“We observe, that Mr. Cottle has, with a laudable industry, availed himself of every relic of information, which is left upon record, respecting the character and conduct of his hero. He has skilfully contrived to keep the interest of his readers awake by interweaving into his story the process and termination of his hero’s domestic distresses. By the exhibition of the perilous adventures of Alswitha, his amiable Queen, and her infant son, he happily preserves, throughout great part of his work, the pleasing, painful uncertainty of the drama. He seems to dwell with peculiar delight upon the representations of the gentler passions, and strives rather to melt the heart than to nerve the arm of heroism. He has adopted, as his model, the Odyssey in preference to the Iliad.”
Critical Review, Feb. 1801.
4. SCENES of INFANCY; Descriptive of Teviotdale. A Poem. By John Leyden. Finely printed by Ballantyne of Edinburgh, in Foolscap Octavo, with a Frontispiece, Price 6s. in Boards.
5. SOCIETY, a POEM, in two Parts, with other Poems. By James Kenney. In One Volume Foolscap Octavo, Price 4s. in Boards.
6. SIR TRISTEM, a METRICAL ROMANCE. By THOMAS of ERCELDOURE, called the Rhymer. Edited from an Ancient MS. with an Introduction and Notes. By Walter Scott, Esq. Editor of “The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.” Superbly printed in Royal Octavo, by Ballantyne, (Only 150 Copies printed.) Price 2l. 2s. in Boards.
7. LETTERS from Mrs. PALMERSTONE to her DAUGHTER; inculcating Morality by entertaining Narratives. By Mrs. Hunter, of Norwich. In Three Volumes, Post Octavo, Price 15s. in Boards.
“This is a very pleasing and well-executed performance. The Author has before asserted claims to the public favour, and not without success; but we think these volumes will materially add to her reputation. Her object, as we learn from her Preface, was neither to be too serious, nor too childish; neither to say too much, nor too little; but to produce a suitable book for females, between twelve and seventeen years of age. To such we recommend these agreeable and moral narratives, most of which we have perused, with no inconsiderable degree of entertainment.”
British Critic, August 1803.
8. LETITIA; or, a CASTLE WITHOUT a SPECTRE. By Mrs. HUNTER. In Four Volumes, Price 1l. 1s. In Boards.
“The Author possesses considerable merit as a writer, as well as an observer of human life and manners. Her discriminations are just and accurate.”