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The Minor Minstrel; or, Poetical Pieces, chiefly Familiar and Descriptive, by W. Holloway. 12mo. pp. 182, Price 4s. Suttaby, London, 1808.

We like the introductory address of this little volume.

Past are the days of Minstrels old,
That charm'd the Fair, and rous'd the Bold,
In bow'r or hall with trophies hung,
When at the feast the loud harp rung;
When barons, flush'd with wine and pride,
Their high competitors defied;
Convok'd their unrelenting band,
And predatory inroads plann'd.

The sky is clear, and warm the day:
Along this lane I'll take my way,
Where hazles form an arch of green,
And, pendant, clust'ring nuts are seen :
Embosom'd in the bank below,

The Spring's first violets breathe and blow,
Or round loose roots, on mossy mould,
The vernal primroses unfold.

This oversight being reprimanded, we shall do the author justice by quoting a· piece which derives merit from accuracy of description: he assures us, that "the scenery is strictly local," and we believe it is. We must, however, confess our disappointment, that this is restricted to a mere description of the morning: the

the customs of the place, would have furnished subjects for a pleasing poem.

How lovely is the morn of May!

The sea how smooth, the sky how gay;
A happy omen may it prove

Your Bard, dear Youths! with hand of fire whole of the day, with illustrations of Sweeps not the high heroic lyre; Nor skill'd in legendary thimes, Records the tales of elder times. He pours not in the flatter'd ear The strains Ambition sighs to hear; The strains that rouse, from age to age, The blood-stain'd sword's destructive rage, While wrath, and guilt, and crimes of arms, Are deck'd with specious Glory's charms. He loves his country; and his song Shall never do her prowess wrong; But still averse to war and strife, He courts the shade of private life. Admit him to your social board,

Nor shun the mind with maxims stor'd;
Let him your summer walks attend ;
Make him your winter fire-side friend;
So, shall be well your choice repay,
And blend instruction with his lay:
So shall his melodies impart
Improvement to the feeling heart.
The Charities shall throng around,
Invited by the simple sound;
Friendship, and Truth, and virtuous Love,
Shall lift the soul to joys above;
Nor e'en Religion shall disdain
To listen to the moral strain.

Whenever Poetry proposes to associate with Friendship, Truth, virtuous Love, and Religion, it may depend on a favourable attention from the Panorama. Nevertheless, we see no reason why the moral poet should be less careful in polishing his verses, or in accuracy of expression, than those who write only for vitiated taste. We are, therefore, under the necessity of reminding Mr. H. that "clustering nuts" are never seen at the same time with "spring's first violets," and "vernal primroses," as he seems to imply in the opening lines of his Cottager's Tale.

Of long prosperity in love;
For many a maid and many a youth,
Approve to-day our mutual truth,
And blushes, that her cheeks adorn,
Announce my Jenny's wedding morn.

On such a morning, who could sleep?
We rose when dawn began to peep,
And, while the quarriers yet were still,
By Fortune's Well we cross'd the hill;
To Wickham scal'd the rugged height,
And left the Lighthouse on the right.
As still we stroll'd the coast along,
And themes of love employ'd each tongue,
The sheep that round the quarries dwell,
Tinkled, by turns, the crazy bell:
The chirping wheat-ears, at the sound,
Hopp'd various o'er the stony ground!
The chough forsook his craggy seat,
And sought a lonelier retreat,
Where the old Castle time has left,
Hangs on the ledges of the clift;
Or where, far sloping to the tide,
The ancient church-yard seems to slide,
With all its ruined tombs and stones,
That mark the place of mould'ring bones.

O! how delightful 'twas to view
The sun arise with glories new;
The chalk-cliffs deck'd in dazzling light,
From Purbeck to the Isle of Wight;
While all the Channel's open scene
Appear'd one vast and swelling green,
On which the white sails slowly move,
Far as the ling'ring eye can rove,
And on the sands below, the tide
In constant murmurs, sweetly died.

But here's the ring, companions gay! 'Twas bought last Weymouth market-day,

So neighbours come !—We'll breakfast now,
Ere we perform the nuptial vow;
Then off to Church upon the hill,
With lightsome heart, and free goodwill-
For where but honest love is meant,
The faithful lovers ne'er repent.
Soon, soon, the merry bells shall ring,"
And friends their gratulations bring:
Ev'n those who share the poor man's joy,
And give us comfort and employ,
Perchance may call :--We'll drink their health
Who not in vain inherit wealth,
Who portion many a virtuous maid,
And lend to industry their aid;
With hand unseen confer relief,
And cheer the heart of widow'd grief.
Oft may we hail the morn of May,
The sea so smooth, the sky so gay,
And ever as this day comes round,
May equal happiness abound!

