ART. 30. A Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Dudley, on Friday, February 13, 1801, the Day appointed for a General Faft; containing an Addrefs to British Soldiers (a refpectable Body of them being then prefent). By the Rev. L. Booker, LL. D. Published by Request, for the Benefit of the Soup Charity in the faid Parish; and dedicated, with Permiffion, to his Royal Highness the Duke of York. The Second Edition. 8vo. 32 PP. IS. Weft and Hughes, Pa

ternofter-Row.

This is by no means a common difcourfe, but fuch as is highly de ferving of diftinction, for the moft prudent ufe of eloquence, and the moft energetic application of fentiments truly and profoundly religious. It has, in fact, already been diftinguifhed, as the title-page informs us; for a fecond edition of a temporary difcourfe is an appearance by no means ufual. It will not, however, paufe there, if our fincere and hearty recommendation can assist it.

The matter of this Sermon is, of neceffity, the fame as that of other fimilar productions, the judgments of God, the fins that occafion, and the repentance that may fufpend them. The more the praife, if a superior effect be produced, which, to our feeling and apprehenfion, is the cafe. Dr. Booker begins with the example of the Jews, which, from the prophecy of Amos, he explains with force, and applies with propriety; fuperadding to the fuggeftions of the prophet the doctrines of the Gofpel. Having occafion to advife" the redeeming of the time, becaufe the days are evil," he adds, with fingular force, "a truth, I believe, which will not be controverted by any one. All ranks among us feel them to be fo; and the caufe I fear is owing to ourfelves. We are evil. Is it then a wonder that we fhould be vifited with evil days, the juft punishment of evil doers? Let us only ceale to do evil, and learn to do well, and, in proportion as we amend, God will amend the times."

66

Dr. B. then recommends the triceft prudence to all ranks; to be wafteful and luxurious, at fuch a time, is, he obferves, as inconfiftent as to revel and riot in the midft of a conflagration." He advifes even those who have but little, by no means to mifufe that little; an advice very far from fuperfluous. He proceeds in recommending Chriftian duties, and lamenting the omiffion of them; and carefully points out what heavier judgments may fall on us if we continue impenitent. The picture of a country made the actual feat of war is no lefs just than terrible (p. 18).

Having pointed out our caufes for thankfulness in being exempted from fuch evils, the preacher turns his particular addrefs to the foldiery. Here his energy and his judgment are equally confpicuous. "You, my valiant countrymen," he fays, among other things," are expofed to twofold danger, to the arms of a daring foreign foe, and to the fpecious lures of domeftic traitors. I need not tell you that the latter danger is of the greater magnitude, both to yourselves and to your country. The former in your minds awakens no terror. Should you go forth to encounter it in the field of battle, you will acquit you like men:" a truth moft gloriously exemplified in our recent accounts

from

from Egypt.. But with refpect to the other danger, "the bare at tempt will only excite your virtuous abhorrence and indignant fcorn. This manly conduct as it has distinguished, will continue, I truft, to distinguish you as foldiers and fubjects of your Sovereign." He then reminds them of the heavenly Sovereign, to whom allo they owe allegiance, and expatiating forcibly on that fubject, concludes with a wifh for plenty and peace. An excellent and pious Prayer is fubjoined.

We have praised Dr. Booker on former occafions, and fometimes as a poet, but the commendation of a difcourfe so judicious as this, is ftill of higher import.

ART. 31.

An Introduction to the Study of the Bible: being the Fourth Edition of the First Volume of the Elements of Chriflian Theology; conraining Proofs of the Authenticity and Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures; A Summary of the Hiftory of the Jews; an Account of the Jewish Sects; and, a brief Statement of the Contents of the feveral Books of the Old and New Teftaments. By George Pretyman, D. D. F. R. S. Lord Bishop of Lincoln. Cadell and Davies. 1801. 12mo. 59.

We have already borne teftimony to the merits and excellence of this publication, and that the public have done the fame, fatisfactorily appears from this extract of the very learned and exemplary prelate's two larger volumes having gone through four editions, before a copy came into our hands. For an account of the Elements of Chriftian Theology at large, the reader is defired to confult our 14th volume, pp. 465, 610. The work altogether was intended for the ufe of the younger ftudents in divinity; this republication of the firft volume of Elements is calculated for univerfal ufe; and it will hardly be denied, that a more judicious, convenient, and acceptable account of the contents of the Books of the Old and New Teftament never before ap peared.

