A brief appendix is added “on the mode of administering baptism,"

which, as it contains nothing superfluous, contains nothing new.

The style of Dr. Smith is sufficiently perspicuous, and sometimes eloquent. We feel the want, howand condensation of thought. Withever, of more conciseness of phrase out being guilty of absolute repetition, he weakens the force of his sentiments by a superabundance of epithets, and unnecessary circumlocution. Upon the whole, we heartily recommend this discourse to the perusal of christians,

ARTICLE 3.

M. T. Cicero's Cato Major, or his Discourse of Old Age, with Explanatory Notes. Philadelphia, printed by Benjamin Franklin. 1744. 4to. pp. 159.

THE history of this book is not a little curious. It is the first translation of a classick, and the best which has appeared in this country. The author was a Mr. Logan, of Philadelphia, and the printer was Benjamin Franklin. The translation was made in the year 1734, when the translator was in his sixtieth year, but it was not printed till the year 1744. The type is large, clear, and elegant, to assist the eyes of the aged; and the whole typographical execution reflects the highest honour on Dr. Franklin's press. Though the book has the appearance of an octavo, the pages will be found to be in quarto. The Greek words are sometimes printed in Italicks, and sometimes in Greek characters ; an irregularity for which we cannot Vol. V. No. V. 2 L

This Version of Cicero's Tract de Senectute, was made ten years since, by the honourable and learned Mr. Logan, of amusement, (being then in his 60th year, this city; undertaken partly for his own which is said to be nearly the age of the author when he wrote it,) but principally for the entertainment of a neighbour, then in his grand climacteric; and the neighbour's account, who was not so notes were drawn up solely on that well acquainted as himself with the Roman history and language: Some other friends, however, (among whom I had the honour to be ranked) obtained coto be in itself equal at least, if not far pies of it in M. S. And, as I believed it preferable to any other translation of the same Piece extant in our language, besides the advantage it has of so many valuable notes, which at the same time

they clear up the text, are highly instructive and entertaining, I resolved to give it an impression, being confident

that the publick would not unfavourably

receive it.

A certain Freed-man of Cicero's is reported to have said of a medicinal well, discovered in his time, wonderful for the virtue of its waters in restoring sight to the aged, That it was a Gift of the bounti ful Gods to men, to the end that all might now bave the pleasure of reading bis Master's works. As that well, if still in being, is at too great a distance for our use, I have, Gentle Reader, as thou seest, printed this piece of Cicero's in a large and fair character, that those who begin to think on the subject of OLD AGE, (which seldom happens till their sight is somewhat impair'd by 'ts approaches,) may not, in reading, by the Pain small letters give the eyes, feel the Pleasure of the mind in the least allayed.

I shall add to these few lines my hearty wish, that this first translation of a Classic in this Western World, may be followed with many others, performed with equal judgment and success; and be a happy omen, that Philadelphia shall be come the seat of the American Muses.

Philadelphia, Feb. 1743-4.

In the year 1750, the book was reprinted in London, in 1751, at Glasgow, and in 1778, another edition appeared in London, where Dr. Franklin's name was inscribed in the title page, as the author. This however, was a mere bookseller's trick to promote the sale.

As this work is the only translation of an ancient classick, which has appeared in this country, if you except Alexander's Virgil, "the clandestine refuge of schoolboys," and a version of Horace's odes,*

we shall give it a more minute examination, than is probably authorized by its intrinsick merit. The

numerous translations, which had been previously made of this aureus libellus are much inferiour to Logan's, and it would, perhaps, have retained a considerable reputation even to the present day, had it not been eclipsed by the version of the incomparable Melmoth; and to be excelled only by him is almost equivalent to praise, especially to a translator in 1734. Till within the last fifty years, the principles of translation were not well understood; and after a correct idea is formed of a perfect translation, it will be found almost as difficult, as original composition. The best writers though the easiest to understand, are always the most difficult to render, and Cicero, the most polished of the Romans, appears to no advantage, except in the translation of Melmoth. style of this author, in his original works, as well as in his translations, a stile, which charms every reader, learned,or unlearned; though it seems to exhibit the most easy elegance, and attainable simplicity, will yet be found to possess that kind of perfectin desesperée, which it is more easy to praise than to analyze. Of the style of Mr. Logan, therefore, we shall say little, because it can bear no competition with Melmoth's; but the faithfulness of the translation, we are more at liberty to examine and to judge. "Est aliquid prodire

tenus, si non datur ultra."

