ferent schools should offer the different classes of learners the knowledge of which we have spoken, but also that there be a guarantee that it should be given in that manner which is best calculated to communicate the ideas which the masters are directed to im part to their respective pupils. This guarantee, which is of great importance even to those who only pass through one or two classes, is still of far greater moment to those who pass through them all. It is not necessary that students at grammar-schools should be obliged to learn what they are already supposed to have acquired at the elementary schools and it is, moreover, necessary that they arrive at the Universities with all the previous knowledge, which forms the basis of that superior iustruction, which is there imparted to them, All these conditions are essentially neces sary to the formation of a complete course of education; but it is greatly to be doubted, whether they are all strictly fulfilled...

Elementary or preparatory instruc tion, indeed, will soon be carried to such perfection, that the friends of infant education will not have much cause of uneasiness during the period of it. The method of mutual instruction called amongst us the Lancasterian system, is the most rapid and the most certain of all other methods, and offers every sort of possible guarantee to parents and guardians. But education, in schools of a higher degree, is far from presenting so satisfactory a prospect. It has, in-deed, been improved within some years, but it is still far from being complete, and harmonizes but little with the de mands of civilization, which have been considerably increased within the last thirty years, by the number and extent of the sciences, the study of which should always accompany the lan guages. The time usually employed in the study of the dead languages should be abridged, for it generally extends, both in France and in England, to three-fourths of the ten or twelve years which are passed at the grammar school. Thus an important service would be conferred upon a very con siderable portion of society; for, to an exclusive study of Greek and Latin, the study of the sciences is now evidently sacrificedc61

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However great this sacrifice may be, we might still endure it with some resignation, if it were compensated by a certainty, that, when the classic student completes his course of Greek and Latin, he will be master of these lan guages, the study of which has cost him so much pain and application.

Here we may safely appeal to all unbiassed men, and particularly to the heads of families, most of whom will acknowledge, that they were not masters, we will not say of those principles of Greek bando Latin, which belong to universal grammar, but even of the terms of the languages, so aš tô translate any author whatever, without the help of a dictionary and grammar. This is proved by experience; and the number of works published on this subject within the last fifty years, by men of great merit, all of whom commence by declaring, that they have been determined to enter upon the subject, solely from the evil effects of the method hitherto pursued in teaching the languages, prove sufficiently how inade quate it is to fulfil its end. The method is, therefore, vicious.

The author of the work, of which we now treat, President of the Academy of Besançon, employed a considerable portion of his time in reflecting on the cause, and in discovering the remedy by which this objection might be removed; and after an intense examination of the subject, he traces it solely to the vices of the existing method of instruction, and neither to the teachers, who are, generally, full of zeal, nor to the pupils, who are equally well inclined to acquire that information of which they are in pursuit. In fact, he shews, that the failure of the common method arises from attempting to transmit at once two species of knowledge, which are perfectly distinct in their own nature, and which, from being prematurely blended, without perceiv ing the distinction that exists between them, creates only that confusion of intellect, which is almost invariably fol lowed by disgust, and a want of relish for classical attainments. Whoever has studied the process, by which ideas are generated in the mind, knows that they are all derived from two sources,→→→ namely, sensation and reflection. These two sources of human knowledge have been altogether neglected by philological writers, and no one ever has thought of applying the distinction between them to this important, study before M. Ordinaire, who shews, what, indeed, requires no proof, that in languages as in all other sciences, there are only these, two species of ideas, which are as distinct in their nature as in the time of their formation. Ideas of sensation, which our author calls ideas of fact, always precede ideas of reflection, which only compare the former with each other, and examine the links by which they are connected, in order to discover the relation

public. His reflections bespeak him a lover of letters and of publié morals, and he considers education the basis on which public welfare rests. The ge neral principles, however, which he seeks to maintain, have no claim to originality, though many of his thoughts and suggestions can be traced to no former writer. His aim is to combine public with private education, making the first succeed to the second. He dwells particularly on the education of the heart, which he would have commence from the cradle. He deplores the number of years devoted to the study of the dead languages; and treats in order the advantages resulting from the study of sciences, arts, and practical mathematics. He points out the works that ought to be put into the hands of children, and the rout which should be taken in making the tour of Europe. His chapter on the education of females is worthy the particular attention of all mothers; and his whole treatise may be said to contain most important reflections, and useful views of education, supported by the autho rity of the best writers in France and England, and a great number of judi

cious advices to the directors of the youthful mind.