ART. 32. Sermons on various Subjects and Occafions. By Alexander Grant, D. D. Minifter of the English Chapel at Dundee. In Two Volumes. 8vo. 125. Hatchard. 1800.

Thefe are plain, fenfible, and manly difcourfes, written with an energy which shows the author to have a becoming zeal in his profeffion, untinctured by enthusiasm. There are in all thirty fix Sermons; but we do not fee why they might not have been comprized in one volume. They are published by fubfcription, and dedicated to the Countess of Aboyne. We have read the chief part of thefe Sermons with great fatisfaction, and very confcientiously recommend them to general perufal.

ART. 33. Sermons. By the late Rev. William Elifba Faulkner, Minifter of Ely Chapel, Lecturer of St. Giles's in the Fields, and One of the Evening Lecturers of St. Antholin's, Watling-Street. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Rivingtons. 1799.

This volume, which has accidentally been mislaid, appears to have been published with the view of foftening the affliction of the widow.

The

The very idea difarms criticism. The Sermons are twelve in number, and the doctrines they inculcate are such, as an honeft Chriftian minister feels it his indifpenfable duty to imprefs again and again upon his hearers, unawed by the contagion of vicious examples, and of a corrupted world. The difcourfes are plain, fimple, feriptural, and prové the author to have been well and intimately acquainted with the writings which it was his duty to explain and enforce.

ART. 34. The Folly, Guilt, and Punishment of refifting lawful Government. A Sermon, on the 25th of October, being the Fortieth Anniversary of his Majefty's Acceffion to the Throne. By Alexander Cleeve, A. B. Vicar of Wooler, Northumberland, Chaplain to his Grace the Duke of Portland, and Author of Devotional Exercifes and Contemplations, extracted from the Pfalms in the Liturgy. 4to. 11 pp. 15. Rivingtons, &c. 1800.

Difcourfing on Romans xiii, 1, 2, the preacher firft fets before his hearers," fome of the delufive, injurious, and highly criminal pretences, for refiftance to lawful authority; in order to juftify the extreme severity of the punishment here denounced against it; and, fecondly, demonftrates, that our countrymen, having reafons of the moft powerful nature to honour and obey the King, and all who are put in authority under him, may rather be induced to unite their efforts for the general fafety; and by joining in one indivifible, permanent, and national intereft, afford a great and inftructive example to other governments, lefs favoured than our own." P. 2. This difcourfe is diftinguished rather by its plain good fenfe, than by ele gance and refinement.

LAW.

ART. 35. Remarks on the Poor-Laavs, and the Maintenance of the Poor. By William Bleamire, Efq. Barrister at Law, and One of the Police Magiftrates. 8vo. Is. 6d. Butterworth.

This pamphlet, by an upright and excellent magiftrate, contains fome judicious obfervations. Mr. B. is of opinion, that the prefent laws relating to fettlements fhould be abolished, and that all perfons fhould be confidered as fettled in the parish or place where they may happen to want relief. We think there is great occafion for amendment in the poor-laws; but the merits of the plan here recommended can only be afcertained by long experience.

SCARCITY.

SCARCITY.

ART. 36. A Letter to the Right Hon. Lord Somerville, one of the Lords of his Majefty's Bedchamber, and late Prefident of the Board of Agriculture; with a View to show the Inutility of the Plans and Researches of that Inflitution, and how it might be employed in others more benefi cial. With Remarks on the recent Communications of the Board; and a Review of the Pamphlets of Arthur Young and William Brooke, Efqrs. upon the prefent high Price of Provifions. By a Society of Practical Farmers. 8vo. 141 pp. 35. Cawthorne. 1800.

