↑ the author, Arthur young.

66

MONTHLY CATALOGUE,

or to read an Account thereof. Small 8vo. 1s. Salisbury printed, and fold by White in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields.

A very useful compendium for all who would acquire an idea of this venerable druidical monument, on easy terms both as to attention and price: and more especially useful for those who intend an actual survey, of what without some such guide will appear an unmeaning, ftupendous heap of confufion.

N. Art. 22. A Letter to Lord Clive, on the great Benefits which may result to the Public from patriotically expending a small Part of a large private Fortune: particularly in promoting the Interests of Agriculture, by forming an experimental Farm. Containing a practical Course of Management, with Estimates of the Expences and Profit. Illustrated with a Plan of the Farm. 8vo. Is. 6d. Nicol. A

Taking it for granted that Lord Clive will realize a confiderable part of his monied property in land, this Writer perfuades his Lordship to purchase barren land, from the opportunity it will afford for improvement; rather than rich land, which affords no such prospect. Of fuch land is proposed to be parcelled out, a large experimental farm, and an eltimate is formed of the expences of its cultivation, and its produce; which promises as fair as estimates of this nature generally do. His Lordship's reputed annual income however, the Author supposes, will not render him anxious for profit, as he does not suppose his Lordship to take the proposed trouble, to discover means of increasing his fortune; the advantage accruing, the Writer would therefore appropriate to premiums for the promotion of British and Irish agriculture. Persons poffefsed of large fortunes are indeed the properest to engage in expenfive projects, and perhaps those in agriculture do not require the least; but whether public and perfonal calls to engage in schemes, however meritorious or patriotic, may be the likeliest to succeed, may admit of a doubt: as a dictate in the face of the world, afferts the first and principal claim to the merit of the propofal. N. Art. 23. Confiderations on the illegality of presenting fuch as are unacquainted with the Welch or British Languages to ecclefiaftical Benefices, in those Parts of Wales where that Language is in general Úfe, and understood. By a Gentleman of Wales 8vo. Is.

Harris.

In the discourse introductory to these considerations, the ingenious author offers some historical remarks on the Welch language, its affinity with the dialect spoken in Little Britanny in France, and the Erse language in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. He observes, that the English used many means to eradicate the language used in Wales, particularly by the act of union (the 27th of Henry the 8th) whereby 'no man that used that language could enjoy any office or fees under the crown of Great Britain. He obferves likewise, that since the Reformation, by two acts of Parliament (he 5th of Elizabeth, and the 13th and 14th of Charles the 2d) the Welch language is to be used in all the churches in Wales, where that language is in common understood." He afterwards quotes two cafes of law, wherein all the justices were of opinion, that want of knowledge of the Welch language in the presentee,

+ I. Jones, M. A. Fellow of Queen's, oxon.

is

isa good cause of refusal. After having established the illegality of these
presentations from the articles of the church, acts of parliament, and cafes
of law, he proceeds eds to enumerate the detrimental consequences arifing from
such presentations. He says, that the gentlemen of that country have no
other provifion for their younger children, but church preferment; as
they are excluded from all commerce, by their situation, and uncon-
nected with men in place and power; and that if English and Scotch
bishops are promoted there, they will prefer their own relations and
countrymen, and neglect those that have been curates in Wales their
whole lives.

He fays, that the churches have been neglected by the introduction
of English service, and promoting of such as do not understand Welch;
and that the Methodists, Moravians and Papists increase, which he at-
tributes to that cause.

This is briefly the substance of these considerations; as to the merit of the performance, it may be faid in general, that it is written in a manly and nervous stile. In some places, what he fays is too fevere, as that the broad road to ecclefiaftical preferment, is by venal and fimoniacal means, by borough interest, by pandering for the pleasures of great men, and a spaniel like adulation, that is a disgrace to humanity.'

The following description of the Welch, is picturesque and pleasing. • The greatest part of the principality of Wales, by its fituation, and The produce of their the great diftance it is from the metropolis, is almost entirely excluded from all the beneficial advantages of commerce. own country is their chief, and almost only support. What remains, after fupplying the home confumption, is exported; the money they receive in return for their commodities, ferves them for the purposes of hospitality, not luxury. As money is not otherwise valuable, thân as it is the means of acquiring the neceffaries and conveniencies of life, they know no other use for it. If accumulated quantities of gold and filver are the only criterion of wealth, they are poor, if plenty, they are rich. Happy in finding an afylum among those impregnable fortresses, built by the hand of nature, which were formerly their security against the power, and fince against the luxury, of the English. Environed on all fides by these, they enjoy tranquility without indolence, liberty that degenerates not into licentioufness, and plenty without luxury. Thus they enjoy a happiness unknown in better cultivated countries, which opulence cannot purchase."

