contains much information in a small space, and does great credit to Mr. Lawson, whose principles and diligence are such as to merit great respect. Hymns for Young Persons. London: J. W. Parker, West Strand. 1834. Pp. 118. THIS book requires farther weeding. For example-hymns 1 and 2 are unobjectionable, but tame. In hymn 3, the three first stanzas and the last might be well omitted; 4, is miserable; 5, much better; 6 and 7, tolerable; in 8, the fourth stanza has little or no meaning; 9, is a well-known and spirited hymn, with a singularly bad concluding verse; 10, is as poor as can be; and 11, quite terrible-(" Oh! help me when my spirits bleed!") 12 and 13, common place; 14, is the well-known "How are thy servants bless'd, O Lord;" 15, tolerable; 16, nonsense; 17, has no clear object; 18, is vague; 19, poor; and in 20 the taste is very bad-(" He smiles in heaven, he frowns in hell," &c. &c.) In the other twenties there seem to be more enthusiastic hymns. There is little of objectionable in all now mentioned, perhaps not above five or six stanzas seriously so. But what is the use of making all children learn a great deal of common place moderate verse? Again, there are a great many modern hymns, of a good deal of poetical spirit, but with so little of what the writer thinks the genuine, calm, gentle, simple tone of sacred poetry, (such are several of Bishop Heber's,) that they are anything but desirable for children. Bad taste often leads to bad feeling and bad doctrine. The collector of these hymns is entreated to believe that all this is said unwillingly. But the country is deluged with collections of sacred poetry for children; and, very injudiciously, teachers and directors of national schools are crying out for more fresh ones. The answer to that cry will be a supply of cant, common place, and bad taste. It can be no other, for the world cannot produce sacred poets whenever national schools please to call for them, and therefore, if they will have a supply, they must have a bad one. The effect in those schools will be a love of a certain canting tone and phrases with which these works will familiarize them. In the higher orders more mischief still will be done, because the taste also will be spoiled. An Examination of Dissent, &c. By Theron. London: Seeleys. 1835. THIS is a repetition of what we have had fifty times before,-of fat rectors, who preach only morality; the great improvements from extempore preaching and Gospel divines; pluralities and non-residence; altering the Liturgy; and thus curing the evils of dissent. It is about as dull and as self-complacent as the rest of the works in the same line. Reasons for Conformity to the Church of England Defended. By T. Gibson. Exeter. 1835. THESE local discussions often do more good than general ones, by exciting attention in particular districts. Mr. Gibson seems able and earnest. It is only to be regretted that he and his antagonist are so personal. Hora De Decanica Rurales, &c. By the Rev. W. Dansey. London: J. Bohn, and others. 1835. 2 vols. Small 4to. MR. DANSEY gave us, two or three years back, a small publication on the subject of Rural Deans, containing an old treatise on the subject, with commentaries by himself. The present is one of the most elaborate works of the kind which the present day has seen. It contains a complete account of this useful and important office, as exercised here and abroad, and goes back to the earliest periods in which we find any account of it. Mr. Dansey adds to the fondness of a genuine antiquary for his own pursuit, that diligent research, ex tensive reading, and knowledge of primitive antiquity which distinguished the scholars and divines of other days. The work is most elegant in its form and appearance; and has no other fault than that it may be too costly to get into all the hands in which one would wish to see it. 1835. Royal 18mo. The Air. By Robert Mudie. Ward and Co. THIS work seems entitled to the same praise as Mr. Mudie's other works of a similar character. It is hoped that every one interested about education will read a most excellent pamphlet, entitled “On the Study of Mathematics as a part of a Liberal Education. By the Rev. W. Whewell, M.A., Tutor of Trinity College, Cambridge." It is a matter of sincere pleasure, also, to notice the appearance of the second of Mr. Mitchell's series of plays of Aristophanes, "The Wasps," in which he inculcates principles of the most sound and valuable kind, while he gives the student a taste for sound scholarship. THE last Number of the Memorials of Oxford contains very interesting drawings of two of the old and very curious churches in that city. The views in Scotland, and those in Switzerland, continue with their accustomed beauty and cheapness. Mr. Churton has commenced a series of Illustrations of the New Testament, by Messrs. Westall and Martin. A SECOND Part of the Psalmist, by Vincent Novello (a collection of psalmtunes), has been sent to the office, but there is no account of the plan; and the first number, which probably contains it, has not been sent. MISCELLANEA. THE PATRIOT. (From the Gloucestershire Chronicle, Oct. 31.) We have been told so often that we are quite tired of hearing it (to say nothing of its being a lie), that it is most unkind, uncharitable, and even unjust, to charge people with intentions which they disavow, and projects such as they profess to abhor. But, be this as it may, we cannot help doing it; and have never been able to muster liberality enough to get over the comfirmed habit. On the contrary, we think it very possible that, both at the Old Bailey and elsewhere, we may have heard people most fervently disavow intentions with which they were very justly charged, and for which the judge and jury, uncandid as it might be, had them hanged. And, really, were we to look out of our window about midnight, and to see a gentleman prowling up and down the road, with a dark lantern in his hand, and a very investigating eye kept towards the hedge of a rick-yard, we should somehow instinctively suspect that he was one of the Swing family. He might tell us, in a chatty good-humoured way, that