de Paris. Or, A concife Hiftory of the Infects to be found near Paris. 4to. 2 vols. 1762. In this history the feveral Infects are arranged in methodical order; the principal of them being delincated on copper-plates, amounting to the number of twenty two, which ferve to illustrate and embellish the work. It is written by a young Physician of fome note, who, in his botanical researches, did not confine himself mer ly to plants, bat made the feveral infects he met with, an equal object of his curiofity and attention. Art. 6. Effai fur l'Horlogeric. Or, A Treatise on Clock-work, in all its Branches. By Ferdinand Berthoud, Clock-maker at Paris. 4to. 2 vols. 1763. The ingenious and ingenuous Artist who is the Author of this work, is already well known to the learned world, by feveral articles written by him on the like fubject in the Encyclopedie; as alfo by a little treatife, published fome time ago, entitled, the Art of regulating Clocks and Watches. The prefent, is a much more elaborate performance, and hath coft him near ten years in the compofition; containing an accurate account of the feveral obfervations and experiments he hath made in the exercife of his art. Art. 7. Joannis Theodori Eller, M. D. &c. Obfervationes de cognofcendis et curandis morbis, præfertim acutis. Or, Obfervations on the Knowlege and Cure of Difeafes, particularly of -acute Difeafes. By Mr. Eller. 8vo. 1762. The character of the late Mr. Eller of Berlin is fo well known among the Gentlemen of the Faculty, that it would be needlefs to give this work any farther recommendation, than to inform the public, we are well affared it is really the production of that judicious Author. Art. S. Sermo Academicus, de erroribus Medicorum fua utilitate non Carentibus. Or, An academical Difcourfe on the Utility of the Miftakes of Phyficians. 4to. Groningen, 1762. This remarkable oration was made to the university of Groningen, by Mr. Profeffor Van Doeveren, Rector of that university, on refigning his office for the past year. The points principally infifted on in this difcourfe, are four. The firfl is, that the overfights of Phyficians in the treatment of their patients, may contribute to their cure. Secondly, that both the fick, and the art of medicine itself, have deduced great advantages from the ingenuous confeflion of the blunders of Phyficians; as well during the life, as after the death of the patient. Thirdly, that the obtinacy of Rome Phyficians to maintain erroneous opinions, hath frequently led the way to great discoveries and improvements in the art of medicine. And fourthly, that even the difputes and altercations b tween prac.itioners, tho' fcandalous in themfelves, are by no means to be condemned as ufclefs to the perfection of their art. What a comfortable reflection may not hence be deduced by the fick patient, who is under the hands of a bungling Physician? How fati factory factory to him muft it not be to think, that whether he lives or dies, the public may reap fome benefit by the blunders of his Doctor? Again, how eafy mult it make the duty of a young and confcientious practiti oner, to reflect, that kill or cure, he may poffibly be of equal fervice to mankind? There is a good deal of truth, nevertheless, in what our Profe for advances, tho', we think his arguments fometimes prove too much against his art in general. Art. 9. De la Santé. Or, a Treatife on the Prefervation of Health. Printed at Paris, 1762. This is an ingenious and well-written little tract, containing a number of fenfible obfervations, that may be ufeful to the prefervation of the greatest of all earthly bleffings, Health; without which life is to Pede defirable, that longevity is rather to be dreaded than wifhed for. When this Writer fays, therefore, Hac bene fi ferves, tu longo tempore vives, he is not to be conceived as ftudious of the means of prolonging the miferable exiflence of the valetudinarian, but of cherishing the spirits, and preventing the decay of thofe who are capable of enjoying, as well as wishing for, life. Art. 10. Ordonnance et Inftruction paftorale de Monfeigneur l'Eveque de Soiffons, &c. Or, Paftoral Inftructions, by the Bifhop of Soiffons, relative to the Affertions, extracted by the Parliament, from the Books and Writings of the Jefuits. 4to. Soiffons. 