We shall, therefore, endeavour to suppress our curio- different departments, their bold and enterprising characters, sity, and shall conclude our brief notice of his pamph- and their knowledge of the seas, insure their success. What let, with observing that it is dedicated to the King and forces do you not possess, to oppose the disembarkation in Parliament, because of "the coincidence between the any part of the three kingdoms; when the exertions of happy form of the English constitution, and the three-your ministers and the harmony that pervades the whole, shines conspicuous in the characters of the people of Great fold texture of the various records of the ancient Britain? science." This has suggested some whimsical ideas, in which we shall not at present indulge, but it is certain that in some political transactions, various mysterious meanings may be discovered, besides the ostensible one. We cannot, however, suppress the following notice which the exigencies of the times require should be attended to immediately. "In quitting this subject, let me say one word of the cannon lately brought from Egypt and placed on the parade in St. James's Park. The devices chisseled upon its surface are well worthy of attention, as repeated examinations of an impression of them, which I requested an artist to make, has served to convince me. If the cannon were mine, I should be at no loss what to do with it; for, as I have left nil intentatum, I am free to say that I understand those devices, and may add that they are not so difficult as may at first view be conceived." Thoughts on the Invasion threatened by Bonaparte: with Notes, illustrative of many unknown Crimes, committed by the different Members of the Government. Translated from the French of E. M. one of the Chiefs of the Royalist Party in the South of France. 66 pp. 8vo. Bath, 1803. Almost the whole of this pamphlet is employed in imputing crimes to the Chief Consul, and other republican leaders of France; and is in fact a piece of vulgar abuse. The ci-devant nobles, and the priests, who have returned to France, and who, the author says, are among the most forward of the prostitute adulators of the Corsican, come in for a full share of his foul language. All this neither deserves nor will obtain any attention. His thoughts on the invasion occupy but a small space; and as we think them good, and that every useful idea on this interesting subject should be communicated as widely as possible, we shall transcribe them at large. "Consider the numberless resources of Great Britain, a navy that with the daily augmentation, will be rendered more formidable than ever; soldiers accustomed to war, and equally accustomed to conquer; an innumerable army resolved to bury themselves under the ruins of their country, rather than submit to a base plunderer. Who then dare say that Bonaparte will succeed? I have little doubt he will attempt a disembarkation (for he cares not if thousands fall a sacrifice) but that disembarkation cannot be effected without the advantage of heayy fogs and bad weather, and a thorough knowledge of the coasts that he has in all probability acquired from the traitors who have lately dwelt among you. Courageous Britons! you possess the powerful advantage of being at home and prepared to receive an enemy you have so frequently vanquished, and I shall here point out, what in my opinion is the best plan of defence that can be followed. "A great naval force is doubtless necessary to watch the motions of the enemy, to block up the different ports where their vessels are assembled ready for sea, and to burn those on the stocks. The abilities of the commanders in their VOL. IL "A mountainous country is its own defence-its principal strength consisting in the union of its inhabitants: a very small nuniber of regular forces and artillery will be found necessary. The most essential thing is an experienced and able general, who possesses a perfect knowledge of tactics and geography; who will avoid a general engagement, likely to turn to his disadvantage, if the enemy are his superiors in point of cavalry*; whose operations will be guided by his knowledge of the country; thereby possessing the advantage of drawing his enemy by fictitious retreats into hollow ways, where batteries dexterously placed on the heights, or at the extremity of any woods the country may produce, will exterminate them in the defiles. Should he find it necessary to retreat, either from inferiority of numbers, or from any unforeseen circumstance, which must frequently occur in time of war; he should manage his retreat in such a manner as to keep possession of the heights, as he falls back to a well-situated and intrenched camp of reserve, (it will be necessary always to form one, the enemy, and lessening their numbers by frequent skirlet the event be what it may) from whence, after harassing mishes, he may with the assistance of fresh troops, successfully hazard a battle. These seem to me to be the best tactics to be observed in a mountainous country; and particularly against a disembarking enemy, unacquainted with the dangerous or favourable positions of the place he attacks. In open countries, a stronger force, and more attention is required; it is there the art of war may be displayed with precision. An active vigilance, and a severe obedience must be exacted. It would therefore be adviseable, to establish patroles belonging to the different encampments on the coast, who should go the rounds both night and day to maintain order; and oblige the inhabitants of every