the simplicity of the airs. It is but common justice to Mr. Power to observe, that the work is got up in that handsome and liberal manner which characterizes most of the sheets which issue from his shop.

112. Mills's History of the Crusades.

(Continued from p. 440.)

WE should grossly deviate from our duty to the publick, if, respecting Mr. Mills, as we most sincerely do, in the form of an elegant narrator, we permitted him to become an authority for the unwarrantable dogma, that the Crusades had no operation upon the civilization of Europe. We care not for the opinions of Mr. Berrington*, or of any man not of the extensive reading of our illustrious scholars, our national ornaments, who have maintained the contrary. Our fortresses are not to be surrendered because a school-boy lets off a squib. We are, by ostensible profession, in this periodical work, the protectors of Archæological science, and we know, that it is intimately connected with Philosophy and the Arts. We know that the first Historians and Antiquaries of the king dom here support us; and though, upon questions of principle, we may reprobate dangerous ideas, we know that we have no illiberal intentions. But the fact is, that Mr. Mills has voluntarily limited himself to the incident part of the subject, and there he has produced a valuable and good narrative; a useful compendium of all the historical information (properly so called) upon the subject. But we cannot let the matter rest in so unsatisfactory a form. It would be a poor and meagre Life of a Philosopher which was composed of his bodily actions only: for they can consist of no other than the eating, drinking, and sleeping of a common man.

In the first place, the Crusades introduced an important change in our National Architecture. Here we shall quote a dignified living character, who, though a perfect scholar (from simply writing as a gentleman, not a professed author, has never invited notice), is yet in his excellence of manner and skill, to be classed with the first of those who have ascer

tained the indubitable origin of that

See Vol. ii. p. 357.

exquisite style of architecture, denominated Gothic. If a man travels through a village consisting entirely of good houses, he presumes that the mass of the inhabitants is composed of genteel people; if there be only a palace among cottages, or cottages only, his inferences are equal ly easy. But there must be a refinement, or theoretic idea, antecedent to a relish of fine taste; and this taste in building was derived from the Crusades, probably by means of models and wooden moulds, the usual method of instructing the mason.

"The Crusades (says Mr. Haggit) form an event, which had a very powerful tendency to account for the introduction of any change in the customs, manners, or arts, which may have arisen in Europe during that period: in point of fact, every history bears testimony that such changes did take place in those particulars, and in others of still more importance, in consequence of the Crusades If then, upon enquiry, there be sufficient ground to determine, that the principal features of the pointed stile existed in the East, previous to the arrival of its European visitors, and did not exist at home, but was speedily introduced afterwards among all those nations who had borne a share in the Crusades, surely the probability is strong, that this mode of archi tecture was one of the consequences resulting from those memorable expeditions. The Saracens were a comparatively polished and magnificent people; their mosques and public buildings of every description were numerous and splendid; and, at the period of the Crusades, with the excepcities of the Eastern world were of their tion of Constantinople alone, the finest construction." (Haggie's Letters on Gothic Architecture, p. 77.)

Now when we see the virandas of

Hyde Park houses, and know that it is a fashion which prevails in India; when we see the Doric columns of Antient Greece forming the porticos of numerous public buildings; when we see St. Paul's Cathedral manifestly assimilating the style of St. Peter's at Romes when we see the Madras education in daily use; when nankins and muslins are imitated in England how can it reasonably be said, that foreign intercourse for two centuries produces no change in arts, habits, and manners? We know, that fo reign fashions are perpetually introduced by foreign intercourse; but of course such information does not oc

cur

cur in mere registers of events; and because a chronicler confines himself to these specific points, we are to conclude, that a man who has lived in Paris or India twenty years, never brings home a snuff box or a shawl, or recommends the patterns to manufacturers.

It is well known that the Pisans, when the Crusades first took place, fitted out smaller vessels, loaded with provisions, which they sold to the Crusaders, and brought back Greek columns, sculptures, and basreliefs; and even Greek architects so early as 1016; and to this commerce is ascribed the revival of the Arts in Burope.

Mr. Mills reasons against this, from the destruction of the marbles which ensued at the capture of Constantinople; but these were statues of heathen deities, which it was then deemed an act of religion to destroy. So important is it to elucidate Shakspeare by the writers of his day; and to explain actions by contemporary

manners.

The people of Genoa are also acknowledged by Mr. Mills to have carried on great trade by means of the Crusades; and Sir Walter Raleigh assures us, that Genoa was the storehouse of all Italy, and all other places, but after they had imposed a custom of sixteen per cent. all nations deserted them, and the Duke of Florence laid the foundation of Leghorn, with small tariffs, and thus removed the trade *.

