they evidently fhew the propriety of the governor's conduct, and the ill treat ment which he has received.

There is no reading this narrative without indignation. It will make a prudent man extremely cautious how he accepts of employments, which may be fraught with fuch ruinous confequences to his own interest.

We are not to confider this work merely as the melancholy story of a fuffering individual; but as a collection of historical materials, well worthy of the public attention: " as a detail of the caufes," fays the author, "which loft to my country a very valuable poffeffion;" but by which lofs, it feems, no particular perfon was fo great a fufferer, in any proportion, as the unfortunate governor; whofe conduct appears to have merited a better fate, and a more worthy recompence.

Amidit the many calamitous circum ftances attending Mr Morris's unfortunate government, thousands will, no doubt, join us in lamenting, with him, the alienation of his delightful and very valuable estate of Piercefield, celebrated by every traveller of tafte who has taken Chepstow in his tour. Hear how pathetically he deplores this part of his great lofs.

-

"I muft add another mortifying item to this painful catalogue. My valuable, beautiful, and well known eftate of Piercefield, in Monmouthshire, defcending to me from my father, the child of my fancy, and for many years the subject of my creative attention, was also to be forced from me. This eftate, fituated in a county and neighbourhood, which the most diffident modefty will allow me to say, I had, in my private capacity as a country gentleman, affiduously ferved, and confiderably benefited; this place, where I had for many years lived in profperity, refpect, and credit, and where, after a right difcharge of the duties of public life, I had fondly hoped to have paffed in tranquillity the years that might remain, and have breathed my laft; this place was at length forced to fale for 26,100l. for which, at former periods, the different fums of 46,000l. 47,000l. 48,000l. and once of 52,000l. had been offered. An event which would have been effectually prevented, had I received only an inconfiderable part of what was then, and ftill is, due to me from government.”

He concludes, with equal pathos, in the following very affecting terms:

"My Sovereign and my country are welcome to the faithful fervices I have, in fulfilling the duties of my public ftation, performed; yet may the injuftice I have received, and the fatal confequences of it, from the unfeeling, infenfible state of all political, public character, with the official formal delays arifing from temporary neceffities, end with me. I have known profperity, with the honours and comforts of it; I have suffered adverfity, with its fad train of negle&s and mortifications; I have, however, with becoming fortitude, learned the leffon of refignation, and shall, while I live, endeavour to practise the duties of it. May furviving friendship sympathize in my misfortunes! May the truths I now publish rescue my character from undeferved obloquy! May my country refpect that conduct ever dictated by the moft earnest wish to serve it! And may my fufferings, and the cause of them, ferve as beacons to warn others from letting the warmth of their public zeal overheat their judgement, and make them infenfible to the cooler dictates of private prudence! May they thus escape that fatal wreck, not barely of their for tunes, but allo of their hope, health, character, and happiness, I have unhap pily incurred. "Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.”

M.

Sean Dana; Le Oifian, Orran, Ulann, &c. Ancient Poems of Offian, Orran, &c. Collected in the Western Highlands and Ifles. Being the originals of the tranflations fome time ago published in the Gaelic Antiquities. By John Smith, D. D. minifter of the gospel at Campbelton. 8vo. 6s. Boards. Elliot.

THis book probably owes its existence

to the feepticism that hath prevailed in England refpecting the authenticity of the poems afcribed to Offian the fon of Fingal, as tranflated by Mr McPherson. The language in which the poems before us is written, is understood by few in South Britain; nor can we ourselves pretend to judge of the intrinfic merits of the prefent work, being entirely unacquainted with the Gaelic language; so that we muft be contented with doing little more than announcing it to the public.

From the notes, which we have peru❤ fed, Dr Smith, the Editor, preferves a dignity of character becoming the station

he

he holds as a clergyman; for he deigns not to enter into those difputes which have been fo warmly agitated by fome of his countrymen. He fimply exhibits the original poems, leaving them to speak for themfelves. We confefs that this procedure has fo much the appearance of candour, that it has done more to eradicate those doubts in our mind, which the conduct, rather myfterious, of Mr M'Pherson, refpecting the originals of his work, had excited, than all the arguments that have been elsewhere urged to that effect. Dr Smith, we obferve, has given several paffages, in the origi. nal Gaelic, of thofe poems which Mr McPherson has tranflated; and, in one of his notes, he quotes the following paffage from a poem written by John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, who wrote the life of King Robert Bruce, in the year 1375, to prove that the poems of Offian, and the name of Fingal, were well known nearly 400 years before the tranflator of Offian was born. He likewife proves that Giraldus Cambrenfis, who wrote in the 12th century, was wel! acquainted with the poems of Offian; and we quote the paffage as a curious fpecimen of the language of the Lowland Scots at that early period: if it be compared with that of Chaucer, who lived half a century later, it will be found to be much nearer the modern English than that of his writings.

