between the threat and the performance. It cannot be doubted that the public in France feel sore at the double invasion, at the imposition of contributions, and at the necessity of main- › taining the force which overawes them: but not the slightest apprehension exists that this irritation will be kindled into combustion; the chances would be altogether against such an attempt; and the return of better times, from a favourable harvest and increasing commerce, will, ere long, accomplish a considerable diminution of the actual state of discontent. Art. 19. Hints to Radical Reformers, and Materials for True. 8vo. pp. 164. Hatchard. 1817. In the title of this pamphlet, much more is promised, in point of comprehensiveness at least, than the author performs; since, instead of the general merits of reform, he confines himself in a great degree to the situation of the sister-kingdom, and to the discussion of particular questions. Among these is the system of tithes; in treating of which, without declaring himself hostile to the principle, the writer complains loudly of the present mode of tithing farmers, and declares that it opens a wide door for abuse and persecution. To this remark we do not refuse our assent, as long as it is chiefly restricted to Ireland: but, in England, the essential evil consists less in personal injury than in an almost imperceptible but serious obstacle to the progress of agricultural improvement. Though the author appears to be a sincere friend to Catholic-emancipation, he declares that this boon cannot be safely granted unless the Catholics as a body, priests and laymen,. openly renounce and solemnly abjure the doctrines of "no faith; with heretics, of subjects being absolved from their allegiance," and all other papal tenets that are at variance with good government. That these pernicious doctrines are disavowed by all enlightened and liberal minded Catholics, he acknowleges: but he states that many persons in Ireland acted on them so lately as the rebellion in 1798; and he farther remarks that those who observe what is now passing on the Continent must be aware that the age of priestcraft is by no means past, and that the age of bigotry may return. His support of religious tolerance is grounded not on scepticism, which he mentions with pointed condemnation, but on an enlightened attachment to the doctrines of the church of England. The former conduct of our government towards Ireland is very warmly reprobated by this writer, and exposed in language rather inflated, perhaps, but of great feeling; while the sentiments of foreigners respecting us, both as individuals and as a nation, are also discussed (p. 73.) in a manner which we have the oppor tunity of knowing to be in a great measure correct. The pamphlet concludes by very forcible remarks on the mischief arising from the number of Irish landlords, who leave their tenants and dependents to be plundered and oppressed by subaltern agents,' while they themselves are wasting their time and fortune in the luxuries of the British capital. We pass over several of the matters noticed in this miscellaneous collection; such as a new plan for tithes ; a recommenda H 201 tion tion to grant salaries to the Catholic and Dissenting clergy; the objections to public schools, particularly for females, &c. Without agreeing with the author in all his conclusions, we are satisfied that he expresses the genuine dictates of his heart; and that his errors are to be ascribed not to party-feeling or inveterate prejudice, but to a certain constitutional ardour which prompts him to view the wrongs of his country through a magnifying glass, and to describe them to the public by a similar mode of amplification. Art. 20. Reasons for the Establishment of Provident Institutions, called Savings Banks; with a Word of Caution respecting their Formation; and an Appendix, containing a Model for the Formation of Savings' Banks, according to the Plan adopted by the Provident Institution established in the Western Part of the Metropolis, and by that for the City of London and its Vicinity. By John Bowles, Esq. The Third Edition, with Additions, 8vo. Is. 6d. Richardson. 1817. After much verbosity and common-place remark, Mr. Bowles comes to the main point of his discussion; viz. in what way the money of depositors in Savings' Banks is to be refunded, in cases in which it has been invested in a fluctuating security, such as the public stocks. The Provident Institutions in Westminster, Bath, and Exeter, consider the depositors not as proprietors of the original sum, but as joint proprietors in the stock, and participating in its variations; and Mr. B. deems this a better plan than any attempt to determine before-hand the sum to be refunded by the managers: because, though in a year like the present, when stocks have been so much on the rise, there would be a large surplus, the case may be very different on a future occasion. The rest of the pamphlet is merely explanatory, containing a copy of the regulations of the Provident Institution of Westminster, with a form for the signature of members who cannot personally attend. · Art. 21. Common Consent the Basis of the Constitution of England or Parliamentary Reform considered and, tried by the Tests of Law and Reason. 8vo. pp. 96. Allman, 1817. We have here one of the most complete essays that has been published in late years on the topic of parliamentary reform; the author having evidently read and reflected largely on his subject, and having arranged his matter with considerable care. His defect, however, as a writer, consists in verbosity; and, as a reasoner, in carrying popular opinions to an extreme: since he has no scruple in recommending annual parliaments and universal suffrage, or in ascribing all our distress to the partial and unfair nature of our representation. Much as we are disposed to admire, the open and manly character of this author, we cannot forbear to record a dissent from a part, at least, of his opinions; satisfied as we are that reform, introduced under such auspices, would soon. assume the garb of revolution, and that the antient structure of our constitution would sink under the assault. On the other hand, we agree with him in lamenting the profuse expenditure of recent times, the extended influence of the crown, and the very undue prepon 13 preponderance of certain families in returning our legislative representatives.The pamphlet is dedicated to the Marquis of Tavistock, in a strain which manifests, without reserve, the peculiar feelings of the author, and his eagerness that a 'sufficient number of the old race of English gentlemen should stand forward to revive the old law and the old principles.' Art. 22. The Character of Passing Events. 