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Art. VII. A View of the Restoration of the Helvetic Confederacy; being a Sequel to the History of that Republic. By Joseph Planta, Esq. 8vo. 5s. 6d. London. 1821.

MR.

R. PLANTA'S history of the Helvetic Federation, is well known as a meritorious work, of which the second edition has been for some time before the public. Without any claim to originality, profound research, or fine writing, it furnishes a convenient and agreeable narrative of an important and eventful portion of European History; and, in conjunction with the general and descriptive information communicated in Mr. Coxe's Letters, it has served as a ready text-book to all the common-place writers on Switzerland. Circumstances of a most important character, have, however, occurred since the date of its last publication; and it became desirable that they should be put together in a distinct and compendious form, for the purpose of completing the Swiss annals down to the ever memorable period of the Holy Alliance. The interference of Napoleon under the imposing title of a Mediator, in the affairs ́of the unsettled and wrangling republics, the subsequent transactions until the violation of the Helvetic territory by the antagonists of France, and the proceedings connected with the • Federal Compact' which was settled under the arbitration of the Allied Powers, and now serves as the political code of the twenty-two Cantons, comprise altogether a series of events sufficiently important to invite the labour of the historian. Mr. Planta has performed his task very briefly, though with sufficient clearness; and this View' forms an indispensable appendage to the preceding volumes. But while we give to Mr. P. the just praise due to respectable execution, we regret our inability to compliment him on the score of impartiality. Here he fails most completely. The acts of Napoleon, whom Mr. Planta has the miserable affectation always to call Bonaparte, are invariably spoken of either slightingly or with censure, while the measures of the Allied Powers are eulogized with all the complacent admiration of a devoted fautor of legitimacy. We confess ourselves unable to perceive the fairness of this dealing. Without feeling any disposition to extenuate the aggressions of the French ruler, and without admitting the right of any State whatever to interfere in the internal concerns of another, we can have no hesitation in attributing to the policy of Napoleon, a far greater share of liberality, were it only for the vigour with which he swept away the restrictions' and disqualifications imposed and perpetuated by monkish bigotry. He was the firm asserter of religious liberty, and for this, if for nothing more than this, he claims from us an honour

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able mention which we fear must be withheld from the monarchs by whom he was subdued. We cannot infer from the Act of Confederation, that any provision has been made for the maintenance of the rights of conscience, while the rights of 'convents and chapters' are formally guaranteed. Mr. Planta has, however, fairly stated the advantageous results of the arbitrary Mediation of Napoleon.

• Men of distinguished talents turned their minds to the improvement of the state of society, and gradually produced effects which could not have been obtained under a lenient but unsteady sway. A country never wealthy, of a difficult and unproductive culture, exposed to incessant and violent convulsions of nature, and now exhausted by long and desolating warfare, offered abundant opportunities for the salutary establishment or emendation of public institutions, for the cultivation of both intellectual and physical tuition. Education being the principal source of the moral pre-eminence of a people, particular attention was paid to the improvement of the public seminaries and colleges in the principal towns and districts. Zuric especially distinguished itself in this respect, and the foundations at Basle, Berne, and Arau, were not much behindhand in the laudable. exertions of their magistrates. An institution for clerical education was founded at Lucern. But we must here more particularly bestow our meed of admiration on the private individuals, who have amply contributed to the furtherance of these beneficent objects. We must have leave to name the celebrated J. H. Pestalozzi, who so long ago as the year 1775 opened an asylum for the rescue from misery of fifty mendicant children, which, amid the sneers of scoffers and the impositions of villains, had arrived at a degree of exemplary utility, when it was forced to yield to the want of public aid and the calamities of war. It was now, in the year 1804, under the auspices of the Government of Berne, not only revived at Yverdun, but improved to such a degree as to afford an example for similar foundations in Spain, France, Prussia, and several other States. Nor may we omit the equally eminent name of Fellenberg, who, early impressed by the earnest exhortations of a pious and most benevolent mother,* would sooner, but for the inroads of the French Revolution, have put in practice the philanthropic principles he had imbibed in his early youth, and the many observations he collected during his extensive travels. No sooner did the prospect of tranquillity offer a probability of safety and protection, but he formed at Hofwyl, near Berne, the double establishments, one for intellectual, and the other for agricultural tuition and improvements, which have been visited and admired by several sovereigns, and a great number of judicious travellers, who have borne testimony to the excellence of their regulations.'

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pp. 21-23. Mr. Planta has very judiciously printed the Federal Com'pact' without mutilation or abridgement.

* A grand-daughter of Admiral Van Tromp,
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VOL. XVIII. N. S.

Art. VIII. An Abridgement of the Prophecies, as connected with Profane History, both Ancient and Modern. In Question and AnSelected from the best Authors. By Mrs. Smith. pp. viii. 298. Price 7s. 6d. London. 1822.

swer.

THIS is an excellent epitome of ancient history as connected with the fulfilment of prophecy; a subject with which it is highly important that young persons should be thoroughly familiarized. It is thrown into the form of question and answer, not so much, we presume, for the purpose of catechetical examination, as with a view to fix the attention, the answers being much too long to commit to memory. If we have any fault to find with the style of the work, it is that, though unaffected, it is scarcely simple enough at times for young readers. But we cannot too warmly commend the design of the publication, nor refuse our praise to the general competency of the execution. The Contents are distributed into thirteen sections: 1. Remarks on Prophecy in general, and the figurative Language of Scripture. 2. Prophecies in the Antediluvian Age. 3. Prophecies relating to Ishmael. 4. Prophecies concerning Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Esau. 5. Jacob's Prophecies. 6. The Prophecies of Moses. 7. Prophecies concerning Nineveh. 8. Prophecies concerning Babylon. 9. Prophecies concerning Tyre. 10. Prophecies concerning Egypt. 11. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream. 12. Prophecies which preceded the Birth of our Saviour. 13. Prophecies of our Saviour concerning Jerusalem.

