in a letter to Mr. Treffry, sen., dated October 6, 1831, we copy the more willingly, since, in a recent number of the Quarterly, we published the views of an American critic on the same sul ject.*

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"We have now 'Wordsworth's Poems,' which, I confess, I never properly read before. There are many surpassingly beautiful passages in them. But there is also much that is very silly, much that is very wicked, and more that is very dull. When I say wicked. I mean that tends to the growth and nourishment of a poetical sort of infidelity, most specious in its approach, and most fascinating in its contact. Perhaps I may venture to take the first of his pieces as an illustration :

Now this is really very silly. For look first at the sentiment; reduce it to prose, and it is: When I was a child my heart used to leap when I saw a rainbow so it does now and when it shall cease to do so I hope I may die. The dispositions of childhood give the character of manhood: and I should like natural piety to be the distinguishing characteristic both of my childhood and mature age.' Now just analyze this sentiment. Does he mean to say, that he has now the same feelings at seeing a rainbow that he had when he was a little child? because, if so, he must have lived to very little purpose. I do not recollect what my feelings were, when I was a child, at seeing a rainbow; but this I know, that I had none of the pleasant and affecting associations which I have now at such a sight. I did not know then that it was the only phenomenon of nature which God had peculiarly connected with his tenderness and covenant. I did not know that it had in innumerable instances gladdened the hearts of good men. I did not know that in the apocalyptic vision it was the arch under which the throne of the mediatorial glory was placed. I never thought then, what I have often thought since, that it was like a portal to a happy eternity. I should have said then, 'There is a rainbow just in the same tone, and with the same feeling, in a smaller degree, as I should have exclaimed, 'What a pretty riband! Then again, is this leaping of the heart natural piety? This last phrase is very bad in its tendency, as it is vague in its signification. And why would you die, sir, because you have not the feelings which you had when your life began, upon seeing a rainbow? This is ridiculous. So also is, 'the child is the father of the man.' You might as well say, the acorn is the father of the oak. Indeed, there is much of his poetry which is equally objectionable. But then his beauties are certainly very great. I have not room here to continue the subject."

"The Infidel's Own Book: a Statement of some of the Absurdities resulting from the Rejection of Christianity," a duodecimo volume of two hundred pages, was also published in 1831. Early in 1832. upon urgent solicitation, he undertook the "Life of the Rev. John Smith," who had been his colleague on the Nottingham circuit, in 1825. This work is among the reprints of the Book Concern, and its extraordinary popularity is well known. Our readers will now feel interested to know that Mr. Treffry was among the competitors for the prize of one hundred guineas, which had been offered by Dr. Conquest for the best

*See Quarterly Magazine for October, article Wordsworth's Poems.

6.

essay upon covetousness. This prize was eventually awarded to the author of Mammon." It is stated that Mr. T. was among the three first, including Mr. Harris, whose comparative claims the committee of adjudication found some difficulty in settling. They, however, offered fifty guineas for Mr. T.'s essay, which was published under their auspices, and a second edition was almost immediately called for. But Mr. Treffry's chef-d'œuvre is, by common consent, the Treatise on the Divine and Eternal Sonship of Christ, published about the time of the author's death, and making a duodecimo volume of five hundred and forty-seven pages. "Whether we consider this production," says an able critic, "as a satisfactory disquisition on an important topic in theology; as a cabinet of Scripture illustrations; or ag a model of critical exegesis, it is one which we can most earnestly recommend to all who are covetous of advancement in the well digested knowledge of things divine and heavenly."*

Dr. Pye Smith says, "I am persuaded that the reading of this pos thumous work will increase the conviction, already deeply felt, of the author's transcendent excellences, intellectual and moral." And the venerable Henry Moore, declares, "The book is too good. I mean, that it is so large that I fear it will not be read extensively. No man who had not faculties of the highest order could have produced such a book."†

Such is a brief outline of the life and literary labors of Richard Treffry and as our limits will not admit of any due critical examination of the various and masterly productions of his pen, we shall conclude our present notice with a few remarks upon some traits of his character with which we have been particularly struck in glancing over the volume before us. It is but justice to remark that these "Memoirs" are executed in a manner highly creditable to the vene. rable author. Though he who writes is a father that mourns as few have occasion to mourn, there is no evidence of any paternal bias or partiality which would prevent a just appreciation of the character of the deceased: and we are persuaded that the task of preparing this memorial could hardly have fallen into more competent hands.

