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vey no intelligible sense to the English reader. A translation may, therefore, be considered accurate and faithful which differs only from the precise meaning of the words, where the respective idioms of the two languages require such difference. Let us apply this principle to Psalm xix. 9. The noun DN is translated, both in the authorized version and the Douay, true. The translator has thought fit to alter this word to truth, because the Hebrew word is a substantive; but he seems not to have been aware of a well-known Hebrew idiom by which the abstract is frequently put for the concrete. "Sæpius," says Glassius," abstractum pro concreto, seu substantivum pro adjectivo cum insigno emphasi et energiâ ponitur." For one example, amongst others, he gives Psalm v. 10, "Internum eorum pravitates hoc est, cor eorum pravum est maxime et malitiosum." Our English translators, who shew, on many occasions, a sound knowledge of the Hebrew idiom, have, therefore, rightly translated true instead of truth, and the Douay has, in this instance, rightly followed the Vulgate, which is supported by the Chaldee and the Greek, in giving the sense of the concrete instead of the abstract. One more remark will suffice, lest I should exhaust the patience of my reader, as well as my own. He has translated bright. Looking into Taylor's "Hebrew Concordance," with the view of learning why he should have fixed on such a translation of this common word, I found the following senses given to the root-"to make clean, clear, and bright." And in Jer. iv. 11, the verb is translated-to make bright. But even the verb has this meaning only in the literal, not in the metaphorical sense, and the adjective never has the sense either literally or metaphorically. I can draw but this conclusion: either that the translator was quite incompetent to the task he has undertaken, or that he has in many instances unfairly departed from the authorized version, substituting translations less faithful in themselves, and more in accordance with the Douay version.

Exeter, March 7, 1836.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

J. ROGERS.

THE TITHE BILL.

SIR,- The bill for the permanent Commutation of Tithes is now before the world, and the radical and conservative leaders have shaken hands over it, and the representatives of the English nationchiefly members of the English church-have congratulated one another upon finding that, though on most other topics they are as wide as the poles asunder, there is one on which they may lay aside all enmity, and (in imitation of a memorable example) be "made friends together," that one being the spoliation of Christ's church,an open, barefaced, gratuitous, legalized robbery; and the few who would venture to oppose such iniquity are actually laughed at, (see the debates in the House of Commons, Monday, Feb. 22,) on account of

Glassii Philologia Sacra, lib. iii., can. vii., de Nomine.

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their having nothing better to advance than the "venerable arguments" of truth, uprightness, and integrity.

Let us consider some of the effects of this measure.

1. The sacred character of the clergyman's income will be destroyed. The clergyman will stand in a lower station than as the representative of the Levitical and Melchisedekian priesthood, to whom, under the providence of God, tithes were paid; and the parishioner will cease to feel that in honestly paying his tithes, he is not only satisfying a legal demand, but fulfilling the intention of the Most High, and seeking the special blessing pronounced by the prophet. Thus a sacred link of connexion will be severed, which, though sneered at by gross and carnal minds, has not been without beneficial influence on both payer and receiver.

2. Men's minds will be familiarized with sacrilege and profane and irreverent meddling with the things of God. Hitherto tithes have been considered not only as entitled to the same protection, quoad property, with all other property, but as having something of a reverent character about them, as being dedicated to holy purposes. This charm will be wholly broken, and the coldest calculations of human expediency be the only ones admitted in treating of the subject.

3. The security of the parochial endowments will be most materially affected. 1. Prescription or titles (to say nothing of any higher claim) of centuries will be exchanged for an act of parliament of to-day: it is clear that the same principles of injustice and iniquity which sanction this monstrous and wanton invasion of all rights of property, making an act of parliament the only title for the estate, will equally sanction the simple abrogation of that title, without providing any substitute. 2. They will be declared to stand on a different footing from all other property, and so cease to have the protection which the law gives to other property. Hitherto all other proprietors, especially landholders, have aided in defending this through the mere bond of common interest; henceforth there will be no community of interest: the substitute for tithes will stand isolated, a mark for the spoiler, and regarded with an evil eye by those who have hitherto felt most interested in their defence.

