The volume before us forms a part of a plán, which its authoress has laid down for the conveyance of instruction to the rising generation. It consists of a series of characters delineated according to the rules of probability; the anecdotes detailed respecting them are entertaining, and the whole is adapted to answer every benevolent end. In the history of a young gentleman of the name of Forester, many amusing particulars are brought forward, tending to shew that we should not estrange ourselves from the customs and manners of the world. Aukwardness and obstinacy therefore are here deservedly reprobated. When the work is completed, we shall lay a fuller account of it before our readers.

The Poetical Works of Hector Macneil, Esq. 2 vols. Longman and Rees. IOS.

HIS Scotch gentleman seems to possess a con

Tsiderable portion of poetic fire, his pieces are

taken from original subjects; his language is always neat, often indeed elegant; the cast of his poems is perfectly moral, and on various occasions awakens our tenderness and sympathy. The history of Will and Jean, and the Harp, a legendary tale, are very pleasing and full of instruction. The former shews the baneful effects of spirituous liquors; the latter is a satire on female inconstancy. Most of these productions were written some time ago, and are now collected together for the gratification of the public. We were struck with the elegance of the plates, and with the beauty of the typography.

D

Retrospect of the Political World,

FOR SEPTEMBER, 1801.

URING this month we have little to record repecting the political world. Nothing has transpired worthy of much attention.

The fears of invasion have somewhat subsidedthough the threatenings of the enemy are still held out-yet we remain in a considerable degree of security. The efforts of Lord Nelson seem to have ceased. Since the affair of Boulogne nothing has been attempted. His Lordship, indeed, still hovers round the French shore occasionally-but at present he remains in port. We are of opinion, that whilst our maritime force continues so strong, we need not be alarmed by the machinations of the enemy. Some indeed are of opinion, that Ireland will be the object of attempt-here a strict vigilance should be held out the disaffection of that unhappy country we are fearful is still great-alas! what scenes of carnage and destruction would, in that case, pain the eye of humanity.

From Egypt little intelligence has been received since the capitulation of Grand Cairo to the English army. The reduction of Alexandria seems to be the object of our forces, and will, we apprehend, be soon accomplished. Our soldiers at the same time, we are sorry to learn, are in a sickly condition. Even General Hutchinson himself is said to be much indisposed. It is singular, that blindness is an evil with which the English are much afflicted there. The sun shining upon a fine kind of sand, of which the soil is composed, greatly injures the optical nerve, and the sight is thus lost. We shall be happy to hear, when the contest is over, of the return of our troops from so unhealthy a climate

sickness and the sword are two horrible sources of devastation.

Of the intercourse between the English and French government, little has transpired. Reports are still in agitation-though we are at a loss to ascertain their precise nature and tendency. The conquest of Alexandria will, we apprehend, facilitate the arrival of peace. It is curious, that while the negociation is apparently carrying on, hostilities, on both sides, should be so eagerly cherished. This, however, has been the case on former occasions, and therefore we despair not of a favourable termination. Certain it is, in the mean time, that the First Consul is much enraged by the loss of Egypt he has, on this account, ordered an Englishman to quit France and return to his own country.

The American papers state, that Jefferson continues to act with great spirit and ability. His dismissal of many persons from office, necessarily of fends the other party. How far this conduct is just and politic we are not able to declare. We would hope that the spirit of prejudice is subsiding in that country. It has been very violent-we trust, for the time to come, that affairs will be conducted with tranquillity.

The harvest, amongst us, has been abundant -price of corn much fallen-and bread has, of course, been more accessible to the lower classes of mankind. The Supreme Being has been very bountiful to us-may the wickedness of men never bring on the miseries of famine-in this our beloved country!

小

MONTHLY CHRONOLOGIST,

1. THE

FOR SEPTEMBER, 1801.

"HE gentlemen belonging to the late corps of Loyal Islington Volunteers, whose resignation in January last was so much the topic of conversation, held their first anniversary dinner at Highbury Tavern. The dinner was numerously attended, and the day was spent with the utmost harmony and conviviality.

2. Just before their Majesties withdrew from the theatre at Weymouth, a man jumped on the bench in the pit, close to the royal box, and behaved in an outrageous manner. He was immediately secured by a peace-officer, and undergoing an examination, was afterwards sent up to the Cold Bath Fields prison. He is suspected to labour under a degree of insanity.

3. During the time the Lord Mayor was proclaiming Bartholomew fair, a man of decent appearance was detected in the act of picking a gentleman's pocket of a book, containing bank notes to the amount of upwards of 100l.-The thief was taken into custody, but rescued as he was conveying by the officers to prison.

6. A desperate attempt was made to escape by nine convicts, from Cumberland fort, near Portsmouth. They had almost succeeded in their plan -but plunging into the mud on shore were discovered. An alarm being given, the troops of the garrison were ordered out-the result of which was, that one convict was killed, and another desperately

wounded.

11. Orders were issued for the court's going into mourning on account of the death of the Elector of Cologne.

13. Sir Henry B. Hayes, at Cork, is respited. He had been convicted in April last of carrying off Miss Pike, a rich and beautiful heiress, by force, five years ago, to his own house, and attempting to marry her. No personal violence was offered her whilst in his house, and she was furnished with pen, ink and paper the next morning, and allowed freely to communicate with her friends; some of whom came, and carried her home without opposition. He received sentence of death, but was at the time earnestly recommended to mercy by the jury. It is thought that he will be sent, for life, to Botany Bay.

14. Accounts reached town of an earthquake being felt at Edinburgh, and several other parts of Scotland. It took place at six o'clock in the morning, continued for two or three seconds, and was preceded by a hollow rumbling noise from the ground. It had an undulating motion, resembling the waves of the sea. Beds, tables, and chairs were observed to shake. A parrot, in one of the houses, screeched during the shock, as these birds do in the West Indies during an earthquake—and it is even said that the bells in one house were set a ringing. No damage was done in the city.

15. As the corporation of Chester were proceeding to their sessions, a drunken fellow made a hideous noise; upon which, he was ordered into custody. Being put to the bar, he told the recorder that he was brought there for screaking, and that with his permission, he would give him a specimen. He then gave such a proof of stentorian lungs, that alarmed some, and convulsed others with laughter. He was however committed to the house of correction; and as Dr. Franklin long remembered paying for his whistle, so will this fellow for his screaking.