Chapter V: Part 5

"They called their countrymen to witness how real had been their
grievances, and how moderate their claims. They said, it was
impossible to have proceeded with more temper or greater
deliberation, but that their complaints had been constantly
superseded, their petitions to the throne rejected. The
administration of Great Britain had not hesitated to attempt to
starve them into surrender, and having miscarried in this, they
were ready to employ the whole force of their country, with all
the foreign auxiliaries they could obtain, in prosecution of
their unjust and tyrannical purposes. They were precipitated, it
was said, by Britain into a state of hostility, and there no
longer remained for them a liberty of choice. They must either
throw down their arms, and expect the clemency of men who had
acted as the enemies of their rights; or they must consider
themselves as in a state of warfare, and abide by the
consequences of that state. Warfare involved independency.
Without this their efforts must be irregular, feeble, and
without all prospect of success; they could possess no power to
suppress mutinies, or to punish conspiracies; nor could they
expect countenance and support from any of the states of Europe,
however they might be inclined to favour them, while they
acknowledged themselves to be subjects, and it was uncertain how
soon they might sacrifice their friends and allies to the hopes
of a reunion. To look back, they were told, to the king of
England, after all the insults they had experienced, and the
hostilities that were begun, would be the height of
pusillanimity and weakness. They were bid to think a little for
their posterity, who by the irreversible laws of nature and
situation, could have no alternative left them but to be slaves
or independent. Finally, many subtle reasonings were alledged,
to evince the advantages they must derive from intrinsic
legislation, and general commerce.

"On the other hand, the middle and temperate party, represented
this step as unnecessary, uncertain in its benefits, and
irretrievable in its consequences. They expatiated on the
advantages that had long been experienced by the colonists from
the fostering care of Great Britain, the generosity of the
efforts she had made to protect them, and the happiness they had
known under her auspicious patronage. They represented their
doubt of the ability of the colonies to defend themselves
without her alliance. They stated the necessity of a common
superior to balance the separate and discordant interests of the
different provinces. They dwelt upon the miseries of an internal
and doubtful struggle. Determined never to depart from the
assertion of what they considered as their indefeasible right,
they would incessantly besiege the throne with their humble
remonstrances. They would seek the clemency of England, rather
than the alliance of those powers, whom they conceived to be the
real enemies of both; nor would they ever be accessory to the
shutting up the door of reconciliation.

"But the voice of moderation is seldom heard amidst the
turbulence of civil dissention. Violent counsels prevailed. The
decisive and irrevocable step was made on the 4th of July 1776.
It remains with posterity to decide upon its merits. Since that
time it has indeed received the sanction of military success;
but whatever consequences it may produce to America, the fatal
day must ever be regretted by every sincere friend to the
British empire."

The other extract we shall select is from the story of Lord Cornwallis's surrender in Virginia, and the consequent termination of the American war.

"The loss of these redoubts may be considered as deciding the
fate of the British troops. The post was indeed originally so
weak and insufficient to resist the force that attacked it, that
nothing but the assured expectation of relief from the garrison
of New York, could have induced the commander to undertake its
defence, and calmly to wait the approaches of the enemy. An
officer of so unquestionable gallantry would, rather have
hazarded an encounter in the field, and trusted his adventure to
the decision of fortune, than by cooping his army in so
inadequate a fortress, to have prepared for them inevitable
misfortune and disgrace. But with the expectations he had been
induced to form, he did not think himself justified in having
recourse to desperate expedients.

"These hopes were now at an end. The enemy had already silenced
his batteries. Nothing remained to hinder them from completing
their second parallel, three hundred yards nearer to the
besieged than the first. His lordship had received no
intelligence of the approach of succours, and a probability did
not remain that he could defend his station till such time as he
could expect their arrival. Thus circumstanced, with the
magnanimity peculiar to him, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, to
acquaint him with the posture of his affairs, and to recommend
to the fleet and the army that they should not make any great
risk in endeavouring to extricate them.

"But although he regarded his situation as hopeless, he did not
neglect any effort becoming a general, to lengthen the siege,
and procrastinate the necessity of a surrender, if it was
impossible finally to prevent it. The number of his troops
seemed scarcely sufficient to countenance a considerable sally,
but the emergency was so critical, that he ordered about three
hundred and fifty men, on the morning of the 16th, to attack the
batteries that appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, and
to spike their guns. The assault was impetuous and successful.
But either from their having executed the business upon which
they were sent in a hasty and imperfect manner, or from the
activity and industry of the enemy, the damage was repaired, and
the batteries completed before evening.

"One choice only remained. To carry the troops across to
Gloucester Point, and make one last effort to escape. Boats were
accordingly prepared, and at ten o'clock at night the army began
to embark. The first embarkation arrived in safety. The greater
part of the troops were already landed. At this critical moment
of hope and apprehension, of expectation and danger, the
weather, which had hitherto been moderate and calm, suddenly
changed; the sky was clouded, the wind rose and a violent storm
ensued. The boats with the remaining troops were borne down the
stream. To complete the anxiety and danger, the batteries of the
enemy were opened, the day dawned, and their efforts were
directed against the northern shore of the river. Nothing could
be hoped, but the escape of the boats, and the safety of the
troops. They were brought back without much loss, and every
thing was replaced in its former situation.

"Every thing now verged to the dreaded crisis. The fire of the
besiegers was heavy and unintermitted. The British could not
return a gun, and the shells, their last resource, were nearly
exhausted. They were themselves worn down with sickness and
continual watching. A few hours it appeared must infallibly
decide their fate. And if any thing were still wanting, the
French ships which had entered the mouth of the river, seemed
prepared to second the general assault on their side. In this
situation, lord Cornwallis, not less calm and humane, than he
was intrepid, chose not to sacrifice the lives of so many brave
men to a point of honour, but the same day proposed to general
Washington a cessation of twenty four hours, in order mutually
to adjust the terms of capitulation.

