To counteract the pernicious effects of this dangerous SYSTEM, and, by a neceffary confequence, to restore criticism to its original standard, will constitute the grand, the prominent feature of the present publication. For this purpose, we fhall frequently review the Monthly, criticife the Critical, and analyfe the Analytical Reviews, on the principle already adopted by the WEEKLY EXAMINER, in its comments on the daily prints. Our remarks will occafionally be extended to other publications of a fimilar tendency; and it, also, forms a part of our plan, to give Original Criticisms, chiefly on political works.

Of the MISCELLANEOUS parts of our Magazine, profaic and poetical, we fhall only fay, that we shall endeavour to render them as interefting as may be to our readers. And we can fafely promife, that our MONTHLY SUMMARY of POLITICS, FOREIGN and DOMESTIC, fhall be exempt from mifreprefentation, perverfion, and all intentional error. The usual fupplements to publications of this nature, fuch as Lifts of Births, Marriages, Deaths, &c. &c. will not be omitted.-Intended for general circulation, we shall ftrive to make our undertaking of general use.

Of our THEATRICAL STRICTURES we mean not to be sparing. The wretched ftate of dramatic criticifm, imputable to caufes eafily explained, calls loudly for correction: while the acknowledged influence

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fluence of the stage on public morals renders this a fubject of too much importance to be confidered with indifference by thofe who profefs to have in view the reformation of public manners, and the purification of public fpirit.

It is intended to give, with each volume of our work, an APPENDIX, containing an ample review of Foreign Literature. We have been induced to make this a part of our plan, by the confideration that this department of criticifm has long been monopolized by men who, favouring the views of the French Economists and other Philofophifts of modern times, have facilitated the propagation of principles, fubverfive of focial order, and, confequently, deftructive of focial happiness.-Another motive, too, has had its weight with us, on this occafion. We have been enabled, by the channels of communication that are open to us, to afcertain the melancholy fact, that nearly all the preffes on the continent of Europe are under the immediate influence either of FRENCH PRINCIPLES, or of FRENCH INTRIGUES. The fame influence alfo prevails in America, though, happily, in a much inferior degree, and fubjected to a more vigorous oppofition. From thefe contaminated fources, either directly aided or feebly controuled, the poifon of Jacobinifm might be fuccefsfully dif fufed over our country, and, circulating through

fecret

fecret channels, disguised in various ways, might ultimately undermine that fabric which can never be deftroyed by an open attack.-To counteract fuch effects, and, by expofing, to avert, the danger, becomes an object of primary importance.

Of the means of our information and the extent of our resources we shall make no boaft. If they be not adequate to every purpose we have in view we are miferably deceived. How far that is really the cafe, the Public will very foon be enabled to judge. To purity of intention we boldly affert our claim. But to the charge of prejudice and partiality we plead guilty-For we are deeply prejudiced in favour of our country; and are highly partial to her conftitution and laws, to her religion and government. These we fhall defend to the utmost of our ability. Indeed, their defence is our principal inducement for obtruding our work upon the public. And we look, with confidence, for the fupport and affiftance of all perfons who fhall confider our motives as laudable, and, therefore, wish to contribute to the fuccefs of our defign;—of all who think, with us, that the press has been too long an engine of deftruction, and that it ought, at length, to be rendered a mean of prefervation, and an inftrument of protection;-of all who are of opinion, that a rage for innovation is no fymptom of political wifdom, and that the overthrow of eftablish

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establishments is a dangerous experiment, deferving rather of punishment than of praise;-of all, in fhort, who "put no truft in those Cosmopolites, who, in their writings, feek for duties at a distance, while they neglect to perform thofe which are their immediate concern."

JULY, 1798.

THE

THE

ANTI-JACOBIN

Review and Magazine;

&c. &c. &c.

FOR JULY, 1798..

MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PREVALEBIT.

ORIGINAL CRITICISM.

ART. I. The Republican Judge, or the American Liberty of the Prefs, as exhibited, explained, and expofed, in the bafe and partial Profecution of WILLIAM COBBETT, for a pretended LIBEL against the King of Spain and his Embaf fador, before the Supreme Court of Pennfylvania. With an Addrefs to the PEOPLE OF ENGLAND. By Peter Porcupine. 8vo. Pp. 96. Wright. London. Price 2s.

THE

'HE paft writings of Mr. WILLIAM COBBETT, who has affumed the appellation of PETER PORCUPINE, are too well known in England to require any explanation from us, either of their tendency, or of the author's principles. Were any doubt entertained on the subject, nothing more would be requifite to difpel it, than a mere reference to the comments of all the Jacobin Reviewers, who have, without exception, in defiance alike of decency and of truth, lavished on them the moft indifcriminate cenfure, and the most fcurrilous abuse. Strange as it may appear, it is indifputably true, that the individual exertions of Mr. Cobbett have more effentially contributed to give a proper tone to the public fpirit in America, than all the efforts of the well-difpofed part of the native Americans;

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