It has been observed that, in the Augustan age of English litera ture, we could not boast of either a dictionary or a grammar of our language; or at least of any books that might be said to reduce our vernacular tongue to a fixed standard. This defect has been supplied by Dr. Johnson's dictionary, and Bishop Lowth's grammar: and perhaps it is not one of the least of the merits of those works, that they have induced scholars to pay attention to a language which for copiousness and vigour is exceeded by few; the capacity of which for harmonious modulation is sufficiently manifest in the write ings of our poets; and which perhaps wants only regularity to make it complete. That this regularity is unattainable, without a sacrifice of the greatest excellencies of the language, is generally allowed: but surely every attempt to explain the analogy between words and the ideas of which they are the symbols, to mark their relations, and to as certain the different modes of action and passion, with the circum. stantials of time and place, must be of general use:-for, if a great part of the disputes among mankind arise from the obscurity and ambiguity of the terms which they use, we cannot take too much pains in assigning to every word a clear and precise meaning, both singly and in conjunction with others. The author of the work before us seems to have been actuated by very laudable motives, and to have bestowed much time and thought on the subject. Of his plan, a judgement may be formed from the following extract from his preface: Although an attempt to become useful may not in general want an apology, yet this INTRODUCTION TO GRAMMAR requires one. The public are in possession of so many English Grammars, among which are many good ones, that my entering the lists might make me appear like the knights-errant of old, who, coming from distant regions, suddenly appeared in a tournament, and threw the gauntlet to the stoutest men in the land; if, to clear myself of the reproach of Quixotism, which I do not wish to incur, I did not give an idea of my plan. I will venture to say, that when young persons understand this Introduction, they, to say no more, will know as much of English grammar as most of those who have been taught by the Grammars which are commonly put into children's hands. But the design of this little work is more particularly to open the way to other languages, and to lessen those difficulties which are apt to discourage young people, when they come to study Latin, French, &c. because having little or no idea, and certainly no habit, of some things unnecessary in English, such as making adjectives agree with substantives, &c. they naturally dislike a study which at first view presents trouble, and very little to entice them: for it is well known how dry the study of languages is at first. Here I cannot help taking notice of an opinion, the more dan gerous as it originated amongst scholars, though it has been propagated by others, who know little about the matter, "Let a youth," say they," learn Latin, and he will know his English grammar." That may be true, but the question is, whether the knowledge he will acquire of it in that manner, may not cost him much more trouble, trouble, and require much more time, than if the first notions of grammar had been given him in his own language; and whether he may not be disgusted with Latin, before he knows his English Grammar, which is sometimes the case. For my part, I think, that it is much easier to make a youth understand what is a substantive and what an adjective, by applying them to the English words, good man, than to the Latin ones, bo homo; and if any one still persist in a contrary opinion, my answer will be, prove it, et eris mihi magnus Apollo. We might as well put under the care of a dancing. master, a child before he can stand on his legs, saying that he could not fail to know how to walk by the time he should be an adept in dancing. 6 To this Introduction I have added Directions for Parsing, which to some may seem long; but I hope, when read attentively, nothing in them will appear unnecessary to my design. I am convinced that no one can translate properly, or even feel the beauties of an English book, who cannot perceive the right construction of phrases, or who mistakes the tenses of verbs; I have always found à deficiency in that point, attended with an almost invincible difficulty to young people, when they try to translate English into any other language; and I dare say many teachers have found great difficulty, if not in pointing out the different meanings, at least in making their pupils remember their distinctions, so as to make use of them when necessary. I have therefore said what seemed to me necessary to obviate these difficulties.' There is something peculiar in Mr. Bridel's disposition of the subject, and the terms which he uses are rather uncommon: yet we cannot but allow that they are significant ;-and although it may require more attention to understand this work, than young persons may always be willing to bestow, it will reward them for their labour; it may also be of great service to foreigners who are desirous of informing themselves respecting the principles of our language. Art. 39. The Infant's Friend: in Two Parts. By Mrs. Lovechild. 