MONTHLY CATALOGUE. The 34 American edition of The Seeret History of the Court and Cabinet of St Cloud. This highly interesting and entertaining work has run through two editions of 1500 copies each, in the short period of ten weeks. Philadel. phia, J. Watts, for Brisban & Brannan and Riley & Co. New-York, you it d Locke on the Human Understanding. 12mo. 3 Vols. Boston, John West. The Baptism of Believers only, and the particular Comitianion of the Baptist Churches, explained and vindicated a Iir three parts. The first-published orig-thally in 1789; the second, in 1794 the third, an appendix, containing additional observations and arguments, with strictures on several late publica tions. By Thomas Baldwin. Boston, Manning & Loring and outd Some of the false arguments, mistakes, and errours of the Rev. Samuel Austin, examined for the benefit of the publiek By Daniel Merrill. Boston, --od Manning & Loring prod The Doctrine of the Law and Grace Charnock's Life of Lord Nelson. 8vo. CR The Death of legal Hope the Life of evangelical Obedience. By Abraham Booth Boston, Mamming & Loring. Ferguson's Lectures on select sub-b jects in Mechanicks, Hydrostaticks, Hydraulicks, Pneumaticks, Opticks, Geography, Astronomy, and Dialing. A new edition, corrected and enlarged." With notes and an appendix, adapted to the present state of the arts and sciences. By David Brewster, A.M. Revised, and corrected, by Robert Patter son, Professor of Mathematicks, and Teacher of Natural Philosophy, in the University of Pennsylvania 3 vols. two in octavo of letter press, and one quarto volume containing 48 engravings. Price to subscribers $6. Philadelphia, Mathew Carey, and Etheridge & Bliss, Bostonda anomali ed of gross Letters to a Young Lady, in which the duties aud character of women are considered, chiefly with a reference to ado prevailing opinions. By M Watts' Psalms and Hymns, with the flats and sharps affixed, for the convenience of choristers. Boston, Maming & Loring. The second edition of the Psalmo dist's Assistant containing an original! composition of psalm and hymn tunes author of Letters to a Young A second edition of The Harmonia -Our most fervent wishes for a liberal patronage of the publication, of which the following is a prospectus, induces is to give it an early insertion in the Anthology. Without hazarding a decision of me own,on the intricate question of the respective excellence of ancient and mod! ern eloquence, he confidently trusts that his compilation will not be thought to weaken the opinion that, were a collec tion of the best specimens of the latterto be formed, it might fearlessly challenge a comparison with the celebrated ethi bitions of Grecian and Roman oratory. Of the pretensions of the work to publick favour the Editor conceives lit the need be said. 100 Proposals by John Watts, of Philadelphia, for publishing by subscription, in medium octavo, Select Speeches, fo rensick and parliamentary, with illus trative remarks, by N Chapman, M.D. Pietatem gravem ac meritis si forte virum quem Conspexere, silent; ad rectisque auribus adstant; ste regit dictis animos et pectora mulcet. Virg The design of the work, as the title I. It is an attempt, and the only one imports, is to draw from the exchequer to perpetuate Modern Eloquence. of modern eloquence the most distinWhat direct memorial, says a lat guished speeches, and to publish them, writer, would remote posterity have re collectively. These splendid productions, ceived, even of the existence of the talto many of which "Demosthenes would ent, were not a few of Mr. Burke's Ors. have listened with delight, and Cicero tions incorporated with his works? But with envy," are permitted, by a strange Insensibility to their value, to be scatter- gorgeous as is certainly the rhetorick of ed, with the refuse of literature, in the Edmund Burke, will his speeches alone perishable shape of a pamphlet, or to be convey an adequate representation of the extent, variety, and richness of the preserved imperfectly in the rapid sy nopses of the Chronicles of the day. It eloquence of the age in which he hired? is to be regretted that, in consequence of this neglect, some of the finest displays of modern elocution are already irretrievably lost, and that the rest must inevitably be swept away by the current of time, if an effort be not fostered to. give them a more permanent form. The diligent researches of the Editor, though sometimes disappointed, have been, on the whole, rewarded with a success very disproportioned to the moderate expectations with which he went to the task. He has found, concealed in the cabinets of the curious, and in the hoards of "literary misers," a sufficient number of the brightest gems," to authorise him to exchange the toils of gleaning for the perplexity of selection. He proposes to make indisputable evidence of the genuineness of every speech the invariable criterion of his choice, and will admit ho one into the work which has not distinct claims from importance of matter and brilliancy of diction. II. It will present at one view to the Lawyer and Statesman, those learned and lucid discussions of politicks and are eminently jurisprudence, which subsidiary to his investigations, and which, as now dispersed, are always difficult of access, and frequently not to be procured at any price. III. It will afford a correct modelt for the study of Oratory, 5300 The calm, temperate, argumentative manner of the moderns differs too wides ly from the bold, vehement, figurative style of the ancient orations, to renders them, notwithstanding their various beauties, a standard altogether proper for emulation. A speaker, who should at this time adventurously imitate the impetuous strains, or the lofty flights, which mark: the classick elocution--who should dare