LETTERS of John Hughes, Efq; MORTIMER'S Elements of Com

26 merce,

CONTENTS of the FOREIGN ARTICLES, in the APPENDIX to this Volume.

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For JANUARY, 1773

ART. I. A Summary of the Roman Law, taken from Dr. Taylor's Elements of the Civil Law. To which is prefixed, a Differtation on Obligation. 8vo. 5 s. 3 d. Boards. Payne. 1772.

HE Elements of the Civil Law,' by Dr. Taylor, have been long in high and deferved reputation. They are full of the most profound erudition, and difcover an acutenefs, which is rarely poffeffed by the man of learning. But befide the praife of an able Civilian, the Doctor has fecured to himself, by this work, that of an intelligent Antiquary, and of an elegant Scholar. By afpiring, however, after merit of these different kinds, he has rendered his performance embarraffing to the young ftudent. An abridgement of it, accordingly, was wanted, which fhould include only the jurifprudential information he has communicated. This tafk our ingenious Editor has undertaken; and we cannot but do him the juftice to acknowledge, that he has executed it with proper attention and accuracy.

We can now boaft of having an elementary treatise on the Roman law, more complete in its plan and execution, than the publications of a fimilar nature in the other languages of Europe. It explains the hiftory and fpirit of that law, and unfolds with fingular perfpicuity the more important topics of it.

The difcourfe on Obligation, by the Editor, difplays an ori ginal train of thinking, and abounds with ingenuity and good fense. We cannot, however, confiftently with the limits we prescribe to ourselves, exhibit an analyfis of his theory; and he writes in fo clofe and argumentative a manner, that a few pages of his tract, by way of fpecimen, would appear obfcure and unfatisfactory to our Readers: we must therefore, recommend to them the entire perufal of it.

The original notes, which appear in illuftration of Dr. Taylor's ideas, are felect and judicious. There is, in particular, VOL. XLVIll. B

a very

a very beautiful paffage in the collections of Stobæus, which has attracted the notice of our Editor; and which, as it may amufe fome of our Readers, we shall extract, with Mr. Pope's imitation of it.

Every man is placed in the middle of many circles, which entirely furround him; fome of them are fmall, others are large, fome including, others included, according to their dif ferent fituation and pofition to each other. The firft and neareft cutle is that which every one draws round himself as the center this includes his own perfon, and every thing which is fought after as conducive to its well being: this circle is the leaft, and almoft touches the center. The next in order, which is further from it, and includes the firft, comprehends our parents, brethren, wife, and children. The third takes in our uncles, aunts, grandfathers, grandmothers, nephews, nieces, and coufins. The fourth our other relations. Then follow, in order, fill more extenfive circles, which include, first, those of the fame borough, then those of the fame tribe, then those of the fame city, and afterwards thofe of neighbouring cities and the fame nation, the laft and greateft, which takes in all the reft, is that which comprehends all mankind.

This fine fimile has not efcaped Mr. Pope :

"Self-love but ferves the virtuous mind to wake,
As the fmall pebble ftirs the peaceful lake;
The center mov'd a circle ftraight fucceeds,
Another fill, and fill another fpreads;

Friend, parent, neighbour, first it will embrace;
His country next; and next all human race."

After having remarked the merit of the prefent publication, it yet remains for us to exprefs a regret, that those who appear capable of original compofitions, fhould fubmit to the labour of abridging the performances of other men. The Author of the treatife on Obligation, prefixed to this work, ought to have elteemed himself fuperior to every drudgery of this kind.

ART. II. Obfervations on the Structure and Draught of Wheel Carriages. By J. Jacob. 4to. 6 s. fewed. Dilly. 1773.

W

HEN men of bufinefs difcover an attention to the principles of the art they profefs, and no longer drudge on in the plain, beaten track of mere workmen, we have reafon to expect very extenfive and valuable improvements. It has been too generally regretted that thofe who, from their fituation and employment, have had the beft opportunities for making ufeful difcoveries, have been tenacious and obftinate, and have seldom diverged from the established rules and customs of their particular profeffion. The dread of innovation bas 7.