but we believe they will all be comprized under the title of Dr. C*****b.

Art. 58. A Letter addreffed to Dr. Stevenfon, of Newark, occafioned by a Poftfcript published in the Second Edition of his Medical Cafes With Remarks on Four Letters, written by Philip Thickneffe, Efq. By Edward Harrison, Member of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. 8vo. 1 s. Is. Brown. 1782. Art. 59. A Reply to a Letter addressed to Dr. Stevenson, of Newark, by Edward Harrison. By William Stevenfon, M. D. 8vo. Is. Newark printed; fold by Fielding, London. 1782. We must refer any of our Readers, defirous of entering into the merits of this very idle controverfy, to the pamphlets themselves. That of Dr. Stevenfon may afford fome entertainment; and if it be pofible that the great orator, his countryman, fhould ever be exbaufted of tropes and metaphors, he might from hence supply himself with a fresh flock.

Art. 60. An Addrefs to the King and Parliament of Great Britain, on the important Subject of preferving the Lives of its Inhabitants, by Means which, with the Sanction and Affifiance of the Legislature, would be rendered Simple, Clear, and Efficacious to the People at large. With an Appendix, in which is inferted a Letter from Dr. Lettfom to the Author. By W. Hawes, M. D. To which are fubjoined, Hints for improving the Art of reftoring fufpended Animation; and alfo for adminiltering Dephlogifticated Air in certain Diseases, &c. Proposed (in a Letter to Dr. Hawes) by A. Fothergill, M. D. F. R. S. 8vo. 2s. Dodsley, &c. 1782. Dr. (late Mr.) Hawes, well known for his benevolent affiduity in promoting the fcheme for the recovery of perfons apparently dead, here addreffes the Legiflature on a plan to render the above defign general, by establishing in every parith receiving houses, with proper affiftants, and every thing neceffary, for the restoration of fufpended animation. He also propofes a fchool for teaching the principles of this falutary art, which fhall be fupported by Government, and the lectures of which fhall be free to all perfons of the Faculty. Dr. Hawes is not, perhaps, fully aware of the magnitude of his fcheme, which may probably be thought too operofe and expenfive for the ends likely to be answered by it: at least, it cannot be expected that the Public will concur in it, till they are better convinced of the fuccefs of the means ufually employed for the purpose of restoring life, and fee a greater uniformity in the opinions of the Faculty themselves concerning them.

With refpect to Dr. Fothergill's bints, as they are confeffedly founded on mere fpeculation, we leave their merit to be efimated by thofe who chufe to adopt them. A hint can do no harm, unless, indeed, it be to the propofer himfelf, when too palpably crude and extravagant.

SCHOOL-BOOK S.

Art. 61. An Introduction to the Study of Polite Literature. Vol. I. 12mo. 28. Dodfley. 1782.

The defign of this volume is, to furnish a fet of leffons for the use of children, at their first beginning to read, in order to lead them to

a na

a natural, diftin&t, and forcible pronunciation. The Author [Mr. Robertfon] proceeds upon an obvious idea, which, however, has not been properly attended to, that the firft leffons for reading fhould confift of very short fentences. If children are early put upon reading long periods, the confequence (as he justly remarks) will be, that they will either fall into a drawling tone before they can reach the end, or else break the fentence into feparate parts and fragments, by improper paufes. To prevent fuch faults, the first leffons fhould confift of fentences not exceeding three or four words; which the learner fhould be taught to pronounce in a free, full, and lively manner, making a complete paufe at the end of every fentence; after which he fhould be led, by very gentle gradations, to longer and more complex fentences.

Leffons correfponding with this idea, the Author has very judicioufly provided; and has accompanied them with many fenfible obfervations and ufeful inftructions. The work will be found to be of much use, as an introduction to reading, on a plan very different from any at prefent adopted. The Author has given it to the world as the first volume of an Introduction to the Study of Polite Literature; but is entirely filent concerning his general fcheme. From this fpecimen, we are, however, led to entertain favourable expectations concerning the execution of the whole defign.

Art. 62. Elegant Extracts: or Ufeful and Entertaining Paffages in PROSE, felected for the Improvement of Scholars at Claffical and other Schools, in the Art of Speaking, in Reading, Thinking, Compofing, and in the Conduct of Life. Small 4to. 45. bound. Dilly.

This compilation confifts of extracts from a great variety of modern authors, difpofed under the following heads-Moral and ReligiousClaffical and Hiftorical-Orations and Characters-Narratives, Dialogues, Letters, Sentences, &c. A very free use is made of our latest writers; a large quantity of matter is collected into a small compass; and a correct judgment has been employed in the selection. It differs effentially from other compilations, in being confined to pieces in profe.

