tion refpecting the peace his fentiments might agree with our own, we should occafionally meet with arguments which we could not approve. But we own we did not anticipate a work like the prefent; a confiderable part of which is employed not merely in defending the peace, nor even wholly in repeating the author's hacknied and often fefuted objections to the war, but in glaring mifreprefentations of notorious facts, and in naufeous adulation of a man whofe conduct hitherto has belied the character which this author gives of him.

Mr. Belfham, with fome triumph, afferts that not one of the objects of the late war has been gained, and follows up this affertion with a string of queftions, fuch as often have been put by the fpeakers and writers of his party. Without ftaying to difcufs the topics arifing From thefe questions, and without infifting, as we might juftly do, that one of them (namely, whether "focial order" has been restored in France) is totally inconfiftent with his fubfequent panegyric on Bonaparte's government, we will only remark, that the moft material queftion is, (we will not fay ftudioufly) omitted, namely, whether the war, and confequent measures which were taken, have not preferved the conftitution of our own country; or, in other words, what would probably have been the confequence of a continued peace and friendly intercourse with France (had it been poffible to maintain them) during the whole progrefs of her revolution? This queftion would lead us into fo long, and now fo needlefs a difquifition, that we must leave it to the judgment of all the reflecting part of our countrymen. Some, even of the author's arguments in defence of the peace are accompanied, we think, with mifreprefentations, which the cause this writer fupports did not render neceffary. Thefe too we will pafs over, as the main fcope of his reasoning in defence of the peace is, we think, well founded. But in ftating the different overtures made, and nego tiations entered into for peace, the author's virulence against the late miniftry has driven him to infinuations and affertions which all candid perfons must reprobate: fuch, for inftance, as that the note of Mr. Wickham to M. Barthelemy was infidious, and that the negotiation at Lifle" could, in other and abler hands, have scarcely failed of fuccefs." Let him only recollect, on that occafion, the unexampled infolence of one party, and the equally diftinguished patience of the other. The temperate language and judicious conduct of Mr. Addington are indeed juftly praised; but how the fame writer, who ap proves of that Minifter's meafures, and refpects his character, can, almost in the fame fentence, defend and panegyrize the prefent ruler of France, must be left for Mr. Belfham to explain. We will not imitate the practice of thofe public prints which he fo vehemently condemns: though we never heard any cenfure from him while they teemed with the most virulent abuse against our own allies and government: but to the queftions fo confidently put by this author in page 33, and to which he ftill more confidently answers No, we, with far jufter confidence reply, YES. Has Mr. Belfham wholly forgotten the massacre at Paris in 1796, when the last stand was made for liberty by the fec tions of Paris? and knows he not who was the efficient inftrument of that maffacre? Has he forgotten the fubfequent campaign of the French in Italy, and the memorable words, "J'ai fait fufiller la Municipalité ?"

nicipalité?" or does he thut his eyes to the series of maffacres in Egypt, and the more recent oppreffion of Swifferland afk, Where is the proof of that happiness in France fo confidently affumed by this author? If the prefent government of that country be not a military government, where fhall we find one in hiftory? Did either Cæfar or Cromwell "whom heaven forbid," fays Mr. B. that Bonaparte should resemble ! eftablish a defpotifin more arbitrary (to give it no worfe epithet) than that which at this moment beftrides not only France, but a confiderable portion of Europe? But we have faid perhaps too much on a writer whom the refpectable and difcerning part of the world, muft long have known how to appreciate. As friends to the peace, we truft it has many defenders of a very different defcription from this author; and that amity with a nation may continue without indifcriminate admiration, or fervile flattery of its ephemeral master.

ART. 37. A Review of the French Revolution, with Inferences reSpelling Men and Manners in all Ranks of Society; and the Moral Improvement of the Peace. By the Rev. William Cameron, Kirknewion. 8vo. 237 pp. 6s. 6d. Cadell and Davies. 1802.

