of the Union will then come to be difcuffed: and this is a point, in the fettlement of which we fee no great difficulty; perhaps the enormous national debt of the one country is the greateft obftacle.

"Obfervations on the Speech of the Right Hon. JOHN FOSTER," are the production of a bold and petulant controverfialist, who treats his antagonist with unmerited feverity and contempt, and gives a much higher place to the king and the privy council than is given to them by the English conftitution. If this author be correct in his affertion that, because the British parliament gave legiflative independence to that of Ireland in 1782, it has a right to take it away at prefent, it was but a folemn mockery to fubmit the question to their difcuffion. Another member of the Irish Houfe of Commons, Mr. W. SMITH, has publifhed The Substance of his Speech" on the Union. His fentiments are in favour of this meafure: his peech is prolix, difgraced by afperity of language, and contemptuous towards the body he addreffes he uses, however, occafionally forcible arguments, and his fentiments on the advantages which the catholics will derive from the measure are liberal and candid.

:

No lefs than five members of the British Parliament, befides thofe mentioned in our laft compendium, have published the "Speeches" which they delivered on this important subject, and all of them are in favour of the Union; these are LORD AUCKLAND, LORD MINTO, LORD SHEFFIELD, Mr. SYLVESTER DOUGLAS, and Mr. PEEL. Lord Auckland's affords many interefting facts relative to the commerce of the two coun'tries, and contains, in an appendix, fome very ufeful tables illuftrative of this point; we think his lordship has fairly made out, that, in a commercial point of view, the measure of an Union will be advantageous to Ireland. The fpeech of Lord Minto is a very elaborate performance, occupying no lefs than 155 full pages: it contains much found argument in favour of the measure, but its ftyle and manner are quaint, heavy, and inaminate. Lord Sheffield, who is already well known by his political inquiries relative to Ireland, cuts the matter very short, being of opinion that an Union is a measure of abfolute necefity. The fpeech of Mr. Douglas is one of the best productions on the fubject which have yet appeared: it combats, with great fuccefs, the arguments of Mr. Fofter. Mr. Peel oppofed the com

mercial propofitions in 1785, but fupports the prefent measure on account of its advantages, both political and commercial; he objects, however, to the equalifation of duties, being of opinion that our ma nufactured goods cannot be afforded on equally low terms with those of the Irish, from the weight of our taxes, and the higher price of our labour. This is a melancholy confideration for this country.

Having thus noticed the great fenatorial productions relative to the Union, we fhall fimply enumerate the other publications on the fubject. In favour of the meafure have appeared, .' Reafons for adopting an Union;" a temperate and senfible performance : "No Union, but unite and fall," a ludicrous pamphlet, remarkable for its low humour and powerful arguments: "A Letter to a Member of the Irish Parliament," the author of which is bold enough to affert, that becaufe only one fifth of the people of Ireland have the right of voting, their parliament is not a popular reprefentation: "Strictures on the Union," by NICHOLAS GAY, Efq. Qui mores bominum multorum vidit, ut urbes," a very odd and rather diverting performance: "Three Letters to a Noble Lord on the projected Union," by a Nobleman, which are temperate and candid, and evidently written by an able man" Union or Se paration," by R. FARREL; who recommends to his countrymen, of two evils to choose the leaft: Confiderations upon the State of Public Affairs in 1799, Ireland," which those who wish to fee the expediency of the propofed incorporation of Ireland placed in a luminous point of view will do well to peruse : "Conftitu. tional Objections to the Government of Ireland by a feparate Legislature," by THEOBALD M'KENNA, Efq. a violent Philippic against the Irish Parliament: "Ireland profiting by Example," in which the advantages of the Union to Scotland are pointed out; and laftly, a "Fair Reprefentation of the prefent political State of Ireland," by PATRICK DUIGENAN, L.L.D." which thows that the connect. ing bond of the Unior.ifts is but a rope of fand; for great part of this work confifts in a fevere attack on lords Minto and Sheffield, brother Unionifts, for their liberal fentiments refpecting the catholics.

