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tianity and devote too much time to the study of Pagan writers; and secondly that the discipline in them is lax. The grounds of these complaints are discussed in the pamphlet now before us, the author of which argues at length in favour of the wisdom of the present system. He contends that as much is done in the study of Christianity as can be done with safety in a public school, by having lessons out of the Bible and other religious books, on certain days in the week: that it is neither prudent nor necessary to make theology a distinct branch of education with boys from 8 to 16 years of age; and that it would be better to defer the study of that science till their judgment is more matured. If,' says he, a positive rule is necessary, I should say, that religion should be taught to boys, chiefly as a concern of this world, together with a general notion of responsibility. The great thing to inculcate in them, is the necessity of being good moral men, in their worldly dealings. If the foundation is well laid in the moral rules, under the sanction of the Gospel, the superstructure may afterwards be easily raised.'

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It is supposed that the founders of these institutions, having been witnesses of the mischievous consequences of religion when carried to excess, formed their plans so as to exclude an education entirely monkish, while they admitted as much religion as was necessary for the contemplation of youth. Formerly, the system was deemed adequate to the purpose of training up men to seriousness and to a reputable conduct; and if it now fails, the fault (says this writer) is not in the plan of instruction, but in the manners of the age.'

In defence of the study of Pagan writers, it is contended that, though the morality which they contain is not equal to that of the gospel, it is for the most part excellent; and that in all which relates to an insight into human character, and to the formation of a correct and elegant taste, they are invaluable. The mind of a classical man differs as much from that of another, as the manners of a man, who has seen good company, differ from those of one who has not.'

As to the discipline of our public schools, the author admits that it is lax but he pleads for this laxity as productive of certain advantages; and he is of opinion that its evils or objections ought to be counteracted by parental care, vigilance, and authority. He concurs with Dr. C. Burney in thinking that the vices of boys at school arise in a great measure from their parents loading them with money, much beyond what they can have any reasonable use for.' In short, the subject is here very liberally and ably discussed, and the system of education in our public schools is placed in a point of view which will recommend it to men of the world.

Art. 20. History of Rome, from the Building of the City to the Ruin of the Republic. Illustrated with Maps and other Plates. For the Use of Schools and young Persons. By Edward Baldwin, Esq. 12mo. 49. bound. Godwin. 1809.

The plan of this history is new, and claims some attention. Mr. Baldwin (as the author calls himself) thinks that mary details and dates are wearisome to young people; and he has therefore merely

related

related the most remarkable anecdotes of Roman virtue, such as the generosity of Camillus, the patriotism of the Decii, the disinterestedness of Fabricius, and the continence of Scipio, &c. He has proceeded only as far as to the Destruction of the Republic, though he might have collected instances of magnanimity during the reigns of the emperors The words and actions of Titus, Vespasian, and Trajan, &c. would have furnished him with many impressive passages;

while the cruelties of Claudius and Nero serve to make Arria's he roism and Seneca's resignation more conspicuous. The work cannot fail of being interesting and in a certain degree useful to young readers, since it tends to inspire noble and generous sentiments; and it may excite a relish for the study of history, previously to the necessity of proceeding more methodically. We anticipate, however, the danger that this method of skimming the cream will make longer books on the same subjects appear tasteless.

Art. 21. The World Displayed: or the characteristic Features of Nature and Art exhibited: on a new Plan. Intended for Youth in general, &c. By John Greig, Teacher of Mathematics, and Author of "The Heavens displayed,"-" Lady's Arithmetic," &c. 12mo. pp. 664. 8s.6d. Boards. Cradock and Joy. 1810. Geography and Biography, Chemistry and History, Botany and Mineralogy, have all contributed their portion of striking facts, remarkable discoveries, amusing experiments, and natural productions, in order to render this work worthy of attention; and it appears calculated to excite as well as to gratify the curiosity of young people on all the subjects of which it treats.

Art. 22. The Junior Class of Book; or Reading Lessons for every Day in the Year. Selected from the most approved Authors, for the Use of Schools. By William Frederick Mylius. 12mo. PP. 367. 4s. bound. Godwin. 1809.

