LETTER TO THE BISHOP OF CHESTER ON No. IV. MY LORD, In the foregoing letters of this series, I attempted to explain to your Lordship the considerations drawn from the nature of religion, and from the effects of theological instruction, which lead me to believe that the establishment of lectures on Christianity at the London University, would not be advisable. I also endeavoured to maintain, that the ordinary impugners of the New Institution, and your Lordship among the number, have no just ground for asserting the old Universities to be at all efficacious in producing religious character, or to have any superiority over the infant establishment as to the means of inculcating Christianity. I have lastly sought to show, that there are habits and systems at Cambridge, either instituted, or permitted, which powerfully tend to produce irreligion, both directly and in the shape of immorality. In the present letter, which I earnestly hope to make the final one, I design chiefly to examine whether the peculiar circumstances of the London University would make it desirable to give theological instruction within its walls, and as a part of its course of education. ment of study. Well, be it so; unless insurmountable But, my Lord, I turn from this matter, to suggest In the first place, it is worth while to remark upon the great sophism which is urged against the London University, by all those who have an interest or a prejudice to serve in attacking it. This is the fallacy whereby it is pretended, that, because religion is not to be taught there, its pupils will necessarily be irreligious. Now people do not become less religious than they were without a cause; and I should like to inquire from my opponents, what cause is at work to produce the effect in this case? Is it really supposed, that, if you teach young men Greek and mathematics better than they were previously taught,ought he to be an impugner of the Divinity of Christ. and make no difference in their religious instruction, they will necessarily be devoid of Christianity? Might it not reasonably be urged that every thing which makes men better acquainted with the human mind and with the universe, will indirectly tend to manifest to them the being and character of God? If a man be not more pious for knowing natural philosophy, there is no reason why he should be less so. The principles of every science are the products of the divine existence; and all facts of consciousness, history, or experiment, are mere evolutions of those principles. Religious truth, though the highest and most essential, is yet of the same nature as is all other truth; and he who would establish that there is any hostility or incongruity between them, must maintain that God is not ONE, the single and harmonious life of all things, but a compound of heterogeneous and warring elements, some of which display themselves in Christianity, while the antagonist portions of his being furnish out all other truth. If any science be taught on these, that is, on irreligious principles, it must be ill taught. If taught with the other views to which I have alluded, though unaccompanied by theological instruction, instead of making men less religious, it must tend to make them far more so; and, if the students be initiated into such doctrine, after having been at ordinary places of education, public or private, I will venture to say, that they will perceive a connection, a strength, in short, a truth, in knowledge, and a living value in Christianity, of which they will previously have had scarce any experience. The young men who make use of the London University will not have fewer opportunities of learning theology than they had before; and the outcry, therefore, can only mean, that every accession of knowledge is so much weight thrown into the unchristian side of the scale. No one will dare to state this openly; and yet, upon this assumption, must proceed the whole argument against the young Institution. If the plan of the founders, or the character of the professors, could be shown to be such as made it probable that the connection between the outward world and its creator, between the mind of man and its God, would be kept out of view, it would require a large overbalance of other advantages to persuade me to place a son of mine under such a system: but not a larger overbalance than is necessary to outweigh the many evils of the old Universities. No one will go farther than myself in eagerness for the display of knowledge to all the world, as entirely founded upon and filled with the Divine attributes, and in the most complete harmony with Christianity. But this is not very much attended to at Cambridge; and I do not see how the question as to theological lectures is connected with it. Your Lordship would make religion a separate depart But allowing this, are not these limits wide enough to Again; supposing all doctrinal instruction to be grounds on which they stand, and with all the qualifications which limit them from trenching upon the mighty and eternal principles of Christianity, they can do the students any harm. Those principles are laid deep in the foundations of human nature. No critical inquiries can reach them, or in the least degree weaken the evidence of their revelation in the Bible. But, though such studies would be beneficial to the pupils, what would be the consequences, when their parents should hear of the naked results? Would they not amount, in fact, to the destruction of the University? Moreover, to put aside these objections, would it be easy, would it be completely possible, to separate interpretation from doctrine? and, if doctrine be admitted, then recurs the question, what doctrine? The only remaining kind of theological lecture which I can conceive, is that which should deal with the history of Christianity and of the Bible; and this, also, as it seems to me, would be open to similar objections. The history of Christianity is the history of the degree and ways in which Christians have been unchristian; of schisms, and heresies, of great doctrines perverted, and sophisms masquerading in the disguise of Truth, to mislead nations and centuries. Can this be taught by one who strikes no balance between the opinions he describes, and merely examines with cool indifference the follies of exaggerated quietism, and the miseries which have waited on the Antinomian madness? This cannot be; and, if the reason and conscience of the teacher assume their proper supremacy over his lessons, where shall he stop? Or how will it be possible for him to avoid touching upon modern differences of belief? There is that sympathy in those of the same blood, which will make the modern sectarian writhe while the mummy of his ancestor is dissected; and the lamb of Mr. Irving's flock would feel the blow, if a professor should condemn persecution, and reprove the spirit in which Calvin burnt Servetus. There is no doctrine now held or controverted which has not before been heard of on the dim and bloody battle-fields of theological history; nor would it be possible to describe the cause and the combat which shook the ninth century, without agitating all the sectarian passions of the nineteenth; impossible, at least, for any one whose belief in the importance of Christianity is stronger than that of Bayle or Gibbon. What would be an ecclesiastical history which should say nothing of the dispute as to Church Government? And what could be said on such a subject which would not bear directly upon the passions, the interests, the long-cherished opinions of every Christian