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carefully to revise his work, to correct errors, to supply omissions, and at least to affix a table of contents, if he should consider it as too much trouble to subjoin an index.

Art. 15.

RELIGIOUS.

3s. 6d.

Researches into the Phraseology, Manners, History, and Religion of the ancient Eastern Nations, as illustrative of the Sacred Scriptures, and into the Accuracy of the English Translation of the Bible. By William Burton. Vol. I. Crown 8vo. Boards, (fine Paper, 6s. 6d.) Burton, Vidler, &e. These researches consist in a great measure of notes on passages of Scripture selected from various authors, for the purpose of correcting and illustrating the sacred text. With the selections, Mr. Burton has interspersed some strictures of his own; and he has prefixed to the whole an introduction containing succinct accounts of the Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, the Targums, or the Chaldee Paraphrases, the Talmud, and the Massora. He seems to have taken pains to make himself acquainted with theological subjects; but, as biblical criticism is a very extensive field, we are of opinion that, if he had been less hasty in publication, and had given himself time to examine as well as select, his work would have appeared with more reputation. We were not a little amazed at his grave repetition of the fabulous story of Aristeas, respecting the manner in which the Greek version of the Bible, called the Septuagint, was accomplished; a story which, from the beginning to the end, is replete with the most palpable fictions. Nor were we less surprized that a man who undertakes the office of a biblical critic should tell us that the celebrated Alexandrian MS. is in the Royal Library at St. James's,' when every scholar knows that it has long been removed thence, and deposited in the British Museum.

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Had Mr. B. actually consulted the Septuagint, or been better acquainted with the Hebrew, he would not have proposed some of the emendations which he has recommended on the authority of former critics. 1 Chron. xx. 3. is explained by Dr. Chandler and some other expositors in such a manner as to exonerate the character of David from the imputation of savage cruelty: but the version of the LXX, which is said in p. 69 of this work to be clear,' is decisive against the supposition that the Amorites were mildly treated. Agios gloot can not mean that David put them to work with saws. The substitution also of south-wind, according to the LXX, for east-wind, the translation of the Hebrew text, in Exod. xiv. 21. recommended at p. 16. on the authority of Mr. King, is not authorised by the geographical remarks. The passage of the Israelites was over a small arm of the Red Sea to the North of Sucz; and to consider the operation of any wind at the strait of Babelmandel, or on the coast of Cape Guardafue, is of little moment. An east-wind seems as likely to answer the purpose as a south-wind.

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We allow that the remark on Gen. xxi. 16. is just but had the Septuagint been consulted, Mr. B. would have found the words to have been "And the lad (ador) lift up his voice and wept." The adoption of the reading of the LXX, Gen. iv. 15. and in Exod. REV. OCT. 1805.

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xvi. 15. is certainly an improvement of the text; for "giving a token to Cain" is preferable to " setting a mark on him; and as to the passage in Exodus, it is obvious that the Israelites could not have been familiar with the name of a substance, of which they never heard before. On 1 Sam. i. 11. Mr. B. has made extracts to prove that I should be rendered The glorious Jehovah, deriving the word not from an host, but from glory: but this is not admissible. The word " occurs too often to afford any doubt of its meaning; and if the LXX sometimes retain the original oabave, they at others translate it by Tavтoxgarwę, and by (905) Suvaμear. In a note on Exod. iii. 5. after having adverted to the custom still. prevalent in the East, of taking off the shoes or sandals on entering a place of religious worship, Mr. Burton very properly notices the different modes of expressing reverence in the East and in the West.. The inhabitants of the former denote it by uncovering the feet; Europeans by uncovering the head. We have also a short essay on Saul's consultation of the witch of Endor, which discovers some penetration, though there is no ground for making the sorceress a worshipper of the Sacred Serpent of Egypt: but Mr. B.'s judgment must have suffered an eclipse when he transcribed Mr. King's reason for Jonah's. living in the whale's belly. Jonah,' we are informed, had probably the foramen ovale of his heart open from his birth to the end of his days; so that he could neither be drowned nor suffocated by being swallowed by a fish; and as he could not be suffocated, he could not be digested in the fish's stomach; and the whale, finding Jonah to be an indigestible morsel, took the first opportunity of throwing him up again, or of returning him to the light. If this, indeed, be modern philosophy, we wonder not that some persons should object to it; for it can only serve to discredit our religion.