This well-intended and not ill-written work difcuffes at large the caufes which led to the French Revolution with perfpicuity and good fenfe. After a fuitable Introduction, the author treats, in the first place, of the perils arifing from peace and profperity, and those occafioned by the defire of rafh innovation; he next proceeds to ftate the "confequences of infidelity and feepticifm," of "fuperftition, or the corruption of religion," (in the courfe of which fection are fome fevere but just remarks on the fophiftry of Hume) of "luxury and licentioufnefs;" of "the ambition and manners of France :" he then treats of "Christianity as contrafted with Jacobinifm;" of " the feparation of ranks and parties 3" of inattention to the fpirit of the people;" of the minifters of religion and laws;" of "characters adverse to adminiftration;" of "fuperiors and inferiors;” of “mafsers and fervants." In a concluding chapter, he takes a general review of his fubject, and rightly, as we think, imputes "the mingled ftorm ofcivil and foreign war, which has embroiled and ravaged the earth, the fceptical and unprincipled Illuminati", though we cannot agree with him that their knowledge was "higher" the admits it was not more valuable) than was formerly discovered.

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Upon the whole, however, though the reader will not find much novelty in the work before us; and, though fome parts of the fubject are perhaps difcuffed more at length than may now be deemed neceffary, the writer deferves our praife, not only for the best intentions, but for many just and important obfervations; which can scarcely be too often repeated, or too forcibly impreffed.

ART. 38. The Utility of Country Banks confidered. 8vo. 85 pp. 25. Hatchard. 1802.

We have lately had occafion to notice two or three tracts, in which the fyftem purfued by the country banks is attacked with fome ingenuity, and the dearnefs of proviftons (as well as other evils) is imputed

to

the great increafe of the circulating medium. The oppofite opinion is maintained at length, and with no inconfiderable degree of ability, by the writer before us; by whom the paper-credit in question is confidered not only as the chief fupport of our commerce and manufactures, but as the fource of our improvements in agriculture, and indeed of every branch of our national profperity. It is impoffible, in our opinion, to abridge this author's arguments, which have a mutual dependence on each other, in fuch a manner as to do them juftice. We fhall, however, mention a few more particulars. The opinion that the dearness of provifions has, in a great degree, been occafioned by the etablishment of country banks, and the confequent increase of paper currency, is ftrenuoufly combated by this writer; but, we think, not with perfect fuccefs. He feems to think the only objection is; that country banks furnifh to monopolifts the means of purchafing corn; and infers that, if the fact is as alledged, they promote competition; and it is by competition alone that the market can be fairly regulated and brought to its due level." But he seems not aware of the real objection; which is, that when a country bank advances its notes to a farmer, on the fecurity of his crop, it enables him to hoard that crop, which he muft otherwife have carried to market for the payment of his rent. This objection does not appear to us to have been anfwered by the prefent author; though, if the advantages of country banks be as great as he alledges (among which are included the promotion of agriculture, and employment of a greater number of workmen in manufactures), they may wholly, or in a great degree, counterbalance the evil complained of. At all events, the treatife before us contains fo much information on topics now defervedly the fubject of public inquiry and difcuffion, that it demands the attention of those whose inclination prompts, or whose duty calls, them to fuch Investigations.

ART. 39. Thoughts on the internal Situation of Great Britain, in the Month of May, 1802. By à Magiftrate. Svo. 15. 6d. Spilf bury. 1802.

This is a very fenfible, manly, and well-written pamphlet, giving a Fair statement of the actual condition of the country at the period when it was written. It points out the mifchiefs which may be apprehended from a diffemination of thofe principles fomented by the French Revolution, and recommends to the attention of thofe whom most it concerns, a folemn and careful deliberation on the subjects of taxes, extention of agricultural produce, tythes, and poor laws. We have not often petufed a more temperate, and yet very impreffive pub

lication.

ARTI 40.

Lectures on the Irish Nation, written during a Vifit to that Kingdom, in the Autumn of the Year 1799. By George Cooper, Efq. of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn. Second Edition. 8vo. 7s. White

1802.

This is an entertaining and instructive performance. The author with great moderation difcuffes the delicate queftion of political dif

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BRIT. CRIT: VOL. XXI. FEB. 1803.

curds,

cords, religious diftinctions, and the caufes of the late rebellion. At the conclufion, the writer reviews the caufes and advantages of the Union. He thinks as we do, that civilization and science will find their. way to the hearts of the great mafs of the people, and banish the fuperftition which has fo fatally and fo long prevailed among certain claffes. Natural and local diftinctions, prejudices, and grievances will be removed, and the people on both fides of the Irish Sea will exclaim-Cun&ti gens fumus una.

MISCELLANIES.

ART. 41. The Hiflory and Antiquities of the Parish of Saint David, South Wales, the muf ancient Documents collected from the Bodleian Library; to which is annexed, a correct Lift of the Archbishops, Bishops, c. who have filled that See. Embellished with Plates in Aquatinta, from Drawings made on the Spot by the Author, George William Manby, Efg. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Harding. 1801.

