BARANTE: De la Littérature Française pendant le Dix-huitième Siècle, par M. De Barante. 4me édition. 8vo. Paris, 1824. This is a work of a very superior order. Though, on the whole, opposed to the principles and objects of the great writers of the age that preceded the Revolution, the author does not seek to undervalue their talents or to impeach their motives. His criticisms are distinguished by their compass, ability, and eloquence; and despite his bias, they are in general remarkable for their fairness and candour. It might have been supposed that Voltaire would have met with but stinted justice at the hands of M. De Barante, but such is not the case. His faults, it is true, are not concealed or glossed over; but neither are his merits. On the contrary, the latter are set in a striking light, and full justice is done to his wonderful talent, and to the unrivalled clearness and perfection of his style. And the same may be said of his notices of Montesquieu and Rousseau. BARBEYRAC: Traité de la Morale des Pères de l'Eglise, par M. Jean Barbeyrac. 4to. Amsterdam, 1728. See, also, Grotius, Puffendorf, &c. Traité du Jeu où l'on examine les Principales Questions de Droit Naturel et de Morale qui ont rapport à cette Matière. 12mo. 2 tomes en 1. Amsterdam, 1709. Anciens Traitez de Paix. See Dumont-Rousset. Barbeyrac's works and translations, especially the latter, are all excellent. Voltaire BARBIER: Dictionnaire des Anonymes, etc. See Bibliography. : BARETTI A Journey from London to Genoa, through England, Portugal, Spain, and France, by Joseph Baretti. 4 vols. 8vo. London, 1770. The Italian Library, containing an Account of the Lives and Works of the most valuable Authors of Italy, with a Preface by Giuseppe Baretti. 8vo. London, 1757. Half Russia, uncut. BARNABY: Drunken Barnaby's Four Journeys to the North of England. 12mo. London, 1805. Calf, ex. BARRINGTON: Observations upon the Statutes, by the Hon. Daines Barrington. 2d edition. 4to. London, 1766. BARRON: Lectures on Belles Lettres and Logic, by William Barron, F.R.S. Ed. 8vo. 2 vols. London, 1806. A respectable work, but very inferior to that of Blair. For Barron's Work on Colonization, see Colonies. BARROW: Travels in China, by Sir John Barrow, Bart. 2d edition. 4to. London, 1806. Voyage to Cochinchina, &c. 4to. London, 1806. The Life, Voyages, and Exploits of Admiral Sir Francis Drake, The English Works of Isaac Barrow, D.D., by Archbishop Tillot- B BARROW: Sermons selected from the Works of. 8vo. 2 vols. Oxford, 1812. The sermons of Barrow are said by Hallam to " display a strength of mind, a comprehensiveness, and fertility which have rarely been equalled" (iv. 175). His four sermons on Industry are well-reasoned, eloquent, and admirable. They show that industry in their respective callings is indispensable to the well-being of all classes of men, not to the lowest merely, but even to the highest. The verbosity and tautology, with which they are in some degree chargeable, are concealed by the number, richness, and beauty of the illustrations, and the splendour of the style. While, on the one hand, the injurious consequences of sloth, and of a want of perseverance, are displayed in the most vivid manner, on the other nothing is left unsaid that can recommend and dignify labour, economy, and enterprise. It is said that such a style of preaching, if tried at present, would be unpopular. But it could hardly, if supported with ability and zeal, fail to have a salutary influence over the conduct and habits of those to whom it might be addressed. And if so, sermons of this class would, in a practical point of view, be incomparably superior to those doctrinal and spiritual harangues on grace, faith, and so forth, with which evangelical preachers are in the habit of regaling and mystifying their hearers. We subjoin an extract remarkable as well for its truth as for its magnificent eloquence. It affords what may nevertheless be deemed a fair specimen of the style of Barrow: : "It is industry, whereto the public state of the world, and of each commonweal therein, is indebted for its being, in all conveniences and embellishments belonging to life, advanced above