The author of this pamphlet has fallen into some mistakes, particuJarly where he says, that Dr. Bowles was the first perfon that ever was presented to a living in the diocese of Bangor, who was unacquainted with the Welch language. There have been two or three presented before Dr. Bowles, amongst them a nephew of Julius Cæfar, the Mafcer of the Rolls. But this, and some other small mistakes, affect not the argument.

This is a fubject of the most interesting nature to the whole principality. well worthy the confideration of men in power, and treated by this author in a nervous eloquent stile, and with strength and perfpicuity of reasoning.

The gentleman who so obligingly wrote to us on the subject of the foregoing performance, will fee by the article, what use we have made of his letter.

F2

Anon.

Art. 24.

Art. 24. Rhetoric, or a View of its principal Tropes and Figures, in their Origin and Powers. With a Variety of Rules to escape Errors and Blemishes, and attain Propriety and Elegance in Compofition. By Thomas Gibbons, D. D. 8vo. 6s. Buckland.

Those who are of opinion that the systematic or technical study of rhetoric may contribute to the attainment of eloquence, will find this copious book a work after their own hearts; for it is abundantly explicit on the several rhetorical terms and distinctions made use of in the schools. For our parts, who believe that every aid of this kind is vain, where genius has not given the stamp of eloquence, and equally burthensome and superfluous where it bas, we cannot make any works of this nature an object of our attention. น. Art. 25. A new Pocket Dictionary of the French and English Languages. In Two Parts. 1. French and English. 11. English and French. Containing all Words of general Ufe, and authorized by the best Writers. As also distinguishing the several Parts of Speech, with the Gender of Nouns in the French Language. To which are added, the Accents of the English Words for the Use of Foreigners, and an alphabetical List of the most common Chriftian Names, with their usual Abbreviations. Carefully compiled from the most approved Dictionaries, French and English, particularly from that of the Royal Academy at Paris. By Thomas Nugent, L. L. D. Dilly.

This little work, which is intended as a portable repofitory of the French and English language, contains a very large collection of words, and will doubtless be useful in schools, where a master can always explain any difficulty that may occur; but we apprehend it would have been far more useful, had not the Author abridged it too much. He appears in a great measure to have destroyed his own intention, that of facilitating the study of the French and English languages, by giving only one sense to each word. Every person, the least conversant in either of the languages, must know, that any dictionary, whatever care may be taken in the compilation, can never answer the intention of removing the difficulties attending the study of a language, unless the various senses of each word are given. Instead of affifting the scholar to understand the sense of an author, it will often cause him to misunderstand it. Some few of the French words, which are remarkably equivocal, are explained in their different fignifications. Had the Author pursued this method in general, his dictionary would have been very useful, and the additional pages with which it would have augmented the work, would have been additional acquisitions to the learner, and consequently would have enhanced its merit. B. Art. 26. A Grammar of the French Tongue, grounded upon the Decifions of the French Academy, wherein all the neceffary Rules, Ob• fervations, and Examples, are exhibited in a Manner entirely new. For the Use of Schools. By John Perrin. 12mo. 3s. Law. The elements of every branch of knowlege should be delivered with the greatest care and circumspection, as being the foundation on which the whole fuperstructure is erected. Nor can these elements be properly explained.

7

A

explained but by those who are well acquainted with the science; for in order to know the best method of laying down those elements, we must have a previous knowlege of their use and various application.

The work before us, intended to explain the grammar or elements of the French language, appears to have been executed by the hand of a perfon who has thoroughly studied it, and who was at once both able and willing to communicate the fruits of his enquiries to the public. It is both concise and comprehenfive, and will, we are perfuaded, remove every difficulty that can attend the study of this fashionable language. It is therefore with pleasure we recommend it to those who are defirous of becoming masters of the French tongue.

B.

