on the violoncello,) and going on alphabetically through all the white and the black keys. Each letter, therefore, expresses its note, not by means of its relation to any other note, but merely by its mechanical and numerical place in the scale. With these letters Mr. R. writes his music; and it is obvious that, as the highness or lowness of the notes is expressed solely by difference in the letters, and not by any visible marks denoting those qualities, every part when written will form one line of ordinary printing. When two or more parts are wanted, two lines are used; and the bass-notes below middle C are printed in Italics. The bars are expressed by commas, or, more properly speaking, the double bars by periods, and the repeats by colons; when two or more notes are to be slurred, they are put together in a parenthesis; rests are, very ingeniously and scientifically, marked by dots occupying the space of letters; and so on. This is a short outline of the plan; from which it will be seen that the innovation is complete, and that the proposed substitute is simple enough. With regard to ts advantages, it is to be remembered that two objects are to be effected, viz. facility of writing and facility of reading. Now it is impossible to deny that the proposed plan has the advantage as far as it respects the former of these objects: but, as far as it regards the latter, the common mode of notation is incontestably preferable. We have taken the pains to learn Mr. Rootsey's notation thoroughly, so as to use it frequently in playing; and we are satisfied that it is much more perplexing to the eye of the performer than the ordinary mode. In fact, highness and lowness of notes are such essential parts of music that any system of notation would, in our opinion, be incomplete which did not include some palpable characters to mark that distinction. For this purpose, nothing can be better calculated than the common notation; which is, indeed, founded on the very mathematical expression of the gradations of sound which Mr. Rootsey notices in the first page of his work, and is therefore the most natural that could have been adopted. Besides, Mr. R.'s system of notation seems capable of being applied only to simple pieces of music, or to writing more difficult pieces in score: whereas the difficulty, to piano-forte players, of playing from a score, is so great that very few amateurs, and not all professional performers, are equal to it; particularly in performing at sight. On that account, a mode has been adopted of combining the lines of a score in one stave, by which they are brought under the hand. We think that Mr. R.'s plan could be very imperfectly applied to this object; and, for the reason which we have already given, it would be next to impossible to to play from a score written in it. The use of it, therefore, for the piano-forte, or for the organ, must be very confined. The most important objection, however, is that, as far as we can see, no adequate distinction is provided to shew the value of notes in a bar. We must explain this by an example. In the beautiful glee of "Wind, gentle evergreen," (p. 39.) the 6th bar is written thus, (n m) (h m): now certainly that bar has 4 notes, but the air being in triple time the whole can only equal 3 crotchets; and in fact the 1st and 2d notes are crotchets, but the 3d and 4th are quavers, and together are equal only to one crotchet: but this cannot be perceived from Mr. Rootsey's copy; because all that the dot over the last m denotes is that it is to be half as long as the note preceding it, which would, at least, give 3 crotchets and an half for the bar. The tying quavers and notes of lower denomination together is also a very essential practice, for which Mr. R. offers no adequate substitute. These objections might be removed without much difficulty. Perhaps a dot over the letter might denote a quaver, and some other marks in the same place might signify the lower denominations of notes: while the notes might be actually tied together, when necessary, by lines drawn over them: — but, as we cannot think that the plan is likely, at best, to be productive of any material general advantage, it is perhaps not worth while to pursue the details of the subject at present. In one point of view, indeed, the plan will have recommendations. Composers are always more or less embarrassed by the slowness with which they are able to express their thoughts on paper in the common mode of notation; and, it being much easier to write in the new notation, it may be found worth while to learn that mode for the purpose of writing in it, and afterward transferring the music into the present mode for the use of performers. In this way, Mr. R.'s notation may become a sort of musical short-hand, and afford much facility to composers. THIS ART. XII. Posthumous Works of Robert Robinson, late Pastor of the Baptist Church and Congregation of Protestant Dissenters at Cambridge. Royal 8vo. 128. Demy, 8s. Boards. Jones, &c. 'HIS volume, which is a kind of supplement to Mr. Robinson's Miscellaneous Works*, contains seven sermons, three dissertations relative to Calvinism, an historical account of Protestant Dissenting Churches in Cambridgeshire, and a few letters. Mr. Flower, the editor as well as printer, introduces * See M. R., Vol. lxi., N. S., p. 65. the the whole by a well-written and spirited preface; in which he endeavours not only to do justice to the late Mr. R. as a preacher and writer, but also to vindicate his character from some very illiberal aspersions with which certain of his brethren, with more doctrinal zeal than Christian charity, had rashly assailed it. We should regard ourselves as much deficient in moral feeling, were we to hesitate in applauding Mr. Flower's conduct, on this occasion, as not less noble than amiable; and, had not long experience taught us that such weak and acrimonious bigots as are the subjects of his virtuous indignation are neither to be reasoned nor shamed into good sense and liberality, we should venture to express a hope that his castigation would operate as a wholesome severity. How much soever some high Calvinists may disapprove of Mr. Robinson's moderate Calvinism, or may dispute his reasons for rejecting Reprobation, they are not warranted in asserting that his writings contain poison; for no man was ever less chargeable with the crime of endeavouring to poison the minds of his fellow-men. Perhaps it is not strictly honest to bring forwards a criminal accusation in a metaphor. Mr. R. himself was open and undisguised. He delivered his sentiments, whatever they were, in a manner that was bold and unreserved; reasoning in their favour with extreme plainness, and subjecting himself to an easy refutation if he had fallen into