1762. We have here a serious charge to the Clergy of the diocefe of Soiffons, calculated to inflame them against the Jefuits; this Prelate not having joined the reft of the Bishops, in their reply to the King, concerning the doctrine, conduct, and utility of that fociety. The Jefuits, however had intereft enough at Rome, to get this piece condemned by the Inquifition; who published a decree in April laft, in order to fupprefs it. This decree of the holy office has been alfo, in its turn, fuppreffed by an arret of the Parliament of Paris: fo that we have here excommunication for excommunication, and bull for bull. We shall fee, in the end, who will get the better, the fpiritual or the temporal power; hitherto the latter feems to have much the best of the difpute. Art. 11. Examen de la Confeffion de Foi du Vicaire Savoyard, contenue dans Emile. Or, An Examination of the Savoyard's Creed, contained in Rouffeau's Emilius. By Mr. Bitaubé. 8vo. 1763. Of all that numerous party of Writers which have started up against Mr. Rouffeau, on account of his late celebrated treat:fe on Education, the Author of the little tract before us appears the moft candid and ingenuous. "The more, fays he, we are induced to admire the talents and goodness of heart of Mr. Rouffeau, the more are we affected to think of his propensity to fcepticism. How ma y worthy Chriflians have not fincerely lamented, that a man of fuch e nfumate virtue, that the Socrates of our age, fhould be an enemy toeligion. There are many, I know, who deny him this virtuous character; but, with regard to my felf, I cannot conceive the language of fincerity can be fo easily counterfeited: I cannot conceive, that the enthufiafm with which he fpeaks, on fo many occafions, of virtue, can poffibly arife but from a heart truly fafceptible of its charms. And, tho' fometimes he seems to contradi& himfelf in this particular, fuch contradictions fhould be regarded only, as thofe little inconfittencies into which men of the greateit parts are but too liable to fall. If charity obliges us never to be wanting in candour toward the unbelieving, we cught particularly to obferve this rule, when we undertake to refute thofe of Mr. Rouffeau's flamp. It is fair, indeed, to employ against them the force of ridicule: this is their favourite weapon, and they are too brave to be offended at our worlting them with their own arms: but we fhould never return abuse for abuse, and much lefs fhould we be aggreffors in this kind of altercation.” There is a pleasure in attending to the arguments of Writers who can diffent from each other in fo liberal and ingenuous a manner as our Author; who, though a Theoiogue by profeffion, treats his adverfary in every refpect like a gentleman and a fcholar. "A Chriftian, says he, ought to be more maller of his temper than a Philofopher." He should have remembered, however, that Mr. Rousseau disclaims the latter title, and infifts on his right to the former: nor do we believe, notwithstanding what Mr. Bitaubé has advanced, he will very readily give it up. Art. 12. Determinatio facræ Facultatis Parifienfis fuper Libro, &c. Or, the Determination of the Faculty of Theology at Paris, concerning a Book entitled Emilius, or a Treatife on Education, by Mr. Rouffeau. 4to. Paris, 1762. Never furely was poor Writer fo feverely treated, fo buffeted on all fides, and by all parties, as the unfortunate Author of Emilius. But for all this, it is very true, he may thank his own temerity. Wherefore should a man dare to think for himself, in an age when reflection is a crime, and it is the greatest folly in the world, to be wife above what is already written? Nay, fo univerfal is the outcry againit this Writer, that we doubt whether he would altogether efcape perfecution even among his favourite Hottentots, or his more favourite Savages of North America, Art. 13. La Langage de la Raifon. Or, the Voice of Reason by the Marquis Caraccioli, Author of La Jouissance de Soimême, and other Pieces. 12mo. Paris, 1763. A moral and religious performance; treating of our duty towards God and our Neighbour, the danger of infidelity, and other topics of the like nature. With regard to the ftyle and compofition, it is much of a piece with the Marquis's other works. * See Review, Vol. XX. page 551, 554-vol. XXI. p. 571. Art. 14. L' Economie Politique. Or, Political Oeconomy; a Project for improving and enriching Mankind. 