V. Of the means of lessening the Effects of Epidemics, arising from, or increased by the Constilation of the Atmosphere, VI. Of the Plague. VII. Of the means of Exterminat ing Contagions.

VIII. The prodigious Increase of Measles, particularly during the last Year.

IX. Of the first Proposals made for exterminating Small Pox.

X. Of recent Plans for exterminating the Small Pox.

To these Chapters are added, a number of copious and most ingenious notes, elucidatory of their subjects, which in our opinion greatly increase the literary and Medical value of the work; but this having been long before the Public, we have no doubt has frequenty met with the deep consideration that the importance of its contents most unequivocally demanded.

M.

Eight Pastoral Canzonets for two Soprano Voices, with an Accompaniment for the Piano Forte, Composed and Inscribed to Mrs. Porcher, by her very faithful and obedient humble Servant, W. Linley. Clementi and

Co.

THE name of Linley is of such celebrity in the English musical world, that any work of the present nature with this signature, may be considered a passport to approbation. The transcendent vocal powers of the late Mrs. Sheridan are yet in the recollection of many the

brilliant talents of her brother Thomas Linley, one of the most accomplished violinists, that any country ever produced, and a most elegant and masterly composer: the father of these, (and of the gentleman whose work we have the pleasure now of announcing) a most sound and scientific musician all are instances of prevailing musical genius in this extraordinary family. We, therefore, feel much gratification, in the opportunity of examining the work before us, which, to speak only gene rally of it, is a combination of sweet melody, rich harmony, and good taste ; and shall experience peculiar pleasure, in a minute investigation of each piece in the collection.

The Canzonets of the late Mr. Jack son of Exeter, have deservedly ranked among the most popular productions

of our day. His melodies were fres quently happy, and his poetical expres sion generally so he was, however, feeble in harmony, and confined in modulation. Mr. Linley, seems to have paid some respect to his plan in this species of music, though without having approached the most distant limit of plagiarism, but he has eminently surpassed his prototype in the above qualifications of good composition and there is a pervading originality of management, which manifestly demonstrates a superiority of musical mind. We shall now proceed to particu larize.

The opening symphony of the first canzonet, at once convinces a judge of the art of the author's science. The rich effect

7

of the 4 at the 3d bar, is an early promise

2

of such harmony, as leaves us no cause to apprehend disappointment in the sequel. The modulation into C. minor, and thence to G. from the 34th to the 36th bar, has a sweet pathetic effect. A beautiful suspension produced by 7ths. occurs from the 53d to the 56th bar, at the words "In whispers I shall ne'er forget." The concluding phrases are conducted in a masterly manner "That Damon to thy breast is dear;" and there is much spirit in the sudden rejoinder of the second voice, at the 85th bar. The whole is a very pleasing and well-wrought movement.

The commencement of the second canzonet is elegant: the 10th bar contains a transition much in the manner 6

of Purcell. The management of the

5

in the 18th bar, is striking and masterly. The transition into the major of E. in the second part, has a very pleas ing effect. We think it would have been more commodious to mark 4 sharps in the signature, instead of making 3 of them as accidental, until the return of the minor mode. There is a characteristic trait just there, at the words "Amid thy wild woods, and untrodden glades," and all the remainder is replete with the most correct expression.

The opening subject of the 8d canzonet is vry lively and agreeable. The modulation from the 24th bar to the end of the first strain, is pleasantly con ducted, and the effect of the flat 7th at the pause is very impressive. The transition at page 13, into D. the sub

dominant of the key immediately arrests the attention, and the imitation at the words" Thy very faults are charms to me," is ingenious and felicitous. The concluding four bars are extremely animated.

The 4th canzonet evinces much successful study: the soothing subject at once becomes interesting, and the management of the whole piece is highly descriptive and energetic. The words "To sympathetic quiet" at the 3d bar of the 16th page, are most correctly expressed; and excellently contrasted in the next line, “And every wild emotion dies away." The suspensions of harmony from the 2d to the 5th bar of the 17th page, are eminently beautiful, and the remainder to the pause most

6

ably described: the effect of the 4

2

passing into the flat 7th is excellent, just preceding the pause.

In the concluding page 18, the transition at the words "The sober pleasures of this solemn scene;" the flat

6 5

6

going

4 forward to the has a pathetic effect, and the whole is consistently wrought up to the end.

The 5th canzonet appears to us one of the sweetest in the collection, the motivo is very elegant and touching; the words "Now murm'ring sinks to soft repose," are expressed with extreme grace. In the 20th page, it strikes us that the words "Health breathes on every face I see," are not given in so pleasing a melody as might be; but this weak place is speedily relieved by the good effect of the minor of G, the shadowy vapours sail away.' A pleasing variety occurs in the 21st page, by

the introduction of a more florid accompaniment in the base, which, however, no way interrupts or disturbs the cha #acteristic melody. The words "Bowed by the hand of sorrow low," at the 23d page, is finely given; and the ultimate return to the primary subject has a delightful alleviating effect.

