loss which your Petitioner must incur if pre- | philosophical transactions of the globe. vented from exercising that very art of which he was the original inventor, and from the exercise of which he desisted all these years, only in the hope that the Bank of England would, sooner or later, adopt it; and which they have done, but given the credit of it to another person, and consequently the remuneration and advantage arising from its adoption. "Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that his case may be taken into consideration, and that he may be granted such relief in the premises as this honourable House in its wisdom may deem meet. (Signed) "ALEXANDER TILLOCH." Among our periodical works it has ever sustained a conspicuous rank, and has perhaps contributed more than any other that has ever appeared of this description, to give to scientific knowledge a general diffusion. But amidst these various avocations and duties, Dr. Tilloch found time to turn his attention to subjects of theology. In the Star, during the early years that it was under his management, he published numerous essays and dissertations on the prophecies, some of which were on detached points, and others in continuation of the same train of thought and argu On the merits or defects which the specimen of his inventive powers contained, to which the preceding petition alludes, we are incompetent to decide; but the attestations of those emi-mentation. These compositions were nent artists whose names are inserted in the petition, cannot fail to confer on it a character of high respectability, although it was not crowned with ultimate success. afterwards collected together by a gentleman in the north, and published in a volume, under the name of" Biblicus." Of these dissertations the author never lost sight; and it is highly probable, if his life had been prolonged, that the public would have seen the work, now sustaining the name of Biblicus, in a more enlarged and commanding form. At present the volume containing the above collections is exceeding scarce, and can only be found in libraries of a particular description, or obtained by accident among old books exposed for sale on the stalls. In 1797 Dr. Tilloch established the Philosophical Magazine. The first number appeared in June of the above year, from which time to the present it has continued without interruption, and with a degree of respectability highly creditable to the heads and hands that have conducted it. During the early periods of its existence, we apprehend that Dr. Tilloch was the sole proprietor, and such he continued until about four In the year 1823, Dr. Tilloch pubyears since, when the name of Rich-lished in one volume, octavo, a work ard Taylor, F.L.S. was added to his bearing the following title: "Disser own as joint proprietor. During the tations introductory to the Study and whole of this long period, this work Right Understanding of the Lanwas almost exclusively under Dr. Til-guage, Structure, and Contents of the loch's management, nor did he wholly Apocalypse." Of this work a review relinquish its superintendence until may be found in the Imperial Magahe was compelled by those debilities zine for 1823, col. 660. The great deof nature which terminated in his sign of the author appears to be, to death. prove that the Apocalypse was written at a much earlier period than our more distinguished commentators suppose, and prior to most of the epistles contained in the New Testament. In an advertisement prefixed to this work, the author informs his readers, that "about forty years have elapsed since his attention was first turned to the Revelation; and the contents of that wonderful book have, ever since, much occupied his Of this work it is needless to descant upon the merits. Sixty-four volumes are now before the public. Its circulation has been extensive, not only throughout the country which gave it birth, but among the various nations of the civilized world. Its correspondents are numerous and highly respectable, both foreign and domestic. Enriched with accounts of discoveries in science, and improvements in the arts, with the in-thoughts." In a subsequent paraventions of superior genius, the securities of patents, and the failure and success of schemes, the Philosophical Magazine may be said to contain the graph of the same advertisement, he thus alludes to another work on the Apocalypse at large, which he then had in hand, and which included the dissertations that first appeared | As a teacher, he was clear and perin the columns of the Star : "Persuaded that he has discovered the nature of those peculiarities in the composition of the Apocalypse, which have perplexed men of incomparably bigher attainments, and have led to the erroneous opinion so generally entertained, respecting its style, he thinks that he but performs a duty to his fellow Christians, in giving pub'icity to that discovery; and the more 30, as, from the precarious state of is health, it is very probable that he nay not live to finish a larger work, levoted to the elucidation of the Apocalypse-with which he has been nany years occupied: but whether that work shall ever see the light or not, it is hoped that the other topics, connected with the subject introduced into this volume, may also prove serviceable