LXIX. An Appeal to the Right Reverend the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England. 8vo. pp. 16. A POMPOUS and angry declamation against those upon whom anger and rebuke are wasted, the Editors of the Anti-Jacobin Review, who, it appears, "have recommended their co-adjutors and friends to a place on the august and venerable bench" of bishops. Not producing the numerous instances they have afforded of corrupt criticism, lax morality, and unsound theology, nor expatiating upon the abuse they have poured upon the administration of their country, and upon many of the ministers of religion, the author grounds his charge against them, upon a favourable review, which they have published of a work, in which it is proposed, that subscription to the articles of the church of England shall be abolished; and in one paragraph of which, the whole body of the English clergy is involved in deep and indiscri minate censure! We cannot think that there is any reason to apprehend, that the recommendation of such persons can have any influence upon the minds of our spiritual rulers. LXX. A general Epistle of Brotherly Admonition and Counsel, to the People called Quakers, in Great Britain, Ireland and America, issued at the Time of the Yearly Meeting in London, Anno 1803; on behalf of sundry Brethren concerned for the religious Improve ment of that Society. By THEOPHILUS FREEMAN. 8vo. pp. 24. IN a full belief of that divine call and assistance which formerly attended many of his predecessors, the author wishes to excite the society of friends to the recollection of past examples, and to engage their attention to the genuine concerns of the christian religion, p. 4. Generally speaking, Mr. Freeman considers the forefathers of the present quakers, as believers in the simple unity of God, and the divine mission of the Great Prophet of Nazareth. In this respect, he recommends an imitation of their example, but he regards them as mistaken upon the subject of tythes; and wishes every opposition, in itself, not consistent with the laws of the land, to be laid aside. He objects to the doctrine of eternal torments; to the predominant feeble ministry of females; and recommends a greater degree of attention to the classical and religious education of their young men. He also censures many parts of the present discipline, as hastening the decay, rather than administering to the support of a society, which he seems to consider as in a state of declension. This little tract will be read with plea. sure, by those who feel any interest in observing the progress of religious enquiry, and the revolutions in religious opinion. CHAPTER III. HISTORY, POLITICS, AND STATISTICS. THE publications of the last year that come under the department of civil history and politics, though equal in numbers, are, upon the whole, inferior in importance to those recorded in our former volume. The anti-revolutionary war which was terminated by the peace of Amiens, has found a historian in Mr. Steevens, whose ponderous volumes are principally, however, taken up with the exploits of the British, the documents of which were at hand, than with those of cur continental confederates, which would have required the previous collation and study of French and German authorities. The last years of this eventful contest, commencing from the interrupted negotiations at Rastadt, have also been related by Mr. Ritchie, but without communicating to us much novel information. Dr. Bisset has executed an ample, accurate, and instructive account of the reign of Ceorge the Third, highly flattering to a Sovereign of whose personal opinions it is perhaps too much the mirror. Mr. Coote has continued his History of England to the peace of Amiens, in the concise form and liberal spirit of his former volumes. The late Professor Millar's History of the English Government is a work of no common value, though rather to be numbered among the theories of philosophy than the records of experience. The History of Ireland, especially since the accession of the house of Stuart, has been detailed by Mr. Plowden with voluminous generosity. He exhibits the English government as a penitent in a confessional, and, by the allowed dedication of his work to the Prince of Wales, may be considered as the harbinger and pledge of a more just and honourable sway. Mr. Hay has communicated in a manner no less candid than interesting, the ineffacable horrors and disgraceful excesses of the promoters and quellers of the Wexford insurrection. Mr. Adolphus has compiled a meritorious history of France: we are indebted to the Chevalier Tinseau for an English version of the late statistical survey of the French empire and her dependent provinces; and Miss Williams has cast an additional interest round the character of Louis XVI, by the publication of his confidential letters. Towards relating the local fortunes of the West Indies, Mr. Dallas has contributed his History of the Maroon War, and Mr. Chalmers his Narrative of Transactions in San