habit of inventing words, which is so very conspicuous in his dedication and preface. Such words as to affectionate, (as a verb active,) ensould, memorise, tireless, parturitions of genius, which occur to the eye in the course of a few pages, are certainly inadmissible in good writing. In the 10th sonnet, also, we observed hearted pulse;" and various phrases, equally unauthorized, are scattered through the

volume.

We give the following as a specimen of the sonnets:

To a MYRTLE.

Lo! blooming Myrtle, on thy polish'd rind
I grave the cypher of the fair I prize;
And know the mark a secret worth implies
Of mystic import to its form assign'd,
Of strong persuasion o'er the rugged mind,
And bright bewitchment on licentious eyes,
That awes them into virtue by surprize:
Oh, Myrtle! as approv'd these truths thou find,
Whene'er thy procreant charms present a shoot,
(In native robe of deathless verdure drest)
Still be the cypher on that shoot imprest!
So born and nurtur'd of thy parent root
In green expanse shall wave a letter'd grove,
Teaching the word of UNIVERSAL LOVE!'

We shall forbear to examine particularly the remaining contents of this publication. In the course of a very few years, the author will probably think, as we do at present, that he has been somewhat premature in appearing at the bar of the public.

Art. 29. A Poetic Survey round Birmingham; with a brief Description of the different Curiosities and Manufactories of the Place. Intended as a Guide to Strangers. By J. Bisset. Accompanied by a magnificent Directory, with the Names, Professions, &c. superbly engraved on emblematic Plates. 8vo. 6s. Boards. Printed for the Author at Birmingham.

Notwithstanding the relationship subsisting between the Belles Lettres, and the Beaux Arts, we are not to imagine that the region of elegant manufactures is the region of poetry; nor that the Muses take lodgings at "Vulcan's smithy." Mr. Bisset makes mention of an excursion of the Gods to Birmingham, but he does not tell us that these Ladies accompanied them; and if they did, we have no evidence of their being singularly partial to him. This Survey has indeed the merit of easy, familiar, and minutely descriptive versification, but the epithet poetic does not in general belong to it. The writer has endeavoured to exhibit, as from the top of St. Philip's Church, A Panorama of Birmingham in verse; or to string together, in artless thimes, the names of the different seats, manufactories, &c. in and round that town: followed by A Ramble of the Gods through Birmingham,' who are made to wonder at smelting-mills and steam engines, and at the dexterity of pin and button makers, &c.

To the stranger who visits this astonishing place, Mr. Bisset's survey will be not only amusing but useful; and the elegant decora

tions which accompany it considerably add to its value: yet we are of opinion that his verse would have better suited these embellishments, and that it would in itself have been more gratifying, had he been more solicitous of the critic's approbation; instead of treating it with contempt, when he sets out with proclaiming :

Tho' critics may cavil for ever and ever,

I dread not their frown, nor solicit their favour;' and thus in this very act of rejecting critical aid, he manifests his want of it. We were therefore prepared to expect, if not for ever and ever,' at least the frequent recurrence of lines too lame, trite, and vulgar for poctry; and which a Muse chastised in the school of elegant criticism would never have adopted. We do not mean, however, to impeach Mr.B.'s capacity so much as his negligence; for there are many lines in this poem which are creditable to his talents.

The notes at the bottom of each page explain every allusion in the verse, and add greatly to the value of the Survey: but the circumstance which most distinguishes it from all similar guides is that it is accompanied by numerous well executed copper plates, forming what is called a Magnificent Directory. Here much taste is displayed; and we should hence infer that the artists of Birmingham could exe cute the shield of Achilles, though no poet may be found competent to a description of it.

Mr. Bisset is the owner of a museum and repository for toys, jewellery, drawings, &c. near the Theatre, New-Street, Birmingham; and we have no doubt that his spirit and taste will meet with all the encouragement which they appear to deserve.

Art. 30. An Ode on the Victory of the Nile, 1st August, 1798, gained by Admiral Lord Nelson over the French Fleet, commanded by Admiral Brucys, in the Bay of Aboukir. 4to. 2s. Cadell jun. and Davies.

1800.

