guardian fylphs of Belinda; but, surely, there is something ludicrous in the introduction of this poem :— "Ye guardian fpirits of theRURAL 'SQUIRE !" We have been thus free in our obfervations, because we cannot overlook in Mr. Polwhele what might fafely be fuffered to escape animadverfion in bards of inferior note; but from great powers we are authorized to expect great effects. The English Gentleman has certainly much merit, but attention to the maxims of Horace would, we are perfuaded, have fupplied the means of improvement : Luxuriantia compefcet," &c. ART. XV. Sketches in Verfe, with Profe Illustrations. By Mr. Polwhele. 8vo. Pp. 156. Price 6s. Cadell and Davies, London. 1797. THESE poems are certainly (what Mr.Polw hele modeftly calls them fketches; they exhibit, however, many strokes of a master-hand. Of the firft ode addreffed to the Prince of Wales, the beginning is highly poetical "While anarchy uprears her form, Gigantic, in the martial ftorm, And ftrides across the groaning plain, Where war hath heap'd his hills of flain." In the Highland Ode, alfo, which follows the imagery, derived from the character and fuperftitions of the country, is appropriate and ftriking. The volume, however, contains many things, which, (as Mr. Polwhele profeffes to have written them extemporaneously,) are greatly inferior to thefe. Of this defcription are "The Cambridge Profeffor, much given to punning,"—"The PilchardSeine, "and the lines written at W-Lodge in Devon: that they were written ftans pede in uno, will, probably, not be admitted as a fufficient motive for their publication. The Ode to Lord Dunftanville is, of a much fuperior caft, and abounds with bold and beautiful perfonifications. The following ftanza, alluding to Lord Dunftanville's conduct during the infurrection of the Cornish miners, will enable our readers to judge of the fpirit of the whole ode. "Yes, when infulting round Cornubia's coast, 'Twas his, to fhield his country from the blow. And where late the diftant train, Caught traiterous murmurs wafted from the main, Where they fcowl'd, a demon band! He rais'd th' avenging arm, and quench'd the fulph'rous brand." ART. POLITICS. ART. XVI. Neutrality of Pruffia. Tranflated from the German 8vo. Pp. 51. Price Is. Wright, London. 1799. THE HE author of this tract, whoever he be, has considered the state of foreign politics with attention, and gives much falutary advice to thofe potentates, who, ftill fafcinated by French principles, or intimidated by French power, obferve a difgraceful neutrality, which favours the views of their common enemy. He ftrenuously and energetically exhorts Pruffia and Auftria to forego their former animofities, and to facrifice their refpective jealoufies, in order to oppofe, with united strength, an unprincipled foe, who has publicly proclaimed his hatred to all Monarchs, and his determination to fubvert all thrones. He points out to the KING of PRUSSIA his true intereft, reminds him that his predeceffor knew the French well," and called them a band of robbers," and cautions him againft imitating the example of that Prince, (who, he tells us, "to the laft hour of his life, retained his averfion to the French,") by rendering his fenfe of public duty fubfervient to the gratification of perfonal animofity. The author perfectly appreciates French principles, and the danger refulting from their propagation; and he calls upon his countrymen to unite in refifting them, and, thereby, to imitate the conduct of the ancient Germans, who always forgot their private feuds and jealoufies, when they had to encounter a common enemy. One chapter, entitled, "Digreffion on an important Point," is fo applicable, in many refpects, to a certain party in this country, and their advocates, that we are tempted to extract the whole of it.- "If a new war in Germany should refult from the present ftate of things, it is anxiously to be wished, that great attention may be shewn to an important circumftance, which has already been found of the moft marked detirement to the common caufe. It is anxiously to be hoped, that we shall not liften to the infinuations against war, which are fo prevalent in the writings and converfation of the day. The multitude, and even the declared adherents of the good caufe, are more or lefs affected by reflections of that tendency. The hope I here exprefs is not a new one; I recall the words of an aged Roman in the days of the Roman republic. "Licinius Craffus was fent to combat the infurgent flaves and their general Spartacus, who had been for three years the terror of the armies, and of Italy; and had defeated almost all the generals fent against them, and two confuls. L. Craffus, before his departure, addreffed the fenate, which was affembled, in the following manner : "I have to speak on a point which will require fome fevere regulations. The declaimers of your affembly will raise their voices against me; but I speak to Romans who fet the public good above every other confideration, and who know that terror only can be a check on the wicked. One great caufe of the misfortunes of the war is the opinion which is fpread refpecting it. The enterprises of rebels are called the defence of the cause of liberty: their fucceffes are told with admiration, their valour extorts wishes for their fuccefs. The ardour of the enemy is not only fo much the more exalted, but that of the Romans depreffed: we cannot meet our enemies with our ufual confidence, when we believe them to be