Domingo. Mr. Card has presented the English public with a convenient and condensed Abridgement of the Annals of the Russian Empire; and Mr. Turner has brought down his History of the Anglo-Saxons to the forcible intrusion of the Norman dynasty, The political tracts of the last year are almost wholly occupied with one great object; the recommencement of hostilities between Britain and France. Party distinction's have for the most part been laid aside, and the threat of an exterminating invasion has aroused the ancient patriotism of the British nation. The sys. tem of colonial policy has been investigated by Mr. Brougham with much ability: and the Essay on Population by Mr. Malthus, has been expanded from a small octavo to a large quarto, with a corresponding increase of publicity and general approbation. ART. I. The History of the Anglo-Saxons, from the Death of Alfred the Great to the Norman Conquest. By SH. TURNER, F. A. S. Vol. III. Svo. THIS third volume of the AngloSaxon history is better executed than the second, is far better executed than the first volume: Mr. Turner here displays a research more travelled, and an estimate more judicious. The sagas edited in Denmark, and the manuscripts of the Cotton Library at length begin to be called in to his assistance: and considerable additions are made to the information so eloquently condensed by Milton, and so clearly unfolded by Rapin. Several manuscripts, however, which the Cotton Library contains, and which might have been expected to throw light on the events discussed, are not quoted. Such as the manuscript Caligula, A. IX., in which illustrations may be found of the fabulous history of Arthur, and of his pretended invasion of Denmark. The Anglo-Saxon heroic poem, or chronicle in verse, of the tenth century, Vitellius, A. XV., contains matter applicable to the purposes of this historian. There is a compendium of the history of the Anglo-Saxon kings, in Domitianus, A. VIII., and also valuable particulars of the institutes of Knute, or Canute. Of this king again there is especial notice in the manuscript Caligula, A. X. and of his tribute, or tax, called Danelage, in the Harleian manuscripts, No. 746. There are also manuscripts concerning the gests of the Normans, whence perhaps something could have been borrowed to illustrate their origin, which is somewhat within our author's scope. Is not the Latin original also extant, whence Lydgate versified his life of St. Edmund? Yet we have not observed under that reign mention of either biography. When Mr. Turner has properly examined these, and some other domestic and foreign sources of instruction, he will, no doubt, revise his whole work, and accompany it with a profuse appendix of scarce and inedited PP. 420. documents: it will become, we doubt not, a perennial monument in the temple of British literature. A greater detail, both of narrative and quotation, both of text and note, might with advantage have been indulged, and there are several of our country historians, who might be assessed for tributary materials. There is a fragment of an ancient poem concerning Saint George, which was edited at Copenhagen by Barthold Christian Sandvig in 1785, and which is transcribed from a Vatican manuscript containing the gospels according to Otfrid's version. From this ballad, or hymn, it appears that the Saint George, so highly venerated by the Gothic and Anglo-Saxon tribes, was an early christian missionary, and probably a Lombard by birth, for his legend Has been found connected with a history of Lombardy. He was opposed by a heathen named Tatian, and cast into a well; but he rose again and wrought many miracles. It is not unlikely that this Saint George visited England, and left behind him that po pularity of character, which we have since transferred to the army-contractor of Alexandria, the Cappadocian George. In this ballad he is called mare crab, merry count George, which agrees with the chivalrous character ascibed to this Saint. We should have been glad to see the date of a mission ascertained, which has left such profound traces of efficacy in our vernacular literature. He can hardly have flourished before Beda (all whose works demanded the perusal of a historian of the Anglo-Saxons), as Beda would not have failed to notice him in the ecclesiastical history. Mr. Gibbor recommended a magnificent edition o the early writers on English affairs, and wished it to be entrusted to Mr. Pinker ton. Might it not be undertaken by voluntary committee of the learned i our antiquities, and the requisite expence defrayed by subscription? Mr. Turner could give to it, and derive from it, valuable assistance. On no period of the Anglo-Saxon history has Mr. Turner thrown so much new light as on the reigns of Ethelred, of Edmund Ironside, and of Canute. We shall extract a part of the narration of this period. "An important struggle ensued between Edmund and Canute for the possession of London. It was long besieged in vain, sometimes by a part of Canute's forces, sometimes