ART. 47. State of the Country in the Month of November, 1794. By Abraham Jones, London. 8vo. 56 pp. Owen. We have not often perufed a pamphlet written with a greater degree of indecent virulence than this. The court the author calls "the loufy diftemper of government; the very den where it feeds and ftinks; wherein there is a Demon, who calls himfelf the king's friend :" and, we are further informed, it is this Devil, this emiffary of Hell, that deceives his councils. To his invectives, he has given fomething of the form of the fpeeches in the claffical hiftorians: and, though we fhould have reprobated the matter, we ftill fhould have faid fomething of the art, which gives dramatic vivacity to it, if in his manner of introducing the fuppofed fentiments of claffes of men and individuals, we had not found him a fervile copyift of publications in every perfons hands. Thus, when he puts his own fentiments of the ftate of the nation into the mouth of the public, this change of perfons is taken from Hume; who frequently makes ufe of it, to give the arguments of two parties on the greater events of our hiftory, as for inftance, on the petition of right, when it was brought forward in 1628. But this is rather a more venial fpecies of plagarifm, than the fecond perfonification we find in this tract. The malignant, but brilliant and epigrammatic Junius, in his letter to the king, introduces his Philippic by telling him, that a man fincerely attached to his authority, to the nation, and to truth, would thus and thus addrefs him: this is a fiction in rhetoric fo fingular, that it is grofs plagiarism to attempt it a fecond time; which, nevertheless, is here done. We are more particular on this point, as Mr. Jones appears to be an evident imitator of that writer. He has collected almost every charge which can be advanced against every bad government, and applied them to our own: and of thefe, he produces no evidence but his own affertion. He thus difgraces the abilities he poffeffes, which appear to us to be confiderable; and, in a fhort pamphlet of fifty-fix pages, has precluded himself from that refpect he might have obtained with both the parties which divide the state. ART. 48. Dialogues between a Reformer and an Anti-revolutionif. 8vo. 77 pp. 1s. 6d. Stockdale, 1794. Our concurrence with the conclufions of a writer, is generally accompanied by our approbation of the principles, from which he fuppofes they ought to be deduced. Sometimes, however, the cafe is otherwife; and, although we do not faftidiously remark fuch inftances of it as are of lefs confequence, there are cafes in which we are not at liberty to fupprefs our diffent. As in the actions of others, which advance our interefts, fo in the arguments which fupport our opinions, the agreeableness of the confequence to us, ought not to induce us to reprefent the means made ufe of to attain them, otherwise than as they are. We were led into this reflection by the first dialogue in this work the question there treated is, whether the alterations of the conftitution contended for by certain perfons, are deducible from human rights, or the rights of men. For the folution of it, this author lays it down as a principle, that no rights exift until laws are made made to create them, and that by fociety. It feems a confequence of this (not to enter more fully into the argument) that, as no man is bound by any human laws, except thofe of the fociety under which he lives, and, as againft many vices, hurtful to others, no laws exist in this country, no man is under any obligation to refrain from them: and the perfons who may be affected by them, cannot claim fuch forbearance as a right from us. For example, we have no law to punish ingratitude; yet every man understands returns of favours received to be due, where they can be made. Children have a right to fubfiftence, education, and protection, from their parents; but our laws enforce their right to fubfiftence alone. We have befides to obferve, that this writer has obtruded a declaration of his difbelief of revealed religion, peculiarly and highly cenfurable, in a man who contends for its great ufe. In his opinions on taxes and public debt, we might alfo point out fomething deferving cenfure. Thefe weighty faults deducted, we discover in other parts the marks of a clear, manly, and acute understanding. The arguments against an alteration of the conftitution of the Houfe of Commons, appear to us unanswerable: and, we might eafily felect from this tract fome political aphorifms, which recommend themselves, by novelty, weight, and refinement. ART 49. A Dialogue in the Shades, between Mercury, a Nobleman, and a Mechanic. 