"The troops which surrendered in the posts of York and
Gloucester amounted to between five and six thousand men, but
there were not above three thousand eight hundred of these in a
capacity for actual service. They were all obliged to become
prisoners of war. Fifteen hundred seamen were included in the
capitulation. The commander, unable to obtain terms for the
loyal Americans, was obliged to have recourse to a sloop,
appointed to carry his dispatches, and which he stipulated
should pass unsearched, to convey them to New York. The British
fleet and army arrived off the Chesapeak five days after the
surrender. Having learned the melancholy fate of their
countrymen, they were obliged to return, without effecting any
thing, to their former station.

"Such was the catastrophe of an army, that in intrepidity of
exertion, and the patient endurance of the most mortifying
reverses, are scarcely to be equalled by any thing that is to be
met with in history. The applause they have received
undiminished by their subsequent misfortunes, should teach us to
exclaim less upon the precariousness of fame, and animate us
with the assurance that heroism and constancy can never be
wholly disappointed of their reward."

The publication before us is written with that laudable industry, which ought ever to distinguish a great historian. The author appears to have had access to some of the best sources of information; and has frequently thrown that light upon a recent story, which is seldom to be expected, but from the developements of time, and the researches of progressive generations.

We cannot bestow equal praise upon his impartiality. Conscious however and reserved upon general questions, the historian has restricted himself almost entirely to the narrative form, and has seldom indulged us with, what we esteem the principal ornament of elegant history, reflexion and character. The situation of Dr. Robertson may suggest to us an obvious, though incompetent, motive in the present instance. Writing for his contemporaries and countrymen, he could not treat the resistance of America, as the respectable struggle of an emerging nation. Writing for posterity, he could not denominate treason and rebellion, that which success, at least, had stamped with the signatures of gallantry and applause. But such could not have been the motives of the writer in that part of the history of America, which was given to the world some years ago. Perhaps Dr. Robertson was willing to try, how far his abilities could render the most naked story agreeable and interesting. We will allow him to have succeeded. But we could well have spared the experiment.

The style of this performance is sweet and eloquent. We hope however that we shall not expose ourselves to the charge of fastidiousness, when we complain that it is rather too uniformly so. The narrative is indeed occasionally enlivened, and the language picturesque. But in general we search in vain for some roughness to relieve the eye, and some sharpness to provoke the palate. One full and sweeping period succeeds another, and though pleased and gratified at first, the attention gradually becomes languid.

It would not perhaps be an unentertaining employment to compare the style of Dr. Robertson's present work with that of his first publication, the admired History of Scotland. The language of that performance is indeed interspersed with provincial and inelegant modes of expression, and the periods are often unskilfully divided. But it has a vigour and spirit, to which such faults are easily pardoned. We can say of it, what we can scarcely say of any of the author's later publications, that he has thrown his whole strength into it.

In that instance however he entered the lists with almost the only historian, with whom Dr. Robertson must appear to disadvantage, the incomparable Hume. In the comparison, we cannot but acknowledge that the eloquence of the former speaks the professor, not the man of the world. He reasons indeed, but it is with the reasons of logic; and not with the acuteness of philosophy, and the intuition of genius. Let not the living historian be offended. To be second to Hume, in our opinion might satisfy the ambition of a Livy or a Tacitus.

ARTICLE III.

SECRET HISTORY OF THEODORE ALBERT MAXIMILIAN, PRINCE OF HOHENZOLLERN SIGMARINGEN. 12MO.

This agreeable tale appears to be the production of the noble author of the Modern Anecdote. It is told with the same humour and careless vivacity. The design is to ridicule the cold pedantry that judges of youth, without making any allowance for the warmth of inexperience, and the charms of beauty. Such readers as take up a book merely for entertainment, and do not quarrel with an author that does not scrupulously confine himself within the limits of moral instruction, will infallibly find their account in it.

The following specimen will give some idea of the manner in which the story is told.

"The learned Bertram was much scandalized at the dissipation that prevailed in the court of Hohenzollern. He was credibly informed that the lord treasurer of the principality, who had no less than a revenue of 109l. 7s. 10-3/4d. committed to his management, sometimes forgot the cares of an exchequer in the arms of a mistress. Nay, fame had even whispered in his ear, that the reverend confessor himself had an intrigue with a certain cook-maid. But that which beyond all things, afflicted him was the amour of Theodore with the beautiful Wilhelmina. What, cried he, when he ruminated upon the subject, can it be excusable in the learned Bertram, whose reputation has filled a fourth part of the circle of Swabia, who twice bore away the prize in the university of Otweiler, to pass these crying sins in silence? It shall not be said. Thus animated, he strided away to the antichamber of Theodore. Theodore, who was all graciousness, venerated the reputation of Bertram, and ordered him to be instantly admitted. The eyes of the philosopher flashed with anger. Most noble prince, cried he, I am come to inform you, that you must immediately break with the beautiful Wilhelmina. Theodore stared, but made no answer. The vices of your highness, said Bertram, awake my indignation. While you toy away your hours in the lap of a w----e, the vast principality of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen hastens to its fall. Reflect, my lord; three villages, seven hamlets, and near eleven grange houses and cottages, depend upon you for their political prosperity. Alas, thought Theodore, what are grange houses and cottages compared with the charms of Wilhelmina? Shall the lewd tricks of a wanton make you forget the jealous projects of the prince of Hohenzollern Hechingen, the elder branch of your illustrious house? Theodore pulled out his watch, that he might not outstay his appointment. My lord, continued Bertram, ruin impends over you. Two peasants of the district of Etwingen have already been seduced from their loyalty, a nail that supported the chart of your principality has fallen upon the ground, and your father confessor is in bed with a cook-maid. Theodore held forth his hand for Bertram to kiss, and flew upon the wings of desire to the habitation of Wilhelmina."

