dern authors, which he has imitated; among these he has not mentioned Langhorne, with whofe compofitions he appears, nevertheless, to be acquainted. The laft fonnet we have quoted, has much resemblance to Langhorne's Vifions of Fancy, and commences almost in the fame

manner

Children of Fancy, whither are ye fled?

IS.

ART. 16. Elegiac Stanzas, written during a Sickness at Bath, December, 1795, by the Reverend W. L. Bowles. 4to. 14 PP. Dilly. 1796.

These stanzas are very unequal, and, were we to judge from the first only, we should fay, that however the writing them might amufe the author, we could well have fpared the publication. Towards the conclufion, however, we willingly acknowledge traits of poetic tafte; and the verses on leaving Winchester School, do honour to the writer's fenfibility.

ART. 17. The Spleen and other Poems. By Matthew Green. With a prefatory Effuy, by J. Aikin, M. D. 12mo. 5s. Cadell and Davies. 1796.

66

We have before commended fimilar publications by Dr. Aikin; and the ingenious effay prenxed to this elegant volume promifes to refcue a man of very refpeciable talents from a neglect he by no means merited. We think entirely with Dr. Aikin, that many poetical compofitions have had much more fortune" in the world than thofe of Green, though diftinguished by lefs brilliancy and originality of thought, and with no great referve accede to the following character given by the caitor to his author: "That, if in point of verfification, regularity, and correctnefs, his place is fcarcely affignable among the poets, in the rare qualities of variety and vigour of fentiment, and novelty and livelinets of imagery, it would not be easy to find any in modern times at leaft, who has a right to rank above him." Dr. Aikin's remarks, as ufual, indicate a correct judgment and excellent tafte, which we shall be happy to fee exercifed again and again, upon other of our poets who, although not " poffeffed of confummate excellence, may have a high degree of it."

ART. 18. Somerfet House, a Vifion, by Jofeph Mofer, Author of Timothy Twig, Reflections upon profane and judicial Swearing, &c. &c. &c. The Jecond Edition. 8vo. 6d. Griffiths. 1795.

In a fhort preface to this fhort vifion, Mr. Mofer informs us, that this is by no means the age of poetry, therefore he fears that his readers will be few." All that a folitary initance can do to prove the truth of this pofition, Mr. Mofer has certainly effected in the poem before us. We cannot but fufpect that the boldeft flight of poetical Fancy is in the title page, which proclaims "a fecond edition.

ART

ART. 19. Ode to the Honourable Thomas Pelham, Efq. occafioned by his Speech in the Irish Houfe of Commons, on the Catholic Bill. 4to. 15. Johnfon. 1795.

Nineteen pages of peevish and querulous dulnefs. The author's intention is to be fatirical, but "nervi deficiunt animique."

ART. 20. Mufa Berkhamstedienfes, or poetical Prolufions, by fome young Gentlemen of Berkhamsted School. 8vo. 134 PP. 2s. 6d. Macdowal, Berkhamsted. 1794.

We cannot regard it as a mark of wisdom in a school-mafter, to publish the juvenile productions of his fcholars. It is encouraging in them a fpecies of ambition for authorship, which readily enough becomes inordinate, and a vanity which fhould be regulated rather than inflamed: and the errors in the Latin compofitions (feveral of which we could point out) reflect more difcredit on the teacher who fuffered them to pass, than the more fuccefsful parts can counterbalance. The poems by J. D. (that is the master) might also have been omitted, as they certainly prove nothing concerning the proficiency of his scholars. Many of the English verfes are good.

DRAMATIC.

ART. 21. The Bank Note, or Lessons for Ladies. A Comedy, in five Acts, as performed at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden. Partly an Alteration. By William Macready. 8vo. 84 pp. 25. Longman.

1795.

From the farcical fituations in which the characters are placed, and fome humour in the dialogue, this drama may furnish a portion of amufement to fuch readers, as are not very fcrupulously devoted to probability in the detail of events, or very nice indifcriminations of character. The character of Killeavy, a blundering Irishman, is not deftitute of appropriate drollery; but drollery and farce are not fufficient to fupport a play through five acts. The following piece of wit reminds us too ftrongly of the opening of Moliere's Mariage

Force."

"If any body brings me money, call me immediately-and, do you hear, if any one wants money, I'm not at home, nor fhan't be to-day." P. 32.

