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she was stinting the see of Ely of its revenues, insulting the Bishop, and holding her favourites in oppressive incursions and exactions. The ruin of Ely Place began from this period, and the remainder of the "notice" is mostly occupied in detailing the litigation consequent on this piece of injustice. The times of the Great Rebellion were, of course, highly inimical to the recovery of the Bishop's rights. Indeed, while Ely Place was in course of demolition, and the garden and lands were daily teeming with newly-erected tenements, the poor occupant of the see, Matthew Wren, was, for twenty years, the inmate of a state prison. But he lived to resume his functions and to begin a wearisome suit in Chancery, which Bishop Patrick, more than a hundred years afterwards, brought to some sort of conclusion. All but a trivial spot of the property is now alienated from the see of Ely, and the very chapel itself is a proprietary one. It has latterly fallen into good hands. "On the establishment of the Central School in Baldwin's Gardens, under the superintendence of the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, Mr. Joshua Watson, the benevolent treasurer of that institution, considered Ely Chapel to be a suitable place of worship for the children and their parents, and determined to take measures for securing it for this purpose. He, therefore, in the year 1815, purchased the lease, at a large cost, and in 1820, munificently presented it to the society; assigning the whole management and direction to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London, for the time being. Forty-two years of the lease still remain unexpired." P. 40.

Modes of doing good vary with the times and circumstances, and Ely Chapel has seen strange mutations in its holy destination. Originally, the sacred and appropriate appendage of a palace, which was the dwelling of pious prelates, and the hospitable receptacle of princes and nobles. Then came the Reformation of the Church, an incalculable blessing to this nation, but accompanied by most needless inroads on the maintenance of the clergy; and this domain, sharing the fate of others, was almost wrested from its episcopal owners. The Commonwealth succeeded, when the palace was degraded into a prison, and the crypt of the chapel was converted into cellars "to sell drink in;" an abuse retained even after a better state of things had returned. Palace and garden, "the orchard and meadow," which Bishop Cox stated in his remonstrance, that he thought his successors would "miss," if Hatton's bargain was enforced, gradually disappeared, but the chapel remained, and still remaining, has never long ceased to be of religious benefit to the neighbourhood. When the Central School was removed to Westminster, of course Mr. Watson's generous design was somewhat frustrated; but the use of the chapel was made more general, and it is still supplied with a minister for the benefit of the surrounding district. It is a surviving witness of the piety of former days; and may the voice of the church, once more uplifted within its consecrated walls, never again be silenced!

Exposure of Misrepresentations contained in the Preface to the Correspondence of Wm. Wilberforce. By H. C. ROBINSON, Esq. London: Moxon. 1840. Pp. 90.

THIS is a long pamphlet, in answer to the preface prefixed to their last volumes by the editors of the Life of Mr. Wilberforce. In our August number we stated our judgment that this preface amply vindicated the editors from the charges brought against them in the "Strictures" of Mr. Clarkson; and we have met with nothing in this "Exposure" to lead us to retract or qualify our opinion. It deals, indeed, in little else than imputation and abuse. Its spirit may be gathered from the declaration in its opening pages that "the life of Mr. Wilberforce is . . . a memorial of a... man. . . of whom, except for one great act of his life, posterity would know nothing, and care nothing. Dean Collett still survives in his school, . . . and in like manner, the names of Clarkson and Wilberforce will endure as long as slavery and the commerce in slaves form chapters in the history of civilization." Pp. 2, 3.

The animus of all this is pretty plain, and will take in, we think, very few indeed. In the like spirit is the attempt to injure the Messrs. Wilberforce by taking up the cuckoo cry that "they are theologians of the Oxford school," and therefore, of course, given to malign such men as Mr. Robinson, who is, we fear, of the most violent class of dissenters. We trust the editors will not think it needful to reply to this tract. It may be most safely left to be its own antagonist. Its dulness must infallibly sink it. For mere abuse, unless it is furnished with some wit or point, is amongst the most intolerable of all productions.

One thing has gratified us in this tract. The controversy has wholly passed away from Mr. Clarkson. Indeed, the change of publisher, and the total absence of all participation of Mr. Clarkson in this pamphlet, are pretty clear indications of his disapproval of it. We hope and believe that all difference between Mr. Clarkson and the sons of Mr. Wilberforce is happily adjusted. They need not trouble themselves about Mr. Robinson.

