strike the critics. I spared no pains to introduce into the language, without betraying an affectation of coining new words, many terms that were necessary for the description of naval evolutions, but which hitherto had appeared only in the journals of seamen. I made every effort to render myself not only clear, but even easily intelligible, to those who knew little or nothing of naval affairs. But what cost me the most trouble was, to reconcile the different (and always contradictory) accounts of the belligerent powers. M. Mallet du Pan, in his newspaper, reproached me with having uniformly represented the engagements in a light too favourable to the French, and with being deficient in justice to the English. This censure is not absolutely without foundation; but though I thought it right to use some delicacy toward my countrymen, in order to prevent them from drawing none but discouraging conclusions from the facts that I related, I at least expressed my self in such a manner that persons of penetration might collect the truth from my statements. Exclusively of this however, the criticism of M. Mallet du Pan is erroneous in more than one respect; but after drawing up an answer to it, I suppressed this, from a fear of giving pain to that worthy man.-There has not been sufficient attention paid to the boldness with which I spoke of several events that were still recent, and had been hitherto described only in the style of a gazette. The first volume concludes with some remarks on the navigation, act; and the second, with others on the peace of 1763: the latter taken from a preceding publication of mine on that subject, but with alterations and additions. I venture to think that neither are contemptible. This second edition however met but little success. That it had errors, I am aware: the celebrated Andrea Doria, for example, is mentioned as having been present at the battle of Lepanto, whereas in fact it was his nephew, the former having died before that memorable action; I have also made some mistakes concerning king John of England, and messieurs Kersaint; having supposed these latter to have been drowned with their father, though they were still living-but these were not the causes of the indifference I speak of; for the public overlook much greater faults, without condemning a whole work for them. Its true source

was as follows: on the first appearance of the original edition, some unprincipled booksellers, struck with its title, published several piracies and imitations of it, of which they printed a great number, so that the shops were full of them; and hence the unfavourable opinion which the public formed of these wretched impositions, operated to the disadvantage of my second edition. Besides this, peace had been made with England three years before, and the nation thought no more of naval affairs." This whole passage is stamped with the characteristic simplicity, frankness, and candour, of St. Croix. The reader seems to hear this learned man opening his heart to a friend, and speaking of himself with the same freedom and unreservedness as if he spoke of a stranger.

"On the Ancient Federative Governments, and on the Legislation of Crete:" Paris, 1798, one volume octavo. This work consists of two memoirs which the author had read before the academy of belles-lettres, a short time previous to the suppression of that society. The purpose of the first, and most important of them, is, to prove that Greece never had any federative constitution till the period of the Achæan league; the other treated of the origin of the Cretans, their legislation, and the relation which the institutions of Sparta bore to those of Crete: both these discussions were accompanied with illustrations, in which the author handles several points of criticism and history with his usual skill and erudition. When this fine work appeared, France was hardly beginning to feel a little intermission from the rage of contending factions, and the arts and sciences could not even yet venture to anticipate more favourable days. "In such circumstances," says St. Croix, "why do I hazard a new publication? It is because, amidst the most unprosperous omens, we still continue attached to the habitual objects of our affections, and hope does not forsake even the man who tries to shut his heart against it. Nor can I, without ingratitude, quit the service of literature, to which I am indebted for a salutary consolation in these days of bitterness and grief."

Some thought they perceived, in this last work of St. Croix, marks of a disposition unfavourable to the existing go. vernment, or at least to what was then honoured with that appellation. "It is not so," said the author, in reply to in

sinuations

sinuations of this nature: "I have let facts speak for themselves; it is not my fault, if they should not agree with the ideas of certain persons. The reflections with which the mention of these facts is accompanied, spring naturally from the subject, are confined to no system, and were not written in favour of any party. There are those who have even censured me for shewing a predilection for republics. This is what always happens on publishing any work in a time of public troubles and faction, when impartiality is so rare that its existence is not believed."