The character of Richard Treffry, though it was in some respects strongly marked, and presented its salient points, appears to have been developed in very harmonious proportions. His intellect was of the first order, vigorous, clear, and comprehensive. To sober reason and a dispassionate judgment were added a lively imagination and gorgeous fancy. In some of his earlier productions he exhibits a fondness, not uncommon to youth, for a highly embellished style. But he soon learned to distinguish between meretricious ornaments and that simple, yet graceful beauty, which is,

"When unadorned, adorned the most."

For this chastened diction he is probably much indebted to the writings of Mr. Wesley, of whose pure, graceful, and sententious style he was an enthusiastic admirer.

* (London) Methodist Magazine for April, 1838.

† Among the posthumous works of Mr. Treffry are "Letters on the Atonement," 18mo., pp. 262, and "Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity," 18mo., pp. 224.

Not less admirable were the qualities of Mr. Troffy's heart, which seemed to overflow with the sweet charities of life, and to be ever glowing with the most generous affections.

"It was his fil.al affection," says the father, "that renders his memory so peculiarly dear to me. He had a wife whom he tenderly loved, and by whom he was equally beloved. He had little children to whom his heart was fondly attached; and he had Christian friends, in whose welfare he greatly rejoiced; and yet he manifested such endearing affection for me as his father, and evinced so deep a solicitude for my welfare, as if I had been the only being in whom his affections centred, and for whom he had any regard. And this was not an evanescent sensation, that fluctuated with every change of circumstances, but a settled, permanent principle, so c'eeply rooted in his mind that neither age nor sickness could destroy it." To what extent his success in life resulted from a conscientious observance of the first command with promise, and a respectful deference to all whose wisdom and years commended their opinions to his good sense, is a point deserving consideration.

In reference to his catholic spirit and his dutiful devotion to the church of his adoption, it is said: "While he gave the right hand of fellowship to all who trusted in Christ for salvation, he was a Wesleyan Methodist from principle. He cordially believed the doctrines, and heartily approved of the discipline of Methodism. He meddled not with those who are given to change, and scught not to mend our rules, but to keep them for conscience' sake. With the liberalisin and factious spirit of the age, either in politics or religion, he held no com. munion. He saw the danger of removing the ancient landmarks which our fathers have set."

We e may well suppose, then, that one endowed with such qualities of mind and heart would be eminently devotional; and that of such a one the saying of the "Ancient Mariner,"

"He prayeth best who loveth best

All things, both great and small,”

would be admirably descriptive. We find him ever glorying in the exceeding riches of grace. Thus, in a letter to Mrs. Farmer, he says:

* *

"I have specially felt the preciousness of, "If ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him!' Upon this passage, the being a parent singularly assists me to rely. I argue thus: There is no blessing that I would not give to my children. But were I as pure as an angel; had I arrived at the highest point of disinterestedness of which I am capable, still my capacities are limited; and there is a shore on which the highest tide of my best parental feeling must break. But my heavenly Father is good; perfectly, infinitely, eternally pure and beneficent. His element is eternal, disinterested love. As far then as the infinite exceeds the finite, as far as eternity exceeds bounded duration, as far as immaculate goodness surpasses the mixed condition of my own spirit, as far as the nature of God transcends my low notions and perceptions of man, so far is God more ready to bless me with his Holy Spirit than I am even to give food to my hungry child. And what is the evidence of this? He who spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us ALL, how will he not with him also freely give us ALL things.' It is enough; away with all hesitation, all unbelief, all questioning, all doubt. Now is the accepted

time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' What then is included in the promise of the Spirit? Here I feel my want of comprehension, and still more my want of words. Thus much, however, I know; that I am herein promised all salvation, from all sin, into all purity, to the highest degree of which my nature is capable."

