the university, to which he had destined his child, is no longer to be a place of Christian education? And here I should have added something of the local attachment, the "esprit de corps," which used to be counted natural, in literary persons especially, towards the scene of their early studies; and which must make them slow to admit even real improvements when the demand is made with insult and indignity, and disregard of corporate rights. But the liberal spirit of the age seems to act like an universal solvent, and effectually discharges every scruple of this kind. All is plain colourless philosophy and reform.

That topic, therefore, shall be left alone; but one may be allowed to express a sort of satisfaction at the consciousness, that the cause in which one is engaged by duty is one which may be maintained without any sacrifice of that almost filial gratitude, which the members of the English universities owe to their respective foster-mothers.

I had purposed adding a few words, on the line of conduct which, as I conceive, it might become the friends of the university to pursue, when this matter shall be brought to a point. But I have not, at present, time, were I otherwise qualified, for so great a subject; and, perhaps, at present, the discussion would be rather premature.

Permit me, in conclusion, to return my very sincere acknowledgements to the British Magazine of the present month, for the admirable paper on this subject; so clear, so high-principled, and so thoroughly good-tempered.

I remain, my dear Sir, your obliged and faithful servant,
April 20th.

Μισονεύλογος.

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

Remarks on the Probable Consequences of Establishing a General Registry of Births. By the Rev. W. Hale Hale, M.A., &c. London: Rivingtons. 1834. THIS is one of the most sensible and valuable pamphlets which has appeared for a very long time. Mr. Hale's former pamphlets on Tithes fully proved him to be one of the most acute observers and patient investigators of the day; and in that now published he establishes his claim to the character of a most sagacious judge of the future effects of proposed measures, as well as of the difficulties of carrying them into effect. He shews most clearly that, besides other most serious practical difficulties, no system of registration of births which is not compulsory can ever be good for anything, and it is quite certain that the English will not submit to a compulsory system. But this is the business of the legislator, not the churchman. In another part of the pamphlet, he warns churchmen against admitting the legal recognition of dissenters' baptisms (which is the scheme most likely to be tried when the other has failed from its practical difficulties, and is in reality the scheme which the dissenters wish for), and shews how they will use it for political purposes. Churchmen must remember that they ought to profess their willingness to accede to a purely civil registration, and nothing more. Mr. Hale's pamphlet, on every account, is earnestly commended to the attention of the public in general.

The Eton Abuses Considered, &c. London: Ridgways, 1834. WHEN one reads the following sentence, "I allude to the very cavalier manner in which I cannot but think he (Dr. Keate) treats the elder boys. A youth of eighteen cannot but feel that were he placed in any other situation, &c.," one has no doubt of the age of the author, and it is easy afterwards to estimate the value of his complaint against particular masters, chapel, fagging, &c.

A Charge to the Diocese of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Fife. By Bishop Walker. Edinburgh Grant and Son.

THE Sound principle and Christian temper exhibited in this address make it matter of regret that it is not likely to be known in England as well as in Scotland. Bishop Walker's reference to the advantages and disadvantages of temporal endowments, and his exposure of the conduct of those who, in former times, were crying out, under the plea of conscience, for the destruction of all human institutions in church matters, are most valuable and interesting.

Character, Object, and Effects of Trades' Unions. London: Ridgways. THIS pamphlet, which has been already translated into French, deserves general attention from the very curious information which its acute and industrious author has collected on a subject likely to occupy one's thoughts for several years to come. He evidently hopes that those mischievous combinations will fall to pieces of themselves; and the exhibition of their arrogance, absurdity, and wickedness, which he gives and establishes on ample grounds would indeed lead one to hope so. But after the encouragement given to the principle of these unions, it is impossible to feel confident on this head.

Letters to a Friend who has seceded from the Church of England. By the Rev. Hugh M‘Neile, Rector of Albury, &c. London: Hatchards, &c. 1834. PROTESTING always against certain statements of Mr. M'Neile's as to the abuses in the church, the reviewer cordially recommends these letters as containing, in the early part of the volume, a very sound and right argument for church authority, and, in the latter portion, some most curious and striking statements as to the followers of Mr. Irving, from one who knows them, and mentions some most remarkable facts.

Lay Sermons on Good Principles and Good Breeding. By the Ettrick Shepherd. London: Fraser. 1834. pp. 330.

