Her army are ye! By your leader stand,
And with the work of liberty proceed!
Not Afric only, but full many a land,
Beneath tyrannic pride and lust may bleed,
If ought the triumphs of your arms impede :
The eyes of kings are on you! if ye fail
The cause of Truth triumphantly to plead,

A thousand well-bribed tongues your fall will hail,

And henceforth ruddy Power o'er struggling Right prevail.'

pp. 24, 25.

There are two or three pleasing minor poems of a religious

cast.

Art. IX. A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Merioneth, at the Visitation at Dolgelley, July 30, 1823, and Published at their Request. By the Rev. John Jones, M. A. 8vo. pp. 36. Ruthin. 1823.

MR.

R. JONES is, we understand, a highly respectable man. He is not a sportsman, and he is temperate, which is saying much for a Welch clergyman; and to these negative excellencies, he adds an exemplariness in the discharge of his parochial duties, which does him the highest credit. What a pity that such a man should be so blinded by bigotry, as to perceive nothing to lament in the religious state of the principality, but the progress of Methodism! He well knows, if he knows any thing about the state of things in Wales, that by the Methodists, whom he grossly calumniates, almost all that has been done of late years in the promotion of Christian knowledge, has been achieved. He even admits that their ascendancy has been occasioned, in part, by the estrangement of the regular clergy from their parishioners, and their unacceptableness to the natives in general. He may have heard of cases in which the clergyman has been obliged to send out a request for the attendance of a parishioner or two, in order to publish the banns of marriage. But he imagines that it is ⚫ the superior education of the clergyman,' that places him in some instances too much above his flock.' We doubt this. A true gentleman is never disqualified by the best education for condescending and benevolent intercourse with his inferiors; and the best-bred man is always the most affable. But in truth, few, comparatively, of the Welch clergy have much education to boast of. Mr. Jones has acted very indiscreetly in inviting public attention to this subject. We will not, on this. occasion, take advantage of him.

ART. X. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Shortly will be published, in 2 small vols. The Contributions of Q. Q. to a Periodical Work, with some pieces not before published. By the late Miss Jane Taylor.

The Rev. W. H. Stowell will shortly publish a volume of Lectures, entitled, The Ten Commandments, illustrated and enforced on Christian Principles.

Nearly ready for publication, Journals of the Sieges of the Madras Army, in the Years 1817, 1818, and 1819; with observations on the system, according to which such operations have usually been conducted in India, and a statement of the improvements that appear necessary. By Edward Lake, Ensign of the Honourable East India Company's Madras Engineers. With an atlas of expanatory plates.

A New Series of Religious Tracts, is in a course of publication, entitled The Sabbath Remembrancer. By the Rev. Alexander Fletcher. One Number is published every Saturday, each containing twelve pages of letter press, and embellished with a superior wood-cut. 1d.

Nearly ready, in one vol. post 8vo. A Fractical Guide to English Composition; or, a comprehensive Systein of English Grammar, Criticism, and Logic; arranged and illustrated upon a new and improved plan; containing apposite Principles, Rules, and Examples, for writing correctly and elegantly on every subject; adapted to the use of Schools and of Private Students. By the Rev. Peter Smith, A.M.

In a few weeks will be published, 8vo. Mathematical Tables, containing imp.oved Tables of Logarithms of Numbers, Logarithmic Sines, Tangents, and Secants, together with a number of others, useful in Practical Mathematics, Astronomy, Navigation, Engineering, and Business; preceded by a copious Introduction, embracing their Explanation, and Rules and Formulæ for their application, with a collection of appropriate Exercises. By William Galbraith, A. M. Lecturer on Mathematics, Edinburgh.

A Stereotype Edition of Sallust, for the use of Schools, with English Notes at the foot of the page, and a Historical and Geographical Index at the end of the volume, by Mr. Dymock, Glasgow, will be published in a few days.

Preparing for publication, A Guide to the Lord's Table, in the Catechetical Form; to which are added, An Address to Applicants for Admission to it, and some Meditations to assist their Devotions. By the Rev. Henry Belfrage, D.D.

Mr. John Malcolm, late of the 42d Regiment, has nearly ready for publication, a volume of Poems in f.cap 8vo. entitled "The Buccaneer and other Poems."

Speedily will be published, Brief but Authentic Memoirs of the Rev. W. Ward, late Baptist Missionary in India; with a Monody to his Memory. By Samuel Stennett, Minister of the Gospel.

Early in July will be published, in 1 vol. 8vo. Bibliotheca Biblica, a Select List of Books on Sacred Literature; with notices Biographical, Critical, and Bibliographical, intended as a Guide to the consultation of the most useful Writers on Biblical Subjects. By William Orme, Author of the "Life of John Owen, D.D."

