Moreover, as no one is excepted from fubjection to the mediatorial Son, but he who did put all things under him, which is the Father from whom the Son receiv ed the kingdom, and to whom he delivers it up, it is plain, that the Holy Ghoft is not excepted, and must be one who is fubjected to the Son. And as the Son is to give all that government which he

received into the hands of the Father,

he must give the government over the Holy Ghoft into his hands, fo that at the conclufion of the economy of redemption the Holy Ghost will still be under the rule of the Father: Contrary to their doctrine on this fubject.

Finally, If the Son is to deliver up the kingdom to the three perfons jointly confidered, then he muft deliver up the kingdom to himself, he being one of thefe perfons. P. 168.

We wish that we had room to extract the remarks on the form used in baptism, and on the term Holy Spirit. But we can only say of the last section, that, in our opinion, it is the most ingenious, plausible, and impressive in the whole volume. We do not say conclusive, for this reason, among others, that we might be thought to intend a pun.

The style of Mr. S. though not flowing and polite, is generally correct, and sufficiently elegant for polemick writings. We think that he is sometimes too familiar, and sometimes too dogmatical. His mode of attacking his adversaries resembles more the untutored and natural dexterity of a rustick boxer, than the graceful flourishes of a practised fencing master. By declining to establish any scheme of his own, relating to the person of Christ, it is evident, that Mr. S. combats the trinitarians with much advantage. Other controversialists have commonly wasted their strength in defending some heretical offspring of their own brain, and by this incumbrance have exposed themselves to more formidable attacks, as a

man fights under great disadvantages with a child in his arms.

We have been thus copious in our account of this book, on account of the novelty, the boldness, and the force of the attack which it makes on a doctrine, which is at least professedly believed by a large majority of the clergy of New-England. If they read this book, they will be sensible that it must either be answered, or thrown by with affected contempt; for though it contains not an argument against the doctrine of the trinity which has not been often repeated, still it offers a kind of challenge to the orthodox, and is written, we believe, with the most undissembled conviction. Let the inexperienced reader however keep in mind, "that one great advantage possessed by the Unitarians in their warfare with the orthodox results from the very circumstance of their being the assailants. If the Unitarians or even the Deists were considered in their turn as masters of the field, and were in their turn attacked, both by arguments tending to disprove their system directly and to disprove it indirectly, it is likely they would soon appear wholly unable to keep their ground."*

*Wilberforce.

ART. 20.

Familiar Letters to the Reverend John Sherman, once pastor of a church in Mansfield, in particular reference to his late Antitrinitarian treatise. By Daniel Dow, pastor of a church in Thompson, (Con.) Hartford. 1806. 8vo. pp. 51.

FROM this familiar letter writer the person of Mr. Sherman is in much greater danger than his ar

guments. Our readers perhaps will esteem us partial, uncandid, and heretical for such an appar ently contumelious remark; but we confidently rest our justification on their unbiassed judgment, if they should ever happen to read these letters, which discover the utmost contempt of scriptural criticism, ignorance of theological opinions, impudence of style, and bigotry of doctrine.

ART. 21.

American Annals; or a chronological history of America from its discovery in 1492 to 1806. In two volumes. By Abiel Holmes, D.D. A.A. S. minister of the first church in Cambridge. Vol. I. comprising a period of two hundred years. Cambridge. W. Hilliard. 8vo.

IN Rome the people were careful to mark down the occurrences of every year. Hence the name of Annals. This register was safely preserved, but at the same time exposed to publick inspection, that every one might read it, and every error be corrected by those who could give the most accurate information. The affairs of that city and empire are therefore better known, than the rise and progress of other na tions. We know not only what was done by their consuls, but even the names of the consuls, from Brutus and Collatinus to the destruction of the empire. If similar records had been kept and preserved in other nations, or if historical societies were formed in every community, who should make it their business to note transactions rather than to write upon the times, the advantages resulting to the cause of truth Vol. III. No. 5. 2 I

would be exceedingly important. Such institutions would at least provide instruction for those grave and sober-minded readers who look after facts, instead of seeking for amusement in fabulous stories.