Art. 27. A Portuguese Grammar in Four Parts. Containing, I. Rules for the Modification and Use of the different Parts of Speech. II. The Syntax, in which are explained, after a more copious Manner than hitherto attempted, the peculiar Ufes of the Portuguese Particles. III. A Vocabulary, more particularly containing the Terms of Commerce, War, and Navigation, with a Variety of Phrases and familiar Dialogues, taken from common Conversation and the best Authors. IV. Various Passages extracted from the most approved modern and ancient Writers, with a View to facilitate the Reading of the ancient and most valuable Portuguese Books. By Anthony Vieyra Transtagano, Teacher of the Portuguese and Italian Languages. 8vo. 6s. Nourse.

The above title-page will be fufficient to give the Reader an idea of what he may expect to meet with in the work before us. It will therefore be fufficient for us to say, that it is executed with judgment and propriety, and cannot fail of proving very useful to those who apply themselves to the study of the Portuguese language.

B.

Art. 28. A Letter to Lord B. With an Address to the Town. 8vo. 6d. Flexney.

In the half-title of this pamphlet, and in the public advertisements, it is ftyled an apology for Lord B-. It is, however, nothing more than one of those common catch-penny grubs that are produced by every remarkable new occurrence which engages the public attention. The Author, in short, knows nothing of the matter about which he writes; but he is a Grubbean of uncommon honesty: for he candidly acknowledges that he is entirely ignorant both of the circumstances of the transaction' to which bis pretended apology relates, and of the 'perfons of the parties. We are at a loss which to admire most, the honesty or the abilities of this worthy advocate for the violation of female honour and innocence.

Art. 29. Memoirs of the Seraglio of the Bashaw of Merriland, By a discarded Sultana. 8vo. Is. 6d. Bladon.

This, like the foregoing article, is a low and despicable performance; founded on the fame occurrence, and calculated to make the most of the public eagerness, curiosity, and credulity.

Art. 30. The History of a late infamous Adventure, between a
Great Man and a Fair Citizen. In a Series of Letters from a

:

IS.

Lady near St. James's to her Friend in the Country. 8vo. Bingley. By Berkenhout. This differs from the other catch-penny publications, on this fubject, in nothing but in being more smartly written. It is not, indeed, to be expected that any person will dare to publish the real particulars of the fuppofed infamous adventure here alluded to, though ever fo well acquainted with the facts, till those facts are legally authenticated.

POETICAL.

Art. 31. The Rape, a Poem. Humbly inscribed to the Ladies. 4to. Is. Steare, at No. 93, in Fleetstreet.

A rhyming invective against a nobleman who is said to have lately forced a young milliner. This nameless Bard takes the fact for granted, and abuses his Lordthip with the rage of Oldham, and in the rugged verse of Cleveland.

Art. 32. Miscellanies in Prose and Verse, original and translated. By the Rev. William Rayner, B. A. of Caius College, Cambridge, and Curate of Worlingworth, in Suffolk. 4to. Ipswich printed for the Author, and fold by Subscription.

This is a moral and decent collection of poems, published by subscription, in which respect we hope they have answered the Author's end, and that he has prudence and judgment enough to expect nothing more from them.

น.

Art. 33. The Chearful Companion: or Songster's Pocket-book. Containing the most approved Songs, Odes, Cantatas, &c. in the English Language. 12mo. 3s. Kearsley.

Some prefatory hints of general advice to fingers, and the music to several favourite tunes, diftinguish this collection of fongs from others of the like kind of which we have great variety, felected according to the respective taftes of the different compilers.

Art. 34. Britannia, a Poem, with Historical Notes. 4to. 1 s. 6d. Millar.

There are several very good verses in this poem, and the genuine spirit of liberty and virtue breathes through the whole. But there is likewise an uncouthness, or want of ease and perfpicuity, which greatly takes off from the general merit of the piece.

14. of those

Art. 35. The Troublers of Ifrael, in which the Principles who turn the World upside down are displayed. With a Preface to the Rev. Dr. -. To which is prefixed a short introductory Description of Modern Enthusiasts. 4to. Is. 6d. Keith. The Troublers of Ifrael is a kind of methodistical opera most prefanely foolish, and most enthusiastically incoherent. How much does poor Religion fuffer from the ridiculous zeal of these blind fanatics! Art. 36. Merit, a Poem, inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Grafton. By James Hollway. 4to. IS. Lewis.

This production is abfolutely not English, and therefore does not, at this time, come under our review.

Art. 37. Cooper's Well, a Fragment written by the honourable Sir John Denham, Knight of the Bath, and Author of the celebrated

Poem