the most authentic original of their facred books; and it is no finall honour to our own country, that it has met with encouragement and fupport from fuch a numerous lift of fubfcribers.

The public is also much indebted to Dr. Morell, for his accurate and perfpicuous Tranflation of "The Epiftles of Lucius Annæus Seneca, &c The excellence of thefe Epistles, in a moral view, hath always been justly acknowledged. And, notwithstanding that the fyftems of the moderns teach the fubject of ethics more clearly and intelligibly, ftill the perufal of thefe ancient leffons of wisdom, will always be pleafing and ufeful, on account of the elegant and pointed manner in which they are delivered. And by no perfon could the tranf lation of them have been undertaken with greater profperity than by Dr. Morell, who was a veteran, in claffical learning, and by the bent of his ftudies, well qualified for the difficulties of fuch a talk, and to preferve the peculiar manner of his original. The notes which accompany this tranflation are chiefly intended to render it more intelligible to the English reader. To this work is prefixed the life of Seneca, taken principally from Lipfius, and extracts relating to the character and writings of Seneca, from Tacitus, the Preface of fir Roger L'Eftrange to the Tranflation of Seneca's Morals, and from a Letter of Lord Bolingbroke to Dr. Swift.

Polwhele's "Tranflation into Engh Verfe, of the Idyllia, Epigrams, and Fragments, of Theocritus, Bion, and Mofchus, with the Elegies of Tyrtæus," is recommended to us by the general eafe and harmony of the verfification, the fidelity and spirit with which

fome of the best pieces of his ori ginals are rendered, and the critical and learned obfervations which oc cur in the notes. Sometimes, indeed, his language is more refined, than is confiftent with the fimplicity of paftoral poetry, or is war ranted by his original. Confider ing, however, the great difficulty that must attend the tranflation of Theocritus, whofe style is a mix ture of elegance and clownifhness, Mr. Polwhele is entitled to a con fiderable fhare of commendation.

"The Rape of Helen, from the Greek of Coluthus, with Mifcellaneous Notes," is a tranflation of a work which, though not destitute of imagery and of striking expreffive epithets, difplays no great des gree of merit. It was written during the fixth century, which was no favourable æra for poetic genius. With refpect to the tranflation before us, we cannot fpeak in the highest terms either of its accu◄ racy or harmony. The Notes, however, which accompany it, are proofs of the author's labour and ingenuity, and will be found ufe ful in illuftrating the original, which is evidently mutilated and corrupt.

"Delectus Sententiarum & Hif toriarum, in Ufum Tironum ac-. commodatus," deferves to be recommended, on account of the care with which the author hath select ed his materials, from the purest claffical writers, and from fuch as are of a good moral tendency.

Horne Tooke's "Divertions of Purley," form a very ingenious and valuable publication, which opens a new field to grammarians and lexicographers, and will prove of effential fervice to the interefts of English literature. The leading pofition of his work, which he clearly and fatisfactorily establishes

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is, that particles or indeclinable words (as they have been called) fuch as conjunctions, prepofitions, and adverbs, are the figns of other words that they are merely abbreviations contrived for difpatch of language; and that the fource of all the errors into which gammarians have been led, arifeth from confidering them as the figns of ideas, or the figns of things. This work confifts of ten chapters; the first of which is employed on the divifion or diftribution of language, in which the author justly expo:es the mistakes into which grammarians and philofophers have fallen, in endeavouring to enumerate the diftinct parts of fpeech. The fecond contains fome ingenious obfervations on Mr. Locke's Effay. The third chapter treats of the parts of fpeech, of which Mr. Tooke confiders two forts only to be neceffary for the communication of our thoughts; nouns and verbs. The fourth and fifth chapters he devotes to the noun, the article, and interjection. The four following chapters, the fubftance of which appeared in a letter from the author to Mr. Dunning, in the year 1778, treat of the word that of conjunctions; of the etymology of the English conjunétions; and of prepofitions The work concludes with a chapter on adverbs, which he calls the common link and repofitory of all heterogeneous a known corruptions. Through these chapters we have followed our fenfible author with much pleafure and improvement; and have been wit neffes of the decifive victories which he hath gained over grammarians and etymologifts, to whom we had been accustomed to yield almoft implicit fubmiffion. We could have wifhed, however, that he had been not quite fo fevere, upon their mif

takes and errors. As Mr. H. Tooke calls the prefent treatise only l'art I. we are in anxious expectation of being favoured with his farther refearches into this curious and intricate fubject.

