eafy to be retained in memory; and if they are conclufive, it is manifeftly fuperfluous to heap others upon them. The three reafons for Infant Baptifm here adduced, are thefe; firit, "Becaute Infant Baptifm among Chriftians, is correfpondent to infant circumcifion among the Jews"; fecondly, "Because it is highly probable, that Infant Baptifm has been practifed by the generality of Christians ever fince the days of the apottles"; thirdly," Becaufe, fuppofing the practice of Infant Baptifm to be an error, it is an error on the fafer fide". Each of thefe arguments is expanded in the tract by very clear and convincing illuftrations: with refpect to the firft, in particular, it is made extremely plain, that whatever arguments are ufed against Infant Baptifm, which is not exprefsly enjoined in fcripture, would, if admitted, be equally valid againft intant circumcifion, which certainly was fo enjoined. We rejoice to fee that Mr. P. is pursuing the fame method with fome other important subjects.

ART. 33. Christian Intrepidity; or, a Diffuafive from the Fear of Death in the Difcharge of Duty; a Sermon, preached in the Parish-Church of Dudley, on Wednesday, the 19th of October, 1803, being the Day appointed for a general Faft. By the Rev. Luke Booker, LL.D. 8vo. 25 pp. 64. Hurt. 1803.

On the very threshold of this publication we fee what much pleafes us, a dedicatory Addrefs to Mr. Parker Coke, conceived in lively and juft terms of commendation for his public conduct at Nottingham. Dr. B. expreffes a strong abhorrence of thofe violations of the freedom of election by which that town was fo much difgraced; and, alluding to the measures taken by the wifiom of parliament on that fubject, he fays, with great propriety," on the latter occasion it was truly pleafing to fee that the fiery zeal of oppofition could be effectually regulated by a judicious interference of the civil power; a circumftance which abundantly fhews, that whenever the conftitution is allowed to exert its extrinfic force, as well as to demonstate its intrinfic beauty, it is amply competent to redress every grievance that preffes upon the people."

The Sermon itself contains a fpirited, yet Chriftian exhortation, to all ranks of perfons, to exert themselves against the common enemy: and though on this topic it is not very ftrikingly diftinguished from many others we have had occafion to read, yet loyalty and patriotifm appear fo confpicuous in it, that we are unwilling to continue the accidental neglect, which has made us hitherto filent upon it. The beginning of the difcourfe is that which chiefly recommends intrepidity, from the very appropriate text of Luke xii. 4 and 5. "I fay unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you fhall fear: fear Him, who, after he hath killed, hath power to caft into hell; yea, I fay unto you fear Him.”

ART. 34. The Manners of the ancient Ifraelites; containing an Account of their peculiar Cuftoms, Ceremonies, Lars, Polity, Religion, &c. &c. In Three Parts. Written originally in French, by Claude Fleury; with a short Account of the ancient and modern Samaritans. The whole much enlarged, from the principal Writers in Jewish Antiquities. By A. Clarke. 8vo. 4s. 6d. Baynes. 1805.

The original of this work has always been held in the highest eftimation, and this tranflation of it, with various additions, is entitled to great respect and praife. This work was greatly esteemed, and generally recommended, by the late excellent Bifhop Horne. We think with him, that it is an admirable introduction to the reading of the New Testament, and all inftructors will do well and wifely to put it into the hands of their pupils.

POLITICS.

ART. 35. Letters on the Modern Hiftory and Political Afpect of Europe: exhibiting the Nature, Caufes, and probable Confequences of the grand Contest between Great Britain and France, and the Political Circumftances of the different Nations which compofe the European Syftem. With an Investigation of the Political and Commercial Importance of Egypt, and the Confequences that might refult from the Annexation of that Country to the Dominions of France. Illuftrated with Geographi cal Obfervations. By John Bigland, Author of the Letters on the Study and Ufe of Hiftory. 8vo. 343 PP. 79. Longman and Co. 1804.

