lethargic. By his valour and address he first taught his soldiers to act, his enemies to fear. He colonized desarts, he depopulated towns. With a laudable emulation he introduced the rudiments of art and science into his country, by the institution of schools; with a splendid munificence, he rewarded those Greeks who decorated his cities and enlightened their inhabitants; but in recompensing these foreigners, he impoverished his subjects. To the clergy his indulgence was unbounded, to the people his severity inflexible. "The same man who could, with such criminal apathy, command the death and survey the mangled form of his brother, hesitated, for a considerable time after his conversion to christianity, to punish some robbers, who infested his most fertile and populous provinces: and when censured for this false humanity by his clergy, he meekly replied; What am I, that I should condemn my fellow creatures to death.' Upon the whole, had fortune thrown him into a more polished age, his vices might have been softened by the plastic hand of education, his virtues might have challenged our regard and admiration." We shall, in our next number, conclude our review of this interesting work. The Stranger in France: or, a Tour from Devonshire to Paris. Illustrated by Engravings, in Aqua Tinta, of Sketches taken on the Spot. By John Carr, Esq. London, 4to. 1l. 1s. Od. Large Paper 1l. 11s. 6d. Johnson, 1803. MR. CARR was fortunate enough to be among the number of those who, during the late short interval of peace, had an opportunity of mixing with the French people on their own soil, under circumstances peculiarly interesting to a traveller; after a series of revolutions, that has left scarcely any trace of the former national character, and at a moment so extremely critical, that a very few years, probably a few months, may effect a change in the present system, no less abrupt and surprising! The communication between the two countries being again closed, the reports of those who were on the spot, and who have delineated scenes and manners thus interesting, and thus fugitive, will doubtless excite the attention of the public in a very uncommon degree. The work before us, though not the first in order of time which has issued from the press, possesses so many superior attractions of style and graphic embellishment, with so much valuable information, blended with such a variety of facts and anecdotes, that it justly claims from us the most distinguished notice; and we are persuaded that, with the powerful recommendations he has brought with him, the Stranger in Paris will not long be a stranger in England. He certainly cannot require a better introduction than Mr. Hayley's, by whose advice, we are informed, what was at first intended only for private perusal, is now offered to the public eye. Mr. Carr set sail from Southampton, with his friend Capt. W. Cary, of Torr Abbey, at the time when a great number of French emigrants were about to embark for France, to take the benefit of the mild decree which had been passed in their favour." The scene," observes Mr. Carr, "was truly interesting, and the sentiment which it excited delightful to the heart." The following anecdote will afford, we think, a pretty just notion of the feelings of the majority of these unfortunate wanderers, upon this solemn oc casion. "A respectable curé, who dined in the same room with us at our inn, was ōbserved to eat very little; upon being pressed to enlarge his meal, this amiable man said, with tears starting in his eyes, Alas! I have no appetite; a very short time will bring me amongst the scenes of my nativity, my youth, and my happiness, from which a remorseless revolution has parted me for these ten long years; I shall ask for those who are dear to me, and find them for ever gone. Those who are left will fill my mind with the most afflicting descriptions; no, I cannot eat, my good sir.' no, "About noon, they had deposited their baggage upon the quay, which formed a pile of ancient portmanteaus, and battered trunks. Parties remained to protect them, previous to their embarkation. The sun was intensely hot; they were seated under the shade of old umbrellas, which looked as if they had been the companions of their banishment. "Their countenances appeared strongly marked with the pious character of resignation, over which were to be seen a sweetness and corrected animation, which seemed to depict at once the soul's delight, of returning to its native home, planted wherever it may be, and the regret of leaving a nation, which, in the hour of flight and misery, had nobly enrolled them in the list of her own children, and had covered them with protection." The author was also witness to a very affecting scene in the cabin of the vessel :---a poor priest, at the age of ninety-five, in a dying state, was supported by two other clergymen and some women, who, in their attentions to the sick man, seemed to have forgotten their own comfortless situation, arising from a great number of persons being crowded in so small a space. The venerable object of these assiduities had been a clergyman of great repute and esteem at Havre, who, though scarcely expected to survive the short voyage, was anxious to breathe his last in his own country. We think a skilful artist could not wish for a more interesting subject, for his pencil. Mr. Carr arrived in safety at Havre; and there, for the present, we shall leave him. We have merely announced the 'Stranger' in this number; it is our intention to follow him through the whole of his tour to Paris, accompany him in many of his visitations in that city, and land with him safely on "That pale, that white-fac'd shore "Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides, "And coops from other lands her islanders, "That water-walled bulwark, still secure We hope Mr. Carr will pardon us if, as we mean to consult the reader's gratification, our extracts should prove neither short nor few. [To be continued.] The Pleader's Guide, a Didactic Poem, in two Parts, containing the Conduct of a Suit at Law, with the Arguments of Counsellor Bother'um and Counsellor Bore'um, in an Action betwixt John'a-Gull and John-a-Gudgeon, for Assault and Battery, at a late contested Election. By the late J. J. S. Esq. Special Pleader and Barrister at Law. 12mo. Cadell and Davies. 