that the author's useful, and we conceive, patriotic labours, will meet with that attention which they merit; and should government, at any future period, institute boards to take cognizance of particular branches of trade, we recommend him to a con spicuous situation in that which may be appointed for our "Northern Commerce."

Art. X. Morality of Fiction, or an Enquiry into the Tendency of Fictitious Narratives, with Observations on some of the most Eminent, By H. Murray, Author of the "Swiss Emigrants." Longman and Co. London; Constable and Co. Edinburgh. pp. 180. price 4s. 1905,

TO O the authors of fictitious Narratives the literary world is certainly indebted, for some of the most sublime and useful works in poetry or prose. Homer and Virgil must always be admired for the grandeur of their sentiments and descriptions, while Cervantes and Fenelon will be prized for the moral advantages which attend their writings,

If, however, there be a few happy exceptions, yet the ma jority of compositions of this kind is replete with absolute insipidity, calculated to debase and enfeeble the mind; or present recitals and examples totally subversive of the basis on which genuine virtue rests. To the trash which our own press has emitted, have been added numbers of pernicious novels from the continent, the obvious tendency of which is to pollute the heart and deform the practice: nor have the insidious foes of civil government found them unsuccessful channels, for the diffusion of their antisocial and pestiferous tenets. It is also a just cause of complaint, that some, which have been composed with evident intention to promote the interests of morality; have disclosed to the juvenile reader, schemes of artifice and scenes of iniquity, which, like the mysteries of Eleusis, ought to have been kept in unexplained obscurity.

Notwithstanding these evils, we believe that such a mode of conveying instruction, under certain restrictions, may be perfectly legitimate. It seems to have been employed, on various occasions, by the inspired penmen, and by the divine Author of our religion himself, in many of his parabolic nar rations. The purest writer cannot aspire to a higher sanction.

To point out the valuable ends to which imaginary narration may be instrumental; the abuses to which it is liable; and the boundaries within which it should be confined, is the design of Mr. Murray's little work. It consists of two parts; in the first he endeavours to ascertain the principles on which the works in question should be conducted; and in the second, examining the most celebrated of them, he applies to each his previously established rules.

We

We entirely agree with Mr. M. in the censure he passes on those romantic publications, which aim at no superior end to that of surprize or amusement. He says

"No good effect seems likely to result from such a kind of reading, besides the mere childish pleasure it affords. It tends to give false views. of human life; to inspire fantastic and visionary expectations; discontentwith the uniformity of common life; and a disposition to choose the plan of conduct which leads to extraordinary adventures, rather than that which true wisdom points out."

But we equally disapprove of an observation on a subsequent page; that although "a sacred regard is to be paid to the improvement of the reader; yet it may be proper to warn [the writer] against making that regard too scrupulous and minute." Fancy may have ample range, without trespassing in the least on forbidden ground; nor should she ever be permitted to wander and bring home materials, which might endanger the moral superstructure that the author wishes to build.

We likewise think he bestows an excessive commendation on the sentimental style of writing. Indeed, it is doubted whether it has been productive of any good; and that it is the prolific parent of evil, cannot be denied. The works of the celebrated Sterne have tended to promote intellectual imbecility, indolence, affectation, and every species of refined impurity

The valuable sentiments and directions, expressed in neat Janguage, which Mr. Murrays' work contains, render it well worthy of attention. We cannot however, allow the present' opportunity to escape, of cautioning parents, and all who are engaged in the education of youth, against allowing those under their tuition, to read works of fiction in general. They blind the understanding by laying strong hold of the passions; and thus seducing the heart; they occasion in the future conduct of life, the follies of eccentricity, or the flagrancy of vice. Judicious selection is the part of piety and wisdom. Nor do we hesitate to say, that the mind is likely to receive considerable injury from the indiscriminate perusal of such writings, even though it be ripened by maturity, and shielded by religious principle.

Art. XI. Dr. Wilson's History of Egypt, concluded from p. 69. THE second volume of Dr. Wilson's work opens with a view of Egypt, as reduced to a Roman province.