Ir is a great pity that the Shepherd called these essays sermons, because they are very often wholly unlike what every sermon ought to be in mannernamely, serious-being full of good stories, and occasionally of strange observations, which could only occasion a laugh. As essays, from an old man, they might assume a didactic tone with great propriety, and most of them are nothing more. They do not relate much to religion, but to propriety of manner, profession, reading, &c. &c. There is a good deal of very valuable remark, but a good deal of advice anything but sound; and though the Shepherd always insists on the necessity of religion, he seems not to think it a matter of such vital necessity as it deserves to be considered. A set of extracts from them would be very interesting, and might do good. The Shepherd's experience of the utter want of any notions at all of religion in persons calling themselves deists would be very valuable, as coming from a layman, and one who is at least free enough in his own opinions.

Lives of Sacred Poets. By R. A. Willmott, Esq. London: J. W. Parker, 1834. pp. 363.

MR. WILLMOTT has done a very acceptable service to literature, in collecting the scattered accounts of persons who have devoted their poetical powers to the cause of religion, and giving a notice of their works. He has done this with a degree of sound feeling, of enthusiasm, and of taste for poetry, which reflects the highest credit on him, and has evinced powers which may lead us to hope and expect other essential services, both to literature and religion, from his pen.

An Argument to Prove the Christian Revelation. By the Earl of Rosse. London Murray. 1834. 8vo.

Few things can give greater pleasure than a work like this-the work of a layman of high rank, avowing his attachment to Christianity, and maintaining its truth in the midst of an infidel and scornful generation; and doing this in a spirit of the utmost soberness, so as to shew that his conviction is not the fruit of momentary enthusiasm, but of long reflexion and fixed habit. Lord Rosse has occupied the former part of his work in a subject too difficult and long to be entered on in a brief notice like this-viz., the consistency of the Mosaic account with the present state of our knowledge of the material world; but in the latter portion he points out the value of the prophecies and the miracles as evidences, with a clearness, a strength, and a good sense, which reflect the highest credit on him. The commencing chapter of this portion, which considers Moses as a prophet, and points out his extraordinary prophecy as to the destruction of Jerusalem, is of very high value indeed.

The Doctrine of the Trinity in Unity deduced from the discriminative terms employed to designate the Divine Being, by the inspired writers of the Old Testament. By a Member of the Church of England. London: Rivingtons.

1833.

THIS unpretending little work, dedicated to the Bishop of Salisbury very appropriately, and written, as it is understood, by a lady, is an attempt to point out regularly and systematically a proof of the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity, which has been occasionally referred to by other writers, particularly by Mr. Jones, of Nayland, and by Bishop Horsley, and the merits of which have been canvassed so often that it is superfluous to say anything on them here. The author thus explains the system; preface, p. 15:

"The words Al, Jehovah, Adoni, Ruach, and Elohim, are the words used, in speaking of the Deity, in the original. Hebrew scholars agree that each of the above terms is derived from its own appropriate root. I particularly wish that this, its appropriate root, should always be kept in view whenever the name is pronounced, and then any difference of opinion as to which is the right derivative will in no respect invalidate what I wish to prove-viz., that the different offices indicated by the various import of the names, undeniably proves that the inspired writers carefully preserved a distinction or plurality of persons in the godhead."

Oaths: their Origin, Nature, and History. By J. E. Tyler, B.D., Rector of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields. 8vo. pp. 319. London: Parker. 1834. MR. TYLER'S Volume presents a good deal of curious information as to oaths. With respect to his general position-that unnecessary multiplication of oaths should be avoided, all will agree, and it is a service well deserving gratitude to direct attention to the point. But how far the practice in abolition is to go is still the question to be decided by experience only and long consideration. Many oaths as to money matters ought unquestionably to be done

away. The expedients resorted to, as Mr. Tyler mentions, to evade the oath in courts of justice, seem to the reviewer rather to shew a value and a fear of it, than a disregard. And, as far as a large acquaintance with the poorer classes can entitle the writer to speak, he must give his decided opinion that they have a very great fear of a false oath, and that thus, practically, oaths in courts of justice save many innocent persons, who will be condemned if oaths are abolished. A paper on this subject would be very acceptable.

A Letter to the Right Hon. Earl Grey, Premier, containing a Vindication of the Established Church, and Remarks on the Claims of the Dissenters. By a Dissenting Minister. London: Ridgway. 1834.

It is much to be regretted that the author of this valuable pamphlet could not venture to give his name, which would have added much weight to his excellent arguments. But it may easily be understood, after the temper manifested by dissenters on many occasions, that this must be wholly out of the question.

Lays and Legends of Various Nations. Part I. GERMANY. Part II. France. By W. J. Thoms, Editor of the "Early English Prose Romances." London : Cowie. 1834.

