"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or tafte not the Pierian fpring. There fhallow draughts intoxicate the brain, But drinking largely fobers it again."

Dr. Burdin has, however, executed his defign with much diligence, having col lected a great variety of interefting and important facts, and condented a vast body of information within the limits of three

octavo volumes. The first of these com

prehends the organic structure of the body, the offeology, the muscular and nervous system, the fenfes, the function of digeftion, circulation, and generation. The fecond part includes the hiftory of difcafes, and the third part is occupied with phyfiological difquifitions on the vital functions, the action of the brain and

nerves.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN has published a vo lume of "Tranflations from the Greek; viz. Ariftotle's Synopfis of the Virtues and Vices; the Similitudes of Demophilus; the Golden Sentences of Democrates; and the Pythagoric Symbols, with the Explana tions of Jamblichus. To which are added, the Pythagoric Sentences of Demophilus, by Mr. THOMAS TAYLOR."

This work is preparatory to a tranflation, which Mr. Bridgman contemplates, Ethics of Ariftotle, written by Androof the Commentary on the Nichomachean michus, furnamed Rhodius. Mr. Bridgman is the friend of Mr. Thomas Taylor, and fpeaks of his difcoveries and attainments in terms of the highest eulogy.

We are much indebted to an anonymous fcholar for a felet tranflation from the oriPaftoral Novel, by LONGUS." ginal Greek of " Daphnis and Chloe, a

Longus has been blamed for indecency, but furely without foundation. His nakedness is that of a favage and not of a

CLASSICAL AND ORIENTAL LITERA

TURE.

"Anacreontis Odaria, ad Textus Barnefiani fidem emendata: accedunt varie Lectiones, curá EDVARDI FORSTER, A. M."

A very beautiful fpecimen of typographical excellence: the letters are oblique, like the italic form of the Latin letters. The text is generally accurate, but not abfolutely faultlefs.

Dr. GIRDLESTONE has published a tranflation of the "Odes of Anacreon:" it furpaffes Little Moore's in fidelity of verfion, but is woefully inferior in eafe, elegance, and grace.

The laborious Mr. THOMAS TAYLOR has prefented the public with five unintelligible quarto volumes, containing a tranf lation from the original Greek of the Works of Plato. That this gentleman fhould have mifpent his time, and mifapplied his knowledge and his talents, upon a work, fcarcely a fentence of which is within the grafp of any common comprehenfion, is much to be regretted.

A fimilar regret feems to be generally felt refpecting Mr. FABER'S " Differtation on the Myfteries of the Cabiri," in which a great deal of knowledge is wafted in the fupport of an extravagant hypothefis; namely, that the whole circle of heathen mythology is reducible to two united fources of fuperftition, the worship of the heavenly bodies and that of the ark of Noah.

ancient statue, will be excited by reading the natural defcriptions of Longus; and his imagination must be equally depraved in the one cafe as in the other. The style of Longus is exceedingly fimple and ex- · preffive, and the prefent tranflator has transfufed into his verfion all the expreffion and fimplicity of his original.

The only book we have to notice under the head of Oriental Literature, is the fe venth volume of the " Afiatic Researches." It contains twenty communications on fubjects connected with geography, natural hiftory, morals, religion, antiquities, language, &c. Major COLEBROOKE has inferted a good article on the Course of the Ganges through Bengal, illuftrated by charts and fections. Captain MAHONY and Mr. JOINVILLE have fuccefsfully inveftigated the religious ceremonies of the Ceylonefe. Mr. MACRAE's account of the Kookies or Lunctas, a race of mountaineers, living to the north-east of the Chittangery province, and the least civilized of any of thefe mountain tribes, is curious and interefting. Major Colebrooke has been a liberal contributor: his paper on the Sanferit and Pancrit languages is very learned, and fhews that he has ftudied it with great induftry and fuccefs. His account of the religious ceremonies of the Hindoos, and of the origin and peculiar tenets of certain Mahommedan fects, difplay a fpirit of investigation, persevering and penetrating. We are extremely glad to find the Afiatic Society profecuting its labours with fo much affiduity and zeal.

