Curiosity, but could not tell what went before or after them. On the strength of this evidence, Kent was fined in the penalty of twenty pounds, which was levied on him by distress: but which, in consequence of the decision of the Court of King's Bench, has since been returned by the convicting magistrate. Mr. Gleed, the Counsel for Kent, acquitted himself with much ability; and we were astonished that his arguments made no impression on the Bench and on the Jury.

Such Reports as this ought to be published, in order to shame mankind from similar proceedings. We may reason with weak minds, we may endeavour to laugh them out of their absurdities, or we may try to dissuade others from following them, but we should not endeayour to crush them by arming obsolete statutes against them. Kent and a few of his neighbours were praying extempore and singing psalms, and for this he is dragged into Court. Would it not have been wiser to have followed the advice of Gamaliel, "Let them alone." Persecution for religion never convinces the persecuted: but it often gives them consequence in the eyes of the multitude, who are always ready to side with and take the part of those who, for the sake of conscience, are harassed with pains and penalties. Mr. Kent the baker may be a very zealous Methodist, and may prefer extemporaneous devotion to prescribed forms of prayer: but he may also be, and he probably is, (for no impeachment of his moral character was attempted) a loyal, virtuous, and useful member of society. Ought such a man to have been fined, on the deposition of persons who scarcely knew the meaning of words, and could not repeat what they heard? Surely, these proceedings are a disgrace to the County of Berks: but, thanks to the Court of King's Bench, not to Great Britain.

Art. 21. A Report of the Trial of Edward Sheridan, M.D., upon an Indictment for a Misdemeanour at the Bar of the King's Bench, on Thursday and Friday, 21st and 22d Nov. 1811. By John P. Hatchell, Esq., Barrister at Law. 8vo. pp. 132. 49. Dublin printed; London, Longman and Co.

-

Though an Irish trial evidently possesses less interest for us than for our fellow-subjects on the western side of St. George's Channel, several points in the present publication may claim a share of our attention. The indictment charged Dr, Sheridan with being present at a Catholic meeting on 11th July last, and with acting in the nomination of a Committee, professedly for the purpose of petitioning, but "to the great encouragement of riot, tumult, and disorder," &c. - No denial was attempted in regard to the fact of participating in the business of the meeting, but the charge of disloyalty was strongly resist, ed, and called forth all the eloquence of the Traverser's Counsel, Mr. Burrows and Mr. Goold. The speeches on the side of the Crown by the Attorney and Solicitor General, if less remarkable for brilliancy, are intitled to attention; the former for the clear view of Catholic disabilities which was exhibited in the opening of the case; the latter for the close reasoning displayed in reply to the animated and persuasive addresses of the opposite pleaders. The Irish bar has long been noted for energetic declamation, and the present exhibition is by no means inferior to those of former years. In looking over the

the list of jurymen, we could not help being struck with the number to which the Crown objected, viz. twenty-four, among which are several members of highly respectable families. No insinuation is made against either the loyalty or the morals of these inadmissible persons; and if the sole objection consisted in a community of religion between them and the defendant, can we conceive a stronger reason for abrogating invidious distinctions, and restoring to complete harmony with their protestant countrymen, so numerous a proportion of our fellow-subjects? - Notwithstanding all the pains bestowed by the prosecutors on the formation of the jury, the verdict was Not guilty.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 22. Essays on Man, delineating his Intellectual and Moral Qualities. 1. On the Acquisition of Self-knowlege. 2. On the Elements of Human Nature. 3. On the Symptoms of Intellec tual Degeneracy. 4. On the Characteristics of Personal Honour. By Thomas Finch. 1200. 6s. Boards. Sherwood and Co.

1811.

"Dolus latet in universalibus” is a maxim which was never more convincingly exemplified than in the volume before us. Any person who perused only the opening sentences of Mr. Finch's several essays would be ready to expect, if he forgot the above maxim, a com. prehensive view of the interesting subjects which form the titles of his lucubrations: but Mr. Finch is one of those metaphysical painters who delight in taking a bird's-eye prospect of the mind; one of the philosophers who talk of our sensations and perceptions, of volition, memory, judgment, and consciousness, in a biggledy-piggledy sort of a manner; if we may use such an expression, by which we mean that Mr. Finch deals "in conglomeration and confusion." That we may not be said to decide too severely on his performance, we shall select several passages from different parts of his volume; by which, we think, our readers will be able to see how little light is thrown on truth when speculation is unconfirmed by examples; and when no detail whatever is attempted concerning the positive effects produced by the various passions of our nature, but merely a theoretical sketch is exhibited of the effects which those passions are likely to create. The commonest thoughts, too, are enveloped in a cloud of words by this misty metaphysician; and after having gone through pages we rise with a conviction,

"From such opinions, as of this and that,

We all may learn to know we know not what !"

