taught,

Almoft unconscious of thy finer taste, Have unaffuming pointed them to me." We hope the foregoing extracts will induce our readers to peruse the whole of this pleafing little work.

Letters written during a fhort Refidence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. By Mary Wollstonecraft. 8vo. 4s. boards. Johnson..

WE fhall present our readers with the author's account of the present state of Norway.

"THOUGH the King of Denmark be an abfolute monarch, yet the Norwegians appear to enjoy all the bleffings of freedom. Norway may be termed a fifter kingdom; but the people have no viceroy to lord it over them, and fatten his dependants with the fruit of their labour. There are only two counts in the whole country, who have eftates, and exact fome feudal observances from their tenantry. All the reft of the country is divided into small farms, which belong to the cultivator. It is true, fome few, appertaining to the church, are let; but always on a leafe for life, generally renewed in favour of the eldeft fon, who has this advantage, as well as right to a double portion of the property. But the value of the farm is estimated; and after his portion is affigned to him, he muft be answerable for the refidue to the remaining part of the family.

Every farmer, for ten years, is obliged to attend annually about twelve days, to learn the military exercife; but it is always at a small distance from his dwelling, and does not lead him into any new habits of life.

There are about fix thousand regulars alfo, garrifoned at Chriftiana and Fredericfhall, which are equally referved, with the militia, for the defence of their own country. So that when the Prince Royal paffed into Sweden, in 1788, he was obliged to request, not command, them to accompany him on this expedition.

Thefe corps are mostly compofed of the fons of the cottagers, who being labourers on the farms, are allowed a few acres to cultivate for themselves. These men voluntarily enlist; but it is only for a limited period (fix years), at the expiration of which they have the liberty of retiring. The pay is only two-pence a day, and bread; ftill, confidering the

fixpence in England.

The diftribution of landed property into fmall farms, produces a degree of equality which I have feldom seen else. where; and the rich being all merchants, who are obliged to divide their personal fortune amongst their children, the boys always receiving twice as much as the girls, property has not a chance of accumulating till overgrown wealth destroys the balance of liberty.

You will be furprised to hear me talk of liberty: yet the Norwegians appear to me to be the most free community I have ever observed.

The mayor of each town or district, and the judges in the country, exercise an authority almoft patriarchal. They can do much good, but little harm, as every individual can appeal from their judgment: and as they may always be forced to give a reafon for their conduct, it is generally regulated by prudence, "6 They have not time to learn to be tyrants," faid a gentleman to me, with whom I difcuffed the fubject.

The farmers not fearing to be turned out of their farms, fhould they difplease a man in power, and having no vote to be commanded at an election for a mock representative, are a manly race; for not being obliged to fubmit to any debafing tenure, in order to live, or advance themselves in the world, they act with an independent spirit. I never yet have heard of any thing like domineering, or oppreffion, excepting fuch as has arifen from natural causes. The freedom the people enjoy may, perhaps, render them a little litigious, and fubject them to the impofitions of cunning practitioners of the law; but the authority of office is bounded, and the emoluments of it do not destroy its utility.

Laft year a man, who had abused his power, was cafhiered, on the reprefentation of the people to the bailiff of the diftrict.

There are four in Norway, who might with propriety be termed theriffs; and, from their fentence, an appeal, by either party, may be made to Copenhagen.

Near most of the towns are common on which the cows of all the inhabitants indifcriminately, are allowed to graze. The poor, to whom a cow is neceffary, are almoft fupported by it. Befides, to render living more eafy, they all go out

to

to fish in their own boats; and fish is their principal food.

The lower clafs of people in the towns are in general failors; and the induftrious bave ufually little ventures of their own that ferve to render the winter comfortable.

Every thing feems to announce that the Prince really cherishes the laudable ambition of fulfilling the duties of his ftation. This ambition is cherished and directed by the Count Bernftorf, the prime minifter of Denmark, who is univerfally celebrated for his abilities and virtue. The happiness of the people is a fubftantial eulogium; and, from all I can gather, the inhabitants of Denmark and Norway are the least oppreffed people of Europe. The prefs is free. They tranflate any of the French publications of the day, deliver their opinion on the fubject, and difcufs thofe it leads to with great freedom, and without fearing to difplease the government.

