and elegant style is so essential to a finished education, that a volume intended for the instruction of youth, on any subject, should be written with care. Mr. W., however, is entitled to the higher praise of furnishing, to the susceptible mind, lessons of the purest morality.

A map is properly attached to the volume. On the whole, we willingly recommend it to the youthful reader, as presenting him, in an attractive form, with much correct and useful information.

Art XVI. The Poor Man's Sabbath. A Poem; by John Struthers.
Second Edition, pp. 33.
Price 1s. Williams & Co. London.

Ogle & Co. Edinburgh, 1806.

IT

T sometimes happens that we are under the necessity of apologizing to ourselves for the defects of a poetical essay, by remarking the excellence of the author's principles, and the integrity of his intentions. The poem before us requires no such excuse. Its poetical qualities are by no means contemptible, even at a time when tolerable versification is almost as general as the use of the pen. Mr. Struthers' poem is commendable, for a strain of pious sentiment, for peculiar accuracy of description, for correct and impressive imagery, and for a style, with some exceptions, appropriate and pleasing. The following extract will display the nature of its merits, and will also exhibit some of its obvious defects. The first line is unfortunate, and some expressions, particularly in the third stanza, are scarcely intelligible.

Family instruction clos'd with fam'ly pray'r,

Each seeks, for soft repose, the peaceful bed,

The Sire except, who, by the ev`ning fair,

To muse along the greenwood side is led.
The setting sun, in robes of crimson red,

And purple gorgeous, clothes the glowing west;

While sober Eve, in misty mantle clad,

One bright star lovely, beaming on her breast,
With feet all bath'd in dew, comes slowly from the east.

Now clos'd, the daisie droops its dewy head,

Hush'd are the woods, the breathing fields are still;
And soft beneath the meadow's flow'ry pride,
Creeps, gurgling, on its way, the mossy rill.
Sublimely solemn rolls the mingling swell,

With many a mournful moving pause between,
Of streams, wild rushing down the sounding dell,

Of sighs that burst around from shapes unseen,
And flocks that distant bleat, far o'er the flow'ry green,

Fast follows on the cloud of night's dark noon,
And bright the fires of heav'n begin to blaze;
While o'er the inisty mountain's head, the moon
Pours, in a streaming flood, her silver rays.
White, on the dimpling pool, her radiance plays,
Where shadows faintly glimmering, shadows mar;
And clear the cottage window, to the gaze

Of solitary wand'rer, gleaming. far

Up yonder green hill side, appears a glittering star,

The poor man, here, in converse with the sky,
Behold! enraptur'd o'er the uplands stray;
His bosom swells, he heaves the frequent sigh,
And tears start sudden, ere he well knows why.
'Tis Nature melts him-verging to decay,

Thro' all her works, she pours the weary groan;
Yea, all these orbs that burn in bright array,

He marks them ali in glory rolling on,

To that dark goal where drear Oblivion spreads his throne.

And thou, my soul!' he cries, shalt thou survive,
'When, quench'd in years, these living fires shall fade ?
'Yes, in immortal vigour thou shalt live,

And soar and sing when ev'ry star is fled,

For so hath GOD-GOD thy Redeemer said:
A higher song, than seraph's, shall be thine,
Yea, tho' in mould'ring clay this flesh be laid,
These very lips, with energy divine,

'Heav'n's high resounding harp, in holy hymns shall join.'

pp. 29-32.

Art XVII. Designs for Elegant and small Villas, calculated for the comfort and convenience of Persons of moderate and of ample Fortune; carefully studied and thrown into Perspective. To which is added, a general Estimate of the probable Expence attending the execution of each design. By E. Gifford, Architect. Royal 4to. Plates 26. Price 11. 11s, 6d. J. Taylor, 1806,

THIS

HIS volume appears under a considerable disadvantage, as it includes the second part of a 'scries of select Architecture,' of which the first part, is only in forwardness for publication.' It is true, that each design, in a work of this nature, is a distinct and individual article, yet in tracing the complete suite, a Reviewer, and we presume a purchaser, becomes more advantageously acquainted with the author's mode of conception, his peculiar style, and his attention to the proprieties exacted by his profession. We shall, therefore, only apprize our readers, that the second part consists of ten Edifices, the elevations of which are distinctly shewn in two views, the front and back front, on

separate plates: the plans forming a third plate. We commend the intention of the author in throwing these views into perspective; as we well know that geometrical elevations never present correctly that appearance and effect, which a building will possess when executed; and although this may be of no moment in smaller subjects, yet in structures of considerable extent, or magnitude of parts, the difference becomes sensible to the eye, and is not always satisfactory to the proprietor.

In the designs before us the author has studied novelty of external appearance, and convenience as to internal economy. Indeed, if the inhabitants of these cottages do not enjoy themselves comfortably, it will not be the fault of the builder, or of his house. Some of the plans are good: solidity is the preminant character of all the compositions.

In this climate we must have fire places; and fire places must have chimnies; Mr. G. has felt the difficulty of rendering these pleasing, and has adopted several contrivances for concealing or disguising them. We shall only add that his General Estimate' consists of a mere mention of the probable expense of construction, which varies from five hundred, to twelve hundred pounds, exclusive of carriage.

Art. XVIII. Third Report of the Committee, for Managing the Patriotic Fund, established at Lloyd's Coffee-House, 20th July, 1803. 8vo. pp. 712. Price 7s. 6d. 1806.

THIS report is dated March 1, 1806; its details commence

with the 12th March 1805. It is the register of a most memorable and illustrious period, recording the unrivalled triumphs of British valour, and the liberality of British gratitude. It consists of official papers from the Gazette, the proceedings of the Committee, and the lists of contributions.

