to relieve her father from his distress; and it is well known that an
opposition of duties, however perplexing it may prove to a moralist,
is the life and soul of a novel-writer. Mobile proves himself very
unworthy of such a woman as Cinthelia, and the poverty and dis-
tress into which he falls are the natural consequences of a vicious
and profligate course of life; yet his reformation at last is brought
about by means within the verge of probability. The incidents are
not beyond what might be supposed to happen in real life: but they
are for the most part of a melancholy and unpleasing nature. The
author seems to be fond of that species of humour which has been
termed broad farce; and in describing the manners of cits, although he
seems to have drawn from existing originals, it is not impossible that
Some of the scenes may be
the picture may be too highly coloured.
censured as indelicate; and we can say little in favour of the language,
which is frequently vulgar.

Art. 51.

12mo. 2 Vols. 6s. sewed. Cadell
Adeline de Courcy.
jun. and Davies. 1797.

The story of this novel is romantic. The heroine, after many
trials and difficulties, is at length married to the man of her choice.
The character of Zodisky is not such as we often observe in life: but
the example of his honour, generosity, and disinterested love, is not
only pleasing to the reader's imagination, but may have a good effect
en his heart. The Marquis de Rozancourt, masked by the most
specious manners, conceals a disposition cruel, mean, and selfish;
yet, though we rejoice in his detection, and consequent punishment,
we cannot help wishing that this had been brought about by other
means: for, however defective our laws may be in avenging crimes of
all others the most destructive to the peace and happiness of society,
danger may arise from every man's assuming a right to redress him-
self, when injured; and the practice of duell should never meet
with countenance and encouragement from those who are capable of
In other respects, the moral
reflecting on the evils which attend it.
of the present work is unexceptionable; and, in particular, the ad-
vice which Zodisky gives to his brother may be read with pleasure
and advantage. These volumes appear to be the production of a fe-
male pen.
Art. 52.
niette.

Ban?

The Rector's Son. By Ann Plumptree, Author of Anto10s. 6d. sewed. Lee and Hurst. 1798. 12mo. 3 Vols. Though this novel be written with too little attention to the "lucidus ordo" which brings various events to the mind with pleasure, and all the force of impression, yet it affords many lessons from which youthful readers may gather instruction. The impetuous yet amiable character of young Meadows (the hero of the tale) is held out to the edification of those who, with strong passions and warm hearts, plunge themselves into calamities which embitter a great part of their lives. The steady and elevated character of Colonel Rainsford may instruct those who suffer unjust calumny, that fortitude, joined to conscious innocence, must in the event triumph over its most inveterate enemies. The character of Cecilia, who is betrayed by inexperience, high spirits, and uncommon charms of person, into

the

Do

the dishonourable class of coquettes, meets with due disgrace, in the desertion of her more respectable admirers, and in the general contempt of her friends. The story of the worthless Dawkins, and his villanous associates, terminating in misery and ruin, is a striking example of the folly of confiding in men who are destitute of character and principle.

Some part of the narration appears to us to be romantic; and some of the circumstances are improbable. We cannot reconcile to our notions of human nature, young Meadows's conduct in leaving his bride behind him on his departure to India; as he is represented to possess the most ardent and affectionate disposition. We likewise object to the letter of Cecilia, who, in order to revenge the cold and distant conduct of the Rainsfords, accuses herself of prostitution, in order to implicate Colonel Rainsford, her friend, (a married man,) in the crimes of perfidy and seduction.

POLITICAL, &c.

Art. 53. An Answer to an Address to the People of Great Britain, by the Bp. of Landaff, in another Address to the People. By Benja min Kingsbury, formerly a Dissenting Minister at Warwick. 8vo. Westley.

IS.

Mr. K. treats the Bishop of Landaff with no kind of ceremony, and seems as angry with him as a French republican would be, for his late Address to the People of Great Britain. We would allow Mr. K. merit as a writer, but his Answer is too declamatory, and by no means what we can thoroughly approve in these times.

In opposition to the Bishop's conviction that the number of real republicans in the kingdom is extremely small,' he asserts that the number is not small, and that it is rapidly increasing;' of this, however, he gives no proof, but only tells us that this will be the case as long as the present ministers remain in office.' Does Mr. K. mean to say that these republicans are only retained in their principles by the measures of ministry, and that they would renounce them on a change of ministers? We trust that the assertion itself is without foundation, and that a sincere love for the Constitution generally prevails. Those who wish for reform cannot, if this wish be blended with the love of their country, be desirous of calling in the assistance of the French to forward it.

