"D'S

ISCOURS sur le Progès des Sciences, Lettres, et Arts, &c." "Discourse on the Progress of the Sciences, Letters, and Arts, from 1789 to the present day (1808) or Report submitted by the French Institute to his Majesty, the Emperor and King, 1809." This is a volume of very high interest and importance. We are told that on the 6th of February, his Majesty being in his council, a deputation from the mathematical and physical classes of the national institute was introduced by the minister of the interior, and admitted to the bar of the council, and delivered a copy of the report now offered, and which was specially drawn up by his order. It was preceded by an elegant and complimentary address from M. Bougainville, the oldest member, and therefore the president of the classes; after which it was read to Bonaparte by M. Delambre, secretary of the class of mathematics. We can only further observe, that it contains a fair and impartial account of the scientific and literary improvements which have taken place in Europe during the last nineteen years; in the course of which many of the more cele-brated of our own countrymen are duly and honourably noticed. The latter part of the work is the production of M. Cuvier, and displays bis accustomed talents. As the emperor's answer is short, we can

just find space to copy it: “ MM. the presidents, secretaries, and deputies of the first class of the Institute-I was desirous to hear you on the progress of the human mind in these later times, in order that what you should have to say to me might be heard by all nations, and might shut the mouths of those detractors of the present age, who represent knowledge as retrograde, only because they wish for its extinction. I was also willing to be informed of what remained for me to do to encourage your labours, that I might console myself for not being able otherwise to contribute to their success. The welfare of my people, and the glory of my throne, are equally interested in the prosperity of the sciences. My minister of the interior will make a report on your demands. You may constantly rely on the effects of my protection."

"Code de la Conscription en Recueil Chronologique, &c." "Conscription Code: or Chronological Collection of the Laws and Orders of Government, of the Imperial Decrees relative to the levy of Conscripts, &c. from the year VI. to the year XIV, inclusive." 8vo. Paris. This is the famous engine by which the despot of his own country has been able to become the tyrant of the whole continent. The laws of Draco were never half so severe: the whole is so minutely detailed, that to clude is impossible; substi

tution is scarcely allowed in any case, and resistance is death. By the law of the directory, "all Frenchmen are pronounced soldiers; and when the country is declared in danger, every man is liable to be summoned to its defence." In any other conjuncture," the wants of the army are to be relieved by the conscription:" and the requisite number of conscripts is determined by the senate or legislative body at the suggestion of the executive government. "All Frenchmen between the full age of twenty and twenty-five, inclusive," are liable to the conscription. Absentees, not presenting themselves within a month after the drawing, are declared refractory, proclaimed throughout the empire, and pursued as deserters. Parents continue responsible for their absent children till they can produce an official attestation of their death: and substitutes bear the name of their principals, that the latter may be known, and compelled to march, should his proxy desert or be lost from any other cause than death or wounds received in battle, within the term of two years. Officers of health, &c. furnishing false cer. tificates of infirmity, &c. are subjected to five years imprisonment in irons. Conscripts detected in. counterfeiting infirmities, or mutilating themselves, are punished corporally, and by fine amounting to about a hundred and twenty pounds sterling; which sum, together with the expenses incurred in the dispute, is levied inexorably on the real property of the father or mother, should the fugitive possess none in his own right. The punishments of desertion are, 1st, death: 2d, penance of the ball, (la peine du boulet); and 3d, public or hard labour. These, however, are

only a small portion of the pains and penalties devised in the book before us, by the inexorable tyrant for the unhappy people who have the curse to live under the weight of his iron rod. And yet they submit-and the despot has found this instrument of unparalleled violence, fix him immovably on his throne, instead of hurling him from it, a martyr to his own ambition and love of blood.

"La Voix de la Nature sur l'Origine des Gouvernemens, &c." "The Voice of Nature on the Origin of Governments; in which is developed the Origin of Societies, of Inequalities of Station," &c. 2 vols. 8vo. This work has had a considerable sale on the continent; but one of the articles it contains, entitled the Usurper, has so much displeased the French government, that it has been rigorously prohibited; in consequence of which, a second edition is now about to appear in our own country; and as we shall undoubtedly have it transfused into our own tongue in a short time, we shall only announce it at present.