8vo. 34 PP. Is. Jordan. 1794 Common place abufe, on the real and imputed vices of the nobility; introduced by an advertisement, fetting forth that the author is by no means an enemy to civil diftinctions :-and thus it is that he shows his friendship to them. ART. 50. Thoughts on the Sufpenfion of the Habeas Corpus A&t. 8vo. 28 pp. IS. Debret, 1794. A fuccinct ftatement of reafons, to prove that the late fufpenfion of the habeas corpus originated in propriety; which are indeed ftrengthened by the falutary effects which have been found to proceed from that measure. ART. 51. A View of the relative Situation of Great Britain and the United States of North America. By a Merchant. 8vo. 43 PP. IS. Debrett, 1794. A very fenfible and forcible addrefs to Minifters, calling on them to avert, what the author then thought an impending danger, a rupture with America; conceived with fentiments of refpect, and expreffed in terms of energy. ART. 52. An Addrefs to the Electors of Norwich: being a Vindication of the Principles and Conduct of Mr. Windham's Opponents at the late Election. 12th of July, 1794. With an Appendix, containing a Letter from J. Mingay, Ejq. 8vo. 28 pp. 6d. March, Norwich; Robinfons, London; 1794. We are fomewhat difpofed to place this anonymous compofition to the contrivance of fome ingenious Hibernian. It is a caufe opening ! with a defence, which is, however, fo conducted as to operate like an accufation. Had it not been for this " vindication," the world might have fuppofed that Mr. Mingay's caufe deferved and experienced fomething more than the "weakness and incompetency of fupport he met with." Speaking of elections, this anonymous advocate obferves" At fuch times men think themselves abfolved, as it were, from the allegiance they owe to justice and honour, and that they are allowed to shake off the yoke of all honeft principle and ingenuous fentiment." Do they fo? Why then, upon fuch occations, we fhall be tempted to withhold from fuch men our implicit confidence, while they affert, that "though they have been fuccefslefs, they have not been criminal.' Mr. Windham is complained of by this author, for having charged his opponents with Jacobinifm; but confolation is at hand, for he declares" It is in the accufation itfelf that we difcover a ftore of honeft triumph and congratulation." Since it is in accufations that this gentleman congratulates himself, we can add our felicitations while we accufe him of a deficiency in orthography, when he talks of "unbeseeming petulence," and inaccuracy of language, when he uses the word fuccefslefs. ART. 53. Political Papers, chiefly respecting the Attempt of the County of York, and other confiderable Diftricts, commenced in 1779, and continued during several subsequent Years, to Effect a Reformation of the Parliament of Great Britain: collected by the Rev. Chriftopher Wyvill, Chairman of the late Committee of Affociation of the County of York. Three Volumes. 8vo. 11. 15. Todd, York; Johnson, London. Mr. Wyvill is fo zealous on the fubject of parliamentary reformation, as it is called, that he doubtlefs thinks it of importance that thefe papers fhould be collected and preferved. They will hereafter, perhaps, ferve only as a record how many refpectable, fenfible, and well-meaning men were egregioufly mistaken, both in their theory of our constitution, and in their maxims of political wifdom. A fourth volume is promised. ART. 54. Prefent State of France, Report of the Committees of Public and General Safety, and of Legislation, and the State of France, prefented to the National Convention, Sept. 20, 1794. 8vo. 35 pp. 1s. Bell. 1794 This is feemingly a faithful translation, and we have only to remark upon it, that the ftate of France is now, according to their own reports, very different. ART. 55. Robespierre chez les Orphelins, on Hiftoire fécrete des derniers A ftory, by no means ill told, which reprefents Robespierre ashaving determined, a very short time before his death, to re-establish religion and monarchy; when the Jacobins, difcovering his projects, prevented their accomplishment, and put him and his party to death. ART. ART. 56. First Letter A Letter from Earl Fitzwilliam, recently retired from this Country (Ireland) to the Earl of Carlisle, explaining the Caufes of that Event. 8vo. IS. Dublin printed, reprinted by Robinfons, 1795. ART. 57: Second Letter A Letter from a venerated Nobleman, who lately left this Country (Ireland) to the Earl of Carlife; explaining the Causes of that Event. 