concluding member of the foregoing paragraph we shall extract from that part of the publication which gives an account of the writings of Liddel, a curious anecdote which made fome noise at the time :

4. Duncani Liddelii Tractatus de Dente Aureo, &c. Hamburgi, ex Biblioth. Frobeniana 1628, 12m0.

"As the suoject of this treatise is perhaps not generally known, and is fomewhat curious, the following short account of it may not be unacceptable. Jacobus Horstius, doctor and profeffor of medicine in the Acadesmia Julia, at the same time with our author, published a truly ridiculous performance, and dedicated it to the emperor Rudolphus the second; in which from ocular inspection, and by many learned arguments, he endeavours to vindicate the truth of a popular story then current, of a poor boy of Silefia, who at seven years of age having lost some of his teeth, his parents were aftonished at the appearance of a new one of pure gold. Horstius feriously looks upon this wonderful tooth as a prodigy sent from heaven to encourage the Germans, then at war with the Turks; from it foretells the future victories of the Chriftians, with the final destruction of the Turkish Empire and Mahometan faith, and a return of the golden age in 1600, preparatory to the end of the world. This wretched performance Dr Liddel takes the trouble to refute, as he says, for the honour of the Academia Julia, and because the reveries of his colleague were obtaining too much credit in that ignorant age He appears, however, ashamed to treat the subject seriously, but employs the powers of irony and ridicule against his unfortunate opponent with much success. He says, he should as foon believe that the whole body of the boy was made of gold as one of his teeth, talks of idle dreams and old womens tales, and hints that the brain of a certain person, whom

for the fake of his reputation he is unwilling to name, would require a little hellebore.

"There is also another work published concerning this fingular controverfy, by Ingolftaterus, a physician of Nuremberg, who likewise combats the opinion of Horstius, proving the golden tooth to be monstrous and unnatural, and suggesting that it was most probably the work of the devil. But the imposture, as might be imagined, was foon after difcovered to be a thin plate of gold, skilfully drawn over a natural tooth by an artist of that country, with a view to excite the public admiration and charity."

Prefixed to the work is an engraving of great merit, by Beugo, of Liddel, from an outline on tin.

A Tribute to the Memory of Ulric of Hutten, co-temporary with Erasmus and Luther; one of the most zealous Antagonists as well of the papal Power as of all despotic Government, and one of the most elegant Latin Authors of his time. Translated from the Ger man of Goethe, the celebrated Author of the Sorrows of Werter: By Anthony Aufrere, Esq. Illustrated with Remarks by the Translator. With an Appendix, containing Extracts from some of Hutten's Performances, a List of Lis Works, and other explanatory and interesting Papers. 8vo. p.151. 3s. fewed. Dodsley.

THIS is an unqualified panegy ric on the celebrated, but turbulent and headstrong, Ulric de Hutten. Mr Goethe seems to possess little of the calm and fober judgment of the historian; nor do we find in this work any nice difcrimination of character, or acute inquiry into the motives which led to particular actions. The notes of the tranflator are ufeful,

ful, both for the chronology and for illustrating the characters, merits, and conduct some of the persons who were confpicuous actors in the great bufinefs of the Reformation.

Ulric of Hutten, of noble birth in the circle of Franconia, was born in 1488. He studied at Fulda, at Cologne, and Francfort on the Oder. He went into Italy as a foldier, under the Emperor Maximilian. Upon his return to Germany, and about the close of 1516, or the beginning of the following year, appeared the famous Epiftolæ obfcurorum Virorum; which, we are told, were written in confequence of the sufferings of Reuchlin; and in the compofition of which, Hutten is said to have been affifted by Crotus Rubianus. That these letters were the work of different hands, is not improbable: but we are not certain that Crotus Rubiapus had any share in them; nor can we tell from what authority M. Goethe affirms it, With much more probability, might it be said of Reuchlin; who, indeed, by some, has been sup. posed the fole author. We are, however, inclined to think them Hut ten's. "Jacob. Thomafius in præfatione ad Pauli Manutii Epiftolas, certa fide exploratum fe habere affirmat, Huttenum effe earum autorem."

