Page images
PDF
EPUB

is not owing to fastidiousness in us, it is not from an expectation of meeting with flights of eloquence in every paragraph, or with poetical description at the turning of every leaf, that we confess ourselves dissatisfied with this discourse. We think that the author might for once have contented himself with a general attention to historical fact, without descending to the minutia of narration.

The text is taken from the epistle to the Romans, xi. 5. "Where are the fathers ?" After a short introduction, in which there is little to prepossess an audience very much in favour of the speaker, he proceeds to inquire, "who the fathers were, what were their characters, what were their religious principles, and what privileges there are in a descent from them?"

In the answer to the first inquiry, we meet with much to demand our critical censure. Narration, when it is well conducted, is gen erally as interesting to an audience as any part of a discourse. It requires, however, some degree of judgment to discern at what period it should commence, and to select the events, which are most inter esting and of most importance; not a little ingenuity, to embellish, as in the present instance, "a thrice told tale ;" still more of feeling and of taste, to give pertinence to remark, sublimity to description, and impressiveness to exclamation. But here, the narration begins much farther back than is necessary; much is related which might have been omitted; and the old story-is the old story still. There is no pertinence of observation; the only attempt at sublimity we meet with, is a burlesque upon description; and the exclamations produce little more effect than as much unmeaning

sound. As an example of the lat ter, read the following:

'Whatever it cost them! Noble reso

lution! Heroick spirits, worthy of the primitive ages of christianity!

We will extract a specimen of the orator's descriptive talents :

You have often, in imagination, accompanied the shallop, which was sent out with Carver, Bradford, Winslow, Standish, and a few seamen, to sail around the bay, in search of a settlement. When this little company divid ed, you followed, with anxious look, those who travelled on shore, yet not regardless of their fellow adventurers flight of Indian arrows, till you heard in the shallop. You trembled at that the report of the English muskets. But how great was your terrour, when the wind rose, the sea grew tumultuous, the rudder broke, and two men with oars, could scarcely steer the boat! How was that terrour heightened, when night approaching, the mast breaking, you found the storm increasing, the the sail the same instant falling overboard into the sea! You were relieved a moment, when you perceived that, by the mercy of heaven, the flood wafted the shallop into the imagined harbour; but what was your despair, when you heard the pilot cry out, Lord, be merciful, my eyes never saw this place before!

[ocr errors]

-Again you are relieved, when you found the boat safely rowed off from the breakers, that threatened her, into a fair sound, and the pilgrims getting under the lee of yonder island.'

Surely a man, who is ambitious of literary distinction, should be ashamed of such a style as this. We were indeed very much “relieved," and were extremely glad, without any expectation of it, to find ourselves, all at once, so comfortably and calmly sheltered " un-, der the lee of yonder island,” after the fury of the

Una Eurusque Notusque....

....... clamorque virum stridorque rudentum.

However, we were still more "relieved," and much more recon2

ciled to the author, when, under the next general head, we read the following tribute of respect to the late Dr. Belknap :

Why should I detain you, either to prove or to illustrate the disinterested philanthropy and paternal condescension of Carver; the profound wisdom and exemplary moderation of Bradford; the unaffected modesty and patriarchal simplicity of Brewster; the prudent activity and persevering services of Cushman; the pre-eminent abilities and inflexible integrity of Winslow; the daring intrepidity and heroick achievements of Standish? These illustrious names, and the merits attached to them, are entirely familiar to you; nor would faithful tradition, or your more faithful records, ever suffer them to pass into oblivion. To a tablet, however, less perishable than either of these, are their names committed; and it ought to heighten the pleasures of this day to reflect, that a biographer, worthy of them, has at length been found. While faithful narrative, discriminating remark, and purity of style, continue to be universally pleasing, the fathers of New-England will live in the pages of Belknap.

But, that the contrasts may be striking in this rough-wrought piece of Mosaick, in answer to the third inquiry, is given the platform of church discipline, with the articles of religious creed, subscribed to by our forefathers. Of this division we only remark, that it would have been quite as interesting, subjoined in a note. It is

making a discourse truly a farrago; it is introducing arguments, when they are least likely to be attended to, and when an audience require a restorative of some kind or other, after being, as in this instance, drowsily dragged through a dull, dry, dreary piece of narration.

On the whole, this discourse may well be compared to the earth, as described by an ancient poet : " Its greater part," says he, "is covered by the uninhabitable ocean; of the Vol IV. No. 1. G

rest, some is encumbered with naked mountains, and some lost under barren sands; some scorched with unremitting heat, and some petrified with perpetual frost; so. that only a small portion is left for the production of fruits, the pasture of cattle, and the accommodation of man."

ART. 3.