This slight poetical celebration of the brilliant victory at Aboukir makes its appearance at the present juncture, on the occasion of Lord Nelson's return to his native land. We apprehend that the writer had Dryden's famous ode in his remembrance, when he composed these lines: how far the recollection animated his powers may pers haps be seen from the following specimen :

• On a foe in vain imploring,

Britain's thunders here are hurl'd;
In majestic terror pouring

The resentment of the world.
Fury leads the stern commotion,
Scattering carnage o'er the ocean;

Pain with fangs of blood is nigh;
Discord howls her troublous cry;
And death in every hideous form
Exults, the demon of the storm.
Sudden!-to the vaulted skies
Rushing flames volcanic rise;
Ruin breathing devastations,
Wakens the destructive fires,
Hope retreats, and life expires.-

Behold!

Behold! the Gallic fleet that rode,
Boast of states, and pride of nations,
Sinking, sinking, sinking, sinking,
Deep in the relentless flood.'

Art. 31. Bardomachia, Poema Macaronico-Latinum. 4to. Is. Johnson. Art. 32. Bardomachias or the Battle of the Bards. Translated from the Original (Macaronie) Latin. 4to. Is. Johnson. The two modern satirists, whose late un-poetic conflict is here nar rated with considerable genius and humour, have made themselves conspicuous objects for the exercise of their favourite profession. No two bards ever more completely exposed themselves; and they must submit to be held up to ridicule, even while smarting under their bruises.

This macaronic Bardomachia may not give a very correct account of the manner in which the ultima ratio blackguardorum was conducted by the high contending parties; nor would we be so very fastidious as to require a rigid attention to dull matter of fact, from its witty satirical author. His latinity evinces an intimate acquaintance with the classics; and if we had any thing to object to him, it would be on the score of his not being sufficiently macaronic. His English manifests equal talents and playfulness. Without undertaking to decide how far he has adhered to facts, we shall give the moral of his tale (which remains unaffected by variations in the statements) as a speci men of his manner:

Fabellam audistis. Fabellæ philosophema
Discite-Vos omnes, scribendi queis caçoethes,
Ante oculos semper retinete hortamina Flacci :
Sumite materiam vestris qui scribitis aquam
Viribus et versate diu quid ferre recusent,

Quid valeant humeri-Non omnia possumus omnes.

Præcipuè, libeat Satyrâ si pingere mores,

Sint chartæ nullo tinctæ livore maligno:

Plectatur vitium, parcatur sed vitioso:
Stultitiae risus debetur-pitya stulto.

Quam minime valeant convicia, fædaque verba,
Exemplum clarè docet hoc-Bini ecce poetæ
Alternis sese probrosis rodere dictis

Certant Quid sequitur? Sunt both ludibria turbæ!
Quis pitya lacrumam, audito certamine, fundit;
Aut spreadit capiti violato vulnere plastrum?
Non ipsi Bardi bardorum sorte moventur:
Jure omnes factum conclamant; imaque circum
Omnia solvuntur fuso subṣellia risu.'

From personal abuse what evils rise,

This pat example sets before our eyes.
Had Pindar and Mæviades been men

Who never brandish'd a malignant pen

Who never stain'd the candour of their paper With the black snuffings of a smoking taper; REV. Nov. 1800.

Y

And

And given a consequential air of state
To all the low-born brats of Billingsgate:
Their, no mean, talents might have been employ'd
In writing rimes, that we could have enjoy'd:
And they, themselves, be, at this very hour,
Softly reposing in the Muses' bow'r:
Whereas, through mutual envy, mutual rage,
See them in base and bloody war engage;
Rake ev'ry dung-hill, loads of filth to throw
At one another-each a desp'rate foe!`
What is the consequence? Both, with disgrace,
Become the scorn and laughter of the place;
The mocking-stock of even the populace.
Who, for their sake, a tear of pity sheds?
Or spreads a plaster for their batter'd heads?
E'en brother-bards regardless pass along,

And in loud laughter join the valgar throng.'

}

We suspect that these effusions proceed from the pen of a learned gentleman, who has formerly amused the public with macaronic poems, and who is celebrated for works in the highest department of biblical criticism.

