Dans ces temps malheureux, Sire, disiez-vous, on scrute avec des yeux sévères et jaloux la conduite des Princes. Personne n'est, plus que moi, attentif à ces dispositions.' "Que l'histoire et la postérité, qui scrutent si bien tous les Princes, disent du fils aîné de GEORGES III. tout ce qu'ambitionne Votre Altesse Royale, tout ce que je desire, non seulement pour Votre Altesse Royale, mais aussi pour tous mes compatriotes et mes semblables! c'est là le vœu le plus sincère et la prière la plus constante, "Mon Prince, "De votre très fidèle et très "Paris, 30 Septembre 1814." 3. A Statistical Account, or Parochial of First Fruits, and Secretary to the A MORE excellent or decidedly satisfactory species of Topography cannot be devised than has been accomplished in the volume before us; but it requires many powerful and concurring circumstances to enable an Author to avail himself of such assistance as the Clergy and other residents in particular Parishes are capable of affording. It is not enough that a Topographer shall obtain strong general recommendations, or that he shall circulate queries which may almost be answered in the study, and without research: he must conquer indolence, overcome indifference, and wait with years of patience for the labour of a day; and when he would arrange his materials in the sequel, there are fifty chasms to be supplied, and a personal examination is as necessary as when he began. We should consider ourselves happy were it in our power to prevail on the Amateurs of County History to examine the work before us, and reflect how readily they might supply the most authentic information, by imitating the example of the Irish Clergy, who have thus convinced their countrymen of their liberality, and their general know, Jedge of the state of their respective Parishes. We flatter ourselves that the result may be favourable, and that future Historians of undescribed Counties in England will not circulate their inquiries in vain. Mr. Mason must feel an uncommon degree of satisfaction in offering his Statistical Account of Ireland to the United Kingdom, as he is exempt from the charges which might be applied to his work, had he compiled it from such information as he could collect in hurried visits; and as he may confidently assert that those best qualified to correct any errors he might have been led into in this way, have themselves pledged their names to its accuracy. Besides, the official situation he holds gave him an opportunity of bringing forward numberless curious facts, which would be procured with difficulty and much expence by persons less fortunately circumstanced: and to these advantages we may add his own abilities, in making use of his materials, and giving the whole a connexion highly worthy of imitation. As the dedication to the Right Hon. Robert Peel, is in some degree explanatory, we insert it at length: "On laying before you the First Volume of the Statistical Account of Ireland, permit me to take the opportu nity of expressing my grateful acknowledgements for the liberal and zealous encouragement with which you have honoured me in the prosecution of this work. However sensible I might have been of the great advantages to be derived from a compilation containing accurate and authentic details of the present state of Ireland, I could not but be equally impressed with a consciousness that such an undertaking was a task too weighty for the exertions, however well intended, of an unassisted individual.-From this difficulty I have been relieved by your kindness;-you saw the utility of such a developement of the interior of the Country; and you approved of the modé I had adopted for its attainment. To find that my views, on a subject of such importance to the those of one who had surveyed it with future welfare of Ireland, coincided with a Statesman's eye, encouraged me to proceed with energy. Your continued the work at its present state, and afpatronage has facilitated the arrival of fords a prospect of its final accomplishment. If my ardent wishes for this desirable end be crowned with success, my gratification will be considerably heightened heightened by the reflection, that the stock of materials thus collected may be serviceable in any future arrangements, which you may deem necessary for the prosperity and happiness of this part of the British Empire.' Taking the work in the point of view noticed in the conclusion of the dedication, we cannot omit our meed of praise to this enlightened Statesman, who, in wielding the mighty arm of Government, directs part of its energy to discover the actual situation of the Country and that of its inhabitants; thus enabling himself and his colleagues to judge in what way it may be ameliorated, and how the necessary burdens of the State may be imposed with the least injury to the general prosperity. essential characters of accuracy and truth, it was necessary to analyse the country, and by separating it into its smallest divisions, to place each com-pletely within the scope of a single individual, so that nothing material could escape the eye, excited by common ability and exerted by common industry. It was also necessary that, in each of these sub-divisions, there should be