tian reader will remark, with delight and thankfulness, the change which the providence of God wrought in his favour, and the means which were employed to restore him to the possession of that very farm and homestall from which he had formerly been driven by persecution, with the loss of all his goods, for conscience sake, but to which he afterwards returned with his wife and family, to enjoy with them in peace the bounties of Divine Providence, during the remainder of his life, without the guilt of having temporised and sacrificed the rights of conscience for worldly advantages. Not less remarkable, in the judgment of the Christian reader, will be the reverses which overtook, the oppressors of the servants of Christ. The perusal of such a narrative, we feel persuaded, is calculated to suggest to most of our readers delightful reflections on the goodness, faithfulness, and power of God, and to be an occasion to them of thanksgiving and prayer: while it may strengthen the hands of some who are ready to faint, and decide the minds of others who are wavering. Productions such as this af ford to the divinely enlightened mind more exalted delight than the mere emanations of fancy can do. There is in such a plain unvarnished tale," a dignity and immaculate purity, the dignity aud purity of truth, which does not admit of association with falsehood, however sublimated or compound. ed; and the Christian, whose taste is formed on the correct principles of the Gospel, perceives as much difference between fiction and fact, as between a coin of pure gold and a gilded farthing. 66 We conclude our observations by expressing our high satisfac tion with the copious historical notes upon the narrative, affixed by the editor. These notes we recommend him, in the event of a new edition (and we have no doubt that the work will pass through other editions), to form, together with the appendix, into a general introduction to the narrative. The English Master; or Student's tion: exhibiting an Analytical View of the English Language, of the Human Mind, and of the Principles of fine Writing. By Wm. Banks. 8vo. 1823. MR. BANKS has compressed into this well-printed volume a fair proportion of interesting and instruc tive matter; his analysis is usually well conducted, and his illustrations judiciously chosen. He has evidently taken considerable pains in his abstract of the more extensive works on the same subject, and his work may be considered as an available compendium of the received doctrines of composition and criticism. In a few instances we could have wished for greater precision, and the whole might have been improved by a larger infusion of original research. The history of the English language is neither complete nor correct; the observations on Bacon and Hooker are rather meagre and defective in discrimination; and, to say nothing of a host of spirited authors in the days of Elizabeth and the first James, why are the admirable writers of the times immediately succeeding to be overlooked? We confess ourselves a little irritable on this point, inasmuch as we are of the heterodox sect, who think that our literature declined in value. and originality, after, the Restoration, and that the enfeebling changes in English style, which marked the reign of Anne, were deteriorations rather than improvements. We perceive that our author adopts the fashionable scheme of adjusting English verse by classical measures. To our ears the attempt is utterly vain, since accent `has with us a much greater influence than time in determining the metrical character of our poetry. For instance, the high-sounding epithet Trocháic is inflicted on the following line, and it is thus systematically marked,— "Haste thee Nỹmph, ănd bring with thee -when there is not a single short syllable in it, by any rule of prosody whatever, and the last word, in particular, is long, both by natural quantity, and by the necessary pronunciation of the verse. In THIS excellent Association is, we are happy to learn from the present Report, in full and prosperous activity, as far as its practical agency is concerned; but we are sorry to find that its "finances labour," to use a Parliamentary phrase, and that, in spite of the most rigid economy, its funds are insufficient." We cannot permit ourselves to doubt that this deficiency in its resources will be amply supplied. It appears that much good has been done, and that happy signs of an extensive moral melioration have appeared among that highly useful race of men to whose benefit the Society directs its labours. On one occasion, writes the Society's agent, "The Captain left his card at my office at the time I was afloat; I found him on board when I visited his ship a second time; he shook my hand heartily, and said, I am always glad to see you.' Notwithstanding he was anxious to get the anchor, he gave directions that all the crew might be ordered aft; he took his standing at the capstan, and mustered the whole of them, putting the question to each man, Have you got a Bible?' and spoke to them, before all hands, and many strangers, of the privilege of possessing the sacred volume, and of the happiness of being brought under its heavenly influence. Each man who had not a Bible said, he should be glad to have one; and the Captain seemed much pleased with the idea that every individual under his command, who could read, now possessed a Bible. He had so much confidence in his ship's company as to pay them their month's advance, before the ship left London; a circumstance, I believe, never known before, as it respects a free trader. I never visited a ship of this description where I found the crew so uniformly consistent. The custom-house officers, and others, said they had not heard an oath since they had been on board. This, certainly, was a very extraordinary thing when the extent of the crew, amounting to 44 men, is taken into consideration. One man CONG. MAG.