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which, with some others in the collection, have been, before published, are on the subject of Psalmody.' One great design of them is to recommend Merrick's metrical version of the psalms, as it has been accommodated, with suitable stanzas and tunes by Mr. Tattersal, to general use in the public service of the church.'- Many additional remarks relative to this part of divine worship will reader these sermons acceptable to many readers; and the particular end proposed by them seems to have been attained in St. John's church, Wakefield.

In the second volume, we have a memoir of the life and cha. racter of John Savage, Esq. of Brompton Grove, Knights-bridge, well drawn up by a Lady;-and also in the same volume, surne pages respectfully dedicated to the memory of Richard Linnecar, Esq. who is styled, in masonic language, Right worshipful Master of the Lodge of Unanimity.' The tract which concludes the work, under the title of A word for the Poor,' farther displays the benevolence and compassion of this author.

Art. 19. The Duties of Religion and Morality, as inculcated in the Holy Scriptures; with preliminary and occasional Observations: by Henry Tuke. J2mo. pp. 211. 2s. 6d. Boards. York, printed; London, sold by Arch.

This neat manual promises to be useful to those readers who will allow it due attention. Having perused it with some satisfaction, we do not hesitate to recommend it. The author belongs to the respectable fraternity of Friends, but writes as a christian rather than as a sectary; his style is plain, and not incorrect; and his general object is to inculcate simplicity, truth, and benevolence. He illustrates his subject sometimes by a short quotation from different writers, such as Addison, De Villers, Abp. Newcome, Blair, &c. but his principal object is Divine Revelation, numerous passages from which are with great propriety selected, attended with suitable remarks and application. One false reference is found in page 16th, where a most valuable sentiment, Godliness is profitable to all things &c. is ascribed to St. Peter, but is well known to be the apostle Paul's excellent remark.

POLITICS.

Art. 20. Observations on the American Treaty, in Eleven Letters.. First published in "the Sun," under the Signature of Decius. 8vo. pp. 75. 2s. 6d. Budd. 1808.

As this Treaty never has been ratified, it seems rather idle to comment on it: but the present writer takes it up as a specimen by which a judgment may be formed of the temper and ability of the late Ministers. Their judge in this case is their inveterate enemy; and he does not dissemble his hostility, though he still promises a fair and candid dealing, a promise which he no sooner makes than he violates. His statements with regard to the rule of the war of 1756 betray either the most gross ignorance or wilful misrepresentation. He flatly de nies that the preceding conduct of the British Government had created any embarrassment in discussions relating to the rule in ques. tion: but from the imperfect account of that rule in the tract called

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"War in Disguise," he might have avoided this barefaced error. The fact with regard to this rule is that it was only endured in the war of 1756 owing to peculiar circumstances: that during the American war it lay dormant that it was revived in the revolutionary war, and rendered operative during a few months, but then retracted, and compensation given to the sufferers for all the captures made under it; and finally that it was renounced in the Russian treaty in 1801. Of this kind has been our conduct in regard to this famous rule, and of which this writer has the assurance to say that it left the matter freely before the British Commissioners.

Decius next introduces the subtilties by which the Prize Courts have attempted to assert their consistency, and we must admit that they are exquisite. Real importation and continuity of voyage are elevated into august mysteries, which the learned Judges acknowlege them selves to be unable to define; and by this glorious uncertainty the fortunes of neutral strangers are to be placed in extreme jeopardy. We blush over those fluctuating decisions by which so many private unoffending individuals have been ruined.

Affecting professions of candour, the author continues to inveigh bitterly against the Commissioners, because they treat the Americans as amicissima gens. When we consider that these very people are our descendants, and were our fellow subjects till our oppressions forced them to revolt and our weakness rendered them independent,-and when we reflect that they take from us manufactures to the amount of ten millions annually, it seems strange that a human being can work himself up to utter sentiments so palpably absurd as those with which we are here presented. According to this writer, it is owing to Lord Auckland that every thing was not sacrificed to the interest of America. Poor as is our opinion of him, we do not regard the anonymous pamphleteer as capable of believing this statement himself. The concluding article of charge against the Commissioners is Mr. Jefferson's refusal to ratify the treaty; a fact which creates a strong presumption against the accusations of this furious partisan. Art. 21, Thoughts and Suggestions on the Means apparently necessary to be adopted by the Legislature towards improving the Condition of the Irish Peasantry. By Robert Bellew, Esq. ovo. 38. Ridgway. 1808.

