The hiftory of Tom Rigby. 3 vols. 9 s. Vernor. This author is poffeffed of tender feelings, and of abilities to defcribe them; but his characters are not drawn with fufficient variety. C.

The viciffitudes of Fortune; or, The hiftory of Mifs Sedley. 2 vols. 5 s. Jones. Not of an interesting nature. There is a general carelessness in the language. C. Falle gratitude. A novel. By a lady. 2 vols. 6 s. Noble.

The history of Mifs Pamela Howard. 2 vols. 6 5. Lowndes.

The man of honour; or, The hiftory of Harry Waters, Efq; Vol. 2. and 3. 5 5. Noble.

Mifcellaneous.

Miscellanies. By the late R. Dodfley. Vol. 2. 5. bound. Dodfley. — The fecond volume of a publication made thirty years ago, well known by its modeft title of Trifles. This volume contains, Cleone, a tragedy; Melpomene, and Agriculture, poems; and, The economy of human life; all formerly published separately. M. Joineriana; or, The books of fcraps. 2 vols. 6s. Johnson."- In this mifcellany we are prefented with a variety of fubjects, treated in a peculiar, and for the most part a lively manner. Originality is perceptible, not only in the eafy colloquial turn of his compofition, but alfo in many of his reflec

tions. C.

Letters by feveral eminent perfons deceafed. Including the correfpondence of John Hughes, Efq; (author of the Siege of Damafcus), and feveral of his friends, published from the originals: with notes explanatory and historical. 2 vols. 75. Johnson.

No unfuitable appendix to the letters which have been published under the refpectable names of Pope and Swift. M.

Letters from Academicus to Eugenius. 1 s. 6d. Evans.· Three letters: The pleafures of the author's academical retreat; 1. The probability of the monarchy of G. Britain foon becoming abfolute; 3. Objections to feveral paffages in the Old and New Teftament,fuch as have been frequently propofed, and frequently jobviated. M.

Plays and Poetry.

Chorus of the dramatic poem of Elfrida. As performed at Covent-garden. 6 d. Horffield, &c. The pathetic, tender, and claffical poem, Elfrida, the mafter-piece of Mafon's genius, bath at length found its way to the British theatre, by the aid of the judicious alterations which have been made in it; and hath been received with much warmer, more general, and more lafting approbation, than, perhaps, even the moft fanguine admirers of the poem would have expected, from a work which the author

never intended for theatrical reprefenta tion. M.

I S.

D

Crofs purposes; a farce of two acts. it is performed at Covent-garden. vies. The merit of this petite piece con fifts in the ease and sprightliness of the dia logue. The Crofs Purposes, too, in whic the principal characters are involved, ar diverting and more than this is not fually expected in a farce. If, howeve the author, Mr Obrien, (or, rather, the terer of this little drama, from the French had contrived to give a more moral cast to h performance, he would have deferved f farther praife. He is furely reprehenfible for bestowing the prize of beauty, innocenc and fortune, on a gamefler, who has recour to matrimony, merely as an expedient to r cruit his exhaufted finances. M.

Evi

The Rofe; a comic opera, in two ad As it is performed at Drury-lane. The wor by a gentleman commoner of Oxford. T music by Dr Arne. Is. Dilly. Arne's mufic could not prevent this author receiving the mortification of a severe r pulfe from the difcerning public; to who it was certainly an affront to offer fo di and frivolous a production. M.

The poems of Mark Akenfide, M. D. 4t This edition contai 11. 1 s. Dedley.

the Pleafures of Imagination, according the old impreffions; the Pleafures of Imag nation, in its imperfect state, upon the i proved plan; the two books of Odes; t Hymns to the Naiads, first published Dodfley's Mifcellanies; and fome Inferi tions, the three laft of which are new. edition is a very beautiful one, worthy the author, and does honour to the editor. 1

The Shamrock; or, Hibernian creffes.

