SUPPLEMENT TO THE. MONTHLY CATALOGUE for December, 1780. POLITICAL. Art. 1. An English Freeholder's Address to his Countrymen. 4to. 1 S. Robinfon. 1780. UR fenfible Addreffer, prefuming, but not immodeftly, on at with all Colo nies, offers his opinion of our American war; of which he predias an event extremely unfavourable to Great Britain.To prevent, however, if poffible, the moft fatal confequences to ourselves, from the measures which we have adopted with refpect to this unhappy conteft, he earnestly tenders his advice;-which is, in brief, that we' make peace with America, before our fucceffes are balanced by misfortunes, and before general vengeance fuperfedes the friendship yet fubfifting between nations of the fame origin, language, religion, habits, and complexion.'-This, he acknowledges, will, to the high-fpirited Briton, feem a bitter remedy for the dangerous difeafe under which our body-politic labours; but he concludes, that it must be taken, or the nation will be undone. For our Author's remarks on the county affociations, and the good ufe that might be made of them, if rendered complete, particularly by obtaining, through their means, a competent knowledge of the general fenfe of the people, with regard to their prefent fitua tion, we must refer to the Address at large. POETICA L. Art. 2. The Patriotic Mice; or Modern H***e of C*****s: A Poem. By Mr. J. Y. 4to. 1 s. 6d. Wade. 1780. A dull fatire on the patriotic Orators in the British Parliament. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 3. The New Art of Speaking; or a complete modern Syftem of Rhetoric, Elocution, and Oratory, &c. &c. &c. The Whole being particularly calculated to improve or refresh the Memories of the Right Hon. and Hon. Members of both Houses of Parliament, &c. &c. &c. and all fuch of both Sexes as attend the public Difputations at the school of Eloquence [Carlisle Houfe], the Forum, the Female Parliament, Robin Hood, &c. &c. &c, 8vo. 2 s. Hogg. 1780. We know not whether it was from impudence or ignorance that this paltry Catchpenny of fome hacknied Garretteer was infcribed to fuch refpectable characters as Meffrs. Fox and Burke;-Gentlemen whofe abilities and fituation in life have placed them at an immenfe diftance from thofe defpicable Quacks in oratory, who, by the late mock-inititutions at Carlile-Houje, the Westminster-Forum, and other fuch places of idle refort, have almoft brought Eloquence into contempt. For the pfeudo-rhetoricians, who frequent fuch 'SCHOOLS, this' New Art of Speaking' may, indeed, be a very neceffary companion Nn 4 *Written by Dr Fothergill: see 2 Lettrom's Edit. of y. Dr Works) Rowe panion; and the Prefidents and Tutors may here find fufficient mate Nichols. 8vo. 6s. The Author fets out with obferving, that the history of English Printers has been copiously handled [we with that our learned countrymen would not longer handle the English language in this clumfy manner] by thofe who, with commendable zeal and diligence, have delivered to us the Typographical Antiquities of the nation; but little or no notice has been hitherto taken of the Founder, although he is the first and principal mover in this curious art,' The Letter-Founder is the cafter, or maker of the types on which books are printed. Some of these artists have defervedly rifen to great eminence, on account of the neatnefs and beauty of the characters which they have formed. Among thefe, feveral of our countrymen will, we fuppofe, ever ftand in the foremost rank; particularly the celebrated Caflon, who may justly be styled the English Elzevir. Caxton ftands first in the order of time; he began to be distinguished as an artist in this branch, in the year 1474. Since that æra, we have had our James, our Caflon, and our Baskerville; with others, brought up under Caflon, who reflect no difhonour on their ingenious mafter.-The account here given of thefe Artists, which includes the hiftory of the art itself, is not unentertaining; though intermingled with certain peculiarities of the Writer, whofe manner has more of the mere Antiquarian than the man of Taste. Art. 5. Free Thoughts on Rhetoric. Being the Production of a Gentleman of diftinguished Abilities, lately deceased. Wherein is fully pointed out, the different Species of Eloquence, and their Effects, and the Caufes of their Effects examined and confidered; : and concludes with fome general Obfervations upon the Whole. Alfo, a fhort Critique upon the Eloquence of Demofthenes and Cicero; together with fome Obfervations upon the Orators of the prefent Times. 8vo. 1s. Fielding and Walker. If this performance be really written by a Gentleman of distinguished abilities, it can add very little to his reputation. Though he appears to have been poffeffed of fome knowledge of his fubject, yet his obfervations are, in general, flimfy and fuperficial; and the language in which they are conveyed is tiff and inelegant. The inaccuracy (to use no harfher expreffion) that is pointed out by Italics in the Title-page, is not the only one that might have been taken notice of. C-t-t. Art. 6. Lives of the British Admirals: containing a new and accurate Naval Hiftory, from the earliest Periods. By Dr. John Campbell. With a Continuation down to the Year 1779, including the Naval Tranfactions of the late and prefent War; and an Account of the recent Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere. Written under the Infpection of Dr. Berkenhout. The Whole illuftrated with correct Maps; and Frontispieces engraved from original Designs. 