between the enlightened European Statesman and the untutored Chief of Africa. No publications are more generally interesting than Voyages and Travels, where we can depend on the veracity of the relator; and this arises, in great measure, from their containing a kind of literary Mosaic work, formed of fragments of History, Geography, portions of Natural History, sketches of Character, and good Anecdotes, which are always valuable; both as they give an insight into the philosophy of the human mind, and furnish matter for improving conversation. Mathematics, in its various branches, is admitted to be of great utility in forming the mind to a habit of study; in fixing the attention on a particular object: and the higher branches of this science are as necessary to the attainment of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, as its first principles are to commerce, and the business of human life. The fine Arts may be considered as the luxuries of Science, as Poetry and the Belles Lettres are of Literature. They have an evident tendency to refine the mind, and improve the manners; but it is much to be lamented, that, like other luxuries, they are too subject to degenerate into voluptuousness; and that the charms of genius, of wit and eloquence, are so often employed to gild the pill of sensuality. In tracing the circle of the sciences and arts, it will be our aim to avoid and to guard against such abuses; and to make our Work not merely an EPITOME of books, but of information; not excluding any subject of general utility, much less the important topics of morals and religion, which many of our Subscribers, particularly among the Clergy, have considered as too slightly treated in some volumes of the former series. To give a more complete idea of the work, we beg leave to subjoin the PROSPECTUS to our new series, which has been already circulated in our Advertisements. PROSPECTUS. THE Projector of Literary Journals was certainly a benefactor to mankind, as no other medium has been so useful in circulating knowledge. The best things, however, are often the most abused; and it cannot be denied that such Journals have, in too many instances, been made the vehicles of party, and even of private resentment. These circumstances have in great measure rendered them useless, so far as respects the opinion of Reviewers, and originally suggested the plan of this Work; the design of which is rather to enable Readers to review for themselves, than to obtrude on them the opinions of an unknown Editor. In order to this, nothing more seems necessary, in general, than to give the Author's design, a brief analysis, and such extracts as may be sufficient to shew his style, sentiments, and abilities. This plan has been in some degree already acted upon in the old series of this work; and five volumes of the Epitome are already before the Public, and have been honoured with a respectable degree of patronage. Still, however, in some cases, a department for Original Criti cism and Correspondence seemed desirable, and almost essential to the completion of the plan. Injured Authors, whose works have been sacrificed to private interest, or personal pique, may wish to bring their appeal before the Public. On the other hand, publications of a tendency dangerous to morals, and to the welfare of society, are often imposed on the world under specious titles, that may deceive the inexperienced and unwary; and it is a duty, both of religion and benevolence, to guard such, and provide an antidote against the deleterious poison: but extracts from such books would have a contrary effect. Many observations may also occur to our readers, and many articles of literary information, for which this department will form a repository. But in order to prevent this from encroaching on the original plan, eight pages additional will be given with each Number; and if it be found requisite, a Supplementary Number added to each future Volume. The Monthly Catalogue will also be enlarged by the addition of new Music, new discoveries in the Arts and Sciences, &c. for which room will be provided by using a type somewhat smaller than in the other parts of the work. To those who may enquire what advantage this work will possess over other literary Journals, we reply, 1. It will be more impartial. Giving no opinion ourselves, the reader will be furnished with sufficient documents to form his own; and as to the criticisms of our Correspondents, by comparing them with our analysis and extracts, the reader will be enabled to judge also of their propriety. 2. It will be more early. The humble department we have assumed will certainly require less time than that of an accurate review; besides which it will be a primary object with us to give the earliest information in our Monthly Catalogue. 3. It will be more comprehensive. Our Catalogue (at least) will comprehend the Arts of Music, Engraving, and Design; though we wish it to be understood that our attention will be chiefly directed to works of general information and utility; and our extracts be most copious from such publications (if important in themselves) as are most voluminous, expensive, and difficult of access. 4. It will be more interesting: leaving works of abstruse science, and professional studies in our Catalogue, we shall bring forward such works in our Epitome as combine entertainment with information, and gratify those to whom the original works may be inaccessible, as well as qualify purchasers to determine on their merits. 5. It will be more select. 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THE MONTHLY EPITOME, For JANUARY, 1802. I. VOYAGES from Montreal, on the River St. Laurence, through the Continent of North America, to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans, in the Years 1789 and 1793; with a preliminary Account of the Rise, Progress, and present State of the Fur Trade of that Country. Illustrated with Maps, and a portrait of the Author. By ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, Esq. Quarto, pp. 552. Cadell and Davies, Strand; Corbett and Morgan, PallMall; and Creech, Edinburgh. HE preliminary account, in this of the Fur Trade, carried on by Canadian merchants. In the countinghouse of one of these, says Mr. Mackenzie, “I had been five years, and at this period had left him, with a smalladventure of goods, with which he had entrusted me, to seek my fortune at Detroit. He, without any solicitation on my part, had procured an insertion in the agreement, that I should be admitted a partner in this business, on condition that I would proceed to the Indian