the work,' will be read with a lively sensibility and a generous compassion. For more than two years the Author has been deprived of sight, and left to the awful and sublime perception of total darkness. Through the vicissitudes of excruciating pain, and tiresome debility, and through repeated scenes of alarming sickness in his family, he has personally supplied the pulpit, and produced by the aid of an amanuensis the following work. The greatest part of it has been studied when the springs of life were so far exhausted, that he had reason to apprehend a speedy removal to that world, where the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, but the resigned soul shall enjoy with rapture the pure effulgence of eternal day. The generous patronage, which the work has received, is gratefully acknowledged. Should its merit be insufficient to remunerate the liberality of the patrons, they will resort to the consciousness of being promptly disposed to encourage industry, and to befriend the honest exertions of a fellow mortal. The author is forbidden to aspire after scientifick distinction. While Homer, Milton, and Saunderson, inherit the heights of fame, his greatest desire is to be found in a humble attitude at the feet of Jesus. Should he ever be assured that his labours have been instrumental in dissolving the dream of security, in diminishing the empire of despondency, and in planting the smile of resignation amidst the tears of the orphan and bereaved pilgrim, he will obtain a rich reward. "Thus with the year Of nature's works, to me expung'd and ras'd, MILTON. It gives us pleasure to add, that, admidst all the excentricity and extravagance of the book, we find many a fine sentiment tenderly and handsomely expressed, some bold and beautiful allusions, and here and there a just and elevated idea of God's moral government. So that although we cannot praise the learning or judgment of our author, we do not deny that he possesses imagination and talents; and if we have no respect for his taste, we have much for his piety. As a specimen of Mr. Messinger's manner, we select a passage from the part of the work, in which its author is inquiring if resignation implies a willingness to re ceive the sentence of condemnation in any possible case.' But whence are we to know that it is the will of God, that any christian will ever receive sentence of condemnation, or that he must be willing to meet that dreadful destiny? In what alcove of celestial records has he deposited such counsel and purpose? On what mountain of Zion has he made proclamation, that some of the trophies of the Redeemer's blood must be banished forever from his presence; and that all, who are purchased at so great a price, and whose knowledge of Christ is life eternal, must be willing to meet the event? Hath it not been declared, that the will of God determines the perseverance of the saint? My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.' Hence it is undeniable, that the christian's willingness to receive sentence of condemnation has no agreement with the divine will. It will not facilitate an escape from this difficulty to say, we are willing on supposition it should be God's will and for his glory. This amounts to no more, than a conjecture of what we should do, presumptuously supposing a case that implied mutability of the divine purpose. And it is no more an exercise of resignation, than Peter's peremptory avowal of unabating attachment to the Redeemer was an actual adherence to him, when accosted by the damsel. The exercise is less than a dream. For, do we dream of conquest, of rearing cities, and of swaying the sceptre of empire; the actual realization of these things is possible. Whereas by asserting that we are resigned to condemnation, if it should be the will of Heaven, an impossibility stares us in the face. For every subject of condemnation must be as incapable of pious resignation, as Satan is incapable of the hallowed fervors of love. ART. 4. Columbian and European Harmony, "There is in souls a sympathy with sounds, Second edition, improved. Pub- FROM the settlement of New England to the commencement of our revolutionary war, the American churches were used to the sacred musick of the mother country. At the last mentioned period American composers began to multiply; Williams and Tansur gave place to Billings; and fugues and fol de rols threatened to banish simplicity and grandeur from the choir. This revolution in our sacred harmony was by no means universally pleasing. Many lovers of musick in our universities protested against it. Law, Holyoke, and others, by their pupils and publications, began to purify the corrupted taste of the country; and much within a few years past has been done, we hope, towards a thorough reformation. Among the singing books which have contributed to this reform, the work before us is distinguished. It was very long since sent us for review; but by some unfortunate occurrence, not through intentional disregard, we have hitherto delayed to give that notice of it, to which it is richly entitled. It contains a is some of it from the splendid heard with pleasure that this valu- edition. ART. 5. A Discourse delivered at Milton, THIS gentleman is known to the publick as a masculine and original writer, and his intimate acquaintance highly appreciate his talents and