Much less numerous are the publications against the Union fince our last com. pendium: indeed we confider the cause of the Anti-unionis to be a dying one.

The Cafe of Ireland re-confidered,"

is the work of a Roman-catholic, whofe grand objection to the Union is, that the continuance of the exclufion of thofe who profefs the fame religion with the great majority of the Irish people is to form one of its articles: if this were to be the cafe, it would be a ferious objection indeed! but we hope for better things: this work does great credit to the author's candour and abilities. "Confiderations on National Independence," by a member of the honourable fociety of Lincoln's Inn, is a well-written and argumentative performance, evidently the production of a man well verfed in the hiftory of his country; he combats, with great ability, feveral of Mr. Pitt's arguments. "The Power of Parliament confidered," is an animated production, which decides in the negative the important queftion of which it treats. "A Demonftration of the Neceffity of a Legislative Union," &c. by a Philofopher, is a very striking performance; its author deems the Union, which he laments as the political death of Ireland, to be inevitable. This is a mafterpiece of eloquent writing. Mr. BousFIELD has published "A Letter" to the citizens of Cork against the Union, which has produced an answer from one of them. The coarfe and malevolent PETER PORCUPINE has published what he calls a "Detection of a Confpiracy formed by the United Irishmen to fubvert the Government of the United States of America;" we should much rather fufpect Mr. Cobbet himself of confpiracy to overturn what he fo much hates, a republican government, than the unfortunate and perfecuted men whom he honours by flinging his dirt at.

"Sketches of Irish political Characters of the prefent Day," and "Biographical Anecdotes of the Founders of the Irith Rebellion," are two very indifferent Performances.

"An impartial Relation of the Military Operations in Ireland," by an. Officer, attempts to explain the extraordinary circumftance of Lord Cornwallis having fuffered the handful of French foldiers who landed with General Humbert in Ireland to remain in the country for feventeen days, without coming to a decifive engagement: this explanation proves that the hoftile mind of the Irish nation, and even of the foldiers, towards this country, was, at that period, great indeed. The defeat of General Lake, at Caftlebar, was, it feems, owing to our troops giving way at the critical moment, without any apparent reafon: of 182 men

of the Longford and Kilkenny militia, who were miffing on that day, the greater number deferted to the enemy. Lord Cornwallis dared not venture on a decifive engagement, until his corps fhould be compofed of troops in whom he could confide, namely, the Queen's and the 29th regiments. THEOLOGY.

Though there has been an abundance of theological works fince our laft, there are but few of fufficient merit and intereft to require à particular notice. “A Supplement to the Remarks on the Signs of the Times," by EDWARD KING, Efq. contains a number of refemblances between predictions of ancient prophecy and the ftriking events of the prefent day, which could only be difcovered by an ardent and perhaps rather whimsical mind, bent on finding out fimilitudes. The confeffedly obfcure eighteenth chapter of Isaiah he explains in a very curious manner :-the land shadowing with wings, according to Mr. King, is France; and why? becaufe, let any one caft his eyes on a well-coloured map of the world, and he will find that France, and France only, has two extended wings, Spain on one fide, and Germany on the other!!! The Bishop of ROCHESTER has not thought it beneath him to notice this extravagant interpretation, and, in his "Critical Difquifitions on the Eighteenth Chapter of Ifaiah," has prefented us with a mixture of religion, politics, and criticism, in which he denies that France, "with the accurfed fpawn of Jacobins fwarming out of her own bowels," is the country meant by the paffage but fuppofes it to refer to a people living to the Weft of the Nile, or the Eaft of the Tigris, which time mult difcover. The liberal and fincere commiferation which the right reverend author profeffes to feel at the fubverfion of the Gallican church, and his eloquent indignation at the infults and fufferings which have overwhelmed the late fove reign pontiff, excite our warmest sympathy and approbation.

The Bishop of LINCOLN has published, "Elements of Chriftian Theology :" this work forms an eafy and familiar guide to young ftudents in their theological purfuits; and as fuch a guide was wanted, the right reverend author is entitled to their gratitude, for the mafterly manner in which he has performed his undertaking.