It was not only by words that Hutten was contented to shew his zeal for Reuchlin, His favourite argument was force; and he was always ready to prove the justice of his cause by the strength of his arm. His turbulent spirit and haughtiness were fully experienced by Reuchlin's chief enemy, Hochstraten; who is said to have met Hutten in the Netherlands. The terrified inquifitor thought all was over with him; and "falling at his feet, commended his poor foul to all the faints with the most fervent ejaculations of devotion." "I foil not my fword with thy blood," said Hutten, and suffered him to depart.

Hutten had not, as yet,' says the

author, taken an active part in favour of Luther, The reason was, the pope had not, as yet, commanded the Bishop of Mentz to fend him in chains to Rome. When this order was issued, in consequence of a ridiculous bravado, addreffed to Pope Leo the Tenth by our literary Quixote, he determined to revenge the insult by writing and fighting in fopport of Luther: but non tali auxilio, nec defenforibus iftis-Luther did not altogether approve his weapons.

His aims tailing here, he retired to the fortress of Ebernberg, commanded by Sickingen; where he remained till his friend's death. Thence he went, says M. Goethe, with a bro-ken heart into Switzerland, there to seek for shelter. His restless pride, and his misfortunes, which were the consequences of it, had now deprived him of all his friends.

He applied to Erasmus, who was glad to excuse himself from admitting his company. His coolness produced a passionate expostulation from Hutten; the last ebullition of a turbu lent and disappointed spirit. Erasmus justified himself in what he quaintly termed 'A Sponge to wipe away the • Splashes of Hutten." Probably, however, Hutten died without reading his answer. His death happened ' upon the small ifle of Auffnaw in the lake of Zuric, at the house of a poor curate, where he found refuge, attention, nourishment, and repose.' • Navigate thither, youthful travel'ler,' exclaims M. Goethe, seek his

grave, and say, "Here lieth the orator for the German nation, for freedom, for truth, and one who would have done more than speak for them!" Such was the restless life, and miserable end, of Ulric of Hutten; of whom his panegyrist has ventured to affert (p. 50), that he was envied by Melanthon; who was a man learned without oftentation, and too wife to think himself infallible: refo

lute, but never rash; mild, yet never

timid: opposing what he thought wrong in one party, without joining in the passion of the other; and calm under oppreffion, because he knew himself to be honest. Subjecting himself to perfecution, because he would not perfecute others; and labouring for the benefit of those, by whom he was ill-treated.

Bibliotheca Americana; or, a Chronological Catalogue of the most curious and interesting Books, Pamphlets, State papers, &c. upon the subject of North and South America. 410. 12s. boards. Debrett.

THE Introdnction to this work contains, An Account of the prefent State of Literature in America.' The author, with the zeal of an enthusiast, speaks of the effects of liberty on the progress of literature, and attributes to the despotifm of South America its comparative ignorance.

But, says he, let us turn (to use a metaphor of Junius) from this barren wafte, where no verdure quickens, no salutary plant takes root, to a foil fertile in every great and every good qualification. Let us examine the ftate of literature in North America. The elder fifter (South America) is decorated with gold; but that gold, fabricated into chains, and, as is too commonly the fate of wealth, serving only to exclude, what is conducive to happiness, and to confine what is efsential to misery. The younger sister (North America), inured to native poverty, and bred in the tumult of difficulties and danger, has arifen to fame and distinction among nations. Industry and perfeverance were the pinions to support her flight, and heaven-born liberty is still the strongest feather in her wing.

North America may want some of the fopperies of literature. She boasts not those dignified literati, who in Europe obtain adulation from the

learned parafite, and applause from the uninformed multitude, for purfuits and discoveries that terminate in no addition to the real elegancies or conveniencies of living. She may, however, claim the poffeffion of all useful learning. Science has not only reared her head, but flourishes with a degree of vigour in the new world, that threatens to furpass the old. In the great and useful science of politics, the Republic of America is, perhaps, unequalled. Their orators, lawyers, physicians, hiftorians, philosophers, and mathematicians, may be fairly opposed to our most successful cultivators of science and the liberal arts; and.poets have lately put in claims, backed by productions, that evince a very flender inferiority.

