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which weighs down the scale against the laborious part, the productive power of nations. In proof of these assertions, he considers the operation of the Circulating Medium-Artificial Capital-MonopolyTaxation-and the National Debt, pronouncing our fictitious money a real misfortune to the great mass of the people.

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Before he proceeds to demonstrate the position in the title, the author objects to the phrase National Debt, and says that it ought to be called A Debt due by the Productive to the Unpro ductive Part of the Nation;' and as to the Funding System, he terms it the meanest shuffle to gain our own ends, without any regard to the happiness of posterity. He supposes that, by the present mode of diminishing the debt, the part discharged must come into circulation, and thereby depreciate money, and increase the number of the poor to 3,000,000, with a proportional poor-rate. The annual

maintenance of a pauper is now about 1ol., and when money comes, as it must come, to be six times less valuable, six to one more of it must go to do the same thing in that case the annual maintenance of a pauper will amount to 6ol.; 60l. multiplied by 3,000,000, the number of paupers, gives a poor-rate of 180,000,000l.!!!** What a conclusion! We turn from such calculations. Things cannot go on at this rate.-Are we then lost, the reader will ask, without redemption? We hope not; though we must confess that we should have no hopes of political salvation, if it depended on the adoption. of the plan for discharging the national debt suggested at the conclusion of this pamphlet ; in which it is recommended to parcel out the crown lands among the stockholders, to abolish paper-currency, and to reduce the annuities in proportion to the cheapness of things, consequent on the preceding measures.

Art. 35. Letters to a Member of the British Parliament, on the Absur dity of Popular Prejudices; the Causes of the present high Price of Food; the Means of speedy Alleviation; and the Measures most proper for securing future Plenty. By Thomas Parsons. 8vo. IS. Robinsons.

Though Mr. Parsons has been materially anticipated in his remarks, they are delivered with such temper, ease, and perspicuity, as cannot fail of procuring them a favourable reception. The vulgar prejudices against farmers, corn-dealers, &c. are combated with liberality and good sense; and Adam Smith's doctrine of the benefit to society from the division of labour is very clearly illustrated. To remedy existing evils, the author recommends an immediate disuse of all the essential articles of life, in any other form than that of food; the introduction of the most essential substitutes for wheat; importation; the speedy return of peace; and inclosure, conducted with a scrupulous attention to the rights and comforts of the poor, on the sound as well as philanthropic maxim, " Make the poor comfortable, and they will become virtuous and happy." We are pleased to see the cottage system obtaining increasing patronage, in opposition to (as we conceive) the mistaken plan of poverty-hospitals, called Poorhouses, and Houses of Industry. In proportion as we increase the

And the annual taxea-156,000,000l.!!!

cottage.

cottage-poor, we shall augment the productiveness of the earth, and diminish the poor-rates. It is in vain to attempt to bring more land into cultivation, unless we provide for those whose labour is to fertilize it. To induce men and their families to live and work on the soil, they must be decently accommodated. Mistaken rapacity would grasp all from the poor: but liberality to them, in the distri bution of domestic comfort, is the truest policy.

Art. 36. Short Thoughts on the present Price of Provisions. By an Officer of the Volunteer Corps. 8vo. 6d. Wright.

After the many able pamphlets which have been written on the subject of the present scarcity, we cannot recommend this short pamphlet as containing either new or important remarks. It, however, evinces the good intention of the author.

Art. 37. Hints for a Vindication of Monopoly, Forestalling, and Regrating. To which are annexed, References to the following popular Topics: The Conduct of the Farmers: the Expedience of advancing the Wages of Labour: the Tendency of War to increase the fictitious Capital of the Nation, and its general Influence on the Prices of Provisons. 8vo. Is. 6d. Jordan.

