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Rules of the French Academy, &c. &c. By Charles Antoine Devisscher. I 2mo. 38. half-bound. Law and Whittaker.

1816.

This grammar is short and good; and, though it would have been easier for children if the appropriate answer had been placed after each question, yet, according to the present arrangement, more exercise is given to the student's understanding, because the series of questions at the beginning of the work must be resolved from the lessons which follow them.

Afi. 28. The Blind Man and his Son, a Tale for Young People; The Four Friends, a Fable; and a Word for the Gipsies. 12mo. 48. 6d. Boards. Taylor and Hessey. 1816.

"Je ne suis pas la rose, mais j'ai vécu prés d'elle." Such seems to be the motto adopted by this writer, who ushers his performances into the world under the auspices of Mr. Montgomery; and who, as we conjecture, typifies that gentleman's good offices in the fable of The Swan and the Rabbit:' in which the swan acts a part usually assigned to the dolphin, and bears his friend across the waters on his back. We have somewhere read a story of a monkey who deceived a dolphin into the belief that he was a man, and thus was ferried half-way over the channel: but, beginning to chatter, he imitated humanity so abominably" that the indignant dolphin shook him off into the deep. Now if Mr. Montgomery has mistaken the present writer for a poet, it would have been better for him and for us if he had discovered his error before he granted a passage to such lines as the following:

Page 80.

Page 92.

'And Wellington at Waterloo,

Who crowed out Cock a doodle doo!!!'

Less what they can than what they cannot; Less what they have than what they ha' not.' We remark, however, some ingenuity in the author's essay on gipsies, though we cannot assent to the supposition with which he concludes it; namely, that Providence has preserved the race of gipsies distinct from the rest of mankind, in order to employ them as Christian missionaries.'

Art. 29.

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The Family Robinson Crusoe; or Journal of a Father shipwrecked with his Wife and Children, on an uninhabited Island. Translated from the German of M. Wiss. 2 Vols. Godwin and Co. 1816.

12mo.

All those who are interested for the celebrated founder of this family will peruse these adventures with avidity, from their similarity to the narrative of Defoe, and from the ingenuity with which subjects of natural history are introduced. We must object, however, that the shipwrecked father is made to employ some cruel expedients in self-defence, or in order to procure animal food; such as taming a buffalo by slitting his nose, and dragging him with a cord passed through the aperture, &c. &c.

Art. 30. Petit Cadeau à la Jeunesse, &c. A little Gift for Youth, or New Fables in French Verse. By M.A. Mejanel, Teacher

of

pp. 68.

Dulau and Co.

of the French Language. 16mo. 1816. Of these lively and pleasing tales, the subjects are well calculated for youthful readers: but M. Mejanel's explanations of English terms are rather curious; for instance, he chuses as a motto the sentiment of Lord Chesterfield on the necessity of early attention to "good breeding," and he then translates it thus, Une bonne éducation,' &c.; and in page 5. he gives a note to inform the French reader that the name of Shakspeare makes but two syllables in pronouncing, thus, Cheks-pir.

Art. 31. An Atlas for the Use of Schools. By Miss Wilkinson. Two Parts. 8vo. 7s. 6d. half-bound. Law and Whittaker.

1816.

One of these little volumes contains small but neat maps of the eastern and western hemispheres, of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, and of the principal countries in Europe, and the second part gives the outlines of the same maps, which the learner is required to fill up by adding the cities, the names of rivers, &c. We think that the plan is useful, and the price of the work is so moderate as to facilitate the general adoption of it.

Art. 32. The Book of Versions, or Guide to French Translation. For the Use of Schools. Accompanied with Notes to assist in the Construction, and to display a Comparison of the French and English Idioms. By J. Cherpilloud, late Master of CottageGreen Academy. 12mo. pp. 226. pp. 226. Souter. 1817.

These passages from various authors are particularly well selected, and a student of the French language can scarcely fail to be amused as well as improved by attempting the translation of them. We therefore wish to Mr. Cherpilloud's Book of Versions' the success which it merits.

