Next, let us hear what is said of the education and consequent qualifications of our clergy.

"In the Church of England there are really scarcely any public provisions for theological education for the ministry. In each of the universities there are only two professors of divinity. Their duties are confined to delivering, at stated times, a few lectures on divinity to the university students; but they have not the especial charge of the candidates for orders, who are left to study when and where and how they please. Almost immediately on graduating, they may apply for orders, with no other theological knowledge than what was obtained in the general course of religious studies in the college of which they

have been members.

"In the American Episcopal Church, a Theological Seminary, under the authority and controul of the whole church, is estabished, embracing, under six professorships, a course of theological study of three years, in which, for nine months every year, the students are daily examined

learning, though sometimes exerted in defence of opposite points of classical or theological speculation, are so great an honour to the church-to the Bishop of Durham (Dr. Barrington), who, in a long life, has munificently applied his patronage to the most useful and benevolent purposes-to the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (Dr. Ryder), whose exemplary piety and episcopal activity are so generally acknowledged-and especially to the recently appointed Bishop of Chester (Dr. Bloomfield), who, distinguished by the highest classical reputation, promises, promises, in his theological and episcopal career, to attain the most elevated station of honour and of usefulness. From these, and from some other bishops, especially the excellent, and learned, and active Bishop of Limerick (Dr. Jebb), I received, as far as opportunity offered, the kindest attentions. And I hope I shall be pardoned for this public acknowledgment of them; particularly as my further object is to remark, in reference to the sentiment expressed in the discourse, that eminently, most eminently, worthy as those prelates are of their exalted station, it may be doubted whether, if they had not been of noble birth or alliance, or possessed, from their connexion as tutors with noble families, or from other cause, of what is called interest, they would have filled the high stations which they now adorn. The same remark will apply generally to other cases of court patronage. And the evil is, the exclusion sometimes of superior merit, in consequence of the want of interest; and sometimes the advancement of those who have little of any other pretensions than the possession of this interest." pp. 22, 23.

by the professors on the subjects of their respective departments.

"Must not every friend to the Church of England most ardently desire, that, in the universities, distinct and full provision, similar to that above named, should be made for theological education? And could there be a better plan than that of divinity colleges, where the graduates of the other colleges could pursue their theological studies under suitable professors and tutors? What an incalculable effect would such institutions produce in raising the tone of theological and practical qualifications for the ministry, and in counteracting the superficial and secular views with which that holy function is now too often regarded! A church of such wealth and influence as the Church of England, has only to say this_must_be done, and it would be done. But, alas! the Church of England cannot speak nor act. There is no community of authoritative acts, as in the American Church, between the bishops, none between them and the clergy and the laity. No general convention of the bishops and the representatives of the clergy and laity, superintends and regulates her concerns. pp. 31, 32.

Lest

any

reader should

un

zea

charitably imagine that our lous author's preference for the ante-Constantine aspect of Christianity, and his ascription of acidity to the rich ecclesiastical clusters of the old church-and-state episcopal establishments of Europe, covers a latent wish for a similar vintage of wealth and honours nearer home, we think it right to insert the following disclaimer.

"We want not the wealth, the honours, or the establishment of the Church of England. With the union of church and state commenced the great corruptions of Christianity. And so firmly persuaded am I of the deleterious effects of this union, that, if I must choose the one or the other, I would take the persecution of the state rather than her favour, her frowns rather than her smiles, her repulses rather than her embraces. It is the eminent privilege of our church, that, evangelical in her doctrines and her worship, and apostolie in her ministry, she stands as the primitive church did, before the first Christian emperor loaded her with the honours that proved more injurious to her than the relentless persecution of his imperial predecessors. In this enviable land of religious freedom, our church, in common with every other religious denomination, asks nothing from the state, but that which she does not

fear will ever be denied her-protection, equal and impartial protection." pp. 36, 37. We are glad, however, to perceive, that hope at least is left us at the bottom of this Pandorean box of evils; for the Right Reverend author considers that

"Many of the abuses to which secular interest and views have subjected the Church of England, and many even of the original defects of her constitution, might be, and may we not hope will be, corrected and remedied by the gradual but powerful influence of public opinion. And it therefore is a high act of duty and of friendship to that church, to direct the public attention to those abuses and defects.' pp. 35, 36.