And

Dr. Towers's "Effay on the Life, Character, and Writings of Dr. Samuel Johnson," is principally devoted to a review of his literary character, and a criticitin on his writings; on which account we have affigned it a place in this department of our regifter. in this view, it will be allowed to contain many judicious, candid, and liberal remarks, on the genius, principles, and works of that extraordinary man. His prejudices and imperfections are treated with fufficient tenderness; and the asto nifhing vigour of his mind, and the excellences of his different productions, are difplayed and commended, with a precifion and warmth which do great credit to the abili ties and impartiality of our ef fayift.

The "Effay on the Pre-eminence of the Comic Genius, &c." deferves to be rescued from the oblivion to which critiques on dramatic performances are commonly configned, on account of the many fenfible obfervations, and the marks of an elegant and just taste, by which it is diftinguifhed: but with the competition in which the author places two of our actrefles, who are defervedly favourites with the public, we have nothing to do.

Johnfon and Steevens's Edition of "The Plays of William Shakfpear," hath undergone a third im preffion, revifed and augmented by Mr. Reed of Staples Inn. Of aft the numerous commentaries on our immortal poet, which have been increased to a formidable number, but which have done credit to the

endury and penetration of their authors, we cannot but confider this as the best. Befides judicious omiffions, our prefent editor hath improved the work by valuable communications from fir William Blackitone, fir Jofhua Reynolds, Meflrs. Henley, Henderfon, Monck Mafon, Steevens, Tyrwhitt, and Malone; and by valuable observations and notes of his own, which are founded on a diligent perufal of the old writes, and a careful attention to the customs, manners, and language of the times in which Shakipear lived. To the enthufiaftical admirers of our favourite bard, and who is not an enthufiatical admirer of him?-thefe communications will prove an invaluable prefent. But we are forry to obferve, that the mechnical execution of this valuable work hath been fo negligently performed. With respect to the paper, the type, and the typographical errors, a very blameable indifference hath been fhewn. Of thefe imperfections we hope, that we fhall have no reafon to complain in that grand Edition which is announced to be printed from this copy, and to be adorned with the choiceft productions of our most eminent artists.

Mr. Wheatley's "Remarks on fome of the Characters of Shakpear," though imperfect and unfinifhed, contain fufficient evidences of the author's ingenuity and talle, and leave us to regret that his defign was not completed. It was propofed by him, to trace the different appearances of the fame paffion, in the characters of Richard the Third and Macbeth, according to the different circumstances in which they were placed, and the different difpofitions from which it received its direction. And as far as our author hath gone, he hath difcover

ed confiderable critical penetration, and an intimate acquaintance with the human heart. Macbeth re

The author of confidered," differs in opinion from Mr. Wheatley, in his remarks on that "great bad man." He had attributed to him refolution, but not intrepidity. To this character the prefent writer thinks that he hath ftrong claims, as he is drawn in the reprefentations of Shakspeare; and he fupports his opinion with confiderable ability.

During the prefent year there hath been published a new edition of the 1 atler, with Illuftrations, and Notes, Hiftorical, Biographical, and Critical." For the valuable improvements attending this edi tion, the public is indebted to the care and attention of Dr. Percy, bishop of Dromore. These confiit, principally, of anecdotes refpecting the triumvirate of wits, Steel, Swift, and Addifon, and the other lefs confiderable perfons who were writers in the Tatler, or whofe characters were reprefented in it under fictitious nanes. But betides the entertainment which thefe will afford us, the prefent publication will be found exceedingly useful, on account of the literary information which abounds in the notes. We are furprifed, however, that a work which poffeffes fuch evident marks of great labour and affiduity, fhould be left, in a material refpect, more defective than the former editions, by the omission of an Index.

Sylva, or The Wood; being a Collection of Anecdotes, Differtations, Characters, Apophthegins, Original Letters, Bons Mots, and other little things," is a mifcellaneous and unequal work; but which poffeffes very confiderable merit, and by which we have been highly 8 3 entertained,

entertained. The Author appears to be a perfon of just difcernment, and much acquired knowledge; and many of his obfervations are evidently the result of experience and an acquaintance with the world. Sometimes indeed, his turns of thought are ftrange and peculiar; and his language is coarfe and incorrect. And we think that he hath departed from the liberality by which his papers are generally diftinguifhed, when he paffes an indifcriminate cenfure on all who exprefs their wishes for a reform of political and ecclefiaftical abuses. But, on the whole, we may venture to recommend the Wood, as a collection of just and striking remarks, and curious quotations, which are calculated at once for amufement and instruction.