Art. 33. The Terra Incognita of Lincolnshire; with Observations, moral, descriptive, and historical, in original Letters written purposely for the Improvement of Youth. By Miss Hatfield, Author of "Letters on the Importance of the Female Sex," &c. &c. J2mo. 4s. Boards. Robinsons. 1816.

Persons who are unacquainted with Lincolnshire will read these prose-descriptions of its scenery with no very lively interest; yet they seem to have been written from competent local knowlege, and will therefore gratify those to whom the subject is a recommendation. In page 20. some words are incorrectly printed, as, lybernum, clymatis, &c.; and in page 137. is the following pleonasm, some submerge themselves under water.'

Art. 34. Pelham, or the Twin-brothers; a Contrast between Virtue and Vice, being an affectionate Lesson to Youth. By William Chown, Schoolmaster of Moulton, near Northampton. 12mo. 6d. Printed at Northampton. 1816.

A well-meant little tale, which may be useful in a certain sphere, though the style and language are not sufficiently correct for polished readers.

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Art. 35. Dialogues on Curious Subjects in Natural History. 12mo. 2s. half-bound. Darton and Harvey. 1816.

As an humble imitation of Mrs. Wakefield's "Instinct displayed," this little work makes no claims to being called an original performance: but it conveys some information and amusement in a short compass and at a small expence.

Art. 36: A System of Geography, for the Use of Schools; on a new and perfectly easy Plan; in which the European Boundaries are stated, as settled by the Peace of Paris, November, 1815. With Maps. By J. Bigland. 12mo. 6s. Boards. Printed at Derby. We may recommend this small volume for adoption in schools, since it is, in our opinion, better suited to that purpose than any. similar treatise which has lately fallen under our inspection.On the first perusal of the preface, we thought that Mr. Bigland was rather too loud in praise of his own performance: but, on examination, we concur in his estimate as correct, and shall therefore avail ourselves of a part of that preface, in order to indicate to our readers the peculiarities of the plan which he has adopted.

After exhibiting the reasons which induced me to undertake this elementary treatise, it is requisite to explain the plan. The interrogative system is universally acknowledged to be the best adapted for conveying the rudiments of instruction. Those who are acquainted with the philosophy of the human mind know that, in early youth, it acquires knowledge only by assiduous inculcation and frequent repetition. Flexible and ductile, it readily receives and as readily loses any impression: it therefore requires frequent and repeated exercise, which is best performed by interrogation and response. But it has been discovered by experience, that, when the whole lesson consists of questions and answers, it necessarily involves much useless matter, and the plan of instruction is cramped by the process. In this treatise it has been my aim to avoid these inconveniences. Every lesson is divided into articles concisely expressed and accurately numbered. The pupil is to be examined on each particular head by the questions subjoined to the lesson, and corresponding with the numbers; so that a glance of the eye suffices to show to which article each question' refers; and the pupil, by examining maps while perusing his lesson, will acquire, in the most easy and pleasing manner, a correct knowledge of geography.

One of the great advantages resulting from this method is, that it not only fixes the geographical matter in the mind of the pupil," but also enables him to converse on the subject; for as it is not necessary that he should repeat the words of the article to which the question refers, but only the substance, he will, by this kind of exercise, acquire the habit of expressing his thoughts with promptitude and propriety, which is one great end of juvenile instruction. Another advantage arising from the plan here adopted, is the readiness with which the learner may be directed to the article of examination, in order to correct any errors proceeding from inattention. This precludes the necessity of referring to

other

other books for the solutions, and thereby greatly facilitates the work of the master.'

As the plan is judicious, so also we think that the execution is very correct, and that the whole is well suited for a geographical class-book in schools.

Art. 37.

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Geography for Youth, adapted to the different Classes of Learners. By the Rev. John Hartley. 2d Edition. 4s. 6d. bound. Longman and Co. 1816.

Izmo.*

For young children, perhaps, the form of question and answer is preferabie to that which is adopted by Mr. Hartley; in whose work a large type is selected for such passages as are to be learned by heart, and occasional questions without their answers are suggested to the teacher in notes at the bottom of the page. Still we may recommend this as a clear and useful compendium of geography.

