the liquorish old pedagogue seems to think these amorous ebullitions the pleasantest sort of writing in usum Delphini that he has yet met with. By altering one word, and making only one false quantity*, we shall change the rule of Horace to of address, her dexterity sometimes fails her, as in the memorable instance of the American commissioners. Madame de Staël gives the following description of this pastoral metropolitan female: "Though she is at least forty, she still "Nec febris intersit nisi dignus vindice appears charming even among the young nodus Inciderit.' Delphine and Leonce have eight very bad typhus fevers between them, besides hæmoptoe, hemorrhage, deliquium animi, singultus, hysteria, and fœminei ululatus, or screams innumerable. Now, that there should be a reasonable allowance of sickness in every novel, we are willing to admit, and will cheerfully permit the heroine to be once given over, and at the point of death; but we cannot consent that the interest which ought to be excited by the feelings of the mind should be transferred to the sufferings of the body, and a crisis of perspiration be substituted for a crisis of passion. Let us see difficulties overcome, if our approbation is required; we cannot grant it to such cheap and sterile artifices as these. The characters in this novel are all said to be drawn from real life; and the persons for whom they are intended are loudly whispered at Paris. Most of them we have forgotten; but Del. phine is said to be intended for the authoress, and Madame de Vernon (by a slight sexual metamorphosis) for Talleyrand, minister of the French republic for foreign affairs. As this lady (once the friend of the authoress) may probably exercise a considerable influence over the destinies of this country, we shall endeavour to make our readers a little better acquainted with her; but we must first remind them that she was once a bishop, a higher dignity in the church than was ever attained by any of her sex since the days of Pope Joan; and that though she swindles Delphine out of her estate with a considerable degree *Perhaps a fault of all others which the English are least disposed to pardon. A young man, who, on a public occasion, makes a false quantity at the outset of life, can seldom or never get over it. and beautiful of her own sex. The paleness of her complexion, the slight relaxation of her features, indicate the languor of indisposition, and not the decay of years; the easy negligence of her dress accords with this impression. Every one concludes, that when her health is recovered, and she dresses with more care, she must be completely beautiful: this change, however, never happens, but it is always expected; and that is sufficient to make the imagina tion still add something more to the natural effect of her charms." — (Vol. i. p. 21.) the manner in which this book is transNothing can be more execrable than lated. The bookseller has employed one of our countrymen for that purpose, who appears to have been very lately caught. The contrast between the passionate exclamations of Madame de Staël, and the barbarous vulgarities of poor Sawney, produces a mighty ludi One of the heroes, a man crous effect. letter to Delphine, "I cannot endure of high fastidious temper, exclaims in a this Paris; I have met with ever so many people whom my soul abhors." the accomplished and enraptured Le And We once terminates one of his letters thus: "Adieu! Adieu! my dearest Delphine. doubt if Grub Street ever imported I will give you a call to-morrow." from Caledonia a more abominable translator. We admit the character of Madame de Vernon to be drawn with considerable skill. There are occasional traits of eloquence and pathos in this novel, and very many of those observations upon manners and character which are totally out of the reach of all who have not lived long in the world, and observed it well. The immorality of any book (in our estimation) is to be determined by the general impressions it leaves on those minds, whose principles, not yet ossified, are capable of affording a less powerful passions want not accelerating, but retarding machinery. This fatal and foolish sophistry has power enough over every heart, not to need the aid of fine composition, and well-contrived incident-auxiliaries which Madame de Staël intended to bring forward in the cause, though she has fortunately not succeeded. defence to its influence. The most old man whom she detested, by an dangerous effect that any fictitious avaricious and unfeeling father. The character can produce, is when two or three of its popular vices are varnished over with everything that is captivating and gracious in the exterior, and ennobled by association with splendid virtues this apology will be more sure of its effect, if the faults are not against nature, but against society. The aversion to murder and cruelty could not perhaps be so overcome; but a regard to the sanctity of marriage vows, to