sex, so congenial to truth and nature, that it should be made more extensive in its application and more rigorous in its enforcement, and exclude women both from the toils of war and the recreations of literature? To our minds, however, if a neglect of female duties does not ensue, there appears no reasonable argument to prove that the fair sex should not study philosophy and write upon it *. Hypathia, the beautiful and learned daughter of Theon of Alexandria, instructed men, even old men, in the science of astronomy; and, of later date, Madame de Chastelet translated and commented on the works of the great Newton. The present work is dedicated by Mrs. Bryan to her female pupils; for whose use it was primarily composed. It may be demanded whether astronomy be a proper study for young ladies; and we should plainly declare that it is a proper study, if any weight may be attached to that recommendation which, although common to all studies, has been particularly applied to this: "L'étude en général est un des besoins de l'humanité; lorsqu'une fois on éprouve cette curiosité active et penetrante, qui nous porte à pénétrer les merveilles de la nature, on ne demande plus à quoi sert l'étude, car elle sert alors à notre bonheur."-Neglecting this consideration, however, and the inquiry whether of all studies this be the most proper, we should perhaps make the best apology for its introduction into female boarding schools, by calling the attention of our readers to those employments (studies they deserve not to be called) which it is -Hasten to thy tasks at home, There guide the spindle and direct the loom : POPE. The field of combat is the sphere for men." *Moralists, poets, and dramatic writers, have dealt harshly with the fair sex.-Argument may be opposed by argument, and the poet may be said to write more to the imagination than to the understanding.-Yet what shield can we oppose against the shafts of ridicule,against shafts aimed by a Moliere? "Les Femmes d'à present sont bien loin de ces meurs, Elles veulent ecrire et devenir autheurs. Nulle Science n'est pour elles trop profonde, Femmes Scavantes. destined destined to displace: for we think it beyond all controversy and doubt, that young ladies would be better employed in ob serving the signs, planets, eclipses, &c. and in using that privilege, ("cœlumque tueri") which the poet feigns to belong to the human race exclusively, than in sitting for days, weeks, nay months together, burlesquing the alphabet on a sampler; or producing what are called likenesses, but the similitude of which exists neither in air, in water, on the earth, nor under the earth. The zeal with which Mrs. Bryan has pursued science, and the fervency with which she recommends it, plead powerfully in her favour. One inaccuracy, however, deserves animadversion; not if it were peculiar to Mrs. B. alone, but as belonging to that unsubstantial, baseless, and verbal philosophy, which still lingers in the world. In p. 5 we find: That light is a material substance, has been proved by its being subject to those laws which characterize materiality. In those books which are termed books of Philo sophy, we frequently meet with specimens of similar reasoning; such, for instance, as assigns the cause of redness or blueness in a body to its disposition to reflect the red or the blue rays, and to absorb the other rays. These doctrines have not escaped the observation of the penetrating Moliere, and are admirably ridiculed in his Malade imaginaire; in which is given a mock representation of the admission of a batchelor of physic to his degree. The 1st doctor, to ascertain the competence of the candidate for graduation, addresses him thus: "Si mihi licentiam dat dominus Prases, Et tanti docti doctores, Et assistantes illustres, Très sçavanti Bacheliero, Quem estimo et honoro, Domandabo causam et rationem, quare Opium facit dormire ?›› In the present work, the study of astronomy is frequently and strongly recommended, as being peculiarly adapted to purify and exalt the mind, and to wean it from earthly pursuits and sensual gratifications. It would be unpardonable in us to treat even lightly that which can in the smallest degree promote so desirable an end. Human life is not so overflowing in its blessings, nor virtue so potent in her strength, that we should rob the one of a single consolation, or the other of its slightest support:-but, perhaps, this effect on the mind (that of detaching it from earthly pursuits) is contingent only; and, if certain, should not be the primary end proposed in the pursuit of a science. Besides, is the effect peculiar to the study of astronomy only; or do not studies, if equally occupying the attention, equally prevent the disorder of the passions? or, is this stoicism of the mind desirable? Man (we speak generically) is destined to pass a part of his existence on the earth; he must live with men, must perform his duties in society, is subject to the passions of humanity, and therefore must look at what is near, not always contemplate what is remote; must examine human nature, not the starry zone, if he would enjoy happiness, or make virtue active and efficacious. The harmony of revolutions, the counterpoise of forces, and the compensations of cold and darkness, afford matter of curious speculation: but it would be absurd to form on them the rubric of our moral duties. We shall not consider whether Mrs. Bryan is likely to become an object of the jealousy of astronomers, but at least she deserves to be that of their admiration ;-and if they be animated by gallantry similar to that of the old astronomer of Samos, they should adjudge her brilliant eyes to be as worthy of a place amid the constellations, as the hair of the pious Berenice. Certain persons may deem the powers of the male intellect alone adequate to the discussion