NEW BOOKS; with the Prices, Publishers Names, Remarks, and Extracts. [The fignatures annexed, fhow to whom we are indebted for the remarks, &c.; M denoting the Monthly, and C the Critical Review; G. the Gentleman's Magazine, &c.] Ejays: [1] On the nature and immutability of Truth, in oppofition to Sophiftry and Scepticism; [2] On Poetry and Mufic, as they affect the mind; [3] On Laughter, and Ludicrous Compofition; [4] On the utility of Claffical Learning. By James Beattie, LLD. Profeffor of Moral Philofophy and Logic in the Marifchal college and university of Aber deen. I vol. 4to. Il. Is. in boards. Creech, Edinburgh. THere is a very refpectable lift of fub. fcribers prefixed to this book, in number near 500; and of thefe Mrs Montagu fubfcribes for 30 copies; Lord Dartrey 20; Ifaac Hawkins Browne, Efq; 14; the Duchefs of Portland, the Archbishop of York, and Lord Newhaven, 10 each; Lord Carysfort, the Earl and the Countefs Dartmouth, the Bishops of Durham, London, and Winchefter, Lady Newhaven, Earl Spencer, and James Scawen, Efq; 5 each; Mifs Cooper, Macleane, Efq; and Sir Joshua Reynolds, 4 each; the Duke of Grafton, and the Counters Spencer, 3 each; the Lord Chancellor of England, Lady Lyttelton, and feven be. fides, 2 each; and Mr Creech, bookfeller in Edinburgh, 100.- A few copies only were printed for fale. We in fert the Author's ADVERTISEMEN T. THis publication has been attended with fome peculiar circumftances, which may be misunderstood, and which, therefore, I beg leave to explain. About three years ago, fome perfons of distinction in England, who had honoured me with their friendhip, were pleafed to exprefs a defire, that the EsSAY ON TRUTH fhould be printed in a more fplendid form than that in which it had hitherto appeared; and fo as to enfure profit, as well as honour, to the author. And the proprietors of the copy-right, being at the fame time applied to, declared their willingness to permit an edition to be printed for his advantage, on his agreeing to certain terms, which were thought reasonable. It was then propofed, that a new edition of the Efay thould be printed in quarto, by fubfcription. To this the Author had fome objections. He was apprehenfive, that the fize of that work might be inadequate to fuch a purpose. Befides, to publish in this manner a book which had already gone through two or three editions *, feemed hazardous, because unprecedented; and might, to thofe who were uninformed of the af fair, give ground to fufpect the Author of an infirmity, which no perfon who knows him will ever lay to his charge, an exceffive love of money. It was anfwered, That the volume might be extended to a fufficiency of fize, by printing, along with that on Truth, fome other Elays, which, though not originally defigned for the prefs, his Friends, who had feen them, were pleafed to think not unworthy of it; and that the Propofed Subscription, being of a peculiar kind, fhould be conducted in "It fhall never," a peculiar manner. faid the promoters of this undertaking, "be committed to Bookfellers, nor made public by advertisements; nobody fhall be folicited to join in it; we, by ourselves and our friends, fhall carry it on, without giving you any further trouble, than just to fignify your confent, and prepare your materials: - and if there be, as we have reafon to think there are, many perfons of worth and fortune, who with for fuch an opportu nity as this will afford them, to tehity their approbation of you and your writings, it would feem capricious in you to deprive them of that fatisfaction, and yourself of fo great an honour." To a propofal fo uncommonly generous the Author could not refufe this confent, without giving himself airs, which would not have become him. He therefore thankfully acquiefced. And the bufi nefs went on; and has now terminated in a way that does him much honour, and demands his moft grateful acknow ledgements to thofe Noble and Learned Perfons who conducted and encouraged it, ⚫ [There had been five editions of it.] The Gentleman Farmer: being an attempt to improve Agriculture, by fubjecting it to the test of rational principles. ItuStrated with copper-plt.s. [By Lord Kames.]. 6s. Creech. THis book treats of the Practice and of the theory of Agriculture. The First Part is divided into fourteen chap ters: 1. Inftruments of lufbandry; 2. Farm cattle and carriages; 3. Farm-offices; 4. Preparing land for cropping; 5. Culture of plants for food; 6. Culture of grafs; 7. Rotation of crops; 8. Reaping corn and hay crops, and ftoring them for ufe; 9. Feeding farmcittle; 10. Culture of other plants proper for a farm; 11. Manures; 12. Fences; 13. The proper fize of a farm, and the useful accommodations it ought to have; 14. What a coin-farm ought to yield in rent. - The Second Part is divided into three chapters: 1. Prelimimay observations; 2. Food of plants, and fertility of foil; 3. Means of fertizing foils. Many of the chapters are fubdivided. An Appendix is added. We give a few extracts from the preface. "I have not mentioned a fingle ar. ticle as certain, but what I have practifed many years with fuccefs. The infructions contained in this book, are founded on repeated experiments and diligent obfervation. If any particular happens to be mentioned that has not come under my infpection, the reader is warned of it." "There certainly never was in Scotland a period, when good leffons in hufbandry were more icafonable than at prefent. This country, growing in population, affords not corn fufficient for Its inhabitants; and yet wafte land abourds, which fome fkill and much in entry would