great man. He points out both the principal divifions of the laws admitted by Cicero, and coinciding with thofe contained in the Pandects, and a perfect refemblance of Cicero's phrases to the expreffions of many fragments of our laws; and proves, by this differtation, that Cicero was not only in fact a lawyer, or jurifconfult, but a very eminent one too, as having ftudied the nature and fpirit of laws, by the light of a luminous philofophy.

The principal fubjects of the second part are comprised under the following heads, or, as the author calls them, inspections, treating, 1. De dominio et poffeffione. 2. De contractibus et confenfu. 3. De bonâ fide ac honeftate. 4. De reftitutionibus in integrum et actione refcifforia. 5. De jure dotium. 6. De beneficentiæ actibus. 7. De hereditatibus. 8. De ultimarum voluntatum auctoritate. 9. De fubftitutionibus ac præfertim de fidei commiffariis., 10. De fictionibus juris. 12. De arte jus explicandi.

Under these heads the author analyfes the chief law-questions, and deduces their folutions from thofe general principles that conftitute the main fources of law. He always quotes the authority of one or two eminent and refpectable lawyers, without ever neglecting to indicate the reafons on which they must be founded.

This very fuccinct analyfe, contains a great variety of fubjects, difcuffed in a fmall compafs; and the whole book deferves the attention of every ftudent of law.

FOREIGN LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Cahiers des Obfervations Aftronomiques faites à l'Obfervatoire Royal de Vilna, en 1773. préfentés au Roi, (de Pologne) par l'Abbé Poczobut, Aftronome de Sa Majefié, & F. R. S. Folio. Vilna. (in Lithuania.)

THIS collection contains a great number of accurate aftronomical obfervations made by Abbé Poczobut and M. Streki, with very good inftruments, under the aufpices and patronage of his Polith majefty, to whom the aftronomer intended to dedicate the new conftellation of Poniatowski's Royal Bull, (Taureau Royal de Poniatowski), already mentioned in the fupplement to the Parifian Cy. clopædia; but the king's modesty declined the intended honour, and obliged the aftronomer to expunge that denomination; while his munificence rewarded the aftronomer's merit with a medal ftruck in honour of him, with the legend on one fide: Martin Poczobut, Aitron. Reg. Pol. S. R. Lond. n. 1728.' On the other: Sic itur et aftra. Bene merentis Laudi dedit Stan. Aug. Rex. 1775, with the attributes of astronomy. A medal that will, among many other proofs, evince the king's generofity, as well as the fubject's merits.

Sagan af Gunlaugi Ormfungu og fballd Rafni, five Gunlaugi Vermilinguis et Rafnis Poete Vitá. I vol. 4to. Of 53 Sheets, decorated with three Plates, and a great Number of Head and Tail-Pieces. Copenhagen.

This Saga records the amours of two very capricious youths, who at length killed each other in a duel. The events which, it relates, are faid to have happened between the years 1006, and 1012. The original text was probably written in the thirteenth century. A great deal of critical and antiquarian erudition has been em

ployed

ployed in afferting the authenticity both of this, and of all other Sagas in general, against the doubts raised by the celebrated prof. Schloezer, at Goettingen. The chief value of the text must confift in its containing a rich ftore of materials for antiquarian obfervations; and it will therefore often be referred to in future publications of northern-antiquities. Three very learned differtations are fubjoined to the Saga; one on the expofition of new-born children; another, on the fignification of the word wikingr; and a third on the antiquity and extent of what the Icelanders call the Danish tongue. The genealogy of the perfonages mentioned in the text, as to their male and female defcent, is fully illuftrated by feveral tables. The work concludes with a chronological index, an index rerum, and a critical index of Icelandic words. Two of the plates difplay the internal part of two Icelandic palaces, or houses of wealthy perfons of the eleventh century.

Ueber die Evidenz der Beweise für die Wahrheit des Chriftenthums; or, on the Evidence of the Proofs of the Truth of the Chriftian Religion. By Director Schumann. 800. Hannover. (German)

The learned author purposes to develop, and, wherever it appears neceffary, to strengthen, the known arguments in favour of Christianity. In particular he infifts on the force of the proofs deduced from prophecies and miracles; and endeavours to shew that though we are unacquainted with the powers of the world of fpirits, yet the divinity of the miracles may be safely ascertained. Etwas ueber: or, Something on Mof. xlix. 10. and Matth. v. 31, 32. by the Rev. Mr. John Nic. Milow, of Wandbeck. 8vo. Hamburgh. (German.)

This Something contains moft plaufible interpretations of the two very difficult texts mentioned in the title.

nounces the word

In the firft, Mr. Milow, without altering a fingle letter of the text, only divides the word into two words, pro; and then tranflates: No commander's staff of Judah ever returns, and a chief of the army from -amidst his warriors; until he brings him prefents, and the nations pay him homage. Thus that famous paffage now becomes a continuation of that picture of the spirit and bravery of the tribe of Judah, which was begun in the 8th and 9th verfes. 'None, fays the poet, ever attacks him unpunished; he bears down every thing that oppofes him: an interpretation this, fupported by the genius of the Hebrew language and poetry, by the connexion, and by history.