An inaugural oration, delivered in the chapel of Williams College, Oct. 14, 1806. By Gamaliel S. Olds, A.M. professor of mathematicks and natural philosophyStockbridge, Willard. 1806.

It some-,

In this address the professor explains "the importance of mathematical and philosophical science." The style is perspicuous and animated, and the illustrations are happily selected. times seems almost too lively and · poetick for a teacher of the mathematicks; and we presume the author neglected to calculate with accuracy the effect of a metaphor, even in his first sentence. great Father of our spirits has formed the mind of man for improvement, and inspired him with an ardent thirst for knowledge."He had probably in his mind the sublime sentiment of Job, the inspiration of the Almighty hath given him understanding. But no man can reasonably be grateful, that he is inspired with burning thirst.

"The

One other sentence seems objectionable, but the author's correctness would have spared us the mention of an anti-climax, had he re-perused the address after the ardour of composition had abated. "It is the sublime employment of.. the natural philosopher to investi

gate by observation and accurate experiment the laws of the material system, measure with mathematical precision their power and extent, designate their application to the useful purposes of life, and explain the phenomena of the system." Surely the last member of this sentence has usurped the place which was due to the preceding; for the advantage of science must be its application to the useful purposes of life.

But we wish, that every oration, sermon, address, speech, et hoe genus omne, with which our country swarms, contained as much good sense, conveyed in as pure a style, as the pamphlet now before us. After naming Bacon and Newton, the great masters of experimental philosophy, the professor proceeds,

Subsequent adventurers, inheriting the spirit of their fathers, and animated by generous emulation, have explored new regions in the physical world. The hand of electrical philosophy has drawn aside the modest veil of nature, and shown us that sea of liquid fire in which we walk, and which is prepared at the word of the Almighty, to burn up the earth and the works therein, and melt the elements with fervent heat. The persevering researches of the chemist have taught us the composition of some of those elastick fluids, by which the earth is shaken to its centre, and guilty nations punished with

ruin.'

[blocks in formation]

delity, have no hold. By the accurato observation of astronomers it appears, that the circles of planetary motion gradually diminish. Consequently, if the universe be supposed eternal, allthe planets by this convergency, however small in a few thousand years, must long since have fallen into the sun, and the whole system [have] perished in one undistinguished mass."

ART. 4.

The First Church Collection of Sacred Musick. Second edition.

-Look, how the floor of heaven thick inlaid with pattens of bright gold; There's not the smalleft orb, which thou behold'ft,

But in his motion like an angel fings,

Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubim :
Such harmony in immortal fouls! SHAKS.

Boston, Thomas & Andrews.
Sept. 1806. pp. 135.

WE have examined this work, with no inconsiderable solicitude, to discover the proofs of a better taste, than has hitherto prevailed in our country, in selecting_musick for devotional occasions. That grave and solemn compositions are proper for the publick worship of the Deity, every one must confess, who has any sense of the decorum which belongs to time, place, and occasion. The heart, which is impressed with a sense of imperfection, which is penitent for its errours, which is most desirous to appease the displeasure of heaven, and which aspires after a happy immortality, will never employ the lively and unmeaning strains of a ballad in its ascriptions of praise to the Supreme Being. But though all sacred musick is designed for solemn occasions, and therefore every thing gay, trifling, and expressive of levity, ought to be excluded from publick worship; yet

selections of psalmody should combine with the excellencies of composition all the varieties of grave, plaintive, and cheerful airs.

Massachusetts and Connecticut have been deluged with original compositions in musick; and if we should judge of their merit from their number, we in truth excel all the nations of Europe and all the ages of antiquity in the art. We must confess, that we have no Handel, for the honour of whose birth seven cities might contend: but every city and every village in our country boasts of its Handel, and presents you a monument of his fame

Are perennius.

American tunes are not to be used in our churches, because they are of domestick origin; nor ought any of them to be rejected for the same reason. It must be confessed, that but few of them bear the marks of genius and taste, like the little tune called Brookfield, which is ascribed to Billings. So long as sound can express the feelings of the affectionate heart, this will continue to be used with increasing delight, at the commemoration of the supper. Those pieces which have been used for a long course of time, and which, though often repeated, always vibrate pleasantly on the ear, must possess merit in the harmony, as well as in the air. Musical compositions, like other species of writings, depend for existence, and long life and fame, on their intrinsick excellence. A prejudice against American compositions as such, is illiberal, unphilosophical, and contrary to the spirit of patriotism.

But sorry are we to say, that, with but few exceptions, the mass of American

compositions in this art, is deficient in the soul of harmony, and as it is of the earth, it is fast returning to its original dust.