of exalted science, and may loudly resent any irruption into those provinces which belong to man, The authoress is sanctioned, however, by the authority of Ovid. Inque domos superas scandere, cura fuit. Non Venus, et vinum sublimia pectora fregit, Nec levis ambitio, perfusaque gloria fuco, REV. AUG. 1798. F.f Fast. I. 297. if if not by the positive law of nature, at least by long prescrip tion. To such complaints we would not make a serious answer, but would offer, in the present instance, the plea which is contained in the following lines: "From women's eyes this doctrine I derive, They sparkle still the right Promethean fire: Wood... t ART. VII. A Journal of Occurrences at the Temple, during the Confinement of Louis XVI. King of France. By M. Cléry, the King's Valet-de-Chambre; translated from the original Manuscript by' R. C. Dallas, Esq. Author of Miscellaneous Writings, &c. 8vo. pp. 260. 6s. sewed. Sold by the Author, No. 29, Great Pulteney-street, Golden-square, and by all the Booksellers. 1798. W HATEVER relates to the last scene of the sufferings of this unfortunate monarch must be interesting to humanity. Every instance, indeed, which exemplifies the instability of human grandeur, or the uncertainty of that tenure by which we hold our enjoyments, demands, and in fact generally secures, the attention of mankind. We feel a melancholy interest in contrasting the present with the former situation of him whom the hand of unmerited calamity stripped of his comforts; in tracing him through the path of suffering; in being present with him in every trying crisis; and in cal-' culating his wisdom and his virtue, by his patience and his steadiness under the pressure of every new misfortune. The history of Europe has afforded few, if any, more melancholy examples of the vicissitude of human affairs, than the fate of Lewis XVI. The cause and the manner of his death, the events by which it was preceded, and the personal character and conduct of the sufferer himself, all tend to excite a lively interest in his sad story. To those who feel that interest, and we are convinced that there are few indeed who do not,-the volume now before us will be a very acceptable present. It consists almost entirely of private anecdotes, and conveys much of that information which the mind principally seeks when it desires to become intimate with a celebrated character. Written as this journal originally was by a man whose situation in life rendered him but little able to ornament his work with literary embellishments, it is accordingly a simple and unadorned recital of facts; perhaps it is on this account the more valuable, as the reader comes at once to what he desires to know, without being obliged to toil through that disgusting heap of literary rubbish which we find too often in the works of modern biographers. We cannot merely recommend this volume to the notice of the public we must present our readers with one or two specimens: At one o'clock, the King and the Family expressed a desire to walk, but were refused. When they were dining, drums were heard, and soon after the cries of the populace. The Royal Family rose from table with great uneasiness, and assembled in the Queen's chamber. I went down to dine with Tison and his wife, who were employed for the service of the Tower. We were scarcely seated, when a head on the point of a pike was held to the window. Tison's wife gave a violent scream, which the murderers supposed to have proceeded from the Queen, and we heard the savages laughing immoderately. Imagining that Her. Majesty was still at dinner, they placed their victim in such a manner that it could not escape her sight. The head was the Princess de Lamballe's, which, though bleeding, was not disfigured, and her fine light hair, still curling, waved round the pike. I ran instantly to the King. My countenance was so altered by terror, that it was perceived by the Queen, from whom it was necessary to hide the cause; and I wished to make it known to the King only, or to Madame Elizabeth, but the two Commissioners of the Municipality were present. "Why don't you go and dine?" said the Queen. I replied that I was not well; and at that moment another Municipal Officer, entering the Tower, came and spoke to his associates with an air of mystery. On the King's asking if his Family was in safety, they answered" It has been reported that you and your Family are gone from the Tower, and the people are calling for you to appear at the window, but we shall not suffer it; for they ought to show more confidence in their Magistrates." In the mean time the clamour without increased, and insults addressed to the Queen were distinetly heard; when another Municipal Officer came in, followed by four men, deputed by the populace to ascertain whether the Royal Family was, or was not in the Tower. One of them, accoutred in the uniform of the National Guards, with two epaulettes, and a huge sabre in his hand, insisted that the prisoners should show themselves at the windows, but the Municipal Officers would not allow it: upon which the fellow said to the Queen, in the most indecent manner :-" They want to keep you from seeing de Lamballe's head, which has been brought you that you may know how the people avenge themselves upon their tyrants: I advise you to show yourself, if you would not have them come up here." At this threat the Queen fainted away; I flew to support her, and Madame Elizabeth assisted me in placing her upon a chair, while her children, melting into tears, endeavoured by their caresses to bring her to herself. The wretch kept looking on, and the King, with a firm voice, said to him "We are prepared for every thing, Sir, but you might have dispensed with relating this horrible disaster to the Queen." Their purpose being accomplished, he went away with his companions.' |