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CELESTIAL PHENOMENA.-POETRY.

and six; and in their hands the sword continues, even at this day. Yet this is but the sword of man, and it is frail.

Alas, for the divisions of the church! Alas, for the divisions of her sons! and alas, for the divisions of her foster-fathers! These have consigned her to bondage, while freedom was her own. Had she, with her fathers and her sons, been invariably, "one and indivisible," from the era of the Reformation until now, what could have made her subject to bondage? But, if thus much may be said of the past, much more may it be asserted of the present. Were her fosterfathers one, and, instead of being leagued with Babylonish potentates, were they firmly leagued together, what a front would they present to the persecutors! Lives there power in the enemies of the Lord, front to front, to meet its array? But this temporal power of the church is frittered away; and while her sons wage endless controversies, each with each, instead of silencing the enemy, her foster-fathers form alliances and wage wars, frequently, which tend to the destruction of their coadjutors, and the establishment of their persecutors. From on high is the power of the church-she rests in God alone.

WM. COLDWell.

King Square, October 15, 1831.

CELESTIAL PHENOMENA.-NOV. 1831. THE Sun enters Sagittarius on the 22d at 35 minutes past 12 at night; his semi-diameter on the 1st is 16 minutes 9 seconds and 3 tenths; and on the 25th, 16 minutes 14 seconds and 4 tenths.

The Moon is new on the 4th, at 38 minutes past 1 in the afternoon; enters her first quarter on the 12th, at 45 minutes past 6 in the evening; she is full on the 19th, at 57 minutes past 6 in the evening; and enters her last quarter on the 26th, at 28 minutes past 10 in the morning. On the 8th, at 32 minutes 7 seconds past 5 in the evening, she is in conjunction with 2 Sagittarii, which is attended with an occultation; also on the 25th, at 25 minutes 56 seconds past 11 at night, she is in conjunction with Regulus, which is likewise attended with an occultation: on the morning of the 27th she passes over the planet Saturn; the conjunction taking place about six o'clock.

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Mercury passes the Sun at his superior conjunction on the 13th, at 10 in the morning, when he is eclipsed by that luminary. The beautiful planet Venus is now begining to gild our mornings with her bril.

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liancy. She may be discerned by the early observer, in the constellation of the Virgin; and on the mornings of the 22d and 23d may be observed near → Virginis. Mars is still near the Sun, and it will consequently be difficult to obtain a view of him: he rises a short time before that luminary.

The noble planet Jupiter is in quadrature with the Sun on the 6th, at 15 minutes past 12 at night. There are three emersions of his first Satellite visible this month: on the 14th, at 59 minutes 8 seconds past 6 in the evening; on the 21st, at 54 minutes 54 seconds past 8 in the evening; and on the 30th, at 19 minutes 34 seconds past 5 in the evening: an emersion of the second on the 24th, at 21 minutes 49 seconds past 7 in the evening: also an immersion and emersion of the third; the immersion takes place on the 3d, at 51 minutes 56 seconds past 5 in the evening; and the emersion at 24 minutes 3 seconds past 9 the same evening: there is likewise an emersion of the fourth, at 28 minutes 2 seconds past 7 in the evening of the 2d.

Saturn is a conspicuous object in the eastern hemisphere during the mornings; he is still situated in Leo. The Georgian is in quadrature with the Sun on the 3d, at 30 minutes past 7 in the evening he is still seen in the Goat.

POETRY.

ADVICE TO A YOUNG FRIEND.
DEAR youth, remember that thou art
From thy lov'd kindred far apart,
And that no fond parental eye
Looks o'er thy doings to descry
Or wise or foolish, then decide
For that to praise, or this to chide.
Yes! thou hast left thy rural cot,
Thy friends, thy playmates, and what not,
To sojourn 'mid the town's parade,
And learn the mysteries of trade.
No wonder if thou ruminate
Upon the change, for it is great;
Yet be not fretful or repine,
Peace and contentment may be thine,
And those now strangers soon may be
Kind and affectionate to thee.
Some useful hints then let me state,
To help thee how to regulate
Thy conduct, that thou may'st obtain
The love of those 'twere wise to gain.
Thy temper govern with great care,
And patiently resolve to bear
Reproof, for that in friendly mood
May ultimately do thee good.
Age and experience can espy
Things that escape the youngster's eye;
Devoid of practice or foresight,
Thou may'st do wrong, and think 'tis right.
To thy new master and his spouse,
And all the inmates of the house,
Pay that regard and def'rence due,
And shew that thou art grateful too
For favours proffer'd or conferr'd;
And never let it be averred,

That e'er thy tongue can aught impart,
Without the sanction of the heart.

