1816.]

POETRY.

Prescience, or the Secrets of Divination;

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would be beneficial to one class of the community at the expense of the rest. Thus the parish-rates for the poor are universally deprecated; but then,

This poem, though it has a metaphysical cast, displays a vigorous imagination, chastened by a sound judgment. The excitements to knowledge, and the aspirations of the human soul for new attainments are accurately delineated, with much serious reflection and many exquisite descriptions, among which the rites of the Druids and the wonders of Stonehenge deserve particular commendation. The power ascribed to magical influ. ence, and the foreknowledge supposed to be possessed by miserable beings leagued with evil spi rits, are also exposed with reason and true poëtic animation. We have seldom seen a finer sketch than that of the withered crane and her wretched habitation on the boundless heath,

"Sad wreck of life and limb, left far behind, Forgotten, but in curses, by her kind." From the horrors of superstition, the author proceeds in his second part to survey the charms of the imagination in the poetical character, the eager anticipations of posthumous fame, the fond hopes of the lover, the prescience of the dying patriot, and the advantages of religion over philosophy, with a view of the Christian scheme of prophecy.

Lines on the Conflagration of Moscow. By the Rev. C. Colton, A.M. Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 8vo. 1s.

The true poetic spirit breathes through this moral and descriptive poem, the only fault of which is its brevity. The harmony of the versification and the fire of the composition make us regret that the author did not, as he was well able. depict more minutely the horrors of the scene, and the subsequent retribution experienced by the French army for their own atrocities, and the ambition of their ruler.

Emigration, or England at Paris, 8vo.

POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY.

The Agricultural State of the Kingdom in February, March, and April, 1816; being the substance of the Replies of many of the most opulent and intelligent Landholders to a Circular Letter, sent by the Board of Agriculture to every part of England, Wales, and Scotland; 8vo. 9s.

This volume exhibits a very melancholy picture of the state of the country in general; but we are not quite satisfied of the policy of the publication, or of any good that can possibly be produced by it. These representations of local miseries, it is obvi ous, are drawn up by persons who, from their pri vate interest and connections, are unavoidably under strong prejudices. Hence, as may naturally be supposed, the existing distresses are made the most of; and the remedies suggested are such as

munity are to be alleviated, or how the infant and aged poor are to live, these philanthropists do not condescend to tell us. Some of the correspondents recommend the formation of public granaries, which must of course be supplied by government; and this would require taxation. Another set urge the necessity of prohibiting the import of butter, cheese, wool, skins, &c. &c. which would occasion retaliatory measures abroad, to the exclusion of our manufactures. All this reminds us of the fable of the town that required fortifications, which the carpenter would have made of wood, the mason of stone, and the tanner of leather!

Further Oservations on the State of the Nation: the Means of employment of Labour; the Sinking Fund and its Application; Pauperism; Protection requisite to the Landed and Agricultural Interests. Richard Preston, esq. M.P. 8vo. 2s.

By

Ainong the propositions brought forward by the present writer, for the purpose of lessening the national burthen, the most extraordinary seems to be that of reviving the property tax under two or three new forms, after reducing the salaries of public men, and abolishing sinecures and useless places. For our parts, we always thought that the clamour against a modified tax upon income was

an artful scheme of the landed and monied interests, by whom the people were urged on, like the cat in the fable, to assist the monkey in getting the nuts out of the fire. If we mistake not, this Member of Lincoln's Inn and of Parliament was one of the most zealous opponents of ministers on that occasion, though now he appears to advocate the equity of the impost. There are, however, some good remarks in his pamphlet; and one sug gestion of his well merits the serious regard of government. We mean the proposal to form a grand national road through the kingdom, which, besides the obvious utility of the improvement,

would furnish abundance of labour for a considerable period, to the distressed and industrious poor. Another part of his plan, that of erecting hamlets on waste lands, is also unobjec tionable.

The Substance of a Pamphlet, entitled "A Solemn Review of the Custom of War," shewing that War is the Effect of Popular Delusion; and proposing a Remedy. 8vo.

1s. 6d.

The benevolent sentiments expressed in this pam phlet, the original of which appeared in America, cannot be too strongly commended; but admitting, as every considerate person must, that war is one of the greatest of moral evils, still no declamation, reasoning, or association, can have the effect of preventing its occasional recurrence. The public was amused the other day by a meeting at the London Coffee-House on Ludgate-hill, the pretended object of which was the formation of plans for abridging the causes of war; but the real drift was, the establishment of a society with subscrip tions, to be under the direction and at the disposal of that virtuous wight, ycleped Sir Richard PhilIt appears to us lips, knight, musician, &c. &c. that the state of the world is so far from approximating to the predicted season when ways shall cease, from the rising to the setting sun, that the

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seeds of revolutions have been dispersed so widely as to give fearful apprehensions of new and tre mendous contentions in many parts of the globe, which have hitherto been the seats of tranquil. lity.

