Art. 47. The Sizar: a Rhapsody. To be completed in Fifty Folio - Volumes. Number I. Small 8vo. pp. 158. 38. 6d. Boards. Rivingtons. 1799.

This work is not void of merit, but the author's attempts at wit and pleasantry are weak and puerile. The excursive and excentric style of writing is of difficult attainment; and excellence in it is rather the gift of nature, than the fruit of elaborate study. It has indeed a peculiar power of Eaptivating young minds: but to write incoherently is no proof of genius. Pindar, Rabelais, and Michael Angelo, are objects of admiration: but they have been followed by a tedious and spiritless train of unsuccessful imitators. True genius. may rise superior to known and established rules: but who will not condemn ignorant caprice for departing from them? It is not every one, however, who is able to compose a book like the Sizar; and if the author be young, we should judge that he is destined for better performances. So many half-formed and unanimated things are produced before their time, and forced on the public, that we cannot particularly blame the present author for his haste to appear in print; yet, had he spared the perishable paper, we should not have upbraided him for his ill judged mercy.

The writer appears dissatisfied with the mode of distributing honours at Cambridge; but we cannot give a serious hearing to objections so lightly urged. If the matter is to be debated, let this be done gravely and fully. We will listen to reason; and the hoary head of inveterate abuse" shall exact from us no reverence: but the institutions of a venerable University, which has produced such men as Bacon, Barrow, and Newton, deserve a nobler fate than to fall in "puny battle" by the light and random shafts of petulant hostility.

Art. 48. The French Expedition into Syria, comprising General Buonaparte's Letters, with General Berthier's Narrative, and Sir William Sidney Smith's Letters, from the London Gazette. 8vo. 3s. 6d. Ridgway.

It has been often asserted that there is no such thing as Truth of Fact, or historical Truth; and it must be confessed that much may be adduced in justification of this assertion. How contradictory is the evidence out of which History is composed! and when narratives clash, it is often very difficult to discriminate truth from falsehood, and accurately to mark their respective boundaries. To the interest which the immediate narrator may have in giving an exagge rated or a garbled account, must be added the partiality and prejudices of the historian, An Englishman and a Frenchman, a writer now and a writer even ten years hence, will make a different use of the very same materials, and deduce from them very different conclusions. As to the present details from our gallant countryman Sir Sidney Smith, and from the Generals of the Enemy, respecting the Syrian Expedition, we cannot, when they differ, make a fairer proposition than that of the author of the sensible preface by which they are here intro duced; viz. to steer the middle course, and to strike a balance between the contending statements. At the siege of Acre, several of the accounts are completely at variance in many of the details, and do

not

not even agree as to the absolute result. The character and manner of the different writers afford, also, much matter of curious observ ation.' In the letters of Bonaparte, we see ingenuity in displaying advantages and in concealing miscarriages; in Berthier's Narrative, we find more of form and method; and in the Letters of Sir Sidney Smith, we trace the effusions of a full and ardent mind, which kindles in its progress, yet always borrows a tincture from cir cumstances as they pass in review before him.' Thus says the Introduction.

This account of the French Expedition into Syria is amusing, as well as flattering to English skill and bravery: but it is neither to be expected nor desired that we should now peruse it with rigid impare tiality.

Art. 49. Campaign of General Bonaparte in Italy, in 1796-7. By a General Officer. Translated from the French by T. E. Ritchie. With a Narrative of the Operations of the French Armies on the Rhine, &c. Embellished with a Map of the Seat of War in Italy, and a Portrait of the General. 8vo. 8s. Boards. Printed at Edinburgh; sold in London by Crosby. 1799.

Although the materials of which these memoirs are composed are drawn from sources of French authority, they are certainly the best that we can as yet obtain; and the events seem to be here recorded with as much impartiality as can reasonably be expected from a panegyrist of the Conqueror of Italy.

From the importance of transactions so recent, and of which the effects are still passing in review before us, there can be no doubt that the present summary detail will be perused with interest; and that it will, on the whole, be considered as a satisfactory record of those most extraordinary circumstances which it relates.

The map will be useful to many readers.—As to the portrait of the modern CESAR, we are not competent to pronounce in regard to resemblance between the drawing and the original.

