as usual, indulged the King by standing We have the rather cited the preceding particulars, as they afford a curious phænomenon for the consideration of Philosophers. After all, there are some points we could wish to have altered, and which might have been done without the impeachment of Mr. Clarke's credit as a Biographer; and these we shall now point out. In page 134, from a Letter to Lady Nelson, Mr. Clarke takes occasion to say, that Lord Nelson had imbibed, whilst at Naples, seeds of suspicion of Lord St. Vincent. That Lord Nelson had in bibed such suspicion, is indeed clear from the letter; but there scems to be no proof that they had been infused into him at Naples, meaning, we suppose, by some person or persons at Naples; but what we think exceptionable is the introduction of such a letter at all. Such a suspicion might be only transitory in the breast of Lord Nelson, mentioned to his wife in a confidential letter; and it is, indeed, at variance with the very affectionate and cordial letters which are afterwards addressed by him to Lord St. Vincent; and, therefore, if these suspicions continued, it would impeach Lord Nelson's sincerity; and, if they did not continue, they should never have seen the light; and the Viscountess was somewhat to blame to have given up such a letter. We are not quite satisfied with the defence of the affair of the capitulation at Castel Nuovo; but this is a very delicate business, and it is not haps, however, about this period Mr. In one instance, Lord Nelson is not made sufficiently conspicuous; and that is in the Battle of the Nile. But Mr. Clarke has not often offended in this respect, and our veneration for Lord Nelson may mislead us. After the Battle of Copenhagen (in which every justice is done to Lord Nelson) we do not recollect that his being made a Viscount, in consequence of it, is mentioned till a long time afterwards. With all these exceptions, we still think Mr. Clarke has done great credit to himself, and made his Reader enamoured with the character of his Hero. Great care has been taken in the correction of the press, and we have noticed but one erratum, and that is in page 256, vol. I. where the date 1797 is inserted instead of 1796. Now and then, perhaps, a careless Construction of a sentence appears, "He informed Capt. Lord Garlies that information," &c. &c. Sed ubi plura nitent disposed to search for trifling ble as, mishes. - we are not Proposing to give some farther extracts hereafter, we only add, for the present, that this national work is founded on documents communicated to Mr. C. by his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, by Earl Nelson and other other branches of this distinguished family, and from an highly-interesting memoir in the late noble Admiral's hand-writing (of which a fac-simile is given), sent by him to John M'Arthur, esq. who also possesses a variety of other interesting MSS. re ceived from confidential friends of the deceased Hero, and from officers of rank who served with him. This junction of two separate collections of documents was arranged under the auspices, and at the express recommendation, of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; and bas enabled the Editors to offer to the publick a most ample detail of the singular occurrences of Lord Nelson's life, and a connected and faithful narrative of the various circumstances which could throw light on his character and services. The gentleman who had undertaken a similar work under the sanction of Earl Nelson, and had made some progress in it, desisted, from motives of respect. The embellishments consist of a variety of elegant engravings, from original paintings by Benjamin West, esq. R. A. the late Mr. Abbot, Richard Westall, R. A. and Nicholas Pocock, esqrs. engraved by Mr. Heath, historical engraver to his Majesty, Mr. Fittler, &c. &c. 3. Prayers collected from the several Writings of Jeremy Taylor, D. D. Bishop of Down and Connor, adapted to the Family, the Closet, the Sacrament, &c. &c. &c. By the Rev. Samuel Clapham, M. A. Vicar of Christ Church, and Rector of Gussage St. Michael, Mr. CLAPHAM frequently appears as an Editor of books: much of his time seems to be employed in producing to the world writings which have the highest tendency to promote the interests of society, and which are not always accessible to the generality of readers. Such laudable endeavours, therefore, whilst they claim the approbation of the wise and the good, must afford abundantly more satisfaction to a mind so usefully employed, than is to be derived either from convivial pleasures or secular engagements. When a Clergyman, after discharging his pastorai duties, devotes the remainder of his leisure to the religious improvement of the world at large; when, in return for GENT. MAG. January, 1811. the support he receives from the Church, which enables him to live with comfort and respectability, he labours with diligence to improve her children in understanding and knowledge, in morals and piety, he is then fulfilling the whole of his duty: such an one can truly say that he was moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon him the sacred office. The Church of. England would stand on a more sure foundation than it now does, were all the Clergy engaged in pursuits equally laudable. The work before us is divided into Five Parts. The First contains a Morn ing and Evening Prayer for a Family, for each day in the week; as also Prayers for the morning and evening of a Communion. The Second is appropriated to the closet, and consists of Meditations and Prayers for seven successive mornings and evenings. The Meditations not only for this, but likewise for the Third Part, are composed of passages of Scripture adapted to the several states of mind in which a reflecting person occasionally feels himself, and will certainly in every state administer comfort and peace. The next portion contains meditations, as we have said, and also prayers, for the week previous to the Communion. Both are truly admirable: the soul in a peculiar manner draws nigh to God, humbled, indeed, in