duce perfons who will be animated with the daring zeal of a Blackbourne, or rife even to the gentle and charming liberality of a jortin. Without indulging to a fpirit of innovation and novelty, Dr. Bentham's pupils will probably continue in a peaceful fubjection to eftablished doctrines and conftitutions; and fuch, we apprehend, are the very kind of clergymen that would be moit agreeable to the temper and views of the late archbishop Secker.

Art. 26. Free Thoughts upon a Free Enquiry into the Authenticity of the first and fecond Chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel. Addreffed to the anonymous Author. With a fhort prefatory Defence of the Purity and Integrity of the New-Teftament Canon. By Theophilus. 8vo. 1 s. Wilkie.

This is the production, not only of a fenfible Writer, but of one who entertains the most enlarged views with regard to the doctrines of the New Teftament. We cannot, therefore, but think that he is more difconcerted at the Free Enquiry than might be expected from a perfon of fo liberal a turn of fentiment. The caufe of truth will bear the ftricteft fcrutiny; and could it even be proved, that the two first chapters of St. Matthew are fpurious, the purity and integrity of the gospel canon would ftill be maintained, according to the very idea of the fubject laid down by Theophilus himself, viz. That no one truth in the New-Teftament code, on which the principle, fpirit, and power of that revelation futtains its divine authority, can be fuppofed to come within the power of man to change or alter; or, in other words, that there is no one fanctifying, faving truth, which can be taken from, or changed in that volume.' We do not make these remarks as concurring in opinion with the Author of the Free Enquiry. On the contrary, we think it highly probable that the first and fecond chapters of St. Matthew are authentic, and that his history was originally written in the Greek language.

As to the thoughts here offered by Theophilus, many of them are judicious and important, and tend, in no inconfiderable degree, to remove feveral of the difficulties ftarted in the work to which the pamphlet before us is an answer.

Of the Free Enquiry, which has given birth to thefe Free Thoughts, our Readers will find an account in the Review for April. Art. 27. The Authenticity of the first and fecond Chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel vindicated. In Anfwer to a Treatife, intitled, A Free Enquiry into the Authenticity,' &c. 8vo. 6 d. Wilkie, This little piece, which is written with remarkable candour, comes directly to the point in debate. In our account of the Free Enquiry, we obferved, that the Author of it had been more fuccessful in flating the internal than the external evidence relative to his fubject. The truth of this remark is abundantly manifest in the prefent performance; the Writer of which hath brought feveral confiderable arguments to fupport the authenticity of the two first chapters of St. Matthew. He has rendered it almost certain that the Ebionite gospel was only a tranflation from the Greek, and has fhewn, that the Free Enquirer is miftaken in fome of his authorities. In fhort, that gentle man will find this tract to be worthy of his very serious attention.

MISCEL

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 28. De Vita et Moribus Johannis Burtoni, S. T. P. Etonens fis. Epiftola Edwardi Bentham, S. T. P. R. ad Reverendum admodum Robertum Lowth, S. T. P. Epifcopum Oxenienfem, 8vo. 6 d. White, &c. 1771.

The general character of the late Dr. Burton cannot have been unknown to our learned Readers, and we have several times had occafion to mention his writings in the course of our Review. A more particularly account of him may, however, be acceptable to many perfons; and fuch an account is now prefented to the public by Dr. Bentham, partly from private affection and gratitude, and partly with a view of exhibiting to the clergy an ufeful and laudable example.

From the narrative here given it appears, that Dr. Burton was long an eminent tutor at Oxford, that he always retained a peculiar fondness for academical exercises, and was a great friend to improvements in the difcipline of the univerfity. It is much to his honour that he introduced Locke, and other modern philofophers, into the fchools. In a number of refpects befide, his life and conduct were deferving of notice and applaufe ;-but, for particulars, we must refer to the tract itself, which cannot fail of being entertaining to fuch as love to be acquainted with the peaceful employments of men who have been devoted to literary ftudies.