error. It will be seen, as the editor observes, (preface, p. xii.) that the same beauty and simplicity of style; the same ingenious, yet plain and forcible mode of reasoning; the same ardor in the cause of liberty civil and religious, and of uncorrupted Christianity; the same impartiality and sincerity in the pursuit of truth, and the same devotional spirit which are the characteristics of his former writings, characterise this volume. Very few authors have so blended instruction with entertainment, more especially on controversial subjects. Correct taste will not always justify Mr. R. in mixing the playfulness of the light essayist with the gravity of the deep metaphysician; and the few sermons which are now before us, if adapted for delivery to a congregation of plain Christians in a barn, are not so well fitted for the closet as we could wish. As a preacher, "Mr. R. was a mannerist; and his sermons lose much of their effect on being read by another. He aims at being extremely familiar, at taking his hearers by a coup de main, and at bringing out truths and inferences from his text in a manner which must create surprise if not stamp conviction. In the three dissertations which follow the sermons, (I. On the Nature and Operations of the Human Mind as relating more particularly to theological Inquiries; — II. On the the Literary Precautions necessary in the Study of Theology, and III. On the Doctrine of Predestination; or Moderate Calvinism considered as the safe Path between two Extremes,) Mr. R. endeavours to be philosophical; and he has suggested some good remarks on the limits of the human understanding, and on the errors which result from interpreting the figurative language of Scripture literally and its plain language metaphorically. He has also well exposed the presumptuous language of the high Calvinists, on the subjects of Election and Reprobation: but he will probably afford little satisfaction to profound metaphysicians, while to common Christians he may seem too deep. The very definition of his subject will at once shew that it is beyond the ken of human knowlege: Predestination is the determined plan of all God's works, considered as in his eternal mind. After all that the wisest of men can think or write on this topic, how ignorant must they remain! Yet illiterate sectaries will dispute and quarrel with each other about the Divine decrees! Let them be satisfied with knowing that God punishes the wicked, and has chosen the righteous for himself. Milton assigns to the fallen Angels the task of reasoning on Foreknowlege and Free Will; and let us leave this dispute to form one of the amusements of Pandemonium. Mr. R. confesses himself bewildered in mystery;' and he is glad, therefore, no doubt, to excape from mystery and metaphysics to his garden and his bees. What a relief must it be to diverge from so crabbed and perplexed a subject to such a piece of pastoral piety as the following: From the simple hoeing round a cabbage, to the solemn faith of treaties, effects flow from causes, causes from laws, or, what is the same, from the nature of things. O glorious and inviolable decree, watching and warning thy sons! Thou hast not spoken in secret in a dark place of the earth; thou hast not said to the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in vain! Dost thou destroy our liberty? The Lord hears the heavens, and they hear the earth, and the earth hears the corn, and the wine, and the oil, and they hear the lisping of the child Jezreel. Perhaps I may have harboured the wish that I had been born a prince, and have reigned a king. But why should I have preferred this to another station? Because, through inattention and prejudice, I have associated ideas which indeed have no relation at all. I have imagined greatness and happiness in union; whereas God, who seeth not as man seeth, who knows that not greatness and happiness, but goodness and happiness are associates, has providentially cast me in a retired station. My dominion extends over three acres, and I am happier than a prince; no neighbouring monarch disputes my title, nor harasses my frontiers. My frugal and industrious subjects form regular communities, swell into colonies, are quietly governed by their Own own laws, yet neither rebel against God's nor mine; they, happy in superior protection, the crown rich with their productions, 66 Undreaming ill, The happy people in their waxen cells THOMSON'S Autumn. Do princes taste what I taste when seated on an elm stump, my domestics bask in my presence? When my gentle cow, my willing horse, my faithful dog, my fluttering, prating poultry, surround my throne, watch my motions; and, by a thousand acts of unsuspected loyalty, tell me that I am in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field are at peace with me. Without Raphael's or Angelo's imitation, supremely delighted with grand originals of a great master, "Infinite numbers, delicacies, smells, With hues on hues, expression cannot paint, THOMSON'S SPRING. * Not Handel, with all his concords, can furnish such a symphony as mine! My musicians, heaven's pensioners, twitter in the thatch, thrill in the bushes, echo in the grove: - melody, harmony, all the day long. We go out with joy, we are led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field clap their hands. O! how infinitely preferable to the world, its pomp, its pleasures, is the unpolluted joy of that still small voice, that walketh in the garden in the cool of the day; that wraps the face in a mantle, expands the soul in attention, and whispers, There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.' Having considered various abuses of the doctrine of Predestination, Mr. Robinson thus concludes: We are told that the decrees of God "should be publicly taught from the pulpit and the press; that even the meanest of the people may not be ignorant of a truth which reflects such glory on God, and is the very foundation of happiness to man."-Well, let the doctrine be publicly taught as Scripture teaches it, as a way of God past finding "out. Let it be guarded against the various abuses to which men of corrupt minds frequently warp it. Let it be taught with all its benign consequences. Discharge the decree from conspiring the destruction of a sinner, and lay on him his own guilt. Console the faithful soul by assuring him that fury is not in God. Do not so teach the doctrine as to fortify the wicked, alarm the weak, or encourage the indolent. Preach it as a mystery calling for modesty, diligence, faith, gratitude, and every grace. Leave to God the arranging and executing his own decrees.' Instead of directing that the doctrine should be preached to the multitude as a mystery, would it not be preferable not to preach on it at all? The |