A Digest of Hooker's Treatise on the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity. By the Rev. J. B. SMITH, D.D., of Christ College, Cambridge; Rector of Sotby and Martin; Head Master of Horncastle Grammar School; and Member of the Royal Society of Literature. London: Rivingtons. 1840. Pp. 464. We should not thank Mr. Smith for his labour, if this digest were to be used by our students as a substitute for Hooker's immortal work; the study of which, besides exercising the reasoning faculties, and satisfying all doubts and difficulties with regard to the constitution of our Church, has a powerful tendency to raise the tone of moral feeling, and brace the character of religious sentiment. But as a help to those who wish to cast their eyes over a map of the varied road they have to traverse, or to those who need a guide through the long windings of Hooker's argument, this work will be found very useful. Mr. Smith has executed his task with care and ability.

Its

Tales of the Village. By FRANCIS E. PAGET, M.A., Rector of Elford, and Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Oxford. London: James Burns. 1840. Pp. 160. THIS is a very pleasing book, and may instruct many whom it amuses. object is to contrast the scriptural religion of the Church with dissent on the one hand, and Romanism on the other; and the characters and dialogues intended to illustrate this point are well imagined and supported. The argument with the Romanists is treated with much clearness and moderation. We will tempt the reader with two specimens of the author's style. The following is a description of the beauties which a willing eye may find even in a flat country :

Two or three rich meadows, and a few old willow trees on the margin of a sluggish stream, this was all the prospect before me; and if I looked back, the only striking object in the distance was the brown tower of Yateshull church peering above the trees of the rookery which surrounds it. There is little, therefore, in such a scene on which either the pen or the pencil could dwell; and yet there is to me an indescribable charm in its calm repose:

"In this quiet mead

The lesson of sweet peace I read,

Rather in all to be resigned than blest.”

How often have I paused on a burning summer's day, and watched the cattle wading in the shallow river; how often stood to listen to the hum of insects and the song of birds, and all the chorus of animated nature, hymning unconsciously in innocence and pleasure their Maker's praise, his wisdom, and power, and love, who gave the means of enjoyment to all! And then how instructive to draw close to the edge of the stream, and study the various habits and instincts of the creatures that crowd its surface! Now a water-hen darts through the sedges with a wild cry, skimming just above the glassy surface of the water, which she ruffles with her long drooping feet, and then lets herself fall with a sudden splash under the shelving protection of the

opposite bank. Here a fish darts out of the water, and checks the may-fly's undulating flight; there the heron, or the king-fisher, shoot down into the stream, and bear off their finny prize. Here I watch a dragon-fly with his dark blue wings flitting from reed to reed in search of prey; there I pause to listen to the monotonous note of the corn-crake, as he runs unseen among the long grass; there linger by the river's side to study the plants and flowers with which it is so profusely adorned,— the yellow iris, the flowering rush, the purple loose-strife, and the blue forget-me-not, spangling the ground with hues of the turquoise.-P. 2

The other extract shall be of a different character.

"I think," said Mr. Lee, with his usual quiet, modest tone, that the better churchman I became, the better I was enabled to enter into Gospel motives and Gospel principles. The reason of this is obvious. The system which the Church has laid down for her children, is but the development in details of those general rules which the Saviour and his Apostles briefly described. The Church bids us follow her as and where she follows Christ. She claims our obedience; and at the same time she does it, she says with our Lord, Do, and you shall know.' She bids us continue instant in prayer; and, if we obey her, she knows full well that the blessed Spirit of grace and supplication will give us our reward. She bids us watch, and fast, and pray, and mortify the flesh and she knows we shall have our recompense in the habits of self-control which they produce. She teaches us to prize the benefits of social worship; for she knows, that the more we look upon ourselves as members one of another, the more shall we be inclined to prefer others to ourselves. She bids us live with the past rather than with the present,-with saints, and angels, and the unseen world, rather than with what is temporal, in order that thereby we may be led to set less store on worldly things, and to identify ourselves in thought and feeling with the whole body of the faithful. This is the system which the Church imposes on us; and what is her object in so doing? The setting up of a spiritual despotism? or the promotion of her own glory? Nay, rather the promotion of our good. She is the nurse, by whom his children are led to their heavenly Father; and she would bring them up in such a manner as that they may be most acceptable to Him, and He be most loved and feared by them. She assumes no prerogatives which God has not given her; nor does she claim to herself what is due to the Saviour alone. Nevertheless she has her duty to perform to her Almighty Lord, and from that she turns not aside to the right hand or to the left. She receives us in our infant weakness, as heirs of heaven and immortality; and she makes it her business, under the guiding of the Holy Spirit, so to discipline our minds as to render us capable of enjoying the society of heaven, and the pure services of an eternal temple. The way she mainly does this is by teaching us to conquer self; and, believe me, my dear friend, if the experience of threescore years and ten be worth your notice, it may all be comprised in a single sentence: The more I have hearkened to the Church, the more ready have I been to obey the laws of Christ; the more readily I have obeyed the laws of Christ; the more have I known of that peace which is the choicest gift of Heaven."P. 62.