The Fall of Babylon," a fermon preached by WILLIAM MOSELEY to

6 R2

an independent congregation, teaches that the fpiritual dominion of the pope will fubfift almoft feventy years longer; that his temporal dominion at Rome may be for a short time restored, but that the deftruction both of the papal power and of the city of Rome itself within this period are inevitable!!! We do not forget Mr. Brothers's Prophecy, relative to the deftruction of London: Mr. Mofeley is more politic, in poftponing that of Rome for feventy years

"Chriftian Institutes,' a work profeffedly written by a clergyman of the church of England, contains fome opinions relative to the Trinity, which we do not believe that church maintains; nor do we believe that it allows of the latitude which is here given to the obfervance of the Sabbath.

"Nine Difcourfes on Prayer," by JOHN TOWNSHEND, though they do not, as compofitions, rife above mediocrity, and though they breathe the fpirit of Calvinifm, may yet be read with advantage by the enlightened Chriftians of every denomination. The arguments in favour of that excellent and too much neglected practice, family prayer, are forcible, and calculated to produce an effect.

"Two Sermons preached before his Majefty, during Lent, by BROWNLOW, Bishop of Winchefter," though they blend two things which we think fhould be always kept feparate, politics and religion, are in other refpects excellent difcourfes, and prove in the ftrongest manner the folly of infidelity.

OWEN's Chriftian Monitor" is the work of a zealous and ardent Chriftian, and will; we truft, ferve to ftimulate the luke-warm, who fo much abound in the prefent day, to greater exertions in the caufe of religion: the remark on the different fpirit with which afternoon-worfhip is conducted, in churches and in diffenting chapels, is a very juft one, and ought to be attended to by thofe high in ecclefiaftic rank.

"Mr. THOMAS's Funeral Sermon, pronounced at the interment of the Rev. W. Blake, Minifter of a Diffenting Congregation at Crewkerne," ftates, in fore ible language, what renders a man truly eftimable as a compofition it is entitled to much praife.

A fecond edition, with additional illuftrations, of Mr. PARTRIDGE'S Explanation and Vindication of the Hundred and Ninth Pfalm has made its appear ance. Some Chriftians it feems have fcrupled to join in the fervice of the

church when this pfalm has been recited on account of the maledictions contained in it. Mr. Partridge has proved, on the authority of feveral learned commentators, that these are uttered not by David, but by his enemies.

We do not fo much approve another Sermon, pronounced by the fame gentleman, at the confecration of the colours of the Boston armed affociation; we know not what bufinefs the paraphernalia of war have in the temple of the Prince of Peace.

"A Sermon on the Excellence of British Jurifprudence," by the Rev. WILLIAM COXE, would make an excellent political pamphlet; and the fame may be faid of two Affize Sermons, one by JOHN LODGE, B. A. and the other by JOHN HAYTER, A. M.

"Eight Sermons preached as Lady Moyer's Lectures at St. Paul's, fo long ago as 1733, by WM. CLEMENTS," have now been published: they were compofed exprefsly as a vindication of the doctrines of the Athanafian Creed. Was the doctrine of the Trinity thought to be in danger, that difcourfes like thefe, which, though found and elaborate, contain no new matter, fhould be publifhed after fo long an interval had elapfed?

Mr. SCOTT, already advantageously known to the Chriftian world by his reply to the Age of Reafon, has published "Obfervations on the Signs and Duties of the Prefent Times," which breathe a 'liberal and candid fpirit, and speak highly for the goodness of the author's heart: this publication has excited attention from its giving an account of a fociety of clergymen in London, who have agreed to preach in rotation weekly lectures in each other's churches and chapels, in order to promote vital godlinefs at this alarming period. It appears that the high-churchmen view with a jealous eye this plan of reform, adopted without the privity of the bishop of the diocefe, as well as fome fentiments contained in the publication before us, which favour too much of modern univerfal philanthropy.

"Two Sermons by the Bishop of KIL. LALOE,' are remarkably eloquent and nervous performances.