All enlightened readers will, without hesitation, rank this last-mentioned work among those which unite erudition and

criticism with enlarged and judicious views of things, and which entitle the author to a place among the most esteemed publicists. In considering the particular time at which it appeared, it is impossible not to applaud the courage with which he brought the truth before the eyes of his countrymen, and recalled men of letters to the dignity and sacredness of their duties.

Many other important works of St. Croix must be here passed in total silence, a satisfactory account of them would swell this memoir too much. Few men of letters have equalled him in purity of views, indefatigable activity, extent of acquirements, and the talent of applying his knowledge usefully.

"A Description of the Persian Monarchy, now beinge, the Orientull Indyes, Iles, and other parts of the Greater Asia and Affrick." By Thomas Herbert, esq. London [163], fol.

TH

HESE Travels form a very curious volume, and were written by the Mr. Herbert who paid so much attention to king Charles I. in his latter moments; and who, in 1660, was advanced to the dignity of baronet.

The engraved title of the work, given above, is followed by a printed one somewhat different. The dedication is to Philip earl of Pembroke: and begins, "Good wine needs no bush: but this traveller wants a guide, and, as under age, a guardian too."

Mr. Herbert's Travels were begun in 1616. Ilis descriptions of places in the earlier parts of the volume are short; but of Persia, the East Indies, and America, his accounts are full.

The following is the copy of "The Emperour of Persia's firman," to the English ambassador, in 1628:

"Abbas,

"The high and mighty starre, whose head is covered with the sun, whose motion is comparable to the aeriall firmament, whose majesty is come from Asharaf, and hath dispatched the lord

ambassadour of the English king: the command of the Great King is, that his followers shail bee conducted from our pallace of Cazbeen to Saway, and by the darraguod (or maior) of Saway, to the citie of Coom, and by the governour of Coom, vnto the citie of Cashan, &c. through all my territories. Faile not my command; I also command then a peaceable travaile.

"Sealed with a stampe of letters in inke." At page 215 we have, "A Description of Sancta Helena."

"Saint Helena was so denominated by Juan de Noua, the Portugall, in regard he first discovered it on that saint's day.

"It is doubtfull whether it adhere to America or Afrique, the vast ocean bel lowing, on both sides, and almost equally; yet I imagine she inclines more to Afer than Vespusius.

"Tis in circuit thirty English miles, of that ascent and height that 'tis oft inveloped with clouds, from whom she receives moisture to fatten her: and as the land is very high, so the sea at the brinke of this ile is excessive deepe, and the ascent so immediate, that though the sea beat fiercely on her, yet can no ebbe nor flow be well perceived there.

"The water is sweet above, but run,

ning downe and participating with the salt hills, tasts brackish at his fall into the valleyes, which are but two, and those very small, having their appellations from a lemmon tree above, and a ruined chappell placed beneath, built by the Spaniard, and delapidated by the Dutch. Their has been a village about it, lately depopulated from her inhabitants, by command from the Spanish king, for that it became an vnlawfull magazine of seamen's treasure, in turning and returning out of both the Indies, whereby he lost both tribute and prerogative in apparant measure.

"Monuments of antique beings, nor other rarities, can be found here. You see all, if you view the ribs of an old carrick, and some broken pieces of her ordnance left their against the owner's good will or approbation: goats and hogs are the now dwellers, who multiply in great abundance, and (though unwillingly) affoord themselves to hungry and sea-beaten passagers: it has store of partrich and guinea-hens, all which were brought thither by the honest Portugall, who now dare neither anchor there, nor owne their labours, lest the English, or Flemmings, question them,

"The ile is very even and delightful above, and gives a large prospect into the ocean. Tis a saying with the sea-men, a man there has his choice, whether he will breake his heart going up, or his necke comining downe, cither wish bestowing more jocundity then comfort: and here we left buried our honest cap

taine Andrew Evans."