The subscriptions and dividends (from the commencement) amount to 338,6931. 11s. 8d. exclusive of 21,2001. 3 per cent consols subscribed in stock.

'The sums paid and voted amount to 105,2761. 2s. 4d; by which relief has been afforded to 2140 officers, and privates wounded or disabled, and to 570 widows, orphans, parents, or others relatives of those killed in his Majesty's servicc: honorary gratuities have also been conferred in 153 instances of successful exertions of valor or merit.'

'A considerable number of claims, arising from various actions are still expected: particularly from the relatives of more than 400 of the brave men who fell in the late glorious engagements off Trafalgar and Ferrol.'

It is impossible to peruse these pages without emotion; we cannot but glory in the country of our nativity. But we have

need to be particularly cautious Jest our gratitude to God be lost in the tumult of patriotic exultation, and our prayers and humiliations be superseded by national vain glory and self dependence. It is particularly necessary, on such an occasion, to search and see whether there be any evil way among us: the examination would be a considerable antidote to pride; and we sincerely wish it might be an incentive to reformation.

FAST SERMONS.

Art. XIX. Repentance and Reform, the only ground of Divine Favour A Sermon preach d at Tilbury, Essex, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1806; being the Day appointed for a general Fast. By the Rev. Sir Adam Gordon, Bart, &c. pp. 39. Price 1s. 6d. Rivingtons, 1806. AN unscriptural notion is intimated in this title, which, however, the

sermon does not avow. It laments our departed statesman in animated language, expatiates on his merits, and condemns, with just vehemence, several prevalent vices in different classes of the community. It betrays a few blemishes which we have neither room nor inclination to notice, but which a political or ecclesiastical antagonist would readily detect; and some rather fretful allusions, which are injudiciously retained in a printed sermon, however locally just and expedient.

Art. XX. Christian Sympathy weeping over the Calamities of War. A Sermon preached at Pell-Street-Meeting, Ratcliff-Highway, Feb. 26, 1806; being the Day appointed for a Fast, &c. By Thos. Cloutt. pp. 25. Price 1s. Baynes, 1806.

WHOL

HOLESOME doctrines, and interesting sentiments, are here displayed in handsome perspicuous language. We suspect the preacher to be yet in his novitiate, and therefore presume to advise him to employ his respectable talents, in the culture of principles rather than of ornaments, and to think every discourse deficient, which is not calculated to make known the Redeemer, for the obedience of faith.'

Art. XXI. The Picture and Duty of Britain, in the present alarming Crisis: a Discourse delivered in the Independent-Meeting House, Whiting Street, Bury St. Edmunds, Feb. 26, 1806, &c. &c. By Charles Dewhirst, pp. 29. Price Is. Williams, 1806.

N this discourse, the style of which is generally suitable, dignified, and energetic, the preacher points out, as the Picture of Britain, her advantages and excellencies, her defects and dangers, with much spirit and impartiality; and enforces the Duty of humiliation, in the way of submission, penitence, and prayer. The sermon is not free from faults, but it is, on the whole, creditable to the author's abilities.

AMERICAN LITERATURË.

Art. XXII. American Annals, or a Chronological History of America, from its Discovery in 1492 to 1806. 2 vols. By Abiel Holmes, D.D. A.A.S. S.H.S. 8vo. pp. 481. Cambridge (New England) 1805. THE history of the rise and settlement of nations is highly interesting

to the human mind, but the origin of those on the Old Continent, with the exception of some mentioned in the sacred scriptures, is enveloped in the shades of mythology and fable; nor can the curious be gratified with any distinct account of their progress, in the early state of society and colonization. The case, however, is different with respect to the modern and civilized inhabitants of the New Continent. For more than three hundred years since its discovery, it has been receiving an accession of population from Europe. It has already been the theatre of great actions and events; and a new empire has arisen in it, whose influence on the commerce and relations of other nations, is rapidly increasing. The events which have taken place in this New World, subsequently to its discovery, may now be accurately ascertained, unblended with such legendary tales, as have darkened and distorted the early annals of most nations. Local histories of particular portions of America, have been given by a variety of writers, but no attempt had been made to furnish the outline of its entire history. To supply this desideratum is the object of the present work, in which Dr. Holmes has adopted a chronological form, and by this means, avoiding all extraneous matter, he has collected into this closely printed volume, a mass of information that certain persons would have extended to three. Beginning with A. D. 1492, when Columbus made his first voyage, he has arranged, under each year, the events which occurred in every part of the western continent. In consequence of this arrangemenr, the narrative of distinct parts and settlements is disjoined and broken, but it possesses the advantage of giving an orderly and chronological view of the gradual progress made in the discovery of America, and the establishment of European settlements.

In a short and modest preface, Dr. Holmes professes, that it has been uniformly his aim to trace facts, as much as possible, to their source' The sincerity of this profession is proved by the references to original writers, which are unusually numerous. Authorities and vouchers in the form of notes, are properly subjoined to almost every page, and they evince the extent of the undertaking, as well as the fidelity, diligence, and accuracy of the author. The plan which he had projected, appears to be well-executed. In plain and unornamented language, he has given a concise, luminous, and undisguised statement of facts. His style is respectably free from solecisms. His mode of writing is neither declamatory nor diffusive: he has not produced, under the name of history, a florid composition, in which the fidelity of narration occasionally yields to the harmony of diction, or the charms of an antithesis; neither has he combined distant incidents and events, to support a favourite theory, nor attributed them to fictitious or inapplicable causes; but he has pursued the proper province of annals in collec ting a rich fund of information, to acquaint his readers with the real course and contemporary state of occurrences.