T

collection of poems, fongs, epigrams, & Latin as well as English, the general produ tion of Ireland. To which are fubjoine Thoughts on the prevailing system of schoc education, refpecting young ladies, as W as gentlemen: with practical propofals for reformation. By Samuel Whyte, Princip of the English grammar-fchool. 4to. D blin printed.. As to the general merit thefe poems, the editor very justly, as we as modeftly obferves, that

Many are good, fome middling, more are bac But yet they are the beft that could be had. !

with a view to Seaton's prize, but by an accidental delay too late of being prefemed by two days. The author has treated his fubject in a philofophical manner, but rendered it at the fame time extremely interefting to the paflions, by an animated ftrain of poetry. The defeription is in general highly beautiful and luxuriant. C.Jo reading this poem we have been pleased by fome bold and poetical paffages, and offended by others that are turgid and profaic. M. An agreeable companion for a few hours. as. F. Newbery. Thefe fugitive pieces

may be ranked among the few poetical productions of recent date, the perufal of which can afford pleasure to a reader of genuine takte. C.

of

EDINBURGH.

Letters to the Rt Hon. Lord Mansfield, from Andrew Stuart, Efq; London, printed in the month of January 1773. Entered in the Hall-book of the company of Stationers, according to act of parliament. Printed in 40, on a very fine paper, and sewed iu marbled paper. ss. No printer or publifh er's name - The fubject of these Letters is Lord Mansfield's conduct in the Douglas caufe. They are four in number; confifting, the firft, of 39 pages; the fecond, of 58, be fdes pages on a small type, being extracts from the proof; the third, of 43, befides 4 pages on a small type, being two let ters, in French, from Meff. Danjou and D'Outremont, to Mr Stuart; and the fourth, 42 pages None of them have a date or fubcription, except the last, which is dated, Berkeley Square. Jan. 12. 1773, and figned AND STUART.- Four letters are annexed, which Mr Stuart received after the final determination of the caufe [xxxi. 108.], from four eminent lawyers who were employed in it, viz. the Hon. Charles Yorke, March 16. 1769; Mr Solicitor-General Dunning, May 27. 1769; Mr Alexander Wedderburn, May 22. 1769; and Sir Adam Fergullon, March 11. 1769 Two or three friends received copies of this pamphlet, by poft, at Edinburgh, in the end of January; and, in a week or two after, a parcel of it came down, and it was fold publ cly in the thops of that city: all the copies were foon bought up. It is properly a London publication-It may give pleasure to one of our retrefpondents (xxix. 22. 230.], to find, that one of the aforementioned lawyers is entirely of his mind. Mr Yorke's letter concludes the: "I would not have urged fome things at the bar of the Hopfe of Lords as I did, if I had not felt the weight of them. In fuch caufes, an advocate is unworthy of his profetion, who does not plead with the veracity of a witness and a judge." In a late cafe A 617.], our correfpondent's propofal was adopted by one of the parties. VOL. XXXV.

ODE for the NEW YEAR 1773. By William Whitehead, Esq; Poet-Laureat. with forms and tempefts in his train, Rapt in ftole of fable grain, Which howl the naked woods among, Winter claims the folemn fong. Hark! 'tis Nature's laft farewell; Every blaft is Nature's knell!

Yet fhall glooms opprefs the mind,

So oft by fage experience taught
To feel its prefent views confin'd,
And to the future point th' afpiring thought?
All that fades, again fhall live;
Nature dies but to revive.

Yon fun, who fails in fouthern fkies,
And faintly gilds th' horizon's bound,
Shall northward still, and northward rise,
With beams of warmth, and splendor
crown'd;

Shall wake the fumbering buried grain
From the cold earth's relenting breast;
And Britain's ifle fhall bloom again

In all its wonted verdure drest.
Britain, to whom kind Heav'n's indulgent care
Has fix'd in temperate climes its stated goal,
Far from the burning zone's inclement air,
Far from th' eternal frofts which bind the

pole.