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Many affecting recitals have been given of the miserable condition of the Peasantry in Ireland; and we cannot be so insensible to the wretchedness of this large portion of our fellow-subjects, as not to be interested in those suggestions which are offered for their relief. Mr. Bellew writes with a feeling and patriotic heart; and his animated exertions, whatever may be their success, will reflect honour on him as a man, an Irish gentleman, and a Christian. It is rarely considered how much the people of all countries are fashioned in their principles and habits by their civil and religious institutions, and consequently how much their virtues and comforts depend on wise legislation. Mr. B., however, seems to be fully alive to this important principle; and therefore he commences with observing that the Legisla ture must lay the foundation of Irish amelioration, and that, until this be done, individual exertion, though well intended and wisely directed,

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directed, will produce only a partial and scanty effect. Among other subjects to which he would invite the consideration of Government, he particularly species the tithing system, the Grand Jury presentments, and the degraded state of the Catholic Clergy. Of the first, he does not hesitate, after a full examination of the case, to propose total abo ition, and to recommend the substitution of an equitable landtax in the room of tithes and also of county-rates. His doctrine that the Clergy are virtually only the annuitants of Government, and that it is ridiculous to urge a jure divino right of tithe, will not (he knows) be relished; and therefore he prepares himself for the obloquy which must descend on him, for having proposed that they should be paid out of another fund.

It is farther remarked that the declaration of Uni will confer no benefit on Ireland, unless it be followed by some wholesome regula tions, adapted to the wants, habits, and even prejudices of the people. Under the last of these heads, he discusses the policy of making a legal provision for the Roman Catholic Clergy; which he sensibly regards as a measure which would unite the physical and moral means of im proving the condition of the Irish Peasantry. At present, the Catholic Clergy, who exist on the pittance that piety borrows from poverty,' are not in a condition to effect the good which they would be able to accomplish were they in more comfortable circumstances; and therefore Mr. B. would assist them by regular stipends, since there is little prospect of conveying moral and religious instruction to the people at large by the instrumentality of the established Clergy: the Catholics, in the provinces of Leinster, Munster, and Connaught, being to the Protestants as nine to one, the parish churches in the se veral dioceses bearing a small proportion to the number of the parishes, and those churches being nearly deserted +.-For the arrangement and xecution of a plan for the improvement of the people, Mr. B. proposes that a Society should be established in Dublin, under the name of the Friends of the Irish Peasantry,

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 22 Sketches relative to the History and Theory, but more espe cially to the Practice of Dancing; as a necessary Accomplishment to the Youth of both Sexes; together with Remarks on the Defects and bad Habits they are liable to in carly Life, and the best Means of correcting or preventing them. Intended as Hints to the young Teachers of the Art of Dancing. By Francis Peacock, Aberdeen. 8vo. PP. 224. 5s. Boards. Printed at Aberdeen, and sold by Longman and Co. London.

The diocese of Killaloe, for instance, includes 151 parishes, but only 37 churches.

I have been (says Mr. B.) at country-churches, where the whole congregation, including parson and clerk, did not amount to half a dozen individuals.' The story, therefore, of Swift's address to dearly beloved Roger might have been a true anecdote; and indeed we have been told of churches in Ireland, the clergymen of which could not even obtain a solitary Roger to say Amen,

It might appear as a species of problem, why those who regulate and adjust the carriage and motions of the body assume to themselves generally more consequence than they who form and adorn the mind? The philosopher is humble and hesitating, while the posture-master is lofty and confident.-It is impossible not to remark the complacence with which the masters of dancing survey their own art, and how high they lift it in the scale of things that are great and useful. They are struck with amazement at its importance. This matter, however, is no longer a problem when the success of the different workmen is considered. The effect produced on the bodyremains; while the influence gained over the mind is inconstant and evanescent. The air and elegance that the posture-teacher has imparted accompanies a man onwards, to the grave: but knowlege may be forgotten, and good habits disappear, driven out by contrary biases. Alcibiades often dishonoured the instructions of his great teacher Socrates, but he never disgraced his dancing-master. The females of Athens always saw him elegant and graceful; while the strenuous lovers of virtue frequently lamented his defects and his errors.-It is the consciousness therefore of not labouring in vain, and of the permanence of the effects which they have produced, that gives to the professors of the art of dancing that satisfaction and confidence which excite our wonder.

