vine. His version of the Psalms, which he fondly hoped would be sung in all the New-England churches, was never introduced into any church out of the town where they were composed. He could not warble with Watts in lyrick songs, nor did he discover that he had musick in his soul by versifying the Psalms of David. His knowledge, however, was not confined to theology, but he turned his attention to scientifick subjects, studied mathematicks, and excelled in a skill for naval architecture. Several draughts of his, have been commended by master ship-builders. Such were the amusements of his leisure hours. By prudence in his affairs he saved, considerable property, yet gave tythes of all he possessed. His charity was worthy of imitation. It was not to give encouragement to beggars, nor to act from the mere impulse of compassion, like those who listen to the story of vagrants; but he sought those objects of the good man's, bounty, who mod estly hide their wants. The poor were often fed, and the widow's heart sung for joy, but knew not where to return thanks except to that God, who is a friend of the wretched. One kind of charity was peculiar He kept two boys: at school, whose parents were unable to bear the charge, which has been of much service to the community, beside the benefit the children received, from the generosity of their benefactor. By his last will, he gave two hundred pounds to that ancient seat of learnings Harvard College, He left a widowy but no children, except such as he had adopted. With the property to his heirs, he left to the town and country a name better than great riches.' pp. 66-69. An honourable instance of this gen tleman's scrupulous regard to justice deserves to be recorded. About seven years before his removal to Boston, a deranged state of his affairs, the effect of mere misfortune, rendered it neces sary for him to seek a composition with his creditors, who gave him a discharge, receiving only a portion of their demands. In a few years afterwards, when his renewed exertions were bles. sed with success, his first care was to pay those creditors in full, though they had no legal demand against him.' p. 81. Sketch of Thomas Brattle, Born 1742, died 1800. Notice of Ezekiel Price, Died July, 1802, aged 74. 10. Character of the Hon. Geo. R. Minot, Esq. &c. This is a part of an eulogy on no common personage, and by no common hand. It has been the merited privilege of this classick writer, to receive the tribute of classick eloquence; and of this excellent man laudari a laudato. "The understanding of Judge Minot possessed an astonishing variety. Those who were acquainted with him the longest can say, that there was always a novelty in his conversation, either as to substance or form. This arose from his great industry and inquisitiveness; in consequence of which he was always learning. When visited by his friends, he appeared to express his best ideas in his best manner. But before there was an opportunity of seeing him again, he had obtained the knowledge of a new fact, or had acquired a new grace sprightly sallies which frequently burst of expression. This, in addition to the from his lips, the benignity, the gentle radiance, the mind and character, which interesting and pleasant companion. shone in his face, rendered him a most In judging of the characters and abilities of others he was eminently candid. His opinion was, that few men are so vicious, as not to possess some good quality; or so ignorant, as not to have acquired some valuable branch of science. For these he praised them; but never for talents and virtues to which they had no title. He was can did; but abhorrent to his feelings was that counterfeit candour, which "ap plauds equally the saint and the sinner: he has often been heard to speak with pointed indignation against the artful and dishonest, particularly against false patriots and political impostors. He was as candid, zealous, and honest in his religious as in his political opinions. On all proper occasions hé openly declared what he believed; but the truth is, that he laid little stress on the dogmas of any particular sect, paying more attention to the duties than the speculations of christians. Humble and devout, he loved God, and trusted entirely to his mercy for salvation. He complied with all the rights and ordinances of christianity; and though he was persuaded that these practices are not the most essential parts of religion, yet he felt it to be his duty pub. lickly to manifest before all who observed his conduct, that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.' pp. 93-95. 11. Description of the eastern coast of the county of Barnstable, &c. PL 12. Description of Sandwich. 13. Note on Falmouth. 14. Description of Dennis. 15. Note on South parts of Yar mouth and Barnstable. 16. Note on the precinct of Harwich. 17. Description of Chatham. 19. 20. Note on Wellfleet. 21. Description of Provincetown. These several pieces of topography might be pronounced by internal marks, without the signa 1784. December 12th. Sunday. verily think that my salvation does not depend upon my believing the Trinity or the Unity of the Godhead; nor am I a better christian, for enlisting under the banners of Christ to support his equality with the Father, or for assist ing the omnipotence of the Father in maintaining his superiority over the Son, than if I sincerely imitated the example of the one, and reverentially ador ed the other." fournal. dommam da to i won ture annexed, to have the same origin. All display the eye of a careful observer, the investigation of a patient philosopher, the taste of a gentleman, and the pen of a scholar. With differing claims on attention, according to the relative importance of the places, or character of the persons described, they are all well worthy of publication and perusal. cation and perusal. No incident is so unimportant, that it will not be rendered interesting, no spot so barren, that it may not be made blooming and verdant by the pen cil of genius and, learning. To