who were deemed enemies of Bonaparte. Thefe unfortunate victims, two of whom (a German baronefs and her uncle) are mentioned by name, were, the author declares, shot by torch light, in the Champ de Mars, without even a mock trial. In relating the affair of Georges, Pichegru, &c. the author repeats his opinion, that all the confpiracies against Bonaparte originated with himself. Pichegru in particular, he affures us, was feduced to go into France by the infamous Mehée de la Touche; and Georges, by a wretch called Bouvet de la Loyère. When they had arrived, the utmost pains were taken to bring them and Moreau together, in order to procure evidence against that general, whom Bonaparte confidered as his moft formidable rival. He would, it feems, have been facrificed, but for the dread of an infurrection of the army. We will not particularize the barbarities exercised on our gallant countryman, Captain Wright, as defcribed by this writer. We could fcarcely have believed his relation, were not the account of his death by the French government a manifest fabrication, and did not the known and acknowledged cruelty of Bonaparte, in fo many other inftances, accord with this tale of horror. A curious and very ludicrous flatement of the circumtances attending Bonaparte's coronation is next laid before us, and equally excites indignation and contempt. But a more important fubject follows, the management of the prefs throughout the dominions of the Corfican Emperor, and thofe of his vaffal fovereigns. This author confirms what has been afferted, and indeed often appeared, to prove the exceffive foreness of the government at the moft trivial article in a newspaper. We fmiled at the anecdote respecting the word "Huzza," which exclamation, having been used (as it was faid) by the English foldiers, on a report of the French having landed, was declared, in the papers under Bonaparte's immediate influence, to mean alas !!!-But the capricious tyranny of the government over the French journals appears to have been exercised in a variety of ways, and at length "to put an end," we are told, "to all fchifms," "the great and good Napoleon," as he is termed by the author, feized into hisown hands all the newspapers of Paris, and difpofed of them as he thought proper. To the fhame of our country, we are affured that his emillary Fievée fucceeded fo far in London as to bribe the editors of two weekly papers to write in his mafter's favour. He did not, however, it is admitted, fucceed with any paper of note. Theatrical pieces, and even tranflations from claffical authors, are, it feems, fubject in France to the fame arbitrary controul, and either fuppreffed or mutilated of what are termed the "exceptionable paffages" by that jealous and defpotic government. We are next prefented with fome remarks on the organization of the French courts of juftice; in which (the author declares) in fpite of the "Code Napoleon, Code de Commerce, &c." and though there are ten thouland judges in France, no man can obtain juftice unless he can pay, or procure a letter to the prefident, or the attorney general, from a person high in office. This, indeed, feems an almoft neceffary confe- ! quence of the wretched falaries allotted to moft of the judges in the numerous courts. Of the grofs partiality fhown by thofe courts, and the flagrant acts of oppreffion exercised by the tyrant in this branch of his government, ftrong inftances (to which he appeals as notorious facts) are produced by this writer. The fyftem of robbery and fwindling, mifcalled finance, is next developed. The author agrees with the writer of the celebrated American pamphlet, that the budgets of the finance minifter are fallacious throughout, and he relates various acts of arbitrary pillage, for which we must refer to his work. From all the above circumftances it is inferred that the ufurper is, and muft be, detefted throughout France. Even as to the Parifians, this author denies the fact fo eloquently afferted by the American writer, that "all claffes of people appear to forget for a moment their own miferies, in anticipating the brilliant deflinies of the empire, and contemplating Paris in profpective as the metropolis of the world." Thus far as to the domeftic government of Bonaparte. His conduct towards foreign powers is next defcribed. But, as we have (contrary to our original intention) extended this article to a confiderable length, we must reserve that branch of the fubject to a future difcuffion; efpecially as it prefents confiderations the most important to our country. (To be concluded in our next.) BRITISH CATALOGUE. POETRY. ART. 13. Diftrefs: a Pathetic Poem. Second Edition. By Roberɛ Noyes, Author of the Tempeft, Mifcellanies &c. 4to. pp. 38. 48. Williams and Smith. 