TOPOGRAPHY

TOPOGRAPHY AND ANTIQUITIES. "The Gazetteer of Scotland; contain ing a particular and precife Defcription of the Counties, Parishes, Islands, Cities, Towns, Villages, Lakes, Rivers, Mountains, Valleys, &c. of that Kingdom; with an Account of the Political Conflitution, Hiftory, Extent, Boundaries, State of Agriculture, Population, Natural Hif tory, Buildings, Seats of the Nobility and Gentry, Roads, &c. Illuftrated with an elegant Map."

Mercy on us, what a bill of fare! It reminds us of one that was brought to us at a reftaurateur's in the Palais Royal, containing the names of five and forty different difhes, and nine and twenty different wines. However, as there is no doubt but that any of the specified wines or dishes might have been had if called for, we may fafely fay, that the promifes contained in the title-page to the prefent volume, numerous and large as they are, are fatisfactorily performed. Indeed, it is a molt ample, well felected, and well arranged compilation.

A new edition, accompanied with notes and illustrations, is published of Sir RoBERT SIBBALD'S 66 Hiftory of the Sheriffdoms of Fife and Kinross."

This curious old work is divided into four parts: the first defcribes the ancient extent of the fhire; its ancient name; a defcription of the country in the time of the Romans; a character of the Caledonians, termed Dicaledents and Vectu. riones, and whence they emigrated; the language of the Picts; their manners, policy, and religious rites; the actions and exploits of the Romans in Scotland, and the wars of the Dares in the fhire. The fecond part treats of the firths of Forth and Tay, the islands of the former, the animals, the fanguineous fish, exfarguineous animals, and the minerals of both the firths, and the plants upon the firth of Forth, and fome within the fea mark; the natural history of the fhire; the ftate of the Chriftian religion; and an account of the Culdees who first introduced it, "fhewing how the Culdees were deprived of their rights;" and of the religious houfes and hofpitals in thefe fhires. The third divifion concerns the fhire of Fife; the jurisdiction; the earls and officers; Macduff the firit earl, and the privileges he obtained of King Malcolm Kanmor; a lift of the earls; the civil jurifdiction; Lift of bishops and priors of St. Andrew's; of the clergy, nɔbility, and gentry; officers of ftate of Fife; and an account of the univerfity of St. Andrew. Next fol

Part

lows a history of Kinrofshire. fourth :-the coaft from the western boundary to the river Leven, thence to Fifenefs, thence to the river Eden; a description of the inland country eat from the Lowlands of the Strath of Leven, of Lochorfhire, of the western parts inland of the plairs of Eden, and of the northern parts inland. The Appendix contains the natural hiftory of Fife; particulars concerning fome natives of this thire eminent for learning and arts; ancient heritors of the fhire; new lift of the principal heritors, and of thofe of Kinrofs; Gordon's lift of those of the former fhire; houfes of the nobility and gentry; the valuation of Fifefhire, 1695; lift of the parishes, as divided into prefbyteries, with the names of patrons and incumbents; lift of the British kings; and, lastly, an account of the arrival and treatment of fome hipwrecked mariners and foldiers of the Spanifh armada at Anftruther. The notes of this work are numerous and full of mat

ter.

"The Principal, Hiftorical, and Allufive Arms borne by Families of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with their respective Authorities; col lected by an Antiquary. With a Reprefentation of the Arms on Copper plates."

This is an amuling work. In a dedi cation to the "ladies of the United Kingdoms," this very courteous and gallant F.A.S. arrefts the attention and conciliates the favour of the fair fex. This is not a dry heraldic detail of armorial bearings: the arms are, indeed, as they should be, defcribed in appropriate terms; but the hiftory of their origin brings together an entertaining collection of facts and anecdotes from various fources of history, illuftrative of the bearings, mottos, &c. of many illuftrious families. The author has divided his collection into claffes; giving the first and largeft fection to the arms achieved by valour; the fecond, to loyalty; the third, to alliance; fourth, favour and fervices; filth, fituation; fixth, profeffion; feventh, tenure and office; eighth, memorable circumstances and events in general. The engravings, it must be acknowledged, are confummately bad.