ARTICLE IV.

LOUISA, OR MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. BY THE AUTHOR OF EVELINA AND CECILIA. 3 VOLS. 12MO.

There scarcely seems to exist a more original genius in the present age than this celebrated writer. In the performances with which she has already entertained the public, we cannot so much as trace a feature of her illustrious predecessors; the fable, the characters, the incidents are all her own. In the mean time they are not less happy, than they are new. A Belfield, a Monckton, a Morrice, and several other personages of the admired Cecilia, will scarcely yield to the most finished draughts of the greatest writers. In comedy, in tragedy, Miss Burney alike excels. And the union of them both in the Vauxhall scene of the death of Harrel ranks among the first efforts of human genius. Of consequence we may safely pronounce that the reputation of this lady is by no means dependent upon fashion or caprice, but will last as long as there is understanding to discern, and taste to relish the beauties of fiction.

It must be acknowledged that her defects are scarcely less conspicuous than her excellencies. In her underplots she generally miscarries. We can trace nothing of Miss Burney in the stories of Macartney, Albany, and the Hills. Her comedy sometimes deviates into farce. The character of Briggs in particular, though it very successfully excites our laughter, certainly deforms a work, which in its principal constituents ranks in the very highest species of composition. Her style is often affected, and in the serious is sometimes so laboured and figurative, as to cost the reader a very strict attention to discover the meaning, without perfectly repaying his trouble. These faults are most conspicuous in Cecilia, which upon the whole we esteem by much her greatest performance. In Evelina she wrote more from inartificial nature. And we are happy to observe in the present publication, that the masculine sense, by which Miss Burney is distinguished, has raised her almost wholly above these little errors. The style of Louisa is more polished than that of Evelina, and more consonant to true taste than that of Cecilia.

The principal story of Louisa, like that of Cecilia, is very simple, but adorned with a thousand beautiful episodes. As the great action of the latter is Cecilia's sacrifice of fortune to a virtuous and laudable attachment, so that of the former is the sacrifice of rank, in the marriage of the heroine to a young man of the most distinguished merit, but neither conspicuous by birth, nor favoured by fortune. The event, romantic and inconsistent with the manners of polished society as it may appear, is introduced by such a train of incidents, that it is impossible not to commend and admire the conduct of the heroine.

Her character is that of inflexible vivacity and wit, accompanied with a spice of coquetry and affectation. And though this line of portrait seemed exhausted by Congreve and Richardson, we will venture to pronounce Louisa a perfect original. It is impossible to describe such a character in the abstract without recollecting Millamant and Lady G. But in reading this most agreeable novel, you scarcely think of either. As there is no imitation, so there are not two expressions in the work, that can lead from one to the other. Louisa is more amiable than the former, and more delicate and feminine than the latter.

Mr. Burchel, the happy lover, is an author, a young man of infinite genius, of romantic honour, of unbounded generosity. Lord Raymond, the brother of Louisa, becomes acquainted with him in his travels, by an incident in which Mr. Burchel does him the most essential service. Being afterwards introduced to his sister, and being deeply smitten with her beauty and accomplishments, he quits the house of lord Raymond abruptly, with a determination entirely to drop his connexion. Sometime after, in a casual and unexpected meeting, he saves the life of his mistress. In the conclusion, his unparalleled merit, and his repeated services surmount every obstacle to an union.

Besides these two there are many other characters happily imagined. Louisa is involved in considerable distress previous to the final catastrophe. The manner in which her gay and sportive character is supported in these scenes is beyond all commendation. But the extract we shall give, as most singular in its nature, relates to another considerable female personage, Olivia. As the humour of Louisa is lively and fashionable, that of Olivia is serious and romantic. Educated in perfect solitude, she is completely ignorant of modern manners, and entertains the most sovereign contempt for them. Full of sentiment and sensibility, she is strongly susceptible to every impression, and her conduct is wholly governed by her feelings. Trembling at every leaf, and agonized at the smallest accident, she is yet capable, from singularity of thinking, of enterprises the most bold and unaccountable. Conformably to this temper, struck with the character of Burchel, and ravished with his address and behaviour, she plans the most extraordinary attempt upon his person. By her orders he is surprised in a solitary excursion, after some resistance actually seized, and conducted blindfold to the house of his fair admirer. Olivia now appears, professes her attachment, and lays her fortune, which is very considerable, at his feet. Unwilling however to take him by surprise, she allows him a day for deliberation, and insists upon his delivering at the expiration of it, an honest and impartial answer. His entertainment is sumptuous.

In the mean time, a peasant, who at a distance was witness to the violence committed upon Burchel, and had traced him to the house of Olivia, carries the account of what he had seen to Raymond Place. The company, which, in the absence of lord Raymond, consisted of Louisa, Mr. Bromley, an uncle, Sir Charles Somerville, a suitor, and Mr. Townshend, a sarcastic wit, determine to set off the next morning for the house of the ravisher. This is the scene which follows.

"Alarmed at the bustle upon the stairs, Olivia, more dead than
alive, pressed the hand of Burchel with a look of inexpressible
astonishment and mortification, and withdrew to the adjoining
apartment.

"The door instantly flew open. Burchel advanced irresolutely a
few steps towards the company, bowed, and was silent.

"The person that first entered was Mr. Bromley. He instantly
seized hold of Burchel, and shook him very heartily by the hand.

"Ha, my boy, said he, have we found you? Well, and how? safe and
sound? Eh? clapping him upon the shoulder.