the sacred and sensitive delicacy of the female character, and to numberless restrictions important to the well-being of our species, may easily be relaxed by this subtle and voluptuous confusion of good and evil. It is in vain to say the fable evinces, in the last act, that vice is productive of misery. We may decorate a villain with graces and felicities for nine volumes, and hang him in the last page. This is not teaching virtue, but gilding the gallows, and raising up splendid associations in favour of being hanged. In such an union of the amiable and the vicious (especially if the vices are such to the commission of which there is no want of natural disposition), the vice will not degrade the man, but the man will ennoble the vice. We shall wish to be him we admire, in spite of his vices, and, if the novel be well written, even in consequence of his vice. There exists, through the whole of this novel, a show of exquisite sensibility to the evils which individuals suffer by the inflexible rules of virtue prescribed by society, and an eager disposition to apologise for particular transgressions. Such doctrine is not confined to Madame de Staël; an Arcadian cant is gaining fast upon Spartan gravity; and the happiness diffused, and the beautiful order established in society, by this unbending discipline, is wholly swallowed up in compassion for the unfortunate and interesting individual. Either the exceptions or the rule must be given up: every highwayman who thrusts his pistol into a chaise window has met with unforeseen misfortunes; and every loose matron who flies into the arms of her Greville was compelled to marry an M. de Serbellone is received as a guest into the house of M. d'Ervins, whose wife he debauches as a recompense for his hospitality. Is it possible to be disgusted with ingratitude and injustice, when united to such an assemblage of talents and virtues as this man of paper possesses? Was there ever a more delightful fascinating adulteress than Madame d'Ervins is intended to be? or a povero cornuto less capable of exciting compassion than her husband? The morality of all this is the old morality of Farquhar, Vanbrugh, and Congreve-that every witty man may transgress the seventh commandment, which was never meant for the protection of husbands who labour under the incapacity of making repartees. In Matilda, religion is always as unamiable as dissimulation is graceful in Madame de Vernon, and imprudence generous in Delphine. This said Delphine, with her fine auburn hair, and her beautiful blue or green eyes (we forget which), cheats her cousin Matilda out of her lover, alienates the affections of her husband, and keeps a sort of assignation house for Serbellone and his chère amie, justifying herself by the most touching complaints against the rigour of the world, and using the customary phrases, union of souls, married in the eye of heaven, &c. &c. &c., and such like diction, the types of which Mr. Lane of the Minerva Press very prudently keeps ready composed, in order to facilitate the printing of the Adventures of Captain C- and Miss F and other interesting stories, of which he, the said inimitable Mr. Lane of the Minerva Press, well knows these sentiments must make a part. Another perilous absurdity which this useful production tends to cherish is the common notion, those of the community at large; and treats of those points where his previous habits might render a little intemperance venial, as well as probable, with the most perfect good humour and moderation. that contempt of rule and order is a little, nor too much; is alive to its proof of greatness of mind. Delphine interests, without being insensible to is everywhere a great spirit, struggling with the shackles imposed upon her in common with the little world around her; and it is managed so, that her contempt of restrictions shall always appear to flow from the extent, variety, and splendour of her talents. The vulgarity of this heroism ought in some degree to diminish its value. Mr. Colquhoun, in his Police of the Metropolis, reckons up about 40,000 heroines of this species, most of whom, we dare to say, have at one time or another reasoned like the sentimental Delphine about the judgments of the world. To conclude- Our general opinion of this book is, that it is calculated to shed a mild lustre over adultery; by gentle and convenient gradation, to destroy the modesty and the caution of women; to facilitate the acquisition of easy vices, and encumber the difficulty of virtue. What a wretched qualification of this censure to add, that the badness of the principles is alone corrected by the badness of the style, and that this celebrated lady would have been very guilty, if she had not been very dull! THOUGHTS ON THE RESI- (E. REVIEW, 1803.) As exceptions to the general and indisputable principle of residence, Dr. Sturges urges the smallness of some livings; the probability that their incumbents be engaged in the