The but, as the utility of these references, to an attentive student, might be doubted, Mr. C. has now very properly omitted them. press-work, also, has been corrected with so much attention, that we have met with few typographical errors: a most important recommendation of an elementary book.-The former preface, likewise, has been very wisely expunged.-Indeed, the whole Grammar has undergone so complete and favourable a change, that the author might with propriety have intitled it a new work. These remarks will shew that we have bestowed some attention in perusing this volume; and we shall give a farther proof of it by pointing out a few errata and mistakes; which, though of little importance, ought to be avoided in a future edition. P 45 read glänzen. P. 75. in the first example, sie, which occurs twice, ought to be printed with a capital. In the same page, des Catilins is erroneous for Catilina's; as is Lang, p. 81; which, whea an adverb, correct writers always spell with an e final. P. 86. dann after the comparative is totally obsolete, except in verse. In the same page, occurs a complete anglicism, to which even Germans in this country are very liable, when negligently speaking their native tongue, viz. Ich liebe ihn ambesten, instead of I. l. i. am meisten; or ich habe ihn am liebsten.-P. 91. The common phrase einen vor den Kopf stossen is incorrectly translated, to affront one to his face. It simply means, to offend a person. At p. 105, in the third line from the bottom, is an erratum.-P. 109. The verb zurücksch-lagen is inaccurately divided; its second syllable terminates in ck.-In the verb immediately succeeding, the letters after ƒ is superfluous.-P. 156. for Afferei read ferei. Art. 21. Cortez; or, the Conquest of Mexico: as related by a Father to his Children, and designed for the Instruction of Youth. Translated from the German of J. H. Campe. By Elizabeth Helme, Author of Instructive Rambles in London and its Environs, &c. &c. 12mo. Two Vols. in one. 3s. 6d. sewed. Low, Law. 1799. Art. 22. Pizarra; or, the Conquest of Peru; as related by a Father to his Children, &c. Translated from the German of J. H. Campe. By Elizabeth Helme. 12mo. Two Vols. in one. 3s. 6d. sewed. Low, Law, &c. 1799. The plan of this German writer, and Mrs. Helme's design of presenting his labours to the English public, have been already notified to our readers in our 31st vol. p. 88, where we gave an account of the first of this series of publications. It is to be regretted that Dr. Robertson has shewn so much deference to the Spanish accounts, as to hold up Cortez as an object for admiration; and as a man possessing, in an eminent degree, almost every quality which constitutes the hero, even humanity not excepted. Disapprobation is occasionally expressed during the recital of an act of barbarity: but the censure is transient, and the hero re-appears almost immediately with undiminished lustre. M. Campe, who has princi pally consulted Dr. Robertson, likewise treats Cortez with too much favour, and qualifies his censures with palliatives. One of the 7 children children is made to demand, "what the Sovereign of Mexico had done to the King of Spain, that he should make war upon him?" The Father. Nothing. Frederic. Why then did he make war ? Father. To become master of his treasures, cities, people, and country. • Frederic. The Spaniards were then robbers, father? Father. Nothing more, my dear Frederic. Frederic. Oh fye! I have done with Cortez. I thought he had been a generous, good man. · Father. He was so in many respects. In those days such dreadful superstition reigned among men, that all who did not profess the Christian religion were not considered as beings of the same order, but as creatures deserving only of hatred, rejected by God, and destined to eternal torments. Upon this principle, it was held as pious and praise-worthy to persecute, despoil, &c.-Cortez considered himself as an instrument in the hand of God.You see, therefore, my children, that it is possible for the same man to be at once a hero and a robber; pious and inhuman! Oh, that there had been one enlightened, one courageous friend to humanity, to have opened the eyes of the blinded Cortez.by thus addressing him"What art thou about, unhappy man? What has been the crime of these harmless people, &c."