some person qualified, to a certain degree at least, by education, literary habits, and continued residence, to collect, methodize, and report whatever was worthy of notice in such district." The parochial divisions, and the clergy attached to them, naturally suggested themselves as the best means of attaining the ends of the Author: accordingly, letters were addressed to the latte throughout Ire land, " soliciting their assistance in We now turn our attention to the an undertaking which, if well conPreface, which we shall analyse, to ducted, would heighten the characrender the account of Ireland as fater of themselves and of their promiliar to our readers as this portion fession, by uniting both with the beof the book is intended to make it. neficent objects of the present inMr. Mason begins by defining the quiry." A series of queries, syste word Statistics (a term of recent in-matically arranged, was attached to vention) to be of that department of science which exhibits the state of a country as it actually exists within itself and not, according to the German definition, as applying to any relation with its neighbours: and it is in the former sense he wishes it to be applied in his own case. This science he considers as unattainable in any other way than by an accurate investigation of every part of a country, to ascertain its resources physi cal and moral. each letter; and the accounts of the parishes of Thurso in Scotland, and Aghaboe in Ireland, were inclosed, as directions or models how to proceed with their labours. It gives us pleasure to add, in Mr. Mason's words, "that the trouble and expences incurred by a correspondence so extensive and voluminous, have been fully repaid by the result;" and our pleasure is equal in transcribing the handsome compliment paid by the Author to his fellow labourers: "The Clergy in every part of Ireland have stepped forward with alacrity and spirit; they have felt that, in promoting a scheme for the general improvement of the country, they were but fulfilling an essential part of the duties of their them on high ground, and they deterown profession; they felt, that it placed mined to rest upon it; they were actuated by the same spirit of enlightened philanthropy which guided the conduct of the Scotch Clergy, respecting whose labours an able political Author (Malthus) has recently declared, that the very valuable accounts collected in it will ever re main an extraordinary monument of the learning, good sense, and genuine infor mation, of the Clergy of Scotland." A note at p. xii. contains a letter from Sir John Newport, bart. which truly characterises Mr. Mason's work, though though offered by way of advice before the compilation was arranged.— The advice is extremely judicious and proper; and it is much to the honour of the Compiler, that it has been scrupulously followed. "I am obliged (says Sir John) by your communication of the re-print of the Statistical Account of Thurso, together with Dr. Ledwich's interesting sketch of the parish of Aghaboe; as well as for the information that you have undertaken the highly useful task of becoming the Parochial Historian of Ireland. It is a duty which I consider as calculated to produce the most beneficial consequences to the country, more especially if it be conducted (as i have no doubt it will be by you) with candour and impartial exactness, excluding from its pages every thing extraneous to its avowed and most valuable object, the collection of regular statistical information, pointing the inquiry of public men, intent on public objects, to the great and permanent improvement which may be expected in a country where, as Mr. Grattan has truly said, God has done so much, and man so little." The consequence of the circular letters was an ample supply of materials, the selection and arrangement of which seemed the only difficulty; in discharging this part of his duty, the Compiler was chiefly influenced by priority of communications. As he conceived the work would be used as a book for reference, a facility of developing the information it contained should be considered as a primary object; and he therefore deter mined on a division of the subjectmatter of each return, into a uniform series of heads or chapters. Those accounts which first arrived, after having been thus modified, are now presented to the publick in alphabetical order; the remainder are ready for successive publication, according to a similar plan. "In an undertaking hitherto attempted without success, extensive in its communications, and often complicated in its details, the Author is conscious that defects and inaccuracies have occurred-for those which appear in the present volume, he appeals for his excuse to the liberality of the gentlemen to whose spirited exertions he is indebted for its completion. The same cause will form an apology for the appearance of the present volume having beeu delayed some time beyond the intended period of publication. As to those in progress, he trusts that the improvement in the practical part of his arrangements will secure him from repetition of error.” "The Statistical Account of Ireland will, it is hoped, convey much useful knowledge respecting the internal state