and politician in the country? And, if the lecturer be confined to the history of the Bible as a mere book, a study of which Mr. Coleridge has pointed out the vastness and the interest, I can scarcely see how the case will be improved. Is the canon of Scripture a matter of such easy arrangement, and one which has excited so few quarrels, as that it can be made the text for professorial dogmatism or controversy? Would an account of the degree to which the notion of the all-sufficiency of the Bible, without note or comment, without the aid of judgment or the lights of knowledge, has injured religion,-would an account of this be likely to rouse no party feelings connected with the present state of things in England? Are religious men not bitterly divided by the opinions of the German divines, which have been supported abroad by so much 'learning, and listened to here with so much indignation? You will perceive, my Lord, that my observations do not apply to any institution in which the members should be of but one sect. Improve as much as possible the theological instruction at Oxford and Cambridge, and I shall feel only satisfaction; but the London University is founded in a city where there are probably more varieties of religious belief than in any other spot upon the globe. It is designed with the noble and scheme of its wide beneficence; and, to insist that its most Christian view of embracing them all in the students, who must needs bring into its bosom a hundred differences of faith, shall receive instruction in but one, would be to ensure at once its futility and its downfall. I remain your Lordship's obedient humble servant, A MEMBER OF the UniversitY OF CAMBRIDGE. CHARING CROSS HOSPITAL. AMONG the various public undertakings now in progress, we know of no one more worthy of commendation than the intended Charing Cross Hospital, which appears comprehensive in its plan, unexceptionable in its nature, and calculated to produce much undoubted good; and that in a district of the metropolis, where no hospital is now easily accessible. nounced the presents, amongst which were, Joseph Pi PROSPECTUS of a NEW LONDON EVEN ton de Tournefort's 'Elemens de Botanique,' 4 vols. 4to., Paris, 1694, embellished with 489 plates; and the same author's Histoire des Plantes de Paris, avec leur usage dans la Medicine,' Bernard de Jussieu's edition, 2 vols. 8vo., Paris, 1725-both presented by Sir John E. Swinburne, Bart., F. R. S., Vice-President. 'The Useful Family Herbal,' 1754, with 8 plates, by the Earl Stanhope. Several Chemical Essays, by Mr. Bonastre, of Paris. A Collection of Hardy Plants, flowering at this season, by Thomas Gibbs, Esq., F. H. S. A Collection of Seeds from the Island of Mauritius, by John Frost, Esq., F.R. S., Ed. Director; and a variety of rare Plants, by Mr. Campbell, amongst which were, Laurus Cinnamomum, et fulgens; Acacia pulchella; Polygala myrtifolia, oppositifolia, speciosa, and bracteolata; Calathamnus quadrifida; Eutaxia myrtifolia; Epacris grandiflora; Genista linifolia; Aphellandra cristata; Sasiopetalum solanaceum; Melaleuca fulgens, &c. &c. Louis Hayes Petit, Esq., M. P., F. R. S., and John Whiting, M. D., were admitted Fellows, by the ChairLord Viscount Exmouth, G. C. B., and the Rev. W. R. Jelf, were elected Fellows. man. Mr. Yosy then read a paper, by Dr. John Hancock, of Demerara, on the Heyemarada, or Haimarada, of the natives, or Vandellia diffusa of Linnæus. This humble plant, which grows on the road-sides in Guiana, and of which a fine specimen was exhibited to the Members, is, by the Dutch Creoles, called Bitter Blairr,' and is announced by the author as most efficacious in several diseases of the natives, but more particularly intermittent fevers. From experiments which he details at length, Dr. Hancock is inclined to believe, that the action of this plant on the human frame depends on a bitter principle peculiar to itself. The entire plant may be employed. Five-and-twenty grains of the dried herb in powder, or thirty grains for an infusion, act as an emetic. When Haimarada is administered in small doses, with common salt, its action is directed upon the intestines and kidneys. A paper on the Bushmen of the Orange River, and their poisoned arrows, by Mr. Louis Leslie, assistantsurgeon of the 48th regiment, and communicated to the Society by Sir James M'Grigor, President, was also read. The author, who was stationed on the banks of the Orange River, (South Africa,) before the post was abandoned, after giving a short description of the appearance of these miserable beings, who are said by him to live on locusts, ants, and some farinaceous roots, states, that he has not been able to procure one authenticated relation of death in man from the effects of the arrows employed by the Bushmen in self-defence. He had known some cases of horses and dogs dying from the insertion of the arrow into the leg, but some of them seemed rather to die from the effects of violent inflammation in the limb than from any specific power in the poison itself. In one instance of a dog, however, the animal became stupid and insensible in a few minutes, and died in twenty. Some colonists, who have been wounded, assert, that they are subject to periodical attacks of insanity under certain states of atmospherical influence. The poison of the Bushmen of the Stromberg is extracted from plants, only as far as Mr. Leslie had been able to learn. In that quarter they use no mineral poison, nor the venom of snakes. Their treatment of a wound made by a poisoned arrow, consists in their laying it freely open, cleaning out the poison, and applying a horn, in the manner of a cupping-glass, which is exhausted by suction at the smaller extremity. Cupping, indeed, seems to be the Bushmen's favourite mode of treating every complaint accompanied with pain, and so frequently do they resort to it, that by the time they are full grown, they are covered with scars all over. The thanks of the Meeting were ordered to Dr. Hancock and Mr. Leslie for these communications. Mr. Frost expressed his regret that he had not been able to comply with the notice given last Meeting, but that he would have much pleasure in delivering his lecture on the genus Laurus at the next Meeting The Chairman then announced that the First Number of the Society's Transactions would be ready for delivery to the Members after the 20th instant; and adjourned the Meeting to Friday evening, June the 13th. The anniversary dinner of the Society was celebrated on Saturday the 10th of May, at the Thatched-House Tavern, St. James's-street, and was numerously attended. ING NEWSPAPER, on a Plan of greater novelty, comprehensiveness, variety, and general convenience, than any hitherto attempted. To be Conducted by J. S. BUCKINGHAM, and to commence on MONDAY, the 30th of JUNE, 1828. The extremely favourable reception given to Mr. Buckingham's Political and Literary Weekly Journals, THE SPHYNX' and ATHENAEUM,' and the desire to render available all the advantages of the complete Printing Establishment, and abundant political and literary materials and talents originally brought together for the two Journals named, and now under his sole direction and control, have led him to yield to a very general request from those who desire to see an improved Daily Paper, in compliance with whose suggestions, he has given his attention to the preparation of an entirely New Daily Journal, to be called 'THE ARGUS,' on an original and improved plan, which, from combining all the advantages now scattered through many, will, he confidently hopes, be such