"Application de la Theorie de la Legislation Penale, ou Code de la Sûreté, &c." Application of the Theory of Penal Legislation : or Code of Public and Private Security, founded on the Rules of Universal Morality, or the Right of Nations, on the foundation of Societies, and on their private Rights, in the present State of Civilization: drawn up for the States of his Majesty, the King of Bavaria: dedicated to his Majesty, and printed by his authority. By Scipio Bexon, King's Commissary, Judge of Peace, Military Accuser, Public Accuser, &c." folio. Paris. This work is intended to exhibit a complete set of penal enactments, and of regu

lations,

lations, or enactments of police: together with such elucidations of the general principles of law, as may show the reasons of the several enactments proposed, and afford the instruction most necessary to esteem justly what has here been performed. The king of Bavaria is well-known to be a perpetual reformer: he was at work upon this subject during peace; and he continues at it still. His plan, however, does not seem to be a bad one, if the process of reforming must go on. For he appears to have employed a variety of political philosophers to draw up separate reports for him, out of which he intends to select that which he esteems the best. The proposed code before us is one of these, and is well entitled to his attention.

"Lettres et Pensées du Maréschal Prince de Ligne, &c." "Letters and Thoughts of Marshal the Prince de Ligne. Published by the Baroness de Staël Holstein: containing original, anecdotes of Joseph II. Catherine II. Frederic the Great, Rousseau, Voltaire, &c. and interesting remarks on the Turks." 2 vols. 12mo. The only historical events which these letters elucidate are the journey of Catherine II. to the Crimea in 1787, and the campaign in which Russia and Austria were jointly engaged against the Turks in 1788: but they abound with anecdotes, traits of character, observations and sentiments worthy of the deepest study, and which cannot fail to impress every reader with respect and

esteem for the author.

"Memoires Militaires, Historiques, et Politiques de Rochambeau, &c." Military, Historical

and Political Memoirs of Rochambeau, Senior Marshal of France, and Grand Officer in the Legion of

Honour." 2 vols. 8vo. Paris. The subject of these memoirs, who appears to have been still living when they were published (towards the close of 1808), has borne an active and honourable part in the wars which have distracted Europe from the year 1741, to the commencement of the French revolution; and the memoirs before us extend from the former period, to the termination of the last campaign of the French in Poland. The narrative contains less of that metaphorical inflation, and tinsel glitter, which so generally disgrace the works of the French press. It appears scrupulously to adhere to truth in its details; we meet with no extravagant adulation offered up to Bonaparte, and as little prejudice and partiality, as we may reasonably expect from an eye-witness and agent in the scenes described.

"Histoire de l'Anarchie de Pologne, et du Démembrement de cette Republique." "History of the Anarchy of Poland, and of the Dismemberment of that Republic: by C. L. Rulhiere." 4 vols. 8vo. M. Rulhiere was secretary to the French ambassador at St. Petersburg, in 1765, where he drew up a minute and accurate account of the singular revolution which had recently placed Catherine upon the throne of her desposed husband. The manuscript was privately circulated: a rumour of its existence reached the ears of the empress, who made use equally of persuasion and threats to obtain its suppression, but in vain. The author, however, to oblige her, consented that it should not appear till after her death: a promise which was literally complied with. In effect, the author himself has been dead for 19 years, and this work did not make its appearance till six years

after

after his decease. The misfortunes of Poland, which constitute the subject of the work before us, form also, of course, a posthumous production: it was drawn up as a book of instruction for the Dauphin, but was never quite finished by the author; various chasms being left which the editors have been obliged to fill up in the best manner they could. It contains, however, much interesting information, and is, upon the whole, of no ordinary value.

"Tableau Historique de la Formation des differens Etats, &c." "Historic Sketch of the Forma. tion of the various States which have been established since the fall of the Roman Empire to the present Day, &c. by J. Berjaud." 8vo. There is much merit in this book comprized in a short space. The sketch is preceded by a cursory view of the principal revolutions which have taken place on the old continent; an inquiry into the causes of the first two changes in the dynasty of France; an analytical account of the States-general, and reflections upon chivalry, tournaments, duels, and crusades.

