the affairs and prescribe the destinies of Europe: and that it is only to a cessation of hostilities and a season of repose, that we are now to look for effectual relief.

Art. XIV. The Jews a blessing to the Nations, and Christians bound to seek their conversion to the Saviour; a Sermon preached at the Parish Church of St. Laurence Jewry, King Street, Cheapside, on Wednesday June 13, by the Rev. Thomas Scott, Rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks, pp. 40. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury. London. 1810.

HE existence of the various institutions which have recently been formed, in this country, for the purpose of extending Messiah's kingdom, must be felt, by the pious and reflecting mind, as a sign of the times' equally gratifying and auspicious. And of such Institutions, that under the patronage of the London Society for the propagation of Christianity among the Jews, (for whose benefit the Sermon before us was preached and published, though yet in its infancy, is likely, ere long, to hold a conspicuous and important place. Most ardently, therefore, do we join in the prayer, that the Spirit of the Lord the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding', may rest on those who are called upon to arrange its plans and direct its energies !

In Mr. Scott, these friends of the Jews have found an able and a zealous advocate. It appears, indeed, that more than thirty years ago, he was led, in the course of his studies, to consider, very deeply, the deplorable state of the dispersed Jews, and to reflect on the obligations under which Christians lay, to seek their spiritual and eternal good' ; and his heart now exults to recognize, in the objects of this Society, what he was then induced, though almost without encouragement,' most earnestly to desire. He has chosen for his 'Text, on this interesting occasion, Zech. viii. 23. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, in those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirts of him that is a Jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' This prophecy he has explained, at some length; and shewn that it has already, received a most extraordinary accomplishment-that its fulfilment, thus far, has brought Christians in debtors to the Jews, to an amount which baffles calculation'—that it shall have a still more astonishing accomplishment, and that at no very remote period. These topics are discussed with considerable energy and zeal. The preacher is, throughout, familiar with his subject; and though he does not triumph over the passions of his audience, and draws them irresistibly by the force of his eloquence, he appearsconfident in the strength and immense importance of his cause, and like one in earnest to recommend it, simply upon its own merits, appeals at once to the judgement and the conscience, by arguments which they can neither evade nor contest.

In the Introduction to this discourse several thoughts occur, well adapted to excite the attention of Christians to this grand object and at the close, the most popular objections are stated and satisfactorily answered. The following passage contains a sentiment, which, if allowed and duly considered, will have great force in recommending the object of the Society.

• Sufficient light, I apprehend, is given by the Scriptures of the pro

phets, to warrant our general conclusion; that, as the Jews have been a Blessing in the midst of the nations, in former ages; so they shall be hereafter, and to a far greater degree; (the Saviour himself and the writers of the Sacred Scriptures excepted ;) and the universal promulgation of Chris. tianity shall be effected, in a very considerable degree, by Jewish converts, ministers and missionaries. In attempting, therefore, the conversion of the Jews, we take the most effectual method of evangelizing the heathens, and of eventually promoting the grand end of all missionary attempts ;and this shonld never be lost sight of in our reasonings on this important subject.'

Art. XV. The Duties of the Clergy: A Sermon preached at the Visitation of the Rev. James Phillott, D. D. Archdeacon of Bath, by the Rev. R. Warner, Curate of St. James's, Bath; &c. &c. pp. 26. Price 1s. 6d. Wilkie and Robinson. 1810.

THIS Sermon, though it does not display much originality of

.

thought, nor much force of reasoning, and though, moreover, exceedingly defective in its general structure, is, notwithstanding, an aspiring production; and claims our approbation, not merely for its easy and perspicuous style, but also for a considerable flow of liberal sentiments and for its faithful appeals to the conduct and consciences of clergymen We did expect, however, in a discourse thus denominated, to have found the general functions of the Christian pastor touched upon and recommended; but as the preacher has confined himself, in his discussion, to the exact phraseology of his text, the sermon corresponds but very partially to its title, nor even that in a manner so direct and interesting as the subject might have borne.