A fecond edition of Mr. FELLOWES'S admirable work, "A Picture of Chrif tian Philofophy" has made its appear The pamphlet is converted into a large volume: perhaps the fubject has not gained by the expanfion.

ance.

Three Jews having been lately con

verted to Chriftianity, the Rev. Mr. JONES, of Nayland, has published a "Letter" to them, which refutes, in a forcible and fatisfactory manner, the erroneous opinions peculiar to this very fingular people.

The Bishop of London's "Charge," which has for its object to exhort his clergy to counteract, to the utmost of their power, the pre-difpofing causes of infidelity, feems to have been loudly called for by the filent but rapid growth of this evil. We are furprised that the right reverend author of this Charge fhould fo far lend an ear to the romantic effufions of Barruel, as to fuppofe that there are focieties inftituted among us for the purpofe of propagating infidelity and profligacy through the island, and especially among the lower claffes of people; when it is confidered how much our property and fecurity depend on the belief of thefe laft in future retribution, who could find any intereft in endeavouring to deftroy this belief?

Mr. HALL has published the "Sermons" which he preached at the Bampton Lectures in 1798; and Dr. BARROW has likewife published his on the fame occafion in 1799: both thefe gentlemen have proved themselves to be able reafoners and judicious divines.

Devotional Exercifes and Contemplations," by ALEXANDER CLEEVE, A. B. form an elegant and useful duodecimo volume.

A rhapfodical, but apparently wellmeaning enthufiaft, has publifhed "A Letter to the Pope on the probable Caufe of the War, and that it waits on his Holiness to invite the Bleffings of Peace:" CHRISTOPHILUS, for fo he ftyles himfelf, thinks that if the pope would allow priests to marry, we should have peace!!! Dr. CARDEW's "Sermon, preached at Truro, before the Governors of the Cornwall General Infirmary," inculcates, in very forcible language, the duty of beneficence to the poor, whofe wretchednefs, neceffarily exifting in a state of dependence on daily labour for the bare neceffaries of life, is feelingly expatiated

upon.

Mr. SMITH'S "Tax upon Income," is a fermon as whimfical as its title.

"Confiderations on the Nature and and Efficacy of the Lord's Supper," by VICESIMUS KNOX, D. D. is a highly interefting and important work, which attacks the opinions of bifhop Pearce, Dr. Sykes, Dr. Balguy, and Dr. Bell,

The fociety calling themfelves Unitarian Chriftians, established in the weft of England, for promoting Chriftian knowledge, and the practice of virtue by the diftribution of books, have published "Morning and Evening Prayers," which breathe a ipirit of piety and virtue.

Mr. ROWLAND HILL has published the "Journal of a Tour through the North of England and Part of Scotland, with Remarks on the established Church of Scotland;" in confequence of this tour, Mr. Hill has been nick-named, by the high-church party, and not without caufe, the Spiritual Quixote: the journal of this old flager in the itinerant work, as he calls himself, is a very tirefome performance, and exhibits great marks of fpiritual pride and contempt of every other religious fect but his own. While Mr. Hill affects a fpirit of the moft extenfive liberality, it is very evident that he is only inclined to tolerate thofe preachers who are of the right fort.

Since the publication of Mr. Wilberforce's book, an alarm has arisen among the high church party, at the growing influence of those who modeftly ftyle themfelves Evangelical Chriftians. The Reverend R. POLWHELE, vicar of Manaccan, feems to feel this alarm, and, in a "Letter" to the Rev. Robert Hawker, laments, that not content with inftilling his own doctrines into the minds of the flock immediately entrusted to his care, he has deemed it right to become a kind of itinerant preacher, and, in a late tour made by him in Cornwall, diffused his principles widely over the country. Much as fchifm is to be deprecated, we cannot help thinking that till many grofs abufes exifting in the established church are done away by authority, many zealous and fincere members of it will think it right to act for themselves.

Mr. BLAKEWAY, a minifter at Shrewsbury, is another clergyman under the influenee of the alarm we have alluded to; he has published a fermon, en titled "A Warning against Schifm."