"Voyage de Dentrecasteaux, envoyé à la Recherche de la Péyrouse, publié, &c." Voyage of Dentrecasteaux, in quest of la Peyrouse, published by order of his Majesty the Emperor and King, &c digested by M. de Rossel." 2 vols. 4to. This digested voyage is drawn up from the papers and other documents by M. Dentrecasteaux, upon his decease, during the course of the voyage. They first fell successively into possession of Captain Huon, and Captain d' Auribeau, engaged in the same expedition, and upon the death of both these, M. Rossel, at first lieutenant de vaisseau, took the command as

senior officer, just as the voyage terminated. This termination was an unfortunate one: they had searched every course in which it appeared likely to them that la Peyrouse might be traced; and having searched in vain, were returning home, when at the Dutch settlement of Surabaya, on the eastern coast of Java, they had the mortification to learn the unfortunate situation of their country, the sanguinary proceedings of the revolutionists, the massacre of the king, and the war with England. In consequence of this intelligence, the crew divided into two parties; the one espousing the royal, and the other the republican side, the voyage was declared to be at an end, and both parties made the best of their way to Europe: both parties, however, were taken by English ships; the papers and all the documents were deposited in the admiralty; and M. Rossel, who was at that time a royalist, accepted an offer made him by Lord Spencer of employment in the hydrographical department of that office,

in which situation he continued till the passing of the decree which allowed the return of emigrants to France, when he quitted England for his native country. This digested account, does not in every respect agree with M. Dentrecasteaux's original, which is still in England: but upon the whole, the variations are not numerous: yet the work is heavily written, and contains less information than we should have supposed.

"Voyages à Peking, Manille, et l'Isle de France, faits dans l'intervalle des Années 1784 à 1801. Par M. de Guignes, &c. "Voyages to Pekin, the Manillas, and Isle of France, made between the Years 1754 and 1801: by M. de Guignes,

Guignes, French resident in China, &c." 3 vols. 8vo. Paris: with a folio atlas. M. de Guignes is the son of the very learned and celebrated author of the Chinese articles, published under his name in the Memoires de l'Academie des Inscriptions;" and though without any pretensions to the profound literature of his father, he appears to be a man of a clear intellect, and an enterprizing spirit. It was in the Dutch embassy, under M. Titsingh, whose deputy was M. Van Braam, that the present writer travelled through China, having obtained leave to accompany the Dutch embassador in the capacity of secretary, and assistant interpreter. The work before us, or rather that part of it which relates to China, and which comprizes nearly the whole, is divided into three parts. 1. Sketch of the Ancient History of China. 2. Journey to Pekin, and return thence. 3. Observations on the Chinese. M de Guignes's work is written in a far more animated and popular style than Van Bream's; but neither of them add much to the accounts we have of late received by Lord Macartney, Sir George Staunton, and Mr. Barlow. The present volumes are miserably deficient in the natural history and productions of the country.

tion, Member of the Institute," &c Vol. I. 4to. with an Atlas. Printed at the Imperial Press, 1808. This is a magnificent work, drawn up with candour, big with information, and sumptuously illustrated with coloured prints. We only announce it, however, at present; as we shall have occasion to return to it, when we have received the remainder; the first volume only having yet reached this country.

"Recit Historique de la Campagne de Buonaparte en Italie," &c. Historical Account of the Campaign of Buonaparte in Italy, in the years 1796 and 1797 by an eyewitness." This is printed anonymously, and without a publisher's name. The author affects to depreciate the military talents of Bonaparte, and attempts to prove that he is more indebted for his success to artifice and accident, than to wisdom and sagacity. He advances too far, however, in affirming that any general placed in the same circumstances, and having the disposal of the same means, would have done as much or more than Napoleon the Great.

"L'Honneur François," &c. "An Account of such Personages as have contributed to the honour of the French name from 1809 to the present period." 2 vols. 8vo. The names are catalogued with a few brief anecdotes of the more eminent, or celebrated.

"Histoire des deux dernier Rois de la Maison de Stuart," &c.

pendence,