Author does not prefume to draw the line abfolutely, but generoufly leaves it to their own difcretion where to ftop in this refpect.

This glorious and difinterefted act of the flockholders, as our Author allows it to be, muft, he hints, have its proper effect on the minds of the gentlemen landholders, and induce them alfo to contribute to the exigencies of government, perhaps one per cent. of their net yearly income, or at least one per cent. of what they ftand charged at in the poors rates, which every one knows is not above one-fourth part of their property in many parts of England.

Time alone can fhew, with certainty, whether the holders of ftock will think one per cent. of the net yearly income of a landed gentleman, as he may have been pleased to give it in to the affeffors of the poors rates, equivalent to two per cent. of their whole property; for it must be remembered, that although the confclidated three and four per cent. annuities fell now for about fixty pounds, they coft many of the prefent proprietors upwards of one hundred pounds.

NATURAL HISTORY, &c. Art. 42. The Natural History of English Song-Birds, including fuch foreign Birds as are ufually brought over, and efteemed for their Singing: their proper Management, Difeafes and Cures. To which are added, Figures of the Cock, Hen, and Egg of each Species, exactly copied from Nature. By Mr. Eleazar Albin. A new Edition, corrected, with feveral Improvements under the Article of Canary Birds. 8vo. 3 s. plain, and 7 s. coloured. Lowndes. 1779,

Albin's Natural Hiftory of English Song-Birds is a work well known, and esteemed for the accuracy of the drawings. The prefent Edition, thus reduced, in fize and price, cannot fail of meeting with a due acceptance from the public,-and efpecially from young readers, who are bird-fanciers.-The engravings are neat; the hiftory, &c. plain and intelligible to all capacities; and, on the whole, this is a very pretty book to be given, by way of prefent, to youth of both fexes.

Art. 43. Defcriptions and Figures of Petrifactions found in the Quarries, Gravel pits, &c. near Bath. Collected and drawn by John Walcott, Efq. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. fewed. Matthews, &c. Although the engravings are not very elegant, the enumeration and defcription of the many fubjects here collected, will, no doubt, prove acceptable to the curious enquirer into this extenfive branch of Natural Hiftory.

NOVELS and MEMOIRS. Art. 44. Shenfone Green; or, the New Paradife Loft: Being a History of Human Nature. In three Volumes. Whitten by the Proprietor of the Green. The Editor Courtney Melmoth. 7 s. 6 d. fewed. Baldwin. 1779.

12mo.

The idea of this entertaining tale was fuggefted by a paffage in the works of Mr. Shentone, in which he fays, had I a fortune of eight or ten thousand pounds a year, I would build myself a neighbourhood.'-This plan Mr. Melmoth fuppofes carried into execution by a worthy knight, who has more good nature than penetration, and more money than wit. The narrative difcovers no inconfider

able.

able powers of invention; the flyle is in general more correct, and at the fame time more eafy and inartificial than that of fome of the Author's former works; and feveral of the characters are conceived with boldness, and drawn with lively ftrokes of humour: Mr. Melmoth has, however, fuffered his favourite idea, maintained at large in his liberal opinions, that to be good is not the way to be happy,' to give a general tincture to the work, entirely different from that which univerfally diftinguishes the writings of the benevolent Shenftone. It has led him fo far to depart from the spirit, and even mistake the meaning of his Author, as to admit into his village needy adventurers, broken fpendthrifts, gamblers, fharpers, reps and demireps, who overturn the economy of the place by introducing horse-races, cock-fights, and every inftrument of gaming and diffipation. No wonder that fuch a felection fhould produce nothing but diforder and ruin. Surely, had Shenstone executed his own plan, his elegant tafle and fine feelings would have taught him to have made choice of better company.

Art. 45. The Sorrows of Werter. A German Story, founded on Fact. 12mo. 5 s. fewed. Dodley. 1779.

In this little work is drawn, by a masterly hand, a lively picture of the horrors of a mind difordered by the phrenfy of a difappointed paffion, and at length abandoning itfelf to defpair, and feeking refuge from its forrows in a voluntary death. An excellent moral may be deduced from it-if the reader pleates.

POETICA L.

Art. 46. An Elegy on Winter, and other Poems. To which is added, an Infcription to the Memory of the late Lord Lyttelton. By John Jones, Schoolmatter in Kidderminster, &c. 4to. 1 s. Buckland, &c. 1779.