as all classes of general readers will deem worthy of their support. The principal defects of the existing Daily Journals, are the following:-First, that, if Morning Papers, they are of such an unwieldy size, as to be extremely inconvenient for present use, and incapable of being preserved in a form that will make them easy of future reference;-Secondly, that, if Evening Papers, they are so small, as to be obliged to abridge greatly all the reports of public proceedings in Parliament, Meetings, and Courts of Law, giving, therefore, much less perfect accounts of either, than the Morning Papers from which they copy;-Thirdly, that, in both, there is a general want of clas sification and arrangement, which renders it necessary to search them through, before the particular kind of information sought for is found;-And, Lastly, that, from their being printed on one indivisible sheet, they are calculated only for exclusive use; so that one individual must have entirely finished with the particular Paper of the day, before any other person can succeed him in the perusal of it. In the New Daily Journal now proposed, "THE ARGUS,' all these defects will be remedied :-First, instead of the unwieldy and inconvenient size of the Morning Papers, its sheet will be of a form capable of being comfortably used by any individual, and its page of an extent easily embraced at a single view; while it will make a handsome and commodious volume when bound, and have title-pages and indexes for easy and accurate reference at any future period. Secondly, to avoid the abridg ments of Parliamentary and other Public Proceedings, which the smaller size of the Evening Papers now compels them to make, 'THE ARGUS' will, instead of 4, comprise 8 pages, of nearly the present Evening Paper size; giving, therefore, 32 columns of matter daily, instead of 16, which will be printed, also, in a clearer and more legible manner. Thirdly, as a consequence of this greater extent of space, it will be distinguished by such an arrangement and classification of subjects, as to enable all classes of readers to find, without difficulty, the particular description of information of which they are in search. And, Lastly, instead of being, as Daily Papers now are, necessarily confined to the use of one person only at a time, it will be so arranged, that each Number, when issued, may, by a separation of its inner from its outer pages, form two complete sheets, each occupied by its own separate department of information, and, therefore, capable of serving two readers at once; so as to make it especially convenient for Families, Clubs, Libraries, Reading-Rooms, Taverns, Coffee-Houses, and all other places of public resort;-answering, in short, the complete purpose of Two Distinct Journals, and being, at the same time, more comprehensive, more varied, and more agreeable to read, than any two existing Papers that can be named: as no portion of the contents of either of these separate sheets of 'THE ARGUS' will be, as in any two other Papers, a repetition of matter common to both,-each being quite distinct, and perfectly new, though each, also, so complete in itself, as to be read with pleasure without reference to the other. When it is stated that all these advantages will be rendered to the public at the same price as is now charged for the smallest and commonest Newspaper issued, some incredulity may arise as to the promised superiority of the article to be furnished, as the cheap and the good are not easily united. To remove these doubts as to the possibility of so uniting them in the present case, it will, perhaps, be sufficient to state, that the reason why a Journal of Two Sheets, like THE ARGUS,' can be furnished, daily, without any increase of price beyond that charged for the Evening Papers, of one sheet only, now published, is, that it will be produced at an establishment already existing, and amply supported, by the publication of THE SPHYNX,' ,''THE ATHENAUM,' and THE ORIENTAL HERALD ;' so that the same literary and political aid, the same mechanical power, the same sources of information, the same place of publication, and the same superintendance in all its details,can be used for this purpose, without the vast expenditure which is indispensable for Papers published at separate establishments for each. It is, in short, the advantage of united powers, co-operating in the production of several articles, at an expenditure which decreases in proportion to the number of articles produced,-a principle which every man in this mercantile and manufacturing country can well comprehend; but which has rarely been applied to Works of this nature,-though quite as productive of benefit to the public, by improving the quality and reducing the price of the production to which it is applied, as in any other department of human labour. Of the purity, independence, and impartiality of the political and literary character of the proposed Paper, Mr. Buckingham hopes that his former labours will be deemed a sufficient general assurance. His own careful superintendance and control will be unremittingly applied to every department of 'THE ARGUS;' while the maintenance of the existing Publications, which will still be continued under his personal management, and on their present plans, will be so provided for, as that neither of them shall suffer the smallest diminution in merit or value by this more arduous undertaking. This, however, will be best proved by a reference to the Works themselves; and by that he is willing to be judged. The following is a brief enumeration of the several classes of information intended to be regularly given in 'THE ARGUS,' arranged in the order in which they will follow each other, in the two separate Sheets of that Paper, with the average number of columns (about the size of those of the present Evening Papers) which each class of information will generally occupy: the Letters of Correspondents not being included in this List, as these will be placed wherever occasional space for them can best be spared. I. Department of Public Records.-Four Pages. Leading Articles from all the Public Journals 4 4 3 1 1 1 1 It remains only to be added, that, with a view to illustrate, by an actual specimen, the description of Journal intended to be produced, the expense will be incurred of printing (in addition to 500,000 of these Prospectuses, and Advertisements in every Paper of the Kingdom) 50,000 copies of a SPECIMEN NUMBER, for public distribution and inspection. The date of its intelligence is, of course, not to be regarded, as it will be a mere specimen of the size, manner of division into departments, quality of paper and printing, classification, arrangement, &c., to be observed in THE ARGUS' generally. It is, in short, its own advertisement.