'It would be difficult,' says the writer, to characterize all the works which have been composed with the intention of ascertaining and pointing out the genuine causes of the French Revolution, of elucidating its pernicious progress, and describing its monstrous result. Could the historians of this grand political phenomenon, who hastened to describe its various explosions, and their dreadful effects, suppose themselves capable of writing with the impartiality of faithful history; or even expect, though witnesses of the facts which they related, to obtain implicit credit? Succeeding generations will hardly believe recitals so extraordinary as to bear the stamp of improbability: and it is only when time has dissipated the influence of parties, and the effervescence of passions, that we may hope some unbiassed writer will search out the truth amidst the voluminous materials in which it is buried, and will model the history of this tremendous convulsion into a monument of instruction for posterity.

Among those who have written on the wonderful events which closed the 18th century, M. Bertrand de Moleville, author of The History of the French Revolution, should be particularly distinguished. The circumstances in which he was placed, and the posts which he filled, claim from his readers a considerable measure of confidence; especially as he appears, on a perusal of his work, to have been sedulously on his guard against the partiality which might be imputed to him. This narrative, and notes, abound with private anecdotes, which could only be communicated by an actor in the scene, and by one who possessed the confidence of Louis XVI. Those volumes of his work which have been published, will certainly be a treasure to any writer, who may hereafter undertake an impartial history of this convulsed period.

M. Necker has written two volumes on the Revolution, in which he has endeavoured to trace its origin, and real causes. He ascribes it to the change of public opinion which was effected by a bold investigation of the most important subjects of political economy, in works that displayed considerable talent; to the excess of taxes; the total derangement of the finances; and a consequent dissatisfaction with the Government and its measures: but, above all, to the philosophizing spirit which celebrated writers laboured to propagate; to the subversion of every basis of moral duty and religious sentiment; and the banishment of veneration for any object on earth or in heaven. The inroads which were thus made insensibly on the public mind, he regards as the real preparatives for that misery in which France has since been involved. It is hardly to be supposed, that M. Necker could be wholly unbiassed, especially on topics in which he was personally concerned: but his general views, and the solid reflections which he deduces from facts, indicate the correctness of his judgement, as well as his experience in composition.

Prudhomme's General history of the crimes committed during the revolution, and particularly under the reign of the Convention, is a denunciation to posterity of the most sanguinary outrages, and of the barbarians by whom they were committed. The author had been a zealous revolutionist; and in a periodical work, entitled "Revolutions of Paris and Brabant," had propagated those principles of liberty and equality which produced the crimes that he enumerates. After having been intimately connected with persons who were principal actors in this scene of horror, indignation at their enormities transformed him to their accuser. By a lively picture of their conduct, he has exposed thein to the abhorrence of their contemporaries, and of ages yet to come.

M. de Montjoye, in undertaking to write a history of the Revolution, proposed to divest himself of all interest in the events to be described, and of all connexion with his contemporaries; treating of facts as if they had Occurred a century before he wrote. "It is not," said he, "for the present age, that I write: I consider it as already remote: I write solely for posterity." To maintain so strict an impartiality, must in every situation be difficult; and perhaps in none more than in that of the writer now in view. It is not, however, known whether he would have adhered to his engagement. His work has been suspended: and the two volumes of it which have been published, reach only to the royal Session of 23 June, 1789.

Such events as persons who were not eye-witnesses might learn from the public journals, have been collected, in numerous volumes, by Fantin de Sodoarts. They form a tedious compilation, expressed in trite language; destitute both of colouring and of interest.

Two friends combined their labours, to describe the progress of our revolutionary mania; and they have persisted, since it ceased, in multiplying volumes on the subject. They relate every thing, but seem to have understood nothing.

Beaulieu's Historical Essays on the causes and effects of the Revolution, with his Notes on certain events and institutions, include private details which had been either forgotten or neglected by other historians, The author with sufficient rapidity, conducts his readers to the 18th Brumaire; when the tyrants of France vanished, only to render conspicuous the completion of her miseries.