"At your service, sir, answered Burchel, with an air of
embarrassment and hesitation.

"It was not altogether the right thing, methinks, to leave us
all without saying why, or wherefore, and stay out all night.
Why we thought you had been murdered. My niece here has been in
hysterics.

"'Pon honour, cried sir Charles, you are very facetious. But we
heard, Mr. Burchel, you were ran away with. It must have been
very alarming. I vow, I should have been quite fluttered. Pray,
sir, how was it?

"Why, indeed, interposed Mr. Townshend, the very relation seemed
to disturb sir Charles. For my part, I was more alarmed for him
than for Miss Bromley.

"Well, but, returned Bromley, impatiently, it is a queer affair.
I hope as the lady went so far, you were not shy. You have not
spoiled all, and affronted her.

"Oh, surely not, exclaimed Townshend, you do not suspect him of
being such a boor. Doubtless every thing is settled by this
time. The lady has a fine fortune, Burchel; poets do not meet
with such every day; Miss Bromley, you look pale.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! you do me infinite honour, cried Louisa, making him
a droll curtesy; what think you, sir Charles?

"'Pon my soul, I never saw you look so bewitchingly.

"Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you say nothing, don't answer
a single question. What, mum's the word, eh?

"Indeed, sir, I do not know,--I do not understand--the affair is
entirely a mystery to myself--it is in the power of no one but
Miss Seymour to explain it.

"Well, and where is she? where is she?

"O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; will you come, Sir
Charles; and immediately tripped out of the room. Sir Charles
followed.

"Olivia had remained in too much confusion to withdraw farther
than the next room; and upon this new intrusion, she threw
herself upon a sopha, and covered her face with her hands.

"O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, fluttering in the
meshes.

"Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. Townshend followed;
Burchel brought up the rear.

"My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do not be alarmed. We are
come to wish you joy; and seized one of her hands.

"Well, but where's the parson? exclaimed Bromley--What, has
grace been said, the collation served, and the cloth removed?
Upon my word, you have been very expeditious, Miss.

"My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do not reflect so much upon
the ladies modesty. I will stake my life they were not to have
been married these three days.

"Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable agitation, and
endeavoured to defend herself. Gentlemen, assure
yourselves,--give me leave to protest to you,--indeed you will
be sorry--you are mistaken------Oh Miss Bromley, added she, in a
piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly about the neck of
Louisa.

"Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; you know, gentlemen, Miss
Seymour is studious; it was a point in philosophy she wished to
settle; that's all, Olivia; and kissed her cheek.

"Or perhaps, added Townshend,--the lady is young and
inexperienced--she wanted a comment upon the bower scene in
Cleopatra.

"Olivia suddenly raised her head and came forward, still leaning
one arm upon Louisa. Hear me, cried she; I will be heard. What
have I done that would expose me to the lash of each unlicenced
tongue? What has there been in any hour of my life, upon which
for calumny to fix her stain? Of what loose word, of what act of
levity and dissipation can I be convicted? Have I not lived in
the solitude of a recluse? Oh, fortune, hard and unexampled!

"Deuce take me, cried sir Charles, whispering Townshend, if I
ever saw any thing so handsome.

"Olivia stood in a posture firm and collected, her bosom heaving
with resentment; but her face was covered with blushes, and her
eyes were languishing and sorrowful.

"For the present unfortunate affair I will acknowledge the
truth. Mr. Burchel to me appeared endowed with every esteemable
accomplishment, brave, generous, learned, imaginative, and
tender. By what nobler qualities could a female heart be won?
Fashion, I am told, requires that we should not make the
advances. I reck not fashion, and have never been her slave.
Fortune has thrown him at a distance from me. It should have
been my boast to trample upon her imaginary distinctions. I
would never have forced an unwilling hand. But if constancy,
simplicity and regard could have won a heart, his heart had been
mine. I know that the succession of external objects would have
made the artless virtues of Olivia pass unheeded. It was for
that I formed my little plan. I will not blush for a scheme that
no bad passion prompted. But it is over, and I will return to my
beloved solitude with what unconcern I may. God bless you, Mr.
Burchel; I never meant you any harm: and in saying this, she
advanced two steps forward, and laid her hand on his.

"Burchel, without knowing what he did, fell on one knee and
kissed it.

"This action revived the confusion of Olivia; she retreated, and
Louisa took hold of her arm. Will you retire, said Louisa? You
are a sweet good creature. Olivia assented, advanced a few steps
forward, and then with her head half averted, took a parting
glance at Burchel, and hurried away.

"A strange girl this, said Bromley! Devil take me, if I know
what to make of her.

"I vow, cried sir Charles, I am acquainted with all the coteries
in town, and never met with any thing like her.

"Why, she is as coming, rejoined the squire, as a milk-maid, and
yet I do not know how she has something that dashes one too.

"Ah, cried sir Charles, shaking his head, she has nothing of the
manners of the _grand monde_.

"That I can say nothing to, said Bromley, but, in my mind, her
behaviour is gracious and agreeable enough, if her conduct were
not so out of the way.

"What think you, Burchel, said Townshend, she is handsome,
innocent, good tempered and rich; excellent qualities, let me
tell you, for a wife.

"I think her, said Burchel, more than you say. Her disposition
is amiable, and her character exquisitely sweet and feminine.
She is capable of every thing generous and admirable. A false
education, and visionary sentiments, to which she will probably
one day be superior, have rendered her for the present an object
of pity. But, though I loved her, I should despise my own heart,
if it were capable of taking advantage of her inexperience, to
seduce her to a match so unequal.

"At this instant Louisa re-entered, and making the excuses of
Olivia, the company returned to the carriage, sir Charles
mounted on horseback as he came, and they carried off the hero
in triumph."