To render the French tongue familiar to youth, to make them acquainted with dignity and variety of expression, to form their taste by presenting them at once with the true and the beautiful, to enrich their understanding with useful knowledge, to assist them in facilitating the means of reasoning justly, to inspire them with elevated sentiments, to make them cherish virtue by the lessons and examples of generous and celebrated men, is the arduous task which the author of the work before us has prescribed to himself, and he has perfectly fulfilled it. He has not confined himself to the mere placing before the eyes of his readers simple fragments of eloquence, but bas studied to make them acquainted with the oratorical modulations of voice, amid a concatenation of ideas which concur with them to form a complete whole; and he has preferred to a multitude of brilliant sallies of imagination a number of passages, which, though less elevated, tend, notwithstanding, to con

vince and to persuade as well by the force of proofs as by the charms of expression. It is unnecessary to say, that, in order to attain this end, he has been frequently obliged to make numerous extracts from voluminous works; but this has not interfered with the unity of his plan, because, in rejecting all uninteresting discussions, and whatever offends against decency, he has taken care to connect the thoughts of each author, in his own words. Infine, he attempts to fix the orthography which ought to be adopted in the work; and, while he recognizes the right of the ancients and the moderns, and regards the orthography of every author as his own property, he has caused every extract to be printed with that which is similar to it, without fearing to create confusion in the minds of learners, as they read French works continually differing in their orthography.

Essai sur l'Histoire Ancienne et Moderne de la Nouvelle Russie, &c.— An Essay on the Ancient and Modern History of New Russia, with Maps, Views, Plans, &c. 3 vols. 8vo. Price 15 francs.

The history of new Russia presents more difficulties than that of any other country in Europe. This portion of the Russian empire, being recently united to it, was successively possessed, conquered, and ravaged, by upwards of seventy different nations, since the time of Herodotus. The work is divided into three principal epochs. The first commences with the earliest accounts, and terminates with the conquest of Taurida by Mahomet II. in 1475, twelve years after the capture of Constantinople.

In the first epoch the author rests upon the authority of Herodotus, and the Greek and Latin authors who have spoken of the Scythians. He evinces great erudition and sound criticism in reporting the notions which have been transmitted to us by the ancients, relative to the manners, migrations, and wars of the native inhabitants of Taurida and those who became masters of it by conquest; and also of the different countries which composed the ancient Scythia.

The first part terminates with the description of some remains of antiquity, and of the principal medals found in the ruins of ancient cities, and in turning up the Kourganes.

The second era presents more cer

tainty than the first. Under the head of historic events, it comprehends 7 a period of three centuries, namely, from the conquest of the Crimea, by the Turks, to its cession to Russia, in 1784, when it reassumed its ancient name of Taurida - besttour. I 263 1

The third era is that which is fraught with greatest interest to the friends of humanity, who must behold with plea sure countries, so long desolated, presenting the aspect of universal felicity. The situation on the coasts of the black sea, many navigable floods, the fertility of the country, the appeal made to the numerous colonies protected and succoured by the government, a new city become already considerable, the centre of the rich capitals of an exten sive commerce, have all conspired to render New Russia one of the happiest countries in Europe.

The author treats in detail of these different points. He dwells principally on Odessa; he explains what it was before the conquest, and what it has become since 1803, what it actually is, and the brilliant prospects which seem to await it. rank.

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The work concludes with a description of a tour made by M. de Castleman, in the Crimea. Geology, natural history, numismatography, the topogra phy of ancient towns, agriculture, commerce, and navigation, seem all to be embraced and treated of by the author in the most satisfactory manner. rect maps of New Russia, in general, and of the Crimea, in particular, accompany the first and second volumes of the work, and all three are enriched with engravings in aquatinta,' which give the most picturesque views of the Peninsula. This work cannot fail both to please and to instruct.

·Notice des Monumens exposées dans le cabinet des Medailles, et Antiques de la Bibliotheque du Roi, &c.-An Account of the Monuments exposed in the Cabinet of Medals and Antiques of the Royal Library. By M. Dumersan. Svo. 15 fr. 1822.

This is a new edition of a work, very useful to all who visit the French capital; it contains forty-two plates, representing the most interesting medals belonging to this cabinet. It also contains a description of the most remarkable

Eur. Mag. Vol. 82.

curiosities of the establishment, with historical notes relative to its foundation. All that is particularly worthy of the knowledge of the curious, in all the voluminous works published on this subject, is found collected in this “ Notice," and recapitulated in a manner, sufficient for amateurs and those who do not make antiquity their particular study. The work is indispensably necessary to such as would derive any advantage from visiting the Cabinet of Medals and Antiques, and who would retain a recollection of the most inte resting monuments which it contains. i'

Lettres sur la Corse, &c.-Letters upon Corsica, &c. By J. F. Simonot, &c. 1 vol. 8vo. 4 fr. 50 c.

In these letters, twenty-three - in number, to which are affixed forty-two notes, the author is desirous of exhibit ing the real state of Corsica, and of rectifying the erroneous impressionsTM which were created by a very short ac. count of this island (only sixty-three pages), published by a councillor of the royal court of Riom.

These letters and notes are the result of observations made in Corsica during a long residence there, by a writer who, in his civil and military capacities, had every opportunity of collecting accurate information.

Conversations Morales entre une Mere et son Fils.-Moral Conversations between a Mother and her Son." By Madame L Paris, 1821.

This work is composed of six dialogues, in each of which the authoress aims to reform some particular vice, and to create an attachment to some particular virtue. The last dialogue treats of Roman history, and may be considered a model after which parents should direct their children, in their first lessons. The moral is void of austerity, and is animated by little anecdotes and historic traits, well selected, and by interesting biographical notices; all of which give an opportunity of describing those actions which are most familiar to children.

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