Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-13

Conc Animation OF events, znd expatiated
more largely or subjects of greater impor-
lance and interest. 1t has been my prln.
cipai object to comprise in q small CON-
pass, and to exhibit at a small expense 10
the reader, a copious collection Of geo
graphical Information. How far the exc.
cution corresponds with the design must
be left to the decision of the public"
Ex3RAc4S FRcM 7HE LONDON CRITICAL
REYIEW
"The plan appears judicious, and calcu-
lated to fill up an important variety in cur
existing catalogue of useful books. The
undertaking was one which required con.
siderable reseach in the collecVun, and a
discriminating taste in the selection of ma
terials. In neither OF the requisite quail.
tications does Mr.. Bgiand appear to be de-.
fcient. He refers ,onumeCous authorities,
most of which ne appears TO have consult
ed at first hand Though the extent of his
subject, combined with the comparatively
narrow space which he allotted tor the ex.
eousion, rendered great brevl;y essentially
Necessary; yet, while his narration is brief,
it is never obscure indistincJ. in mos
points Of high moment and interest. his de.
tails are more ciroumstantiai than the size
Of his work led US TO expect. Where he
could exhibit only general views, he has
judiciously contriyed TO render them inter
estiH*, by the insertion OF some luminous
PARTICULARS. by which the attention is excl
I'd, and wherein the interest revolves.
In these volumes Mr Bigland exhibits a
Very pleasing picture of the past and present
state of mankind, of their progress in civilizA.
ton and arts, with portions Of their topoera
phical, their civil, and military history, so ~.
dicioasfy combined as 20 constitute very edi
iying ana amusing WORK. It may be perused
with great advantage by Juvenile Students,
who wish FOR general view of the present and
past state Of man q all parts of tho word be.
fore they enter on the detailed investigator
of particular portions Of he globe nor will
il be unacoept&b to these who are more I'D
vanced in life, and who wish &c renew their
former recollectons and to retrace Che histo-
rioal path which they have before trod.
I" Mr.. BiglaRd has very properly given a
more copious and circums,antlai account OF
those countries, which occupy the hig c. era.
dations in the scale of civilization. After an
introductory chapter, and general desctipsi.
on Of Europe, the author has added succinct
English history from the earliest period To the
convention OF Cintra. Though here, rs in o.
Their places, the view of our national ;gltjey
yet he has, in many instances, happily caught
the principal features of the picture, and seizi
ed the principal points of animation s. of inter.
est.--Great candour and moderation mari; The
political and religious opinions OF the writer,
as far as it was requisite that they should be
developed, or as the narrative itself neoessi-
tated the EXPRESSION.
Scotland. ireland, France, Belgium, the
Batavian k'ngdoolm--,spain, Portugal, Italy, the
Helvetic republic, the Austrian empire, Prus
sian monarchy, German states, Denmark, Nor.
way Sweden European Russia, the Ottoman
Empire, European Fur ey, Asiaiic Turkey,
Arabia, Asiatic Russia, China, Chinese Tar
tary, Thibet. Independent Tertiary, EXTERIOR
India, Siam, Birman empire, g static islands,
are comprebended in the second, third, and
fourth volumes The fifth and last volume
contains geographical, chorographical and
historical view of India, consisting of Hindoo
stan and the Ocean, ofPersis, Africa, Egypt,
states in The Noath of Africa, Western Coasts
Of Africa Eastern Coasts Of Africa, Abyssi
MIA, Central Africa, African islands, America,
United States, British America, Canada No
Va Scotia, Aboriginal America, or unCoBqucr.
ed countries, Spanish dcminions in North A.
merica. Spanish dominions in Souh America,
Portuguese empire in America, French, Dutch.
and SpanislJ settlements, West India Islands,
In compiling his account of these countries
Nr. BigIand has had access to the most recent
sources Of information, and several of The best
historians and travellers have been laid nnder
contribution. But though the materials have
been brought together from various quarters,
the nara'iye is the exclusive property Of Mr..
Bigland, and not a mere patchwork from the
composition ofothers The style is perspicuoua,
and suited to the work"
After extracting several pages from the
work the Review closes with notices of len /.
proprieiies and Inaccuracies Of expression,
ssme Of wuich may be ascribed to the rapi.
dity oi composition, aud Of which others are
errors Of the press"--The Reviewers add
|" We should no, have noticed them at an, II
we had not been anxious shat book which
10 peculiarly httci 70 eddy and amuse, should
be IS free os possible from inaccuracies"
co NDITIO VS..
The work TO be elegantly printed, on FIVE pa.
per. To be comprised in vols. Price TO sub
scfibers s ? % per volume, in boards, to be