In the difficult text, Matth. v. 31, 32, instead of rou τυλην махает θαι ; he reads ἐπ ̓ αυτην μοιχαται; as required by the fenfe and by the parallel paffages.

Iftoria del Governo d'Inghilterra, e delle fue Colonie in India, e nell America Settentrionale. Scritta da Vincenzio Martinelli. 8vo. in Fiorenza.

From the author of an hiftory of England, in three quarto voJumes, one might have expected fomething incomparably better. than this fuperficial and very indifferent performance. It has, however, one merit at leaft, which we could wish to find in every infignificant and hafty production, that of being very short.

Delectus Differtationum Medicarum Argentoratenfium: collegit et edidit, Philipp. Ludou. Wittwer, M. D. Vol. I. 8vo. Nurenberg. This first volume contains the following eight valuable differtations. 1. Jac. Reinh. Spielmann, M. D. et Prof. Diss. Inaug. de Principio Salino. 2. Ejufd. et Bernh. Henr. Rang, de optimo Infantis recens nati Alimento. 3. Jo. Fred. Ignal. Probft, de Sale volatili Cantharidum. 4. Jo. Keffelmaier, de quorundam Vegetabilium principio nutriente. 5. Phil. Jac. Imlin, de Soda et inde obtinendo peculiari Sale. 6. J. R. Spielman, et Jo. Fr. Ehrmann, de Hydrargyri præparatorum internorum in Sanguinem effectibus. 7. Ej. et Jo. Hermann Cardamomi Historia et Vindiciæ. 8. Ej. et Jo, Mich. Roederer, Experimenta circa naturam Bilis.

Differtatione Idrofiatica, fopra il concorso de' Fiumi, del Signor Abate D. Gaetano Sertor. 8vo. In Fiorenza.

Containing feveral curious, inftructive, and useful obfervations on the concourse of rivers.

Fundamenta Politica Medicæ, cum annexo Catalogo commoda Pharmacopoliorum vifitationi inferviente,-a D. Joh. Wilh. Baumer, Med. Prof. Gieffenfi. 8vo. Francof. & Lipfic.

Dr. Baumer juftly diftinguishes judicial phyfic, medicina forenfis, from the police of phyfic; and treats here, in nine chapters, of the refpective duties of magiftrates, phyficians, furgeons, male and female midwives, colleges of health, profeffors, and ftudents of phyfic, apothecaries, druggifts, &c. with refpect to aliments, epidemics, burials, capital punishments, &c.

Pharmacopaa Edinburgenfis. Additamentis aucta ab Ern. Gottfr. J. Baldinger, Prof. Geotting 8vo. Bremæ.

The intended and allowed merits of the Edinburgh Pharmacopea are fimplicity and concifenefs. Prof. Baldinger thinks, however, that many useful remedies have been omitted, and many indifferent, and even fome hurtful materials inferted among the best. He has therefore republished this Pharmacopea with three appendices; in the first he points out the omiffions of useful drugs, &c. in the fecond, the admiffion of hurtful ones; and in the third he prefents his pupils with a number of remedies used by himself in the course of his practice.

Pharmacopea Suecica, ad exemplar Holmienfe 1775, récusa. 8vo. Lipfi & Altonæ.

Another excellent Pharmacopea rendered more extensively useful by republication.

Moralne Pifma ad Inc. Pana C. F. Gellerta, Slawnego Akademii Lipfkieij Profeffora, po Niemiecku Wydane, teraz zas na Polski Jezyk przelozone, Tomik I. II. (A Polith Tranflation of the late Prof. Gellert's Moral Lectures.) 2 Vois. 8vo. W. Wroclawiu, (alias Breflaw.)

Few modern writers have ever obtained a more general applaufe among their countrymen than the excellent author of thefe Moral Lectures. We confider this book, and his hymns, as the best of his works, and as patterns in their kind, they were evidently dictated by his heart and have confeffedly and greatly contributed to the improvement of his very numerous auditors and readers. This Polish tranflation of the former of these works is faid to be faithful; and it must be a very interesting and valuable acquifition for Polish readers.

Defcrip

Defcription d'une Machine univerfellement utile et avantageuse, propre à détruire entiérement d'une Manière infaillible, aifée, et à peu de fraix les Fourmis, ainfi que d'autres Injectes nuifibles, inventée par M. le Baron de Hüpfch. 8vo. Cologne, Francfort, & Leipzig. (French and German.)

Some years ago the inhabitants of Martinico were so much plagued by fwarms of ants, that they offered a very great premium, together with the grant of nobility, to the perfon who should discover an effectual method of destroying ants. Had the present pamphlet been published at that time, it would certainly have entitled its author to one part of the premium, as, being already a nobleman, he had no occafion for the other; for his invention has been tried, and tood the teft of experience.