Art. 29. Oratio Harveii Inflituto habita in Theatro Collegii Regalis Medicorum Londinenfis, fefto Sancti Lucæ, O. 18. 1770. 4to. I s. Johnston.

A flowery declamation, in which we are told, what we have been often told before by the learned college, viz. that Linacre was the Maecenas of the age in which he lived. The orator is Dr. Relhan. Art. 30. Animadverfions upon Elements of Criticifm: calculated equally for the Benefit of that celebrated Work, and the Improvement of English Stile. With an Appendix on Scotticifm. By James Elphinston. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. fewed. Owen. 1771.

The Author of this publication does not feem to be unacquainted with the principles of the English language; and his animadverfions may anfwer, in fome meafure, the ends he propofed by them. We muft obferve, however, that he appears to us to have conceived too high an opinion of the work he has criticifed, which, with regard to compofition, in particular, is extremely defective: it no where attains to the praife of elegance; and it every where abounds with grammatical inaccuracies, and colloquial impurities.

Art. 31. The elementary Principles of Tactics; with new Obfervations on the military Art. Written originally in French by Sieur B-, Knight of the military Order of St. Lewis, and tranflated by an Officer of the British Army. 8vo. 6s. Hooper. 1771. This appears to be the work of an ingenious and intelligent officer. It traces to their fource many errors in the prefent fyftem of tactics in Europe; and fuggefts a method by which they may be remedied. The remarks, which it offers on the military difcipline and arrangements of the Greeks and Romans, have particular merit.

Art.

Art. 32. A new and accurate Defcription of all the direct and cross Roads in Great Britain. By D. Patterson, Afiftant to the Quartermafter general of his Majefty's Forces. 8vo. 1$. 6 d. fewed.

Carran.

1771.

Several improvements are here made on the former publications of this kind; the new roads, and the alterations in the old ones, being efpecially noticed: but we have yet feen no road-book on a plan fuf ficiently intelligible, and eafy for common ufe. They are all, indeed, fo intricate, that many, who may want to confult them, find it a very difficult matter to comprehend the scheme of the work, fo as, on immediate infpection, to gain the information they may occafionally want. We apprehend the dictionary-form would prove more generally ufeful; in which every circumftance relating to each town or city might be fimply comprehended in one article, without farther reference or deduction.

Art. 33. Travels into France and Italy, in a Series of Letters to a Lady. 12mo. 2 Vols. 5 s. fewed. Becket and De Hondt.

1771.

The disagreeable affectation of tafte and virtu, which runs through thefe volumes, is too frequently characteristic of our travellers. The compliments too which the Author pays to the Lady, to whom he addreffes his Letters, are too frequent, and too infipid, to be any recommendation to them. There are Readers, however, to whom, on the whole, this performance may not be unacceptable.

S ERMONS.

1. The Nature of the Chriftian Covenant confidered. In a Difcourfe on Gal. v. 5, 6. intended as a Confutation to the peftilential and novel Doctrines propagated and taught by certain itinerant Miflionaries called Methodists; who are now difperfing, in the most artful Method, through this Kingdom, as the Author is advised of by his Diocefan the Bishop of Exeter. By the Rev. H. Land, A. M. late Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and Rector of Clare Portion in the Church of Tiverton. 8vo. 6d. Robinson and Roberts. II. A Difcourfe upon Friendship, before the Corporation of Liverpool. By the Rev. William Hunter, Fellow of Brazen-Nofe College, Oxford, and Minister of St. Paul's, Liverpool. 8vo. 6d. Cadell. 1771.

III. A Sermon on the Millenium, or Reign of Saints for a thousand Years. By Jofeph Greenhill, A. M. Rector of Eaft Horsley and Eaft Clandon, in Surry. 4to. 6d. Wilkie. 1771. IV. TO LIVE is CHRIST, to DIE is GAIN. On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, at Newbury Port. By Jonathan Parfons, A. M. Minister of the Prefbyterian Church there. To which are added, An Account of his Interment, the Speech over his Grave by the Rev. Mr. Jewet; and fome Verfes to his Memory, by the Rev. Thomas Gibbons, D. D. Portsmouth, New Hampshire, printed. London reprinted. Buckland.