Here dewy Spring exerts his genial powers, Here summer glows falubrious, not fevere; Here copious Autumn fpreads his golden ftores, And Winter ftrengthens the returning year. O with each bleffing may it rife,

Which Heaven can give, or mortals bear! May each wing'd moment as it flies,

Improve a joy, or ease a care,

To that ALMIGHTY POWER from whom all 'Till Britain's grateful heart aftonish'd bends good defcends.

The Origin of TRAGEDY in Scotland. & Prologue, written after the building of the New Theatre in Edinburgh. [xxx. 162.]

Long ere the Arcadian left his native grove, Where first was tun'd the paft'ral pipe of love;

Ere yet in Greece the tyrant's ftern command
Had ftruck to filence all the tuneful band;
Ere yet the drooping Mufes left that fcene,
Where fav'ring Heav'n at first had fix'd their
reign,

And fled, with Freedom, to fome happier shore,
Where chains and fcourges could moleft no

ELEGY facred to the memory of the late Laird of CLACKMANNAN. [xxxiv. 398.]

AH me! what funeral pomp is this appears In yonder ifle 'tis fure fome monarch lies; The mournful nymphs and swains are bath'd in

tears,

And rend the yielding air with dismal fighs.

Ts BRUCE, the great, the worthy, the renown'd;

'Tis BRUCE, the laft of all that ancient line; Whofe days have been with fame and honour crown'd,

Now fall'n a victim to devouring Time.

Fell archer!-on our joys thou dost intrude; Nor birth nor virtue's felf can 'fcape thy fway;

Could valour, goodness, aught thy force elude,
BRUCE ne'er had mingled with the filent clay.
But fir'd by fad mortality's dread fate,
Man's born the deftin'd victim of the grave;
Ake muft prove th' unalterable state,
The thoughtlefs fool, the learned and the
brave.

Ect falls the mighty BRUCE unfung by bards, Defcends he to the tomb without one lay, Whilft venal fcribblers, urg'd by mean rewards, Make pompous vice appear as bright as day? No,-fure:- though confcious of th' unequal verfe,

A youthful Mufe bedews his facred urn;
Eays his matchlefs virtues to rehearse,
'Till all with imitative ardor burn.

But how shall all the Nine declare his worth,
In every character of life confess'd ?
Light weighs the fcales of his illuftrious birth,
Pois'd with the many virtues he poffefs'd.
Benevolence, with all the focial train

Of mildeft graces, lodg'd within his breast ;
The fupplicating poor ne'er pled in vain,
But amply found their forrows all redrest.
Bat "bove the painter's fkill, or poet's art,
To trace the genuine worth that fill'd his
The amiable feelings of his heart,
[mind ;'

Were ornamental to the human kind. What boots thefe valued gifts? when Death af

fails,

The monarch moulders like the private man ; Th' infatiate archer over all prevails,

Our fhort duration bounded to a span. Yet vain we feek him 'mongst the filent dead; He, angel-wing'd, from earth took rapid Aight; From Age, and pale Difeafe, from Death he fled, To gain immortal youth in fields of light. There he God's works with wonder doth pursue ; His great probation finish'd here below, That rapt'rous vifion rufh'd upon his view, Which makes th' angelic choir with ardor

glow.

This charming hope fuflains yon mournful fair,
Whofe lofs not fcepter'd monarchs could re-
The blow with Christian fortitude to bear, [store,
Till they unite above to part no more.
If there's diftinguish'd mansions 'mongst the juft,
Such fouls, when freed by death, fhall thither
Alas! that fuch fuperior virtue muft [fly:

To frail mortality fubmit, and die.
But foft! for, lo! a radiant band appear,
Of martial heroes clad in armour bright,
Whofe gleaming fteel, whofe noding helmets
clear,

Illume the place with more than mortal light. And next a bright majeftic female form, With goddefs-like demeanor, grace their Angelic beauty did her face adorn, [train; While fadly fweet fhe fung this plaintive. ftrain.