The closing section of the volume is devoted to "A Discourse and Proofe that Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd first found out that Continent now called America." Having stated the proba bility, as well as various traditions, that the ancients were in some measure acquainted with the transatlantic world, Mr. Herbert repeats the celebrated passage in Seneca's Medea:

scried land in the gulph of Mexico, “not farre from Florida.” Having effected a settlement, he returned to Wales, leaving a hundred and twenty persons behind hum. Having engaged some more of his countrymen to accompany him, he is stated to have made a second voyage; and to have remained with his followers for the rest of their lives, in the New World. All intercourse having been broken off, and broils ensuing in their native country, they and their expedition are supposed to have been alike forgotten. On this story, it will be remenbered, Mr. Southey has founded his poem.

A

"A Treatise of Religion and Learning, and of Religious and Learned Men. Consisting of Sir Books. The two first treating of Religion and Learning; the four last of Religious, or Learned Men, in an Alphabetical Order. Work seasonable for these Times,wherein Religion and Learning kave so many Enemies." By Edward Leigh, Master of Arts, of Magdalen Hall, in Oxford. London [1656]. fol.

Of the different books of which this work is composed, the four last, it will be easily perceived, at the present day, must be the most interesting. We select from them a few anecdotes of wellknown characters.

“ R. Benjamin, a famous Jewish geographer. His Hebrew Itinerary is published, cum versione et notis Constantini L'Empereur.-Vide ejus Epist.

Dedicut.

"He was a Spaniard, and died in the year a nato Christo 1173, in that very year wherein he returned from s voyage."

46

Trajanus Boccalinus.

"Sir Isaac Wake called his Collections of Pernassus, the first satyre in prose; and master Selden said, he would rather lose any humane book in his study then that."

"Sir Thomas Bodlie, a great scholar and prudent statist.

"His parents were rather good then great. What liberal education they bestowed on him, he shows in his own Life, written in English, by himself, which is put into Latine by Dr. Hackwell, and is in Oxford library. He living in the troublesome times of queen Mary, his parents took him beyond sea.

"At Genevah he heard Beroaldus for Greek; Cevallerius for Hebrew; in divinity, Calvin and Beza,

“ 11.。

"He was very skilfull in the Oriental tongues. Linguarum Orientalium callentissimus vir Thomas Bodlæus. Drus. Not. in Tetragram. He was the great founder of our famous Oxford library, which is therefore called Bibliotheca Bodleiana. He gave many Hebrew books to the library, and was imployed in many honourable embassies to the kings of France and Denmark, the lantgrave of Hesse, the duke of Bruns wick, the states of Holland.

"He gave for his arms three crowns, with this inscription, Quarta perennis erit."

"Philip de Commines, knight, was born at Commines, a town in Flanders.

"In his youth he served Charles, duke of Burgundy, and afterwards Lewis, the eleventh of that name, king of France, who imployed him in his weightiest and secretest affairs. The French tongue he spake perfectly and eloquently; the Italian, Dutch, and Spanish, reaBonably well.

"He hath written the history of France under Lewis XI., and Charles VIII. his sonne.

He was the spectator and actor of his history.

"Nothing more grieved him, then that in his youth he was not trained up in the Latin tongue, which his misfortune he often bewailed. The emperour Charles V., and Francis I. king of France, made so great account of this history, that the emperour caried it continually about with him, and the king was much displeased with the publishing

for the accomplishment of that book he had read and perused over many old monuments of England."-Ascham's Toxophilus, p. 28.

"Josephus Judaicus clarissimus Judæorum Historicus. Ful. Miscel. 1. ii. c. 3. most learned in the Greek and Hebrew.

"He is a diligent historian; yet since he wrote the antiquities of his own nation, with an intention to communicate them to others, he described them as stately as he could; and when he thought the simplicity of the Scripture did not suffice to the commendation of things done among the Hebrews, he invented and added many things himself: therefore, in those things he is to be prudently read, lest he deceive the unwary reader. This fault, Luther, on Gen. 34, and Rivet, on Exod. 2. and Chamier and others, tax him with-Vide_Cornel. a Lap. in Gen. xxix, and in Numb. c. ii.

v.34.