1 Attend to business, study well In each department to excel; Be ever ready to obey

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Thy master's wishes night or day;
If justly blam'd for some omission,
Use no denial, make concession;
Thy faults to screen raise no debate,
Or foolishly prevaricate.

One lie found out, howe'er the case,
Begets distrust, and brings disgrace.
For with each man of worth and sense,
The truth will prove the best defence.
And when the Sabbath-day comes round,
Be at some place of worship found,

A pious and devout attendant,
Or Methodist or Independent,
Or at the Church, if there be found
A preacher orthodox and sound,
Who clearly points and leads the way
To realms of never-ending day.
In thy deportment be discreet,
Nor form acquaintance in the street;
Nay, ne'er for pleasure wander there,
Though thou have leisure time to spare;
Be that spent with a book or friend,
"Twill more to thine improvement tend.
Thus let me earnestly beseech
Thee to keep from temptation's reach.
When vice walks forth without disguise,
And each alluring effort tries
To lead th' unwary youth astray,
And win him o'er from virtue's way.
Or where false pleasures all pursue,
Nor seen the serious-thinking few,
And follow folly's mad career,
Nor heed the consequences drear.

And though when in her gorgeous bowers,
They seem compos'd of fragrant flowers,
And every flower that comes in view
Appears possess'd of beauty too,

Yet pull the fairest, and anon

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Its odour and its beauty's gone.

On wisdom's paths real roses grow,

Though fainter seem their scent and show.
Pluck them, nor dread the worldling's scorn,
Behind them lurks no hidden thorn.
The longer kept, the more perfume;
And their's is an eternal bloom.

Nottingham.

M. A. C.

EARTHLY JOYS UNCERTAIN.

I TWIN'D me a wreath of the rosiest flowers
The morning could boast in the cool shady bowers,
When the dew-drop was clear in the brocket's blue
eye,

And the bright leaves were wooing the summer winds' sigh.

I sought them again at the close of the day,
In the morn where I left them, all shining and gay,
But I found that the violet had droop'd its fair head,
That the bloom of the rose and the lily was fled,
Yet sweet as the breath of their flourishing bours,
A perfume was wafted around from the flowers,
Though each gem of the garden was wither'd and
dead,

Yet e'en from their dry leaves a fragrance was shed.
And, methought, it was thus to the desolate heart,
That virtue a fragrance and balm can impart;
Life's sunniest hours, tho' laughing and gay,
Must be ended-but virtue can never decay.
Norwich, July, 1831.
W. P. SPARKS.

ALL ON EARTH IS TRANSIENT. How pure and lovely smiles the day To eyes that know no weeping! How gladsome beams the suminer ray, To hearts in pleasure sleeping! To such at morn, the leafy trees Their balmy dews distilling ;To such at eve, the murmuring breeze The air with odours tilling;-.

The pining rill, the shady valės šou take a
Their several sweets uniting,
Will each unfold a rapturous tale,

To joy and love exciting.,

In youth's gay morn the cloudless mind
Knows not of care and sorrow;
The joys to-day has left behind
Are sought again to-morrow!
Oh lightly speeds old Time away,
Swift fly the laughing hours,
When skies with sunny beams are gay,
And paths are strew'd with flowers.

But, ah! these scenes, so fair to view,
Are nought but rainbow painting;
Soon from the skies shall every hue
Fade, like the rainbow fainting.

The spring-time hopes of man are seared
In autumn's chilly boldness;

The summer gems, so softly reared,
Are nipp'd in winter's coldness.

Yet there's a land where nought can change,
Where storm nor cloud e'er lowers,
In endless days where spirits range,
Through meads and roseate bowers.
There are no fading dowers and sweets,
There is no chill of even,

But peace pervades the golden streets,
That happy land is- HEAVEN.
W. P. SPARKS

THE CHILD'S LAMENT FOR SUMMER.

WHERE is the glorious Summer gone!
Why hath it pass'd away,

With many a sweet and thrilling tone,
That came but yesterday?

I hear not now the wild bird's song,
Ringing through wood and dell;
But the wind sweeps mournfully along,
Like summer's sad farewell.

Nor lingers there one flowret bright,
To meet my anxious view-

The streams have lost their golden light,
The sky its sapphire hue.

And green leaves which have proudly swang
On many a forest bough,

Unto the moaning winds are flung,

But sear'd and wither'd now.

