poor; and the eagerness with which it was purchased, is an encouragement for all to employ themselves in making useful things, rather than ornamental. By the side of the offerings of distinguished artists, we saw, with satisfaction, the produc tions of humble workwomen, and those of little children. It was not only at Paris that these articles were prepared; the ladies of Honfleur and Versailles sent a considerable portion; and the ladies of Nismes have likewise done a quantity of work, which they sell for the society."-Little did I suspect that the solemn, frigid, and phlegmatic children of Britain should ever be admonished to take lessons of gravity from the land whence we import as I have been told-such tumid deformities as (gigôt) leg-ofmutton sleeves, and such bonnets as bid fair to extinguish all social intercourse in a morning walk; to interrupt all vision in our churches and religious meetings; and to ruin such as use public conveyances, since additional places must be taken for what our wives and daughters wear; as the widest carriage is now barely sufficient for two, and indeed only for one, provided a lady's personal dimensions and her bonnet exceed the average.

But I, also, am trifling. I will then solicit the attention of my bazaar friends to what is said, to use a parliamentary phrase, out of doors; I mean in the wide world, which sees, and thinks too, far more of the conduct of the religious microcosm than some among us suspect. Be sure of this, that all the popular machinery of benevolence, as now exhibited on the rail-ways of charitable institutions, is matter of observation; and if a crowd assemble to see Mr. Gurney's steamcarriage, and to report the results, there are numbers who assemble elsewhere, and then open their desks, and note down remarks similar to the following. I quote from Mr. Southey's late work:"I wish you would bestow some

remarks upon the ladies' bazaars, repositories, fairs, &c.: for (to say nothing of their detestable exhibitory character) you cannot think the mischief they are doing to little toy-shop keepers, and poor women who get their bread by those knickknacks, the sale of which is now monopolized by the ladies. A friend of mine went into a shop in Burlington Arcade, lately, to purchase some trifle, and, on her remarking how little choice there was, the shopkeeper said that all in her way of business were half ruined by the charitable ladies,' who came and bought the first of any very pretty new-invented toy, set to work themselves, and so spoilt the tradesman's market. There!' said a young lady of rank to one of her acquaintance, pointing to a young mustachioed lancer who had just returned from the booth where she was selling her wares,-there!...I have just made him pay me fifteen shillings!' for some trifle which she had sold him. How should you like to see a daughter of yours acting charity in that style? All womankind is whirling round in a vortex of religious dissipation: and their energies, once roused, pass my comprehension, their unwearied activity of body and mind...or rather of animal spirits. Go where one will, the subject is forced upon oneOne lady's drawing-room is full of little charity-boxes, placed here and there amongst the ornamental litter. Another keeps a stall of trumpery knicknacks, ladies' work' to lay her visitors under contribution. Another asks you to work for her. And there a whole bevy of damsels sit congregated together, pasting and painting, and sewing and gilding, and what not, to get up a booth at the next religious fair. All this pious activity is going on round me, and no wonder if it bewilders my brain and offends my taste, and, I hope, right feeling; because, when I see its ill effects on society,...on domestic comfort,...in the neglect of private duties...and the obtrusive

ness of religious pretensions, I feel sure that there is something unsound in the foundation of these crazy castles*."

Deducting from the above indictment whatever it betrays of exaggeration and of lurking jealousy of certain good causes exciting activity among the religionists of the times, and rejecting as apocryphal the fifteen-shilling story, what I am compelled to infer from it is, that the apostolic admonition is too much forgotten "Let not your good be evil spoken of." As I observe, in one of the recent lists from Albemarle street, that Mr. Southey has just published a variorum edition, with prolegomena and notes, of the Pilgrim's Progress, I am reminded, that when Christian arrived at the town of Vanity, he found, in the language of his biographer, "several rows, under their proper names, where the wares of the fair are soonest to be found: here is the British row, the French row, the Italian row, the Spanish row, and the German row." It is a marvellous thing, that in the present state of the grand European bazaar of charity, the "French row" should be totally eclipsed by the British: the first being, as it would seem, all simplicity and plainness; and the other what I leave to be described by such as insist upon its utility and harmlessness. There was once, and may now be, a permanent bazaar at Bath, under the name of The Repository, to which ladies sent their works ticketed for sale; and there is at present an institution of a similar nature at Leamington in Warwickshire. What success has smiled upon these experiments I know not. They have wanted matter of immediate excitement, and, so far, there must have been, I am afraid, a dull sale. Most things, unhappily, are dull without stimulus; but there is one method of putting an end to all unadvised

Southey's Progress and Prospects of Society. Vol. I. p. 378. Vol. II. p. 307.

