gick, but Websterian logick, which teaches that certain expressions cannot be of an indefinite nature, because it is possible, by the annexation of particular terms, to give them a different designation. The example which Murray gives under the definition of the indefinite article is certainly proper; as give me a book, that is, any book." This indeed is admitted by the critick. The words "any book" properly apply to this example; but the word, any, is not mentioned as applicable to every instance of the indefinite article. This the critick knew, but it did not suit his purpose to confine his strictures to the terms of the definition. His play upon the word, any, was well calculated to deceive a superficial reader; and he was disposed to make the best of it.

To these follow several other charges against Mr. Murray, if possible, more contemptible, and more easy of detection than that adduced. They relate to his definition of the article the, and to his admission in some of the early editions of his grammar of a further extension of the subjunctive termination of the subjunctive mood, than the critick approved. Both of these are repeated in his letter in the Anthology.

This would naturally lead me to an examination of Mr. Webster's attack in the Anthology, in which there is such a perversion of truth, that I have admired at his boldness in exposing himself in that Journal, even though he might venture among the unlettered Dutchmen of Albany. My communication has already extended so far, that, not having yet half finished what I had wished to say on Websterianism, I fear to trespass on the patience of the reader by entering at much length on this particular subject.

However, indulgent reader, bear with me. Mr. Webster, in his first letter to Judge Dawes, lays down a proposition, which no mortal will deny, viz. "the authority of no man living can make that true which is false ;" and with his usual insidiousness proceeds to deduce therefrom a result, the object of which is to load with obloquy some of the best grammars which have been given to the publick. His remarks are, "It signifies nothing to teach a child that an is an indefinite article, because the proposition, as a general one, is not true; the word being used indifferently before definite and indefinite nouns. When we say 'a star adorns the heavens,' we speak of any star indeterminately; but when we say Venus is a more splendid star than Mars,' we use a noun in the most definite sense imaginable."

With true Websterian positiveness, I shall now assert, that the general proposition that an is the indefinite article, is true.' The term definite is nearly a synonyme with certain.. To define is to ascertain, to determine. Indefinite is the correlative of definite. An article is a word prefixed to nouns. Now then to his example, "Venus is a more splendid star than Mars." From the phraseology Mr. W. would have us suppose that a is definite, though he does not say so precisely. He observes that we "use the noun with a in the most definite sense imaginable." Contemptible artifice! The question here is not whether the noun defines the article, as is intimated in a subsequent letter, and which will be noticed, nor whether the noun is of itself definite, as to the object; but the question is, whether the article renders the noun more definite, or ascertains what precise star is meant. A star is surely indefinite, not as to number, although that is the quibble in his grammar, but as to the particular star out of many. So "Venus is a star" is likewise indefinite. It is true that term designates that Venus is not a goddess; but in neither case does the article designate what particular star or goddess is meant. The word star is used to discriminate between Venus a star, and Venus a goddess. If the mind, on mentioning the proposition, adverts to the particular star, it is not from the use of the letter a, but from the noun, Venus. The article a thereindefinite.

fore does not define. It is consequently Mr. W. in his last letter to the editors, speaking of the article, says "that indefiniteness is not its just characteristic, for it is used indiscriminately before nouns which are determinate or indeterminate; and that in this regard it takes its character from the noun which it precedes." And what is all this to the purpose..... Whether a noun defines the article is not the question, but the reverse. In his example "Paris is a great city, a is determinate," says Mr. W. " because city is. rendered definite or certain by its name." That "city" is rendered determinate by the previous mention of Paris, I shall not deny; but if he means that a produces the effect, and he could mean nothing else, it is untrue. His own remark indeed completely refutes itself; and he has on this occasion brought forward another of those Indian auxiliaries alluded to by the editors: for if city is determined by Paris, certainly a is not the efficient.

PORTUGUEZE LITERATURE.

From the London Quarterly Review.

Concluded from page 100.

THE religious prose of these countries (for, on this subject, what is said of one will equally apply to both) is not less extraordinary than their poetry. In the sermons of Vieyra, one of the most excellent as well as most eloquent of men, the finest oratory is mingled with the most fantastick conceits that ever entered into the mind of man. Fray Gerundio, that satire which excited such sensation in Spain half a century ago, till the bigots triumphed and obtained its condemnation, is rather a portrait than a caricature. The lives of the Saints, which are in every body's hands, are of all romances the most marvellous; and the Chronicles of the monastick orders con tain more astonishing instances of fraud and folly, and of the power of the human mind in deceiving itself as well as others, than are to be found in any other book in the world. The journals of Bedlam, or of St. Luke's, would hardly throw more light upon insanity. These works are equally valuable to the Poet, the Historian, and the Philosopher.