heroes who are maintaining a just caufe. What warrior can turn his fpear against him for for whom his heart inclines? Our forefathers felt differently from ourselves ort thefe matters. Before war was declared, every martavowed his opinion, but wher once the fenate had come to a refolution, private opinion gave way to public confiderations; the individual diftinguished himfelf only as interefted in the prefervation of the ftate. To form feparate parties after the ftate had determined on the expediency of public meafures, was then confidered as the working of pride, and even as treafon. This feparation from the opinion of the ftate is not tolerated now even among the Gauls, in that country of frivolity and of party spirit.' "L.Craflus proceeded to urge the fenate to adopt effectual measures against thefe who thus favoured the enemy. The decree I recommend for that purpose," added he, 'will produce neither difcouragement nor alarm, but will infpire unity, and give unity of force. It is not becoming that the public good fhould fuffer becaute men choofe to indulge themselves in speaking lightly on political subjects. Be it your care, Romans, to conduct the war against the enemy in your city, and I will answer for the fuccefs of that with which I am charged against Spartacus. Be watchful that he be not informed of the ftate of our forces, before I arrive to lead them on; nor of our plans, before their execution; and if you fhould judge it advifeable to fend two of my legions into Spain, I earnestly entreat that he may not know it before I do." Thus fpoke a Roman. With us in Germany the abufe of the prefs is a much more powerful, and more dangerous agent in the fpreading of unwholefome opinions. With us, who are enveloped 'n wicked projects of disorder and revolution, unknown to the happier Romans; who live under monarchies, which are fometimes accused of being lefs friendly to liberty than republics are fuppofed to be; with us it required that there should be the most unheard of, the most extravagant freedom from all reftraint, in converfation, in every fhape which the prefs can affume to mislead the publie; with a shameful and revolting predeliction for the measures and principles of the enemy, and with indifference towards the government under which we are born and are protected. In a word, the breath of thefe writers, if not now more violent than the revolutionary fparks which appear, is that which keeps the embers alive, and which will blow ftronger as the conflagration fpreads. It is, in truth, reason, and should be treated as fuch." Pp. 42, 47. ART. XVII. Tax upon Income-Very necessary to be read by all Per fons, before they make their Return upon the Income Tax. Extrad from an Account of certain poor Perfons in London, who cannot pay their Income Tax. With Obfervations, and a Plan for their Relief. Submitted to the Confideration of the Society for bettering the Condition and increafing the Comforts of the Poor. Svo. Pp. 32. Price is. Hatchard. London. 1799. WE are here presented with an ironical lamentation on the misfortunes and calamities of perfons who, under the indifpenfible necef fity of keeping up large eftablishments, and incurring all the fashionable expences of the times, labour under an abfolute incapacity to pay the Income Tax. On fuch a fubject, a fpecimen is better than a comment, and one of thofe hard cafes will fuffice to convey an adequate idea of the nature and spirit of this little tract, which is certainly written with ability, and calculated to anfwer a very good purpofe. "Cafe the First. It is with extreme concern that I proceed to give a detail of the diftrefles brought on a noble family, by the preffure of the times. The EARL of HORNCASTLE, on the death of his father, came into a clear well-conditioned eftate of 10,000l. a year; he married an elegant and beautiful woman, by whom he has four high-fpirited fons, and three lovely daughters.-This carries the appearance of happiness; but, alas! appearances are often deceitful.-Ilis rank obliger him to have a very large establishment of wasteful and diffàtisfied fervants; and, to keep keep them in fome degree of order, he has a maitre d'hotel, of whofe character he does not even prefume to have a favourable opinion. His eldest fon, Lord Wantage's expences at the university, in finishing his domeftic education and in preparing him for his travels, are beyond all conception: but that cannot be avoided in a feat of learning, where the very ftatutes provide fo carefully for enhancing the diftinction and expences of Noblemen; among the first of whom Lord Wantage has an unquestioned and legitimate place.-The three younger brothers are in the firft fet at Eton; where their pocket allowance alone exceeds the expence of the education of the twelve children of the late Earl of Horncaftle:-but this cannot be avoided. "In London, Lady Horncastle's neceffary engagements are fo numerous, that she cannot do without a separate governefs for each of her daughters. This, with the additional fervants that they require, has obliged the family to move into a much larger house, than their circumftances would juftify, if it was not an act of neceffity; and, in its confequence, has led to an increase of expence in balls, concerts, and other entertainments, for otherwife the advantages of a large houfe would be thrown away. Nothing, however, has been wanting in point of management, on my Lord's part. At Horncastle Park, great oeconomy is practifed. The whole