"Tis not wisdom to love without reason, Months and years bring their pleasures or pain; -And then we go round them again!" pp. 84, -87. If it be true that Mr. B. had not witnessed any crime in this place of promiscuous resort, he is one of the few who have not, among the many who have. When we advert to the waste of time that might be employed and even amused to better purpose in numberless pursuits, to the waste of money which indigence and misfortune solicit from every visitor in every street he traverses, and especially to the facilities and temptations which this scene of gaiety afforded to vicious inclinations, we are disposed to think that Mr. B. shut his eyes, or stifled conviction. From the uniform moral tendency of his poems, we suppose that, by right and wrong, he alludes to pleasure and pain; but the passage is liable to misconception, and at the first reading we imagined that he wished to clothe, in easy sentimental language, what we should call wilful sin. This work, which contains eleven songs, tales, and soliloquies, will on the whole gratify many readers; though it may not bear a comparison with his Rural Tales. Art. XXIV. Typographical Marks, used in correcting Proofs, explained and exemplified; for the use of Authors. By C. Stower, Printer. 8vo. pp. 16, with a Plate shewing the Nature of Errata and Emendata. Price is. Longman & Co. London, 1805. THIS little tract is useful enough to gentlemen, to whom the nature and conduct of the press is new, as it contains what is indispensably necessary to every one, who superintends a work while printing: but to any who desire further information, which no professional man, whether author or editor, ought to be without, we recommend a perusal, at least of a printer's grammar. Or an Investigation of causes arising from the Organization of the World, in which Man is particularly interested: written by Rabbi Jadaia, of Barcelona, Spain, containing Theological and Metaphysical Sentences; translated into English, by Rabbi Tobias Goodman. Alexander. London, 1806. WE have received the first Number of this work, which comprizes the Hebrew original, with an English translation on the opposite page. It is introduced by a Dedication to the most Rev. Solomon Hirschel, presiding Rabbi of the German Jews in London,' which proves that an acquaintance with the panegyric style is not confined to Mr. Vallentine, whose dexterity we noticed in our last number. A trans A translator may be allowed to entertain a moderate share of partiality for his original; but whether such be the extent of Mr. Good. man's partiality, we are unable to determine, as the work is not before We shall therefore only transcribe his slight account of the author, with the opinion of Buxtorf on this performance. us. " The author of the following work, a translation of which, from the original, is now, for the first time, attempted in English, to gratify the admirers of the beautiful and sublime, and benefit the learned reader, was held in high esteem and distinguished repute by those of his own nation. What Homer obtained at Athens, and Virgil in the capital of Italy, our author enjoyed. The Rabbi Jadaia lived in the thirteenth century; he was, by birth, a Spaniard, and resided at Barcelona. His stile is bold, animated, and fervid-his instruction superlatively goodhis object dignified with universal approbation. This work is called, in the original, Bechenas Olam,' which may be justly rendered, Exami nation of the World. It contains philosophical, theological, and metaphysical sentences. Buxtorf (a name which needs only to be mentioned to command confidence and respect) calls it the light of the century in which the author lived. So high an encomium from so learned a man, could not surely have been bestowed on an insignificant production. "He thus speaks of it in his Bibliotheque des Rabbins. The examination of the world is an excellent production, equally valuable for the stile, as important for the dignity of the subject. It treats of the vanities of the world; and discovers those means, by which man may attain the summit of all felicity, the enjoyment of heaven; and this, with so much perspicuity, dignified with so much eloquence of persuasion, and energy of argument, that even to imitate his stile constitutes an enviable eloquence. pp. 4, 5. To those who value the opinion of Buxtorf, such a commendation will be sufficient. As to the translation, we fear it will prove rather diffuse than energetic and from what we have seen of the translator's prose, we cannot help wishing that the MS. were submitted to some competent English scholar; as we hold for a maxim, that whatever is worthy of being done is worthy of being done well. Art. XXVI. The Young Lady's and Gentleman's Atlas, for assisting them in the Knowledge of Geography. By John Adams, Teacher of the Mathematics, at Edmonton. 