Retrofpeé? of American Literature.— Poctry. 
Dr. MEASE’s edition of * WiLLICH’s 
Domettic Encyclopedia,’ will greatly 
conduce to extend the ufefulnels and cir. 
eulation of that work. Alter expunging 
many trivial or ufelefs things, ‘which 
ferved only to encumber the performance, 
Dr. Meale has made numerous and im- 
portant additions, efpecially of fauch articles 
as are fuited to the prefent ftate of the arts 
and of fociety in the United States. This 
American edition is comprifed in five vo- 
Jumes, 8vo. 
‘¢ The Tranfa&tions of the American 
Philofophical Society,held at Philadelphia, 
for Promoting Ufetul Knowledge.” vol. 
Vi. part 1. 
This volume, like atl the preceding 
ones, exhibits the learning, diligence and 
zeal of the members of this Affociation, in 
a very refpectable light. The refolution 
adopted by the Soctety to publith annually 
a volume, or a part of a volume of their 
Tranfa&tions, will, doubtlefs, have the 
effect of exciting and quickening their 
labours. 
Mr. Krart’s * American Diftiller,” 
exhibits in a comprehenfive point of view, 
the theory and practice of Diftilling, ac- 
cording to the late(t difcoveries and im- 
provements, and includes the molt ap- 
proved methods of conftru&ting falls, and 
conducting the proceffes of reétifica- 
tion. 
A great variety of interefting details, 
concerning diftillation, many of them 
either entirely new, or little known, are 
to be found in this practical, judicious, 
and ufeful work. 
Mr. C. B. Brown’s ‘ Tranflatton of 
Mr. Volney’s View of the Climate and 
Sonl of the United States,’? accompanied 
by notes and illudrations, which coafer 
much additional value on the work, has 
lately been laid before the public. 
Mr. Brown’s character, as a writer, Is 
already forefpeGtably known tothe public, 
that every reader will open this perform- 
ance with fanguine expeftitions, and he 
will not be difappointed, 
653 
«© An Effay on the Manufa@uring Tn- 
terett of the Unied States,” from an, 
anonymous pen, feems to have been writ- 
ten with the laudable wifh of flimulating 
the people and the government of the 
United States to make more ftrenuous ex- 
ertions for the extenfion and improvement 
of manufaétures. 
Amidit all his zeal and earneftne{s, 
however, the author frequently betrays his 
unacquaintance with the true principles 
on which fuch exertions cught always te 
be founded, if they be difigned to fuceeed. : 
POETRY. 
Nothing will be found under this head, 
that can he fuffictent to do away the un- 
favourable impreflions of American p: etry, 
whici have now toa long exifted. It is ta 
be feared that America will be compeiled 
to pottpone all hopes of diftinStion in this 
department of literature to a much more 
advanced period of her progrefs. | 
“The Juveniiia” of Mr. Hunr ap. 
pear to hold the firit place of the poetical 
attempts in this country which have lately 
fallen under our notice. 
The early age of the writer affords hope 
that the fuller development of the pewers 
of his mind, will produce fomething ftill 
more worthy of the public favour. 
The author of the ** Hamiltoniad,”* 
how good foever may be his intentions, 
muft make great improvements before he 
can expeét to be enumerated in the catae 
logue of poets. =) 
He feems to be ftill young, and unprac« 
tiled in the arts of poetic compofition, 
Perhaps a few more years, and a little 
more exertion and diligence may enzble 
him ‘o appear to more advantage. __ 
An aflociation of unfledged rhymers 
have recently hazarded their effufions 
under the title of the ‘* Untaught Bard.” 
If thefe young writers do not poffefs the 
graces of poetry, which it were eafly 
enough to prove, the title they have cho- 
fen is 27 indication that they have not loft 
all pretenfions to the grace of modefty. 
GERERAL 