The whole apparatus for the proceeding confifts in an iron bell, under which a piece of brimstone is to be kindled, and the bell then immediately to be fet on the ant-hill. A bell made of clay, or a flower-pot, or an old small cask, or barrel, may be applied to the fame purpose, and with the fame effect. Thus all the ant-hills in a district may be be fucceffively destroyed in a short time, and at a fmall expence.

MONTHLY CATALOGU E.

POLITICA

L.

The Church an Engine of the State. A Sermon, not preached on the late General Faft, 1778. 8vo. IS. Almon.

TH

HE author of this pamphlet is rather more enraged with us than becomes a peaceable inditer of fermons, for the opinion we gave of a former performance † of his. If a literary papa be best acquainted with the merits of his own offspring, we have clearly been wrong, and the fond parent is as clearly right, in the praifes with which he loads the lovely babe. The great complaint against our decifion feems to be, that we did not give as long extracts from what appeared to us a contemptible political pamphlet, as from publications of merit and utility-and this, when we are told, in the preface to the Sermon now before us, that the doctrine of the pamphlet was proved and illustrated in a manner level to every apprehenfion but that of a prime minifter, or a reviewer:' and that the specific caufe of our decaying manufactures, our curtailed trade, our degradation of national character, and the ftrong appearance of an approaching diffolution of a free state, is to be discovered in the fins of members of parliament, bishops, and reviewers.' We thank the gentleman for placing us in fuch prime and worshipful fociety, as well as for his cool and dispassionate reproofs. We gave an opinion of his former performance without any extract; from the present we shall give an extract or two, without a word of opinion.

+ ' Cafe philofophically stated between Great Britain and her Colonies.' See Crit. Rev. vol. xlv. p. 145. L 3

• God

• God was not taught politics at St. James's, or Verfailles, nor was he ever initiated into the fecrets of the interior cabinets of princes; befide that, he can execute all his measures, independent of military and naval armaments.'

It is of no importance to know from what caufe Britons have fallen fhort of fuccefs; whether from a relaxation of ancestral virtue and valour; or from the fuperior wifdom and unanimity, (rendered propitious by almighty God) of their opponents in arms. The fact is, we have failed, and the Americans been profperous, in the fame degree. Shall we then, at this piteous dilemma, apply to OLD WOMEN, dreft in furplices, lawn fleeves, and mitres, for a renovation of British fpirit, a re-animation of British heroism? Thefe very old women too, wallowing in luxury and the love of this world!" How are the mighty fallen !"—If bishops would do effectual good to their infulted and injured country, fuffering in every nerve, and bleeding in every vein, let them, in the name of Chriftian magnanimity, together with the inferior clergy, instantly form themfelves into regiments, get ferjeants to difcipline and teach them the military art. This will evince their fincerity, and at the fame time, their true greatnefs and dignity of mind Many of them are robust able-bodied men, fit to serve his majesty king George. Thofe among them that have had their conftitutions broken down with indolence, indulgence, and high living, will find more relief in this active line of life, than from all the doctors, and mineral waters in the world. Since they have adopted the prefent vindictive and bloody fyftem, and would exterminate millions of virtuous fie men, for defending their lives and property, let the established clergy pas over the Atlantic as one man, and meet the Americans on equal terms in the field. Inftead of praying against them, in churches and chapels, with fneaking cowardly devotion, let the English and Scottish clergy fight them, if they dare. Christianity infpires courage, if their caule is Christianity; and truth infures conqueft, provided their caufe will bear the fcrutiny of truth.'

-Moreover, it may be likewife confidered here, that God knows no treafon or rebellion but against himself. Treafon and rebellion againft England, now bellowed from the mouths of minifters, courtiers, fycophants. and bishops, are not tieafon and rebellion against heaven. Heaven has not, I believe, made a treaty of alliance offensive and defenfive with Great Britain; at least, if fuch a treaty actually exifts, lord North must have put the fchedule in his pocket, without giving the leaft hint of it to the houses of parliament. What, prithee, is England to God, more than France, Portugal, or any other ftate? The fins and provocations of England, in the impartial eye of heaven, are no less numerous and rampant than thofe of any other kingdom we know; her spirit of corruption not lefs, her fpirit of holy hypocrify not lels. Nay, her de merit beyond other nations is not to be concealed or denied. She affects to be the feat of a reformed Proteftant church. But let her tell the world (the world has a right to know) in what respect reformed? By power and grandeur having been transferred from the pope to bishops, and the vanities and fopperies of an abfurd ritual, tranfJated from Rome to London. For my part, I know of no other ential reformation, except the fingle inftance of clergymen acknowledging a temporal, for a spiritual head! Therefore, in the fight of God, who hates pretence, deceit, tyranny, and unjust pri

vileges,