"Lisle is a very large and very fine city; thy of the intercourse. The chief of these are from Miss Talbot, daughter of Ed-but a fashion of strong iron cross-bars before ward, second son to Dr. W. Talbot, Bi. the windows, gives the houses an uncomfortable look, and makes them resemble prisons. shop of Durham, and next brother to Itis, like all the towns we have passed, paved Charles, the first Lord Talbot, Lord Chan- like St. James's-square. The glare, and fopcellor. She was born after the decease pery, and childishness of the ornaments of the of her father. Her life was respectable, churches are beyond what any thing but the but private; she died 1770. We find also testimony of my own eyes could have given letters from Archbishop Secker, Bishop me any idea of. The decorations of the altars Hayter, Lord Lyttleton, Dr. Johnson, the are much more fit for the toilette of a fine celebrated Barratier, the unfortunate Sa- lady, than for a place dedicated to the solemn vage, giving an account of his early life; service of Religion. I am quite sick of lookand others, eminent for station, talents, ing at so much tinsel, and such a variety of and literature. These are generally ho-colifichets. The only thing which has struck me with any thing like solemnity, was a nourable both to the writers and to the sight of nuns this afternoon, singing vespers. receiver. We should have been glad to have staid longer here, but the apprehension from what our guide told us of an elevation of the Hostia, obliged us to return before the service was over. Mrs. Montague and I were at two other convents, and had some discourse with two nuns. We took notice to one that she appeared bien contente, to which she We pass over Mrs. C.'s pedestrian rambles at early dawn, when in health, (for we learn that she was sadly afflicted by an often recurring head-ach, which she very impruden ly fixed by mismanagement); nei>ther shall we expatiate on her courage, when all the neighbourhood was alarmed by a report that the French had landed, in November, 1744; nor on her contriv ance to be awakened early in a morning, by a bell in her chamber, which the sexton was accustomed to ring for that purpose; nor on her fondness for flowers, or, for her toneless spinnet; nor on the variety of her studies in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. - We shall not even trace the progress of her translation of Epictetus. We frankly own, however, that we are gratified with her dutiful attention to her father, and with her diligence in making of shirts. Her father died in 1774. A principal part of the volume, and among the most amusing of its contents, is the history of an excursion to Spa and Holland, which Mrs. Carter made in 1763, in company with Mrs. Montagu, and Lord Bath. As we cannot now, thanks to the piety and politics of Bonaparte, verify the account of what Catholic establishments are, we must be contented with repeating those narrations that describe them as they were. Mrs. C.'s observa*tions on some of the towns she passed in her journey, and of the manners of the people, we know to be correct, and therefore shall extract a few passages, which mark her opinion of them. Her sentiments on the foppery of the Catholic churches, were (and we presume the taste for such puerilities is not extinct) unhappily, but too well founded in fact. made an answer which had much more sense than enthusiasm in it:-" Quand on a pris une vocation, on seroit bien folle de n'être pas contente." We asked whether it was possible for us to see the inside of the convent, to which she answered very archly, "Pas sans y rester au moins;" at which the little rogue of a page who was with us was excessively entertained. We are to set out to morrow for Ghent."-P. 175. which I have yet seen in our way; the hemises Brussells is the most disagreeable town are extremely high, and the streets narrow, which makes it dark and close; and I shall be heartily glad when we leave it. We took an airing to-day in a place used for that purpose by the inhabitants. I believe we went about a mile in a straight road by the side of a dismal looking canal, we afterwards drove about the park, which is pretty enough, but very trifling compared to our St. James's and Hyde Park. There is an English monastery here, which we visited out of compliment to our countrywomen. We sat about twenty minutes without the grate, and talked with three of the nuns; both these, and those we saw at Ghent, desired us to call on them on our return. They told us one of their amusements was country-dances, and that they had the newest from England. They have almost universally the same air of gaiety, which would give one pleasure, if it did not seem