Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

Vertrauliche Briefe ueber Frankreich,&c. &c. Tb. I. pp. 358. Th. II. 372. Zurich, 1798; 8vo. Familiar Letters on France and Paris. The author of thefe letters obferved the progrefs of the great events which have taken place in France for feveral years, at firft on the frontiers of that country, and afterwards at the principal theatre itfelf. The letters are directed to a female friend, and begin with pleafing pictures of the romantic environs of Geneva, the customs and morals of the Swifs, and the difpofition of that unfortunate nation, who then were yet blessed with internal and external peace; and his letters on Paris and France form no unpleafing companion to thofe of Mifs WILLIAMS, which have been read with fo much avidity in this country. An Englifh tranflation of thefe letters being in hand, we shall give our opinion of their merits and demerits at large on its firft appear ance, obferving only that, notwithstanding its defects, it contains many anecdotes, which have not been generally known hitherto, and many obfervations and remarks, which are the refult of impartial E reflexion. We were particularly pleafed with the interesting history of Amelia, a French emigrant, which is told extremely well, and accompanied with obfervations that reflect honour on the author's head and heart.

Protocoll der Reichsfriedens deputation zu Raftadi, &c. &c. beraufgegeben; von H. M. von Bellinghaufen; No. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. 1798; 4to. Protocol of the Congrefs of Raftadt, together with all Supple ments published; diligently compared with the originals, and accompanied with fome elucidating obfervations. No. I. contains the protocols of the firft, fecond, and third feffion, 1798; pp. 70. No. II. contains the protocols of the fourth, fifth, and fixth feffion, 1798; pp. 70-132. No. III. contains the protocols of the feventh to the thirteenth feffion, pp. 133204. No IV. contains the protocols of the fourteenth to the twentieth feffion; pp. 205-288. No. V. twenty-first to the thirtieth feffion; pp. 289-430; and No. VI. thirty-first to fortieth feffion. The materials from which this work is compofed are extremely defective, confifting chiefly of mutilated documents, newspaper intelligence, pamphlets, whofe authors fhun the light, fictitious cabinet-documents and sontroverfial writings, which evidently bear the stamp of violent party-fpirit.

Hiftorifche Ueberficht der Politic Englands und Frankreichs, &c. &c. von Herbert Marh. Leipzig, 1799; pp. 602; Svo. MONTHLY MAG. XLVII.

Hiftorical Review of the Policy of England and France, from the Time of the Conference at Pilnitz to the Declaration' of War against England, founded upon authentic Documents. This excellent publication, of which our nation has reafon to be proud, as Mr. MARSH is a native of England, has an undoubted claim to the applaufe of the impartial public, because it inveftigates, with uncommon calmnefs and candour, one of the most remarkable periods of the modern revolutionary hiftory, which has fo frequently been mifreprefented by ignorant illuminators, and felf-created apoftles of liberty. The author, who is honourably known to the English public by his theological writings, and has lived many years in Germany, proves, by indifputable arguments, that Great Britain tried all pollible means, fince the year 1789, to live in friendship with France; that the ever-changing rulers of the new republic were convinced of this peaceable difpofition; and that the English government, after the declaration of war, ftrove, with unabated affiduity, to fettle all differences, and to restore peace between the two contending nations. Mr. Marth founds his hiftorical account upon written negociations between the two powers, the journals of the national convention, and other authentic papers. The author proves, by the judicious obfervations which he makes upon the facts collected by him with great diligence, how fallacious the fophifins of Mr. ARCHENHOLZ, and his numerous imitators are, and examines the affertions of those writers with critical acuteness, felecting from their contradictions and exaggerations every authenticated intelligence that ferves to ftrengthen his arguments. He treats in fourteen fections, in a foreign language, which he writes with uncommon correctnefs, and no fmall degree of elegance and fimplicity, on the relations of Great Britain towards France to the year 1793; and on the measures which our government took, up to that period, to preferve peace, till France at last declared a war, which already had been prepared, by appeals to the people of England, by the recognition of a revolutionary fociety, exifting at that time in our country, and by the fecret negociations into which the had entered. He has devoted a particular appendix to an exact and impartial account of the repeated but fruitlefs endeavours of our government, to obtain peace by the facrifice of all our conquefts. He proves, in a moft incontrovertible manner, that England neither was the primary fpring 4 C

of

[ocr errors]