task of education, or in ecclesiastical duty, in situations where their talents may be more appropriately and importantly employed. Dr. Sturges is also of opinion, that the power of enforcing residence, under certain limits, should be invested in the bishops; and that the acts prohibiting the clergy to hold or cultivate land should be in a great measure repealed. We sincerely hope that the two cases suggested by Dr. Sturges, of the clergyman who may keep a school, or be engaged in the duty of some parish not his own, will be attended to in the construction of the approaching bill, and admitted as pleas for non-residence. It certainly is better that a clergyman should do the duty of his own benefice, rather than of any other. But the injury done to the community is not commensurate with the vexation imposed upon the individual. Such a measure is either too harsh, not to become obsolete; or, by harassing the clergy with a very severe restriction, to gain a very disproportionate good THIS pamphlet is the production of a to the community, would bring the progentleman who has acquired a right to fession into disrepute, and have a tenteach the duties of the clerical cha-dency to introduce a class of men into racter by fulfilling them; and who has the Church, of less liberal manners, exercised that right, in the present in- education, and connection; points of stance, with honour to himself, and the utmost importance, in our present benefit to the public. From the par- state of religion and wealth. Nothing ticular character of understanding has enabled men to do wrong with imevinced in this work we should con- punity, so much, as the extreme seceive Dr. Sturges to possess a very verity of the penalties with which the powerful claim to be heard on all ques-law has threatened them. The only tions referrible to the decision of prac-method to insure success to the bill for tical good sense. He has availed enforcing ecclesiastical residence, is to himself of his experience to observe; and of his observation to judge well he neither loves his profession too consult the convenience of the clergy in its construction, as far as is possibly consistent with the object desired, and even to sacrifice something that ought | lax, and corrupt administration of its to be done, in order that much may be laws. It is certainly inconvenient, in done. Upon this principle, the.clergy- many cases, to have no other guide to man should not be confined to his par- resort to but the unaccommodating sonage-house, but to the precincts of mandates of an act of Parliament; his parish. Some advantage would yet, of the two inconveniences, it is certainly attend the residence of the the least. It is some palliation of the clergy in their official mansions; but, evils of discretionary power, that it as we have before observed, the good should be exercised (as by the Court one party would obtain bears no sort of Chancery) in the face of day, and of proportion to the evil the other that the moderator of law should himwould suffer. self be moderated by the force of preUpon the propriety of investing the cedent and opinion. A bishop will exBench of Bishops with a power of en-ercise his discretionary power in the forcing residence, we confess ourselves dark; he is at full liberty to depart toto entertain very serious doubts. A morrow from the precedent he has esbishop has frequently a very tempo-tablished to-day; and to apply the same rary interest in his diocese: he has fa- decisions to different, or different decivours to ask; and he must grant them. sions to the same circumstances, as his Leave of absence will be granted humour or interest may dictate. Such to powerful intercession; and refused, power may be exercised well under one upon stronger pleas, to men with- judge of extraordinary integrity; but out friends. Bishops are frequently it is not very probable he will find a men advanced in years, or immersed in study. A single person who compels many others to do their duty, has much odium to bear, and much activity to exert. A bishop is subject to caprice, and enmity, and passion, in common with other individuals; there is some danger also that his power over the clergy may be converted to a political purpose. proper successor. To suppose a series of men so much superior to temptation, and to construct a system of church government upon such a supposition, is to build upon sand, with materials not more durable than the foundation. Sir William Scott has made it very clear, by his excellent speech, that it From innumerable is not possible, in the present state of the revenues of the English Church, to apply a radical cure to the evil of nonresidence. causes, which might be reasoned upon to great length, we are apprehensive the object of the Legislature will be entirely frustrated in a few years, if it be committed to episcopal superintendence and care; though, upon the first view of the subject, no other scheme can appear so natural