Art. 54. A Letter to the Right Reverend the Bishop of Landaff, recommended to the Perusal of those into whose Hands his Lordship's Address to the People of Great Britain may have fallen. By a Plebeian. 8vo. pp. 30. Is. Crosby.

Smyth

If this plebeian be more polite than the author of the foregoing strictures, he does not think more favourably of the Bishop of Landaff's Address, for he regards it as calculated rather to mislead than inform-to lull the keen sensation of injury, than to awaken the active exertions of the people. To this condemnation we do not accede; nor do we think it candid to doubt, without strong evidence, the Bishop's public spirit. The plebeian, however, has made some good remarks on the assessed-tax-bill, which may not be unworthy of the attention of the Bishop and the Legislature.

Art.

Moo-y

Do

Art. 55. The People's Answer to the Lord Bishop of Landaff. By
John Hinckley. 8vo. pp. 45. Is. Jordan.

All who have taken up the pen in reply to the Bp. of L.'s Address, lately so much the object of attention, have animadverted on his profession of independence. Mr. H., presuming to speak for the people, tells his Lordship that he is indeed independent of them, but to all intents and purposes dependent on the government;' and that he, with the whole fraternity of priests, promotes the war against the French, because they have set the example of a society subsisting without a religious national establishment.' The writer is still more harsh in his suppositions; for he considers the Bishop's professions of honesty and independence as made only to enhance his price with government. With a suspicious eye he regards priests, but not so philosophers. He has been in France, and he tells us that the philosophers of France were perfectly harmless, and were of all men the most likely to remain inactive, had not the tyranny and the bankruptcy of the government caused its downfall. So far from having set the people in motion, the bulk of the people hardly knew of their existence.'

Mr. H. differs widely from those gentlemen who see, or seem to see, in philosophy, the root of all our political woes; and who talk of a widely-extended conspiracy of philosophers for the purpose of subverting altars and thrones. He is so far right, that philosophers have little communication with the great mass of the people: but opinions have a powerful and extensive influence. It is not, however, easy to suppose a conspiracy among retired and insulated philosophers, in order to propagate particular doctrines.

Art. 56. A Letter to the Inhabitants of Great Britain: occasioned by Mr. Wakefield's Reply to some Parts of the Bishop of Landaff's Address. 8vo. pp. 55. Is. 6d.* Faulder.

He accuses Mr. W. having merited and rewriter has undertaken

Do

Passion generates passion. Mr. W. was intemperate, and the author of this letter has fallen into the same error. of treasonable designs, and speaks of him as ceived the curses of his country.' As this to discuss the matter in dispute with Mr. W. such expressions might have been spared; and if he thought Mr. W.'s pamphlet rather an object of legislative indignation than of literary dispute, why not leave the business of reviewing it to the Attorney-General ? Art. 57. A Farewell Oration, delivered March 16, 1797, at the Great Room in Brewer-street, including a short Narrative of his Arrest and Imprisonment in the Birmingham Dungeon. Together with a Copy of the Indictment prepared against him at the Warwick Assizes. By John Gale Jones. 8vo. pp. 36. Is. 6d. Jordan. When any individual is selected by a numerous body of men as a confidential agent, he is entitled to a certain degree of consideration, be his abilities what they may. We believe that it is to the circumstance of Mr. Jones having been a deputy from the London Corresponding Society, that he may attribute the notice taken of his productions by the periodical critics; and not to any desire in them (as

*No price printed.

he

Do

he hints) to participate in his fame by the provocation of an answer.
He consoles himself, however, for the castigation which the critics
have bestowed on him, by what he styles a simple and satisfactory
answer;—that it is much easier to scribble an anonymous criticism
than to deliver a public oration. To this we might reply, that the
facility with which a criticism may be written is not an argument
against its justness; and that, in proportion as any undertaking is
arduous, great should be the powers of him who attempts it. We
readily admit that it would be easier to write criticisms than to deliver
orations of a certain description: but for ourselves, we had rather toil for
months at these our humble productions, than deliver one such oration
as that now on our table. At the same time, we must observe that we
see nothing of which to accuse Mr. Jones, except vanity, folly, and indis-
cretion. We have read his trial; and, had we been among the jury,
we should have acquitted him of the crime laid to his charge, even
admitting that part of the indictment on which he was convicted to
have been fully proved. His friends, in our opinion, have more rea
son to complain of him than his enemics.