fertilize. Is it not deplorable, that in the beft-cultivated fhires, Large patches of land should produce nothing but broom and whins, not from barrenness, but from indolence? Can greater encouragement to industry be withed, than a ready market for every thing the foil produces? how different from the condition of Scotland, not more than forty years ago! Can a landholder be employed more profitably for his country, or more honourably as well as profitably for himfelf, than to roufe e mulation among his tenants, by kind treatment, by inftruction, by example, and by premiums? Let him ftudy the rules contained in this little work, all of them plain, and adapted to practice. Let him convene his tenants once a-year to a hearty meal, and engage them to follow thefe rules. What if he should beftow on the deferving, a plough or a brake of the beft conftruction? Land cannot be improved at a cheaper rate It was by fuch means, that the late John Cockburn of Ormistown promoted emulation and induftry among his people. His patriotic zeal was rewarded: he lived to fee his eftate in a higher degree of cultivation, than even to this day is feen in any other part of Scotland. The fame means were employed more extenfively, by the late Earl of Findlater [xxxii. 578.]: the fkill and perfeverance of that nobleman raifed his tenants from a torpid ftate, to a furprifing degree of activity; and few can now vie with them, either for induftry or knowledge. Had other landlords been equally active, how flourishing would agriculture have been in Scotland? Great fums would annually have been received for corn; instead of being imported for ready money, a commodity that can very ill be spared. The field is ftill open: let us join hearts and hands to redeem time wofully mifpent." Agriculture is a very ancient art. It has been practifed every where without intermiflion; but with very little attention to principles. In ftudying the principles laid down by writers, I found myfelf in a fort of labyrinth, carried to and fro without any certain direction. After a long courfe of reading, where there was nothing but darkness and difcrepance, I laid afide my books, took heart, and, like Des Cartes, commenced my inquiries with doubting of every thing. I reforted to the book of nature: I ftudied it with attention: and the fecond part of this work contains the refult of my inquiries. It is far from my thoughts, to impole my opinions upon others: I pretend only to have reduced the theory of agriculture into a fort of fyftem, more concife at leaft, and more confiftent, than has been done by other writers. Many eyes are better than one; and if my theory fhall be found erroneous, the many that have erred before, will ferve in fome measure to keep me in countenance. I am not however afraid of any grofs error. An Imprimatur from one of the ableft chymifts of the prefent age, has given me fome confi. dence of being in the right track *." In the Appendix the Author propofes the establishing, at Edinburgh, a board for the improvement of Agriculture; to consist of nine members, the most no • Dr Black profeffor of chym ry in the college of Edinburgh, tcd ted for skill in husbandry, and for patriotism; -to ferve without fee, but their secretary to have 100l. a-year; to meet once a-month; - and to be chofen, one named by the juftices of peace of each corn-county at their quar ter-feffions, from among whom the crown to chufe the nine; - befide the fecretary's falary, 500l. public money yearly to be at the difpofal of the board. "The things neceffary to be undertaken by this board, [fays the Hon. Author], at the commencement of their operations, will require much labour and fagacity. The firft is, to make out a ftate of the hufbandry practifed in the different counties; in which notice must be taken of the climate, of the foil, of the mode of cropping, and of the inftruments of husbandry, noting the prices of all the particulars that enter into farming. The next is, a paper of instructions for improving husbandry, fuited to the foil and fituation of every district; with fpecial reference to the prefent practice, fhowing where it is defective or erroneous, and propofing the cheapest and most effectual corrections. Thefe preliminaries being fettled, the ordinary bufinefs of the board may be carried on eafily and comfortably. In the first place, There is a neceflity for an infpector, named by the board, to make a progrefs from time to time in fucceffive places, for reporting the progrefs of the improvements directed, and for giving inftruction in cafes that cannot fo clearly be put in writing. In this progress, special notice ought to be taken of the beftconducted farms, whether by landlords or tenants. A few filver medals beftowed on the most deserving, will rouse emulation in all, and promote industry. Second, This board will confider it as a capital branch of bufinefs, to answer queries, and to folicit a correfpondence with men of skill. Third, They ought carefully to inform themselves of every invention that tends to improve the art, and to publish what they think ufeful. Fourth, Premiums ought to be propofed, and diftributed among those who profit the most by the inftructions of the board. Thefe premiums ought to be ploughs, harrows, carts, constructed after the beft models; which befide exciting induftry, would be a means to introduce the best husbandry-inftruments. Fifth, In no other refpect would a board of agriculture be fo ufeful, as in direct. ing proper experiments. Agriculture, though the prime of arts, is far from perfection in any country. This in part is owing