We have before met with Mr. Bigland, and have praised him, both as a Chriftian and as an hiftorian *. We are now informed that he has been for many years mafter of a fehool in a northern county, and has ftruggled in his career with the difficulties attached to a confined fitua tion of that nature. That in fuch circumftances he should have acquired by ftudy a competent knowledge of written hiftory, ancient and modern, however creditable to him, is much less extraordinary than that he should have qualified himself to fpeculate, as he here does, with great fagacity and information, on the political fituation of the principal ftates of Europe. The Letters in this volume are 16 in number, and they difcufs, in turn, almoft all the great queftions which can be agitated by politicians of the prefent hour. The principles of the author are every where found and patriotic, and his knowledge is furprifingly extenfive. Speaking of the peace of Amiens, and the recom mencement of hoftilities, he says,

"The ceffion of fo many important acquifitions fpoke the ardent defire of Great Britain to restore tranquillity; and the actual furren

* See his work on our Saviour's Refurrection, vol. xxii. p. 324, and his Letters on the Study of Ancient and Modern History, vol. xxiv. P. 95.

der

der of the greatest part of them demonftrated the fincerity of her intentions. These are facts which prove more forcibly than any arguments, that it was the determination of government to execute with punctuality the articles of the treaty of Amiens, and to leave nothing unperformed that might contribute to the permanency of the pacific fyftem, of which that treaty was fuppofed to be the bafis.

"While things were proceeding in this promifing manner, Great Britain difcovered the existence of a fyftematic hoftility in the conduct of the republic, and the uniform tendency of its politics to the depreffion of this country, and the embarrasiment and diminution of its commerce. At the fame time, government could not fail of obferving the numerous forces the republic kept on foot, with the military confcriptions for their augmentation, befides its perfevering fyftem of continental aggrandifement, which ftill continued to operate with unabated vigour. The portentous afpect of this affemblage of circumftances could not efcape the view of the British government; nor could their vifible tendency, and ultimate confequences, elude its penetration. In fuch a fituation, it was time to fufpend the operation of the plan of reftitution, at least until fome unequivocal marks of the pacific intentions of the confular cabinet could be obtained." P. 96.

The fingular merits of this worthy author have led fome perfons of difcernment to encourage the publication of two volumes of his effays, by fubfcription; by which means it is hoped that he may be placed in a fituation of more eafe and comfort, and may derive profit as well as credit from the meritorious efforts he has made. His proposals may be had of our publisher, and feveral others.

ART. 36. The Policy and Intereft of Great Britain with refpe to Malia, fummarily confidered. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Hatchard. 1805.

This is an able and well-written pamphlet. The author begins. with defcribing the relative importance of Gibraltar to this country, and proceeds to examine how far the different islands in the Mediterranean might be of confequence to Great Britain. After weighing all circumftances, and the peculiar character and unbounded ambition of our adverfary, he draws thefe conclufions:

1. It is indifpenfably neceffary that Great Britain fhould employ the moft efficacious means to guard against the poffibility of France ever acquiring poffeflion of Malta.

2. It is likewife indifpenfable that Great Britain fhould establish the permanent prefence of her power at fome fecure and infular pofition within the Mediterranean.

3. That the moft fimple and convenient, and, at the fame time, the only certain and effectual mode of attaining both these objects is, that Great Britain fhould remain in poffeffion of Malta.

We have perufed this publication with much fatisfaction, and do not hefitate to recommend it to all who may wish the fulleft information on the subject which it difcuffes.

Rr

SLAVE

BRIT. CRIT. VOL. XXV. MAY, 1805.

SLAVE-TRADE.

ART. 37. Obfervations principally upon the Speech of Mr. Wilberforce, on his Motion in the House of Commons the 30th of May 1804, for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. By Jé Foot, Surgeon. 8vo. 116 pp. 3s. Becket. 1804.