We are always pleased with attempts to illuftrate the topographical history of our country, and particularly fo when in fuch undertakings our ecclefiaftical Antiquities are not overlooked. This is an elegant and interesting performance; the account of St. David's is clear and fatisfactory, and the drawings which accompany and embellish it are very neatly executed, and the author fhows himself exceedingly well qualified for a more extenfive undertaking of a fimilar kind. The Appendix, which is of confiderable extent, gives a full and detailed account of the diocese of Saint David. We ought by no means to omit faying, that this is a remarkable cheap book. It is very properly dedicated to the Bishop of the diocefíe.

ART. 42. Obfervations on Friendly Societies for the Maintenance of the induftrious Claffes, during Sickness, Infirmity, old Age, and other Exigencies. By Sir Frederick Morton Eden, Bart. 8vo. 30 PP. 15.

White. 1801.

We perceive with furprise that we have hitherto overlooked this tract, by an author whose labours are so judiciously directed to objects of public utility as to command our general attention and refpect. Sir Frederick Eden here gives a sketch of the hiftory of Friendly Societies, containing many curious particulars. But he ftates that the act paffed in 1793 for their benefit, was found on enquiry to have been greatly raifunderstood or mifreprefented, and had in many inftances caufed the fuppreffion of those focieties. Still the lift of clubs which have had their rules confirmed by law amounts to 5117.

The principal object of this tract is, however, to recommend the appointment of fome national inftitution, "from which the induftrious claffes might, on juft and equitable principles, fecure a provifion against the various exigencies to which they are exposed, and

which are so imperfectly remedied by their benefit clubs. A public eftablishment, permanent, folid and refpectable," he proceeds to fay, "fanctioned by the authority of government, poffeffed of the best information neceffary for calculating annuities and infurances, and having agents in different parts of the kingdom, would probably render friendly focieties more popular, and their advantages lefs equivocal." After explaining fome particulars, Sir F. fays again" It appears to me that, in every point of view, an Infurance Office, poffeffing an adequate capital, both in money and ability, would best afford the induftrious claffes that accommodation, which they in vain attempt to proeure from their local, infulated, difcordant friendly focieties. By means of its agents, refiding in various parts of the kingdom, it would adminifter the fund arifing from contributions at a very moderate expence. The labourer who wished to ensure a fuperannuation annuity for himself, or a provifion for his widow, would not be obliged to quit his domeftic circle to attend the periodical musters of a club. He would purchase the exact benefit which he ftood in need of, but he would purchase no more. He would not feel it neceffary to be within reach of an ale-boufe." P. 27.

These benevolent confiderations do honour to the heart that prompts, and the head that is employed upon them: and we cannot doubt that the fuggeftions of Sir F. E. will have all due weight with the legiflature, whenever it fhall be in contemplation to make further provifions relating to the fubject of his tract.

ART. 43. Memoirs of the Baftile, tranflated from the French Regifters, Records, and other authentic Documents, found in the Archives of the Caftle, at the Time of its Surrender, on the 14th of July, 1789; and published under the Sanction of the National Affembly of France. Interfperfed with Anecdotes of the most remarkable Prifoners who have been confined in that Fortress; particularly the Man ufually fiyled, the Man in the Iron-Mafk. By Francis Gibfon, Efq. 8vo. 140 pp. 3s. 6d. Whitby printed; fold by Law, &c. London. 1802.

This work is principally a tranflation from a publication called "La Baftile devoilée," which formerly appeared, under the fanction of the National Affembly. It is illuftrated with two plates, one of the elevation, and the other of the ground plan of the Caftle. The fupplemental part of the book, containing anecdotes of various perfons who have been confined in the Baftile, feems to be an original compilation, by Mr. Gibfon, and contains many interefting particulars. The first anecdote of Dr. Burnet, is certainly, as the author obferves, only remotely connected with the fubject. Then follows, 2. the Man in the Iron-Mafk, 3. Voltaire, 4. the Duc de Richelieu, 5. Linguet, 6. Madame Gotteville, 7. Le Comte de Lally, 8. Le Sieur d'Argent, 9. the Marquis de Sades, 10. Madame Wallard, 11. Le Comte de Paradès. The latter is a very long article, and followed by fome strong reflections on modern politics. A tribute to the memory of the unfortunate Queen is fubjoined, and a few more

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