Popular suffering excites popular clamour; which rarely proceeds on a knowlege of real causes, and which, therefore, if regarded by legislators and magistrates in their application of remedies, would more frequently increase than mitigate the evil. The operations of trade, in all articles for the use of man, are generally beneficial to a country; and if those articles universally rise in price, we should not be angry with dealers through whose hands they come to us, unless we are prepared to thank them and express our obligations (which in most instances they would be honest enough to disclaim) when these articles are cheap. To remove the more than vulgar misconceptions respecting monopoly, forestalling, and regrating, the author of this pamphlet reasons with great seriousness. Dearth caunot, (says he,) be the offspring of these practices, because, if the authors have any interest in producing it, and a power to second that interest, it is evident that dearth must be eternal and unremitting.' He is of opinion, with the majority of writers on this subject, that illiberal restrictions on trade would be injurious to the community; and that to attempt to reduce the price of provisions, by any other means than those of increased production, is a policy as spurious as it is unavailing. This gentleman, however, though he does not join in the declamation against ingrossers and forestallers, is not inattentive to the case of the poor in these hard times. Their wages, he contends, must, in some way or another, be advanced.

Other topics, particularly the funding and banking systems, are here discussed; and amid the various contributions of advice so liberally offered at the present juncture, these hints ought by no means to be overlooked, as they are evidently the fruit of a strong mind, habituated to reflection.-On the subject of war, the writer observes that, the visible tendency of all wars is to create a scarcity, by tranferring the productive labourer to a situation in which he degenerates into an unproductive consumer.' Our reason, indeed,

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proclaims the impolicy, and our religion inculcates the sinfulness of war; yet the Christian world could scarcely have been more deeply involved in all its miseries, had it been without science and without revelation.

Art. 38. Examen de la Constitution de France de 1799; i. c. An Examination of the Constitution of France, of 1799, and a Comparison of it with, the Monarchical Constitution of that State. 8vo. pp. 150. 25. De Boffe, &c.

In the early days of the French Revolution, who foresaw that, in the course of a few years, a political system would be adopted by Frenchmen, which was less free than the antient monarchy? That this, however, is the case, the present pamphlet fully proves.-The following is perhaps something near a fair comparative view of the respective systems-The power of the chief consul is far more extensive and absolute, than was ever that of any King of France. On the other hand, under the new system, full scope is given to talents; nothing damps the spirit of enterprize; feudal oppressions and exactions have ceased; the burthens and mischiefs of superstition no longer gall or harass; and the cultivator is better circumstanced than in any other state in Europe.

After having bestowed several harsh epithets on the new system, the author concludes with a pathetic exhortation to the chief consul; urging him, from a regard to his fame and reputation, to the gratitude of France and of Europe, and to his personal safety and happiness, to employ his present immense power in restoring the legi timate sovereign: telling him that he may rest confident that the past will be forgiven and buried in oblivion. The prayer of this author, however, will probably have no better effect than the advice of Lord Grenville. The present race of Frenchmen are too proud to make, in the face of the world, the solemn avowal that they possess neither wisdom nor virtue enough to form a government for themselves. Whether, by such a step, France would really consult her interest is a point on which much might be said; but the victories of the chief consul, and the general éclat of his government, render it an idle discussion.

Art. 39. Considerations on the Increase of the Poor Rates, and the State of the Workhouse, in Kingston upon Hull: to which is now added, a short Account of the Improvements in the Maintenance of the Poor of the Town. 8vo. pp. 110. Robinsons, &c. 1800. Important facts, sensible observations, and beneficent yet practicable plans, recommend this work to the attention of the public; who are indebted for this acceptable present, to the worthy governor of the poor of Hull, T. Thompson, Esq. All who have any connection with work-houses, or who have such institutions in contemplation, or who attend in any way to parochial matters, should peruse the pamphlet before us.

As grievous complaints on the subject of the poor-rates resound from all quarters, it may be useful to the public to learn what economy and attention have accomplished in the town of Hull. A

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perusal of the following note will, we doubt not, occasion to our readers as much agreeable surprize as it excited in us:

On the 20th January 1800, the following advertisement was inserted in the Hull newspapers:

"Workhouse, Hull, 20th Jan. 1800. "The Governor and Guardians of the Poor in Hull are glad to inform the inhabitants of the town, that, although the necessities of the times have greatly increased the number of paupers in the workhouse, as well as the allowances to persons out of the house, they are able to reduce the poor-rates from £8320 to £4160 per annum. The collectors of the poor-rates in the different wards will therefore have directions to receive from each inhabitant, on the 1st of February next, only one half of the poor-rate which was paid the last quarter.

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Farther reforms in the management of the poor of Hull are carrying on; and this worthy and benevolent author promises to lay the result of them, in due time, before the public.

