Dr. Buchan's popular work on the same subject with more candour. The Idiot Heiress; a Novel. 2 Vols. 7s. sewed. Lane and Co. 1805. THERE are more idiots concerned in this story than one. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. On the Waters of Hampstead; Chymical Experiments on their com ponent Parts, Observations on their Medicinal Application and Effects; and on the different Modes of Bathing, as an Auxiliary to the drinking of Mineral Waters. By Thomas Goodwin, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. Murray, Fleet-Street. 8vo. 5s, In this little work the village of Hampstead is pleasingly described, with its various scenery, soil, &c. After the analysis, our author proceeds to treat on the different kinds of bathing, under distinct heads, such as the cold and warm bath, warm sea bath, shower, vapour, and air baths, and friction; the last of which he strongly recommends to the infirm. We have to observe, on the subject of bathing in general, that we are not acquainted with any work that contains so great a fund of useful, guarded, and familiar instruction, in so small a compass, every circumstance indispensably necessary for those who frequent watering and sea bathing places, appears to us to have occurred to the author's mind in this treatise, which will save the reader both the time and trouble of perusing the more voluminous works on this subject. A Father's Gift to his Children: consisting of Original Essays, Tales, Fables, Reflections, &c. By William Mavor, L.L.D. Vicar of Hurley, Berks, and Chaplain to the Earl of Moira. In 2 Volumes. Phillips. THIS gift is, in every sense of the word, truly paternal, containing whatever is valuable or aimable for the mature to teach, and the juvenile to learn. In an advertisement annexed to the 1st volume, the ingenious writer has very truly observed that "Few have written more than I have done, for the use of young persons; or, let me thankfully add, with more uniform encouragement; and [ desire no other epitaph to mark my grave, than-Here lies “The Children's Friend." Dr. Mavor's legitimate right to this title will never be refused either by the present age or by futurity. "Several relative pieces" are added to this publication, which, like the rest, are judicious, happy, and appropriate; and we can safely recommend the whole work, not only to all our young readers, but to parents of every description. A Sermon preached before the Aldermen and Corporation of Grantham, on Sunday, the 21st Day of October, 1804. By the Rev. Robert Lascelles Carr, Chaplain to Earl Clanwilliam, and to Lord Mendip. Published at the Request of the Corporation. White. London. We have more than once had occasion to notice the professional labours of this gentleman with praise, and find no cause in the present instance to reverse our verdict, or withhold our commendation. After a brief, but satisfactory deduction from Scripture, that magistrates, as in his text, "I have said that ye are Gods, but ye shall die like men," were so term'd from their authority; the preacher proceeds to enforce the reverence due to rulers and magistrates, knowing that their appointment is from on high. From the latter part of his text, he takes occasion to recommend a conscientious discharge of their official duty from a remembrance of the short duration of all earthly power, and that this scene closing, they will be called to account for their distribution of rewards and punishments, to Him that ruleth over all. The following extract merits particular observation: "To enumerate all the particulars to which the attention of the chief magistrate in any place should be directed, would be a laborious, but not a very necessary task; yet one general observation I cannot avoid making, namely, that the present awful crisis does most loudly call for the vigorous enforcement of those laws against profaneness and immorality, which, to the shame of the land, had so long slept, but in the execution and revival of which, the metropolis of this kingdom has set so good an example. It deserves to be seriously considered, how far the public interests of society and civil government are concerned in the execution of these laws, what fatal mischiefs issue from the neglect of this part of our duty, and what advantages result both to prince and people, from the faithful discharge of it." We cannot quit this review without remarking on a practice which is obtaining in the pulpit as well as in the senate; where, in the fondness for extending language, all concatenation of argument is lost, and the force of precept is lost in delineation: this Mr. Carr has avoided: indeed, he seems to be too well-read to have forgot, and too judicious to neglect, the admonition of the Roman critic: Quicquid præcipies, esto brevis: ut cito dicta Omne supervacuum pleno de pectore manat. An Introduction to Mr. Byrom's Universal English Short-Hand, or the Way of writing English in the most easy, concise, regular, and beautiful Manner. In a Series of Letters addressed to a Young Friend. To which are added, General Observations on the Short-Hand Characters, with appropriate Examples for the Learner's Exercise. Designed for the Use of Schools. By T. Molineux. The Third Edition. Longman and Rees. pp. 104. Price 10s. 6d. half bound. 1804. 