THOUGH many of these lays and legends have appeared in other works, a collection of such interesting memorials of the thoughts and fancies of past times, in so cheap and convenient a form, cannot but be acceptable. The Germany is the best of the two numbers now published.

A Botanical Chart; or, Concise Introduction to the Linnean System of Botany. By James Rattray, Surgeon, and Lecturer on Botany. Glasgow: Blackie and Son.

A VERY convenient and useful synopsis of the Linnean system, with figures explanatory of the letter-press.

Illustrations of the Bible, from Original Paintings made expressly, by R. Westall, Esq., R. A., and J. Martin, Esq. Part I. Eight Engravings. London: Bull and Churton. 1834.

THE size and cheapness of these illustrations will make them acceptable to many persons; nor can it be doubted, from the talents of the eminent artists employed, that they will contain much that is admirable. It is unfair to judge from a single number, especially in so difficult an undertaking as giving pictures of such extent in subject on wood. Every succeeding number may be expected to improve.

Parochial Sermons. By the Rev. J. H. Newman.

1834.

London: Rivingtons.

THERE is a simplicity of language, a refinement of feeling, and very frequently an originality both of views and thoughts, as well as an inflexibility of principle and a depth of piety, in these sermons, which will unquestionably make them sources of great and general good.

Life of Mr. Samuel Drew. London: Longman and Co.

Works of the Rev. R. Watson. (Vol. I., containing his Life.) London. It is impossible here to do any justice to these books, but they are mentioned for the sake of pointing out to all persons interested in the matter, that, with the Life of Dr. Adam Clarke, recently published, there is now a mass of mate

rial before the world for knowing the history of Wesleyanism, as it would be given by the Lives of three of the most eminent and respectable of its ministers, which is of the highest value. These volumes ought to be in the library of every one interested in the religious history of the age, which will be got with more certainty and truth from biographies like these than from professed histories by partial and interested persons. There is much to admire and respect in the characters of both Mr. Drew and Mr. Watson, and many striking lessons to be learnt from them. It is a curious fact, that Mr. Watson began to preach when under sixteen, and that while he had no want of words, he felt and confessed his sad want of knowledge, and deplored the great deficiency of such knowledge in other ministers. Mr. Drew was perhaps the most original-minded of the two, but Mr. Watson (with a better education) would have been a powerful man also. He wrote well and thought justly. He had a deep spirit of sincere piety as a Christian, and of loyalty as a subject. His defect (though he did much to remedy it) was want of accurate knowledge, which was noticed in a former number of this Magazine, with respect even to his latest work-his Theological Dictionary.

MISCELLANEA.

WEALTH AND INFLUENCE OF THE DISSENTERS.

LORD BROUGHAM, in his speech on education, compared the wealth of dissenters with that-not of churchmen, but-of the clergy, and contrasted the minims of the one with the millions of the other. Now, the church revenues are stated, by Lord Althorp himself, as about three millions; and the landed property alone is said to be about fifty millions. After allowing properly for the rhetoric of a speech, and supposing the dissenters' minim, therefore, to be one million-an allowance so large as almost to destroy the Chancellor's point-we find that their great patron reckons their property to be one-fiftieth only of even the landed property of England; probably not one-hundredth of the whole! What becomes of the argument as to the weight to be given to dissent from the amount of its wealth and power?

One word more may be said on this comparison. Is it just to compare the charity of the whole body of dissenters with that of ten or twelve thousand clergy alone? If, however, this is just, let the poor consider the comparison, and give it its full weight. The great patron of dissent states, that the contributions from the clergy alone to charity—to the relief of the poor, and the education of the ignorant-are not only greater, but enormously greater, than those of the whole body of dissenters!

One more question still. The Chancellor compared the charity of a dissenter of 1007. per annum with that of a rich clergyman of 3 or 4000l.-(by the way, where does the Chancellor find these rich clergy, there not being six livings, probably, of 3000l. a-year in the kingdom?)-in a manner not particularly kind to the church. But, as both the Chancellor and the dissenters have constantly stated that the enormous body of working clergy are almost starving, would it not have been fairer to compare the subscription of a poor dissenter of 100l. per annum and a poor incumbent or curate of 1007. per annum? How would that account have stood? Every churchman would wish to see it, whatever the Chancellor or the dissenter might.

And even one question more. Without at present remarking farther on the very kind and courteous manner in which the Chancellor treated the church, and without examining again the ground which has been trodden a thousand times, as to the Bell and Lancaster system, may it be asked how it comes that the Chancellor ascribes all the merit (whatever it is) of the Society for Diffusing