mer, like "the fly waggon," with which we have travelled very slowly and tediously. The present work offers no such deception. It is a compilation made with taste and judgment; and what is given on the various heads, will frequently be read with both instruction and pleasure. Views in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Northamptonshire, illustrative of the Works of Robert Bloomfield; accompanied with Descriptions. To which is annexed a Memoir of the Poet's Life. By E. W. Brayley. 8vo. pp. 55. 10s. 6d. Vernor, Hood, and Co. 1806. THE interest which our work has always taken in the success of the author of the Farmer's Boy, and the active friendship which he has experienced from one of our associates, are obvious reasons to prejudice us in favour of every thing that tends in the least to increase his honour and reputation. The illustrations of Cowper and Burns have led to this publication, whose object is to illustrate the works of Robert Bloomfield, with drawings and engravings by Storer and Greig. The life, by Mr. Brayley, very appropriately precedes the illustrations and plates. The plates are fourteen in number, besides a blist of Bloomfield, as a frontispiece, by Cromack. The designs are Euston Hall, the seat of the Duke of Grafton; the temple in Euston Park; the Danish Maunds, Thetford; the Place farm, near Thetford; the farm house at Sapiston; Sapiston church; Honnington church, and the cottage in which Bloomfield was born; his mother, by Violet; Fakenham from the meadows; Fakenham from Euston Park; Troston Hall, the seat of Capel Lofft, Esq.; Wakefield Lodge, Whittlebury Forest; Wake's oak; the triangular tower, Shooter's Hill. These are illustrated by quotations from the poet's works, and other information. They are executed with great delicacy, taste, and correctness. The letter press which accompanies the portrait of Mrs. Bloomfield, contains an account of the last stage of her life, by her son, to which is added a copy of verses, addressed to the spindle that she had left "half filled." They are full of beauty and tender expression, In the little that is said of our learned friend, Capel Lofft, Esq. we find this singular anecdote: Troston Hall came into his possession through Robert Maddockes. This Robert " is said to have descended from the Maddockes of Wales, who formerly held the sovereignty of that principality; but the same combination of events, which deprived them of a crown, reduced him below the rank of mediocrity; før this man, who could boast of a regal ancestry, was actually res. duced to traverse the extent of country from Wales to London on foot in search of employment, at the age of thirteen, friendless and alone; and having heard that Cheapside was the most likely place to obtain what he wanted, on his arrival in town he repaired thither: after waiting some time, he observed a merchant soil his shoe in crossing the street.* Full of ardour for any cir cumstance that might give rise to employment, he availed himself of this, and immediately ran and cleaned the shoe. The merchant struck with the boy's humiliating attention, enquired into his situation, and hearing his history, took him into his service: when some time had elapsed, he employed him in his counting house; and he afterwards became a partner in the firm, and acquired a considerable fortune." P. 47. More might, we think, on this occasion, have been respectfully said of the erudition, genius, and benevolence of Mr. Lofft, the patron of Bloomfield. The work is truly elegant, creditable to the talents of Messrs. Storer and Greig, and honourable to the fame of the poet. An Elegy on the Death of Henry Kirke White, who died at St. John's College, Cambridge, Oct. 19, 1806. 4to. pp. 14. 1s, Nicholson, Cambridge, Rivington, London. THIS tribute to the memory of Mr. White, whose labours have so frequently enriched our pages, is the "first poetical essay" of its author. While yet "the remembrance of the deceased bard bloomed in its freshest colours," he invoked the Muses to sing with lamenting notes, a doleful melody —γοεροις στοματεσσι μελίσδετε πενθιμον ῳδαν. and from the public he courts "that liberality and candour which," says he, we are all, but too often, readier to receive than to bestow." Strong impression will produce strong expression, and we are pleased that the poet seized the moment when he most sensibly felt that loss, which genius, virtue, wisdom, and piety, have most deeply to deplore. The elegy is full of vivid feeling, and plaintive and expressive poetry. The "si vis me flere,” is observed throughout. The reader and the poet weep together over the ashes of the best and noblest youth of all that saw the light in his short day. Mr. Brayley's style of punctuation is almost as curious as the anecdote. "Let me remember---(but, ah! how forget?) That mind, stor'd richly with the choicest gems, Nor must I leave unsung the glowing strains, That sound, sweet minstrel! from thy tuneful lyre Thy sweet, pathetic lay---or thoughts of fire!" P. 7. Such is the style of this Elegy, of which we can only suffer ourselves to judge by impression. To others we leave the uncongenial task of verbal criticism. Admonitory Hints on the Use of Sea Bathing. By J. Peake, M. R. C. Surgeons, London. 8vo. pp. 44. 1s. 6d. Burgess, Ramsgate ; Rivingtons, London. 