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the head of these were marshalled the whole train of drapers and grocers, till the year 1765, when a regular bank was established by Messrs. Taylor and Lloyd, two opulent tradesmen, whose credit being equal to that of the Bank of England, quickly collected the shining rays of sterlWherever ing property into its focus.

the earth produces grass, an animal will be found to eat it. Success produced a second bank, by Robert Coales, esq. now Wooley, Moillet and Gordon; and a third by Spooner and Atwoods, now Atwoods, Spooner, and Goddington. The other bankers besides these, are Freer, Rottou, and Lloyds, Galtons and James, Smith, Gray and Goode."

But the ques

"It would give satisfaction to the cu'rious calculator, could any mode be found of discovering the returns of trade, made by the united inhabitants. tion is complicated. It only admits of surmise. From comparing many instances in various ranks among us, I have been led to suppose, that the weekly returns exceed the annual rent of the buildings. And as these rents were nearly ascertained in 1781, perhaps we may conclude, that those returns were then about 100,000l. a week, and, allowing for holidays, about 4,000,000 a year."

93. A Description of Modern Birmingham; whereunto are annexed, Observations made during an Excursion round the Town, in the Summer of 1818, including Warwick and Leamington. By Charles Pye; who compiled a Dictionary of Antient Geography. 12mo. pp. 184. J. M. Richardson, and Sherwood & Co. THIS brief but satisfactory Description of Modern Birmingham, which the Author emphatically calls "the Toy-shop of Europe," embraces somewhat of every thing which the inquisitive Visitor of that busy place would wish to examine.

Mr. Pye pretends not to assume the diguity of a regular Topographical Historian. That task has been ably performed by his predecessor Mr. Hutton, whose more extended work, however; by no means precludes the use or the merit of the present little volume.

The Account here given of the Town of Birmingham, its Churches, Chapels, and other public buildings, of its various manufactures, and its numerous charitable institutions, are an honourable testimony to the opulence and the liberality of the inhabitants; and are sufficiently explicit to excite, and, generally speaking, to gratify curiosity.

The same may be said of many of the Tours occasionally noticed by Mr. Pye in his Excursions round the Town."

Speaking of the village of Handsworth in Staffordshire, Mr. Pye says,

"The only objects deserving of notice, are two monuments; one in the inside, and the other on the out. The one erected to commemorate the late Matthew Boulton, esq. is the work of the celebrated Flaxman, and adds another wreath of laurel to the brow of that classical artist. It is of white and blue marble, and is surmounted by a bust, which is the best representation extant of that enterprising and deserving man, to whose memory it is sacred. The other is an humble tombstone, remarkable as being one of the last works, cut by his own hand, with his name at the top of it, of that celebrated Typographer, Baskerville, but this, being neglected by the relations of the deceased, has been mutilated, although the inscription is still perfect, but so much overgrown with moss and weeds, that it requires more discrimination than falls to the lot of many passing travellers to discover the situation of this neglected gem. To those who are curious, it will be found close to the wall, immediately under the chancel window. This precious relic of that eminent man is deserving of being removed, at the expense of the parish, and preserved with the greatest care, withinside the Church. Mr. Baskerville was kept a school in Birmingham.-There is originally a stone-cutter, and afterwards only one more of his cutting known to be in existence, and that has lately been removed and placed withinside the Church, at Edgbaston."

"The stone being of a flaky nature, the inscription is not quite perfect, but whoever takes delight in looking at wellformed letters, may here be highly gratified: it was erected to the memory of Edward Richards, an idiot, who died 21st

September 1728, with the following inscription :

"If innocents are the favourites of Heaven, [given, And God but little asks where little's

My great Creator has for me in store Eternal joys; what wise man can have

more?"

94. Italy, its Agriculture, &c. from the

French of Mons. Chateauvreux; being Letters written by him in Italy, in the years 1812 and 1813. Translated by Edward Rigby, Esq. M. D. F. L. and H. S. 8vo. pp. 358. Hunter.

IT was a common recommendation of Oxford tutors to the candidates for the University Prize Essays, that

they

they should not write without ideas, i. e. that they should not make their compositions, mere prosing upon truisms. "Fine writing consists," says Addison," of thoughts which are just, but not obvious."

In the course of our Reviewing la bours, we never met with a work which better answered the character of good writing, than the one now before us. It abounds with interesting facts, and deductions, which, contrary to the truismal and prosing style, cannot be anticipated; nor does the work incur the danger incident to writing upon the plan of ideas, that of paradox. The following remark will show the nature of the work, viz. that the Author is not a mere man of turnips, but a philosopher, who considers agriculture not only as an affair of trade, but as it bears upon character, morals, and the superior distinctions of them; not merely, à l'Anglois, as he is a bipedal wheelbarrow or plough, from whom no more is reasonably to be required, than that, he should be a donkey upon the week-days, and show himself a human being upon Sundays, by attending a place of worship.

