Retrofpect of American Literature.—Hiftory. 
the reading of novels has on the morals 
and happinefs of the rifing generation, we 
cannot but fincerely rejoice, that a man of 
Engel’s eminent tale:fs and refined tafte 
condefcends to employ his able pen ia this 
field of literature, fo much overgrown 
with poifonous weeds, that the friend of 
virtue and humanity feels himfelf” in- 
ftinctively impelled to avert his eyes in- 
dignantly from it. The great art which 
this elegant author difplays in this charm- 
ing fiction, and the harmony in the moft 
minute traits that diftinguifh the different 
characters introduced in it, render it ex- 
tremely pleafing to the difcerning reader, 
and the valuable leffons of practical phi- 
lofophy with which it is interfperfed, will 
make even thofe that are ufed to more 
fubttantial food confefs, that decies repe- 
tita placet. ) 
M. FiscHEerR, of Berlin, honourably 
krown by a moft interefting’ account of 
his late travels in Spain, is going to make 
the German public acquainted with a 
kind of Romances, in which the Spaniards. 
avowedly excel all other nations, and with 
this view has publithed the firft volume of 
a collection of ** The Comical Romances 
of the Spaniards.” The elegance of Mr. 
Fifcher’s diction, the comic humour 
with which he is endowed, and ‘his inti- 
mate acquaintance with the Spanifh lan- 
guage, have enabled him_to give to his 
tranflation the appearance of an highly 
finifhed original. 
799 
A Romance, by Nicoray, intitled, 
“¢ Fraz von Werden,” deferves to be no- 
ticed here as greatly fuperior in rational 
intereft and elegance of ftyle to what we 
have perceived in moft compofitions of this 
kind lately publifhed. c 
“¢ Die Launen der Liebe.” ——TheWhims 
of Love—is a novel that deferves honour- 
able mention, the author having judi- 
cioufly chofen his materials, and ftrikingly 
pourtrayed his characters. : 
The famous LAUCKHARD,. notorious 
for the memoirs of his life, written by 
himfelf, has publifhed a volume of tales — 
and novels, which, indeed, ftrongly evince 
the brilliancy of his genius, and the depth 
of his knowledge of man, but at the fame 
time manifeftly prove, that he is totally 
unacquainted with the laws of good tafte. 
STAMPEEL’s “ Lodoifka’’ is one of the 
bef produftions of the kind that have 
lately appeared in Germany. The lead- 
ing features are borrowed from Louet’s 
Faublas, but the author has fo fkilfully 
handled his materials, that his produttion 
has all the merits of an original. 
The author of the novel **Carlo,” that 
has been received with more than com- 
mon applaufe in Germany, and is now 
tranflating into French, has produced 
another fpecimen of the elegance of his 
pen, intitled, *¢ Natalia,” that cannot but 
greatly add to the fame he has already ac- 
quired. . 
HALF-YEARLY RETROSPECT OF AMERICAN LITERATURE. 
HISTORY. a 
q7, is not to be expected that the 
American prefies will be fo prolific 
in this department of literature as in 
many others more conneéted with 
the immediate wants of fociety, or 
prompted by the prevailing tafte of 
the people. We are pleafed.to obferve 
an increafing attention to the compila- 
tion of hiftorical documents concerning 
the difcovery, fettlement, progrefs, and 
prefeat condition of the feveral ftates 
which conftitute the union. And there 
is Now every reafon to expect, that in 
a few years the, number and value of 
them will be fuch as to reflect credit on 
the character of American Literature. 
** The Natural and Civil Hiftory of 
Vermont, by Samuel Williams, LL. D. &c, 
though publifhed fome time-ago, has 
circulated fo little in proportion to its 
value, and is fo impertectiy known 
MonrTuty Maa, No. 89, 
abroad, as to deferve to be particularly 
mentioned on this occafion. The na- 
ture of the work, as well,as the manner 
in which it is executed, place it among 
the moft important of the hiftorical 
monuments of this young country. 
That mode of hifforical writing which 
combines the narration of political 
events with comprehenfive views of the 
natural; hiftory, the arts, fciences, and 
manners of a nation, is a modern im=-_ 
provement, that deferves to be highly 
eftimated. This work, and Dr. Belk- 
nap’s Hiftory of New Hampthire, af- 
ford pleafing fpecimens of that kind of 
writing. | 
Mr. SULLIVAN’s  Hiftory of the 
Diftrict of Maine,” is the produétion 
of a man not dettitute of talents, but 
often betraying the want-of the ad- 
vantages of a correct education. Who- 
ever expects to find a regular and well- 
4 ¥ connected 
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