Oft as I chas'd the butterfly
From flow'r to flow'r away,

I thought such blossoms could not die,
Nor Summer feel decay.

But the violet in its lone repose

Hath lost its od'rous breath; The lily and the queenly rose

Have felt the touch of death!

Alas! that such a glorious time
Should ever pass away;
Will the green fields renew their prime?
Oh! when? sweet mother, say.

The summer will return, fair child!

And earth again will bloom;
The violet in the woodlands wild
Shall yield its rich perfume!
All beautiful and glorious things
Shall spring again to birth,
(Bright as thine own imaginings,)
With tones of love and mirth.
But the gay summer of the heart,
We may recall in vain ;
When that blest season doth depart
It ne'er returns again!

And friendships, of thy childhood's hours,
Will quickly pass away;
E'en as the with'ring summer flow'rs,
As false-as frail as they!

REVIEW.-WORKS OF THE REV. ROBERT HALL, A. M.

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THE appearance of the third volume before the second, though somewhat irregular and out of order, can be of little consequence to the reader, as the whole six volumes are expected to be finished before the end of the present year; and it is highly probable that those who purchase any one part, will be so far gratified and pleased with its contents, as to have this celebrated author's works complete.

The subjects which this third volume contains are both numerous and diversified, and, from the superiority of talent displayed in each department, the belief is induced, that had Mr. H. been called in early life to the senate or the bar, he would have shone in either constellation as a star of the first magnitude. These, however, were not the elements in which he either chose, or was destined to shine. The vigour of his mighty intellect wanted a hemisphere in which to range; his philanthropy desired one in which he could be most beneficial to his fellow-creatures; while his piety fixed on religion as being altogether congenial with his talents and the dictates of his heart. To be an honoured instrument in the hands of God, in teaching the souls of men the way of salvation, animated him with more exalted motives than either personal fame or worldly aggrandizement could possibly inspire. On this ground he took his stand, and in the cause of his Redeemer he has gathered imperishable laurels.

From the numerous topics which fall under the author's discussion in this volume, it would be difficult to make any selection that should be accompanied with reasons for a decided preference.

His "Apology for the freedom of the press," ," "On the right of public discussion," "Reform in parliament," and "On theories and the rights of man," all hold out an invitation to be transcribed. For these,

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however, and other kindred topics, we must refer the reader to the volume, contenting ourselves with a few extracts from his vindication of the sentiments he had previously advanced in favour of the liberty of the press.

On this very interesting subject his views are enlarged, and his language is both nervous and perspicuous. To this liberty, His he, however, assigns specific limits. sentiments, therefore, cannot be construed into an approval of theories which would either unhinge civil government, or countenance blasphemy against God. In his reply to the reviewer of his pamphlet in the Christian Guardian, Mr. Hall observes as follows:

"To plead for the liberty of divulging speculative opinions, is one thing; and to assert the right of uttering blasphemy, is another. For, blasphemy, which is the speaking contumeliously of God, is not a speculative error; it is an overt act; a crime which no state should tolerate."-p. 191.

"It may not be improper in this place to notice a curious argument which the Reviewer adduces, in support of his darling tenet of passive obedience and non-resistance, from the prevailing and inherent depravity of human nature. He reminds us that mankind are represented in the scriptures as alike depraved and unruly,' and from these premises attempts to enforce that interpretation of scripture which would annihilate the liberties of mankind, and reduce them, without restriction or reservation, to a passive submission to their political superiors. On another occasion, I have sufficiently rescued the sentiments of the inspired writers from such a detestable imputation, by shewing that their design is merely to inculcate the general duty of obedience to government, as the ordinance of God, while they leave the just bounds of authority, and the limits of obedience, to the regulation and adjustment of reason and experience; a task to which they are perfectly adequate.

"But how does the depravity of human nature evince the necessity of passive obedience and nonresistance, unless it is contended that the ruling part of mankind are not depraved? That mankind are naturally depraved and unruly, affords a good argument for the existence of government itself; but since they are alike depraved and unruly since governors partake of the same corruption as the people, aggravated too often by the possession of power, which inflames the passions and corrupts the heart; to allege the depravity of human nature as a reason for submission to arbitrary power, involves the absurdity of supposing, that the cure of one degree of wickedness is to be obtained by affording unlimited license to a greater. Retrace the annals of all times and nations, and you will find in the triumph of despotism, the triumph of wickedness; you will also find that men have been virtuous, noble, and disinterested, just in proportion as they have been free," &c.-p. 193.