Individuals have done this among ourselves. The fathers of New England, though in some things too superstitious, were careful to note down, not only what was extraordinary or marvellous, but also common events, the occurrences of the year, the names of persons who were raised to honour, together with many particular circumstances by which posterity might judge of their characters. Winthrop, Johnson, and Prince enabled Hubbard, Neal and Hutchinson to give very correct information of the affairs of Massachusetts.

We say nothing of the Magnalia, that compages rerum, where facts, fables, biography, &c. &c. are mingled in such a strange manner, as to be a chaos of remarks, rather than of materials; and where the writer, whenever he tells what he himself believes, is sure to stagger the faith of others.

Dr. Holmes has extended the plan of his work and calls it American Annals. "While local histories of particular portions of America have been written, no attempt, he says, has been made to give even the outline of its entire history." We think him very capable of doing this, and that the American Annals contain a great deal of information; many historical documents; and a variety of knowledge, for which the laborious author deserves the thanks of the friends of literature. Dr. H. is well known as an author, many of his compositions are before the publick, and very few works of

biography, written in this country, can be compared with his life of Dr. Stiles. The Annals, in our opinion, must add to his reputation as an author, and the work will certainly be more generally useful. It has been uniformly his aim "to trace facts, as much as possible, to their source." Original authors have the preference; and this is an apology" for the occasional introduction of passages, that will not be generally understood." These are put into marginal notes, and may gratify a number of his readers. We are likewise pleased with his retaining the obsolete style and orthography of certain writers, for by this we may know more of them, and their works. Many think this useless, and that it only incumbers the pages; but certainly we want the marks of authentick documents"; and why should not the antiquary be gratified with his dry morsel, as well others who relish the luxury of sentiment, and are sometimes very fastidious in their taste?

We know not a better plan of writing annals, than the Dr. has chosen, especially if the book be designed for a library; instead of being once read and thrown aside.

His accuracy of research would have been unnecessary, if it were not to be considered as a book of reference, to which we resort when our attention is dissipated, and which will be useful to some who have time to read but little, and who can here gather facts, that before were scattered over many volumes.

We have read with pleasure many observations and lively remarks in the American Annals, especially in the Notes, which an ordinary writer would never make, even in a book designed for enter tainment more than use; but

which men of taste and sentiment can scatter over the driest parts of learning.

The first volume comprises the history of two centuries, i. e. from the voyage of Columbus, 1492, to the year 1562.

The annals of 1691 are confined to New-York, and Virginia, and to a few facts. The province was divided into ten counties. Major Schuyler with a party of Mohawks went over Lake Champlain and attacked the French settlements.

There were some events, however, very important to Massachusetts, which took place that year. The cruelty of the Indians was excessive upon our frontiers; and the famousCharter of William and Mary was granted. Perhaps Dr. H. reserves the notice of this to the succeeding year, when it arrived and was accepted by the people. As it is one of the very important events in the history of New England, we hope he will give some account of the struggles of our agents in England, and the very important change that was made in the government. The old patriots never liked it. The more moderate, as well as the loyal party, always thought it was better than the old one; as it put some check upon the phrensy of democracy, at the same time that it secured all our essential rights. We would recommend to the con sideration of this respectable inquirer a curious extract in the 9th volume of Historical Collections--the conversation between King William and Dr. Increase Mather.

It is the earnest wish of all who have read this first volume of American Annals, that the second may soon appear, and that Dr. Holmes may meet with every encouragement in car

rying on a work of such a considerable magnitude among our literary productions.

The first hundred pages relate to the voyages which were made by the Spaniards, or other nations of Europe,before the English adventurers took any distinguished part. Another hundred pages describe events previously to the settlement of New Plymouth.

Though modern writers are quoted, and references are made to the pages where events are recorded, it is evident, that the author has read the original writers; and he also quotes from them both in the original and the translation. Herrera, Peter Mutza, Diaz, Casas, &c. as well asRobertson and Clavigero.

