Some characters in high life are attempted on this satiric canvas: but we cannot add that they are sketched with a masterly hand. One person among the great, designated by ****, is thus held up to view: But Fortune, ever mindful of his fate, Whores he must have, no matter from what source, View haughty ****, then doubt me if you can.' On the profession of the law, Mr. Daniel pours forth his vengeance: but can he be justified in the hint which he throws out respecting modern juries? • What, TRUTH a LIBEL?-heaven defend my cause, Farther on, Mr. D. lashes the gentlemen of the law, and seems to point his rage at a certain Chief Justice: • Let no dull Justice take his daily pains, And deeming libels worse because they're true, The prophecy, at the end of the satire, would teach us to hope that a certain illustrious prince will emulate the fame of Henry V., whose history is given, and then this hobbling couplet follows: Apply the tale-there perhaps may come a time In general, however, the lines have an easy flow, and the rhymes are good; yet such as speak' and cheek,' 'fate' and wait,' 'calm' and 'harm,' &c., cannot but offend us. Mr. Daniel is perhaps capable of more energy than he has here displayed; and if he should be P 2 mere more difficult in pleasing himself, he will be more likely to succeed in pleasing his readers. The poems subjoined to the Times are not of sufficient consequence to intitle them to particular notice. NOVELS. Art. 17. The Curate and his Daughter; a Cornish Tale, by Elizabeth Isabella Spence, Author of "Summer Excursions," "The Nobility of the Heart," &c. 12mo. 3 Vols. 15s. Boards. Longman and Co. 1812. The sentiments of this novel are unexceptionable: but the story abounds with improbabilities, and the author's morality is more correct than her grammar; since almost every page contains some inaccuracies, vulgarisms, or absurdities. For instance, in Vol. i. page 61., we read of the transitive breast of Lady Sophia;' in Vol. ii. page 85., the same lady is made to exclaim, I drive my coach in six ;' in Vol. iii. we read of episcopalian bishops;' in page 188., the epithet of beautiful incognito' is addressed by one of the principal personages to his mistress; and the name of St. Aubyn is throughout metamorphosed into Seyntaubyne. Art. 18. The Faithful Irish Woman; or the House of Dunder. By Captain S. S. De Renzy. 12mo. 2 Vols. Ios. 6d. Boards. Sherwood and Co. 1813. Several expressions occurring in this work seem to evince that the author is the countryman of his fictitious heroine: but his work has also many grammatical errors which cannot be excused as being Irishisms; and it is moreover disfigured by double entendre. Yet the character of a faithful Irish domestic is well drawn: her language appears to have been copied from nature; and her uncouth expressions of attachment render some scenes at once laughable and touching. Art. 19. She Thinks for Herself. 12mo. 3 Vols. 16s. 6d. Boards. Longman and Co. 1813. Here is repeated, in very ordinary language, the hackneyed story of a fair damsel, who takes refuge in a farm-house from the persecution of her lovers, and, though amiably officiating in every menial capacity, preserves her hands and her dress as spotless as her mind. Some laudable sentiments, however, are to be found in the third volume; and, though this novel offers no attraction to fastidious readers, its faults of composition are not sufficiently glaring to prevent it from being placed, with many of its peers, on the shelves of a circulating library. Art. 20. A Hero of Salamanca; or the Novice Isabel. By H. M. Moriarty, Author of "Brighton in an Uproar," &c. 12mo. Vols. 158. Boards. Souter. 1813. In the commencement of this tale, we are abruptly introduced to a most courageous infant, who, having an arm and a leg broken, falls asleep till the surgeon arrives to set them; and the rest of the story is equally natural. We object to such names as Captain Ap-strap,' The Reverend Mr. Faith,' and Lieutenant Amphibious; and we blame blame the author for inserting long descriptions of Oxford, Cambridge, and the kingdom of Siam, without an acknowlegement of the Geographical Dictionary whence they are borrowed. These passages are the best in the work, but they will be insufficient to preserve it from oblivion. Art. 21. Vaga; or a View of Nature. By Mrs. Peck, Author of "Maid of Avon," &c. 12mo, 3 Vols. 18s. Boards. Robinsons. 1813. The first title of this novel is perhaps more applicable than the author supposes, for we have seldom met with a book so deficient in point and meaning, or so replete with "long passages that lead to nothing." In some parts of the work, an imitation of Mad. Cottin's or Miss Owenson's writings appears to be intended: but the likeness is so unfavourable as to remind us of Dr. Johnson's observa. – tion on the production of one of his imitators: "It has the inflation of the Sybil without her inspiration." Art. 22. Scotch Law Suits; or a Tale of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. By the Author of "The Two Brothers." 12mo. 4s. 6d. Boards. Robinson. 1812. This short tale bears some resemblance to the French "Causes aelèbres," from its intricacy of legal perplexities, and the simplicity with which they are related. A little more embellishment and amplification might have excited greater interest for the principal characters than will now be felt: but the story of Mrs. Wilson is original; and the work is recommended by its brevity, and its entire freedom from affectation or false taste. EDUCATION. Art. 23. Conseils à ma Fille; ou nouveaux Contes; i.e. Advice to my Daughter, or more Tales. By J. N. Bouilly, Author of "Tales for my Daughter." 12mo. pp. 319. Boards. Colburn. 1813. This volume may be considered as a sequel to the former production of the same author, which was mentioned in the M. R. for Jan. 1811, since M. Bouilly still offers his advice under the attractive form of tales. In some of these compositions, however, the denouement is too theatrical; many of the characters are such as will scarcely be found in real life; and in the story intitled Les Presomptions,' the mistakes of the two sisters are exaggerated till they become unnatural. Yet, as this work uniformly inculcates lessons of practical morality, while it offers an agreeable variety of anecdotes, it may be read with amusement and advantage. Art. 24. The Juvenile Spectator. Part II. Containing some Account of Old Friends, and an Introduction to a few Strangers. By Arabella Argus. 