had acquired singular penetration in detecting and analysing the causes of individual diversity. He could not only trace the more obvious distinctions of character, to their legitimate principles, but possessed an uncommon acuteness, in perceiving the nicer shades of difference, and could develope and illustrate these peculiarities with great ingenuity. Such a ta lent, acquired by habits of careful abstraction and enlarged observation, gave to his discourses, an air of originality, so remote from ordinary and, common-place thoughts, that they could not fail to interest the discriminating hearer; while at the same time, in the exact portraitures he drew of human character, the most unlettered beheld the fidelity of his representations. The rich qualities of his mind, were happily blended with an ingenuous and amiable disposition; and inflexible integrity guided his conduct in all the relations of life. He had a thorough aversion, to every thing mean and contemptible; and dignified_decision was the prominent feature which distinguished his character. In the more retired and interior circle of friendship, he inspired an affection, bordering on enthusiasm.' pp. 43, 49.

Mr. Fletcher's Sermon, from 1 Cor. xv. 26, is a highly interesting and judicious discourse, illustrating the grounds on which death is to be considered as an enemy,' the reason why its ravages are permitted, the foundation of our hopes that it will be finally destroyed, and the sentiments and feelings which such considerations ought to awaken in the mind.

Art. XXI. The French Scholar's Depository; in which are gradually developed, the most Important Elements of French Conversation. By Anne Lindley. 12mo. Price 2s. bound. Darton. 1811.

S this convenient little book is compiled upon an excellent plan, we are sorry to notice so many verbal errors and phrases not strictly idiomatic. Fauchon, for Fanchon, and Isabell for Isabelle, may be errors of the press; but Romances for Romans, is a palpable English blunder. The words have different meanings; the first being the name of a particular description of early French poetry, and having no reference whatever to modern romances. On ne peut pas mieux diné, either wants the auxiliary, or a different modification of the verb diner. The truth is, that no work of this nature should be sent to the press, without being first subjected to the revisal of a native of

France.

Art. XXII. Hints to all Classes on the State of the Country, in this Momentous Crisis. 8vo. pp. 28. Price 1s. 6d. Stockdale. 1812.

WE

E observe nothing in these ، hints, worth attending to, which has not been repeatedly stated, to the public, and in the plainest possible terms. A considerable part of the pamphlet is taken up with a very ostentatious declamation on the degeneracy of the times, of which the disuse of swords and bags' seems to furnish, in this writer's opinion, no despicable proof. In the latter part of the pamphlet he takes upon him to pronounce on the question of Catholic Emancipation, and, among other things, declares his entire acquiescence in the assertion that the embryo of the inquisition is actually established in every part VOL. VIII.

T

of the united kingdom.' The author in his advertisement holds out a menace of discussing the state of the country more at large and as he seems quite mistrustless of being either dull or ridiculous, we have no doubt that he will carry this piece of vengeance into effect, if not prevented by a timely hint from Mr. Stockdale.

Art. XXIII. Perambulations in London and its Environs; comprehending an Historical Sketch of the Ancient State, and Progress, of the Bri tish Metropolis, a Concise Description of its Present State, Notices of eminent Persons, and a short Account of the Surrounding Villages. In Letters. Designed for young persons, By Priscilla Wakefield. 12mo. pp. 500. Darton and Harvey. 1809.

WE have seldom met with a more amusing or more comprehensive publication than the present. It communicates in a cheap form, and satisfactory manner, the substantial information of costly and extensive works; and we should scarcely wish for a better guide to the British Capital. While the historical statements are more ample and distinct than could be expected in so small a compass, the deseriptions are simple and intelligible, and the anecdotes interesting and illustrative.-It might have been as well, perhaps, when describing a couple of "busts", not to have talked of the matchless pencil of

Nollekens..

Art. XXIV. Vindicie Ecclesiastica. A Refutation of the charge, that the Church of England does not teach the Gospel. A Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Greenwich, June 30, 1811. By the Rev. T. Waite, M. A. Domestic Chaplain to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Brunswick. 8vo. pp. 32. Price 1s. Baldwin. 1811. ACCORDING to Mr. Waite's sense of the charge which this sermon is designed to refute, it should seem to import, that the liturgy of the church does not teach the gospel; a charge, that scarcely deserved any attempt to refute it, because to teach the gospel, is not the proper object of prayer. That the liturgy, including even the copious portions of scripture which are most laudably interwoven with it, however evangelical in its doctrines, is of itself sufficient to teach the gospel, few will be bold enough to pretend: and those who do, must regard preaching as superfluous, and of course degrade the clergy from their high rank of religious instructors. If the Homilies be considered as a part of the teaching of the church, the charge is certainly unfounded. We do not pretend to say, whether Mr. Waite's views of the gospel, especially on the subject of baptism and regeneration, are precisely those of the Church of England, or of scripture; he is much more clear in statement, than satisfactory in proof. The principal meaning of the charge, we take to be, that the clergy do not teach the gospel. Mr. W. insists that they generally do, at least according to his notions of it, which include an admission of all its leading truths: and he adds, that "the number of religious characters in the ministry has, of late years, been greatly increasing." The general strain of doctrine in the sermon, is much like that of a certain other “ Refutation." The spirit of it is, upon the whole, we think, kind and liberal.

Art. XXV. The Poetical Chain, consisting of Miscellaneous Poems, Moral, Sentimental, and Descriptive, on Familiar and Interesting Subjects. By Mrs. Ritson. 12mo. Sherwood and Co.