of the conferences of Pilnitz, nor had any inclination to join the alliance against France, and that the republican rulers of that country were perfectly convinced of the peaceable difpofition of her old rival. We conclude our account of this able performance with the with, that Mr. Marth may foon gratify us with a tranflation of it. Vorlesungen ueber die Synchroniftifchen Tabellen, &c. &c. von M. Dan. G. 7. Huebler. Erfter Band, 1798; pp. 376; 8vo. Lectures on the fynchroniftic Tables of the general Hiftory of Nations. The prefent commentary proves, that the author is intimately acquainted with hiftory. It is the fruit of diligent and laborious gleanings from the best hiftorical works which Germany poffeffes, and here are compreffed in an ufeful and well-connected extract. Mr. H. has therefore not the leaft reafon for accufing himself of vanity, in believing that his book will afford every teacher, who has to inftruct young people in hiftory, an affiftance, which he otherwife would be obliged to procure by extenfive reading. Mr. M. has founded the hiftory of every individual nation upon fome modern author of eminence, and completed his ftatements, by collecting the fcattered accounts of others on the fame fubject. Profeffor Gatterer's works are the principal fource from which he draws his intelligence, but he, at the fame time, has recourse, in every individual fection, to all other authors who have inveftigated the fame fubject. . Thus, for inftance, Michaëlis is his conftant auxiliary guide, befides Gatterer, in the hiftory of the Jews; and Heeren, in the fections in which he relates the hiftory of the Phenicians. The history of the Ifraelites occupies the greater part of the prefent first volume, which goes no farther than the reign of Cyrus, and the foundation of the Roman ftate. Mr. H. promifes to complete his useful work with the third volume; but we apprehend he will not be capable of keeping his word, if he does not confine his plan in fmaller limits, which we would advise him to do, left he should defeat the principal object of his work, by rendering it too expenfive and voluminous for that clafs of people, whofe wants it is particularly defigned to supply.

NATURAL HISTORY.

DE LOY's Chronologische Gelchichte der Naturlehre, &c. &c. Leipzig, 1798. DE Loy's Chronological Hiftory of Natural Hiftory, for Inquirers and Amateurs, tranflated from the French by KUEHN, profeffor at Leipzig. This work appear

ed in the year 1786, at Strafburg, under the title, Abrégé Chronologique, pour fervir à 'Hiftoire de la Physique jufqu'à nos fours, and we cannot comprehend how it could obtain the unmerited honour of being tranflated, as it is full of inaccuracies, and far from being what the title promifes.

Botanik fuer Frauenzimmer und Pflanzenliebhaber, &c. &c. von Dr. A. G. C. Batsch. Weymar, 1798; 8vo. Botany for Ladies and Lovers of Plants, who are no Literati. Second enlarged edition. The new edition of thefe excellent outlines of botany, is a proof of their having been as well received as they deferve. The plates are well executed.

Der kleine Vogelfaenger, &c. &c. Leipzig, 1798. The Little Bird-catcher, Vol. I. from A to F. A very useful book for boys who are defigned for the study of rural economy, or with for an useful exercife of their body. It alfo will prove acceptable to all lovers of birds in general.

CARL GOTTL. RAFN's Entwurf ei ner Pflanzenphyfiologie, &c. &c. Leipzig und Koppenhagen, 1798; pp. 346; 8vo. C. G. Rafn's. Sketch of a Phyfio. logy of Plants, founded upon the modern, phyfical, and chemical Theories; with Additions and Alterations; tranflated from the Danish by J. A. MARKUSSEN. The author has fuccefsfully attempted to collect, and fyftematically to arrange, in this sketch, all modern difcoveries in the economy of plants. Many heads might indeed have been filled up more completely; however, we muft do the author the juftice to confefs, that he displays much diligence, and found judgment in this little. work.

Der Fortfezzung der Pflanzentbiere neunte Lieferung, Nurnberg, &c. &c. 1798; Ninth Number of the Continuation of Animal-plants; three Sheets Text, and ten coloured Plates. Mr. ESPER, the learned author of this valuable work, continues to throw much light upon this long-neglected branch of natural hiftory. The plates are executed with taste and accuracy, and the defcription of the plants is drawn up with fcientific clearness and precifion.

GUSTAVI PAYKUL. Fauna Suecica, Infecta; Tom. II. 1798; pp. 234. We are happy to be able to inform our readers, that the author of this valuable work, mentioned in our laft Retrospect, to which we beg leave to refer, continues to communicate his able researches with unabated zeal and diligence.

