1804 j 
movement, and difplays the judgment of 
the compofer. 
The afflified Africans, a Cantata; compofed by 
Geerge Guefi, Organift,y Wifbech, and late 
of his Majefty’s Chapels-royal, The words by 
Cowper, 35. 
_ The mufc of the ‘ Affli&ted Africans,” 
is very unequal. In fome inftances it is 
{cientific, elegant, and pathetically expref- 
five; in others, we are obliged to fay, 
ill-conftruéted, meagre andinfipid. The 
accompanied recitative, ‘Is there as 
you fometimes tell us,’’ is judiciously 
managed; and the change at ‘ black! 
he anlwers,” befpeaks a free and jultnefs 
of conception, that may rife into confider- 
rable future excellence, * 
Mary, a Scottifh Ballad; the Words and Me- 
lody by Mr. Rannie. 1s. 
Mr. Rannie, to whofe Mufe the public 
have been indebted for fo many pleafing 
lyrical efforts, has added another {prig to 
his bays, by his prefent produétion. 
' The poetry of ‘* Mary” is fhort but 
fmooth, tender and pathetic; and the 
melody is natural and unaffeéted. Ina 
word, this little ballad eminently poffef- 
fes the attractions we look for, in this fim- 
ple fpecies of compofition, and will, we 
yah be be favourably received. 
ree Sonatas for the Pianv-forte ; compofed b 
M. Mebul, | ak ca ene 
Thefe fonatas are recommended by 
their eafe, pleafantnefs, and variety. The 
paflages are remarkably free and unre- 
ftrained, yet rife out of each other very 
regularly and naturally ; and the feveral 
movements are arranged with a confiftency, 
and command of effecét, which afford ano- 
ther proof of the matured judgment of 
this ingenious and ornamental Member of 
the French National Inftitute. 
4A Grand Duet for two Performers on one Pia- 
ano-forte, with the additional Keys; com- 
pofed and infcribed to Mifs Fuftina Wynne and 
Mis Harriet Wynne, by ‘Fofeph W. Holden. 5s. 
This Duett does great credit to the fan- 
Monthly Retrofpeé? of the Fine Aris. 
S85 
cy and tafte of its author. The introduces 
tory movement is elegant and graceful, 
and the fubject of the fecond, as well as 
that of the concluding, rondo, is remark . 
ably pretty. The four hands are through 
out judicioufly difpofed of, and the gene. 
ral effect is moft pleafingly ftriking. 
The Clock firuck One, a favourite Song 3 cone 
pofed by Mrs. Crouch, 15. 6d, 
This fong, though certainly not diftin- 
guifhed by any prominent traits of excel- 
lence, poffefles fome paflages that rank 
above mediocrity ; and which, were they 
more novel and better connected, would 
raife the melody much above its prefent 
charaéter. The effect of the whole we 
muft, however, in jultice, repeat, greatly 
exceeds that of the commonly ballads of 
the day, and is not without its claim to 
our refpectful notice. 
Blaife et Babet, a favourite French Air; are 
ranged with Variations, for the Piano-fortes 
by T. Powell. 25. 
Mr. Powell has fubjoined feven pleafing 
and tafteful variations to this favourite 
air. This ingenious mufician only pro- 
fefles himfelf a violoncello pertormer 5 
but the addrefs with which he has acquit- 
ted himfelf, in his prefent production, 
would lead us to fuppofe him well 
acquainted with the character and capa- 
city of the inftrument for which it is in- 
tended. 
Nefiling, a Song ; compofed by C. Stokes. 8. | 
This is an agreeable little ballad. The 
melody is fmooth and eafy, and in its 
general caft indicative of a free and plea- 
fing imagination. The bafs, though 
flight, is chofen with judgment, and we 
are only forry the general effect is not 
heightened, as. it might have greatly been 
by a piano-forte accompaniment. 
MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF THE FINE ARTS. 
(Communications and the Loan of all new Prints are requefted.) 
STATE of warfare, or expected 
warfare, has been generally confider- 
ed as inimical to the fine-arts ; notwith- 
ftanding which, the walls of the Royal 
Academy are covered as much as they 
could be if the country was ina perfeét- 
y tranquil fituation ; and many hundred 
pictures have been rejeéted, and returned 
to the painters, for want of room. Upon 
the merits or defe&ts of thofe which are 
MontuLty Mac. No. 114, 
admitted, we fhall, in our next Retrofpeé, 
offer a few difpaffionate remarks, and, as 
far as we are able to judge, try them by 
the only fair criterion—their refembiance 
to nature ; though it isto be feared, that. 
a large clafs of thofe who paint piétures, 
as well as of thofe who take upon them to 
point out their beauties and defects, try 
them by a very different teft. - 
Stuart, the American, was accuflomed 
Zr 20 