to be as much an uniform as their habit they have all an unhealthy cadaverous kind of look, which is no wonder, from the want of air and exercise in such a confinement. .. "At a convent in Lisle, is a kind of altar with an image of the Virgin and our Saviour, both with black faces; for which we could get no better reason than that our Lady of Loretto was the same. They bid us get up upon a chair, and peep into a little hole of a closet behind the altar, to see the kitchen furniture of the Virgin: all I remember of the contents was a stove and a little brass-kettle. I think nothing but the testimony of my own eyes could have perfectly convinced me of the miserable, trifling fopperies of popery. Most of the images are such mere dolls, that one would think the children would cry for them Even the high altars are decorated with such a profusion of silly gewgaw finery, as one would think better adapted to the amusements of girls and boys, than to inspire sentiments of devotion. I feel extremely uncomfortable with hearing bells ringing all day long, without being able to go to church; but I hope this heathenish kind of life will be over when I get to Spa, and we shall have a kind of worship in which I can join."-P. 179. Surely, with the superstition of popery, there is a strange mixture of profaneness. I was lately struck by an instance of this kind in the garden of the Capuchins at this place, where there is placed a crucifix, by way of fountain, spouting water from the wounds of the hands and feet. As little as I am inclined to image-worship. I could not help being much shocked at seeing so sacred a representation applied to such a purpose. "We have all manner of religious orders and habits here; friars, priests, uns, and chanoinesses. The last are not bound by vows, nor forbid to marry, nor has their dress any other distinction than a very becoming ornament of a blue ribbon, and a garnet cross; the chanoinesses are all ladies of fashion, and must prove their nobility before they can be admitted into the chapter. Two of those who are at Spa are extremely agreeable; one is, I think, the greatest beauty here; the other, who is about eighteen, is rather pretty, and has all the innocence, and all the archness of a little roguish child: she loves to learn little scraps of English, and some of the gentlemen have tried to make her say, Am I not very pretty? But she is too cunning for them, and will not say any thing that is not properly explained to her. I was lately in company with these two ladies, who were going to a bali; but were hurrying home first, to say their offices. I asked the little Countess if it was very long? With a dolorous face she answered: Qui, un bon trois quarts d'heure.-Et qu'est que c'est que votre office?-Ce sont des prières.-Et quelles prières ?-Je ne sais pas, car c'est tout Latin, et je n'entends pas le Latin.-Mais au moins on met le Français au côté ?-Non, ce n'est que Lalin.-Ainsi pous ne savez pas ce que vous dites? Non, pas un mot.-Est-ce qu'on appelle cela prier le bon Dieu, de lui adresser des paroles dont on ne sait pas le sens?-The elder chanoinesse looked rather ashamed, and the little Countess stared; but at last they both agreed that they did it, par devoir, et à l'intention de leur fondateur." P. 216. It does not appear, although Mrs. C. was a British virgin herself, that she was partial to an army of virgins, however they might combine the dignity of martyrdom with that of a single state. Her censure of the greatest exportation of such treasure that ever took place from Britain, is severe; but perhaps she had no passion for martyrdom. From Cologne she writes: "On Saturday we went to see the Arsenal, which is not worth seeing, and the church of the eleven thousand virgins. There is a marble figure of St. Ursula, and at the foot, the dove which pointed out the spot where her remains were found. The bones of these eleven thousand bien heureuses avanturières, who never existed but in a Romish calendar, are placed in galleries all over the church. In one of the chapels are about four hundred skulls piled up in great order, and each halfcovered with a cap of gold and crimson embroidery. The heads of St. Ursula and some of her principal ladies are enclosed in silver busts, which open at the top, to shew the relique, which is covered with pearls, &c. &c." What a precious repository of instruction for Dr. Gall, when satiated with investigating the organ of folly in the skulls of the beau monde at Paris! Mrs. C.'s character of the late Duke of Brunswick, whom she met with at Spa, is extremely favourable to that now-departed hero. We agree with Mr. P. in the tribute he has paid to his memory, and in the great importance to Europe of a general equally brave, loyal, and incorruptible. May Providence speedily raise up such-and more than such a deliverer for Europe. "The Prince (I congratulate our Princess) is one of the finest young men I ever saw, and appears to greater advantage the more one has an opportunity of knowing him. The general expression of his countenance is deep thinking, mixed with remarkable sweetness and good nature. His conversation was remarkably sensible, perfectly obliging, and polite. He reads and understands English, but does not yet talk it; however, he spoke a few words to me as I passed by him to-night at the ball, and seemed pleased to attempt it."