On the fubject of religion they are likewife becoming, at leaft tolerant, and perhaps have advanced a step further in free-thinking. One writer has ventured to deny the divinity of Jefus Chrift, and to quetion the neceflity or utility of the Chriftian fyftem, without being confidered univerfally as a monster, which would have been the cafe a few years ago. They have tranflated many German works on education; and though they have not adopted any of their plans, it is become a fubject of difcuffion. There are some grammar and free schools; but, from what I hear, not very good ones. All the children learn to read, write, and caft accounts, for the purposes of common life. They have no university; and nothing that deserves the name of fcience is taught; nor do individuals, by pursuing any branch of knowledge, excite a degree of curiofity which is the forerunner of improvement. Knowledge is not abfolutely neceffary to enable a confiderable portion of the community to live; and, till it is, I fear, it never becomes general."

An Inquiry into the Corn Laws and Corn Trade of Great Britain, and their Influence on the Profperity of the Kingdom. With Suggeftions for the Improvement of the Corn Laws. By the late Alexander Dirum, Efq; of Muirefk, in the County of Aberdeen. To which is added, a Supplement, by Mr William Mackie of Ormifton, in Eaft

Lothian, bringing down the confideration of the Subject to the prefent Time; investigating the Causes of the prefent Scarcity; and fuggefting Measures for promoting the Cultivation of the Waste Lands; and for rendering the Produce equal to the increafing Confumption of the Kingdom. 4to. 12s Boards. Nicol, &c.

THIS is a work of great national importance, the reader will have an idea of the general scope of it by the following quotation from the Preface by the Editor, Col. Alex. Diram; (fon of the author) whofe account of the Campaign in India, was fo well received by the public.

"THE great object, (he obferves) which the author appears to have had in contemplation, was to exhibit fuch a view of the principles and effects of the corn laws, enac. ted at different periods in Great Britain, as might fhew that the corn trade, both as a manufacture and an article of commerce, is, of all others, the first in importance to the profperity of the kingdom. His statements, founded upon facts, tend to prove, that abundance of grain at home, and at a moderate price, cannot be obtained by importation from abroad, and can only be fecured by giving fuch liberal encouragement to exportation, as may render agriculture, or the raifing of corn, the favourite object of industry in the kingdom. Thus, inftead of purchafing a confiderable part of our-fubfiftence from foreign countries, we may, by falutary regulations in the corn laws, be enabled, not only to fupply ourselves, but to render our coun try one of the principal granaries of Europe."

The original performance is divided into five chapters. The first treats, of the general State of Nations with respect to the alimentary fupport of Mankind; and particulary that of

Great Britain.

lil. Of ditto fubfequent to the Revolution.

IV. Recapitulation of the principal Heads of the Corn Laws of Great Britain, and a Deduction of Principles from their Effects.

Execution, and giving Effect to the Corn Laws. V. Arrangements propofed for carrying inte

Thefe are followed by two fupplementary Letters on the fame fubject by Mr Mackie, and an Appendix containing various tables of great importance, illustrative of the general propofitions affumed in the body of the work.

It is a work of fuch a nature that we do. not think a quotation can convey any just idea of the author's manner; therefore we recommend the Work itself to fuch as with for accurate and clear ideas of the corn trade.

NEW

NEW BUBLICATIONS.

LONDON.

Paufanias; Notes, Sc. Faulder.

The Defcription of Greece, by tranflated from the Greek, with 8vo. 3 Vols. 11. 18. Boards. Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Abate Metaftafio. In which are incorporated Tranflations of his principal Letters. By Charles Burney, Mus. D. F. R. S. 8vo. S Vols. 11. 1s. Boards. Robinfons.

Archeologia or, Mifcellaneous Tras relative to Antiquity: published by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vol. XI. 4to. 11. 2s. 6d. Boards. White, Brown, &c.

Zoonomia; or the Laws of Organic Life. Vol. II. By Frasmus Darwin, M. D. F. R. S. Author of the Botanic Garden. 4to. Il. 11s. 6d. Boards. Johnson.

A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis, explaining the various Crimes and Misdemeanors which at prefent are felt as a Preffure upon the Community; and fuggefting Remedies for their Prevention. By a Magiftrate. 8vo. 6s. Boards. Dilly.

Memoirs of the Literary and Philofophical Society of Manchefter. Vol. IV. Part II. Svo. 6s. Boards. Cadell jun. and Davies.

Remarks upon the Conduct of the Perfons poffelfed of the Powers of Government in France; and on the official Note of M. Barthelemi, dated at Bafle, March 26, 1796. 8vo. IS. 6d. Owen.

Outlines of Agriculture, addreffed to Sir John Sinclair, Bart. Prefident of the Board of Agriculture. By A. Hunter, M. D. F. R. S. L. & E. 8vo. 25. York, Wilfon; London, Cadell jun, and Davies.

