admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is designed-the use of families. We have known many well-disposed people greatly at a loss what to read to their children and servants on the Sunday evenings. Mr. Clapham has undertaken to supply that loss; and we should do him great injustice, if we did not very explicitly declare, that he has fulfilled the task he has undertaken, with singular felicity. He has brought together, from various authors, a considerable number of choice and scarce discourses, all tending either to confirm the evidences, elucidate the doctrines, or enforce the precepts, of christianity. He has discovered great judgment in the abridging of them, in having omitted the several parts of each which would have been uninteresting to general readers. This selection, in whatever family it may be read, and we hope it will be read in every churchman's family throughout the kingdom, will, we doubt not, be regarded, not as a disagreeable restraint, but, as it really is, a pleasing instruction. We very much wish to hear that these sermons are introduced into schools, and especially into ladies' boarding-schools; because we are persuaded that no religious book can be read to such, or to any other auditories, with better effect. Mr. C.'s Selection of Sermons will be perhaps the best present parents can make their children, whether sons or daughters, when they are leaving their friends, and going into other families. Should the second volume, which is said to be in the press, be as judiciously executed as this, which we are now recommending to our readers, we shall congratulate the public on their having it in their power to purchase, at so easy an expence, a work, from which they will derive, in no common degree, both entertainment, instruc tion, and edification. "I have, in this edition," Mr. Clapham says, " made frequent references, as I shall likewise do in the second volume, to the Abridgment of the Elements of Christian Theology, where I thought that the sermons would be illustrated, or enforced by the expositions of the thirty-nine Articles." This is an additional evidence of the editor's judgment. The Temple of the Fairies, No. I, to be continued monthly. Price one Shilling. Vernor and Hood. THE first number of a work, to consist of select translations from the Cabinet des Fées, connected by an interesting and well-written harrative; ornamented with beautiful Engravings in Wood, and printed in a superior style of neatness and elegance. A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of St. Chad, Shrewsbury, on Friday, September 23, 1803, being the Day of the Anniversary Meeting of the Subscribers and Friends to the Salop Infirmary. (Published by Request.) By the Rev. Henry J. Todd, M. A. F. A. S. Chaplain to the Right Hon. the Earl of Bridgewater, and Rector of Allhallows, Lombard Street, London. 8vo. 1s. Rivingtons, &c. &c. WHOEVER has looked with any attention into the memoirs of the Deans of Canterbury, or the last edition of Milton's poetical works, will have observed, and the observation must have excited his personal respect, that the literary attainments of the author and commentator, pre-eminent and praise-worthy as they appear, are ever exceeded in Mr. Todd by candour of sentiment, by urbanity of temper, and by benevolence of heart. With such inherent qualifications for fulfilling the most important duties of the pastoral office, it does not surprise us, that, amid his studious researches to illustrate the beauties and to trace the latent history of our elder bards, Mr. Todd should be called upon to advocate the cause of humanity, and to inculcate the charitable precepts of the gospel of peace. This he has done in the present discourse with unaffected simplicity, with persuasive eloquence, and with energetic zeal. From the prophecies of Isaiah*, prophecies that " prefigured the life, the doctrine, and the death of Christ," he takes occasion to argue that "the prophetic, the miraculous, and the historical evidences of christianity will bid defiance to infidelity, however varying in its shape, however indefatigable in pursuing its end:" and he proceeds to consider the various acts of miracle and mercy performed by our blessed Redeemer, " because they proclaim the divine mission as well as the compassionate temper of our Saviour; and consequently will enforce our imitation, by shewing that the practice, which we are required to imitate, was taught even by the Son of God." After tracing, briefly and forcibly, the corruptions of the true faith, and the progress of imposture or infidelity, he thus adverts to that philosophism and mock-sensibility which every honest and humane mind must have beheld with indignation and concern. "The labours of impiety to extend its bounds, in this our day, can have escaped the notice but of few. The sophistical objections of the early unbelievers have been re-produced, with indefatigable zeal, in order to corrupt what is pure and holy, and to pervert what is clear and decisive. With an infamous duplicity, pretensions of respect have been made to the temper of Christianity in the pro * Chap, xxxv. ver. 4, 5, 6. The book of this inspired prophet deserves to be attentively read by those who only seek after the sublime in poesy. Dr. Louth compares Isaiah to Homer, and Jeremiah to Simonides. Rev. a posal of what is called an enlarged philosophy and an improved philanthropy ! a philosophy, however, which treats the Almighty with contumely and derision; philanthropy, which banishes, with cold-blooded indifference, the duties of natural affection, and of the love of our country: as if the Christian precept,' rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep,' were insufficient to promote the happiness of man ; a sensibility, falsely so called, (as it never feels a pang for real distress,) has been diligently inculcated, and is the theme of numerous modern publications! a sensibility which removes all moral restraint by declamations on ideal refinement, and palsies at once the body and the mind." The following animated exhortation to genuine piety, genuine philanthropy, and genuine patriotism, must conclude our report of this excellent discourse, which merits more than a partial perusal from every friend to our civil and religious constitution. "Wherever the Christian system has been firmly established and faithfully practised; meekness, long-suffering, mercy, and charity, are the graces which have borne it company. Here, in this free and