to persons engaged in the same pursuit." The larger work, to which the author alludes in the above quotation, we have learnt, from unquestionable authority, is either finished, or in such a state of forwardness as approximates to completion, but whether it will ever be laid before the public, time only can determine. The last work, we apprehend, which he ever engaged to superintend, was, "The Mechanic's Oracle," now publishing in numbers at the Caxton Press. In his religious views, Dr. Tilloch was, what, in general estimation, would be deemed somewhat singular, but his opinions were generally understood to be of the Sandemanian kind. The few with whom he associated assume no other name than that of Christian Dissenters. They are "slaves to no sect," and can scarcely be said to make an avowal of any theological creed. They profess to conduct themselves according to the directions of scripture; and for the government of their little body, appoint two elders, who are elected to their office, but who have no other remuneration than the affection and respect of a grateful people. The qualifications for the duties of this station, which Dr. Tilloch was called to fill, he possessed in an eminent degree; nor was he more liberal in dispensing the riches of his cultivated mind, and in expatiating on the love of the Redeemer, than in imparting to the needy the contents of his purse. spicuous, possessing that charity. which suffereth long and is kind, which vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up; and for these excellencies, as well as for his readiness to relieve the distressed, his name will be long remembered with grateful recollection. Their place for worship is a room in a house in Goswell-street-road, where they meet every Lord's day, sing, pray, read the scriptures, and offer praise to God, when one of the elders, or some other brother under his direction, gives an exhortation, generally from some passage of scripture that has been read. The sacrament is also regularly administered every week. Retired thus from scenes that might expose them to the charge of seeking popularity, they cultivate the practical part of Christianity without any parade or ostentation, and from the assistance which they render to their poor, they give the most convincing proof, that they believe "faith without works is dead," Of Dr. Tilloch's uniformly virtuous and amiable character, it is scarcely possible to speak too highly. From the year 1789 his name has constantly been before the public, but we are not aware, that through this long march of thirty-six years, it has ever contracted a single stain, and it is now too late for malice and calumny to prevent it from descending unsullied to posterity. From the pen of a gentleman who had been personally acquainted with Dr. Tilloch upwards of thirty years, it is with pleasure that we take the following delineations of his character: "He was a man of powerful and cultivated intellect; of indefatigable research and deep reflection; his mind was Johnsonian in its strength, but not arbitrary and imperative in its expression. Mild and urbane in his manner, the pigmies of literature might have played with him, and fancied themselves ascendant, until warmed to his subject, the involuntary action of his superior powers swept his opponents from the field of argument. Studious and domestic, his life was devoted to literature and his family, and without mixing much in the world, his mind was intensely devoted to its happiness and improvement, in the development of philosophical principles and their results. He was a mem ber of several useful literary bodies, and in the Society of Arts he took a distinguished lead; its records witnessing to many valuable propositions and plans, determining in practical benefit which proceeded from him. As an antiquarian and virtuoso, he possessed taste, judgment, and industry, and must have left behind him a valuable collection of coins, medals, manuscripts, obsolete and unique publications, &c. We have seen among his medals one, considered to have been contemporary with Alexander the Great, struck upon occasion of a sacrifice to Neptune; such was the opinion of the late vice provost of Trinity College, the Rev. Dr. Barrett, to whose inspection the medal was submitted. Though the greater part of his time was passed in the British metropolis, his accent was broadly national; but within him he had what "passeth shew." Affectionate and conscientious in his domestic relations, warm, generous, and steady in his friendships, a worthier or purer heart never inhabited a human breast." | (Warder, Irish Paper.) From another gentleman, who, in former years, was intimate with Dr. Tilloch, we have been favoured with the following observations. he persist in the ballot. The reason assigned was, not his want of talent, genius, science, or moral excellencies, but his being a proprietor of a newspaper, and the editor of a periodical publication. He therefore withdrew his name, for in that society, if once rejected, there can be no admission afterwards, though, if withdrawn after proposal, this would not militate against his future election. The narrowness of this policy must be obvious to every impartial mind. Had he been admitted a member of that society, he would have been a very useful