8vo. MR. Byron's short-hand "must," as Dr. Mavor justly observes, "for ever be the basis of every future rational system." Without burthening the memory with tedious, arbitrary characters, this system secures to the writer every possible advantage of beauty, legibility, and brevity; and, in every practical system, these properties must ever remain inseparable. But it is unnecessary to expatiate on the superior excellencies of Mr. Byrom's short-hand, which has been so long known, and so deservedly admired by the best judges of the art; amongst whom we find, "the Right Honourable the Earl of Morton, President of the Royal Society; the Lord Chancellor Pratt; Dr. John Taylor, Chancellor of Lincoln; and the celebrated Earl of Chesterfield." It is sufficient to observe, that the lovers of stenography are under great obligations to Mr. Molineux, the editor, by the re-publication of a work, which, in its original form, was so respectably patronised. This is the third edition of Mr. M's. abridgment; and it is but just to add, that the improvements he has made are rational and judicious. The plates, in this edition, are increased from eleven to twenty, and are very correctly and neatly executed. A few brief Remarks on a Pamphlet published by some Individuals, supposed to be connected with the late Board of Admiralty, entitled, "Observations on the concise Statement of Facts, privately circulated by Sir Home Popham," &c. in which the Calumnies of those Writers are examined and exposed; together with Strictures on the Reports of the Navy and Victualling Boards; or some Proceedings of the late Admiralty, not generally promulgated; Hints on the Effects of the late Experiments against the Enemy's Flotilla, &c. &c. By Eschines. 8vo. 2s. All the Booksellers. 1805. We have seen neither the "Observations" which have produced this pamphlet, nor the "Concise Statement of Facts" ta which those observations applied. Neither, indeed, do subjects of this temporary nature fall much within the plan of our review. We are bound, however, to say, in justice to the author of these remarks, that Sir Home Popham has found in Eschines a most zealous and able advocate; and however persons may differ as to the proceedings of the late Board of Admiralty with respect to that gallant and meritorious officer, all who feel a just respect for the British navy, will rejoice to hear that so distinguished a member of it has completely exculpated himself from charges, which, if proved, must have disgraced and ruined his character in the eyes of the nation. These charges having undergone a discussion in the House of Commons, it was referred to a select committee to consider them, and they have reported that, "from the papers referred to them, and the evidence they have received, there does not appear any ground whatever to impute to Sir Home Popham any frand or connivance at any fraudulent or corrupt practice whatever." A Refutation of the Pamphlet which Colonel Picton lately addressed to Lord Hobart. By Colonel Fullarton. F. R. S. 4to. 2s. 6d. Stockdale. 1805. THIS is another pamphlet, occasioned by a dispute between individuals, in which it is not our province to interfere; but having briefly noticed Colonel Picton's publication, we think it right it should be seen that it has not passed without a reply from Colonel Fullarton. Both these gentlemen are persons of high talent, and some military distinction; and it is much to be lamented, that there should have arisen between them a difference of so serious a complexion. The points on which they are at issue are before the privy council; and, with that most honourable board, we are content to leave them; permitting, however, ourselves to hope that an issue not less favourable than that which has attended the affair of Sir Home Popham, may finally result from their proceedings. Considerations upon the best Means of ensuring the internal Defence of Great Britain. By Captain Barber, commanding the Duke of Cumberland's Corps of Sharp Shooters. 8vo. pp. 63. Eger ton. THESE Considerations will prove both interesting and amusing to the lovers of the military art, particularly to those who practise sharp shooting, of which many anecdotes are given, principally from the history of the American war, in which the native woodsmen proved so formidable to the English troops, and ultimately so successful in effecting the independence of the United States. Captain Barber, who has exerted himself so ably in forming and training a volunteer rifle corps, is of course a strong advocate for the mode of annoyance peculiar to companies of that description. "The talent of marksmen (he observes) eappears to have been held in considerable estimation from the most remote ages of antiquity, and to have rendered its possessors, although rude or unwarlike, formidable enemies, and superior to the boldest efforts of personal prowess. Little David, the Israelitish shepherd boy, proved himself an overmatch for the gigantic champion of the Philistine host; his dexterity as a slinger rescued his country from impending thraldom, and raised himself to the regal authority. By the same uncouth primary means of missile vengeance, many people of a mere rural character maintained their independence against the attacks of regular armies, or became useful auxiliaries to them.* Achilles, the overthrower of armies, became a sacrifice to the unerring aim of the coward Paris, and our English hero, Richard Cœur de Lion, unsuspectingly fell beneath the shaft of an obscure archer." He next instances the annihilation of the Roman army under Crassus, by the Parthians, at the battle of Carrhæ, which was owing to the expertness of the Parthians as marksmen, aided by a superior knowledge of the ground on which they fought. "Never did the Romans sustain so signal a defeat, as this from the luxurious Asiatics, whom they were accustomed to despise. The battle of Carrhæ may be considered as an epoch in the art of war; inasmuch as it proved, that The Romans distributed slingers in their armies, procuring their most expert marksmen from the Belearic islands (Majorca and Minorca). Diodorus Siculus relates, that in besieging a town, these slingers wounded and drove the garrison from the walls, throwing with such exactness, as rarely to miss their mark; this dexterity they acquired by constant exercise, being trained to it from their infancy; their mothers placed their daily food upon the top of a pole, and gave them no more than they beat down with stones from their slings. In later times, the peasants of Brittany, taking part with the English in a battle fought in that province, between some English troops, and the army of Louis D'Espagne, effected the overthrow of the latter, hy assaulting them unexpectedly with bullets and slings. Froissart, vol. 1, chap. 85, page 304." FVOI. XX. |