The divinity of the ever blessed Son of God, and the infinite merit of his atoning sacrifice, were themes upon which he dwelt most emphatically to the last. "O the precious blood of Christ!" he exclaimed the morning before his death, "O the precious blood of Christ! What should I now do but for the precious blood of Christ!" Again: "I am clinging to the cross until the light of eternity, no more to be ob scured, shall break in upon my soul." Soon after, he expressed a desire to see his wife. The interview was deeply affecting, and the parting scene inexpressibly solemn. "We had often," said she, "conversed of that dreaded hour;" and it was now come. With a look of ineffable tenderness, he bade her adieu; and she, with a tre. mulous voice, and in an agony of grief, said, “We shall soon meet in glory." "O! yes, yes," he replied, with marked emphasis, but with difficult utterance. She expressed her willingness to remain with him, if she could minister to him any consolation, but he said, "No, go and pray." "This was the last sound," says Mrs. Treffry, "I ever heard from those lips whose melody of tone had so often fallen on my ear and heart with a power of subduing and melting influence."

Thus in the galaxy of Wesleyan Methodism has another beautiful orb been quenched-yet not quenched-it has only melted away into the light of heaven. We may then

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'Rejoice for a brother deceased,
Our loss is his infinite gain;

A soul out of prison released,

And freed from its bodily chain;
With songs let us follow his flight,
And mount with his spirit above;
Escaped to the mansions of light,
And lodged in the Eden of love.

Our brother the haven hath gain'd,
Outflying the tempest and wind,
His rest he hath sooner obtain'd,
And left his companions behind;
Still toss'd on a sea of distress,

Hard toiling to make the blest shore,
Where all is assurance and peace,

And sorrow and sin are no more."

THE BOOK CONCERN AS REBUILT.

Ox Thursday morning, February 18, 1833, the spacious buildings of this noble institution, with nearly all its valuable stock of every description, were destroyed by a calamitous fire. All over our land were excited the most generous sympathies of the members and friends of the church, who gave substantial evidence of their high estimation of the importance of the Concern to the church and to the community,

by their contributions for its restoration. The agents, in behalf of the church, have felt, and still feel, a deep sense of the kindness of those generous friends, and deem it proper to give them a plain account of the Concern as rebuilt, and show its adaptation to answer the design of its institution.

The front building is one hundred and twenty-one feet long, thirty feet wide, five stories high, including the basement, has iron doors and window-shutters throughout, front, rear, and inside, and the roof is covered with copper. Near the centre of this building is a cart way, nine feet wide, which gives access to the yard. The walls on each side of the cartway run up through all the stories, and about two feet above the roof; and the roof over this cartway is composed of iron rafters covered with copper, so that in the event of one end of this building taking fire, it is believed that there will be little or no danger of its being communicated to the other. In the north end of this building are eight large safety vaults, having double walls and double iron doors, believed to be perfectly fire-proof. These vaults are in the basement, first, second, and third stories, two in each, and are designed for the safe keeping of account books, valuable papers, stereotype plates, &c. In the upper story, and immediately over these vaults, is a large cistern, so constructed as to receive the water from the roof, which is conveyed by leaden pipes to different parts of the building where it is needed in the operations of our business→→ such as wetting paper to prepare it for printing, washing stereotype plates, &c. It would also be of great advantage in case a fire should take place in the building. The cistern will hold two thousand three hundred and eighty-five gallons of water. There is a similar cistern in the back building, though not so large; and also three large cisterns in the yard to receive the surplus water; which may be raised again when needed to the cisterns in the buildings, by a forcing pump. The stairway from which this building is entered by the workmen runs up between it and the wing of the rear building, and is constructed of iron supporters and hard plank steps. The roof over the stairs is of iron rafters covered with copper. In this building the book store and printing operations are arranged with great convenience. Here, also, the agents, editors, and clerks are well accommodated in their respective offices.

The rear building, which is sixty-six feet long, twenty-eight feet wide, with a wing of the same width and twenty-six feet long, has the same number of stories as the front building. It has iron doors and window shutters, and the roof is covered with tin. This building is occupied as a book-bindery and depository of stock of different kinds. Both buildings are of brick, built in the most substantial manner, and are well arranged for the business to which they are appropriated.

Manner of warming the buildings.-These extensive buildings are warmed by steam, which, after having performed its work upon the engine, is conveyed through copper pipes into all the apartments where the workmen are employed, and finally returns, in a condensed state, into a large cistern, from which it is received into the boiler to be reconverted into steam. This method of warming the building saves a large amount of fuel, much labor in making and keeping up the fires, and greatly diminishes the risk of accidents by fire.