"A Treatise on the Scriptures, &c." by the Rev. WM. JESSE, is the work of

an

an able and pious divine, who ought not to have difgraced himself by afperity against diffenters: there is a curious and ftriking remark introduced on the fubject of reformation-From what has taken place in the Chriftian world fince that period, from the berefies and fchifms! divifions and fub-divifions without end, and this evil increasing more and more every day! latitudinarianifm under the mafk of candour and charity, &c. he doubts whether it was a real reformation of Chriftianity: if it had been fo, and had reftored the fpirit and difcipline of the primitive church, Europe would exhibit not the wild uproar of hell, but lively patterns of the heavenly ftatc-harmony, peace, and love.

Befides the works which we have enumerated, there have appeared feveral fingle fermons, moft of them of a political tendency.

BIOGRAPHY.

"General Biography, or Lives, Critical and Hiftorical, of the most eminent Perfons of all Ages, Countries, Conditions, and Profeffions, arranged in alphabetical Order: chiefly compofed by JOHN AIKIN, M. D. and the late Rev. WILLIAM ENFIELD, LL. D. Vol. I." This work, which, from the high literary reputation of the two gentlemen who undertook it, has long been anxiously expected, will be found not to difappoint the hopes entertained of it. We much ad. mire the introductory remarks in the pre. face on the great difference between the eminence of individuals during their own lives, in confequence of high and important offices being accidentally held by them, and their real confequence and influence. over the events of their age, and agree on thinking it to be the duty of a biographer to detach the man from his ftation. We with the compilers had acted on this opinion in the cafe of hereditary fovereigns, and not have loaded their pages with all the infignificant princes that have reigned; for unlefs thefe have merited notice for any remarkable qualities or actions of their own, it appears to us that they ought not to find place in a biographical work, though they would certainly be entitled to it in a general hiftory. We do not affent to the reafons of the compilers for retaining the old alphabetical mode of arrangement, which is only advantageous to those who would merely ufe this biographical dictionary as a book of reference; and we deny that eafy reference is the chief object of a biographical work,

though it may be he of the points to be attended to. As a dictionary of refer ence, nothing can exceed the work of the fingularly concife L'Avocat, which, if brought down to the prefent times would be fufficient to answer this purpose; but we apprehend that the prefent work has much higher claims to notice, and more important purposes in view. As this firft volume does not get through the letter B, we can only regard it as a fpecimen of the work. We hope the remaining volumes will bear marks of the fame fpirit of refearch, the fame extent of information, and, above all, the fame candid and liberal mind which pervade the prefent. On how many accounts has Dr. Aikin to lament the irreparable loss of his valued friend!

"Two Biographical Tracts; Firft, Obfervations on Mr. HOLLIDAY's Life of the Earl of Mansfield; Second, Thoughts on the judicial and political Life of the faid Lord Chief Juftice of the Court of King's Bench, by an ancient Member of the Inner Temple, Vol. I. Part I." Thefe form a moft tedious and excurfive performance the author attacks Mr. Holliday, whom he calls an enthufiaftic encomiast, and more ftrongly the character of Lord Mansfield. We carneftly recommend to him to content himself with this his vol. I. part I. and not to fatigue the public with the three other parts with which he has threatened them. What are we to think of a biographer, who, inftead of principally confining himfelf to his fubject, gives us the lives of Mark Tully Cicero, of Demofthenes, of all the lords who figned the proteft in 1743, on the fubject of the difmiffal of all the Hanoverian troops, of Lord Clarendon, of lord Bacon, and of all the lords of the ftar-chamber !

"The Supplement to th Anecdotes of diftinguifred Perfons brings Mr. SEWARD's plan to a conclufion, and is executed with the fame taste and judg ment as the former part.

"Selections from the French Anas" are accompanied with biographical sketches of the refpective authors, and will prove an acceptable prefent to those who are pleafed with thefe light performances.

"City Biography," which profeffes to contain anecdotes and memoirs of the principal perfonages in our great commercial metropolis, is a contemptible and catchpenny performance.

A tran lation has appeared of "Rous SELIN's Life of General Hoche." It appears at this general was of the most

obfcure