by all. London was at this time defended on the south, by a wall which extended along the river. The ships of Canute, from Greenwich, proceeded to London. The Danes built a strong military work on the south bank of the river, and drew up their ships on the west of the bridge, so as to cut off all access to the city. Edinund vigorously defended it awhile in person, and when his presence was required elsewhere, the brave citizens made it impregnable. "During the siege, Edmund fought two battles in the country: one at Pen in Dorsetshire; the other, the most celebrated, at Scearsten, about Midsummer. Edmund selected the bravest soldiers for his first line of attack, and placed the rest as auxiliary bodies; then noticing many of them individually, he appealed to their patriotism and their courage, with that fire of eloquence which rouzes man to mighty deeds. He conjured them to remember their country, their beloved families, and paternal habitations: for all these they were to fight; for all these they would conquer. To rescue or to surrender these dear objects of their attachments would be the alternative of that day's struggle. His representations warmed. A country overrun, the massacres of ferocious victory, and plunder every where triumphant, were anticipations which excited the Anglo-Saxons to every martial daring. In the height of their enthusiasm he bade the trumpets to sound, and the charge of battle to begin. Eagerly his brave countrymen rushed against their invaders, and were nobly led by their heroic king. He quitted his roval station to mingle in the first ranks of the fight; and yet while his sword strewed the plain with slaughter, his vigorous mind watched eagerly every movefeat of the field. He struggled to blend the dary of commander and the gallant bearing of a soldier. Edric the Infamous, and two other generals, with the men of Wilts and Somerset, aided Canute. On Monday, the first day of the conflict, both armies fought with unprevailing courage, and mutual faLigue compelled them to separate. "In the morning the awful struggle was renewed. In the midst of the conflict Edund forced his way to Canute, and struck The at him vehemently with his sword. shield of the Dane saved him from the blow, but it was given with such strength that it divided the shield, and cut the neck of the horse below it. A crowd of Danes then rushed upon Edmund, and after he had slain many he was obliged to retire. Canute was but slightly wounded. "While the king was thus engaged, Edric the Infamous struck off the head of one Osmear, whose countenance resembled the king's, and raising it on high, exclaimed to the Anglo-Saxons that they fought to no purpose. Fly, ye men of Dorset and Devon! Fly, and save yourselves. Here is your Edmund's head.' "The astonished English gazed in terror. The king was not then visible, for he was piercing the Danish centre. Edric was believed, and panic began to spread its withering poison through every rank. At this juncture Edmund appeared receding before the pressure of the Danes, who had rescued Canute. He saw the malice, and sent his spear as his avenger. Edric shunned the point, and it pierced two men near him. "But his presence was now unavailing. In vain he threw off his helmet, and gaining an eminence exposed his disarmed head to undeceive his warriors. The fatal spirit had gone forth, and before its alarmas could be counteracted, the army was in flight. All the bravery and skill of Edmund could only sustain the combat till night interposed. "The difficulty of the battle disinclined Canute from renewing it. He left the contested field at midnight, and marched afterwards to London to his shipping. The morn revealed his retreat to Edmund. The perfidious Edric, discerning the abilities of the king, made use of his relationship and early connection (he had married Edmund's sister, and had been his foster father) to obtain a reconciliation. In an ill-omened hour Edmund consented to receive him on his oath of fidelity. 66 Edmund followed Canute to London, and raised the siege of the city. A conflict soon followed between the rivals at Brentford. Both parties clain the victory. As Canute immediately afterwards beleaguered London again, the faurel seems to have been obtained by him. Baffled by the defence, he avenged himself on Mercia, whose towns, as usual, were committed to the flames, and he withdrew up the Medway. Edmund again urged the patriotic battle at Otford in Kent, and drove him to Shepey. A vigorous pursuit might have destroyed all Canute's hopes; but the perfidious counsels of Edric preserved the defeated invader. "When Edmund withdrew to Wessex, Canute passed into Essex, and thence advancing, plundered Mercia without mercy. Edinund, earnest for a decisive effort, again assembled all the strength of England, and pursued the Dane, who was retiring to his ships with his plunder. At Assandun, in the north part of Essex, the armies met. Edinund arranged his countrymen into three divisions, and riding round every