of the country; and such knowledge, where there is wisdom to apply it, must necessarily lead to national improvement. To the real friends of Ireland, therefore - to those who wish to establish her pros perity upon the only solid basis, observation and experience thor now intrusts this volume. Their candour will give him full credit for what has succeeded; the same candour will throw a veil of benevolence over its unintentional, he might almost say, its unavoidable, defects." the Au An historical and useful account of the various attempts which have been made to accomplish what Mr. Mason has so happily succeeded in, appears in a note, p. xv; and at the conclusion of the Preface the Au thor introduces a Synopsis of Political Economy addressed to him by Walter Thom, esq. late of Aberdeen, “whose talents," Mr. Mason says, were they not already known in the literary world, could not be exhibited in a more favourable point of view, than by a reference to the following analysis." The sections, according to which the account of every parish in the volume is arranged, are thus dis tinguished: "The name of the parish, antient and modern; its situation, extent, and division, climate and topographical description. Mines, minerals, and all other natural productions. · Modern buildings, both public and private, including towns, villages, gentlemen's seats, inns, &c. the roads, scenery, and superficial appearance of the parish. -Antient buildings, monastic and castellated ruins, monuments and inscripPresent and former state of population tions, or other remains of antiquity.the food, fuel, and general appearance: mode of living, and wealth of the inhabitants; diseases, and instances of longevity.-The genius and dispositions of the poorer classes; their language, manners, and customs, &c.--The education and employment of their children, schools, 1 schools, state of learning, public libraries, &c. Collection of Irish MSS. or historical documents relating to Ireland. -State of the religious establishment, mode of tithes, parochial funds and records, &c.-Modes of agriculture, crops, tocks of cattle, rural implements, chief proprietors' names, and average value of land, prices of labour, fairs, and markets, &c.-Trade and manufactures, commerce, navigation and shipping, freight, &c. Natural curiosities, remarkable occurrences, and eminent men.-Suggestions for improvement, and means for ameliorating the situation of the people.-Appendix, consisting of statistical tables, containing the value of the stock, annual produce of the parish, &c. &c." The twenty-nine Parishes noticed in this volume occupy 646 pages, and it is illustrated by plates of monumental inscriptions and antient coins, several maps and plans, and views of the Abbey of Aghaboe, the gable of the chancel of Dungiven, the Church of the same place, and Castle of Lea. [To be continued.] 4. Lavoisne's Complete Genealogical, Historical, Chronological, and Geographical Atlas; being a general Guide to History, both antient and modern, exhibiting an accurate Account of the Origin, Descent, and Marriages of all the Royal Families, from the beginning of the World to the present Time; according to the Plan of Le Sage, greatly improved. A new Edition, enlarged with Eleven new Historical, and Twenty-five Geographical Maps; the whole forming a complete System of History and Geography. By C. Gros, of the University of Paris, and J. Aspin, Professor of History, &c. Dedicated with Permission to Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales. Printed by and for J. Barfield. Imperial folio. THIS is a new and much enlarged edition of a valuable work which first appeared in 1807; and of which both the editions are particularly creditable to Mr. Barfield, who is the proprietor, printer, and publisher. It would be difficult to name a single volume in which so great a variety of information can be found, in matters relative to Geography, Chronology, History, and Biography. The volume contains no less than LXIV Maps, all neatly coloured; the whole illustrated by a copious description very beautifully printed on the sides of the several maps. The following "explanation of the map No. 30, intended to facilitate the use of this Atlas," will give a good idea of the whole work. "As a specimen of the utility of the Maps now presented to the publick, we insert the following explanation of the manner in which they should be used. The Map No. 30, has been selected, as affording a greater variety of subjects than many others, and as leading to the history of the reigning House of Brunswick. The first part of this map presents the reader with the Family of Tudor; from which it appears, first, that Henry VII. was the head of that family; (whose two-fold right to the crown-in himself as a descendant of Henry III. and by his marriage with Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward IV. is clearly described in the preceding map, No. 29.) Secondly, That the family of Tudor gave five sovereigns to England, and then became extinct in the elder branch. Thirdly, That Mary of Scotland was next heiress to the crown after Elizabeth. Fourthly, That Lady Jane Grey, proclaimed Queen in 1553, was only the fifth in order of succession after the death of Edward VI., and that consequently her title to the crown, was very remote. Fifthly, That the existing families of Somerset, Hertford, Seymour, Bridgewater, Moira, Cobham, and Derby, are descended from the family of Tudor through the Female line.