that I am not a swindler. Your present correspondent is Mrs. G. B., relict of the late excellent Dr. B., Prebendary of Canterbury, and mother of the late G. M. B., esq., LL.B. and F.S.A.

"Thus far premised, I proceed to the business of this scrawl, written by a more than half-blind aged matron. It is to inquire whether you, Sir, would like to become a divine of the Church of England? and to say that, if you would, I think that I may venture to say, that I have interest enough with one amiable prelate to procure you ordination. And I am sure, if I could be the poor humble instrument of getting such a labourer into my blessed Master's vineyard, I should be doing noble service to my dear mother, the Church of England. Now, Sir, this has been in my mind many months; ever since I first read your 'Good Old Way;' now, alas! out of print, so as to prevent my giving away, as usual, hundreds of them :generally three or four in my pocket, to give to rich and poor. Many months ago a woman of quality, a very old friend of mine, said, My dear Mrs. B. I hope you will give me this delightful little book?'No, indeed, I cannot give it you, as I have not another.'- Very well, then I shall steal it.' So of course I yielded. And as to your sermons, poor as I now am, (five years' arrear of jointure due to me from that horrid kingdom, Ireland,) I half beggar myself by giving them away; although, to your honour, Sir, they are cheap as dirt, though worth more than their weight in gold.

"Now, Sir, I conceive by your writings, that, although a Presbyterian, you are not like the generality of English Presbyterians, as justly described by that witty monarch, Charles the Second, who, you must have heard, used to say, 'It was not the religion of a gentleman.' Your generally bestowing the title of Saint on the Apostles, Evan

gelists, &c. (not that canting mode of the Apostle

Paul;') and the frequent respectful mention made by you of our Divine Liturgy, induce me to think, that you are even more liberal than sweet Watts, or the excellent Doddridge. During our sojourn in Scotland, whilst our dear son was, by his own wise request, near four years at the University of St. Andrews, after he left Eton school, before he went to Oxford-we living in great intimacy with several excellent Kirk ministers-Dr. B. said one day to a very sensible learned one, 'What is it that you can object to in our Liturgy? I declare, I think it the finest uninspired composition I ever read.' He laid his hand on Dr. B.'s arm, and replied, Stop, my dear Sir, I go beyond you, for I do verily believe that your bishops were inspired by the Holy Spirit when they composed your incomparable Liturgy.' Now, Sir, it is impossible that you should think that there is sin in being clad in a surplice, (merely, I have heard Dr. B. say, to hide the shabby coats of the poor divines, after

Henry VIII. had robbed the church of her patrimony,) nor that there can be sin in marking the forehead of the little christian with the sign of that cross, on which its blessed Redeemer died, to rescue it from hell. It is possible, Sir, that you may say, 'Although Mrs. B. thinks she can procure me ordination, can she procure me a living?' Alas, no! had I the patronage of my excellent pious grand

father, I can with truth assert, that I would not hesitate to bestow it on the gentleman I now address. A livelihood must be had. Hire a chapel, Sir, and let out the pews; I think I may answer for its being filled to the brim, with Church of England hearers, who, to be sure, will make you many free-will offerings; besides, I have no doubt but that you will soon get preferment:-it will be shameful if you do not. Surely, good Sir, you must be a member of the Church of England. I wish she had ten thousand such ministers!

"I wish, Sir, you may be able to read this vile scrawl of one more than half-blind, who once wrote a very fine hand.

"I am, good Sir,
"With highly unfeigned esteem and respect,
"Your very faithful Servant,
"ELIZA B

2D. SERIES, NO. 28.-VOL. III,

The good old lady had forgotten, that Mr. Burder would have had to " assent and consent" to sundry things in the Book of Common Prayer, and in the Articles of the Church, which are too repugnant to the conscience of a Dissenter, to allow him, even though he should be supported by "free-will offerings," to conform to the Established Church. But for these little obstacles, as some deem them, the prebendary's frank and pious widow, backed by the "amiable bishop," would probably have succeeded. There was a time, however, when even Mr. Burder was halting between two opinions; but he chose, as he believed, the better part.

The volume, we need only say, is full of interest, and is a valuable addition to the stock of Nonconformist biography.

