1815.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. An Easy System of Short-hand, upon an entirely new Plan, founded on long Practical Experience; from its simplicity, and facility of acquirement, peculiarly calculated By for persons who study by themselves. James Mitchell, M. A. The author of this system, who, it appears, has been many years a teacher of short-hand, has been in the habit of remarking the difficulties which occurred in the acquisition of the ar:, and contriving the means of obviating them. In the treatise before us there are given several chapters of the Bible, printed in common characters, according to the abbreviated spelling proper for short-hand, the perusal of which will teach that part of the art, and greatly facilitate the reading of short hand, which is generally more difficult than the writing. The characters are nearly the same as those in the Encyclopædia Britannica. Various practical directions are given, by which proficients may carry the art to the utmost perfection; and a numerous list of arbitrary characters for words in frequent use in different professions. On the whole, the treatise seems better adapted than any we have seen for a book of instruction in short.hand. GEOGRAPHY. Remarkable A Gazetteer of the most Places in the World; with brief Notices of the principal Historical Events, and of the most celebrated Persons connected with them: to which are annexed references to Books of History, Voyages, Travels, &c. intended to promote the Improvement of Youth in Geography, History, and Biography. By Thos. Bourn. The second edit. corrected and enlarged. 8vo. pp. 972. To this volume the motto might have been affixed with the greatest justice, Utile cum dulce;" for such a body of information and entertainment within the same compass we do not remember to have seen. To the general accuracy of the geo. graphical descriptions we can bear a cheerful testi. mony, and we have no hesitation in recommending this gazetteer as far better adapted for the instruction of young persons, and the use of families, than any other of the same size in our language. The extracts from the best books of voyages and travels are made with great judgment, the histori. cal facts are related with clearness, and the poetical passages interspersed throughout evince much taste and moral feeling. There is ano.her advantage which gives a decided superiority to this book over other geographical dictionaries, and that is the excellent paper and type with which it is printed. HISTORY. History of the War in Spain and Portugal, from 1807 to 1814. By General Sarrazin, one of the commanders of the Legion of Honour, and formerly chief of the staff in the corps of the Prince Royal of Sweden. Illustrated with a map shewing the routes of the various armies, svo. pp. 375. 12s. It is observed by this celebrated and unquestionably well-informed writer, that when Buonaparte obtained the title of Consul he began to covet the peninsula. All his subsequent conduct indeed is a proof of the fact, and General Sarrazin takes credit to himself for having predicted to the Prince of Nassau, as early as the spring of 1806, what actually happened, but his Highness could not bring himself to believe that such baseness and ingratitude could 235 exist. The general has here given abundant evi- Critical Situation of Buonaparte in his Retreat out of Russia; or, a Faithful Narrative of the re-passing of the Beresina by the French Army, in 1812. By an Eye Witness. Translated from the French, with notes written by an Officer, who was with the Russian army at the same period, 8vo. pp. 65. This is a very valuable narrative, exhibiting a clear account of the operations of the French and Russian armies after the retreat from Moscow; but what renders the pamphlet particularly valuable is, the disinterested conduct of the writer, who vindicates with great zeal and success the injured Admiral Chichagoff, who has been most unjustly calumniated for not having prevented the passage of the French army across the Beresina, when, as it is here proved, beyond all cavil, he was crippled in his means, overwhelmed by a vast superiority of force, and wholly unsupported by Genera! Wittgenstein and Marshal Kutusoff. The notes which illustrate the translation, while they do equal justice to the talents and energy of the admiral, throw some light on the narrative by the correction of several mistakes and inadvertencies. History of England, from the earliest period to the close of the war, 1814. By John Bigland, 2 vol. 8vo. 11. 