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Some observations are made by Mr. B. to remove the difficulties. which occur in the account of the pool of Eethesda, in John v. 2-4, but we cannot regard him as successful; nor can we see the least reason for supposing that the porches, or porticos, which surrounded it, were the remains of an idolatrous temple dedicated by the Canaan. ites to the Sun.

Among the variety of topics included in these researches, Jeph tha's daughter, and Lot's wife, obtain respectable notice: but we must not now attend to these Ladies; nor shall we examine the long Essay on the Deluge, though it is introduced by a quotation from Swedenburgh, before he was inspired. We have adduced sufficient indications of the nature of this compilation; and if Mr. B. should be encouraged to prosecute his undertaking, we shall have a farther opportunity of discussing his merit as a biblical commentator.

GEOGRAPHY.

Art. 16. A New Dictionary of Ancient Geography, exhibiting the modern in Addition to the ancient Names of Places, designed for the Use of Schools, and of those who are reading the Classics or other antient Authors. By Charles Pye. 8vo. 78. Boards. Longman and Co.

We prefer the old mode of having separate divisions, the one including antient, and the other modern geography, to that of uniting both under the same alphabetical arrangement. When the title of

this work is considered, it seems somewhat incongruous that the account of places should be inserted under the modern name, and a mere reference under that of the antient. These accounts appear to be in general correct, but they are, in our judgment, too brief to be satis factory.

Art. 17. A concise Treatise of Modern Geography, on a New Plan; with Historical Remarks, detached from the Scientifical Part of the Work. To which are added a Number of Geographical Questions adapted to the present Work. By B. Donne. 12mo. 3s. sewed.

Printed at Bristol.

1804.

This tract claims a preference to others on the same subject, on the score of greater conciseness, and of a form more inviting. Respecting the accuracy of its multifarious particulars, it is impossible for us to speak.

ARCHITECTURE, &c.

Art, 18. Hints for Picturesque Improvements in ornamented Cottages, and their Scenery including some Observations on the Labourer and his Cottage. Illustrated by Sketches. By Edmund Bartell, Jun. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Boards. Taylor, High Holborn. 1804. Landed proprietors will meet with many observations worth their attention in this work; which principally consists of three essays, or cottages, usually appropriated to the residence of gentlemen: on the connected grounds and appendages; and on the dwellings of the labouring poor. In the first two, Mr. Bartell investigates what objects should be kept in view both for convenience and characteristic appearance, and the best means of attaining those objects. The concluding essay contains some sensible hints for rendering the residence of the peasant more advantageous to the occupier, to the proprietor, and to the community.

Art. 19. Designs for Cottages, Cottage Farms, and other Rural Buildings; including Entrance-gates and Lodges. By Joseph Gandy, Architect, R. A. 4to. 21. 2s. Boards. Harding. 1805. These designs occupy forty-three plates, and are accompanied with descriptions and estimates; together with an introduction, in which the author says, that his general aim has been to diffuse a more extended idea of taste, even in buildings of the lowest class, and in every part of the country, than prevails at present; and should his exertions towards that end meet the public approbation, it is his intention to pursue the subject in a second series of designs.'

"There is no disputing about taste." Perhaps Mr. Gandy has given the sepulchral forms in compliance with the taste of a sombre patron: but they do not accord with our ideas of a cheerful cottage. Flat roofs may assist the effect in a drawing but he who attempts to build from such designs will be woefully disappointed, on finding that the common materials used for roofs in this climate demand a very different elevation. Little attention has been paid to the practicability

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cability of realizing the plans: for instance, in plate 37, we observe two stair-cases which do not conduct to the rooms for which they are intended. In short, these are cottages for carnival time; when, in compliance with the whim of the moment, good sense wears the garb of folly, and nature is contented to figure in masquerade. Art. 20. Architectural Sketches for Cottages, Rural Dwellings,, and Villas, by R. Lugar. 4to. l. 118. 6d. plain; 21. 12s. 6d. coloured. Taylor, High Holborn. 1905.

The author thus prefaces this work: In the following designs I have endeavoured to lay before the public a variety of plans and elevations suitable to persons in genteel life: to which are added a few of fancy subjects, which I flatter myself may be deemed picturesque, and applicable for size and expence to many situations on an extensive estate. The cottages are calculated for those persons whose liberal minds may lead them to accommodate their peasantry and dependants with dwellings, and at the same time to embellish their domains with a variety of picturesque buildings, which shall be both ornamental and useful.'

