public shows is treated of at great length.

In the second volume, we have an account of the bank, denominated the Monte de Piete; observations on public instruction; the manner in which the convents were governed, the ceremonies of marriage, burials, the carnivals, the lazzaroni, &c. The third commences with a portrait of father Rocco, a dominican friar, who died a little before the revolution. His eloquence had an astonishing effect on the lazzarones, and he sometimes obliged even the king himself to listen to the voice of truth. The mention of the church of the Annunciation, serves to introduce a few remarks relative to two celebrated queens, Joan I. and II. We have also an account of the grotto of Pausilippo, the tomb of Virgil, the Campo Santo, &c. "Nouveau Dictionnaire Portatif de Bibliographique, &c." A new and portable Biographical Dictionary, containing more than 23,000 articles of rare, curious, and esteemed Books, with remarks to distinguish the different Editions, so as to be able to know the original from the spurious ones. Second edition, revised and augmented, by Fr. Ign. Fournier, 1 vol. 8vo. Paris.

The first edition of this work, we are told, experienced an unexampled degree of success, having been entirely sold off within the space of three years. This is partly owing to the increase of amateurs, or book-fanciers, and partly to the prodigious number of booksellers with which Paris at this moment abounds, for the bibliomania was never so prevalent there as now. Never did France, it is said, possess so few Greek and Latin scholars, and yet, strange to be told! never were the editions printed by the Elzivirs and the Alduses sought after with such delight. Cailleau in 1791, published a dictionary of the same kind as the present in 3 vols. with the prices annexed, at which period the sums given for similar articles were far inferior to what is now readily obtained.

This work is preceded by a dissertation written by M. Jardé, who appears to be an antiquary as well as a bookseller, for he alludes to patriarchal traditions, and antediluvian memoirs which Noah carried with him into the ark, and which served Moses as materials for the composition of his Genesis! facts curious and singular indeed of themselves, and which only want something in the shape of proof. He also hazards a few question

able assertions at a latter period, having attributed the preservation of Greek books to the schism which divided the Greek and Latin churches. It is his opinion, that the latter language would have absorbed the former, if the Roman church had triumphed; and he boldly maintains, that if the protestant religion had extended itself throughout all Europe, the Latin language would have been entirely forgotten, as then the vulgar tongue only would have been used in divine worship.

While treating of a more recent period, Mr. Jardé details a variety of interesting facts. He observes, that at the disastrous epoch of the revolution, when the people of France were obliged to sell their moveables in order to procure bread, the English, Germans, and Russians obtained an immense number of valuable books and manuscripts. Even at the present moment, according to him, the capital does not contain twelve libraries worthy of being compared with the ancient ones of the second order; while all the booksellers of Paris would not be able to furnish three fit to be compared with that of the Duke de Vallière.

He complains greatly of certain speculators, the intervention of whom between the real purchasers and the booksellers, occasions a great loss to the latter. These persons calculating on the prevailing mania, make extraordinary charges for large margins, yellow or flesh-coloured paper, useless dates, and even faults in printing. On the other hand, a number of amateurs do not purchase a book because it is good, but because it is scarce; and both these classes have put it entirely out of the power of many men of letters to obtain the works of which they stand really in need.

"We pray heartily," says a French critic, "that it may one day be with books as with other commodities, which are purchased for the sake of utility only. There would then undoubtedly be fewer booksellers, but they would be both richer and more respectable; there would also be fewer libraries, but there would be no useless ones, and thousands of volumes heaped up without discernment and without choice, by the rich and ignorant, would no longer be ex posed to be devoured by worms."

"Description Statistique des Frontieres Militaires de l'Autriche, &c." A Statis tical Description of the military frontiers of Austria, by J. A. Demian, an officer in the Austrian army, 1807. This is a con

firmation

firmation of the general statistical account of the Austrian monarchy, comprehended in four volumes; and such changes have since taken place, that this work may be already considered in some measure obsolete. The military frontier commences, or rather did lately commence, at the Adri atic sea, and extended along the boundary of Croatia, Sclavonia, the Bannat, and Transylvania, to the county of Maramorosch, in Hungary. This line of 230 miles was defended by a cordon of 4380 men, formed out of the inhabitants of the country, who are at once soldiers and cultivators.

"Pantheon der Russischen Literatur, &c. Pantheon of Russian Literature, by Jean de la Croix, 1 vol. 8vo. Riga, 18061809. This is the first volume of a work in which the author undertakes to refute the opinion commonly spread abroad, that Russia is entirely destitute of literature. To controvert this, he has collected and inserted a variety of memoirs that have appeared in the various public journals of that immense empire.

The first of these is entitled, "Observations on the Sciences, the Arts, and the Progress of Knowledge, originally inserted in the Journal of the Aglaia, published by Karamsin.

