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popular view of the present improved state of human knowledge. By William Nicholson, author and proprietor of the Philosophical Journal, and various other chemical, philosophical, and mathematical works. 6 vols. 8vo. with upwards of 150 engravings by Lowry and Scott. 61. 6s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Council of Hogs, a descriptive poem; containing a patriotic oration to the swinish multitude, ls.

Remarks on the Jacobinical Tendency of the Edinburgh Review: in a letter to the Earl of Lonsdale. By R. Wharton, Esq. M.P. 8vo. 6s.

The Introduction to an Examination of the Internal Evidence, respecting the antiquity and authenticity of certain publications, said to have been found in manuscripts at Bristol; written by a learned priest and others in the fifteenth century. By John Sherwen, M.D. Member of the College of Physicians and of the College of Surgeons, and Corresponding Member of the Medical Society, London. 8vo. 7s.

NOVELS AND, ROMANCES.

The Tarantula, or, the dance of fools; a seriocomio, mock-heroic, satirical work. By the author of the Rising Sun. 2 vols. 12mo. 12s.

The Towers of Lothian, or, the banks of the Carron; a Scottish legend. By the author of the Two Pilgrims. 4 vols. 12mo. 11.

POETRY.

amusement of the stage: preached at Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge, on Sunday September the 25th, and Sunday October the 24, 1803; with copious supplementary notes. By James Plumptre, B.D. 7s.

The Way in which we should go ; a sermor, preached in the parish church of St. Botolph, Cambridge, on Sunday December 11th, 1808, for the benefit of the New School, established on Dr. Bell's and Mr. Lancaster's plan of education. By James Plumtre, B.D. is.

A Plain and Serious Address, from a parochial clergyman to his parishioners, at the commencement of the New Year. 1s. 6d.

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The Credibility of the Jewish Exodus, defended against some remarks of Edward Gibbon, Esq. and the Edinburgh Reviewers. By the Rev. W. Cockbain, A.M. Crown 8vo. 35.68.

Intolerance the Disgrace of Christiane, not the Fault of their Religion. By the Rev. C. Wyvill. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Two Discourses on the Origin of Evil, founded on the history of Cain and Abel, and on the re ply of Jesus Christ relative to the man born blind; By J. Drummond. Is. 6d.

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The Works of the Rt. Rev. George Horne, D.D. late Lord Bishop of Norwich, comprising a Commentary on the Psalms, seventy-five Dis courses, and Miscellaneous Tracts; to which are prefixed, Memoirs of his Life, Studies, and Wile ings. By William Jones, MA. F.R.S. one of

The Mother, a poem, in five books. By Mrs. his Lordship's Chaplains, and long his most me West. Foolscap 8vo. 7s.

Poems and Translations, from the minor Greek poets and others; written chiefly between the ages of ten and sixteen. By a Lady. 8vo. 5s.

POLITICAL ECONOMY.

Debates in both Houses of Parliament, in the - months of May and June, 1808, relative to the agreement made by Government with Mr. Palmer, for the reform and improvement of the post-office and its revenue; with an Appendix, containing the several documents therein referred to. 8vo. 5s.

Six Lettes, on the subject of Dr. Milner's explanation relating to the proposal made in the last session of Parliament, for admitting the King's veto in the election of Roman Catholic Bishops. Addressed to the Editor of the Morning Post, and first published in that Paper. By A. B. To which is now added, an Appendix, containing all the documents, 8vo. 3s.

POLITICS.

The Whole of the Proceedings of the Board of Inquiry, upon the subject of the late campaign in Portugal. By Authority. 8vo. 12s.

Strictures on the Present Government, civil, military, and political, of the British possessions in India; including a view of the recent transac

timate and confidential friend. 6 vols. 8vo. 31. 3.

The Christian Name: A discourse addressed to the congregation assembling in Mill-hill Chapel, Leeds, on Sunday October 30, 1908, on accepting the pastoral office in that place. By Thomas Jervis. 1s. 6d.

TRAVELS,

Caledonian Sketches, or, a Tour through Scot land, in the year 1807. By Sir John Carr. 4to. With numerous fine views. 21. 2s.

PROPOSITA PHILANTHROPICA.
....They must perforce have melted,
And Barbarism itself have pitied them!
Shakespeare.

ANIMALS FRIEND.

To the Editor of the Literary Panorama.

