through Chrift:-the dead fhall rife through Chrift first: i. e. before the living are caught up. There is an oppofition between TрWтоV and ETTET. E hath frequently this fenfe. See John xiii. 35.'

πρωτον επειτα.

The learned Reader, from this fpecimen, will form no unfavourable opinion of the Author's abilities for the task he hath undertaken. We think, however, that he might have selected with more propriety fome other Epiftle of St. Paul, in order to have given more fubftantial proofs of his critical skill and acutenefs. In the Epiftle he hath chofen the difficulties are fo few, that they may be furmounted without any extraordinary efforts. of ingenuity, learning, or judgment.

Mr. Wakefield's fcrupulous attention to the Greek Articles is, frequently affected and it often gives the appearance of ftiff. nefs and formality to his tranflation. Nothing is gained by it in point of fenfe and fomething is often loft in point of eafe and fimplicity. Paul and Sylvanus, and Timothy, unto the Church of Theffalonians' - instead of the Theffalonians, is an aukward expreffion. The pretence of precifion will not recompenfe for the omiffion of the common particle. We feel the defect; the verfe limps, and the ear is diffatisfied.

B..d..k.

ART. V. An Essay on the Nature and Existence of the Material World. 8vo. 3 s. fewed. Becket. 1781.

THIS

HIS controverfy, though for a time it engaged the atten-, tion of the Public, chiefly through the popular name and great abilities of Dr. Prieftley, yet being of a nature too abftrue to entertain, and too equivocal to be decided, hath funk into neglect; nor do we imagine it in the power of wit, ingenuity, or learning, to revive its confequence, or again awaken the curiofity which it at firft excited.

Metaphyfics have no charms for the "million." A strange paradox may raise a foolish wonder; and when it was given out, that Dr. Priestley had written a very learned treatife to prove that man had no foul, many were eager to fee how he established his doctrine; but, having purchafed his book, could not com prehend his reafonings, or found them fo abftrufe as to require more study than they had either time or inclination to bestow on them. As fome were tired of the "Difquifitions" be cause they yielded no amufement to the idle and frivolous; to others were difappointed by them, because they afforded no fanction for vice, and no confolation for infidelity. Though Dr. Prieftley's metaphyfics made him bold, they did not make him fceptical: and though they induced him to reject the dogmas of the schools, they did not make him flight the difcoveries of the Gospel.

Ee 3

The

The very ingenious and acute Author of the prefent Effay is a warm advocate for metaphyfical ftudies; and hopes, from the popularity which these studies have lately gained, that the dif grace which generally attends them will be wiped off. But notwithstanding the Author hath enlivened the fubject by a vein of wit, and cloathed it in very agreeable language, yet we are perfuaded that even his Effay will have the fate of most of the other pieces that have been published in this inaufpicious controverfy.

It is the purpose of this effay to fet afide matter as one great fource of confufion. The ideal fyftem,' fays the Writer, is accounted an hypothefis unsupported by facts. I adopt it from the opinion, that it is the only fyftem of metaphyfics that contains nothing hypothetical; and give it my fupport because of the modefty of its pretenfions: never outftepping experience, and remaining in ignorance and doubt where this fails.'

This Effay is addreffed to Dr. Priestley and Dr. Price, and the opinions of both, concerning MATTER, are combated with great fhrewdnefs and ingenuity.

In attempting to expofe the abfurdity and contradiction of Pr. Briefly's hypothefis, he remarks, that according to the genuine principles of it, when fairly examined, and fifted to the bottom, it contains the following conclufions, viz. That the fubjects on which motion operates are phyfical points; that the bodies to be moved are motion itself; and that the external matter he fo ftrenuoufly contends for, is no more than fyftems of agency without a fubject whereon to act. On the impoffibility of reconciling these contradictions, our Author pushes Dr. Priestley with this alternative, viz, either to admit the real exiftence and folidity of matter; or that there is no matter at all. The dilemma, tays he, is unavoidable.'