- Had one been found to have spoken thus to Cortez, the mist with which superstition had envelaped his otherwise great soul, might have been dissipated, and with the same zcal he employed in extirpating the suffering Indians, might he have become their declared protector against other bands of European robbers.' Surely the author has here misconceived the character of Cortez. Whoever impartially considers the general tenor of his conduct, we apprehend, will scarcely give him credit for possessing a heart made of such penetrable stuff, as that he would have been deterred, by any representations of justice or of humanity, from the prosecution of his enterprize. Neither can much stress be laid on his being influenced by mistaken piety. Cortez seldom appears to have been hurried away by superstition, except when the natural insolence of his disposition had been encouraged by success. Many of his worst actions were wholly unconnected with motives of piety, either real or pretended. The condemnation of the Mexican General Qualpopoca and his officers to be burnt alive, the putting to the torture and the execution of the Emperor Guatimozin, and many other similar atrocities, can be referred to no other motives than to those of avarice and cruelty. If the Mexicans of those days could have transmitted to us the history of their calamities and ruin, the character of Cortez would probably have found no advocate who would have endeavoured to rescue it from ranking with the worst which the world has produced. The inquiries and remarks of the children, with the explanations which they excite, are entertaining and instructive:-but the author's definition of superstition, in the fifth dialogue, appears to us to want correction. The The history of Pizarro being written in a similar manner, we shall only remark on it that here, likewise, M. Campe places too much value on a spirit of enterprize; a spirit which requires the stamp of a good motive in order to be intitled to praise. The narrative in both histories is clear and animated; and the translation is unaffected and easy. Art. 23. The Young Lady's New Guide to Arithmetic; being a short and useful Selection, containing, besides the common and neces sary Rules, the Application of each Rule, by a Variety of practical Questions, chiefly on domestic Affairs, together with the Method of making out Bills of Parcels, Book Debts, Receipts, &c. for the Use of Ladies' Schools and private Teachers. By John Greig, Teacher of Writing, Geography, &c. 12mo. pp. 80. Wallis. 1800. The pretensions set forth in this title page are not ill supported in the body of the work; which may be useful where personal instruction is not to be obtained. Art. 24. Dangerous Sports. A Tale addressed to Children. Warning them against wanton, careless, or mischievous Exposure to Situations, from which alarming Injuries so often proceed. By James Parkinson. 16mo. pp. 183. 2s. Symonds. Were the style of this little volume equal to the matter which it contams, it would merit high commendation; and with its defects of this nature, it deserves to be considered as an useful addition to a child's library. No works require so complete a mastery over language, with so much taste and judgment, as compositions for chil dren. POETIC and DRAMATIC. Art. 25. Speed the Plough: a Comedy, in Five Acts. Rees. 1800. Longman and To be methodical in our account of this pleasing comedy, we must begin by observing that Mr. Fitzgerald has furnished it with a good Prologue. We think, however, that the complaint of unsuccessful bards being forgotten is not quite accurate: there are records not only of bad poets, but of those who were sworn foes to the Muses. Perhaps good writers are less safe from the monsters of envy, and from shallow critics, than the little Nautilus is from "the monsters of the deep."-Mr. F., addressing himself to the class of " critics, who rule o'er politics and plays," terminates his prologue very happily by the following four lines: • Protect our Author on the coming day, And though you damn the prologue-spare the play; Give but your aid, and that will Speed the Plough!' To analyse the plot of this comedy, and enable our readers to judge of whom and what we are speaking, it may be necessary to tell them in in the (we think) useful manner of the Dramatis Persone of our old comedies, what kind of character each individual is to represent. Sir Philip Blandford; an hypochondriac gentleman, labouring under the pressure of some secret calamity or guilt.-Morrington; a mysterious character, of great use in the dénouement.-Sir Abel Handy; a whimsical character, vain of his genius for mechanics, and a purchaser of all kinds of quackeries and new inventions.-Bob Handy, his son; a wild shatter brained young man, full of pretensions to universal knowlege and accomplishments: the intended husband of Miss Blandford, but fond of Susan.-Henry; an orphan youth, utterly ignorant of his family, distinguished by his virtues, and living with Farmer Ashfield.-Farmer Ashfield; an honest, industrious, and jocose tenant of Sir Philip Blandford; Father of Susan. -Evergreen: Sir Philip's old Gardener, in possession of all the secrets of the family.-Gerald, servant of Morrington.-Postilion.-Young Handy's servant.-Peter, servant to Sir Abel. Miss Blandford; daughter of Sir Philip: an amiable, innocent, and generous character. -Lady Handy; a termagant upstart, formerly servant to Farmer Ashfield.-Susan; daughter of the Ashfields, secretly, but innocently, attached to Bob Handy.-Dame Ashfield; the Farmer's wife; with no other infirmities than rheumatism, and a little neighbourly envy at Goody Grundy's better circumstances. Act I. The west-country dialect is well supported in the first scene, and throughout the play, by Farmer Ashfield. In this Act, besides the liveliness of the dialogue, Dame Ashfield's jealousy of Dame Grundy, bringing her name in on all occasions, is truly risible. The Gardener, speaking in his own character, draws all his similies and allusions from his occupation. Sir Abel's passion for new inventions. The patent lock that can't be picked-The horizontal · bolt-Grand substitute for gun-powder - The patent medicine-chest -The infallible axletree-Waterproof shoes-Newly invented pocket glass-Small camp-chair-Converting saw-dust into deal-boardsPreparation for extinguishing flames-Fire-escape-Patent fire-engine, &c. and the conceit of the young 'squire as a cudgel-player, whose head is broken by the old Farmer;-are all laughable. Act II. Dame Ashfield pardons Bob Handy too easily for spoiling her lace. The description of Ton is excellent. The stage motto, veluti in speculum, is here fulfilled.-The rage, or rather the pretension to every thing-The affectation of cleverness, accomplishments, mechanics, agriculture, botany, arts and sciences in general-New discoveries, &c. Scene III. is really touching; and yet, thro' tears, we must laugh at the old man's provincial language. Act III. Sir Philip's hatred of Henry is as much too violent as his daughter's love, we should rather say simplicity; which resembles that of Miranda in The Tempest; who never saw a young man before, nor any man, except her father and Caliban. Act IV. The éclaircissement between Miss Blandford and her father is well written. Bob Handy's description of new inventions is very good but Bob becomes a rational creature rather too suddenly. Perhaps, however, that circumstance renders Sir Philip's confidence in him more natural. Act Act V. It has been observed that Sir Philip's choice of Bob Handy, an eccentric character, for his confidant,-that he should view his brother's offspring with such detestation-that the instrument of his guilt should have been preserved-that Miss Blandford's and Henry's love at first sight, in which she makes the advances, are unnatural incidents-but, with these defects, if defects they be, it should be allowed that there still remains merit sufficient in the piece to intitle it to a place among our best modern comedies. Nothing can be more contrasted, and distinct, than the characters of this play: the two Baronets; Bob and Henry; Morrington and Farmer Ashfield; Gerald and the Gardener; Lady Fiandy and Miss Blandford.-Indeed, honest Ashfield, his wife, and daughter, are consistently similar, and of one family; at which the admirers of contrast can scarcely grumble. Mr. Andrews has furnished an Epilogue truly comic, in the spirit of the play itseif, as well as in that of the individual, Bob Handy; who still retains his mixed character of half foolish, half wise; half profligate, and hali a man of honour. Mr. A. has made good use of the dispute concerning the old and new century, the affectations and nudities of female dress; and he has produced a good pun, if critics may allow such a thing to be possible, on the enormous bustie with which the necks of the men are encumbered: Your taste, cries Dad, I fear your credit shocks, Art. 26. Atys; or, Humen Weakness ; a Poetical Essay. By J... Whether we speak too harshly of this poem, the reader may judge from such lines as these: And as old Rome form'd into deities The blackest tyrants that, since earth BEGAN Who, with their crimes, even shame the vilest age, While from some hated Virtue, with foul hands, He tears her glory's wreath, and darkens her Not wiser than their sires, and sway'd alike The 1 |