Sir,—It will afford sincere pleasure to the virtuous, to know that Lord Erskine has come forward as the advocate for the brute creation-Such an advocate and such a cause must be successful! What a melancholy reflection is it, that in a country where science is in its zenith, and enlightened also by Christianity, humanity towards animals is Protestant England we find cruelty to inof so little practised! How comes it, too, that in fensive animals so generally prevalent?. On Mondays and Fridays, the grand weekly marts for sales of cattle, a person has only to step into the street to witness the most wanton acts of barbarity committed on the ox and the Four Discourses, on subjects relating to the lamb; here you will see a driver with an im

tions in that country, which have tended to alienate the affections of the people in a letter from an officer, resident on the spot, to his friend in England. 3s.

Reflections upon the State and Conduct of Public Affairs, at the commencement of the year 1809 By an Englishman of the Old School. 8vo. 2s.

THEOLOGE,

many labouring horses would be preserved from fractured limbs in the prosecution of their arduous duties. A householder could not reasonably object to this measure, as the thing required would be attended with very little trouble and no expence.

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The quality of Mercy is not strained,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath; it is twice bless'd;
It blesseth him who gives and him that takes,
And is an attribute of God himself.

Yours, &c.

HESED.

To the Editor of the Literary Panorama. SIR,-It has been with no common degree of satisfaction, that I have read in the public prints, the notice which Lord Erskine, so greatly to the honour of his philanthropy, has given of his intention to bring a bill into parliament, to prevent, as far as possible the inhuman and cruel usage to which the brute creation is exposed, and which has now become so common among us, as to be a na tional reproach!

It is, I believe, to the Literary Panorama, that the "Animal's Friends," are indebted for this prospect of at length obtaining a consummation to their wishes; in the mean time, the following hints may contribute to promote this desirable object.

mense club bruising the sides and backs of the useful ox about to yield his body for the food of man; and there you behold both men and boys with sticks pointed with iron spikes wan.tonly plunging them into the bodies of the patient sheep. Whence is it that such acts of cruelty have been permitted, week after week, and for so long a period, to sully the glory and reputation of the first city in the world? Is it because the injured animal is dumb and cannot plead his own cause, that his injuries elude observation ? Is it because the merciless drivers are proof against compassion, and strangers to those sensibilities which adorn human nature? I believe this is the true reason. How seldom have such persons heard of a God, and of his attributes of justice and mercy! I may assert with confidence, that they have not the least idea that any ac count will hereafter be required of them, for the ill treatment of animals committed to their care. Legislative provisions may ameliorate the condition of the creature; but no radical cure can be effected whilst the temporary master and the brute remain nearly on a par, as to mental improvement. It seems to me therefore, that instead of increasing the numerous pains and penalties with which our criminal code abounds, the legislature would more effectually promote the interests of animals by requiring as qualifications in the driver that he should be able to read, that he knows the laws under which he exercises his business; and that he could find sufficient sureThe intention to alter and improve Smith ties for his good behaviour and benevolent dis- field market, affords, as I conceive, an oppor position. Christianity has produced such tunity of facilitating the objects which the establishments in this kingdom, for the relief" Animals' Friends" have in view, to dis of all kinds of evils, as to create astonish-minish the sufferings of the poor animals, ment in foreigners: benevolence has not been that are exposed for sale in that market. Surely, confined to friends, but extended to our ene. Sir, some method may be derived, other than mies; and shall the innocent sheep and pa- the present practice of driving cattle to slaugh tient ox labour under persecution and opprester through the public streets, not only to the sion without relief, without mitigation? great distress of the poor animals, but also to. Their case only requires to be stated, to prothe risk and frequent loss of lives of passencure immediate relief. As men and as christians, gers. During the late thaw, I was unavoidBritous are admitted to be, and they really ably and unhappily a witness to the misery of are, full of affection for mankind in general, several sheep, which were driving up Fish faithful to their friends, generous to their Street Hill to their middles in ice, snow and enemies, and warmly compassionate to the water, which so impeded their passage, at a unfortunate to animals also, as well as to time of day too, when that great thoroughfare is most thronged with carriages and foot pasI perused with pleasure in your last num-sengers, that all the beating of the drovers, ber the commencement of a very salutary practice of spreading ashes in the streets of the metropolis when they become too slippery for the useful horse whilst employed in dragging along his burthen. The persons who have set the example deserve commendation, but I fear that the practice will not become general, unless the legislature interfere, and require househoulders, immediately upon the setting in of frost, to throw ashes upon and cover the portion of street fronting their houses; if this provision were made, how