Art. 63. A Syftem of French Syntax, intended as an Illuftration, Correction, and Improvement of the Principles laid down by Chambaud, on that Subject, in his Grammar. By the Rev. Mr. Holder, of Barbadoes. 12mo. 3 s. 6d. Dilly.

Notwithstanding the numerous publications which have already appeared on the fubject of French Grammar, there is ftill room for improvement. And we do not hesitate in pronouncing this work to be a valuable improvement, not only upon Chambaud, but upon every writer who has hitherto treated on this fubject in the English language. The Author has arranged, in a clear method, a great variety of just and useful obfervations, expreffed with a degree of correctness and elegance feldom to be found in works of this kind, and illuftrated by authorities from the best writers. It would lead us too far into the detail, to fupport thefe general expreffions of approbation by particular quotations: but we fcruple not to recommend the work, as likely to be exceedingly useful to those who are defirous of writing or Speaking the French language with correctness and elegance.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 64. Curfory Remarks on a late Fanatical Publication, entitled, "A full Detection of Popery," &c. fubmitted to the candid Perufal of the Liberal-minded of every Denomination. 8vo. 19. Faulder. 1783.

The fanatical publication, on which these cursery remarks are made, was totally unworthy of any notice-unlefs, perchance, in the moft obfcure corner of a Review, into which it would fall of courfe. We have already expreffed our contempt of it: and we are forry to have the flighteft occafion to fpeak, or even think of it again. Its Remarker feems to imagine that it is calculated to misinform and mislead the vulgar; to propagate among them the most horrid and falfe notions of what they call popery; and to arm them with fevenfold fury against the harmless profeffors of that unpopular religion, if unluckily they fhould ever find an occafion.' Thefe Remarks are offered as a feafonable caveat against this bold impofition. We cannot, however, pay them any distinguished compliment either for acuteness or elegance. They are the production of a profeffed Catholic, who is not ashamed to avow his profeffion. He repels very effectually in many places the detector's flanderous attacks on the Papills: and hath every way the advantage of his antagonist in the spirit with which he purfues the conduct. But too many of his obfervations are trite and frivolous; and one or two are not, we think, juftified by fact. Such in our opinion is the following: The blood of the Proteftants fhed by Mary had been anticipatedly avenged on the Catholics by her cruel father; and if there was any balance remaining unpaid, it was fully compenfated by Elizabeth and James.' We, however, most cordially join with this writer in the following li beral and Chriftian fentiment- Let us bury our mutual injuries in oblivion; and learn wisdom and moderation from the folly or frenzy of our ancestors.'

Art. 65. Reafons for refigning the Rectory of Panton and Vicarage of Swinderby, in Lincolnshire, and quitting the Church of England. By John Difney, D. D. F. A. S. 8vo. 6d. Johnfoo. 1783.

Dr. Diiney feems to have been long convinced that many doctrines received as true by the church of England, in her Articles and Liturgy, are inconfiftent with the word of God. This conviction determined him not to accept of any further preferment which might oblige him to a re-fubfcription. When he formed this refolution he had no idea that the principle on which it was founded would have ultimately led to the refignation of benefices already acquired. Here he was however mistaken. His confcience was not fatisfied with haking off a partial load. One incumbrance got rid of, only prepared the way for difburdening himself of another; till at length he procured that unmingled fatisfaction, which will be the invariable attendant of a confcience that is void of offence,-The Doctor's objections against the Liturgy arife from its explicit acknowledgment of the doctrine of the Trinity, by direct addreffes to each of the Three Perfons, and equal afcriptions of praise to God the Father, God the Sou, and God the Holy Ghost; one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity. He confidered this mode of worship as totally inconfißlent with the

• See lait Month's Review, Art. 51. of the Catalogue.

plainct

plaineft and moft pofitive directions of the Scriptures: and as he made thefe Scriptures the rule of his faith and practice, he could not join in a fervice which they exprefsly prohibited and when the queftion was, "Who is to be obeyed, God or man?" the road of duty was, he thought, too obvious to be mistaken, however difficult and painful it might be to purfue it. His ftruggles between intereft and duty are very pathetically defcribed; and must be peculiarly felt by thofe who know, that the juft claims of an infant family when pleaded, are hard to be neglected.' But though ftaggered, he was not overcome by all the pleas that the world could make, even when directed to that most vulnerable part of man-paternal tenderness. They are (fays he) confiderations of inferior importance when contrafted by the pofitive duty I owe to God, to the Gospel of Jefus, to my fellow Chriftians, and to myfelf.' On this ground he maintained his footing; and gained ftrength as he purfued it. Thus, after the most deliberate confideration of all arguments, and after pafling feveral painful years in much folicitude and apprehenfion of incurring the difpleasure of Almighty God, I had but one choice to make if ever I hoped for his approbation. I therefore, in obedience to the fulleft conviction of my mind, have refigned my miniftry and preferments in the church of England.' The Doctor expreffes the utmol fatisfaction of mind on a retrospect of this part of his conduct; and informs us, that he hath united himself to a congregation of Christians affembling at the Chapel in Effex-ftreet, London, where prayer is avowedly made to the only true God, the Father of our Lord Jefus Christ.'