We doubtless see a portion of this complacence exhibited in the work before us: but it is accompanied with so much good humour, and so pure a desire to spread wide that which appears meritorious to the author, that we cannot refuse to enter into his feelings.-He was a pupil of Desnoyer, Glover, and Lally, remembered only by those who have long ago ceased to dance, and has taught in his profession for 60 years. He considers the origin and antiquity of dancing; its utility its requisite qualities; the minuet; the Scotch reel; chorography, or the notation of dances; hints to young teachers of dan cing; observations on walking; defects of the body, and methods of correction and cure; of the chest and shoulders, &c. &c. He details his matter in 15 chapters, and speaks with much good sense and abundance of skill on the subjects which he treats.

Mr. P. reasons on the utility and necessity of dancing, but he also seeks for examples to confirm his positions. For instance:

A young gentleman, (a pupil of mine), who had been more attentive to his literary pursuits than to his external accomplishments, was called to Jamaica by an uncle who was retiring from business, and who soon after settled a great part of his fortune upon him. He had not been long there before he was sensible of the want of those qualifications he had before thought so lightly of; for he found whenever he was under the unavoidable necessity of being in company where dancing was introduced, that he always was, as it were, thrown into the back ground from his inability to acquit himself with any degree of propriety. He had a young relation whom he wished to settle under his own eye; he therefore wrote to his father desiring him above all things not to spare any expence with respect to his dancing; telling him at the same time he never regretted any thing so much as that, instead of half-blinding himself by reading Greek

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and Latin, he had not paid more attention to his scrapes, bows, and pas-graves. He then mentions a young man who about this period had been but a few months at Jamaica, a candidate for fortune's favour. He had few introductory letters with him of any consequence; however, fortunately for him, he had a most engaging manner and address. This circumstance induced a gentleman he had been made acquainted with to introduce him at an assembly, where he acquitted himself so well as to attract the attention of all present; who from this time vied with each other who should be of most use to him. In short, he was soon settled in a situation far beyond his most sanguine expectations.'

The Scotch reel being so much the fashion at present, we may venture to indulge ourselves with hearing what Mr. P. says respecting it. He speaks of the fondness of the Highlanders for this dance:

I have seen (says he) children of theirs at five or six years of age attempt, nay even execute, some of the steps of this dance so well, as almost to surpass belief. I once had the pleasure of seeing in a re mote part of the country, a reel danced by a herd boy and two young girls, who surprised me much, especially the boy, who appeared to be about 12 years of age. He had a variety of well chosen steps, and executed them with so much justness and case as if he meant to set criticism at defiance. Our colleges draw to Aberdeen every year a number of students from the Western isles, as well as from the Highlands, and the greater part of them excel in this dance; some of them indeed in so superior a degree, that I myself have thought them worthy of imitation."

The author then analyses the steps of the Scotch reel; describing minutely the forward step; the setting step; the double footing step; cross springs; chasing steps; cross passes; minor step; open step; turning step; and then the combination and mixture of the steps, that the dancer may change, divide, add to, or invert the dif ferent steps, in whatever way he thinks best adapted to the tune, or most pleasing to himself. We would refer the reader, whose light heart pants after evolutions so seducing, to the book itself; for we are afraid to be minute, lest we should seem to lose that censorial gravity which our readers know it has always been our study to preserve, as becoming the august chair in which we sit.-We should not conclude without informing our readers, however, that the profits of this publication are intended by the author to assist in the establishment of a lunatic hospital. The idea seems rather peculiar ; but we must not suspect the author of feeling, or intending to intimate, any analogy between his subject and the nature of the malady which he thua charitably contemplates.

Art 23. An Essay on the Epistles of Ignatius. By the Rev. W. Cockburn, M.A. Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge, and late Fellow of St. John's College. 8vo, pp. 23. 1s. 6d. Hatchard.

The Advocate plays his part very well, but is not able to clear up those circumstances which formed the objections of Daillé, and ccasioned the doubts of Larduer, Mosheim, and Gibbon. In this

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