12mo. Pa ris, 1763. The main view of this Writer is to lay down a plan, whereby Artificers and other labe ring people may, by fparing a small share of their weekly. weekly, monthly, or annual wages, acquire in time a fufficiency to maintain them, without labour, when they grow old. There is much good fenfe and plausibility in what he advances on the subject; and could fuch a fcheme be put in execution, and the duty of the Commiffioners appointed for that purpofe, continue to be faithfully difcharged, it would 'doubtless be of great fervice to the lower rank of people; but there appears to be a kind of fatality in charitable corporations in fome coun'tries; and tho' in France fuch a project might poffibly take effect, the meanest artificer or labourer in this nation, would very probably think his liberty infringed, by being laid under a kind of obligation to fave his money, when he should have a mind to spend it. Men of fuch narrow property, love to be their own purfe-bearers; and tho' oeconomy be a very prudent, it is not always a palatable expedient, even with thofe who ftand most in need of adopting it. Art. 15. Efai fur l' Inftitution des Avocats et Procureurs des Pauvres, &c. Or, An Effay on the Expediency of providing Attorneys and Pleaders for the Poor. 12mo. Paris, 1762. It hath been frequently faid, tho' probably with lefs candour than truth, that Priests of all religions are the fame; it might, however, be affirmed, with an equal degree of both, that Lawyers of all countries are the fame. At least the chicanery and delay of the courts in France, must be as bad or worse than our own, if what this Author declares be true, that a Debtor, who was poffeffed of an hundred thousand livres, being fued for fifty thoufand, by an impatient and litigious Creditor, found his whole fortune hardly fufficient to pay the debt and costs of fuit. What then, fays he, must become of a poor man, who finds himfelf under the neceffity of contending with a rich one? He may plead, indeed, in forma Pauperis, both here and in France but, alas! under. the prefent influence of wealth, he is not likely ever to plead any otherwife, from what he may gain by his procefs. The intent of this Writer, the efore, is, to raise a fund, by fubfcription, to carry on the juit caufes of the poor; and to prevent their being cheated, robbed, and oppreffed, by the rich; a very humane and noble scheme, if it could be executed in the manner laid down by the Author. Art. 16. Lettre de M. Marin, Cenfeur Royal et de la Police, de l'Academie de Marseille, &c. à Madame la Prefident de P***, fur un Project interessant pour l'Humanité. Or, A Letter from M. Marin to a Lady, on a Project interefting to Humanity. 12mo. Paris. This letter relates to the fame fubject as the preceding article, and difplays at once the goodness of heart, as well as the good sense of the Writer. Mr. Marin here proposes, that a fubfcription may be opened, in order to raise a fund, by voluntary contributions, for the profecution of the juft law-fuits of the poor: the fubfcribers to engage for what fum they pleafe, which is to be paid, when the establishment is compleated, into the hands of a banker, till fuch time as it can be fecurely depopofited in the public funds, or otherwife, for the advantage of the intitution. That That a certain number of Advocates fhall affemble twice a week, at a proper office, where the poor fhall be at liberty to confult them, and to reprefent their refpective cafes. On which the faid Advocates, who are to be paid and rewarded according to their merit out of the above-mentoned fand, are to take the feveral cafes into confideration, and to advie the confulting parties thereon, either on the propriety of accommodating the differences with their adverfary, or on the legitimacy of their On pretenfions.. That when matters are not to be accommodated to the fatisfaction of the parties, the faid Advocates fhall proceed to bring the caufes of the faid poor and indigent clients before the proper courts; the expences of which are to be paid out of the general flock thus raised. If the poor lofe their caufe, they are to be at no expence; but if they gain it and the damages be confiderable, fo much is to be deducted out of that fum, as will pay all the incidental charges, which the adverfe party is not obliged by the fentence of the court to refund. How far this project be practicable or expedient in France, we cannot take upon us to day; but that fuch an inflitution, if it could take place, would be a very humane and charitable one in this country, is certain. Not but that we are in fome doubt, whether it might not tend as much to the emolument of the Gentlemen of the law, as to the good of the comanunity in general. Art. 17. Reflections critiques, fur le premier chapitre du Septieme Tome des Oeuvres de M. de Voltaire, au fujet des Juifs. Or, ... Critical Reflections on Mr. Voltaire's Account of the Jews. 12mo. Paris, 1763. If the ingenious Author of this apology for the Jews, had not made Art. 18. Efaie fur le Luxe. Or, An Effay on Luxury. 8vo. |