The Poetical History of the year, were we to mention every publication in verfe, or rhyme, with which the prefs hath teemed, would comprehend a vast variety of articles. But we fhall only give an account, in our ufual compreffed form, of fuch of them as have fuperior claims to our commendation or notice. In this number are the Poems.by Helen Maria Williams, in two vols." This work confifts, partly, of a republication, with corrections and improvements, of fome pieces which had obtained for our poetefs a confiderable share of reputation; and, partly, of fome new picces, which entitle her to rank among the most favoured children of the Mufes. An American Tale; a Hymn to Senfibility; Queen Mary's Complaint; and Euphelia, an Elegy, are eminently pathetic and beautiful. But the part of an Irregular Fragment found in a dark paffage in the Tower, is a most exquifite production; and fhews how capable he is of rifing

to dignified excellence, when the chufes to enter the regions of imagination and paffion. This piece is founded on the idea of an apartment in the Tower, fhut up for ages, in which are affembled the ghofts of all thofe perfons whom hiftory relates to have been murdered in that prifon, and of a murdered royal family, whose story is loft in the lapfe of time. We could not deny ourselves the pleasure of prefenting our readers with the whole of this fragment, in our poetical department. From that they will perceive, that our commendation is not partial or exaggerated.

are

"Florio, and the Bas Bleu, two poems, by Hannah Moore," diftinguifhed by fenfible obfervations, lively defcriptions, and good, humoured fatire. In the first poem, the effects of modern modes of edu cation, and the fentiments and tafte of young men of fashion, and affluent fortunes, are justly ridiculed and expofed; and ancient and mo, dern love are admirably contrafted, The Bas Bleu contains a panegyric on the well known blue ftocking fociety, in which we have a history of learned ladies, from the time of Afpafia to the prefent day; and meet with many brilliant paffages, and entertaining remarks. Thofe who have received instruction from the ufeful moral poems which Mifs Moore formerly published, will not be difpleafed at the opportunity of being agreeably amufed by the fame pen.

Mrs. Cowley's Poem called "The Scottish Village, or Pitcairne Green," owes it's origin to the accidental perufal of a newfpaper, in which were defcribed the ceremonies lately ufed at Pitcairne Green, in Scotland, on marking out the boundaries of an extenfive village, to be erected for the pur

pofe

pose of introducing the Lancashire manufactures into that part of the kingdom. The account of this tranfaction fuggefted to the poetefs an opportunity of defcribing the beauties of rural innocence and fimplicity which are fuppofed at prefent to prevail, contrafted against the refinements and artificial manners of polifhed life, which may gradually be introduced into that place. Our authorefs is well known to the public, from a variety of productions, which have met with their approbation. And in the piece before us, the reader will frequently meet with pleafing imagery and fentiment. But we do not think, that Mrs. Cowley's excellencies are difplayed to the best advantage, in poetical defcription.

Wakefield's edition of "The Poems of Mr. Gray, with Notes," is a work which exhibits the beauties of that author in a striking point of view; and abounds with many pertinent and judicious critical obfervations. The editor's remarks, particularly on Pindaric poetry, are excellent. The parallel paffages, likewife, which he hath collected from ancient authors, difcover an intimate acquaintaince with the best claffical writers, and are felected with taste and judgement. And in his grand object of defending his favourite poet against the animadverfions and ftrictures of Dr. Johnson, we think that he hath fully fucceeded: while we cannot but exprefs our difapprobation of the unbecoming and violent language in which he cenfures the criticifms of that biographer.

felected, with great care, from the Maitland collection, in two vols., which were prefented by the duke of Lauderdale to Mr. Pepys, fecretary to the admiralty in the reigns of Charles II. and James II.; who, at his death, bequeathed them, with other curious MS S., to Magdalen College, Cambridge. Of the authenticity of thefe poems there can be no doubt; and many of them poffefs an elegance of fentiment and expreffion, rarely to be met with in fuch ancient productions. Prefixed to them, we are prefented with an Effay, by Mr. Pinkerton, on the Origin of Scottish Poetry; and a Lift of all the Scottish Poets, from Thomas Lermont, who flourifhed about the year 1270, to Alexander Rofs, who was living in 1768. At the end of the fecond volume, we have many copious notes, and a gloffary, explaining the obsolete words which occur in them. In the Effay, and the editor's remarks on the merits of the refpective poets, he difcovers a confiderable degree of historical knowledge and hath prepared for his readers much information and entertainment. But he betrays, at the fame time, too great a fondness for unneceffary digreffions, that he may attack the fame and character of fome of our beft writers and books; and a weak, illiberal affectation of infidelity. When he confines himself to facts, he is ingenious and inftructive; but when he deviates into the wilds of fpeculation, he forfeits the honour due to impartial and unprejudiced investigation.

Burns's Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect," are the productions of a man in a low ftation in life, which he compofed "to amuse himfelf with the little creations of his own tancy, amid the toil and fatigues of labour; to transcribe the

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