16s. Histoire des Societés Secretes de l'Armée et des Conspirations Militaires qui ont eu pour objet la Destruction du Gouvernement de Ronaparte, 8vo. 7s. The same in English, 8vo. 75. Historical, Military, and Picturesque ObBy Major George servations on Portugal. Landmann, of the Royal Engineers, vol. ii. part i. 11. 1s. History of the Island of Guernsey, from the remotest period to 1814, with particulars of Alderney, Serk, and Jersey, 4to. 31. 3s. A Narrative of the Siege of Dantzig in 1813. By an Officer of rank in the French service, 2s. 6d. HYDROGRAPHY. Chart of the Coast of France, from Calais to Quiberon Bay. On three sheets, 10s. 6d. LAW. An Analysis arranged to serve as an Index to Fearne on Contingent Remainders and Butler's Notes. By R. H. Coote, esq. of Lincoln's-inn, royal 8vo. 10s. 6d. Introduction to the Science of the Law, shewing the advantages of a Law Education. By F. Ritso, esq. of Lincoln's-inn, barrister at law, 8vo. gs. Table of Costs as between Attorney and Agent, showing at one view the whole of the Charges as allowed, and the Costs for Plaintiff and Defendant, 1s, 6d. 256 New Publications, with Critical Remarks. MATHEMATICS. Memoir respecting a New Theory of Numhers. By Charles Broughton, esq. Edinburgh. Part I. 4to. 12s. An Easy Introduction to the Mathematics. By Charles Butler, 2 vol. 8vo. 11. 11s. 6d. MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c. Observations on Necrosis of the Tibia. By Thomas Whately, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, 8vo. 6s. An Essay towards the Improvement of some of the most important Instruments of Surgery, and of the Operations in which they are employed. By Wm. Jardine, Surgeon R. N. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Treatise on the Diseases of the Arteries and Veins. By Jos. Hodgson, of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, 8vo. 15s. Engravings of the Thoracic and Abdominal Viscera. By Alexander Monro, jun. F.R.S. 4to. 16s. The Principles of Surgery, as they relate to Wounds, Ulcers, and Fistulas, Aneurism, and Wounded Arteries, Fractures of the Limbs, and the Duties of the Military and Hospital Surgeon. By John Bell, Surgeon. Part 1 to 4, (to be completed in 12 monthly parts) 12s. each. Observations on the Symptoms and Treatment of the Diseased Spine. By Thomas Copeland, esq. Assistant-surgeon to the Westminster Dispensary, 8vo. 6s. Observations on the Animal Economy. By a Physician, svo. 6s. MILITARY. Remarks on the late Trial of an Officer of Rank in a distinguished Regiment of Hus sars, 8vo. 2s. MINERALOGY. Mineralogical Nomenclature, alphabetically arranged; with Synoptic Tables of the Chemical Analysis of Minerals. By Thomas Allan, post 8vo. 12s. MISCELLANEOUS. Essays, Moral and Entertaining, on the various faculties and Passions of the Human Mind. By the Right Hon. Edward, Earl of Clarendon, 2 vols. 12mo. The noble author of this excellent work, written when he was in exile, has been beautifully styled, the Chancellor of Human Nature," and if he had left no other, literary production behind him than the present, the justice of that appellation would have been fully substantiated. Of these essays we may pronounce the character to be wisdom and not wit; he, therefore, who shall look into them for glittering thoughts and sallies of humour on the follies of mankind will be very much disappointed, but the reader who wishes for edification on subjects of importance to the improvement of the mind and the proper conduct of life, will here find a copious variety of profound disquisitions and sagacions observations, calculated to secure that dig. nity which never fails to attend right thinking, and the reward which is the sure consequence of upright walking. The volumes, which are neatly printed, are dedicated, by permission, in a very modest and un [April 1, assuming manner by the Editor, to the Princess Elizabeth. Report of the Evidence and Proceedings of the Coroner's Inquest on Edward Vize, who was shot opposite to the house of the Hon. F. Robinson, in Burlington-street. By Wm. Hone. 2s. 6d. Public Disputation of the Students of the College of Fort William, Bengal, before the Earl of Moira, with his Lordship's Discourse, 20th June, 1814, 8vo. 35. Practical Hints to Young Females on the Duties of a Wife, a Mother, and a Mistress of a Family. By Mrs. Taylor of Ongar. 55. The English Irish Dictionary, containing upwards of Eight Thousand English words, with their corresponding Explanation in Irish. 