solemnity of the Nuptial Song, and invokes Heaven's best blessings on the royal head.

It was perhaps unnecessary to give these copious extracts from a poem which will obtain so general a perusal, but it is the only way in which, without employing the commonplace language of panegyric, we could do justice to poetry like Mr. Southey's. Productions of this kind are judged of, not so much by their real merit, as by the first impression which they may accidentally make: we have therefore endeavoured to secure for the present poem that effect which the taste and feeling it displays are calculated to produce, apart from all those lowering associations which are inseparable from the occurrences and interests of the day.

We cannot wholly pass over, however, what appear to us to be defects in the poem. Stanzas 24 and 25 are, we think, disfigured by that mixture of mythology and pure allegory, to which not even the examples of Spenser and Milton can reconcile the mind. We have alluded to some objectionable parts of the address of the Angel of the English Church: but our exception lies principally against what appears to be conveyed in the following stanza. After alluding to the papal power,

it is added:

The stern Sectarian in unnatural league
Joins her to war against their hated foe;
Error and Faction aid the bold intrigue,

And the dark Atheist seeks her overthrow,
While giant Zeal in arms against her stands,

Barks with an hundred mouths, and lifts an hundred hands. We say, what appears to be conveyed in these stanzas, for we cannot persuade ourselves that the Author really meant to intimate by this allegorical representation, that he believed in an actual conspiracy between different and mutually contending parties for the overthrow of the Establishment. We confess that the language is too equivocal, and that even supposing that it was designed merely to point out the concurrent tendency of various opposite causes to effect the downfall of the hierarchy, there is not truth in the representation. The whole body of Protestant Dissenters are subjected to incapacitating laws, similar to those which exclude the Roman Catholics. same Church, by virtue of its connexion with the State, accomplishes the exclusion of both; but this exclusion proceeds, in the two cases, upon very different grounds: in the one, it is founded on grounds simply religious,-on the charge of schism; in the other, on the political complexion of the Romish creed. The Dissenters have on more than one occasion, consented to waive their claims, rather than favour, even indirectly, the introduction of the Roman Catholics, to secular power;.

The

and so far from being disposed to league with the members of a Church, the tenets of which are so abhorrent to every principle they cherish, they are regarded by the Roman Catholics themselves less as fellow-sufferers in a civil respect, than as determined opponents from conscientious principles. How far the Dissenters generally may, or may not, as individuals, rejoice in the prospect of concessions being made to the Roman Catholics of Ireland, as the triumph of the principles of an enlightened policy, we do not pretend to say; but not the shadow of evidence can be adduced to shew that such an opinion has led to any practical combination of whatever kind either among themselves, or with any foreign body. The supposed league is a pure creation of fancy. Are Grattan, Wilberforce, and Lord Castlereagh, we would ask, the representatives of Faction, Error, and Atheism? or are the hundred hands of Giant Zeal typical of the increasingly numerous minority within the House of Commons, that support the claims' of the Catholics? We are sorry to be compelled to make these remarks on any passage in the production of a man cordially attached, as we believe Mr. Southey to be, to civil and religious liberty. Since he has alluded, however, to two queen-mothers of the English Church, we must be allowed to refer to a third-not to Queen Mary the First, but to Queen Anne-and to remind him, that in her reign the dark Atheist'* was exhibited as the most zealous abettor of the arbitrary claims of the Establishment. Between the Atheist, who employs religion as a mere engine of state policy, and the intolerant ecclesiastic, there is a natural tendency to union. But Mr. Southey is perhaps the first who has ventured to designate Zeal as a giant rebel, and a rebel in arms, with which the Hercules of the State has to combat. The name of virtue, for surely zeal is a virtue, is not to be given to the personification of vice, whatever vice be intended. Mr. Southey has explained himself as to the means by which alone he would have the Church defended and upheld: but still such representations as these are calculated to inflame and to mislead; consequences, which Mr. Southey would deprecate equally with ourselves.