the dust, yet encouraged to say, Why art thou cast down? The devotions appointed for the week after the Sacrament are well calculated to cherish religious principles. The Fifth Part comprizes Prayers suitable for every situation and circumstance in life. Whatever be the necessities, whatever the occurrences, the devout mind will find a proper subject of address to God. Prayers, with Thanksgivings, are adapted to the several seasons of the Church; the Clergy are supplied with forms for their flocks, and for a blessing on their labours; Parents, likewise, for their children, whether living at home, employed abroad, or serving in wars: in short, for every family, in sickness, in health, whether a part of it be living in the fear of God, of without religious impressions; whether an increase is given to it, or it mourns the loss of a relative, the most appropriate and pious devotions are provided. provided. We know of no publication which possesses such legitimate expressions of religious feelings as this now under our review. And, besides, each Prayer is not only adapted to the special occasion, but is so disposed as to be in its proper place. In an advertisement prefixed, Mr. Clapham says: "I have endeavoured so to adapt them to the Family, the Closet, the Sacrament, &c. &c. &c. that every one, whether alarmed with apprehension, drooping with despondency, or rejoicing in hope, may hold communion with God; and, by perseverance in prayer, may at last find rest to his soul.""I was farther encouraged to make this collection, in the hope that it will be esteemed an useful appendage to the Family Sermons I have published, and which, from the patronage they have received, have been found, I trust, productive of good, in deterring from profligacy and vice; in discouraging lukewarmness and indifference in religion; in elucidating many passages of Scripture which perplex the generality of readers; and in demonstrating to the understanding, that the doctrines of the Church are indeed the doctrines of the Gospel." Mr. Clapham next gives the character of his Author in the language of two celebrated scholars, the late Biskop Warburton and Dr. Parr. * "Bishop Taylor ranks in the very first class of English writers. The late Bishop Warburton says, Tillotson is no orator, in the Greek and Roman sense of the word, like Taylor. You cannot sleep with Taylor; you cannot forbear thinking with Barrow. Taylor and Barrow are incomparably the greatest Preachers and Divines of their age. But my predilection is for Taylor. He has all the abundance and solidity of the other, with a ray of lightning of his own, which, if he did not derive it from Demosthenes and Tully, has, at least, as noble and generous an original.' And a greater than Warburton has said t, Often has my mind hung with fondness and with admiration over the clouded, yet clear and luminous galaxies of imagery, diffused through the works of Bishop Tay lor.' In the Prayers which compose this volume, I know not whether I shall have more exquisitely gratified taste, or more efficaciously assisted devotion. As specimens of composition, they exhibit the happy union of eloquence and piety."I have, in various instances, appropriated · to one service more Prayers than many people may have leisure to use, or can command attention to profit by them. Some of them, therefore, may either be entirely omitted, or occasionally changed, or may make two separate acts of devotion.""May these Prayers become, in the family and the closet of every Member of our excellent Establishment, a principle of life, a support in sickness, a refuge in distress, and an admonition in prosperity!" We have only to add that, solicitous as we are for the welfare of the Established Church, and the practice of the Gospel morality, we participate the feelings of the worthy Edilor; and hope that this Volume will not only make a part of the library of every Churchman, but will be daily used both in his family and his closet. Could the Members of the Church once be brought to appretiate justly the value of their religion, and to practise it in its purity, Schism, which now triumphs, would shrink before the Truth. 4. Gratitude to God for National Mercies: a Sermon, preached November 18, 1810, by Robert Young, D. D. Minister of the Scotch Church, London Wall, being the Day set apart, by Authority, for the public Acknowledgment of the Divine Goodness, in the Abundance of the Harvest. Text, Psalm 107, Verse 8,-"Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works unto the children of men!" Williams and Smith; 8vo; pp. 30. IN this Sermon, which we have read with pleasure, there evidently appears a tone of love to God, and regard for our fellow men. Among the blessings we enjoy, the Doctor thinks that, in this Country, we ought to be thankful, not only that we have lived so long under a merciful King and Governor, and that we enjoy the liberty of conscience, denied to many; but also that we ought joy, in consequence of the abundant to be thankful for the plenty we enharvest; which are the principal topicks of the Sermon. In speaking of the liberty of conscience we enjoy, the Doctor, in the Notes at the end of the Sermon, compares the present state of the Country with that of former times, and quotes these beautiful words of Graham on *Warburton's Letters to Hurd. Let the Sabbath: ter L. "O blissful days! + Dr. Parr. See Tracts by Warburton When all men worship God as conscience and a Warburtonian. wills. Far Far other times our fathers' grandsires knew, to soil A virtuous race, to godliness devote. Their constancy in torture and in death, On History's honest page be pictur'd bright With them each day was holy-every hour morn ous ways, [wastes, they sought Despart to different seas: fast by such strangers seem Amid the heathery wild, that all around The infatuate monarch, and his wav'ring Пer plaint-the solitary place was g'ad, more 5. Memoirs of the Life of Peter Daniel Huet, Bishop of Avranches: written by Himself, and translated from the original Latin, with copious Notes, biographical and critical, by John