the French Journals full of accounts of Swedish plays, and filent as to any manly or rational production of that king

dom.

PRUSSIA.

The first part of Moritz's Annalen der Academie der Künfte, &c. or Annals of the Academy of Arts and Mechanic Sciences at Berlin, is printed at that capital in 8vo. Thefe annals are deftined to collect not only the difcoveries of the academy, but any information concerning the hiftory of arts, and the defign of perfection to which they were carried by the ancients. This part contains eleven articles: 1. Monuments of the history of art in Pruffia; 2. Difcourfe of Heinitz, the minister of state, on the introduction of the new regulation into the academy; 3. Aufwer, in the name of the academy, by profeffor Moritz; 4. On two edifices, each of one ftone, drawn from the Egyp tian quarries, and tranfported on the Nile to Sais and Butos; 5. On the ancient porcelain of Egypt; 6. Defcription of Brandenburg gate, now building at Berlin; 7. Institution of the Academy of Arts at Peteriburg; 8. Letter on the work intituled an Elay on Tafte; 9. Anfwer; 10. Project of maps lefs expenfive than the prefent: the fecret confits in ufing wood instead of copper; and a happy fpecimen by Unge is given; 11. Extracts of letters by the vice-director, Chodoneiccky. The typographical part docs honour to the prefs of Unger.

Count Schmettau's work, Ueber den Feldzug, &c. on the Campaign of the Pruilian Army in Bohemia, 1778, under the command of the late king in perfon, Berlin, 4to. with plates, prefent not only inftructive remarks on that war, but a history of it. The author thews that the principal caufes of inactivity in that campaign were, on the one fide, the great age and infirmities of Frederic II. and, on the other, the extreme prudence of the enemy, occafioned by the reputation of that eminent leader. Count Schmettau, however, is far from being a flatterer of his hero. He points out many inftances of the king's injuftice to his officers, and to the people of the coun try. In throwing a glance on the war of feven years, he dif covers feveral faults in the conduct of Frederic, who certainly owed much to fortune; and often did his beft officers difapprove of his meafures. In reading with attention the hiory of the campaign 1778, one cannot avoid finding many traces of that intention of feeking death in it, which is afcribed to the king. At Welfdorf he remained expofed for half an hour to the fire of

the

he Tyrolian chaffeurs; and it was neceffary to give orders to epel them, unknown to him. At Hermanfieifen he manifeftly fought danger and at Leopolt he chose a lodgment, feparated from the rest of his camp, and within 1500 paces of the enemies batteries. I must confefs, fays our author, that I trembled in feeing all the danger to which the king was expofed, in a houfe almoft folitary, and where he could neither enter, nor go out, without being feen from the advanced pofts

of the foe.'

In Mr. Dreffel's book, Bemerkungen, &c. Remarks made in a Journey into Brandenburg and Saxony, to the Confines of Franconia, Berlin, 8vo. may be found great impartiality, phis lofophical views, and a picturefque ftyle, which render it interefting, in fpite of the minute details in which the author appears fometimes to be loft. The difference between the two adjacent countries is very ftriking. In Brandenburg the people are in general roug, unpolifhed, and referved, in Saxcay they are polished, obliging, frank, and communicative. The Saxon dialect is claffical in the German language. In Brandenburg great labour is used in bringing uncultivated lands into ufe: in Saxony the people are content to enjoy gayly what they have, without concerning themfelves much in the acquifition of riches. In the former few murmurs are heard in the latter loud and free complaints are uttered against the taxes and the administration. The roads are kept in good order in Brandenburg, while they are fhamefully neglected in Saxony,

A third Memoir of Mr. Erman's Hiftorical Eulogy of Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, queen of Pruffia, has appeared at Berlin, 8vo. In fpeaking of Frederic 1. he obferves that a feeble conftitution, and delicate habit of body, denied to his mind thofe refources of activity and ftrength, which react on the thoughts, and in fome degree communicate vigour to them. The appellation of Wife aptly characterifes him; while that of Great belongs to the indefatigable heroifm of his father. Sophia Charlotte added to his court all the graces of her fex, with a mind adorned by every accomplifiment, and an exquifite tafte. The prefent king of Pruffia, upon feeing the two former Memoirs of our author, condescended to communicate to him twenty-two original latters of this princefs, which do honour to her feelings and her wit. They are witten in French, with great ease and fpirit; the prince's was fo great a miitreis of that tongue, that an illuftrious French refugee, upon quitting her prefence, enquired of an attendant whether the underitood German.

Count Hertzberg's Memoire fur les Revolutions des Etats, &c. Memoir on the Revolutions of States, external, internal, and religious, read at the academy of Berlin, on the 6th of October, 1791, Berlin, 8vo. is worthy of its author's repu

tation.

RUSSI A.

Of Hupel's Verfuch, &c. Effay on the political State of Ruffia, the first volume has appeared at Riga, in 8vo. Notwithstanding the modeft title of this work, it is the most complete, and the best digefted, yet offered to the public upon this fubject. In this firft volume the author treats of the different fubdivifions of this great empire, of the climate, population, and culture of each province; of the claffes and diftinctions eftablished among the inhabitants; of the public and civil law; of the imperial family; of the court, the army, the finances, the national induftry, commerce, and in fine, of the relations between Ruffia and other European powers. Mr. Hupel has employed thirty years in collecting materials for this work; and as no accefs can be procured to the Ruffian archives, it is only by his connections with the minifters, and fubordinate officers of government, that he has been anabled to procure them. The difference between the nations which conftitute this empire is not fo great as that between a noble and his vaffals: the chapter on fervitude is far from being dictated by the prejudices of the country. That on the political intereft of Ruffia is not a dream of the author, but the real plan of the Ruffian ministry, fince the time of Peter the Great.