rank, he rouzed them by his impressive exhortations to remember their own valour and their former victories. He intreated them to protect the kingdom from Danish avarice, and to punish, by a new defeat, the enemies they had already conquered. Canute brought his troops gradually into the field. Edmund made a general and impetuous attack. His vigour and skill again brought victory to his arms. The star of Canute was clouded, when Edric, his secret ally, deserting Edmund in the very hour of success, fled from the field with the men of Radnor, and all the battalions he commanded. The charge of Canute on the exposed and inferior AngloSaxons was then decisive. The valour of Edmund was forgotten. Flight and destruction overspread the plain. A few, jealous of their glory, and anxious to give a rallying point to the rest, fought desperately amid surrounding enemies, and were all cut off but one man. In this dismal conflict almost all the valued nobility of England perish ed. Ulsketyl, the noble duke, who had alone taught Svein the force of English valour, was among the victims of Edric's treachery. The betrayed Edmund disdained the. death of despair, and attempted new efforts to rescue his afflicted country. He retired to Gloucester; and such was his activity and eloquence, that a fresh army was around him before Canute overtook him. "It was then that the greatness of Edmund's soul appeared. He could not endure that the blood of his best subjects should be so lavished for his personal profit, and he challenged Canute to decide their quarrel of ambition by a single combat. He intimated the glory which the conqueror would gain, whose dignity would be the purchase of his own peril and merit. "Canute accepted the proposal. The isle of Olney was the place of meeting, around which the two armies assembled. The kings, received each other's spears upon their shields. Their swords were brandished, and the combat became close. Long the weasounded their helms and armour. pons upon Their dexterity was equal; their spirits emulous. At last the strength of Canute began to fail before the impetuosity of Edmund. He felt his powers fast ebbing, and in an interval of the combat, he exclaimed to the Anglo-Saxon, "Bravest of youths, why should our ambition covet each other's life! Let us be brothers, and share the king dom for which we contend.' Edmund, with generous prudence, agreed to the new idea; the duel ceased, and England was divided between them. Canute was reign in the north, and Edmund in the south. The rival princes exchanged arms and garments; the money for the fleet was agreed upon, and the armies separated. to The brave Edmund did not long sur vive the pacification. He perished the same year. The circumstances attending his as sassination are variously given. Malmsbury mentions that two of his chamberlains were seduced by Edric to wound him at a most private moment with an iron hook, but he states this to be only rumour. The king's violent death, and its author, are less reservedly avowed by others. The Knythinga Saga and Saxo carry up the crime as high as Canute. They expresly state that Edie was corrupted by Canute to assassinate Edmund." We take the more pleasure in promulgating this interesting fragment, as it forms one of the best fables for a na. tional epic poem, which our heroic ages present. The frank, the daring, the generous virtues of Edmund Ironside; the nationality and importance of his cause, fit him for a favourite hero. The triumph of Canute, by treachery and assassination, is a melancholy but not an useless lesson. In proportion as an age is barbarous, and as the moral taste is imperfectly evolved, the probability of success by foul means is increased. No bitterer satire can be written on a people than that its men of guilt were its men of sway. Public opinion can withdraw its countenance from the mightiest; and if resolutely bent on the success of virtue, principle, duty, justice, humanity and generosity, can baffle the force of armies, and the more dangerous seduc tions of opulent bribery. The true secret of the surprising influence of the Danish party in England, must be sought in the prevalence of heathenism. The Anglo-Saxon kings associated their cause with that of a church, which the overbearing insolence of a Dunstan had deservedly rendered odious. The Danish intruders were favoured by the unconverted portion of the nobles and of the people. The barbarous divinities c the Edda fought for the adhererts o Canute; and the saints of christianity for the loyal followers of Edmund Ireaside. Mr. Turner may find warmer panc gyrists of his exertions, but not sincerer valuers of his labours than ourselves. They have added much, they may ad yet more to our knowledge of a perio of British history, which displayed the heroic virtues and vices, and founded that taste for maritime enterprise so con spicuous in every subsequent age, an so conducive to our present prosperity We recommend that, in a future editier a distinct chapter, or book, be allotte |