But hark! the fishers' hasty tread! The nets are on the pebbles spread; The May-poles on the beach are seen: The mack'rel shoals are coming in ; Soon, soon shall all be mirth and love, From Chick'rell Sands, to Chiswell Cove! "When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window," says the English proverb and Mr. H. is not so far gone in ideal pastoralism, as to fancy that his nymphs and swains, being British flesh and blood, can live without victuals and drink. Good hearty farmers in all parts of our island may be very comfortable people; but then they must work for it; and while Mr. H. recommends industry to young men and maidens, we shall recommend his poesy.

I have a cottage in the glen,

Beneath a pear-tree's ample shade,
Far from the turbulence of men,
Their haunts of pleasure and parade.
Of wealth have I no boasted mine,

No liveried slaves to wait on thee;
But, Cath'rinte, all my heart is thine,

If thou wilt share this cot with me.
Parents of sordid mind have said,

We cannot live on love alone;
But Industry shall lend its aid,

And Competence shall be our own.
I know we cannot live on Love;

But without Love we live in vain ;
Whate'er we boast, where'er we rove,
'Tis solitude and useless gain.
Romantic Love may fondly sigh
To riot on a damask cheek';
May fix the glance of Beauty's eye,

And cause her artless heart to break

'Tis cruel Love that weds the maid
With Care and Poverty in view➡
But, Cathrine! I this truth have weigh'd.
If small our means, our wants are few,
Can you a little dairy tend,”-

While in the neighb'ring helds 1 toff; ? Amongst the jolly reapers bend,

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Or hold the plough, or sow the soil? 5 at
Can you, amid the swathes of hay,
Contented share the frugal meal;
And, ever unreserv'd and gay,

Around your ale and cider deal?
At home can you knit, brew, or bake,
Or, bind the fleece, on sheering days?
Or while the orchard trees I shake,

The heap of ruddy apples raise ? su to
Can you the chicken brood attend,~~3.
And careful watch the summer hive.
In garden toils assistance lend,

And bid young vegetation thrive
Thus fragrant roses, white and red,
The pink and sweet carnation too-
The blushing flow'rs of ev'ry bed,
Shall borrow half their charms from
And, chiefly, can you love a youth,

Whose heart for you alone is free?
Then, Gath'rine! in the bonds of truth.

O, come, and share my cot with me! How a poet could endure the construction-to say nothing of the hackneyed thought-in the last stanza bat one, we cannot conceive. Before we leave Mr. H's. Minstrel, we present our readers with one more extract, entitled The Blackbird.

Hark! hark how sweet yon Blackbird sings
Before my casement, on the tree!
Ah! rest dear bird! thy jetty wings,

And stay, and breakfast here with me!
Pluck where thou wilt the chosen fruit,
The gooseberry, or cherry rare

The owner will attend my suit,

And for my sake the plund'rer spare.
Thy tuneful predecessors here

Charm'd me, in boyhood's idle days!
And now thy mellow numbers dear,
Remind me of their much-lov'd lays."
For such companions have I sigh'd—

For shades and solitudes like these,
In scenes where tumult, strife, and pride,
Have much annoy'd my bosom's ease,
Thine are the woods, and thine the vales,

Where thou mayst range with freedom blest,
When I return where care assails-
For I am but a summer guest.
Well have we met-but meet no more!
Then, O! prolong thy little stay
For soon, the song and visitler,
We each, dear bird! must fit away.

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The history of Statistics (says Mr. B.) may be traced to the ancients. It was a practice common among them to enrich their historical and geographical writings with an account of the political state of the country which they described, or whose history they related.The works of Xenophon, Aristotle, and Tacitus, afford incontrovertible proofs that they held statistical knowledge in high esteem. An example so praiseworthy was soon followed at the revival of letters. Towards the latter end of the sixteenth century, the ambassadors of the republic of Venice began to address to their senate circumstantial reports of the political state of the several countries in which they resided. These reports, which Sansovino collected in 1567, induced other intelligent travellers to publish their remarks upon the nations they had visited. In England, the immortal Bacon (whose genius has justly been compared by a French writer, to that heathen god with two heads, one of which was turned towards past ages, and the other towards ages to come), wrote the first statistical work of any importance, under the title of State of Europe, about the year 1580. Numbers of similar publications created a taste for Statistics: Whatever had been written relative to a country in ephemeral productions, was carefully collected; works too diffuse were abridged. By degrees, statistical knowledge was brought into a system, and publicly taught in the German universities. Conring at Helmstædt in the dutchy of Brunswick-Lunebourg, was the first professor of Statistics. He left a statistical work, intitled, Hermanni Conringii Opus posthumum de Notitia Rerumpublicarum hodiernarum; which is found in the third volume of his writings. After him the science fell again into neglect, until the year 1726, when Everhard Otto of Utrecht revived the reading of academical lectures on Statistics. A Latin work which he published was the first that quoted the sources of its information. Everhardi Ottonis Notitia præcipuarum Europe Rerumpublicarum. Editio quarta. Trajecti ad Rhenum 1739. 8vo. Since that ume, Busching and De Beausobre, at Berlin, Actenwall, Schlötzer, Gatterer, Grelhman and Meusel, at Göttingen, Sprengel at Halle, Normann at Rostock, and several

