as men of close ambition. They are so, my lords; and their ambi'tion is to keep close to the college ' of fishermen, not of cardinals, and 'to the doctrine of inspired apo'stles, not to the decrees of interested and aspiring bishops.-They contend for a spiritual creed, and spi' ritual worship. We have a Calvi'nistic creed, a Popish liturgy, and an Arminian clergy.' This debate is not reported, and for this speech I have no authority, except a report of Burke's speech on the 2d of March, 1790, in Debrett's Parliamentary Register, vol. xxvii. p. 179.” p. 48, 49. Chap. XXI. 1771-1774.-The origin of the war between Russia and the Porte is the first subject in this chapter, which is followed by the preparations made by France, under pretence of defending Sweden, but from the spirited conduct of England she is deterred from hostilities. The state of Ireland, and the opposition in that country is noticed-American affairs are then detailedThe measures of the assembly of New England, and their opposition to the governor-The tumultuous state of Boston, and the violent proceedings of the inhabitants, are the subjects which occupy the close of this chap

ter.

Chap. XXII-XXVII.1774—1776. After noticing the apprehension of Woodfall and Horne for a libel, and the making the act for trying the merits of controverted elections perpetual, these six chapters are occupied with the affairs of America, stating the measures adopted by the parliament, and the proceedings of the colonists prior to the war, which are circumstantially detailed, and some extracts from the speeches in the House of Commons on the subject. The twenty-sixth chapter relates the commencement of hostilities, and some future operations of the war.

Chap. XXVIII. 1775, 1776.-The state of Ireland, which was affected by the conduct of the Americans, is the first subject in this chapter, succeeded by propositions recommended in the house of commons relative to America, for to promote a reconciliation-Wilkes's motion for a reform of parliament-Trial of the Dutchess of Kingston-View of the conduct and politics of foreign powers, and the publication of Dr. Price, with its effects.

Chap. XXIX. resumes the narra. tion of transactions in America, chiefly stating the operations of the war, and the declaration of independency by the Americans.

Chap. XXX. 1776, 1777.-This chapter relates the transactions of parliament, and the attempt to burn the royal arsenals, for which James Aitken, known by the name of John the Painter, was executed. The subjects of debate in parliament were, on the proclamation at New York

The suspension of the habeas corpus-Lord Chatham's motion to redress the grievances of the Americans, and to allow them the disposal of their own money-And the arrears of the civil list-On presenting the bill granting the supply for the royal assent, Sir Fletcher Norton addressed the king in a speech which produced the thanks of the house of commons, and the most decided approbation-The state and views of foreign powers with respect to Great Britain.

Chap. XXXI. 1776, 1777.-The extensive powers granted to Wash ington is the first subject in this chapter, followed by his proclamation and the state of his army.-The supplies received from France are noticed, and the rest of the chapter contains the movements and opera tions of the armies, concluding with an account of the capture of General Burgoyne and his army, and a few circumstances immediately succeeding, which close the second volume. This volume is embellished with the portrait of the Right Honourable George Grenville.

Volume III. Chap. XXXII. 1777, 1778. This chapter contains parliamentary discussions on a variety of topics, arising out of existing circumstances, as the loss of Burgoyne's army, employment of savages in war, raising troops by subscription, and Lord North's plan of conciliation.The conduct of France, and her treaty with America, is mentioned.

Chap. XXXIII. 1778.-This same chapter also contains the proceedings of parliament, and details the allusions to hostilities on the part of France, and the artful conduct of that power.-A bill for excluding contractors from the house is introduced, but lost-Relief afforded to Ireland-Bill for relief of the Roman Catholics passed-General Bur

goyne's return to England, and defence of himself in the House of Commons.-The chapter concludes with the death of Lord Chatham, and the honours paid to his memory.

Chap. XXXIV. 1778.-The state of the British and American armies is noticed, and the future operations detailed-The arrival and treatment of the commissioners sent from England to negotiate with the Americans -Actions at sea, and the dislike of the Americans to their new allies, the French, are the remaining subjects of this chapter.

Chap. XXXV. 1778, 1779.-The subjects of this chapter are the state of the public mind-Indignation a gainst France-Preparations against invasion - Keppel commands the grand fleet, engages the French fleet, and on account of altercation with Sir Hugh Palliser reflecting upon the latter, Sir Hugh accuses the Admiral, who is tried by a court martial, and acquitted-The rejoicings and outrages of the mob are noticed-Palliser is afterwards tried and acquitted, but censured.-Among other things before the house of commons the affairs of Ireland were discussed, their dissatisfaction was noticed, and relief granted-Relief was also afforded to Protestant Dissenters.-The chapter closes with relating the rupture with Spain, commencement of the siege of Gibraltar, and the junction of the French and Spanish fleets.

