unexceptionable for the purposes of devotion, as any which the country affords. ART. 48. The Christian Monitor, No II. THE contents of this number care as follow. Sect. I. Piety of our Saviour. 2. The same. 3. The benevolence of our Saviour. 4. Our Lord's compassion. 5. His Justice 6. His temperance. 7. His meekness. 8. His humility. 9. His fortitude. 10. His veracity. 11. His natural affection. 12. His friendship, conduct to those in authority, and prudence. The matter of this number of the Monitor is principally taken," as the introduction informs us, "from the second part of a work, entitled Observations on our Lord's conduct as a divine instructor, and on the excellence of his moral character, by William Newcombe, D. D. Bishop of Waterford." We approve both the design and manner of this treatise; and thin' that its compiler could hardly have selected a more interesting and instructive topick for the edification of its readers. conjoining two distant passages, we should naturally suppose that he meant to keep closely to his text, yet he omits the consideration of some important articles of our Saviour's preaching and practice, and insists, somewhat confusedly upon others of which the history of Jesus gives no example. The piety of our Lord, together with what he taught concerning the being, perfections, and providence of God, we believe, are not even mentioned. Contrary to the "humility and gentleness" of which Dr. L. speaks, and in which he is no doubt a worthy proficient, he has contrived, on a subject every way suited to unite the views and sentiments of christians,,, rather coarsely to obtrude the most obe noxious opinions of a particular sect upon an unoffending auditory but we apprehend that the enemies of calvinism will manifest no displeasure, that a man, who seems to be one of its pillars, should be able to do no more for the support of its frail and crumbling fabrick. A brief sketch of Unguiology, er tracted from the science of toe nails. Translated from the Ger man of Gasper Gall Laneytur Tywes Esaulor. London, printed: Boston, reprinted, 1806. those sciences, which have enlarg 1 CRANIOLOGY is certainly among ed the boundaries of human knowledge, and added to the practical felicity of life. The author of the followed the safe steps of his il treatise before us has not merely lustrious predecessor, and the im mortal physiognomist of Switzer, land, but has excellently and truly removed the indexes of the soul from the skull and the face to the toes. Lavater's science is liable to many objections, and Gall's is not free from marks of doubt and suspicion; but the testimony of poets and the incontrovertibleness of arguments, have given the ingenious system of unguiology a decided superiority over every rival. It would seem from the book, that the author is a German, and we indeed regret, that America cannot boast of such a grave, pleasant, and scientifick logician and scholar. He has given various reasons to show the importance of unguiology; he has exhibited its practical effects, and its scientifick parposes, and very triumphantly concludes that physiognomy and craniology are now entirely superseded. We are of the same opinion, and are obliged to acknowledge, that those sublime arts must now rest in the grave with alchymy and palmistry. Lavater of Zurich, and Gall of Vienna are little better than mother Carey of Salem, and Moll Pitcher of Lynn, Unguiology has arisen majestically and authoritatively from the mouldering corpses of her sister sciences; we hail La'veytur as the noble founder of the most important of arts; we consider the publication of his book as a memorable era in literature; and we earnestly recommend its perusal to all descriptions and denominations of people, from the syllablespelling boy, who takes firm hold of his intellectual pettitoes and turns heels over head, to the holy apostolick father of the Roman see, who graciously condescends to offer to the gentle kisses of his humble suppliants the dignified index of a mighty soul, his very clean and sublime great toe nail. ART. 51. The Modern Philosopher; or Terrible Tractoration! In four cantos. Most respectfully addressed to the royal college of physicians, London. By Christopher Caustic, M.D. 4.$.5. &c. &c. Second American edition, revised,corrected and much enlarged by the author. Philadelphia, from the Lorenzo press of E. Bronson. 8vo.fip.271. Or the former editions of this work, both in England and America, much has been said, and the author may consider himself peculiarly fortunate in gaining so much praise from a work, ostensibly written in support of quackery. On this unthrifty subject, he has ingrafted some general and well directed satire, without which he could hardly have found so many readers. This edition has gained another title, and a considerable quantity of matter. It differs from the former editions, principally by additional notes to the first canto, in which the new philosophy, and the old atheistical notions of Democritus, revived and embellished by the gorgeous verse of Darwin, are justly, and with some ability ridiculed. But we have long been weary of satires of this description, and they have become almost as stale as the doctrines they de nounce. The waking dreams of St. Pierre and Darwin may give nutriment to weak intellects, or moon-struck imaginations, but we are not to believe them philosophers, because they would have tides made of polar ices, men from ourang outangs, and the universe by volcanick and cometary explosions. Terrible Tractoration is composed of very perishable materials. A defence of Perkinism must have something more than the merits of its cause to ensure immortality. The author's extensive acquaintance with yankee phrases, and dexterity in the use of New-Eng land vulgarisms have enabled him to frame a ludicrous structure of Hudibrastick rhyme, with materials as heterogenous as the image of Nebuchadnezzar. But common thoughts, however amusing at first, by their ludicrous dress, will soon be found to want a better support than vulgarity of language. ¶ Pauper videri vult Cinna, et pauper cst." That this work has a considerable degree of humour, and some versification, with a felicity approaching to that of Hudibras, we not deny ; but for that novelly don of association, inexhaustible flow of wit, and prodigal display of knowledge on every subject, that gives perpetual interest to the pages of Butler, we look through this book in vain. In his account of himself, the author has joined the vulgar in his abuse of the verb to graduate, which is active, meaning " to confor a degree," not to receive one. ART. 52. The Understanding Reader; or knowledge before oratory, being a Sunew selection of lessons suited to the understanding and the capa "cities of youth and designed for their improvement, I. In reading II. In the definition of Ewords; III. In spelling, particularly compound and derivative words. In a method wholly different from any thing of the kind ever before published. By Daniel Adams, M. B. author of the Scholar's Arithmetick, Thorough Scholar, &c. "Our boys often read as parrots speak, knowing “། ་ T little or nothing of the meaning" Franklin. Leominster, Adams & Wilder. 