to pour "the torrent, or spread the splendid conflagration," would probably excite not more surprise, or provoke greater merriment, by appearing. " before his audience enrobed in the gro tesque costume of antiquity. Whatever tends to improve or to widen the dominion of speech cannot be an object of indifference in a commonwealth. Eloquence has always been admired and studied by every free people. It engages particularly their attention, be-, cause it opens to them the widest aves nue to distinction. Compared to it, the influence of the other attributes, which elevate to rank, or confer authority, is feeble and insignificant. In Greece and, Rome it rose, by cultivation, to the loftiest pitch of refinement, and the history of those states confirms, by innu merable instances, the truth," that Eloquence is Power" But no where has a condition of things prevailed, holding out stronger incite ments to its acquirement, or more aus. picious opportunities for its profitable exertion, than in the United States There are, indeed, in the peculiar construction of our political institutions, advantages to the orator, which did not belong even to the ancient democracies. The complex fabrick of our federative system has multiplied, beyond the ex-, ample of any government, legislative assemblies and judiciary establishments: each of which is not only a school to discipline eloquence, but also a field that yields the abundant harvest of its honours and emoluments. With us an additional motive exists, to stimulate generous ambition to he, culture of oratory. The nation has a character to receive. We can scarcely hope to create, and emblazon one with the glitter of, military deeds. The natural felicities of our situation will for bid, perhaps for a considerable period, our becoming warlike. Reputation' from the improvements of literature, or science, or the arts, is equally denied to us. Centuries must elapse before we can arrive at this enviable eminence. The adolescence of a people is not the season which produces such improvements. They are the offspring of a much riper age. Hitherto we are chiefly known by a hardy spirit of commercial enterprise, and by the uncommon possession of the faculty of publick speaking, which are the probable germinations of our future character. Into these directions the genius of the country is pressed by causes not readily to be controled. Eloquençe seems to flourish well among us. Let us therefore encourage its growth till it becomes the distinguishing feature of the American people., Let us, since we are excluded from many of the means which advance, the glory of a nation, endeavour to exalt our fame by excelling in one of the noblest qualities of our nature. Like a polished republick of antiquity. We our commerce and our orawe will be content to be charac tory The winds, which waft the edundant products of our industry to the remotest regions may also bear our res nown as the most eloquent people of the earth. rpolodt. A Conditions.-I. The work will be comprised in 3 or 4 vols. 8vo. II. It will be elegantly printed on fine paper, and with a type bold and distinct III. The price to subscribers will be two dollars and fifty cents, each volume. To non-subscribers, three dollars. IV. It is contemplated to put the work to press on the first of November. Mr. Field of this town has published an engraving of Gen. Hamilton from a portrait painted by Trumbull. Dr. Ramsay, of South Carolina, author of the history of the American revolution, is writing a life of Washington." We learn that I. Riley & Co. of NewYork, have now in press, which they will shortly publish, the translation of a new & very interesting work, which first ap peared in Paris, only about two months since. This work is entitled, "A Voyage to the Eastern Part of Terra Firma, or the Spanish Main, in South America, during the years of 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804; containing a description of the Commandery or District of Caraccas, composed of the Provinces of Venezuela, Maracaibo, Varinas, Spanish Guiana, Cumana, and the Island of Margaretta-with particulars relative to the Discovery, Con." quest, Topography, Legislation, Com merce, Finances, Inhabitants and Productions of those Provinces, with a view of the manners and customs of the Spaniards, and of the Indians both, civilized and uncivilized, by E. Depons, late Agent of the French Government at Caraccas." This work which, from our daily increasing commerce and communication with the Spanish Colonies, with that of Caraccas, more particularly, would at any time attract in a high degree, the curiosity of the American Publick must, we presume, from recent occurrences, be, at this mo ment, peculiarly interesting. We feel desirous to ascertain, from the report of an acute and well qualified observer who has long resided on the spot, the character and other particulars relative to a people with whom our intercourse is already an object of great mercantile importance, and of whom we know at present little more from correct information than we do of the inhabitants of Japan. . Rural Economy-We are happy to announce that I. Riley & Co. have just published in 1 vol. 8vo. a very valuable work upon a method of building, much employed in Italy and France, known by the name of Pisè, the materials of which are earth, which promises to be of great utility in the country, more particularly as applied to farm houses, cottages and out buildings. It is the production of S. W. Johnson, Esq. of Brunswick, New Jersey, a gentleman who has long devoted his attention to improvements in husbandry and rural économy. This mode of building has received the sanction of the Board of agriculture in Great Britain by whom it is highly recommended to the government both for its