MONTHLY CATALOG U E, For DECEMBER, 1779.

POLITICAL.

Art. 14. A Short Hiftory of the Administration, during the Summer Recefs of Parliament. 8vo. I s. 6d. Fielding, &c. 1779.

TH

HE Writer is even with the Hiftorian of Oppofition, during the laft Seffion,-from whom he feems to have borrowed the hist of his title page; and, like him, hath, perhaps, drawn his bow with too much strength, and overfhot the mark.' They are both able Writers, but we credit neither of them in the violence of their blackening reprefentations. One afcribes the impending ruin of this country to the active malignity of the anti-minifterial party; the other gives a monstrous catalogue of the enormities of adminiftration, from whence he deduces the inevitable destruction of the British empire, unless we are faved by a speedy change of minifters, as well as meafures. It may be fo; and perhaps we should hazard nothing by the experiment. Yet, after all, it is the opinion of moderate men, that our miniflers at home, as well as our commanders abroad, have been more unfortunate than criminal.-The voice of Moderation, however, is not likely to be heard, amidst the din and tumult of the times.

Art. 15. Anticipation, for the Year 1779. Containing the Subftance of his M- -y's Speech to both H-s of P

on the Opening of the approaching Seffion; together with a full and authentic Account of the Debate which will take place in the He of C- -ns on the Motion for the Addrefs and the Amendment. With Notes. 8vo. I s. 6d. Bladon. 1779.

O imitatores! fervum pecus. This, like most imitations, is much inferior to the original. A few gleanings of humour the Author has collected; which, however, are fo poor and fcanty, that they deferved not to be prefented to the world in the formality of a feparate publication.

Art. 16. Anticipation continued. Containing the Substance of the Speech intended to be delivered from the Te to both Houfes of P-r-m-t, on the Opening of the enfuing Seffion. To which is added, a Sketch of the Debate which will take place in the H-fe of L-ds, on the Motion for the Addrefs and Amendment. 8vo. 1 s. 6d. Bew. 1779.

This is a ftill nearer imitation of Mr. Tickell's admirable pamphlet, of ludicrous memory. Sed quantum diftat ab ille? Art. 17. The Cabinet Conference; or, Tears of Miniftry. PRESENT the KING-Duke of Richmond-Earl of Shelburne-Lord North, Lord G. Germaine. 8vo. 1 s. 6 d. Kearfly. 1779. Another thing, of the Anticipation kind: ill imagined, and worse written. The Author makes his Majefty become a convert to the opinions of the Duke of R. and Lord S. In confequence of which,

*For our account of the Short Hiftory of Oppofition, fee Review, July, p. 68.

the

the Lords N. and G. G. are turned out. The first of these events is just as likely to happen as the fecond.

Art. 18. A Letter to the Right Honourable Lord Viscount H―e, on his naval Conduct in the American War. 8vo. Is. Wilkie. Charges the noble Ad-1 (as his brother, the G1, had been charged before) with the most palpable and criminal negligence and misconduct, in regard to the profecution of the American war; leaving the Reader to account for it, if he can, from connexions with oppofition at home,—from fecret favour to the American defection,from views of private intereft,-or from the co-operation of all these unworthy principles. The feveral charges are distinctly drawn from a feries of well-known facts; and they are urged with great force of expreffion the greater, perhaps, for the care with which the intelligent Writer avoids all perfonal abuse and fcurrility.

:

Art. 19. An Address to the Reprefentatives in Parliament, on the State of the Nation. 8vo. Is. Almon. 1779.

After a difplay of the nefarious and ftudied arts of administration, to mifreprefent and blacken the caufe of oppofition, and to fupport their own ruinous fyftem, the Author, with great earnestnefs, and in no contemptible language, points out to the reprefentatives of the people, at the opening of the feffion, the principal and immediate objects of public concern-the war with France, Spain, and America. He wishes parliament to confider the two former, only, as the enemies of Great Britain; and he advises, that by a decifive vote, the latter fhall be declared free and independent; and that the King be addreffed to withdraw his troops: by which measure, the Americans, he apprehends, will be affured of our good faith and fincerity.-The natural confequence, he is ftrongly perfuaded, will be, an happy union between both countries. For his reafonings on this fubject, we must refer to his Addrefs; as well as for what he fays on the conduct which we ought to purfue, in regard to the difpute with Ireland;-into which he enters circumftantially. He argues in favour of the Irish claims; and concludes his pamphlet with the following paragraph:

• When you have confidered and difpofed of the two material objects which have been mentioned in the beginning of this letter, America and Ireland, you will be at leifure to inveftigate the caufes which have hurried us to this brink of ruin; and when you have difcovered the movers or promoters of them, with the fame fpirit which has given liberty and peace to a continent, and the participation of commercial benefits to your fellow-fubjects, you will execute that final act of justice, which will be a worthy accompaniment to fuch an exercise of your power, and which will be revered by a grateful pofterity!'

