his father, the Rev. Howel Williams.-The Cambrian. On Wednesday the 2nd inst., a Clerical Meeting was held at St. Ishmael's Church, when the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Kiffig, preached in English, and the Rev. Mr. Morris, of Llanelly, in Welsh, to a very numerous and highly respectable congregation. In the evening, the Rev. Mr. Clerk, of Llanedy, preached to a large congregation at Llansaint. The sermons were excellent, and delivered in the most impressive manner. It is truly pleasing to see the interest which is taken in those meet-ings: they are always numerously and respectably attended. Too much praise cannot be given to the Rev. Mr. Gwynne, the Vicar of St. Ishmael's, for his kind and hospitable attention on the occasion.-The next Clerical Meeting will be held at Llanon on the first Wednesday in February. Aberystwith Auxiliary Bible Society.-The 19th Annual Meeting of this Society was held on the 28th ult., and was fully and most respectably attended. IRELAND. In the Irish Court of King's Bench, on Friday se'nnight, application was made for a rule nisi for a writ of mandamus to the Archbishop of Dublin, to admit Mr. J. W. Hackett to an examination as a preparatory qualification to Ordination to Deacon's Orders. It appeared that Mr. Hackett had been regularly nominated to a Curacy, and that the Archbishop had refused to admit him to holy orders merely because there were at the time several unemployed clergymen in his diocese. The Court ordered the inatter to stand over for further consideration. FOREIG N. Russia-During the past year the number of seminaries, conducted by the clergy, were three hundred and sixty five; namely 3 academies, 41 ecclesiastical seminaries, 143 district and 178 parochial schools. The number of teachers employed in them was 1229; and the pupils under their charge amounted to 53,980. Baden. The chapter of Offenburg have not only presented a petition to the Archbishop of Freiburg, earnestly conjuring him to effect a reform in the Roman Catholic ritual and observances, but they have sent round a printed copy of their petition to every other chapter in the diocese. The leading points, to which they desire that this reform should be extended, are, an entire revisal and purification of the catechism-the introduction of the native language into all public rituals-a repeal of the ordinances prescribing fasts—a diminution in the number of holy days-the restoration of synods-and the abolition of clerical celibacy. Spain. I have seen many a child, that could scarcely stand upon its legs, clad in monk's attire, and with its head shaved. These friars in miniature originate out of a vow, made by the parent, in case of recovery from dangerous illness or escape from some other peril, that one of her children should be dedicated to monastic life. If a person die, his body is dressed up in the garments of a monk, and he is interred in them, with a cross in his hand. This circumstance occasioned a simple foreigner to write home, that he trusted to have a long lease of life in Spain, as he observed that none but monks were carried to the grave. Children are early expected to attend public prayers, mass, and the confessional, and are taught their catechism long before they can comprehend it. Once a year the priest pays an official visit to every family, and registers the names of every man, woman, and child composing it. After Easter he makes them a second visit, and requires the inmates to produce the tickets given them at communion but where the party is unable to produce one, and cannot assign a satisfactory reason for the default, his or her name has the words "A Bad Christian" written against it in the priest's register. There is, in fact, no justification for the default, as the ticket can be procured for a trifle from old women and church-beadles. These traffickers obtain a supply by attending the communion in several churches, and afterwards turning the tickets, which they receive, into money. I have omitted to notice the ribbons, with purses or bags pendant to them, which most urchins wear round their necks; the bag incloses a little book containing the rules of St. Benedict, and is worn as a talisman against accidents or evil spirits.- Original Notes of a Fifteen Years' Residence in Madrid.) NEW BOOKS. Gospel Stories. JUST PUBLISHED. 18mo. 3s. 6d. Architectural Beauties of Continental Europe: No. II. 18s. Burnett's Lives, Characters, &c. 8vo. 10s. 6d. The Life of Dr. Adam Clarke. 9s. Calvin and the Swiss Reformation. By the Rev. Rev. H. Stebbing's Sermons. 12mo. 6s. 6d. Girdlestone's Seven Sermons on the Cholera. 1st Series. 2nd Edition. 12mo. 5s. boards. Charter. House Prize Essays, 1814 to 1832. 7s. 6d. Rev. D. Robinson's Discourses on the Law and Gospel, &c. 8vo. 4s. 6d. Rev. J. Fawcett's Five Discourses. Fcap. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Rose's Prayers from the Gospels. 12mo. 58. The Young Christian's Guide to Confirmation. By the Rev. Mr. Myers. 6s. A Brief View of Sacred History. By Esther Copley. 3s. Dove's History of the Wesley Family. 12mo. 5s. cloth. Pike's Persuasives to Early Piety. 12mo. 2s. 6d. boards. Lee's Ecclesiastical Reports. By Phillimore. 2 vols. 8vo. 21. 