Alsandlung von den Sowohl aufferlichen

als

als innerlichen Krankheiten der Jagd-und anderer bunde, &c. &c. von C. G. K. 1798; pp. 87; 8vo. A Treatise on the external and internal Difeafes of Hounds and Dogs, together with complete Inftructions for curing them, and a fhort Obfervation on their Inftinct of Copulation, &c. &c. This is a concife extract from feveral eminent works on the fame fubject, and will prove useful to all keepers of dogs and hounds, who wish to preferve the health of these useful animals.

POLITICS.

Neuefte Staatenkunde, &c. &c. Lateft Statistic; a Journal for Princes and Nations; No. I. and II. pp. 279; 8vo. This is rather a political than a statistical journal. The unexpected events of our times proved how fhort-fighted was the policy of the Germans; how deficient and fuperficial their knowledge and calculation of political power; and how impenetrable futurity was to their view: This defect is to be removed by the prefent jour. nal; and it is Mr. CHARLES JULIUS LANGE, Profeffor at Baireuth, who thus humanely commiferates the diftrefs of the poor German princes and their fubjects.

CHRISTOPHORI SAXI Oratio bonoraria in Legis Regia Patronos-habita Publice-cum Magiftratu Academico quartum abdicaret, 1798; 12 Sheets, 4to. Although we cannot fubfcribe to the principles after which Mr. S. profeffor at Utrecht, condemns all monarchies, in toto, and are perfectly convinced that his manner of arguing would equally ferve to prove, that all ariftocratical and democratical forms of government ought to be rejected; yet we cannot help confeffing, that the prefent oration diftinguishes itself eminently by a rich fund of erudition, and an uncommon flow of manly eloquence. The author difplays a profound knowledge of history in the formation and execution of his arguments, and we were aftonished at the youthful enthusiasm with which here a man fpeaks, who has completed his eighty-fourth year. The great power and fullness of expreffion with which he delivers his fentiments, and the extenfive knowledge of the works of the ancient claffics which he difplays, indemnifies the reader amply for the conal obfcurities which arife from thequent ufe of obsolete words, and the length of his periods.-He opens his fpeech by fhowing what the defenders and panegyrifts of royalifm mean by lex regia, and then attempts to bring their opinion before the tribunal of

reafon and pragmatical hiftory, in order to prove not only its dangerous tendency, but alfo its being utterly inadmiffible. He finally applies the refults of thefe premifes to the new Batavian republic. As for the firft part of his fpeech, in which he labours to prove that fuch a law never was fanétioned by the general confent of a whole nation, we have no room for refuting here his arguments, and fhowing their fallacy. We must content ourselves with following only the courfe of his ideas. He admits, p. 7, and even proves by the hiftorical teftimonies of Ariftotle, Cicero, Tacitus, and Juftin, that the older nations had kings and fupreme rulers, but denies their having been fuffered to exercise a defpotic fway like those who ruled over Afia and Europe in later times, particularly during the existence of the Roman monarchy, and like the princes of our age; infifting that they had been men, who, eminent by their fuperiority of underftanding and humanity, furpaffed the reft of the people, adminiftered juftice in peace, and commanded the army in time of war. In vain (continues the venerable orator, p. 11) do the royalists (idoli regii precones) affert in their defence, that the four principal nations of the east and the weft, either introduced the lex regia by divine admonition, or that it was confirmed by the general confent of the people.

He argues, with great ability, that neither the one nor the other can be proved by undoubted historical facts, contefting, with uncommon critical acuteness, the authenticity of the famous lex regia Romanorum, and concludes the refults of his historical investigations, p. 34, with thefe words: Lex regia, quam exiftimo tum fuiffe, ortu fuit infidiatrix et lenis, progreffione rapax, fed ingeniofe lenta, eventu tremens et hominum civitati perniciofa. Duobus certe modis perlata fuit, victaque libertas in dominationem vertit: FRAUDE et VI.The fpeech of the orator grows uncommonly animated, where he declares himfelf against all hereditary monarchies, the baneful confequences of which he paints with horrid colours. Although we differ as well in this as in many other points from the venerable orator, yet we muft confels that we have perused his speech with peculiar pleasure, as a most elegant piece of profound erudition, and forcible eloquence.