is farmed by the gardener. My Lord has difmiffed his old fteward; and has engaged a very sharp cleverman, who knows the value of land; and who has doubled his rents at once, with the removal of only a few of the tenants. But even this has not answered; as the intereft of an annually increafing mortgage has already exhaufted all the improvement of rents. "Under these unfortunate circumftances, what can his Lordship do? He wishes to be the friend and the protector of his tenants, and nobody converfes more willingly or more feelingly on the subject; but, so far from having the means, he is compelled to let his cottages be pulled down, his farm houses and buildings go to ruin, his old tenants be difmiffed, and his new ones driven to use their land ill in order to make up their rents,-and all this by the hardship of the times.-My Lord is a philanthropist of the first order, and endowed with fentiments the most humane and benevolent ;-but he, who is obliged to spend more than his income,. cannot have the means of affifting and promoting the induftry and well-being of others, or of contributing to any of the funds which are forming for that purpose. This is hardship indeed, and mental fuffering of an agonizing kind." * "All that his Lordship can do, he does. He talks very fenfibly about the poor, and is ready to support any new bill, by way of experiment, that may be brought in, to make cottagers more frugal and more industrious. He would be defirous of doing even more if he could; efpecially if his income could be very greatly augmented, so as actually to exceed his necessary expenditure. But at prefent he has not even the means of paying the Income Tax, and has juft been refused a penfion that he folicited for that purpofe; which is the more extraordinary, as his Lordfhip's grandfather was one of those who voted for the Hanover fucceffion." Pp. 10.-14. DIVINITY. ART. XVIII. A Sermon on Death; preached in the Parish Church of St. Giles in the Fields, on Sunday, December 9, 1798. By the Rev. T. Deafon. 8vo. Pp. 31. Price is. Hatchard, London. 1799. OR our own comments on this difcourfe we shall fubftitute the animadverfions of a refpectable correfpondent, (contained in a letter "I have given the circumftances of this cafe more at length, as they are applicable in a confiderable degree to all the other claffes of fufferers. In the others, I have only given an outline, which the reader's good fenfe will easily fill up." N NO. XII. VOL. III. to to the Editor,) whofe fentiments respecting lectureships and pro bationary fermons are conformable with our own. I must beg your indulgence, while I offer a few remarks on Lectureships, and the general conduct in obtaining them. Lecturefhips are an innovation in the Church of England; they are unknown to the laws; they are too much an indulgence of itching hearers and diffenting principles. Lectureships, in many particulars, are great and increafing evils, but I rejoice that the evil is not spread much beyond the metropolis. They are often nurseries of schism, and introduce a motley compound of Diffenters, Method ifts, and Republicans, into the Church of England, fometimes, in oppofition to the Rector, the proper proprietor of the church. The means of obtaining these marks of popular favour are often fcandalous in the extreme. A clergyman may be tempted to fpeak fmooth things, or very foolish things, to please the people. Very lately, in a populous parish in the weft part of the town, public-houfes were opened for more than two months before the election, to treat the pious and worthy voters. The violent and fcandalous conduct, at another election, muft not foon be forgotten, when the electors came to the church, hallowing and hooting, in coaches; fome not the most sober, and one party bore these words chalked on their carriages—“ Fand Jefus Chrift for ever."-Pudet hæc opprobria nobis, &c. If, then, our fuperiors are invefted with power, in the name of religion, of common fenfe, and common decency, let them exert it. Let no Rector ever fuffer a probationary fermon to be preached in his church, on any pretence whatever. The Rector of Newington has lately fet a worthy example; an example approved by his metropolitan, and fuch as, I hope, his brethren will follow in checking this evil and innovation. Can any thing be more degrading to the clerical character than canvaffing about, from houfe to houfe, for a lectureship, except it be the preaching a probationary fermon? The audience there fit as judges. Men of the loweft defcription, tinkers and taylors, are to decide on the merit, the excellency, the doctrine, and the piety, of clergymen. If i wodλo our ayados, I think it will equally follow, · οι πολλοι ουκ σοφοι, to fpeak with all poffible refpect of the Majefy of the People. The remark of a great man might be made by fome of our popular preachers. "Have I faid any foolish thing that the people fo much admire ?” Thefe remarks were fuggefted by reading a probationary fermon, lately preached at St. Giles's in the Fields. Mr. Deafon fays, (P. 8,) that fo much depends on their choice (even your own falvation, perhaps.) If we understand this remark, it implies, that their eternal falvation was endangered, unless they elected him." The Lord hath fpoken to his people, charged with death, he hath made bare his arm for their inftruction." (F. 8.) Is there any meaning in these words? If there be, it is falfe. "GOD made not death."-" Mercy and juftice are the two great attributes of |