We were about to notice another passage in Mr. Southey's poem, as liable to misconstruction, but the subject is too delicate for us either to suggest, or to require an explanation. It is obvious that the Poet's allusions to certain distinguished personages, are confined to those public measures with which the public character of the sovereign is identified. Regarding that firm adherence on the part of the monarch to constitutional

* Bolingbroke.

principles, and that gracious solicitude, personally expressed, for the universal enjoyment of religious knowledge and religious liberty, which have characterized the present reign, we do not hesitate to applaud the cautious counsel which our poet offers to the Royal Lady:

Look to thy Sire, and in his steady way,

As in his Father's he, learn thou to tread.'

In proportion as Mr. Southey despises the clamours of partyspirit, and the invectives of impotent envy, let him be careful to guard against the appearance of a feeling tainted by the Court, or darkened by bigotry. He may then in perfect faith, cast his book upon the waters,

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The conclusion of the Article on Dr. Clarke's Travels is unavoidably deferred till the next Number, which will also comprise Articles on Lavallée's History of the French Factions, Adams's Journal of a Residence at Tombuctoo, Memoirs of the early life of Wm. Cowper, Esq. Essays in Rhyme by Miss Taylor, &c, &c.

ART. XI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending Information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the Public, if consistent with its plan.

Preparing for publication, some account of Ahantah and Fantyn, and the remaining countries on the Gold Coast of Africa; containing notices of their soil, climate, and productions, and of the persons, manners, customs, religion, institutions, arts, trade, and comparative civilization of the inhabitants; including narratives of their more recent wars, and hints for the development of their ancient history, and the history of the African Slave Trade; and for an inquiry into the original Country of the Negro Race.

*

Recent intelligence of a War (the consequences of which may be important to British interests) has served to shew, from the unsuccessful attempts of the public prints to inform their readers of the situation and state of the Countries of Ahantahs (Ashantees) and Fantyn (Fantees), and from the errors and deficiencies of our best maps and books of Geography, the want of a work similar to the one above described.

Also, a History of Nipal, a Kingdom in the North of India: describing its origin, situation, surface, climate, and inhabitants; its relations, political and commercial, with the British Dominions in Asia, Tibet, Tartary, and the Chinese Empire; and the rise and progress of the present war.

*** The general want of information which appears to prevail with respect to Nipal, and the powerful and increasing interest which attaches to the existing war with that country (so lately brought within the sphere of European knowledge) may be regarded as strong recommendations of this work.

Mons. Devisscher, public teacher from the university of Paris, and a native of that city, has in the press a new French Grammar, entitled,—“ Grammaire de Lhomond; or, The Principles of the French Language, grammatically explained in twelve Lessons, according to the rules of the French Academy;" adapted for the use of schools, and for persons who wish to renew their study of the French Language,

The Rev. William Bennet has prepared for the press, and proposes to publish by subscription, a careful abridgement of the learned Bishop Stillingfleet's "True reason of the Sufferings of Christ;" originally published in the year 1669, in reply to the exceptions of Crellius, the most learned and subtle of all the Polish Socinians, against the celebrated work of Grotius on the Satisfaction of Christ: Which contains an accurate statement, and a most able vindication of the Scripture Doctrine of the Atonement; interspersed with Notes and Reflections by the Editor. To which will be subjoined an Appendix, containing the Bishop's most mature judgement on the Commutation of Persons betwixt Christ and Believers, extracted from his Lordship's correspondence with an eminent Dissenting Minister; and some additional observations by the Editor, shewing the injurious tendency of incautious and inaccurate statements in re ference to that subject, and briefly opening the scripture-doctrine concerning it. To such as are acquainted with Bishop Stillingfleet's theological works, no encomium by the Editor can be necessary, to apprize them of his vigorous and discriminating intellect: and to others he will only observe, that to the pen of this able divine he owes the fullest satisfaction he has ever met with on the subject of the Atonement-in respect to the proper grounds of its Divine requisition, the clear and well-defined statement of the doctrine itself, the forcible appeal to reason and scripture by which it is maintained, and the ready solution of the most learned and sophistical reasonings against it. The whole will be comprised in one volume 8vo. and, as very few more copies will be printed than will answer the subscription, those who are disposed to encourage the work are requested to signify the same, by the 1st of November next, either to the Editor at Chapel-en-le-frith, Derbyshire, or through the medium of the London Booksellers.