Robertson, so much celebrated among the historians of modern Europe on account of his manly and beautiful style, is not so much to be depended upon for facts, as many who appear in a more plain dress. He is accused by Clavigero and others of great partiality; and his mind might be above that very minute attention to things, which an Annalist should make the object of his care. Br. H. says, in a note upon the discovery of America, "Some Spanish authors have ungenerously insinuated that Columbus was led to this great enterprise by information of a country to the West, with the additional advantage of a journal," &c. He refers to Hackluyt and Robertson, Appendix, No. 17. for a confirmation of this. There was no necessity of touching upon this controversy in his Annals. He had only to mention the voy age of Columbus. But if he said any thing, he ought to have said more. Since the discussion of Robertson, the matter has been more disputed than ever, and

Mr.

not by Spaniards only. Otto wrote a paper upon this subject in the second volume of the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, which has been reprinted in more than one country of Europe; and endeavours to prove by Robertson's concessions, as well as additional evidences, that Columbus was assisted very much by Martin Behem, who sailed in 1484 from Portugal, and discovered Brazil, and other parts of S. America.

"In 1492 the Chevalier Behem undertook a journey to visit Nuremberg, his native country. He there made a terrestrial globe, which is looked upon as a master piece for the time, and which is still preserved in the library of that city. The outlines of his discoveries may there be seen under the name of Western Lands, and from their situation it cannot be doubted they are the present coasts of Brazil," &c.

"This globe was made the same year Columbus sat out on his voyage. Therefore it is impossible that Behem could be profited by the discoveries of this navigator, who went a more northerly course."

Though Dr. Robertson treats the history of Behem as the fiction of some German authors; yet he acknowledges that " Behem had settled at Fayal; that he was the intimate friend of Christopher Columbus; and that Magellan had a globe made by Behem, by the help of which he undertook his voyage to the South Sea," &c.

He relates also that in 1492 he paid a visit to his family at Nuremberg, and left there a map, drawn by himself, of which Dr. Forster procured a copy, and which in his opinion partakes of the imperfection of cosmographi

century.

To be continued.

ART. 22.

Facts and observations relative to the nature and origin of the pestilential fever, which prevailed in this city, in 1793, 1797, and 1798. By the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Philadelphia. Thomas Dobson. 1798. 8vo. pp. 52. Additional facts and observations relative to the nature and origin of the pestilential fever. By the College of Physicians of Philadel phia. Philadelphia. T.Dobson. 1806. 8vo. pp. 99.

THE first part of this work was published in 1798;-the second within the present year. The two are now included under one cover, and we shall briefly notice the contents of each. It is the design of these publications to prove, that the yellow fever is a contagious disease, and that it is introduced into our country by importation. In our last number we gave a review of an account of the yellow fever at New York the last season; and we then said, that this account rendered the opinion of its domestick origin, in that instance, the most probable. We purposely avoided giving a general opinion on this subject, and we shall not think ourselves inconsistent, if we declare that other accounts of the same disease at other times, or in other places, support an opinion which may appear contradictory. We presume not to determine the character of witnesses, but we can declare the result of the evidence which is offered. Time may reconcile apparent inconsistencies, or may bring to light truths which

purpose, time must be employed in careful and faithful observations by those whose situation permits. To us opportunities for such observations are rare, and we pray Heaven they may continue so.

It is well known, that the Col

lege of Physicians of Philadelphia have from the year 1793 professed their belief,that the yellow fever was an imported and contagious disease. Deference should be paid to the opinion of so respectable a body; but it is the motto of modern days "nullius in vertâ magistri ;" and those who seek for truth will investigate facts, rather than ask for opinions.

In the first part of this work we have an account of the introduction of the pestilential fever into Philadelphia in 1798 by the ship Deborah. From the details given in the notes, and particularly in a letter from Dr. Daniel De Benneville, it appears very clearly, that in many instances the disea se could be traced to a connection with the shipDeborah; and likewise that in other instances the persons, who had such connection, appeared to communicate the disease to their friends and attendants. It is however to be remarked, that this vessel emitted a "disagreeable and very offensive stench" to a considerable distance; and that several among the persons who were supposed to derive their diseases from this ship, of whom Dr. De Benneville himself was one, did not go even upon the wharf at which she laid, but were only opposite the wharf, &c. On the other side, however, it would seem by the account that the disease, with which those persons were seized, was infectious.

In the second part of this work the College declare their adher