If

We here finish our extracts. any of our readers should think we have skimmed over the matters contained in them, in too easy a vein, we can assure them it has been with no cheerful heart. It would be both folly and insincerity to say that there is not too much of substantial truth in many of Bishop Hobart's friendly charges; for friendly we believe them to be, in intention, however harshly they may sound in the ears of those whose reformation he seeks by his honest reprehension. At the same time there are many modifications and counter-statements, which, in justice to our own church and country, ought to be taken into consideration. We need go further, for example, than his sweeping objection to all state pro

no

vision for a church-establishment (so at least we understand him to mean), to prove that he has at least adopted a hazardous opinion. Confining our view to our own country, we may remark, that not less in the Presbyterian, than in the Episcopalian division of our island, has the importance of a church establishment been generally recognized, and warmly advocated. No persons among us, but professed "dissenters upon principle," deny the general expediency and value of a civil provision for the religious instruction of the people; though many of all denominations of Christians, including

some of our most zealous Episcopalians, lament, as greatly as can Bishop Hobart himself, the evils ecclesiastical concerns from state which are ever too apt to arise in patronage and interference.

But without entering at present upon the defence of those of our institutions which are defensible, or the extenuation of those evils, the substantial existence of which cannot be denied, we shall best study our own improvement by learning useful lessons instead of retorting either charges or arguments. Even if Bishop Hobart is an enemy, as some of his former friends begin to consider him, it is not unlawful to learn from a hostile quarter; and if, as we sincerely believe, he means us well, it is doubly incumbent on us to weigh with seriousness the grave objections which he urges against our system. No church is too pure in its principles, or too immaculate in its practice, to soar beThe Church of England, at least, yond the possibility of improvement. will not affect to be elevated to so giddy an eminence. Let then our ultra-high-church and ultra-orthodox friends reprobate, if they will, either the conduct or the motives but let them not refuse to profit by of our Right Reverend castigator; his reprehensions, so far at least as false, what is matter of fact and to inquire what is true and what is what the prejudices of a foreigner referred so zealously to Dr. Hobart's and republican. Surely those who opinion respecting the Bible Society, and certain of our intestine controversies, ought to be the last to refuse to listen to him when he offers his advice respecting other matters which involve the best interests of our church and country *.

• We scarcely know how to account for our author's not having devoted a stinging paragraph to our ecclesiastical pluralities. These we believe to be perhaps the most serious evil with which our church has to contend. Abolish pluralities, and non-residence (as a system) would fall with them. Every parish in which a clergyman

As a man of learning, talent, and diligent observation, and as a member and prelate of a sister, or rather

could be properly maintained would-possess the blessing of a resident incumbent ; and means would from time to time be readily found, either by the junction of small contiguous parishes or by public or private endowments, to raise the emoluments of the poorer livings to such a sum as might be a suitable provision for a respectable clergyman. We should thus, indeed, in future years, after the present

daughter, church, he deserves, at least, that we should deign to peruse what he has printed and published for our benefit, if it be only to shew that his strictures are unfounded, and to wrap around us more tightly than before the vesture of our unspotted dignity.

holders had died off, miss a few hundred wealthy pluralists, but we should be equally rid of as many thousands of half-starved curates, whose place would be occupied by a race of fairly paid resident incumbents.

GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication :-Memoirs of the Court of Queen Anne; by a Lady; A work on the same subject; by Mr. Roscoe ;-History of the Reign of Henry VIII.; by Mr. S. Turner; History of France; by Mr. Hawkesworth;-A Vindication of his History of England; by Dr. Lingard; The Letters, Memoirs, &c. of General Wolfe;-Life of Napo leon; by Sir Walter Scott; in six volumes.

In the press: A Memoir of Miss F. A. Bell; by the Rev. Johnson Grant, M.A.-A Translation from the German, of a Work by Sturm, hitherto unknown in this country, entitled "Contemplations on the Sufferings of Jesus Christ;" by Mr. Johnson; Time's Telescope, for 1827;-A Sequel to the Diversions of Purley containing an Essay on English Verbs, &c.; by John Barclay.

