1822.] 
an ilL-timed indulgence of his irritated 
feelings, which determined him, at one pe- 
riod, to take no further part in the exer- 
tion. Of the liberal and patriotic views of 
Captain Manby there can be no deubt, nor 
is it pessible to produce more convincing 
and honourable testimony than he has 
done, to the utility and practical benefits 
of his several inventions ; and, we therefore 
lament the failure ef his voyage in this 
particular, rather as a personal disappoint- 
ment te the captain than as leaving any 
thing wanting to demonstrate the value of 
his discoveries. We cannot say that much 
is to be found in this Journal in addition 
to the accumulated and precise informa- 
tion which Captain Scoresby’s volumes 
afford on every subject connected with this 
tishery, of which Capt. Manby has made 
considerable and acknowledged use.’ In 
Japtain Scoresby’s vessel, indeed, he made 
the voyage in question; and, like every 
one else, he speaks in the highest terms of 
the abilities and estimable qualities of that 
gentleman. ‘The pith of the author’s mat- 
ter will be found condensed in a short ap- 
pendix, to which it may be sufficient for 
the man of business to refer. But those 
who seek amusement for a leisure hour, will 
not fail to find it, blended with information, 
in the more diffuse narrative of the Journal, 
and the spirited plates which attend it. 
There is sufficient merit in the tragedy 
of Grimaldi, by WinL1Am Baixey, to give 
it a title to the notice of the critic; but tue 
manner in which the author has introdaced 
it to the public, calls more especiaily tor 
observation. This play is founded on the 
same story as Mr. Miiman’s Fazio; and, 
upon this co-incidence, coupled with the 
fact of its having been composed two years 
previous to that gentleman’s drama, and 
on a few other circumstances perfectly in- 
conclusive, the author raises an hypotiesis 
that Mr. Milman unfairly adopted his sub- 
ject, and superseded him in the public at- 
tention, ‘Lhis charge he calls upou Mr. 
Milman to deny under his hand and seal,-a 
proceeding which we should hardly think 
necessary, whicn Mr. Bailey himself ac- 
knowledges that Pazio “bears yo simili- 
tude whatever with Grimaldi,” of which 
there can be no doubt atall. Myr. Milman 
¢annot deny, under his hand and seal, that 
has written a play on the same subject 
Grimaldi; but, even admitting that he 
had seen the latter play in manuscript, 
which there is not the slightest reasen to 
believe, he has treated it in a manner so 
different from that of Mr. Bailey, as to 
leave that, gentleman without any other 
ground of complaint than the adoption of 
his subject ; which, we believe, Mr. Milman 
was as-likely to find in the Italian Nove- 
lists, as Mr. -Bailey in Dodsley’s Annual 
Register, or an old volume of a circulating 
library on the coast of Kent. We think 
this is a very ill-advised insinuation of Mr, 
Literary and Critical Proémium. 359 
Bailey’s; and that a mere comparison of 
the two plays would suffice to shew that 
the authors are not likely to berrow from 
each other. Mr. Bailey expresses his be- 
lief that ‘ There is not ou earth a candid, 
impartial, and even handed, critic.” Of'a 
manuscript work submitted by a friend, 
probably not; nor of the tragedy in ques- 
tion, if Mr. Bailey estimates the candour 
of the critic by the profusion of his praises, 
With something to praise, there is much to 
blame in Grimaldi. .'The introduction of 
Error, as an aerial being attendant on 
Fazio, is ill-judged; and the parting mo- 
ments of the unhappy alchemist, which 
should be the most emphatic scene of the 
play, are occupied by an explanatory dia- 
logue between him and this fanciful per- 
sonage, Neither does Mr, Bailey possess 
the art of dignifying the passions he de- 
picts. His delineations are strong and na- 
tural enough, but coarse and repulsive, and 
his language occasionally very low. No 
one would recognize Mr. Milman’s Fazio, 
as “walking about in a great stew;” and 
exclaiming, “ A most gentecl rebuff, burst 
me!” At the hazard ef being included in 
Mr. Baiiey’s denunciation against the cri- 
tics, we must not conceal, that these faults, 
and more, are to be found in his work; 
whilst, on the other hand, we willingly tes - 
tify that there is occasionally some good 
and forcible writing, and that the author 
seems to possess talents deserving of culti- 
vation, but certainly requiring the disci- 
pline of a severe as well as liberal critic. 
Amongst varions prodactions which 
have recently reached this country from 
the literary market of America, we have 
noticed a volume of Poems, by Wirnrant 
B. Tarpav, published at Philadelphia, 
This is not Mr. Vappau’s first appearance 
before the public. In 1819 he gave to 
the world a small collection of poems, 
many of which are embodied im the pre- 
sent volume, and which, we believe, are 
not entirely unknown on this side of the 
Atlantic. We cannot say that the plea- 
sing verses before us surpass the many 
specimens of the American muse which 
have found their way into this country; 
and yet we must confess that there are 
amongst them a few poems which would 
do'credit to our native soil, rich as it at 
present is in poetical talent. We may 
particularly mention the ‘ Lines on the 
floly Alliance,” and “the Chilese War- 
tior’s Song,’ which are very spirited 
effusions. It is right that the muse of 
America should thus be employed in ce- 
lebrating the praises of that liberty which 
ler sous so well know how to appreciate, 
—— 
BIBLIOGRAPITY. 
The London Catalogue of Books; with 
their Prices, Sizes, and Publishers: con- 
taining the Books published in London, 
from 1800 to October 1822, 8yo. "Vs. 
Ogle, 