12mo. 25. 63. Newbery. The first of these volumes is a spelling-book, the second consists of reading-lessons. So numerous are publications of this kind, that it is difficult to assign to each its distinct or peculiar office or merit. Few are totally destitute of use, though some are better adapted to the purpose than others. The present work, it is said, (particu larly the first volume,) may either serve alone for teaching rudiments, or prove a convenient appendage to any of the ingenious inventions now to be purchased for the purpose of rendering beginnings pleasant, and point et how to use them, so that they may be really an amusement. The writer has bestowed considerable pains in collecting and arranging the materials; and if instructors will attend to the directions which are given, or take those measures of their own which *The work is said to be printed for E. P. Bridel, Master of an Academy at Stoke Newington; and we therefore conclude that he is the author of it. natural Ban natural good sense may suggest, the volumes will no doubt prove advantageous. In the second, the lessons lead very properly to the distinctions of nouns, adjectives, verbs, &c. and they include certain short narratives, which may afford pleasure and instruction. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 40. A View of the Causes and Consequences of English Wars, from the Invasion of the Country by Julius Cæsar to the present Time. By Anthony Robinson. 8vo. pp. 241. 4s. Boards. Johnson. 1798. This compilation from the English historians, but chiefly taken from Dr. Henry, appears to have been made for the purpose of impressing on the public mind, as a grand political axiom, the opinion that, whatever may have been the pretences or whosoever the authors of a war, the event has been always fatal to the nation at large. Mr. R.'s style is much too inflated, and not unfrequently vulgar; as when he says of Henry the Third, that he was a coward, a liar, and some think a fool,' p. 42.-and again p. 80. How makind shall be governed in future, it is impossible to say: but that they have hitherto been governed by force cannot be denied. Hi. Muscular strength has indeed been subdued by the energies of mind: but the advantage to man has only been, that the cunning of a pick-pocket has succeeded to the strength of a ruffian.' He is the panegyrist of Henry the Seventh and James I. merely because they were lovers of peace ;-and even the immortal King William loses all claim to his respect, because he opposed Louis XIV. in the field. The wars of the present century, as being nearer to observation, are treated with intemperate prejudice, and with much more declamation than argument. Concerning that contest in which we are now engaged, Mr. R. tells us that so acute are his reflections, and so dreadful his forewarnings, that the pen trembles in his hand.' Art. 41. Copies of Original Letters from the Army of General Bonaparte in Egypt, intercepted by the Fleet under the Command of Admiral Lord Nelson. With an English Translation. 8vo. 4s. 6d. sewed. Wright. These intercepted and unquestionably authentic letters contain a highly-interesting mass of information, respecting Bonaparte's wild Egyptian expedition, and Nelson's ever-memorable and glorious victory. Some of these articles of correspondence were written by General Bonaparte himself; others by officers of dist .ction, military and naval; and many passages in them are aptly Biustrated by the trans. lator's notes. A well-written Introduction is prefixed; in which the author has taken especial care to evince his loyalty, zeal, and patriotism, by a torrent of execration, which he unceasingly pours out against the commander of the " Army of the East," his wretched followers, and the existing rulers of the French nation in general, For the honour of human nature, it were to be wished that our continental enemies had not afforded him such incontrovertible occa. sions 3 Dally sions as they have done, for the exercise of his distinguished talent at invective. He has, nevertheless, whatever be the ornament of his style, fairly communicated to the world a most acceptable publication.-Were it not for the multiplicity and pressure of articles, in every class of literature, now waiting for admission into our work, we could have enriched it with extracts which would have afforded much gratification to the generality of our readers: but we must content ourselves with recommending to them a perusal of the collection at large. Art. 42. An Authentic Narrative of the Proceedings of his Majesty's Squadron, under the Command of Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, from its sailing from Gibraltar to the Conclusion of the glorious Battle of the Nile; drawn up from the Minutes of an Officer of Rank in the Squadron. 