VOL. V. [Lit Pan. March, 1809.]

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The present Volume contains a series of questions, observations, &c. intended to facilitate the acquirement of statistical knowledge, forming a syllabus for lectures; and intended to assist the inquiries of inexperienced travellers.

This little work affords good hints for the advancement of the study it recommends; and points out a number of circumstances that deserve the attention of political inquirers. The study itself is important to those who wish to be fully informed of the character and abilities of states: which, in times like the present, is of peculiar interest. Our author wishes Statistics should be publicly taught in our universities, as it is in some abroad. The addition of a complete list of works on the subject, published in our own language, would have been very advantageous to the British reader. It might be too much, to expect a syllabus of the information comcated by ingenious foreigners: but could it be obtained, we should esteem it highly.

Poems with an Hexametrical Translation of Part of the Second Book of Klopstock's Messiah. By F. W. Cronhelin, Crown 8vo pp. 200. Price 5s. Longman & Co. London.

THE writer of these poems is of foreign descent, we presume a Swede; his ear is accustomed to the modulation of foreign verse; but that immense length of line which may be tolerable in the German, will not, in our opinion, ever become popular in the English. The slowest measure that our language admits is the alternate rhyme of Gray's Elegy. The pauses and stops also, of our verses, do not resemble those of the German, or fall gracefully in the same places. From these hints, the writer will gather our opinion on the prospect of success in his proposed version; but, we would not discourage his study of English verse: as we think some of his sonnets, after receiving the allowances they may justly claim, are not without merit.

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-- | sophical, phytological and agricultural and much useful information has been pursuits, has been ingeniously discussed: obtained. But since the numerous dis

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incalculable advantages to general society. The present work has such ends professedly in view.

A General View of the Natural History of the Atmosphere, &c. of its Connection with the Sciences of Medecine and Agri-coveries in chemical knowledge, which culture, including an Essay on the Causes late years have witnessed,equal advantages of Epidemical Diseases. By Henry Ro- do not appear to have been derived from bertson, M.D. 2 vol. 8vo. Price 16s. it in favour of the useful science of meConstable and Co. Edinburgh; and Long- teorology. This department though ultiman and Co. London. mately connected with the arts, and with the wants and comforts of man, may be A view of the surrounding medi considered as yet in a state of infanty. um in which, according to Divine ap- The experiments and remarks of de Luc pointment, we exist, aud. by means of Beccaria, de Saussure, de la Place, &c. which all our members perform their &c. have contributed a valuable mass of proper functions, must be highly interest- information; but this demands fresh at ing to man. A description of the consti- cessions from the co-operating exer. tuent properties, and a history of the tions of whoever has ability and leisure powerful effects of that portion of the for such pursuits. To the liberal yotaries mundane system, which acts, as the dis- of science, philosophy looks with a longtributer of light and heat, and the sup- ing eye for aid, in the attempt to improve porter of animal and vegetable life, which to certainty a science, which promises the tempers those excesses, that might endan-most ample returns for their labours, and ger our existence, must be considered as a subject highly important. Researches directed to such purposes are the only ef fectual means by which we can expect to advance the cause of real science. The purporting to shew that the atmosphere It commences with general observations, study of nature, while it interests and has an influence, permanent or partial, delights, expands and strengthens the over every part of creation. mind it affords the most convincing animals and vegetables, under every cir It acts on proofs of the wisdom and power of the cumstance of time, and variety of orgåDivine architect, in forming so beautiful nization; a certain degree of temperature and well organised a system; displaying is necesary for their health, and of at the same time the goodness of an over - purity for their existence, The properties, ruling providence, in the wonderful means therefore, of the atmosphere, form an provided for its regulation. To pursue important subject of research, and furthe operations of nature, to investigate her nish an extensive field of inquiry. The astonishing powers of production, and reproduction; of action and reaction, inculcated in all ages, necessity of such investigations has been with the provisions by which she ensures science, which unites application to the as a branch öf the accomplishment of her designs; the | purposes of hunian life. Strong indoc resources, she derives from the earth, and ments, Dr. R. observes, have lately arisen the air that surrounds it, for the propaga to pursue this study; from the facilities tion and support of organic life ; is a sci afforded by chemical discoveries, and the ence of inexhaustible profundity, and alarming epidemical effects, which at vaof the most extensive utility. Whe-rious periods have been produced in the ther this circumambient fluid. be consianimal and vegetable economy. dered as essential to life; as the source of