sex and age, unemployed, to retire within the entrenchments on the appearance of the enemy: by taking this precaution, they will effectually prevent their obtaining information, or guides to conduct them through the country; they will also guard camps, particularly on the coasts (where there cannot be too against treason. There should be no delay in pitching many) tions, and covered by cavalry and rifle-men, that the enemy, fortified by redoubts, placed in advantageous situaeither during their disembarkation, or at the beginning of any serious engagement, should not have time to form themselves in a line of battle; but should experience, at the same moment, every offensive operation the art of war has invented. Camps of reserve are necessary every where to second the motions of the others. The soldiers should be exercised every day, morning and evening, to keep their activity alive; and every day should their courage and indignation be excited, by recounting to them the atrocities of Bonaparte: I also think it would be important, to attach a body of flying artillery to every camp; they would be found of great service in time of action, and particularly at the disembarkation of the enemy. This body should be formed of the best commanders and soldiers, drawn from the corps of artillery and engineers; who being already experienced (His superiors in point of cavalry;)-It is well known, that amidst the highest mountains there is level ground, where the enemy may make use of their cavalry in a general engagement, and by that means make themselves masters of the high grounds." I experienced this myself amongst the Alps, which certainly is one of the most mountainous countries; where being pursued by the enemy's cavalry, and thereby forced to come to a serious engagement, I was obliged to change my position. in the management of cannon, would in a fortnight's time || sufficiently understand the horse-exercise, and would be formidable to the enemy at all times. In a general engagement, the army in battle, after a running fire well kept up, should open their centre, and filing quickly to the right and left, halt, and again form themselves on a height, from whence the artillery placed in the centre, should pour in a discharge of case-shot in two different directions, obliquely and in front, while a continued fire is kept up by the two columns; these, forming two divisions, will be equally formidable, and might also attack the enemy in flank if necessary; but if this last manoeuvre is impracticable, the two columns may again unite, forming a line of battle, and rush upon the enemy with bayonets fixed, protected by the cavalry and flying artillery, flanking the sides; and if the army meets with any resistance in this manoeuvre, the camp of reserve (attached to each particular camp as I have before mentioned) will be of the greatest service, being posted in the rear at a proper distance, it can immediately second the plans of the general, and ensure the victory. "Semper enim quod prostremum "Adjectum est, id rem totam videtur traxisse." Tit. Liv. 1. xxvii. c.45. "These, I presume, are the general tactics that should be observed in whatever place the enemy may attempt a disembarkation, care being taken, that on the first signal of alarm, orders should be issued to send to the interior of the country, all the cattle and provisions it will then be so necessary to preserve. Measures should be employed according to circumstances, and with such expedition, as to prevent the enemy from having time to recover themselves; particularly such an enemy as Bonaparte and his generals, who to this hour (to the shame of humanity) have made plunder their only tactics. "With respect to embodying the mass of the people, I certainly think they should immediately be armed, and practised in a few simple manoeuvres; such as marching in à line retiring in good order-dividing into two wings to give room to the artillery placed in the centre to play against the enemy-forming again into a line of battle, and particularly in taking good aim, and charging without delay. This corps, called the rear-guard, not to march but at the last extremity. I also think it would be adviseable to form companies of volunteers, consisting of those men who are above fifty-five, to guard the common property, and maintain order in their respective towns. If such measures are taken, the defeat of Bonaparte will be easily effected; and as I have heard with admiration, that his Majesty intends to honour his troops with his august presence,-where is the soldier, who following the glorious example of his master, would not sacrifice his life a thousand times, in support of the throne-in defence of his country? "Let them come. They come like sacrifices in their trim, Henry IV. Part I. Act iv. Scene 2. Poems by Peter Bayley, Jun. Esq. 8vo. pp. 210. We were by no means prejudiced in favour of this young bard, by his preface, which seems to shew no moderate portion of self-confidence; neither were we greatly pleased with the debut of his Apology for Writing; but as we proceeded, we were more and more inclined to alter the opinion we had first taken up, and, on the perusal of the whole, have no hesitution in pronouncing, that Mr. Bayley is a young poet of very considerable promise. There is great merit in many of the smaller pieces, but the apology and the first view of the world, shew that the author's chief excellence lies in satiric and ethic composition. Paradoxical as it may seem, those who know best to censure, know best (when they chuse it) to praise ; as