[To be continued.]

The

obliged to any person, who would furnish us with a copy of this work.

delivered at the Publick Fast, in WestSpringfield, April 7, 1808. By Joseph Lathrop, D. D. Pastor of the first church in West-Springfield. Springfield, printed by Henry Brewer. 8vo. pp. 16.

NEW EDITIONS.

Vol. VIII. Part I. of the New Cyclopedia, or Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. By Abraham Rees, D D. F. R. S. editor of the last edition of Chambers's Dictionary, with the assistance of eminent professional gentlemen. First American edition, revised, corrected, enlarged, and adapted to this country, by several literary and scientifick characters. 4to. Price 4 dollars for the half volume. Philadelphia, S. F. Bradford. L. Blake, No. 1, Cornhill, Boston, agent.

A Dissertation on the Prophecies, that have been fulfilled, are now fulfilling, or will hereafter be fulfilled, relative to the great period of 1260 years: the papal and Mahammedan apostacies; the ty rannical reign of antichrist, or the infidel power, and the restoration of the jews. To which is added, an appendix, by the Rev. Geo. Stanley Faber, B. D. Vicar of Stockton-upon-Tees. First American from the London edition Boston, Pub

lished by Andrews and Cummings. Greenough and Stebbins, printers. 8vo. 2 vols.

A summary view of the evidence and practical importance of the christian revelation, in a series of discourses addressed to young persons. By Thomas Belsham, minister of the Unitarian chapel, in Essex street, London. Boston, published by Munroe, Francis and Park

er.

12mo. pp. 180.

Of the Truth of the Christian Religion. By David Hartley, M. A. Author of "Observations on Man," &c. &c. Boston. Munroe, Francis and Parker. 12mo. Pp. 167.

A Key to the Classical Pronunciation of Greek, Latin, and Scripture proper names, in which the words are accented and divided into syllables exactly as they ought to be pronounced, according to rules drawn from analogy and the best usages; to which are added terminanational Vocabularies of Hebrew, Greek and Latin Proper Names, in which the words are arranged according to their final syllables, and classed according to their accents; by which a general Analgy of Pronunciation may be seen at one

view, and the accentation of each word more easily remembered: concluding with Observations on the Greek and Latin Accent and Quantity; with some probable conjectures on the method of freeing them from the obscurity and confusion in which they are involved, John Walker, author of the Critical both by the ancients and moderns. By Pronouncing Dictionary, &c. First American, from the third London edition. Boston, published by Farrand, Mallory & Co.

Zion's Pilgrim. By Robert Hawker, D. D. Vicar of Charles, Plymouth, Eng. First American, fourth London edition, To which are added, select pieces by different authors. Boston, printed by Lincoln & Edmands, for Rev. Daniel Óliver. 12mo. pp. 204.

An enquiry into the causes and consequences of the Orders in Council, and an examination of the conduct of Great

Britain, towards the neutral commerce of America. By Alexander Baring, Esq. member of Parliament. N. York, Hopkins and Bayard. 2d American edition.

Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind. By Dugald Steward, F. R. S. Edin. Professor of Moral PhilosoBrattleborough, published by Wm. Fesphy in the University of Edinburgh. senden, bookseller. 8vo. pp. 496,

A Treatise of the Materia Medica. By Wm. Cullen, M. D. Professor of the Practice of Physick in the University of Edinburgh. Philadelphia, published by Matthew Carey. 8vo. 2 vols. in one pp. 605.

WORKS IN THE PRESS.

A neat pocket edition of Blair's Grave, with Dr. Anderson's account of the Author; to which will be subjoined a Po. em to the memory of Mr. Law, by Blair; and Gray's Elegy, written in a country church yard; adorned with a vignette title page. It will shortly be published by W. Blagrove.