8vo. pp. 45. Hatchard. 1817. Not contented with the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, this decided ministerialist calls on the public to support government in measures of additional severity; Preston, Thistlewood, and others now at large, being in his opinion much on a par with the acquitted felons of 1794. This is surely going as far on the one extreme as any of his political opponents go on the other and, moreover, what shall we say to a writer who stigmatizes the Bible-Society as an instrument of sedition? and who says, What lenity is due to the times, let it be dealt out by the clemency of the crown; not claimed as a new right of the people.' In fact, the object and spirit of this tract are to support the doctrine of passive obedience, and to allot an undue power to ministers at the expence of the public. That Englishmen of this stamp can be found in the nineteenth century excites a degree of astonishment that we cannot readily express; and to combat such doctrines would be a waste of words. The result of late events has shewn that the powers vested in government have been fully sufficient to check the effects of growing discontent; and to multiply punishments, or give extension to measures of coercion, can never be estimated as sound policy in an enlightened country. Art. 23. Sketch of a Plan for a Reformation in the System of Provincial Banking, by which the Notes of Country-Bankers may be rendered as secure as those of the Bank of England, and the Agriculturist, Manufacturer, &c. &c. relieved from the Distress and Inconvenience occasioned by the Want of a secure circulating Medium. By a Country Shopkeeper. 8vo. Richardson. 1817. Pp. 16. This writer proposes what would certainly prove an effectual antidote to the failure of country-bankers;-nothing less than opening an office at which persons possessing stock in the governmentfunds should transfer the same to a public officer, (such as the Accomptant General of the Court of Chancery,) and receive permission to issue bank-notes to a corresponding amount; and, for every note so issued, the public officer in question should be liable to make over a sum (10l., 201., or 5ol., according to the amount of the note) in default of payment by the issuer. Of the security of this new species of paper-currency, no doubt can be felt: but the error of the author lies in imagining that the country would be benefited by increasing our circulating medium. He does not seem, aware that currency, forms but a small part of national wealth: a part, too, which does not admit of artificial augmentation, since money is of no use but to circulate commodities, and can certainly not perform that office better by receiving an unnatural increase. POETRY and THE DRAMA. Art. 24. Panthea a Tragedy. By William Benett, Esq., Barrister at Law. 8vo. 35. Carpenter. 1817. It must be with a powerful touch that the stories of classical antiquity are brought back to light on a modern canvas. Any defect in the colouring spoils all the charm of such a picture; and, in truth, the success of English imitations of the antient drama, whether in style or subject, has been so rare and precarious, that we know not any ground on which an author could more dangerously tread. By a force and originality exclusively his own, Shakspeare has contrived to reconcile us to his extraor dinary representations of Grecian or Roman manners: -seizing prominent traits of character, and arraying some leading appropriate sentiments in vivid and irresistible energy of language. Addison, again, has enabled Kemble literally to restore Cato to his genuine Roman existence; while Corneille and Racine have trodden on the consecrated arena of Sophocles and Euripides with no profane steps. Pure classical taste, and flowing musical numbers, inspired by a vigour or a tenderness of the highest cast, have indeed immortalized these our gigantic rivals of the French theatre. After such combatants, he who enters the same lists must be prepared to "screw his courage to the sticking-place." The present author has no pretensions of a kind sufficiently lofty to justify even the momentary thought of such an attempt. If his 'Panthea' does not offend by any gross violation of the rules of correct composition; if character is not perverted, nor language barbarized, nor melody modified into discord; if all these and other vulgar faults of the day are avoided, yet an absolute want of any striking excellence is betrayed; and the depressing tenour of even mediocrity denies to this tragedy, 'written for the amusement of the author's leisure hours,' all chance of either edifying or entertaining its readers. We give, however, the last speech of Panthea herself; in order that, if our criticism has been in any respect too severe, those who peruse may amend it: Farewell, thou faithful servant; may thy soul [Drawing the sword from Asteria's breast, Sad reeking instrument of death, whose point To thee Panthea trusts her fate a welcome guest nor doubts thy truth And And soon will press thee to her bleeding heart! Farewell ye painted vanities of life That bind the grovelling minds of grosser spirits: Sheddest thy beam diurnal; No more thy orient light shall wake these eyes, And thou my heart, That idly tremblest at the thought of death, Soon in the tomb thy anxious pulse shall cease, But come thou faithful sword My Abradates' spirit beckons me See, see, his mangled arm, reft of the hand, Seems to upbraid my tardiness! - I come! And soon my soul shall blend with thine, my love! Presses thy clay-cold lips, and sinks in death! [She stabs herself, and falls on the body of Abradates.]" Art. 25. Rough Sketches of Bath; Imitations of Horace; and other Poems. By Q. in the Corner. 8vo. pp. 50. Baldwin and Co. 1817. Q. in the Corner tells us that he is not yet one-and-twenty years old. If so, he is really a very promising and clever lad; and we do not envy the future follies of Bath the lash that is preparing for them. It threatens to become the very scourge of Anstey, new fitted with heroic thongs. Mr. Q. writes in the lar couplet; and he displays a facility, and a faney too, in many passages, which are quite refreshing to the weary attention of a Reviewer. For example: In this distinguished circle you will find Whom no one hears of, and whom no one knows: An atmosphere, at all times so select; No banker's clerks these splendid realms invade; To act their parts or speak their speeches here: Ꮋ Ꮞ regu Subscrip |