4. How far the respectability, weight, and influence of the clergy (all which have aided their ministerial exertions and furthered the cause they are set to promote) will be injured by this exchange, when they will cease to be the oldest class of proprietors in the country, and appear mere stipendiaries of the country gentlemen, may be in some sort gathered from what has taken place in Scotland.

All these objections present themselves against the abstract proposition for change at all, and would remain in almost their full force, even though the commutation were to be conducted upon equitable principles, and the quit-rent upon the landlord's estate were intended to be equal in value to the clergyman's tithe. What shall be said, then, when it appears that so far are justice and equity from being consulted in this Bill, that the chief feature of it is the immediate, open, barefaced transfer to the landlord of a portion of the clergyVOL. IX.-April, 1836.

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man's income, varying from one fourth to nearly one moiety, with a further scheme for redemption at another sacrifice?

Let us consider the practical working of the scheme. Take a parish, the tithes of which, when fairly valued, after deducting the expenses of collecting, amount to 2001. The first operation of the Bill, if the clergyman has been kind to his parishioners, will be to reduce them forty per cent.,-that is, to give him 1207. But if the landlord has money at command, or can borrow it, he may redeem this quit-rent by a term of purchase, which will reduce the amount considerably below 1007.

But it is said that, under the present system, the clergyman never insisted upon his 2007., and therefore, in point of fact, does not lose to so great an extent as would at first appear. But is there then no difference between a man freely and generously giving of his substance for kind will and good neighbourhood, and being forcibly plundered of that substance by those whom God has set to administer justice? Or is the difference so slight, and the guilt in the sight of God which a nation must incur by such a course so trifling, that men should therefore hold their peace, and not bear witness against it?

But it is said again, that the obtaining the 2007. was utterly hopeless, lost beyond recovery, not a gift but already stolen, and that the Act merely stamps with the authority of law a robbery already tacitly assented to by the injured party. Answer 1. Even if the case were so, is it no evil that the law should do so, and encourage further robberies? 2. But is the fact of the hopelessness of obtaining the full amount correct? Surely not. Are there not several districts in England where the full amount is generally obtained, by tithe being taken in kind? Is there any district in which it is not occasionally taken in kind? Is it not known and felt in all districts that it may be taken in kind? and felt also that the not doing so is an act of forbearance on the part of the clergyman, for which thanks are frequently openly given?

What then is the case?-in lieu of an independent property, the title of which was older than any in the land and associated with the most sacred recollections, the Bill proposes to give a quit-rent of half the value, secured by an act of parliament (!)

But it will be said, though the sum is less, it will be more easily obtained, more punctually paid. Indeed!-what reason is there to suppose this? Why should not a landlord ask for time as well as a tenant? Why should not a needy landlord expect a still farther deduction, by way of goodwill and neighbourhood, as a needy tenant? If the clergy have been tempted to injure the church by forbearing to assert their rights, their love of peace leading them to shrink from vexatious proceedings against a neighbouring farmer, will not the same motives operate in the case of a neighbouring gentleman, whose power of annoyance will be tenfold that of the farmer's?

Add one more consideration, and that is, the time when the valuation of the livings is to take place; a time in which agricultural produce is and has for some time been at a greater state of depression

than in the memory of man. The Bill contemplates no increase with increase of prices. Let a war break out next year, and wheat get up again to 40%. per load, the clergyman must still continue to receive for his tithes one moiety of what they were valued at when wheat was at 101.

What suffering this will bring upon existing clergymen,-what hinderance and discouragement to the future entry into the ministry,how many parishes which are now scarcely able to maintain a clergyman will be then wholly unable to do so,-all these, and many other equally forcible points, the clergy, of all men, are most competent to understand. Can their love of peace (praiseworthy in its season) be considered by them a sufficient reason for not doing the little they can to avert, if possible, an evil fraught with such ruinous consequences, or at the least to bear witness of the evil, if they can do no more?