classical erudition. This performance will not diminish the estimation, in which he is justly held. If some of the opinions ac vanced should be found to require qualification, and the style in a few instances to need correction, the good sense, which abounds, and the eloquence, which appears in it, will compel the candid reader to acknowledge, that it was dictated by no ordinary capacity, and executed by no mean pen. There will no doubt be a diversity of opinion respecting his eulogy of Franklin. This man, in original genius, was superiour to all, who were before him, and of them, who have come after him, there is no one, who will pretend his claim to literary eminence is in any degree equal. In many of the arts and sciences he has left at a great distance many illustrious men in the European world; in economick and political science, his superiority has been acknowledged.' Was he not the most accurate observer of men and things ever known?' p. 6. This is praise, which, in rapid conversation, is sometimes lavished on an admired author, or a favourite speaker; but in sober composition it can be applied to very few, if any, of the numerous claimants for renown. That Dr.Franklin had uncommon native powers will not be controverted but his superiority in economick or political science' will not now be universally acknowledged.' His chief merit rests on the ease and sime plicity of his style. His philosophy was often visionary, and he had no religion; his political integrity is questionable among his friends, and his moral purity is the jest of his enemies. If in this instance, as we apprehend, Mr. Thacher gives excessive commendation, all we trust will unite in an after tribute to genuine literary worth. In connection with Hackney College' he observes: A succession of instructors, who during the time of its continuance, directed the studies of the youth, were the first scholars in Europe: When I mention the names of Dr. Richard Price, and Gilbert Wakefield, my intelligent hearers will assent to what I affirm.' p. 21. The occasion of this discourse naturally led to the important topick of education; in treating which Mr. T. has proposed and illustrated these several propositions. First of all, we affirm, that from the primordial ages of man, as far as human actions have been devel oped either by history or tradition, there have been no examples of genius and talents displayed in elegant literature, which have been totally unaided by any species of education.' p. 3. If there be in any country upon earth an unqualified necessity for a common education diffused through every grade in society, it certainly is in a government similar to our own, I mean a Republican form, in which every man of decent property and morals, may be a candidate for the highest honour, which the people can bestow, and where every citizen is annually called to exercise acts of sovereignty by electing his rulers.' p. 8. A further consideration is offered respecting a common education, i. e. it is necessary for every member of society, and on certain what is called in this country, a libaccounts has an advantage over, eral education.'. p. 11. ་ Religion must be cultivated with close care and attention in the minds of the young. p. 15. 'Added to the above, attention ought to be paid to the personal morality, decorum and manners of youth. For without these, religion, or the profession of it, is but a convenient mask for an impostor, or a ferocious bigot, waging war with common sense, property and social happiness. p. 16. All other parts of literature ought to be prefaced with a correct and theoretical acquaintance with the Grammar of our own language.' To this, it scarcely need be added, that a thorough acquaintance with arithmetick is the basis on which a true knowledge of mathematicks, geography, natural and experimental philosophy are founded. We hope that no modern theory or affectation of improvement, will ever so far prevail as to lessen the moment of classical literature, as a branch of instruction. For besides this important acquirement, that the Greek and Roman languages are the key necessary to unlock the technical terms of all the arts and sciences-a picture is drawn of the greatest and best uninspired men, who ever lived in the most celebrated periods of time, and their virtues delineated in the most sublime and eloquent language.' . 18. A few specimens of the substance and manner of this discourse will doubtless excite the wish to peruse the whole. If any, who are thus induced, should feel either wonder or regret at the high whig notions, which run thro' it, the one may be diminished and the other cease, when it is recollected that similar refined speculations have in all ages been indulged by many of those studious men, whose learning was only surpassed by their virtue. In the seclusion of profound reading and thought, the necessity of restraints for the preservation of liberty, and of power for the enforcement of law, is not felt, or seen, or acknowledged, as by those who toil amid the turbulence and tumult of active life. The benevolent theorist is reluctant to believe that faction is the monstrous growth of every soil, and that its fruits are every where so noxious, as experience represents. Hence probably the unsubstantial visions on civil liberty, of Price and Priestley, and many of their literary