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fied in the fixth and feventh volumes: in the former the Author gives a very interefting account of the opinions and doctrine of the ancient philofophers, extracted with judgment and tafte from the unwieldy hiftory of philofophy by Bruckerius; and, in the latter, a view of the private life of the Romans, in their drefs, houses, entertainments, amusements, &c. which is taken from a series of differtations on that fubject, inferted in Memoirs of the Academy of Inferiptions and Belles Lettres.

The eleventh and following volumes to the fifteenth inclufive, exhibit a judicious abridgment of modern history, interfperfed with a great number of political and moral reflections on the rife, progrefs, and revolutions of different nations, and interefting obfervations on the progrefs of letters, arts, commerce, and religion. There is particularly, in the last book of the fifteenth volume, a very elegant account of the revolutions that have happened in philofophy and the fciences fince the commencement of the fifteenth century, and an enumeration of all the important improvements that have been made in natural, metaphyfical, and political fcience.

The fixteenth, which is the last volume, is divided into three parts. The first prefents the fundamental truths, that we muft never lofe fight of in the ftudy of hiftory, and the application of thefe truths to the general courfe of events recorded in ancient and modern hiftory. The fecond contains general reflexions on fome European ftates, where all the power of the community is in the hands of the Prince, together with a compendious view of the government of the Swifs cantons, Poland, Venice, and Genoa, the German Empire, the United Provinces, England, and Sweden. The third exhibits the general and particular caufes, which prevent the ftates of Europe from reforming the defects of their government and laws, and points out the methods of rendering fuch a reformation practicable.

FLORENCE.

XII. We have here the fecond volume of the Lettere Inedite, i. e, Letters of feveral illuftrious Men, published now for the first Time. 8vo. 1775. The greateft part of the letters published in this volume were written by Cardinal Mich. Angelo Ricci, Campanella, Borelli, Gaffendi, Bullialdo, Fabri, Eustache Divini, Viviani, Tycho-Brahé, Rofetti, Magalotti, Niccolini, and Stenon. This collection needs no farther recommendation than the illuftrious names here mentioned. The letters of Gaffendi in this volume are fingularly interesting and inftructive; and thofe of the celebrated Caffini, which are to occupy a large place in the following volume, excite naturally the impatient expectations of the curious.

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LEGHORN.

LEGHORN.

Father VINCENT FASSINI, a learned Profeffor in the univer fity of Pifa, has difplayed his zeal and erudition in defence of the apoftolic origin and authenticity of the Four Gospels, against the Critical Examination of the Defenders of Chriflianity, an acute, but infidious production fuppofed to have been written by the celebrated Freret. The title of this new vindication of the Gofpel History is as follows: P. Vincentii Faffini, Ordinis Pradicatorum, in Pifana Academia, Sacrarum Litterarum P. P. de Apoftolica Origine Evangeliorum Ecclefiæ Catholica Liber Singularis adverfus Nicolaum Freretum. 4to. 1775.

MONTHLY CATALOGUE, For A PRI L,: 1776.

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AMERICAN CONTROVERSY.

Art. 11. A full Defence of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, in Answer to the feveral perfonal Reflections caft on that Gentleman by the Rev. Caleb Evans, in his Obfervations on Mr. Welley's late Reply, prefixed to his Calm Addrefs. By Thomas Olivers. 12mo. 2 d.

Sold at the Foundery. 1776.

R. Evans, we find, is the Author of a Letter to the Rev. Mr. Wef

letter Mr. Evans was very fevere on the celebrated Calm Addrefs; and refuted many of Mr. Wefley's arguments: as well thofe that were properly his own, as thofe which he had borrowed from Dr. Johnfon's Taxation no Tyranny. Mr. Olivers undertakes the defence of Mr. W. and, in his turn, is very fevere upon Mr. Evans.-This is too often the way, in all controverfy; the champions lofe fight of the caufe in which they are engaged; the conteft degenerates to mere perfonality; and, in the eye of the Public, becomes downright impertinence.

Art. 12. A Vindication of the Rev. Mr. Wefly's " Calm Addrefs to our American Colonies:" In fome Letters to Mr. Caleb Evans. By John Fletcher, Vicar of Madely, Salop. 12mo. 4 d. Hawes. Mr Fletcher has been diftinguished in the late theological controverfies between Mr. Wefley and his followers, on the one part, and the Antinomians, or Calvinists, on the other. In thefe difputes, unprofitable or unimportant as they might be deemed by impartial bye-ftanders, the Shropshire Vicar made no inconfiderable figure; and we have freely and impartially done juftice to his abilities. In politics, however, we have nothing to fay in his favour. We are, indeed, forry to obferve, that he is a mere Sacheverel: a preacher of those flavish and justly exploded Jacobitical doctrines, for which the memory of Sacheverel and his abettors will ever be held in equal contempt and abhorrence by every true friend to the liberties of. mankind.