means of collecting charitable funds, which the Bishop of Chester stated at the last anniversary of the Church Missionary Society. In the report of his speech, it is stated as his lordship's opinion, that "Christians now give too much way to luxury; but if, instead of doing so, they would diminish their domestic expenses and apply their savings to the purposes of religion, they would soon make a permanent impression, not merely upon this country, but upon other lands. That Christians should be lavish while other Christians were pining ought to be a reproach; and, therefore, let it not be thought hard, if he thought that the present resolution wanted to be better defined, and that it could. be better filled up by the addition of one word. The resolution said, that the cause of missions called for increase of zeal and of liberality, but the proper word to be introduced in addition was, self-denial. The meeting had heard words to which he could add no force, but those words emphatically called upon them for increased self-denial; for zeal without self-denial is gratification, but if they consecrated to the glory of God what they denied to themselves, then their zeal would indeed be what it ought, and produce proportionate effects. He was glad to see his words so kindly taken by the meeting; and if those present wished to agree with him, they should make sumptuary laws against themselves, and devote what they could from their superfluities to the great purpose for which they were met."--If I were called upon to define the motive and accelerative causes of a modern bazaar, I should request from the Bishop of Chester the loan of his phrase, zeal without self-denial is gratification. This is not saying but that many supporters of this pleasant system continue their assistance with little pleasure, and sometimes with considerable mortification. I know instances where individuals would prefer laying down a ten-pound-note, rather than

scramble through the embarrassing fatigues of the concern. By such a measure they would rather enrich a charity than otherwise. Now if the majority of those who can really afford to give money more than fatigue and vexation, would adopt the plan, they would save the sovereigns now deducted from the proceeds of the sale and they sometimes amount to an unsuspected sum-to

discharge the necessary expenses, both for the day itself and for preparatory materials; and they would have at least the satisfaction of contributing to a good cause in honest money, and without implicating themselves in the frivolities and inconsistencies of a secularized religion.-I write from experience.

VULNERATUS.

Parochial Discourses on the Doctrines of Christianity contained in the Articles of Religion of the United Church of England and Ireland. By the Rev. JOHN HALL, Curate of St. Werburgh's, Bristol. (Second edition.) 1 vol. Svo. 10s. 6d. London. 1830.

If our readers, wish for further proof of the excellency of these discourses beyond that which is conveyed by the sample of them which we have extracted for a Family Sermon, we can confidently refer them to the volume itself. Mr. Hall does not affect to be "witty or eloquent ;" but, what is far more important, he is a sound scriptural divine, and brings every thing to bear with solid judgment and true piety upon the great purposes of preaching, to teach men what God has revealed, and to urge them, his Holy Spirit rendering the exhortation influential, to lay hold of the mercy offered to them in the Gospel, and having been thus inclined and led to lay hold of it as perishing sinners clinging alone to the cross of Christ, "to walk worthy of the Lord," to "adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour," and "to work out their salvation with fear and trembling," in the blessed confidence that "it is God that worketh in them to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Our respected author procceds

through the Thirty-nine Articles of our church, discussing and elucidating their contents in a truly Christian and candid spirit, and with great sobriety of interpretation, without debate or controversy, for the purposes of spiritual edification and consolation. The attentive hearer or reader of these discourses will have gone through "a body of divinity" simplified from abstruse technicalities, and presented in a form adapted for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may grow thereby, thoroughly furnished to all good works. There is great precision throughout the volume in the use of scriptural and theological phrases, which are often so vaguely applied that neither the reader nor the writer can clearly ascertain the shade of meaning; whether, for example, is intended atonement, redemption, pardon, justification, or salvation. But technical accuracy in the statement of doctrine is neither the extent of his wishes nor his attainment; he desires to make every subject which is brought forward in the Articles of the Established Church useful; to shew that every Christian doctrine is of a practical tendency, and that the doctrine is not rightly believed unless the heart is affected and the conduct regulated by it. He wishes also to shew that the doctrines of our beloved church

are erected on a scriptural foundation, being built upon the foundation of the Apostles of the New Testament and the Prophets of the Old, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Feeling assured that he has succeeded in this his wish and prayer, we confidently recommend his volume for private and family perusal.

Since writing the above, we recollected the able, pious, and judicious series of discourses on the Thirty-nine Articles published about four years since by the Rev. T. Waite, D.D.; which, as we did not happen to review at the time, we avail ourselves of this occasion to notice with the approbation it deserves. We rejoice to witness the increased and increasing attention of our clergy and laity to that admirable summary of Christian doctrine the Articles of the Anglican Church, which happily are now much better known than they were a few years since, and form to churchmen a standard of appeal, second only to the unerring test of Divine truth. We copy the conclusion of Dr. Waite's first discourse, that on the Trinity, which our readers may compare with Mr. Hall's.

"A sincere belief of this important doctrine is a source of the highest hope and consolation.

"The foundation of practical piety must be laid in a heartfelt conviction of the lost condition of mankind, the deliverance that has been wrought for us by the Son of God, and the blessings conferred upon us by the communication of his Holy Spirit. The Christian sees the three persons of the ineffable Godhead united to accomplish the stupendous work of human redemption, and to impart pardon, peace, and hope, to men; and how bright a scene of joy and consolation immediately is expanded to his view! God, the Father, he now contemplates as willing to be reconciled to him through the satisfaction of his Son. God, the Son, he sees, having by his own death purged our sins, for ever seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high; and through that divine power by which he rules all worlds, and that infinite presence with which he fills all places, able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.' God, the Holy Ghost, he beholds ready to shed his sacred influences on his head, to fill his soul with

faith, and to enable him to embrace and obey the Gospel; no longer sinking under the burden of his sins, or, having none to deliver him, he looks up to heaven with confidence, and rejoices in the everlasting love of the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort, who spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, and will therefore with him also freely give us all things.