3s. 4d. NOVELS. By Louis Maria, or the Hollanders. Buonaparte. 3 vols. 16s. 6d. The present novel, which is purely of the sentimental cast, and would not have discredited Richardson, has acquired much popularity on the continent, and will of course attract a proportionate share of notice in this country. The female charac. ters are sketched with great delicacy, and the picture which is here given of the manners of the Hollanders, does considerable credit to the writer, who had so many opportunities of observing the peculiarities of that people. Guy Mannering, or the Astrologer. By the Author of Waverley. In three volumes. 12mo. 21s. Our readers, perhaps, may recollect an idle tale told of Dryden, whose eldest son is said to have misfortunes which were discovered and predicted met, at different periods of his life, the precise by the father, who, at his birth, had cast his nativity. That story is altogether apocryphal, yet it seems to have furnished a hint to the author of these volumes, who has certainly worked up a most interesting series of marvellous adventures, from a horoscope erected accidentally and in compliance with the wishes of a Scottish chieftain at the birth of his son. But there is yet another dealer in the mysteries of fate concerned in the history of Bertram, who is the proper hero of the piece, and that is a gypsey, of the name of Meg Merrilies, who, on the same occasion, weaves a warp and a woof with all the ceremonials of the northern magic. The horoscope of the astrologer and the charm of the sibyl coincided exactly in the eras of misfer-" tune, and the events confirmed the united prophecy. Many objections of a serious nature tight justly be made to the tendency of a book which superstition; and we are afraid that the extraordi thus gives a countenance to the most childish nary merit of the work will serve but the more to render it injurious in this respect to weak minds. The picture of the gypsey is indeed one of the finest drawn that we ever remember to have seen any where, and the characters throughout, with the descriptions, are far superior to those of Waverley. The History of Mr. John de Castro and his brother Bat, commonly called Old Crab. The Merry Matter written by John Mathey, the Grave by a solid gentleman, 4 volumes. 11. 4s. If the preceding work is calculated to excite astonishment and to kerp curiosity continually 1815.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. awake by a rapid succession of marvellous circumstances, which have, however, a natural origin and effect, the present volumes will afford much more rational entertainment and solid instruction. The moral throughout this history is most admirable, but the reader is suffered, and very properly, to discover it for himself. Here are no dry disquisitions or sentimental effusions: all is within the compass of ordinary experience; but the characters, it must be confessed, are in some respects a little extravagant. The principal is Old Crab, a clergyman, who covers, by a very rough exterior, a most excellent heart, and who, while he abuses every body, is active to do service to his greatest enemies. In point of humour, the book stands without a parallel, in our day, and we doubt very much whether Fielding or Smollet could, with any chance of success, dispute the palm with the author of the History of Mr. John de Castro, of whose family we should be glad to see more particulars, not forgetting our good friend Old Comical. The Fugitive, or Family Incidents, 3 vols. 13s. 6d. Warwick Castle, an Historical Novel. By Miss Prickett, 3 vols. Dangerous Secrets, 2 vols. 10s. 6d. Baron of Falconberg, or Childe Harold in Prose. By Bridget Bluemantle, 3 vols. 15s. The Knight of the Glen. An Irish Romance. 2 vols. 12mo. 8s. POETRY, Sir Wilebert de Waverley, or the Bridal Eve. A Poem. By Eliza S. Francis. 12mo. pp. 88. This ingenious and pathetic tale is drawn from that inexhaustible mine of romance and poetry the history of the crusades. There is much art in the winding up of the story, though the facts are but few and simple. The poem, however, might have been enlarged with considerable advantage, and more, certainly, ought to have been told respecting the fate of Sir Ronald, as well as of the personal history of Alwyn; nor should the ultimate course and circumstances of the hero of the piece have terminated so abruptly. The small productions of this lady's muse which are appended to her principal performance indicate much liveliness of fancy and delicacy of feeling. The Cross-Bath Guide: being the Correspondence of a respectable Family upon the subject of a late unexpected Dispensation of Honours. Collected by Sir Joseph Cheakill, K. F. K. S. &c. &c. 12mo. pp 91. 