Friebe's Handbuch, &c. Manual of the Hiftory of Livonia, Estonia, and Courland, vol. i. printed at Riga, 8vo. has merit. The author begins at the period when the Phoenicians commenced a traffic in Livonia for amber; and this first volume extends to the year 1439. The origin and exploits of the ancient Vandals are explained: at every change of govern ment the manners of the inhabitants are described; and a topography of these countries is given as they were in the thir teenth century. An extract from the memoirs of the count de Melm, which our author has inferted, has been favourably received by the learned. In this extract convincing proofs are adduced that the Livonian tongue is only a corrupt dialect of the Finnish or Estonian. The people of Eftonia denominate themselves by the fame term which they apply to the Fins, that is Rahvaft; the name of Eftonians being unknown among them. The appellative Livonia is derived from the Finnish

word

word Luvane, which fignifies fand; and is well appropriated to that fandy country. Count de Melm is occupied in a new Atlas of Livonia, in which will appear a map of the country, as it was before the year 1562, with a defcription of what was then remarkable.

Friebe's Beytrage, &c. Memoirs for the Hiftory of Livo nia, taken from a MS. newly discovered by Mr. Friebe, with other materials for northern history, collected by Mr. Hupel, Riga, 8vo. The manufcript in queftion was written about the year 1640, by Melchior Fuchs, burgomaster of Riga, and principally relates to the difputes between that city and the archbishop. From the author's quotations it is evident that he availed himself of feveral ancient documents now loft. The editor gives an extract, extending from 1360 to 1489, which throws much light on an obfcure part of Livonian history.

ENGLISH LITERATURE.

Anecdotes of the Life of the Right Hon. William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. (Concluded from p. 389.)

ΤΗ

HE other circumftances of the peace are humiliating to the nation, and unpleafing to reflect on. If, as our author contends, the first treaty in this reign was the renewal of the former one with Pruflia, and the first step in making the peace the declaration of the principles and fpirit of the treaty, we can only regret the inconfiftency of the minifter, and join in the general reprehenfions. The Manilla ranfom was not fecured; but this reminds us of an omiffion, which is, we think, of importance, and not too late to supply the defect: we allude to a converfation, faid to have occurred between Mr. Pitt and a general officer, when a rupture with Spain was expected.

A few weeks previous to Mr. Pitt's refignation, the following conversation, as nearly as it can be related from memory, happened between Mr. Pitt and a general officer :—

Sir, fays Mr. Pitt, I find the Spaniards, are determined to break with us. It may become a fortunate circumftance; for although we have taken the French islands and colonies, they do not afford us ready money, which we want. You must take pof. feffion of Panama. How many regiments shall you want for luch an expedition? the fhips can be provided for the purpose immediately I have no doubt of making up 5,000 men, if necessary, from the British colonies, who are now fecure. We have no rea fon to apprehend a disappointment they may not be ready in time,

PP4

time, but must be fent you as they are raised; rather as recruits than part of your command ?

General officer." Sir I fhall not want a great number of difciplined troops-I know the exact force in that part of America-give me three or four regiments, with inftructions to the middle and fouthern provinces to fupply me with a few men accuftomed to bufh-fighting, and about two thousand negroes to work in the heat of the day. Give me powers to form an alliance, and promife of protection in religion and commerce I'll answer for the fuccefs, not only against Panama, but for a refignation of all Spanish America, in all matters which may be deemed benefi cial to Great Britain."

Mr. Pitt." Sir, get yourfelf in readiness-your commiffion fhall be made out immediately."

Nor was this all-He meditated an attack upon the Philipine Ifands: and he confulted lord Anfon upon the subject, on account of his knowledge of those feas. Mr. Pitt's defign was to have reduced Panama firft; and next, to have made a detachment from and against Manilla. The reader has been already informed of his defign against the Havannah; which, though it was afterwards executed by his fucceffors, yet had he continued to direct the war, that conqueft would have been accomplished much fooner, and confequently great part of the force employed there, would have been at leifure, perhaps to have co-operated at Porto Bello, or fome other place, with the expedition against Panama; or have been ready for any other fervice, His defign against the Philipine Islands was adopted by his fucceffors; but materially altered, by joining the Eaft India Company in the meafure. Nor would this expedition have been undertaken, had not lord Anfon, in the frongeft terms, repeatedly recommended and preffed it to lord Egremont.?

⚫. There is much reafon to fuppofe this converfation authentic; but we cannot understand how the Manillas were to be attacked by a detachment from Panama. The fhips were, perhaps, to be carried across the ifthmus, for they would not have been capable of any very active fervice after traversing Cape Horn. It must be remembered, however, that this idea is diftinct from the converfation,

We have feen the end of this great man's brilliancy, as a minifter. We are now to view him in the character of a fingle member of the legislature; dignified, indeed, by reputation, but accompanied by no influence, nor followed by one individual of that obfequious crowd of reprefentatives, who had lately given him unlimited confidence, and unbounded praife. This fudden, but not furprising change of opinion, in the reprefentatives of the

nation,