REVIEW.-Pictures of Private Life. By Sarah Stickney. 12mo. pp. 348. Smith, Elder, and Co. London. 1833. AMONG the weakest instruments employed in the promotion of morality and religion, For it is too often are works of fiction.

the case, that sentiments which may be delivered, relative to either, are passed over or forgotten, in the interest excited by the narrative. It cannot be denied, however, that they may be rendered efficient instruments in the cause they espouse, when the principles intended to be inculcated are identified with the persons exhibited to our notice, and the amiable qualities of such principles are made to have a morally beneficial tendency on the lives of the individuals supposed to possess and practise them. A young mind may be brought to the contemplation and love of religion, by becoming interested in a welltold tale, but there is danger of an impression thus made being transitory and futile; so that, in general, tales of this sort should serve as texts for illustration, rather than be left to their own influence; and parents or instructors should seize the happy moment of excitement, to dilate on the nature, importance, and happy effects of genuine piety. When thus made use of, fiction might become a delightful, and much more useful, means of religious instruction.

We have been led into these remarks by the perusal of the volume before us, which contains four tales, of the class to which we have referred. The authoress has endeavoured to display the beauty of religion in its effects on the mind, in various ways, and has portrayed several characters as destitute of the advantages and comforts it 172.-VOL. XV.

2 B

bestows, leaving the reader to draw his own conclusions from the contrast. Her style is nervous and elegant, and we can see in all her pages, the refinement of the lady, while her sentiments betray a strong mind, accustomed to think, and capable of shaking out truth from the entanglements of sophistry. We think these tales may be read with advantage; but wish that the religion of her characters had been of a warmer and more prominent cast-we are afraid there is too much sentimentalism about it. The frontispiece is an engraving of a delicately beautiful lady, with her harp; which, as a specimen of art, may vie with some of the most admired embellishments in any of the annuals.

97 66

REVIEW.-Tales of My Father. By the Rev. J. Young, Author of "Scripture Balances," Omnipotence of the Deity," &c. &c. 18mo. pp. 273. Whittaker, London, and R. Tebbutt, Leicester. 1833.

THIS volume, consisting of twelve tales, is published with the same intention as the one we have just noticed, but with many chances of being more decidedly beneficial to its readers. Instead of loitering to revel in scenes of imaginative luxury, (a fault too common to young, and especially young female writers,) the author keeps to his task of exposing the deformity of the vices and follies practised in society, together with the inconsistencies of the mere professors of Christianity, and of shewing the necessity and power of religion to support its possessor through life, and comfort and enliven him in death.

This he has done in a manner likely to captivate youthful minds by the pleasing pictures he draws, and by the loveliness in which he has made virtue and holiness

to appear. In short, this modest little volume is such an one as a father might place in the hands of his children with a certain prospect of usefulness, and peruse with profit to himself. The tales are for the most part written with an easy flow of language, although there are places which mark a want of care in the composition. For instance, in the tale of the Idler; the author, when quoting from Dr. Franklin, makes use of the phrase " as poor Richard says," five times within six pages. But, perhaps, errors like these are of no great importance when the book is written for youth, and certainly of none when compared with the subjects discussed.

Mr. Young seems to be an industrious and indefatigable writer, and never uses

his pen but with the laudable intention of promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare, not only of the rising generation, but of mankind at large.

REVIEW.- Time's Telescope for 1833, containing Remarkable Days; with Sketches of Contemporary Biography, Astronomical Occurrences. By J. T. Barker; and Notes of a Naturalist, by James Rennie, M. A. Gilbert and Walker. London.

THIS interesting and useful Annual, though late in its appearance, comes forth with its usual attractions. Having been carried on for a period of twenty years, it still maintains its character, for talent, science, and novelty, and still provides materials for our instruction, edification, and amusement.

In the first part, the illustrations of Saints' days are omitted, so much having been written on them in former volumes, that scarcely any thing could be given but repetitions nearly the whole space, therefore, is occupied by condensed memoirs of distinguished individuals who have died within

the last year.

This is an improvement which, we think, will be gladly received by the generality of readers, as it is certainly more profitable in its tendency. We observe, that under the head of Astronomical Occurrences, (which will be valuable to the student,) are notices of the lives and deaths, together with anecdotes, and discoveries, of celebrated astronomers, arranged in chronological order.

Of these, we will quote the following: they shew at once, both the tyranny and ignorance of the ecclesiastical despots of the times, as well as the pitiable subjection in which men of science were held by a bigoted church.