The ensuing occur among other judicious remarks:

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I shall here beg leave to introduce a few observations on a branch of the subject now under consideration, and which has undergone much discussion by some late authors of celebrity, on the subject of the picturesque, who have strongly urged the great delight they have felt on viewing a cottage or building, the walls of which are thickly covered with ivy, and strongly marked with weather stains. If the thatch be ruined, and partly fallen in, the subject will the nearer approach to beautiful! Shall such be patterns to build from? Certainly not! These are objects, I grant, notwithstanding their offensive ruin and dampness, highly gratifying to the painter's eye; for here is variety of broken forms, great play of light and shadow, with a pleasing depth of tone of colouring, and such are peculiarly suited, from the hand of a master, to form enchanting subjects on canvas. And I trust the philanthropy of these gentlemen intended to urge this argument no farther, than to give instances of pleasing subjects for a painter's use and study. They must be well aware, that for the habitation of man the walls should be upright and clean, the thatch strong and even, the garden with its paling in good order, and the threshold neat: these are the true characteristics of the habitation of civilized man, and of the peasant's cot; and such will most certainly claim our highest praise. I shall conclude these ob. servations by wishing to establish, as maxims proper for cottages, cleanliness and dryness, in opposition to neglect and ruin, as object of more real satisfaction than can be afforded by moss-grown houses and mutilated walls. Nor can I suppose that, in adhering to these attentions to comfort, the picturesque will be at all in danger.'

Many of the designs are evidently the result of much attention to the various requisites for such buildings, and are very creditable to

the author.

Art. 21. A Collection of Designs for Household Furniture, and interior Decoration, in the most approved and elegant Taste: viz. Sideboards.

Book

Bookcases, Beds and Cornices, Chairs, Stools, Fauteuils, Commodes, Window-curtains, Pier-tables, Candelabra, Tables for Libraries, Writing, Work, Dressing, &c. Sofas, Ottomans, Console tables, Chaise-longues, Glasses, Mirrors, Lamps, Jardinieres, Wardrobes, Pedestals, Chiffoniers, &c. &c. With various Designs for Rooms, shewing the Decorations, Adjustment of the Furniture, &c. Elegantly engraved from original Drawings, by George Smith, Upholder extraordinary to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. 4to Part I. with 50 Plates. Price 11. 11s. 6d. plain, l. 12s. 6d. coloured. Taylor, High Holborn. 1805. The plates contained in this publication are introduced by the fol lowing advertisement:

In selecting the articles, and in composing the designs for this work, the Artist is anxious to exhibit principally such as are suitable to elegant and polite life, and for adorning the most extensive mansions: he flatters himself the work will display a variety of the newest fashions, combined with classic taste, for the most useful and most superb articles of modern decorative furniture, studied from the best antique examples in the Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman styles; and he presumes it will be found particularly useful to noblemen and gentlemen who are curious in the decoration of their houses; also to cabinet-makers, upholders, paper hangers, &c. who may have the arranging, furnishing, and fitting up of houses committed

to their care.'

The designs correspond with the prevailing taste, and present a variety of examples for selecting internal decorations and furniture, that will probably be much admired.

This pamphlet forms the first division of a work which, when completed, will consist of three parts.

POLITICAL.

Art. 22. A Sketch of the Political State of Europe at the Beginning of February 1805. By William Hunter, Esq. Author of the " Vindication of the Cause of Great Britain," and other Political Tracts. 8vo. pp. 205. 49. sewed.

Stockdale.

From the epoch of Bonaparte's accession to power, the works which have issued from the French press have teemed with invectives against this country, ringing everlasting changes on its naval tyranny, its commercial monopoly, and its antipacific spirit. Mr. Hunter, it is probable, thought that it did not become Britons to sit down silently under such charges; he has consequently descended into the arena, and has attacked, with weapons similar to their own, the servile publicists of the Gallic ruler. They are here reproached in no measured terms with the enormities which stained the revolution, with the excesses by which they forfeited their right to liberty, and with the abject devotion with which they hug the galling chains of a foreigner.

In the introductory part of this performance, the author traces the progress of the human mind, from the first settlement of the northern barbarians in the south of Europe, to the epoch of the French revolution. He ascribes to the principles of the school of

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Voltaire,

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