and so wise. Dr. Sturges observes, that after all the conceivable justifications of nonresidence are enumerated in the Act, many others must from time to time occur, and indicate the propriety of vesting somewhere a discretionary power. If this be true of the penalties by which the clergy are governed, it is equally true of all other penal laws; and the law should extend to every offence the contingency of discretionary omission. The objection to this system is, that it trusts too much to the sagacity and the probity of the judge, and exposes a country to the partial, VOL. I. It is there stated, that out of 11,700 livings, there are 6000 under 80l. per annum; many of those 20l., 30l., and some as low as 21. or 3l. per annum. In such a state of endowment, all idea of rigid residence is out of the question. Emoluments which a footman would spurn, can hardly recompense a scholar and a gentleman. A mere palliation is all that can be applied; and these are the ingredients of which we wish such a palliation should be composed : 1. Let the clergyman have full liberty of farming, and be put in this respect exactly upon a footing with laymen. 2. Power to reside in any other house in the parish, as well as the parsonage house, and to be absent five months in the year. E 3. Schoolmasters, and ministers bonâ | ecuted with great diligence and good fide discharging ministerial functions sense. Some subjects of importance in another parish, exempt from resi- are passed over, indeed, with too much dence. 4. Penalties in proportion to the value of livings, and number of times the offence has been committed. 5. Common informers to sue as at present; though probably it might be right to make the name of one parish. ioner a necessary addition; and a proof of non-residence might be made to operate as a nonsuit in an action for tithes. We haste; but if the publication had exceeded its present magnitude, it would soon have degenerated into a mere book of reference, impossible to be read, and fit only, like a dictionary, for the purposes of occasional appeal: it would not have been a picture presenting us with an interesting epitome of the whole; but a typographical plan, detailing, with minute and fatiguing precision, every trifling circumstance, and every subordinate feature. should be far from objecting to a much more extended and elaborate performance than the present; because those These indulgences would leave the who read, and those who write, are clergy without excuse, would reduce now so numerous, that there is room the informations to a salutary number, enough for varieties and modifications and diminish the odium consequent of the same subject; but information upon them, by directing their effects of this nature, conveyed in a form and against men who regard church pre-in a size adapted to continuous readferment merely as a source of revenue, ing, gains in surface what it loses in not as an obligation to the discharge of important duties. 6. No action for non-residence to lie where the benefice was less then 807. per annum; and the powers of bishops to remain precisely as they are. We venture to prognosticate, that a bill of greater severity either will not pass the House of Commons, or will fail of its object. Considering the times and circumstances, we are convinced we have stated the greatest quantum of attainable good; which of course will not be attained, by the customary error, of attending to what is desirable to be done, rather than to what it is practicable to do. depth, and gives general notions to many, though it cannot afford all the knowledge which a few have it in their power to acquire, from the habits of more patient labour, and more profound research. We This work, though written at a period when enthusiasm or disgust had thrown most men's minds off their balance, is remarkable, upon the whole, for sobriety and moderation. The observations, though seldom either strikingly ingenious or profound, are just, temperate, and always benevolent. are so far from perceiving anything like extravagance in Mr. Catteau, that we are inclined to think he is occasionally too cautious for the interests of truth; that he manages the court of Denmark with too much delicacy; and exposes, by distant and scarcely perceptible touches, that which it was his THE object of this book is to exhibit a duty to have brought out boldly and picture of the kingdom of Denmark, strongly. The most disagreeable cirunder all its social relations, of politics, cumstance in the style of the book is statistics, science, morals, manners, and the author's compliance with that irreeverything which can influence its sistible avidity of his country to decharacter and importance, as a free claim upon commonplace subjects. He and independent collection of human goes on, mingling bucolic details and beings. sentimental effusions, melting and This book is, upon the whole, ex-measuring, crying and calculating, in a CATTEAU, TABLEAU DES |