ARTICLE V.

THE PEASANT OF BILIDELGERID, A TALE.

2 VOLS. SHANDEAN.

This is the only instance in which we shall take the liberty to announce to the public an author hitherto unknown. Thus situated, we shall not presume to prejudice our readers either ways concerning him, but shall simply relate the general plan of the work.

It attempts a combination, which has so happily succeeded with the preceding writer, of the comic and the pathetic. The latter however is the principal object. The hero is intended for a personage in the highest degree lovely and interesting, who in his earliest bloom of youth is subjected to the most grievous calamities, and terminates them not but by an untimely death. The writer seems to have apprehended that a dash of humour was requisite to render his story in the highest degree interesting. And he has spared no exertion of any kind of which he was capable, for accomplishing this purpose.

The scene is laid in Egypt and the adjacent countries. The peasant is the son of the celebrated Saladin. The author has exercised his imagination in painting the manners of the times and climates of which he writes.

ARTICLE VI.

AN ESSAY ON NOVEL, IN THREE EPISTLES INSCRIBED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LADY CRAVEN, BY WILL. HAYLEY, ESQ. 4TO.

The public has been for some time agreed that Mr. Hayley is the first of English poets. Envy herself scarcely dares utter a dissentient murmur, and even generous emulation turns pale at the mention of his name. His productions, allowing for the very recent period in which he commenced author, are rather numerous. A saturnine critic might be apt to suspect that they were also hasty, were not the loftiness of their conceptions, the majesty of their style, the richness of their imagination, and above all, the energy both of their thoughts and language so conspicuous, that we may defy any man of taste to rise from the perusal, and say, that all the study and consideration in the world could possibly have made them better. After a course however of unremitted industry, Mr. Hayley seemed to have relaxed, and to the eternal mortification of the literary world, last winter could not boast a single production of the prince of song. The muses have now paid us another visit. We are very sensible of our incapacity to speak, or even think of this writer with prosaic phlegm; we cannot however avoid pronouncing, that, in our humble opinion, Mr. Hayley has now outdone all his former outdoings, and greatly repaid us for the absence we so dearly mourned.

We are sensible that it is unbecoming the character of a critic to lay himself out in general and vague declamation. It is also within the laws of possibility, that an incurious or unpoetical humour in some of our readers, and (ah me, the luckless day!) penury in others, may have occasioned their turning over the drowsy pages of the review, before they have perused the original work. Some account of the plan, and a specimen of the execution may therefore be expected.

The first may be dispatched in two words. The design is almost exactly analogous to that of the Essay on History, which has been so much celebrated. The author triumphs in the novelty of his subject, and pays a very elegant compliment to modern times, as having been in a manner the sole inventors of this admirable species of composition, of which he has undertaken to deliver the precepts. He deduces the pedigree of novel through several generations from Homer and Calliope. He then undertakes to characterise the most considerable writers in this line. He discusses with much learning, and all the logical subtlety so proper to the didactic muse, the pretensions of the Cyropedia of Xenophon; but at length rejects it as containing nothing but what was literally true, and therefore belonging to the class of history. He is very eloquent upon the Shepherd of Hermas, Theagenes and Chariclea, and the Ethiopics of Heliodorus. Turpin, Scudery, Cotterel, Sidney, the countess D'Anois, and "all such writers as were never read," next pass in review. Boccace and Cervantes occupy a very principal place. The modern French writers of fictitious history from Fenelon to Voltaire, close the first epistle. The second is devoted to English authors. The third to the laws of novel writing.

We shall present our readers, as a specimen, with the character of that accomplished writer, John Bunyan, whom the poet has generously rescued from that contempt which fashionable manners, and fashionable licentiousness had cast upon him.

"See in the front of Britain's honour'd band,
The author of the Pilgrim's Progress stand.
Though, sunk in shades of intellectual night,
He boasted but the simplest arts, to read and write;
Though false religion hold him in her chains,
His judgment weakens and his heart restrains:
Yet fancy's richest beams illum'd his mind,
And honest virtue his mistakes refin'd.
The poor and the illiterate he address'd;
The poor and the illiterate call him blest.
Blest he the man that taught the poor to pray,
That shed on adverse fate religion's day,
That wash'd the clotted tear from sorrow's face,
Recall'd the rambler to the heavenly race,
Dispell'd the murky clouds of discontent,
And read the lore of patience wheresoe'er he went."

Amidst the spirited beauties of this passage, it is impossible not to consider some as particularly conspicuous. How strong and nervous the second and fourth lines! How happily expressive the two Alexandrines! What a luminous idea does the epithet "murky" present to us! How original and picturesque that of the "clotted tear!" If the same expression be found in the Ode to Howard, let it however be considered, that the exact propriety of that image to wash it from the face (for how else, candid reader, could a tear already clotted be removed) is a clear improvement, and certainly entitles the author to a repetition. Lastly, how consistent the assemblage, how admirable the climax in the last six lines! Incomparable they might appear, but we recollect a passage nearly equal in the Essay on History,

"_Wild_ as thy _feeble_ Metaphysic page,
Thy History _rambles_ into _Steptic rage_;
Whose giddy and fantastic _dreams abuse_,
A Hampden's Virtue and a Shakespeare's Muse."

How elevated the turn of this passage! To be at once luxuriant and feeble, and to lose one's way till we get into a passion, (with our guide, I suppose) is peculiar to a poetic subject. It is impossible to mistake this for prose. Then how pathetic the conclusion! What hard heart can refuse its compassion to personages _abused_ by a _dream_, and that dream the _dream of a History!_

Oh, wonderful poet, thou shalt be immortal, if my eulogiums can make thee so! To thee thine own rhyme shall never be applied, (_Dii, avertite omen_).

