Itructing the peasantry of his neighbourhood in the science of botany, by actual observation, and' thus to warn them against danger. As every disinterested effort which is much for the benefit of mankind deferves praise and patronage, the present treatise, on account of its utility, is certainly entitled to its thare of approbation : the author's principal aim being to adapt his work more particularly to the capacities of children, he has printed the text in the form of tables, for the purpose of suspending them in school rooms.

We have often had occasion to lament the dilatory manner of publishing which seems to be prevalent throughout Germany, and to be confined to that country alone: a method fo unreasonable, and, we think, detrimental to the cause of literature, cannot be easily accounted for; but certain it is that we have had the first and second volumes of various works in our pofleflion since the first appearance of our Review, the subsequent parts of which have not yet been received nor even published on the Continent. This fingular delay is not confined to extensive productions alone; it is the case even with the trifling tract now before us, the first number of which containing only two sheets of letter press as appeared long since as the year 1796, while the third number was published only at the close of 1799.

No. I. contains some instructions for preventing the deleterious effects of plants, together with the name, description, and operation of each species represented in the plates, nine of which are given in each number. The plants represented and described in No. I. are the Atropa Belladonna, Æthusa Cynapium, Datura Stramonium, Hyofciamus niger, Conium maculatum, Cicuta aquatica, Aconitum Napellus, Colchicum autumnale, Digitalis purpurea.

In No. II. are given the Solanum, Paris quadrifolia, Ranunculus acris, Agaricus muscarius, Agaricus piperatus, emeticus, cærulescenso fime!arius et torminofus.

In No, III. which is the latest we have received, are the Asarum Europæum, Charophyllum sylvestre, Cyclamen Europæum, , Daphne Mezereum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Lolium temulentum, Nerium Oleander, Oenanthe fijíulofa, Pedicularis palustris, Physalis Alkekengi, Plumbago Europæa, et Polygonum Hydropiper.

The plates of this work are so miserably executed that it is scarcely possible to recognize the plants they represent; but the descriptions are well adapted to the capacity of the unlettered classes of the community. The author however appears to have passed over many varieties of the common species of poisonous plants, the infertion of which would have been an additional recommendation to his work ; while on the contrary he has mentioned several which are innocent in their nature, as the Physalis Alkekengi, &c.

In the general study of botany we appear to be far behind our continental neighbours; a work therefore {imilar in its nature to that above described would doubtless be well received, if executed by a skilful person, though under all the circumstances of locality, &c. we do not imagine that a translation would be equally serviceable.

Simplicii

513

Simplicii commentarius in Epifteti Enchiridion. Accedit Enchiridii para

phrafis Chriftiana et Nili Enchiridion. Omnia ad veterum codicum fidem recensuit et varietate lectionis notisque illustravit J. Schweighaüser. Argentor, &c. . Lips. 1800. In Librar. Weidmannia.

2 Vols. six rix-dollars. THE

HE latest edition of the remains of Epictetus's Philosophy was

that published by M. Schweighäuser, in 1799; and the work is now completed by the volumes before us, which contain the remarks of former commentators on the Manual of Epictetus. Simplicius, a philosopher of the sixth century, published a commentary on Epicteti Enchiridion. He made several judicious corrections in the text of that work, which was consequently at that time well received by the public. But Fabricius, in Bibl. Gr. L V.C. 29, certainly' expresses too favourable an opinion of the improvements. These philosophical commentaries, which were last published by Sała masius, in the year 1640, are also given by the author of the present edition, who has extracted them from some manuscripts preserved at Paris and Strasburg, and published them with considerable and numerous improvements : of the latter is an insertion in the Commen tary to C. 31, p. 24.6, et seq. consisting of 60 printed pages, proeured from some of the Paris manuscripts beforementioned. The author's 'corrections are also in many instances judicious and worthy of notice'; for example, in p. 47. we meet with evervæı instead of

p. 272, μεταγγιζει for μετεγγιζει:-p. 417, €. συνηρημενον for

OUVAL LLEVONS Several passages are also restored, by an accurate interpretation of words; as in pp. 173, b. and 428, c. where the words ZAOUV Xaw50!, CHEUW!PELV, are satisfactorily explained.