In the press, and speedily will be

206

List of Works recently published.

published, the Memoirs and Writings of Miss Fanny Woodbray, who died at Baverley, in North America, November 15th, 1814, aged 23 years. (Being the F. W. to whom the greater part of Mrs. Newell's interesting Letters are ad dressed.) By the Rev. Joseph Amerson.

Mr. Henry Koster will soon publish, in a quarto volume, Travels in Brasil from Pernambuco to Serara, with occasional excursions, and a voyage to Maranam; illustrated by plates of costumes.

The Rev. J. Slade has in the press, Annotations on the Epistles, intended as a continuation of Mr. Elsley's Anno. tations on the Gospels and Acts.

Dr. Hutchison, late surgeon to the Royal Naval Hospital at Deal, will soon publish, Practical Remarks in Surgery, illustrated by cases.

Lysons' Magua Britannia, volume VII.

containing Cumberland, will soon appear; and at the same time, part vii. of Britannia Depicta.

Baron Uklanski's Travels in Italy, with a few occasional Poems, are printing in two duodecimo volumes, for the benefit of his widow.

The third volume of the Transactions of the Geological Society, with numerous plates, chiefly coloured, will appear in a few days.

Mr. Luckcock, of Birmingham, has in the press, Sunday-school Moral Lecturės, interspersed with a variety of anecdotes.

Mr. Britton is preparing for publication, The History and Antiquities of the Metropolitan Church of York; illustrated with a series of Engravings.

In the press, an edition of Watts's Songs, with brief Notes. By the Rev. J. Churchill.

Art. XII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

ANTIQUITIES.

Monastic and Baronial Remains, with other interesting Fragments of Antiquity, in England, Wales, and Scotland. By G. J. Parkyns, Esq. by upwards of one hundred plates. 2 Vol. Illustrated royal 8vo. 41. boards.

BIOGRAPHY.

Memoirs of the Early Life of William Cowper, Esq. Written by Himself, and never before published. Foolscap 8vo. with a portrait, 4s.

The Life of William Hutton, F.A.S.S. including a particular Account of the Riots at Birmingham in 1791. To which is subjoined the History of his Family, written by Himself, and published by his Daughter, Catherine Hutton. 8vo. 12s. boards. Embellished with a portrait.

The Work of Faith, the Labour of Love, and the Patience of Hope illustrated, in the Life and Death of the Rev. Andrew Fuller, late Pastor of the Baptist Church at Kettering, and Secretary to the Baptist Missionary Society. Chiefly extracted from his own Papers. By John Ryland, D.D. 8vo. with a portrait, 12s.

BOTANY.

Compendium Floræ Britannicæ, Auc.. tore Jacobo Edvardo Smith, Equ. Aur. M.D. Societatis Linnæanæ Preside, &c. 12mo. 7s. boards.

FINE ARTS.

Journal of Science and the Arts. Edited at the Royal Institution. No. II. with plates, 7s. 6d.

Number I. of Annals of the Fine Arts; a New Quarterly Magazine and Review, solely and exclusively devoted to the Fine Arts. 8vo. 5s. sewed.

An Inquiry into the Origin and Early History of Engraving, upon Copper and in Wood; with an account of Engravers and their Works, from the invention of Chalcography by Maso Finiguerra, to the Time of Marc' Antonio Raimondi. By William Young Ottley, F.S.A. IIlustrated by numerous fac-similes of scarce specimens of the Art; and by Impressions from Original Blocks engraved by Albert Durer. 2 Vol. 4to. 81. 8s. boards.

Footsteps to Drawing, according to the Rules of Perspective, explained in familiar Dialogues, and illustrated by twenty Plates of progressive Lessons, calculated to combine a knowledge of Perspective with the practice of Draw