Art. 20. An Addrefs to the People of Great Britain, on the Meeting of Parliament. 8vo. 1 s. Cadell. 1779.

Among the other arts of adminiftration, we have often heard complaint made of their employing their literary emiffaries to imprefs the minds of the people with an idea, that patriotifm is mere pretence; that the active affertors of their liberties and rights are only the tools of faction; that obstruction to state-measures is nothing but fedition; and that private intereft is the real motive, while Hh2

public

public good is the fpecious language of thofe of our nobility and gentry who diftinguish themselves, by what is called Oppofition, in either Houfe of Parliament.-Thus, "by fcattering the feeds of diffidence and mistrust, if administration can induce the people to withhold their countenance from those who by their meritorious fervices are in full poffeflion of it, the confequence appears certain, that the contempt of the patriot will counteract the effect of his fervices; and the advantage and fecurity proffered by him will be rejected, because the hand prefenting them is become fufpected."-Something like this is obferved by the Author of the tract which is the subject of the preceding Article; who likewife adds, that by thus continuing to treat the minority with ridicule and contempt, the miniferial party flatter themselves that the people will, in time, be drawn in to conclude, as an undoubted fact, that the profeffion of patriotifm has its foundation only in private advantage, or perfonal enmity; that the patriot of this day would be the tyrant of to-morrow; and that ALL are united in the approbation and purfuit of one arbitrary fyftem of power."--Thus will the deluded people be perfuaded to difarm their champions; not once recollecting that when the mastis are muzzled, the wolves have nothing to do but to ravage the fold at their pleasure.

The Author of this Addrefs to the People, harangues them in the frain above alluded to. According to him, the nation, whatever it may imagine, is happy in a miniftry almoft faultlefs. He feems indeed to question whether any part of their conduct be reprehenfible; but if, in any thing, they are to be blamed, it is,- that inftead of lopping the branches, no ftroke has been aimed at the root of rebellion; that the voice of fedition has been fuffered to prevail in the very heart of our kingdom, unnoticed, and unpunished; that traitors and incendiaries have not been dragged forth to public view, and facrificed to public juftice.'-This is openly and bravely faid; and we have only to regret that the worthy Author has not favoured the Public with the names of thofe incendiaries and traitors' to whom he alludes; for, doubtlefs, if he knows that fuch men are among us, he could tell who they are.-If ever his lift appears, we hope fuch names as HAMPDEN, SIDNEY, RUSSEL, or even poor ALDERMAN CORNISH, will not be found in it.-We have only to add, that we perfectly agree with this admirer of our most excellent adminiftration, in admiring their lenity. See p. 15.

Art. 21. Address to both Houses of Parliament.

Murray. 1779.

8vo. 15

The perufal of this little piece of zealous loyalty reminds us of fcenes in past times, when the purlieus of Grub ftreet were not urknown to Martinus Scriblerus. Take, Reader, a fample:

Enter BOOKSELLER,

Book. Well, Sir, have you finished the third sheet?

AUTH. Not yet, Mr. Curl; but I hope to fend you feven pages of copy before the end of the week; which you will eaûly bump out into fixteen of your print.

Book. End of the week! Z-ds, Sir, the Houfe will be up be fore we shall be ready to publish, and then, perhaps, it won't fell enough to pay for advertising! If this is to be the cafe, pray how am I

to be paid for the black coat and red breeches that I fent you to go out in laft Sunday? I never wore them but during that one year, when I ferv'd conftable, fcavenger, and questman.

AUTH. "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Fear not, this piece will fell better than the laft. [and I believe you came pretty well home in that, too!] Only attend to this paffage : "Accurfed be the oppofition that diftracts the councils, that animates "the foes, and would weaken, in the time of exigence, the execu"tive power of the flate! It is an infult on the understanding, a "difgrace to the public virtue of the nation, and can be abetted "only by those who are dupes of the enemies, or are themfelves "enemies of their country."-What fay you to that, Sir?