3s. 6d. This history of the Hitchins' family, in Crutched Friars, suddenly raised to honours by the late ex. tension of the order of the Bath, and as suddenly depressed again by a failure in the alley, may rank with the noted adventures of the Barnard family so facetiously related by the late pleasant and in. genious Mr. Anstey. The ridicule in the present instance is happy, the satire is keen without being personal, and the characters are drawn with great spirit. The Descent of Liberty, a Mask; to which is prefixed an Account of the Origin and Nature of Masks. By Leigh Hunt. 6s. Paddy Hew, a Satirical Poem. 10s 6d. The Life of Napoleon, a Hudibrastic Poem. By Dr. Syntax. Part 1. (to be completed in 10 parts.) rov. 8vo. 2s. 6d. The Military Adventures of Johnny New 257 come, with an Account of his Campaigns in the Peninsula and Pall Mall. 8vo. 11. POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY. Address to the two Houses of Parliament on the Importance of the Corn Laws to the National Revenue. svo. pp. 17. 2s. The author of this pamphlet is a sensible man, but evidently too much interested in the question which he undertakes to discuss to do it with strict impartiality- Adverting to the obvious measure of lowering the rents of estates, which by many is considered as the best and only radical one that should be adopted for the relief of farmers, he as sumes, pretty boldly, that this would be equivalent to laying on a new property tax! Such is this gen tleman's reasoning: and of a piece with it is all that he says on the supposed deficiency in the produce of corn in this country without legislative in. terference to encourage the growth of that article. This chain of sophistry is terminated by au argument tending to alarm ministers by shewing that if the bill is not passed the revenue will be lessened and the national debt increased! The Reformers Vindicated, or a few plain Reasons why the present Constitution ought to be immediately abolished.. By a Liveryman of London. 8vo. pp. 21. 1s. 6d. Swift wrote a tract very gravely assigning reasons why christianity, as a restraint upon the passions and habits of men, should be abolished; and the author of the present tract, following the footsteps of that keen satirist, lays down sundry very cogent motives for instituting quite a new order of things among us instead of that old fashioned constitution which has hitherto been so much the boast of this country. Till such a change takes place, the reformers, as they are called, have little or no chance of gaining that power which they so much desire, and therefore the present plan goes to shew how these worthy gentlemen may be gratified, and what are their real objects. Speech of the Rt. Hon. Geo. Rose in the H. of Commons on the Property Tax, Feb. 20, 1815. 1s. Speech of the Rt. Hon. Geo. Rose in the "H. of Commons on the Corn Laws, May 5, 1814. 2s. 6d. Thoughts on the Corn Laws, as connected with Agriculture, Commerce, and Finance. By J. D. Hume, Esq. of the Custom House, 2s. Essay on the Influence of a Low Price of Corn on the Profits of Stock, shewing the Inexpediency of a Restriction of Importation; with Remarks on Mr. Malthus's two last Publications. By Dav. Ricardo, Esq. 3s. Essay on the External Corn Trade. By R. Torrens, Esq. 8vo. 9s. An Important and Serious Address to the People of England on the present State of the Nation: shewing the alarming and increasing Influence of Middle Men on the Corn Trade, as well as in all other Concerns. By a Merchant. An Address to the Fundholder, the Manufacturer, the Mechanic, and the Poor, on the Corn Laws. By Rich. Preston, Esq. M. P. 8vo. 3s. 6d. An Attempt towards Exhibiting the Source, Progress, and Employment of 258 Review of Musical Publications. Riches. By the Marquis de Mirabeau. 8vo. 3s. 6d. An Account of the Conspiracy and Conspirators of Napoleon Buonaparte, with the Project of the Conspiracy, and the Plan of Progress and Proceedings. 