es When that the Lord of Lorn faw,
His men ftand of him * fik (a) awe,
That they durft not follow the chase;
Right angry in his heart he was,
And fair (b) wondered that he should fae (c)
Stoney (d) them alone but (e) mae (f).
He faid, methinks Martheoke's fon,
Right as Gow mɑe-morn was won,
To have from Fingal his menzie (g),
Right fo from us all his has he,
He fet enfample (b) thus him like
The whilk fi he might more manner like

(k)." Glofg. edit. 1737P 35. There are many other ancient Scottish poems that feem to approach much near• We only guess at the meaning of fome of the following words. (a) Such Sore, much (c) So. (d) Aftonth (e) Without (f) More, i. e. that he alone, without any more perfons to affift him (g) Menzie is a word poffibly known in Scotland, but not to us It feems to denote honour and refpect. (b) Example (i) The which. In a politer manner. Mannerly, for potenefs, is ftill, we believe, a common expreffion in many parts of England.

er to the idiom of modern English, than English poems of the fame age. We fhould be glad to fee the cause of this unqueftionable fact explained.

Dr Smith will by fome be accused of a partiality that is natural in favour of his native tongue, in giving the following eulogium of the Gaelic language.

"The Gaelic, being an original language, is, in a great measure, an imitation of nature. All its founds, therefore, must be more an "echo to the fenfe," than those of any borrowed or artificial tongue. It is, however, more peculiarly adapted to descriptions of the foft, tender, plaintive, and elegiac kind; a circumftance to which may be owing, in fome measure, the preservation of those ancient poems which fall under this character. But when we fay that this lan. guage is particularly adapted to the soft and tender, perhaps more fo than any language in the world, ftrangers to its ftructure and genius may fufpect us of prejudice or partiality. They fee its awkward appearance in a garb which is not its own, and fuppofe, very naturally, that the letters which they look at have the fame found and power as in other languages with which they are acquainted. Hence they immediately form conclufions unfavourable to the barmony of the language, as will eafily appear from a fingle obfervation or two, which will ferve at the fame time to confirm what has been a little ago afferted.

The Gaelic alphabet confifts of eighteen (originally fixteen) letters: of these, five are vowels, befides the letter h, which has fomewhat of the power of a vowel, as well as of aspiration. Such a proportion of vowels must be attended with a harmony and foftnefs not to be found in other languages, in which the proportion of the vowels to the confonants is much lefs. It muft likewife be obferved, that of the twelve confonants of this language, eight or nine, in moft of the inflections, are altogether mute; the effect of the afpirate, so often annexed, being either to deprive them of their power, or to render that power

culiar circumftance contributes fo much more vocal, foft, and mellow. This peto the euphonia, or harmony of the language, that if it were written as it is founded, when properly and gracefully pronounced, the number of its vowels would be found probably equal to that of the confonants which retain their

power.

But

power. And to guard against any inConvenience that might arife from fo great a proportion of vowels, this lan guage has made admirable provifion, by a general law, which feldom or never allows two vowels to be pronounced (unless in a diphthong) without interpofing a confonant. There is either an elifion of one of the vowels, or of two or three auxiliary or fervile letters, pro vided for the purpofe; one or other na turally steps in and fills the hiatus. of the admirable and peculiar structure of this language, we can give but a very inadequate idea in the bounds of a note. Few languages bear more evident marks of having been cultivated by grammarians and philofophers, although we know not at what period. In this view alone, an acquaintance with it would amply re ward the labour of the ftudent. Connectted as it is too with the learned and ancient languages, as well as the fource of a confiderable part of the modern tongues of Europe, the philologift would find the knowledge of it a very important acquifition. This would lead him to the origin and meaning of hundreds of words in living languages, of which no tolerable etymon or account can be given. It would likewife lead to the pronunciation and meaning of innumerable vocables in ancient languages; Hebrew, as well as Greek and Latin," &c.