8vo. 4 vols. 11. 4 s. Boards. Donaldson. The Lives of the British Admirals, compiled by the late ingenious Dr. Campbell, is a book well known. It paffed through several editions editions during the Author's life; and it is now continued to the prefent time with a fuitable degree of attention and fpirit. The additions are very confiderable; amounting, if we mistake not, to one-fourth part of the prefent edition. Art. 7. The Beauties of British Antiquity; felected from the Writings of esteemed Antiquaries. With Notes and Obfervations. By John Collinfon. 8vo. 6s. Boards. Longman. 1779. This Author enters on his fubject by obferving, that the antiquities of Great Britain are, beyond difpute, far more numerous and more curious, than those of any other nation in the habitable world, not even excepting Italy itfelf, whofe ruins are fo much glorified by the legendary traveller.' Certain it is, that the Ifle of Britain furnishes numerous and curious antiquities; that they are far more numerous and curious than thofe of any other country, we mult confider, at least, as doubtful. Mr. Collinfon has compiled his volume from the works of Leland, Camden, Stukely, Grofe, Willis, Dugdale, &c. and chiefly, he tells us, in the words of each author; though ⚫ fuch additions are made as were judged neceffary; and fome parts will be found original.' British antiquities here enumerated are, Stonehenge, the Barrows, Abury, Silbury Hill, and Rowlright. Roman remains are, Bath, Kenchefter, Camalet Cattle, silcheiter, Verulam, London, Lincoln, Limme, Burgh Castle, Dover Castle, Old Sarum, Cirencester, Caerleon; the four great Roman Roads, Picts Wall. Next follow Saxon antiquities, chiefly confifting of, St. Peter's church, Oxford; Iffley church, near Oxford; the church in Dover Caftle; St. John's church, near Lewes; the White Horfe on Ashdown Hill, Berkshire. Antiquities fubfequent to the Norman Conqueft close the volume; fuch as, Kenilworth Caftle, Caerphily Cale, Glamorgan fhire; Carregkennin Caftle, Carmarthenshire; Rochetter Calle, Portchefter Caftle, Aberconway Caftle, Carnarvonshire; Godrick Cattle, Herefordshire; Farley Castle, Somersetshire; Glastonbury Abbey; Westminster Abbey; Godilow Nunnery, Oxfordshire; Kirkstall Abbey, Yorkihire; the Hofpital of St. Crofs, Hampshire; St. Botolph's Priory, Colchefter; Malmbury Abbey, Wiltshire; Durham Cathedral; Chester Abbey and Cathedral; Warkworth Hermitage, Northumberland; which is the laft article in the volume, and not the leaft amufing. We have only to add, that this book, agreeably to the defign of the Compiler, furnishes the Public with a compendious account of the most remarkable antiquities in England and Wales. H. Art. 8. Obfervations on the Military Eftablishment and Difcipline of his Majefty the King of Pruffia; with an Account of the private Life of that celebrated Monarch; and occafional Anecdotes of the principal Perfons of his Court; interfperfed with Defcriptions of Berlin, Potsdam, Sans Souci, Charlottenbourg, &c. Tranfflated from the French, by J. Johnfon, M. A. Svo. 2 S. Fielding and Walker. An ample account of this entertaining work, on its original publication, was given in our Review, vol. Ivii. p. 510.; and the feveral detached extracts that have appeared in our periodical collections, fince this tranflation has been made, render it too generally known to enlarge farther concerning it. There is a good frontispiece added, exhibiting exhibiting the King of Praia on horfeback, reviewing his troops. RELIGIOUS. N. Art. 9. An Explanation of the Prophecy of the feven Vials, or the feven last Plagues, contained in the Revelation of St. John, . Chapters XV. XVI. By a Country Clergyman. 8vo. 15. Rivington. 1780. It is at least highly expedient that Authors fhould read before they write; and know what others have published, before they refolve so publish themselves. I have not,' fays this Writer, Bishop Newton's Liffertations on the Scripture Prophecies by me, but from the compilations of the Commentaries I have,-I find they,' that is, Bishop Newton and others, look upon all the plagues contained in this chapter, as not being yet accomplished, and fo have not attempted any particular explication of them.' We know not what Compilations of Commentaries this Country Clergyman may have in his library. His collection must undoubtedly be very imperfect. At leaft, we may be certain, that Lowman's Paraphrase, and Notes, or the Revelation of St. John, does not make a part of it. According to that learned Commentator, the events prefigured by five of the feven vials, have already taken place. Nor is he fingular in this opinion. Indeed, if the Author of this pamphlet had condefcended to have looked into Mr. Lowman's Paraphrafe, he would have found the greater part of his defign anticipated, and might