-P. 204. We incline to think that our countrymen are not sufficiently sensible of the moral advantages they derive from their insular situation. Notwithstanding the terms which some well-wishers to morals 'adopt when lamenting the depravity which is but too notorious among us, yet we are of opinion that, comparatively, John Bull is not only an honest fellow, but a good fellow, too. That he is far below the standard of rectitude, we frankly con fess; but the Continent does not every where produce his equal. Great criminals, fleeing from the Continent, cannot so easily seek refuge in an island, as where they have only a barrier to pass; of consequence, they do not import their atrocious dispositions so unrestrainedly among us; neither can great criminals assure them selves of a ready escape from our island; they are much more likely to be arrested by the hand of justice before they can effect their purpose. So far, then, as a strict execution of justice, and a non-importation of criminal disposition, may be supposed to diminish guilt, the sea is a most favourable protection to our national virtue Those who recollect the advantages taken on the Continent, of committing crimes at the very edge of a territorial boundary, in order that the guilty (murderer, for instance) may escape in an instant beyond the power of his pursuers, will very well understand the practice on I which we reason. Mrs. C. shall furnish a remark in point. "The territory of Liege," says Mrs. C., is a wretched, lawless, nndisciplined country, and the more so from its situation, as it is surrounded by many little independent states, so that a criminal may in a few hours take refuge in some other dominion, and be quite safe from the pursuits of justice. The government is divided between the Prince, Šenate, and People: this looks in description like liberty; but in reality is mere licentious ness and anarchy, worse evils than the most absolute despotism. Mrs. Montague has, I think, given a very lively and exact description of this country, by calling it the Seven Dials of Europe." P. 213. Returning now to our own island, and safely landing our heroine among her friends, we shall transcribe the sentiments of this judicious writer, on persons and circumstances better known to the British public. There is something honest in the frank avowal of that partiality to our na tive country, which is, in fact, a dictate of nature, a prejudice implanted for the wisest purposes in the human breast. We pity the man who has seen the Continent, and does not return to Britain with heartfelt gratulation.-We know, indeed, that various places abroad have many recommendations; but, our judgment must be determined, and it is determined, by what is preferable on the whole. Mrs. C. partook of the same failing, if it be one. It will be recollected, that her opinion of the French character was formed in 1763; consequently, it was long prior to those proofs of its correctness, which have been the scourge of humanity in later years. "I do not at all agree to your project of sending me into Mercury or Venus. As long as one remains in this solar system, I have no idea of being better situated than upon Earth, which, with a true patriot prejudice, I am inclined to think as much preferable to any other planetary region, as England is to every other country in the terraqueous globe. You see I have not travelled away my English partiality. I am sure I can never be in any danger of losing it in Holland, which is be yond description disagreeable to my imagination.-You ask why I prefer the German character and manners to the French? Because I believe the character more honest, and I find the manners less bustling, and less af fected, but equally polite; indeed I always consider the French as the most pestilent corrupters of the human heart, and their writings, more so than any I ever read, tend to the subversion of all principles, and sap foundation of all morality, and the stifling of all sentiment. You will not imagine me extravagant enough to apply all this to each individual; though I met with an English lady at Spa, who has resided in France, and she declared to me that she never met with any one person while she was there, who had either principle or sentiment: to her great surprise, she once thought she had discovered a character possessed of both; but, upon farther inquiry, the lady proved to be a Canadian."