1st. Opinion-ON GENUINE DEVOTION.

'Devotion is the highest order of human excellence. A supreme regard for that being, in whose character infinite perfections harmonize, can proceed only from a noble degree of moral elevation. The mind of a wise and devout man has power sufficient to conceive of the divine attributes, and his heart is virtuous enough to love them. His contemplations dwell on the grandest objects, his hopes anticipate the greatest joys, his soul is influenced by the highest motives,

and

and his conduct regulated by the best of principles. His devotion gives a lustre to his other qualities, and by a gradual transformation assimilates his character to the supreme beauty. Who does not admire his excellence, and pronounce him honourable?'

2d. Opinion-DIFFUSIVE BENEVOLENCE.

It will not be questioned, I presume, whether benevolence, usefulness, and uniform consistency, are requisite to beautify the human character. Qualified to promote the felicity of mankind around us, we should deem it our delight and honour to diminish the number of their prevailing sorrows, and add to the greatness of their present joys.

Selfishness is evidently a disgraceful quality, and the man who lives in the world without usefulness cannot with propriety be deemed honourable. Society receives no benefit from his actions, nor has he any claim to its regards.'

3d. Opinion.-UNAFFECTED HUMILITY.

Excellence of character is likewise distinguished by that genuine humility of mind, which is opposed to arrogance and vanity. Every wise man must unquestionably form the best judgment of his own character,' &c. &c.

"Why! what lenten stuff is this!" Yet the paradoxical assertion, about the necessity of self-knowlege inseparably belonging even to the wisest of men, is really more piquant than the generality of these tasteless truisms. The sections on the Elements of Human Nature' are a labyrinth of language indeed ;-and if vapid verbiage he a symptom of Intellectual Degeneracy,' we are sorry to say that it is here manifested. Having discharged the painful part of our critical duty, we have to give this author the most unqualified praise for rectitude of principle and of feeling throughout his publication. The modesty of his preface, indeed, and the declared intention of his work, (as it appears in what he calls an Inscription,') namely the edification of the younger part of the community, combined with the merit above mentioned, would have totally disarmed our severity, were we at liberty to indulge our own inclinations to mercy, without regard to the justice which is demanded of us by the public. Art. 23. An Account of the British Settlement of Honduras; being a View of its Commercial and Agricultural Resources, Soil, Climate, Natural History, &c. with Sketches of the Manners and Customs of the Mosquito Indians, preceded by the Journal of a Voyage to the Mosquito Shore. Illustrated by a Map. 2d Edition enlarged. By Captain Henderson, 44th Regiment. 8vo. 75. Boards. Baldwin. 1811.

The present is an improved edition of a work which was reviewed by us in vol. lxiii. p. 390. In adverting on that occasion to the subordinate importance of Honduras as a settlement, we bore testimony to the proofs of liberal education and attentive observation which were afforded by Captain Henderson. He has embraced the opportunity of a new edition to incorporate some additional matter into his book, and to correct that deficiency of method which generally marks the early attempts of authors.

Art.

Art. 24. A narrative of the Hardships and Sufferings of several British Subjects who effected their Escape from Verdun. With an Appendix, containing Observations on the Policy and Conduct of Bonaparte towards British Subjects. 8vo. pp. 120. 4s. Vernor and Hood.

Our chief objection to this little publication regards the title; it professes to be what it is not-a real narrative. The editor declares in the preface that he received the materials from two gentlemen who made their escape from France, but he takes care to station these gentlemen in India; and he conceals their names, in order that, if any blame should attach to the publication, it may fall on him. Now, as the names of all who have escaped are known to the French government, and moreover, as gentlemen in India are tolerably well out of Bonaparte's reach, we see no reason for this scrupulous secrecy. Had this little publication been ushered to the world as a tale, we should not have been disposed to speak unfavourably of it. It is marked by nothing extravagant, and considerable interest is excited by the succession of adventures. It is chiefly open to criticism as containing common-place-allusions, and as omitting to give to the narrative that value which would have been afforded by attention to geographical description. The appendix communicates a variety of observations on political topics; which are liable, in a great degree, to the charge of want of novelty, but are temperate, and by no means deficient in judgment. They relate chiefly to the abuse of Bonaparte in our public prints; to the aversion of the French nation to a renewal of revolutionary scenes under any prospect whatsoever; to the unpopularity of the Spanish war among all classes of Bonaparte's subjects; and to the national character of the French. Of the last, the following amusing paragraph may serve as a specimen :

