of a tranflater. Poffibly, however, the Door was the author of the fhort preface to the first edition: The concluding paragraph of which feems to partake somewhat of his manner and spirit. It is as follows: I fhall add to thefe, few lines my hearty wish, that this first translation of a claffic, in this weftern world, may be followed with many others, performed with equal judgment and fuccefs; and be an happy omen, that Philadelphia shall become the feat of the American mufes.' At to the merit of the tranflation, it certainly will not bear to ftand in any degree of competition with that elegant verfion, which has lately been given us by the very ingenious Mr. Melmoth, the tranflator of Pliny's and Cicero's Letters; and the writer of thofe admired epiftles, published under the affumed name of Sir Thomas Fitzofborne.The numerous and ample notes, however, which accompany Mr. Logan's tranflation, may, probably, render that work peculiarly acceptable to those who have not a very extenfive acquaintance with the Roman history, or who are not intimately converfant with the Latin language. On farther recollection, we have fome idea that the edition fold by Mr. Whifton, as above mentioned, was not printed in London, but imported from America; but the circumstance is not material. Art. 18. The School Advocate: being an humble Attempt to clear thofe Seminaries from unjuft Afperfions, and proving their Superiority over every other Mode of juvenile Inftruction. To which is added, an Address to Youth, while pursuing a Course of Study; and on their Conduct after leaving School. By W. Weatherall. 12mo. I S. Keeble. 1778. This pamphlet is dedicated to Mr. Bettefworth, mafter of the Academy in Quaker's buildings, Weft Smithfield. It feems to be well intended; it contains fome proper obfervations and good advice; but nothing that should greatly recommend it to the public notice. H. DRAMATIC. Written by Art. 19. The Lady of the Manor, a Comic Opera: 8vo. This occafional Dramatift being a profeffional Reviewer, we shall, in this inftance, confirm the charge often urged against us, and leave the Author to give an account of his own performance, as well as the reader to make his own comment on that account: The outline of the following Opera (written about ten years ago, by way of relaxation from feverer ftudies) was taken from the Country Laffes of Mr. Charles Johnson, particularly the pleafing and romantic episode, borrowed from the Custom of the Country of Beaumont and Fletcher. The Author, in accommodating his plan to the present tafte, was led, of courfe, to reject the revolting abfurdity of fuppofing the custom in question still to fubfift. • The The confiderable alterations and additions, alfo, which he found it expedient to make, both in the plot and dialogue, have fo much diverfified the whole, that it has been as truly as ill-naturedly obferved, "the piece resembles a coat, ftolen a fecond time from a thief, fo metamorphofed, that the very taylor, who firft cut it out would not know the handy-work of his own fhears." It is no wonder that, in this age of originality, fo many trulyoriginal critics, who never play at rob-thief themfelves, fhould fufficiently rally him on fo artful and complete a transformation. He cannot help thinking, however, that these very boneft gentlemen are a little unreasonable in expecting him to do fuch great things merely for his amufement, as are done by those who make play-writing their ferious occupation. If, therefore, this opera hath hitherto met with an approbation as general as even the best of their most elaborate productions; the author cannot but impute it to the excellent acting of the theatrical performers, and the elegant taste of the musical compofer.' Art. 20. Annette and Lubin; a Comic Opera, in one Act. As performed at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. 8vo. 6 d. Kearfly. 1778. What was faid of Rofe and Colin, and the Wives Revenged †, is equally applicable to this performance. Art. 21. The Invafion; or Trip to Brighthelmftone. A Farce of two Acts. As performed, with univerfal applause, at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. Written by F. Pilon. 8vo. Is. Kearfly. 1778. An attempt to make us laugh on a very ferious fubject. The piece, however, taken merely as a farce, must be allowed to contain much drollery. The fcenes of the mock-dentift, and burlesque review, are particularly ludicrous. C. ART MILITARY, Art. 22. A Military Dictionary, explaining and defcribing the technical Terms, Phrafes, Works, and Machines ufed in the Science of War; embellished with Copper-plates of all the common Works used in Military Architecture, as well as the Utenfils employed in Attacks and Defence; with an Introduction to Fortification. 1.2mo. 3 s. Robinfon, &c. 1778. There have been various compilements of this kind, on the fame fubject;-if the prefent contains any very confiderable improvements, they have escaped our notice. The introduction to fortification is taken, with due acknowledgement, from Marshal Saxe. AFFAIRS of the EAST-INDIA COMPANY. Art. 23. An Address to the Proprietors of Eaft India Stock. In confequence of the Errors and Mistakes, in fome late Publications relative to their Shipping. 