disease or health, of plenty or scarcity whether we regard its own extraordinary properties, or its capability of infinite combinations. with other natural bodies, and the effect of those combinations; its history justifies the most elaborate and minute investigation... Many have profes sedly written on atmospheric sscience; and its importance in medical, philo.

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at large, would be to enter too extensive To examine atmospherical operations a field of inquiry. Dr. R. therefore coo fines his observations "to medicine and agriculture, leaving atmospherical effects in manufacturing processes, &c. with only a few occasional remarks."

The work is divided into three parts. The first discusses the physical properties

of the atmosphere, and includes various particulars; such as, the phænomena of light, heat, electricity, density, temperature, change of climate, meteors, wind, rain, aurora borealis, thunder stones and prognostics.

The second part comphrehends the chemical properties of the atmosphere-its analysis, constituent parts, salutary or pernicious proportions, eudiometry, combustion, oxydation, &c. &c. &c.

Part the third contains an investigation of the influence of the atmosphere, in the continuance of animal and vegetable lite, the changes produced by climate, and the effects occasioned by different extraneous matters often mingled with respirable air. Part I. contains three chapters, divided into fourteen sections.

sage to the calorific rays, till it is heated to a certain degree. That the effects of each are in many instances different, is evident; but, that this establishes the opinion of their separate identity as peculiar substances, does not appear to be clearly deduced from any discoveries hitherto made. It has long been known, that the most intense degree of heat may be produced by the concentration of the solar rays, and this tends to prove their identity, as to matter: perhaps the separations in some experiments may prove, that they are subject to a modification of their composing particles. Under electricity the author seems to adopt the most rational theory of the identity of the substance, and that negative and positive states simply refer to relative quantities, contained Chapter I. sect. 1, light; 2. heat; 3. in different bodies. On this most imelectricity; light differs from the two lat-portant atmospheric theory, Dr. R. is too ter substances, by a peculiar negative pro- concise, and his work is evidently defiperty, however long the rays may cient in necessary communication continue to be directed in parallel lines, much more rational and satisfactory exthey do not produce an increase of illumi-planation of the phenomena of thunder mination. According to the Newtonian the and lightning, may be found in Wilory, every ray is a compound, refrangible fiams on the Climate of Great Britain, into seven others; but according to the p. 59. opinion of M. Prieur, the primitive cofoured rays are only three, red, green and violet, and these combined form the other four, with the intermediate shades of colour. Thus, red and green form yellow; the green and violet, generate blue; the violet and red produce purple; the three together produce white,

ties of the atmosphere; and contains Chap. II. treats of the physical properfour sections. 1. Colour, fluidity, density, elasticity, &c. 2. Gravity, variations of the barometer, &c. 3. TemPerature and variation of climate, &c. 4 Supposed change of climate in certain

countries.

&c. the intermediate shades of colour originate in consequence of the propor Among discordant opinions respecting tionate quantity of either of these simple the colour of the atmosphere, and its rays in the compound ray." It does not causes, Dr. R. is inclined to adopt that of appear, however, that the artificial mix- Professor Eberhard of Berlin. The atture of colours in painting, or the real ap-mosphere, he observes, acquires a blue tint pearances in the process of dyeing, favours by its property of reflecting the blue rays such an hypothesis. It is a much more only. This is certainly what logicians simple and ostensible theory, which consi-term petitio principis. For why, we may ders the primary rays to be red, yellow and blue; and that less simple colours, with their approximating shades are composed of these in different proportions. Thus red and yellow, produce orange; yellow and blue, green blue and red, first Violet, then purple. These collectively pro duce white, and the absence of them all produces black.ca 29.0

The non identity of heat with light, it is here observed, has been clearly demonstrated, by the luminous rays passing freely through glass; which refuses pas

ask, should this fluid be confined to such a partial capability? As a resisting inedium, it is capable of reflecting every ptimitive ray and we see at times, that it actually does so. Why, if objects are liable to be affected as to colour from the sky, may uot the sky be equally liable to a change of colour from the earth? This occurs in a medium next to the air in poirt of density and diaphaneity, water; which assumes a variety of tints of incumbent clouds, on the deflective powers of diffes rent kinds of gas. Dr. R. does not seem

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