Art.

Art. 13. A Reply to the Rev. Mr. Fletcher's Vindication of Mr.
Wefley's Calm Addrefs. By Caleb Evans, M. A.
Bristol printed, and fold by Dilly in London.

12mo. 6 d.

Mr. Evans is a lively and sensible advocate for the freedom of the Colonies, a fpirited controvertift, and a zealous affertor of thofe liberal and noble principles to which we were indebted for the glorious REVOLUTION, and to which the Hanover family is indebted for the crown of thefe kingdoms.-May both prince and people ever retain a grateful remembrance of fuch diftinguished bleffings!

In this Reply, Mr. Evans gives, by way of introduction, a review of the controverfy, on this fubject, between Mr. W. and himself, with feveral original letters, in which the political versatility of Mr. Wefley is feen, in a light not lefs confpicuous than were the manifeftations of his religious waverings and felf-contradictions, in his former difputes with Mr. Hill and the Calvinistic Methodists.

In his fecond letter Mr. Evans refutes Mr. F.'s political arguments, on the principles of the conftitution.

In letter III. Mr. F.'s reafons from Scripture are fhewn to be inconfiftent, abfurd, and totally inconclufive; and, in a poftfcript, we have the detail of a little controverfy, in the Gloucefter Journal, between Mr. Evans and the Dean of Gloucester, on the subject of our prefent coercive measures with respect to America.-The Dean fill maintains his favourite doctrine of an amicable feparation. Art. 14. Political Empiricifm: A Letter to the Rev. Mr. John Welley. 8vo. 6d. Johnson.

Attacks the Author of the "Calm Addrefs," for borrowing Sam Johnfon's quarter-staff*, to drub the Americans. The weapons ufed by this Correfpondent of Mr. Wefley's are raillery, and ferious expoStulation.

Art. 15. The State of the national Debt, the national Income, and the national Expenditure. With fome thort Inferences and Reflections, applicable to the prefent dangerous Crifis. By John Eart of Stair. Fol. I s. Alman.

This is the production alluded to, in the conclufion of our ac count of Dr. Price's Obfervations on Civil Liberty, in our laft Month's Review; and which we had then only feen in manufcript. It will ferve as a very proper fupplement to the Doctor's performance: the calculations and eflimates tend to the fame alarming conclufions; and the Author's reflections are of the fame patriotic caft with those which are interfperfed in the celebrated Obfervations.

Art. 16. An Enquiry whether the Guilt of the present Civil War in America, ought to be imputed to Great Britain or America. 8vo. US Donaldfon.

Throws the whole blame and guilt of the American war on the Colonists; whom the Author charges with the most notorious folly, wickedness, and ingratitude. There is a confiderable fhew of argument in the pamphlet; and fome ftrictures are offered, in refutation of Dr. Price's notion of government.-The Writer's name has appeared in fome of the advertisements, viz. John Roebuck, M.D.

• Taxation no Tyranny.

Art. 17. An Addrefs to the People of Great Britain in general, the Members of Parliament, and the leading Gentlemen of Oppofition in particular, on the prefent Crifts of American Politics. 8vo. 1 s. 6d. Newbery.

This Addreffer profeffes to have fubftituted perfuafion for argument, and gentle reproof for bitter invective. His reproofs of the Colonists, however, are not fo very gentle as his profeffions of moderation' feem to imply; and he often indulges in a strain of invective, which the Americans will probably think bitter enough. As to your reafoning, Gentlemen, your Locke's and your ROUSSEAU's, with their ideas of natural equality, inherent rights, original contracts, and delegated power, he fairly kicks them all out of the question: these ideas, he fays, have existence only in the heads of fuch vain phi, lofophers, who think human reafon degraded, if the cannot bring every object of knowledge to the teft of rational investigation.'