Lincoln & Edmands, of this town, are now publishing by subscription, A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, consisting of a Meditation for each moraing and evening in the year, upon select texts of scripture, humbly intended to establish the faith, promote the comfort, and influence the practice of the followers of the Lamb. By William Mason, Esq. The work to be com

comprised in 2 vols. 12mo. 380 pages cach vol. price to subscribers 2 dollars 25 cents.

Cushing and Appleton, of Salem, and Joshua Cushing, of this town, have in the press, and will soon publish, by subscription, The Military Mentor, being a serics of Letters recently written by a general officer to his son, on his entering the army; comprising a course of elegant instruction, calculated to unite the characters and accomplishments of the Gentleman and the Soldier. 2 vols.

12mo.

WORKS ANNOUNCED.

Proposals have been issued at Philadelphia, for publishing, by subscription, a new work, entitled, the manual of the French and English student, or a new and complete dictionary of the French and English languages. In two parts: I. French and English-II. English and French. Containing all the words in general use, occasionally illustrated by French and English sentences; an extensive collection of new words, in every art, science, and trade; the pronunciation of every word, according to the most polite usage in France and England; a copious vocabulary of sea terms and phrases; a dictionary of French synonymes; a dictionary of French homonymes; an alphabetical list of the most familiar proper and christian names, and of the most remarkable places in the world; the difficulties of the French language, alphabetically arranged; a complete treatise on French poetry; the chief English idioms; a treatise on the English particles, &c. &c. The whole carefully compiled from the best writers, and particularly from the dictionaries of the French cademy, Boiste, Feraud, Catineau, Wailly, Tocquot, Nugent, Chambaud, Boyer, Johnson, Walker, &c. By N. G. Dufief, author of Nature Displayed in her mode of teaching language to man, applied to the French language, &c. To be printed in two handsome large 12mo volumes, nonpareil type. Price, to subscribers, for the two volumes, in boards, five dollars.

Proposals have been issued, in this town, for publishing, by subscription, a Selection of Sacred Musick, in three and four parts. Formed with great care from the best English and American works. By U. K. Hill. The work to contain 160

pages, of the common size of musick books for schools, Price one dollar.

Munroe, Francis & Parker, Boston, propose publishing, by subscription, the works of Mrs. Steel, containing poetical, and miscellaneous pieces on various subjects, with a versification of some of the psalms, &c. to be comprised in two vols. 12mo. 400 pages. Price one dollar, per vol.

Oliver & Munroe, of this town, have issued proposals for publishing by subscription, in 8 numbers, containing cach 60 pages, The Court of Thespis, and Temple of Apollo, a selection of the best and most approved pieces, from the celebrated authors, Shakespeare, S. Johnson, B. Johnson, Aiken, Andrews, Barbauld, &c. &c. price 25 cents.

Alsop, Brannon & Alsop, New-York, propose publishing, Chili; translated from the Italian of Abbey Molina, to be comprised in 2 vols. octavo, with a map of the country, price 3 dollars.

Calvin F. Stevens, clerk in the postoffice, New-York, proposes to publish by subscription, a complete List of all the Post Offices in the United States; their names, counties and states; together with their distance from Washington city; also, the rates of postage and distance from Washington city. To which will be added the laws and regulations of the post-office establishment, &c. The whole carefully comprised and published by permission of the assistant postmaster general.

Proposals are issued by Wm. Weeks, of Portland, for printing a publication entitled Abracadabra. To be printed on 12 pages, duodecimo, price 124 cents, payable on delivery, and will probably average about one number in a month, though no specifick time is allowed for its appearance.

Oliver & Munroe, of this town, have issued proposals for publishing by subscription, Observations on the History and Evidences of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, by Gilbert West, esq. Observations on the Conversion of St. Paul, by the right hon. George Lord Lyttleton. To which is added, the Trial of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus, by Thomas Sherlock, M. D, Master of the Temple, and late Bishop of London. It will be printed in one vol. 8vo. to contain 600 pages, price 2 dollars 25 cents.