-men.

and which I need not inform you, Sir, is rarely of the most merciful soit, was not able to accelerate the progress of the poor animals, so as to prevent some of them from being run over! and I fear that many had to struggle with mangled limbs and broken bones, long ere death put an end to their pangs. This article would extend beyond the proper limits, were I to state an hundredth part of the rea sons for adopting some measure to prevent such evils. It is no less humane to rescue : poor brutes, whose duanb eloquence speaks

most forcibly to the feeling mind from savage barbarity; than it is honourable to rescue our country from a reproach to which the conduct of too many subjects it.

In the hope that the worthy, enlightened nobleman, who is about to advocate the cause of suffering animals, may not deem this hint unworthy of his notice, and that with other reasons, which have been already so ably stated, and which may still be urged, it may combine to induce the speedy formation of the "Animals' Friend Society," is the ardent wish of, Sir, Your's, most obediently,

A FRIEND TO ANIMALS.

The proposal for removing Smithfield market to a more convenient situation, gives also an opportunity for a better construction of the market itself, and its appurtenances. We should be glad to see provisions made for WATERING TROUGHS, so disposed that the cattle should have easy access to them, for drink, at their pleasure. Also, slaughter houses, so near that the cattle should not be driven to any unnecessary distance. Also, a conspicuous and elevated situation from whence the clerk of the market, could inspect whatever occurred; with a summary court, for instant punishment of delinquents. Also, that once a month the drovers should be obliged to hear the laws read to them, by which the market is conducted, &c. and their securities examined, reported, &c. the same as to the butchers, &c.

If any other hint suggests itself to our friends, we beg they will not lose a moment in publicly noticing it: as the bill in parliament, may be expected to proceed rapidly.

DIDASCALIA.

MAN AND WIFE.

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So we walked him off to jail in a jiffey, if I may be allowed the expression."" O'De dimus. Have done with your pumping now-d'ye think I'm a basket full of cinders, that I'm to be sifted after this fashion ?” Charles Austencourt to his fair one' You may break the tough heart of a sailor, Madam, but damn me if he will ever own it broke for love of you."—" Ellen to her father. What, papa! and won't you let mamma-in-law rule the roast any longer?”— In order that this sterling wit of Mr. Arnold's muse may be properly supported, that chaste actor Mr. Dowton, bawls out at the latter end of the play, "that, for the fu"ture, he is determined to be cock of the sion in the printed copy, we suppose it is “ walk! ! !"—As we do not find this expresmerely an interpolative specimen of that play actor's wit-what can be lower?

Respecting the morality of this comedy and the purity of its dénouement, nothing surely can be more painful to an upright mind, than the sudden reformation of lord Austencourt, whose character throughout the piece (until the very last scene of the last act!) is that of a monster, whose actions would better have become the interference of the Old Bailey, than the pitiful drawler out of sentiments which the whole tenor of his history had energetically contra

dicted.

With what false impressions must young people retire from such an exhibition, where the atrocity of a miscreant whose whale life has been marked as one continued scene of villainy is glossed over by the shallow quackery of a single moment's repentance ! left in the arms of a wretch with whom no and where an innocent and lovely female is honest man in the kingdom would sit in company!

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So much for the refined pleasures of our modest theatres !-So much for the virtuous spectacles of the managers, who have the effrontery to boast, (in looking to the re By a mistake at the press in the arrange- ceipts, which are raised by puffs in the ment of our last number the following ob- diurnal prints) that the treasurer's the best servations were left out: in justice to our-duct their children to witness such perform "and only critic!"-What parents can conselves we now present them to our readers, as they tend to correct what should be particularly avoided in dramatic representations, viz. low language and immorality-a species of perversion of the dignity of manhood which the Panorama has frequently reprobated.

As the language of this boasted play has been much extolled, we subjoin a specimen or two-" O'Dedimus. So, you must pamper your long stomach with pheasants and partridges, and be damn'd to you!-Oh you have nately set your foot in it."-" Ponder.

ances, unless, like "foolish preceptors, they think they do wonders, in making them wicked, in order to teach them what is goodness-and then say gravely, Such is Man!"