-P. 244. the Thinking, my dear Mrs. Vesey, must always tend to peace, when it is exercised under an awful sense of the presence of the Supreme Being, and with a due submission to those restraints which his wisdom and ties. To check the rovings of unprofitable goodness have imposed on the human facul speculation, and fix our attention on the task assigned us here, all truths unnecessary for us to know are involved in uncertainty and darkness, and the search must end in disap pointment and confusion, and too often in a subversion of all principles. In the investigation of points essential to our present state and condition, the powers of the understanding are invariably adequate to its subject. Does not the difference so strongly, so evidently marked, plainly discover what ought to form the object of our study? The most active genius will never be in danger of languishing for want of employment, while it is engaged in unravelling the sophistries of passion, detecting the fallacies of the heart, examining the motives of action, and determining the duties which result from every particular situation."-P. 245. We perfectly agree with Mrs. C. that "No infidel will find any great comfort in the study of Epictetus, unless he is perverse enough to take comfort in finding himself obliged to practise the morality of the Gospel, without its encouragements and supports. From what causes infidelity does arise, must be left to the Searcher of hearts; but perhaps one might venture to say, that it does NOT arise from an admiration of the sentiments of the wise and good, and religious writers among the Heathen Philosophers; and it is with great consistency that Lord Bolingbroke has treated Plato and Paul with equal virulence, as I am told he has."-P. 128. So far as I have read, I perfectly subscribe to your judgment of Mr. Hume's History. The order and civility of modern times is indeed an inestimable blessing, and however unwilling Mr. Hume might be to allow it, is certainly the effect of Christianity. Barbarity was the disgrace of heroism, not only amongst our rude and violent ancestors, but amongst those nations which are so often extolled as abounding with examples of the highest virtues. Modern compilers give us a fine picture of the manners of heathen antiquity, but their own historians are more honest, and from them one discovers as high instances of barbarity, even among the polished and enlightened Greeks, as could be practised by the most savage parties of scalping Indians. The battles of Marathon, Thermopyla, and Platea, were great actions, and performed in a noble cause, and these are extolled by all authors through all ages; while little mention is made of the horrors of the Peloponnessian war, and innumerable others, by which the heroes who só gallantly opposed the Persian tyranny, endeavoured to tyrannize over each other, and pursued their quarrels through such a series of rapine, treachery, and bloodshed, that the relation makes one shudder. It is no wonder that the savage manners of nations, professing Christianity, should be so little softened in those dark ages when the Christian religion was so little understood, that Though I agree with you in the great use which may be derived from an account of the life of a character of distinguished excellence, I differ from you with regard to the persons who will receive benefit from works of this kind. They contribute, as every thing else does, to make the good better, but seldom or never to reform the bad.. Those whom you justly characterize by the title of unfeeling scoffers,' are as impenetrable to example as they are to reason; though, as you may say, they may be silenced, they will not be convinced; for conviction is not an operation of the head, but of the heart. This is the doctrine of inspiration, and common sense and experience bear ample testimony to its truth. You say Lord Lyttelton became a Christian from philosophical inquiry. But upon that inquiry he entered with a mind undisturbed by passion, and unbiassed by prejudice; and, consequently, with a heart full of virtuous dispositions. Had his head been ever so specu lative and philosophical, with the pride, and malevolence, and dissoluteness of Bolingbroke, or the pert paradoxical vanity of Hume, with all his inquiries he had remained an unbeliever." speak for itself to every intelligent ear; The good sense of these remarks will they tend much to answer the inquiry as to the cause of infidelity: which certainly does not arise from admiration of Virtue, in any shape, as a rival to the Gospel; nor from unbiassed, calm, continued investiga tion, either of the principles of truth at large, or of ethical truth, in particular. 