"Already, pierc'd by freedom's searching rays,
The waxen fabric of his fame decays!"

ARTICLE VII.

INKLE AND YARICO, A POEM, BY JAMES BEATTIE, L.L.D. 4TO.

This author cannot certainly be compared with Mr. Hayley.

We know not by what fatality Dr. Beattie has acquired the highest reputation as a philosopher, while his poetry, though acknowledged to be pleasing, is comparatively little thought on. It must always be with regret and diffidence, that we dissent from the general verdict. We should however be somewhat apprehensive of sacrificing the character we have assumed, did we fail to confess that his philosophy has always appeared to us at once superficial and confused, feeble and presumptuous. We do not know any thing it has to recommend it, but the good intention, and we wish we could add the candid spirit, with which it is written.

Of his poetry however we think very differently. Though deficient in nerve, it is at once sweet and flowing, simple and amiable. We are happy to find the author returning to a line in which he appears so truly respectable. The present performance is by no means capable to detract from his character as a poet. This well known tale is related in a manner highly pathetic and interesting. As we are not at all desirous of palling the curiosity of the reader for the poem itself, we shall make our extract at random. The following stanzas, as they are taken from a part perfectly cool and introductory, are by no means the best in this agreeable piece. They are prefaced by some general reflexions on the mischiefs occasioned by the _sacra fames auri_. The reader will perceive that Dr. Beattie, according to the precept of Horace, has rushed into the midst of things, and not taken up the narrative in chronological order.

"Where genial Phoebus darts his fiercest rays,
Parching with heat intense the torrid zone:
No fanning western breeze his rage allays;
No passing cloud, with kindly shade o'erthrown,
His place usurps; but Phoebus reigns alone,
In this unfriendly clime a woodland shade,
Gloomy and dark with woven boughs o'ergrown,
Shed chearful verdure on the neighbouring glade,
And to th' o'er-labour'd hind a cool retreat display'd.

Along the margin of th' Atlantic main,
Rocks pil'd on rocks yterminate the scene;
Save here and there th' incroaching surges gain
An op'ning grateful to the daisied green;
Save where, ywinding cross the vale is seen
A bubbling creek, that spreads on all sides round
Its breezy freshness, gladding, well I ween,
The op'ning flow'rets that adorn the ground,
From her green margin to the ocean's utmost bound.

The distant waters hoarse resounding roar,
And fill the list'ning ear. The neighb'ring grove
Protects, i'th'midst that rose, a fragrant bow'r,
With nicest art compos'd. All nature strove,
With all her powers, this favour'd spot to prove
A dwelling fit for innocence and joy,
Or temple worthy of the god of love.
All objects round to mirth and joy invite,
Nor aught appears among that could the pleasure blight.

Within there sat, all beauteous to behold!
Adorn'd with ev'ry grace, a gentle maid.
Her limbs were form'd in nature's choicest mould,
Her lovely eyes the coldest bosoms sway'd,
And on her breast ten thousand Cupids play'd.
What though her skin were not as lilies fair?
What though her face confest a darker shade?
Let not a paler European dare
With glowing Yarico's her beauty to compare.

And if thus perfect were her outward form,
What tongue can tell the graces of her mind,
Constant in love and in its friendships warm?
There blushing modesty with virtue join'd
There tenderness and innocence combin'd.
Nor fraudful wiles, nor dark deceit she knew,
Nor arts to catch the inexperienc'd hind;
No swain's attention from a rival drew,
For she was simple all, and she was ever true.

There was not one so lovely or so good,
Among the num'rous daughters of the plain;
'Twas Yarico each Indian shepherd woo'd;
But Yarico each shepherd woo'd in vain;
Their arts she view'd not but with cold disdain.
For British Inkle's charms her soul confest,
His paler charms had caus'd her am'rous pain;
Nor could her heart admit another guest,
Or time efface his image in her constant breast,

Her generous love remain'd not unreturn'd,
Nor was the youthful swain as marble cold,
But soon with equal flame his bosom burn'd;
His passion soon in love's soft language told,
Her spirits cheer'd and bad her heart be bold.
Each other dearer than the world beside,
Each other dearer than themselves they hold.
Together knit in firmest bonds they bide,
While days and months with joy replete unnotic'd glide.

Ev'n now beside her sat the British boy,
Who ev'ry mark of youth and beauty bore,
All that allure the soul to love and joy.
Ev'n now her eyes ten thousand charms explore,
Ten thousand charms she never knew before.
His blooming cheeks confest a lovely glow,
His jetty eyes unusual brightness wore,
His auburn locks adown his Shoulders flow,
And manly dignity is seated on his brow."

ARTICLE VIII

THE ALCHYMIST, A COMEDY, ALTERED FROM BEN JONSON, BY RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, ESQ.

There are few characters, that have risen into higher favour with the English nation, than Mr. Sheridan. He was known and admired, as a man of successful gallantry, both with the fair sex and his own, before he appeared, emphatically speaking, upon the public stage. Since that time, his performances, of the Duenna, and the School for Scandal, have been distinguished with the public favour beyond any dramatical productions in the language. His compositions, in gaiety of humour and spriteliness of wit, are without an equal.

Satiated, it should seem, with the applauses of the theatre, he turned his attention to public and parliamentary speaking. The vulgar prejudice, that genius cannot expect to succeed in two different walks, for some time operated against him. But he possessed merit, and he compelled applause. He now ranks, by universal consent, as an orator and a statesman, with the very first names of an age, that will not perhaps be accounted unproductive in genius and abilities.