extract specimens of ingenious re mark and profound investigation, expressed in the chastest manner and most correct method, would require no effort. The difficulty is to select the best, and to preserve the limits, which our contracted miscellany prescribes. The whole of the coast, from Cape Cod to Cape Malebarre, is sandy, and free from rocks. Along the shore, at the distance of a half of a mile, is a cause there are smaller bars within it, bar; which is called the Outer Bar, beperpetually varying. If a vessel be cast away at low water, it ought to be left with as much expedition as possible; because the fury of the waves is then checked, in some measure, by the bar; and because the vessel is generally broken to pieces with the rising flood. But seamen, shipwrecked at full sea, ought to remain on board till near low water for the vessel does not then break to pieces; fore the tide ebbs away, they are in and by attempting to reach the land be great danger of being drowned. On this subject there is one opinion only necessary however to remind them of a among judicious mariners. It may be truth, of which they have full convic on, but which, amidst the agitation and terrour of a storm, they too fre quently forget. pp. 118, 119. 1622, and abbreviated in Purchas Pilgrims, 1625.' Purchas' Pilgrims has become a The fifth volume in very scarce work. particular, called the fourth part in the title page, and beginning with the sixth book and ending with the tenth, is so rare, that the Historical Society has not yet been able to obtain it. This is the more to be regretted, as this volume is the most interesting to the inhabitants of the United States, relating to the discovery and plantation of Virginia and New-England.' Note-p. 203. This is a curious choice tract, giving a brief account of the voyage of the forefathers, from Ply mouth, (Eng.) which they left 6th Sept. 1620; of their arrival at Cape Cod, 9th Nov. ; landing at the rock, Dec. 19th; and of many remarkable events, which happen, ed the first six months of their new settlement. A very short extract will display the kind of entertainment which may be found here: and to all who have a relish for these old viands, we recommend a leisure repast on the whole : One thing was very grievous unto is at this place. There was an old woman, whom we judged to be no less than an hundred years old, which came to see us, because she never saw Eng lish; yet could not behold us without breaking forth into great passion, weeping and crying excessively. We demanding the reason of it, they told ns, she had three sons, who, when Master Hunt was in these parts, went aboard his ship to trade with him, and he carried them captives into Spain (for Tisquantum at that time was carried away also) by which means she was deprived of the comfort of her children in her old age. We told them we were sorry that any Englishman should give them that offence, that Hunt was a bad man, and that all the English that heard of it condemned him for the same; but for us, we would not offer them any such injury, though it would gain us all the skins in the country. So we gave her some small trifles, which somewhat appeased her.' p. 238. 23. Good news from New-Eng land, &c., by E. Winslow." This paper is very similar in style to the preceding; and has the same claims on the attention of those, who love to read in detail the hardships suffered, and exertions made by the pilgrims' in old colony? It embraces a period of about 18 months, viz. from Feb. 1622, to Sept. 1623. For 24. Memoirs of the Rev. Dr. Thacher.' This is a judicious and discriminating biography. It exhibits the man as he was; endowed with good talents, and adorned with many virtues. It developes the appropriate traits of his moral and intellectual character. the most part, the sketches, which newspapers, magazines, and even funeral sermons, have given of our worthies, have consisted of vague remarks and lavish commendation. Here is one specimen of a life such as ought to be given, pointing out the actual grade of merit possessed, and the failings and foibles from which, as no mere man is exempt, no just sketch can be free. The family history too, related in the notes, is exceedingly valuable ; and we have no hesitation in saying, that a New-England Dictionary,' compiled with the impartiality, candour, and research, which are here manifested, would be a rich accession to our literature. Such, we might hope, were there liberality and taste enough to secure indemnity to a learned and laborious scholar, who has collected large materials for such a work. Dr. T. was born at Milton, 21 March, 1752; entered Harvard College, July, 1765; was graduated, 1769; ordained at Malden, 19 Sept. 1770; installed at Brattlestreet, 12 Jan. 1785; and died at Savannah, (Gea.) 16 Dec. 1802. 'As a preacher he was admired. His charming voice, his oratorical powers, his fluency in prayer, the pathos of his expression were applauded by serious, sensible people, and gave him uncom mon eclat with the multitude. No young man ever preached to such croud ed assemblies.' He was a useful labourer in this pleasant spot of the Lord's vineyard, fond of delivering practical truths, but at times explaining the doctrines of our religion with cleatness. In prayer he was ready, earnest, and devout. concise, very expressive; if extended If beyond the common forms of address, dot abounding in vain repetitions.' He was a man of singular integrity. A stranger to artifice and deceit, he could not disguise his feelings, but expressed often his disapprobation of them in others. He preferred to have his manners styled rough, and his plainness of speech censured by his acquaintance, rather than be thought capable of duplicity in his words and actions. A polite address, an unassuming air, a winning manner have their attractions; but nothing can make up for the want of honesty : and how do people lose their sincerity, and practise deception for the sake of a distinction among those who lead the fashions of the age! As