This is a fharp remonftrance against the proceedings of the Board of Agriculture, and particularly against the productions of its Secretary, as having been generally ufelefs and nugatory. At pp. 6, 7, are stated, and afterwards enlarged upon, fome of the public fervices expected from the Board, but not performed by it. Though by no means pleafed with fome of its proceedings, we think thefe charges unreafonable, The Board could not be expected to do every thing in a few years; and its misfortune feems rather to be, that it has attempted too much, and has therefore done fo little well. I's grand introductory fcheme, for obtaining an accurate knowledge of the fate af husbandry, and of a thoufand other particulars in each county, has ended in the production of a vaft number of agricultural romances, called General Views; to correct which (the works, as we fufpect, of fome among thefe very practical farmers") the Secretary was fent in perfon into a few districts; and he entertained the public, at hi-return, with accounts little lefs romantic than those which his miffion had been intended to correct.

A note, at p. 42, states as a fact an incident which may divert our readers: "This gentleman, at a certain time, conceived that the beft mode of feeding hogs would be upon boiled potatoes; he accordingly provided a large copper for the purpofe, and determined perfonally to attend the first part of the experiment. The fwine were fummoned to the cauldron; and as Mr. conceived they would thrive beft from taking their food in the hottest state, it was fo delivered to them; but miftaking the wrigling of their tails, then a fymptom of extreme pain, for that of pleafure, fupplied them plentifully with fresh and hot potatoes, till he killed them all."

The belief of thefe farmers, "that the high price of corn (in 1800) did not proceed principally from a failure in the last year's crop, but from a too far extended paper-currency," (p. 47) is contrary to the plaineft and most incontestable tacts. In 1795 and 1796, wheat was as high as 160s. per quarter. Place this enormous advance to the account of paper-currency. But, in 1797 and 1798, it was as low as 40s. What was then become of all that paper? There was just as much abroad as before. In 1800 and 1801, the price has exceeded 120s. yet it would be hard to prove, that there is much more paper abroad than in 1798; and the fact, if proved, would be little to the purpose.

The

The hoftility of thefe farmers against a plan, now generally ap proved, for enabling fober and induftrious cottagers to keep a cow, has our hearty reprobation. They urge every argument agait it, and not one in its favour, with a fpirit too common (we are forry to fay) among farmers; that of keeping their labourers abjectly dependent upon themfelves, while they are afpiring to be independent of their

landlords.

The remarks of thefe authors, on the recent communications of the Board, and on the pamphlets of Mr. Young and Mr. Brooke, concerning the high price of provifions,", are generally acute and ufeful; and, at pp. 72, 73, concerning the distance of the banks from the channels of great drains, are very important.

Upon the whole, there are doubtless many things in this tract which demonstrate a practical and intimate acquaintance with agriculture, and the fubjects connected with it; but there are alfo fuch evident tokens of ill-will and fpleen, againit the Secretary of the Board in particular, that the book must be read with wearinefs and distrust.

ART. 37.

POLITICS.

The Cafe of Confcience folved, or Catholic Emancipation proved to be compatible with the Coronation Oath. In a Letter from a Cafuift in the Country to his Friend in Town. Dedicated to the Right Hon. W. Windham, M. P. &c. With a Supplement, in Anfwer to Confiderations on the faid Oath, by John Reeves, Efq. 8vo. 89 pp. 3. Faulder. 1801.

Although our own opinion upon the important fubject here difcuffed, has been formed on mature confideration, and effentially differs from that which is maintained in this tract, we deem it but fair to place the fentiments of a well-informed, ingenious, and candid writer, like the prefent, in the fulleft and faireft light.

After a few prefatory remarks, in which the author commends that strictness of principle from which the fcruples in question are faid to have arifen, but laments the confequences it has produced, he proceeds to give the hiftory of the coronation oath, from the earliest periods to which it can be traced. The object is to fhow that, although an oath in fubftance fimilar to the prefent has been taken, during many ages, by the fovereigns of this kingdom, that circumftance has not prevented their making, or acceding to, feveral important changes in the established religion. As it is not our intention to go into a full difcuffion of the queftion, we fhall only obferve on this mode of reafoning, that, in cafes of mere toleration (and fuch are molt of the infrances produced) it proves too little; in the other inftances, too much. Who would defire that the confcience of any other fovereign fhould be guided by that of a capricious and profligate tyrant, like Henry the Eighth? Who will affert that, because in former times a great reformation took place in our ecclefiaftical concerns, the love of change is never to be at reft?