Antiquities, Hiftorical, Archite&ural, Chorographical, and Itinerary, in Nottinghamshire and the adjacent Coun ties; comprizing the Hiftories of South

well, (the ad Pontem) and of Newark, (the Sidnacefter of the Romans) interperfed with Biographical Sketches, and profufely embellished with Engravings.

In

In four Parts. By WILLIAM DICKINSON, Efq."

Mr. Dickinson, like moft topographers, is a very diffufe writer; his ftyle, however, unlike moft topographers, is clear and occationally animated. This work displays a vaft fund of hiftorical knowledge and antiquarian research, and as it deferves, will no doubt be highly cfteemed. The prefent volume, ho ever, is but introductory, and is confined to a diileriation on the architecture and account of the church and town of Southwell.

"The History and Description of Colchefter (the Camulodunum of the Britons, and the first Roman Colony in Britain) with an Account of the Antiquities of that most ancient Borough."

This work is prefented to the public without preface, advertisement, or the name of its author, who has collected a great deal of curious and interefting information concerning that ancient town.

Mr. COATE'S "Hiftory and Antiquities of Reading" is entitled to great plaife: the author has been indefatigable in collecting curious facts; judicious in the arrangement of them, and faithful in relating them.

"Memorabilia Cantabrigiæ; or, an Account of the different Colleges in Cambridge; Biographical Sketches of the Founders and eminent Men; with many Original Anecdotes, Views of the Colleges, and Portraits of the Founders. By JoSEPH WILSON, of the Inner Temple."

This is an interefting work which we are happy to find will, if the prefent receives that patronage which it merits, he followed by a fimilar account of the colleges and leaire men who have illuftrated Oxford. The plan is clear and natural. The colleges are defcribed in order, according to the antiquity of their founda tion, and prefixed to the account of ach is a finall but neat view of the college, with the head of the founder fubjoined. The date of the foundation is firft given; the name accounted for; and the buildings, and other peculiar features lightly defcribed, with a proper statement of the nature of the establishment. Then fullows a list of the principal benefactors, with a biographical sketch of the most rema kable; and, laftly, a lift of the eminent men there educated, with a fimilar account of those who belt deferve notice.

"Coins of the Seleucidæ, Kings of Syria; from the Establishment of their Reign under Seleucus Nicator, to the determination of it under Antiochus Afiaticus; with Hiftorical Memoirs of each Reign. Illuf

trated with twenty-four Plates of Coins from the Cabinet of the late MATTHEW DUANE, F.R. A S. Engraved by F. BARTOLOZZI."

The curious series of medallic reprefenfentations here given to the public were drawn and engraved by Bartolozzi under the aufpices of Mr. Duane, who fpared neither trouble nor expence in collecting a complete feries of the Macedonian, as well as Syrian kings. This gentleman, however, went no further than to engrave them; those that refer to the Seleucida are now publifhed by the careful and learned antiquary, Mr Gough, who thus peaks of his own publication :-" The editor of this work flatters himself he is doing to the literary world at large, and to the lovers of numifmatic fcience in particular, an effential fervice, in laying before them a fet of plates which they have been eagerly expecting near half a century; and which, by a revolution of circumftances, have become his property, though not at an inconfiderable, yet at a price far below what they must have colt their original proprietor, who spent nearly five hundred pounds on them. What reafons induced Mr. Duane to keep back this treasure from the public till it was out of his power to give it them, is not for the editor to fay. Had Mr. Duane lived to execute his own defign, we cannot doubt he would have performed his part in a manner more worthy of the subject. Under the prefent circumftances, all that can be done is, to accompany these fine plates with a fhort view of the reigns of the refpective princes. Ancient history furnifhes but fcanty materials for thole who eigned longeft and figured molt, and fcarce any particulars of feveral of the ret, though it should feem every reign had once its hiftorian.

Mr.HUTCHINS's "Hiftory and Antiquities of Dorfet" has reached a fecond edition, which is "corrected, augmented, and improved."

The "Swanfea Guide" is a most useful and comprehenfive little work. The Rev. Mr. OLDISWORTH is faid to be the author of it.

The "Gloucefler New Guide" is alfo a very excellent little volume, faid to be the production of Mr. RUDGE, a refpectable clergyman of the city, who has announced for publication a History of Gloucestershire.

