children. The obvious utility of that work has induced M. Pasquier to give to the public the present translation of it; conceiving that so easy and so natural a composition could not be less useful in conducting children to a knowlege of the French tongue. Intending this translation also for the instruction of French youth,' he found it, he tells us, in his prefatory advertisement, necessary to make some slight alterations in the English work, by suppressing what hath a relation only to England, and substituting in its place, things that have a relation to France. It appeared also more convenient to compress the four volumes into two: but,' he adds, ' I have followed the same form and ion of sentences as in the original; as it appeared to me to contain, every respect, the advantages requisite to facilitate the instruction of young beginners.'

Art. 43. The Sparrow.

12mo. 2s. Newbery.

As children, like other people, are fond of novelty, instruction from the bill of a sparrow may have its use among the various modes which ingenuity and industry are daily contriving; and the Life of a Sparrow' may afford lessons as important as many other biographical productions.

Art. 44. Keeper's Travels in search of his Master. 12mo. 1s. 6d.

Newbery.

The poor dog Keeper, in his faithful and affectionate search for his master, passes through various scenes and many misfortunes. His little history, though it may not rank among the most valuable productions of the kind, wili engage the attention of children, while it affords some useful admonition and good morality.

Sael.

Art. 45. Exercises upon the French Grammar, with the Rules prefixed to them. By P. Chardon, Ci-devant Avocat au Parlement de Dijon. 2d Edition. 12mo. 2s, bound. We believe that the first edition of this work escaped our notice: in its present form, it well deserves the attention of those who wish to acquire a grammatical knowlege of the French language.

Art. 46. Entertaining and instructive Exercises, with the Rules of the 12mo. 35.

French Syntax. By John Perrin. 8th Edition, bound. Law.

In the 4th vol. of our Review, we spoke of the first edition of this work in terms of commendation. We can now only add that it has received improvements from the hand of the author in every successive impression; and consequently that the last edition may be - pronounced the best.

Amusement of the Rising Generation.

Art. 47. Tales of the Hermitage, written for the Instruction and 12mo. pp. 228. 23.

Vernor. 1798.

The beginning of the last of these tales has in it somewhat so interesting and instructive, that we are inclined to transcribe it. -"Papa," said Julius Godfrey, addressing himself to his father, "I wish you would buy a little boy for me whom I saw begging in the street this morning; for he says he has neither father nor mother in this country,

and

and that he is fearful of being starved to death."-" Buy you a little boy! Julius," said Mr. Godfrey, " if you had asked me to have bought you a little dog, I should not have been astonished; but boys are neither to be bought nor sold, in this happy spot of earth."" O indeed, papa, they are, for Charles Henley's father bought him one, and he has such fun with him, you cannot imagine. Sometimes he makes a horse of him, and sometimes a harlequin, for his sisters have made him a very pretty jacket; and then if he won't jump over the places Charles wants him, he whips the wooden sword from his side, and straps him till he flies over like a race-horse. Oh, it is such fun, papa, you cannot conceive." -" And so," said Mr. Godfrey sternly, your only motive for wishing me to save the boy from starving, was, that you might have the gratification of killing him with cruelty, and purchase pleasure at the expence of the poor creature's pain."-" No, papa," replied Julius, " I would not hurt any body for the world; but you know black people have no feeling; for Charles Henley says, their skins are as thick as a lobster's shell, and if they were to be boiled they would be as red." -" Then Charles is as weak as he is wicked, and deserves boiling himself," said Mr. Godfrey. " But where did you see the unfortunate child?" -The story then proceeds very properly; the poor lad is received into the family, proves very faithful, and is of distinguished service; for which, when offered a reward, the honest boy replies, "No, Massar; me want no money-me want no clothes and me no like paying when me do what is right."

The tales are eight in number; they bear the character of the hermitage, as supposed to have been written by Father Curbert, a hermit, who is said to have passed his time in serving his Maker, or rendering himself useful to his fellow-creatures. This distinction we cannot quite approve, though too common, as separating religion, or what is called duty to God, from morality and benevolence; whereas real piety is the best foundation and source of all good conduct. - The tales are all adapted to instruct and improve the mind, as well as to engage the attention. One great mistake appears in page 124, where the word compunction is inserted, we conclude, for compulsion.

Art. 48. A Present for a Little Boy. 8vo. I S. Darton and

Harvey. 1798.