is conspicuous in the satires of Pope and Churchill. From the author's panegyric on the President of the Royal Academy, as a more pleasing specimen we I shall make one extract : 66 Thee, West, the various powers of art obey, The great, the graceful, terrible, and gay: With equal ease thy skilful pencil roves Thro' flowery fields with Venus and her doves, Gives us the classic scene, the sober gloom, The learned tone of Archimedes' tomb; In warmer tints bids gayer scenes arise, Bids fair Calypso charm in airy dyes, Or drives the terrible wild path along, Sublime in grandeur, in expression strong. Who can, unmov'd, thy Regulus behold? Who see that and scene, yet his praise withhold? Where, nobly stern of soul, the chieftain stands Unmov'd, 'midst weeping, supplicating bands; Turns from the scenes that nurs'd his early years, Though love and friendship court his stay with tears, Though Carthage bids her fires of torture burn, And on her shores Death waits for his returnStill does the snarling wretch dispute thy claim To excellence, to honour, praise, and fame? Then shew him where thy dying hero lies Who beams expression, though from fading eyes, Who calls on glory with his parting breath, And grasps the laurel in the arms of death.— In a note on this part of his poem, the author tries to controvert the opinion of Dr. Beattie, that the modern dress is not so picturesque as the ancient, and for that reason the picture of the death of Wolfe, will in future times lose much of its effect. But does not the defence he makes of that picture, though it shews the skill of the artist, confirm rather than weaken the remark of Beattie ? He says, "But the judicious painter can conceal, or even turn to his advantage, by particular incidents of light and shadow, those objects which common opinions deem to be unfavorable to his art. An example of this is before us in the painting now mentioned. The hat of the general is placed flatness of a large mass of light; the stock round his neck upon the ground so as to be of great service in breaking the answers the same purpose; both of the objects operating in the painting, as a discord introduced into a musical composition; like that, too, they arrest the attention, and fix it upon particular points." He might have also added, that there is neither regi mental hat or grenadier cap worn, the only head that is covered is that of a soldier in the light infantry. The costume of the army on American service, even in the seven years' war, was not encumbered with the boot, sleeves, and long skirts of the parade at that time, and the painter could clothe his figures with a tolerably picturesque dress, without any gross deviation from propriety; at present our military dress is little less picturesque than that of the ancients; but how bad is the effect of the monstrous tye wigs and sleeves in the pictures of the battles of the Boyne and La Hogue! It is on this account, that the theatres (whenever they can) avoid the dress of the day. The ill effect | Terrible Tractoration!! A Poetical Petition against All these poems, as well as the notes, shew a truly pious and benevolent mind, friendly to the interests of religion and to social order, but of their poetical merit we can say but little. It would be an invidious office to crowd our pages with quotations of feeble and harsh lines, which obtrude themselves on the eye of the reader wherever he opens the book. The smaller poems, however, are less obnoxious to this censure than the Christian, which is the principal; but the sacred truths of Christianity are not congenial with the language of an art that delights in fiction, and an attempt to reconcile them is a task which a very acute and judicious critic has declared "no one does well." The Convent of St. Michael, a Tale: Taken from a German Manuscript of the seventeenth Century. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 418. Galvanising Trumpery, and the Perkinistic Institution. In four Cantos. Most respectfully addressed to the Royal College of Physicians. By Christopher Caustic, M.D. LL. D. ASS. &c. Second Edition, with great Additions. 12mo. pp. 186. The art of puffing has of late years been carried to very great perfection in this country. We know not whether it be capable of farther advances, but with a certain class, every new attempt will appear laudable. The work before us is the "puff collusive" for the Metallic Tractors, which have been attacked so violently by some of the regular faculty, that every means to repel their hostilities must be adopted, and among the rest these Hudibrastic lines, which, we are ready to allow, have afforded us considerable amusement. It is not too much to say, that the author is a legitimate branch of the Hudibras family, and possesses a vein of humour which will not be easily exhausted. We wish we could add that he had uniformly preserved the temper of satirical writing, but in this, as in some other late works, the poetry is a "peg to hang notes upon," which latter abound in soreness and spleen. If written by the same author, we regret that talents so superior are wasted and disgraced, on a subject very unworthy of such a sacrifice. The character of the faculty is most grossly misrepresented, for they are held up as a class of men who discourage every attempt to relieve the disorders of the poor at a cheap rate. The man who makes such an assertion, if he refuses to plead ignorance, must be convicted of malice, and we know not why it should be advanced, at the present crisis, unless the author meditates the junction of