8vo. pp. 41. with 24 plates, price 9s. London, Darton and Harvey, 1805. THIS is a useful little compendium, and may be serviceable to those who do not possess works of larger extent. The introduction contains a brief abstract of the principles of Astronomy; definitions of principal points, circles, &c.; and an ideal map, comprising what are intended as illustrations of the chief terms used in geography. We might remark on this map, as on most others professing to answer the same purpose, that it is more fanciful than natural; and in many points, can scarcely pretend to probability. Would it not be better, to instance Islands, by referring to actual islands, as Britain ; and mountains, lakes, rivers, &c. by mentioning those most likely to interest the youthful mind, by being within its recollection ? The The plates are sufficiently well engraved, but are too highly coloured: they are accompanied by concise accounts of the countries they represent. Art. XXVII. Lecteur Francois:-ou Recueil des Pieces sen prose et en vers, tirées des meilleurs Ecrivains &c. Par Lindley Murray, Auteur d'une Grammaire Angloise &c. Seconde Edition revue and corrigée, 12mo. pp. 400 price 4s. 6d. Longman and Co, Darton and Harvey, London, and Constable and Co. Edinburgh 1806. MR. Murray's exertions are directed to one of the noblest objects: they are judicious, unremitted, and, we rejoice to add, particularly acceptable to the public. His works are distinguished, from the mass of school books, by a correct style, a refined taste, and especially by a vigilant subservience to morality and religion. As the publication now before us may not be known to all our readers, although it has reached a second edition, we observe that it consists of various instructive and interesting pieces, extracted from authors of celebrity, chiefly in the Augustan age of French literature. The prose and poetical department comprise, respectively, narrative, didactic, descriptive, pathetic and miscellaneous articles. Most writers of eminent reputation have furnished contributions to this performance, and the young scholar is here provided with an assortment of almost every species of composition. An appendix of nearly thirty pages is usefully devoted to biographical sketches of the various authors; whose works, read in connection with their lives, mutually derive and confer a degree of interest which no other method would afford. The memoirs are succinct and well written; they contain, among other illustrious names, those of Boileau, Bossuet, Buffon, De Lille, Fenelon, Racine, Rollin, Rousseau, Saurin, and Sevigné. Antoine de la Pluche, we observe, the celebrated author of the Spectacle de la Nature, is erroneously called Antoine Pluche. There are passages in many other eminent authors, even in Voltaire, which might be properly introduced as specimens of their manner; the due limts of the prepresent work, of course, prevented a more extended selection, but Mr. M. will perhaps be induced to complete his plan by publishing a ' Sequel.' An introduction to the present work, is now we understand, in preparation. This volume follows the uniform size, neatness, and accuracy, of Mr. Murray's productions. It is a valuable addition to the juvenile library, not merely as being free from the gross defects of other collections, but as affording the student such an introduction to French literature as is no where else accessible. SVENSK Art. XXVIII. SWEDISH LITERATURE. VENSK Zoologi, or a history of Swedish animals, is a useful work, conducted by M. BILLBERG, in Gottland, and the well-known M. S. W. PALMSTRUCK. The first Number with six coloured plates, is lately published. Stockholm, 1806. M. HERMELIN has also published Forsok till en Mineral historia ofver Lappmarken, an Essay towards a mineral history of Lapland. Stockholm, 1806. The first part of the Maps of Sweden by the same nobleman, is now completed. It is divided into three compartments, each of which has a preface preface and vignette. The first contains, A map of Sweden, strictly so called; and of the northern provinces the following: Vester Botten, Vester Norrland, Herjeadalen, Helsingland, Gestrikland. The second Maps of Finland, and of the following governments: Uleaborg, Wasa, Abo and Bjorneborg, Nyland and Tavastehus, Kymmenegard, Savolax and Karelen. The third the government of Dalekarlia, in five Maps, and also the governments of Stockholm, Vesteras, Upsala, Orebro, and Nykoping. Beskrifning ofver Kemi Lappmark, description of the Kemi Lappland, by WAHLENBerg. Stockholm, 1806. Of the Collections in the Science of Practical Mineralogy, &c. by SVEDENSTJERNA and LIDBECK, which we noticed in our last, the second number has now appeared. Among the subjects it contains are: The Process of Melting; Extract of a letter from Mr. de NAPRIONI, to Mr. WERNER, concerning the Mount Taberg, in the Province of Smaland, together with a note by Mr. Werner; Description of the French Flatting-mills, mint-rollers, &c.; Description of the different Steam Engines in England, from IMISON'S Elements of the Sciences and Arts, translated by C. D. AF UHR, Mine-master general. Another article of importance and interest in the rising literature of this country is, Swedish Translations from the Latin Poets, by J. O. WALLIN. This is the same young gentleman, who last winter so agreeably surprized