We shall not detain our readers by our objections to the introductory part of this note, nor fhall we dwell upon the doubtful nature of the mode of reafoning there adopted, or the erroneouf nefs of the principle on which it refts. Without affenting to his conclufion as to the peculiar foftnefs and harmony of the Garlic language as it is spoken by thofe who pronounce it well (to many of whom we have often liftened with attention, without being able to perceive that peculiar beauty he here fo ftrongly afferts it fo eminently poffeffes), we rea dily agree with Dr Smith in the latter part of the note, and think that much of that fcholaftic bigotry which has fo long difgraced the republic of letters, by inducing learned men fo ftrongly to defpife all other languages except the Greek and Latin, would be happily done away, were a reasonable share of attention beftowed upon other more ancient, and perhaps, in fome refpects, more perfect languages. The Icelandic, which we lately had an opportunity of hearing

fpoken, feems to poffefs a peculiar foftnefs and delicacy that was very pleafing to the ear. In that language, we were told, are ftill preferved many hiftories of events which took place during thofe ages of barbarism and ignorance, of the transactions of which scarce any memorial is preferved in the languages ufually cultivated in Europe; from which it appears that letters were cultivated, and civilization prevailed, in the northern kingdoms, when darkness and ignorance fo strongly debafed the milder regions. This circumftance gives fome degree of probability to the ftories fo often repeated, and so seldom believed, of the uncommon degree of learning and civilization which prevailed in Ireland, and in the feminary of Iona, for many ages before the revival of letters in Europe. This confideration alfo tends to take off fomewhat of the appearance of hyperbole from the affirmation of our author,, that "few languages bear more evident marks (than the Gaelic) of having been cultivated by grammarians." The labours of Colonel Vallancy have greatly elucidated this fubject, and evidently prove, that much light might be thrown upon other languages, the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, not excepted, by an intimate acquaintance with those northern tongues. We heartily, therefore agree with our author, in recommending them to the study of the philologift.

Should a tafte for the study of northern languages and antiquities become fashionable in Europe, and fhould the Eastern languages be more generally cultivated than they hitherto have been in these parts, there cannot be a doubt but great light would foon be thrown upon the hiftory of many obfcure events, that are scarce recorded, and have never yet been understood: for arts flourished, fcience was cultivated, and polite literature prevailed, in Afia and Africa, to a degree that we could fcarcely admit as credible, for many ages, while our own forefathers were immerfed in the moft deplorable ftate of wretchedness and favage brutality. Humanity and politenets there prevailed univerfally; while rapine and violence here bore unbounded sway: and the fotter paffions were univerfally cherished among those them benign nations, before they began to be difcovered among those people who now pique themselves on excelling

all

all others in these respects. The liberal exertions of the Danish monarch in the north, and the enlivening powers of Sir William Jones in the eaft t, give us room to hope that there branches of literature will be more attended to than they hitherto have been: and the work before us will contribute toward the fame defign.

It has been remarked, by feveral acute writers, that the reformation,in Swifferland and Germany, was greatly forwarded by pfalm-finging being fo generally introdu ced as a part of public worship by the reformers. Dr Smith obferves, that fo much were the ancient inhabitants of Scotland and Ireland addicted to music, and fongs, that St Patrick and St CoJumba, or Columbanus, availed themfelves of this propenfity, when they introduced the Chriftian religion among the natives, by strictly enjoining the practice of pfalmody.

"According to the rule of St Columbanus, the monks were to affemble thrice every night, and as often in the day. In each office of the day, they were to ufe prayers, and fing three pfalms. In each office of the night, from October to February, they were to fing thirtyfix pfalms, and twelve anthems, at three feveral times: through the reft of the year, twenty-one pfalms, and eight anthems.

So popular was this rule, however fevere it may appear now,that 300churches which Columbanus eftablished in Scotland and Ireland, adopted it. And the Saint himself rigorously conformed to it, till he died in the exercife of it, at midnight vigils, in the 77th year of his age."

How has it happened that a tafte for pfalmody fhould have been fo much longer in finding its way into Italy, and the warmer parts of Europe? This might furnish a fubject for a curious differtation. M. The Highlanders; a Poem. By the Rev. L. Booker. 4to. 2s. 6d. Rivingtons.

THE Author of this performance is the

ftrenuous advocate of a distreffed people; and he appears much more defirous of

Who has, at his fole expence, published

already many volumes of Icelandic histories, accompanied with a Latin tranflation.

Who has fet on foot, and fo liberally

contributed to the Afiatic Mifcellany: be

fide other exertions of his great proficiency

in Oriental literature.

being distinguished as such, than he is of any reputation which may accrue to him as a poet. To plead the cause of the Highlanders is indeed to plead the cause of humanity. Their fituation alone must render them wretched, expofed as they are to the feverities of a bleak and intemperate sky: ftrangers to the comforts and conveniencies of life, and who, as the poet expresses it, when fpeaking of another people, are compelled to

"Force the churlish foil for feanty bread." Thefe are furely miferies; and when to thefe is added the oppreffion under which they labour, and which, as we gather from Mr Knox's" View of the British Empire," is occafioned by the ill-judged policy of the proprietors of thofe fterile regions, who not unfrequently raife their farms at the rate of 30 per cent. while the price of cattle (to the growing of which the farmer chiefly turns his attention) hath scarcely advanced one,— when this is confidered, we fay there can be little wonder that these our " fellow Britons," as Mr Booker humanely ftyles them—though, alas! they have nothing to boast of but the name, fhould be ever ready to feek, on lefs inhofpitable fhores, a fhelter from the "pitiJefs ftorm :" that they should gladly fly from the evils by which they are furrounded +