quack politics with quack medicines. With regard to the main object of this work, the metallic tractors, we shall not here enter into any discussion of their merits; but of whatever utility they may be proved, it cannot, we apprehend, repel the charge of quackery. We know of few quack medicines that are not useful, and that cannot be de The preface to this work is an essay on the pernicious tendency of modern novels, which is so far out of place as it introduces the reader to a novel that cannot very easily be distinguished from the common mass of such compositions. The author thinks that it will not do much injury, because it exhibits " an instance of the strongest passion kept within the strictest rules of virtue and decorum," but, on the contrary, may" in some measure tend to correct the heart." Of this we have some doubts; the passion here" kept within the strictest rules of virtue" is the passion of a certain Don Frederic for his friend's wife, who is no less enamoured of him; such a passion, in our opinion, is kept within rules, in fictitious,cidedly proved to be useful in many cases, and in what more easily than in real life; but as it is in itself criminal, we cannot approve of its being rewarded by the death of the husband and the union of the parties who have carried on their theoretic crim. con. Yet such is the case here, as well as in many of those common-place novels which the author of the preface very justly censures. As a counterpart, we have an episode, the subject of which is the mutual love of a courtier and an empress, kept likewise within the strictest rules of virtue," but as she dies of a fever, we cannot exactly say what might have happened, nor how his Imperial Majesty might have relished this very exalted instance of Platonic affection. Anthropaideia, or a Tractate on General Education. || the distinction lies between them and the tractors, we have yet to learn. They are advertised in the same way in newspapers and pamphlets: they are puffed both in prose and verse like the others, and the sale of them is secured to the proprietor by a patent, with this difference indeed, that the patent for pills or powders regards a secret medicine, which chemists only can discover, whereas the Perkinian patent enables the proprietor to sell two bits of brass which any workman could make and sell for a shilling, at the price of six guineas! If this be not quackery, we must demand new distinctions and new definitions. Lord Pelham. 8vo. Martin, Esq. In a Letter to the Right Honourable smile on the nations of Europe, the possessors of a uniform edition of them, will derive the highest satisfaction in thus bringing to their recollection the energy of their country in the hour of danger. 18. 6d. Thoughts on the Invasion threatened by Bonaparte: with Notes illustrative of many unknown Crimes, committed by the different Members of the Consular Government-translated from the French of E. M. one of the Chiefs of the Royalist Party in the South of France. 8vo. See page 209. 28. A Narrative of the Situation and Treatment of the English-arrested by Order of the French Government, at the Commencement of Hostilities, &c. &c. By William Wright. 8vo. See page 209. 1s. The Writer is one of those unfortunate English who were detained at Calais at the commencement of hostilities. Being employed as an interpreter between the General Commandant of Calais, and his countrymen, who were kept as prisoners, he had an opportunity of observing the rapacity of the people in office, whose actions he does not pass over in silence. The official situation which he held, though far from pleasant to him, gave him some degree of liberty; which he soon took advantage of by making his escape in his own trunk, which he contrived to ship on board a neutral vessel. He describes the reception of Bonaparte at Calais. He mentions the circumstances of the disgrace of one of the officers of the batteries for having cartridges deficient in weight, by which means the balls fell short of one of our frigates, which was pouring shot into the town. We quote a few lines which convey a just idea of the opinion of the French soldiers with respect to an invasion of this country. “In the town of Calais, and indeed along the coast, the non-military part of the inhabitants, with the women, are averse to the attempt; but the soldiery and most of the officers denounce the utmost vengeance they can inflict, and feast their imagination with the hope of plunder and debauch. The comparative affluence of the English peasantry is a subject of continual reflection, they thence infer that every step will afford abundance of riches; the sacking of Ispahan or Seringapatam, those repositories of eastern magnificence, could not inspire ideas of greater booty than is expected will be found in London. Most of the general officers encourage this spirit among the troops; if they part, a jest is excited that they may meet next in London. Of our women, both officers and men talk in the most lascivious manner, so as to shock the ears of Englishmen, who feel for the honour of those most dear to them, and equally disgraceful to the nation to which they belong. Thus fanning the envy, the lust, and the avarice of their men, the officers receive back the breeze, and believing that spontaneous which they themselves created, reckon nothing more certain than the full accomplishment of their purposes and their desires. The conquest of this country is not then, as is falsely represented, a bugbear existing only in the head or the heart of the First Consul; wherever it may have originated, scarcely is there a man but burns for the expedition, and is persuaded of ultimate success.' 