The paffage of Moliere differs only from the foregoing in its adherence to grammatical accuracy, wherein Mr. Macready fails, when he fays nor han't be.

Si l'on m'apporte de l'argent, que l'on me vienne querir vite chez le Seigneur Geronymo, et fi l'on vient m'en demander, qu'on dife que je fuis forti, et que je ne dois revenir de toute la journée.”

ART.

ART. 22. The Adopted Child, a musical Drama, in two Alts, as it is performed at the Theatre-Royal, Drury Lane. By Samuel Birch. 8vo. 41 PP. is. Dilly. 1795.

A fhort and fimple ftory, not unfkilfully or inelegantly related; in which there are no violent deviations from probability of incident; nor any grofs folecifms, vulgatifms, or affectations of language. In the prefent ftate of our stage, this is praife.

DIVINITY.

ART. 23. A Sermon preached at the Anniversary Meeting of the Song of the Clergy, in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, on Thursday, May 7, 1795. By Charles Peter Layard, D. D. F. R. S. F. S. A. Prebendary of Worcester, and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majify. 4to. Is. Rivingtons. 1795.

For the fake of enforcing the charitable fupport of the indigent offspring of the clergy, Dr. Layard undertakes a manly and fenfible defence of the order, which turns chiefly upon the late exertions of our church in behalf of the perfecuted French, and of our own fuffering poor. On the latter fubject this paffage is remarkable.

"When the cafe of thefe fufferers was powerfully recommended from that authority, by which the chriftian and focial virtues are inculcated by example as well as by command, there were not wanting fome, who whispered about their apprehenfions, left the current of charity fhould be diverted into improper channels; left, in the zeal of our attention to foreigners, our own poor fhould be forgotten; thus vainly endeavouring to excite mean jealouftes, even amorg Englishmen, and fears, left that fource of beneficence fhould be ex haulted, which, blessed be God, never yet hath failed in this country. The exigencies of the poor, during a moft inclement feafon, called upon every one, and more efpecially our brethren of the miniftry, to refute by facts, thofe fuggeftions, which fo directly tended to deftroy the confidence neceffary between the different orders of fociety. And this, we trust, hath been perfectly accomplished. The rich have generously proved by the nobleft liberality, not by delufive and flattering profeflions, that they confidered the poor as their brethren; and thofe, who are called to watch over their fouls, have, with indefatigable attention, and with that prudence, which is always neceffary to give the fulleft effect to charity, laboured to relieve their bodily neceflities. The retreats of modeft indigence have been diligently explored by their active benevolence, where no inveftigation hath been neglected, which could determine the peculiar fort of diftrefs, or the most effectual mode of relief; and no affiftance was withheld, which the moft prefling neceffity could demand, or the most generous bounty beftow." For to their power I bear record," as faid the Apoftle, of the Churches of Macedonia, "yea, and beyond their power they were willing." P. xiii.

An

An expreffion in p. ix. appears rather remarkable, yet we believe that on examination it will be found ftrictly juft. The author fpeaks of "the hypocritical craft of a fycophantic philofophy." The concifenefs of the paffage renders it a little obfcure; yet when we recollect, the pretence to philanthropy and benevolence concealing the most bigotted rage and cruelty, and the bafe flattery of man's wort paffions, by which the philofophy of the age is diftinguifhed, we may clearly enough difcern the meaning of the author in this fentence. ART. 24. The Agency of God in the Events of Life. A Sermon, preached before the University of Cambridge, by the Reverend John Owen, A. M. late Fellow of Corpus Chrifti College, Cambridge, and Curate of Henham, Effex. 8vo. 19 PP. Is. Deighton. 1795. Mr. Owen here undertakes to prove the interference of the Almighty in human events; 1. From its conformity to that which is received as fcience concerning the nature of God. 2. From its utility in fome cafes, and neceffity in others, towards the ends and purpofes of human existence. 3. From the analogy which it finds in the sif. tory of mankind. Here is an extenfive plan fketehed out; concerning which we have only to lament that the outline is filled up rather too fcantily, and the proofs urged in fuch a rapid manner as to be rendered obfcure. We think the phrafe of the "Science of God," which the author employs in ftating his firft head, on feveral accounts exceptionable; "the Science of Deity," afterwards ufed, is lef, fo: nor can we avoid objecting to the neological Gallic term paralyfe, in p. S. or to the ufe of tranfpice for arife, in p. 6. The difcourfe in general, like the other compofitions of this author, difplays acutenefs and vigour.