10s. boards. Gesenius's Hebrew Lexicon, abridged by Gibbs. 8vo. 9s. boards. Rev. C. F. Massingherd on Church Reform. 12mo. 3s. 6d. boards. Ivimey's Life of Milton. 8vo. 10s. boards. Stuart's Three Years in North America. 2 vols. 8vo. 21s. boards. Garry Owen. By Miss Edgeworth. 18mo. 2s. 6d. Memorials of Sir William Penn, Knt. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 16s. Valpy's Classical Library; No. 37. 4s. 6d Scenes in North Wales. With 36 Engravings. 4s. 6d. Auldjo's Sketches of Vesuvius. 8vo. 9s. Domestic Portraiture; Memorandums of the Richmond Family. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Recollections of a Chaperon. Edited by Lady Dacre. 3 vols. 8vo. 17. 11s. 6d. IN THE PRESS. Bagster's Improved Edition of Cruden's Concordance of the New Testament, One of the Polymicrian Series. The 6th and last Volume of Cunningham's British Artists. A Historical Sketch of the Baptist Denomination. By Charles Thompson. The two following works are announced as the forthcoming volumes of the Edinburgh Cabi net Library:-1. Life of Sir Walter Raleigh, founded on authentic and original documents, some of them never before published.-2. Nubia and Abyssinia, comprehending their Civil History, Antiquities, Arts, Religion, Literature, &c. By the Rev. M. Russell, LL.D., James Wilson, Esq. F.R.S., and R. K. Greville, LL.D. Questions, Critical, Philological, and Exegetical, formed on the Annotations to Dr. Bloomfield's Edition of the Greek Testament. Rudge's Fast Sermon. 1s. Rudge's Collection of Hymns for Children. 1s. Naturalist's Library. Conducted by Sir William Jardine, Bart. F.R.S.E. F.L.S. &c. Illustrated with numerous Coloured Plates, engraved by W. H. Lizars. Fcap. 8vo. The first vol. will shortly appear. The subjects for the volumes which are now in preparation are:-Vol. 1. Natural History of Monkeys.-2. The Feline Race, or Animals of the Cat kind.-3. The Dog.-4. Sheep and Goats.-5. Deer.-6. Eagles and Hawks.-7. Humming Birds.8. Creepers.-9. Gallinaceous Birds.-10. Partridges and Grouse.-11. Cetacea, or Whales. -12. The Salmon.-13. Coleopterous Insects, or Beetles.-14. Bees, &c. Philosophical Conversations; in which are fami. liarly explained the Effects and Causes of many daily occurrences in Natural Phenomena. By F. C. Bakewell. 12mo. The Angushire Album; a selection of Pieces, in Prose and Verse. By Gentlemen in Angushire. Notre Dame, a Tale of the Ancien Régime, from the French of Victor Hugo. By the Translator of Wilson's edition of "Lafayette." Field Book, or Sports and Pastimes of the British Islands. By the author of "Wild Sports of the West." Splendidly illustrated. Memoirs of the Rev. Rowland Taylor, LL.D. By T. Q. Stow. At the Office of R. W. Moore, 5, Bank Chambers, Lothbury. The following table will shew the fluctuations and variations in the average prices of wheat for every month during the year 1832:— Maple ditto White non-boiling ditto 20 to 25 ... 28 ... 26 33 ... ... 35 38 36 42 ... ... 37 38 35 ... 39 47 ............ **858484588858 32 37 38 36 ... NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Editor trusts that the gentlemen who have so obligingly sent him fresh editions of their works, or works published two or three years ago, will not think that those works are undervalued because they are not noticed. It is very difficult to keep up with those published since the Magazine itself commenced. He particularly regrets not being able to notice, and at length, a Charge of Archdeacon Bather. A Pamphlet against Oxford, from which the Morning Herald and other papers have been giving extracts, has been sent to the Editor. It is called Academical Abuses, &c. &c., and proclaims its intent at once. It is simply to collect every low, base falsehood possible, in order that the daily papers may have something at hand with which to revile the Universities, and a very proper person has been selected. His taste is quite of the right standard, as he can neither spell nor write English. Among other things which this miserable person says, he alleges that the Dons' make profits from the furniture of the young men's rooms! and from the dinners and breakfasts! One great source of complaint is the badness and unwholesomeness of the bread, butter, and joints of meat on which the young men are kept! This is the matter thought fit for the public of the enlightened and amiable nineteenth century! H. H's valuable letter on Sunday Schools shall be given very shortly. Mr. Allport would be exceedingly glad to have communication with the gentleman who gave an account of the Catholic Magazine in the last No. of the British Magazine, and to receive any suggestions from him. It seems quite an imperative duty not to let a work like the Protestant Journal, devoted exclusively to the controversy between Catholics and Roman Catholics, drop for want of support. Many thanks to Dorcas for a very sensible letter. S. S.'s communication on Rom. xii. 20, shall be used as soon as room can be found; but perhaps S. S. will not take offence at being told that a little patience as to insertion of very long letters is necessary, at a period when the press of temporary matter of importance must obviously be so great. It was not from neglect or disrespect that this paper was kept