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Johnson, that levity as to sacred things is an exercise of wit "which the religious man will abhor for its profaneness, and the witty man will disdain for its easiness."

The Harp of Judah; or, Songs of Sion. (Being a Metrical Translation of the Psalms, constructed from the most beautiful parts of the best English Versions; with an Introduction, and Notes, Critical and Explanatory, &c.) By the late Nathan Drake, M.D., &c. London: Rivingtons. 2 vols. 8vo. 1837. THE late Dr. N. Drake was well known a few years ago in the literary world, and certainly there was no man more highly respected for his amiable and excellent character. All who had the advantage of knowing him will remember with pleasure his well-stored and thoughtful mind, his cheerful and contented spirit, and his sincere piety. The work now brought before the public is a posthumous work, but it is one which has evidently cost the compiler much thought and consideration. Great knowledge of our best writers is displayed in the notes, and the compilation itself is clearly the result of long and patient consideration from a mind of much delicacy and taste. Of the degree of success which attends such an attempt it is not for the reviewer to speak, because these are subjects on which hardly two persons will agree. The only thing that can be done is, to mention the qualifications of the author for the task, and then request each man to judge for himself of its execution.

The Third Annual Report of the Buth Church-of-England Lay Association; including Remarks on the Question of Church Rates, and a brief Summary of the Origin of the Apostolical Church of England; in reply to the aspersions of Dr. Baines. Bath: Pocock. London: Simpkin and Marshall. Nov. 1836. THE following extract from this little report will probably give the best proof of the services already conferred by this association, and an earnest of those which, while it continues to be guided by the same good judgment, it is likely hereafter to perform :

"Several measures have been adopted during the last year, which are indeed enough to gladden the minds of those who are well affected to the church of England, and we most heartily congratulate our country and our brethren thereupon. The Church Building Societies, including that which, through the blessing of God, and the joint exertions of the clergy and this association, has been established in this diocese, have gone on most prosperously; we are also forming a Branch Clergy Orphan Society, similar to those established in other districts, which has commenced under very favourable auspices; this Association has also succeeded in establishing a Diocesan Society for providing and maintaining additional Curates, and we are most happy to state, that the lord bishop of the diocese has, with his wonted kindness and liberality, taken all these societies under his especial protection."

The association is, no doubt, much indebted to the exertions of its active and zealous secretary, W. Jeffs, Esq., for the good it has done, and for the way it is making in the minds of the residents in Bath and its neighbourhood. Bath, indeed, appears to be richly provided with zealous and excellent churchmen, and with such institutions as they are likely to originate and support. Such appears to be the Bath General Instruction Society in accordance with the Principles of the

Church of England. The excellent address delivered on its opening by the Rev. W. D. Willis, is recommended to all classes for their perusal. It ought to be mentioned, that the question of church rates, and the answer to Dr. Baines in the Report of the Church of England Association, are briefly but ably put.

The Carthusian. Nos. I. & II. (Quarterly.) London: Walker; Simpkin & Marshall. 1837.

THIS is one of the miscellaneous collections written by boys at public schools, and those who have been educated at them, to which the success of the Etonian seems to have given birth. Rugby has its quarterly, and surely the Charterhouse is worthy of the same honour, and may contend with it in a spirit of generous rivalry. There is a good article on Public Schools in the second number, and some good verses, both Latin and English. The Latin verses are a translation of the Duke of Brunswick's account of his æronautic expedition. In these miscellanies, it seems to the writer that the least successful parts are usually the attempts at wit, especially at witty dialogues among the supposed conductors of the magazine. It requires very great wit to avoid common-place or buffoonery in such an essay. However, every one with kindly feelings towards our great schools will wish these endeavours, when conducted in a right spirit, good speed, and

success.

No. VI. of the "Churches of London" contains two views of the Temple Church, which quite keep up the character of the publication. The only objection to them arises from the figures which are introduced. Might it not be suggested to the artists to attend to this point, and to take care that all which are introduced may be appropriate to the places?

Part VII. of Finden's "Ports and Harbours" has been published, and although some are not so striking as many of the former views, there are two beautiful scenes, one on the Beach at Sidmouth, and the other Tintagel Castle.