Chap. XXXVI. 1779.-After noticing the state of the English and French fleets in the West Indies, the capture of St. Vincents and Grenada by the French, and the engagements between Byron and d'Estaing -The proceedings of the armies in America, and other circumstances of the war, are detailed-The state of Ireland, proceedings in the Irish parliament, popular measures in that country, and the riot in Dublin, close this chapter.

Chap. XXXVII. 1779, 1780. This chapter is chiefly occupied with the proceedings in parliament on the subject of economical reform, with the petitions presented to the house on the occasion.

Chap. XXXVIII. 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781. In this chapter are narrated he effects produced in consequence f passing the bill which granted rejef to the Catholics. The first evilences of opposition to the measure

appeared in Scotland; and in Janu ary 1779, there were riots in Edinburgh, in which the rage of the populace was directed against the Catholics, and those who were friendly to the relief granted to them. The provost of Edinburgh is charged with being "more than inactive, and having by his conduct given an indirect sanction, if not an incentive, to the rabble." There were also riots at Glasgow, and these tumultuous proceedings are attributed to the efforts of fanatics in Scotland. These are succeeded by the formation of the Protestant association, which, the author says, "was composed of eightyfive corresponding societies," and "was erected under the specious pretext of protecting the Protestant religion." This society, to which is attributed the design of producing formidable commotions, is represented to have originated in debating societies, and Lord George Gordon is considered to be the former of the body. The intemperance of Lord George Gordon, and the succeeding calamitous riots are particularly detailed, with the trial of some of the rioters and Lord George, which close this chapter.

Chap. XXXIX. 1780.-The relief of Gibraltar by Rodney, who captures a Spanish fleet, and defeats Langara, is first noticed in this chapter, which then records the progress of the war in America-The particulars relating to the unhappy fate of Major André, and the capture of the British East and West India, and the Quebec fleets.

Chap. XL. 1780, 1781—contains transactions in parliament-The rise and progress of the dispute with Holland-Burke's plan of economy renewed, and the first speech of the Honourable William Pitt.

Chap. XLI. 1780, 1781.-Attack of the French on Jersey-Progress of the siege of Gibraltar-Misery, relief, and brave sortie of that garrison, by which they drove the Spaniards from their intrenchments, and destroyed their fortifications-Naval actions in the channel and off the Dogger Bank, and the different actions in America, form the contents of this chapter.

Chap. XLII. 1781, 1782.-This chapter reports the conduct of the neutral powers, state of the public mind, and parliamentary proceedings

-Motions grounded on the occurrences of the war-The petition of London for peace-The dissolution of the cabinet, and the character of Lord North.

CXXXI. TRAVELS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; commenc ing in the Year 1793, and ending in 1797; with the Author's Journals of his Two Voyages across the Atlantic. By WILLIAM PRIEST, Musician, late of the Theatres of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston, 8vo. with an Engraving of Peter Brown's Arms, which is thus explained:

ter.

Chap. XLIV. 1778-1783.-The transactions which took place in America, and the glorious victory obtained in defeating the formidable attack upon Gibraltar by sea and land are circumstantially detailed in this chapter, which concludes with negotiations for peace, and the provisional treaty with America.

Chap. XLV. 1782, 1783.-This chapter brings us to the termination of the war, and contains the signing of the preliminaries of peace with the substance of the treaties-The coalition of Lord North with Mr. Fox -The first petition for abolishing the slave trade-The separate establishment of the Prince of Wales, and the general peace.

Chap. XLVI. 1783.-In this chapter is given a general view of the late belligerent powers, and in noticing America the prudence of Washington is highly spoken of-The interview of Mr. Adams with the King is also noticed. "The king declared he anticipated this interview as the most critical moment of his life, but he received the new minister with gracious affability. I was the last man in the kingdom, Sir,' he said, 'to consent to the independence of America; but now it is granted, I shall be the last man in the world to ⚫ sanction a violation of it." p. 599.

The work then concludes with general remarks upon the struggle in which England had been engaged, and considers that her support through the contest is to be attributed to her excellent constitution.

This last volume contains portraits of Lord North and the Earl of Bute.

"PET

ETER BROWN, a blacksmith of this city, (Philadelphia,) having made his fortune, set up his coach; but so far from being asham

his riches, he caused a large anvil to be painted on each panel of his carriage, with two naked arms in the act of striking. The motto,* By this I got ye." p. 23.

