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light future ages, and render permanent the most important characteristics of the present.

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Relative to the expence of these coins, Mr. W. tells us that, taking an average of different statements made by various intelligent persons in correspondence with him, not less than a capital of 300,000l. has been expended by companies and individuals, on the whole mass of private coinage, of which specimens are described by Mr. Conder.' Three small plates only illustrate this work.

Art. 70. The Fallacy of French Freedom, and dangerous Tendency of Sterne's Writings. Or an Essay shewing that Irreligion and Immorality pave the Way for Tyranny and Anarchy; and that Sterne's Writings are both irreligious and immoral concluding with some Observations on the present State of France. By D. Whyte, M. D. late Surgeon to English Prisoners in France. 8vo. IS. Hatchard.

Two subjects are here united which bear no relation to each other, and cannot with success be blended in one discussion. The obscenity of Sterne's writings is universally owned and generally lamented but the vicious tendency of his works has nothing to do with French principles or practices; of both which Dr. W., from having lived in France, has a complete abhorrence. Speaking of the fair sex in France, Adieu (says he) to English morals; adieu to English liberty; and adieu to every thing that is sacred in religion, or decorous in common life, should the fair ones of Albion ever stoop to form themselves on such abominable models.'

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He tells us, also, that there the essence of justice and the forms of law are equally laid aside.' These are the author's words: but whether they may be taken literally, or cum grano salis, we pretend not to say. The reader must exercise his own judgment.

Art. 71. A Tour of the River Wye and its Vicinity. Enriched with Two Engravings. 12mo. 2s. sewed. Sael. 1798.

Those who have read the more extensive works of Gilpin and Ireland, on the picturesque beauties of the Wye, will find little in the present small volume to attract their attention: but it may be an useful pocket companion to the traveller who is engaged in exploring the delightful scenery of this celebrated river.

THANKSGIVING SERMONS, Nov. 29, 1798. Art. 72. Preached at the Parish-Church of Heytesbury, Wilts. By David Williams, Curate of Heytesbury. 8vo. 1s. Williams. This sermon does not rank in the class of ranting performances: the author is temperate in his censures; and while he explodes the principles and conduct of the French, he also candidly leads us back to pre-disposing causes. Far indeed (he says) be the intention from this consecrated place, where the words of truth and soberness, in accents of love and charity, should alone be heard, to bring any malignant or railing accusation, even against our enenties. The Lord rebuke them and convert them.'Of these our adversaries, however, he leaves no very favourable impression on the minds of his audi

ence.

We incline, with Mr. Williams, to retain the common version of the first part of his text, (Isaiah, viii. 12-14.) a confederacy, rather than admit the criticism, ingeniously, but diffidently, proposed by Dr. Lowth, or more properly by Dr. Secker; who, instead of this, would read, by some change of letters in the original word, it is holy, referring to the diviners or soothsayers who imposed their illusions under the appearance of sanctity: but, as conspiracy is often signified by the Hebrew term, confederacy also well accords with its primary signification; and the warning here implied seems very seasonably addressed by the prophet to his countrymen, who were anxibus to obtain foreign earthly connections and assistance, while they disregarded and neglected the protection and aid of Heaven.

Preached in the Church of St. John Baptist, Wakefield, By the Rev. Richard Munkhouse, D. D. Svo. 18. Riving

tons.

Dr. M.'s sermon glows with pious gratitude to the Giver of all victory, pointedly reprobates and condemns democratic and seditious principles, and energetically exhorts us to order our conversation by the sound maxims of religion, loyalty, and virtue. Text, Ps. I. 23. Liturgy version.

FAST SERMON, Feb. 27, 1799.

Art. 74. Preached before the Hon. House of Commons. By the Rev. Thomas Hay, D. D. Canon of Christ-Church, Oxford. 4to. Is. Walter.

A respectable writer, in a periodical paper, lately expressed his astonishment at seeing "such a number of political sermons continually issuing from the British press:"-adding, that "it was, to him, a matter of wonder that many of them were so replete with bitter invective and violent declamation, that the mild and pacific maxims of the gospel seemed almost totally overlooked,—in a country which calls itself CHRISTIAN !"