An Effay on an Analytical Courfe of Studies, containing a complete Syftem of Human Knowledge. By J. B. Florian, A. M. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Stockdale.

Confiderations on the Subject of Poor Houfes and Work Houfes, their pernicious tendency, and their Obstruction to the propofed Plan for the Amendment of the Poor Laws. a Letter to the Right Hon. Wm Pitt. By Sir William Young, Bart. F. R. S. 8vo. Is. 6d. Stockdale.

In

A View of the Causes and Progress of the French Revolution. By John Moore, M. D.

8vo.

Two Vols. 148. Boards. Robinsons. A Dictionary of Surgery; or the Young Surgeon's Pocker Affiftant. By Benjamin Lara, Member of. the corporation of Sur12mo. 6s. Bound. Ridgeway. Obfervations on the Causes of Distortions of the

geons, &c.

Legs of Children, and the Consequences of the pernicious Means generally ufed with the intention of curing them; with cafes to prove the Efficacy of a method of Cure invented and practifed only by T. Sheldrake, Trufsmaker to the Westminster Hospital and Mary-le-Bone Infirmary. 8vo. 3s. fewed. E

gerton.

A foort Account of the Origin, Symptoms, aud moft approved Method of treating, the putrid bilious Fever, vulgarly called the Black Vomit, which appeared in the city of the Havannah, August 1794; as practised by Mr John Holiday, an Englife Surgeon, refident in that City. 8vo. IS. Johnson.

Plants of the Coast of Coromandel: selected from Drawings and Defcriptions, prefented to the Honourable Court of Directors of the East India Company. By William Roxburgh, M. D. Published by their Order, under the Direction of Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. Folio. Fafciculus I. & II. 11. 18. plain; 31. 10s. coloured, each. Nicol.

Obfervations upon Military and Political Affairs. Written by General George Monk, afterwards crcated Duke of Albemarle, &c. Illuftrated with engraved Plates. 8vo. 65. Boards. R. White.

A Letter defcriptive of the different Settlements in the Province of Upper Canada. 12mo. 18. Egerton.

Geographical Extracts, forming a general View of Earth and Nature. In four Parts: Part. I. Curious Particulars refpecting the Globe-Various Phænomena of NatureWinds-Waters-The Electric Fluid. Part I. Natural Productions of the EarthMines, Minerals and Foffils-Vegetables. Part III. Animal productions-ReptilesFishes-Infects Birds-Quadrupeds. V. Peculiarities of the Human Species. By John Payne, Author of the Epitomy of Hif tory, &c. 8vo. 8s. Boards. Robinĵons.

EDINBURGH.

Part

Extracts from a Poem, on the Profpect from Stirling Caftle, viz. I. The Vifion.-II. Carmor and Orma, a Love Tale.-Ill. The Garden. IV. The King's Knot.-V. Three Hymns, Morning, Noon, and Evening. By IS. W. Creech, J. David Doig, L L. D. Fairbairn, and A. Guthrie.

Plain Proof, that the public creeds and forms of the Church of Scotland, at, and fince the Reformation, and the fucceffion tef timonies in behalf of these creeds and forms, do involve doctrine erroneous and intolerant; with a candid inquiry concerning faid doctrine among Antiburgers (republished): to which are added, vindication of Secedera in endeavouring to abandon faid evil; thoughts on infant Baptifm, Pefbytery and Subfcription. By James Watt, M. D. J. Guthrie.

and fonie

IS.

POETRY.

LINES,

Written by Sir RICHARD HILL, Bart. at Hawkeftone, bis elegant feat in Shorphire, when contemplating the fcenes around him, in bis own park.

WHILE all thy glories, O my God!

Thro' the creation fhine;
While rocks, and hills, and fertile vales,
Proclaim the hand divine;
Oh! may I view, with humble heart,
The wonders of thy pow'r,
Difplay'd alike in wilder fcenes,

As in each blade and flow'r ?

But while I tafte thy bleffings, Lord!
And fip the ftreams below;
Oh! may my foul be led to thee,

From whom all bleffings flow?
And if fuch footsteps of thy love,

'Thro' this loft world we trace;
How far tranfcendent are thy works
Throughout the world of grace
Juft as before yon noontide fun,

The brightest stars are small,
So earthly comforts are but snares,
Till grace has crown'd them all.

AN EFFUSION.

In the Manner of SPENCER*.