[blocks in formation]

motion of general and domeftic Happinefs, dedicated to all good men, for the year 1798.

2. Bergifches Taschenbuch, &c. &c. 1798; pp. 330. Pocket-book for the duchy of Berg, for the year 1798. For Inftruction and Amufement. Publifhed by W. ASCHENBERG.

3. Berlinifcher Almanach, &c. &c. Almanac of Berlin for the Year 1798; defigned for the Amusement of focial Circles, by ADOLPHI; with Mufic, by W. F. SCHULTZ. No. I. contains chiefly pieces in profe, amongst others a fragment of a romance, in letters, The Family of Bergfeld, and another unfinished tale, fome pieces of natural history, moral reflexions and riddles. The most interefting piece is The Girl of the Vendee. This almanac may agreeably fill up fome vacant hours. The plates are very indifferent. No. II. contains more, and better engravings. Its intereft is merely local. No. III. is a moft pitiful compilation of nonfense.

Brennus, eine Oper, &c. &c. pp. 116. Fol. Brennus, an Opera, in three Acts, with German and Italian Words. The Mufic by G. F. REICHARDT. First act. This opera was compofed in the year 1789, for the royal theatre at Berlin, and is an additional proof of the fcientific fkill of Mr. Reichardt, whofe compofitions are not unknown in this country, and ranked with thofe of the célebrated GLUCK. We can fafely recommend this claffical performance as a pattern to young artifts, who are inclined to devote their talents to the theatre, and fhall with pleafure difcufs the merits of this work more at large, as foon as the reft appears. If the poetry of the whole piece be like that of the first act, we must give it the preference to many pieces which derive their merit entirely from the mufic, and, without its affiftance, fcarcely would be endored by an auditory not totally destitute of good fenfe.

Das Haus von Grodnow, &c. &c. von F. G. D. Schmiedigen, 1798. Th. I. pp. 300. Tb II. pp 272; 8vo. The Family of Grodnow; or Love after Marriage. The fubje&t of this novel does honour to the author's choice, but the execution of it will undoubtedly not have procured him much celebrity in Ger

many.

Ren unter Sonne, Mond und Sternen, &c. &c. 1798; pp. 220; 8vo. Travels under Sun, Moon, and Stars, a biographical Picture. This novel is nothing elfe

but a moft pitiful caricature, totally deftitute of wit and taste.

Correza, der Franke, &c. &c. von J. Goebel, 1799. Tb. I. pp. 211. Tb. II. PP. 190; 8vo. Correza, the Frenchman ; from the Archives of the Templars. The abfurdity of this novel is the only prominent feature by which it diftinguishes itfelf from the rest of its brethren.

Dyveke, &c. &c. von R. L. 1798. Dyveke, a Tragedy, in five Acts, after the Danish Original. The original is a favourite piece on the Danish theatre, and the fubject of it is taken from the history of Denmark. Dyveke was the miftrefs of Criftieru II. After his marriage, the partifans of the queen, or rather the nobility, who are provoked at the arrogance of Dyveke's mother, endeavour to fuperfede her. The queen is yet ignorant of her having a rival, and tries every mean to obtain the love of her lord. Torpen Ope, a nobleman and governor of the caftle where he refides, is in love with Dyveke. Torpen, who entertains the moft generous fentiments for her, prevails upon her to fly with him, in order to fave herfelf and her mother from the perfecution of the queen; but a perfidious prieft, who is connected with the queen's governefs, caufes her to be poisoned before that plan is executed. The language and dialogue are dignified; however, we have met with many paffages which lead us to fufpect, that the tranflator has not done juftice to the original.

Obolen von Seume. To. I. pp. 208. Th. II. pp. 208. Leipzig, 1798; 8vo. Oboli. A collection of poetical and profe pieces of fome merit. The first volume contains, amongst others, a very good tranflation of Gray's celebrated elegy.

Jella, &c. &c. Th. I. pp. 255. Th. II. pp. 256; 8vo; 1798. Jella; or, the Morlachian Girl. This novel diftinguithes itfelf favourably from the rest of its brethren by its originality and fimplicity of ftyle; and exhibits an interefting picture of a Sclavonian nation, with whofe hiftory the artlefs tale is pleasingly connected. We have read it with encreafing intereft from beginning to end; and, if the rage for tranflations of German novels thould continue, we should not be forry to fee it appear in an English garb, of which it is more deferving, than most of thofe unnatural compofitions, which of late have been introduced into this country from abroad.