We will fum up the Author's arguments in fupport of his immaterial fcheme, by the following analyfis of them, founded on the nature of fenfation, which may be confidered as the bafis of his reafonings against the exiftence of a material world.

I. No property of matter can refemble fenfation, otherwise fuch property of matter would poffefs fenfation.

II. It appears in fact that they do not poffefs it.

(1.) Scents and founds do not refemble their refpective causes, but are referable to motion. (2.) Colour is reduceable to the fame; and likewife (3.) folidity, or hardness. (4.) Figure, as difcernible either by fight or touch, is known only by a variety of ideas or impreffions being included in one perception.

In the conclufion, the Author fays, Like a true fage, I have endeavoured to point out the truth; to place it on an immoveable bafis, and feparate it from the idle fancies by which mankind are led aftray. But though it belongs to the fage to utter

the

the documents of truth, conviction depends upon capacity, and
this the fage hath not to beflow. Like every metaphysician, I
am certain and clear in my opinions; yet I greatly fear, that to-
gether with many other difcourfes on the emptiness of the world,
ali I have faid will be in vain. They will go every man a wan-
dering after his own imagination. One will go to find perfume
in a rofe, independent of perception; a fecond to find coolness
in the brook another to find folidity in the oak: this to find
found in a fiddle-ftring: and that to fee colours in an evening-
fky. None will believe the word of a philofopher, that these
things are not what they feem: that it is in the mind only where
fenfation dwells; and that they ought to look up to this as the
fole fource of pleasure and pain.'

On this Effay we can only beftow the general praife of great
acuteness; and a vivacity feldom to be met with in metaphyfical
writings. We will not rifque a farther opinion of its merits:
because in points fo fubtle it is hard to determine on which fide

truth may be found, or whether it may be found on either. Bad..k.

*

ART. VI. The Library. A Poem. 4to. 2 s. Dodfley. 1781.

N the reflections with which this well-written poem com-
mences, the Author obferves the infufficiency of reason, or
retirement, to alleviate the heavier afflictions of human life:
and he proceeds:

• Not Hope herself, with her old flattering art,
Can cure this ftubborn fickness of the heart;
The Soul difdains each comfort the prepares,

And anxious fearches for congenial cares;

Those lenient cares, which, with our own combin'd,
By mixt fenfations ease th' afflicted mind,

And steal our grief away, and leave their own behind;
A lighter grief! which feeling hearts endure
Without regret, nor ev'n demand a cure.

But what ftrange art, what magic can dispose
The troubled mind to change its native woes?
Or lead us willing from ourselves, to fee
Others more wretched, more undone than we?
This Books can do-nor this alone; they give
New views to life, and teach us how to live;
They foothe the griev'd, the ftubborn they chaflife,
Fools they admonish, and confirm the wife.
Their aid they yield to all; they never shun
The man of forrow, nor the wretch undone :
Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud,
They fly not fullen from the fuppliant crowd;
Nor tell to various people various things,
But thew to fubjects what they fhew to Kings.
Come then, and entering view this fpacious fcene,
This facred dome, this noble magazine;

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* Written by the Rev. George

}

Where

Crabbe:

Where mental wealth the poor in thought may find,
And mental phyfic the difeas'd in mind;

See here the balms that paffion's wounds affwage,
See coolers here, that damp the fire of rage;
Here alt'ratives by flow degrees controul
The chronic habits of the fickly foul;

And round the heart, and o'er the aching head,
Mild opiates here their fober influence fhed.'