-As, however, without the previous assurance of a certain number of supporters for such a Paper, it could not be maintained for any length of time,-and its permanence is of the highest importance, the interval between the issue of this Prospectus and the Specimen Number, and the date fixed for the regular appearance of the Paper itself, (the 30th of June, 1828,,-will be employed in obtaining for it the requisite number of Subscribers, so as to ensure its success beyond all possibility of doubt. Those individuals, therefore, who approve of this plan and deem it worthy of sup. port, (and it is hoped that they will be very numerous,) are respectfully requested to transmit their orders for the Paper, through any News-Agent in London, through the Postmasters and Clerks of the Roads in the Country, or direct to the Offices of Publication named below, whichever may be most convenient to themselves. It is particularly requested also of those, who, though not needing a Daily Paper individually, may think THE ARGUS' worthy of admission into the Public Libraries Clubs, Reading-Rooms, Coffee-houses, Institutions, or other places of public resort in their neighbourhood,- that they will recommend early orders for it in such places as may be within the sphere of their immediate influence, so that no disappointment may occur in the supply of early copies of the Paper when it appears. "THE ORIENTAL HERALD,' which is confined chiefly to the discussion of questions connected with India and its Affairs, and the communication of Intelligence from all parts of the Eastern World, forming an Octavo Number of 200 pages, and containing more matter than either The Edinburgh' or 'Quarterly Review,' will still, as heretofore, continue to be published Monthly, at 5s. per Number. THE SPHYNX,' which is a Political and general Newspaper, containing the condensed essence of the News of the Day, for the accommodation of those for whom a Daily Paper is too expensive, and a Weekly one not sufficiently frequent, will continue to be published, as at present, Twice a Week; namely, on Wednesday and Saturday Evenings. Price 7d. per Number. THE ATHENEUM,' which is a Periodical devoted exclusively to Literature, Science, and Art, will also be continued on its original and present plan, and published Once a Week, namely, on Wednesday Mornings, when no other Literary Journal appears. Price, if stamped for circulation free of postage, 18., and unstamped, 8d. per Number. THE VERULAM,' a Weekly Periodical of the same size and price, originally devoted to Scientific Information alone, being now incorporated with THE ATHENEUM,' an addi. tional attraction will be given to this, by their union of interests and powers. Of the character of these two Journals, it will be sufficient to give the following passage, from the last Number of The Edinburgh Review,' in an article on the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, understood to be written by Mr. Brougham. In characterising the principal Weekly Periodicals of the day as being of very ordinary merit, he makes the following exceptions: 'Mr. Buckingham's ‘ATHENÆUM' is of a much superior cast, and, it may be hoped, will meet with all the success the great 'merits and persecutions of its excellent Conductor are well 'entitled to look for at the hands of Englishmen. But "THE "VERULAM" professes a higher aim, and, indeed, a wider scope, being devoted to Science as well as Learning.' Specimen Numbers and Prospectuses of THE ARGUS' may be had of all Newsmen, and at the Principal and Central Office, 147, Strand, near Somerset-House, or at the Branch Office, established at No. 33, Old Bond Street, for the West End of the Metropolis, where Orders, Communications, and Advertisements for each of these Publications will be received,—as well as by the authorized Collector. TO CORRESPONDENTS. The letter of P. S. K. has been received; and the Work to which he refers will have early attention. NCORPORATION OF THE VERULAM WITH THE From The Verulam' of Saturday last. THE Proprietors of 'THE VERULAM' have now to announce to their readers that they have concluded an arrangement with the Proprietors of 'THE ATHENEUM,' the effect of which is to incorporate the two Journals, whose united resources will accordingly go in future to form one publication. This is an arrangement, the advantages of which will be participated in by the readers of both Papers, and which the Proprietors, therefore, cannot doubt will meet with their cordial acquiescence and support. THE ATHENEUM,' which, under the able management of Mr. Buckingham, has already obtained so distin. guished a reputation as a Literary Journal, will now add to its other attractions that information on matters of popular science, which has characterised the pages of 'THE VERULAM ;' while those who have hitherto been readers of this Paper will find no subject to which their attention has been wont to be invited neglected in the new publication that will in future be sent to them. To their friends, therefore, of all classes, the Proprietors of 'THE VERULAM' beg respectfully, but earnestly, to recommend THE ATHENEUM,' as a Paper in which they have now the same sort of interest which they have heretofore had in their own, and as one which they are sure, from the stipulations they have made, will be found, in all respects, deserving the encouragement and patronage of those who have been readers and supporters of 'THE VERULAM.' THE ATHENEUM,' in consequence of the union of interests and resources which has thus taken place, will now possess advantages, as a Literary and Scientific Journal, such as it would not be easy to overrate; and the promise held out by the success which it has already enjoyed, it may therefore be confidently predicted, will be greatly more than fulfilled by the increased circulation and influence that await it. THE ATHENBUM' alone will now be what THE ATHENEUM' and VERULAM' used to be together; or rather, those exertions which have hitherto been divided will now be combined, and something superior even to all they have yet produced may be fairly looked for as the result of their co-operation. Once more, therefore, the proprietors of 'THE VERULAM request from their Correspondents, their Subscribers, and their Advertising friends, the continuance of those favours in behalf of THE ATHENEUM,' to which THE VERULAM' has been so deeply indebted; nor, in making this appeal, can they avoid indulging the hope that, although now addressing them for the last time under their present title, they shall retain the good wishes and the good offices of all of them in their new connection. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. The second edition, enlarged, of Popular Premises Examined, by R. Dillon, will be published early this month. In a few days will be published, Annotations on the Apocalypse, intended as a Sequel to those of Mr. Elsley on the Gospels, and of Mr. Prebendary Slade on the Epistles; and thus to complete a Series of Comments on the whole of the New Testament, for the use of Students in Prophetical Scripture. By John Chappel Woodhouse, D.D., Dean of Litchfield. Christian Charity, or the Influence of Religion on Temper stated. By the Rev. J. A. James. 12mo., 6s. Female Piety and Zeal Exemplified in Memoirs of Miss Ely. By her Brother, the Rev. Jonathan Ely. 12mo., 4s. 6d. 88. The Missionary Gazetteer. By the Rev. C. Williams. 12mo., The Cheltenham Album,' a new Quarterly Magazine, is announced for pnblication early in July next. W. B. Cooke has just completed a new and elegant publication, which will appear on the 1st of Juue, entitled, 'A Selection of Vases, Altars, Candelabra, and Tripods, from the Louvre, at Paris,' engraved in a beautiful and tasteful style, by Henry Moses, with descriptive letter-press to each plate, by T. L. D., and dedicated to her Grace the Duchess of Bedford. LIST OF BOOKS PUBLISHED DURING THE WEEK. The Harp of Judah; a Selection of Poems relative to the Conversion of the Jews, &c. 3s. 6d. Dialogues on Prophecy, vol. 1, 8vo., 10s. 6d. Plain Advice to Landlords, Tenants, &c., by the author of Ewing's Greek and English Lexicon, 8vo., 18s. Ewing's Lexicon and Grammar, 8vo., 24s. A Ramble among the Musicians of Germany, post 8vo., 9s. Bretschneider's Reply to Rose's State of Protestantism in Germany, 8vo., 2s. 6d. Cobbin's Elements of Geography, on a new plan, 18mo., 2s. 6d. Shobere's Present State of Christianity, 12mo., 9s. A Marriage in High Life, a Novel, edited by the authoress of 'Flirtation,' 2 vols., 8vo., 11. 