Most respectable writers state, that the Crusades gave birth to the formation of the maritime powers of Europe, of which Venice, Genoa, and Pisa were the first; and to the establishment of maritime commerce, which till then had been in the hands of the Greeks and Arabs +. Simon Simeon, who wrote in the year 1322, ob. serves, that the King of England abounded in ships, beyond all the Kings of Christendom ‡," and, if the maritime powers took rise from the Crusades, whence in a great part at least originated the naval power of England?

We have here taken only grand points; and it is not within our li

Remains, p. 134. 12mo. 1702. + Observat. sur l'Italie, tom. iii. 261. + Itiner. p. 4.

mits to go further. Besides, it requires a full knowledge of the His tory of the South of France and Italy, to develope the subject in its ample extent. But it is sufficient to quote the illustrious names of Robertson and many others, to confule the strange idea, that the Crusades

were utterly sterile with respect to the Arts, to learning, and to every moral advantage," as Mr. Berrington says, vol. II. p. 357. note. Now it is impossible that intercourse with foreign nations can exist for two centuries, and no additional know. ledge be acquired. China, or at least the East, furnished the compass; even the barbarous South-sea Islands, the bread-fruit; but it is waste of room to confute such sweeping and rash affirmations: and it is sufficient to say, that if there be additions of knowledge, there must be intellectual improvement. Such affirmations as Mr. B.'s must be limited to casuistry and law only: or to book-learning, to be even stateable. It would be madness to say, that there is no difference of intellect in a rustick, before he enlists for a soldier and after he has served a long campaign. It is the peculiar tendency of agricultural employment to freeze the growth of mind, but it is impossible to take an active part in the grand scenes of life, and to mix deeply in the business, toil, and danger, without mental improvement. The acuteness of old soldiers and sailors, and the promptitude and skill of merchants who have travelled, exhibit a very different state of intellect, a far greater accumulation of wisdom, prudence, and general knowledge, than can be found in a fox-hunter or country bumpkin who has never left his native village. What is intercourse with the world but an unprinted book, which is read with the certainty of its contents being wholly remembered and most deeply impressed; and, if it becomes a general custom for this book to be read throughout a nation, it must make a change in the manners and minds of the people. The Croisade expeditions we conceive to have had a similar influence: and even though scholastic disputations and the forms of versification remained the same, that circumstance has no more bearing on the question, than one would which estimated the under

understandings of the merchants on the Royal Exchange, or military men, by examining them in polemicks and poetry. The results of classical education and the art of printing could not he reasonably expected from mere military expeditions; and yet upon such expectation is the censure of Mr. Berrington founded. In a business view, the Crusades were the means of vastly extending the knowledge which is indicative of civilization, as tasteful architecture, navigation, the luxury, trades, &c. mechanical skill, new inventions, improveTuents, &c. &c.

(To be continued.)

113. Historical Documents and Reflections on the Government of Holland. By Louis Buonaparte, Ex-King of Holland. In Three Volumes, 8vo. Lackington and Co.

THIS very interesting Work is translated faithfully from the original and only manuscript copy, which was transmitted to this country by the Author for the express purpose of publication. This copy remains in the possession of the Publishers; and is open to the inspection of all who may be induced by curiosity, or a wish to convince themselves of its genuineness, to examine it.

It is easy to discern in the slightest particulars that character of frankmess and moderation, that enlightened philanthropy, for which the Author was particularly distinguished. The work may be considered in two points of view. In the first it belongs to the department of History: the events of the celebrated period it retraces, though known, acquire an additional interest from the pen of their Histo. rian. The rank he filled on the stage of the world initiated him into the secrets of Cabinets; deriving facts from their very source, an actor or eye-witness in most of them, the veracity of the writer is a pledge of their accuracy. The historical part comprises all that period after Louis Buonaparte ascended the throne of Holland, till the time when he chose rather to resign the sceptre, than become the subaltern tyrant of a people, whose destiny had been committed to his care: this part displays more especially a full description of the interior administration of Holland; the particular views of Louis for the happiness and independence of

that kingdom; his long resistance to the opposite system of Napoleon in this respect; and the motives that finally made him determine to retire, and brought on the union of Holland with France:-particulars not less interesting respecting the family of Buonaparte, its origin, the condition of the members of it at the time of the union of Corsica with France; the fortune and elevation of Napoleon and his brothers, the conquest of Italy, the expedition to Egypt, the consulship, the empire, the peace of Tilsit, &c., and the proposals then made to the English Government by France and Russia: the invasion of Spain; the renunciation of Charles IV. and Ferdinand VII.; the refusal of Louis Buonaparte to ascend the Spanish throne, his opinion on the political causes of that disastrous war, &c.