The 6th piece is quite in the pastoral style, and of a lively and pleasing cast. The commencement of the 2d strain, in page 26, leads to a very sweet series of inodulation: a very spirited sequence of 9ths regularly prepared, and agree. ably resolved, occurs at the last bar but one of page 27, and the scattered Europ. Mag. Vol. LXIV. July 1813.

position of the accompaniment is uncommonly effective, as also the sequence of resolved into 6 for 4 bars, beginning at the words "And all our blissful dreams be love;" the conclusion also is highly spirited.

The opening of the 7th canzonet is original: we rarely meet an instance of the first chord of a movement taken upon the dominant of the key: the effect, however, is very pleasing. The beginning of the 2d strain is extremely happy: the accompaniment is very busy, without the least bustie; a medium which is too seldom observed in florid passages; the 4 last bars are masterly, and wind up the movement with excellent effect.

The 8th and last canzonet, is by no means the least considerable of the set the subject beginning in the base, aud immediately imitated in the upper part, directly seizes the attention: the passage moving in 6ths, at the 4th bar is extremely pleasing there is a G wanting in the following bar, which is plainly a typographic omission: the same passage occurs in 3ds, at the words "Fade at her lovely smile:" the next passage at "Die other terrors," is well, and boldly expressed: the imitation at the 4th and 5th bars of page 34, is very pleasing. The modulation into C natural, in the 25th page, has a charming effect; and the flat 7th, at the 5th bar, iminediately after, is a scientific stroke. The passage above alluded to is again repeated with the happiest success in the iwo last bars of the same page, and the modulation thence into the sub-dominast is novel and pleasing. The con clusion, "Parent of dearest joys," is extremely striking, and the

4

3

at the

word "Joys" is rich and beautiful.

We have now endeavoured to present to our readers, a faithful and candid critique upon this able work of Mr. Linley, and feel not the least hesitation in declaring, that in our opinion it con. tains all the desirable requisites of vocal music: sweet melody, sound and rich harmony, united with just taste and accurate expression. Of the compositions of Haydn and Mozart, we could say but little more.

Description of the Retreat and Institu

lion, near York, for Insane Persons of the Society of Friends, containing G

an Account of its Origin and Progress, the Modes of Treatment, and a Statement of Cases. By Samuel Tuke. 8vo. pp. 227. 7s. 6d. With an Elevation and Plans of the Building.

Ar the present time, when a considerable degree of interest is excited respecting the treatment of insane persons, and when the government of our country has recently made it a subject of legislation, it is presumed that any account of existing institutions, which may throw light on the method of treating this deplorable class of our fellow creatures, will not be unacceptable to the public.

Contemplating the loss of reason as pre-eminent in the catalogue of human afflictions, and believing that the experience of the Retreat throws some light on the means of its mitigation, and also that it has demonstrated, beyond all contradiction, the superior efficacy, both in respect of cure and security of a mild system of treatment in all cases of mental disorder, an account of that experience has long appeared to be due to the public.

It is much to be regretted that we possess so few accounts of the mode of treatment, and the success of establishments for the relief of insanity. The want of facts relative to this subject, and our disposition to hasty generalization, have led to many conclusions, equally unfriendly to the progress of knowledge and the comfort of the patients. If persons engaged in the management of the insane were more ge nerally to publish the result of their observations, we might reasonably hope that the causes of this obscure and affecting disorder would receive some illustration. We might, at least, confi dently expect to ascertain, with greater precision, its general laws; and, from a comparison of the modes and success of various establishments, should be able to infer the most probable means of rescuing or relieving the unhappy vic

tims of this discase.

Mr. Tuke says, in his preface, "in justice to the work, as well as to ind: viduals, it is proper to state, that if the public are at all benefited by the information contained in the present publication, they are chiefly indebted to my worthy friend George Jepson, the su perintendent and apothecary of the Retreat. Having filled these offices nearly from its commencement, and having, by his talents and humanity, carried into effect the benevolent wishes of the

original promoters of this establishment beyond their most sanguine expecta tions, he was the only person who could furnish me with the documents which my plan rendered necessary; and had I not been assured of his cordial assistance, the work would not have been attempted. The arduous nature of the duties which he so usefully fulfils will furnish sufficient apology for his not having performed it, instead of furnishing the materials; and it affords me some satisfaction to reflect, that, contemplating the uncertainty of human life, a part, at least, of his knowledge is now communicated."

