Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Retrospective View Of The Literature Of The Year 1797.
A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE LITERATURE OF THE YEAR 1797 .
A LEARNED and accurate annalist of the last century took a fancy of distinguishing each age with an appellation suited to its character . Thus one was a ' dark , ' another the ' religious , ' and another the ' learned' age . Were we to pursue this method , it would be no small difficulty to fix upon any one determinate expression appropriate to the present period . The epithet learned has ceased to be applicable , though no preceding age has equalled it in the number or variety of
literary productions . We are fully aware that complaints of the time in which we live will generally be attributed to misanthropy , to a certain peevishness of temper arising from disappointment or ignorance . He who lias the temerity to throw out a charge against the taste and pursuits of his contemporaries , must expect to meet with censure . Few will
acquiesce in his opinions , and fewer still will have the candour to avow them . The general method of evading the allegation will be by setting off one quality against another ; and in the present case , therefore , it will probably be replied , that though weare clearly deficient in some branches of literature , we evidently excel in others . The reply is easy , but its truth will hardly be admitted , that it matters
little what particular points we may have to boast of , if in the great and solid parts of learning we have suffered a shameful declension . The present history of literature is in fact little better than a history of its decline . The task of reporting this fall is . painful to him who has a pleasing remembrance of ancient lore . We shall now , without further observation , trace the principal productions of the year that is gone , breathing an earnest wish that , the one now commenced may be distinguished by a revival of learning ? fld peace .
THEOLOGY . ONE of the most interesting books of practical theology , if not indeed the very best , that has appeared for a considerable time , is Mr . Wilberforce ' s ' Practical View of the prevailing Religious System of professed Christians . ' The worthy author has written from the heart , on a subject of the utmost importance . Leaving the question
respecting the truth of Revelation to other advocates , he addresses himself to those who profess the Christian religion , and yet slight its essential principles . He goes back to the fountain-head , to the primary doctrines of our faith , from whence there has been of late 3-ears such a shameful departure . On these doclrines . he is explicit and masterly . The Reviewers , however , those literary despots , have thought proper to treat the author and his book with their wonted impartiality . With one exception only , it is a fact universally felt a , nd acknowledged , that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Retrospective View Of The Literature Of The Year 1797.
A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE LITERATURE OF THE YEAR 1797 .
A LEARNED and accurate annalist of the last century took a fancy of distinguishing each age with an appellation suited to its character . Thus one was a ' dark , ' another the ' religious , ' and another the ' learned' age . Were we to pursue this method , it would be no small difficulty to fix upon any one determinate expression appropriate to the present period . The epithet learned has ceased to be applicable , though no preceding age has equalled it in the number or variety of
literary productions . We are fully aware that complaints of the time in which we live will generally be attributed to misanthropy , to a certain peevishness of temper arising from disappointment or ignorance . He who lias the temerity to throw out a charge against the taste and pursuits of his contemporaries , must expect to meet with censure . Few will
acquiesce in his opinions , and fewer still will have the candour to avow them . The general method of evading the allegation will be by setting off one quality against another ; and in the present case , therefore , it will probably be replied , that though weare clearly deficient in some branches of literature , we evidently excel in others . The reply is easy , but its truth will hardly be admitted , that it matters
little what particular points we may have to boast of , if in the great and solid parts of learning we have suffered a shameful declension . The present history of literature is in fact little better than a history of its decline . The task of reporting this fall is . painful to him who has a pleasing remembrance of ancient lore . We shall now , without further observation , trace the principal productions of the year that is gone , breathing an earnest wish that , the one now commenced may be distinguished by a revival of learning ? fld peace .
THEOLOGY . ONE of the most interesting books of practical theology , if not indeed the very best , that has appeared for a considerable time , is Mr . Wilberforce ' s ' Practical View of the prevailing Religious System of professed Christians . ' The worthy author has written from the heart , on a subject of the utmost importance . Leaving the question
respecting the truth of Revelation to other advocates , he addresses himself to those who profess the Christian religion , and yet slight its essential principles . He goes back to the fountain-head , to the primary doctrines of our faith , from whence there has been of late 3-ears such a shameful departure . On these doclrines . he is explicit and masterly . The Reviewers , however , those literary despots , have thought proper to treat the author and his book with their wonted impartiality . With one exception only , it is a fact universally felt a , nd acknowledged , that