1806. MR. Peake disapproves, and wisely, of the "indiscriminate use of sea-bathing;" but the instruction he affords is so much in the style of Lenitive's conversation, in the farce, that we fear his wholesome advice will be of little service to the loungers at watering-places, for whom it is intended. With his "menorrhagea," his "desquamations on the skin," and "Idiosyncrasy of the constitution," he is technical to the back-bone; and yet, after all this learned pa rade, he is not so well off as my Lord Duberly, for he only wanted, to the perfection of his studies, "words, phrases, and grammar"-Mr. Peake wants spelling also. See pages 10, 13, 28, and other places in abundance. If this medical gentleman would be so good as to translate his work into English, that is, many portions of it, and at the same time call in and consult Doctors Dilworth and Lowth, we believe that it might be made a serviceable manual, or pocket companion to visitors on the coast. An Index to the History of English Poetry, by Thomas Warton, B. D. 4to. 9s. Lackington and Co. 1806. It is justly observed, by the compiler of this desirable work, that the great inconvenience arising from the want of an index to Warton's History of English Poetry, has been severely felt by all who have, in the course of their literary pursuits, had occasion to refer to that noble treasure of poetical knowledge. Advert. To obviate this disadvantage, as it related exclusively to himself, he, at a period of leisure, drew out the present Index. It is, as far as we have examined it, copious and correct, and "the no mean praise of having been useful," we think him eminently entitled to. The impression does not exceed in number one-fourth of the copies of the history. The Invisible Enemy; or the Mines of Wietlitska. A Polish Legendary Romance, By T. P. Lathy. 4 Vols. Lane and Co. 1806. THE title of this novel is both promising and deceitful. When we read the words "Polish," and "mines," we expected some salt; but if it be here, it is buried so effectually as to be wholly invisible. We are poor miners in general, having marvellously little to do with metals, but according to our judgment these are lead mines. In this article we have some experience, and cannot, where the lumps are so large, be liable to err. We dug and dug with that exemplary patience, which, by exercise, Mr. Lane has so much improved in us, but not a single vein of any more precious ore could we discover. Every thing is trite and trumpery. The Bees: a Poem, in four Books. With Notes, moral, political, and philosophical. By J. Evans, M.D. F. R. M. S. Edinb. Book I. 4to. pp. 90, 7s. Longman and Co. 1806. DR. EVANS, like the bees in the motto chosen for our New Series, does not confine himself to one subject, but would gather sweets from all. In this, however, he is not always successful. There is often more dullness than relief from uniformity introduced by his injudicious digressions, and while he is celebrating certain places and persons, doubtless very interesting to the worthy doctor, we are frequently tempted to exclaim with the judge in Rabelais, "à noz moutonz." Not such the digressions in the Georgics: Scilicet et tempus veniet, cùm finibus illis Aut gravibus rastris galeas pulsabit inanes, Grandiaque effossis mirabitur ossa sepulchris. We beg pardon for quoting so much, but these lines are as great a favourite with us, as "the cloud-capt towers, the gorgeous palaces," with poor Sylvester Daggerwood. This however is the digression of true genius. The work is otherwise ingenious, and replete with appropriate research. It was originally intended for "the use of his children only." The verse is musical, and luxuriant, occasionally, to a fault. From whence the peremptory call came that made it seem necessary to publish one book, on such a subject as the present, before the other three were composed, we are at a loss to understand. For these fruits of his relaxation from professional labour, the public are, nevertheless, bound to Dr. Evans, and should he go on improving, he may, in some measure, be admitted to the boast of Virgil: In tenui labor, at tenuis non gloria. Letter to the Independent Electors of Westminster, from Henry Maddock, Junr. Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo. 54 pp. 25. Mil ler. 1806. We first heard this gentleman's name mentioned at a meeting of the rabble at the Crown and Anchor, previous to Earl Percy's election for Westminster, when it was said, or thought (which or how, Heaven knows!) that he intended to offer himself as a candidate to represent the aforesaid city. This disgrace was wisely avoided; and if the folly of writing this pamphlet, to prove that his lordship did not merit the support which he so unanimously and justly received, had also been shunned, it would have been creditable to the prudence of Mr. Maddock. But "who can love and be wise at the same time?" or, who can be defeated in his hopes and hold his tongue? Thus it is-Earl Percy, according to the pamphleteer "is the youthful heir apparent to a powerful nobleman, without any distinguishing personal qualities, and is forced upon them," Now, under correction, Mr. Maddock, Junr. is the heir apparent of an attorney, without any distinguishing personal qualities, and it was most judiciously not attempted to force him upon them. To shew (for it seems to answer no other purpose) how much less qualified he was than they even ima gined, he writes this pamphlet, which is without talent or infor mation. It is true that he professes very prettily about the king and constitution, but from woful experience we have, on these occasions, learnt to esteem this as all moonshine. Letters of St. Paul the Apostle, written before and after his Conversion. Translated from the German of the late Rev. J. C, Lavater. 8vo. 115 pp. 33. Johnson. Ir may be necessary, in this age, when all other books are more read than the best, to observe that St. Paul was, before his |