If a misfortune happens to a Frenchinan, he will grieve and express his feelings in moving language, for all his feelings must be communicated; but the next hour you will, perhaps, meet him in the ball-room, or theatre. If the misfortune happens to his friend, he will condole with him, in fine expressions; but, in a few minutes, you, perhaps, will hear him humming an opera tune. Let us be happy, seems to be the universal language of every lip and countenance. If a man cannot read, he can at least dance; and if he has only enough to purchase a dinner he will content himself with a crust of bread and go to the theatre.’

Art. 25. Patriarchal Times, or the Land of Canaan, a Figurate History, in 7 Books; comprising Interesting Events, Incidents, and Characters, founded on the Holy Scriptures. By Miss O'Keeffe. I2mo. 2 Vols. 10s. 6d. Boards. Gale and Curtis.

1811.

Why this should be called a figurate History, we know not, unless it be that the fair author has attempted

"Figuring the nature of the times deceased:"

She omits, however, so many connecting circumstances, that her history of the Patriarchs can only be understood by remembering or referring to the first book of Moses. The work begins, rather

oddly, with a feast given by Abraham to celebrate the weaning of Isaac: then follows a description of Ishmael's wedding-dinner; which consisted, it seems, of a roasted lion, horse-flesh, and crocodile's flesh, with pelican's and cormorant's eggs, at which the countenances of those assembled expressed fullness of pleasure!'-The preservation of Ishmael in the wilderness is improperly attributed to Ñehazi, an imaginary, or as Miss O'Keeffe might call him, a figurate personage. The names of Esau's wives are altered, and Jacob is drawn as a most pitiful character. The similies are pompous, but seldom new, and some of the exclamations are almost ludicrous: such as that of Joseph when his brethren are about to murder him ;—“ Oh ! do not kill me! God bless me! what wilt thou do?"—On the other hand, we think that the episode of Samalah is well imagined; the scene between Asenath and the starving family of Mecrenius affords a lesson against. delay in charitable duties; and other parts of the narrative display some ingenuity.

Art. 26. View of the Jurisprudence of the Isle of Man ; with the History of its antient Constitution, legislative Government and extraordinary Privileges; together with the Practice of the Courts, &c. &c. By J. Johnson, Esq. 8vo. pp. 234. 10s. 6d. Boards. Longman and Co. 1811.

Mr. Johnson expresses his surprize that, in the present age of active inquiry, the peculiar constitution of the Isle of Man should be so little known. He regards it as a singular fact that, amid the various revolutions which have taken place in England, Scotland, and Ireland, this insulated spot should, although an appendage to the British crown, still retain its early constitution and laws. A compilation of these laws, and a history of the constitution, formed accordingly, in his opinion, a literary desideratum; and he employed a residence of some length in the Isle of Man, in attending the courts and collecting materials for the work. To those who study law, he trusts that his volume will be not only curious but useful: while to the public at large, it may at least have the interest of a relic of antiquity. He begins by an account of the authority of the Druids, and of the prerogatives possessed by the antient kings and lords of the island; which is followed by a history and exposition of the legislative government; by a description of the nature of Manks tenures, antient and modern, the titles by descent, marriage, purchase, &c. ; by an account of the Manks penal law; of their courts of judicature and form of trial; of the rights and prerogatives of the Duke of Athol; and lastly of the ecclesiastical law. The larger half of the book, however, consists of an appendix, alphabetically arranged, and forming a tolerably comprehensive dictionary of law-terms currently used in the Isle of Man. The work is dedicated, appropriately enough, to the most puissant prince, John Duke of Athol, the quondam sovereign, and still the governor of the island.

We confess that we can hardly bring ourselves to consider the peculiar institutions of the Isle of Man as a subject of so much interest as it has appeared to Mr. Johnson; and we suspect that his bookseller's report will discover a disposition on the part of the public more alive to our cold calculation, than to the pleasing dreams of