back. A letter from Oxford (the writer gives his name) mentions that in a Club of 150 Undergraduates and B. A.'s, the New Monthly Magazine was expelled, without a dissentient voice, as soon as the detestable article on Lord Tenterden had been read. Facts like these (and many such have occurred in both Universities within the last two or three years) supply proofs of a state of feeling in the young men of the country which gives one hope for it, even in its present condition. A Dissenter's Letter has been received. The peculiarly amiable and Christian tone in which it is written, so entirely free from all uncharitable insinuations, gives it claims to insertion, which are only overcome by its having arrived too late for this month. W. M. is quite right in urging that baptisms should take place after the second lesson, according to the rubric, wherever it is practicable. It is good for all parties. But he is mistaken in thinking that this is never done. The Editor knows many country churches where it is the regular practice, and others where it is the practice on holidays, the situation of the font making it impracticable when the church is full. J. S.'s remarks on the Romanist's endeavours to appropriate the name of Catholic are very just; but Protestants are tolerably on their guard on this point. E. N.'s very sensible letter on Tithes is received, and shall be used as soon as possible. Persons who send communications are requested to give a choice of using or destroying. The returning is a very troublesome condition. If Dr. Rudge will have the kindness to look at the three or four last Numbers of the British Magazine, he will find that the subjects he mentions have been fully canvassed, particularly in a note on the letter of G. W. R., and in the article on Church Reform in the last Number. "Observator" is received. R. W. B.'s Letter is most acceptable. The Editor had got through some of the hidrous labour, but not so well as R. W. B. The Editor deeply regrets still being unable to notice the Factory Bill proceedings, and those respecting the Observance of the Sabbath. He owes a heavy debt to humanity and religion on these points, and will earnestly endeavour to discharge it. The Editor hopes that T. D. A. got a letter addressed to him at Mr. Parker's. Will the gentleman who wrote about Sir James Mackintosh's remarks (vol. iii. p. 60) send a short paper on them? "A Subscriber" observes that the lengthy writers on Tithes in this Magazine have not suggested that one-fourth or one-fifth of the estimated or actual rent would be a good substi tute for Tithes. The Editor would be glad to know where he may direct a private letter to A. Mr. Curtis's book on the Typographical Errors in the Bible, is recommended to all who can find any interest or amusement in a curious exhibition of retributive justice, in which a man who assails the characters of others, draws, quite unconsciously, a very faithful picture of the selfish and interested motives which actuated his own conduct. Mr. Curtis's faithfulness in not leaving out a line of his own picture is unrivalled, and (as will be shewn next month) the picture is not an ordinary one. THE BRITISH MAGAZINE. MARCH 1, 1833. ORIGINAL PAPERS. ON THE CONNEXION OF THE CLERGY OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH WITH THE JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE. I NOT only am averse to ascribe hostile dispositions to all those who view the questions relative to church reform in a different light from that in which they appear to me, but I am fully persuaded that a very large proportion of them are actuated by most friendly intentions towards her, and imagine that the alterations they propose will avert her destruction, if not fix her establishment upon a firmer foundation. Yet I cannot see any reason in the circumstances of the case to abandon my own conclusions upon the danger of the proposed reforms, especially of the ulterior movements to which they are made the stalking horse; and I am still more startled by a comparison of the alleged reasons, given by church reformers of all denominations, from Lord Henley to Mr. Hume, with those by which one party deceived others, and another deceived themselves, at that period of our history when the people were betrayed into a calamitous delusion, and the Church and State of England were subjected to the terrible scourge of democracy and fanaticism. In the present day we have the same loud and bitter cry raised against the ministers of the church, accompanied by the same pretext of concern for its purity, and supported by the same arguments against the practices of the clergy, and the institution and privileges of the church. The notorious object of the violent and movement party in its advance to the civil war was to lower the body of the clergy in the eyes of the people, and to deprive them of those offices connected with the state which gave them power and influence to support their church. Yet all this was to be done under plea of a tender and reverend regard for its purification. An ostentatious display was made of distinguishing between the functionaries of the church and the church itself. The desire of the artful and VOL. III.-March, 1833. 2 I |