind. It warmly excites our gratitude for national mercies; but considers this as a duty of far less magnitude than personal repentance, and earnest solicitude for eternal salvation. We should be very glad to find the spirit of this discourse pervade every sermon on a similar occasion.

Art. XXV. The Sword of the Lord & of Gideon. A Sermon delivered in Peckham, Surrey, on Dec. 5, 1806. &c. &c. By W. Bengo Collyer. pp. 24. Price 1s. Conder, 1805.

THE text which is announced in the title is ingeniously divided into

the following heads of discussion; the superintendence of Providence; the necessity of human exertion; the happy effects of their combined influence; and the gratitude we should feel for their success. The discourse is characterized by youthful exuberance of ima gination, rather than by pointed argument, or pious and profitable instruction. Warm compliments paid to his country, may appear to merit for the preacher the praise of patriotism; but in our opinion that homage which requires the violation of historic truth, the stern integrity of the pulpit should disdain to offer.

Neither are we quite pleased that the preacher should excite the liberality of his congregation, 'lest he should be mortified!'

SWEDISH LITERATURE.

Art. XXVI. Svedenstjerna's Travels, &c.concluded from Page 570. HAVING spent the winter in London, M. Svedenstjerna proceeded on his Western Tour; and in March 1803, set off by way of Bath for Exeter. It is from this place that his scientific travels comnience.

Henceforward, he examines the soil with minuteness; he visits the manganese mines at Pyne, near Exeter, the lime-kilns near Newton-Bushel, and the peat-marshes, and veins of coal, near Bovey Tracy; all his remarks display an extensive acquaintance with Natural History, and a mind capable of accurate investigation.

In order to pass the highest part of Dartmoor, he went to Plymouth, by the way of Morton Hampstead; and here he analyses the shining ore, commonly used for cleaning stoves, and at the writing-desk as a substitute for steelfilings; he confirms the opinion, that, notwithstanding its great similarity to blacklead, it is a spathose iron ore, of the same nature as the German eisenman.

From Plymouth Mr. S. pursued his Tour to St. Austle, where he had letters of introduction to Mr. Charles Rashleigh, to whose abilities and patriotism he pays the highest compliments. This is the gentleman who, among his other useful undertakings, planned and founded the convenient harbour, near St. Austle, which after him bears the name of Charlestown. Here our traveller was much surprised to find, that the beautiful farms he saw around him, were, eight years ago, a barren and uninhabited common.

The famous clay near St. Stephen's Church, is afterwards analytically examined; the method of cleaning and preparing it for china manufactories described at some length, and compared with that used in France, and in other parts of the Continent.

Leaving this interesting country, celebrated during so many centuries for its mineral riches, M. S. then returned by way of Bodmin and Launceston, and thence through Barnstaple, to Ilfracomb, where he crossed the Channel to Swansea: at Barnstaple, he was charmed with the hospitality of Mr. W. GRIBBLE, who gave him an introduction to a friend in Ilfracomb, and offered him every assistance, even in money. 'I mention this circumstance' (says Mr. S) as a proof that English civility does not consist merely in treating you at a sumptuous table, but in tendering and affording you more important services.

At Swansea, our traveller was introduced to Dr. Collings, the Portreeve of that place, by a letter from Mr. GREVILLE. Here Mr. S. was completely in his element; along the river Tavey, near Swansea Canal, and on the road to Neath, he found a great number of iron and copper-works, among which Mr. MORRIS, Sheriff of the county, kindly guided him to the most remarkable: here, within the circle of a few Swedish square miles, he found fourteen copper-works, the aggregate produce of which was between 6 and 7000 ton per annum. During his stay at Swansea, he made different excursions, and describes successively the mode of conveyance by Shipping on the Tavey, the Canals and Aqueducts, the Railroads and the Steam-engines. After examining Mr. HAYNES's Pottery, he passed through Neath and Pontney Vaughan, to Merthyr, of which we think the following account may not be unacceptable.

Merthyr Tydvill, which less than twenty years ago was an insignificant place, has since, by its noble iron-works, become one of the most remarkable spots in England. These works, which are known under four different names, Cyfartha, Pennydarran, Dowley, and Plymouthworks, and which belong to as many proprietors or companies, are all situated within the compass of (three English miles) half a Swedish mile in length, and little more than in breadth. Within this narrow

circuit I observed 13 iron forges, which upon an average produced 40 ton of pig-iron per week, and 20,000 ton annually of bar and hoop-iron. Without knowing the situation of these works, and the process now used in England, it is indeed difficult to imagine the possibility of such a produce.'

Mr. S. further states, of the Cyfartha works, that, through the Puddling process, invented by Mr. CORTH, and executed by Mr. ČRAWSHAY, the clear profit in one year of the last war, had exceeded 50,000l. (p. 89.) The number of workmen, including all who are any way employed at these works, he rates at about 4000.

He now proceeds by the way of Abergavenny, through Brosley to see the Calcutt iron-works, and those near Coalbrookdale and at Lightmore; and thence through Shiffnall, Wolverhampton and Wednesbury to Lir mingham.

Between Dudley Castle (the situation of which he praises with animation) and Wolverhampton, our traveller counted in a small circuit of about nine miles, nearly 40 iron-works of different magnitude, and through the polite attention of Mr. WATT of Soho, whose son accompanied him, he found this tour highly interesting. Bradley iron-work, belonging to Mr. J. WILKINSON, being the largest in this neighbourhood, is described at considerable length.

We next find Mr. S. at Sheffield and Rotherham, examining the founderies and manufactories in that neighbourhood: and we are sorry that our limits prevent the insertion of his remarks. Had he now pursued a route through Barnesley, Wakefield, Bradford and Leeds, instead of taking the way of Doncaster, Thorne, Snaith and Selby, he would not have complained that he met with no manufactories deserving his

notice.

He then proceeds by way of York to Hull; and describes this great commercial town, and its different manufactures, with considerable minuteness at this place he saw some of his countrymen, and remained several days. At Newcastle Mr. S. found a great many amateurs of mineralogical science; he mentions particularly Mr. WINCK, Colonel BIGGE, and Mr. Geo. Losi, and notices their cabinets. At the countryhouse of Mr. Thomas Bigge, (founder of the Institution, in Newcastle, upon the same plan as the Royal Institution in London) he spent several days and formed some interesting acquaintances. Nor did the Tyneworks, near Limington escape his notice, and still less the stupendous iron-bridge over the river Wear, which he admits to be the noblest and handsomest in Europe.

Our traveller entered Scotland by way of Berwick. The first object of importance that attracted his notice was the Kelp, or vegetable alkali (procured from the ashes of sea-weed so called), and used instead of barilla in soap-manufactories, &c. Here, as in England, we see him sometimes climbing a mountain-on foot, sometimes travelling a champaign country; now examining the coal-mines, near Dalkeith, the iron-work at Crammond, or the papermill at Laswade; sui semper similis, he is always an accurate observer and entertaining companion.

The manager of the Carron iron-work thought fit to refuse a sight of it, even to his own countryman: a whim equally unhandsome and useless, as the Carron foundery is not now the largest in the kingdom, and produces nothing that may not be seen elsewhere.