Without stopping to animadvert on this remark, we sltall only note that, in the instance before us, the author is less liable to the charge implied in the above quotation.-Indeed it could not be expected that, in a discourse intended to be delivered before one of the great branches of our legislature, the preacher should enlarge on the ravages of war, and the innumerable miseries which follow it:. for, whatever religion or humanity might dictate, the learned and eloquent orator could not, for a moment, forget that his auditory had sanc tioned every measure of hostility which had taken place since the commencement of the war.

As a specimen of Dr. Hay's sermon, we shall extract a passage in which he expatiates on the uniform tenour of our national policy;

The policy of this country (says he) has been uniform and decided; it still continues to assert the inestimable value of those blessings derived from sound. Religion, and also those derived from our frame of civil government, a regular subordination of ranks, an able and impartial administration of justice, flourishing manufactures, a commerce protected and extended beyond the example of former times,

a great

a great and increased revenue, individual opulence, and national prosperity. Such are the unrivalled blessings which have long excited the envy and the inveterate hostility of the enemy: our wealth has been the object of their avarice; our civil constitution, from its admirable wisdom, and the protection which it affords, is the reproach of their anarchy, their licentiousness, and their tyranný; our religion the condemnation of their infidelity; our power the restraint of their aggrandizement. Hence an enmity eager to deprive us of these invaluable privileges, hence the reiterated menaces of the ruin and extinction of the British empire.

Under this trying conjuncture, let us calmly consider the conduct of our own nation: not with a view to advance exalted claims of presumptuous arrogance, highly unbecoming man's best exertions, but to enquire, whether we have endeavoured to satisfy those great public duties incumbent upon us in the course of the present war, with such a regard to our obvious obligations, in the support of the contest itself, as has manifested our sincere desire to fulfil the distinguished and arduous part allotted to us with such an uprightness and integrity, as we may humbly hope, will recommend this part of our conduct to the merciful acceptance of a gracious God. Have we in any instance been unmindful of the solid establishment of the liberties of Europe, and of those objects inseparably involved in the event of this war?"

On reading this passage, we could not help asking ourselves, with a heartfelt sigh, whether we were mindful of the solid establishment of the liberties of Europe,' when we left the poor honest Poles to be enslaved by the hostile hands of Imperial and Regal power?-Alas! where was then the uniformity of our national policy?'

SINGLE SERMONS,

Art. 75. Preached at the Assizes, at Carlisle, Aug. 12, 1798, before the Hon. Sir Giles Rooke, Knight, one of the Justices of our Lord the King, &c. &c. By Jonathan Boucher, A. M. F. A. S. Vicar of Epsom, Surrey. Published at the Request of the Gentlemen of the Grand Jury. 4to. Is Clarke. This assize sermon is of a political and patriotic cast: the sentiments are laudable; and the language is good.

Art. 76. Preached at Guildford, in Surrey, at the Assizes, July 8, 1798, before the Lord Chief Justice Kenyon, &c. By Jonathan Boucher, M. A. F. A. S. 4to. 16. Clarke.

The character of this discourse is, in the main, similar to that of the foregoing Assize-sermon. It contains also some thoughts and observations which are not common; but which are not the less estimable on that account.-We entirely agree with the author, in his opinion that MERCY, improperly directed, may be productive of the greatest evil. The weakness of good men serving on juries, while it has favoured unfortunate individuals, has proved in its consequences, we fear, very detrimental to the public.

This author's sermons, preached in North-America, between the years 1763 and 1778, on the causes and consequences of the Re

volution

volution in that country, will be noticed in our next Review :-if we are not prevented by the intervention of more pressing subjects. Art. 77. The Duty of loving our Country: preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, July 22, 1798, before the Temple-Bar and St. Paul's District Military Association. By Thomas Bowen, M. A. 4to. IS. Rivingtons.

Well written and well intended: recommending with warmth, yet in a rational manner, the true spirit of patriotism; together with our active endeavours, as circumstances admit, for the security and prosperity of our country.

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the MONTHLY REVIEWERS.

GENTLEMEN,

Newbury, Berks, March 24, 1799.