An alteration has been made in the regulations of the College of Surgeons, by which the monopoly of teaching the art of Surgery is abolished, and attendance in large provincial hospitals admitted as a qualification, under certain regulations. No person under twenty-two years of age is to be admitted as a member. The only schools of anatomy and Surgery recognized by the Court are, London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen; but the Examiners will receive as testimonials of education certificates of attendance on provincial hospitals, containing one hundred patients; provided a student shall have previously at

tended two courses of anatomical lectures, and two courses of dissections, in any of the recognized schools of anatomy. But the Court require that the term of attendance on such provincial hospitals shall be of twice the duration of that required at hospitals in any of the recognized schools of anatomy.

The crown lately issued a commission fór inquiring into the system of education in the universities of Scotland. The commission has commenced its investigations.

The new London bridge is proceeding with rapidity. The contractors are to complete it before March 1830, for the sum of 468,000. The middle arch of the bridge will be 150 feet in span, and 37 feet rise. The carriage-road over the bridge is to be thirty-six feet wide, and the footpaths are each to be of the width of nine feet. The centres for the second arch are nearly finished.

It is calculated that the joint-stock schemes projected during the last two years, amounted in number to two hundred and forty-three; that the capital proposed to be subscribed on them, was 248,000,000%; and that the amount actually paid was forty-three millions.

From some late experiments on the adhesion of glue, by Mr. Bevan, it appears that a force of 715 lbs. was required to separate two surfaces of dry ash-wood of one inch in diameter. In two pieces of soft deal, well glued together, the wood yields in its substance before the glue. FRANCE.

The Baron Silvestre de Sacy lately

read before the Asiatic Society of Paris a brief memoir on the utility of the study of Arabic poetry, in which, after stating other advantages, he adds:

"I ought not to forget a very useful purpose to which Arabic poetry can be applied; I mean the light which it diffuses upon another poesy, Divine in its source, and sublime as the Heaven from whence it derives its origin, but human as far as regards its design, since it is consecrated to our instruction, to the reformation of our manners, and to the elevation of our souls towards our common Author; since it is intended to inspire us with fear of his judgments, gratitude for his favours, and confidence in his paternal goodness; since, in short, it is meant to triumph, by means of holy and elevated feelings, over the deceitful charms of pleasure, the seductive illusions of pride, and the combined efforts of a wandering mind and a corrupt heart. If the study of the antique Arabic poetry can assist us, as there can be no doubt it may, in penetrating deeply into the sanctuary of the poesy of ancient Sion; if, with its aid, we can dispel any of the obscurities which impair the effect of the sublime songs of Isaiah, the eloquent lamentations of Jeremiah, the energetic and terrific pictures of Ezekiel, the bitter groans and keen expression of the tried innocence of Job, and the varied accents, always dignified and always affecting, which issue from the lyre of David; will it still be said that we should regret the efforts expended for the purpose of acquiring knowledge from whence such results can be obtained?"

At a late meeting of the Philomathic Society of Paris, M. Becquerel produced a stone possessed of very singular properties. It was a species of chalk, and was sent by M. Leman from Siberia,

where it was met with in some granite rocks. This stone, when placed in the dark, exhibits a phosphoric light, which increases with the temperature. In boiling water, M. Becquerel found that it became so bright that he could distinguish printed characters close to the transparent vessel which contained it. In boiling oil, the effect was still further augmented; and in boiling mercury, it cast a light so brilliant that he could read at the distance of five inches.

POLAND.

The Emperor Nicholas has decreed that the coin of Poland shall bear the effigies of the Emperor Alexander in future, with this inscription-" Alexander I. Emperor of Russia, restorer of the kingdom of Poland (1815);" on the other side, "Nicholas I. Emperor of all the Russias, reigning King of Poland." INDIA.

Among the ordnance captured at Bhurtpore is an iron six-pounder, with the following inscription: "Jacobus Monteith, me fecit Edinburgh, Anno Dom. 1642."

A suspension bridge has been erected over the Giri, in the lower range of the Himalaya mountains, 100 feet in the clear, and from eighty to 100 feet above the bed of the torrent. Considerable difficulty was found in sinking holes in the rocky soil for the main standards and piles; but it was overcome by the engineer, assisted most cordially by the hill chiefs, who are fully sensible of the value of such benefactions bestowed upon their country.

The East-India Company have prohibited all persons in their service from connecting themselves with any newspaper, or other periodical journal, in India, (unless devoted exclusively to literary and scientific objects,) whether as editor or sharer in the property.