In a biographical Preface, which our Author has prefixed to his works, after modenly acquainting us with the difficulties that attended him through the early part of his life, he adds, that by the encouragement of Dr. Johnstone, an eminent physician of Kidderminder, he opened a fchool, in which undertaking he has been conftantly supported by most of the principal inhabitants; and, fome years ago, he was intrufled with the office of veftry clerk, the duties of which fill up his vacant hours.' When his fituation and opportunities of attainment are confidered, his poems will appear not deflitute of merit.

Art. 47. The Scotch IIut; a Poem.

Addreffed to Euphorbus,

or the Earl of the Grove. 4to. Is. Almon. 1779. This poem is meant, it feems, as a fatire on the Earl of C. for building a thed decorated with the infignia of Scotland, and for feeding Lis crun begs. De Guftubus non eit difputandum.

Art. 48. Caufilicus; a poetic * Lath: In Three Parts. Containing a red Picture of the Times; the Study at the Temple; with a Vit to a certain Jodge; and a most extraordinary Trial. 2 s. d. Bowen, &c. 1779.

4to.

Etum, for a poetic lab read poetic trafb.

Art.

Art. 49. Parnaffian Sprigs; or, Poetic Mifcellanies. By William Mavor, of Oxford. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. Bew. 1777. The most fignificant lines in this publication are the motto:

Cacoethes fcribendi

Tenet infatiabile multos

Art. 50. The Sacrifice: A Sacred Ode. To which is added, an Elegy, dedicated to the Rev. Mofes Brown, Vicar of Olney, Bucks, and Chaplain of Morden College. By William Auguftus Willis, M. D. 4to I s. Bew. 1779.

From perusing this irregular ode, we have formed a much more favourable idea of the Author's theological learning than of his poetical talents. The elegy on the death of a much lamented wife, which he has fubjoined, convinces us that, if he is not an eminent poet, he is, what is much more meritorious, a good man. Art. 51. Poetical Tales. By Sir Gregory Gander, Knt, Small 4to. 1 5. Bath, printed by Cruttwell. Sold by Newbery

in London.

This Gander is no way related to the Roman Geefe, who faved the capitol by their cackling. From the licentioufnefs of his manner, we fear his cackling will be attended by no fuch falutary effects. For the fake of thofe into whole hands thefe tale may accidentally fall, we could with this remark had been unneceffary. Art. 52. Pygmalion. A Poem; from the French of J. J. Rouleau. 4to. 2s. 6d. Kearfly, &c. 1779.

A pleafing dramatic production of the pen of Rouffeau is here imitated, in verfes which are by no means destitute of harmony or fpirit. The Tranflator has printed the original piece at the bottom of the pages.

Art. 53. Sixteen Sonnets. By John Bampfylde.

Prince, Oxford. Brown, London.

4to. I S.

Thefe short but fuccessful excursions of the Mufe will be acceptable to fuch as can relish the imple beauties of poetic imagery. The diction is, throughout, fo uniform, and the numbers are fo fimilar, that the following fonnet On the Evening, will give the Reader a perfect idea of the degree of entertainment he may expect from thefe pieces:

Slow finks the glimmering beam from western sky,
The woods and hills, obfcured by evening grey,
Vanith from mortal fight, and fade away.
Now with the flocks and yearlings let me hie
To farm, or cottage lone, where perch d hard by
On moffy pale the red-breaft tunes his lay,

Soft twittering, and bids farewell to-day:

Then whilft the watch dog barks, and ploughmen lie
Lull'd by the rocking winds, let me unfold
Whate'er in rhapfody, or train most holy,
The hoary minstrel fang in times of old;
For well I ween, from them the Nine inspire
Wifdom fhall flow, and Virtue's facred fire,
And Peace, and Love, and heavenly Melancholy.

Art.

Art. 54. An Epiftle from a young Lady to an Enfign in the Guards, on his being ordered to America. 4to. 1 s. Sewel, &c. 1779. Some infignificant perfonage" feems to be here exhibited, for the entertainment of the Public, in the character of a military fribble. The Epiltle is written in the character of a Demi-rep; and the poetry, which runs in the mock Ovidian ftrain, is too good for the frivolous fubject.