A Memoir of the Rev. Daniel Rowlands, late of Llangeitho, Cardiganshire. With an Introduction, containing a Brief Account of the chief Supporters of Religion in Wales, from the Reformation to the beginning of this Century. By the Rev. JOHN OWEN, Curate of Thrussington, Leicestershire. London: Seeley. 1840. Pp. 238.

THERE are few subjects more interesting to the general reader than well-written biography. We cannot, however, apply this epithet to the volume before us; which, in point of style, is below mediocrity, a defect not compensated for by the quality of the matter. In his Introduction, the author animadverts, with great severity, upon Archbishop Laud, whom he arraigns as the original cause of dissent in the principality. Without expressing an opinion on the policy of Laud, or the proceedings of the Court of High Commission, we must protest against the spirit exhibited in Mr. Owen's strictures. Truth may surely be told, or error confuted, innocence justified, or guilt exposed, without violating the plainest dictates of charity, by harsh vituperation and impotent invective. The following may serve as a specimen of the style and animus of this part of the volume-speaking of " Archbishop Laud and his party," Mr Owen observes,

Wolves had entered the church, and would not allow the sheep to continue in it. They could not well have devoured them for lack of power, otherwise they would have no doubt done so, and have thus followed the example of the papists. They were most evidently of the same identical spirit. This (the suspension of the Rev. Mr. Wroth) was the beginning of dissent in Wales, caused by the cruel and ungodly oppression of such as intruded into places of power, which did not belong to them; who, being radically papists, crept into places of influence and authority in our Protestant and Reformed Church. Whenever the devil gets into the Church, he will surely create divisions, especially when he gets into situations of power and authority. The Church will soon be filled with his own subjects, and the faithful servants of God will be obliged to flee away; and then, to harass them, still the more they will be called rebels and schismatics.-Pp. 22, 23.

In a similar spirit Mr. Owen passes over, sub silentio, the injuries inflicted on the clergy, during the period of Cromwell's usurpation; while he inveighs bitterly against the Act of Uniformity, and the state of the Church in the time of Charles II.

To cast away the gold and retain the dross, was the insane work done in those days. Altogether swinish was the temper of the age, inasmuch as the husks were chosen, and the pearls were trampled under foot. The most diligent, pious, and faithful ministers were cast aside and persecuted; while those who were generally the most inactive and most indifferent about vital religion, were retained and caressed.— Pp. 32, 33. . . . By the Act of Uniformity, the greatest harm possibly (possible) was done to the Church; for by it the true Church was for the most part cast out of the Church of England.-P. 39.

...

We can scarcely do more than glance at the main contents of the volume. Mr. D. Rowlands, the subject of the memoir, was, for upwards of twenty-five years, a clergyman of the Established Church in Wales, and was considered by many persons a very powerful and energetic preacher. Conceiving that the religious condition of the principality called for extraordinary efforts, he unhappily did not confine his labours within the precincts of his parish, nor conduct his ministrations, at all times, within consecrated walls. Such irregularities brought him into collision with his diocesan; who having tried, to no purpose, the effect of admonition, at length proceeded to suspend him.

Immediately after his exclusion from the Church, a large chapel was built for him at Llangeitho, his native place, in which he continued to officiate, except when he was itinerating, for twenty-seven years. His preaching at this place is described as producing extraordinary effects:

However awful the message, hundreds, and even thousands, assembled to hear it: and such terror seized on many of them, that they sometimes fell down on the ground as if they were dead. Tears streamed down the faces of hundreds at the same time. The most thoughtless groaned through an inward agony, as if they stood on the brink of despair; and the most hard-hearted, profane, and ungodly, often wept under the deepest convictions.-P. 59.