2s. 6d. Observations on the Price of Corn as connected with the Commerce of the Country and the Public Revenue. By R. Duppa, L.L.B. A Letter on the Corn Laws, and on the Means of obviating the Mischiefs and Distress which are rapidly increasing. From the Rt. Hon. Lord Sheffield, 2s. 6d. SCIENCES. Encyclopædia Londinensis; or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature. By John Wilkes, of Milland House, Sussex, Esq. Vol. XIII. 4to. This volume contains many useful articles: it commences with "Logic," according to the system of Kant; a system little known in this country, though daily gaming ground in Germany; a system which requires all the energies of a clear and comprehensive mind to appreciate; and of which Madame de Stael has made honourable mention in her works. Those who are fond of lighter reading will [April 1, REVIEW OF NEW MUSICAL PUBLICATIONS. Rudiments of Thorough Bass, for Young Harmonists, with Precepts for their Progressive Advancement, with Annotations, Anecdotes, Fac-Similes, and a Harmonical Synopsis, being an Appendix to an Introduction to Harmony, by William Shield, Musician in Ordinary to his Majesty. J. Robinson, Paternoster Row. 258. When a practical musician, like Mr. Shield, who has" sounded all the depths and shoals" of harmony, resolves to communicate his ideas, he confers a lasting benefit on the musical world. This work is dedicated to Mr. Crosdill, the celebrated violoncello player, the early friend of the author. We shall pass over the first rudiments, these being nearly alike in most elementary treatises. Under the head "National Airs" are a characteristic Irish song, composed long before the time of Carolan; Simplicity, an Irish melody, harmonized for two sopranos and a bass; Callino, one of the most ancient Irish tunes, harmonized by the reputed composer of Macbeth; The Braes of Ballenden, with an accompaniment to the song part for a harp or piano forte, and ritornels for an oboe, violino, viola, and violoncello; Songs sung by twelve Canadian voyagers on the river Thames, Jan. 2, 1813. Under Surprizing Modulations" are a prelude, which modulates through the whole circle of keys, and Marcia de Lutto del Reggto Real' Palermo. This latter piece so affected Lord Nelson when he heard it, that he requested a copy, under the title of which he wrote "Should a choir and band accompany my remains to the grave, let this heavenly strain be my requiem." Among the Fac Similes are "Ditties highly peun'd, sung by a fair Queen, in a Summer's Bower, with ravishing diversion, to her Lute." These airs were engraved from Princess (afterwards Queen) Anne's lute book. These tunes appear totally unintelligible, the author has not attempted to decypher them, and we candidly confess cur inability to do it. At page 61 is displayed the method of performing psalmody in the early part ofthe 16th century. In the giving out (as it is called) of the 100th Psalm tune are introduced trills, shakes, beats, double relishes, single relishes, back falls, fore falls, dying falls, and all the para. phernalia of the old school: this is contrasted by the present mode of performing the same psalm. The Harmonical Synopsis contains nine chords of the seventh, (in four parts, and all their inver sions,) to every note in every key, and chords of the 9th, of the 11th, and of the 13th (in four parts) in every key, &c.; a crescendo consisting of an universally admired climax, descriptive of the sua's rising; another crescendo with a group of shakes upon notes which excite strong vibrations. We have gone through the principal matter eentained in this work, and shall make one extract as a specimen of the author's style. "Chords by supposition. Before the theories of Rameau and Marpurg became prevalent, these chords were described by (the) different appellations (of) Modifi. cations and Foundations. The numerous adherents to the doctrine of those (these) celebrated authors are of opinion that Corelli's favorite antipenultimate chord (the five-fourths) is a branch of the Ne plus ultra of Rameau termed the eleventh: Marpurg's Ne plus ultra soars a third higher in name, by being called the thirteenth. Many respectable authors consider them to be suspensions, appoggiaturas, &c. But, whatever may be their proper titles and classifications, the consequence to an accompanier is to know what strings to strike when bass notes are figured accurately. Several of these chords are extremely harsh, but when they are judiciously arranged in a progression of harmony they prevent sweetness from becoming satiety." A vast mass of curious and useful matter is introduced in this book. The accompaniments to the song, "Beneath a green shade," (p. 32,) displays an interesting strain of harmonical contrivance, by blending