We are happy to be able, on a careful inspection, to speak well of this collection. The tunes which are taken from American authors, are,in general,of a respectable character. But some of them, particularly Confidence and Coronation must have been admitted more from a charitable tenderness to the opinion of the multitude, than from any genius or taste to be discovered in their composition. Most of the pieces are the pieces are from European masters, and published, as far as we can judge, particularly in the tenor and bass, without alteration from the original.* This circumstance entitles the work to some considerable praise, when it is recollected, that, according to the dishonest practice of the times, you scarcely meet with an American edition of a European work in its true original dress. This barbarous practice has more particularly prevailed in the republication of foreign musick. It is a practice derogatory to our national character, and as it is not to be tolerated in a civilized country, it will not, we hope, in future, pass with impunity.

We feel great pleasure in recommending this, and also " the Salem Collection of Classical Sacred Musick," a work of most respectable character, to the use of our Churches. They are calculated to inspire a chaste taste for the art, and to aid the spirit of devotion.

We notice that HABBAKKUK is al tered in the time, and that there are some notes displaced in ITALY,

CATALOGUE

OF NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. For JANUARY, 1807.

Sunt bona, sunt quædam mediocria, sunt mala plura.—MART.

NEW WORKS.

Law.

Reports of cases argued and adjudged in the supreme court of the United States, in February term, 1804, and February term, 1805. Vol. II. By William Cranch, chief justice of the circuit court of the district of Columbia. Potius ignoratio juris litigioso est, quam scientia. CIC. DE LEGIB.-8vo. pp. 446. New York, Isaac Riley &Co. Lexitypographic Press.

Trial of Thomas O. Selfridge, attorney at law, before the Hon. Isaac Parker, Esq. for killing Charles Austin, on the Publick Exchange in Boston, Aug. 4, 1806. Taken in short hand, by T. Lloyd, Esq. reporter of the debates of congress, and Geo. Caines, Esq. late reporter to the state of New-York, and sanctioned by the court, and reporter to the state. Copy right secured. 8vo. pp. 168. $1 in boards. Boston, Russell & Cutler, Belcher & Armstrong, Oliver & Munroe, and W. Blagrove.

A correct statement of the whole preliminary controversy between Thos. O. Selfridge, Esq. and Benj. Austin ; also a brief account of the catastrophe in State-Street, on the 4th of August, 1806 with some remarks. By Thos. O. Selfridge. He takes my life, when he doth take the means whereby I live.Shakes. 8vo. pp. 52. Charlestown, Samuel Etheridge.

Physick.

Medical Papers, communicated to the Massachusetts Medical Society : to which is prefixed a list of their officers. Published by the Society. No. II. Part 1st. Containing 1. Medical Discourse on several Narcotic Plants, by Dr.Fisher. 2. Case of Ruptured Uterus, by Dr. Prescott. 3. Of Dislocation and Fracture, by Dr. Hazeltine. 4. Of preternatural Retention of Urine, by Dr. Thatcher. 5. History of a Wound in the femoral Artery, by Dr. Warren,jun. 6. Some Observations on Worms infest

ing the Human Body, by Dr. Fisher. 8vo. pp. 56. Salem, Joshua Cushing. Education.

The Arts and Sciences abridged, with a selection of pieces from celebrated modern authors, calculated to improve the manners aud refine the taste of youth; particularly designed and arranged for the use of schools. By Charles Pierce, compiler of the American Citizen, Portsmouth Miscellany, &c. Published according to act of congress. 12mo. pp. 216. Portsmouth, N. H. for the compiler, Pierce & Gardner,printers. Elements of Useful Knowledge, Vol. III. By Noah Webster, Esq. 12mo. pp. 300. $1,50.

Divinity.

Strictures on Seven Sermons, with an appendix, by Rev. Daniel Merrill, on the mode and subjects of Baptism. In twelve sections. By Joseph Field, A. M. pastor of the church in Charlemont. pp. 88. Northampton, T. M.Pomroy.

The Baptism of Believers only, and the particular communion of the Baptist churches explained and vindicated." In three parts. The first published originally in 1789; the second in 1794; the third, an appendix, containing additional observatious and arguments, with strictures on several late publications. By Thomas Baldwin. 12mo. pp. 336. Boston, Manning & Loring.

The Deity of Jesus Christ essential to the christian religion; a treatise on the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, written originally in French. By James Abbadie, D. D. and Dean of Killaloe, in Ireland. A new edition of the English translation-revised, corrected, and, in a few places, abridged. By Abraham Booth, A. M. pastor of a baptist church, London. 12mo. pp. 324. Burlington, New Jersey; Ustick, printer.

An Epitome of Ecclesiastical History. By David S. Rowland, late minister of the 1st church in Windham. Hartford, Lincoln & Gleason.

« PreviousContinue »