Art. 50. A Memorial read to the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, Dec. 18, 1799; and a Speech, deli vered before the same Society, January 29, 1800, by Edmund Cartwright, M. A. With an Appendix, containing Letters from the late Sir William Jones, Dr. Thurlow, late Bishop of Durham, and other distinguished Characters, &c. &c. 8vo, 26. Murray and Highley.

The generality of the readers of this publication will, probably, before they have turned over many of its leaves, wonder that a person of the author's superior talents and eminence in the republic of letters should have thought of accepting the appointment of Secretary to the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce: but his reason for at last withdrawing his pretensions, as a candidate for that office, will appear in a light still more singular --He was convinced that another candidate, his rival, possessed qualifications superior to bis own!-On this conviction, Mr. C. nobly gave his generous testimony (on delivering in his resignation of his pretensions,) to the

greater merit of his principal opponent, who was accordingly elected.Such examples of candour, and something more than even candour, are indeed rarely seen; and we cannot but deem the liberal conduct of Mr. C., in this singular instance, such as entitles him to a very high' degree of applause.

Any reader of this pamphlet, who may happen to be unacquainted with the character of its author as a man of learning and genius, will here incidentally meet with some very striking particulars; in the perusal of which, though few of the leading facts were new to us, we found a considerable degree of entertainment, as well as some information respecting matters of no small consequence to the welfare of society. We may particularize the author's discoverythat yeast is a most potent remedy for putrid sore-throats, &c. of which we had before heard, but which, we believe, is here for the first time communicated to the public by Mr. C. himself. The whole pamphlet merits the public attention.

Art. 51. Information for Overseers, published by order of the Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor. Izmo. 6d. Becket, &c. 17991

This publication is earnestly recommended to the principal governors and overseers of the poor, and of all other parishioners; and particularly of persons in anywise concerned in the management of poor-houses, not merely as the means of diminishing the poor'srates, but of improving the character and condition of the poor in general.'

We have frequently noticed the several Reports of the proceedings of this truly useful and most respectable Society. We have also, in a late Review, mentioned the re-publication of the first volume of these Reports, in a cheap pocket size; and now we have the pleasure of observing than their periodical communications have advanced to the tenth No. in 8vo.

Speaking of the proceedings of this Society, Dr. Nasmith, in his late Charge to the Grand Jury of Ely, very properly observes, p. 35, Having mentioned the article of Diet, I strongly recommend to your attention the methods lately discovered of providing for the poor, good, wholesome, and nourishing soups, at a very cheap rate; these methods should be adopted in all work Houses, and from thence the sick might occasionally be supplied. You will find the manner of making these soups fully described in a book, of easy purchase, intled "Reports of the Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor." This book contains so much useful information on diet, fuel, and various other articles relating to the management of the Poor, that no parish officer should be without it."

We are truly glad to hear, by accounts from various parts of the kingdom, that the idea of preparing soups, on a large scale, for the use

* Mr. Charles Taylor, from Yorkshire; than whom, as we now understand, à more proper person to fill and execute the office in question could not, perhaps, have been found in this kingdom.

of

of parish and other poor, is coming into general practice; and we are persuaded, on the best evidence [for we have tried and tasted] that no human food can be better or cheaper.

Art. 52. The Escape. A Narrative, from the German of Augustus Von Kotzebue. By Benjamin Thompson. 12mo. 2s. 6d. sewed. Vernor and Hood. 1799.

This little volume comprehends a very circumstantial account of the escape of Joseph Pignata, from the prisons of the Roman Inquisition, at the beginning of this century. The subject has been much beaten for some time past, especially in the novels of this country; and we are surprized that no book-maker has thought it worth while to detail the manoeuvres of the famous Jack Shepherd, which (assisted by proper engravings) would almost exhaust the science of prisonbreaking. We acknowlege in the present production, as usual, the wire-drawing powers of Mr. Kotzebue, but we own that we have found many of his dramas more fatiguing. The whole book consists, like a pantomime, in pursuit and escape. We shall give our readers some idea of the obstacles laid in the way of the fugitive, by extracting the following passages:

The refreshed fugitive and his companion wandered on unbeaten paths. For some days all went on well, but their provisions diminished, and their wine was at an end. Thirst had already compelled them to drink from muddy streams, and soon after their distress increased, for Francis discovered that he had lost his way among the mountains. Towards evening, however, they encountered a neatherd, who had a wild and villainous countenance. They requested him to direct them to the nearest stream, that they might quench their burning thirst.