cheapness, healthiness, and security from fire. The author who appears to have paid all that attention to the subject which its importance demands, has suggested some very material improvements upon the plan recommended by the Board of agriculture, together with such alterations as the difference of climate in this country may require. This publication contains also some general instructions relative to the site and ar rangement of buildings appertaining to the farm, strictures on the cultivation of the vine, and an essay on the manner of making Turnpike Roads, with the advantages arising from them, accompanied with scales of elevation and de. pression for convex and concave roads, and a number of plates explanatory of the different subjects. From the cursory examination which we have been able to bestow upon this work, we hesitate not to recommend it to the publick as one that will probably prove of the greatest utility particularly to the agricultural interest.-Herald. STATEMENT OF DISEASES, From Aug. 20 to Sept. 20. ON the 22d of August, the spell, which seemed to have bound the hea yens, was broken; the rain fell in torrents, and since that time the quantity which has fallen is almost without parallel, in the same space of time. The winds have been principally from the NE. and S.W. quarters. It is well to remark, that the furious storm from the north-east, which committed such havock among the shipping along the whole coast of the United States, was first felt in the southern latitudes. In Carolina, it commenced on the 21st of August. Along the coast of the middle states, it raged on the 22d and 23d, In Boston, it was not noticed till the 24th, although there was some rain on the day previous. This interesting fact confirms an observation, respecting the storms of this country, first made by Franklin, and after him by Williams and Volney. Phenomena of this nature should be carefully noted, in order to assist in explaining the peculiarities of the climate of the United States. The weather has been cooler than common during great part of the month. The cholera of children has probably been the most common disease. It has not been so frequent nor so fatal, as it usually is at this season. Nearly the same remark may be applied to the common disease of adults, the autumnal fever. This has generally been of a mild character, and rarely fatal. There have not been many cases of cow-pock during the past month. Editors' Notes. IN our prefent number we have the pleasure of prefenting for the perufal of our patrons the Poem of Mr. Whitwell, which afforded so much delight to those who heard it and conferred honour on the Society of which he is a member. The poem abounds with beautiful verses and pungent fatire. We congratulate the author that, amid the buffle of the bar and the jargon of clients, he can fweetly tune the lyre; and that, after repeating the diffonant accents of NormanFrench and Leonine Latin, he can fing harmonious ftrains. We hope the author will occafion ally decorate our columns with wild flowers from the banks of Kennebeck, and, in the words of Shenftone, we entreat him, "Though form'd for courts, vouchsafe to rove Inglorious through the shepherd's grove, And ope the bashful fprings," We regret that, in the hurry of copying, fome errours were committed, which we request our readers to correct. In the 80th line read, "Lent to Saturnia to beguile her Jove." In the 19th line read, "Who spread Delusion like a mit around.” MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY. OCTOBER, 1806. For the Anthology. A DISQUISITION UPON THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ANCIENTS. PRONOUNCED BEFORE THE SOCIETY OF BK, AT THEIR ANNIVERSARY MEETING IN CAMBRIDGE, 28TH AUGUST, 1806. BY THOMAS BOYLSTON ADAMS. THIS anniversary festival again invites the Brethren of the BK to renew their vows of friendship and fraternity; to revive the memory of former intimacies, and consecrate to futurity habits of affection more recently begun. Greetings of cordiality await the attending members of our social institution, mingled with regret for those unavoidably absent. We offer no incense to propitiate, and immolate no victim to appease heathen Divinities. In our Fasti this day is sacred to Candour and Philanthropy. Our only sacrifice is, of the worst to the best feelings of the heart; and the fragments gathered at our feast, which custom enjoins it as a duty to carry hence, are, the grateful remembrance of a mental repast, seasoned with the salt of Charity. Thus, in the principles of your Association, is found an excuse for the imperfections of the speaker, who, yielding to a sense of duty and your partial suffrage, rather than the consciousness of his insufficieney, for the task he has this day assumed, anticipates only graVol. III. No. 10. 3Q tuitous applause for well-meant endeavours. By the mystery of our calling, my brethren, we are naturally attracted toward the fountains of Science, and to ramble without reserve in the pleasant fields of Philosophy. Philosophy! which ages of superstition idolized as a Divinity, and which, though stripped of attributes and attractions, worthy the homage, and challenging those false trappings, still retains the love and admiration of man in every age. The prolifick parent of the social virtues and moral graces, it has been usual to personify Philosophy as a female, and in that character has she been honoured with "the glorious epithets of the Mistress of Manners, the Directress of Life, the Inventress of Laws and Culture, the Guide to Virtue and Happiness." If these be her appropriate titles, no wonder that Socrates, her great high priest, "who diverted the attention of his followers from abstruse speculations concerning the material world to the practice of virtue |
