structive, and gravitating towards its center; not with a view of gaining manly or worldly esteem, but the esteem of humanity; not to gain, by insinuation, the favour of my gods." Those who can understand this specimen of prose, may understand such verses as the following:

“Immortal such resolv’d, immortal kine ;
Come, with humanity your strength entwine
Resolve this life to leave for thousands rest.
Great Jove! humanity still deems the best."

Poems, by Thomas Brown, M. D. 2 Vols. small 8vo. pp. 422.

THERE are many beauties and many faults in the compositions of Dr. Brown. He has evidently a vigorous and poetical imagination, and no mean command of language, but his poems are frequently so abrupt and obscure that it is almost impossible to discover their meaning. Obscurity, and a perpetual struggle after energy of expression, are, in truth, his predominant defects. When he steers clear of these he is often lively, often tender, often highly animated. His versification, though sometimes harsh, is, in general, sufficiently flowing and musical.

By

The Powers of Genius; a Poem, in three Parts. John Blair Linn, A. M. Small 8vo. pp. 155. THE theme which Mr. Linn has chosen is a noble and a fertile one, but he is not capable of doing it justice. His poem is intolerably tedious. No sniall patience is required to read it to the end. Some good lines and good ideas there are, but they bear no proportion to those which are languid and puerile.

A few smaller pieces are included in the volume, and a part of them are somewhat superior in merit to the principal poem.

The Reign of Fancy, a Poem, with Notes, Lyric Tales, &c. By the Author of "The Pleasures of Nature.” Small 8vo. pp. 179.

THIS poem forms a sequel to the "Pleasures of Nature," of which a favourable character was given in our last volume. It contains much animated description, and vivid imagery, but it wants order and connexion. On the whole, however, it does credit to its author. The versification is flowing, but it is sometimes too much the echo of Dr. Darwin's.

Poems, Tales, Odes, Sonnets, Translations from the British, &c. &c. By Richard Llwyd, Author of Beaumaris Bay, &c. Small 8vo. pp. 210.

THESE are such poems as ought to be kept in the writer's desk, and, if read at all, read only to a circle of friends. They never rise above mediocrity; they sometimes fall below it. We are not disposed to blame Mr. Llwyd for writing such verses; he has a right to amuse himself as he pleases; but we blame him for publishing them, as, by so doing, he has added to the fatigue of our critical labours.

The Poetical Works of J. Bidlake, A.B.

pp. 252.

Crown 8vo.

SOME of the poems contained in this volume, have, as separate publications, already been noticed in the Poetical Register for 1802 and 1803. In the higher

rank of poets Mr. Bidlake cannot aspire to be placed; but he is an elegant and pleasing writer, and a man of a liberal and cultivated mind.

The Beauties of English Poetry: selected from the most esteemed Authors. By Dr. Wolcot. Containing feceral original Picces never before published. 8vo. 2 Vols. pp. 311.

THIS is a miserable catchpenny publication. It is inferior in merit to every other selection. About one sixth of this compilation from "the most esteemed authors," the compiler has, with his wonted modesty, devoted to his own verses. Over these verses the reader may pore a long while before he discovers any thing of beauty. But whatever the public may think of Peter Pindar, his publisher appears quite delighted with him; so much so, that he has thought proper to prefix to the volumes an advertisement, in which he claims a high rank among bards for his friend Peter, and roundly asserts that the said Peter has transplanted into his works every poetical phrase which is to be found in the compass of the English language! Who, in the name of wonder, made this publisher a judge of such things? It is the business of Booksellers to sell books, not to criticise them. "Stick to your last," said Apelles to a cobler, who ventured to pass judgment upon a part of one of his pictures. The advice was good, and will bear application to meddlers of any trade.

Lewesdon Hill, considerably enlarged; with other Poems, by the Rev. William Crowe, of New College, LL. B. Public Orator of the University of Oxford, 3d Edition, small 8vo. pp. 115.

It is with great pleasure we see a new edition of a poem, which has long been admired by every person of poetical taste. The merit of "Lewesdon Hill" is so well known that it is unnecessary to say any thing upon the subject. The smaller pieces in this volume are worthy of their author.

Poems, never before published. Dedicated to R. B. Sheridan, Esq. 8vo. pp. 136.

FOR what purpose this volume was dedicated to Mr. Sheridan, unless the authors meant by so doing to make him angry, we are at a loss to conceive. Mr. Sheridan is a man of taste, and a very elegant poet. He may, perhaps, read half a page of these verses before he throws down the book, but if he goes further we are much mistaken. If any person,

a reviewer excepted, ever perufes the whole, he must possess a great share of curiosity, or a great share of patience. The poems are by various writers, but they are all of equal merit.

Lyric Poems. By James Mercer, Esq. 2d Edition, mith some additional Poems. Small Svo. pp. 114.

THE first edition of these poems was published several years ago: we believe it was in 1796 or 1797. It is a shame that seven or eight years should have elapsed between the printing of a first and second edition. These lyric poems must afford ample gratification to every person of unsophisticated taste. They are distinguished by a sweetness and simplicity which is not often to be found; and their simplicity, unlike that of some authors, never sinks into mean

Dess.

The Wild Wreath. Dedicated by Permission to her Royal Highness the Duchess of York, by M. E. Robinson. 8vo. pp. 228.

A great part of this volume is occupied by the compositious of the late Mrs. Robinson. Some of these compositions are entitled to a considerable share of praise. They display a poetical imagination, and, though not wholly free from meretricious ornament, are written in a less affected style than most of Mrs. Robinson's former productions. Of the other poems in this volume some are sprightly and elegant.

The Poetical Magazine; or, Temple of the Muses; consisting chiefly of original Poems, and occasional Selections from scarce and valuable · Publications. Numbers 3 to 12 inclusive, pp. 600.

THE first two numbers of this work were noticed in the last volume of the Poetical Register. We there described the pieces contained in them as seldom rising above mediocrity. The subsequent numbers contain nothing which can deserve a better cha

racter.

Bickleigh Vale, with other Poems. By Nathaniel Howard. Small 8vo. pp. 139.

MR. HOWARD is a man of respectable talents, and a cultivated mind. His " Bickleigh Vale" has many pleasing and picturesque passages, and is written in blank verse of a structure neither harsh nor monotonous. The small poems are neat and elegant.