8vo. pp. 224. THE only article of importance in which this schoolbook differs from the multitude of similar, secolumn of words, the least easily lections is, the margins Here a understood and speit of any in the page, is selected and printed in italicks, the more forcibly to seize the attention of the pupil to their meaning and orthography. The effect may be good. The pieces are mostly well chosen, especially for schools in the Country This notice was due to the publick many months since; but the book was mislaid. Were we however it our warmest recommento give dations it ought not to sell; for its ink, paper, and type are all so miserable, that the Understanding Reader is the most illegible of books. ed. The quantity of exemplification, usually found in most works of this nature, he has rejected, as calculated only to perplex the student. He has avoided those "miBute distinctions," which envelope essential rules in "trivial exceptions. In the general plan of Grammar, he has not differed from other compilers, and his new modification does not entitle him by any means to a rank above them in point of utility or convenience. We have examined this work with some considerable attention, as one, dedicated to the use of our country, would naturally lead us to bestow. But we cannot give it the preference over many other grammars, and particularly above those by Chambaud and Wanastrocht, which have received 'the sanction of high literary authority in England, and have been used by the first teachers in this country, as the best introductions to knowledge of the French language. The typographical negligence of this small volume (which has two closely printed pages of «Errata") is almost unpardonable. It contains but 194 pages, and we do. never recollect to have seen more errours in a work of so small a size. T داد : OF NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR SEPTEMBER. NEW WORKS. Memoirs of Dr. Joseph Priestley, to the year 1795, written by himself; with a continuation to the time of his decease, by his son, Joseph Priestley; and observations on his writings, by Thomas Cooper, present judge of the 4th district of Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Wm. Christie. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. 824. North, umberland, (Penn.) John Binns. Plain Discourses on the Chemical Laws of Matter. Containing a general view of the principles and improvements of the science of Chemistry; with a particular detail of those parts which are common and connected with domestick affairs, Addressed to the citizens of America. By Thomas Ewell, M. D. late of Virginia. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 500, with plates. Price $3 in extra boards, New-York, Brisban & Brannan, 186 Pearl-street. No. III. of The Christian Monitor, a religious periodical work; containing eight discourses on the Means of Religion. 12mo. fine wove paper, pp. 200. Price in blue boards 30 cents. Boston, Munroe & Francis. An Exposition of the Criminal Laws of the Territory of Orleans; the pracice of the courts of riminal jurisdic tion, the duties of their officers, with a collection of forms for the use of magistrates and others. Published in pursuance of an act of the legislature of the territory. In French and English. By Lewis Kerr, Esq. New Orleans, Bradford & Anderson. The Schoolmaster's Assistant: being a compendium of Arithmetick, both Practical and Theoretical-in five parts. The whole being delivered in the most familiar way of question and answer, recommended by several eminent mathematicians, accomptants and schoolmasters, as necessary to be used in schools by all teachers who would have their scholars thoroughly understand, and make quick progress in Arithmetick. By Thomas Dilworth, author of the New Guide to the English Tongue, Book-Keeper's Assistant, &c. With additions and alterations, adapted to the use of the citizens of the United States. New-York, George Jansen. The Columbian Orthographer; or, First Book for Children. In which the words are methodically arranged, rationally divided into syllables, and accurately accented according to the best authorities. For the use of schools. By James Pike. 12mo, pp. 169. Price 20 cents. Portland, Daniel Johnson, Testament with critical notes, and a practical improvement of each section containing the history of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded by the four evangelists, disposed in the order of an harmony. By Philip Doddridge, D Dabfrom the 8th London edition For which is prefixed, a life of the author, by Andrew Kippis. 8vo. Boston, Etheridge & Bliss Li ono to nouibbe Sacred Classicks, containing the following works: 1 Hervey's Medita tions. 2. Evidences of the christian religion, by the right Hon. Joseph Addison, To which are added, Discour ses against atheism and infidelity, withs a preface; containing the sentiments of Mr. Boyle, Mr. Locke, and Sir Isaacs Newton, concerning the gospel revela tion. 3. The death of Abel, in 5 books translated from the German of Mr. Gestig ner, by Mrs. Colver To which is pre fixed, The life of the author, 4 De vout Exercises of the Heart, in meditat tion and soliloquy, prayer and praise by the late pious and ingenious Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe, revised and published is at her request, by J Watts, D. DI Friendship in Death, in letters from the dead to the living; to which are added, Letters, moral and entertaining in prose and verse, by Mrs, Elizabeth Rowe Reflections on Death, by Wm. Dodd, is LL.D. with the life of the author The Centaur, not fabulous, in six letters to on the life in vogue; by DES friend, on the Young with the life of the author, A The Pilgrim's Progress Blackmore on Creation-The above works are in imitation of Cooke's edition of the Sacred Classicks,embellished with elegant en gravings-Price $1 per volume, neatly bound. New-York, J. & T Ronaldso |