Sufchens Ausfeur, &c. &c. 1799; pp. 16; 4. 228; 8vo. Sufan's Dowry; or, the

the Hiftory of the Countefs of Senneterre, related by herself. This is a tranflation from a French novel, Le Dot de Suzette, which was published last year at Paris, and received with uncommon applaufe, of which it is not undeferving.

Der grauengel, &c. &c. 1798; pp. 224; 8yo. The Grey Angel, an Ori ental Tale; by J. F. ARNOLD. Mr. Arnold would do well to study his language, and to cultivate his tafte carefully, before he attempts again to write for the public.

Rudolph von Werdenberg, von Aug Lafontaine, 1798; pp. 600; 8vo. This is one of the most pleafing and inftructive compofitions of the novel kind which we have feen of late, and reflects no fmall degree of honour on the talents and the philanthropic difpofitions of its celebrated author, who was the firft popular writer in Germany who fucceeded, by his two interefting romances, Clara Dupleffis, and Count St. Julien, in recalling his nation from the abfurd predilection for unnatural and horrid compofitions, to which the Germans were glaringly addicted within the last ten years, and which, to our difgrace, was alfo introduced, and promoted in this country by writers of fome eminence. The revolution which took place in the country of the Grifons in the beginning of the fifteenth century, and completed the final eftablishment of Swifs liberty, is the main hinge upon which this interefting tale turns. The author has intimately blended his account of the origin, progrefs, and final iffue of that memorable event, with the fate of Werdenberg, who is not altogether a mere imaginary being, and really acted a confpicuous part in the ftruggles of the brave Grifons for liberty, which gives additional intereft to the relation of his life. The language is unaffected and dignified, the incidents are harmoniously united, the principles which animate the beautiful tale are excellent, and deferving of serious confideration in our revolutionary times; the tout enfemble is by far fuperior to any of the compofitions of Mr. L. which we have seen as yet, and calculated not only to amufe novel readers of the common clafs, but also to intereft the heart and the understanding of those, who look for more fubftantial food than that which books of this kind commonly afford. We cannot refift the temptation of extracting a few paffages, which will convince our readers of the truth of this affertion. "Dear Rudolph (fays father Anthony, the venerable tutor of Werdenberg, to

his pupil), dear Rudolph, wifdom is the only power by which mankind ought to be ruled; it is the fword which God gave to man, to drive violence out of the world.

Teach, inftruct, propagate knowledge, wifdom and virtue, expel error and fuperftition; and injuftice and oppreffion will gradually ceafe to prevail in the world. You would vainly attempt to eftablish liberty, while the people are not wifer and more virtuous than they are at prefent, although you should overturn all thrones, and leave not one prince who could invade her auguft empire. Liberty confifts in virtue, love, and truth. Therefore precipitate nothing, my fon; for liberty depends not upon the form of government, but on the virtue and wifdom of a nation. Unhappy the nation that, by accident, or through a fudden revolution, has obtained more liberty than it poffeffed before, without having alfo grown wifer and more virtuous. Liberty is like the fpring, which expells the chilling cold gradually from the ground. The foil brings forth, at first, fome plants which can ftand the feverity of the feafon; the air grows gradually milder, and when it, by degrees, has obtained a congenial warmth, the tendereft flowers and bloffoms, the most beautiful children of nature, appear and profper; whereas they would be deftroyed by the cold if they ventured forth fooner. The fame may be faid of liberty. The times will, and muft come, when princes will efteem it their greatest glory to be the protectors of the laws, and the fathers of generous and virtuous fubjects. Cortinual increase of truth is the only road that leads to that period. We cannot accelerate the arrival of thofe times by force; but they muft arrive at laft, because there is a Provi dence. Liberty cannot fpring up from blood; the fword cannot prepare the foil where it is to grow up. Truth, light, and reason, alone, are the nurses of genuine liberty. Liberty declined always again amongst every nation where it proceeded from riots, party-fpirit, and ambition, and was not fupported by truth. Neither are a few individual wife men fufficient to establish liberty. The whole nation must be wife; the former only can scatter the feeds of freedom. Let us therefore carry light and truth to the nations that are in darkness, and expel error and fuperftition !-Every nation is fufceptible only of a certain degree of liberty, which is proportionate to the degree of light and truth with which it is bleffed. A completely wife and good pe

ple

« ForrigeFortsæt »