"The difference between those who believe and those who deny this important doctrine is not merely of opinion, but of condition and hopes. The one is reconciled to God by the death of his Son; the other is at enmity with his Maker. The one enjoys all the inestimable benefits of Christ's redemption; the other is insensible of their existence. The one has received the gift of the Holy Ghost; the

other has not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.' The one has all the persons of the ever-blessed Trinity united in promoting his peace and salvation; the other is without any assured interest in their favour. The hope of the one is full of immortality; clouds and darkness overhang the future prospects of the other.

"Contend earnestly' then, but not uncharitably, for this faith once delivered to the saints;' strive to lead those you love to embrace the same truth, and look upon him who rejects it with the kindness that is due to an erring brother; above all, endeavour to have your own hearts more deeply impressed with a sense of your infinite obligations to each of the persons of the glorious Godhead, and let each receive from you the adoration and gratitude to which he is so eminently entitled. To the Father, who created you, unlimited love, veneration, and obedience, are due. To the Son, who has redeemed you, and through whose compassionate mediation all the blessings of this life, as well as your hope of immortality, are restored, you owe the highest degree of gratitude and love; him you must honour even as you honour the Father; on his satisfaction you must rely for acceptance with God; to him you must go for the supply of your spiritual wants, and from him you will receive all needful grace and strength. From the efficacy of his influence, and that continual Holy Spirit you must seek the renewing aid which is necessary to guide and support you in the way of duty, and if you would enjoy much of his light and inspiration, it must be sought by diligent prayer. help will not be withheld; and in all who From those who ask in faith, his gracious sincerely desire to know God and to serve him aright, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, ever abundantly be found."

Appendix to the Second Edition of the History of the Jews, in the Family Library. London. 1830.

PROFESSOR Milman has subjoined to the the Second Edition of his History of the Jews an Appendix, which, to our minds, aggravates rather than diminishes the original offence of his treatise. He quotes Paley, Calmet, and several authors cited in the Family Bible of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, to shew that the Old Testament is to be read with considerable abstinence of conclusion in reference to alleged miracles, and the character of those personages who, says Professor Milman, are "with superstitious reverence, one and all, called the saints of the Old Testament." Now, without at present discussing whether or not the language of Paley, or Calmet, or the Christian knowledge Bible, is perfectly correct and justifiable, there is obviously an important difference between a serious inquiry conducted in a serious spirit, and for a religious end; and the jocose, sceptical, and almost sarcastic language with which Professor Milman has dressed up some of his narra. tives. We would make no excuse for the grievous sins of patriarchs, or judges, or kings, and we can perceive very important reasons why they should have been recorded; but though they are to be solemnly denounced, they are not to be dealt with in such a manner as to throw an air of ridicule over the sacred page, nay, sometimes to contravene the express testimony of Scripture in favour of the general character of these very persons. And so with regard to the Old-Testament miracles, we are not anxious to make miracles where none exist; and if any of the above writers attempt to shew, in a grave and serious spirit, that it pleased God to make use of his own already appointed laws in creation to effect any special design, the intervention of his providence

not being thereby set aside or disparaged, we make a wide distinction between this attempted solution, be it correct or not, and the irreverent levity which shuts Providence out of the matter altogether, and makes the miracles a human juggle. It is in this respect that Professor Milman's book is so highly exceptionable. He relates a miracle of Moses, almost as he would the trick of a pagan warrior or legislator; so that the reader can scarcely avoid inferring that they were equally politic arts, to overawe a superstitious people. Take an example; the very example, for instance, of the quails, one of those regarding which Mr. Milman cites in parallel colums the Christianknowledge family Bible, and his own volumes of the Family Library.

Family Bible. "God gave quails to his people twice: once on this occasion, a

Family Library. "Without hesitation

Moses promised an immediate and plen

short time after they tiful supply. In the had passed the Red spring of the year, Sea; and a second quails, migratory time, at the encamp. birds, pass in large ment called Kibroth- flocks over the Arahattaavah, or the bian peninsula: they graves of lust.' Both are very heavy on of these happened in the wing, and their the spring, when the line of flight depends quails pass from Asia much on the direcinto Europe. Then tion of the wind. A they are found in cloud of these birds great quantities on was suddenly wafted the coasts of the over the camp of the Red Sea and the Israelites, and fell by a wind, drove mense numbers." them within and about the camp of Israel; and in this the miracle consisted, that they were brought so seasonably to this place, and in so great numbers, as to suffice

Mediterranean. God, around them in im

two or three millions

of persons longer than a month.-Calmet."

Does not every reader perceive a striking difference between the two narratives: the one beginning with "God gave quails to his people;" and the other, "Without hesitation, Moses promised an immediate and