A.

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

A Commentary on the Order for the Burial of the Dead, &c. By the Rev. W. Greswell, M.A., Fellow of Balliol College. 2 vols. 8vo. Rivingtons. 1836.

MR. GRESWELL explains that his object is to consider the Office for Burial as a Manual of Doctrine and Consolation to Christians. His work is consequently a practical one; that is to say, it teaches us how to apply for our own comfort those especial promises and topics of reflexion which death and all connected with it must bring to the Christian. This is done with a piety and earnestness which reflect the highest honour on Mr. Greswell, and will make his book most acceptable to serious and quiet readers. In one respect he has not done himself justice in his title-page, for, in addition to what has been already stated, he gives a very good and interesting account of the modes and places of sepulture among ancient nations, and then among the early Christians, with extracts and illustrations from classical writers and Christian fathers, which add materially to the value of the work. The last half, indeed, of the second volume is devoted to illustrations of this kind.

Works on Episcopacy. Printed at New York. London: Rivingtons; Hatchards; and Seeley. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. xxiv., 784.

IN the Number for May, 1835, (vol. vii. p. 582,) an account was given of the several treatises contained in this masterly defence of episcopacy against the objections of all dissenters, and particularly of the American presbyterian, Dr. Miller, whose attack on the constitution and ministry of the church has been advertised for republication in this country. The promise then given, of announcing the arrival in London of the "Works on Episcopacy," is now redeemed; and the hope formerly expressed, "that all those readers who can afford to pur

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chase will procure copies," is renewed; especially when it is added that they are sold at a price which barely covers the expense of importation, advertising, and booksellers' commission.

The History and Antiquities of the Round Church at Little Maplestead, Essex. By W. Wallen, F.S.A., Architect. London: Weale. 8vo. 1836.

THERE are three or four churches known as round churches, and understood to have been erected in imitation of the church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, the Temple church, in London; St. Sepulchre's, at Cambridge; one at Northampton; and Maplestead. Mr. Wallen proposes to give an account of all, and has commenced with Maplestead. The first part of his book contains an account of the crusades, and the origin of the Knights Templars and Hospitallers, to one or other of whom the many round churches once existing belonged. The whole is done with great care, and with that attention to beauty in the appearance of the page which is now confined to antiquaries. The plates are numerous and excellent, and the information curious and valuable. The only objection which the reviewer would make is to the first ornamented letter. Our Lord on the cross sets too solemn a subject before us to be used for such a purpose.

Nomenclator Poeticus, &c. By Lancelot Sharpe, A.M. London:
Rivingtons. 12mo. 1836.

THIS is a very useful book indeed, done with great care, and doing
much honour to Mr. Sharpe's care, industry, and learning. He gives
the quantities of all the proper names which occur in the Latin poets,
with a well chosen quotation or quotations from each. The obvious
usefulness of such a book will supersede all other recommendation.
The only thing to be wished for is more of Mr. Sharpe's own remarks.

Notes of a Visit to some parts of Haiti. By the Rev. S. W. Hanna, Curate of St. George's, Jamaica. London: Seeley and Burnside. 1836. 12mo.

We have had so very little intelligence from actual observation of
this singular island, that Mr. Hanna's sketch cannot be otherwise
than acceptable, although he had only a short time for his visit.
He is inclined to think better of things than most persons who
have spoken of Haïti, but allows that the state of morals and religion
among all classes are deplorable. He says that Mr. Mackenzie's
book is to be depended upon, though written in an unkind spirit, and
not giving all that could be said for the people.

The Penny Sunday Reader. By the Rev. J. E. N. Molesworth.
Vols. I. and II. London: Rivingtons. 12mo.

THE publication of this work in weekly numbers was announced in
this Magazine at its commencement, with a prophecy that Mr. Moles-
worth's zeal and industry would do all that could be done for it. He

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