"Two Lectures on Modern English Literature," and "Three Addresses delivered before the Literary and Scientific Institution at Staines, in Middlesex," by the Rev. Robert Jones, D.D., Vicar of Bedfont, may be recommended to those who are wishing to form or belong to similar institutions. They are written in a kind and candid spirit, and are intended to set before the members of these societies what their objects ought peculiarly to be.

Archdeacon Pott has published an excellent Charge on the subject of Apostolical Episcopacy.

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MISCELLANEA.

STATISTICS OF ROMANISM IN IRELAND.
Extracted from "L'Ami de la Religion," May 9, 1837.

[The following extracts have been furnished by the kindness of a friend.] Vicars-apostolic, 4.

Thomas Griffiths, Bishop of Olena, London District. Thomas Walsh, Bishop of Cambysopolis, Midland District. Briggs, Bishop of Trachmitis, Northern District. P. A. Baines, Bishop of Liga, Western District. Chapels, 430.

In the London District, 70; all supported by subscription.

Of these, Moorfields is very much out of repair. The district attached to it comprehends the entire city, with the exception of some very small portions of it, and takes in some other parts of London besides. The German Chapel (Qu. that attached to the Austrian Embassy ?) is attended mainly by poor foreigners. The French Chapel is no longer supported by the French Government, since the Revolution of 1830. There are twenty-three others in London and its environs, and forty-four in the rest of the district.

There are new chapels building at Brentwood and Colchester.

In the Midland District, 117.

In this district, new chapels have either been built or are building at Hithe [Qu.?], Wellington, Tamworth, Kidderminster, and Chipping-Norton. [Also at Banbury.]

In the Northern District, 189.

In Lancashire there are 88; five at Liverpool, four at Manchester, three at Preston, two at Wigan. Chapels are needed at Wigton, Houghton-leSpring, and Halifax, but the catholic inhabitants have not the means of building them.

In the Western District (which includes Wales), 54.

A new chapel has been erected at Falmouth, but it is burthened with a heavy debt.

Priests, 475.

Many of these serve two congregations.

Charity Schools.

In London, 15. There are others at Birmingham, Norwich, Nottingham, &c.

Colleges and Seminaries.

At Oldham-green, Oscott, Prior-park, and Elstree, for each of the four districts. The Jesuits' College at Stonyhurst; others at Ampleforth, near York; Downside, near Bath; the German College at Broadway, and St. Edmund's at Douai, [Qu. recently removed to England?]

Convents, 18.

Of these, ten have schools attached to them. There are likewise English convents at Bruges, Ypres, Paris, Arras, and Boulogne.

[Obs.]-A protestant of distinguished ability has been converted to catholicism. His name is Kenelm Digby, a descendant of Sir Kenelm Digby's, son of Everard Digby, who was executed for having been concerned in the gunpowder plot,* in the reign of James I.

Mr. Quin is no longer one of the Editors of the Dublin Review. Mr. Tierney, the Duke of Norfolk's chaplain, has offered to take his place.

How strange that the Editor should think this is a feature of Mr. Digby's case worth adverting to. Does he approve of the conduct of Mr. Digby's ancestor?

Drs. Griffiths and Walsh, vicars-apostolic of the London and Midland districts, passed through Paris last week on their way to Rome. It is said, that the object of their journey is to obtain the pope's consent to an augmentation of the number of bishops in England. Perhaps another vicar-apostolic is wanted in the northern district. But this is mere conjecture.—L'Ami de la Religion, April 27.

It is commonly asserted, at meetings of the Reformation Society, that in the year 1796 there were only twenty-four Roman-catholic chapels in England, although there are now 430. The Editor of this periodical denies the fact, upon the authority of Berington, who, in his "State and Behaviour of English Catholics," &c. published in 1780, states, that at that period there were about 360 priests in England, and yet no less than twenty-three congregations without a priest. Now how, the Editor asks, could this have been the case, and yet there be only twenty-four chapels in all England?

REV. W. F. HOOK.

THE testimony here borne to the merits of Dr. Hook, by those who have had the best means of appreciating his value, affords the most unerring proof of his usefulness in his former station, and gives the best earnest that, as long as his life shall be spared, he will be equally valuable in the new sphere of action into which he has been called. To his friends, to all who know him, no such testimony could be needed; but still it is gratifying to see that his services have been duly estimated heretofore; and there can be little doubt when he is as well known in Leeds as he is in Coventry, there will be quite as strong a feeling in his favour.