happy country, it has been firmly established; here, amid the defections of false brethren, it has also been faithfully practised. Let us not desert it. For where it has been deserted, (and, alas! a considerable part of Christendom has witnessed such a desertion,) wrath and malice have triumphed, and human nature has been subjected to a cruelty that listens to no remonstrance, to a tyranny that knows no bounds. And hence, in respect to the civil state of society, that spirit of true liberty, which is productive of whatever is amiable and generous and excellent, has been unfeelingly broken. Those virtues also, which are the safety as well as the grace of nations, frugality, temperance, decency, and public spirit, have been driven from the haunts of men. Hence, in regard to the religious state of the world, the love and fear of God have been derided, with a view to silence those religious sanctions which govern the heart, and which secure the practice of private veracity, mutual confidence, and every social duty; especially the practice of charity, which indeed is the very bond of peace, and of all the virtues.' Lastly, in regard to the domestic state of society, this desertion of Christianity has infected all the innocent pleasures of life. It has ridiculed the mutual relations which subsist, or ought to subsist, between members of the same family and houshold; and rendered the observation of parental and filial duties of little effect. It has consigned to neglect the virtuous education of youth, and has prepared their minds for a complete subjugation to conceit and vanity. It has also torn from modesty and honourable love the graces which belong to them; either by the recommendation of a sickly sensibility which promotes the cause only of sensuality; or by bringing contempt upon the married state in encouraging facility of separation, and in countenancing the unprincipled adulterer and perfidious seducer. "Let me then again implore you, brethren, never to desert Christianity.— You cannot desert it, if you examine its foundation without prejudice. You will thus preserve your sons and daughters from disgracing the generosity, the valour, the modesty, and piety of the British name. You will look back to your forefathers, by whose bounty the numerous charitable foundations which spread their blessings through the land, were erected; and, like them, you will be followers of Christ. You will also look back to your forefathers, who trusted in God when threatened by their foes, and were not disappointed of his aid; who have delivered down to us the rights, which they gained or established, yet uninjured; and the faith, in which they were baptized, yet not deserted here. Yes: by the recollection of their examples we shall all be encouraged to defend our civil and religious liberties; to act the part of dutiful Christians; and, by the various means which God has given us, to advance the public good." Socio della R. A. di 8vo. 1804., Poesie Liriche di Leucippo Eginèo, P. A. Napoli, e di Cortona, &c. White. THE Italian language, though always admired, was never more in vogue in this country, than it is at the present moment. The study of it is very general, and its character amongst languages promises to last as long as any taste exists for graceful ease, for dignified strength, and fascinating richness of expression. At such a period, the work that now occupies our attention must be peculiarly acceptable, since, with the advantage of purity of style, it combines all the charms of novelty, amusement, and research. With this little preface, we shall, without delay, enter on the several contents of this production, concisely observing, in our progress, on the merits of each. Oda alla Pace. This Ode to Peace is remarkable for its piety, delicacy, and beauty. Beginning, however, from the womb Of unoriginal night, and chaos wild, MILT. "hic promissor," may be said in some measure to disappoint us by quitting his subject after only fifteen short stanzas, but the complaint of brevity in a poet, will not, we trust, in a critic, be deemed any very great severity of censure. In confirmation of our opinion, we shall present the reader with an exquisite picture from the middle of the poem. VIII. Al nome sol di guerra La madre i figli, e la consorte serra Fra le braccia lo sposo, Pallide, semivive, in tuon doglioso. IX. Allor che il sacro ulivo Mostrar la pace a' miseri mortali, Qual' allegrezze ! e quali Mandan dal sen voci di giubil vivo! Spingon le Furie, ed il Demon veloce Nel cieco abisso il rapitore atroce. Two sonnets follow the ode, the first of which is by far the most pleasing and interesting in consequence of its object---the conduct of man in prosperity and adversity. The 8th verse deserves to be written, not merely in gold, but in the heart of every one: PAVENTA IL DELITTO, E NON LA PENA. P. 11. Canzonetta campestre, nella quale descrivesi la maniera di far la polenta. Our poet now changes his note, and sings of rural pleasures, of content and love. Inviting his Chloris to partake these joys, he tunes his rustic pipe to sweetest melody, and thus he chants his borrowed * lay: and then shews how the poor of Italy make a dish which they call La Polenta. This mess, so celebrated, in various parts of Italy, but especially in Campagna, is composed of the flour produced from Indian corn, or chesnuts boiled up with salt, to which those who are able add meat. Proceeding thus in praise of frugality, of a tranquil life, and a peaceful mind, he closes in 38 stanzas a poem of great chastity, simplicity, and sweetness. P. 59. st. 1. Seizing again his golden lyre, he raises a nobler strain, celebrating the rise and fall of nations. In this, as in his former flights, he pursues his course on wings that never fail him, but often bear his genius, when it would ascend, to the sublimest heights of poetical inspiration. The number and length of the notes which accompany, adorn, and illustrate these interesting and elegant poems, required no apology on the part of their author, but many thanks are due to him for the entertainment and instruction which they are calculated to afford. We have rarely been so delighted with the yλuxegov oтoμα of a modern Italian muse, as we have been on this occasion, and we warmly recommend this little work to the attention of the public, as the production of an excellent poet, a polite scholar, and, judging from his reflections, a pious and a good man, * The idea of this stanza is from Tasso nell' Aminta. |