After a short journal of his voyage from England, the author informs us he landed at Gloucester Point, five miles below Philadelphia. The first object he notices, is the amazing produce of the maize, or Indian corn; he says, "I counted the increase of one stalk with three ears; the amount of the grains were upward of one thensand two hundred." ́p. 11.

From Woodbury, the author visits Annapolis, and then returns to Philadelphia; on his way he sups on fried squirrels and coffee; this is noticed, because squirrels are considered as a great delicacy in America. A de scription of the city of Philadelphia, the manner of living in that place, and the situation of a back settler, particularly his dangers, precede a representation of a Pennsylvanian plan ter, in which is noticed the advan tages of a religious education. "He enjoys a happy state of mediocrity between riches and poverty, perhaps the most enviable of all situations. When the boys of this family are numerous, those the father cannot provide for at home, and who prefera planter's life to a trade or profe sion, are, when married, presented with two or three hundred acres o uncultivated land, which their p rents purchase for them as near hore as possible. The young couple ar supplied with stock, and supporte till they have a sufficient quantity land cleared to provide for ther selves.

"If unsuccessful, through want c industry, &c. they often sell off, a

emigrate to Kentucky, or some other new country seven or eight hundred miles to the south west, and begin the world again as back settlers.

"The daughters are brought up in habits of virtue and industry; the strict notions of female delicacy instilled into their minds from their earliest infancy, never entirely forsake them. Even when one of these girls is decoyed from the peaceful dwelling of her parents, and left by her infamous seducer a prey to poverty and prostitution in a brothel at Philadelphia, her whole appearance is neat, and breathes an air of modesty; you see nothing in her dress, language, or behaviour, that could give you any reason to guess at her unfortunate situation; (how unlike her unhappy sisters so circumstanced in England!) she by no means gives over the idea of a husband; she is seldom disappointed; and, I am informed, often makes an excellent wife." p. 45, 46.

Our author introduces two extracts from history relative to the noises made by the frogs in America, and then proceeds with the following account: "Prepared as I was to hear something extraordinary from these animals, I confess the first frog concert I heard in America was so much beyond any thing I could conceive of the powers of these musicians, that I was truly astonished. This perform ance was al fresco, and took place on the night of the 18th instant, in a large swamp, where there were at least ten thousand performers, and I really believe not two-exactly in the same pitch, if the octave can possibly admit of so many divisions or shades of semitones.

"I have been since informed by an amateur, who resided many years in this country, and made this species of music his peculiar study, that on these occasions the treble is performed by the tree-fogs, the smallest and most beautiful species; they are always of the same colour as the bark of the tree they inhabit, and their note is not unlike the chirp of a cricket: the next in size are our counter tenors; they have a note resembling the setting of a saw. A still larger species sing tenor; and the under part is supported by the bullfrogs, which are as large as a man's foot, and bellow out the bass in a tone as loud and sonorous as that of the

animal from which they take their name." p. 49, 50.

In the beginning of the work mention is made of relishes of salt fish, usual at breakfast and supper in Ame rica; they are chiefly of shad, a name given them by the first settlers, from their having some resemblance, though in fact they are very different; and indeed this is the case with almost every fish, bird, and other animal these Anglo-Americans took it into their heads to christen." p. 67.

This introduces an account of the fishery on the Delaware, particuJarly the shad. The author thus describes it: "But to return to the shad, if it must be so called; it is an excellent fish, and comes up the river in prodigious shoals, in the months of April and May, to spawn. The largest nets used in this fishery are on the Delaware, where that river is from one to two miles wide. These nets are from one hundred and fifty to three hundred yards long. The greatest hawl ever known was upwards of nine thousand, from four to nine pounds per fish." p. 68.

The regard evidenced to morality in America is in the following passage contrasted with the religion of the author in his own words.

"The revolution has not yet done away a fanatical law passed by the quakers, prohibiting the catching of these fish on a Sunday; which, considering the short time they remain in the river, is highly impolitic.

"There are thirteen fisheries within ten miles of Philadelphia; allowing only eight Sundays in the season, and ten thousand shads lost in each of the twenty-four hours, a very moderate calculation, the aggregate loss to Philadelphia and the adjacent country is eighty thousand fish, weighing five pounds each, on an average. I say loss; for the return of the fish is the same now as it was a hundred and thirty years ago, when only a few dozen were taken in the season by the Indians.

"There is also a small fish which comes up the rivers with the shad; the shoals this year have been uncommonly large; upwards of ten thousand have been taken at one hawl.

Like the shad it takes salt well, and from its having some resemblance to a herring, they give it that name, though very different from the herring which visits the shores of Eu