rude and sordid barbarism; yea, whereto mankind doth owe all that good learning, that morality, those improvements of soul, which elevate us beyond brutes. "To industrious study is to be ascribed the invention and perfection of all those arts whereby human life is civilized, and the world cultivated with numberless accommodations, ornaments, and beauties. "All the comely, the stately, the pleasant, and useful works which we do view with delight, or enjoy with comfort, industry did contrive them, industry did frame them. "Industry reared those magnificent fabrics, and those commodious houses; it formed those goodly pictures and statues; it raised those convenient causeys, those bridges, those aqueducts; it planted those fine gardens with various flowers and fruits; it clothed those pleasant fields with corn and grass; it built those ships, whereby we plough the seas, reaping the commodities of foreign regions. It hath subjected all creatures to our command and service, enabling us to subdue the fiercest, to catch the wildest, to render the gentler sort most tractable and useful to us. It taught us from the wool of the sheep, from the hair of the goat, from the labours of the silk-worm, to weave us clothes to keep us warm, to make us fine and gay. It helpeth us from the inmost bowels of the earth to fetch divers needful tools and utensils. "It collected mankind into cities, and compacted them into orderly societies, and devised wholesome laws, under shelter whereof we enjoy safety and peace, wealth and plenty, mutual succour and defence, sweet conversation and beneficial commerce. "It by meditation* did invent all those sciences whereby our minds are enriched and enabled, our manners are refined and polished, our curiosity is satisfied, our life is benefited. "What is there which we admire, or wherein we delight, that pleaseth our mind, or gratifieth our sense, for the which we are not beholden to industry? "Doth any country flourish in wealth, in grandeur, in prosperity ? It must be imputed to industry; to the industry of its governors setting good order; to the industry of its people following profitable occupations: so did Cato, in that notable oration of his in Sallust, tell the Roman senate, that it was not by the force of their arms, but by the industry of their ancestors, that commonwealth did arise to such a pitch of greatness. When sloth creepeth in, then all things corrupt and decay; then the public State doth sink into disorder, penury, and a disgraceful condition." * Ut varias usus meditando extunderet artes BARROW: Mathematical Lectures of Dr. Barrow, from the Latin, by the Rev. John Kirkby. 8vo. London, 1734. BARRY, OPIE, &c. : Lectures on Painting, by Barry, Opie, and Fuseli. Edited by R. N. Wornum. London, 1848. BARRY: Observations Historical, Critical, and Medical, on the Wines of the Ancients, by Sir Edward Barry, Bart. 4to. London, 1775. Calf, ex. The History of the Orkney Islands, showing the Advantages they possess for several Branches of Industry, and the Means by which they may be Improved, by the Rev. George Barry, D.D. 2d edition. 4to. London, 1808. BARTHÉLEMY: Voyage du Jeune Anacharsis en Grèce, par M. l'Abbé Barthélémy. 4to. 4 vols. Paris, 1788. Veau fauve, gilt leaves. BARTON, JOHN: Tracts by : 1. Observations on the Condition of the Labouring Classes, 1817. 2. Causes of the Depreciation of Agricultural Labour in Modern Times, 1820. 3. Consequences of the Growing Excess of Population if not reme-1 vol. 8vo. died by Colonization, 1830. 4. Expediency of the Existing Restrictions on the Importation of Foreign Corn, 1833. BASNAGE Dissertation sur les Duels et les Ordres de Chevalerie, par M. Basnage. 12mo. Basle, 1740. (See République (La) des Hébreux.) BASTON: Observations on Trade and Publick Spirit, by Thomas Baston, Esq. 8vo. London, 1732. BATTEUX Histoire des Causes Premières, ou Exposition Sommaire des Pensées des Philosophes sur les Principes des Etres, par M. l'Abbé Batteux. 8vo. Paris, 1769. La Morale d'Epicure, tirée de ses propres Ecrits. 12mo. Paris, 1758. Mor. Bozerian. Rare. Principes de la Littérature. 