country in the following spring, 1785. His partner came to Detroit to make me such a proposition. I readily assented to it, and immediately proceeded to the Grande Portage, where I joined my associates." History, p. 19. Our author, assigning his reasons for engaging in these voyages, says, "I was led, at an early period of life, by commercial views, to the country north-west of Lake Superior, in North America; and being endowed by nature with an inquisitive mind and enterprising spirit, possessing also a constitution and frame of body equal to the most arduous undertakings, and being familiar with toilsome exertions in the prosecution of mercantile pursuits, I not only attempted the practicability of penetrating across the continent of America, but was confident in the qualifications, as I was animated by the desire, to undertake the perilous enterprise. "The general utility of such a discovery has been universally acknowledged, while the wishes of my particular friends and commercial associates, that I should proceed in the pursuit of it, continued to quicken the execution of this favourite project of pletion of it extends the boundaries of geographic science, and adds new countries to the realms of British commerce, the dangers I have encountered, and the toils I have suffered, have found their recompence; nor will the many tedious and weary days, or the gloomy and inclement nights which I have passed, have been passed in vain. "The first voyage has settled the dubious point of a practicable north-west passage; and I trust that it has set that long agitated question at rest, and extinguished the disputes respecting it for ever. An enlarged discussion of this subject will be found to occupy the concluding pages of this volume. "In this voyage, I was not only without the necessary books and instruments, but also felt myself deficient in the sciences of astronomy and navigation: I did not hesitate, therefore, to undertake a winter's voyage to this country, in order to procure the one and acquire the other. These objects being accomplished, I returned, to determine the practicability of a commercial communication through the continent of North America, between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which is proved by my second journal. Nor do I hesitate to declare my decided opinion that very great and essential advantages may be derived by extending our trade from one sea to the other.' Preface, p. iv, v. " The history of the Fur Trade contains a particular account of the persons engaged, and method of carrying on this traffic, an account of the establishment of the north-west company, with a description of the rivers and country through which they pass, and the manners of Indians with whom they trade. The method of carrying on this traffic is by a number of canoes laden with goods, to exchange with the Indians for their furs, provision for the people employed, and suitable implements for their voyage. "An European, on seeing one of these slender vessels laden, heaped up, and sunk with her gunwale within, six inches of the water, would think his fate inevitable in such a boat, when he reflected on the nature of her voyage; but the Canadians are so expert that few accidents happen." History, p. 29. On account of rapids and falls in the waters, this employment is very laborious, as the men are frequently obliged to carry not only the greater part of the lading, but the canoes, and that often over rocks: of these places the author gives particular accounts, one of which is subjoined. "The Portage La Loche, where the canoes with their lading are carried, is thirteen miles in length, and is a level, until you come within a mile of the termination of the Portage, where there is a very steep precipice, whose ascent and descent appear to be equally impracticable in any way, as it consists of a succession of eight hills, some of which are almost perpendicular; nevertheless the Canadians contrive to surmount all these difficulties, even with their canoes and lading. "This precipice, which rises upwards of a thousand feet above the plain beneath it, commands a most extensive, romantic, and ravishing prospect. From thence the eye looks down on the course of the little river, by some called the Swan river, and by others the Clear Water and Pelican River, beautifully meandering for upwards of thirty miles. The valley, which is at once refreshed and adorned by it, is about three miles in breadth, and is confined by two lofty ridges of equal height, displaying a most delightful intermixture of wood and lawn, and stretching on till the blue mist obscures the prospect. Some parts of the inclining heights are covered with stately forests, relieved by promontories of the finest verdure, where the elk and buffalo find pasture. These are contrasted by spots where fire has destroyed the woods, and left a dreary void behind it. Nor, when I beheld this wonderful display of uncultivated nature, was the moving scenery of human occupation wanting to complete the picture. From this elevated situation I beheld my people, diminished as it were to half their size, employed in pitching their tents in a charming meadow,and among the canoes, which, being turned upon their sides, presented their reddened bottoms in contrast with the surrounding verdure. At the same time the process of gumming them produced numerous small spires of smoke, which, as they rose, enlivened the scene, and at length blended with the larger columns that ascended from the fires where the suppers were preparing. It was in the month of September when I enjoyed a scene of which I do not presume to give any adequate description; and as it was the rutting season of the elk, the whistling of that animal was heard in all the variety which the echoes could afford it." History, p. 85, 86. The present establishment of the north-west company is in latitude 58. 38 north, longitude 110. 26 west, called Fort Chipewyan, and formed on a point on the southern side of the Lake of the Hills, the arrival at which place from Canada the author thus describes: "Here have I arrived, with ninety or an hundred men, without any. provision for their subsistence; for whatever quantity might have been obtained from the natives during the summer, it could not be more than sufficient for the people dispatched to the different ports; and even if there were a casual superfluity, it was absolutely necessary to preserve it untouched for the demands of the spring. The whole dependance, therefore, of those who remained, was on the lake, and fishing implements, for the means of our support. The nets |