It was now generally supposed that he had done with the theatre. For our own part, we must confess; we entertain all possible veneration for parliamentary and ministerial abilities; we should be mortified to rank second to any man in our enthusiasm for the official talents of Mr. Sheridan: But as the guardians of literature, we regretted the loss of his comic powers. We wished to preserve the poet, without losing the statesman. Greatly as we admired the opera and the comedy, we conceived his unbounded talents capable of something higher still. To say all in a word, we looked at his hands for the MISANTHROPE of the British muse.

It is unnecessary to say then, that we congratulate the public upon the present essay. It is meaned only as a _jeu d'esprit_. But we consider it as the earnest of that perseverance, which we wished to prove, and feared to lose. The scene we have extracted, and which, with another, that may be considered as a kind of praxis upon the rules, constitutes the chief part of the alteration, is apparently personal. How far personal satire is commendable in general, and how far it is just in the present instance, are problems that we shall leave with our readers.--As much as belongs to Jonson we have put in italics.

ACT IV

SCENE 4

_Enter_ Captain Face, _disguised as Lungs, and_ Kastril.

FACE. _Who would you speak with_?

KASTRIL. _Where is the captain?_

FACE.

_Gone, sir, about some business._

KASTRIL.

_Gone?_

FACE.

_He will return immediately. But master doctor, his lieutenant
is here._

KASTRIL.

_Say, I would speak with him._

[_Exit_ Face.

_Enter_ Subtle.

SUBTLE.

_Come near, sir.--I know you well.--You are my_ terrae
fili--_that is--my boy of land--same three thousand pounds a
year._

KASTRIL.

_How know you that, old boy?_

SUBTLE.

_I know the subject of your visit, and I'll satisfy you. Let us
see now what notion you have of the matter. It is a nice point
to broach a quarrel right_.

KASTRIL.

_You lie_.

SUBTLE.

_How now?--give me the lie?--for what, my boy?_

KASTRIL.

_Nay look you to that.--I am beforehand--that's my business_.

SUBTLE.

_Oh, this is not the art of quarrelling--'tis poor and
pitiful_!--What, sir, would you restrict the noble science of
debate to the mere lie?--Phaw, that's a paltry trick, that every
fool could hit.--A mere Vandal could throw his gantlet, and an
Iroquois knock his antagonist down.--No, sir, the art of quarrel
is vast and complicated.--Months may worthily be employed in the
attainment,--and the exercise affords range for the largest
abilities.--To quarrel after the newest and most approved
method, is the first of sciences,--the surest test of genius,
and the last perfection of civil society.

KASTRIL.

You amaze me. I thought to dash the lie in another's face was
the most respectable kind of anger.

SUBTLE.

O lud, sir, you are very ignorant. A man that can only give the
lie is not worth the name of quarrelsome--quite tame and
spiritless!--No, sir, the angry boy must understand, beside the
QUARREL DIRECT--in which I own you have some proficiency--a
variety of other modes of attack;--such as, the QUARREL
PREVENTIVE--the QUARREL OBSTREPEROUS--the QUARREL SENSITIVE--the
QUARREL OBLIQUE--and the QUARREL PERSONAL.

KASTRIL.

O Mr. doctor, that I did but understand half so much of the art
of brangling as you do!--What would I give!--Harkee--I'll settle
an hundred a year upon you.--But come, go on, go on--

SUBTLE.

O sir! you quite overpower me--why, if you use me thus, you will
draw all my secrets from me at once.--I shall almost kick you
down stairs the first lecture.

KASTRIL.

How!--Kick me down stairs?--Ware that--Blood and oons, sir!

SUBTLE.

Well, well,--be patient--be patient--Consider, it is impossible
to communicate the last touches of the art of petulance, but by
fist and toe,--by sword and pistol.

KASTRIL.

Sir, I don't understand you!

SUBTLE.

Enough. We'll talk of that another time.--What I have now to
explain is the cool and quiet art of debate--fit to be
introduced into the most elegant societies--or the most august
assemblies.--You, my angry boy, are in parliament?

KASTRIL.

No, doctor.--I had indeed some thoughts of it.--But imagining
that the accomplishments of petulance and choler would be of no
use there--I gave it up.

SUBTLE.

Good heavens!--Of no use?--Why, sir, they can be no where so
properly.--Only conceive how august a little petulance--and what
a graceful variety snarling and snapping would introduce!--True,
they are rather new in that connexion.--Believe me, sir, there
is nothing for which I have so ardently longed as to meet them
there.--I should die contented.--And you, sir,--if you would
introduce them--Eh?

KASTRIL.

Doctor, you shall be satisfied--I'll be in parliament in a
month--I'll be prime minister--LORD HIGH TREASURER of
ENGLAND--or, CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER!

SUBTLE.

Oh, by all means CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER! You are somewhat
young indeed--but that's no objection.--Damn me, if the office
can ever be so respectably filled as by an angry boy.

KASTRIL.

True, true.--But, doctor, we forget your instructions all this
time.--Let me see--Ay--first was the QUARREL PREVENTIVE.

SUBTLE.

Well thought of!--Why, sir, in your new office you will be
liable to all sorts of attacks--Ministers always are, and an
angry boy cannot hope to escape.--Now nothing, you know, is so
much to the purpose as to have the first blow--Blunders are very
natural.--Your friends tell one story in the upper house, and
you another in the lower--You shall give up a territory to the
enemy that you ought to have kept, and when charged with it,
shall unluckily drop that you and your colleagues were ignorant
of the geography of the country--You foresee an attack--you
immediately open--Plans so extensively beneficial--accounts so
perfectly consistent--measures so judicious and accurate--no man
can question--no man can object to--but a rascal and a
knave.--Let him come forward!

KASTRIL.

Very good! very good!--For the QUARREL OPSTREPEROUS, that I
easily conceive.--An antagonist objects shrewdly--I cannot
invent an answer.--In that case, there is nothing to be done but
to drown his reasons in noise--nonsense--and vociferation.