1803. THE public, we understand, are indebted for this production to the pen of Mr. Anstie;* and although our readers would not naturally turn to a "Pleader's Guide" for amusement, we can promise them an ample share, if, not being frightened at its title, they will venture to peruse it. The poem is divided into a course of lectures, supposed to have been written by a special pleader, for the use of his kinsman and pupil. Their plan, Mr. Surrebutter (the lecturer) thus proposes. Of legal fictions, quirks, and crosses, Attorneys' gains and clients' losses; I sing-" Could every treatise on the subject be sung in a style as amusing, the study of the law, we confess, would be rendered rather more agreeable.† Proceedings at a general Meeting of the Loyal North Britons, held at the Crown and Anchor, August 8, 1803; containing a correct Copy of the celebrated Speech of James Mackintosh, Esq. the Stanzas spoken on the same Occasion, by Thomas Campbell, Esq. Author of the Pleasures of Hope, &c. And the Substance of the Speeches of the Right Hon. Lord Reay and J. W. Adam, Esq. on being elected Officers of the Corps. 18. 6d. Longman and Rees. 1803. THE eloquent and patriotic speech of Mr. Mackintosh deserved a better fate than a mere newspaper report is calculated to afford: Son to the venerable author of the New Bath Guide. t Part the first was noticed in our Review for July, 1796. Vol. II. p. 154. we feel obliged, therefore, to Mr. Orme, for giving it more permanent publicity. We were present at the delivery of this finely impassioned harangue. The following passage struck us with considerable awe. "Countrymen, I feel that I am authorised by your hearts to make this solemn pledge. I swear by the immortal spirits of Bruce and Wallace; by the glorious memory of every hero who has fallen for Britain; by the God of Justice and Liberty himself, whose holy name I do not profane when I employ it on so sacred an occasion, that we, my countrymen, will rather seek freedom in the grave, than endure a degraded existence, with the hideous spectacle before our eyes of a foreign tyranny erected in this ancient and chosen abode of liberty." The verses by Mr. Campbell are, as the ingenious editor states them, beautiful; but they want spirit and fire. This well-printed pamphlet contains a variety of loyal poems and speeches worthy to be preserved. The Pic Nic, in two Volumes. 12mo. 12s. Vernor and Hood, 1803. THESE Volumes contain fourteen numbers, which are all that were published of a weekly paper entitled "The Pic Nic." We are amongst those who regret the discontinuance of this agreeable publication; it abounds with great variety, and many exquisite specimens of wit and humour, as well as of excellent writing, both in prose and verse. We would gladly select the "Invisible Girl," a delicate poem by Moore, the translator of Anacreon, had we room. We cannot, however, forbear inserting the following characteristic epigram, by" Old Nick." A little man! Reynolds's Delays and Blunders. A counsel once, of pigmy size, To make a motion did arise; But KENYON's* sight his sense defeated, And thinking still the dwarf was seated, 66 Justice, my Lord, from you my friend expects, Atala. From the French of M. de Chateaubriant. With explanatory Notes. 8vo. 5s. Robinsons. 1801. THIS very improbable romance abounds with wild descriptions and fanciful ideas. In France it is extremely popular. *This epigram is founded in fact. + Mr. Jekyl. We much question, however, notwithstanding the explanatory notes, so necessary to its elucidation, whether it will arrive at a second edition in England. Letter to the Right Hon. Lord Pelham, on the State of Mendicity in the Metropolis. By Mathew Martin, Esq. 1s. 6d. Hatchard. 1803. THE author deserves the thanks of the poor for his labours, though we doubt much whether they will be productive of any permanent advantage. The Anti-Gallican, or Standard of British Loyalty, Religion, and Liberty; including a Collection of the principal Papers, Tracts, Declarations, Speeches, Poems, and Songs, that have been published on the threatened Invasion: together with many original Pieces on the same Subject. The whole being intended to excite the Martial Ardour of the People, to unmask the perfidious Designs' of Bonaparte against this Country, and to expose his malignant, treacherous, and cruel Conduct, to the various Nations that have fallen beneath his tyrannical Yoke. Vernor and Hood. 1805. THIS is a most salutary publication, calculated to perpetuate those splendid compositions which the threatened invasion of these our coasts hath inspired. This interesting work is intended to be published weekly, at three-pence per number. The Loyalist, &c. No. 1, Vol. I. Price 3d. Hatchard, 1803. SIMILAR in construction to the last article, and calculated to do equal benefit, at the present awful crisis. The Evidence of Relation between our present Existence and future State; with References to Dr. Paley's Natural Theology. 8vo. pp. 24. Kerby. 1803. THIS small pamphlet is the production of Mr. Young, of North Audley Street. The author, after passing a just compliment on Archdeacon Paley, for his admirable volume entitled 'Natural Theology,' regrets that he has left the mind unsatisfied, and indeed uninformed, with regard to one of great moment, viz. the relation between our present life and that state which is to succeed it. This omission Mr. Young has endeavoured to supply. He states his remarks, in a modest advertisement, to be the reflection of an evening, and as such he submits them to the public. The work of Dr. Paley not having fallen under our notice as reviewers, we cannot with propriety compare the present performance with that elabe PVOL. XVI. |