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lover of literature , and a zealous friend of the best interests of mankind . vNo . l . i ^ a " Biographical Sketch 4 rf the S ^ ftiiish Poet Villegas , " a co-^ ernporary of Lope de Vega , whose Life Jby Lord Holland has introduced
him to the knowledge of the English reader . At an early age , Villegas published translations and imitations of Ana ^ reon and Horace , under the title of" Erotica * , " o * Amatory Poem « . He attempted to rescue Spanish poetry frofta the fetters of rhyme by the introduction of the Latin
metres ; and has proved ( says Mr . Evans ) that the Spanish possesses greater affinity with the Latin , than any of the modern European languages . He also translated into Spanish verse the Consolations of Boethius , once a popular book throughout Europe , and wrote two volumes of Critical Dissertations
in Latin , principally upon the ancient classics . He published besides a Commentary upon the Theodosian Code . He was horn about 1596 , and died in the 75 rd year of his age . No . II . is ** On the Sources of our
purest Pleasures . The highest happiness is here placed in the possession of serenity of mind , springing from regulated wants and wishes * It is assumed as a principle that a prepon * derance of enjoyment is the only condition upon which existence is
desirable * A mong the sources of the purest pleasures of the mind are distinguished —the acquisition of a devotional temper the exercise of the benevolent affections , the retrospections of memory and the enjoyments derived from & cultivated imagination .
^ fo . III . is ' * Remarks on Dr . Gefarn * 8 Definition , and Dr . Johnson ' s description of Genius . ** Dr . Gerard defines genius thus : u Genius is the faculty of invention , by means of which a man is qualified for making new discoveries in science , or for producing original works of art . " Dr . Johnson describes it to be " a mind of
great general powers accidentally determined to some particular direction . " Mr . Evans pronounces Dr- Gerard ' s definition defective , and is disposed to rest satisfied with Dr . Johnson ' s
description . Is not genius the power of originating new and arbitrary ideas , which a » soon aa they are perceived excite both surprise and pleasure ? No . IV . is On the Influence of Poverty in producing Capital Crimes .
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Mr . Evans thinks that man is na u rally lazy , and that want or the dread of want , is absolutely necessary to supply a motive for action . He sug . gests therefore that it is better to pri vent than to punish crimes , and he
would , we suppose , recommend ( thou » h he has not said so ) the prevention ^ crimes by furnishing labour for the poor . Popular education , which he does recommend , would doubtless Jessen offences by enlarging the sphere and the means of employment . But
is there not a dangerous concession in the following sentence ? " It will require much sophistry to convince an impartial and thinking mind , that it is just to > deprive a man of life for an
action [ which ] it was morally impos sible he could avoid committing . " Moral impossibility is a plea for all crimes or none ; and extend ? not merely to the deprivation of life , but to all punishment whatsoeve r *
No . V . "On the Tendency of Literary Forgeries , " is by a friend of the Author ' s . The question is imperfectly stated and unsatisfactorily discussed . In the Vlth No . " O » the Infelicities of Genius , " some of the source *
of misery to the few persons to whom this character may be applied aie pointed out , and it is suggested by way of conclusion , that the cultivation of the moral virtues , fouuded upon a rational piety , is a sovereign antidote , not only to the infelicities of genius but to all the evils of hu-3
manity . * We find in No . VII . " On the Arts of giving pleasure , ' * some sentiments with which we do not coincide . What is meant by " all happiness" bang " at the best illusive ? " In the concluding paragraph , flattery appeals to be confounded with candour .
There are some manly and liberal observations in No . VIII . " On the Law of Libel . " No . IX . *< O » combining a Taste for the Beauties of Nature with admiration of the Productions of Art ,
concludes with " a tribute of prawe , the justness of which we will not question , to " Anna Seward . ' We are particularly p leased * vitn No . X . which treats of the " . Nat ural ¦*¦ ^ ** -r * d- m . m T V MTM »* - 4 4 % sM V * ¦ " *¦ ***^ - » ^^» m/»— - — - ^
Intimations of a Future State of ^* iatence . " The argument from « suffering of death , suggested by ^ Hartley , is well stated : —• w All the otlier pains to which on * **'
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l 7 § Revietv *—Evans ' s Ponderer *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1815, page 178, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1758/page/50/
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