To support the statements given in this work of the modes of treatment at the Retreat, a few respectable testimonies in its favour are given in an appendix. If several improvements have been successfully introduced, it is probable that many others remain unattempted. The managers will not, we trust, allow the approbation they have already received, to induce a relaxation of their future endeavours to combine, in a still greater degree, the comfort with the security of the insane; but, on the contrary, that they will be stimulated by it to further exertions, and proceed in some degree upon the maxim, that nothing has been done, whilst any thing remains to be done.

A Proposal, by which Two essential Ob jects would be simultaneously attained; Firstly, The complete Security of the British Territories in India, whatever Possessors Egypt and Malta might eventually have; Secondly, A new, extensive, and profitable Channel of Commerce opened without infringing on the effective Trade, but by a simple Modification in the East India Company's Churter. By E. F. Rivaz. pp. 40, price 2s.

Or the French government having designs on Egypt, long before Buona parte's invasion, no doubt can be entertained; and the negotiations begun with the Porte, but suspended by the revo lution, for the free access of their ships to Suez, on the ostensible pretext of trade, were, it may justly be surmised, only a cover to latent and more exten

sive views.

However, the turbulent and ambitious spirit of the nation, and the preponderant advantages attached to the tranquil possession of that shortest of all routes to the Indian shores, warrant

Hence the value set on Malta, as a key to Egypt, by both Great Britain and France, although from very opposite motives; yet will the permanent Occupancy of that apple of discord by the former power, prove, at all times, a sufficient guard against the restless activity of a formidable enemy, always ready to seize on every propitious event that comes within the vortex of his ambition! Such a question prudence would suggest; and, while a scruple exists on so important a point, can any addition of security, in reason, be disdained? But it will naturally be asked, are there not other means, then, either to keep the French from Egypt, or, in the possible event of their success, to make that occurrence an object of unconcern, and not of fear to Great Britain?

The whole of the author's design is comprised in this arrangement. Great Britain possessing, exclusively, the following places, namely

:

1. Socotra, or Socolora.-An island at the entrance of the Red Sea, as the central point.

2. Masuah.-Another and very small island, on the coast of Abyssinia, in the Red Sea; together with its dependance, Arkeeks, a town on the main land, consisting of about 400 houses, within cannon shot of it, and whence it draws its water, &c.

3. And last, Massali, or Messalage. -An excellent harbour, situated in a fine bay, on the north-west coast of Madagascar.

The plan, it is evident, has not for its basis continental possessions, against which so much has been said. To prove it consistent and practicable, Mr. Rivaz enters into a full elucidation of the project, and a rigid enquiry, as to the facts on which it rests, in order not only to justify the individual selection of those places, but more especially to enforce the necessity of their aggregate and conjoint influence to the attainment of the end proposed, and show how a less comprehensive system would fall short of the effect; nor does the task terminate here, for the whole superstructure must fall to the ground, could the object not be, accomplished by means compatible with rectitude and sound policy, or without an expence

Description of an improved Method of delineating Estates with a Sketch of the Progress of Landscape Gardening in England, and Opinions on the Picturesque Effects attempted in Rural Ornament. By T. Hornor, &c. 8vo. With Engravings.

THE object of this improved mode is, to furnish, at once, an exact plan of an estate, and a landscape, or perspective view, not only of the estate itself, but also of the circumjacent country, as if beheld in a camera obscura. The idea, we believe, is new, of combining, in land surveying, the advantages of ma thematical accuracy and precision, with the beauties of landscape-painting. Mr. Hornor, we think, has fairly made out a claim to the public attention.

National Benevolent Institution, founded by Peter Hervé, Esq. for the Relief of distressed Persons in the middle Ranks of Life, of whatever Country or Persuasion. Supported by Annual Subscriptions, usually Five Shillings, and by Donations and Bequests. Is.

The National Benevolent Institution was established in the year 1812, by Peter Hervé, Esq. who, having previ ously succeeded in carrying his design into execution at Bath, Gloucester, and Cheltenham, was anxious to extend its benefits to the metropolis, where it would embrace a much wider compass, and where numbers, whom it proposes to relieve, are passing the remainder of a life, once useful and honourable, in silence and sorrow.

Its object is to administer essential and permanent relief:

First, to tutors and governesses in private families; particularly such as have expended the chief part of their salaries on aged relatives, and in their old age want that support which they cheerfully afforded others.

Secondly, to persons who have lived respectably, either in independence, or in professions, or in the more reputable departments of trade, and are reduced to want.

Thirdly, (should the resources of the Institution enable the Committee to extend relief beyond the first twe classes), to persons possessed of pro