We have examined the merits of the American philosophers, with their works before us, and we cannot fupport, by our opinion, this very powerful claim to diftinction and applause, Though an accidental genius may arife, which shall at once pervade and elucidate the most abstruse sciences, a feries of fucceeding minds must be cultivated in fucceflive ages to give a decided general fuperiority. At least this is the conclufion which the hiftory of science and of literature teaches us to draw. Franklin (alas now no more!) is one of those heaven-taught minds; and though we wish not to detract from the merits of the gentlemen so highly applauded in this introduction, yet we cannot allow that they deserve the very exaggerated encomiums bestowed by our author; nor can we greatly praise the spirit or the judgment which dictated the following paragraph:

The people of N. America' have seized and improved fome useful parts of icience, that our public feminaries have neglected. They have established profefforships of animal magnetism and agriculture, and formed focieties for the improvement of manufactures and mechanics, commerce, navigation, and policy."

it happened once, while king Arthur was holding his court at the castle of Cramalot, that he walked out to enjoy the ferenity of the evening, and fat down under an open tent of gold-embroidered velvet which had been pitch ed upon the lawn before the castle. Thirty knights of noble birth furrounded him, and, beside him, in all the pride of beauty, fat the lady Guenever his queen. Twelve virgins, whose charms would have fufficiently rewarded the noblest de's of the most valiant héroes, stood, magnificently drest, near the feat of the beauteous queen. Around the tent, on the tall oaks, hung numberless shields and spears, reflecting the luftre of the fun's declining beams; and, under the thick foliage, thirty youths held, each in his right hand, a richly caparifoned steed-when, lo! a knight in black armour issued singly from the wood, and rode towards the tent. When he drew near, he dismounted, knelt down before the queen on his right knee, thenrifing, he bowed gracefully, and addressing himself to Arthur "Sir "king, faid he, I am come to beg a boon, " which, I am perfuaded, you will not "refuse me, provided it be such as one "knight may request of another."

King Arthur looked at the stranger, the eyes of all around were fixed upon him, admiring his discourse and his stately presence; for he was taller by the head than any knight of the court, and they waited in filence to hear what boon he was to afk. Speak freely

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Sir knight, said king Arthur, I pro" mife to grant your request."

The knight bowed a second time, and faid, "I hope it will not be difagreeable to you, mighty Sir, and to "tnose valiant knights by your side, if, in honour of all virtuous ladies and "chaste damfels, and that we may decide "to whom among us the palm of chi"valry is due, one after another, you " ride a tilt with me on this green."

King Arthur, and the thirty knights that ftood around him, all of thein companions of the Round Table, were by no means disposed to faffer such a request to he made a second time; and straightVOL. XII. No. 67.

I

way, instead of answering, they all ran

to the trees where their lances were hanging, and where the youths were holding their impatient steeds. Arthur and all his knights vaulted into their fadilles, with their shields on their arms, and couching their lances, rode to the place where the strange knight had already taken his stand. The king rode first, Both the combatants put their spears in the rest, covered themselves with their shields, and putting spurs to their horfes, ran against each other with such force that the ground trembled under their steps; but, in the moment of collision, the strange knight held up his spear high in the air, and received the king's thrust on his firm shield: the lance was broken with the shock into a thousand splinters, and king Arthur could hardly keep himself faft in the stirrups. The black knight fat firm and unfhaken, and as soon as he had ftopped his horse, he turned, rode up to the king, and with respectful. demeanour thus addressed him; "God forbid, my "gracious liege, that I should use my " lance against you! Arthur is intitled "to my obedience; command me, "therefore, as one who has devoted " himself to your service, not only out " of duty but affection." King Arthur looked with aftonishment at the knight, and without speaking rode off flowly towards the tent.