2. Letters extracted from Ismailoff's Journeys through Southern Russia.

3. The Sierra Morena, a novel, extracted from the Aglaia.

4. The Chimney, a tale, written by a Russian lady.

5. The Isle of Bornholm, a story, by Karamsin.

6. Observations on Solitude, by the

same.

7. The Mode of living at Athens, by the same.

8. My Confession, by the same. "Von Herders Samtliche Worke Zur Philosophie, &c." The complete Works of the late M. Herder, philosophical and historical, 8 vols. large 8vo. Tubingen, 1808. This editor has been at great pains to complete the collection of M. de Herder's works.

Vol. 1, The Ancient World, with 5 plates, and 3 vignettes.

Vol. 2, A Preface to the Philosophy of History, so far as it respects the hu

man race.

Vols. 3, 4, 5, and 6, contain ideas relating to the history of mankind.

Vol. 8, of God and the Soul. The first portion of this last volume is devoted to the consideration of what is termed the

perception, and the sentiment of the mind; the second, entitled "God," contains dissertations relative to the system of Spinoza, with a hymn to Nature; the third is occupied with reflections on love and egotism; and there is also, a supplement to the letter of Hemsterhuis on Desire; the fourth is entitled "The Voice of Prometheus chained to Mount Caucasus. To complete this, which is the best edition, M. de Müller intends to add several more volumes.

"Dresden's Verstorbene und Lebende, &c." Notices relative to the Authors and Artists of Dresden, both dead and living, classed methodically, with a triple table of contents, 8vo. Dresden, 1808. The authors here mentioned are classed in the following order: 1. Theologians. 2. Pedagogues. 3. Philosophers. 4. Juris-consults. 5. Physicians. 6. Naturalists. 7. Economists. 8. Financiers. 9. Historians. 10. Geographers. 11. Men of Letters. 12. Mathematicians. 13. Tacticians.

14. Philologists.

15. Those attached to the Belles Lettres..

16. Grammarians. 17. Translators. 18. Journalists. 19. Composers. 20. Artists.

The last of these classes is subdivided into painters, engravers, sculptors, architects, mechanicians, and makers of instruments. The three tables contain the names of the authors of all these classes; those of the living authors, with the epochs of their birth, as well as those of the artists.

"Mes Ecarts, &c." My Wanderings, or the Fool who sells Wisdom, a manuscript published by M. Coffin-Rony, formerly an Advocate of the Parliament of Paris, &c. 3 vols. 12mo.

Dormenil, who is the chief personage in this romance, is the son of a re spectable magistrate. His mother dies in consequence of his birth, and his father determines never to marry again, in order that he might consecrate all his affections, and dedicate all his time, to rear and educate his only son.

At

At the age of seventeen, however, we find him in possession of a handsome person, little learning, and but few accomplishments, "with an ardent mind, and a head full of vivacity."

On leaving college, he decides in favour of the profession of arms, and is taught to ride and to fence. He begins with one youthful indiscretion, which leads to many more, after which he joins his regiment, gives an account of his amours, and his follies, and gets into a thousand scrapes. A passion for play produces losses, and these induce him to borrow. He then fights a duel, flies to Savoy, and engages in new intrigues; but is at times afflicted at the idea of his own conduct, and attributes his remorse to the principles of a good education, and the early lessons of morality instilled into his mind.

At length, after a variety of adventures, Dormenil returns to France, enjoys an unexpected interview with the lady to whom he had first paid his addresses, and solicits the hand of the fair Julia in marriage.

"My happiness," says he, "surpasses the limits prescribed to human felicity, and if the uncertainty of its duration, now and then obscures it with a cloud, this is dissipated by a single smile from my wife, whose virtues constitute the happiness and consolation of my father. I entertain no other fear, than what arises from the possibility of being snatched from so much bliss, and even then, religion withdrawing the veil that separates this world from the next, points out an eternal abode without fears for the future, or recollection of the past."

"Histoires Nouvelles et Contes Moreaux, &c." New Stories and Moral Tales, containing Bettina; Clara, or a Convenient Marriage; Lucy, or the Error of a Moment producing the Virtues of a whole Life; Gustavus, or the Anniversary of a Birth-day; Poor Sarah, &c.; by M. L. de Sevelinges, 12mo. 1810. These little tales appeared in succession in the Mercure de France, during the year 1809, and were read with great satisfaction; in consequence of which, they now make their appearance in the form of a little volume. Some of these are formed on the English model, and in "Lucy," we are introduced to a "Lady Anne Rosehill," "Colonel Westbury," and a "Miss Dolmers," the heroine, who is the daughter of a clergyman, &c. In strict conformity to our daily practice,

the parties met for the first time at tea, and we believe no novellist on the Continent would omit such a characteristic feature of our country.

The usual assiduities of a young man, rich, handsome, and debauched, are recurred to, against a young creature, ignorant of the world, and of course credulous and incautious. The colonel soon forgets all his vows and deserts the woman he has seduced. On his deathbed, however, he beholds her with emotions of a very different kind, marries the mother, recognizes her daughter, and dies happily!