"The suppression of convents, whilst it assigns to mothers the education of their children, has called forth in the instinct of maternal affection, that attention to propriety, which is gradually banishing the licentiousness of manners, so disgraceful to the women of Italy, and the immora

lity of which no influence can sanction, but that of long-established habit. A domestic spirit will thus, perhaps, eventu. ally prevail in Italy." p. 6.

These are remarks founded upon life, and they are only a very few of many original and interesting. The

Author had a fine field before him.

Italy, except in the articles of sing ing and painting, has been associated with the Pope, and made a bugbear. The fact is, that it is a country, form ed by nature to be the Vauxhall and the University of Europe. It abounds in the sublime, the beautiful, and the useful. The climate, with the exception of some spots, is delicious; and in the minds of the inhabittants there is that subtlety and acuteness, that delicacy of manner, and perfection of taste, which is the grand characteristic of their earliest ancestors the Greeks. Perhaps not all Readers of the Roman Classics

have noticed a common fact in their histories, that, if we examine the words which they use in the relation of events, they are not only precise, but also depict the incident, often by a single word, metaphorically used in the most complete dovetail work ; the work not of carpenters in history, or wheel-wrights in annals, and other mechanicks, but of joiners and cabinet-makers, and men of nice work.

From the vast mass of interesting and luminous matter which this work contains, we shall be copious in our

extracts.

"An agricultural system principally directed to the production of food has the serious [not grave as Dr. Rigby has translated it, like a school-boy] inconvenience of keeping the whole class of rich proprietors in such a state of independence as promotes, instead of their true interest, that indolence and moral paralysis, which are so justly imputed to the Italians; at the same time it renders the whole class of farmers too indifferent to the public interest with which they are not connected by property: ever sure of a demand for the labour of their hands, which constitute their only capital, they never trouble themselves about circumstances which can never affect them. Always destitate of the means of acquiring capital, they must remain stationary in their situation; the result is a torpor which nothing but the want of food can overcome." pp. 45, 46.

Now we leave our Readers to judge how far civilization and moral improvement are assisted by the landed proprietors, and farmers, and peasantry of our own nation. We believe, that the one looks only for plenty of cash, the other for plenty of profit, and the third for plenty of drink, as their respective objects of pursuit; holding religion and morals as mere things of which the state of civilized society compels a limited observation.

We recommend to travellers the

exquisite prospect from the summit of the Apennines, taking the new carriage road from Parnia to Pontremoli. See p. 62.

We have the following description of a night scene in this country:

"It now became quite dark. Perfumes, the names of which I was unacquainted with, exhaled from every plant, which grew on the road-side; nightingales concealed in the shade of the trees, and in the obscurity of the night, sung as we passed along; thousands of shining insects, flying from flower to flower, illumi

nated

nated with a frigitive brightness their cal. ces and stamina, and seemed, like a shower of stars, dropping on the earth to charm the night." p. 61.

The following is the account of the dwellings of the peasantry on the road through Pistoria and Lucca, as far as Pisa.

"The road was bordered on each side with village houses, not more than a hundred paces from each other." p. 75.

"We have heard acute observers remark, that civilization cannot be effected among the peasantry, where they reside in scattered habitations among each other, not in streets; such a position is of course limited to numerous exceptions; but reflecting people will see, that it does not want a considerable degree of force and bearing. These village houses are built of brick, and in a justness of proportion and with an elegance of form, unknown in our country [Switzerland]. They consist of only one story, which has often but a single door and two windows in the front. They are placed at a little distance from the road, and separated from it by a wall and a terrace of some feet in extent. On the wall are commonly placed many vases of antique forms, in which flowers, aloes, and young orange trees, are growing. The house itself is completely covered with vines, so that during the summer it is difficult to determine, whether they are green pavilions or houses. for the winter." p. 74.

The method of irrigation, described in p. 80, is conducted upon principles indicative of the usual depth of Italian ingenuity, i. e. exquisite contrivance and minute finish.

"Mares are turned out with a stallion, like cows with a bull. These tribes never mix together, if they did, it would produce mortal combats among the stallions. Each tribe has its quarter of pasture, which they divide among themselves, without the interference of the shepherds. This division, strictly observed, is so justly shared, that each tribe finds an equal proportion of food, in the respective spaces assigned them." p. 89.

This curious fact implies both a parliamentary and legislative character in instinct.