POLITICS, POLICE, &c. Art. 33. Authentic Copies of the Papers relative to the Commencement if Negociations for Peace with France, as laid before both Houses of Parliament, 13th November, 18co. 8vo. 25. Wright. This correspondence sufficiently developes the object of the Chief Consul, and may be generally thought to justify our Government in rejecting the proposed naval armistice, as a previous condition of negociation. Perhaps the fear of our influence in the scale may have induced Bonaparte to ask high and extravagant terms; intending that, by our rejection of them, we should be excluded from taking a part in the Congress at Luneville.

Art. 34. The celebrated Speech of the Hon. C. J. Fox, with the Proceedings of the Meeting at the Shakespeare Tavern, October 10, 1800, being the Anniversary of his first Election for Westminster, &c. &c. 8vo. Is. Jordan..

With a strong and penetrating mind, Mr. Fox, here reviews the circumstances of the war; makes an open and undisguised avowal of his political principles; and declares that, in his opinion, the war is the principal cause of the high price of provisions.

Art. 35. Anti-Revolutionary Thoughts of a Revolutionary Writer: from the "Secret History of the Revolution of France," by Monsieur François Pagès. 8vo. 3s. Wright. 1800.

Of M. Pagès's history we gave a long account in M. R. vol. xxiv. p. 290; and our critique would shew that it furnished abundant matter for such a compilation as that which is now before us.

It is observed by M. Pagès, that the revolution of France is attended with this particular circumstance; that it has been directed by several rival factions, all of them equally eager to destroy each

other

other, and bent alike on raising the public opinion in their favour, by every species of illusion that could tend to inveigle and mislead the people.' Hence different sentiments have been disseminated at different times; and it may be added that writers, when the violent paroxysms and exacerbations of a revolution are over, will venture on the condemnation of opinions and measures which, during the feverish state of the public mind, they may deem it both useless and unsafe harshly to censure. M. Pagès availed himself of the first opportunity of speaking with freedom; and many of his thoughts are certainly of an anti-revolutionary complexion. Indeed, so full of error, crime, and horror, has the French revolution been, that no republican of sense and feeling can contemplate it without expressions of disapprobation and grief.

To the revolutions, counter-revolutions, insurrections, conspiracies, assassinations, murders, massacres, usurpations, and tyrannies noticed by M. Pagès, the compiler of this pamphlet supposes that Bonaparte is preparing an Appendix.

Art. 36. Observations on the Objections made to the Export of Wool from Great Britain to Ireland. By John Lord Sheffield. 8vo. zs. Debrett.

1800.

In this sensible pamphlet, the noble author endeavours to quiet the minds of our woollen manufacturers respecting a clause in the Act of Union, which allows the exportation of British wool to Ireland. He contends that the permission to import wool from this country into Ireland may prevent its becoming a drug (as it sometimes has been); that it may prevent also its deterioration; and, moreover, that no more can go to Ireland than what our manufactures do not want.' He maintains, in opposition to some late assertions, that the growth of wool is greatly increased in England,' (for how else, he asks, could there have been such an extraordinary increase of the manufacture*?) and that it is more than sufficient to supply our own manufactures: observing also, that Ireland has a con. siderable manufacture of woollens and mixtures of wool, and will continue to have it whether wool shall be permitted to go thither from England or not.'

Lord Sheffield offers other important considerations on this subject; and, as a friend to the union, he speaks in the highest terms of the policy of this great measure.

Art. 37. State of the Nation, with respect to its Funded Debt, Revenue, and Disbursements; comprized in the Reports of the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons: With an Appendix to each Report. Also, to enquire into the Receipts and Disbursements of the different Public Offices, &c. Vol. III. 6s. Boards. Symonds. 1799.

8vo.

In our 26th vol. N. S. p. 351. we gave a brief account of the nature and importance of this valuable compilement. The present volume contains the Reports concerning the Barrack and Ordnance Offices, the Exchequer, Public Revenue and Expenditure, Privy

* In 1782 it was estimated at 14,000,000l.; in 1791 at 19,000,000l. Council

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