The introduction of the Egyptian rites, and the worship of Serapis, at Rome, which led to the seduction of Paulina, give rise to the following reflections.

From

From the credulity of Paulina, we learn how abject the state of religion must have been in the time of Tiberius Cæsar. If, when the highly polished age of Augustus was scarcely finished; if, when its effects were in some degree remaining, such gross sentiments prevailed about things divine, what must have been the general state of the heathen world? If a woman of Paulina's rank, knowledge, and tried integrity, could be so duped and misled by the sentiments of a false religion, what must have been the ignorance and the corruption of the people at large? How could the affections of the worshipper be pure, if the religion itself was vile? How could the minds of the people be elevated and virtuous, when the ideas of religion were so gross and unhallowed?' pp. 25, 26.

When the religion of Jesus had triumphed throughout the.. Roman empire, its simplicity was unhappily corrupted at the philosophical school of Alexandria.

• Under these impressions, attempts had frequently been made to select from the different systems of philosophy those parts which were most valuable, and to reject whatever was found to be incorrect or improper! But this difficult task does not appear to have been brought to a conclusion till the time of Ammonius. That distinguished philosopher and christian divine taught the catechetical school of Alexandria, which is supposed to have been instituted by St. Mark, and successively conducted by Athenagoras, Pantænus, Clemens Alexandrinus, Origen, and other men of learning and note.

The system which was thus taken from the diversified opinions of the Greek, Oriental, and Egyptian philosophers, was a collection of such heterogeneous materials as defied union or a regular form. It was dignified with the name of the Eclectic Philosophy; but it was rather productive of hurtful consequences than beneficial effects. When the priuciples of Christianity attracted notice, the selecting tendency of the philosophers induced them to admit into their system certain portions of the christian faith; and the members of the catechetical school of Alexan- .dria, who embraced the eclectic philosophy, blended many of its tenets with the doctrines of the New Testament.

The opinions of Plato, changed and accommodated to the temper of the times, were the predominant sentiments in the eclectic philosophy; and, being incorporated with the doctrines of the gospel, destroyed its simplicity, and obscured, for a season, its heavenly light. To the eclectic school we are therefore to look for many of those opinions and subtile distinctions which pervaded the church in the dark ages, and which, in the progress of knowledge, the force of truth has gradually rejected." pp. 71-73.

Those of our readers who can recall Gibbon's vivid description, may compare with it Dr. W.'s account of the destruction of Polytheism, and of the image of Serapis.

'At length the royal mandate arrived; and, in a mixed assembly, every ear was open, and every heart fluttered with mingled emotions of fear and hope. The rescript was opened; the contents were announced; and the mandate bore, that the heathen temples should be utterly de stroyed.

Se

• So elated were the christians, and so depressed and fearful were the friends of idolatry, that the latter slunk away in haste, and not even the assurance of royal protection could inspire them with confidence to stay. The temple of Serapis was peculiarly an object of destruction. Strong and massy were its walls; but rage and perseverance overcame their strength. Gradually the secret recess was flung open, and the statue of the god was exposed to view. Serapis was so far famed, and so great was supposed to be extent of his power, that in his presence destruction itself stood appalled, and fear arrested the hand that was lifted up to smite him. Tradition maintained, that when Serapis should be insulted, the world itself would be dissolved; but a soldier, more hardy than the rest, rushed through the phalanx of trembling spectators, and, with his battleaxe struck the head of the tremendous god. The statue fell; no judgment ensued; and the terrors of the people were removed. Success inspired courage, and impunity dispelled fear. The statue was broken into pieces; the valuable metals of the holy place were formed into vessels for the churches of Alexandria; and the less valuable parts were dragged in contempt through the streets of the city. Many valuable ruins of the temples were applied to purposes of charity; and, in the whole Roman empire, the pagan worship sunk into disuse.' pp. 92–94.

The conquest of Egypt by the Saracens, and the ineffectual attempts of the croisés to wrest it from their grasp, occupy a considerable portion of the volume. Here Dr. W. maintains the truth of the common opinion, concerning the destruction of the Alexandrian library by Omar.

