1 The Appendix of precedents contains a policy of insti rance on ship and goods by private underwriters and by different assurance-companies-a bill of bottomry-a respon dentia bond-an insurance upon a life-and an insurance against fire. The principles which govern various subjects of insurance are developed without confusion, supported by appropriate cases, elucidated by industrious research, and often strengthened by ingenious argument and acute observation. It must be admitted, however, that the labours of serjeant Marshall have been facilitated by numerous writers, whose authorities adorn his notes; as well as by the masterly publications of Millar and of Park. To the latter, as the serjeant's obligations seem unbounded, his acknowledgements might have been more profuse. 3 We have thus examined, with no common diligence, a work which will be interesting to that important class of our countrymen, whose commercial talents and exemplary faith have increased our opulence and extended our power; whose spirited exertions, compatible with the welfare of neighbouring states, have neither disgraced morals nor endangered liberty. C'est le peuple du monde qui a le mieux su se prévaloir à la fois de ces trois grandes choses, la religion, le commerce, et la liberté *? These are applauses offered to our nation by the reflecting Montesquieu. This distinction which we have gloriously acquired, we shall proudly maintain, in defiance of the puerile menace of an inebriated ruler, and undismayed by the vast but inapplicable force of his bloated empire. ART. XI. Poems, lyrical and miscellaneous. By the late Rev. Henry Moore, of Liskeard. 4to 10s. 6d. Boards. Johnson. 1803. In these poetical effusions, we discern a gentle, pious, and benevolent spirit; but we can scarcely acquit Dr. Aikin of flattery, when he entitles it a splendid genius, capable of shining in the highest ranks of literature.' A biographical memoir, by the editor, introduces to the public Henry Moore, the son of a dissenting minister, born, in 1732, at Plymouth, where he received his early educa tion. In 1749, he resided at the academy of Dr. Doddridge, * De l'Esprit des Loix, II. 1. 20. o. 6. · Northampton, until the death of that distinguished preceptor; and completed his academical studies under Dr. Ashworth. In 1756, he officiated as minister to a dissenting congregation, at Dulverton, in Somerset ; in 1757, at Modbury, in Devon; and finally removed to Liskeard, in Cornwall, in the year 1787. During these long intervals, his talents were known only to a few of his fellow-ministers. Oppressed by bodily infirmities, he bore his evils with exem plary composure; and, preferring the serenity of a retired life, passed seventy years almost unnoticed. In 1795, his nephew, a surgeon at Plymouth, prevailed on Mr. Moore to publish the moral rhapsody, entitled Private Life,' which excited no considerable attention. To the same friend, during the last summer, was entrusted the MS. of these poems. It became the province of Dr. Aikin to judge of their fitness for the public eye;' and he assures us, that he scarcely ever experienced a greater and more agreeable surprise, than on the discovery of so rich a mine of poetry.' The persons to whom the verses were communicated, became impatient to reward their author. A subscription was warmly encouraged; and Dr. Aikin had generously undertaken the duty of editorship, when the death of Mr. Moore, in November, 1802, by a palsy, frustrated the liberal endeavours of his friends. Among his literary occupations, Mr. Moore contributed to the "Commentaries and Essays,' published by the Society for promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures. His critical observations on parts of the sacred writings acquired for the author the approbation of Dr. Geddes and Mr. Michael Dodson. A lively anonymous letter, on the doctrines of Madan's Thelyphthora, was also the production of Mr. Moore. The words of the editor will best explain the motives to which we owe the present publication. As he lived in celibacy, and had no dependent relatives, no other object remained for a subscription than that of bringing forward his posthumous work in an advantageous manner, secure both from loss and neglect. It is now committed to a liberal and discerning public, in the confidence that the author will obtain no mean place among those who have contributed to elevate the minds, purify the morals, and gratify the noblest tastes of their countrymen.' P. vi. Among the miscellaneous contents of this volume, are odes, lyric and moral rhapsodies, elegies, epistles, sonnets, and hymns. The first poem, A Vernal Ode,' inculcates the lesson of rendering the passions accordant with the cheerful harmony of spring, and contains pleasing passages. in the secret shadowy glade, But when of dawn the rosy dyes On the glitt'ring lake below.' P. 4. We cannot forbear observing, that both in the present and many other poems we have met with too many glaring imitations from Milton, Gray, and poets of inferior celebrity. The rhymes, moreover, too often terminate inharmoniously-a carelessness, in minor compositions, unpardonable. The Ode on Contentment unites poetry with morals. • In Pleasure's blooming walks and fragrant bow'rs, The trophies in long triumph borne, Aloft the Victor's gilded car she mounts, A humble pilgrim here I plod my way, 'Let others rise by guilt and meanness great, Their short-liv'd days, 'till Death, relentless foe, The godlike soul regards with just disdain And hide its tow'ring forehead in the skies.' }r.15. Fortune and Virtue contrasted form the subject of an attractive composition. The old maxim, that gems and gold are inefficacious to solace care,' is poetically elucidated. The freezing wretch might genial warmth as soon In the Ode to divine Love, and the Fall of Zion, the author assumes a sublimer pencil, with forcible imagery describing the carnage and desolation of war. For mad Ambition see-with Hell combin'd; The Carribbean deeps, And strews a thousand keels along the foaming coast, Wild Desolation rushes o'er the land, And giant Horror strides from strand to strand. • Thus rushing onward on her clatt'ring car, And leads the Fiends along. Rapine, with harpy fangs, wide-wasting War, Freedom, and Honour fall, and Virtue hides her head, Embattled legions round them bleed and die. See, see her flaming sword display'd! O'er the green land she waves the blade, With horrid devastation wide Blasts all the champain's blooming pride, How waste and desolate that fair domain, How mute the chearing music of the graves, Starts the pale trembling maid At burnish'd lances glitt'ring in the shade! • Hark! the loud war-whoop howls from yonder wood, Glare on the streams, and set the skies on fire. Swift as the panting deer From the keen hound, and ruthless hunter's spear, Beneath the fury of the wintry sky, There houseless, shiv'ring to the frozen air, Nor blameless Youth's fair-blooming years, Nor female Grace, nor Beauty's pleading tears Stern stands the dire assassin ; Spare, O spare That infant innocence!"-in vain the pray'r! In vain the mother's pangs, and piercing cries! } Fixt on the bloody point it writhes, and dies!' P.53. Neither agitated by ambition, nor tainted by avarice, this writer is ever earnest and eloquent in his exhortations to awaken and cherish the milder virtues: but we are re-called to the turbulent scène of our worldly duties, and can no longer indulge the soothing lyre. A few closing strains must satisfy our readers, From stanzas which are incorrectly entitled Sonnets, wo selest FIRST BEAUTY. 'Light as the breeze, and frolic as the May, To mortal Beauty trill'd her airy lay, Round Folly's shrine her flow'ry garland hung ; |