O PEACE, that on a lilied bank doft love
To reft thine head beneath an Olive Tree,
I would, that from the pinions of thy Dove
One quill withouten pain ypluck'd might be!
For, O! I wish my Sara's frowns to flee,

And fain to her fome foothing fong would write,

"Too long our Slave the Damfel's smiles hath feen:

To-morrow fhall he ken her alter'd mien !" He fpake, and ambush'd lay, till on my bed The Morning fhot her dewy glances keen, When as I 'gan to lift my drowsy head "Now Bard! I'll work thee woe!" the laughing Elfin faid.

Sleep, foftly-breathing God! his downy Wing.

Was flutt'ring now, as quickly to depart; When twang'd an arrow from Love's Myftic string,

With pathlefs wound it pierc'd him to the heart.

Was there fome Magic in the Elfin's dart? Or did he ftrick my couch with wizard

THE MAGPYE.

Queen Juno, who fears from rough play a

mishap,

Keeps peacocks with rainbowy tails; And when she's difpos'd to grudge Saturn

his nap,

Their fcreeming or fcreeching near fails. Fair Venus most willingly coaxes the doves, That coo, woo, and wed on her wrist; The fparrow, her chambermaid Aglae loves, As often is fondled and kist.

A TALE.

trifle,

Profeffes to keep her old owl, The crannies and chinks of Olympus to rifle; For rats, mice, and vermin, to prowl, Apollo above stairs, a first-rate young blood, Has a ftud of four galloway ponies; To gallop them bounding on heaven's high road,

A principal part of his fun is.

'Tis fabled or known he instructed a swan,
One fpring to outwhiftic a blackbird,
Which fings the Caftalian streamlet upon,
Like any Napolitan lack-beard.
Lyceus in India purchas'd a pair

Of tygers, delightfully pyball'd,
And drives them about at the fpeed of a hare

With felf-fatisfaction unrivall❜d.

At Pluto's black gate, in a kennel at rest,
A maftiff fo grim has his ftation,
That fearful of reaching the fields of the east,
Some ghosts have made choice of damna-
tion.

But 'mong all the animals, little and great,

That are fofter'd and pamper'd above,
The afs old Silenus felects for his mate
Is that which most fondly I love.
So quiet, fo steady, fo guarded, and flow,
He bears no ill-will in his mind;
And nothing indecent, as far as I know,
Efcapes him before or behind.

So fully content with himself and his lord,
He is us'd with good humour to take
Whatever the whims of the moment afford,
Be it drubbing, or raifins and cake.
He knows of himself every step of the way,
Both down to the cellar and back;

A qualification, I venture to say,

No butler of mine is to lack.

So large is his rump, so piano his pace,
"Tis needlefs the rider to gird on;
Tho' fuddled the god, tho' uneven the ways,
He never gets rid of his burden.
An afs fuch as this all my wishes would fill;
O grant me, Silenus, one pray'r,
When thou art a-dying and planning thy will
Good father do make me thy heir!
VOL. LVIII.

But paffionately fond of play,
No founds to him fuch fweets afford

As dice-box rattling o'er the board;
Bewitching hazard is the game
For which he forfeits health and fame.

In basket-prifon hung on high,
With dappled coat and watchful eye,
A fav'rite Magpye fees the play,
And mimics every word they fay;
Lord! how he nicks us, Tom Moore cries,
Lord how he nicks us, Mag replies;
Tom throws, and eyes the glitt'ring store,
And as he throws exclaims Tom Moore!
Tom Moore the mimic bird replies;
The aftonish'd gamefters lift their eyes,
And wond'ring ftare and look around,
As doubtful whence proceeds the found.

This diffipative life of course
Soon brought poor Tom from bad to worse ;
Nor prayers nor promises prevail
To keep him from a dreary jail.

And now between each heart-felt figh
Tom oft exclaims Bad Company!
Poor Mag, who shares his master's fate,
Exclaims from out his wicker grate
"Bad company! Bad company!"
Then views poor Tom with curious eye,
And cheers his mafter's wretched hours
By this difplay of mimic powers.
Th' imprisoned bird, tho' much caress'd,
Is ftill by anxious cares opprefs'd,
In filence mourns its cruel fate,
And oft explores his prifon grate.
Obferve, thro' life you'll always find
A fellow feeling makes us kind.
So Tom refolves immediately
To give poor Mag his liberty;
Then opes his cage, and with a figh
Takes one fond look and lets him fly.

Now Mag, once more with freedom blefs'd,
Looks round to find a place of rest ;
To Temple Gardens wings his way,
There perches on a neighbouring spray.

The Gard'ner now with bufy cares
Yet, fpite of all his toil and pain,
A curious feed for grafs prepares,
The hungry birds devour the grain

A curious net he does prepare, And lightly spreads the wily fnare 5 T

The