'M. Bonvielle published in 1796 an Essay on the condition of France; in which he analyses those political errors, which succeeded to the notions that had been formed, of regenerating the state. To these, he opposes clear, precise, and incontrovertible ideas of social order; and afterwards reviews the more striking events by which the descent from order to confusion was marked.

Montjoye's Histories of the conspiracies of Orleans and of Robespierre, deserves to be distinguished, as works which exhibit the minds of these two criminals in their genuine depravity. Some trifling inaccuracies do not affect the general truth of the facts related.

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Particular epochs of this revolution, that were but too prominent, have been described by writers of various parties. That of the tenth of August is recorded by Peltier. He traces perspicuously the circumstances which led to that dreadful event, and the massacres which attended it. The subversion of royalty by the most perfidious counsel, is clearly demonstrated by him. A horrible picture is drawn of the crimes that were authorised and perpetrated by a frantic legislature. The author speaks only of what he saw; but he speaks with prejudice and aggravation.

M. Danican has reported the hostilities of the convention against the sections of Paris, on the 13th Vendemiare (5 October); when the members of that regicide assembly aimed to force, on the Parisians, two thirds of their own number, in forming the Legislative bodies appointed by the new constitution.

'Louvet, an incorrigible revolutionist, the adversary and accuser of Robespierre before the Convention, of which he was a member, published an account of his own proscription in 1793, and of the dangers which he Encountered in evading prosecution. His narrative proves that he had

not renounced his anarchical opinions; and it is better adapted to entertain, by the hair-breadth escapes of himself and his companions in distress, than to interest the reader in their behalf.

In the course of this grand political subversion many private memoirs were written by persons who had been principal actors during the first years of the revolution. Such are those of Mad. Roland, M. de Bouillé, Dumouriez, Custine, &c. The inexperience, vanity, and cowardice, of -the last mentioned general, are displayed in a very remarkable manner.

'France was deluged, for ten years, with innumerable pamphlets on the subject; most of which have already sunk into oblivion. Some, notwithstanding, deserve to be mentioned: as, Considerations on the nature of the French Revolution, by Mallet du Pan; a letter in reply to the preceding, by M. Necker; another letter, On the State of France, by M. D'Entraigues; Summary views of the means of peace, by M. de Montlausier; and all the writings of M. de Lally Tolendal.

'Abbé Raynal, who had diffused, through his philosophical works, energetic declamations on liberty and equality, solemnly retracted his errors, on witnessing the evils to which he was conscious of having contributed; and from the centre of his retirement, published a pamphlet, On assassinations and political robberies; otherwise called Proscriptions and Confiscations, His performance is distinguished by a strength of ideas, and an energy of style, that could not have been expected from the advanced age of the author, if regret and indignation had not impelled his hand. In sixty pages, he has comprised, not an ephemeral production, but a permanent work and his reflections are applicable to every age and society, which may be attacked by a disorder as violent as that by which France has unhappily been agitated.'

The Revolutionary Memorial of Bosselin, a deputy in the Convention, was written to signalize the leaders of that unprincipled assembly, and to consign them to the execration of our descendants. He may be trusted, because he was a witness, without being a partaker, of their deeds. He distributes them into two parties, philosophers, and thieves; the former of whom aimed to overturn every thing, the latter to embezzle every thing. This memorial, which is contained in four volumes, is very curious and scarce.

After the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, Rabaud de St. Etienne, who was a member of it, published a Summary account of the important events in which had taken a distinguished part. He has omitted particulars which could not have been impartially elucidated, or dispassionately described. His work is a faithful and rapid view of the emotions which were produced prior to the revolution, and during its first years; M. la Cretelle junior has followed Rabaud's plan, in recording the most remarkable occurrences under the Legislative assembly, and the Convention. He exhibits traits of virtuous attachment, and still more of military glory, mingled with paroxysms of fury, calamities, and internal tyranny. The object of the compiler has been to preserve fidelity and perspicuity.'