to its complex nature; but chiefly, to the length of time that is ne ceffary to ascertain, by a course of experiments, any capital point in theory or practice. The life of man is too thort for fuch an undertaking. The only remedy is, to employ many hands upon different experiments; which cannot be done effectually, but under the direction of a board that never dies. Let lifts be made from time to time, of the points that are capable to be afcertained by experiments: let proper experiments be fuggefted: let these experiments be dif tributed among perfons of skill. And when their fuccefs is reported, the con clufions that may be drawn from them ought to be published. This would b the most effectual method that ever ha been contrived, to ripen knowledge i hufbandry. To enliven this branch o bufinefs, premiums ought to be propo fed, lucrative as well as honorary.-T make the board proceed with fpirit, book or pamphlet ought to be publishe annually, containing the tranfactions c the board during the preceding year The profit of the work is a perquifit to the fecretary; which will encourag him to bestow his utmost skill in the com pilation.” The nature, extent, and importance, of t duty of Allegiance: A jermon preache at Aberdeen, Dec. 12. 1776, being i faft-day appointed by the King on accos of the rebellion in America. By Geor Campbell, D. D. Principal of Marifch college. Is. Printed at Aberdeen"; f at Edinburgh by Dickfon. EXTRACTS. Prov. xxiv. 21.- Meddle not with th that are given to change. Two topics are infifted on: 1. T rights of magiftracy; 2. The groun of the prefent colonial war. On the first the Rev. Preacher fa "The precept in my text, prohibits from favouring innovations in matters government, or concurring in violent a irregular measures, for the purpofe effecting fome change either in the vernors, or in the form of governmer In proof of this, the texts, Rom. xiii 2.5. and 1 Pet. ii, 13. 14. 15. are q ted. "Are we then (fay fome) to conclude, that refiftance to governors is in all cafes unlawful; and that whatever part they act, however oppreflive and tyrannical, the governed have no choice but obedience and fubmiffion? I do by no means affirm this. There are few general rules that admit no exception. -Unless the nature of the thing require it, we cannot conclude fo much from a general propofition. And that the nature of the thing does not in this cafe require it, is manifeft from this confideration, that government obliges us in confcience to obedience and fubmiffion, only because it is the means appointed by Providence for promoting one of the most important ends, the good of fo. ciety. If this inftitution, therefore, in any inftance, fhould fo far degenerate into tyranny, that all the miferies of a civil war confequent on refiftance, would be lefs terrible than the flavery and op. preffion fuffered under the government, then, and only then, could refiftance be faid to be either incumbent as a duty, or even lawful. It cannot reafonably be denied, that the principle of felf-defence is as natural and juftifiable in communities as in individuals." It holds in general, that no man, no body of men, conftituting but a fmaller part of the community, are in. titled to refift the magiftrate by force, in what is properly a private quarrel, even though they fhould think them felves, and be in fact, unjustly treated by him. For there is a very great difference between not being obliged to give an active obedience, and being intitled to make an active resistance. that could be urged is an implied exception, refulting from extraordinary cir cumftances. In every cafe in which the rule holds, to tranfgrefs it is an invafion of the rights of others, not only the rights of the magiftrate, but the right of the fociety, whofe peace and order we diflurb; whereas in the particular cafe above stated, not to avail one's felf of the exception, is only to yield of one's own right; a thing which in moft cafes is entirely in one's own power." On the fecond topic, Dr Campbell fays, that "the right claimed by the British parliament to tax our fellow-fubjects in America," may be called the hinge of the controverfy. On which he obferves, that this right is fupported by immemorial cuftom, from the fir fettlement of the colonies, as has been proved beyond a doubt by late writers, The Rights of G. Britain afferted [xxxviii. 68. 707.], Remarks on the 13th parliament [xxxvii. 324.], 4n Anfwer to the Decla ration of the Congress [xxxviii. 652.], &c.;-and that the charters of the colonifts give no fupport to exemption from fuch taxation; in one of them the right is referved in exprefs terms [xxxvii. 482.1, and in others it is referved mani, feftly by implication, in as much as immunities from being taxed are granted for a limited term of years, in fome longer, in others thorter. Some are inconfiftent enough (fays he) to maintain, that our legislature has power to make laws on other articles which shall bind the colonies, but not to tax them; "What! have we the command of their perfons, their liberties, their lives, but not of their purses? I admit that cafes may be fuppofed fo May we declare what is criminal in atrociously barbarous, that nature would them, what is not, and what crimes reclaim against the feverity of this doc- fhall be punished with imprisonment, trine, and the heart of every feeling what with exile, what with ftripes, and perfon would juftify the oppreffed in gi- what with death, but cannot affect a ving way to the impulse of that most fingle fhilling of their coin? Is then the natural and rooted principle of felf-de- union