and efficient associate, and indeed an honour to that learned body. "He called on me about two months previous to his death, and not having seen him for some years, I could scarcely recognize him from the alteration in his countenance. When he took his farewell, I wished him better; but he shook his head very significantly, intimating that this was not to be expected." For some years prior to his death, Dr. Tilloch had been in a declining state of health, but the intervals which his complaints afforded, induced his friends to flatter themselves with a much longer continuance of his life than events have sanctioned. The place of his abode was with his sister in Barnsbury-street, Islington, where, during several months, he was almost exclusively confined to his house. The approaches of death, however, were not alarmingly observable, until within a few weeks preceding his death. It was then evident that his useful life was drawing to a close. In this state he lingered until about threequarters before one, on the morning of Wednesday, January 26th, 1825, when the weary wheels of life stood still. "I know him to have been a very pleasant and agreeable companion, with a mind enlarged by a variety of knowledge, especially on subjects of modern science, of chemistry and natural philosophy. Upon these he often dwelt with peculiar ardour, and with a freshness of mind which disclosed the interest he felt in themes of that kind. His public labours however, particularly the Philosophical Magazine, afford sufficient evidence in proof of the taste which had been excited in his mind, and the zeal and From the exalted station which Dr. diligence which he evinced in collect-Tilloch sustained in the ranks of liteing every new fact that could engagerature, few individuals were better the public attention. He was a man known throughout Europe than himof more than ordinary reading and self; and as his life had been conknowledge. Every thing that was spicuous, so his death excited general singular or curious came within the sympathy. The solemn event was angrasp of his mind. He examined sub-nounced in most of the public prints, jects which many would neglect or altogether despise. and we are happy to add, that the intelligence was invariably accompanied with testimonials of respect. "About twenty years since, he was proposed by the late Dr. Gouthshore, We are not aware, however, that, at whose conversationes I have met him, among the various notices which have as a member of the Royal Society, but been taken of Dr. Tilloch, any bioit was intimated from some quarter, graphical sketch has hitherto appearthat he would be black-balled, shoulded equally extended with our own. man prospects, and the instability of earthly distinctions; but it is when we behold them signally destroyed and confounded, that we feel our presumption checked, and our hearts appalled. For the materials of which it is composed, we are indebted to some of his more intimate friends; and in giving publicity to the memoir, we only fulfil an engagement which had long been in contemplation, when the present imperious occasion was seen at a distance. But we shall add no more. In the scientific world his name will be long remembered, and his writings will erect to his memory an imperish-centrating the attention within the able monument. For this reason, he who spake as his instructions by sensible images never man spake, was wont to convey and in familiar apologues, that by con sphere of particular occurrences, and individual objects, the impressions of his lessons might become more vivid ON THE USE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE and more profound. SENSES IN RELIGION. (By the Rev. Robert Hall, of Leicester.) PROVIDENCE Conveys its most impressive lessons by sensible objects; and by clothing the abstractions of religion in the realities of life, renders them in a manner palpable. While they remain in the form of general truths, and are the objects of speculation, they affect us but little: they preserve us from the shallow sophistry of impiety, and conduct us to just conclusions on subjects of the last moment; but their control over the heart and conduct is scarcely felt. In order to be deeply impressed, we require some object to be presented, more in unison with the sensitive part of our nature-something more precise and limited, something which the mind may more distinctly realize, and the imagination more firmly grasp. The process of feeling, widely differs in this respect from that of reasoning, and is regulated by opposite laws. In reasoning, we recede as far as possible from sensible impressions; and the more general and comprehensive our conclusions, and the larger our abstractions, provided they are sustained by sufficient evidence, the more knowledge is extended, and the intellect improved. Sensibility is excited, the affections are awakened, on the contrary, on those occasions, in which we tread back our steps, and, descending from generalities, direct the attention to individual objects and particular events. We all acknowledge, for example, our constant exposure to death; but it is seldom we experience the practical impression of that weighty truth, except when we witness the stroke of mortality actually inflicted. We universally acknowledge the uncertainty