The Doctor's farewel addrefs to his parishioners is fhort, but tender and interesting; and the apology he makes for thofe of his brethren, who, though nearly agreeing with him in Unitarian fentiments, yet do not fee the neceffity of the ftep he hath taken fo as to follow his example, is truly candid and generous.-This little piece is written with great plainnefs and fimplicity. This we think is its beft ornament, and its most effectual recommendation.-- We take no part in the controverfy, confidered as a point of fpeculation. Whether the Doctor's fcruples were well or ill-founded, is a matter we fhall not prefume to decide. Refignation hath been faid to be no proof. It is certainly no proof of a doctrine; but it is the beft, and indeed the only proof that a man can give of his bonefty. Dr. Ditney's refignation doth not prove the church he hath quitted to be in an error, or that which he hath joined to be in the right; it is only an evidence that he himself is fincere.

SERMON S.

1. The Sabbath; a Sermon preached in his Majefty's Chapel, Whitehall, and before the Univerfity of Oxford. By Berjamin Kennicoit, D. D. F. R. S. Canon of Chrift-church. 2d Edition. 8vo, IS. Rivington. 1783.

We accidentally omitted to notice the first edition of this wellintended discourse; the object of which is to fhew that God, at the Creation, certainly commanded a 7th day to be kept holy by all mankind—that a weekly Sabbath was probably obferved by the patriarchs, and upon the first day of their week-that a Sabbath was

obferved

affairs which was most commodious and conducive to edification in the one, becoming probably impracticable under the circumftances, or altogether inadequate to the wants of the other.'

The pofition which these reasonings tend to confirm is this-that "Chrift left the laws of his church fo open and indeterminate, that whilft the ends of religious communion were fufficiently declared, the form of the fociety might be affimilated to the civil conftitution of each country, to which it fhould always communicate ftrength and fupport, in return for the protection it received." This pofition, which avoids two extremes, equally the confequence of bigotry and prejudice under adverfe directions, leads the excellent and ingenious preacher to this temperate and charitable conclufion, that Chriftianity may be profeffed under any form of church government.' Bat though his good fenfe and candour make a conceffion fo much to the credit of both, yet he trufts he may be allowed to maintain the advantage of our own church upon principles of public utility. The Diffenters, he obferves, contend for a parity of order among their clergy. The church of England prefers a diftinaion. This diftinction of order in the church is not only recommended by the ufage of the pureft times; but is better calculated to promote, what all churches must defire, the CREDIT and the EFFICACY of the facerdotal office.

This point Mr. Paley attempts to prove by a series of clofe and perfpicuous reasoning, founded on the following propofitions: 1. The body of the clergy, in common with every regular fociety, muft neceffarily contain fome internal provifion for the government and correction of its members. 2. The appointment of various orders in the church may be confidered as the ftationing of minifters in religion in the various ranks of civil life; for the distinctions of the clergy ought in fome measure to correfpond with the distinctions of lay-fociety, in order to fupply each clafs of people with a clergy of their own level and defcription, with whom they may live and affociate on terms of equality. 3. It gives a dignity to the miniftry itself; and the clergy fhare in the refpect which is paid to their fuperiors. The difpofition of honours is approved in other kinds of public employment-in the profeffion of arms, and of the law (and the profeffions themselves derive a luftre from thofe honours). Why then fhould not the credit and liberality of the clerical function be upheld by the fame expedient? 4. Rich and fplendid fituations in the church have been justly regarded as prizes held out to invite perfons of good hopes and ingenuous attainments to enter into its fervice. Some of the most jadicious and moderate of the Presbyterian clergy have been known to lament this defect in their conftitution. They fee and deplore the backwardness in youth of active and well-cultivated faculties to enter into the ministry, and their frequent refolutions to quit it. And if a gradation of orders be neceffary to invite candidates into the profeffion, it is still more fo to excite diligence and emulation, to promote an attention to character and public opinion when they are in it; especially to guard against that floth and negligence into which men are apt to fail, who are arrived top foon at the limit of their expectations.

The conclufion of this very ingenious difcourfe is fo admirable both for fentiment and expreffion, that we know we shall be par

doned