V. The Folly, Sin, and Danger of conforming to the World. Preached at a monthly Exercife, at the Rev. Mr. Reynolds's Meeting-place, near Cripplegate, March 21. 1771. By Samuel Stennet, D. D. 6 d. Buckland, &c.

CORRE

CORRESPONDENCE.

From Dublin we have received the following addrefs, the civility of which deferves that attention we have endeavoured to exprefs in the review of the Letter to Lord Townshend*, which came with it, as we understand, from the Author, who is (we dare fay) what he ftyles himself, a Lover of his

country.

"Gentlemen,

"The very inconfiderable figure this country has made in the republic of letters, is, no doubt, the reafon you never touch at it in your literary peregrinations.

"Juft as this reafon may be, I wish it may not, in its confequence, prove a difcouragement to literature. The love of fame was planted in the human breaft for very wife purposes, which you do not (I am fure) wish to obftruct; and yet may not your inattention to this country have that operation? How many may expect to receive immortality at your hands, who could not hope for it from their fellow-citizens?

"The facts ftated in the fmall compofition which I send you, are little, if at all, known in England, notwithstanding it cannot be denied, that they deferve the attention of every one that wishes well to the intereft of the British empire, but particularly of the Society for the encouragement of arts, who have so laudably extended their encouragement to this much-neglected country.

"The obvious means you have of recommending defigns of this kind to public attention, is the best apology that can be made for this communication.

"I am, (Gentlemen), your obedient fervant,

"A LOVER OF HIS COUNTRY."

We affure this worthy gentleman, that we heartily with our ability to recommend, effectually, defigns of the fort which, is here communicated, were at all proportioned to our inclination. But, alas!" Patriæ cecidere manus!”

We behold, with filial concern, the horrid uncultivated wastes on the bofom of our fruitful mother, England. A gentleman, whom our Correfpondent frequently praifes, has made the tour of this kingdom, and ftrenuously recommends the cultivation of these wastes. We gave our humble fuffrage for that great and good work of improvement, as we heartily give it to this which is now propofed by our Correfpondent.

And, as true friends to the cultivation of every part of the British empire, we earnestly recommend to the defigners of fuch public fpirited plans, not to promife too great things. We know that the fuppofed extravagancies of Mr. Young's fcheme have hurt its reception. "Moderata durant" be our motto.

See page 65 of this month's Review.

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For

AUGUST, 1771.

ART. I. The Hiftory of England, from the Acceffion of James I. to the Elevation of the House of Hanover. By Catherine Macaulay. Vol. V. From the Death of Charles I. to the Reftoration of Charles II. 4to. 15 s. Boards. Dilly. 1771.

TH

HOSE of the female fex, who have been ambitious of reputation in the republic of letters, have generally diftinguished themselves by their vivacity and imagination. Topics, which require investigation and labour, have been thought too ferious and important to engage their attention. It has been conceived, that they are inferior in capacity to men, and that wisdom is an enemy to beauty. The narrowness, however, of understanding objected to them, is not to be ascribed to nature, but to the want of cultivation; and it must be allowed, that our fair Hiftorian has acquitted her felf with a degree of ability and merit, which has not always been attained by thofe who have treated of English affairs.

The great objects of her attention, in the volume before us, are the abolition of monarchy, by the commons, after the execution of Charles I.; the establishment and acts of the repubc; the ufurpation of Cromwell; and the ftate of parties and events, to the restoration.

While England continued under the republican form, it rofe to a state of fingular profperity and grandeur; and the fpirited Writer dwells with much triumph on this interefting period of our hiftory.

Never, fays fhe, did the annals of humanity furnish the example of a government, fo newly established, fo formidable to foreign ftates as was at this period the English commonwealth. To republics the obje of envy, to monarchs of hate,

to