of hu 66 When the Almighty was pleased to introduce, by the advent of the Messiah, a more perfect and permanent economy of religion, he founded it entirely on facts, attested by the most unexceptionable evidence, and the most splendid miracles. The Apostles were witnesses," who by the signs and wonders they wrought, made that appeal to the senses of men, which had been previously made to their own; and the doctrines which they taught in their writings, were little more than natural consequences resulting from the undoubted truth of their testimony. If they wish to inculcate the doctrine of a resurrection and future judgment, they deem it sufficient to appeal to the fact of Christ's resurrection, and sitting at the right hand of God: they present no evidence of a future state, except what ultimately terminates in the person of the Saviour, as the first begotten from the dead; and most anxiously warn us against resting our hope of salvation on any other basis than that of a sensible sacrifice," the offering of the body of Christ once for all." Thus, whatever is sublime and consolatory in the Christian religion, originates in facts and events which appealed to the senses, and passed in this visible theatre, though their ultimate result is commensurate with eternity. In order to rescue us from the idolatry of the creature, and the dominion of the senses, He who is intimately acquainted with our frame, makes use of sensible appearances, and causes his Son to become flesh, and to pitch his tent amongst us, that by faith in his crucified humanity, we may ascend, as by a mystic ladder, to the abode of the Eternal. OBSERVATIONS ON CAPITAL MR. EDITOR, SIR, I have been led, of late, to think seriously on the awfully interesting subject of capital punishment, or the punishment of crime with death. By inserting the following queries, you may perhaps lead some of your correspondents to turn their attention to this subject, and set it in a clear and scriptural point of view. I am, sir, your's respectfully, A CONSTANT READER. 1st. Is it wise or politic for human legislators to punish crime with death in any case? It must be admitted on all hands, that the object of punishment is the prevention of crime; and in order to secure this object, the punishment which is most dreaded by the vicious, is most likely to produce the desired effect. But are not solitary confinement and hard labour, accompanied with religious instruction, more dreadful to the generality of murderers and thieves, than death? Many of them are infidels, and believe nothing about a future state; many of them are tired of life, and perhaps do some rash act for the very purpose of forfeiting their lives; and some others have committed suicide, for the purpose of escaping from the terrors and twinges of a guilty conscience; they would rather die than live. Life to such characters would be a thousand times more terrible than death. We have known many men seek relief from the troubles of life, by the use of the razor and the halter; but we never heard of any seeking such relief in solitary confinement and hard labour. 2. Does not such an awful waste of human life tend to familiarize the people with violent deaths, in such a way as to cause them to think less of the awful crime of self-murder, to encourage duels, and to produce a most pernicious influence on the practice of war? 5. Punishment by death does not secure the object. Crime, there is reason to fear, is not diminished, but is rather upon the increase. The plan of solitary confinement in every case, except that of premeditated murder, has been adopted in Pennsylvania with the happiest effects. "In that state, from January 1789 to to June 1791, the number of crimes under the old system was 592, of which 9 were murders. From June 1791 to March 1795 the number under the new system was 243 only, among which there was not one case of murder."-Vide Percy Anecdotes, Humanity, page 64. 6. Is not punishment with death contrary to the whole spirit and genius of Christianity; as, "love your enemies," "overcome evil with good," &c.? To inflict death upon a man, to hurry him into the presence of his Judge with all his imperfections on his head, is the greatest evil that we can possibly do to a fellow-creature; and I think that it cannot be shewn, that the interests of society require such a mode of punishment. 7. When the infinite worth of the soul is taken into the account, that individual soul must either en every joy or suffer more than the aggregate of all the enjoyment and suffering of all the men that have ever lived or ever will live in this world, surely every man ought to have all the time and opportunity afforded him, which his Maker intended him, to work out his own salvation. 8. The very principle of taking away life is, that of revenge, and not 3. To spare his life, is accompanied of forbearance. It invades the prewith that mercy towards the criminal rogative of God," Vengeance is mine, which ever ought to be kept in view. saith the Lord, I will repay;" again, The more severely crime is punished" In his hands are the issues of life and the better, but the punishment ought death," and has any man a right to to be of that nature which will secure take that which only Jehovah can to the delinquent all the opportunity! bestow? |