The commendation which, with pleasure, we bestowed on the Present for a Little Girl, published by the same booksellers, (see Review for May last,) will justly apply to the present article. If Messrs. Darton and Harvey proceed in the culture of this particular branch of juvenile amusement and instruction, we hope that they will be careful to preserve the spirit and neatness of their first specimen.

Art. 49. Fabule in usum Scholarum, selecta Operâ et studio Georgii Whitaker, A. M. Grammatice Schola Magistri Southamptonia. Tertia Editio, aucta et emendata. 12mo. pp. 138. Is. Law. 1798. A short account of this little work will be found in our 15th vol. N. S. p. 218. Referring the reader to what is there said, we have only now to announce to the public the appearance of a third edition, amended and enlarged, without any increase of price. The sale which it has obtained seems to prove that it is acceptable and beneficial.

HISTORY, BOTANY.

Art. 50. Hortus Paddingtonensis: or a Catalogue of Plants culti vated in the Garden of J. Symmons, Esq. Paddington-house. By W. Salisbury, Gardener. 8vo. pp. 110. 3s. 6d. sewed. Shepperson and Reynolds. 1797.

Of this work, it is only necessary to announce that the catalogue consists of the scientific names of the various plants, with their corresponding English appellations, arranged alphabetically; with the addition of an index of English names, and the Linnæan genera to which they belong.

Art. 51. The Botanist's Calendar, and Pocket Flora, arranged according to the Linnæan System. To which are added References to the best Figures of British Plants. Small 8vo. 2 Vols. pp. about 450. 10s. 6d. Boards. White. 1797

The author of this work has given a title-page which very little corresponds with the contents of the volumes. The plants here described are only some of the indigenous British; and the order of their arrangement is according to the time of their flowering; a most objectionable method indeed! which can never be accurate for two years together. The whole of the class Cryptogamia is entirely omitted, as well as all the Grasses, Carexes, and Rushes, (except a single species,) with their respective kindred genera. The compiler has purposely omitted these, on the plea that the insertion of them would have carried him beyond the limits of a pocket compendium:' bat we think that the want of them is a material and insuperable objection.

Art. 52. Botany displayed; being a compleat and compendious Elucidation of Botany, according to the System of Linnæus. By John Thompson; with Plates, serving as Examples of the most beautiful, rare, and curious Plants, indigenous and exotic, coloured from Nature, and designed purposely to elucidate and ornament this Work. By A. Nunes, Botanical Painter. 4to. in Numbers. Sold by all Booksellers. 1798.

We cannot class this display of the science of botany among the most successful endeavours to elucidate the Linnæan system that we have seen. The plates are the best part of the work.

Art. 53. A Description of the Genus Cinchona, comprehending the various Species of Vegetables from which the Peruvian and other Barks of a similar Quality are taken. Illustrated by Figures of all the Species hitherto discovered. To which is prefixed Professor Vahl's Dissertation on this Genus, read before the Society of Natural History at Copenhagen. Also a Description, accompanied by Figures, of a new Genus named Hyænanche, or Hyæna Poison. By Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Fellow of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies, &c. Vice-President of the Linnæan Society. 4to. pp. 54. 13 Plates. 12s. Boards. White. 1797.

This work is a most valuable monography of a genus of plants which is highly important, but which, from the scarcity of specimens and other causes, has hitherto been involved in much obscurity. We feel, feel, however, some difficulty in admitting the C. spinosa to rank with the other species of the genus; since it differs so widely in its general habit, and has only four stamina and petals, whereas all the other species have five of each.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 54. A complete View of the Chinese Empire, exhibited in a Geo. graphical Description of that Country; a Dissertation on its Antiquity; and a genuine and copious Account of Earl Macartney's Embassy, &c. 8vo. pp. 456. 7s. Boards. Cawthorn. 1798. This is avowedly a compilement, of which the editor (in a prefixed advertisement) boasts the superiority to the flimsy abridgments of Sir G. Staunton's work hitherto published. The boast, however, is not altogether a vain one; since this abridgment is undoubtedly more clear and more satisfactory than those which have preceded it. - The editor informs us, that the valuable Dissertation on the antiquity of China was liberally communicated to him by a writer of eminent celebrity, who has paid more than ordinary attention to the Chinese history, and who will in a short time favour the world with the result of his observations and enquiries.' We should deem it highly illiberal to anticipate demerit, and to prejudge a work which is merely in promise: yet justice obliges us to say that the dissertation on the antiquity of China does not, in our apprehension, indicate sufficient depth of research to justify the eulogiums here bestowed on it: it is, however, as far as it goes, well written.