1811.

SOME of the inferior boarding schools, we suppose, could furnish out many a volume of rhymes very little better than these. The folly of juvenile authors, is commonly restrained from exposing itself in public, by the modesty peculiar to their age. Mrs. Ritson seems unfortunately to be neither old nor young.

Art. XXVI. The Sentinel: or an Appeal to the People of England, in which some conjectures are offered respecting the rapid growth of Sectarism, its moral and political tendencies, &c. &c. with some remarks on "evangelical" preaching, &c. 8vo. pp. 112. Price 5s. Baldwin.

1812.

THAT a clerical gentleman (and such, we are tolerably certain is the author of this pamphlet) may with the greatest propriety assume the character of a 'Sentinel,' will be admitted by every body: and it is equally manifest, that it becomes him to be vigilant on his post, and alert to give timely warning in case of danger. In proportion, however, to the importance of the office, is the mischief which ensues when an unsuitable person intrudes into it. Accordingly, an out-post in the army who should causelessly disturb the quiet of his fellow soldiers, whether from fearfulness or misconception, would be severely punished. Now it unfortunately happens that the reverend author of the production before us is an arrant coward. His alarm, instead of being the effect of prudent foresight, is the offspring entirely of a witless brain. As very few, however, will be wrought upon by the representations of a writer so utterly destitute of talent, it is not necessary to waste words in decrying him. Feebleness excites pity--not provocation.

Art. XXVII. An Account of the Naval and Military Bible Society, instituted in 1780. Also, A Report of the Proceedings of the Society for the Year 1811. With an Appendix, and a List of Subscribers and Benefactors. 12mo. Gratis. Hatchard. 1811.

IT appears from this publication, that the laudable exertions of the Society for supplying the Army and Navy with Bibles and Testaments, are greatly embarrassed by the want of adequate resources. The Society has applications before it for Bibles and Testaments, from 21,420 soldiers and seamen, while its funds are insufficient, at present, to supply more than 3000. We hope this plain statement will not be without its effect: and that those, especially, who feel a peculiar interest in the welfare of the two services, will not suffer the increased and increasing activity of this Society to languish for want of suitable encouragement.

Arrangements have recently been made for obtaining a regular supply of Bibles and Testaments at the same low rate, as those of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

ART. XXVIII. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the public, if consistent with its plan.

Mr. Coleridge's "Friend," of which twenty-eight Numbers are published, may now be had, in one volume, royal 8vo. price 18s. boards, of Messrs. Gale and Curtis, Paternoster Row. And Mr. C. intends to complete the Work in from eight to ten similar sheets to the foregoing, which will be published together in one part, sewed. The Subscribers to the former part can obtain this through their regular Booksellers. Only 100 copies remain of the 28 numbers, and their being printed on unstamped paper, will account to the Subscribers for the difference of the price.

On the 15th of February will be published, in one handsome volume, 8vo. Price 12s., A Defence of Modern Calvinism containing an Examination of the Bishop of Lincoln's Work, entitled a Refutation of Calvinism By Edward Williams. D. D.

Early in next month will be published a work long expected, The Economical History of the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland, by the late Rev. Dr. John Walker, Professor of Natural History in he University of Edinburgh.

t At the same time will be published, a volume of Miscellaneous Essays on .Natural History and Rural Economy, by the same author; being part of a considerable number which he had written on these subjects at different times.

In the press, and speedily will be published, a new edition of the Historia Muscorum of Dillenius. It is known that in the life time of the author 250 copies only of this most valuable work were published; so that now when they appear for sale, they sell at a very high price. About 40 years ago, a few copies of the plates were thrown off unaccompanied with the text, and the plates were then destroyed. These are now accurately re-engraved, and the whole will be presented to the Botanical World in a very respectable form. Care has been taken that the references of Authors will apply to this edition as well as to the original. It is proposed to

throw off a few copies of the text to accommodate those who are already in · possession of the plates.

In the course of a few weeks will be published, the Poetical Latin Version of the Psalms, by G. Buchanan, with copious notes in English, critical and explanatory, partly from those of Burmen, Chytræus, Ruddiman, Hunter, and Love, and partly by the Editor, A. Dickinson, of the University Press, Edinburgh. To each Psalm will be prefixed the nature of the metre with a scanning table. Some copies will be thrown off on royal paper.

A new editim of the Greek Grammar, and Greek and English Scripture Lexicon, By Greville Ewing, Minister of the Gospel in Glasgow, is at present in the Press, and will be ready for Publication in a few weeks. The greater part of the Grammar, and the whole of the Lexicon, have been composed anew, and both are greatly enlarged. The first edition of the Lexicon, contained the words of the New Testament only: the present edition contains those also of the Septuagint and Apocrypha; and is the only Greek and English Scripture Lexicon, which is thus adapted for reading all the Scriptures in the Greek language. The principal tenses of the verbs are now also inserted in the Lexicon important words are illustrated at considerable length; and the illustrations are frequently supported by quotations from Scripture, from the Greek Fathers, and from the Classics. The whole will be comprised in one volume af nearly 400 pages, royal 8vo. The printing has been conducted with the greatest care, under the Author's immediate inspection.

In a short time will be published, A View of the Political State of Scotland at Michaelmas, 1811: comprehendiug the Roll of Freeholders at that Period, with a State of the Votes at the last Election for each County; an Abstract of the Leets of the Royal Burghs, with a State of the Votes, and the Names of the Delegates