But the want of order and regularity which was evinced by Mr. Rowlands, was soon observable among his hearers. Periodical revivals were ere long established; it being the property of excess of every kind to wear itself out, so that fresh stimulants become needful.

There were accompanying these revivals, certain things which appeared to some immodest and unbecoming. Jumping or leaping for joy was often the case. The feelings were allowed to break forth in loud exclamations of " gogoniant,” (glory) or "Halleluiah!"-Pp. 116, 117.

With every disposition to make allowance for the effect of" very keenlyedged, piercing, vigorous, and yet melting" preaching upon the minds of a highly excitable auditory, we cannot but regard such excesses in a painful light; nor can we forbear to express a hope, that Mr. Owen himself may be led to form more correct views of the constitution of the Church, the deference owing to ecclesiastical superiors, and the forbearance and moderation which ought to be employed towards those from whom he differs in opinion.

The School Cirl in France: a Narrative addressed to Christian Parents. London: Seeley & Burnside. 1840. Pp. 379.

THIS is a tale intended to illustrate the danger of exposing the children of Protestant parents to the temptations of Roman Catholic schools on the Continent. "It is not," says the authoress," a work of fiction, but a collection of facts, thrown together into one tale, with scarcely any additions, and few other alterations than those which were absolutely necessary, in order to disguise names, places, and dates." This may be so; but the combination is so managed as to produce a highly-wrought sentimental narrative, so like a fiction, that few would take it for truth. Nevertheless, there is much real danger in subjecting youthful minds to the dazzle of the Roman Catholic ritual, and not unfrequently to the silent undermining of Roman Catholic sophistry; and a perusal of this little book might perhaps induce parents to weigh more seriously the risk to which many expose so thoughtlessly the principles of their children.

Twelve Sermons. By the Rev. J. G. PACKER, B.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge; Curate of St. Matthew's, Bethnal Green. London: Vandenbergh; Duncan & Malcolm. 1840. Pp. 198.

A PLEASING volume of sermons, sound in doctrine, sufficiently animated in style, and on subjects likely to be useful to the general reader.

The Rubi. By F. W. MANT, late R. N.

London: Parker. 12mo. P. 279. [Second Notice.]

THERE is so much promise about this little volume, that, contrary to our usual custom, we notice it a second time. The dedication tells us that its author is a son of the excellent Bishop of Down and Connor; himself, amongst his severer studies, no careless follower of the muses. Mr. Mant has been, we believe, for many years, a midshipman in the royal navy, and has during that time penned the tale here given to the public. Although there is, as we have said already, a want of simple continuity about the construction of the story, yet the detail of separate incidents often implies considerable dramatic skill. It is, moreover, entirely free from the great moral taint which has usually infected those who have handled kindred subjects. There is no sickly sentimentality about the greatness of a pirate's heart. The savage passion, or cunning selfishness, which lead men to such excesses are well and truly painted, whilst the daring and the risks of such a life give a great interest to the story. The main fault we had with it is a carelessness as to versification-an unnecessary and often provoking change of metre, and an imitation, occasionally, of the style of Lord Byron. We say of the style of Lord Byron; for nothing can be more unlike the miserable cold-hearted spleen of that unhappy man, than the true moral tone of this poem. Mr. Mant has evidently been well taught in childhood, which the unhappy nobleman never was, and he has not forgotten this training. There is a true love of his profession and his country, which, (to use almost his own words)

Though fourteen years had passed in vain,
Unguerdoned by promotion's smile,

To pay the inferior's tedious toil,-P. 189,

cannot be extinguished within his breast. It is not unnatural that Mr. Mant should have been led unconsciously to copy Lord Byron. It is strange that, with the multitudes of our sea pictures, and the abounding poetry of a sea life, we should have so few ocean bards in this land of sailors yet so it is. With the exception of Falconer's dull and laboured enumerations of all the ropes, cables, and beams of the ship, there are hardly any of our poets who are truly sea minstrels besides Lord Byron; and this, and his lordship's great fame at the time when Mr. Mant was beginning to write, will abundantly account for such "Byronée" as the following: