Vol. V.] Retrospect of German Literature.-Natural Philofophy. 519 TAINES, MASSON, LAPEYROUSE, SCHRADER, and others, are highly interefting. Before we conclude this article, we must notice a work lately published in Latin, at Nürenberg, and which contains a felection of fome very valuable and partly fcarce botanical effays, relative to Spanish plants; it is entitled "Scriptores de Plantis Hifpanicis, Lufitanicis, Brafilienfibus, adornavit & recudi curavit J.J. ROMER,M.D. cum tab. æn. viii." NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. This is one of the favorite purfaits of the Germans, and it is uniformly allowed that, in phyfics, they are fecond to none: we shall mention a few of their latest publications. "The Outlines of Natural Philofophy," by Dr. D. L. BOURGUET, prof. of chemistry, in the roval Medico-chirurgical College at Berlin, 326 pp. octavo, with two plates (1798), is a very excellent compendium for ftudents. And though the author does not throughout claim the merit of originality, as he has chiefly followed the principles of GREN and KLÜGEL, two naturalifts of the first rank; yet, upon the whole, his book is one of the best and concifeft on that fubject. Another work of a fimilar nature, is," The Elements of experimental Philofophy, sketched in its chemical Department, according to the modern Theory, and defigned for a Guide to academical Lectures, as well as for the Ufe of Schools," by J. G. F. SCHRADER, Dr. and Prof. of Philofophy at Kiel, 18 fheets, with 66 cuts printed on the paper with the letter-prefs. In this ufeful compilation, too, the editor has chofen GREN and LICHTENBERG as his guides; but, with respect to the external form, and the internal arrangement of the work, Dr. S. appears to have adopted ACHARD'S elementary book on the fame fubject, as his model. Although we cannot pronounce this fmall book altogether free from errors and inaccuracies, it fill remains one of the most inftructive, and unqueftionably the cheapest book of the kind. The Pocket-bock for the Use of Chemifts and Apothecaries, for the Year 1798, p.p. 212. with a plate," continues to furnih a felect variety of chemical and pharmaceutical treatifes, as well as the latest difcoveries made in thefe feiences. It may, perhaps, not be known to every English reader, that the prefent already is the 19th continuation of this Pocket-book, which is edited by the celebrated Mr. GÖTTLING, prof. of chemistry at leną. · ASTRONOMY 317 has been cultivated among the Germans with uncommon industry and fuccefs. Since the days of COPERNICUS and. GALILEO, this has been one of the mot fashionable pursuits on the content, and particularly in Germany, where, at a very early period it affumed a fyftematic for n. It is with plafure we find the indefatigable BODE, aftrono ner to the king of Pruffia, continuing his "Collection of aftronomical Effays, Obfervations, and Accounts, being the third fupplementary Volume to his Aftronomical Annals.” This volume is chiefly indebted for its rich materials to the learned major v. ZACH, who has furnished the editor with the greater number of the facts here ftated; for among the twenty-five articles contained in this continuation, twenty of them are communicated by that gentleman. We must further announce the appearance of Mr. BODE'S. "Aftronomical Annals for the Year 1800; together with a Colection of the latest Treatifes, Obfervations, and Accounts, relative to the aftronomical Sciences." As the merits of this author, and efpecially his incomparable accuracy, are fully established and acknowledged by all the literati of the age, it is needlefs to enlarge upon them in this place. We, however, think it our duty to remark, that Mr. B. would be not a little puzzled at the queft ons lately agitated in certain literary circles in this country, refpecting the beginning of the nineteenth century!!! To thofe curious gentlemen, therefore, who are in good earnest. respecting this frivolous problem, we must refer Mr. B.'s Aftronomical Almanack, which, it is to be hoped, will diftinctly explain to them, that the nineteenth century cannot begin before the eighteenth is actually expired, i. e. after the lift hour of the 31st of December, 1800; or with the first hour of the t of January, 1801. Another work of original merit, or at least a new edition of it, is IMANUEL KANT'S "General Hiftory of Nature, and Theory of the Heavens; or, an Effy on the Conftitstion and mechanical Origin of the Fa bric of the World, according to the Principles of Newton." The firft edition of this profound work appeared at Königsberg, in 1755; but as it has of late years become fcarce, the author was prevailed upon to revife the work himfelf, and to prefent the public with a corrected edition. The rank which K. holds among the philofophers of the pre fent Retrospect of German Literature.-Arts, &c, fent day, and his mode of reafoning on fubjects of the first importance, are al. ready known in this country, by two different publications, which have lately appeared on the elements of the critical philofophy*. ARIS AND MANUFACTURES. It cannot be faid with juftice, that the Germans excel either the French or the English, in this profitable department; but if they are deficient in the practical part of technology, their method of writing on fubjects of the arts and manufactures certainly is more fyftematic than in other countries, where human ingenuity tends to perfectionate the practice, rather than the theory, of the arts. The latest and most important work in this branch of knowledge is "The Commercial Encyclopedia, or a complete Manual of Trade and Commerce, reduced to a fyftematic Order," by G. H. BUSE. The first part of this work, which only appeared in May laft, contains a fyftematic arrangement of all articles of merchan dife, accompanied with their chemical tefts or criteria, which are pointed out and described in the plaineft manner by one of the first German chemists, Prof. TROMMSDORF. We wish for a fpeedy continuation of this valuable work, which, on account of its general utility, fyftematic arrangement, and concifenefs, furpaffes every work of the kind hitherto published. Another work, not unlike the English Repertory of the Arts and Manufactures, but on a more extenfive plan, is "J.G. GEISLER'S Defcription and History of the principal Inftruments and Machines of the most recent Invention, and their mechanical Application explained upon fcientific Principles; for The Ufe of Artifts and Amateurs.' Part VIII. we find, befides In curious articles, a defcription of WIEmany other SENMANN's failing windmill, and a well written view of the labours of Mers. BLAKE, COOKE, FRANÇOIS, THOMSON, MAURA, and FITZGERALD, on the fubject of steam and steamengines. The editor concludes this volume with an account of a new invented rec', by Mr. PRASSEN, and an interefting examination of aftronomical rings, by COUNT DE BRÜHL. A werk chiefly defigned for the ufe of fchools, and the amusement of dilettanti, is "The Conjuror's Mechanifm. or a Defcription of mechanical Amufements, with the [Sup. Apparatus belonging thereto, by J. C. GüTLE." It is well calculated to afford amufement, and to ftimalate beginners to the farther profecution of the ftudy of mechanics. The new Mifcellany on Subjects of the Arts, &c. being a Conby J. G. MEUSEL." The eight numtinuation of the new Museum for Artifts, bers, which have appeared of the new feries, are no lets interefting to the inan of letters, than they are instructive to the practical artist. dence relative to the Arts, between C. L. v. HAGEDORN and his friends, pub"The Correfponlifhed by T. BADEN, Prof. in Kiel, &c." contain valuable ftrictures on painting, and belonging to the gallery of the late Mr. H. His letters are replete with found rean impartial examination of many pictures marks on every species of painting; and the arts. The characters here exhibited, of feveral painters of eminence, deferve his ftyle evinces the paffionate lover of to be read and studied by every friend of the arts, particularly thofe of BOTH, BEICH, l'ORIENT, QUERFURT, NICH. BERCHEM, MIERIS, F. MILET, OESER, drefs-Lexicon) of the Manufactories of and CARREE. Germany, and some neighbouring countries; or a Lift of the Manufacturers in thofe Countries, their Productions, and the Fairs which they frequent," is a work of general utility, and the first attempt of the kind in Germany. As the goods and articles of trade are alphabetically arranged, and accompanied with concife explanations relative to the value and quality of merchandife, this Directory' is peculiarly calculated to inftruct rienced merchant. the young beginner, as well as the expe "The Directory (Ad MATHEMATICS. ma As we neglected in Germany; the names of Mathematical learning is by no means been honoured among modern Wolf, Leibnitz, and Bernoulli, have thematicians. As a proof of our affertion, we will quote G. VEGA's "Logarithmical and Trigonometrical Tables, together with other Tables and Exemplifications, adapted to Practical Mathematics," two volumes quarto. cannot enter into particulars, fuffice it to fay, that there is no publication extant, in any language or country, which contains fuch a treasure of mathematical know. ledge as the prefent, particularly in the article of Integration. We are happy We refer to the works of Mr. NITSCH ITER, for a concentrated view of this to obferve, that the pious wifh of l'Huiand Dr. WILLICH. fubject (fee his "Princip. Calc. D etc1 Vol. V.] Retrospect of German Literature.--Medicine. etc. page 42), has been, in great meafure, fulfilled by this careful collection, though it is far from being fo complete as to require no further improvements; but, upon the whole, Mr. V.'s industry and accuracy cannot be difputed by impartial judges. Another demonftration of the peculiar diligence of the Germans, in this department, is "The Archiv (Magazine) for Pure and Practical Mathematics;" edited by G. F. HINDENBERG, at Leipzig. Of this we have feen the fixth number, which is filled with feveral valuable effays, written by the following eminent mathematicians, namely, HENNERT, KLÜGEL, BUZENGLIGER, KÄSTNER, FISCHER, ROTHE, and LÜDICKE. We cannot conclude this article without pointing out a work which promifes to afford great fatisfaction to every lover of literature; viz. "The literary Hiftory of the mathematical Sciences; Vol. I. containing the Literature of Mathematics in general, of Arithmetic, and Geometry:" or, with a Latin title," Bibliotheca Mathematica, auctore F. Gu. A. MURHARD, Vol. I. continens Scripta generalia de Mathefi, de Arithmetica, & Geometria." Befides the fyftematic catalogue of books, chronologically arranged in every branch of mathematics, the editor has carefully abridged the criticifms, that have from time to time appeared in the German as well as in the foreign reviews. JURISPRUDENCE. In this department we find but a few books which can intereft the English reader. Tht Germany has produced great lawyers, fuch as PUFFENDORF, WOLFIUS, PUTTER, and many others cannot be denied; but the public and private law of that country being national in fpirit and form, it would be an unprofitable talk to introduce any other than fuch works as treat upon general principles. Of this nature is "The Library of Criminal Jurifprudence, and the Knowledge of Law in general," by Dr. C. GROLMAN. No fcience has a greater influence on the welfare or deftruction of fociety, than that of criminal law; and yet it is perhaps the most unfettled in theory, as well as the moft wavering in practice. With the benevolent intention of removing thefe obftacles, and of advancing a step farther than his predeceffors have done, the fame author has very lately publifhed" The Principles of Criminal Law, together with a fyftematic View of the Criminal Law of Germany," 1798, pp. 500, octavo. In this 519 excellent treatife Dr. G. not only exhi bits the fpirit of the pofitive law, according to the German conftitution, but he alfo unfolds in a complete and perfpicu ous manner the whole fyftem of law, by reducing it to the clear and tenable principles of the law of punishment in general. In MEDICINE SAM. we find the Germans more bufily em- defigned 520 Retrospect of German Literature.-Divinity. defigned as a repofitory for promoting a DIVINITY. Formerly this was a flourishing branch of ftudy among the Germans; but it is now in a rapid decline, if we except biblical criticifm and exegesis. Controverfial, and particularly, fymbolical writings, are almost exploded by the more captivating (though not lefs abftrufe) inqui. ries, carrying on with great vigour by the • Critical Philofopbers. With the hoary Profeffor KANT at their head, they have nearly expelled the arrogant and odious [Sup. fyftem of dogmatifm, at least, from the proteftant fchools. It is not our province to decry either the one or the other of the prevailing fystems; but it will afford pleasure to every friend of fcience, when he learns, that man no longer fubmits to be ruled by myfterious and arbitrary doctrines, which are neither calculated to make him happier, wifer, or better. Let the terrorist and alarmist keep up the bue and cry against reafon, as long as they may; this powerful goddefs will ultimately prevail. It is not philofophy, as they are pleafed to ftyle it, which produces infidelity, anar chy, and confufion; it is a false system of philofophy, that converts man into a fenfual and felfifh being. To return to the fubject of Theology, we cannot help remarking, that, within thefe few years, the German divines breathe a very different fpirit from that lately manifefted in Great Britain. Religious perfecution is every where detefted, and their pulpits are not profaned by political digref fions." Religion, a Concern of Man," is a late production of the venerable SPALDING, confiftory - counsellor at Berlin, and now 84 years of age. We do not remember to have ever found fo much vivacity, and knowledge of man. kind, combined in an individual of Mr. S's age, and, at the fame time, fuch a variety of important matter concentrated within the compafs of a few theets. His language is perfpicuous and energetic, and his fentiments are expreffed in a moft animated manner. Dr. A. H. NIEMEYER's "Letters, addreffed to the Profeffors of the Chriftian Réligion,” difplay much ingenuity and recondite learning, and ought to be ftudied by all those who wish to become more intimately acquainted with the prefent ftate of the two oppofite fyftems, Critical and Hifforical Theology.' "The Manual, containing the Literature of Bblical Criticifm and Exegefis," by E. F. K. ROSEN MÜLLER, profeffor of the Arabic language, in the university at Leipzig, is a laborious undertaking, inafmuch as the editor not merely points ut every work belonging to biblical literature, but likewife ftates the defign of every author, in what degree he has attained it, and for what particular period and fubje&t his book has been, or is, ufeful. Among the inexhauftible stock of "Sermons," which appear in Germany, as well as in every other country, we hall point cut the latest and most popular. "The Sermons on the prevailing Errors 2 E Vol. V.] Retrospect of German Literature.-Polite Literature, &c. 321 Errors and Exigencies of the prefent Age," in one volume, octavo, by an anonymous author, are not only written in correct and beautiful language, but the fentiments do honor to the author. "Sermons," by G. W. C. STARKE, confift of feven of the beft in the German language, not inferior to those of the celebrated ZOLLIKOFER, whofe name ftands as high among his countrymen, as that of BLAIR in this country. Of V. C. VEILLODTER'S "Sermons on the Epiftles of the Sundays and Holy days of the whole Year" we cannot fpeak with a fimilar degree of praife. "The Mufeum for Preachers," by I. R. G. BEYER, contains useful sketches of fermons, effays on important fubjects of theology, accounts of the ecclefiaftical conftitution in the proteftant and catholic parts of Germany, reviews of new books on divinity, &c. POLITE LITERATURE. Under this head, we meet with a very large catalogue of publications of various merit, from which we have felected the following:-F.MATHISSON'S "Poems" deferve the attention of every lover of rural poetry, as the author poffeffes peculiar powers of defcription, and is not only a happy painter of rural fcenes, but equally fuccefsful in delineating their effects upon the mind. That the Germans are fufceptible of the beauties contained in this little volume, is fufficiently obvious, from the circumftance that four double editions have been printed of it fince 1794, that is, of two different fizes. Mr. M. may be justly compared to the British THOMSON, whofe "Scafons" will be read as long as there fhall be admirers of the fimplicity of nature.— Prof. NASSER, of Kici, has juft published the firft volume of his "Lectures on the Hiftory of German Poetry;" a work replete with judicious criticism, and much interefting matter: the fecond volume of thefe lectures, the ingenious author proposes to publifh in September next.Alix, Countess of Touloufe, a Tragedy, in five Acts; with a Preface the prefent chivalric Romances," is better calculated to exhibit the refined tafte and juft fentiments of the author, than to convince us, that he has on Editions of Books in Germany do not ge nerally exceed thofe of books in England. Of works of moderate fale, a fair edition is about 1000; works of standard fale extend, in each edition, from 3, to 5,000; the established periodical works run from 3, to 6, and 8,000. MONTHLY MAG. No. XXXIII. bestowed due attention upon hiftorical criticifm relative to heroic romances. "Outlines of the Theory of the Art of Acting, with an Analysis of the comic and tragic Parts of Shakspeare's Falstaf and Hamlet," abound with excellent remarks, and both characters are commented upon with uncommon critical fagacity. This pamphlet is confidered as an introduction to an elementary work, on this subject, of greater extent its author is understood to be the Chamberlain VON EINSIEDEL, of Weimar.-In the department of NOVELS AND ROMANCES we are obliged to be concife; for, as our limits will not admit of any more than the bare titles of the books, we have been at fome pains of felecting the most popular which have lately appeared: and, with a view of affording the reader fome opportunity of afcertaining their relative value, we fhall place thofe of fuperior excellence at the head of the lift, though, in respect to the whole of this retrospect, the publications are to be confidered as being above mediocrity; viz. “ Family Stories," by A. LAFONTAINE, vol. i. pp. 509, vol. ii. pp. 495, vol. iii. pp. 494, 8vo. 1798; cach volume embellished with a plate and vignette. "The Calendar "The of Romances," for the year 1798, with EDUCATION is now conducted in Germany upon a more rational plan than it was in the times of LEIBNITZ, WOLF, GOTTSCHED, and even GELLERT. Since "Pedagogical Lectures," by Prof. KANT, were first delivered in the university of Königsberg, as a regular semes trial courfe, many excellent fyftematic treatifes have, from time to time, appeared, by various authors; the venerable founder of the Critical Syftem, however, has not yet published his own original ideas upon this important fubject, One 3 X れ |