"There is a description of men who are accustomed, systematically, to yield up their understanding to others, who, in their view, ought to be judges it is needless to add, that the present writer (a writer in the Christian Guardian) is evidently of this servum pécus, this tame and passive herd; and that his knowledge of the subject is just what might be expected from one who thinks by proxy. These men, forgetting, or affecting to forget, that the exercise of power, in whatever hands it is placed, will infallibly degenerate into tyranny, unless it is carefully watched, make it their whole business to screen its abuses, to suppress inquiry, to stifle complaint, and inculcate on the people, as their duty, a quiet and implicit submission to the direction of those who, to speak in the vocabulary of slaves, ought to be judges.' These are the men by whom the constitution is

endangered; these are the maxims by which free states are enslaved. If that freedom which is the birthright of Britons is destined to go down to succeeding generations, it must result from the prevalence of an opposite spirit-a lofty enthusi asm, an ardent attachment to liberty, and an incessant jealousy of the tendency of power to enlarge its pretensions and extend its encroachments," &c.-p. 196.

It was not the lot of Mr. Hall to witness the almost universal prevalence of the sentiments which he has here expressed. In his time they were advanced at the hazard of his reputation. The day-star had, however, risen on his mind, and he followed its light, without any regard to personal consequences. Since death has closed his eyes, the sun of political freedom has mounted above the horizon, and we have lived to enjoy the beamings of its meridian splendour.

From the other miscellaneous articles, amounting to nearly forty, which compose this volume, our limits will not allow us to take any extracts. Throughout the whole, the same elegance of expression, the same keenness of investigation, and the same masculine power of reasoning, is every where apparent. Taken in the aggregate, each will appear a master-piece of its kind, which can hardly fail to gratify the reader, and quicken his appetite for the volumes which are yet to appear.

REVIEW.- The Life of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., Founder of the Methodist Societies. By Richard Watson. 12mo. pp. 387. Mason, London, 1831. THE memoirs of this very extraordinary man have been so long before the world, and in such a variety of forms, that every important source of information respecting him, has long since been exhausted. Numerous topics, indeed, on which other biographers have touched, are here placed in new combinations, and associated with motives which some preceding writers have not had either the ability to discover, or the integrity to avow; and hence, many features in his character and movements assume an attitude of originality; but in every sketch the leading facts are nearly the same; and that reader who now expects a life of Mr. Wesley composed of new materials will be rewarded with disappointment.

This view of the subject is indirectly avowed by Mr. Watson, in a short preface to the present volume. He tells us, that "the most approved accounts of Mr. Wesley have been carried out to a length which obstructs their circulation, by the intermixture of details comparatively uninteresting beyond the immediate circle of Metho

dism. The present life, therefore, contracted within moderate limits, by the exclusion of extraneous matter, has been prepared with more special reference to general readers."

Keeping this modest profession continually in view, the author has been eminently successful. He has imbodied within a narrow compass all that is essential to the life which he delineates, without digressing into the regions of polemical speculations, and has omitted nothing that can be deemed necessary to the development of the great principles by which Mr. Wesley was guided, and the unwearied perseverance which distinguished his probationary career.

Unlike Dr. Southey, who resolved all Mr. Wesley's actions into enthusiasm and ambition, Mr. Watson has traced them to a higher source, and found this eminent servant of the Most High uniformly actuated by love to God and love to man. His first impulses and movements are narrated with much plainness and simplicity. His travels, perils, persecutions, and success in preaching, are recorded without exaggeration. The doctrines which he taught are stated without any latent concealment; and in the formation of his societies, we behold the leadings of Providence superintending the measures which he adopted,

It has been said of the celebrated Richard

Baxter, that "such men are not to be drawn in miniature." A similar remark may with equal propriety be applied to Mr. Wesley; and in this light he was surveyed by Dr. Whitehead, who thought two well-crowded octavos not too voluminous to communicate his history to the world. We are not aware that any of its readers, or any of Mr. Wesley's admirers, have thought such a vehicle too splendid, or in any way displaying ostentation. To many insects of the day, over whose names the billows of time are destined to close for ever, a magnificent vehicle is of the utmost importance; but the character of John Wesley, "embalmed in its own perfume," will yield a fragrance in every form which his biographer may adopt. Its buoyant properties will secure its immortality, and place it beyond the influence of folio, quarto, octavo, or duodecimo delineation.

The more voluminous biographies of Mr. Wesley were never intended to be superseded by this volume. To those who have the former, the present will communicate little that is new; but it will throw into the hands of thousands, a condensed account of one of the most remarkable ministers of the gospel that has ever lived since the days of the apostles; and supply them

REVIEW.-POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES: SANDWICH ISLANDS.

with the essence of the larger volumes, which the expense of purchasing had placed beyond their reach.