1808. The history of Mr. Robert Noyes is extraordinary. He was a diffenting minister, and had carefully attended a particular con gregation L13 gregation" with great acceptance, and fuccefs," as it is faid, for many years; when, after a few months of illnefs, he loft a beloved' wife, who left him with fix children. At this melancholy juncture, by one of thofe fudden changes, which may always eafily happen where the minifter is dependent on his congregation, instead of receiv ing confolation from his flock, (which furely he might well expect,) "they, on the very next Sunday after the interment of his wife, gave him to understand, that his future fervices would be difpenfed with; affigning, as the only reafon, their inability to maintain a minifter; though at the fame time they intended to invite another, and to give him at least 10l. per annum more than they gave Mr. Noyes." This black transaction, which, to give it the deeper colour, was mixed up with treachery and ingratitude, produced the diftrefs which forms the principal fubject of the poem. Not merely incon venience, but the literal want of neceffaries, from day to day, for himself, and the fix children. Mr. Noyes is not a highly finished poet, but he is a forcible one, fuch as ftrong feeling naturally makes. The following picture, being drawn from reality, will make every bofom feel. "Hunger and thirst on cold Distress await, But with the poor their refidence is long, Their prefence painful, and their cravings strong; "Contempt, foul fiend, the bafe-born child of Pride, Through ftrange perverfenefs, meek Diftrefs pursues, Whofe venom'd tongue excites our faddeft tears? This This poem has been incorrectly printed before, it feems, in a collection. The prefent edition being intended for the benefit of the now orphan children, should have been sooner noticed, had we known the circumftances. We hope it is not now too late, to give it extended circulation. ART. 14. The Mixtures or too true a Tale. Being a Combination of unfortunate and fortunate Events; proving Playing too deep or Gambling is pernicious. Refpectfully dedicated to Sir Francis Burdett, Bart. and Samuel Whitbread, Esq. M. P. By Timothy Tangible. 8vo. 20 pp. 9d. Sherwood and Co. 1809. This poor foolish man, who is unable to write either verfe or profe, fhows completely on what kind of animals our demagogues are principally enabled to act. That "tool, which knaves do work with." He feems a well meaning creature ; but he has yet to learn, "Why we are at War?" He asks, with aching heart," he fays, "and fearful imagination, What would we have? What is it all about?" P. 15, and "Bonaparte or Napoleon, the prefent ruler of France, he cannot but confider a perfecuted and ill-used man." Poor Tangible! It is because thy rulers know what thou doft not know, and fee what thy ftupidity cannot fee; that they feel the neceffity, (in common with all intelligent and honeft men,) of refifting, to the utmoft, this perfecuted and ill-ufed Napoleon: and if thou would be wife, the shortest method we can advife, is to acquiefce in what wifer men do, and trouble thy empty brain no more about politics! ART. 15. The Contraft: a Poem; including Comparative Viewe of Britain, France, and Spain, at the prefent Moment. In tap Parts. Addreffed to an English Nobleman. By Mr. Pratt, Author of Sympathy, Gleanings, &c. &c. Third Edition, revifed and corrected. 8vo. 28 pp. 1s. 6d. Cradock and Joy. 1808. We lately noticed Mr. Pratt, and it feems we did not quite please him *, yet we meant to give him full credit for his inten tions, though we allowed ourselves to fmile at the ebullitions of his zeal. We have fince found this fmall poem, which feems to us to be written with more vigour than the other, and contain fome very ftriking lines. The following picture of the French Emperor may afford a favourable fpecimen. While one, fublimely tow'ring o'er the reft, See our correfpondence last month, p. 431. L14 Nor Nor e'en the magic of the melting lyre, Hells' dread vicegerent, or Heav'ns' awful scourge.” P. 13. The perfon who has the honour to ftand as a Contraft to this imperial offender, feems to be the Earl of Shaftesbury. What fhould bring him into the comparison, it is not eafy to fay. It would furely have been more natural to contraft one fovereign to another, which might have been done with great effect. In celebrating the rifing Patriotifm of Spain the author borrows a hint from the anonymous Poet of HOME, and makes good use of it. ART. 16. The Maniac, a Tale; or a View of Bethlem Hofpital; and the Merits of Women, a Poem, from the French, with poetical Pieces on various Subjects, Original and tranflated, by A. Briftow. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Hatchard. 1810. The first of these poems is melancholy indeed, but the conclu. fion is pious and confolatory. Of the poetry we shall say but little, the long and moft refpectable lift of fubfcribers, prefent a powerful fhield between any trifling demerits, and auftere criticisms. We have not often met with French poetry, particularly modern French Poetry, which we have thought deferving of tranflation. The poem in this collection on the merits of women, is however pleafing, and the Episode at the conclufion very impreffive. The following may ferve as a fpecimen of the minor compofitions. Virtus rofa fuavior, fole clarior. Virtue is sweeter than the rofe, and brighter than the fun. Motto to the arms of the Skipp family. I. See natures' lovelieft blooming flower, . II. Yes, Virtue, fweeter than the rofe, More foul-exalting blifs bestows, Greets with more joy the raptur'd fenfe. To" infpire a touch," is rather incongruous. Behold |