| Retrofpel of French Literature.—Mifcellanies. 
T. P. Bertin,” &c.—An Univerfal and 
Complete Syftem of Stenography, &c. 
invented by SAMUEL TayYLor, and 
adapted to the French Language by T. 
P. BERTIN, &c. 1 vol. 8vo. 
The advantages of /bort-hand are ob- 
vious, particularly ina country like Eng- 
land, where our orators, both in the fenate 
and at the bar, are at liberty to exprels 
their fentiments; but in France (at leat 
at prefent) this art muft be confidered as 
little better than an ufelefs accomplifhment. 
An involuntary tribute is, however, paid 
to Great-Britain on the prefent occafion ; 
for Taylor’s method is declared to be the 
belt ever invented, and is confequently 
adopted here: yet, notwithftanding this 
confeffion, M. Bertin has received from 
the Abbé Sicard, teacher of the deaf 
and dumb, the fanciful appellation of 
“* the Newton of Abbreviators.” It is 
here boatted, that the art has been brought 
to fuch perfeétion by this mafter, that the 
number 500,100 can be reprefented by 
four characters only, 
‘¢ Melanges de Phyfiologie,de Phyfique 
et de Chimie ; contenantentr’autres Choles, 
un T'raité fur les Sympathies ou fur les 
Rapports Organiques ; un Traité fur )’Elec- 
tricité; un Trairé furle Galvanifme; et un 
Traité fur le Magnétifme, ou I’ Aimant ; 
le Tout confidéré fous de nouvelles Vues ; 
Ouvrage deftiné 4 concourir A deux Prix 
propolés, lun, depuis longt:mps par I’In- 
ftitut National, fur les Sympathies, et 
Pautre propofé par le Gouvernement fur 
des Découvertes relatives 4 l’Eleétricité. 
Par CLaupe Roucaer-DERATTE, OF- 
ficier de Santé, Profefleur de Phyfique et 
de Chimie 4 l’Ecole Centrale du Départe- 
ment de Herault,” &c.—A Mifcellany 
of Phyfiology, Natural Philofophy, and 
Chemiftry, by CLaupE Roucuer-Dz- 
RATTE, Officer of Health, &c. 2 vols. 
Svo, 
The vanity of this boaftful profeffor is 
fo exceffive as to excite ridicule. He very 
cordially tells us, ‘* that his fyftem 
forms a complete body of doétrine, the 
torch of which is calculated to throw a 
radiance over the {cience of man, as well 
as the phyfiology and metaphyfics which 
conititute it.” He adds, ‘* that the hu- 
man heart, of which it was hitherto im- 
poflible to found the depth, in confequence 
of the impenetrable myftery that covered 
it, is no longer inacceffible, as the veil is 
at length torn away.”? The following is 
the modeft motto in the title-page: 
“< Exegi monumentum a@re perrennius, 
S¢ Regalique fitu pyramidum altius.” 
“¢ Mémoires Hiltoriques de JEANNE 
605 
Gomart DE VauBERNIER, Comtefle 
Duparry, derniégre Maitrefle de Louis 
XV. 3 rédigés furdes Piéces authentiques : 
avec des Détails fur ce quis’eft paffe a la, 
Cour de France pendant qu’elle y étoit en 
Faveur; fuivis de fa Correfpondance avec 
M. M. de Briffac, Rohan, Mauffabré, Ma- 
dame Lebrun, et autres Perlonnes, pendant 
les Années 1790, 91, et 92; auxquelson a 
joint la Relation defies quatre Voyages 4 
Londres, fes Entretiens avec M. Pitt, fon 
Procés et celui de M. M. Wandenyver, 
Banquiers, et Vimportante Déclaration 
gu’elle fit entre deux Guichets de la Con 
ciergerie apres le Jiigement qui la condam- 
noit ala Mort; par M. de Favro.ute,”’ 
&c.—Hiftorical Memoirs of Jean Gomes 
ART DE VAUBERNIER, Countefsde Barié, 
the laft Mifrefs of Louis XV. &c. 4 
vols. r2mo. 
The celebrated woman, whofe life and. 
adventures are here recorded, lived in great 
{plendour towards the latter part of the 
reign of Louis XV. and perifhed on a 
{catfold foon after the execution of his 
grandfon. .. 
During the period when her word was 
a law, and her authority paramount, 
a thoufand fatires were circulated againft 
this titled courtezan: her morals, of 
courfe, formed a fair fubjeét of attack ; 
but not content with this, her enemies 
reproached her with the bafenefs of her 
birth, as well as the vilenefs of her con- 
duct during the early {cenes of her youth. 
It is worthy of ‘remark, however, that. 
unlike her predeceffor Madame de Pompa- 
dour, who alfo enjoyed the favour of the. 
monarch, fhe never caufed {earch to be 
made after, or endeavoured to procure, the 
punifhment of the anthors, What is till 
more ftrange, fhe never hired any pen in 
her defence, and, the only work that ever- 
appeared in her favour, was publifhed 
after the demife of her royal paramour, 
and confequently. during her difgrace.— 
In this produétion, entitled “ La Galerie 
des Dames Frangaifes,”” (the Gallery of 
French Ladies) many praifcs are lavifhed. 
on her beauty, equally on the excellent 
qualities of her mind and heart, but no, 
attempt whatfoever is made to diffemble 
any of her faults. ; 
This lady was placed near the perfon of 
the lafcivious monarch, by the enemies of 
the Duke de Choifeu); and it appears, not- 
withftanding the feductions of that poli- 
tic minifter, whom Frederic the Gieat had 
denominated ‘* the. coachman of Europe," 
fhe always remained faithful to her pro- 
teétors. She alfo openly countenanced 
and aflifted the tamily of a man who 
e{poused | 