"Feb. 14, 1633. Galileo, then in his 70th year, arrived at Rome, to appear before the Holy Inquisition, to answer for his Astronomical opinions relative to the motion of the earth. He was thrown into prison previously to his trial, and attempts were made to render him obnoxious to the people." p. 43.

"June 21, 1633. Galileo was conducted in a penitential dress to the Judges of the Holy Inquisition, to receive judgment, by which the venerable old man was called upon to renounce and abjure, as heretical, the opinions which his whole existence had been consecrated to form and strengthen. "22, 1633. The abjuration of Galileo.

"It is said that Galileo, as he rose from his knees, stamped on the ground, and whispered to one of his friends-It does move though.'

"For a venerable man, who had enlightened Europe by his discoveries, to be seen upon his knees. before an assembly of haughty, ignorant bigots, renouncing, by their compulsion, those truths which nature and his own conscience affirmed to be incontrovertible, was a spectacle that cannot be thought of without indignation and abhorrence.

It

We do not agree with Dr. Brewster. is not likely that one man could have overturned the infallibility of the church, or successfully combated the overbearing prejudice and intolerant fury of a conclave which even princes had opposed in vain.

We will just give another notice of that celebrated philosopher :

"It was one evening, in the cathedral of Pisa, that Galileo observed the vibrations of a brass lustre, pendent from the vaulted roof, which had been left swinging by one of the vergers. The habitual meditation of genius, combined with an ordinary accident, thus suggested a new idea of science, and hence he conceived the invention of measuring time by the medium of a pendulum."-p. 150.

The notes of a naturalist are of the same character as in preceding volumes, and the name of Mr. Rennie is a sufficient guarantee for their excellence. There are many pieces of respectable poetry; and several engravings of the portraits of men who have adorned literature and science, some of which are very correct likenesses.

residents in some of the provinces of India: but in England, where we hope there is scarcely a village or hamlet destitute of the preached gospel, and where published sermons are so common, these might, perhaps, have been spared. Still we cannot speak disrespectfully of them; nor can we impugn the excellency of the doctrines set forth, or the manner of their delivery.

The preacher continually places before his readers "the essential truths of the gospel," '-not the dogmas of any sect, or the peculiar tenets of any religious party, but he draws them from the sacred volume alone; and, to use his own words, "His only concern is, that the doctrine may be found scriptural."

They are written in a plain unvarnished style, suited to the understandings of the most illiterate and though the author has not involved them in the bombast of oratory, he maintains the dignity of the minister, giving his sentiments a force, and, sometimes an elegance, of expression, with which persons of cultivated mind, or even fastidious taste, need not be dissatisfied.

We will exhibit the author in his own dress:-in his sermon on "The Evidence of an Interest in Christ," after having shewn that deadness and ignorance with respect to spiritual things, and selfishness and sensuality, were evidences of the carnal mind, he says,

"But we went a step further, and observed, that enmity against God and goodness was a characteristic of the old man, and ranks among the old things he practises. This is, perhaps, the most awful representation that can be made of the depraved character of man- Enmity against God.' Nothing can possibly be worse in kind than this. It is the Devil's sin. He may exceed in degree, but it is the same in nature as the cursed feeling which lurks in the heart of unrenewed man. What but utter depravity can be at enmity with the perfect, amiable, and lovely character of the holy and blessed God? And yet it is against this character, as revealed in the Scriptures, that man's enmity rises. He would bear with the First Cause of philosophers, or agree, without hatred, to the vague notions of God which deists profess; but the holy, heart searching God of revelation excites the enmity of the unrenewed heart. Let us put the question to our own consciences: Did we never, while thinking of our disposition to sin, and the commands of the Bible which cross our pleasures, wish that God were less strict in his requisitions that he did not see all our actions? or that he would not call us to account? or, perhaps, that there was no such God? Answer these questions faithfully, and in the negative, if you can. No, you cannot do this. Your own hearts testify against you. And are you not then at enmity with God? You feel that he is rather your enemy than your friend; that he is rather a hinderance to your pleasures than a promoter of them. I am ashamed of what I say; but, alas is it not true; and is not this the great source of all the infidelity and atheism which prevail in the world? Yet, this was the cry in Job's days, Who is the Lord, that we should serve him, and what profit shall we have if we pray unto him? It remains for you, my friends, to determine whether any part of this representation of the old man with his deeds, belongs to you.