(To be concluded in our next Number.)

ART. XXV. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

GREAT BRITAIN. Shortly will appear under the authority and patronage of the East India Company, a Journey through the countries of Mysore, Cannara, and Malabar, performed by Francis Buchanan, M. D. of the Bengal Medical Establishment, under the orders of the Most Noble the Marquis Wellesley, late Governor-Gene-, ral of India; for the express purpose of investigating the State of Agriculture, Arts and Commerce, the Religion, Manners and Customs, Natural and Civil History, and Antiquities of the Dominions of the Rajah of Mysore, and the countries acquired by the Hon. East India Company, in the late and former wars, from Tippoo Sultan. It will form three quarto volumes, and be illustrated by a map and other engravings.

A new and splendid edition of Pope's Homer's Iliad, in 6 vols. 8vo. highly ornamented with engravings, after designs by some of our most eminent artists, is nearly ready for publication. It will be followed by his translation of the Odyssey, on the same plan.

Dr. Beaufort has in the press, Travels through the various provinces of Ireland; containing a complete and comprehensive view of the present state of that part of the British Empire, Political, Economical, Statistical, Agricultural, and Commercial. It will make two quarto volumes, and include several maps and ornamental engravings.

The Illustrations of Lambeth Palace, by a serious of twenty select Views and Portraits, is now completed, and has been announced for publication by Messrs. BRAYLEY and HERBERT, who in compliance with the wishes of many of their Subscribers have also printed a History of the Palace,' to accompany the Views. This may be had separately, as it formed no part of the original design, and was not announced in the Prospectus.

Mr. THOMAS FISHER of the East India House, has signified an intention to publish an Engraving of a Second Roman Pavement, lately discovered in the city; from a drawing by himself. The accuracy of a former Engraving of the beautiful Pavement found in Leadenhall Street, published from a drawing by this gentleman, evinces his perfect competency to the undertaking.

MIDDINAN, the pupil of Woollet, has recently issued a Prospectus of a

New Work, on the Architectural and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain. It will be completed in fifteen numbers, of four Plates each, with Descriptions in English and French. All the engravings will be executed by himself, and from his well-known taste in the graphic art, will doubtless confer credit on the English School.

The following Works are expected to ap pear shortly.

The First Volume of a Continuation of Mr. Donovan's History of British Insects.

An Edition of Gifford's Translation of Juvenal, in 8vo. with the Addition of the Sixteenth Satire.

The Second Volume of Mr, Cary's Translation of Dante.

An Edition of the late Mrs. Carter's Poems, with original Pieces, and Memoirs of her Life. By her nephew Mr, Montague Pennington.

Letters from a Mother to her Daughter, on Religious and Moral Subjects. By M. S.

Letters on Mythology, addressed to a Lady: including Sketches of the most remarkable customs of ancient Nations; descriptions of celebrated Temples, &c. By R. Morgan.

Chironomia; or, a Treatise on Rhetorical Delivery: comprehending many Precepts, both ancient and modern, for the proper Regulation of the Voice, the Countenance, and Gesture; to be illustrated by above 150 Figures. By the Rev. Gilbert Austin, A. M. of Woodvile, near Dublin.

A New Edition, considerably im. proved, of a World without Souls.

Mr. Thomas Peat, portrait-painter, proposes to publish by Subscription, a Treatise on Colours and colouring, containing a detail of the Analysis of Colours in general, explaining the Defects of some, and essential Parts of others; with Directions for Preparation, &c. both in oil and water.

The Poems of Thomas Romney Robinson, an interesting Boy, who resides at Belfast, and has just completed his twelfth Year, will shortly appear in I vol. 8vo.

Dr. Arnold, of Leicester, is preparing for Publication, a new and enlarged Edition of his Work on Insanity.

Earl Nelson has given Notice, that he has selected a gentleman of high respectability,