18. Musical Reminiscences, by Earl of Mount Edgecombe, third edition, 12mo., 6s. Lec ures on the History of Jesus Christ, by James Bennett, D.D., 2 vols., 8vo., 11. 1s. Phrenological Journal, part 17, 45. Ta GENERAL ASSEMBLY held this day, Sciences, Belles Lettres, and Miscellaneous Literature, in very AT GEORGE PETRIE, Esq., was elected an Academician, and the following Gentlemen elected Associates, of the Royal Hibernian Academy :-W. H. BROOKE, F.S.A., London; S. LOVER, G. NAIRN, and T. H. SWEETMAN. (By Order,) Just Published, HE SAILOR, or the Coquet Cottage; and THER other Poems. (Some in the Scottish Dialect.) By W. GIBSON. Price 38. 6d. boards. London Cowie and Strange, Paternoster Row; Orange, North Shields; Kelly, South Shields; and Graham, Alnwick. MISS MITFORD'S NEW VOLUME. In Post Octavo, UR VILLAGE; COUNTRY STORIES, RUSSELL MITFORD, Author of 'Dramatic Scenes;' ' Foscari,' a Tragedy, &c. &c. Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave Maria Lane. PROPAGATION OF CHRISTIANITY. This day is published, in one handsome volume, price 98. THE PRESENT STATE of CHRISTIANITY THE and of the MISSIONARY ESTABLISHMENTS for its PROPAGATION in all PARTS of the WORLD. Dedicated to the Patrons, Directors, and Members of all the Beneficent Societies engaged in the Diffusion of the Christian Religion and the attendant Blessings of Knowledge and Civilization among the Nations of the Earth. By FREDERIC SHOBERL. Hurst, Chance, and Co., St. Paul's Church-yard. Now ready for delivery, fine condition, for Ready Money, at the Low Prices affixed, by John R. Priestley, 13, Great Russell Street, Covent Garden. ***Gentlemen resident in the country, and country Book. sellers, may have the above Catalogue, by application through their London Booksellers, or by letter, post-paid, to the Publisher. Just published, in one vol. post 8vo, price 98. boards, dedicated to the Members of the Philharmonic Society. SUMMER'S RAMBLE among the MUSI CIANS of GERMANY; giving some account of the Operas of Munich, Vienna, Dresden, Berlin, &c. With remarks upon the Church Music Singers, Performers, and Com. posers; the out-of-dogjoyments, and surface of society in that country. By a MUSICAL PROFESSOR. It is a work that requires no criticism, but commendation. Its only fault, as far as we conld discover, is, that it has an end. We wish it were in ten volumes. Perhaps the ideas of music, and the sweet associations it called up in our mind, may have made us blind; but we have absolutely not one critical frown to bestow upon the author.'-London Weekly Review. Hunt and Clarke rörk-street, Covent-garden. NEW AND ELEGANT EDITION OF GIBBON'S ROME. This day is published, in Eight large Volumes, 8vo., with Portrait and Maps, price 31. 4s. in boards, THE Esq. HE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. BY EDWARD GIBBON, [NTERIOR of a NUNNERY, with the CERE- Co.; J. Duncan, G. B. Whittaker; W. Mason; Simpkin and I' MONY of a FEMALE TAKING the VEIL. Engraved after the celebrated Picture by Granet, in the pos. session of the King of France, and forming a Companion to the INTERIOR of a CAPUCHIN CONVENT, with MONKS at their DEVOTIONS, from a Picture by the same Master, in the possession of the King of England. Size 14 inches by 19 high. Prints, 15s.; proofs, 31s. 6d. ; before letters, 42s London published by Moon, Boys, and Graves, (successors to Hurst, Robinson, and Co.,) printsellers to the King, No. 6, Pall-mall; and sold by F. G. Moon, Threadneedle-street. Of whom may be had, INTERIOR of a CONVENT, same size as the above, Prints, 218. To those that have not had an opportunity of visiting scenes like those here represented, these prints will convey a very faithful representation of the character of such places of devotion and their occupants. The principal feature in them, and that for which they will be chiefly admired, independently of their moral interest, is the very skilful manner in which the perspective and light are managed.'—Athenæum. Now ready for delivery, MIRANDA Engraved by EDWARD SCRIVEN, after a Picture by WILLIAM HILTON, R. A. Size of the Print 12 inches by 18 high; prints, 128.; India proofs, 218.; before letters, 31s. 6d. London: published by Moon, Boys, and Graves, (Printsellers to the King,) No. 6, Pall-mall; and sold by F. G. Moon, Threadneedle-street. A NEW AND IMPROVED EDITION. Just Published, in one thick vol., third edition, much enlarged and improved, price 15s., MEDICINE; or a Popular Treatise, exhibiting the Nature, Symptoms, Causes, and most efficacious Treatment of all Diseases, embracing all the modern Improvements in Medicine, with the opinions of the most distinguished Physicians. Containing also a copious Collection of approved Prescriptions, Medical Management of Children, Treatment of all Casualties, most effectual Methods of rendering assistance in cases of Emergency. Rules of Diet, Virtues and Doses of all Medicines, &c. The Whole forming a comprehensive Medical Guide for the use of the Clergy, Families, and Invalids. By T. J. GRAHAM, M.D., &c. MODERN DOMESTIC 'We conscientiously recommend Dr. Graham's Treatise to the Public, and feel much pleasure in the certainty that it will prove extensively useful. It is very far above the celebrated Buchan's, and we shall preserve the volume as the advice of an invaluable friend, to which we can refer in the hour of need, without any doubt of being benefited by its wisdom.'Literary Chronicle. In the opinion of a respectable Physician, well known in our connexion, it is enriched with much of all that modern practice has ascertained to be valuable, and is not only incomparably superior to Buchan's, but also to every similar work in our language.'-Wesleyan Magazine. 'It will be found a very valuable acquisition' to the Family Library, and no Medicine Chest, at home or abroad, ought to be considered complete without it.'-Imperial Magazine, Published by Simpkin and Marshall, Stationers'-court, London. Sold by all Booksellers. Printed for T. Cadell; C. and J. Rivington; J. Cuthell; J. Nunn; Longman, Rees, and Co.; J. and W. T. Clarke; J. and A. Arch; J. Richardson; J. M. Richardsun; Jeffery and Son; W. Ginger; Hatchard and Son; S. Bagster; R. Scholey; Bald. win and Cradock; J. Bohn; W. Joy; Hamilton, Adams, and Marshall Parbury, Allen, and Co.: Saunders and Hodgson; Lloyd and Son; J. A. Hessey; T. Holdsworth; T. Bumpus: Black, Young, and Young; W. J. and J. Maynard; Whitmore and Fenn; J. Bain; R. Templeman; J. Wicksteed; H. Steel; W. H. Ainsworth; T. Griffiths; R. Mackie; J. Parker, Oxford; J. and J. Deighton, Cambridge; and A. Black, and J. Fairbairn, Edinburgh. Of whom may be had, printed uniform with Gibbon's Rome, THE WORKS OF WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D., in Eight Vols., 8vo., with Portrait and new Maps. Price 31. 48. in boards. DICTIONARY of the GAELIC LANGUAGE,-in Three Parts. Part I. A Complete Gaelic Vocabulary, with Explanations in English and Latin, Etymological Illustrations from other Languages, and Examples from the most authentic sources.-Part II. English and Gaelic.-Part III. 'Latin and Gaelic. Compiled by direction of the Highland Society of Scotland. ***This great Work has occupied the attention of a Committee of the Society since 1814, and presents not only a fully illustrated View of the Gaelic of Scotland, but surpasses, in extent, any Lexicon of the Celtic Language ever offered to the Public in this or any other country. Printed for William Blackwood, Edinburgh; and T. Cadell, Strand, London. No. 31. LITERATURE. London Literary and Critical Journal. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1828. No idea can be falser or more absurd than that contained in the celebrated lines of Gray, 13 'How many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its fragrance on the desart air,' when it is used as a lament over men of talent, whose genius has not brought them before the public; but the sentiment, whether conveyed by the above lines, or through any other medium, one so consonant with the dictates of human vanity, and in such perfect unison with the common doctrines of the world, that it can hardly fail to lay strong hold of minds untutored in a better philosophy. It has therefore become a received maxim, that the higher powers of mind are bestowed in vain, when they shed no visible lustre on the name of him who enjoys them, and that truly are they the children of misfortune, who have a noble comprehension of the beauty of nature, or the glories of universal truth, but who have not, at the same time, the homage of the public. The fallacy of this opinion is not greater than its tendency is bad. In leading men to imagine that, to be happy, or prove the strength of their minds, they must be successful in the pursuit of fame the best and worthiest motive for the cultivation of the intellect is taken away, and supplied by one base and degrading. The acquisition of notoriety is put before the purification of the heart by the contemplation of virtue; and the praises of mankind, before the deep and holy tranquillity, or the bright and splendid visions, which knowledge bestows, when pursued for its own sake. If truth be of any real worth, they who can find it have a great and ample reward for all their labours. If imagination, in its bright and happy moods, elevates the mind above the every-day objects and cares of life, he to whom she makes her revelations may well be content with the privileges he possesses. The praises of the world may be desired and sought for; popularity may be the prize for which the hard and unceasing battle is fought; or wealth and distinction be the still more desired object: but who will doubt that an ambition of this kind is the leaven of genius; and that, in whatever proportion it mixes with the purer aspirations of the intellect, it deadens or perverts them? Were the maxim to which we are alluding founded only on the idea that all mental endowments should be made serviceable to public good, and that, therefore, they who possess them, but are not brought forward, are unfortunate, the sentiment would be a noble one, and calculated to animate men with the best and highest motives to exertion; but it is not on such a principle as this that men of talent who live in obscurity, are pitied. Fame is regarded as their birthright, and praise or riches the legal payment of every exercise of their thoughts. It is not the quantity of good they may effect in the course of their lives, but the reputation they leave behind them, that is made the measure of their fair or ill fortune. It is not asked how much brighter shone the light of happiness around them, lit up as it was by fervid thoughts and powerful feeling, but how much evil they suffered from the want of that notice in the world, which, if really necessary to the comfort of men of great minds, renders them more servile, and more the creatures of popular caprice, than any beings that exist. There is no Jesson th erefore, more important for a man of ability to learn, than the true and proper worth of his ability; the aid which it brings to insure and increase his happiness, independent of the world; the importance, in fact, of the gifts of nature unenlarged and undiminished by the casualties of fortune. Superior mental powers are conferred ve may suppose, for the purpose either of increasing the means of happiness to the individual who possesses them, or of endowing him with a power of diffusing happiness and knowledge among his fellow-beings. When the latter is the case, the faculties which enable him to embrace a wide view of things, to collect and harmonise different species of truths, or contemplate external nature with a keener gaze than others, are generally found united with those that propel the mind forward in its destined course, and give activity and hardihood to all the others. Minds of this class are formed for action. They are fitted with a complete intellectual armour for the contest. They have their portion of happiness thrown into the busy and tumultuous world, that they may, in seeking for it, make their voices heard in the defence of truth, or the enlargement of knowledge. Should they meet with repulses in all their efforts; be left to sink under a load of private ill; and, with a consciousness of power, be doomed to live a life of obscurity, their spirits may well chafe against the tyranny of circumstance, and they who have known their worth, lament over their fate. But there are other qualities of mind besides those which fit a man for the public defence of truth, or which have their proper objects in the world only; qualities of mind which may number their Possessor among the gifted ones of the earth, but tions, thoughts tuned to the measures of a pure the genuine fruits of which are happy disposiphilosophy, and the hopes and aspirations of the heart rendered more sublime and sure. Of such are the powers of the imagination, the intellectual habits which wed the mind to contemplation, and the tendencies of thought which make it find beauty and harmony in whatever part of creation becomes presented to it. There may be added to qualities like these, the endowment of a power to develope them in language; but the one may be possessed without the other, or they may be enjoyed undiminished in value or excellency, though the world should know nothing of their existence. A mind só constituted is all glorious through the bright fields of existence, and its within. It gathers its wealth in its free course strength from an aliment of unalloyed truth. Its legitimate employment is collecting the external images of a higher order of things, and comparing them in its retirement. Its happiness is in communing with universal being. To suppose that men endowed with minds of this character, must obtain public notice, or miss the great end of their creation, is obviously an absurdity. To suppose that their felicity depends upon it, is, in every way, equally so. The nearer the human mind approaches its proper perfection, and the nobler the qualities which characterise it, the more perfectly are manifested the attributes of its divine Creator; and its developed powers reflect his benevolence in all their operations. Its capabilities are an evidence of its being more perfect in its kind, than others less finely tempered; and its existence, thus endowed, thus having in itself the demonstration written of its high origin, is the primary fulfilment of its Creator's counsel. That the happiness of such minds Price 8d. is not deducible from any public reputation, is proved from the nature of the objects they are fitted to pursue. Whatever they admire or venerate is separated from the multitude, or different from the things sought for by men of an opposite character. A light is upon their paths, which shows them nature under a brighter aspect. Their hearts are warmed by passions deeper and intenser than other men's, because their eyes are fixed on lovelier or more brilliant forms; and their fancies create a world of their own, because