Hail, mortal! view this warlike band, of old So great, fo fierce, fubdu'd alone by time, On earth by me inspir'd ; — in me behold

The ancient Genius of the BRUCIAN line. How have I led them on to deathlefs fame,

Whofe deeds hiftoric annals still supply! Proud Caledonia gloried in that name,

Whofe great illuftrious actions ne'er fhall die. Th' extinction of that ancient race bewail;

BRUCE falls like an exalted mountain-oak, Whofe fheltering foliage gay could not avail, When thund'ring winds gave the o'erturning fhock.

Long have I hover'd o'er yon mighty walls,

Have feen my champions fix the fate of kings; Al: me! thall frangers now feast in my halls? Sad emblem of all fublunary things.

No, no; while Heaven protects yon peerless dame,

A moment's paufe! - and, ere the curtain rife,

That bids our mimic kingdom meet their eyes;
First, let their fervant for himself appear,
To with returning feafons joyful here.

In fuch a wish he acts no ftudied part,
It flows unbidden from his grateful heart:
If grateful hearts of eloquence could boaft,
Did they who feel the deepeft, fpeak the most,
What bounds of language should his thanks con-
troul?

But filence speaks the langunge of the foul!
Yet a new boon to-night he dares to crave,
(For bounty gives afresh where bounty gave)
Your favour on a firanger's part to claim;
Yet not a franger, if we know by Fame;
Yet not a franger, when her country's known,
For the can boast of Scotland as her own.

But here, by no ungenerous rules confin'd,
Why plead we country to the liberal mind?
If here, in Palion's genuine colours dreft,
She comes, a native to the throbbing breift;
If, when the droops a hapless mourner here,
Congenial Pity fheds the willing tear,
She needs no foreign aid to prop her caufe,
Nor would the wrong your hearts to ask applause.

THE TRIUMPH OF SCOTLAND. Oft in the windings of a lonely grove, Breathing the dictates of maternal love,

aray'd,

The guardian power of CALEDONIA stray'd. "'Tis done," he cried, "the meafure is

Blefs'd with the gentle, foothing Arts of Peace, In manly joys they pafs the fleeting hour; Difcord is mute, contentious clamours ceafe,

And dark Rebellion's clouds no longer lour. With laughs around, and Mufic's chearful voice, In sweetest notes refounds thro' every plain; Contentment reigns, the rura! fwains rejoice, And blooming virgins join the sprightly strain.. The beam of Fancy warms the poet's line,

The glowing Mufe delights the bftening age, While DIGGES and YATES their matchics powers combine,

And Scenes of Nature dignify the stage."

While Time brings mortal beauties to decay,
Fair Virtue gives what Time can't steal away.
Song.

Thofe are the whole of Beauty's theme;
Without whofe vital aid
Unfinish'd all the features feem,

And all the colours fade.
Recitative.

Such blifs for Britain's King doth Heav'n decree; (To us is given celestial liberty),

A train of Kings their mutual love fupplies; A glorious feene to Albion's ravish'd eyes! Song.

What clouds foe'er without are feen,

Oh, may they never enter in !
But Virtue's pow'rs can fafely bind,
And well protect the spotlefs mind.

Recitative.

See Britain's King and Britain's Queen,
Quit the throng'd palace (fplendid fcene),
To feek the calm and fweet recess,
Where dwells that cherub, Happiness!
Song.

There, in the Evening's folemn hour,
Adore that great Almighty Pow'r,
Who takes fuch virtues to his care!
And angels guard the Royal Pair.
Kecitative.

Religion now fresh beams her chearing ray,
Since our lov'd Monarch gladly owns her fway;
At this example Vice, aftonifl'd, falls,
Detefted exile from thofe happy walls.
Full Chorus.

Come, thou ever-fmiling power,
Goddess of the feftive hour,
Heaven-born Mirth! and bring along
The tuneful harp, the loyal fong;
Each willing mind with joy obeys,
And to the bell of Queens the tribute pays.

EPIGRAM from MARTIAL.
Efore a fwan, behind a crow
Such powd'ring did I never know.
Death knows you're
Ah! ceafe your arts,
And, fpite of all, will keep his day.

(gray,

HI