4 
Retrofpet? of Domeflic Literature—Biography. 
prove the truth of the religion, but it is 
the truth of the religion which proves the 
miracles, 
The Bifhop of Mea‘ry has publifhed 
a volume of “ Sermons preached on dif- 
ferent Occafions; to which are added, 
Three Charges and a Circular Addrefs 
to the Clergy of the Diocefe of Offory on 
the State of [reland in the Year 1797.” 
Thefe Sermons are chiefly, it may almoft 
be faid entirely, of a political nature; 
and we are forry to remark in them a 
fpirit of intolerance and vulgar rage highly 
unbecoming the character of a Chriftian 
teacher. 
The publication of a third volume of 
“< Family Sermons,” by Mr. WHITAKER, 
has completed that gentleman’s defign ; 
which he has executed with confiderable 
reputation to himfelf, and which is likely 
to be attended with benefit to others. 
‘“Four Sermons” fuited to the occafion 
were preached at the sth general meeting 
of the Miifionary Society, by M. M. 
Fintay, Tozer, Moopy, and Brop- 
BELT, and have fince been publifhed. 
To thefe fermons are fubjoined the report 
of the direétors, &c. from which it ap- 
pears that the labors of the Miifionaries 
have been hitherto_attended with fome 
fuccefs, and that each annual meeting of 
the fociety has increafed in zeal, vigor, 
and unanimity. The following curious 
information occurs in the report of the di- 
rectors: ‘¢ Our hopes, likewife, have been 
rtifed by an unexpeéted folicitation from 
General Bowles, who was providentially 
led to refide in London a few months, to 
fend miffionaries to the vaft nation of the 
Creek Indians, fituated on the Gulf of 
Mexico. Being one of the chiefs of that 
nation, and pleafed, on inquiry, with the 
objects of our inflitution, he promifed to 
lay the matter before a national council 
on his return, and favor us jmmediately 
with the refultr, Should his propofal be. 
generally approved by them, we truft 
you will empower the direétors to accept 
the invitation, and fend whatever number 
of perfons may appear beft fuited for the 
work,” 
_ The laft publication which we think it 
neceflary to mention in this theological 
department, (for we do not think necef- 
fary, nor have we room, to mention every 
pamphlet and fingle fermon which ap- 
pears) is “* A Summary of the Principal 
Evidences for the Truth and Divine Ori- 
gin of the Chriftian Revelation,” by 
BeiiBy, Lord Bithop of London, This 
is a moit valuable work, and together 
with the Elements of Chriftian Theology, 
627 
by the Bifhop of Lincoln, the Evidences 
of Chriftiamity by the Bithop of Llandaff, 
and Mr. Kett’s able book on Prophecy, 
fhould be placed on his fhelf by every 
parent who ts defirous to inftruét his chile 
dren in the religion of Jefus. ; 
BioGRAPHY. 
‘* Anecdotes of George Frederick Hans 
del, and of John Chriftopher Smith, with 
feleét Pieces cf Mufic compofed by J. C. 
Smith, never before publifhed.” This 
work prefents us with but very few anecs 
dotes of Handel that are new. Dr. Bur- 
ney took great pains to procure from 
Germany what information could be col- 
lected relative tothe early life of that great 
compofer; what is added by the prefent 
biographer is lefs interefting than might 
have been expected.. The editor, how- 
ever, explicitly tells us his defign in the 
prefent publication, namely, that its pro- 
fits may be appropriated to the ufe of the 
relations of Mr. Smith. This gentleman 
was the fon of John Chriftian Schmidt, 
who came over to England with Handel, 
and continued to live with him nearly til 
the time of his death. Mr. Smith, the 
fubje€t of the prefent biographical me- 
moir, received practical leffons from the 
great mufician; and from the acquaintance 
which he formed during his travels a- 
broad, and was fortunate enough to pre- 
ferve on his return to England, his man- 
ners were remarkably ealy and polifhed. 
As a praétitioner, his execution does not 
fee to have been great; nor as a 
compofer does his invention appear 
ftrikingly original: his prodwétions are 
pleafing and elegant. Two portraits, one 
of Handel, and one of Smith adorn this 
volume, which it is to be hoped will, by 
an extenfive circulation, anfwer the inten- 
tions of the editor. 
‘* Some Brief Memoirs” have been 
publithed ‘of the Life of David Hall, 
with an Account of the Life of his Fa- 
ther, John Hall.” David Hall was one of 
the people called Quakers, who, by his 
talents and induftry acquired a confidera- 
ble eminence among them. The prefent 
little volume will be read not withour 
fome interett, probably not without ime 
provement. 
We have been much entertained in the 
perufal of two volumes tranflated from 
the French, of “ Memoirs of Hippolite 
Clairon.” This aétrefs was for many 
years very juftly admired on the Parifian 
theatre: fhe has Jong retired from the 
ftage ; and though almoft in her Soth year, 
retainsfufficient intelleét, and has fummone 
ed fufficient vigor and refulution to be her- 
fel 