Two new farces have been brought forward since our last; one by the Covent Garden company, at the little theatre in the Hay-market, entitled, Is He a Prince ?-and the other at Drury-lane theatre, entitled The Unconcious Counterfeil-but more inportant matters pressing upon us, we age obliged to defer our account of them.

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The infant years and the education of La Fontaine do not offer circumstances of partieular distinction. He is among the num‚ber of those men of superior genius, who have burst forth at once on the world, to im*prove and delight it. We shall only observe, that he was born about the same period with -Molière, as if nature had determined to produce, as it were, at the same moment, two of the most original geniuses of an age so frunful in great mens

beclouded, by the communication of truths or of errors; they advance in excellence, or are corrupted by the attractions of a good, or by the contagion of a bad taste, and hence proceed the inevitable relations between the productions of genius, when time has increased the number of them-It might even be possible, that a genius should be so cultivated as to combine the perfections of all others; which by borrowing something from every one, might be superior to them all, and this kind of genius, this great gift of heaven, must be reserved for the age which beholds a regeneration of the arts.

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There is another kind of glory, which is rarely to be witnessed at any period: that, when the arts begin to reflourish, and every one seizes what he chooses to appropriate as his portion of them. This is an inestimable attribute, qualified to please all, by an impression by which all are pleased, the impression of novelty. It is this happy turn of mind, which excludes all resemblance to others, which stamps with its own character whatever it produces; which appears to draw from its own exclusive resources when it gives a new form, a new grace, a new language, to Æsop. whatever it borrows from others. Phædrus, and Pilpay have written fables, but a genius arises who seizes upon them all, and they are no longer the fables of sop, of Phaedrus or of Pilpay, but the fables of la Fontaine-But the hypercritic exclaims,

he has invented nothing."-But has he not invented his style of writing, and is not that peculiar to himself?-He discovered the secret, and has kept it. He is not the imitator of others;-nor has any one successfully imitated him: Who therefore has a more decided claim to the character of an original writer ?

La Fontaine ha attained the age of twenty stwo years; and his talent for poetry was not even suspected. The traditional account is, that an ode of Malherbe, which was accidentvally read in his presence. first called into activity the flame› of his dormant genius. The young man appeared to experience a new sensation, and it seemed that this was the moment when he was to exclaim, "I am a Poet! "With a mind improved by a knowledge of the ancient writers, he had but few models before him, in his own period, and his own country:-nor did he want them. Endowed with the most ready facul..ties, but prevented by a predominant indofence from, voluntary exertion, it was necessary that some exterior circumstance should rouse them to action. A few stanzas of Malherbe informed him, by pleasing his ear, of his extreme sensibility to the charins of harmony. The gaiety, which he found in Rabelais, awakened in him that impressive sprightliness which animates all his writings, He was delighted to find in Marot the traces of that simplicity, of which, he himself afterwards became so perfect a model,The rural and pastoral images which abound in the This quality, when it appears in written pages of Urfé, were formed to please a mind works, is necessarily connected with the whose prevailing dispositions were those of character of their author.-A man who is nature. The imagination of Boccacio was in ever preoccupied with his own ideas, and inunison with that of a man who seems to have attentive to those which are circulating been born to carry the art of relating a tale to around him, must remain precisely such as nature has formed him. If he has received the highest degree of excellence. Such were at this time the riches of modern literature, from her hands a predominant taste, that and such the authors who were the most fa- taste will neither be weakened nor divided; miliar to la Fontaine. But though they were and whatever proceeds from his mind, will his favourites, they were not his masters: be marked with a particular and indelible at how great a distance has he thrown them character. Those who look for him out of behind him! nor is there in his works a the sphere of his talent, will not find him. single trace to be found, of his having bor- Molière, who displays such a strain of spright rowed from those of others. His writings finess and pleasantry in his writings, was but a. melancholy companion. To be so just a possess a character peculiar to themselves: and it is the original, cast of his thoughts painter of the manners of the world, as he which first presents itself to our consideration. was, his mind must have been unceasingly Men endowed with superior talents, what-devoted to the observation of them; "and couever may be their power or direction, are necessarily connected, more or less, with each other.They are fortified or weakened by mutual collision; they are enlightened, or VOL. V. [Lit. Pan. March 1809.]

timural observation is ever accompanied with seriousness and with silence. To become really interested in Jeannot the rabbit, and Robin the sheep, a man must possess the 2 R

boyish character, which, preoccupied by its pastime, never looks around him; and la Fontaine was an absent man.It was by amusing himself in the indulgence of his talent, and in conversing with his good friends the animals, that he acquired the powers of charming his readers, without thinking about them. It was this disposition which has placed him without a rival in his style of composition.