Art. 58. A Letter to the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
on the proposed Sale of the Land-Tax. 8vo. pp. 23. 6d. Sold
by the Author, John Scott, Bookseller, Berwick-street.
Mr. Scott argues with much ingenuity against the efficacy of the-
new plan for keeping up the price of the funds, and maintaining the
credit of the government. The only reason that could induce a stock-
holder to purchase, at a great disadvantage in regard to the interest
of his money, a portion of the land tax with a certain quantity of
stock, must be an opinion that the land tax is a species of property,
and would be less liable to revolutionary exaction and injustice,
than those taxes which are now mortgaged for the payment of the
interest of the national debt. We apprehend that, when those
taxes shall be diverted from their present appropriation, the land-tax
will not be much respected, however it may have been transferred,
and whoever may claim to receive it; and we conceive that he who
accepts the conditions proposed by the minister will find that he has t
not done better than if he were to sell consols. at 50, and buy in again
immediately afterward at 60 per cent.

Work..

Do Art. 59. An Address to the People of Great Britain. By George Burges, B. A. 8vo. IS. Longman. 1798.

Mr. Burges, apprehending his country to be, at the moment in which he was writing, in the most imminent danger, warmly and eloquently exhorts every party among us to suspend their jarring distinctions, to unite, and to firmly support each other, in a determined and manly defence of their laws and liberties, against every possible effort of an enemy who seems to aim at nothing less than our national extermination. In prosecution of this laudable purpose, our author employs every fair, every honest, every CHRISTIAN argument, which so interesting a subject naturally admits and requires; at the same time, his patriotic ardour is so happily regulated by temperance, candour, and charity,-charity even towards our most inveterate foes,that we cannot but acknowlege, and thank him for, the pleasure

which he has afforded us in the perusal of so commendable a performMay success attend it, answerable to his praise-worthy in

ance.

tention!

Art. 60. The Advantages resulting from the French Revolution and a
Is. Vernor and Hood.
French Invasion considered. 8vo. pp. 39.
1798.

Under this title, are contained an enumeration of several of the crimes of France when governed by the Jacobins, of the benefits resulting from the British Constitution, and the considerations that should induce us to defend our country with vigor.

Art. 61. The Connexion between Industry and Property; or a Proposal to make a fixed and permanent Allowance to Labourers for the Maintenance of their Children. Addressed to the Society for bettering the Condition and increasing the Comforts of the Poor. 8vo. 6d. Hatchard.

It is here asserted that the price of labour, which always depends on the work done, without reference to the circumstances of the person labouring, is not sufficient for the maintenance of a large family. The author proposes, therefore, that a fixed national allowance should be made to every labourer, of one shilling weekly, for every child under ten years of age; not as alms, not as a humiliating badge of incapacity, but as an honorable contribution of the society at large, towards the support of the rising generation.' Benevolence seems to unite with policy in favour of this proposal.

Work.

Do Art. 62. The Outlines of a Plan for establishing an United Company of pp. 25. 6d. Eglin and Pepys. British Manufacturers. 8vo. 1798.

The plan of this speculator is to raise a subscription for establishing, somewhere in St. George's Fields, a grand manufactory for the employment of artists and artificers of every description.-The idea may deserve consideration.

Art. 63. A Proposal for supplying London with Bread, at an uniform
Price, from one Year to another, according to an annual Assize, by
a Plan that may be applied to every Corporation in the Kingdom,
would give Encouragement to Agriculture, and would prevent an
extravagant Rise of Prices in case of future scanty Harvests.
Becket. 1798.
IS.

8vo.

This sensible pamphlet is to be regarded as a supplement to an essay lately published by the same author, intitled "The essential Principles of the Wealth of Nations," &c. (See our Review for Sept. last, p. 28.) That essay points out the best means of promoting the wealth and strength of the nation; and the pamphlet now published bears an immediate reference to the conteniment of the people. The

author observes that

To a nation possessing an extensive territory, and favourable climate, the importation of corn is as disgraceful as the importation of wine would be to a wine country, or the importation When shall we of coals to a country abounding with coal mines. hear of the importation of wine into France, for general consumption, or of coals into Northumberland? But were our corn

system

Do