I N your review of a volume of letters said to have been written by Gen. Washington about the commencement of the American war, (see M. Rev. vol. xxi. p. 475. N. S.) you seemed to express a belief that the whole of the letters were not authentic, but that some of them were notoriously and wilfully fabricated for base and unworthy purposes. This belief, the General himself has fully justified, in a letter which he purposely addressed, some time ago, to the Secretary of State of the United States, (and by the latter published in the Philadelphia Newspaper entitled "The United States Gazette,") wherein he particularizes certain letters, and adds his solemn declaration of his ignorance of their contents, till he saw them in print. I have inclosed the letter above referred to; and I think that in justice to one of the greatest men the world has ever produced, and still more for the propagation of truth and the eradication of error, you cannot deny it a place at the end of your valuable publication. I am, Gentlemen, Yours, &c.

"DEAR SIR,

(COPY.)

F. BAILY.'

"Philadelphia, 3d March 1797. "AT the conclusion of my public employments, I have thought it expedient to notice the publication of certain forged letters, which first appeared in the year 1777, and were obtruded upon the public as mine. They are said by the editor to have been found in a small portmanteau that I had left in the care of my mulatto servant Billy, who, it is pretended, was taken prisoner at Fort Lee in 1776.

"The period when these letters were first printed will be recollected, and what were the impressions they were intended to produce on the public mind. It was then supposed to be of some consequence to strike at the integrity of the Commander in Chief, and to paint his inclinations as at variance with his professions and his duty.-Another crisis in the affairs of America having occurred, the same weapon has been resorted to, to wound my character and deceive the people.

"The letters in question have the dates, addresses, and signatures, here following:

"New York, June 12, 1776. To Mr. Lund Washington, at Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia." G. W.

"To John Parke Curtis, Esq. at the Hon. Benedict Calvert's, Esq. Mount Airy, Maryland, June 18, 1776." Geo. Washington.

"New

"New York, July 8, 1776. To Mr. Lund Washington, at Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia." G. W.

"New York, July 15, 1776. To Mr. Lund Washington, &c." G.W. "New York, July 16, 1776. To Mr. Lund Washington, &c." G.W. "New York, July 22, 1776. To Mr. Lund Washington, &c." G.W. "June 24, 1776. To Mrs. Washington." G. W.

"At the time when these letters first appeared, it was notorious to the army immediately under my command, and particularly to the gentlemen attached to my person, that my mulatto man Billy had never been one moment in the power of the enemy.-It is also a fact that no part of my baggage or any of my attendants were captured during the whole course of the war.-These well known facts made it unnecessary during the war to call the public attention to the forgery by any express declaration of mine; and a firm reliance on my fellow-citizens, and the abundant proofs they gave of their confidence in me, rendered it alike unnecessary to take any formal notice of the revival of the imposition during my civil administration.-But as I cannot know how soon a mere serious event may succeed to that which will this day take place *, I have thought it a duty which I owe to myself, my country, and to truth, now to detail the circumstances above recited, and to add my solemn declaration that the letters herein described are a base forgery, and that I never saw or heard of them until they appeared in print.

"The present letter I commit to your care, and desire it may be deposited in the office of the department of state, as a testimony of the truth to the present generation and to posterity.

"Accept, J pray you, of the sincere esteem and affectionate regard of, "Dear Sir, your obedient

"Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State."

"GEO. WASHINGTON."

In a letter from Dr. Booker, that gentleman expresses a wish for some information relative to the Vision of Pierce the Plowman, to which we made some reference in our Review of the Doctor's Poem on MALVERN: see M. Rev. for December 1798, p. 419.

The poem in question was written by Robert Langland, a secular Priest, and Fellow of Oriel College in Oxford, about the year 135Q. It contains a series of distinct visions, which the author imagines himself to have seen while he was asleep, after a long ramble on Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. (See WARTON's History of Poetry, i. 266.)

It is a satire on the superstition, vices, and luxury of the clergy. It abounds with wit, humour, and just observation; and, like other compositions of this sort, it gives a lively representation of the manners of the times.

A short biography of Langland may be found in Cibber's Lives of the Poets, vol. i. and a small extract is there given from the poem.

THEODOXUS. RUSTICUS.

In acknowleging the favours of Theodoxus and Rusticus, (on different subjects,) we should be happy in paying due attention to their strictures, and in explaining to them the ground on which we built

The last day on which General Washington performed the office of President of the United States. F. B.

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