We cannot be supposed to have examined the work very minutely, but sufficiently to satisfy ourselves of its substantial correctness. The following slight inaccuracies have caught our eye. At p. 9. Q. Had Noah any failings?' is not met or justified by the answer relating to a solitary event, for which an explanation may be assigned that exculpates the Patriarch. P. 11. That the Greeks were the descendants of Japhet, is very questionable: Sir W. Jones considered them as the undoubted progeny of Shem. But amid the obscurity which hangs over the origin of nations, all speculations on the subject are little better than arbitrary. P. 28. Saracen is not explained by saying that the Arabs came into Europe from Mauritania : the word is derived from Zahara the great desert. P. 50. The word Shiloh does not mean Saviour, but Sent. P. 70. The explanation given of the Jews worshipping" other gods," is highly unsatisfactory, and even objectionable. The prophecy had assuredly no reference either to those times or to those countries, nor could it be said to have received its fulfilment-in any such circumstance. We must caution our Author against

look ing into modern history for a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. On this subject, Dr. Allix's "Vain Hope of the Jews refuted," may be consulted with great advantage. P. 294. Simon Kananites is stated to have been born at Cana in Galilee: it is a more probable explanation which makes the name by which he is distinguished by St. Matthew, synonymous with the Zelotes of St. Luke, deriving it from the Hebrew kana, zealous. We should recommend our Author to submit her work to the revision of a Biblical scholar, previously to a second edition.

Art. IX. Memoirs of the Rev. Thomas Brand, with a Sermon preached on the Occasion of his Death, by the Rev. Samuel Annesley, LL.D. A new Edition, revised and corrected, by William Chaplin. 12mo. pp. 86. Price 2s. Bishop's Stortford. 1822.

THE admirable person whose character is portrayed in these

pages, was an ancestor of the present Lord Dacre, to whom this new edition is dedicated by the Editor. The Author of the Memoir was first cousin to the Earl of Anglesea, Lord Privy Seal in the reign of Charles II. In the phraseology and cast of expression, it bears the marks of those remote times; but to many of our readers, it will not be less interesting on that account; and if there is any uncouthness in the style of the narrative, there was none in the character it describes.

Mr. Brand was designed for the Law. On relinquishing that profession, he devoted himself to theological studies; but such were his views of the responsibility connected with the pastoral office, that he was in the habit of preaching twice or three times every Sunday, long before he could bring himself to undertake a specific charge. Thus, his wary entering into this office, presaged a careful fulfilling of it." A prominent and instructive feature of his ministry, was his unwearied assiduity in catechizing his flock; a branch of pastoral duty which has, we fear, become almost obsolete.

Next to his preaching,' says his biographer, I will mention his catechising, which in some respects he preferred before it, saying, if he were to be confined to preaching or catechising, and might not do both, he would choose catechising. He had a more than ordinary dexterity at insinuating truths, not only into the heads, but God, hereby testifying his approbation of his zeal, impressed it on the hearts of greater numbers than I dare mention, lest it should seem incredible.

He had so thoroughly digested the whole body of divinity, and so thoroughly acquainted himself with all sorts of catechisms, and so continually exercised himself in sifting and instructing all he conversed with, that he experimentally knew how to propose such questions as were suit

able to the capacities and necessities of all sorts of persons, so as to discourage none, but to benefit all.'

And though the instruction of young and ignorant people is the usual design in catechising, yet he was so full and accurate in illustrating the several heads of religion, that aged and more improved persons did frequently attend his catechetical exercises, with great satisfaction and delight. For his custom in reading not only bodies of divinity, but practical books, was to collect what was most valuable in them, and transfer them to their proper places in his catechism, which was interleaved for that purpose, whereby he was ready furnished to give a grateful entertainment, as well to the most judicious, as to the meaner christians. He would often express how difficult as well as necessary this work was; and therefore he took much pains to have the most clear understanding of the doctrine of the gospel. He was a diligent observer of the practice, method, and success of his reverend brethren in this matter, all which he improved; and his success was answerable to such preparations and endeavours. He would frequently say, that he never experienced more of the assistance of God in any duty than in this: God making him an instrument of conveying very much knowledge hereby. Some that had been under his instruction have proved most judicious and able christians. In short, he saw so much need, and so much good effect of his labours in this way, that he would say, while he had breath he would spend it in catechising.

Besides these weekly exercises, and catechising in all the schools which he erected, he hired some persons in distant places to catechise all' children and others who were willing to learn; and once a month or oftener, he rode about from place to place to catechise them himself. And then to encourage those who did well, he gave some reward, either in books or money, according to the quality of the persons. And to encourage parents or masters to send their children or servants, he presented them with some books curiously bound and gilt, that might be most acceptable; and if they were poor, he gave them more money than they could have earned in the time of their learning. His discourse with parents and masters was really catechistical, though so managed, that they could not think themselves disparaged by such instructions. He had a way of so proposing his questions, that the question should lead them to, or furnish them with an answer. pp. 23-27.

In the lines on Mr. Brand's death, there is a comma misplaced, at line 11, which obscures the sense: it should be,

The noisy bar, the road to wealth and fame.'

They are, for the time of day, far above mediocrity.

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