-The second part of this map presents the family of Stuart; and shews, First, That James VI. of Scotland was on the death of Elizabeth first in order of succession, through his great-grandmother Margaret, daughter of Henry VII. Secondly, That the family of Stuart gave six sovereigns to England, besides William III. who reigned jointly with Mary. Thirdly, That William was the first in order of succession after the children of James II. Fourthly, That from the four natural children of Charles II. are descended the eight illustrious families, Buccleugh, Delorraine, Richmond, St. Albans, Grafton, Southampton, Harrington, and Newcastle. Fifthly, That the direct line of James II. is now extinct. The uncoloured part of the map, between the families of Stuart and Brunswick, presents the several families in the female line which could claim the crown of England; whence it appears, First, That the Houses of Savoy, France, and Spain, were next in order of succession after the exclusion of the male line of James II., as descendants from that Prince's sister Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans. Secondly, Secondly, That those three branches being excluded as Catholics, the issue of Elizabeth, sister of Charles I., was next in order. Thirdly, That of eight branches which issued from Elizabeth Stuart, the seven elder were excluded on account of their religion, by the law of succession. Fourthly, That the House of Brunswick, though last in order, was the only one, which, being Protestant, could lawfully ascend the throne of England. Fifthly, That the family of Brunswick has given three Sovereigns to Great Britain.-From a single inspection of this map (and indeed of any of the others) it will be seen that several important questions may be readily answered by the student, as Who was head of the family of Tudor? What were the rights of Henry VII. to the crown? How many Sovereigns were there of the family of Tudor? Who was heir apparent after Queen Elizabeth? What claim bad Lady Jane Grey on the crown? What existing families derive their origin from the House of Tudor? What was the right of James I. to the crown? How many Sovereigns were there of the family of Stuart? What right had William II. to the crown after the abdication of James II.? What existing families are descended from the natural children of Charles II.? What is the present state of the family of James II.? What houses were next in order of succession after the posterity of James II.? What families were next after the issue of the daughter of Charles I.? What branches of the posterity of Elizabeth Stuart were excluded from the succession to the throne of England? Why were they so excluded? What right had the family of Brunswick to the crown? How many Sovereigns have there been of that family?-Many other questions might also be put, and answered upon the same principle: as, for instance, the length of each reign; the number of children of each Sovereign; and others very easy to be discerned by an intelligent teacher; and, to repeat what we have already observed, as facts presented to the eye make a much deeper impression on the mind than when committed to memory by reading or report only, it is most certain, that this mode of learning History, by the inspection of Maps, will save much time and labour both to the tutor and the scholar." Mr. Barfield, the industrious and intelligent printer to the Prince Regent, thus proceeds: "The great and glorious events which, in sequence of the magna nimous exertions of the Allied Sovereigns, have recently taken place in Europe, and which so immediately produced the emancipation of Holland, and the recal of the illustrious House of Orange to the government of that courtry, have induced Mr. Barfield, the pub~ lisher of Lavoisne's Atlas,' at a very considerable expence, to print an additional genealogical map of that ́ family, in order to render complete the genealogy of all the reigning Sovereigns of the world, and which he presents gratuitously to those who have so early and liberally patronized the Work.Contents of the additional Map.-Nassau and Orange-Genealogical, Historical, and Chronological Map of the Houses of Nassau and Orange, from the beginning of the Fifth Century to the present time, including an Historical Account of the Stadtholders from 1559 to the Restoration of William Frederick, Sovereign Prince of the United Netherlands, and the appointment of his son, the Prince of Orange, to be Commander in Chief of the Armies, 1814." Messrs. Gros and Aspin, the Editors of this magnificent volume, as we are informed by an advertisement, teach History according to the plan of the Work. 5. L'Angleterre au Commencement du XIX Siècle. Par M. de Levis. AT the conclusion of a sanguinary war, which, in duration, has twice exceeded that of Troy, we are naturally anxious to learn in what degree of estimation we are held on the Continent; but more especially by our neighbours and rivals the French. |