The Poet defcribes the fuperlative wretchedness of Caledonia's children, in the following animated lines

"Where Caledonia's western mountains rear Their lofty fummits, crown'd with lafting fnow,

There livesfay rather, languishes, a race
Whose bofoms (undebas'd by vice's train)
Boaft each affection that ennobles man
Yet are they doom'd to till a cheerlefs foil,
Which fparely feels the fun's enliv'ning ray,
Too oft to fee their labour's meed destroy'd
By dearth-producing ftorms. To these dire
ills,

To rigorous clime, and inaufpicious skies, oppreffion, baleful, with an hell-born foul, Adds wretchedness more dire. Her schedule bate,

(Where Mammon and Injuftice are colleagu’d)
With fupercilious air fhe wide unfurls,
And thence confirms her arbitrary claim.
Unheard plead Poverty, and honest Truth:
Expoftulating Reafon's voice is loft,

And delug'd fields upbraid and preach in vain."

"

to

THE AUTHOR."

After

After inveighing with bitterness against the "inhuman" practice of impreffing, (a practice, by the way, which as it is occafioned by war, fo it appears to us to follow the caufe as regularly as any effect which philosophy itself can produce), he proceeds to

-" paint the wife, of mate bereft, Seeking a cafual dole from door to door: One infant in her arms (on which the eye Paternal never beam'd) clings to her breaft But ill attir'd from cold and lawless gaze: Another, lodg'd unseemly at her back, Mingles its plaintive forrows with the wind: While two copartners of a priftine birth, (Preffling with blood-stain'd feet the pointed

ftones

Their lips all trembling and empurpled deep)
Look up to meet a mother's Breaming eyes,
And vainly strive to foothe her troubled foul.
With day's extreme her toilfome wan-
d'rings close.

When flow retiring with her orphan train
To fome deferted cot, or dreary cave,
She folds them shiv'ring in her widow'd arms,
Then finks, enfeebled, on the earth's cold lap:
Where long the fits a spectacle of woe,
Dealing the morfels charity bestow'd,
Unconscious where to find to-morrow's fare.
Thus hies the bird (whose mate, by base de-

coy,

Is fever'd from her love) at dusky eve,
To feed her callow brood, and waste in grief
The live-long night, nor with return of mora

Mr Booker's good intentions will be seen by the foregoing extracts. He has evidently a kind and benevolent heart;-and it may well be faid of benevolence, what has been fo finely advanced of mercy, that particular and fhining attribute of Kings—“ It is twice bleft: it bleffeth him that gives, and him that takes."

Toward the close of the performance government is earnestly folicited to give affiftance to this unfortunate people. There is, no doubt, an inclination to do so; but the dif ficulty lies perhaps in determining on what kind of relief they ought to have ; — though it fhould be obferved, that the ingenious author hints at the aid which might be extended to them, in the following pathetic exhorta, tion to England's fons, with which he concludes his poem:

"Compaffion is your country's attribute, A kind celeftial principle that beams In all her children's eyes. And fhall thofe

eyes,

Whence flows a tear for every firanger's tale, (If fraught with genuine woe) with heedlefs

Pædobaptifm examined, on the principles, conceffions, and reafonings, of the most learned Pedobaptifts. By Abraham Booth. Edit. 2. Iamo. 2 vols. 8s. Buckland.

A fcriptural view of the refurrection and afcenfion of Jefus Chrift, by way of harmony and paraphrafe. With an appendix on the dignity of the human body with regard to its final refurrection. By the Rev. John Weddred, rector of St John Baptift, Peterborough, &c. 4to IS. Rivingtons.

An effay on the advantages of revelation. By the Rev. Jofeph Whitely, A. B. curate of Beefton, in the parish of Leeds, and late of Magdalen college, Cambridge, 4:0. 2 S. Johnson

Sermons on various fubjects. By John Dupré, M. A. Mafter of Tring academy, and late fellow of Exeter college, Oxford. vol. 2. 8vo. 65. Cadell.

Letter to the Rev. Dr Priestley, in which the author attempts to prove, by one prefcriptive argument, that the divinity of Jefus Chrift was a primitive tenet of Chriftianity. By the Rev. Alex. Geddes, LL. D. 8vo. Faulder, &c.

A practical and explanatory commentary on the Holy Bible, taking the whole in one point of view, from the creation to the end of the world. By J. Yonge. 410. 6 d. Faulder.