they look for more fragrant flowers, and a sweeter music, than they meet with in this. To insure their happiness, therefore, it is not publicity or praise that is to be obtained, but the more tranquil enjoyment of intellectual pleasure, and the possession of objects which may harmonise with or assist the creations of their mind. The moment popularity becomes their ruling passion, they have turned, from the glowing prospects and happy valleys of fairy-land, to pursue the track of a sterile desert. They no longer love truth for its own sake, or worship at the shrine of an eternal and unchanging beauty with the delight of faithful votaries. Their spirits may be as strong, their hearts as quick and throbbing; but there is a cloud upon the one, and deceit in the other. They have lost the true secret of their happiness and greatness. The glorious gifts with which they have been enriched from heaven, are become to them of less value than the stray favours of mankind. They were made more independent of fortune than all the other inhabitants of the world; more free, because of nobler natures; and they bow themselves, in the darkest error of selfishness, as the subjects of popular taste. which may not be traced to an over-eager desire There are few vices in the literary character for general reputation. But, however differently it may act, in this respect, on minds differently circumstanced, its influence, in diminishing the happiness which is proper to their nature, is universal. By making popularity the aim of their existence, the good which belongs to all men of enlarged minds, or possessing any particular endowment, is obtained only by a few, and then not pure and unmixed. One or two disappointed hopes, or baffled efforts at obtaining notice, poi son the whole cup of life. The unsuccessful candidate for fame is regarded with a species of consuperior to in intellect; and he himself turns in tempt by his associates, whom he is, perhaps, very disgust from the exercise of powers, which, if kept to their proper objects, the enlargement of his views, and the ameliorating of his heart, might have ensured him a happiness deep, permanent, and satisfying. Literary ambition, therefore, unless purified of its evil qualities, by being united with a more than ordinary degree of high morality, is prejudicial to the finest intellects. It is, however, in reference to those who have not originally any strong desire for publicity, or who have been regarded as unfortunate for the want of fame, that our observations have been made. Were we to be able, at one glance, to estimate the greatness or dignity of men's minds, we should, it is certain, find many in obscurity deserving of honour; many without either popularity or wealth capable of enjoying thought in its highest moods. In all that they might benefit the world by their being brought before the public, there is an argument in favour of their popularity; but, in every point which re gards their felicity, or the enlargement and nobleness of their intellect, there is one against it. He whose heart is warmed with the love of the great and the beautiful, who is the devoted scholar of truth, the delighted votary of nature in all her paths, has sufficient employment for his mind, and happiness enough for life. Let him be brought into public notice can he see nature with a lighter heart, or pursue truth with a freer step? The proper office for patronage in such a case, if patronage be wanted, is, to aid the development of whatever is noblest in the intellect, and to enlarge its comprehension of truth, that it may be loved with more ardour, and sought for with more confidence. : REVIEWS OF BOOKS. GREEK HISTORIANS. Scriptorum Veterum Nova Collectio, è Vaticanis Codicibus edita, &c. Pp. 716. Rome, 1828. THE following account of the New Texts of Greek Historians, discovered in the Vatican, appeared, we understand, in some French literary journal a few days ago. It is of great interest to the classical scholar: we therefore give it as we received it. Knowing the source whence it comes, we can answer for its authenticity. To the indefatigable Mr. Mai are we indebted for having extracted, from the dust of the Palimpsestes, these new texts. These manuscripts upon parchment, which were rubbed out many centuries ago, for the purpose of receiving new writing, have not yet restored to us all the treasures of the ancient manuscripts. Mr. Mai, celebrated for many years as a decipherer of these Palimpsestes, has already published a great many works of this kind, which have enriched, to a high degree, the editions of Cicero, Plautus, Symmachus, Fronton, and Marcus Aurelius. The gentleman we speak of is the Prefect of the Library of the Vatican, and, in 1825, he commenced publishing a collection, in quarto, of Greek works hitherto unknown to the world, and extracted from the MSS. confided to his care. The first volume consists of different productions by ecclesiastical authors, among which are several by Eusebius and of Photius. There is only one profane work in the collection, namely, a reply from the rhetorician Aristides to a speech of Demosthenes. This volume, although interesting in elucidating sacred history, could not, of necessity, excite the same feelings of curiosity as the second volume which has just appeared, and, being extracted almost entirely from the Palimpsestes consists only of profane authors. These pieces, which were announced since 1820, are principally taken from the immense collection of Constantine Porphyrogenitus. In the tenth century, a period of profound ignorance in the whole of the Western Empire, this Greek emperor, a protector of letters, but not a very skilful one, caused a number of compilers, under the superintendance of a person named Theodosius, to make methodical extracts from the historians which were arranged under different titles, and formed fifty-three sections, of which a few have been preserved. Two were already known; that of The Embassies,' and that of Virtues and Vices.' Mr. Mai now publishes a third, The Sentences,' which will not prove of less utility than the two others, and will enrich the annals of antiquity with several unknown facts. Every body will now concur in this opinion; viz., that the Byzantian Emperor, instead of thus mutilating the monuments of history, would have acted much better by employing his money and zeal in multiplying entire copies, which might❘ have been distributed among the libraries of the empire. Since the invention of printing, the best works may be abridged; but, until that period, all curtailing was injurious: thus a part of Athenæus has been lost, and the AbbreviatorJustin has caused he large work of Trogue-Pompey to be forgotten. However, let us not accuse the weak and unfortunate heir of Constantine; his intention was good, and, although he carried it into effect with little judgment, much honour is due to him for having, in the midst of the corruptions and crimes of the Court of Byzantium, endeavoured to afford instruction to his subjects. Above all, we should be thankful to him for having ordered, that, in The Historical Cyclopedia,' the text of the original authors should be respected, and that extracts should be made without altering them. The title of Sentenees' is not very favourable o the reputation of inferior historians. Diodorus Siculus has never been considered a profound writer; but the hundred and more pages that are to be found in this collection, contain many new circumstances, principally relating to the Gracchi, to the civil war, aud other periods of the Roman