12mo. Darton. 1812. We noticed this writer's first volume in the Review for January, 1811, and we announce with pleasure the second part of so pleasing a work. The idea of a Spectator for children is ingenious; and the trifling faults and unpleasant habits to which they are liable are here dis P 3 played played in a good-humoured and amusing manner. We cannot, how. ever, congratulate Mrs. Argus on having attained the grammatical accuracy to which we counselled her to aspire. In page 38., we read the following sentence: The last twelve months has made;' and in page 142., Whose amiable mind and excellent character has excited,' &c. Art. 25. The Lady-Birds' Lottery; or the Fly's Alphabet. By Queen Mab. Pocket 4to. Is. Longman and Co. 1813. Although it is beyond the comprehension of those children who have still the alphabet to learn, this ingenious performance may afford amusement in the nursery, and procure additional popularity for Queen Mab. Art. 26. A Guide to Tutors, Parents, and private Students, in the Selection of Elementary School Books, in every Branch of Education, by the late Rev. Joshua Collins. A new Edition, revised and enlarged, by the Rev. Samuel Catlow, late Master of the Seminary at Wimbledon, &c. 12mo. 18. 6d. Longman and Co. Elementary books for children are now published in such numbers, that a work like the present becomes desirable to assist the choice of teachers, by pointing out some of the most eligible performances in the different branches of education. Messrs. Collins and Catlow are too fond of recommending selections of history and poetry, instead of entire works which might be read with still greater advantage: but, on the whole, they have executed their task with ability, and have produced an useful little volume. MEDICINE, &c. Art. 27. The Esculapian Monitor; or faithful Guide to the History of the human Species, and most important Branches of medical Philosophy; combined with moral Reflections, and enforced by religious Precepts. By the Rev. Ed. Barry, M.D., Rector of St. Mary's, Wallingford. 8vo. pp. 170. 4s. 6d. Boards. Long-man and Co. This work exhibits a character of benevolence in the writer, which we should have wished to have seen supported by a corresponding share of genius and ability: but, when the intention seems to have been pure, we are not disposed to criticize with severity any failure in the execution. This performance, as we may learn from the title, combines science with morality; the author describing the functions and structure of the body, and from these deducing rules for its proper government and direction. We do not know that the design can be considered as in itself objectionable; indeed it holds out strong recommendations; yet, from some cause, it has very generally happened that such plans have failed; and, in the present instance, the scientific part is unfortunately so meagre as to render it almost useless. observations relative to medicine, however, must have the advantage of being harmless; since their extreme barrenness must prevent even the most sanguine reader from supposing that he had derived from them any insight into the knowlege or cure of disease. We will quote the whole section on dropsy: The Dropsies • Dropsies are chronical diseases, and originate from lax fibres, and may be either of general, or particular, affection of the body. The immediate cause of all dropsies arises from the circumstance of the exhaling vessels throwing off more fluid than the absorbent vessels can take up again. The indications of cure will principally consist in endeavouring to remove the cause of the disease, in discharging the waters effused into the several cavities, and fortifying the patient against a relapse, by nutritious and warm diet; strengthening the solids by proper medicines and exercise, and refraining, as much as possible, from the use of fluids.' To the latter part of the work we must allow more merit: it consists of a series of Remedies, in all cases of emergency, from sudden accident and alarm, which demand prompt and immediate help, chiefly selected from Dr. Fothergill's preservative plan, Dr. Struve's practical essay, and the reports of the Royal Humane Society; to which are added some other important observations.' It includes also the treatment of drowned persons, burning of females by their clothes having caught fire, a few cautions that might prevent the frequency of houses on fire,' and other articles of a similar nature. It is indeed a collection of useful information. We conclude by quoting a set of general precepts, on the important concerns of health, and of acquiring the habits of a wellordered mind. Although some of these precepts may be deemed trifling, many very wise persons would do well to attend to them. 1. Exercise, temperance, and chastity, are as angelic guardians to preserve health; while indolence, excess, and sensuality, are the ambush demons to destroy it. 2. Avoid costiveness of body, by the occasional use of gently laxative medicines. 3. Proportion the clothing to the state of the weather, and if very liable to take cold—or subject to rheumatic affections, wear flannel next to the skin. 4. Guard against obstructed perspiration as much as possible; it is the lamentable source, in this variable climate, of the greater part of the diseases of its inhabitants. 5. Keep the feet warm, and the head moderately cool. 6. Avoid all sudden extremes, especially quick transitions from heat to cold, and from cold to heat. 7. Cleanliness of person, early retirement to bed, and quitting it betimes in the morning, give vigor to the intellect, cheerfulness to the mind, and firmness to the constitution.' Art. 28. The German Syphilitic Physician; or a Treatise on the Venereal Disease; containing the newest Method of Treatment "of the most enlightened Physicians on the Continent. To which are subjoined a Glossary of medical Terms, and the necessary Prescriptions; chiefly for the Use of those, who, affected by this Disease, wish to ascertain its Nature in all its Appearances, and to assist themselves, so far as to avoid the dreadful Consequences of Empiricism and Quackery. By George Charles Meyer, M.D., Surgeon P 4 |