The contents of the second volume are, first, the Paraphrafin Chriftianam Enchiridii, which title was given by Casaubon. The work was written for the use of monafteries; but we are neither informed of the time when it was composed nor the name of the author. To this the editor has also made many improvements, principally taken from four manuscrips preserved at Paris. The next article is Nili, Afceta, Enchiridion Epicteti, in usum juvenum Christianorum accommodatum. Father Nilus, an erudite and pious writer, lived in the fifth century, and was the author of several ascetic works, which were published at Rome by Suares, in the year 1673 ; and from this edition M. Schweighaüfer has not merely copied the text, but also enriched it by corrections from the manuscripts at Paris and Copenhagen : in thefe paraphrases the notes are placed immediately under the text to which they belong. The volume concludes with the explanations of, and notes upon, Simplicius, which do great credit to the classical editor ; though we are ot opinion that many of the notes might have been much more concise, without detriment to the accuracy of the edition.

ܪ

APPENDIX, VOL. VIII,

Na

Elife

Elife Duménil. By Marie De Comarrieu, Marquise De Montalem

bert. 5 Vols.

Vols. Dulau. 1800.

Dumenil, are brought up in the same village. The mother of each of them is dead; and, from their infancy, their fathers had intended that Alfred should marry Elise. In order to form the mind of the young gentleman, he is sent on his travels, at the age of seventeen ; and, between him and Elise, who is two years younger, the principal correspondence in this work takes place. Several letters also pass between Elise, Adelaide d’Arsilly, and Madame de Pressange, the aunt of Madamoiselle Dumenil; and between the two friends, Alfred, and Ferdinand d'Arfilly, the brother of Adelaide.

The first letters of Alfred and Elise teem with sentiments of pure and simple affection. The lady bids her lover to remember, that their union is to take place as foon as they have completed their education ; describes to him, in the most artless manner, the avidity with which she pursues her studies, and begs of him to be equally sedulous. Alfred, in return, describes the feelings of his heart on the fame fubje&t, and allures Elise, that his diligence shall hasten the defired period.

Alfred proceeds, through the south of France, to Naples; and is there introduced to Prince Orsinelli, who has been requested, by the Count de Boransac, to take him under his protection : not, as we are afterwards informed, from the knowledge he had of the Prince's virtue, but from the splendor of his title. M. Dumenil, pleased with the account which he receives of Alfred's conduct, begs he may return; and the Prince accordingly proceeds homewards with him by the way of Paris. At Paris, liowever, Orsinelli engages in play, loses, and decamps; leaving Alfred as his security for a considerable. fum.

The news arrives at Kez-the residence of M. Dumenil-and Ferdinand d'Arsilly immediately fets off to relieve his friend. M. Dumenil, who is represented as a man posselling a strong mind, and an ardent affection for his daughter, though desirous of her union with Alfred, hai determined not to permit it, should he act unworthy of his character. Alfred returns; but M. Dumenil, for the present, forbids his visits; alledging, that he has no felf-command, is easily seduced into diffipation and vice, and therefore unfit to marry his daughter. The Count de Boransac is offended, and threatens to break off the match. He also gives encouragement to a Madamoiselle Belvall, to expect the hand of Alfred ; and Madame Granval, a true French coquet, endeavours, by every means in her power, to draw him into an intrigue.

Alfred is constant to Elise. He sees her by stratagem; affures her of his unalterable affection, and induces her to correspond with him.

Shortly

Shortly after, he accompanies the ambassador to England, where his conduct is such, that M. Dumenil consents to the marriage of the young couple, and Alfred returns for that purpose.