ART. 25. A Sermon preached in the parish Church of St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, on the 17th of May, 1795, by the Rev. Thomas Crompton, A. M. Published by Requft, 4to. 18 pp. 15. binfons. 1795.

Ro

An able and fpirited difcourfe on the original publication of the Gofpel. The preacher fets out with establishing the advantage of that gradual illumication which Chrift communicated to his difciples. He then defcribes the ftate of the world at the time when the Gospel was promulgated; and concludes with a comparative ftatement of the prefent condition of mankind, in respect to religion, and an animated exhortation to Chriftian firmness and Evangelical fincerity.

ART. 26. The divine Goodness to the United States of America, a Dif courfe on the Subject of national Gratitude, delivered in Philadelphia, on Thursday the 19th of February, 1795, recommended by the Prefident of the United States to be observed throughout the Union, as a Day of general Thanksgiving and Prayer. Published at the Regut of the Committee. By Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D. Vice-President and Profeffor of maral Philofophy and Divinity in the College of New Jer fy. 8vo. 32 pp. 6d. Philadelphia printed; London reprinted. Matthews. 1795.

A very eloquent and pious acknowledgment of national bleffings, as oying to the difpenfations of Divine Providence. The author

enumerates,

enumerates, as fubjects of American gratitude- The exiftence and fuccefs of the federal government, the continuance of peace with the powers of Europe, and the profpect of returning peace with our favage neighbours. Our internal tranquillity, and particularly the fuppreffion of the late unhappy infurrection. Laftly, that which, in the enumeration of national bleffings, ought always to hold the chief rank, our enjoyment of the Chriftian religion in its purity, unfhackled by power, uncorrupted by fraud." On each of these he defcants in a manner calculated to afford confiderable gratification to an American audience. ART. 27. An Inquiry into the Origin of Epifcopacy, in a Difcourfe preached at the Confecration of George Horne, D. D. late Lord Bishop of Norwich. By the late Reverend George Berkeley, L. L. D. Prebendary of Canterbury, Chancellor of Brecknock, Rector of St. Clements Danes, Vicar of Ticehurst, Suffex, and formerly Student of ChriftChurch, Oxford. 8vo. 46 pp. IS. Rivingtons. 1795.

The general purpose of this difcourfe, on Heb. xiii. 17, is to fhow, that our ecclefiaftical conftitution has its foundation in the Holy Scriptures, and in the univerfal practice of the primitive church and that the fpiritual authority, to which obedience is required in the text, is not derived to our bishops from the ftate, but from Chrifl. P. 21,

40.

The principal argument here infifted on, is the neceffity of baptifm, by which converts and others are initiated into the church of Chrift, and which must be administered by the perfons authorized, that is, not by all Chriftians; for Chrift gave this commiffion, not to his 500 followers, but only to the eleven difciples, P. 11. And as no body of men can transfer an authority, of which they themselves were never poffeffed, therefore the power of the keys,-of admitting men into Chrift's church by baptifm, and of cafting them out, (p. 12, 14,) cannot now, by the election of one clafs of Chriftians, be delegated to another, but muft, by fome mode of fucceffion, be derived from the Apoftles, who were fent by Chrift, as he was fent to the father. It is the commiffion of Chrift, which gives validity to baptifm. P. 12. Objections are then confidered and anfwered, particularly thofe made by Prefbyterians.

This is a learned, ingenious, and folid defence of Epifcopacy; and, while it is not wanting in commendable zeal, it strongly inculcares charity, candour, and liberality. p. 45. The church of England has caufe to regret the lofs of this refpectable preacher, a worthy son of the celebrated Bishop of Cloyne, as well as of the good prelate on whofe account the difcourfe was delivered. Dr. Berkeley died January 6, 1795, and was buried at Chrift-Church, Oxford, near the remains of his father.

ART. 28. Religion in Danger: addreffed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, by the Curate of Snowden; and fubmitted to the Confideration of the Clergy of all Denominations. 8vo. 62 pp. Is. 6d. E. and T. Williams. 1795.

Neither a real curate, nor any real gentleman, would, we should think, have defcended to fuch low buffoonery as we find at p. 2 of this defultory performance.

Moft