After having thrown out a remark at once fo fagacious and decifive, our reafoning Readers will probably think that this Author was very right in declining the weapons of argument, and taking the field with thofe of perfuafion only. Indeed we totally agree with him in opinion, that every thing which argument could do in this cafe, has been done; that the ground being now changed, and a verbat turned into a military contest;-the law of felf-prefervation, that primary law of nature, calls upon us to change our weapons alfo.What those weapons ought to be, our Author has determined: the only alternative in this conteft, he apprehends, is kill or be killed: and therefore, the end of all his perfuafion is, on the part of this kingdom, unanimity of fentiment, and combination of power.'Undoubtedly! or (on our Author's principles) we are a ruined nation.

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Though this Writer declares fo ftrongly against the use of argument, in our prefent fituation with respect to America, he reasons very well on fome points, and throws out many fenfible remarks. Art. 18. A Letter to the Noblemen, Gentlemen, &c. who have addreffed his Majefty, on the Subject of the American Rebellion. 8vo. Is. Cadell. 1776.

Written with a defign fimilar to that of the foregoing Address; but the Author does not decline the argumentative part. He enters on a general review of the principal arguments which have been urged, in defence of the Colonies, taking, likewife, a retrofpect of the ori gin and progress of the conteft, together with the motives and intrigues of those who have excited and fomented this unnatural divifion, and the conduct of adminiftration from the commencement of the disturbances to the prefent time.' By fuch an extenfive furvey. he adds, [addreffing himself to the gentlemen mentioned in the title] the rectitude of your application to the throne will be clearly evinced,' &c.-There is no occafion to fay more on the prefent article, except that we must do juftice to the Writer; whose style, proves him to be a man of abilities,-whatever may be thought of his reafoning, by thofe who entertain contrary fentiments.

Art

Art. 19. A Letter to Lord George Germaine. 8vo.

mon. 1776.

Is. Af Written, as the Author expreffes it, in hopes to divert, from the most ruinous project that this nation was ever engaged in,' the noble ftatefman to whom this remonftrance is addreffed

This great effect the Writer endeavours to produce, by a terrifying difplay of the great and inevitable difadvantages under which we mu carry on the war in America. He fets forth, very circumflantially, the prodigious numbers, and alarming power, of the United Colonifts, by fea and land; and enumerates (with all the confidence of perfect information) the unfurmountable difficulties that will impede, in particular, the operations of our land-forces, in every province. In short,

Hills peep o er hills, and Alps on Alps arife.

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To be brief, according to this very cavalier Writer, it will be impoffible for us to fucceed in the attempt of forcing the Americans to fubmiflion. Nay, he roundly tells his Lordship, that all is loft;'-but, in the conclufion, comforts him with an affurance that all may yet be recovered, by a fingle fiat, peace and liberty.'What the Author precisely means by liberty,-whether he is for Dr. Tucker's plan, and would declare the Colonists independent, or only for complying with their avowed demands, is not explained. His letter, however, is written with fpirit,-perhaps with fomething more." Art. 20. Obedience the best Charter; or, Law the only Sanction of Liberty. In a Letter to the Rev. Dr. Price. 8vo. I s. bd.' Richardfon-and Urquhart. 1776.

This Writer is one of the moit fanguine and most fevete of all Dr. Price's numerous antagonists. He treats the Doctor as a mere factious demagogue, or what is, if poffible, yet more contemptible, as the tool and dupe of others, more factious and more defigning than himself. He is indeed more civil to Dr. Price than ufual, when he declares himself willing' to think him inconsciously the tool of a party; and that by incautiously adopting their train of thinking and mode of expreflion,' the Doctor is fometimes led into a phrafeology by no means characteristic either of his temper or writings.'

In characterising the Doctor's OBSERVATIONS, &c. he thus fums up the demerits of that celebrated performance: Inflead of a cool, difpaffionate inquiry, rational ftrictures on the prefent plan of operations, or even a decent remonttrance against it, we have nothing but declaration without certainty, cenfure without lenity, opinion without moderation, petulance without fpirit, invectives without dignity or force, a disjointed and inconfiftent medley of politics, every thing affumed, nothing established, a method imperfect and perplexed, and a compofition loofe, inelegant, and tawdry!'

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But if our Author bears hard on Dr. Price, he is a thousand times more harsh with the Americans; whom he reprefents as the most worthlefs of mankind; as wretches, in whofe breafts the blackeft treafon rankles, while devotion fhades their faces, and rebellion fumes in their hearts.' Their profeffed tenets, says he, are famous. for gilding a rotten heart, a fulky temper, and a hollow practice.They have got a jumble of abftractions among them, which they shink orthodox, merely becaufe unintelligible, which is all found

and

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