have contracted his work into a compafs too fmall for a feparate publication. The only part which can properly be called new, is his explanation of the fourth vial. By the Sun, upon which the vial was poured, our Author understands the Gofpel; or, in a more extenfive fenfe, the whole Scripture and fo applies the prophecy, to the tranflation of the fcriptures into the vulgar tongues, and their introduction among the common people at the Reformation, which gave great uneafiness and torment to the Church of Rome, &c.' Mr. Lowman, in agreement with other expofitors, and with greater probability, understands by the Sun, the Papal dominion and authority; and applies the prophecy to the mischievous and destructive effects of the ambition and contentions of the Popes, from about the year 1371, to the beginning of the fixteenth century. From fome late publication, our Author has adopted an opinion, that the fifth vial prefigured the diffolution of the order of the Jefuits. According to Mr. Lowman, this part of the prophecy was accomplished at the Reformation. We are forry to speak thus flightingly of a publication, which is written with great ferioufnefs and moderation, and difcovers an amiable fpirit of candor and liberality in the Author. But fomething more than good intentions and difpofitions, is necessary in one who profeffes to inftruct the Public, and especially who undertakes to explain the Revelation of St. John. Art. 10. The Heavenly Doctrine of the New Jerufalem: TranfJated from the Latin of the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg, of the Senatorial Order of the Nobles, in the Kingdom of Sweden. 8vo. 2 s. fewed. Philips. 1780. Em. The Tranflator informs us, that this work is called the Doârine of the New Jerufalem; becaufe, by the New Jerufalem is fignified, the the New Church on earth which is now about to be established by the Lord; and is particularly defcribed in the 21ft chapter of the Revelation. The Old Chriftian Church, it is faid, which was formerly founded by the Lord, is now at its period, or confummation, in confequence of its fucceffive corruptions in life and doctrine; for where genuine charity and genuine faith are extinguished, there the Church is at an end; inasmuch as charity and faith, operating in the heart and actions of men, alone constitute the life and existence of the Church. It hath therefore pleafed the Lord of his mercy, to the end that his kingdom may ftill remain on earth, and that he may thence be fupplied with members for his glorious kingdom in heaven, to begin at this time the establishment of the New Church which he had fore told, and to reveal the doctrine of that Church in our Author's writings. This doctrine is called, Heavenly, because it is founded on the spiritual sense of the word of God; and was revealed to our Author, as he expressly declareth, immediately from the Lord, out of heaven, while he was reading the Word.' Poffibly, when the doctrine here taught is ftripped of its peculiar garb, it will be found to mean nothing more than that real piety, integrity, and goodness of heart, which all good men muft plead for, and earnestly wish to fee univerfally prevail. The Translator and Editor of this Tract has, we fuppofe, different views of the subject, and firmly believes in its Author as an infpired Prophet, raised up to reform the Church. As we fhall not dispute with him on this head, we will only add, that while we cannot but confider the late Count Swedenborg as an enthufiaft of the first order, we must also regard him as a most extraordinary, and, indeed, a moft WONDER FUL man! H. Art. 11. An Effay explaining Jesus's true Meaning in his Parables, from the Occation of his speaking, and the Application of them. By William Ashdowne. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Canterbury, printed. London, fold by Macgowan. 1780 We have had many wild and arbitrary interpretations of our Saviour's parables, and of other parts of fcripture, through a failure of attending to their immediate connection and defign. Thus far we agree with this Writer: But we must acknowledge ourselves difappointed when we came to look over the pamphlet, which bears few marks of ingenuity or learning. The tyle is negligent, defective, and unpleafant; and the obfervations are often trite and uninteresting. Our Author mentions, more than once or twice, the parable of the prodigal, as having fhared with others in mifinterpretation; and he writes concerning it, and two preceding parables in St. Luke's gofpel, in this manner: The conclufion and application which Jefus leaves with his accufers and the people was, that if the steps thefe feveral perfons had taken in feeking and finding what they had lost, and the reciprocal joy it excited in them, and thole who were their friends, was perfectly natural and therefore juftifiable; and likewife the conduct of the father towards the returned penitent fon, they could not but acquit him of having acted reproachable to his prophetic character, in receiving and eating with publicans and finners, as in doing that he was feeking and finding, and alfo faving the loft fheep of the Houfe of Ifrael. At the fame |