It is impoffible to follow the author of this pamphlet through all his rambling and prolix obfervations. His principal object feems to be to inculcate the doctrine, that the flavery of negroes in the Weft Indies is unavoidable, that their condition is a happy one (he even afferts that it is better than that of any peafantry in Europe!!!), and that the flave-trade, if it can ever be laid afide, ought not, at all events, to be abolished till a time of peace. There are many flippant attacks upon Mr. Wilberforce; but they are, in general, feeble, and fome of them founded in mifconception; as, for instance, the attempt to convict him of inconfiftency with his own principles, in promoting the refolutions for a gradual abolition of the flave-trade agreed to in 1792, whereas it is notorious that he spoke and voted for an immediate abolition. Neither can we approve of fuch attacks upon any member for expreffions in an unauthenticated fpeech publifhed only in the newfpapers. The author of this pamphlet profeffes to speak from local knowledge refpecting the condition of negroes in the West Indies, and afferts (which we hope is true) that they are, in general, kindly treated. He does not however, that we perceive, controvert the acknowledged fact of their being kept to work by the conftant application or dread of the whip. How this would be relifhed by the peafantry of any European country (who are fo much lefs happy than the negroes) we leave to the author to determine. We truft, however, that he is accurate in the affertion that "the population of the negroes is increafing, and with a few, and thofe almoft infenfible changes, the islands will fhortly be able to fupply themfelves within themselves." Should this important point be afcertained, almoft every objection made to the abolition of the flave-trade (at least as to islands long fettled) will be done away.

MISCELLANIES.

ART. 38. The Hiftory of Free Mafonry, drawn from authentic Sources of Information. With an Account of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, from its Inftitution, in 1736, to the prefent Time: compiled from the Recards. And an Appendix of original Papers. 8vo. 340 pp. 7s. 6d. Lawrie, Edinburgh; Longman and Co. London. 1804.

At length we are gratified with a rational history of free masonry, and one which at the fame time ftrongly repels the accufations which have lately been urged against the fraternity. The author very correctly expofes, in his preface, the defects of former hiftories of free

mafonry;

mafonry; which, in fact, made them perfectly difgufting to all readers of found understanding.

"The works on this fubject," he fays, "which have already been given to the world, are of fuch a repulfive nature, as to deter the moft inquifitive from their perufal. They contain nothing more than a meagre account of public buildings; and by referring the origin of their order to the creation of the world, and ranking amongst the lifts of free mafons, the most celebrated monarchs of the Eaft, without any authority from authentic history, their authors have difcredited an inftitution which they meant to have honoured. It shall be the object," he adds, "of the following work to diveft the hiftory of free mafonry of that jargon and myftery in which it hath hitherto been enveloped; and to attempt fomething like a claffical view of this ancient and refpectable inftitution.". P. viii.

Nevertheless the chief part of the prefent hiftory, though more rational, is ftill conjectural; the author talks of the mafons of Egypt, Greece, and Rome; as if he knew of their affociations. He treats of the Eleufinian and Dionyfian myfteries, as it connected with free mafonry: though after all it comes to nothing but "a coincidence of their external forms." He compares alfo at large the Jewith Ellenes, and with much learning, as alfo the Pythagoreans; but all is, in our opinion, perfectly groundlefs, as to any thing beyond general fimilarities, till he comes to the "focieties of operative mafons," who actually conftructed the fine religious edifices of the middle ages. Thefe we have always believed to be the real authors of free mafonry; (fee p. 88.) and from thofe architects who built the abbey of Kilwinning, in Scotland, it may almost be traced historically in that country; and foon after in England. The perfecutions of free mafonry are afterwards well related; and the infidious attempts of Weishaupt, to gain credit to his own schemes by becoming a free mafon.

More than half of the book is occupied by "the hiftory of the Grand Lodge of Scotland," founded in 1736, which is detailed with great minutenefs. But the conclufion of the first part, contains the most animated encomium of the fraternity. "I fee their lodges," he fays, "frequented by men of unaffected piety, and undaunted patriotism. Tell us no more, that our brethren of the order are lefs holy and virtu ous than the uninitiated vulgar. I fee them in the church, and in the fenate, defending, by their talents, the doctrines of our religion, and exemplifying, in their conduct, the precepts it enjoins, kind to their friends, forgiving to their enemies, and benevolent to all. Tell us no more that they are traitors, or indifferent to the welfare of their country. I fee them in the hour of danger rallying around the throne of our king, and proffering for his fafety their hearts and their arms.--[ fee them in the form of heroes, at the head of our fleets and our armies; and the day will arrive, when a free mafon fhall fway the fceptre of thefe kingdoms, and fill, with honour and with dignity, the British shrone." P. 149.