he abhorred all such vile proceedings, and was the last man in the world to think of any such thing-that he was only taking the air for the benefit of his health that the lantern was only to light his pipe, as anybody might see by his carrying it dark-and that he had a right to walk on the king's highway, without being suspected of rick-burning, unless he openly avowed the intention. Still somehow-something would remain in our minds, like what Dr. Caius felt, when he asked, "What shall the honest man do in my closet?" Something like it, too, we feel with respect to the proceedings of the dissenters. They tell us that they do not wish to create disturbance, or produce revolution-that they are a remarkably quiet, inoffensive, loyal, and religious people, and for their own sakes we hope that many of them are so, though they have a very odd way of shewing it. Indeed we wish that we could believe this feeling to be as general as some persons pretend: but if it is so, what can they mean by setting up and maintaining a newspaper like the Patriot? Our readers know, or ought to know, that this paper is the acknowledged and accredited organ of the most respectable part of the dissenters. A leading article in the Patriot is not an expression of mere private opinion. What is so printed and published is not to be got over by saying, “Oh! there will always be in the best and the most select societies, some weak and violent persons who (all that one can do) will say foolish things, which grieve their pious friends and injure the cause of truth." The Patriot is not even a private speculation, which, though opposed to the great body of respectable dissenters, has somehow or other contrived to keep on its legs, and to ricket along through a few years, by catching at anything which might happen to come in its way. Very far from it. The publication of the Patriot was, we believe, determined on “ At a Meeting of Evangelical Dissenters of different Denominations, held at the Congregational Library, December 23d, 1831. Thomas Wilson, Esq., in the chair;" and the " Provisional Committee" then appointed, consisted of the Rev. T. Binney, Rev. John Blackburn, Rev. John Campbell, Rev. J. Clayton, jun., M.A., Rev. F. A. Fox, L.L.D., Rev. Joseph Fletcher, D.D., Rev. John Leifchild, Rev. Isaac Mann, M.A., Rev. Robert Philip, Rev. Thomas Price, Rev. Arthur Tidman, together with several other gentlemen-among others less known, John Wilks, Esq., M.P., Thomas Wilson, Esq., and Joshua Wilson, Esq. Now a paper thus set up is, if any thing can be, the organ of a body; and if anything else could be required to shew that this is really the case with regard to the Patriot, it is furnished by a fact which has lately transpired. In the accounts of the late solicitor and secretary of the deputies, and the united committee those who know anything of the dissenting interest will know that we are speaking of the representatives and acknowledged leaders of the dissenters throughout the country-in the accounts, we say, of the late secretary, (for he fairly told his employers that he was afraid they were sinking into a mere political party, and wished them good day,) which have been printed, if we remember right, within this twelvemonth, we find one item to be for three thousand five hundred copies of the Patriot newspaper. Let our readers, then, take a sample from the Patriot of this week. We reprint the whole article (which stands as a second leader) with its own italics; and if any person can say that he ever read anything more completely radical and revolutionary, he will do us a particular favour by informing us where he found it. "We need scarcely invite the attention of our readers to the able speech of the Attorney-General on meeting his constituents at Edinburgh. It embraces most of the topics of pressing interest at the present moment; but it evades, rather than meets the great problem-How is the king's government to be carried on with a hostile majority in the House of Lords, who court, rather than shrink from a collision with the representatives of the people? The great difficulty is to find a constitutional remedy for this result of the long reign of toryism, which has left this spawn of ennobled boroughmongers and trimming lawyers behind. But a remedy must be found.” May we consider this as speaking the sentiments of the great body of dissenters, and particularly of the provincial dissenting ministers? We ask this question, because we know that it will meet the eye of a good many of them. Åre we to understand it as their language? Or, if it does not express their feelings, will they DARE to say so? If they are silent, will it not lead churchmen to ask, why? THE PRIESTS AND THEIR THEOLOGY. (From the Dublin Evening Mail.) WE beg to call the attention of our readers to the following communication: "TO THE Editor of THE EVENING MAIL. "Corkhill House, Nov. 6th, 1835. "SIR,-In reading this morning the last Evening Freeman, I find a letter addressed to the editor of that journal, signed W. J. O. Daunt,' in which the writer commences-'In my speech of the 6th inst., I adduced some reasons which appeared to me conclusively to prove that Dens, in his persecuting tenets, was never regarded among the catholic clergy of Ireland.' And the writer goes on to observe, 'That if Deus's book had been, ever since 1808, the standard of opinion to our clergy, it was wholly unaccountable why none of the priests, who have exchanged the Catholic faith for protestantism, during the long interval from that period to the present, should have so much as once adverted to a system of tuition so odious and so unchristian,' &c. "Now, for the information and edification of the correspondent of the Freeman, I beg to refer that gentleman to a work published in 1822, entitled, 'The Second Part of a Development of the Cruel and Dangerous Inquisitorial System of the Church of Rome in Ireland, by the Rev. L. Minsy, parish priest of Oning and Templeorum, in the diocess of Ossory,' &c., &c. In page 244 of that work, he will find the following statement,-viz., 'A respectable divine, called Dens, wrote the course of theology; this author is