Unfortunately, just before the time of his intended marriage, the father of Alfred is taken dangerously ill. Madame Granval, who exerts herself to prevent the approaching nuptials, is particularly attentive during the old gentleman's illness; and, on his recovery, he detains Alfred a considerable time, to repay, by entertainments, &c. the kindnefs of that lady. In one of their evenings of pleasure, a difpute arises between Alfred and Count Valserre, a devotee of Madame Granval, which terminates in a duel. This intelligence, greatly magnified, reaches the ear of M. Dumenil; who, exasperated, not only refuses his daughter to Alfred, but compels her to a union with a M. Coulanges. It appears, however, that an illicit connection had previously taken place between Alfred and Elise, and that Elise is then pregnant. The lovers are distracted at this dreadful stroke; and the Count de Boranfac, from an imprudent impulse of revenge, forces his son to marry Madamoiselle Belval. But, alas! at the moment when he approaches the altar, he hears the bell toll for his Elise, who had died in childbed! Alfred becomes frantic, and shortly after puts an end to his existence.

Such is the outline of this performance, from which it appears dif. ficult to draw any direct moral.

The characters of Alfred and Elise are well supported throughout. In M. Dumenil there is somewhat of inconsistency. He regards youth with a severity, not in the least tempered by that consideration of human nature, which all his letters show that he poffefses. Ferdinand is gay, sincere, and noble. He is a faithful representative of a French officer, under the old government. But M. Coulanges is the most perfect character. He feels, he thinks, he acts, like a philanthropift.

In this work, the reader will find considerable information relative to Naples and other parts. The English national character is very happily drawn; and the principal buildings in this country are accurately described. The style is animated, the sentiments good ; and, notwithftanding the mournfulness of its catastrophe, the admirer of fimplicity, and the lover of sentiment, will peruse it with delight.

а

Les Petits Emigrés. The Little Emigrants ; or, Correspondence of

Children. Å Work intended to promote the Education of Youth. by
Madame De Genlis. 2 Vols. 12mo. 1798.
TH
HIS novel, as to its mechanical structure, has nothing of origi-

nality to boaft; but is calculated, nevertheless, to afford confiderable instruction and amusement. All its virtuous characters, the author informs us, are drawn from life. Adelaide, the heroine of Nn 2

the

a

the piece, is intended for a portrait of Madamoiselle d'Orleans; and is truly a most interesting and amiable girl. Lord Selby, her lover, is an English nobleman, whose character forms a combination of the liberal virtues: and his mother, Lady Elizabeth, is a pattern of maternal affection, accompanied by dignity and fortitude. . But the principal excellences of this performance are, the sentiments, and moral instructions which it conveys ; attended by valuable remarks on many important subjects.

The existence of a God, the necessity of religion, the goodness of a protecting Providence, the uncertainty of worldly affairs, and the superior advantages of virtue, in whatever situation we may be placed, are ably enforced; and the whole work has confiderable claims to public attention.

Lettres de la Venlée, &c. i. e. Letters from La Vendée, written in Fructidor, in

the 3d Year. An Historical Trait. By Madame E. T***. 12mo. 2 Vols. Plates. Paris. 1800. FROM the mere perusal of this book it is easy to perceive that the author is a woman, and a woman very little accustomed to write. The story is briefly this:-A young woman on the point of being shot, is rescued by a young officer who falls in love with her. A brutal officer, who had before treated her with disrespect, is killed by her lover, when they both seek for safety in flight. On the conclusion of peace the parties are mar. ried,

It will be easily conceived that on such a basis it would be impossible to form a suflicient number of incidents to supply materials for two volumes. But what is wanting in incident is supplied by sentiments and a repetition of ideas that is extremely tiresome. The book displays a variety of grammatical errors, and idiomatic inaccuracies; and the denouement being easily foreseen by the reader, at the very opening of the work, all interest is de stroyed.

a

Voyage de Sophie en Prusse, &*c. i. e. Sophia's Journey to Prussia. Translated

from thic 121b Edition of the German.' By P. B. Lamarc. 8vo. 3 Vols. Pp. 1171. 12 livres. Paris. 1801.

THIS book is the production of a Protestant Clergyman in Germany, who composed it for the instruction of youth, and the melioration of man

The moral is good, and the principles are sound. The translator, deeming the most serious parts of it, particularly those which relate to theology, not suited to the tale of the French public, has abridged the original so as to reduce it to one half of its primitive size, and to cut out many of the incidents.--The translation is tolerably correct, though not free from Gerananisms.

pers.

TO