At a meeting of the committee of the Religious and Useful Knowledge Society, in Coventry, held on the 9th of May, 1837, the following resolution was passed, in reference to the removal of the Rev. W. F. Hook (one of the trustees of the above society) from the vicarage of the Holy Trinity to that of Leeds :

"That the Rev. W. F. Hook, late vicar of the parish of the Holy Trinity, one of the trustees of this society, having been preferred to the vicarage of Leeds, a clergyman long venerated in this city, for his unostentatious piety, his extensive theological learning, and his Christian benevolence, and one whose cordial and liberal support, both as a trustee and also as a member of this institution, has laid this society under peculiar obligations, the committee, anxious of taking an early opportunity of recording their feelings, in reference to his removal,

"Resolved, That this committee feel it their duty to express to the Rev. W. F. Hook their warmest thanks, for the zeal which he has at all times manifested in the organization and support of this society; and while they sincerely congratulate him on his preferment to the vicarage of Leeds, and rejoice in the contemplation of the advantages which will of necessity accrue to the church they love, by placing him in a more extended sphere of usefulness, they cannot but express their painful sense of the loss this city, and especially this society, is called upon to sustain, by the removal of one so eminently revered and beloved, for his personal character, and so highly distinguished for his high ecclesiastical attainments; and, in remembering as they do the readiness and liberality with which, upon all occasions, he has come forward to promote the interests of this society, they earnestly and respectfully request him to continue that patronage and countenance, as one of their trustees, under which, by God's blessing, this society has been so eminently successful in promoting those good principles for which it was established. They therefore place on their records this day, their sincere and heartfelt wishes for the health and prosperity of their beloved friend and pastor, at the same time expressing their sentiments of unaffected sorrow at the removal of so valuable a member.

"JOHN C. COOKE, Chairman.”

CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT LECTURES.

THE following notice has been very extensively circulated :

"

"Old Broad-street, 14th June, 1837.

Sir, The Committee of the Christian Influence Society, impressed with a deep sense of the importance of the wider inculcation of correct principles respecting the duties of Christian governments and legislatures with reference to the religious interests of the people, have requested the Rev. THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., to deliver a Course of Lectures on the following subject :-'The Establishment and Extension of National Churches, as affording the only adequate machinery for the Moral and Christian Instruction of a People.'

"Dr. Chalmers having kindly complied with the above request, the Lectures are intended to be given on the following days:

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at Freemason's Hall, at two o'clock precisely. Admission will be (gratuitously) by tickets.

"It is proposed that the subject shall be followed up, early in the next season, by another course of lectures, by the Rev. CHRISTOPHER BENSON, M.A., Master of the Temple, upon the Excellence and Value of the English National Church Establishment, together with the circumstances which impede its efficiency, and the best remedies for such defects.

"I have the honour to be, &c.

A. GORDON, Hon. Sec."

DOCUMENTS.

PETITION OF THE ARCHDEACON AND CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF EXETER,

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

We, the undersigned Archdeacon and Clergy within the Archdeaconry of Exeter, approach your Majesty with devoted attachment to your royal person, and firm reliance upon your paternal regard and protection.

In ordinary times, and on less important matters, we should not presume to obtrude our sentiments upon your Majesty's notice; but the present state and prospects of our apostolical church seem to require an earnest and immediate appeal from the faithful ministers of that church, to your Majesty, its supreme head upon earth.

We have witnessed for several years a growing disposition to interfere with the concerns, without at the same time promoting the welfare, of the national church. Successive acts of the legislature have altered its position in the state, and materially weakened its defences. The rights and privileges of the bishops and clergy are now openly assailed, the security of church property is impaired, the interests of those who hold it are threatened by a projected alteration in its tenure and management, while the paramount and perpetual claims of the church itself are set at nought by arbitrary schemes for the eventual alienation of its estates.

By returns made in compliance with your Majesty's command, it has been incontestably proved, that the endowments of the ministers of the church, reduced as they were at the Reformation, are now only sufficient for the proper maintenance of the clergy. In the incomes of many, a further reduction may be expected from the operation of the recent act for the Commutation of Tithes; and yet, at the very time when the spiritual wants of a rapidly

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