arrangement ill-calculated for a period when the political foundations of the earth seem to be out of course. Nothing, probably, but so incoherent a plan, could have led the author to neglect the insertion of Sardinia, among the countries of Europe.

Mr. P. has very properly distinguished the maritime regions of the Pacific Ocean, from all the usual grand divisions of the earth but we regret, that, in his distribution of them, he has followed an exceptionable precedent, by forming them into two new divisions, when one was sufficient; and by assigning names to these, which, for want of simplicity, are very unlikely to be adopted into general use. The late ingenious Des Brosses, at a time when the Pacific Ocean was very little known, distinguished those parts of New Holland, and of the neighbouring countries, which had then been explored (some of which he supposed to belong to an Antarctic continent) by the name of Austral (or Southern) Asia; and all other islands of the same ocean, that had then been discovered, by the general name of Polynesia, or "many islands." These terms Mr. P. applies, respectively, to all the more extensive countries, and smaller islands, of the Pacific Ocean, dividing them into two classes, precisely according to the distribution proposed in a preliminary discourse to the missionary voyage, published 1799; yet he rejects the general name there assigned to this part of the globe, and substitutes no other.

The outline of each continent being now defined with sufficient accuracy, and no considerable insular country remaining unknown, we submit to the attention of geographers, whether it is not time that the nomenclature of the grand divisions of the earth should be corrected and completed? It may seem presumptuous, in anonymous critics, to suggest innovations on a subject like this: but we hazard the experiment; hoping that, if the hints we offer be rejected, they may at least give rise to more successful propositions.

The term continent implies an extent of land, entirely, or nearly, surrounded by the sea; yet too great to be entitled an island, or a peninsula. Neither Europe nor Asia, singly, accords to this definition; and it is certain that they received their respective names, at a time when the extent to which they are united, was unknown. While each retains its distinction and its usual title, as subdivisions of the continent which they jointly form, a name common to both might be safely assumed in scientific works. The superior civilization and refinement, which for so many ages have characterized various nations inhabiting this extensive portion of the globe, intitle it to the appellation of COSMIA (xoσun benè composita). That of PELAGIA, or maritime, is appropriate to the innumerable insular countries of the Pacific Ocean; and should be extended to the vast Archi

pelago,

pelago, separated from Asia by the China Sea, and naturally attaching to New Guinea and New Holland; inclusive of Luzon and Java, but not of Formosa nor Sumatra. The northern and southern divisions of America, are distinct continents, resembling AFRICA; and it would be an act of justice, already too long deferred, to assign to the former the name of COLUMBIA; thereby commemorating the navigator who explored its principal islands, and opened the way to its entire discovery. Amerigo Vespucci will retain the utmost honour he can pretend to, by the assignment of his name to the southern division of the new world: this may, therefore, be properly distinguished from the northern part, by the appellation of AMERICA. Hoping that our readers will excuse a digression, to which we have been led by a concern for the general advantage of the science, as well as by the partial innovations of Mr. Pinkerton, we hasten to complete our remarks on his work.

The outline, which has been the subject of our animadversion, is precisely the same, in the original, and in the abridgment. The manner in which it is filled up, does very great credit to the author's research and genius, and to the zeal and liberality of the publishers. The essence of a vast number of valuable books is condensed to form the contents of two quarto volumes, and the information they supply, is mostly, such as no previous compilation afforded. We think, however, that Mr. P. has fallen into an extreme, opposite to that of his English predecessors, by introducing too little historical matter. In most instances, he confines himself to the notice of a few principal epochs in the chronology of nations; which furnish little information, and no entertainment. A brief and connected statement of those revolutions, in each country, which produced material changes in its geographical relations, would have been congenial to the leading subject, and conducive to the general interest of the work. He has also adopted the sentiment, we venture to say the prejudice, of Büsching, in renouncing all distinctions of national character. Such distinctions exist, and ought therefore to be defined; notwithstanding the partiality, and inaccuracy, by which the attempt has often been disgraced.

To professor Vince, the author, and the public, are indebted for an excellent introduction to this work and to Mr. Aikin for a botanical department, which demonstrates his extensive knowledge of the subject, but can only be interesting, or useful, to persons already versed in that science.

The contents of the Abridgement have been selected with so much judgment and care, that it not only comprises a larger portion of the original, than could have been expected in a single octavo volume; but the parts omitted, are universally those which could best be spared, with the sole exception

of

of the article of national manners, in which much should have been supplied, rather than any thing left out. The exclusion of the author's geographical speculations, is of advantage; for they appear to us to have been uniformly unsuccessful. The date of the abridged work has likewise afforded opportunity, from the result of the late enumeration, to correct his statements of the population of our islands, which were far from being accurate.

The principal disadvantage of the smaller work, consists in the comparative paucity, and trifling dimensions, of the maps. It contains but fifteen, out of forty-four which enrich the quarto volumes. The latter were executed under the direction of Mr. Arrowsmith; whose zeal, ingenuity, and industry, in this line, are too well known to require our recommendation. Their singular beauty, they derive from the engraving machine of Mr. Lowry; the delicacy of which has been applied, by Mr. Pinkerton's taste, to give a new ornament to geography. The improvement consists in distinguishing sea from land, by fine parallel lines across the former. The effect is excellent, except where the chart is chiefly occupied by water. It is only to be regretted, that, to avoid folding the maps, the scale adopted in all of them, is too small. Those of the larger work might very well be transferred to the abridgment; which, with this improvement, and some enlargement of the historical and moral departments, would doubtless command a circulation that would more than indemnify the additional expense. For the quarto volumes, larger plates should be engraved, in the same style.