Letters to a Friend, containing the Writer's Objections to his former Work: entitled "Dialogues on important Subjects;" together with his Reasons for believing in the proper Deity of the Son of God; by J. H. Evans, once a Minister of the Establishment, &c. 2s. 6d.

Sermons and Letters of the late Rev. J. Richards, with a Memoir. 7s.

The Solicitations of Moab, and other Poems. 2s.

The Institution and Observance of the Sabbath considered. 12mo. 2s. 6d.

Biblical Researches and Travels in

Russia; including a Tour in the Crimea and the Passage of the Caucasus, &c.; by E. Henderson. 8vo. 6s.

The Principles of the One Faith. By G. G. Bennis. 12mo. 2s.

A Summary of Christian Instruction; by the Rev. Wm. Andrew, M.A. 8vo. 9s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Historical Defence of the Waldenses; by J. R. Peyran; with Introduction and Appendixes; by the Rev. T. Sims. 1 vol. 8vo. 15s.

Memoir of the Life and Writings of Lindley Murray; written by himself; with a Preface and Continuation; by Elizabeth Frank. 1 vol. 8vo. 9s.

History of the Inquisition of Spain, abridged and translated from the original of D. Llorente, formerly Secretary of the Inquisition. 15s.

The Christian and Civic Economy of Large Towns; by the Rev. T. Chalmers, D.D. Vol. III. 9s.

The Hecuba of Euripides, with English Notes; by the Rev. J. R. Major. 5s. Historical Account of the Palace and Chapel Royal of Holyrood House; with Engravings; by J. Johnstone. 8vo. 6s.

The History of Scotland, from the earliest Period, to the Middle of the Ninth Century; by the Rev. Alexander Low, A.M. 8vo. 12s. 6d.

Topographical Sketches of North Wiltshire; by J. Britton, F.S.A. &c. 8vo. 17. 11s. 6d.

The History and Antiquities, &c. of Ludlow; by T. Wright. 12mo. 4s. 6d. Coin and Currency; by Sir James Graham, Bart. M.P. 4s. 6d.

NAVAL AND MILITARY BIBLE

SOCIETY.

IN their last Report the Committee remark, that the efforts of the Society during the last year will be found to have been blessed with singular success; whether considered with reference to the number of copies of the Scriptures which have been distributed, - the number of new Auxiliaries which have been formed, or the accession of Naval and Military Officers as subscribers. This result is the more gratifying, as an opinion had partially prevailed that the Society was about to close its important labours.

The arrangements made for supplying every soldier with a Bible who was capable of reading it, led to an immediate demand for 7,000 copies of the Sacred Volume. This number appeared large, compared with the issues of former years; but no sooner was the demand complied with, than fresh applications were received; and the Committee have issued, through the Chaplain-general to the British Army, during the past year, the unprecedented number of 18,000 Bibles; and they have reason to believe, that such is the increasing demand in the army for the Scriptures, that nearly an equal number of copies will be called for during the present year.

The Society having determined to extend its care to the spiritual wants of all mariners afloat, as well as to the sailors and soldiers of the East-India Company, it was obvious that so large a sphere of usefulness could not be occupied, unless

the Committee adopted more efficient and comprehensive measures than had hitherto been pursued. The issue of Bibles to the army alone, had caused an immediate expense to the Society of more than 1,8001. A considerable sum is also wanted to obtain a stock of books to meet further expected demands from the ɛame quarter, independently of the resources necessarily required to supply the navy, and to occupy with effect the vast field of usefulness opened by the extension of the Society's bounty in the maritime department. The inquiries made respecting the spiritual wants of sailors on board merchant ships, shewed a greater dearth of Bibles than had been anticipated. The Committee, after considering the subject with all the attention its importance demanded, deemed it highly proper to combine their endeavours to obtain larger contributions, with another object equally essential,— namely, that of opening channels of communication with seamen at all the sea-ports and fishing towns. Auxiliary Societies have been formed at Yarmouth, Blakeney, Ipswich, Colchester, Bath, Bristol, Plymouth (including Devonport and Stonehouse), and at Torbay; besides Associa tions and Local Committees in other parts of the country. At some of these places near the sea-coast, the attraction of this Society to sailors was strikingly exemplified. At Blakeney, where no religious society had ever before been encouraged, the poor fishermen were eager to obtain Bibles; and most readily tendered their subscriptions. The two small towns