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 h's time, wonderful for the virtue of its waters in restoring sight to the aged, That it was a Gifi of the bounti ful Gods to men, to the end that all might now bave the pleasure of reading his Master's works. As that well, if still in being, is at too great a distance for our use, have, Gertle Reader, as thou secst, 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,*

* The Lyrick works of Horace translated into English verse, with other poems, by a native of America, 8vo Phl 1786. "To praise this publication, would be gross violation of conscience." Monthly Rev. We should be extremely

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 perfection 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.

NEW WORKS.

A Discourse on the Nature, the proper subjects, and the benefits of Baptism, with a brief Appendix, on the mode of administering the ordinance. By the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D. D. President of the College of New-Jersey. Philadelphia, published by B. B. Hopkins & Co. Fry & Kammerer, printers. 8vo. pp. 50.

No. II. of the Minor Novelist; containing, 1st, He loves me more than his life; or Ludwig, Clara and Randolph ; a tale, from the German. 2d, Epinette and Melise, or the two Widows, a tale, from the French. 3d, an Essay on Romances and Novels. Published and sold by Wright, Goodenow & Stockwell, Boston and Troy, N. Y.

The 8th number of the Christian Monitor, by a Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, &c. Boston. Munroe, Francis and Parker,

The Nightingale, or Polite Amatory Songster, a selection of delicate, pathetick and elegant Songs, designed chiefly for the Ladies. To which is added an Appendix, containing some of the most popular New Songs. Boston, published and sold by William Blagrove. Beals, printer. pp. 144. price 75 cents.

E. C.

A letter to the Hon. J. Q. Adams, occasioned by his letter to the Hon. Mr. Otis.

By Alfred. Printed in America. 8vo. pp. 43.

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Campbell & Mitchel, New-York, have published No. 2, of the American Artil lerist's Companion, or elements of artillery, by Louis D. Tousard.

The Military Companion, being a system of company discipline founded on the regulations of Baron Steuben, late major-general and inspector-general of the United States, containing the manual exercise, facings, steps, turnings, wheelings, miscellaneous evolutions, firings, &c. together with the duty of officers and privates. Designed for the use of the militia. Newburyport, printed by W. & J. Gilman. 18mo. pp. 45. price 25 cents.

By

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12 cents.

The Boston Primer; being an improvement of the New-England Primer; contairing, among many other things suita ble for young children, Dr. Watts's Catechism, the Assembly's Catechism, with a variety of instructive Lessons and Hymns, suited to the capacities of Children, and designed to assist them in learning to spell and read. Boston, print ed and published by Manning & Loring, 24mo. price 12 cents.

Patriotism & Piety. The Speeches of his Excellency Caleb Strong, Esq. to the Senate and House of Represe tatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; with their Answers; and Official Papers of his Excellency, from 1800 to 1807. Newburyport.

The Signs of Perilous times, a Sermon,

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Vol. VIII. Part 1. 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 tyrannical 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 Analegy of Pronunciation may be seen at one

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 I reatise 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 Poem 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 morning 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 each 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 series 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 dietionary 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 each 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.

Ob

Oliver & Munroe, of this town, have issued proposals for publishing by subscription, Observations on the History and Evidences of the Resurrection of Je-sus Christ, by Gilbert West, esq. servations 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. will be printed in one vol. 8vo. to contain 600 pages, price 2 dollars 25 cents.

It

THE following letters, addressed by the late Mr. Fox, before the formation of the late ministry, to Mr. Phillips, the bookseller, will explain his original views relative to the entire work, of which a posthumous fragment has been recently announced, under the title of "A History of the early part of the Reign of James the Second."

SIR,

may

I RECEIVED a few days since, your's of the 11th. I am about a history of the times immediately preceding and succeeding the revolution, but I have made very little progress; and, as it is chiefly a matter of amusement to me, it be a long time before I publish, and, of course, the time when it may happen is altogether uncertain. I should, therefore, be very sorry to have any thing announced upon the subject at present. When the work is in more forwardness, I may give notice of it. I am, Sir,

Your humble servant,

C. J. Fox.

St. Anne's Hill, Wednesday. To MR. PHILLIPS.

SIR,

I RECEIVED, yesterday, your's of the 27th. I am sorry to say, in answer to it, that your information with respect to the rapidity of my progress is wholly unfounded. It will be at least a year before I shall be ready to publish any part of the work, and then it will not be, as I guess, more than one quarto volume,

I am exceedingly obliged to you for your letter, with the communication with respect to the late Pretender's papers. I have often heard of them, and I have little doubt, but if they could be obtain. ed, they would prove a valuable publication. But as I have many years work before me, before I can come to the Brunswick reigns, to which only, as I imagine, these papers can relate; and, as I very much doubt even whether I shall ever go beyond the reign of Anne, they are not to me particularly material. I should think, as you seem to do, that money would be the best means of coming at them. I am, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
C. J. Fox.

St. Anne's Hill, Thursday.

SIR,

My time has been so taken up this last week, that I could not find a moment to read your inclosure till this day, nor of course to answer