We apprehend that this work was undertaken at the particular request of the Methodist Conference; from which circumstance it is fairly to be inferred, that it has obtained the sanction of this great organ of the sect-to whom it will be a text-book, from which there can be no appeal. We cannot but think that this work has been confided to very able hands. Mr. Watson was well acquainted with the task he engaged to undertake, and had constant access to every species of information that the subject would allow. Of these favourable

circumstances he has availed himself, and produced a book, moderate both in size and price, that is creditable to his talents, faithful to the character of Mr. Wesley, and honourable to the connexion of which he was the founder.

REVIEW.-Polynesian Researches, by William Ellis, Vol. III. pp. 407. Fisher and Co., London, 1831.

THE exalted character which we gave, in our former numbers, of the two preceding volumes, is amply supported by the intrinsic merit of this which is now before us. The extensive circulation with which the "Polynesian Researches" have been honoured, furnishes a convincing evidence, that a numerous class of readers are deeply interested in the narrations, events, and incidents which the author details.

From his long residence in these distant islands, Mr. Ellis was favoured with opportunities of prosecuting his researches, which rarely fall to the lot of any individual. These he seized, and improved with the most unremitting industry and perseverance; and, with talents every way adequate to the task, he has produced a work which gives more solid and genuine information respecting the inhabitants and productions of the South Sea Islands, than can be found in the accumulated volumes of all the writers who have preceded him.

REVIEW.-Polynesian Researches, (Sandwich Islands,) Vol. IV. pp. 471. Fisher, & Co. London. 1831.

THE island of Hawaii (the Owhyhee of Captain Cook) will ever be memorable in the annals of our country, as the place in which that celebrated circumnavigator was murdered by savages; and in many other respects we discover phenomena which render it truly remarkable.

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On traversing the interior, one of its mountains presents to the eye of the astonished visitant, the most terrible volcano that has hitherto been discovered on any portion of the globe. Of this appalling spectacle, an ample description, extracted from a former edition of this work, may be found in column 376, of the eighth vol. of the Imperial Magazine for 1826, and also an engraving in col. 105 of the following year. On this account we must at present confine our observations to a solitary paragraph, which, though short, will communicate some idea of this awful bed of liquid fire.

"After walking some distance over the sunken plain, which in several places sounded hollow under our feet, we at length came to the edge of the great crater, where a spectacle sublime, and even appalling, presented itself before us

'We stopped and trembled.'

Astonishment and awe for some moments rendered us mute, and, like statues, we stood fixed to the spot, with our eyes riveted on the abyss be. low. Immediately before us yawned an immense gulf, in the form of a crescent, about two miles in length from north-east to south-west, nearly a mile wide, and apparently eight hundred feet deep. The bottom was covered with lava, and the south-west and northern parts of it were one vast flood of burning matter, in a state of terrific ebullition, rolling to and fro its fiery surge," and flaming billows. Fifty-one conical islands, of varied form and size, containing as many craters, rose either round the edge, or from the surface of the burning lake. Twenty-two constantly emitted columns of gray smoke, or pyramids of brilliant flame and several of these at the same time vomited forth, from their united mouths, streams of lava, which rolled in blazing torrents down their black indented sides, into the boiling mass below."-p. 237.

The inhabitants of these insulated regions are scarcely less remarkable in their manners and modes of acting, than the preceding natural, or almost preternatural, singularity of the island is astonishing. Among their varied amusements, the following custom cannot fail to arrest the at

tention of the reader.

"There are, perhaps, no people more accustomed to the water than the islanders of the Pacific; they seem almost a race of amphibious beings. Familiar with the sea from their birth, they lose all dread of it, and seem nearly as much at home in the water as on dry land. There are few children who are not taken into the sea by their mothers the second or third day after their birth, and many who can swim as soon as they can walk. The heat of the climate is, no doubt, one source of the gratification they find in this amusement, which is so universal, that it is scarcely possible (to pass along the shore where there are many habitations near, and not see a number of children playing in the sea. Here they remain for hours together, and yet I never knew of but one child being drowned during the number of years I have resided in the islands. They have a variety of games, and gambol as fearlessly in the water as the children of a school do in their play-ground. Sometimes they erect a stage eight or ten feet high on the edge of some deep place, and lay a pole in an oblique direction over the edge of it, perhaps twenty feet above the water; along this they pursue each other to the uttermost end, when they jump into the sea. Throwing

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