Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Retrospective View Of The Literature Of The Year 1797.
these critical gentlemen , who take upon them to exert an inquisitorial power over the whole literary world , are favourable to scepticism . They rarely fail attributing to the defender of infidelity the possession , of liberal motives , and usually applaud all attempts to destroy religion , under the convenient expression , that they promote free discussion . In such handsworkslike that which has drawn forth thesr ; remarks ,
, , cannot be expected to meet with much countenance . The respectability of the author has , indeed , sheltered him from that open abuse which they are so disposed to bestow , but they . have made up for this by sneers and ridicule . The Monthly Review has chiefly conducted itself in this honourable way , but it has not advanced a single argument ,
in refutation of the principles on winch it is so witty . The Tbriiish Critic has not only given Mr . Wilberforce , but his book , ample commendation . Notwithstanding this ,, that respectable publication has . betrayed a narrowness of sentiment in classing the author among sectaries , and then taking invidious pains to expose those sectaries to obloquy and contempt . Less controversy has been excited by the publication of this treatise
, than from its nature and consequence we should have been led to expect . It has , however , called forth all the venom of Mr . Wakefield , who , in a letter to the author , has been liberal in his abuse of him , chiefly on political grounds . Pie has met with a castigator in Dr . Watkins , who has vindicated Mr . Wilberforce 'and his principles with fairness and spirit .
The second volume of Dr . Geddes ' s Translation of the Holy Bible , comprising ' . Judges , the Books of Samuel , the Books of Kings , the . Chronicles , and Pra 3 ? er of . Manasseh , ' is the continuation of an important undertaking . From our infancy we have been accustomed to hear complaints against the English version of the Scriptures , and the necessity of anew translation . Many writers have dwelt at large upon this subjectbut few have had the hardihood to attempt a new
, version entile . After examining the labours of different translators , and those of Dr . Geddes among the rest , our admiration of the common translation has encreased , and it appears to us at least that were a corrected edition of it to be published , it would totally supersede the necessity of such works as that before us . Towards such a desideratum the translationof Dr . Geddes would lend great assistance . Not so
, Mr . Benjoin ' s Translation of Jonah , which betrays more vanity than genius , and more reading than judgment , Mr . Pratt ' s prospectus and specimens of a new Polyglott Bible , announces an undertaking of peculiar ' utility to all who regard the Holy Scriptures . It is , indeed ' , an arduous engagement ; butfroni the specimens givenafavourable expectation maybe formed respecting the work .
In addition to these publications on sacred literature , we may add a new edition of that valuable performance , Calmet ' s Dictionary of the Holy Bible , with Illustrations , which is not only well-timed , but peculiarly well executed . ' Dr . ' Glasse ' s ' Lectures on the Festivals of the Church' deserve high commendation , especially at a season so very lukewarm as the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Retrospective View Of The Literature Of The Year 1797.
these critical gentlemen , who take upon them to exert an inquisitorial power over the whole literary world , are favourable to scepticism . They rarely fail attributing to the defender of infidelity the possession , of liberal motives , and usually applaud all attempts to destroy religion , under the convenient expression , that they promote free discussion . In such handsworkslike that which has drawn forth thesr ; remarks ,
, , cannot be expected to meet with much countenance . The respectability of the author has , indeed , sheltered him from that open abuse which they are so disposed to bestow , but they . have made up for this by sneers and ridicule . The Monthly Review has chiefly conducted itself in this honourable way , but it has not advanced a single argument ,
in refutation of the principles on winch it is so witty . The Tbriiish Critic has not only given Mr . Wilberforce , but his book , ample commendation . Notwithstanding this ,, that respectable publication has . betrayed a narrowness of sentiment in classing the author among sectaries , and then taking invidious pains to expose those sectaries to obloquy and contempt . Less controversy has been excited by the publication of this treatise
, than from its nature and consequence we should have been led to expect . It has , however , called forth all the venom of Mr . Wakefield , who , in a letter to the author , has been liberal in his abuse of him , chiefly on political grounds . Pie has met with a castigator in Dr . Watkins , who has vindicated Mr . Wilberforce 'and his principles with fairness and spirit .
The second volume of Dr . Geddes ' s Translation of the Holy Bible , comprising ' . Judges , the Books of Samuel , the Books of Kings , the . Chronicles , and Pra 3 ? er of . Manasseh , ' is the continuation of an important undertaking . From our infancy we have been accustomed to hear complaints against the English version of the Scriptures , and the necessity of anew translation . Many writers have dwelt at large upon this subjectbut few have had the hardihood to attempt a new
, version entile . After examining the labours of different translators , and those of Dr . Geddes among the rest , our admiration of the common translation has encreased , and it appears to us at least that were a corrected edition of it to be published , it would totally supersede the necessity of such works as that before us . Towards such a desideratum the translationof Dr . Geddes would lend great assistance . Not so
, Mr . Benjoin ' s Translation of Jonah , which betrays more vanity than genius , and more reading than judgment , Mr . Pratt ' s prospectus and specimens of a new Polyglott Bible , announces an undertaking of peculiar ' utility to all who regard the Holy Scriptures . It is , indeed ' , an arduous engagement ; butfroni the specimens givenafavourable expectation maybe formed respecting the work .
In addition to these publications on sacred literature , we may add a new edition of that valuable performance , Calmet ' s Dictionary of the Holy Bible , with Illustrations , which is not only well-timed , but peculiarly well executed . ' Dr . ' Glasse ' s ' Lectures on the Festivals of the Church' deserve high commendation , especially at a season so very lukewarm as the