We have only to add, that nothing unfavourable to morality appears in this valuable compilation. Of the religious state of nations, an accurate judgment is seldom to be formed from geographical works. Some expressions of the author might lead to the supposition, that he thought the doctrine of the Trinity incompatible with the unity of God; and that, at the same time, he regarded a certain kind of Polytheism as rational: but we apprehend that the ambiguity arises from a want of precision in his language. His style, however, is mostly perspicuous; and is only objectionable from a frequent use of the subjunctive mood, where no contingency is implied. His account of the various religious denominations in England, is, in the main, just it is also remarkably candid; but it betrays, in some respects, a deficiency of information.

:

On the whole, we strongly recommend, both the original work, and its abridgment, to our readers, according to the circumstances which may render either of the books more eligible to their acquisition. To geographers, we wish, nevertheless, to suggest, that the temporary nature of Mr. P's plan, the errors of his arrangement, the mistakes of his speculations, and his remarkable omission of places which ought to have been de

scribed,

scribed, should stimulate their farther exertions, which would derive essential assistance from his laborious researches. The merits of his work incomparably surmount its defects, but we feel the less scruple in pointing out the latter, on account of the contemptuous manner in which Mr. P. usually notices the performances of his predecessors.

Art. III. The authenticity, uncorrupted preservation, and credibility of the New Testament: By Godfrey Less, late Professor of the University of Gottingen, &c. Translated from the last edition of the German. By Roger Kingdon, A. M. of St. John's College, Cambridge. 8vo. pp. 396. Price 7s. Rivington. 1804.

IDICULE has been strongly recommended, and has been employed by some, as the test of truth: but the genuine criterion of truth is, that it will bear examination. This tears off the visor from the face of error, and discovers her imposture: but, by drawing aside the veil from truth, it displays her integrity and beauty. To this test has christianity been often brought; and to this test she is under unspeakable obligations: it has added tens of thousands to the number of her disciples.

Not a heresy ever arose in the church, without doing service to the gospel. The noise of the propagation of error, roused the friends of truth; and the doctrine which was perverted or denied, was brought under severe investigation. In consequence of the dispute, the pure dictates of the sacred scripture were placed in a clearer light than before: and, if any mistake had been attached to it by preconceived opinions or traditions of men, it was entirely separated, and the truth remained alone. Hence, from the various controversies which have been agitated among professors of christianity, this important benefit is derived, that we have clearer views, and juster sentiments, concerning the points in dispute, than people in general had, before the controversy took place.

The same observation may be applied to the evidences of the gospel. In every age, it has had its opponents. But within a century past, a greater number of adversaries has risen up, and written against it, than during the seventeen preceding centuries. Men of all the varieties of intellectual improvement, talents, taste, and temper, have formed a host, and attacked the fortress on every side. Wherever there appeared a weak place, there they made an assault. Never did system abide a hundredth part of the examination which christianity has borne. Some have attempted the destruction of a particular part; while others, more hardy, have endeavoured to demolish the whole. We know not that we shall be exposed to censure, if we assert, that all which can be said against the truth, has been said; and that

its

its enemies have put forth all their strength in the attack, and have done their worst. But from the evils they have meditated and attempted, much good has resulted. To them we are indebted for many an able defence of the gospel by its enlightened friends; and the faith of christians has been more firmly established. The rubbish has, in the course of the controversy, been cleared away; and the foundation rests upon the solid rock.

As the enemies of the gospel employed different modes of attack, its friends have adopted different modes of defence. Some have answered objections; some have chosen to support a certain portion of the system; and others, by taking more advanced ground, and by defending it, have given security to the whole.

Of the last class, is the author of the present treatise, Dr. Less, late professor in the university of Göttingen. He had entertained doubts, for many years, respecting the divine authority of the New Testament; and for his own satisfaction, he instituted a severe and rigid inquiry. The result is here exhibited to the public. To himself, the consequence was, a solid and rational conviction. The work is highly extolled by the learned Michaelis; and by his translator and commentator, Mr. Marsh; for whose judgment, Mr. Kingdon entertains the highest veneration. It was put into his hands, when he was in Germany, by a person of distinguished worth: and conceiving, from its excellence, that it would be of service to the christian cause, he was led to form the design of translating it into his native language.

As this treatise forms but part of a large work, which takes a fuller view of the subject, Mr. K. informs us, that he found it necessary to alter its form, by breaking it into the subdivisions of books, chapters, &c.; that he sometimes omitted a word, a sentence, or even a whole paragraph, which appeared unnecessary in the present enquiry; and that, in one or two cases, he had changed the examples adduced by the author, for others more familiar to the English reader. Whether such liberties should have been taken, with a writer who is represented as of the first class, some may be inclined to doubt.

To prove the authenticity, the uncorrupted preservation, and the credibility, of the writings of the New Testament, is the purpose of Dr. Less. He begins with a brief sketch of the internal evidences of their authenticity; but insists more fully on the external evidence. Here, Dr. Lardner led the way, in his laborious and candid researches: and by his full and numerous extracts, from every ancient author who could throw light on the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles, has rendered essential service to the Christian cause. To him, both a Paley and a Less, owe, and acknowledge, important obligations. On this part of the subject, our Author particularly excels. He has stated the proofs

of