In another moral tale, we are made acquainted with a nobleman, who thinks he is a misanthrope, and yet proves the most amiable, humane, and honourable of mankind; he declares against marriage, and hates widows, and yet he concludes by being united with a widow! Several of the stories are written in such a manner, as to produce considerable effect.

"Espagne, par M. A. de Laborde, &c." An Account of Spain, by M. Alexander de Laborde.

M. de Laborde, the celebrated banker in Paris, had conceived the idea of composing a Voyage Pittoresque de l'Espagne," with a variety of fine plates, and executed after the manner of the Count de Choiseul's work of the same kind. That revolution, however, which has elevated Joseph Bonaparte to the throne of Spain, prevented the completion of his labours, and he has now contented himself with a publication inferior to the former in every point of view.

A large portion of the first volume, is chiefly occupied with short directions for the use of a traveller; together with an account of the climate, and geography of the respective provinces. An itinerary fills more than two other volumes, and this is followed by a dissertation on the population, manufactures, government, &c.

It is the opinion of this author, that Spain was never in a more prosperous state than at the period anterior to the present unhappy contest. In confirmation of this, he asserts that it was not only more populous, but better cultivated than ever; facts which have been contradicted by a variety of native historians, and are indeed, in direct opposition to popular and received opinions. He also thinks, that the discovery of America, instead of being prejudicial, as hitherto supposed, to the

mother

eastern deities, in little gilded boxes, closely shut, and rolling along on wheels. In fine, being destined by nature to breathe a pure and healthy air, they did so, and were men." The mode pointed out for preventing newly-painted rooms from being deleterious, is to keep a fire constantly lighted in them, and for a closet that is not provided with a chimney, it is recommended to burn a fire in an adjoining apartment. This is a very simple, and if efficacious, a very important communication; but the succeeding letter, which denounces the practice of blueing linen, as troublesome, may be thought too trifling.

The next agricultural epistle consists of an eulogium on the purity of the air of Paris, notwithstanding the immense number of inhabitants, the numerous burial-places, and the infected state of the atmosphere. This is generally attributed to the waters of the Seine, into which every species of filth is emptied; but this river on the other hand travers ing the whole of the immense capital, according to some, compensates for every thing, and purifies the atmospheric air, so as to render a crowded city salubrious. M. de Scevole, however, supposes, that the agitation occasioned by carriages, passengers, and the ringing of bells, operates as so many secondary causes.

We now come to a dissertation on the existence of the soul, occasioned by the four following lines, composed by Frederiek the Great:

"Dès que nous finissons, notre ame est eclipsée,

"Elle est en tout semblable à la flamme

élanécé

"Qui part d'un bois ardent dont elle se nourrit,

Et dès qu'elle tombe en cendre elle baise et perir."

Our author meets this passage with the following couplet:

Ignis ubique latet; naturam amplictitu

tions of the French peasantry unhealthy. We find that they are obliged from necessity to reside under the same roof as their cattle, with only a thin separation between, and after they (themselves and their cows) have repaired to the fields, their huts are generally shut up, while their windows are constantly fastened. In addition to this, they lie on uncured feather-beds, and use straw mattrasses (paillase), which are emptied but once in four years. It is difficult, we are told, to remove the prejudices of the cottager by argument; and it becomes necessary to recur to indirect means. The author once demonstrated to a person of this description, the folly of sleeping in an alcove or niche, with the curtains closely drawn, by merely placing a bird above his head, and exhibiting the little animal' nearly expiring in the morning.

Madame G. next treats of air in ge neral; the necessity of repose after labour; and the propriety of eating proper aliments. She distinguishes potatoes among "the solid and substantial foods;" is a great advocate for rye bread, and recommends four meals a day! We are next presented with a chapter on the advantages and disadvantages of labour; the danger of suppressing perspiration by a sudden chill, &c. Most diseases, we are told, may be cured by a due proportion of exercise; and in some of the southern provinces of France, the magistrates offer prizes annually to promote running, jumping, &c. Mothers are warned against the use of bandages for their children; the danger of sleeping in the fields is pointed out; the use of lead and copper vessels is prohibited, as are also pewter mugs for cider and wine. Great pains are taken to demonstrate that new houses are unhealthy: the Romans, we are told, prohibited any from being inhabited until after the expiration of three years.

In order to render the thatch of cottages more durable, it is recommended to cover them with a moss called la fon

tinale in combustible (fontinalis anti-pyretica), a plant that grows in great plenty in pools of water, &c. Another, the tortula barbularuralis, Hdw. 5, and the briyum rurale, Dillers, is produced on trees. These, we are told, will not only enable them to last half a century, but prevent them at the same time from being destroyed by fire. The receipt is taken from Sonnini, who observes, that the Laplanders always guard their wooden

4 R

chimnies