Sir Galherich, his nephew, the second son of king Loth of Orkan, now rides boldly up, eager for the encounter, and fure of eafy victory. He feizes his lance with firm grasp, throws before his breaft his broad shield, on which a golden eagle was embossed, and rushes like a torrent on his foe. Firm is his push and powerful; but with nimble motion the other evades it; the fpear passes under his left arm harmless, and at the fame moment the stranger's lance strikes Sir Galherich with fuch force that his fenfes forfake him, his knees lose their hold, he tuinbles and measures his length upon the ground.

To avenge his brother's fall now advanced in hafte Sir Galban, Loth of Orkan's eldest born. In all places, where

daunt

dauntless courage and unconquerable Strength were the fubjects of difcourse, the name of Galban was always mentioned. Yet at this time he must either have neglected to recommend himself to his lady, or his fortune must at last have forsaken him: for the black knight treated him as he had before treated Galherich.

The lame lot fell next to the other nephews of the king, Sir Egerwin and Sir Galheret, to Bliomberis and Lionel, the noble fons of king Boort of Gannes; ⚫ and to the ever gay and intrepid Sir Dinadel of Estrangor: these had often laid many a brave man on the grafs, but now their own turn came, and they were all fuccessively, by the fuperior might of the stranger, in a moment unhorsed.

Ha! cried Sir Kay, the king's Senef chall, who united the politeness of a courtier with the manners of a knight, beshrew my heart! shall it ever be told in foreign lands of Arthur's knights, that, one after another thus, like children, they are to be overturned by a fingle arm? The strange knight is not a devil though he be black. If he is of mortal mould, let him come on.

With these words, spoken half in jest and half in earnest, Sir Kay the Senefchall puts fpurs to his horse. He had chofen with great care the heaviest from a heap of spears that lay by the tent. But neither his provident care, nor his high courage, nor the volubility of his tongue availed him aught, the black knight hove him from his saddle, and let him fall rather unsoftly. His squire helped him again upon his feet, and he walked fullenly on to the tent.

The others now followed in rotation; all of them valiant combatants, who never used to shrink from the bravest, and to whom no adventure, though ever so perilous, came amiss. The tinting at tournaments was but play to them; and they had almost robbed the foreft of its wood by the lances they had broken. Among them all, however, there was not one that could withstand the push of the stranger; for one after another they were forced out of the saddle.

To behold this reproachful difcomfiture of the knights of the Round table, provoked the noble Lancelot of the lake, the only one of the thirty knights that ftill remained to be conquered. The beauteous queen's own knight was Sir Lancelot. Many adventures he had atchieved in her honour, and had received in return many a fweet kiss and many a

inftitution of the round table. "it be magic that protects this heathen, " whispered Sir Lancelot to the queen, "I pray you, farest lady, not to forsake

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your own true knight: though all "hell should protect him, do you but "smile and heaven will be on my fide."

As he said this, the queen allowed him to read in her eyes an answer that made his heart swell in his bosom. Instantly with loofened bridle he lifts high his shield, rests his lance firmly on his fide, and springs forward; both knights. push on so vigorously, that their lances are broken to shivers, and their helmets and shields refound. But little do the eyes of his lady avail the noble Lancelot; the refiftlefs force of the black knight overcomes him; he yields, he lofes the ftirrups, he totters, finks, and lies where his companions had lain.

The unknown knight now with great compofure dismounts, he strokes with kindly hand the humid back and warm breast of his generous steed, takes off from him the faddle and foamy bit, and gently patting him on the forehead, dismisses him to go and feed at his pleafure on the lawn. He then returns unmoved and unconcerned, in his ordinary pace, as it from a ride of pleasure, and approaches the golden tent.

With uncordial looks the knights, as he passed, viewed hin afkance; they looked at one another as if they would have faid, " Is this to be endured?" But king Arthur came out from the tent, and courteoufly bid the stranger wel. come. "Noble knight, said he, we "have, I think, dearly enough bought "the right of feeing that man's face "and of knowing who he is, who " with fuch agility has in one evening. "forced thirty of the most valiant "knights of England from their steeds."

As foon as the king had said these words, the strange knight began to unloose his helmet, and as he took it off, there fell adown his temples shining locks of temples fnow white hair, and, lo! in all the digniry of unenfeebled age stood the venerable hero;