***This publication will contain some account of nearly one thousand books, including editions of the original Scriptures, Concordances to the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English Bibles; Hebrew and Greek Lexicons; British and Foreign Commentators on the Scriptures; Books on Sacred Chronology, Geography, and Antiquities; Ecclesiastical Historians; and numerous works of a miscellaneous nature, adapted to the illustration of the word of God: it will also furnish short notices of the age, country, and profession of the authors.

In the press, British Galleries of Art; being a series of descriptive and critical notes of the principal works of Art, ins Painting and Sculpture, now existing in England; arranged under the heads of the different public and private Galleries in which they are to be found. The First Part will comprise the following Galleries ;-The National (late the Angerstein) Gallery-The Royal Gallery at Windsor Castle--The Royal Gallery at Hampton Court-The Gallery at Cleveland House-Lord Egremont's Gallery at Petworth-The late Fonthill Gallery -The Titian Gallery at Blenheim-The Gallery at Knowle Park- The Dulwich Gallery Mr. Matthews's Theatrical Gallery. post Svo.

ART. XI. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

THE

ECLECTIC REVIEW,

FOR SEPTEMBER, 1824.

Art. I. History of the Commonwealth of England, from the Commencement to the Restoration of Charles the Second. By William Godwin. Vol. I. Containing the Civil War. 8vo. Price 14s. London. 1824.

WHATEVER difference of opinion may exist respecting the precise character of the struggle that marked the period which this volume professes to elucidate, there can be none concerning its importance. The war between Charles and his Parliament forms, as it were, a central point in English story, towards which we can distinctly trace the steady bearing down of previous events during several successive reigns, and from which has ultimately resulted the present condition of Great Britain. Waiving all discussion concerning the existence or extent of the right of insurrection, we may assume two positions as fully established: the first, that, in the words of Mr. Godwin, the opponents of Charles I. fought for liberty, and that they had no alternative.;' the second, we give in the language of Bishop Warburton. Although we differ from that Prelate in his opinion, that when Cromwell subdued his country, the spirit of liberty was at its height,' he correctly describes the parliamentary leaders, when he adds, that the interests of the country were at that period conducted and supported by a set of the greatest geniuses for government that the world ever saw embarked together in one common cause.' There are individuals who will dispute both these points, just as there are men who will defend the Jesuits, and contend for the lawfulness and innocence of West India slavery. We feel quite as little inclination to argue with the one as with the other class of desperate wranglers.

The history of that period has not yet been adequately written, although materials of inestimable value are easily accessible. VOL. XXII. N.S.

R

Sir James Mackintosh has promised to supply this important desideratum; we shall see whether his purpose will ripen to performance. In the mean time, this spirited sketch will be highly acceptable, and we hold ourselves indebted to Mr. Godwin for his manly and, to a considerable extent, successful attempt to throw light upon this most interesting portion of the annals of our country.

The two most extensive and decided experiments in the science of government that occur in the history of modern times, have been made by the two most highly civilized of European nations, England and France. In the former instance, it was the result of circumstances, seized and directed by a combination of individuals whose superiors in knowledge, practical wisdom, and calm determination, the world has never yet seen. second, it was deliberately and avowedly made by men, of whom some were eminent for eloquence and genius, but not one, as far as we are able to ascertain,* was possessed of that clear and vigorous judgement, those large, yet definite views, which are among the indispensable qualifications of the legislator and ruler. In point of moral dignity, there can be no comparison drawn between the respective parties. The most amiable and, politically speaking, the most virtuous of those who urged on the great revolutionary experiment among our neighbours, were, either openly or virtually, infidels; while the exalted piety of the leaders of the Commonwealth, has given a lustre to their characters, which will outlive the period when all human administrations shall have ceased.

The history of the Commonwealth of England,' remarks Mr. Godwin, constitutes a chapter in the records of mankind, totally unlike any thing that can elsewhere be found. How nations and races of men are to be so governed as may be most conducive to the improvement and happiness of all, is one of the most interesting questions that can be offered to our consideration. What are the advantages or disadvantages that result from placing the reins of power and the guidance of the state ostensibly in a single hand, in a race of kings, is a problem which every friend of man would wish to have thoroughly examined. In ancient history, we have various examples of republics established on the firmest foundation, and which seemed in several respects eminently to do credit to that form of government. In modern times, the republican administration of a state has been chiefly confined to governments with a small territory; the Commonwealth of England is the memorable experiment in which that scheme of affairs has been tried upon a great nation.

* Perhaps Mirabeau was an exception; but his execrable morals neutralized the influence of his matchless powers.