Art. 38. The French Scholar's First Book; comprising a copious Vocabulary, a Collection of familiar Phrases, &c. By Ph. Le' Breton, A.M. Master of the Academy in Poland-Street. 12mo. pp. 92. Law and Whittaker. 1817.

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We think that this little book is well calculated for beginners, since it is not overloaded with explanations; and the author, who is accustomed to the task of instruction, has introduced and arranged such rules as are most necessary, together with some amusing and well written stories for children.

Art. 39. Principles of Elocution; containing numerous Rules, Observations, and Exercises on Pronunciation, Pauses, Inflections, Accent, and Emphasis; also copious Extracts in Prose and Poetry, calculated to assist the Teacher, and to improve the Pupil in reading and recitation. Second Edition. By Thomas Ewing. 12mo. pp. 436. Law and Whittaker. 1816.

Both teachers and students of English elocution will find Mr.. Ewing's performance serviceable; since his rules are in general very good, and his extracts form an agreeable and judicious selection.

POLITICS.

Art. 40. Collections relative to the Systematic Relief of the Poor, at different Periods, and in different Countries; with Observations on Charity, its proper Objects and Conduct, and its Influence on the Welfare of Nations. 8vo. pp. 220. 7s. Boards. Murray. We have seldom seen a greater variety of matter compressed within the compass of a thin octavo than we here find; the author, whoever he may be, having spared no pains to explore the historical records of the state of the poor in all ages and nations. He begins with a statement of the condition of the poor among the Jews from the days of Moses; and, after having turned aside (p. 21.) somewhat capriciously to China, he proceeds to recapitulate a variety of circumstances connected with the provisions for them under the Grecian and Roman governments. This part of the inquiry leads him into classic ground, and affords him an opportunity,

opportunity, of which he makes somewhat too liberal an use, of indulging in quotations from Greek and Latin writers. At last he comes (p. 68.) to the institutions for the poor in modern times; which induces him to make the tour of Europe, and to expatiate successively on the merits of the provisions in Italy, France, Holland, England, Scotland, and Ireland, not forgetting even the crude system of Russia, or the still less inviting method in Iceland.

Among the most instructive passages, is the very full abstract (p. 140. et seq.) of the various dispositions of the system of poorlaw in England; and in fact the book, with all the disadvantages of want of method and arrangement, will be found a very convenient collection and object of reference to persons engaged in considering the state of the poor. The author has in a great measure contented himself with acting the part of a compiler; introducing in comparatively few instances any original observations, though he is certainly not devoid of capacity for making them; and nothing can be more evident than the spirit of benevolence that actuates him throughout.

Art. 41. Of the Revolutionists, and of the present Ministry, by M. Translated from the French. To which is prefixed an Historical Memoir of Fouché of Nantes, now styled Duke of Otranto. By the English Editor. By the English Editor. Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 87. Allman. 1816.

One of those vehement publications which we have seldom known to do good in any country. The part that properly forms the pamphlet is anonymous, but bears evident marks of the pen of a Frenchman, who would have no objection (p. 34.) to see his native land once more convulsed for the sake of restoring to the emigrants their lost estates; and being also one of those who have no doubt of the existence of an extensive conspiracy previously to the return of Bonaparte from Elba. By way of adding_fuel to the flame, the English editor, in his historical notice of Fouché, enlarges with extraordinary vehemence on the former delinquencies of that versatile politician. Unluckily, neither of these gentlemen seems to have succeeded in operating a change on the views of the French court; the present system of policy at the Tuileries being to consult the feelings of the revolutionists, and to drown party-spirit in oblivion, as far as it may be possible to effect this desirable object.

Art. 42. Conversations on Political Economy; in which the Elements of that Science are familiarly explained. By the Author of "Conversations on Chemistry." 8vo. pp. 476. 9s. Boards. Longman and Co. 1816.

This is an attempt to explain, in an easy and familiar form, a science which has not as yet been presented to young persons in any shape that deserves the name of an attractive publication. The author, a lady, sets out by admitting her doubts of success, and her apprehension that the present offspring of her pen is likely to be less generally circulated than her elementary work on Chemistry; owing partly to the novelty of the attempt, but more to

the

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