Art. 55. Les Aventures de Télémaque, Fils d'Ulysse. Par M. de la Mothe Fénélon. Avec un petit Dictionnaire Mythologique. Nouvelle Edition, revue exactement sur toutes les Précédentes, & corrigée avec soin, par Nicolas Salmon. 12mo. 2 Vols. 7s. Boards. Arch, De Boffe, &c. 1798.

Of so well-known a work as the Telemaque of Fénélon, it can only be necessary to say that this edition is printed with a neatness, and correctness which do honor to the attention of Mr. Salmon, and to the press of Mr. Spilsbury.

Art. 56. Tables, for shewing the Dates of Bills falling due, having from 10 to 95 Days to run, including the Three Days of Grace. 4to. Pamphlet. Edinburgh. 1797.

These tables are adapted for the use of merchants, bankers, armyagents, and others who have frequent occasion to calculate the date of a bill's elapse. The operation is indeed very simple, and requires only an attentive use of the almanac: but where the process recurs minutely, it may save time to be spared even a consultation of the

calendar.

Art. 57. The Life of St. Columba, the Apostle and Patron Saint of the Ancient Scots and Picts, and joint Patron of the Irish; commonly called Column-Kille, the Apostle of the Highlands. By John Smith, D. D. Honorary Member of the Antiquarian and Highland Societies of Scotland. 8vo. pp. 168. 3s. sewed. Wright. 1798.

The life of this celebrated Saint of the sixth century was written in Latin by two of his successors, Cummin and Adomnan. Their

performances performances, like other works of the same nature and of the same age, are filled with visions, prophecies, and miracles. Dr. Smith has therefore undertaken to disencumber the memoirs of this great and good man from the marvellous garb with which they have been so long invested, to separate the fact from the fable, and to shew the Saint in his real character. How far he has adhered to this judicious plan, the opening passages of the life will enable the reader to determine.

• Columba was a native of Ireland, descended from the royal family of that kingdom, and nearly allied to the kings of Scotland. Like many others who made a conspicuous figure in the world, his birth is said to have been preceded by some extraordinary circumstances. Maveth, the disciple of St. Patrick, is said to have predicted the birth and name of Columba, and the lasting glory which he should acquire by converting the Western Isles to Christianity.

• His mother also, when with child of the Saint, dreamed oue night that a person, whose figure and mien seemed to denote him to be more than human, had presented her with a veil or garment of the most beautiful texture and colours; that in a little time, however, he resumed his gift, and raising and expanding it in the sky, allowed it to fly through heaven. As it flew, it continued to extend itself on all hands, over mountains and plains, till at length it covered an expanse which her eye was not able to measure. Finding what she had once possessed thus gone out of her reach, and likely to be irrecoverably lost, she could not help expressing her sorrow and regret, till the angel thus addressed her: "Be not grieved at not being allowed to retain this valuable gift but for a very short time. It is an emblem of that child of which thou art soon to be the mother: for him hath God ordained, as one of his prophets, to be extensively useful upon earth, and to lead an innumerable company of souls to heaven."

The circumstances attending the death of the Saint were yet more extraordinary:-he died at the time which he had predicted in his conventual church, which was all illumined, and as it were filled with a heavenly glory, or angelic light. The author's note on this subject is worth transcribing:

• Adomnan gives a beautiful and classical description of two other extraordinary visions, which, he says, had been seen on the night on which Columba died (or perhaps of this same vision, seen by different persons and in different places); one of them by a holy man in Ireland (Lugud Mac-Talcain), who had told next morning that Columba was dead; and the other by a number of fishermen who had been that night fishing in Glen Fende, from some of whom Adomnan had the relation when a boy. The purport of both is, that on the night and hour on which Columba, "the pillar of so many churches," had departed, a pillar of fire, which illumined the sky, with a light brighter than that of the mid-day sun, was seen to rise from Iona, while loud and sweet-sounding anthems of innumerable choirs of angels ascending with his soul were distinctly heard; and that when this column reached the heavens, the darkness again returned, as if the sun had suddenly set at noon.-Such lively pictures of the opinions of former times will not displease the antiquary, nor appear insignificant