SUBTLE.

Come to my arms, my dear Kastril! O thou art an apt
scholar--thou wilt be nonpareil in the art of brawling!--But for
the QUARREL SENSITIVE--

KASTRIL.

Ay, that I confess I don't understand.

SUBTLE.

Why, it is thus, my dear boy--A minister is apt to be
sore.--Every man cannot have the phlegm of Burleigh.--And an
angry boy is sorest of all.--In that case--an objection is made
that would dumbfound any other man--he parries it with--my
honour--and my integrity--and the rectitude of my intentions--my
spotless fame--my unvaried truth--and the greatness of my
abilities--And so gives no answer at all.

KASTRIL.

Excellent! excellent!

SUBTLE.

The QUARREL OBLIQUE is easy enough.--It is only to talk in
general terms of places and pensions--the loaves and the
fishes--a struggle for power--a struggle for power--And it will
do excellent well, if at a critical moment--you can throw in a
hint of some forty or fifty millions unaccounted for by some
people's grandfathers and uncles dead fifty years ago.

KASTRIL.

Ha! ha! ha!

SUBTLE.

Lastly, for the QUARREL PERSONAL--It may be infinitely
diversified.--I have other instances in my eye,--but I will
mention only one.--Minds capable of the widest comprehension,
when held back from their proper field, may turn to lesser
employments, that fools may wonder at, and canting hypocrites
accuse--A CATO might indulge to the pleasures of the bottle, and
a CAESAR might play--Unfortunately you may have a CAESAR to
oppose you--Let him discuss a matter of finance--that subject is
always open--there you have an easy answer. In the former case
you parried, here you thrust.--You must admire at his
presumption--tell him roundly he is not capable of the
subject--and dam his strongest reasons by calling them the
reasons of a gambler.

KASTRIL.

Admirable!--Oh doctor!--I will thank you for ever.--I will do
any thing for you!

[Face _enters at the corner of the stage, winks at_ Subtle, _and
exit._]

SUBTLE.

"_Come, Sir, the captain will come to us presently--I will have
you to my chamber of demonstrations, and show my instrument for
quarrelling, with all the points of the compass marked upon it.
It will make you able to quarrel to a straw's breadth at
moonlight._

Exeunt."

ARTICLE IX.

REFLEXIONS UPON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BY THOMAS PAINE, M.A. &c. 8vo.

The revolution of America is the most important event of the present century. Other revolutions have originated in immediate personal feeling, have pointed only at a few partial grievances, or, preserving the tyranny entire, have consisted only in a struggle about the persons in whom it should be vested. This only has commenced in an accurate and extensive view of things, and at a time when the subject of government was perfectly understood. The persons, who have had the principal share in conducting it, exhibit a combination of wisdom, spirit and genius, that can never be sufficiently admired.

In this honourable list, the name of Mr. Paine by no means occupies the lowest place. He is the best of all their political writers. His celebrated pamphlet of Common Sense appeared at a most critical period, and certainly did important service to the cause of independency. His style is exactly that of popular oratory. Rough, negligent and perspicuous, it presents us occasionally with the boldest figures and the most animated language. It is perfectly intelligible to persons of all ranks, and it speaks with energy to the sturdy feelings of uncultivated nature. The sentiments of the writer are stern, and we think even rancorous to the mother country. They may be the sentiments of a patriot, they are not certainly those of a philosopher.

Mr. Paine has thought fit to offer some advice to his countrymen in the present juncture, in which, according to some, they stand in considerable need of it. The performance is not unworthy of the other productions of this author. It has the same virtues and the same defects. We have extracted the following passage, as one of the most singular and interesting.

"America has but one enemy, and that is England. Of the English
it behoves us always to be jealous. We ought to cultivate
harmony and good understanding with every other power upon
earth. The necessity of this caution will be easily shewn. For

1. The united states of America were subject to the government
of England. True, they have acknowledged our independence. But
pride first struggled as much as she could, and sullenness held
off as long as she dare. They have withdrawn their claim upon
our obedience, but do you think they have forgot it? To this
hour their very news-papers talk daily of dissentions between
colony and colony, and the disaffection of this and of that to
the continental interest. They hold up one another in absurdity,
and look with affirmative impatience, when we shall fall
together by the ears, that they may run away with the prize we
have so dearly won. It is not in man to submit to a defalcation
of empire without reluctance. But in England, where every
cobler, slave as he is, hath been taught to think himself a
king, never.

2. The resemblance, of language, customs, will give them the
most ready access to us. The king of England will have
emissaries in every corner. They will try to light up discord
among us. They will give intelligence of all our weaknesses.
Though we have struggled bravely, and conquered like men, we are
not without imperfection. Ambition and hope will be for ever
burning in the breast of our former tyrant. Dogmatical
confidence is the worst enemy America can have. We need not fear
the Punic sword. But let us be upon our guard against the arts
of Carthage.

3. England is the only European state that still possesses an
important province upon our continent. The Indian tribes are all
that stand between us. We know with what art they lately sought
their detested alliance. What they did then was the work of a
day. Hereafter if they act against us, the steps they will
proceed with will be slower and surer. Canada will be their
place of arms. From Canada they will pour down their Indians. A
dispute about the boundaries will always be an easy quarrel. And
if their cunning can inveigle us into a false security, twenty
or thirty years hence we may have neither generals nor soldiers
to stop them."

ARTICLE X.

SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDMUND BURKE, ON A MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS OF THANKS TO HIS MAJESTY (ON THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER, 1783) FOR HIS GRACIOUS COMMUNICATION OF A TREATY OF COMMERCE CONCLUDED BETWEEN GEORGE THE THIRD, KING, &C. AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.