There are some positions advanced in this sermon which, if not positively erroneous, ought at least to have been more cautiously guarded, and better explained. When the preacher admits the accuracy of the remark, and acknowledges that the New Testament makes no discoveries, properly so called, in morality; if he only intend that moral obligation may be traced into considerations existing and known, antecedently to the revelation of the gospel, it is readily granted; for men are invariably bound, as the subjects of divine government, to observe whatsoever God may command. But as to the specific modes of moral obedience, the New Testament certainly does present various discoveries, properly so called, in morality. We are morally required, for example, to receive and venerate the instructions of Christ, which, without the N. T. could never have been known.-Nor can we ad mit, as quite correct, the sentiments of the following passages, the one relating to the morality, the other to the doctrines, of the Gospel. Morality' (says the preacher) in the Christian system, like the sun in the natural world, shines on all alike; every one sees its light, every one feels its warmth. And of the doctrines of revelation he observes, that sublime as they are in themselves, and earnestly as they may be enforced, they will still fail to interest the heart, unless they be seen to operate upon the conduct of the minister who preaches them, unless he recommend them himself, in the visible form of living example.' Now while we acknowledge, in the former of these in Vol. VI. 4 I

1

stances, the simplicity, and affecting tendency of evangelical morality, it remains awfully true that thousands who see its light, so as, in theory, to approve of it, do not feel its warmth, so as to be morally improved by it. And, however strenuously we should insist on the importance of recommending the Doctrines of the N. T. by their influence on the character of those who teach them, it is, nevertheless, certain, that evangelical truth, by whomsoever taught, will interest and be cherished in every heart which is divinely prepared to receive it. In than one passage of this discourse, the doctrine of salvation by grace, so earnestly taught in the scriptures and so explicitly recognized in the articles of the established church, seems to be wholly cast in the shade.

WE

Poem, and other Poems. By John
Nunn, Great Queen Street. 1810.

Art. XVI. Haverhill, a Descriptive Webb. 8vo. pp. 120. Price 5s. VE were not a little surprised, after reading the preface to these poems, vand learning that the author was a journeyman weaver, to find them distinguished by a vigour of thought, and a flow of numbers, which would do credit to a much higher class of society. The descriptive and biographical sketches are often touched with spirit, and the moral principles and feelings which are occasionally disclosed, merit the warmest commendation. The admirers of Crabbe cannot fail to be pleased with the following passage.

Behold that cot, whose miserable form
Shakes at the pressure of the wintry storm;
Whose mossy
roof, chink'd wall, and broken pane,
Admit the feathery snow, and driving rain.
Enter he ruinous abode, and see,

In living traits, domestic misery!

Crouch'd o'er the embers, view the squalid race,
Rags on each back, and famine in each face;
While cries for bread assail the mother's ears ;-
She gives but one expressive answer—tears !
See at her breast a famish'd nurseling lies,
The milky fount can furnish no supplies;
Want has dry'd up the source which could impart
Nutritious streams to warm its tender heart.
Is this the fair, who, erst of beauty vain,
Smil'd with contempt on every rustic swain?
Is this the nymph, who, drest so passing well,
Who ey'd with Scorn's keen glance each village belle ?
Is this but soft, my Muse! that pallid brow,
And tatter'd garb, declare" How alter'd now!"
Where is the friend who should her cares beguile,
And make her hapless fortune wear a smile?

He's gone to meet the ale-house-going throng,
And join the chorus of the drunkard's song:

Thoughtless of home, he drinks, and smokes, and swears;
Laughs loud, and to the winds consigns his cares.

Art. XVII. Elements of Punctuation: including essential and general Rules for Pointing: with numerous and appropriate Examples. Extracted from the admired Treatise by the late David. Steel, Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo. pp. 15. Price 8d. Maurice, Fenchurch-Street.. 1810.

WE are pleased with this publication on two accounts: both as it

may

tend to bring the name of Mr. Steel into more general noticea notice which it well deserves; and as the theory of punctuation, hère extracted from his valuable treatise, is in itself so complete and satisfactory. The rules are judicious, and the examples appropriate. The present republication is correct, cheap, and respectable.

Art. XVIII. The Legend of Mary Queen of Scots, and other ancient Po ems, now first published, from MSS. of the Sixteenth Century. With an Introduction, Notes, and Appendix. By John Fry, 8vo. pp. 200. Price 78. Longman and Co. 1810.