1 We could with pleasure enlarge our extracts from the correspondence of this sensible lady, and especially, we are tempted by some of Miss Talbot's letters; but, we must forbear: and close this account with acknowledging our obligation to Mr. Pennington for the communications, he has favoured us with, and a hint at the other contents of the volume. The poems are evidently productions of early life: their sentiments are good, but their vigour is not exemplary; the satire which peeps forth in some few, is but | Father of light; from whose unfailing source feeble; and we have seen superior translations and imitations: nevertheless, they have their merit, and find a place very properly in connection with these memoirs. The following is a specimen. Obiit, Oct. 13, 1742. To the Memory of Could modest sense with softest manners join'd Attract the due attention of mankind, Unhappy Florio! thy ungentle fate "Had ne'er reproached the wealthy or the great. In vain admir'd, applauded, and rever'd, No gen'rous hand thy drooping genius cheared; It's useless talents destin'd to deplore, And sink neglected on a foreign shore; There all thy prospects, all thy sufferings cease, In death, the last kind refuge of distress. "Tho' by the world abandon'd and forgot, Let one be just and mourn thy hapless lot; Unlike thy sex whom selfish views inspire, To pain the guiltless object they admire, Thy silent truth each teizing suit represt, And only wished to see another blest. Tho' cold to passion, true to thy desert, Take the last tribute of a grateful heart, Which not unconscious saw thy geneious aim, And gave thee, all it had to give,-esteem; Still o'er thy tomb it's pious sorrows rise, And virtue sheds the tear which love denies. The following poem written at the ad vanced age of 77, is a proof to what a late period of life the faculties may be preserved. To Viscountess Cremorne, Jan. 5, 1795. Tho' youth's gay spirit, lull'd in deep repose, No longer tunes the lyre, nor chants the lay, Yet still my heart with warm affection glows, And greets with transport this distinguish'd day. Through many a rolling year may it return, From every cloud of dark disaster free; "And still with grateful praise be hail'd the morn, That gave a blessing to the world and me. Friend of my soul! with fond delight each hour, From earth to heaven I see thee urge thy race; From every virtue crop the fairest flow'r, And add to nature ev'ry winning grace. Descends each perfect gift, each guiding ray, O lead her safe through life's perplexing course, And point her road to happiness and Thee. The notes on the Bible are cursory hints; rather marks of attention, than proofs of much study. The translator of Epictetus could have produced superior criticism, had such been her design. The correspondence with a friend on some of the difficulties attached to Christianity, had a beneficial influence on the party to whom it was addressed; part of which may fairly be attributed to the excellent character of the writer.. A pleasing portrait of Mrs. Carter is prefixed to the volume. The following epigram by Dr. Johnson was found among Mrs. C.'s papers, in his own hand-writing. Mr. P. thinks it has never been published. Quid mihi cum cultu? Probitas incultu nitescit, ** A translation is desired. * A General, Historical, and Topographi cal Description of Mount Caucasus. With a Catalogue of Plants indigenous to the Country Translated from the Works of Dr. Reineggs and Marshal Bieberstein, by Charles Wilkinson. With a Map and Plates. 2 Vols. 8vo. pp. 658, besides Notes, pp. about 70. Price 15s. C. Taylor, Hatton-Garden, London, 1807. GERMAN authors are seldom proficients in the art of making up their writings to the greatest advantage. They are at least equally correct observers as the French, and they are by far more faithful narrators, but they are not so amusing as writers. Whoever reads for information, and desires to receive instruction from a work, may be gratified by an honest German, but if entertainment be his object, the lighter Frenchman is more likely to answer his purpose. The work before us is one proof among many that science does not gracefully condescend to rifles. It contains a statement of the countries, comprized in part of that range of mountains to which the name of Caucasus has been given, and of their inhabitants: it |