Retrofpec? of American Literature—Furifprudence, 
though not an elegant, nor alwaysa 
correét, writer, gives.proof of ingenuity 
and good fenfe. . 
We notice with refpect Dr, KunzE’s 
*« Sermon, preached at the Dedication 
of the new erected Englifh Lutheran 
Church, called Zion, in the City of 
New York.” ; 
Dr. Tappan’s ** Difcourfe at the 
Funeral of Lieutenant Governor Phil- 
lips, of the State of Maffachufetts.”’ 
And «* A Sermon” on the. fame oc- 
cafon by Mr. BaLpwin, 
Dr. M’KwicHt’s **, View of the pre- 
fent State of the Political World,drawn 
trom the general Afpeét of the Provi-: 
dences of God, in Conneétion with the 
Predictions of his Holy Word, ina Dif- 
courfe, delivered on the 1ft of January, 
x802,” is undertaken with the defign of 
exhibiting the fubjeét in its political, 
moral, and religious afpeéts. Notices 
of the fuppofed fulfilment of certain 
prophecies contained in Holy Writ are 
prefented to view; and particularly 
fome of the events connected with the 
French Revolution are pointed out as 
having been the objects of prophecy. 
The author does not exhibit that ge- 
neral acquaintance with hiftory, nor 
with the prefent political ftate of the 
world, which would enable him to 
treat this fubject in a fatisfactory or in- 
terefting manner. 
Dr. Murr’s “* Power of Godlinefs 
exemplified in theiremarkable Conver- 
fion, and triumphant Death of Mrs. 
Mary Davis, of Bermuda,” 
and fimple narrative, interfperfed with 
ferious, pious, and pertinent remarks. 
Mr. Wetcu's ‘* Century Sermon, 
preached at Mansfield, january 1, 
1801,” is more diltinguifhed for the 
vein of piety which pervades it, than 
for richnefs of matter, or correcéinefs 
of ftyle. : 
~. & Mr, MrLuer’s “ Sermon, delivered 
‘before the New York Miffionary Socie- 
ty,” is intitled toa refpeétful notice, 
tor good fenfe, animated views of. the 
f{ubject, and the agreeable manner in 
which it is conftruéted.. The reader 
will find, added to the Sermon, by way 
of Appendix, the annual Report of the 
Direétors of the Society, and other Pa- 
pers relating to American miffions. 
Under this head, we ought likewife 
to:mention Mr. Parmer’s “* Princi- 
ples of Nature; or, a Developement 
of the Moral:Caufes of Happinefs and 
Mifery among .the Human Species.” 
Phis is an open and ayowed attack on 
is a fhort . 
621 
the Chriftian Religion; but the author 
adds no weight to performances of fi- 
milar tendency, which had gone be- 
fore him. | 
‘JURISPRUDENCE. . 
The peoplé of the United States and 
their government are equally animated. 
with the defire ro preferve the relations 
of amity and peace with all nations. 
Separated from Europe by an immenfe 
ocean, and little concerned in the pro- 
jects of ambition, Which impel rulers 
in that quarter of the globe to precipi- 
tate the nations they govern into the 
calamitiesof war, it istheir wifhto culti- 
vate the arts of peace, to improve their 
extenfive territory, and to fill it with a 
race of indultrious and virtuous far- 
mers. Many of their citizens de- 
vote themfelves to maritime com-~ 
merce, which is purfued with am 
ardour and’ {pirit of enterprife which 
long fince have attracted the notice of 
other nations. The ocean is the onl? 
element on which the American na- 
tions are likely to find their peace ex- 
pofed to any hazard. They can fo 
conveniently and ufefully become the 
carriers of European nations, engaged. 
in war, and property thus placed in 
their hands is fo apt to become an ob- 
ject of the rapacity of the belligerent 
parties, that they are more interefted 
than any other people in the freedom 
of the feas. On this account, the Ame= 
can nations feel a lively intereft in the 
difcuffions which are prefented in Mr. 
Barton’s “ Diflertation on the Free- 
dom of Navigation and Maritime Come 
merce, and fuch Rights of States rela- 
tive thereto as are founded on the Law 
of Nations.’ This important work 
“contains, 1. An examination of the 
law of nations, in relation to the prin- 
ciple that free flips make free goods, as 
under{tood and acted upon by moft of 
the principal maritime powers of Ku- 
rope prior to the formation of the trea-« 
ty ot armed neutrality, in 17803; 2.’ 
fhews that the polition of free hips mak- 
ing free goods was recognifed and fully 
eftablifhed, as a fundamental principle” 
in what is fometimes ftyled the moderz 
law of nations; forthe regulation of 
that important maritime rigbt claimed 
by neutrals, conformably to the doc- 
trine laid down in thetreaty of armed 
neutrality ; 3. treats of neutrality and 
the rights of neutrals, as deduced from 
the nature of war; 4. defignates what 
articles ought to be confidered as con- 
traband of war, and defines the righe 
4K 2 of 