As

IF, as Mr. Fry positively asserts, the only sure criterion by which to judge of this Legend is a comparison with its precursor and model, the Myrour for Magistrates,' we may as well confess ourselves, at once, utterly incompetent to decide upon its merits. In the absence, however, of this invaluable standard, we should have no hesitation in pronouncing the aforesaid Legend, a dull, dismal, historical ditty, unillumined by a single ray of poetical talent, and much more likely to frustrate than assist the editor's intention, of contributing to the extension of the already numerous, and splendid list of Elizabethan poets, and "to imp new feathers to the broken wings of time."" the Myrour for Magistrates' is not necessary to judge of the merits of the preface, we may venture to speak on this point with more decision; and accordingly do pass sentence upon it as one of the most exquisitely juvenile pieces of composition, we have almost ever had occasion to peruse. We shall not stop to animadvert upon Mr. Fry's assertion, that Pope has blasted his own memory for ever, by an injudicious attack upon those flowers whence he pilfered sweets'-or • that e'er another century elapses, his genius will "like the baseless fabric, &c.:" but the following period is really too fine to be suppressed.

How gratifying to observe the representative of a noble and ancient family, rise superior to the Circean witcheries of modern fashionable life. "Deforme existimans, quos dignitate præstaret ab iis virtute superari," Valerian (!) signalize himself in labours which must ever remain a monument of praiseworthy industry, and endear his name, (a name which will not be ranked among those "homines de quaruni vitâ siletur") to future antiquaries.' Hem!

Art. XIX. A Letter from John Bull to his brother Thomas. 12mo. pp. 25. Price 6d. Hatchard. 1810,

IF

this was intended as an appeal to the populace against Sir Francis Burdett and his party, it does no credit to the author's judgement: and if he wished to disgrace the oppo site cause, by an unworthy defence of it, he is not intitled to much respect for his honesty.

Art. XX, English Grammar: containing Orthography, Prosody, Ety. mology, and Syntax. To which are added, Rules for attaining an easy accurate style in speaking and writing; Examples declined; Exercises of bad English; the use of stops and marks; a table of abbreviations; with directions for addressing persons in discourse and writing. By J. Binns. 12mo. pp. 13. Price 2s. Barnsley, Greaves. WE cannot imagine what possible necessity there was for Mr. Binns to busy himself in compiling a treatise on English grammar, or in writing a panegyric on the English language. Still less need was there for him to sit in judgement on the foreign tongues, and to inform mankind, that the Italian glides along like a purling stream," that the French savours of effeminacy and affectation,' that the German is harsh and unpolite,' and 'that the Spanish is stormy and tempestuous, and carries a kind of terror along with it.'-The tone of confidence with which this rural pedagogue utters his opinions and recommends his divine songs' for Sundays, 'and his Grammar' and 'Catechism' for work days', is truly amusing.

6

Art. XXI. An Essay on Knowledge; being an attempt to examine its general character, and to shew its salutary influence on human happiness and virtue. fcp. 8vo. pp. 87. Price 3s. 6d. Wilkie and Robinson. 1810.

&

THIS is a collection of very useful, but very trite and obvious truths, which will probably attract readers by the neatness of its appearance, if not delight them with the merit of its composition.

Art. XXII. The Hermit, with other Poems, by Richard Hatt, 12mo. pp. 136. Price 58. Vernor and Hood. 1810.

IF we have any skill in prediction, Mr. Richard Hatt will find his

poems a bad speculation. People at this time of day we are afraid, are too fastidious to applaud' an author very vehemently, whoever he may be, lettered or unlettered,' that has not some little notion of etymology and syntax. As Mr. Hatt insinuates something about 'poverty, we shall forbear to say in direct terms that there is not one original thought in his whole volume; that where he is not. stupid he is unintelligible; and that his attempts at humour are de filed by the most dirty vulgarity.

Art. XXIII. The Spirit of the Moment candidly considered; or, an Appeal from the Passions to the Judgement of Englishmen. By a Man of Kent. 8vo. pp. 32. Price 2s. Robinson. 1810.

WE should probably not have been pestered with this tedious, narrowminded, unconstitutional pamphlet, if the author had given himself the trouble to study, and, if the supposition be not too travagant, to comprehend, Locke's answer to Filmer.