A Sketch of the Public Life of M. Fouché, Duke of Otranto, 8vo. 8s.

Correspondence of the Duke of Otranto with the Duke of Wellington, 8vo, 5s. 6d.

These publications cannot fail to be read with avidity by all who take any interest in the great events and in the history of the most eminent characters of the present extraordinary age.

The

French Revolution, in all its gradations, will long continue to command the particular attention of meralists and politicians; and of course every mcmoir written by persons who have distinguished themselves as principal actors in that wonderful drama, must be valuable, in a greater or less degree, as tending to throw some light upon those transactions which have astonished and convulsed the world. No one has had more opportunities of developing the history of France, in all the changes which that country has undergone for the last twenty-seven years, than M. Fouché, and therefore his life must be considered as a document of great importance. Of the letter to the Duke of Wellington, it is sufficient to say, that it is the compo. sition of a man of comprehensive powers, who knows full well how to place his real services in the strongest point of view, and to throw a shade over those actions which will not admit of an apology.

The Monarchy, according to the Charter. By the Viscount de Chateaubriand, 8vo. 9s. It will hardly be credited, that two editions of this work have been actually seized in France, as if it were of the most treasonable description, and that the name of the author has been struck out of the list of privy counsellors, as a reward for his loyalty. On hearing these disgraceful facts, disgraceful we mean to the French government, the reader will naturally be induced to ask, what is the offensive matter of the book? To this we cau only answer, that the errors of the existing system are here developed, for the purpose of shewing what ought to be adopted to prevent a new revolution. M. Chateaubriand exposes the folly of throwing the odium of bad laws and the responsi bility of bad measures upon the king, instead of making, as in Eugland, all legislative acts emanate in one or other of the two houses, and by giving ministers a scat in parliament, rendering them accountable for all the proceedings of the executive. Many other important considerations are also brought under review, upon the whole of which, this excellent writer reasons with invincible force and the greatest clearness; but from the treatment which he has experienced, we sadly fear that the present state of the French monarchy is surrounded with danger, from a "conspiracy of the

[Nov. 1

moral interests of the Revolution, and a natural association of all those whose consciences reproach them with any crime or baseness: in a word, a conspiracy of illegitimacies of all sorts against every thing that is legitimate."

De la Monarchie selon la Charte, par le Vicomte de Chateaubriand, svo. ɓs.

The Monarchy according to the Charter. From the French of the Viscount de Chateaubriand, 8vo. 7s. 6d.

England may be extricated from her Difficulties consistently with the strictest Principles of Policy, honour, and justice. By a Country Gentleman, 2s. 6d.

TOPOGRAPHY,

Thanet and the Cinque Ports; consisting of Views of all the Churches, Castles, Vestiges of Antiquity, Singular Residences, &c. &c. in the above Districts and Country adjacent; accompanied with Historical, Topographical, and Antiquarian Descriptions, as well as Particulars of the Agricultural Products and Natural History of the Tract described. Illustrated with Engravings, by W. Deeble. No. I, large paper, 4s.; small, 2s. 6d.

The multiplication of works illustrative of British topography, which we have remarked of late years, is highly gratifying, inasmuch as it implies a more widely extended desire in our contemporaries to make themselves acquainted with the beauties, coriosities, and general state of the country which they are so fortunate as to inhabit. From the spe. cimen before us of the illustrations of Thanet and the Cinque Ports, which will be comprised in two volumes, we augur well of the remaining portions. It contains eight engravings, which, with the letter-press attached, are executed in the same neat and pleasing style as the Antiquarian Cabinet, lately published We trust that Mr. Deeble will receive from the public patronage that reward to which his labours entitle him.

Picturesque Delineations of the Southern Coast of England. Engraved by W. B. and G. Cooke. Part VII. 12s. 6d.; large paper,

188.

Walks through London, including Westminster, and the Borough of Southwark, with the surrounding Suburbs. By David Hughson, LL. D. Nos. 1. and II., 2s. 6d. each; large paper, 4s. each.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

Travels in Brazil, from Pernambuco to Seara, besides occasional Excursions; also, a Voyage to Maranham. By Henry Koster, 4to. 21. 10s.

Two Words, or the Silent not Dumb; a favourite Melo-drame, performed at the English Opera House; written by S. J. Arnold, Esq.; the music by J. Addison. Falkner,

75.

We do not find any overture: a short chorus of

Sir Hildebrand's Troop introduces the piece. Next follows the pleasing duet, "A frugal meal, then calm repose," by Messrs Short and Wilkinson; which is succeeded by "The Ditty," to a tune in the Beggar's Opera. The Robbers' cateh, though consisting of only four bars, is extremely weli con

1816.]

trived, and reminds one of some of the old sterling catches of Purcell. An acting duet," Nay, prithee stop," by Mr. Gattie and Mrs. Orger, after the manner of Storace, has a good stage-effect. Two more songs," Man ere he weds but little knows," and "Lady, though my heart must own;" the former with a showy harp-accompaniment, executed by Mr. Taylor, are both sung by Mr. Short, who seems to have engrossed the greater part of the vocal music. The melo dramatic airs are short snatches of melody. continually changing their key and measure, according to the pantomimical business of the stage. They are uninteresting as abstracted pieces, and we think might as well have been omitted.

