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PSALMODY.

It was a maxim of ST. AUGUSTINE, that Music should never be encouraged in places of Public Worship to an extent that might endanger a due and proper attention to Divine Service. "I always," said he, "think myself blameable, when "I am drawn more to the Singer than to "what is sung,”—and Queen ELIZABETH, although she strongly enjoined the practice of singing in Churches, endeavoured to guard against the probability of too great a display of skill in Music, rendering the Service less significant and impressive, she, therefore, ordered that the Common Prayer should be sung in so plain and distinct a manner, that the Pronunciation might be equally well heard as though it were read,—but allowed an Anthem to be sung at the beginning and ending of the Service, for the gratification of such as were particularly

attached to a more scientific performance.—The metrical Psalmody thus introduced, is still practised in our Parochial Churches.1

2

There are various benefactions for the encouragement of Psalmody. The formation and continuance of a regular Choir at Frome is particularly enjoined. The children of the school at Plumland are to be taught to sing Psalms,3-as are also the children of the parish of Bowness.* The Chanters of Handsworth,5 and of Leighton Busard, are specially considered. Mr. HAMMOND is liberal in his support of the Choir at Shiere, and Mr. HARRIS, with nicer ear, has given an additional sum to a select number of these melodious rustics.8

1 Brady's Clavis Calendaria, vol. i. p.

2 Rep. III. p. 331.

3 Rep. v. p. 87.

4 v.p.
Rep. v. p. 100.

5 Rep. ix. p. 547.

315.

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LOANS.

In the infancy of Commerce and Manufactures it was an act of Charity, as well as of Public Spirit, to promote their extension by Loans to young and poor Traders. And, although a smile may be excited in the countenance of the affluent Merchants of the present day, at having it supposed that a Loan of 207. could be of any possible use for commercial purposes, yet it cannot be doubted but that it was of substantial benefit to many persons in early times. This mode of benevolence was adopted by Sir THOMAS WHITE, the munificent Founder of St. John's College, Oxford, by that truly venerable Prelate Archbishop ABBOT,- by Mr. HENRY SMITH, and by many others of equal Philanthropy.1

But sums which, at a remote period, might have been considered of import

1

Bray's Collections relating to Henry Smith, p. 24.·

ance, are in modern times of too little consequence to invite Candidates to borrow, especially where the terms and restrictions of the Loans are such, as are marked out by some of the donors.2

The Corporation of Oxford have been frequently put to great expense in this class of Charities in the recovery of the money from the persons to whom it was lent, or their Sureties, and in obtaining new Securities in case one should drop before the time of repayment. No provision is made for these expenses, which, therefore, fall heavy upon the City, and when the sum to be lent out is under 251., the expense of the bonds is always defrayed by The Corporation. Although every precaution has been taken, several sums intended to be lent out have been lost long ago. This might naturally be expected with the smaller sums, from the needy condition of the persons, who would be glad to avail themselves of such trifling * Rep. vI. p. 148.

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assistance. The larger Loans appear to be the best preserved, and are most serviceable to the borrowers. From the change in the value of money, the small Loans are not an object to any decent tradesman,—but, if The Corporation had the power to consolidate the several Charities of this class, so as not to lend less sums than 50%. or 100l., it appears to The Commissioners, that the objects of the several Donors would be better answered, and the Charities become more valuable, and be less liable to loss.3

The experience of The Corporation of Bristol, in respect to the Loan monies under their management, according to the directions of the several benefactors, and the knowledge which they possess, as individuals, of the state and wants of the trading part of the City, support them also in the observation, that as to any sums under 50%. the inducement is not considerable enough to procure any ap

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