"Do you feel this deadness and ignorance in spiritual things? this love of self and vain glory? this delight in worldly pleasures, and distaste for vital godliness; and this enmity to the blessed God, and aversion to his holy character? You must decide; and it may, perhaps, further help your decision, if we shortly notice the way in which these old things are supplanted by new things, so that the man is a

new creature. Now, if any man has become a new creature in Christ Jesus, instead of that deadness and ignorant indifference in spiritual things, he is quite the reverse. He is exquisitely alive to them; they are matters to him of such vast importance, that every thing else sinks into insignificance before them. He feels that to please God; to grow into an acquaintance with him, and likeness to him, is his highest bliss that to love and trust in that Saviour, of whom he has hitherto been so ignorant, is the only way to true happiness. He no longer views Jesus Christ as an indifferent personage. To them that believe he is precious; he is all in all; their Redeemer, their example, their King. His language is,

"All my capacious powers can wish,
In Thee most richly meet;
Nor to my eyes is light so dear,

Nor friendship half so sweet."

"He no longer turns away with a fastidious ear from spiritual conversation, or sits with impatience under a searching ministry. No, he delights in both the one and the other, and has eyes to see himself deeply interested in them. His complaint is, that he cannot, with unceasing vigilance, be engaged in these things; and whereas, before, there was never an idea of his dulness in spiritual matters entered his thoughts, it is now his greatest unhappiness to feel himself no more alive to things of everlasting importance. In short, the renewed soul has a new set of perceptions. He seems introduced into a new world, or like a blind man restored to sight in an old one. He sees things to be entirely different from what he had any conception of before; his God and Saviour, his soul and eternity, heaven and hell, the word of God, and means of grace, all appear to him in such a new light, that he is astonished how these things could

through its former editions, has more than once excited our deep attention, and cailed forth terms of the sincerest admiration. Mr. Peggs, during his residence in India, must have paid considerable attention to the numerous and important objects which form the basis of his volume; and even when they could no longer be the objects of his senses, he must have prosecuted his researches into the causes and consequences of what he deplores, with the most indefatigable industry.

The great picture which he had drawn of idolatry in India, is dark and hideous; and were not the facts adduced, too well authenticated to admit a moment's doubt, suspicions might plausibly be suggested, that the representation was nothing more than a libel on human nature. Many enormities, that have been practised for ages, he proves to have no sanction from their sacred books; and thence he argues,

being alive only to things of a worldly nature and temporal importance, he 'looks not at the things which are seen, for they are temporal, but at the things which are not seen, for they are eternal.' By this standard, he measures all his conduct. Now 'old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.'"-pp. 269 to 272.

Our readers will perceive that in India the same truths are disseminated, which are taught in our own pulpits: and here is one evidence of missionary zeal, in the author's endeavours to promote the spread of evangelical religion on the vast continent of Asia. The sermons are in general of such a length, that an invalid can hear or peruse them without fatigue.

REVIEW.-Vegetable Cookery; with an Introduction, recommending Abstinence from Animal Food and Intoxicating Liquors. By a Lady. Fourth Edition. pp. 451. E. Wilson. London. 1833. THE recipes of the authoress may be valuable in their departments: but her doctrine of living without animal food is a visionary scheme, to which we think she will not gain many converts. Among all her arguments and scripture quotations, she seems to have forgotten the privilege which God gave to Noah, and the laws for food to the Israelites. There are, however, nearly two hundred and fifty "useful family receipts," which to be simple and judicious, appear and may on some occasions supersede the aid of an apothecary.

REVIEW.-India's Cries to British Humanity, &c. By James Peggs. 3d. Edition, 8vo. pp. 500. Simpkin and Marshall. London.

THIS very interesting work, while passing

On the

the state, they might easily be abolished by the mandate of British power. Suttee the experiment has been tried with the happiest success; and no reason can be assigned, why infanticide, drowning in the Ganges, and burying widows alive in the graves of their dead husbands, might not as easily be abolished, so far as legislative authority could interfere.

He readily allows indeed, that in cases of infant murder, it will sometimes be attended with considerable difficulty to detect the delinquent. The culprits are frequently the only witnesses of their deeds; and when the little sufferer has disappeared, no evidence remains to prove that crime had been committed. tremendous evil, we are not aware that any effectual remedy can be provided, but that which shall teach humanity to the people, and convince them that it is criminal to destroy life.

any

For this

Of Juggernaut and his associate mondescriptions appalling. Yet, even from sters, the pictures are terrible, and the these the British government derives a revenue; nor do they think it unlawful to put it into the treasury, although it is frequently the price of blood.