history, concerning which Titus Livy leaves us quite in the dark. Dionysius of Halicarnassus, to whose works Mr. Mai had added, in 1816, most precious supplements, extracted from the manuscripts of the Ambrosian Library of Milan, is also not remarkable for correct ideas or powers of criticism; but these extracts, although not so numerous as those from Diodorus, will afford much interest in consequence of the difference in his narration with Titus Livy; and besides, we are of opinion, reading them for the first time, that they are more concise and less absurd than those parts already known of his Antiquities.' By these discoveries Dion Cassius, as an historian, will not be a gainer in the opinion of the literati, either for the eloquence of his harangues, or for the interest and impartiality of his narrative. But we now speak of his eloquence; and the following speech, which he attributes to Curtius before he precipitated himself into the abyss which the Oracle had ordered that the most precious object on the earth should be thrown into, is highly curious: Romans,' says the Curtius of Dion, why do you hesitate in discovering the intention of the Gods? Us they demand, us you must sacrifice. There is no mortal being better or stronger than man. We alone raise our heads towards heaven, alone we communicate with the Gods; and it is on that account that our statutes and our pictures represent them after our image. If I dare express myself with more boldness, man is a god clothed with a mortal body, and a god is only a man without a body; thence his immortality. As to the strength of man, can you call it in question? He surpasses all animals by his speed, or by his cunning; in the water, in the air, every thing yields to him; for he overtakes the fish in the water without seeing them, and the birds in the air without pursuing them. Who would not prefer dying by a single blow than by a dropsy, consumption, or hunger? I will gloriously die for the public safety,' &c. &c. by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, even when this This singular speech, which cannot be equalled rhetorician entirely forgets that he is making Romans speak in person, is not extracted from the monk named Flanude, and discovered in the Palimpsestes, but from a collection edited by a Vatican. Whatever may be the merits of Dion Cassius, it is much to be regretted that Mr. Sturz, who has just published at Leipsig, a new edition of this author, was not able to add to the fragments of Mozelli this more recent matter. M. Boissonade, when he published in 1822 his edition of Eunapius, would have enhanced the value of his work, had he been able to add to it the valuable extracts from history, by this ancient and excellent author, generally but little known. There are several pieces more or less interesting for different historical epochs, such as of Appian, who unfortunately only receives the addition of one page of Dexippus, who lived in the time of Claudius the Goth, of Menander, the annalist, whom the ignorant have mistaken for the poet, &c. To these may be added some parts of an anonymous work upon politics, a speech of Nicephorus Blemmydas, on the duties of a king, and three pages of the novel of Jamblicus, which was only known to us by the analysis of Photius. But what will appear more precious than these remains of the Lower Empire are numerous quotations from the ancient poets of Athens, Solon, Euripides and Philemon, several oracles in verse, particularly in Diodorus, and other authentic produetions of the best times of Grecian history. The author who gains the most in this fortunate discovery, is Polybius. We only possessed the first five books of The Universal History of his Time,' rather long fragments to the seventeenth, the ancient extracts of Constantine for these books and the twenty-three others. The new extracts, which here fill nearly a hundred pages, extend from the sixth book to the thirtieth. Those which follow most regularly belong to the twelfth book. We ought to rejoice in now being better acquainted with the son of Lycortas, the pupil of Philopemen,-him, who, after having in his youth borne in his arms the funereal urn containing the ashes of this hero, became the friend and counsellor of the second Scipio, accompanied him to the walls of Carthage and out of gratitude, became the historian of the Roman victories. his All persons of taste have long since appreciated grave and simple style, his chronological exactness, the positive notions he had acquired in geography by his long travels, and, above all, the importance of his descriptions relating to the deand secrets of Roman tactics. It is now better known what a tender recollection he always retained towards his first benefactor, Philopemen; and it will be more regretted that the life he wrote of this virtuous defender of liberty should be lost. Plutarch, it is true, gives us a slight idea of him, but, if the following entirely new narrative be compared with that of Plutarch, it will soon be perceived how far the imitation was from representing, in a worthy manner, great and incorruptible virtue, that neither honours nor presents can seduce, and the religious fear it inspires, even in those who endeavour to triumph over it. 'The Lacedæmonians,' says Polybius, in his severe and sometimes harsh style, were deliberating who should be sent from among them to bear a golden crown to Philopemen; and, although such lucrative employments, as procure powerful friends are genethis commission. At length, they elected, by a marally sought after, no one presented himself to execute jority of votes, Timolaus, who was attached to him from motives of hospitality and friendship. Twice he came to seek him at Megalopolis, and neither times did he venture to acknowledge the reason of his visit. The third time he made a strong effort, and had the Contrary to his expectations, he observed that Philocourage to speak of the present of the Lacedæmonians. began to congratulate himself in his success. Philopepemen listened to him with mildness, and he already men told him that he would proceed, in a few days, to Lacedæmon, and that he intended to thank the chiefs of the Government. He arrived, and was introduced before the Senate. "For a long time," said he, 'I have known your kindness towards me, and you now offer me a new testimony of it. I will tell you the reason which prevents my accepting your present. Such they would soil with an indelible stain; give them to crowns should not be given to friends whose brow your enemies. A friend, if he remain free and pure, lows himself to be entrapped by this present, either will have more power to defend you; if an enemy alhe will speak in your favour, or will serve you by his silence.' Many of these hitherto unpublished pages of Polybius possess a two-fold interest, as, besides the merit of novelty, they have that of making us know, either by opinions or quotations, some other writers whose works are lost. It was well known that Polybius had spoken in severe terms against the historian Timeus, but we now see this criticism strengthened by a great number of arguments and details, which clearly point out to us the character of both historians. It was also known, that Demetrius, the Phalerian, had written a treatise on Fortune,' but nothing remained of it. Polybius quotes a remarkable passage, and the application he had made of it appeared so correct to the ancients, that Diodorus, whose plagiarisms are not often so judicious, not content with transcribing, in one of the new parts of his text, the same passage of |