8vo. 2 S. Nourfe. 1778. Several publications on this fubject have lately paffed through our hands; but where different calculations are opposed to each other, If it afford any confolation to the profeffional dramatifts, who envy him this approbation, they may reft fatisfied, he is by no means difpofed even to amufe himself any more the fame way.' + Vide dramatic articles for October last. Hh3 formed formed on data that require, in order to comprehend them, an intimate knowledge of fhipbuilding, ftowage, and of the Company's private affairs; the verdict must remain with those who are interested with the study. This much may, however, be presumed, that the frequent and loud complaints of abufes in the shipping-departments, cannot be without fome caufe; and that the investigations they have produced, will unfold a fyftem hitherto very little understood, and of courfe terminate in fome degree of reformation. The prefent pamphlet is in favour of the ufual mode of hiring fhips by freight. N. POLITICAL. Art. 24. A full Investigation of the political Negociation between the late Lord Chatham and Lord Bute,-in which the Charges exhibited against Lord B. in various publications, are fully confuted, and the following Propofition indifputably established, viz that the late Earl of Chatham did not only court a political Negociation with the Earl of Bute, but gave all the Overtures fuppofed to have been fent him, his hearty Approbation and Acceptance. 4to. I s. Fielding. About it, Goddefs! and about it. Art. 25. An Examination into the Conduct of the prefent Adminiftration, from the Year 1774, to the Year 1778. And a Plan of Accommodation with America. By a Member of Parliament. 8vo. 1 s. 6d. Almon. This Writer's condemnation of minifterial measures, may claim the greater attention, as he does not appear to be confederated with the prefent oppofition-party. His fcheme for raising troops by a certain parish quota, is a good hint. His remark on the unconftitutional mode of previously obtaining ministerial fecurity, by parliamentary fanétion, points to a matter of the highest importance to the ftate; for what parliamentary cenfure of the misconduct of minifters, can be expected, after their plans have · been approved in parliament? by which means a measure of the minifter's becomes the measure of the legislature. His idea that a change of fyftem ought ever to be attended with a change of minifters, deferves attention. His obfervations on this head are new, and feem to be founded in good policy. His propofal for stopping the American war, (without acquiefcing, nominally, in the independency of the United States) in order to employ the whole ftrength and refources of this country againit France, is the basis of his plan for an accommodation with the revolted colonies. France being fubdued, of which no doubt is made, the Americans (our Author concludes), will naturally propose fuch terms of union with us, as we may accept, without departing from our natural dignity, or intereft.-Thefe future terms are predicted and stated, by our Author, and we really think that they would prove equally flattering to the ambition of America, and fubfervient to the permanent welfare of Great Britain. One confequence, however, of his fcheme for withdrawing the troops from America, feems to have efcaped the Author's forelight. He has, indeed, been fully aware of, perhaps, molt of the objections that can be made to his propofal, but it does not appear that he has duly d uly reflected on the great probability, not to fay certainty, that the evolters would, inftantly, on finding themselves freed from the oppofition of a royal army, attack and conquer the loyal provinces of Florida, Canada, and Nova Scotia. And would not this fingle circumftance effectually overturn the whole fyftem here recommended to the public? In fine, we fee not how it can, in any view, be deemed adviseable to withdraw the troops from America, without fuch a previous convention with the Congrefs, as may be thought a proper fecurity for our remaining colonies in that part of the world. Art. 26. A Letter to the People of America, lately printed at New York; now republished by an American. With a Poffcript, by the Editor. Addreffed to Sir W- H. 8vo. 13. 6 d. Becket. 1778. The Author earnestly admonishes and exhorts the revolted Americans to make it up with us; endeavouring to convince them, by every popular argument, that nothing but immediate reconciliation can fave them from deftruction. The Poffcript may be confidered as an home-thruft at the late commander in chief of the British forces in America; but is it not ungenerous to prejudice the minds of the people against a man who expects a legal inquiry into his conduct? The Editor anfwers this question, in order to vindicate his own conduct, and prove Sir W. H. to be fair game, as he politely expreffe. it; but for particulars we refer to the pamphlet. Art. 27. The Public Welfare: or, an infallible Method of paying off the National Debt of England; affording a perpetual Supply for every exigence of Government, without levying any Tax; and rendering Men as happy as Riches can make them. Humbly addressed to both Houfes of Parliament. By M. D--z. 8vo. Is. Hookham. 