Throughout this work, Mr. Peggs makes an energetic appeal to British humanity, that by each individual some exertion may be made for the total abolition of the evils which he deplores. From this third edition it would appear that he has not called on the community in vain; and we shall be glad to learn from its extended circulation, that the spirit which it inculcates is in still more active operation.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. Hints to Young Mothers, on the Early Management and Education of Infants, (Seeley, London,) will be found well deserving the attention of those females for whose use it was designed.

2. Original Gospel Hymns and Poems, by John Kent, (Bennet, London,) have passed through several editions, and uniformly given great satisfaction to the antinomians, and others that are highly seasoned.

3. Ancient Chronology made Easy and Entertaining, by Thomas Keyworth, (Holdsworth, London,) proceeds much upon the principles that have been contrived to create an artificial memory. We thank the author for his ingenuity; we shall be glad hereafter to congratulate him on his success.

4. The Bird of the Beeches, in four Cantos, (Smith, Elder, and Co. London,) should, we think, be given to any individual as a reward for his industry and perseverance as soon as he understands its subject and contents.

5. Maternal Advice, chiefly to Daughters on leaving Home, (Groombridge, London,) contains many wholesome admonitions, which deserve the deepest attention. This neat book will be found entertaining as well as instructive.

6. The Doctrine of the Two Covenants, by Ezek. Hopkins, (Religious Tract Society,) has an uninviting aspect, and in our opinion will never rank among their more popular publications.

7. A Compendium of Modern Geography, illustrated by Maps, &c., by the Rev. Alexander Stewart, (Simpkin and Marshall,) is an improved and enlarged edition of a very excellent school-book, without any increase of price. The most recent political changes and geographical discoveries have been noticed in their proper places.

8. Scripture Memorials, by the Rev. J. Young, (Houlston, London,) contain short biographical sketches of distinguished persons in the Holy Scriptures, arranged in alphabetical order-intended for the use of children. They give correct outlines of the characters noticed.

9. Scripture Topography, by the Rev. J. Young, (Houlston, London,) forms a good companion to the preceding, and will convey useful information to juvenile readers.

10. The Infant School Melodist, by G. W. Russell, (Groombridge, London,) has some decent pieces in its pages-and

some very bad; all written with a good intention, namely, to impart instruction.

11. Renowned Excellence: a Discourse, upon the Character and Translation of the Patriarch Enoch; with Reference to the Sudden and Lamented Death of the Rev. Adam Clarke, &c., by Joshua Fielden, (Mason, London,) we are given to understand from the preface, was written and published more than twenty years ago in Yorkshire," so that on the present occasion it is only "vamped in the preface and the text," to give it a local application. Like most other funeral discourses, it contains the common topics of death and eternity, and urges the necessity of preparing to meet our God. What had been advanced on the character of a great and good man, the author readily transfers to Dr. Clarke; and the change of a few words would easily give it a more diversified application.

12. Rolls Plumbe: an Authentic Memoir of a Child, by Andrew Reed, (Religious Tract Society,) is written in a simple and intelligible manner. The author, in a series of short letters, relates the amiable life and happy death of a pious child.

13. The Child's Book on the Creation, by the Rev. C. A. Goodrich, (Religious Tract Society,) endeavours to give to children philosophical ideas of the creation and nature; and, from the familiar language employed, will no doubt succeed.

14. A Teacher's Lessons on Scripture Characters, with Catechisms, by Charles Baker, (Longman,) will assist a teacher in exercising the minds of children on Scripture subjects.

15. The Protestant Dissenters' Juvenile Magazine, (Simpkin and Marshall,) we think, aims rather too high for mere children. It contains an account of the origin and history of Protestant dissent, not at all calculated to imbue the young with admiration of the established church.

16. Another Reform Bill, (Oliphant, Edinburgh,) is an imaginary discussion, in the house of commons, on moral and personal reform; a reform which should be introduced into every unreformed house in the kingdom. The parliamentary style is well preserved.

17. Llewelyn; or, the Disasters of a Welsh Harper, by John Jones, (W. Jones, Manchester,) is the production of a poor mechanic, unable to obtain employment. His lines run smoothly, and are by no means destitute of wit.

18. A Brand from the Burning, (Oliphant, Edinburgh,) is the account of a poor woman, who was turned from the