8vo. IS. Dublin printed, reprinted by Robinsons. Thefe letters were confidered, at the time, as authentic: if we have fuffered the period of their political life to pafs away before we mentioned them, we hope to be readily excused. As politics they were to be judged by other means; as objects of criticifm they did not particularly attract our attention. ART. 58. A Letter from the Earl of Carlisle to Earl Fitzwilliam, in Reply to his Lordship's Two Letters. 8vo. 13 pp. IS. Stockdale, 1795. When a public letter is written by one public man to another, on the fubject of his political conduct, it is naturally expected that their opinions on that matter fhould be coincident; but the ex-viceroy of lieland, with a precipitance which, perhaps, he derived from his short vifit, addreffed his friend without examining into that point. It appears from the answer of Lord C. that their fentiments were diametrically oppofite. ART. 59. A fair Statement of the Adminiftration of Earl Fitzwilliam in Ireland; containing Strictures on that noble Lord's Letters to Earl Carlife. 8vo. 20 pp. 15. White, Piccadilly. This writer is an opponent, and apparently fuch as he profeffes to be, a fair one, of the arguments and statements of Lord Fitzwilliam. ART. 60. The Conclufion of the Strictures on Earl Fitzwilliam's Letters to the Earl of Carlisle. 8vo. 6d. White. This is apparently a fequel to the preceding pamphlet. ART. 61. A plain Statement of Facts relative to the Administration of Earl Fitzwilliam in Ireland. The Second Edition with Additions. 8vo. 22 pp. Is. White, 1795. The plain ftatement is oppofite to the fair statement; it does not follow that it is an unfair statement, nor fhall we enter into the queftion. It contains a short enumeration of transactions, and fome cu rious ftate papers. ART. 62. Letter to the Right Honourable the Earl Fitzwilliam, occafioned by his Two Letters to the Earl of Carlisle. By William Playfair, Author of the commercial and political Atlas. &c. 8vo. 24 PP. 15. Stockdale, 1795. We cannot perceive that this author, who has written with ingenu ity and fpirit on feveral occafions, acted very wifely in taking a part in this difpute, which he handles rather coarfely, and without any fuch peculiar knowledge of the subject as could demand his interference. ART. 63. A Letter to his Excellency Earl Fitzwilliam, Lord Lieutenant, &c. of Ireland. 8vo. 63 pp. 1s. 6d. White, 1795. This is properly a publication prior in point of time to thofe here enumerated. It is a republished letter from William Drennan, who, as he fays, was accufed, tried, and acquitted for having attempted to raise a fpirit of union among the Irifh. The author profeffes himself, without fcruple, " An united Irishman, a proteftant diffenter, and an advocate for univerfal fuffrage." The letter was written before there was any thought of the recall of his lordship, with a defign to give him good advice. ART. 64. An Abstract of the Habeas Corpus A&, with Remarks; as alfo an Abftract of the Sufpenfion-Act: fhewing how much of that great Bulwark of English Liberty has been fufpended. Together with the Subftance of the Arguments ufed in both Houses of Parliament for and against the Sufpenfion-Act. 8vo. 46 pp. is. Allen and Weft. 1795 If the account of the arguments in this great question is here given with tolerable fairness, the conclufions fubjoined are, in no small degree, violent against the Sufpenfion-Act. We have not indeed feen many things more violent than the last pages. MISCELLANIES. ART. 65. An Antiquarian Romance, endeavouring to Mark a Line by which the most ancient People, and the Proceffions of the earliest Inhabitancy of Europe may be investigated. Some Remarks on Mr. Whitaker's Criticifms annexed. By Governor Pownall. 8vo. 45. J. Nichols, 1795 Under this fingular title Governor Pownall delivers his own hypothefis on the peopling of Europe" the title of Romance," he fays, "need not stagger the reader's faith; for all hiftory might equally have the fame title given to it in those parts, where it affumes to go back to, and to state the origin and first ages of nations." P. vi. Afterwards, "In this treatife the facts are collected, are brought into approxima tion; and, by a kind of experiment, endeavoured to be fitted in a certain order and combination with each other. The Romance is only the bead-roll on which they are strong." P. xi. This, therefore, is not one of those romances which amufe the imagination, and excite the movements of different paffions; it is an hypothefis, in which the reader is foon involved in the depths of etymological and conjectural deductions. The governor feems, with Mr. Pinkerton and Stillingfleet, to be fond of Scandinavian originals, which we fancy P BRLT, CRIT. VOL. VI. AUGUST, 1795. will, |