the varied tones of the instruments, and shewing each particular one in the interspersod rolo parts to the best advantage. The fragments from the different authors are judiciously selected, and must prove extremely useful to the young harmonist. A singular trait in the character of Mr. Shield is, that he seems to have an invincible objection to the naming of any author, living or dead; hence the coutinual terms, " a great and original genius, a universal harmonist, a worthy Mus. D. a matchless foreigner," &c. We are like wise regaled with the fac-simile of a somebody's writing, but whose we know not. He then falls into a discourse concerning a certain sacred composition, with the opinions of a certain composer of celebrity, and a certain professor whose glees are admired, but without imparting to us the name of the oratorio or its critics. To us, who live abstractedly in a garret, but who wish to know a little of what passes in the musical world, this is very provoking. Do, Mr Shield, give us a key, aud let us go with you a little;-in your next edition (for we hear that this is already exhausted) we hope, in charity, that you will be more communicative. We shall conclude this long article with an anecdote of Mozart:-" As a certain great mu sician was walking one day near the suburbs of Vienna, he was accosted by a mendicant of a very prepossessing appearance and manner, who told his tale of woe with such effect as to interest M. strongly in his favour; but the state of his purse not being correspondent with the impulse of huma nity, he desired the applicant to follow him to a coffee-house, As soon as they entered the house, M. drew some music-paper from his pocket, and in a few minutes composed the minuet annexed to 259 We know not of any two pieces that could more advantageously have been selected to produce effect than these duets for the piano-forte. Upon repeated trials, we find every combination the composer himself could have wished, were he in being; the movements are finely contrasted, and the interest is kept alive to the end. A Favourite Air, composed by Paesiello, with Variations for the Harp, in which is introduced the Guarrachi Dance. Inscribed to his Friend, Henry Horn, by H. Seine, Goulding and Co, Soho-square. 4s. The hackneyed tunc of "Hope told a flattering tale," is here introduced, and makes a rapid rua through ten variations, relieved a little by the Guarrachi Dance: and no doubt Mr. Horn is too much obliged by his friend's dedication to look minutely into the texture of the fabric, which seems, however, according to the architectural phrase, to keep well to the ground-plan. NEW PATENTS: (From the Repertory of Arts, Nos. 153 and 154.) ROBERT DICKENSON, Great Queenstreet, esq. for certain improvements in implements applicable to the purposes of navigation, namely, in the ship's nunbuoy and beacon-buoy.-Dated Dec.20, 1814, JOSEPH HARRIS, Shire-lane, accoutrement-maker; for improvements in the clothing used for the military in general. Jan. 4, 1815. JOHN VALLANCE, jun. Brighton, brewer, for an apparatus for so constructing and securing brewers' vats or store-casks as to prevent the vats falling to pieces, or even breaking, though every one of the hoops on it, should be broken asunder, and consequently preventing the liquor from being lost, and also for preventing the loss of liquor even if a cock, or if all the cocks of a vat should be broken off.-Dec. 20. FREDERIC KOENIG, Castle-street, Finsbury-square, printer; for certain farther improvements on his method for printing by means of machinery.-Dec. CHRISTOPHER DIHL, of Brewer-street, esq. for a method or means of making a mastic cement or composition, which he denominates Dihl's Mastic.-Jan. 6. JOHN CUTTLER, Great Queen-street, iron-founder; for certain improvements applicable to fire-places, stoves, &c.→→ Jan. 6. JAMES COLLIER, Pimlico; for an apparatus, machine, or instrument, intended to be denominated a Creopyrite; by means of which, power will be very economically obtained, and advantageously applied to the raising of water, and other useful purposes; communicated to him by the late Joseph Montgufrier, a foreigner, then residing abroad. -Jan. 16. FREDERIC Marquis de CHABANNES, Thayer-street, Manchester-square; for a method of extracting from fuel a greater quantity of caloric than hath hitherto been acquired, and applying it to the purpose of warming the room in which the operation is conducted, and also other rooms, by one single fire.-Jan.16. |