Aikin, M. D. In Two Volumes; 8vo; Longman and Co. and Cadell and Davies. The dedication of these Memoirs is to William Roscoe, esq.; and, Dr. Aikin observes, had it been a matter of consideration with him to whom he could, with the greatest propriety, offer a work including the view of a most interesting literary period, no name would more immediately occur to him than that of the Biographer of Lorenzo de Medici and Leo the Tenth. To this consideration, he adds the recollection that Mr. Roscoe was the beloved associate of his youth, the object of his peculiar respect and friends for whom he feels the "warmesteem, and one of those remaining est affection." The Translator's Preface observes, that it is barely possible the biographical narratives of eminent meu, written by themselves, should fail to possess both useful instruction and "Sentinels were placed on the surrounding hills, to give warning of the approach of the military. + "The father durst not receive his son, nor the wife her husband: the country was prohibited to harbour the fugitives, and the ports were shut against their escape by sea. When expelled from their homes, they resided in caves, among morasses and mountains, or met by stealth or by night for worship. But, whenever the mountain-men, as they were styled, were discovered, the hue and cry was ordered to be raised. They were pursued, aud frequently shot by the military, or sought with more insidious diligence by the spies, informers, and officers of justice; and, on some oc-. casions, it appears, that the sagacity of dogs was employed to track their footsteps," 2nd explore their lurking retreats.-Laing's History, vol, 2," amusement amusement. An author knows of his own history and mind numerous particulars which could not be obtained by even an intimate friend, supposing such only to undertake their memoirs; consequently, they may commence with a very early period of their history, and give interesting facts denied to others engaged in their task only from acquaintance with the subject at a mature age, and who must content (themselves) with vague and defective accounts of all that passed before they were produced on the public stage." Self-biographers are particularly va luable as far as depends on the origin and formation of character. This Dr. A. illustrates by the instance of Dr. Franklin, the general outline of whose actions may be accurately given by a stranger to him; but who, he enquires, "besides himself, could have communicated those incidents of his childhood and youth which are so precious to a student of human nature, and, perhaps, afford more important lessons to the moralist, thau all that he acted upon the open theatre of the world?" The Translator admits that this species of narrative is liable to one objection, from the facility it affords to those who wish to deceive; but he thinks a very slight degree of sagacity will enable the reader to detect an attempt of this kind. The motives on which a person acts who offers his life to posterity may be readily imagined; he wishes to appear to advantage, to inform the world of the merits of his mind and actions, which he supposes to be unknown or undervalued, and, finally, to remove prejudices, either real or imaginary; indeed, it is next to impossible that he should be entirely free from these propensities. "Even they who appear the most frank and undisguised have their reserves and glosses; and it is a shrewd remark of Bayle concerning Cardan, that, freely as he has exposed many of his vices and frailties, a well-informed observer of his character and conduct, who should have written his life, would have made public much to his discredit that he has suppressed." Dr. Aikin thinks, besides, that there is an indiscreet loquacity apparent in the works of those who undertake to produce erroneous impressions in their favour, which will always serve to counteract their efforts. Un guarded disclosures will occasionally occur, affording a clue for the disen tanglement of truth from deception. "The experienced reader will readily discover vanity beneath the mask of modesty, and selfishness beneath that of public spirit." The Translator's observations on self-biography in general are extremely pertinent; and, in our opinion, useful in guarding the publick against the numerous ephemeral memoirs, the offspring of mere vanity and presumption. A man who writes of himself should possess a consciousness that he has a right to demand the attention of the discerning part of the community, by divulging facts not to be found in the common circle of life. "This may consist either in what is external, or what is internal; in the extraordinary events of which a man has been the subject or witness, or in the extraordinary operations of his own mind." M. Huet was celebrated in the age in which he lived for his various works, the result of profound learning and excellent endowments of mind, At the same time, Dr. A. wishes that he may not be understood as advancing, that the subject of bis labours ranked " among men of the first order of intellect ;" but he filled one of those spaces in literary history which is too firmly associated with the durable monuments of lettered industry to be in danger of perishing. The incidents of his life differed but little from those of the generality of scholars and ecclesiastics; yet there were peculiarities in the manner of his training to each of the above characters, that render him a distinct individual in those orders of men. As he long enjoyed the controul of his own actions, he was enabled to choose his company, his studies, and places of residence, From his very youth he had been an enquirer on religious subjects; and, equally connected with Catholics and Protestants, he imbibed a degree of learned Catholicism which did not entirely quit hiu even when become a Prefate" causing a more general acquaintance with his literary contemporaries, than could have been the case had he been confined to a reli, gious order, or destined to an exclusive priesthood. "On these va, rious accounts, added to a life pro tracted |