Book. Why, that may be; but I know not how it is,-these government puffs feldom do-Could we but get an order for the poftoffice to circulate for us, as they did Mr. What's his Name's abufe of the Oppofition, t'would be femerhat!

AUTH. Well recollected! The under-fecretary's clerk never gave me any thing for the dedication of my "Argument to prove that Miniftry can do no wrong." He cannot, furely, refufe me an order for this new piece, which is fo frong for the Court :-Right or wrong, you know, I am always for the Court!

Book. You have hit it! That under-fecretary's clerk can get it done for a word's fpeaking.

AUTH. And if I fucceed, you will fay no more about the black coat, and the red breeches!.

Book. No-no-Excufe me, I'm in a hurryt'ye, Mr. Scribble.

[Exit.

-Good morning

AUTH. A good morrow to you, Mr. Curl [Damn bim, and his old cloaths too! The coat was threadbare before I had it; and the breeches had been new feated: and yet the kin-flint wretch talks of stopping thirty fhillings for them!-Well! 'tis to be hoped my merit will not always efcape the attention of government; and that I fhall, fome time or other, get out of this fellow's harpy clutches, and this vile garret !]

SCENE II.

Enter Bookfeller, almost out of Breath.

Book. We are all in the wrong box!-The devil take thefe weather-cock times! Why the Ins are out, and the Outs are in! and, now what's to become of your fine defence of yesterday's minifter, and his measures, which is almoft printed off?

AUTH. Are you fure of your intelligence?

Book. As fure as that, now, I fhall never be reimbursed for the black coat and the breeches.

AUTH. How often must I recommend patience to you! Let me fee -- -- I have it!-Suppofe we turn this fame abortive new piece into an encomium on the new adminiftration? You fay it is nearly printed; therefore we fhall be first in the field; not an author in all Grub-street can get the start of us.

Vid. p. 10-11 of this Address.

Hh3

Book

Book. But can you poffibly alter it fo as to make a defence of the Jaft ministry fit thefe new people, who were but yesterday in oppofition?

AUTH. Fit? Never fear me nothing more easy-what think you, now (by way of example), of that very fame paffage that I read to you, the last time you did me the honour of stepping up to my apartment - "Accurfed be the Oppofition," &c. [reads the paffage above quoted].- -Will not this ANIMATED EXCLAMATION apply as well to the new Oppofition (a new one, no doubt, is already formed) as it would have applied to the laft?

BOOK. Why, as you fay, this cap will equally fit any head, is or out. But fill, we must get the order for the post-office. AUTH. Leave all to my management.-And as for the confideration which you expect for the black coat and red breeches,Book. Get but the order, and the D- take the breeches!

[Exit in a burry.

We have given these conversations as an illuftration of the political virtue of thofe literary worthies who, by invariably attaching themfelves to the powers that be, are always on the right fide of every party difpute. Thefe gentlemen are ever at a lofs, with the Author of the prefent Address, to " perceive on what the most virulent ene"mies of government can fix, as an object of cenfure, with any de"gree of plausibility, far lefs of justice." And with them and bis too, the constant cry is-" To the indelible reproach of the times, "there exifts among us, a fet of men, who have laboured for feve"ral years to traverse every object of administration, and have even "prostituted the dignity of parliament to the basest purposes of "faction +."-Turn out the Ins, and let in the Outs, and, with thefe idolizers of power, the cry is ftill the fame. The revolutions at St. James's make no revolution in Grub-street, or St. Giles's. The fame panegyrics, the fame invectives, have served for all fucceffions of Majorities and Minorities that ever danced the political hay, from the times of the third William, to thofe of the third George; and they will continue to anfwer the fame righteous end, till Kings, and Minifters, and Grub-street politicians, and Monthly Reviewers, fhall be no more.

Art. 22. Subftance of Political Debates on his Majesty's Speech, on the Addrefs, and the Amendment: November 25, 1779With Remarks on the State of the Irish Claim to a free Trade. By a Volunteer. 8vo. I s. Faulder.

Offers fome pertinent remarks on the speeches of the Lords Grantham, Rockingham, Coventry, Lyttelton, and Hillsborough, in the Upper House, on the Address and Amendment, &c. The Author is very tart upon the Oppofition; and not above half pleased with the Irish claim of a free trade. However, after a brief statement of our laws of commercial reftraint, on the one hand, and fubfequent indulgences granted on the other, with respect to Ireland, he profeffes himself willing to accede to whatever is reasonable in the claims of our fifter-island. How far different perfons, or parties, will agree + Id. p. 9.

* Address, P. 2—5.