Dr. CRIRIE, will perhaps be offended that we place his "Scottish Scenery" under the divifion of Topography rather than of Poetry; but really it may be

read

read with more inftruction as a gazetteer, than with pleasure as a poem,

MATHEMATICS AND ASTRONOMY.

"An Account of the Aftronomical Difcoveries of Kepler; including an hiftorical Review of the Syflems which had fuccef fively prevailed before his Time. By RoBERT SMALL, D.D."

This volume will be highly prized by the mathematician, as bringing forward the laborious and most minute investigation of a man whofe merits are infufficiently appreciated. Kepler is known to have been the discoverer of the great laws of the planetary motions; but in order to be fenfible of the extent of obligation which we are under to this great man in the fcience of aftronomy, it is neceffry to be acquainted with the more ancient altronomical theories, and the principal phrnomena they were fuppofed to explain. Dr. Small has accordingly devoted his first four chapters to the fyftems of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe. The next chapter is entitled, "Of the the Preparations to Kepler's Difcoveries, and of his Original Intentions." In this chapter we have an interefting account of Kepler's life, and of the circumstances which led

his foul to ftray

Far as the folar walk and milky way."

The work is altogether that of a proficient in the fcience: Dr. Small has, with great fagacity and clearness, pointed out the inefficacy of the ancient theories, and the valuable difcoveries elaborated by Kepler.

A fecond edition is published of MONTUCLA'S "Hiflory of the Mathematics."

Baron MASERES has published a Volume of "Tracts on the Refolution of Cubic and Biquadratic Equations."

It contits of fix tracts, befides a long preface, explanatory of their contents. The firit and tourth tracts are fupplements to Mr. Fiend's Principles of Algebra, containing further remarks on cubic equation and Cardan's rule. The fecond is a very valuable comparifon made between the methods of Ferrari and Defcartes for refolving certain biquadratic equations; the preference is given to the former, and the tract is appropriately called Ferrarius Redivivus. The third tract obviates fome difficulties in the application of Ferrari's method to the refolution of four forms of biquadratic equations. The fifth contains remarks on the doctrine of the generation of algebraic equations; and the laft, a comparison between the re

folution of the biquadratic rx-qx2+px3

xs, by the method of Dr. Waring and that of Ferrari. All thefe tracts are written with the accuracy, diligence, and skill for which the author has long been distinguifhed. The Baron maintains with great firmness his opinion on the injury done to science by the introduction of negative quantities.

Mr. MORGAN has published a new edition (he fixth) of Dr. PRICE'S "Obfervations on Reverfionary Payments, &c."

The work is newly arranged and enlarged by the addition of algebraic and other notes, by folutions of feveral new problems in the doctrine of annuities, and by a general introduction.

To tran'cribe the title of the following work is fufficient: "Evening Amusements; or, the Beauty of the Heavens displayed; in which several friking Appearances to be obferved on various Evenings in the Heavens during the Year 1804 are defcribed; and feveral Means within Doors are pointed out by which the Time of young Perfons may be innocently, agreeably, and usefully, employed. By WILLIAM FREND, Ejq. M. A. &c."

Under fo excellent a tutor as Mr. Frend, the principles of aftronomy must be comprehenfibly explained. This is the only work of the kind extant, and we are happy to fee that Mr. Frend intends to continue it annually.

Mr. BONNYCASTLE has tranflated from the French of Boffuet a "General History of Mathematics from the earliest Times to the Middle of the Eighteenth Century.”