In the third volume, the historian records the establishment of the Beys as governors of Egypt, under the Ottoman emperors: and thus introduces the invasion of the French under Buonaparte.

< Selim remained a considerable time in Egypt after he had brought it into subjection, and carefully settled the affairs of that country. At the head of the government he placed a pacha or viceroy, with various subordinate officers of state. Reviewing this government, in its full form, we observe a divan or council of regency, composed of those who commanded the different military corps, together with the pasha, who was the constituted and regular president. Twenty-four Mamelukes, with the dignity of begs, beys, or princes, were intrusted with the government of the various districts and departments of Egypt. From among those Beys were chosen the Sheik al Belled, or governor of Grand Cairo; the Janizary Aga, or commander of that corps; the Defterdar, or accountant-general; the Emir al Hage, or conductor of the caravan; the Emir al Said, or governor of Upper Egypt; and the Sheik al Bikkeri, or director of the sheriffs. In subordination to those, there were cashephs, or deputies, and other officers of inferior note.' pp. 7, 8.

The vast projects of ambition, which for a long series of years occupied the Ottoman court, decidedly prevented them from attending sufficiently to the province of Egypt. During that season of neglect, the divan of Grand Cairo, and various officers, whose nomination did not de pend upon the will of the grand signior, assiduously extended their influence, and increased their strength. The pasha at first was constituted

with great and numerous powers; and the Sheik al Belled, who was proposed by the divan, was approved or rejected by the grand signior's lieu tenant at Grand Cairo. The Sheik al Belled, who was the representative of the divan, or popular part of the constitution, had a right to complain to the Ottoman court when the pasha of Egypt violated the rights of the community; but to remove him from his office appears to have been an usurped authority, which the encroaching lords of Egypt cunningly claimed and seized, in the weak and inconsiderate state of the Ottoman government. pp. 46, 47.

The causes which operated to produce the French expedition into Egypt are thus estimated.

The arrangements at Campo Formio disengaged the hero of Italy from the ardent pursuits of war, and afforded him an opportunity of returning to Paris. But leisure and inactivity were not suitable to his vigorous and ardent mind. The enterprising spirit of this successful and popular general might also create fear, and excite alarms, in the government of France. General Buonaparte had not expressed a wish to inter- . fere in the management of civil affairs, and perhaps the ambition to govern had not then been recognized among the numerous affections of a busy and aspiring mind. But those who sat at the helm of the state knew from what unexpected quarters storms had risen, and they were well aware how, and by what means, many of themselves had acquired power and influence in the nation. However honourable, therefore, the sentiments might be which they entertained of that favourite general, yet he had a numerous army at his command, which might create alarms and forbode danger.

Many fair promises had been made to the nation which could not be fulfilled, and the soldiers had been taught to expect rewards which were not in the power of government to bestow. Veterans had returned from the field of success, and would naturally expect to receive a proof of their country's gratitude; and the less experienced soldier would be as apt to expect, and perhaps more rash and decided in demanding the rewards of danger. While the victories of France were humbling the adjoining nations, there was one kingdom which reared its head in the sight of the Gallic shores, and thundered defiance to the powers of France. In proportion to the triumphs of the republic, so was the pride of France hurt, and all its pleasures embittered, by the defiance and firm attitude of Great Britain. The French resolved to strike a blow, but how to accomplish their object was easier conceived than put into execution." pp. 114-116.

An additional reason is assigned.

An attack upon Ahmet Pasha al Jezzar appears to have constituted an original part of the French expedition into the East; and Buonaparte seized the opportunity of that chief's hostile movements to fulfil the designs of his court.

• Upon the death of the sheik Daher, Jezzar was appointed to the pashalik of St. John d'Acre, and having added to that government several of the adjoining countries, he had influence also to combine, with his former appointments, the pashalik of Damascus. Commanding such an extent of territory, he was much connected with the nations of Europe who were engaged in the trade of the Levant, and who had

merchants