associates and admirers. Hence too, we believe, the romantick liberality of the doctrines of Mr. Thacher on the same subject: mind. Some men appear to be marked out by Heaven for literary eminence; they seem amidst every impediment to be escorted, by the command of GOD himself, to the temple of fame by a guard of Angels. Yet, we scruple not to add, that none of these were ever to be considered a self taught; but that they derived some advantage from education, either direct or mediate. When we hear of the inventors of arts and sciences, of those, who, in various branches of learning, have given the evidence of their mighty mind, without any other assistance than that of a divine afflatus, we seem to assent to the idea, which we have been attempting to refute; more especially when we hear that men have been distinguished in rude and barbarous ages, having no other light to direct, or illustrious precedents to follow besides the impulse of a celestial genius.' . 4. 'As an illustration of the case in tion in America, the conduct of the hand, we will compare the revolucitizens under it, with those of ancient and modern times. Do you ask respecting the late revolution, why it was effected with so little blood, unless that necessarily spilt in the field? Why so much humanity and refinement towards eneSuch mildness, amid many causes mies both foreign and domestick? and incitements to revenge, as well as the means of gratifying it? Why this tenderness was not only expressed to those in arms, but was extended to the vanquished, so that those citizens, who had been enemies, returned to the bosom of their country, while the cause and memory of their exile are obsolete with all, and are totally unknown to the rising generation? We reply, the Those pillars of civil society, the cause is as obvious as the fact. for literature, had been long erectinstitutions of religion and schools ed in this country. Their effect was conspicuous in forming both the morals and manners of the people; of course every temple was a city of refuge to the obnoxious part of the community; every institution, whether literary or sa"We grant that there are a great cred, was a protection against per variety of qualities in the bu RETROSPECTIVE NOTICES OF AMERICAN LITERATURE. UNDER this head we propose to commence a review of books in American literature, which have either been forgotten, or have not hitherto received the attention they deserve. Interested as we are in every thing, which relates to the honour of our country, we are not ashamed to express our conviction, that one reason of the low estimation, in which our literature is held among ourselves as well as in Europe is, that there has yet been no regular survey of this field of letters. It is supposed to be utterly barren, because it is so wide, and desolate, because there has never been a map of the region. But, as in the highest parts of a mountainous country, which appear at a distance to be covered with eternal snows, you will discover in crevices and little spots some humble and modest plants, which sufficiently reward the toilsome ascent of an enthusiastick botanist; so in the extensive, if not copious records of American learning, we hope to detect a few rare and undescribed specimens, which may by this means awaken at least the regard of some future historian of literature. It is unfortunately true, that, while every country in modern Europe has produced copious annals of its literature, or maintained regular journals of its new works, this country has till within a few years had nothing of the kind. There was indeed a thin quarto volume published in the year 1789, which bears the imposing title of Bibliotheca Americana; but it is in the first place a meagre compilation, La France Litteraire, do. of the Benedictins. teratura Italiana of Tiraboschi, Warton's Hist. English Poetry, &c. &c. In and is confined, not to works of American authors, as would be imagined from the title,but to books, which relate only to the general history of the country. The late Dr. Homer of Oxford, whose death our antiquaries ought to deplore, had projected a complete work of this description, and the proposals for his Bibliotheca Universalis Americana have been long before the publick; but how far he had proceeded in the execution of the work, or whether it will ever be given to the world, we have not been able to ascertain.* Miller's retrospect of the last century, there is an interesting sketch of our literature, which is the more valuable, as it is the first attempt to give a general outline of the advances we have made, and the works we have produced. It has shown us, it is true, the pitiable sterility of our literary history, but it has reclaimed also some of our treasures, disclosed others, which were hardly suspected, and opened a range of enquiry, which we doubt not may yet be pursued, and to which it will be our object in any way to contribute. We are afraid it will be found that the further back we go in our history, the more monuments and relicks we shall find of what is usually called learning; but the acquisitions of our first emigrants who received their education, and laid in their stores before they crossed the Atlantick, can hardly be claimed as American. This,however, we have the less reason to regret, as they brought with them Vid. Anthology for Scpt. 1807. |