This work will be read with interest and adva: tage by thofe who fhrink from engaging in the more elaborate and comprehentive work of Dr. Montucla: the tranflation is exceedingly well executed. The work is divided into four periods, preceded by an introduction, containing a general view of the mathematical fciences, with an account of the nations by whom they have been cultivated. The first period contains the ftate of mathematics, from their origin to the destruction of the Alexandrine Ichool; including the origin and progrets of arithmetic, geometry, mechanics, hydrodynamics, aftronomy, optics, and acounics. The fecond period comprehends the state of mathematics from their revival among the Arabs to the end of the fifteenth century; and this includes the arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and aftronomy, of the Arabs; the ftate of fcience among the Perfians, and particularly that of aftronomy; the

ftate

fate of science amongst the Turks, the Chinese, and Hincoos, with the modern Greeks; and the state of fcience amongst the Chriftians in the welt, to the end of the fifteenth century. Period the third contains the progrefs of mathematics, from the end of the fifteenth century to the invention of the method of fluxions; and this comprehends the progrefs of analytis, geometry, mechanics, hydrodynamics, af tronomy, and optics. The fourth period includes the progrefs of mathematics, from the discovery of fluxions to the pretent time, containing the ducoveries of all the mft celebrated mathematicians, with the progrels of pure and mixed mathema

tics.

Mr. DALBY has published the first volume of "A Courfe of Mathematics, defigned for the Ufe of the Officers and Cadets of the Royal Military College," of which he is nominated the Mathematical Profeffor. The prefent volume comprites arithmetic, plane trigonometry, and menfuration of furfaces and folids.

Mr. ATWOOD has published a "Supplement" to his Treatife on Arches, with occafional remarks on the conftruction of an iron bridge of one arch, proposed to be erected over the river Thames, at London.

BIOGRAPHY.

We have not had fo great a treat for fome time, as in perufing Mr. GooD's "Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Dr. Geddes."

The subject of these interesting and valuable memoirs was a man of very power. ful intellectual faculties, of various and high attainments. He pursued truth with intrepidity, totally regardless of whatever obstacles opposed his progress. His daring deviations from the ordinary track foon brought his orthodoxy into fufpicion, and of course the bigot fet him down as an infidel. Dr. Geddes was of an irritable difpofition; his feelings were very acute and fenfible, fo that, although it was not in the power of calumny to divert him from that onward courfe which he had chofen, it was in the power of calumny to make it laborious and painful to him to pursue it. That he did not live to finish the great work which had coft him fo many years of study and of toil, is ever to be regiet ted. It would no doubt have formed a moft valuable claffical commentary on the Bible; and it is probable, as Mr. Good fuggefts, that in a revision he would have Jopped off fome of its prefent objectionable eccentricities. We are happy that the office of biographer should have fallen into

fuch able hands. The criticism and general literary labours of Dr. Geddes are ettimated fairly and judiciously, and his character is drawn with that portion of partiality, which is not only venial, but truly ho ourable to the feelings of his friend. Mr. Good is a man of learning and a man of taste, he was intimately acquainted with the fubject of his biography, and is himfelt verled in those Itudies which diftinguished the literary character of Dr. Geddes.

Dr. Darwin has found a panegyrift in Mifs SEWARD, whole " Memoirs" of his life are rather calculated to gratify the friends of Dr. Darwin, than the public in general.

Mr. BERESFORD has published a tranf lation of Madame DE BLUMENTHAL'S "Life of General De Zieten."

The subject of this memoir was one of the great Frederick's most able and adventurous generals, and to whofe valorous atchievement he was indebted for no fmall portion of the military glory which beam. ed around his throne As we have already related the moft triking incidents of De Zieten's life from the work before us (fee page 42 of the prefent volume) it is unneceflary to speak otherwife than in general terms of approbation as to its execu

tion.

"Eccentric Biography; or Memoirs of remarkable Female Characters, &c." "Lives of Illuftrious Seamen, &c. &c." Thefe are harmless compilations.

"Public Characters for 1803-1804." This work preferves the fame respectable character which the firft volume acquired.

Dr. AIKIN'S " General Biography" is now carried down to the letter G inclufive. The merits of this work are very generally known.

VOYAGES, TRAVELS, AND TOURS.

Mr. BARROW has published a fecond volume of his "Travels into the Interior of Southern Africa."

In his former he had chiefly confined his oblervations to the natural history of the country; to a general description of its furface and appearance; and the manners, customs, and state of fociety of the feveral claffes of its inhabitants. Thefe, he justly obferves, furnish a vast fund of ufetul and agreeable information, but they do not conftitute a whole; a number of other subjects mult be difcuffed and deIcribed, before cur knowledge of that country can be faid to be complete.» Among thefe, are not the leaft important,

the