highly recommended by our bishops and superiors to parish priests, and all those who have the care of souls and government of the people; this same author was reprinted in Dublin, by a Roman-catholic bookseller, a few years ago, and distributed among the Romancatholic clergymen throughout Ireland. In his treatise on faith, he explains and inculcates what punishments are, and should be, inflicted on heretics.' "Who those heretics are, and what punishments ought to be inflicted on such, have been already sufficiently brought before the public. " I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, A. H. IRVINE, DOCUMENTS. LEARNING OF THE CLERGY. (From the Bishop of Gloucester's Sermon before the University of Cambridge, July 5, 1835.) BUT if we indulge in such reflections as these, amid the burst of triumph and congratulation, a still small voice will be heard to demand-' Are these the main objects for which your colleges were founded and endowed?' Truth must confess that the first and greatest object of their institution is the glory of God, and the promotion of the religion of our Redeemer. It will indeed be alleged in justification, that the various studies promoted by the favour and honours of this place do on the one hand exercise and strengthen the faculties of the mind, and on the other enlarge the knowledge, and form the taste of the student, by the constant contemplation of the noblest models of human genius. Nor will it be omitted that the physical sciences reveal the hand of an all-wise and benevolent Creator; while an accurate knowledge of the languages of Greece and Rome is necessary for a full understanding of the Gospel of Life, and of the writings which explain and illustrate the Holy Scriptures. Just and irrefragable as are such remarks upon the studies here encouraged, the question will still recur-whether divinity occupies its proper ank, and is adequately upheld in your academical course; and, whether there s not a danger of that which you profess to be the end of all your studies,' being made to give place to such as are followed by prizes, distinction, and emolument. If it be rejoined that of late years an increased attention has been paid to the study of the Greek Scriptures and the evidences of revealed religion, that some knowledge of these subjects is the indispensable passport to a degree, that a small approach has been made to the principle of honouring excellence in this department by prizes of private foundation, and that individual colleges have considerably enlarged their sphere of instruction in elementary theology, I answer, that the church acknowledges this improvement with gratitude, and that the enlarged range of acquirement visible among candidates for holy orders may in some degree be assigned to this cause. But so long as other pursuits are the main avenues to distinction and reward, sacred literature will not hold the station which its importance demands, and the real interests of the university recommend. Courses of theological lectures, however learned, judicious, and appropriate they may be, can never supply the deficiency, or furnish a satisfactory proof that those who attend them are engaged effectually in the pursuits recommended and illustrated by the lecturer. The only substantial test is examination: and until there be established a system of theological distinctions, similar to those which operate upon the classical and philosophical student with such eminent success, that knowledge which deserves the pre-eminence, and to which all other accomplishments are but the handmaids, will experience comparative neglect. An open competition in theological knowledge, at a suitable period after all the other trials of juvenile proficiency, will be found at once the most effectual and the most practicable measure. This university possesses a peculiar and admirable mechanism for the conduct of its examinations, gradually improved and matured by practice, and applicable to every department of competition. In regard to the inclination of young men themselves, I shall merely appeal to the experience of all persons conversant with academical tuition, whether there be any branches of knowledge upon which the student shews more interest, or which he pursues with a keener relish, than those which illustrate the language, the allusions, and the history of the Sacred Volume. The precise and critical accuracy with which students are here taught to examine and dissect the language of the Greek classics will be found eminently useful in furthering the correct knowledge of the New Testament. There is no more fruitful source of error than the imperfect or mistaken acceptation of versions in living languages, where the variation of usage produced by the flux of time unavoidably gives to words and phrases a force and sense different from that in which they were designed by the translator. Nor is it possible that the doctrines of the Gospel can be safely expounded by those who are not able themselves to examine and comprehend in its full force the language of the original." (From the Bishop of Bristol's Charge, October, 1835.) "AND here I hope that my reverend brethren will bear with me a little, if I express myself freely as one who has long reflected upon the subject before us, and has had himself some experience in the duties about to be laid before you. "Now, although there are many honourable exceptions to the remark I am going to make, and many amongst us who reflect the greatest credit on their sacred profession by their extensive erudition, yet speaking of the elder clergy as a body, I fear we must admit that they are not as conversant in the studies of the closet as they ought to be. I allow that there are important excuses to be made for those who are deficient in this respect. Our avocations are such, and our interruptions so many, that if we are not much upon our guard, year after year will pass over our heads without bringing along with it that improvement in our professional knowledge which alone can make our characters truly respectable. But these impediments in the way of our advancement in knowVOL. VIII.-Dec. 1835. 4 U |