"There was a Jew in latter times, who, out of the true Josephus translated into Latin by Ruffinus, (he himself understanding no Greek,) and Hegesyppus (or rather Ambrose) his Latine history of the destruction of Jerusalem, set out an Hebrew history under the false name of Joseph Ben-Gorion, whom he thought to be the same with Josephus the historian, for whom he would be taken. The epitome of this Hebrew history is entitled, Josiphon, whence the name of Josippus was taken up."

"John Whitgift, archbishop of Canterbury.

"He had an uncle called Robert Whitgift, abbot of the monastery of Wellow, in Lincolnshire, who, teaching divers young gentlemen, took like pains also with him. In which time, (as he was pleased often to remember,) he heard his uncle the abbot say, that they, and their religion, could not long continue, because, (said he) I have read the whole Scripture over and over, and could never finde therein, that our religion was founded by God. And for proof of his opinion, the abbot would alledge that saying of our Saviour, Matth. xv. 13. Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted out.

"He never preached, but he first wrote his notes in Latine, and afterward kept them during his life.

"There were several writings between him and Thomas Cartwright, about the ceremonies."

Extracts

MR. PITT'S PLAN OF REFORM.

I. O extinguish by purchase, on the Textinguish by purchase, on the

terested in them, thirty-six of the most decayed boroughs.

II. To add, in consequence, seventytwo members to the county representation. III. In case of any future purchase to be made in like manner of any borough, beyond the thirty-six, either at present decayed, or which hereafter should become so, the right of representation of such borough to be transferred to the unrepresented large towns which should express a desire of exercising such right. IV. That copyholders be added to the County elective body.

On these grounds, he moved to bring in a bill to amend the representation of the people in parliament.

After a debate, the motion was negatived:

Ayes 174

Noes 248

422

The quincunx arrangement of the Roman legions in battle, is most completely confirmed by a passage in the Georgics, where it is compared to the mode recommended of planting trees. Indeed, I fear this part of the Roman tactics, which made their ranks so easy to open and to unite, in every form of combination which the exigencies of battle might require, either for attack, for ral

RHETORICAL ACCENTUATION.

The analogy between musical and the torical tone or accentuation, has been beautifully illustrated in a late number.

The same principle was recognised by antiquity; and is stated by Dionysius Halicarnassensis, a great critic and historian of the Augustan era, who, at the same time, observes on the coalescence both of the grave and acute tones in the circumflex. This is a circumstance which indeed depends on their nature; the cir cumflex vowels being formed by the coalescence of two short vowels, or a short and long vowel, and partaking of the tones of each.

Our long vowels, particularly e, i, and o long, partake of this property very largely; the knowledge and use of which are of no little practical importance, particularly

in music.

Dionysius says, the melody of speech is measured very nearly by one interval, called the diapente; and is neither raised above three tones and a semi-tone to the acute, nor descends lower toward the grave: yet notwithstanding, every particle of speech is not pronounced with the same tone; but some with the acute, some with the grave; and some have both MONTHLY MAG. No. 197.

strength, or for retreat (facilis dividente in quacunque velis partes, facilis jungenti) has been too successfully adopted by our great opponent.

PASQUINADE.

Giovanni Bona of Mondovi, was created cardinal in 1669 by pope Clement IX. At the death of this pontiff it was suggested to confer the tiara on his creature. The statue of Pasquin exhi bited on the occasion this epigraph:

Papa bona sarebbe un solecismo.

WRITERS ON THE PLEASURES OF THE

PALATE.

Sancho blesses the man who invented sleep; I am for blessing those who invented the positive pleasures. And so thought Hortensio Lando, a physician of Milan, who flourished in the sixteenth century; and who published Un Catalogo degli Inventori delle cose che si mangiano, e delle bevande che oggidi s'usano. This catalogue of the inventors of nice dishes has not been re-edited at the expense of any one corporation in christendom. Bengt Bergius the Swede, who published in the ensuing century on dainties, does not so much as quote the work of his predecessor; and yet the catalogue of the writers he does quote, exceeds forty pages.

2 I

SACRED