1778. This pamphlet seems to be the production of a well meaning, but mistaken writer, and the apparent warmth and goodness of his heart will, with us at least, make fome atonement for the defects of his performance. He who has been at the trouble of making the laborious calculations on which this plan is founded, will not expect us to follow him through the whole, or even the greater part of them. It must be in the more eafy and obvious parts of thofe computations that we can attend him; and if he has stumbled here, may we not with fome reafon conclude, that he may have done fo in those which are more troublesome and intricate; efpecially when the conclufions point toward fuch extraordinary objects? The Author's plan is this: banks are to be erected by the ftate in all the capital cities of England, to which individuals may fubfcribe fuch fums of money as they think proper; the money thus fubfcribed, is to be the property of government for twenty years, after which time the fubfcribers are to receive 30 per cent. per ann. for it, during the life of any perfon whom they may think proper to nominate; but if that nominee die before the expiration of the said twenty years, the whole fum fubfcribed, is to be the property of the state for ever. This agreement is to be fubject, nevertheless, to this condition, that if any subscriber fhall, at the end of ten years, find himself reduced Hh 4 duced to the neceffity of doing it, he may demand 2 1⁄2 per cent. interest for his money for the ten years then elapfed, and have the power of affigning the principal over to another perfon, who is then to fet out on the original terms that he himself did, viz. of receiving 30 per cent per ann. after the expiration of twenty years from the date of the affignment, during the life of his nominee, if that nominee fhould furvive the faid term of twenty years. The ftate banks are to make what advantage they can of the money which is fubfcribed, while it remains in their hands, and which Mr. D--z, calculates at 8 per cent per ann. compound intereft, and he recommends this fcheme to the ftate, as an infallible way of paying off the national debt, and providing for all future contingencies. To the public it is also recommended as a most excellent mode of providing for daughters and other younger children; or the children of fuch perfons as may die and leave them otherwife in narrow circumstances. Mr. Dz fuppofes, that out of one hundred perfons who may fubfcribe to the loan which he recommends, fixty will die in twenty years; and therefore government would have only to pay annuities to the remaining forty for life: he adds that this fuppofition is according to the calculations of Halley, Graunt, Kerfboom, Simpson, &c. &c. Of thefe we have before us the tables of Halley and Simpfon, the former founded on the Breslaw bills of mortality, the latter on those of London. We have alfo in view the tables deduced by the truly ingenious and learned Dr. Price, from the Northampton and Norwich bills. According to Halley, if fix hundred and fixty one perfons be living at ten years of age, there will be living out of them five hundred and thirty one at the age of thirty; that is, one hundred and thirty will die out of fix hundred and fixty one, or fomewhat less than twenty out of one hundred. According to Mr. Simpfon, one hundred and nine will die out of four hundred and ten between those two ages, or fomewhat more than twenty fix out of one hundred. By pursuing the fame fteps it will appear, that according to the Northampton bills, fomewhat less than twenty four will die out of one hundred; and fomewhat more than twenty two, according to thofe of Norwich: the mean of these two being twenty three out of one hundred, may properly enough be taken as the probability of life throughout all England between thefe two ages; the greater degree of longevity in the country villages, being in fome measure compenfated by the greater degree of mortality in the city of London, above what it is in those two towns. Hence it appears, that at the expiration of twenty years, the fate would have feventy seven annuitants to pay, inftead of forty, as our Author fuppofes nearly double the number! It is true, if we were to take an interval of twenty years, from any other period of life, confiderably didant from this, the difference between us would have been lefs; but we chofe this because it is one of our Author's own examples, and because, it is the age which most people will without doubt adopt,-and with reafon. We have moreover two or three other objections to our Author's plan, none of which are amongst those which he has attempted to obviate, |