To follow this agreeable and intelligent guide through all the
departments of the Library, would trefpafs too much upon that
time which we are compelled to give to lefs grateful pursuits.
Paffing by, therefore, the regions of Philofophy, Phyfic, and
Law, we fhall make a fhort ftop with the polemical and contro-
verfial divines:

Now turn from thefe, to view yon ampler fpace,
There refts a facred, grave, and folemn race;
There the devout an awful station keep,
Vigils advife, and yet difpofe to fleep;

There might they long in lafting peace abide,

..... But controverfial authors lie befide,

Who friend from friend and fire from fon divide:
Endless difputes around the world they caufe,
Creating now, and now controuling laws;
Dull though impatient, peevish though devout,
With wit difgufting, and defpis'd without;
Saints in defign, in execution men,

Peace in their looks, and vengeance in their pen.
Methinks I fee, and ficken at the fight,
Spirits of fpleen from yonder pile alight;
Spirits that prompted every damning page,
With pontiff pride and facerdotal rage;

Lo! how they ftretch their gloomy wings around,
And lath with furious ftroke the trembling ground!
They pray, they fight, they murder, and they weep,
Wolves in their vengeance, in their manners fheep;
Too well they act the Prophet's fatal part,
Denouncing evil with a zealous heart,

And each, like Jonas, is difpleas'd, if God
Repent his anger, or with-hold his rod.'

}

There is another race of beings to whom the Reader will like
to be introduced:

• But who are these? Methinks a noble mien,
And awful grandeur in their form are feen,
Now in difgrace: What tho' neglect has shed
Polluting duft on every reverend head;
What though beneath yon gilded tribe they lie,
And dull obfervers pafs infulting by ;
Forbid it fhame, forbid it decent awe,
What feems fo grave fhould no attention draw:
Come let us then with reverend step advance,
And greet-the ancient worthies of Romance.

Hence,

Hence, ye prophane! I feel a former dread,
A thousand visions float around my head;
Hark! hollow blaits through empty courts refound,
And fhadowy forms with flaring eyes ftalk round;
See! moats and bridges, walls and castles rife,
Ghofts, fairies, dæmons, dance before our eyes;
Lo! magic verfe infcrib'd on golden gate,
And bloody hand that beckons on to fate:
"And who art thou, thou little page, unfold?
"Say doth thy Lord my Claribel with hold?
"Go tell him ftrait, Sir Knight, thou must refign
"Thy captive Queen-for Claribel is mine."
Away he flies; and now for bloody deeds,
Black fuits of armour, masks, and foaming fleeds;
The Giant falls-his recreant throat I seize,
And from his corflet take the maffy keys;
Dukes, Lords and Knights in long proceffion move,
Releas'd from bondage with my virgin love;-
She comes, the comes in all the charms of youth,
Unequall'd love and unfufpected truth!

Ah! happy he who thus in magic themes,
O'er worlds bewitch'd, in early rapture dreams,
Where wild Enchantment waves her potent wand,
And Fancy's beauties fill her fairy land;
Where doubtful objects ftrange defires excite,
And fear and ignorance affords delight..

But loft, for ever loft, to me thefe joys,

Which Reafon fcatters, and which Time deftroys;
Too dearly bought, maturer Judgment calls
My bufied mind from tales and madrigals;

My doughty Giants all are flain or fled,

And all my Knights, blue, green, and yellow, dead;
No more the midnight Fairy tribe I view
All in the merry moonshine tipling dew;
Ev'n the last lingering fiction of the brain,
The church-yard Ghost, is now at reft again;
And all these wayward wanderings of my youth,
Fly Reafon's power, and fhun the light of Truth.
With Fiction then does real joy refide,
And is our Reafon the delufive guide?
Is it then right to dream the Syrens fing?
Or mount enraptur'd on the Dragon's wing?
No, 'tis the infant mind, to care unknown,
That makes th' imagined paradife its own;
Soon as reflections in the bosom rise,

Light flumbers vanish from the clouded eyes;
'I he tear and smile, that once together rofe,
Are then divorc'd; the head and heart are foes;
Enchantment bows to Wisdom's serious plan,

And pain and prudence make and mar the man.'

After the fpecimens that have been given, to fay what our fentiments are of this performance would be needlefs. The Reader will perceive it is the production of no common pen.