"Why," returned he, "don't you go to Licenza, and drink a glass of wine?"

With these words he pointed to a castle, which, at a short distance, towered above the hills. The exhausted wanderers received the proposition with delight, thanked the neatherd, and took the road he had directed. Pignata accidentally looked round, and observed that the fellow left his cattle, and ran away as quick as he was able. This appeared to him suspicious.

"Hold!" said he. "We are betrayed. I will rather thirst than venture into that castle."

They concealed themselves on one side, in the thickets, where poor Francis, overpowered by hunger and thirst, soon after swooned. Pignata luckily found a few cloves in his pocket, which again strengthened his companion's empty stomach.

On the approach of night they pursued their way. They now and then heard the babbling of a stream, refreshed themselves, and filled their flasks. Suddenly, they saw something glitter at the distance of about fifty steps, and discovered it to be caused by several muskets, carelessly reclined against the trees. Pignata remained, for a few moments, rooted to the spot, and dared not even gently draw his breath. But what was to be done? To return was still more dangerous than boldly to venture forward, for he now discovered he was

on the path where they had seen the neatherd. Despair inspired him with courage, and he walked past the suspicious place upon his

toes.

He now espied a small house on the right hand, and heard some one call a dog. He floated thither like a spirit, which does not even move the air around it. A few steps further lay four Inquisition offi. cers fast asleep in the middle of the road. The fugitive passed su close to them that he heard their breathe, but they did not awake.

Scarcely had he escaped this danger, when he was again aware of four officers stretched asleep on the grass near a small chapel. At a short distance, on a cross road, lay four more. A fifth, who slept as soundly as the rest, he discovered to be the dangerous neatherd, who had been so ready to shew him the road to Licenza. He left this castle to the right, and chose a solitary foot-path to the left, but even on this he had not proceeded far, when he espied fifteen saddled horses fastened at the door of an inn.

Thus surrounded by danger on every side, he proposed to his guide that they should spring over the hedge, run down into the dale, and climb the rock on the other side. They did so immediately. In the dale, indeed, they found a deep current, but they forded it, and arrived in safety at the summit of the rock, where Pignata, fell on his knees, and gratefully raised his hands and eyes towards Heaven.'

As every thing from the pen of Kotzebue finds such a welcome reception on our theatres, it might be no bad scheme for some of our dramatic manufacturers to turn this narrative into an after-piece. The Harlequin-Pignata would be a delightful appendage to Pizarro. By giving the hero a Columbine, the interest would be doubled; and some of the officers of the Inquisition might be mollified by sentimental addresses. The scene in which the blood-hounds are employed to track Pignata would have an uncommonly fine effect on our stage, as the size of the theatres will now admit the introduction of a real pack. In the "desart woods and antres vast," it would be no difficult matter to start a ghost or two; and by a few touches on Pignata's emigration, and some temporary allusions, the projected piece might partake the gale of popularity with the great idol of Drury itself. Art. 53. The Spirit of the Public Journals for 1797 and 1798. Being an impartial Selection of the most exquisite Essays and Jeux d'Esprita, principally Prose, that appear in the Newspapers and other Publications. With explanatory Notes, and Anecdotes of many of the Persons alluded to. To be continued annually. Vols. I. and II. 12mo. pp. 442. and 403. 10s. Boards. R. Phillips.

A repetition of our opinion on the general merit of collections of this kind is unnecessary. To them we not only owe the preservation of many ingenious jeux d'esprit, but our reference to them is facilitated; we are happy therefore to encourage such undertakings, provided that judgment and taste direct their execution. The editor of this compilation has formed, from our newspapers and other periodical works, an amusing miscellany: but he might have taken, we think, a better title than "The Spirit of the Journals," though a translation

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