8vo. 6d. Cadell jun. and Davies. This account has already appeared in different newspapers, and is now republished in the form of a pamphlet. The editor, in an address prefixed to the narrative, makes use of some expressions which are too unqualified, but which are in a great degree excusable in the warmth of admiration for one of the most brilliant victories ever atchieved, and which was distinguished by many peculiar circumstances: particularly in the time of commencing the attack. It was noon, (on the 1st of August) when the British fleet arrived in sight of the Pharos of Alexandria; and then, it may be supposed, they could not be less than six leagues distant from the French fleet: which was at least equal in force, and was placed to defend themselves and the harbour, in such a position as they believed to be most advantageous, their flanks being defended by gun-boats and a battery on the land. No time was lost, nor was the attack delayed from a preference of fighting by day-light. The Admiral's plan had been long formed; and the fleets were closely engaged by sun-set, viz. ; at half past six. • At about seven o'clock, total darkness had come on; but the whole hemisphere was, with intervals, illuminated by the fire of the hostile fleets. By this light, the battle was fought. The narrative is plain and clear: but, in order to give correct ideas, the account should have been accompanied with a plan of the port, and of the position of the eneiny's fleet. Capt. B....y. Art. 43. An authentic Narrative of the Mutiny on board the [Trans- and a day; and likewise stating that the petty officers and seamen, not put into the long boat, were detained against their inclinations. In return, the mutineers, who had chosen two Frenchmen for their first and second captains, gave a paper certifying that it was not by any ill treatment received that they had been induced to the measures which they had taken, but on account of their having been trepanned into the British service, without being able to obtain any redress.' The long boat soon arrived at Rio Grande, and the ship was afterward taken by a French frigate. The narrative is inscribed to his Excellency the Chevalier D'Almeida, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Court of Lisbon to that of London, as a testimony of gratitude' for the hospitality shewn to the narrator and his fellow-sufferers at the Portuguese settlements in the Brazils. Among the circumstances which attracted the notice of the writer while at the Brazils, he mentions the almost incredible number of cattle which are killed merely for the sake of the skins. The number of skins exported annually from Rio Janeiro alone was said to be nearly 400,000. The price of a fine bullock is a dollar. Art. 44. Memoirs of Colonel Edward Marcus Despard. By James Bannantine, his Secretary when King's Superintendant at Honduras, &c. 8vo. IS. Ridgway. 1799. Mr. Bannantine enumerates the active public services of his friend Col. Despard in his professional capacity, and complains that this gallant, but at present unfortunate, gentleman, has been much injured through the misrepresentations of certain enemies; notwithstanding that he has repeatedly received assurances that his services were not forgotten, and would receive their reward.' It is added that his attempts, for nearly these eight years, to get his accounts with government settled, have been equally fruitless and unsuccessful, although he has claims to a large amount.' We doubt not the Colonel's merit as a commanding officer, in Jamaica, on the MosquitoShore, and at Honduras; and we are the more concerned on finding this account of his present embarrassments concluding with the following paragraph: Respecting the nature of his imprisonment in Cold Bath Fields, it would be improper here to enter into any detail or investigation. It is enough to say, that after having been kept in confinement for several weeks last spring, he was released, no charge being substantiated against him; but immediately after the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, he was again arrested, without any specific charge, and has now been kept a close prisoner for above eight months in a House of Correction, without any attempt to bring him to trial.'-Surely there are some circumstances attending this apparently hard case, which are not yet before us. Audi alteram partem. Art. 45. An Oblique View of the Grand Conspiracy against Social Capt. B....y. This Oblique View is sketched with a porcupine-quill, which can scratch, but cannot write. It is really not our fault if the Anti-Jacobin literature does not amuse the public. We are charged, indeed, by this and by every unsuccessful author of the party, in his turn, with a conspiracy to bring his writings and all that is valuable in society REY. FEB. 1799. into R |