93 This pamphlet will furnish some amusement and some information. Reflections on the present Crisis of Public Affairs. By 28. The Antigallican, or Standard of British Loyalty, Religion, and Liberty, &c. &c. 8vo. N° I. 6d. This is a publication to be continued weekly, till completed, containing the principal tracts, speeches, poems, &c. tending to rouse the royalty and enthusiasm of Britons, with which the English press, has lately so patriotically teemed. The wide diffusion at the present moment of these tracts is of the highest utility; and when peace shall again Ode to the Country Gentlemen of England, reprinted from the Works of Akenside; and accompanied with a Preface and Notes. 6d. Proceedings at a General Meeting of the Loyal North Britons. Held at the Crown and Anchor-August 8, 1893. 8vo. 18. Cd. pendix containing some poems adapted to the times, and a 18. This Sermon is published at the request of the Sheriff and Grand Jury; and the profits which may arise frem the sale, will be given to the boats' crews of the Naiad frigate, who cut out the French schooner La Providence from the Bay of Brest, July 5, 1803. Zeal and Unanimity in Defence of our Country; a the Evidences of a State of Salvation. 18. By W. 28. A Sermon on Luke xxii. 36. By the Rev. Cornelius Miles. od. The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge, Esq.; Bonaparté; an Heroic Ballad; with a Sermon in its The readers of this humorous ballad, will recognise their old friend the Literary Cook, who after having served up several exquisite dishes, now treats them with a Song, in which he pursues Bonaparte through the whole of his political career.-We lay before our readers the last three Stanzas as a specimen they begin with his quitting Egypt: STANZA 14. "This chief, stout and mighty, He ne'er said, Good by t'ye; "When God the Grand Consul of France had created, NOVEL. But stole off; and as soon as he reached the French shore, he Monsieur Botte. A Romance, 3 vols. 12mo. By For his brave tergiversing And murd'ring and cursing, 66 Was deservedly deem'd to be " covered with glory," While the Monsieurs ail strove By their shouting to prove That their langs were as sound as their brains they were addle: Then, like over-drove hacks, They all bow'd down their backs ; And this new Alexander jump'd into the saddle. He, fierce as a Tartar, To give us no quarter Pigault Lebrun. 128. This romance is a melange of all styles, the pathetic, the Shandean, the narrative, the dramatic, interspersed with adventures, some of which are moderately high, and some as low as the freaks of a strolling company. Monsieur Botte is that popular character, a benevolent humorist, very passionate, but when treated like a child, will "behave pretty." Why cannot virtues be described without any alliance with absurdities? Is it absolutely necessary that goodness and folly should be united? The heroine will probably be a greater favourite with M. Lebrun's readers. She falls in love at sixteen, and then she is so very prudent, that really young ladies cannot be in love too soon! This doctrine must surely be acceptable. MISCELLANIES. The Annual Review and History of Literature for 1802. Arthur Aikin, Editor. large Svo. 17. 1s The public must be sufficiently acquainted with the plan of this work from the wide diffusion of its Prospectus. As a Review it does not become us to make any remark on its execution. In the preface the editors and proprietors apologize for the unavoidable delay in the publication of their first volume, which they promise to prevent in future. We do not see how this can be well avoided; for as the books are all classed under distinct heads, instead of being placed in His cut-throats comman, should they once come across us, chronological order, the first sheet of the volume cannot The transcendant deserts of the grand Bonaparte." properly go to press till the respective year is expired.-As a guide, therefore, to the literature of the day, an Annual Review cannot be a desideratum; but as an appendage to a library, if well executed, it might be very useful. With this view, we do not see the necessity of swelling the book with extracts, a good criticism being all that is requisite. A Guide to the Knowledge of the Ancients. Most humbly inscribed to His Majesty, and to the Two Houses of Parliament. By Robert Deverell, Esq. M. P. for the Borough of Saltash. Book the First. This pamphlet, if we rightly understand it, which, by the way, we are not quite certain is the case, contends for natural religion, in preference to revealed, by the same arguments, if they may be so called, which Paine advanced in his Age of Reason," and which have been repeatedly refuted. Why they are again obtruded on the public attention, we know not, but if the controversy must be revived, it will probably fall to the lot of some writer of very superior abilities to Mr. Hancock, to call out the friends of revelation. Gleanings in England, Descriptive of the Countenance, Mind, and Character of the Country; with new Views of Peace and War. By Mr. Pratt. vol. 3. 8vo. 12s. We shall only further add the epigram on the impious A View of Modern France. By David Morice. f. cap. compliment paid to Bonaparte, by the Prefect of the Pas de Calais Dicu crea Bonaparte, et se reposa.” Salmagundi.-Bubble and Squeak.-Crambe repetita, &c. &c. Svo. 6s. 6d. Fine paper, ds. Essays on Subjects of Miscellaneous Literature. By William Henry Turner. 12mo. 38. 6d. |