85. on Recitative; with quotations from one of Mr. Brown's excellent letters on the dramatic music of Italy. 87. A fine piece of recitative, a tempo, in curious modulation, and with a very learned accompaniment, by Jomelli, if we mistake not. P. 88. Another Scena, still more studied and elaborate. Of Cantabile, vocal and instrumental; with beautiful fragments, chiefly from Haydn. On accompaniment of bravura, with examples. An excellent Duet, in which the objection to the performers singing different words at the same time is obviated. Ingenious imitations in four parts, moving in 3ds. Conrade the good, a charming elegiac air for three voices, judiciously accompanied, by three tenors and a violoncello. If this terzetto was set in Italy by an Italian, where did he obtain the English words? and by whom, it may be asked, was he instructed how to place the accents so properly? At p. 95. we have instructions for writing French-Horn parts; and on the next page, where both horns and clarinets are employed, in accompanying a Quartetto or glee, the author's information concerning those instruments will be very useful to young composers, as well as young players from a score. P. 98. A Divertimento for three equal voices, accompanied by four horns; 2 in C, and 2 in F, ending con strepito, with the whole band in full chorus. An air in the Beggar's Opera, elaborately accompanied in 12 parts, in the style of an aria di cantabile in a serious opera; which, by a change in the measure, and a few of the notes, it more resembles, than our very antient tune of "the babes in the wood." Two pleasing English airs. Divisions for practice on several instruments. P. 107. On Modulation, with short modulations, for the violin. On the free Capriccio; for which some good counsel is given from a German author. The interesting subject of modulation continued in Traits of modulation for short preludes; - chromatic chords for the harp as well as piano forte;-and on p. 111. are given 27 modulations from the keys of C and A natural, not only into relative, but the most remote keys in the musical system. P. 112. An elaborate prelude for the piano forte: followed by Arpeggios for the exercise of the hand on the same instrument. Prelude by Sebastian Bach, made for his son, the admirable Carl. Phil. Eman. Bach. P. 16. A much admired cadence, composed (we believe) by Fischer, in his brightest days of composition and performance, for a favourite Quartetto Concertante of Christian Bach; in which Cramer, Fischer, Mr. Shield himself, and Crosdil, had the solo parts. Its effect will never be forgotten by those who were so happy as to hear it. The The Swiss tune, called the Rans de Vaches, is here given id two different ways, with judicious reflections. A Foul Copy, in fac simile, of Dr. Arne's "Soldier tried with War's Alarms;" with remarks-Divisions in triplets-Chord of the diminished or extreme flat 7th, the source of equivocal chords, or modern enharmonic transposed. Unexpected transitions for the violoncello and violaExercise, containing abrupt modulations for the violin or tenor-Musical short-hand, or symbols of iteration. As semibreves, minims, and crotchets, are often divided into smaller proportions, the reader should have been informed, by figures over them, as well as by the following means: O, 8 quavers; 16 semiquavers. 4 quavers, F, 8 semi quavers,, 4 semiquavers, &c. Our musical readers will now perceive that the materials of this work are excellent; selected with good taste, and explained and commented with science and clearness. Arrangement may, perhaps, seem wanting: but the component parts are so miscellaneous, and of such general use, that we do not clearly see how they could be better methodized. The author has given an ample index, page by page; or rather a table of contents (as index implies alphabetic arrangement) which will enable the reader to find any rule, or composition, to which he may wish to turn. With respect to the most material rules for the use of intervals, whether concords or discords, in conjunction, a very commodious method has been adopted by the author, in pursuing all the figures used in thorough-bass, from the unison to the 9th, in numerical order; and by a running title at the top of each page of the Repertory; where any one of the integers and its combinations may be found as soon as a word in a Dictionary; beginning at p. 48, and continuing to 81. Within these pages are contained the principal rules of thorough bass and composition, as far as harmony is concerned; which is all that is promised in the title-page. The rest of the work, from p. 82 to the end, will be found replete with curious specimens of composition, and the remarks of an experienced and able professor; who not only tastes and respects the productions of others, but has himself much contributed to the entertainment of the public by his own performance and compositions. He must therefore be allowed to be well-qualified for the work which he has undertaken, both as an author and a critic; and higher authority than ours has long since said, "Let those teach others who themselves excel, ART. IX. Serious and candid Observations on that Part of the Bishop of Lincoln's Work, entitled Elements of Christian Theology*, which contains his Lordship's Exposition of the Seventeenth Article of the Church of England, &c. 8vo. Is. Parsons, &c. 1800. THIS anonymous pamphlet, of 39 pages, is a serious ani madversion on the Bishop of Lincoln, for having, in his discussion of the Seventeenth Article, (respecting Predestination and Election,) explained away its genuine Calvinistic meaning. The author's veneration and affection for the Church of England' prompted him to publish his Letter, which is addressed from an old Christian in the country to his friend in London; and he was the more induced to do this because several modern publications assert, boldly and confidently, as well as the learned Bishop, that the Articles of the Church of England are not Calvinistical.' To this writer, the Bishop's interpretation appeared one of the most astonishing instances of the perversion of language, and distortion of the sense of a paragraph, that he ever met with ;' and he adds that, if it were not for a consideration of the imperfections of the human mind in some of the most distinguished characters, he should be at a loss to reconcile it with common sense or common honesty.'