a friend, he had the confidence of those who knew him; those who were most intimate will preserve in their memories the tokens of his affec-, tion or kindness. If, in the exuberance of unguarded familiarity, he said any thing to hurt their feelings, it gave him pain, for he meant not to be uncourt eous. His talents for conversation were remarkable.' The Doctor did not encourage dry, argumentative discussions in social interviews; yet while others debated, he would frequently throw in a luminous observation, which kept the subject from being darkened by words of uncertain meaning. His perceptions were very quick, his mind active,-his activity was manifested in many busy scenes, especially when he was an officer of publick institutions. He served several in an of ficial capacity and to all he was a most useful member." pp. 180-184. This closes the present volume, which may be considered, either in reference to the value of the articles, or the execution of them, as A Voyage to the eastern part of Terra Firma, or the Spanish Main, in South-America, during the years 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804, &c. &c. By F. Depons. Vol. I. New-York, Brisban & Brannan. 8vo. pp. 288. THE ninth chapter discusses the administration of the revenue and the taxes. Mexico and Peru, says our author, are the only portions of Spanish America, that have afforded a profit to the mother country. The island of Cuba has in former times been a heavy weight on the royal treasury; but so much has it improved within these eighteen years by the emigrations from St. Domingo and by the commerce of this country, that it is certainly a most valuable colony. Of the official distribution in this department we have a very accurate account; but we are more interested in the kinds of taxation, than in the mode of collection. In the Spanish government the taxes fall only on profit, or rent.' The most grievous tax, whose operation is also wonderfully impolitick, is the alcavala. This tax is collected on every thing which is sold, whether moveable or im moveable, and is rigorously exacted at every place of sale and resale. An estate,on change of owner by transfer for a valuable considerationis charged with five per cent of the purchase money. A bundle of fire-wood pays the same duty, but in kind. Every species of merchandise,territorial productions, animals, poultry, eggs, vegetables, grass, fodder, &c. is subject to this impost the moment it is exposed for sale. Retail dealers compound for it. Every year a valuation is made of the stock, and they calculate five per cent on the presumed sale. Whether the traders bus-" iness is in the course of the year great or little, the composition is invaribly enforced.' p. 15. The next title of the revenue is the almoxarifasgo. They have no poll-tax, but in its stead a profita ble impost on titles... The titles of marquis, count, viscount, or baron, are granted by the king to every Spaniard who is willing to sacrifice a part of his fortune to give his descendants a rank, which he has more than once blushed not to have received from his ancestors.. Exclusive of the great court patronage which it is requisite to employ, and pay well, the king demands a direct fine of 10,000 hard dollars. He contents himself, however, with the annual interest, if the titled personage does not prefer redeeming it by payment of the principal, and it is this interest which is termed the duty of the lances. Its amount increases the annual publick revenue from 3 to 4000 hard dollars.' up 20. The duties on stamps, almost universal, salt, &c., produce little, and one-fifth of the mines in this territory, nothing. Restitutions make a very unimportant part the king's revenue. of The Spanish confessors make a restitution of duties, defrauded from the king, an essential condition of absolution. For this head, there is in the treasury a register, devoted solely to the entry of sums restored. It is true, that, if we compare what is restored with the amount of frauds committed, we shall perceive, that this mode is not very efficacious; for, of more than 400,000 hard dollars, of which the revenue is defrauded every year, not more than 500 are restored. I ought however, to the praise of Spanish consciences, to acknowledge, that there is not a year in which the Easter confessions do not, among private persons, induce exemplary restitutions. The confessor himself is most frequently the channel through which the stolen goods return to their lawful master. name of the penitent, and the circumstances of the theft, rest in silence. It is left to him that receives, to divine.' p.27. The A note on this article contains judicious reflections. Were absolutions granted on ne other condition than that of making a recompense, the Roman catholick church would be perhaps, in this respect at least, more conducive to moral behaviour than any other system of es-" tablished worship; but when the absolution is accorded without any compensation for the offence, a and mere confession deemed of efficacy to obtain forgiveness" and purification from sin, there does not, perhaps, exist a system so destructive of every moral duty as that of the Romish church. Let it impress, as much as it will on the mind of the penitent the necessity of absolution, but let it annex to it amends for injuries offered and crimes committed; then, perhaps, even on earth half the will of Heaven will be fulfilled. But when pardon is granted on the word of confession alone, I fear we neither create in the sinner the emotions of a contrite heart, nor rectify the. feelings we propose to amend.' p. 28. This subject is of importance, wherever the Roman Catholick religion is tolerated. A king of France one asked a priest, who h er, if a ruffian had confessed, that he intended to assassinate the king, he would reveal the confession; or how he would behave? "Sire," said the priest, " I would throw myself between your majesty and the dagger of the assassin." But after the commission of such a crime, when its au |