12mo. 6 vols. Paris, 1774. Les Quatre Poétiques d'Aristote, d'Horace, de Vida, de Boileau, avec les Traductions et des Remarques, par M. l'Abbé Batteux. 12mo. 2 vols. Paris, 1771. Veau fauve. The works of the Abbé Batteux are well written, learned, liberal, and rational. Grimm, by whom they are unjustly depreciated, admits that the Cours de Belles Lettres, malgré ses défauts, est le meilleur catéchisme de littérature que nous connaissions ;" and that "il a le merite d'être un excellent Abrégé de littérature Française." -(Correspondance, x. 337.) BAUDII (Dom.): Amores, edente Petro Scriverio, inscripti Th. Graswinckelio, Equiti. 12mo. Amstelodami, 1638. Mor., gilt. BAXTER: An Inquiry into the Nature of the Human Soul, wherein its Immateriality is evinced from the Principles of Reason and Philosophy (by Andrew Baxter). 8vo. 3 vols. 2d edition of vols I. and II. London, 1737-1750. Calf, gilt. Glossarium Antiquitatum Britannicarum, auctore Willielmo Baxter. ed. 2nda. 8vo. Londini, 1733. Calf, uncut. Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, sive Willielmi Baxteri Opera posthuma. 8vo. Londini, 1726. Calf, uncut. BAXTER Impressions of Central and Southern Europe, being Notes of Successive Journies in Germany, Austria, Italy, &c., by W. E. Baxter, Esq. (M.P.) 8vo. London, 1850. BAYLE: Dictionnaire Historique et Critique, par M. P. Bayle. Folio. 4 vols. Rotterdam, 1720. French calf, gilt leaves. The Dictionary of Bayle has afforded a basis for much criticism, and has been very differently characterized. It was avowedly intended to serve as a supplement to the Dictionary of Moréri originally published in one volume in 1673 (see Moréri). A scheme of this sort was so very indefinite, that it left Bayle at full liberty to say nothing or whatever he pleased; a licence which was still further extended by his plan of making a very meagre narrative, which he illustrates by means of elaborate notes that have often little or no connexion with the text; so that the title of an article gives no idea of the sort of information or discussion it may contain. For the most part, however, the notes are acute and able. They are deeply imbued with the spirit of scepticism, and set in a strong light the unfounded pretensions, the shallow dogmatism, the false reasoning, and the contradictions of divines and philosophers. Unluckily Bayle's taste was not equal to his talent. He indulges in cavilling and hair-splitting, in tedious details about mere trifles,* and in the most offensive impurities. Although, however, there is much to object to in his work, it will ever be considered as an extraordinary monument of learning, and of dialectical subtlety and ingenuity. Gibbon gives the following account of Bayle :-" Bayle was the son of a Calvinist minister in a remote province in France, at the foot of the Pyrenees. For the benefit of education, the Protestants were tempted to risk their children in the Catholic universities; and in the twenty-second year of his age young Bayle was seduced by the arts and arguments of the Jesuits of Thoulouse. He remained about seventeen months (19th March 1669-19th August 1670) in their hands, a voluntary captive; and a letter to his parents, which the new convert composed or subscribed (15th April 1670), is darkly tinged with the spirit of Popery. But nature had designed him to think as he pleased, and to speak as he thought: his piety was offended by the excessive worship of creatures, and the study of physics convinced him of the impossibility of transubstantiation, which is abundantly refuted by the testimony of our senses. His return to the communion of a falling sect was a bold and disinterested step, that exposed him to the rigour of the laws; and a speedy flight to Geneva protected him from the resentment of his spiritual tyrants, unconscious as they were of the full value of the prize which they had lost. Had Bayle adhered to the Catholic church, had he embraced the ecclesiastical profession, the genius and fervour of such a proselyte might have aspired to wealth and honours in his native country; but the hypocrite would have found less happiness in the comforts of a benefice, or the dignity of a mitre, than he enjoyed at Rotterdam in a private state of