From the pestilential climate, Rome, it seems, is rapidly advancing to a state of utter depopulation. "The grand scene of destruction which is daily exhibited within its wails, is grander than human language can express; more melancholy than human melancholy, and more, solemn than all human solemnities.

It is the great festival of the dead, which nothing can duly celebrate, but the cries of the wilderness;" the Author adds, "and the waves of the Tiber;" "the dead holding a festival" is a sublime idea, worthy the wonderful imagination of Lord Byron. But speaking à la Blair, the subsequent images are a sad deterioration-ragged boys, instead of footmen, behind the coach of a Lord.

In p. 139, we hear of "bronzecoloured horses," which resembled those of Xerxes, and served as models to the artists who studied at Rome.

The following admirable remarks will explain the nature of pastoral poetry, and show the high philosophical character of this excellent book.

"I never recognized impressions produced by rural scenery, except in shepherds, who have the care of wandering flocks. This class of men lead a quiet and contemplative life, in which all the operations of nature acquire an importance. They have time to observe them, and it is necessary to foresee them, that they may guard against them. They live almost alone, surrounded with natural objects, from which they acquire a language and emotions which they could not have derived from society. Thus we almost always find, under the rude exterior of ignorant shepherds, an intelligence and a sort of indifference to the things of this

life, the originality of which has always much impressed me." p. 217.

Thus sailors by habituation to one element are of very distinctive and peculiar character.

In p. 248, we find from the excavations, that the implements of husbandry, now used in Italy, are similar to those of the antients.

Among the Milanese, "by an inexplicable singularity of nature, the cows of the third generation lose their quality of good milkers, in the midst of most nourishing food." p. 276. This inattention to the breed of cattle, seems to be the grand defect of Italian husbandry.

In p. 282, we have an interesting account of the culture of rice.

To show the enormous superiority of the land of the Romans, we shall give the following extract:

"The sun admits of the grapes ripening on the trees, and without injury to the crops. Trees grow on the borders of the fields, which are covered with vines, from which are produced the wine which is

drunk

drunk by the labourers; the wood with which they warm themselves, and the valuable leaf, which produces them. They have no occasion therefore, in Italy, either for forests or vineyards."

"Only a fifth of the surface of all Italy can be considered as sterile, a proportion seldom occurring in an extensive country, and almost the reverse of France, whose geoponique map marks as fertile only a fifth of its whole extent." p. 293.

If we estimate the value of books, by the quantity of information which they contain, we must also admit a frequent excellence in French scientific literature. They compress Iliads in nutshells without destroying the practical utility of such works. They exhibit elephants of the size of mites, which require no microscope to distinguish their various members.

95. Mr. George Hardinge's Miscellaneous Works. [Concluded from p. 428.]

The Works of Mr. Hardinge contained in vol. I. consist of "Charges delivered in the Courts of General Session at Cardiffe, Presteigne, and Brecon." Having adverted to some of these in our review of the "Illustrations of Literary History," vol. III. we shall only add, in this place, that they are admirable for clearness and perspicuity. Mr. Hardinge's style and manner are his own, and differ

from what we are accustomed to hear from the Bench. They assume a shape of more familiarity; they are easily understood, and we doubt not, were adapted to those to whom they were addressed. Even his digressions into the character of persons and things of political consequence may have had their effect.

"Eighteen Sermons, by a Layman.” These Sermons hold a middle rank between practical and doctrinal. The leaning is certainly towards the former, but that the author is not de

ficient in the latter may appear from the following short extract: the text,

1 Cor. i. 18.

"Is it not madness (after this) to be conceited of any worth in ourselves? to confide in works of our own, or glory in our brightest attainments? What honour shall we arrogate, when, to bear our infamy, the Lord of Glory became a servant, was exposed every day to contumelies, and suffered (as the vilest criminal) a death of shame, as well as agony!

"But, though we should be humble in such views of his cross and passion, we

should never be abject. It is PROVED that our soul is of importance in the judgment of God: we should not, therefore, slight ourselves, or think what he purchased (and so purchased) a thing too despicable to be SAVED!

"We should hate the enemies who tormented such purity and virtue; the wretch who betrayed him; his wicked accusers; the rabble that insulted him; the hands that smote him; the hearts that were bitter against him-but, alas! they are all of them NEARER HOME than we imagine!

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'He was delivered for OUR offences,' and these men were only the instruments; WE betrayed him.

"He was made Sin for us; we accused him, and the malevolent priest was OUR advocate.

"We condemed him: Pilate gave the reluctant word, but the sentence was in our hearts.

"We indicted the punishment upon him; and the Roman executioners represented us.

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"We derided him: the silly populace were the actors, but the parts were ours. "We exclaimed Crucify him, crucify kim pierced his flesh, and rent his body: against whom should be our hatred? against ourselves.