-No. 67. said, Our Captain is a Christian and a father to us all; and were I to leave this ship, I don't know where I should find such another.' A strange gentleman observed, on seeing so many sailors purseeing the Captain interest himself so chase the Scriptures so readily, and on much in their spiritual welfare, this is a sight I never witnessed before, and I never shall forget it.' What a vast difference between a mere cold consent on the Captain's side to my inviting the crew to purchase the Scriptures, and a hearty co-operation in my application to them for the purpose! The latter is sure to produce a good effect. I sold twenty Bibles in this ship!"-p. 19. In several other vessels, gratifying evidence was given that the Word of God had been not only willingly received, but read and cherished. THIS respectable lady died, February 16, 1823, at the age of 90, and Mr. Snelgar has spoken of her character in terms which attest her to have been as high in honourable character, as advanced in years. From Job xix. 23-27, he has unfolded-1. The important principle avowed.-2. The humiliating testimony expressed.-3. The animating expectation declared. These points are illustrated profitably, and in pleasing language. We insert a short specimen. "As we passed along the tombs of BUNHILL-FIELDS, how impressive was the remembrance of so much departed excellence, committed to that hallowed ground; and the names of some of my own earliest and best friends, such as I can never expect to find again, forcibly occurred to my mind, and presented before me the pre-eminence of their characters; in a Humphryes, a Banister, and a Simpson; all of whom ornamented the pulpit, and were beloved in private life. They sleep in death; and their bed is the cold grave. Worms destroy the wonderful workmanship of God; and corruption feasts upon the fairest children of men. Let those who pride themselves in the beauty of their form; or in the vigour of their youth; or in the strength of their manhood; come hither, and learn a divine lesson, from the opening and silent grave, towards which all are making a certain and a rapid progress."p. 11. 3 D VARIETIES, LITERARY, SCIENTIFIC, &c. Mr. Nicholas Ferrer.-Mr. Nicholas Ferrer, (who got the reputation of being called Saint Nicholas, at the age of six years,) was born in London, and doubtless had good education in his youth; but was certainly at an early age made Fellow of Clare-hall, in Cambridge, where he continued to be eminent for his piety, temperance, and learning. About the 26th year of his age, he betook himself to travel; in which he added to his Latin and Greek, a perfect knowledge of all the languages spoken in the western part of our Christian world, and understood well the principles of their religion, and of their manners, and the reasons of their worship. In this, his travel, he met with many persuasions to come into a communion with the church, which calls itself Catholic ; but he returned from his travels, as he went, eminent for his obedience to his mother, the Church of England. "In his absence from England, Mr. Farrer's father, (who was a merchant,) allowed him a liberal maintenance; and not long after his return into England, Mr. Farrer had by the death of his father, or an elder brother, an estate left him, that enabled him to purchase land to the value of four or five hundred pounds a year; the greater part of which land was at Little Gidden, four or six miles from Huntingdon, and about 18 from Cambridge, which place he chose for the privacy of it, and for the Hall, which had the parish church or chapel belonging, and adjoining near to it; for Mr. Farrer having seen the manners and vanities of the world, and found them to be, as Mr. Herbert says, As nothing between two dishes, did so contemn it, that he resolved to spend the remainder of his life in mortifications, and in devotion and charity, and to be always prepared for death-and his life was spent thus. He and his family, which were like a little college, and about thirty in number, did most of them keep Lent, and all ember-weeks strictly, both in fasting and using all those prayers that the church hath appointed to be then used: and he and they did the like on Fridays, and on the Vigils, or eves appointed to be fasted before the Saints' days; and this frugality and abstinence, turned to the relief of the poor; but this was but a part of his charity, none but God, and he knew, the rest. "The family, which I have said to be in number about thirty, were a part of them his kindred, and the rest chosen to be of a temper fit to be moulded into a devout life; and all of them were for their dispositions serviceable, and quiet, and humble, and free from scandal. Having thus fitted himself for his family, he did, about the year 1630, betake himself to a constant and methodical service of God, and it was in this man ner. He being accompanied with most of his family, he did himself use to read the Common-prayers, (for he was a Deacon,) every day, at the appointed hours of ten and four, in the Parish Church, which was very near his house, and which he had both repaired and adorned, for it was fallen into a great ruin, by reason of a depopulation of the village before Mr. Farrer bought the mannor. And he did also constantly read the Mattins every morning at the hour of six, either in the church or in the oratory, which was within his own house and many of the family did there continue with him after the prayers were ended, and there they spent some hours in singing of Hymns or Anthems, sometimes