The Sun.
London, England, 1822-06-26 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

THE COUNCIL OF TEN.—(No. I.)

Such is the mysterious title of a. pamphlet that
contains more solid matter, and conveyed in a
more elegant form, than any publication of a
similar nature, which for a long time has come
under our observation. The DECEMVIRI who
constitute the characters that form the Council,
following the example of The Spectator, consist
of persons who are to be understood as represent-
ing the chief classes of society, and who enter into
the association for the most laudable purpose, in
order, as far as their respective powers and op-
portunities will admit, to support morality, reli-
gion, and sound national policy, and thereby to im-
prove the general interests of mankind. The
Council are stated to have met on the 25th of
April, 1822. It is said that " the several indi-
viduals who now compose the Council' acci-
dentally found themselves together in London,
after a separation of some years, and agreed to
meet at a certain time and place for the purpose
of once more indulging in the delight of social
intercourse, and dedicating the evening to the
renewal of their former intimacy." Nothing.for-
tunately happened to prevent them from keeping
the appointment, and after enjoying the pleasure
naturally arising from so agreeable an event, as
they are all men of sagacity; and anxious to pro-
mote the welfare of mankind, they soon entertain-
ed views of higher import than of mere convivial
meetings. The work is divided into several sec-
tions, beginning with THE MEETING OF THE COUN.•
CIL. Next, the Origin of the Council. Then follow
the characters of which the Council are com-
posed, commencing with THE PRESIDENT, whose
character is given at lerrgth,'and who appears to
be well qualified to be at the head of so wise,
and philanthropic a fraternity. He is to be
generally designated by the appellation of THE
CENSOR. He is described as easy in his circum-
stances, and of no profession, but a man of deep
observation and great experience. Then follows
CLERICUS, a beneficed Clergyman, of exemplary
character, as are all the rest of the Council, since
otherwise they would not be Members of so
honourable a brotherhood. He of course is the
chief authority upon Religious concerns. The
next in order is THE SQUIRE, who, of course, is
to be referred to in all matters connected with
the Landed Interests, and who is so partial to his
own country as to be adverse to all others. He is
followed by THE COSMOPOLITE, who having been
born at sea and travelled to various parts of the
world, has more diffusive feelings. To, re-
lieve, however, the monotony of mere fact and
argument, THE PROJECTOR iS one of the Mem-
bers, who, of course, diversifies the topics of the
meeting with schemes and speculations, all, how-
ever, tending, to the general interests of society.
We have then THE M ERCH PIT, whose views and
opinions are distinctly stated, and who, as may
be supposed, is to _take care of the concerns of
Commerce. That we may have a man conversant
with the political and financial subjects of the

times, we have next THE POLITICAL ECONOMIST.
It would have been strange indeed if our warlike
defenders should not have had. a representative in
this,patriotic community, and therefore we have
next THE SOLDIER. We have thenTHETuAvELLER,
and though THE. COSMOPOLITE might be supposed
to bear a near affinity to him, yet they are kept
distinct in their views and in general character.
The last of this amiable and respectable assembly
is a gentleman who is styled URBANUS, and of
whom a more particular account is given than of
any of the other members. We shall not however
anticipate the pleasure of the Reader, by enter-
ing into any detailed account of his history; suf-
fice it to say that it is very interesting. Th 4 brief
accounts that are given of the conversations which
take place among this intelligent group are
amusing and instructive. At present we shall
content ourselves with extracting the following
sentiments of the. THE COSMOPOLITE, and here-
after probably gratify our readers with ample
citations :

". I hope," said the Traveller, " we shall extend our views
over all Europe." " Over the- whole world, I hope," ex-
claimed the Cosmopolite. -" Assuredly we shall," said the
President, " such comprehensive views must 4 be ours, as men

who feel for,, all mankind.' Yet we must remember, that we
are not only men but Englishmen ; natives of a particular
country, as well as citizens of the world. That country must
claim our first and most especial regard ; must be the nidus
and nucleus of our affections ; the focus of all the rays of our
benevolence. For myself,. I should consider the man, who
could lose himself in splendid dreams of laying- the habitable
globe under an obligation to him for his services, while he
neglected the good which might be done, at his very, feet, in
that land where Providence had placed him, arid where he en-
joyed the benefits of government, and the pleasures of society,
in almost the same light as a madman, who, in the wildness of
his insanity, could not content himself with the earth, but was,
continually anxious to legislate for the whole universe, of which
he was an atom ; Ivho should employ himself in framing salu-
tary laws and institutions for the regulation of Jupiter,and Sa-

turn ; or have it in contemplation to stretch his benignant
schemes beyond all the planets of our solar system. It is as
easy to conceive a circle without a centre, as philanthropy with-
out patriotism ; or a general concern for the human race with.
out a greater regard for our friends, our neighbours, and our

countrymen."
We feel it, however, ti kind of duty to recom-
mend this work to the public in general, but
more particularly to parents, as the characters
are well drawn and nicely discriminated. Young
persons, by attentively reflecting on the several
characters, may insensibly imbibe qualities from
each, while the whole tends to the enlargement of
their knowledge of the world, and The improve-
ment of their own dispositions. The author of
this valuable work is obviously well acquainted,
with human life. He is an accurate observer, a
scholar, a man of taste, of an enlarged mind and
a liberal disposition, and, if the future numbers
should be adequate in merit to that before us,
his labours will be eminently useful to mankind,
and deserve a permanent station -among the best
of modern compositions.

Miss S. BOOTH has returned to her house in
Bloomsbury-square, after a professional visit to
Tam-Ito:rand Guildford, at the Theatres of which
towns she performed with her usual eclat..