Gildon's celebrated March, for the PianoForte or Harp. Preston. 2s.

We believe Mr. Cramer first introduced this style of writing, and was followed by Mr, Griffin. It consists of a slow introduction with much use of the open pedal-a grand march—and a sprightly 6-8 movement for a conclusion. Mr. Gildon has been uncommonly successful in the choice of his three subjects, and has effected the elaboration in a very finished manner.

The Grand Battle of Waterloo, a characteristic Military Piece, for the Piano-Forte; composed, and dedicated to the Duke of Wellington, by L. Jansen. Bussel, 2s. 6d.

After the number of battle-pieces we have heard, it would be no difficult matter to write a receipt for one. Take a slow march in a flat key, then startle your hearers with one in a quicker measure and somewhat sharper, supposed to be the enemy coming sharp upon you. Then two or three cannons, or evening guns. Let the trompels sound a parley, which being ineffectual, the battle comInences: take as many full chords as you can with both hands, or run up and down the keys for some time: let there be plenty of cross-hands, and thump the bass well by way of cannon. If you feel a dearth of invention, make use of what Shield calls "Rosalia," that is, repeat the same passage over and over again in various keys. The French, of course, are to run away, which let them do by halftones downwards and a long shake at the bottom; bat lest they should rally, put in some swinging chord sprinkled with arpeggios, which will soon set them at rest. We then come to the cries of the wounded, which must be chromatic and mourn. ful in the extreme, in order to bring in more effectually general joy-expressed by a German waltz or French vaudeville: thus ends the battle. The piece before us has the correct outline of a battle, such as we have described; it wants nothing but -good harmony, pleasing melody, and scientific arrangement. In short, it is, what old Baumgarten calls "music run mad."

The Bird Waltz, for the Piano-Forte or Harp; composed by Francis Panormo, 1s. 6d.

A most charming little strain, the chef-d'œuvre of Mr. Panormo, which tickles and pleases the fancy in the most playful and elegant manner. Some time ago, we found a brother of Mr. Panormo

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exhibiting his talents at the Bazaar in the Strand, (where he had a grand piano and music-shop) to the great delight of the loungers, but to the discomfiture of the venders of caps, pocket books, and gingerbread, who could detain no co "pany to look at their goods; all were drawn by the ears to the upper end. Mr. Panorino found this a profitable speculation, at least for a time: many ladies bought pieces of music which they heard played so charm. ingly, and apparently with so much ease, by that gentleman; and though some of them, when they returned home, found the performance not quite so easy as they expected; yet more serious disappointments are often experienced by those who buy goods in an open bazaar or market.

The favourite Carillon Overture to the popular Aqua-Drama, entitled " Philip and his Dog, or Where's the Child?" Performed at Sadler's Wells Theatre. Composed and adapted to the Piano-Forte, by John Whitaker. Button and Co. 3s.

On the title is a beautiful vignette of the last scene, representing the dog saving the child, ent graved by Taylor. The first movement is loud and noisy, occasionally relieved by alternate solos of the clarinet and trumpet. The second consists of the soft air of "Oh! rest thee, Babe," which is, however, broken in upon by the powerful accom paniments of trumpets and drums. The subject of the last movement is performed on the carillons or small bells (which might likewise be executed on the harmonica) interspersed with flutes and other wind instruments. The piece is short, variegated, and well adapted to private practice, as well as to the theatre.

A Fantasie for the Piano-Forte; in which is introduced the favourite Air of "Cease your funning." Composed, and dedicated to Miss Julia Floyd, by F. Fiorillo. Falkner,

4s.

This composer, well known for his "Studies for the Violin," and his "Exercises for the Harp," appears to possess an equal knowledge of the pow. ers of the piano-forte. We have carefully followed him through his scientific introduction, in which many of the passages are highly chromatic, yet melodious; the variations to the air are worked up with such wonderful transitions and artful com. binations, as would have surprised Dr. Pepusch, (the compiler of the Eeggar's Opera) had he been living.

"Fair Anna's Cot." Sung by Master Williams, at Sadler's Wells, in the Burletta of the Boarding-School Miss. Written by T. Dibdin, Esq.; composed by John Whitaker, Button and Co. 1s. 6d.

The well-known powers of Mr. Whitaker as a composer, aided by the captivating voice of Master Williams, give great interest to this song. In the course of it, we are told, "The cot fell down when Anna died."!!! What a lucky circumstance! that it should just last out the lady's life, and then very civilly fall down when she had no further occasion for it!