There are no modern travels in the language, because the Portugueze, who visit foreign countries, return with freer opinions than would pass the ordeal of the Inquisition. This Tribunal is no longer what it once was, an Association for burning persons on false pretences of Judaism, in order to get possession of their property. As an ecclesiastical court, it now does little mischief: but the control which it exercises over the press is fatal to all political freedom, and prevents the possibility of enlightening the people. A volume of poems was suppressed a few years ago, because the author would not expunge the word Fate. A translation of Darwin's Zoonomia was presented by a physician who had graduated at Edinburgh, and permission to publish it was refused. A work of Zimmerman's was sent to the Board of Censure; its pre face contained a sketch of the different forms of government in Europe; one of the Censors, a man of the highest authority in Lisbon, drew his pen across the whole sketch-wrote a preface himself in its stead, the sum of which was, that the most perfect form of government is an absolute monarchy, like that of Portugal,—and then returned the manuscript to the translator, to be printed with this introduction, or not

printed at all. While such a tribunal exists, it may well be conceived that no Portugueze traveller will give his observations to the publick. Their old literature is rich in this branch of knowledge. Notwithstanding the excellent and incomparable work of Bruce, much may yet be learnt from the Portugueze accounts of Abyssinia, especially from the very rare and not less curious work of Francisco Alvarez, the first European who ever returned from that country to tell the secrets of his prison-land. The Portugueze history of shipwrecks contains more information' respecting the Terra do Natal, and the adjoining parts of South Africa, than is to be found elsewhere; and the old Annual Relations of their Jesuits exceed the Lettres Edifiantes, as much in intrinsick value as in rarity.

In national history the Portugeuze are almost unrivalled. During that period, when their achievements were more extraordinary than those of any other people, they produced historians worthy to record them. No other country can pro

duce such a series of excellent chronicles. Fernam Lopes, the first in order of time, is beyond all comparison the best chronicler of any age or nation. The subject of his greatest work is the successful struggle of Portugal against Castille, under the Protector Joam, afterwards King Joam of Good Memory. Never had historian a more interesting theme: in his style he has all the beauty and vividness of Froissart, and he has the advantage of a subject complete in itself, of a nobler language, of a poet's mind, and of a patriot's feeling. His chronicle of the preceding reign was announced in the year 1790 for publication, by the Royal Academy of Lisbon; but the Academician*, to whom the charge of publishing the yet unedited documents of Portugueze history was assigned, Jeft Portugal, and it still remains unprinted. A fine manuscript of it is in this country. Fernam Lopes was succeeded by GomezEannes de Azurara, who, notwithstanding an occasional display of pedantry, is equal in merit to any chronicler except his unequalled predecessor. He wrote the history of the Conquest of Ceuta, and the first part of the Chronicle of Affonso V. There is reason also to believe that the Chronicle of Duarte is in great part his, these are works of extraordinary merit and of the deepest interest. He wrote also

* José Corrêa da Serra-well known in London by the name of the Abbè Corrêa.

the Chronicles of D. Pedro and D. Duarte de Menezes, which relate to the barbarous and barbarizing warfare carried on in Africa, and may be considered as continuations of his Conquest of Ceuta. Gomez Eannes had written the history of the Portugueze Discoveries down to his own time; most unfortunately this has been suffered to perish, and very little has been preserved by other authors to supply its place. Ruy de Pina completed the Chronicle of Affonso V. with equal ability, and corrected or compiled those of the seven first kings, the undoubted works of Fernam Lopes beginning with the eighth. Ruy de Pina also added the Chronicle of Joam II. whom he had served in many important affairs. There is another excellent chronicle of this king, by Garcia de Resende, who had been one of his pages, and who collected the Cancioneiro, which has already been spoken of. Damiam de Goes wrote that part of Joam the Second's life, previous to his accession, and the Chronicle of Emanuel. He is a valuable writer, though far inferiour to his predecessors. Francisco de Andrada wrote the Chronicle of Joam III. and here the series ends. It had been continued by contemporary writers for nearly two centuries; and nothing comparable to it can be produced by any other country. The Castillian Chronicles of the same period, good as they are, are as inferiour in beauty of execution, as they are in splendour of subject.

The affairs of India are related by Goes and Andrada, but these conquests had better historians, who perceived that events of such magnitude required a separate history. Fernam Lopez de Castanheda is the first of these writers, in order of time, and, in some respects, the most meritorious. Few men have ever so truly devoted themselves to literature, and to the best and only permanent glory of their country, as Castanheda. He accompanied his father to India, who went out with the famous Nuno da Cunha, and was the first ouvidor* of Goa. In those days, as well as in these, men went to India to make fortunes, and were even less scrupulous how they made them than they are now. But the wealth,' says Castanheda, 'which I laboured to obtain, was to learn minutely all that the Portugueze had achieved in the discovery and conquest of India, not from common report, but from Captains and Fidalgos, who understood in what manner these things had taken place,