"But let us, to hatred of sins like these, be sure to add a religious (not a superstitious) fear of the impartial judgment that is to come! How shall we escape, neglecting such a Saviour as this! defeating his charity, and thus treading under foot the Son of God!"

Of these Sermons in general, we may add that they afford pleasing proofs of time well spent in meditation on the sacred subject of revealed religion.

We have already noticed the "Defence of Sir Thomas Rumbold," of the "East India Company:" the "Letters to Mr. Burke, which are followed by a controversy with Major Scott.

Vol. II. consists of what may be termed Mr.Hardinge's poetical Works, comprising according to our editor's division, Sonnets, Local Poems, Poems of Publick Respect or Personal Regard, Poems on Religious and Moral subjects, Elegiac Poems, Filial Piety, The Russian Chiefs, Tales and Fables, Ballads, Theatrical Poems, Epigrams, Imitations of Horace, and from the Italian, Persian, and French, and Miscellaneous Poems. Elegance and neatness are the general characteristics of Mr. Hardinge's Poetry. Except in one or two instances he seldom appears to have undertaken more than

could

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could be dispatched at one sitting; but his imagination was ever lively, and his inspirations frequent. We know not indeed where a finer collection of Vers de Société is to be found; and the Reader must be fastidious indeed, who does not share in the pleasure which these verses once imparted to Mr. Hardinge's circle of friends. When we sat down to the perusal of this volume, we had marked out several sonnets, &c. for extracts, but the number increased so fast that we found it impossible to keep within reasonable bounds. One short piece, however, seems to claim a place. A serious truth conveyed with more delicacy, we have seldom met with:

"IMPROMPTU,—on a View of the Obelisk and of its Figures, at one of the gates to the Garden at Chiswick House.

"This breathing charm of Sculpture's

grace

No ravages of Time deface,
When Beauty, that all hearts could love,
No more its radiant eye can move;
Cold in the picture and the bust,
Its life and model, in the dust.

"How dreadful is the tale that here
Chills, with its hovering spectre's fear!
No brighter Poet ever sung:
The bees upon her accent hung;
Her native bloom surpass'd the rose;
Her smile could strings of pearls disclose;
Grace in her step the form improv'd,
Made Envy mute, and Splendour lov'd.
Short was the lovely pageant's day,
And fleet as light it pass'd away.

"But was the Saint for death prepar'd? Had Pleasure Wisdom's moment spar'd, Were jewels in the casket laid, Which neither time nor thieves invade?'

"Muse! if such questions thou shouldst hear,

No answer make-but with a tear !"

Vol. III. consists of critical Essays, more or less finished, on Shakspeare, Terence, Cowley, Waller, and various Authors.--Cursory remarks on Classical Education-Vindication of Lady Mary Wortley Montague from the censures of Mr. Walpole, rather severe as far as Mr. Walpole, is concerned, but not, in our opinion, less decisive than ingenious, in the case of Lady Mary. This seems to have been written in consequence of the publication of Lord Orford's collected works, arranged and selected by himself for the press, and which, when compared with other documents, have

lessened that writer's character in the general opinion. Mr. Hardinge has particularly renounced his former admiration of him, in his "Expostulatory Remarks on Letters by Madame du Deffand to the late Earl of Orford, in a series of Letters to the Editor." This we account the most valuable, and we rejoice that it is the longest article in this volume. It does honour both to the head and heart of Mr. Hardinge. At the present time, a perusal of it cannot be unuseful; for seldom have the insi dious attacks of Deists been more ingeniously and accutely opposed.

Several miscellaneous articles of minor importance, but very entertaining, and part of Mr. Hardinge's correspondence on the topics of the day in newspapers, or with his private friends, conclude this selection of his works; from which, in our opi nion, no Reader can part without considerable admiration of the Author's various talents. It is only to be regretted that he seldom gave these talents fair play, seldom let them settle upon any subject. Memory, judgment, and imagination were continually in requisition, but rarely employed on what was permanent or highly important. With all this versatility, it is wonderful that Mr. Hardinge wrote so much and so well; he never touches, even transiently, on a subject, without throwing some new light upon it, and where he dwells longest he never tires his Reader, for his vivacity runs in a most pleasing stream. Mr. Nichols says that he left behind him the character of possessing rather than of profiting by great talents. This is true, and really in Mr. Hardinge's case, it is not easily to be excused: for Mr. Hardinge might have profited, if he would: his studies were not impeded by the res angusta domi, which obliges many an ingenious man to fritter away his talents on temporary subjects. Mr. Hardinge had great abilities and he had great friends. These volumes afford proof of both, and entitle him to very honourable notice in future literary history.

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