This gift of narration he applied, as his fancy led him, to two different kinds of writing. 1. To the moral apologue, which has instruction for its object; and 2. the pleasant story, which has no other design but to amuse; and he succeeded in them both beyond aif other writers. The first, however, demands the most enlarged consideration, as it is by far the most important; it forms, indeed, the principal glory of la Fontaine; and it is a glory which is not blemished by the shadow of a reproach.

ity. When la Fontaine dives into his wri tings as well as those of Arienus, and other less known fabulists, the recitals which he borrows, when rectified by his genius, and embellished by his style, produce results of such entire novelty as to supply in him the merit of invention. In every part he displays a superior intellect. What simplicity is there in his narratives; at the same time, bow just is his moral, and what subtlety in his reflections! If you wish for an example of the true delicacy of compliment, and of the most perfect allegory, read the fable addressed to the celebrated Rochefoucault.-Is it possi ble to employ a more happy ingenuity of praise, to a book which contains a long succession of satyrical maxims, which are delightful even to those whom they censure, than to compare it to a transparent water, where the coxcomb, who turns from every mirror with disgust, because he has found none that will flatter him, still perceives his real features, from which he in vain strives to retire, and to which he is ever anxious to return.

Man has a natural propensity to be amused by narratives. Fables quicken his curiosity and amuse his imagination. They are found among the most ancient monuments of all La Fontaine has founded among the aniDations.--It appears, that in all times, truth mals both monarchies and republics. He has was afraid of man, and that men were afraid formed a new, and a more moral world, than of truth.-In whatever cause the apologue, that of Plato. He continually frequents it, right have originated, whether it was, that and who would not wish to accompany him timid reason in the mouth of a slave, had thither? He has established its ranks, to borrowed this covert language to convey his which he attaches all becoming respect, from sentiments to a master; whether it was, that which he never deviates. He has transferred the sage, desirous of reconciling it to self-love, to them all the titles, and the whole splendid the most imperious of our masters, contrived accompaniments of our dignities. He gives to give it this cheerful and agreeable dress; in to the lion king a palace, to the peers a short, whatever might be its origin, this court, with a royal signet, and the accustominvention is among the number of those, ed officers; and he impels his whole mind to which confer the greatest honour on the wit the pleasant illusion. He gives to the bears, of man-By this happy artifice, truth, the horses, the leopards and the hounds, the before it discovers itself, becomes adjusted to requisite titles. He actually appears to live our pride, and gets possession of our imagi- with them, to be their fellow-citizen, their nation. It produces the pleasure of a discovery, friend and their counsellor. He seems to saves the pain of a reproach, and the tire- love them with affection, he enters into all someness of instruction. The mind being their interests, and gives the utmost imporoccupied in unravelling the meaning of the tance to their debates. Attend to the pleadfable, has not time to revolt against its pre-ings of the ram and the rabbit in behalf of the cepts; and when reason discovers the design, she finds us disarmed of every disposition to oppose her.---We have already as it were, unconsciously pronounced against ourselves that sentence which it would be painful for us to hear from another: for we do not refuse sometimes to correct ourselves, but we do not wish to be codemned by others.

To the simple, unadorned morality of the fables of Esop, Phædrus adds the decoration of poetry; every one is acquainted with the purity of his style, his precision, and his elegance. The volume of the Indian Pilpay is little more than a confused succession of apologues blended with one another, and overcharged with a prolixity of moral, which frequently wants boib justness and perspicu

terrier, and it may then be asked, if a canse has ever been more ably discussed. All the power and means of argument are employed: customs, authority, genealogy, and the rights of nature, are displayed, and even the household gods are invoked on the solema occasion. This assumed gravity, which is rendered so pleasant in his hands, excites in is that chearful sensation which is produced by the sight of a child, surrounded by the toys which delight his early fancy. This pleasing sentiment makes us enamoured of la Fontaine.

The greater part of his fables represent dramatic scenes, which are perfect in respect to character and dialogue. Tartuffe could not have spoken with more appropriation thaa

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