SPA 
delivered, we'muft not omit noticing an 
improvement which the author has adopt- 
ed over the common method of arranging 
general hiftory according to the epochs or 
efas;:'a ftri¢t chronological arrangement 
furnifhes only a dry chronicle of events, 
which nothing connetts together but the 
order of time: ‘ But,’’ fays Mr. Tytler, 
*< when the world is viewed at any pe- 
riod, either of ancient or or modern hiftory, 
we generally obferve one nation or empire 
predominant, to whom all the reft bear as 
it were an under part, and to whofe hifto- 
ry we find that the principal events in the 
annals of other nations may be referred 
from fome natural connection. ‘This pre- 
dominant empire or {tate it is propofed to 
exhibit to view as the principal objeé, 
whofe hiftory therefore is to be more ful- 
ly delineated, while the reft are only inci-. 
dentally touched, when they come to have 
a natural conneétior, with the principal.” 
<¢ An Univerfal Hiftory, from the earlieft 
Periods to the General Peace of 1802, by 
WiLuiaM Mavor, L. L. D.’’ Dr. Ma- 
vor, whofe name is refpectably known to 
the public, as the author of feveral valu- 
able {chool-books, has prefeyted to the 
public an important work, which ufefully 
avoids the brevity of Boffuet and Vol- 
taire, and the dull prolixity of the great 
Univerfal Hiftory. His Ancient Hiftory 
extends to nine moderatelyefized volumes, 
and is the only part which is yet com- 
pleted. The Modern Hiftory is intend- 
ed to form fixteen volumes. As far as 
this work has already proceeded, it is en- 
titled to much commendation, as a faith- 
ful compilation from the great Univerfal 
Hiftory, and from the various hiftorians of 
particular periods; and itis enriched with 
the new lights, which the recent labours 
of the learned, at home and abroad, have 
thrown upon many important events. In 
the Perfian and Indian Hiftories, Dr.. Ma- 
vor has very judicioully availed himfelf of 
the marerials aiforded by the refearches 
of Sir Wm. Jones, and the Afiatic So- 
ciety ; and his connected Hittory of An- 
cient Perfia is the beft which we recollect 
to have feen. The Introduction is a 
{pirited performance ; and the ftyleof the 
whole is neat, elegant, and well-adapted 
to the nature of the work. 
‘© The Hiftory of Ilium or Troy, in- 
cluding the adjacent Country, and the op- 
pofite Coalt of the Cherfonefus of Thrace, 
by the Author of Travels into Afia Minor 
and Greece.” The fubject of this work 
_ 1s probably interefing to few perfens; to 
. thofe few, however, the author has prefent- 
eda curious and rare offering: he does 
Retrofpeét of Domeftic Literature—Hiftory. 
not engage deeply, as many might have 
expected, in that controverfy which, with- 
in thefe few years, Mr. Bryant has ex- 
cited, refpecting this far-famed place: the 
title announces a Hiftory of Ilium, and 
the performance correfponds with the pro- 
mife. The author commences with the very 
earlieft accounts which ancient authors 
have given of this.country, and its inha- 
bitants, and has moft induftrioufly colleét- 
ed whatever has been written on the fub- 
je@, from the time of Homer till the 
country became a part of the Turkifhem- 
ire. ; 
<6 Britifh Monachifm; or, Manners and 
Cuftoms of the Monks and Nuns of En- 
gland, by Tuomas Duptey Fos- 
BRooKE, M.A. F.A.S. This is a: 
very curious and a very entertaining work. 
So fafcinating are the fables, which are 
invented and recorded, concerning Monks 
and Nuns, that fcarcely a romance or no- 
vel is fent into the world to feek its for- 
tune, wherein fome myfterious circum- 
ftances are not introduced for thefe cloif- 
tered characters to develope. If cur ears 
are ever open to, and we fuffer ourlelves 
to be amuled ba, thefe idle fpur‘ous tales, 
we may fairly expect to be interefted in a 
genuine authentic Hiftory of Monaftic. 
Manners, Ceremonials, and Amufements. 
Mr. Fofbrfooke has fearched affiduoufly 
and fuccefsfully for whatever could throw 
light on this fubjeét, and, he has been 
able, chiefly from manufcript authorities, 
to compofe the prefent work. The firlt 
volume is divided into two parts: the firlt 
opens with the Concord of Rules by Dun- 
ftan, and treats of Benediétine Monachifm, 
from the reign of Edgar to the diflolution. 
Mr. Fofbrooke confiders, that Monachifm 
before the reign of Edgar could’ not be 
confidered as any regular eftablifliment ; - 
that no particular order was exactly ob- 
ferved in the Saxon monaferies; and 
that the abbot or’ abbefs in each. pres 
{cribed fuch rules as beft fuited the focie- 
ty. The fecond part of the firft volume 
opens with a detailed Hiftory of Monattic 
Officers, beginning with the Abbot and 
Abbefs, and defcending regularly through 
thofe of inferior rank: here a very curi- 
ous and valuable collection of anecdotes is 
introduced. The volume clofes with an 
Appendix, which gives a fummary view — 
of the Anglo-faxon rule of Fulgentius ; 
the prayer at the benediction’of an abbot ; 
the fuppofed obfervances of the Britifh 
Monks ; and additional particulars in re- 
gard to monaftic officers... The fecond 
volume opens with a Hiftory of <* Monks, 
Nuns, Friars, Hermits, Novices, Lay- 
asta 4 brothers, 