between a man and his money fence. But fuch cafes are uncommon more intimate than that between the any where, and hardly ever to be found foul and the body? One would be tempt in free or limited governments. Yet ed to believe, that it had been in the even in fuch cafes, the very utmoft we head of fome mifer, whofe treasure is can fay is, that humanity and candour his god, that this abfurd conceit had would admit the greatness of the provo- first been gendered." cation as an apology for the refiftance, which would be confidered as excufable, not regarded as incumbent. In fupport of authority a pofitive precept is pleaded; in fupport of fuch a refiftance as has been now fuppofed, the utmoft VOL. XXXIX. The Doctor is furprised at the inconfiftency of men who admit the legality of the navigation-act, and yet deny the legality of taxing. "The more confiftent patrons of the American cause (fays he) deny, that the legislative E legiflative power of the British fenate can juftly extend to the colonies in any thing; because men cannot be bound by laws to which they have not given their confent. But when these men are pushed for an explanation, their confent dwindles at laft to no more than that by our conftitution the minority are fo far determined by the act of the majority, and those who have no voice in the election as well as the electors, by the majority of the elected prefent at the paffing of any act, as to be obliged to fubmit to it as the law of the land. But in this sense it may with equal truth be affirmed, that in the ariftrocratical ftate of Venice, the people are bound by no laws but thofe to which they have given their confent; becaufe, by their conflitution, the plebeians are determined by the deed of the patricians; and are therefore to be underftood as virtual and implicit confenters. Nay, ye may extend the maxim to the inhabitants of Turky, who, by the conftitution of their country, may with equal propriety be confidered as confenting to the declared will of the Grand Signior. The will of a majority from which I differ, is no more my will, their opinion which I disbelieve is no more my opinion, than if they were the will and opinion of a fingle perfon only and I can never be faid to be felf-governed, if my conduct must be regulated by the will and opi. nion of others, and not by my own. If any where the idea of a democracy wherein every member is his own law giver is realized, it is in the diets and dietines of Poland: for there every member has it in his power to stop the proceedings of the whole. The confequence is, that no-where, under fophi, mogul, or fultan, is there lefs order, lefs liberty, Jefs fecurity, than there. Every man is at the mercy of every man. Is this chaotic jumble the great idol of our modern republicans?" The Doctor having tried the novel maxims of our modern republicans by the light of reafon, brings them alfo to the Chriftian touch-ftone, the Bible. Hear Chrift's faithful fervant Paul: Let every foul be fubject to the higher powers; for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Whofoever therefore refifteth the power, refifteth the ordinance of God. And they that refift, hall receive to themselves damnation, or judgement. No limitation is here annexed: magiftrates are denoted by terms of the moft extensive fignification, that we may know that the intention was to comprehend thofe under every conftitu. tion. The powers actually in being at the time, to which the people were commanded to be fubjected, were the powers of the Roman government; not of the republic, but of the empire, a new fpecies of monarchy, elective, irregular, and very arbitrary. In regard to tribute, nothing can be more express: Render to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. What fhall we fay to this pasfage, if all cuftom and tribute are naturally and effentially free gifts on the part of the people? and if, confequently, no tribute or cuftom could be due to any man to whom they had not previously, either perfonally, or by their reprefentatives, freely given and granted it? [xxxvii. 345.].Nothing can be more decifive on this point, than our Saviour's reply to a question put by the Jews. After afking them to fhow him the tributemoney, and being told that it bore Cefar's image and superscription, he immediately rejoined, Render therefore to Cefar the things which are Cefar's, and to God the things which are God's. Yet it is certain, that to this tax, or any other exacted by the Romans, the consent of no few was ever asked. Is it fo then, that this original, this unalienable, this indefeasible right, to which, in the turgid dialect of America, the laws of nature and of nature's God intitle every man, that no part of his property can be alienated without his own confent, was totally unknown to our Lord and his apoftles? Did not they discover what is clear as demonftration to all our Western brethren, that without fuch conient, by whatever law or ftatute the tax was impofed, it would be no better than tatutable plunder; - a favourite phrase of the Congrefs." [xxxvii. 424.] "Some more moderate advocates for the Americans will plead, That without recurring to any democratical and newfangled principles, thefe few queftions for clearing the point may pertinently be afked: 1. Whether or not have the Britifh Americans a civil and constitutional right to all the privileges of British fubjects? 2. Is it not a diftinguishing privilege of British subjects, that they are not taxable but by their reprefentatives? 3. If this be the cafe, can the Americans be regularly or juftly taxed by a parlia ment |