Art. 55. Ode to the Privateer Commanders of Great Britain: Being a Parody on Mr. Mafon's Ode to the Naval Officers, &c. [fee our Catalogue for April] 4to. 6d. Oxford printed, and fold by Rivington in London.

In this animated parody, the poet ironically excites and applauds. the piratical fpirit of privateering; which he feems to confider as the meanest and most fordid fpecies of warfare.

Art. 56. Odes on feveral Subjects. By Robert Alves, A. M. Edinburgh printed for Creech. 8vo. 1 s. Murray. London. 1778.

Of the pieces in this collection, the principal is a philofophical poem, intitled Viciffitude, An Ode; the intention of which is to defcribe the variety and confillency of nature's plan both in the phyfical and moral world.' The remaining pieces are, Malevolence, an Ode, Ode to Night, Ode to Hygeia, and Ode to Wisdom, They are none of them wholly deftitute of merit. The verfification is eafy, and, if allowance be made for fome few defective rhymes, for the molt part harmonious. Art. 57. The English Garden: A Poem. Book the THIRD, By W. Malon, A. M. 4to. 2 s. Dodfley. 1779.

As only one book more is wanting to complete the whole of Mr. Mafon's plan, we fhall wait till that is published, before we enter upon any further examination of his English Garden. For an account of the two former books, fee MONTHLY REVIEW, Vol. xlvi. page 219, and Vol. Ivii. page 79.

Art. 58. A Faraphrafe of Mr. Anfley's Paraphrafe of the thirteenth Chapter of the fift Book of St. Pauls Epifle to the Corinthians: or, a Poetical Expofition repoetically expounded. By Archi Mac Sarcafm. Folio. I S. Almon.

Verfes addreffed to Servility, in parody of Anftey's Poem on Charity, and intended as a compliment to Mr. Antley: their merit is too inconfiderable to claim particular attention. Perhaps it was rather unfortunate for this little poem, that our expectations were railed too high, on feeing the name of Archi Mac Sarcasm, and recollecting the pleafure we had received from the perufal of two or three fpirited pieces, publifhed under that defignation.

Art. 59. Edwy and Edilda. A Tale, in five Parts. 8vo. 3s.. Dodfley. 1779.

A natural and fimple Tale, which might have been made extremely pleafing and pathetic in plain profe, is here drawn out through a thoryand ballad flanzas, perfectly uniform in their structure, and for the mod part of very moderate poetical merit. Some

For an account of Mr. Antley's Paraphrafe, fee Review for last Monta, P. 469.

times, however, the writer difcovers no inconfiderable powers of defcription, and by a tender ftroke of fentiment, or a lively flight of fancy, repays the reader for many tedious lines. Of his ability for defcription the following is no unpleafing fpecimen:

In happier days, when halcyon peace

The gliding moments bleft,
Nor EDWY kenn'd the lurking shaft
That rankled in his breait:

At times, beneath a blooming bow'r,
That hid the eye of day,
At fweet EDILDA's bidding he
His tuneful pipe wou'd play.

'Midft fummer's heats EDILDA ftill
The paftime much approv'd;
And who can doubt that what she lik'd
Th' empaffion'd EDWY lov'd?

A winding row of fringed elms
Led to the cool retreat,
Whofe rugged trunks were circled by
The pea and woodbine fweet.

The bow'r itself, a little heav'n
Of various fweets compose,

Where jafmines and the fragrant brier
Wou'd emulate the rose.

Nor eglantines were wanting there,
Nor myrtles odorous green,
Which form'd a feemly contrast to

The flow'rs that blufh'd between.

Sweet flowrets of a thousand dyes,
Enamell'd o'er the ground,

And with the bower's foft perfume vy'd
To fcent the air around.

Here each plum'd warbler of the grove,

With envy ftretch'd his throat

To rival Eowy's dulcet ftrains,

With many a liquid note.

While the clear brook, that winding flow'd
Befide the calm retreat,

Its lulling gurgling's join'd to form

A mufic ftrangely fweet.

Not Eden's felf a fairer spot

Could boaft 'midft all her bow'rs,

What time calm innocence flept foft

On beds of fragrant flow'rs.

Were it not that the piece is occafionally enriched with lines which indicate fome exertion of poetical talents, one might fuppofe that the Author pofieffed Lucilius's envied facility of verfiying, and in bora fæpe ducentos verfus dictabat fans pede in uno.

LAW.