exile, indigence, and freedom. Without a country, or a patron, or a prejudice, he claimed the liberty and subsisted by the labours of his pen. The inequality of his voluminous works is explained and excused by his alternately writing for himself, for the booksellers, and for posterity; and if a severe critic would reduce him to a single folio, that relic, like the books of the Sibyl, would become still more valuable. A calm and lofty spectator of the religious tempest, the philosopher of Rotterdam condemned with equal fairness the persecution of Lewis the Fourteenth and the republican maxims of the Calvinists, their vain prophecies, and the intolerant bigotry which sometimes vexed his solitary retreat. In reviewing the controversies of the times he turned against each other the arguments of the disputants; successively wielding the arms of the Catholics and Protestants, he proves that neither the way of authority nor the way of examination can afford the multitude any test of religious truth, and dexterously concludes that custom and education must be the sole grounds of popular belief. The ancient paradox of Plutarch, that atheism is less pernicious than superstition, acquires a tenfold vigour when it is adorned with the *To trifles I might have added absurdities. Thus, he subjoins to the article "Achilles " a note that would fill several ordinary octavo pages, on the question whether Chiron fed his pupil with the marrow of lions! Born at Carlat, in the county of Foix, in 1647. colours of his wit and pointed with the acuteness of his logic. His critical dictionary is a vast repository of facts and opinions; and he balances the false religions in his sceptical scales till the opposite quantities (if I may use the language of Algebra) annihilate each other. The wonderful power which he so boldly exercised, of assembling doubts and objections, had tempted him jocosely to assume the title of the vepeλnyepéta Zeùs, the cloud-compelling Jove; and in a conversation with the ingenious Abbé (afterwards Cardinal) de Polignac, he freely disclosed his universal Pyrrhonism. 'I am most truly (said Bayle) a Protestant, for I protest indifferently against all systems and all sects.'”—(Misc. Works, i. 68.) BAYLY: An Introduction to Languages, Literary and Philosophical, by Anselm Bayly, LL.B. 8vo. London, 1758. Calf, ex., Hayday. BEARCROFT SUTTON : An Historical Account of Thomas Sutton, Esq., and of his Foundation, the Charter House, by Philip Bearcroft, D.D. 8vo. London, 1737. Calf, ex., H. & B. BEATTIE: The Works of James Beattie, LL.D., viz. :— An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of The Theory of Language. 8vo. London, 1779. London, 1788. Calf gilt, 3d edition. 8vo. uniform. Elements of Moral Science. 2d edition. 2 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1807. Scotticisms arranged in Alphabetical Order. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1788. Mor., ex. Poems, with Life. Post 8vo. Pickering, London, 1852. Beattie's Poems and Essays, especially the former, continue to be held in high estimation. But his treatise on the Nature and Immutability of Truth, which enjoyed for a while a very undeserved degree of popularity, is now all but entirely forgotten. His Elements of Moral Science is not, as it has been called, a "miserable" publication. It is respectable though superficial. BEAUFORT: Dissertation sur l'Incertitude des Cinq Premiers Siècles de l'Histoire Romaine, par Louis De Beaufort. Nouvelle édition, augmentée, avec un Réponse à un Allemande. Haie, 1750. 12mo. À La De la République Romaine, ou Plan Général de l'Ancien In the Dissertation M. De Beaufort endeavours to show that the history of the first It is not, however, to be supposed that the histories in question are wholly fallacious. No doubt they embody a great deal of truth, though, owing to the way in which it is mixed up with questionable matter, it is always difficult, and sometimes, perhaps, impossible, to discriminate between what is wholly or only in part true, and what is wholly or only in part false. But this uncertainty must apply more to the external history of the state, or to the history of wars, battles, and so |