Art. 40. Further Thoughts on the present State of public Opinion; being a Continuation of A timely Appeal to the common Sense of the People of Great Britain in general, and of the Inhabitants of Buckinghamshire in particular, on the present Situation of Affairs. By J. Penn, Esq. 8vo. pp. 200. 4s. Hatchard. 1800.

The design of this work is to defend and clucidate the principles laid down in the celebrated Essay on the Sublime and Beautiful; and the political doctrines of the same distinguished person are also occasionally introduced, and extolled. If we cannot compliment the author's ideas for their clearness, nor his style for its perspicuity, neither can we deny that he is an intelligent man, and that he possesses enlightened and liberal views. He defends our civil and religious establishments, and the measures of ministers, without pressing either violence or abuse into the service of his cause. He would not extirpate philosophy, nor persecute for opinions; because he deems liberty a good.

LAW.

Art. 41. An Inquiry into the Laws, antient and modern, respecting Forestalling, Regrating, and Ingrossing, together with adjudged Cases, Copies of original Records, and Proceedings in Parliament, relative to those Subjects. By William Illingworth, of the Inner Temple. 8vo. pp. 310. 7s. 6d. boards. Brooke. 1800.

We have examined this volume with attention, and we think that it deserves a careful perusal both on account of the present importance of the subject, and of the fullness and accuracy of the information which it imparts. It will be found essentially serviceable to those whose attention is occupied on the consideration of the present scarcity.

Having considered the offences of ingrossing and raising the price of victuals among antient nations, the author proceeds to state the nature of those offences in this country, both by the common and the statute law. He points out the various acts of parliament by which forestalling was restrained and punished, with the reasons for their enactment: mentions those statutes, relative to this subject,

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which are repealed, with the reasons for such repeal; and specifies those statutes which still remain in force, with the particular provisions contained in them.

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Mr. Illingworth has also introduced many judicious observations on this part both of our statute and our common law, and has presented the reader with the adjudged cases on the statutes 3 and Edw. VI.-5 and 6 Edw. VI. c. 14. and the 13 Rich. II. c. 8. He concludes his volume with copies of original records, for which he acknowleges himself indebted to the kindness of John Caley, Esq. Keeper of the Records in the Augmentation Office.

Art, 42. Cases in Crown Law, determined by the Twelve Judges; by the Court of King's Bench, and by Commissioners of Øyer and Terminer, and general Gaol Delivery; from the 4 Geo. II. 1730, to the 40 Geo. III. 1800. By Thomas Leach, Esq. Barrister at Law. Third Edition, with Corrections and Additions. 2 vols. Royal 8vo. 11. 1s. Boards. Butterworth. 1800. Though we cannot bestow unqualified praise on this work, and though in some instances it appears deficient in accuracy, still we think that it is intitled to public attention, and that it will be found to possess statements of important cases, not inserted in any other publication. To the crown lawyer, it will be serviceable not only on this account, but because many of the cases here introduced are cited in the notes to the last edition of Hawkins's Pleas of the Crown.

This work is not addressed merely to the professional man, but will gratify those who read only for amusement; since the powers of human ingenuity are scarcely ever exerted with better success, than when employed to conceal villainy and evade the laws.

Art. 43. Term Reports in the Court of King's Bench, from Michaelmas Term 33d George III. 1792, to Trinity Term 34th George III. 1794, both inclusive. By Charles Durnford and Edward Hyde East, Esqrs. Barristers at Law. Vol. Vth. A new Edition, corrected, with additional References. Royal 8vo. pp. 776. Butterworth. 1800.

We have on several occasions informed our readers that this valuable work has assumed its present commodious shape, from its former expensive size in folio. We have now only to add that, of the eight volumes which are published, five have appeared in octavo; and that they are all enriched with many additional references to subsequent decisions, and to earlier Reports.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 44. Reflections on the Principles and Institutions of Popery, &c. &c. occasioned by the Rev. John Milner's History of Winchester. By John Sturges, D. D. Prebendary of Winchester, &c. Second Edition, with Corrections and Additions. 8vo. 6s. Boards. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1800.

Having given a long account of the quarto edition of this work, (see M. Rev. N. S. vol. xxxii. p. 23.) and also of Mr. Milner's Reply, (see Rev. for November last,) it is not necessary to enlarge

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