This is an amusing compilation; and we think that it is calculated, by the variety of its subjects, to inspire a taste for reading in those who are too young or too volatile to attend to a more connected work.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 23. A Narrative of the Proceedings of the Society of Baptists in Tork, on relinquishing the popular Systems of Religion, from the Study of the Scriptures: to which is added, a brief Account of their present Views of the Faith and Practice of the Gospel; in a Series of Letters to a Friend, by David Eaton. 12mo. pp. 180. Printed for and sold by the Author. 1809.

The intention of this pamphlet is to make us acquainted with a number of reflecting and well-meaning people in the city of York; who, on observing the variety of opinions and the discordant divisions which prevail in the Christian world, determined to lay aside all books and avoid all conferences of a worldly nature, and confine themselves solely to that volume, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, on which, amid the multiplicity of their distinctions, Christians professedly form their faith, their practice, and their hope. The

consequence

consequence of this resolution has been not only the secession of these indviduals from the church established in this kingdom, but also their rejection of some opinions or articles which are more commonly received among different denominations.

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For a short time, these humble inquirers appear to have been, to use their own term, Methodistical Calvinists: but, adhering to their determination of submitting solely to the guidance of Scripture, they were led to reject some of those opinions, and to fix on such principles of piety as appeared at once rational and christian. The measure,' say they, of leaving all men and their books, and be. taking ourselves entirely to the reading of the scriptures, as our only rule and guide in matters of religion, is to us one of the most memorable events of our lives; an event which, even at this distance of time, we contemplate with the warmest gratitude, and on which we never think, but with renewed satisfaction. To the rational reflecting mind, it may in some sort shew the powers of the human intellect, of unassisted reason, even in the lowest situations, where there is previously a genuine spirit of inquiry, and an ardent desire after truth, even to the overturning the force of prejudice, and every other difficulty that may stand in the way.'

We shall only farther remark that this tract is written in a sensible manner, with a recommendatory appearance of simplicity and sincerity-qualifications which are in all instances valuable and desirable, but more especially on subjects of a religious nature.

Art. 24. Thoughts on Prophecy: particularly as connected with the present Times; supported by History. By G. R. Hioan. 8vo. Pp. 294 6s. Boards. Longman and Co.

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Is it owing to extreme self-delusion, or to a belief that the public may be easily deluded, that so many writers present themselves as interpreters of the most abstruse parts of prophecy? Whatever be their motive, we have often reason to lament the impotency or their efforts. Though, Mr Hioan writes with apparent gravity, and in one place exhibits himself as a person who has coolly and delibe. rately studied the subject,' we have found in his Thoughts nothing like study,-nothing that is intitled to serious notice. With many who have preceded him in the line of wild conjecture, he has endeavoured to interest us by making the prophecies of Daniel and the visions of the Apocalypse refer to the present times. According to this illuminator of dark sayings, "the little horn" and "mighty King" of Daniel, the Man of Sin" of St. Paul, and the Apocalyptic Beast with the number 666, mean no other person than the present Emperor of France, of whom Antiochus Epiphanes was a type; and he would have us believe this for our comfort, since he artfully adds, if my interpretation be true, we may live to see happier times.' Who, however, in the name of common sense, can adopt the whim of this dreaming calculator; who twists the Corsican's name to the number of the Beast 666? To take it as it is written by any of his contemporaries will not answer Mr. H.'s purpose; and he therefore com mences by remarking that it is very material to consider in what away the prophet would have spelt the intended name but without any information from the prophet, he spells it in Greek Song; and

asß=2, 0=70, v=50, v=50, e=5, *=80, α=1,g=100, T=300, and 8; the number 666 is produced. To obviate objections, Mr. H. proceeds:

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Those who peruse this page will, perhaps, exclaim, I know no such person as Bonneparte. -Do you mean Buonaparte? I do much as the French mean the same person when they call him Bonaparte. But before my reader proceeds to further judgment, I only request he will hear the reasons offered for this variation of orthography, together with the proofs I shall adduce of the similitude be tween his character and exploits, with those recorded in holy prophecy. If after perusing them the reader still objects, and finds nothing convincing, let him throw the book on a shelf, and wait the issue of events- if Buonaparte dies in a natural way, and without any farther particular aggrandisement, his objections were correct, and my conjectures wrong but if otherwise, the reputation of this book will last, while the earthly remains of its author lie mouldering in the dust.'