the Swedish Academy of Stockholm, at their annual festival in that metropolis. Our readers know that this Academy confines its attention exclusively to the Swedish language. It consists of only eighteen Members, and the king as its patron. It was instituted by GUSTAvus III. in the year 1786; it has contributed much to the elegance of the Swedish language, and its publications are universally esteemed. Every year about Christmas, it distributes prizes, in the presence of the Royal Family and a numerous assembly, to the authors of the best Oratorical or Poetical Essays, which are sent for its approbation. The subjects are frequently given out by the Academy, but more commonly left to the choice of the competitors. Here it was that the author of the present translations, after his essays were read, and the sealed name-. billet affixed to each was opened, burst suddenly from obscurity into renown. The highest prize in three different branches of poetry were unanimously adjudged to this Dalekarlian Youth; and successively presented to him by the President, amidst the acclamations of the specta tors. Art. XXIX. GERMAN LITERATURE. THE following attempts towards the elucidation of the Mythology of the Ancients have lately appeared in Germany: The historical point of view of the Ancient Mythology is developed in a new and original manner in "Theogenie Untersuchungen uber den Ursprung der Religion des Alterthums." (Theogony, or Inquiries into the origin of the Religion of the ancients. By C. D. Hullmann, Professor at Frankfort on the Oder.) Berlin, 1804. pp. 302 8vo. The remarkable coincidence between all the nations of antiquity with regard to their principal divinities, religious rites, and mythological no tions, leads the author to conclude, that they must have had one common basis, which can have been laid only at one particular time, and of which the origin lies not in the nature of man, but must be of a positive and historical kind. The first part of the work frames seven leading principles out of the most ancient facts, which the author has previously exhibited in a connected series, and deduces from them the mythological and religious inferences. Chaldea is, according to this author, the true native soil of the oriental system of Religion. The Egyptian religion and mythology, as well as the Greek, also derive their origin from anterior Asia. In the second part, he combats the opinion that the zodiac was founded upon astronomical knowledge, and the most ancient calendar for the division of time: he represents it, on the contrary, as a general mytho-chronological record of the most ancient data of history. Of a similar tendency is "Tas openbuch der Vorzeit au das Jahr 1805 Manual of Antiquity for the year 1805. By I. F. yon. Roesch, Colonel of Engineers in the service of the elector of Wirtemberg, &c. Stutt gard. This is merely an epitome of another work, which the author intends to publish under the title of " Elucidation of the most ancient History, Geography, Genealogy and Chronology of the human race." This author derives his views from two sources; namely, from the comparison of the traditions of the different nations, which must be well distinguished with respect to time, place and import; and from the comparison and derivation of the similar words in different languages. The arbitrary use which he makes of Ancient History, leads him into several untenable hypotheses. The following may serve as an example. Cain, in mythology Oceanus, also Protogonos (the first-born), in the original language named On and An, came to Media, where he founded a new empire. His son Chronus, (from which appellation the words Corona, a crown, and Throne are derived, he being the first who wore a crown), once reproached him with the murder of his brother, which Chronus, called also Ilus by Sanchoniathon, had learnt, while he was still in Assyria, from his grandmother, Eve. Next follows a very eccentric account of the dethronement and castration of On. The author can hardly expect that such chimeras of his fancy will meet with the approbation of his readers. A work of greater merit than the two preceding is, "Die Feste von Hellas," &c. The festivals of Greece, considered in a historical and mythological point of view, and for the first time elucidated according to their meaning and intention. By M. G. Herrmann, part i. 588 pp. part ii. 596 pp. large Svo. Berlin 1803. The author, who now resides at St. Petersburg, is already known to the world by two publications, (his Compendium of Mythology, containing the Mythology according to Homer, Hesiod, and the Lyric poets, and the Astronomical Mythology, in 3 vols; and his Mythology of the Greeks, for the use of higher classes in schools and academies, in 3 vols.) as a learned and acute inquirer into ancient mythology. Undoubtedly the mythology of the Greeks, as well as their religion, political constitution, cultivation and arts, cannot be fully understood without an acquaintance with their festivals. What the author's predecessors had written upon this subject, he wished to arrange, combine, accom pany |