Taking this work in a second point of view, it may be considered as a collection of political and private memoirs relating not only to Louis Buonaparte and his family, but to other personages equally remarkable. From the following summary the Reader will be enabled to form an idea of the attractions it presents:

"The motives, hitherto secret, of the marriage of Louis with the daughter of Josephine; the causes that led the married pair mutually to agree to a separaand followed the dissolution of Napotion; the circumstances that preceded leon's marriage with Josephine; political reasons that induced Napoleon to refuse different princesses, whose hands were offered him, and to prefer the daughter of the Emperor of Austria ;-correspondence of Napoleon with his brother, and of the French ministers with the Dutch ministers;-in fine, a number of new and curious anecdotes, which render this Work truly deserving the attention of the pub

lick."

Little need be added respecting the Author: his political career pertains to the historian, and it is the business of history to decide upon it. But it is a pleasure to do homage to his private virtues. His book every where displays that touching simplicity, that love of mankind, which form the basis of his character. It is particularly remarkable for a singular degree of impartiality; while neither the truth of its pictures, nor the interest attached to its details, is at all injured by the Author's mo. desty in speaking of himself, or his

reserve

understandings of the merchants on the Royal Exchange, or military men, by examining them in polemicks and poetry. The results of classical edu cation and the art of printing could not be reasonably expected from mere military expeditions; and yet upon such expectation is the censure of Mr. Berrington founded. In a business view, the Crusades were the means of vastly extending the knowledge which is indicative of civilization, as tasteful architecture, navigation, the luxury, trades, &c. mechanical skill, new inventions, improveTuents, &c. &c.

(To be continued.)

113. Historical Documents and Reflections on the Government of Holland. By Louis Buonaparte, Ex-King of Holland. In Three Volumes, 8vo. Lackington and Co. THIS very interesting Work is translated faithfully from the original and only manuscript copy, which was transmitted to this country by the Author for the express purpose of publication. This copy remains in the possession of the Publishers; and is open to the inspection of all who may be induced by curiosity, or a wish to convince themselves of its genuineness, to examine it.

It is easy to discern in the slightest particulars that character of frankness and moderation, that enlightened philanthropy, for which the Author was particularly distinguished. The work may be considered in two points of view. In the first it belongs to the department of History: the events of the celebrated period it retraces, though known, acquire an additional interest from the pen of their Histo. rian. The rank he filled on the stage of the world initiated him into the secrets of Cabinets; deriving facts from their very source, an actor or eye-witness in most of them, the veracity of the writer is a pledge of their accuracy. The historical part comprises all that period after Louis Buonaparte ascended the throne of Holland, till the time when he chose rather to resign the sceptre, than become the subaltern tyrant of a people, whose destiny had been committed to his care: this part displays more especially a full description of the interior administration of Holland; the particular views of Louis for the happiness and independence of

that kingdom; his long resistance to the opposite system of Napoleon ia this respect; and the motives that finally made him determine to retire, and brought on the union of Holland with France:-particulars not less interesting respecting the family of Buonaparte, its origin, the condition of the members of it at the time of the union of Corsica with France; the fortune and elevation of Napoleon and his brothers, the conquest of Italy, the expedition to Egyp!, the consulship, the empire, the peace of Tilsit, &c., and the proposals then made to the English Government by France and Russia: the invasion of Spain; the renunciation of Charles IV. and Ferdinand VII.; the refusal of Louis Buonaparte to ascend the Spanish throne; his opinion on the political causes of that disastrous war, &c.

Taking this work in a second point of view, it may be considered as a collection of political and private memoirs relating not only to Louis Buonaparte and his family, but to other personages equally remarkable. From the following summary the Reader will be enabled to form an idea of the attractions it presents:

The motives, hitherto secret, of the marriage of Louis with the daughter of Josephine; the causes that led the married pair mutually to agree to a separaand followed the dissolution of Napotion; the circumstances that preceded leon's marriage with Josephine; political reasons that induced Napoleon to refuse different princesses, whose hands were offered him, and to prefer the daughter of the Emperor of Austria ;-correspondence of Napoleon with his brother, and of the French ministers with the Dutch minis

ters;-in fine, a number of new and curious anecdotes, which render this Work truly deserving the attention of the pub

lick."

Little need be added respecting the Author: his political career pertains to the historian, and it is the business of history to decide upon it. But it is a pleasure to do homage to his private virtues. His book every where displays that touching simplicity, that love of mankind, which form the basis of his character. It is particularly remarkable for a singular degree of impartiality; while neither the truth of its pictures, nor the interest attached to its details, is at all injured by the Author's mo desty in speaking of himself, or his

reserve