in the church, and sometimes to an organ in the oratory. And there they sometimes betook themselves to meditate, or to pray privately, or to read a part of the New Testament to themselves, or to continue their praying or reading the Psalms; and in case the Psalms were not alwaies read in the day, then Mr. Farrer and others of the congregation did at night, at the ring of a watch-bell, repair to the church or oratory, and there betake themselves to prayers, and lauding God, and reading the Psalms that had not been read in the day, and when these or any part of the congregation grew weary, or faint, the watch-bell was rung, sometimes before and sometimes after midnight; and then another part of the family rose, and maintained the watch, sometimes by praying, or by singing lauds to God, or reading the Psalms; and when after some hours, they also grew weary or faint, then they rung the watch-bell, and were also relieved by some of the former, or by a new part of the society, which continued their devotions, (as hath been mentioned,) until morning. And it is to be noted, that in this continued serving of God, the Psalter or whole Book of Psalms, was in every four and twenty hours, sung or read over, from the first to the last verse, and this done as constantly, as the sun runs his circle every day about the world, and then begins again the same instant that it ended. "Thus did Mr. Farrer and his happy family, serve God day and night: thus did they alwaies behave themselves, as in his presence. And they did alwaies eat and drink by the strict rules of temperance-eat and drink, so as to be able to rise at midnight, or at the call of a watch-bell, and perform their devotions to God. And 'tis fit to tell the reader, that many of the clergy that were more inclined to practical piety and devotion, than to doubtful and needless disputations, did often come to Gidden Hall, and make themselves a part of that happy society, and stay a week or more, and then joyn with Mr. Farrer and the family in these devotions, and assist and ease him or them in their watch by night, and these various devotions had never less than two of the domestic family in the night; and the watch was alwaies kept in the church or oratory, unless in extream cold winter nights, and then it was maintained in a parlor which had a fire in it, and the parlor was fitted for that purpose; and this course of piety, and great liberality to his poor neighbours, Mr. Farrer maintained till his death, which was in the year 1639." ISAAC WALTON. Letter from James VII. to the Scottish Parliament.-At a meeting of the Estates in Edinburgh, 16th March, 1689, the following letter was presented in name of King James, while they were deliberating on the proposed Union of the two kingdoms; at the same time, a letter from the Prince of Orange, agreeing to accept of the Scottish administration, was produced by the Earl of Leven. After some debate, it was agreed, that the letter from the Prince of Orange should be first read, and the Estates then proceeded, with the exception of a few members, to sign a declaration, previous to opening King James's letter," that notwithstanding of any thing contained in the letter, they should continue undissolved, untill they secure the religione, the Government lawes, and liberties of the kingdome." The letter was then read. "JAMES R. "My Lords and Gentlemen,-Whereas, we hav bein informed, that you the peirs and representatives of Shires and Borrous of that our ancient kingdome wer to meit together at our good toun of Edinborrough, some time in this instant March, by the usurped authority of the Prince of Orange: we think fitt to let you kno that as we hav at all times relyed upon the faithfulness and affectione of you our ancient people so much that in our greatest misfortunes heartofore we had recourse to your assistance and that with good success to our affairs. So now againe we require of you to sup port our Royall interest expecting from you what becomes loyall and faithfull subjects generous and honest men that you will naither suffer yrselves to be cajolled nor frightned into any actione misbecoming true hearted Scotsmen And that to suport the honor of your natione you will contemn the base example of disloyall men and eternise your names by a loyalty suteable to the many professions you hav made to us In doeing wherof, you will choise the safest part since therby you will avite the danger you most neids undergo, the infamy and disgrace you most bring upon yourselves in this world and the condemnation due to the rebellious in the nixt and you will lykewayes hav the opportunity to secure to yourselves and your posterity the gracious promises we hav so often made of secureing your religion laws propertys libertys and rights which we are still resolved to performe, as soon as it is possible for us to meit you safely in a Parliament of that our ancient kingdome In the mean time fear not to declare for us yr lawfull Soveraigne who will not feal on our part to giv you such speedy and powerfull assistance as shall not only inable you to defend yrselves from any foraigne attempt but put you in a conditíone to assert our right against our ennamys who hav depressed the same by the blackest of usurpations the most unjust as well as most unnaturall of attempts which the Almighty God may for a time permitt and lett the wicked prosper yet the end must bring confusione upon such workers of iniquity. We further lett you kno that we will pardone all such as shall return to ther duety befor the last day of this moneth inclusive And that we will punish with the rigor of our law, all such as shal stand out in rebellion against us or our authority so not doubting that you will declare for us and suppress whatever may oppose our interest and that you will send some of your numbre to us with ane accompt of yr diligence and the posture of our affairs ther We bid you heartiely farewell Given on board the St. Michael first of March 1689 And of our reigne the 5th year "By His Majesties Command "MELFORT." "To the Lords Spiritual and temporall the Commissioners of Shires and Boroughs of our antient Kingdome of Scotland met or to meit at our good town of Edinbrugh." Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, vol. ix. p. 10. Edinbrugh, 1822. Apothegmes." Sir Thomas Moor had only daughters at first, and his wife did ever pray for a boy; at last, he had a boy, which after at man's years, proved simple. Sir Thomas said to his wife, Thou prayedst so long for a boy, that he will be a boy as long as he lives." "Sir Amias Paulet, when he saw too much haste in any matter, was wont to say, Stay a while, that we may make an end the sooner." "Casaubon would say, A day, an hour, a moment, is enough to overturn, that which was thought to be founded and rooted in adamant." "Sir Francis Bacon, being asked by King James his opinion of the French Embassadour, (at that time come over,) said, He was a proper gentleman; yea, said the King, but what do you think of his head-piece. Sir, said Bacon, It is many times with tall men, as with tall houses, where the uppermost room is worst furnished." Arabic Numerals,-All nations whom the light of science has ever visited, appear to have used some arbitrary method of representing the larger numbers in their arithmetical calculations. These characters at first were borrowed from the alphabets; but even the Grecian, which were by far the most refined species of this kind of notation, was found to be extremely cumbrous in complex operations. Our present digits were, it is most probable, borrowed from the Arabians, who in their turn may have derived them from the Hindoos. Some suppose these numerals to have been introduced into Europe in the beginning of the eleventh century; Vossius supposes they were not in use before the year 1250, and Mabillon says, that he has met with few instances of them prior to the year 1400. A writer in the New Monthly Magazine for April last, supposes them to be of European origin, and gives an ingenious hypothesis as to their formation. He notices the following dates, which are yet extant among us; but the figures in them have been disputed, viz. 975, over a gate way at Worcester; 1011, on the north front of Rumsey church, Hants; 1016, with a Roman M for the thousand, at Widgell Hall, near Buntingford, Herts: 1090, at Colchester; and 1133, having also a Roman M for the thousand, on a chimneypiece at Helmdon, Northamptonshire. Answer given to the Challenge of a Duellist, I have two objections to this duel matter: the one is, lest I should hurt you; and the other is, lest you should hurt me. I do not see any good it would do me to put a bullet through any part of your body. I could make no use of you when dead for any culinary purpose, as I would a rabbit or a turkey: I am no cannibal to feed on the flesh of men. Why, then, shoot down a human creature of which I could make no use? A buffalo would be better meat; for though your flesh might be delicate and tender, yet it wants that firmness and consistency which takes and retains salt. At any rate, it would not be fit for long voyages. You might make a good barbacue, it is true, being of the nature of a racoon or an opossum; but people are not in the habit of barbacuing any thing human now. As to your hide, it is not worth taking off, being little better than that of a year old colt. As to myself, I don't like much to stand in the way of any thing harmful. I am under apprehensions you might hit me. That being the case, I think it most advisable to stay at a distance. If you want to try your pistols, take some object, a tree or a barndoor, about my dimensions. If you hit that, send me word, and I shall acknowledge, that if I had been in the same place, you might also have hit me."American Paper. Coal-oil Parish-lamps.-It is now some time since the volatile oil, obtained by distilling coal and coal-tar, has been applied in place of animal oil, in producing light. Large quantities of this fluid are prepared at once from the coal in Scotland; and much is also obtained by distilling coal-tar. When pure, it is limpid and colourless, and closely resembles, if it be not identical with, naphtha. A large district about Fitzroy-square and Charlotte-street, has been lighted by this fluid, burned in lamps, particularly constructed for it by Major Cochrane; they are patent, as well also as the application of the oil to this purpose. The flame in these lamps is very short, but extremely bright, and certainly far surpasses a common street gas-flame in that respect, if it does not also an argand burner, supplied by coal-gas. It has happened now and then, when the wick has been too high, and the oil used has been obtained from coaltar, that the flame has smoked, the wick become charred, and at times, so much vapour has collected in the lamp, as at last to explode, and burst it to pieces; but this has not happened with the Scotch oil. The lamps in the district before-mentioned, have now been in use for a considerable time, and are found to be attended with perfect suc cess. Anecdute of Dr. Bates and Daniel Burgess. Dr. Wm. Bates once complained in the presence of his esteemed and faithful friend Daniel Burgess, (who was celebrated in London for the plainness of his pulpit addresses,) that he found but very little success in his ministerial work, when Daniel smartly replied, with more truth than courtesy-" Thank your velvet mouth for that too fine to speak market language!" |