The author then advances his reasons for the altered orthography: but the whole is so truly farcical that we shall not follow him. He honestly informs us that he sent this conundrum to a London newspaper, and that the editor refused to insert it. Had he taken the hint, he would have saved his credit, and much good paper. His motto is Amour Borveagte, Rev. ix. and xiii. What an inviting bill of fare! As Greek letters are used, why not take also Bonaparte's Greek name, xugs? We will answer: because, then, nothing could be made of the conceit.

NOVEL S.

Art. 25.
This is a work of little interest or invention: the tale is simple,
and the style is careless, the former not being enlivened by incident,
nor the latter embellished by imagery: the heroine is amiable, and
well-principled but, from the insipidity of her letters, her resigna-
tion, when assailed by calamity, appears to proceed as much from
constitutional apathy as from pious submission. -The epistles of Sir
William Dorington to his friend, on religious subjects, have little
cogency of argument, and not more eloquence of persuasion; and
although we do justice to the good motives of the author, we think
that his pages, like the leaves of the Sybil, would be worth as much
if two-thirds of them were retrenched. - We are sorry that we can-
not speak more favourably of the productions of a writer whose in-
tentions appear to be so laudable, and whose precepts are in them.
selves good but the present production does not challenge our praise
more strongly than his former tale, of which we spoke in our Number
for July last.

The Acceptance. By the Author of Caroline Ormsby.
I 2mo. 3 Vols. 158. sewed. Booth. 1810.

Art. 26. The Discarded Daughter, by Eugenia de Acton. 4 Vols. 12mo. 16s. Hughes. 1810.

Here we have Cheapside-glovers who turn out to be noble Earls, and lovely young ladies who let lodgings and take in needle-work, REV. OCT. 1810. previously

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previously to their acceptance of the Earl's coronet, and their elevation to the rank they were born to adorn.' - Mrs. de Acton confines one of her heroines in a house of ill-fame for a week, and another in the same "durance vile" for a much longer period. They both meet with the same persecutions. are released in the same manner, and married on the same day. Their history abounds with

"The cant that every fool repeats,

Town-jests and coffee-house conceits;
Descriptions tedious, flat and dry,

And introduced the Lord knows why."

In short, though we "love to praise with reason on our side," our commendations would lose all value if we ventured to bestow them on the present work; of which the plan is absurd and improbable, and the style is not only incorrect but extremely inelegant.

Art. 27.

Anne of Britanny. An Historical Romance. 3 Vols. 12mo. 13s. 6d. Boards. Cradock and Joy. 1810.Although we are not quite convinced by the ingenious arguments in favour of historical romances which are contained in the preface to these volumes, we do not hesitate to acknowlege that the present performance is one of the most pleasing and rational publications of this description which we have lately had occasion to notice. The lan guage is elegant, the plot is founded on an interesting portion of the French history, and the author has shewn good taste and consistency, as well in the selection as in the invention of the incidents.

POETRY.

Art. 28. Poems; consisting of the Mysteries of Mendip, the Magic Ball, Sonnets, Retrospective Wanderings, and other Pieces, by James Jennings. I zmo. 7s. Boards. Darton and Co.

1810.

Mr. Jennings appears to possess principle and feeling, and therefore we regret that we cannot discover in his productions any traces of poetic genius or of refined taste. The fragments in blank verse are unintelligible and bombastic; and we think that the Retrospective Wanderings' are the most natural and pleasing poems in the collection, though they are said to have been written at an early age, and contain many incorrect and prosaic lines. The spirit of conjugal affection, which, if not poetical, is at least respectable, has dictated many sonnets and compliments to Mrs. Jennings; which we doubt not will be rewarded by her approving smiles, however fastidious may be the critic's reception of them.

Art. 29.

The Hospital, a Poem. 4to. 1s. 6d. Longman and
Co. 1810.

This is the first book of an intended poem, and the author wishes to be guided in his projected continuation by the opinion of his readers He claims the merit of originality in his subject; and, although Mr. Crabbe has devoted one book to "the Hospital" in his "Borough," and Mrs. Montague in one of her letters desired to be distinguished

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