-This is harsh language: but at the same time we must own that this old Christian appears to us to have so far proved his point, that he has shewn that no other doctrine than that of pure Calvinism is to be found in the Article in question. He calls to his aid the authority of Whitgift, Fletcher, Hutton, and Beveridge :but he adds: Without having any regard to the authority of great characters, there are, as I conceive, but two schemes of divinity, however they may be diversified, the one originating from the good pleasure or sovereign will of the Deity; the other taking its rise in the will of man, or in some betterness of character which is supposed to make one man more worthy of the divine favour than another, The one is St. Paul's, of Salvation by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast. The other, which seems to be the Bishop's, of works, or of him that willeth, and obtains something by his efforts which others have not obtained. Though upon the scheme of works, if the subject be closely pursued, it will appear in the issue, that they who have this betterness of character in the case before supposed, must have had some advantages of nature, education, or connection, arbitrarily given them by the God of providence, which those otherwise disposed did not pos REV. OCT. 1800. * See our last Review. M sess. sess. But waving this, on the two schemes, that of grace and works, turned the dispute between the reformers and the defenders of the popish system. All the venerable Bishops, during the time of Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth, almost to a man, understood the article as I have explained it, and were for building the whole fabric of man's salvation on the good pleasure of the Deity, and on nothing in the creature. Regeneration, justification, and effectual calling, as these are acts of God in time, all of them depend on the doctrine of the 17th article. For, I suppose, the Deity does nothing in time, he did not intend to do from all eternity. I do not conceive that he has any new thoughts on subjects as man has. If these Christian blessings are the result of divine grace, or mere benevolence to men, not depending on any exertions or pre-requisites in human characters, then the doctrine of the article must necessarily follow.' This specimen will give our readers a sufficient idea of the author's manner, and of his faith, ART. X. Animadversions on the Elements of Christian Theology, by the Rev. George Pretyman, D. D. F.R. S. Lord Bishop of Lincoln; in a Series of Letters addressed to his Lordship by William Trend. 8vo. 3s. Ridgeway. 1800. THIS HIS is an attack of a nature very different from that of the foregoing Observations. With a keenness of style almost peculiar to himself, Mr. Freud animadverts on various parts of the Bishop of Lincoln's late publication, in a series of twenty-one Letters. Of these the first is introductory; and, as it is not very long, we shall give it verbatim. On hearing that your Lordship had published an elementary work on theology, my curiosity was excited to discover the progress, which had been made within the last hundred years, in that much neglected science; and to learn, from good authority, what are the present doctrines of the church of England. Your work gratified me in both respects; and I should have contented myself with the pleasure derived from the first perusal, if a singularity in the conclu sion had not forcibly attracted my attention, and led me into a farther investigation of your Lordship's principles. You stand forward the decided advocate of truth-the pernicious system which, with shameless effrontery, has been promulgated by two doctors of the church of England, receives no countenance from your lordship-you require of persons who dedicate themselves to the office of teaching, that they should really believe, what, in your lordship's presence, they have subscribed. You do not admit the specious glosses and jesuitical pretences, by which these divines palliate the most notorious frauds, and would make the church of England an asylum for the credulous and the incredulous, the pious and the impious, the active searcher after truth and the rapacious hunter after preferment. I honour you, my my lord, for your decision. May it produce the desired effect on your brethren on the bench! May it dissipate a system founded on a flagrant abuse of talents, and calculated to produce a total neglect of moral duty in the clergy, and an entire distrust of them among the laity! In opposition to these divines, your lordship justly asserts, "that the clergy should unfeignedly believe the truth of the doctrines contained in the thirty-nine articles *;" and, that "it behoves every one, before he offers himself a candidate for holy orders, to peruse carefully the articles of the church, and to compare them with the written word of God. If upon mature examination," your lordship adds, " he believes them to be authorised by scripture, he may conscientiously subscribe them; but if, on the contrary, he thinks, that he sees reason to dissent from any of the doctrines asserted in them, no hope of emolument or honour, no dread of inconvenience or disappointment should induce him to express his solemn assent to propositions, which, in fact, he does not believet." Such language is worthy of the overseer of any church; and your lordship's farther exhortation deserves to be recorded. "Let it be remembered, that in a business of this serious and important nature, no species whatever of evasion, subterfuge, or reserve is to be allowed, or can be practised without immi. nent danger of incurring the wrath of God. The articles are to be subscribed in their plain and obvious sense; and assent is to be given to them simply and unequivocally. Thus only can a person offer himself at the table of the Lord, as his minister, with safety: thus only can he expect to receive the divine blessing upon that course of life, to which he has solemnly devoted himself." These extracts, according entirely with my own sentiments, I have copied with great pleasure; and, in the future letters, which I shall have the honour of addressing to your lordship, my eye will be continually directed to them, that, if any thing should be found in your interpretation of the articles to be not consistent with the forms laid down for subscription, I may give your lordship the opportunity of farther examination; and your lordship's condescension in declaring, that you "shall very readily attend to any suggestion or advice, whether it relates to errour or omission §," induces me to hope, that you will not be displeased at this intrusion on your time, and interesting avocations. I must premise only, that it is not in my power to imitate your lordship in referring to and making copious extracts from a variety of writers: my scanty library does not contain those valuable writings in which my time was once so agreeably and, I thought, usefully employed: your lordship's work, and my old friends Trommius, Schmidt, Griesbach's Greek Testament, and Leusden's Hebrew Bible, are the only works, to which I shall have recourse, unless perchance I should, in a friend's library, be enabled to cast my eye on some of the works quoted in the margin of your Elements of Theology. Of this defect I do not, in this instance, complain very bitterly; as every position, in which we agree or differ, must be .. Vol. II. p. 566. Vol. I. p. xii. + Ib. p. 567. M 2 Ib. p. 568. brought |