churchmen, and the views of the writer, if one may judge from the specimen published, well deserve careful consideration.

Sermons preached at the British Episcopal Church, Rotterdam. By the Rev. C. R. Muston, M.A., Assistant Chaplain, and Author of "Recognition in the World to Come." London: Hatchard. pp. 503. 8vo.

THIS is a volume of well-written serious discourses, by an able man, upon such subjects as a right-minded person would wish to see most frequently brought forward in the pulpit: The Believer's Delight in God's Word-the Love of God-Christian Humility-Self-Examination—the Love of Christ for his Disciples, and the like.

Perhaps they may strike some persons as too oratorical in their structure; and it may seem that the thoughts would be more effective if they were exhibited in a somewhat closer dress; but the book may nevertheless well answer the purpose which the author had in view, and be "amongst the instruments and agencies brought successfully to bear upon the great cause of religion," and there is something in its tone and character which leads one cordially to wish it success.

Meetings for Amusing Knowledge; or, the Happy Valley. By Miss H. J. Wood. Second Edition. Effingham Wilson. pp. 318.

A LITTLE Omnium gatherum of small information about conchology, history, and a variety of other matters, interspersed with a medley between religious reflections and recommendations of Miss Martineau's political economy, and ending with a little metaphysics and a few anti-bigotry cautions.

The Wesleyans Vindicated from the Calumnies contained in a Pamphlet entitled "The Church of England compared with Wesleyan Methodism," and recommended by the British Magazine to the Clergy and Laity of England for general distribution, in a Dialogue between a Churchman and a Methodist. London: Mason, City Road. 1837. THIS is a very angry pamphlet. It complains of great misrepresentations in the little tract referred to in its title. It accuses the author of bringing forward opinions as those of Wesley which he afterwards disclaimed, and taking the account of his opinions from his enemies, e. g., Mr. Hampson, instead of from his own works. To the reviewer it appears that it would be so difficult to ascertain exactly what opinions may, without hesitation and authoritatively, be ascribed to Wesley, without giving rise to some such charge from other parts of his works, that he must leave the author of the first pamphlet to contend this point with the author of the second. But, as the British Magazine is dragged into the contest, one word must be added on that head. A writer who complains so bitterly of misrepresentation should not deface even his own title page with what must be called a gross mis

representation. It is said that the little tract was "recommended by the British Magazine to the clergy and laity for general distribution.' The Magazine used the following phrase:-" Is recommended to the attentive consideration of the clergy and laity where this form of dissent prevails." The difference, one would think, is obvious to a child; but the latter phrase (which is quoted in the pamphlet) certainly would not tell so well on a title page. Whether it was right to change it, is another question.

MR. BELL'S "History of British Quadrupeds" is proceeding with its usual beauty of engraving and merit of composition.

It is matter of real satisfaction that so valuable a book as "The Voluntary System" has now been published in a more permanent form, in which it cannot be doubtful that it will long continue to do good service to the church. It was remarked, not long ago, that the dissenters had entirely abstained from comment upon it; the fact is, they know perfectly well that it is written by one who is intimately acquainted with all their proceedings, who knows where to look for information, and by means of it condemns them out of their own mouth, and yet, entirely abstains from hard words or harsh reflections. They therefore do wisely in being silent where they know that they have no answer, and have no fair ground for complaint or abuse. One of the extraordinary facts which it mentions cannot be made known too widely. The Mr. East, a dissenting minister of Birmingham, who made himself conspicuous by some abusive letters to Sir R. Peel, a year or two ago, makes the following extraordinary statement with respect to one of his own begging expeditions for raising money towards building a chapel :-"I have lately looked over my list of London contributors, and out of more than eight hundred I can select ONE HUNDRED PROFESSED INFIDELS, who contributed either under the influence of persuasion, OR FROM A DESIRE TO SUPPORT THE Progress of dissent." May one venture to ask the same sagacious hand which has given the text, to supply the comment? Will Mr. East, in short, explain why infidels wish for the progress of dissent, or shall it be done for him here?

MISCELLANEA.

EXETER DIOCESAN CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY.

A MEETING has taken place within the last month at Exeter, for the purpose of forming a Diocesan Church-building Society, which must give the most sincere and heartfelt joy to every friend of the Church. It is not the amount of the subscriptions, munificent as they must have been, (for they amounted to about 5000l.,) but the zeal and the spirit that were displayed at this meeting, which give it its most cheering aspect. The speeches of the Rev. George Hole, and of T. D. Acland, Esq., in particular, have caused a great sensation throughout the west of England.

Again, while this Magazine declines entering into politics, yet, in our present condition, where the questions which affect the state are those which

most nearly concern the church, it is impossible not to notice the strong displays of attachment to the church which have been given at Conservative meetings, especially at those of Bath and Durham. In the former, the speech of the Rev. R. D. Willis appears to have given the very highest satisfaction to all who had the advantage of hearing it. In the latter, it is enough to say, that Mr. Townsend addressed the meeting, to make it evident that there was no lack of eloquence of the most energetic and glowing character.

PROJECTED CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY FOR THE DIOCESE

OF WINCHESTER.

(From the Hants Advertiser.)

THE Bishop of Winchester has sent a circular to the clergy and other friends of the church in his diocese, calling on them to second his endeavours to form a Diocesan Society, in connexion with the Incorporated Society in London, for the Enlargement and Building of Churches and Chapels. The following extracts are taken from his lordship's circular :

Since the year 1830, 33 churches have been built, providing about 15,000 additional sittings; 10 more are now in progress; and upwards of 20 have been so materially improved and enlarged as almost to deserve the name of new buildings. Besides this, additional accommodation, amounting in the aggregate to not less than 14,000 sittings, has been provided in about 130 churches in the two counties. At present, however, the work must be regarded as only in its commencement. The population of Hampshire, at the census of 1831, was 314,313; and of Surrey, exclusive of those parishes in the deanery of Southwark which border immediately on London, 144,830. In Hampshire the number of churches is 342; which would, if equally distributed, afford sittings for rather more than one-third of the population. In Surrey there are 128 churches; which, on the same arrangement, would provide accommodation for rather less than one-third of the inhabitants. The following table will exhibit these details in a clearer form :

The following table shews the necessities created by inconvenient location of churches :

Total number of Hamlets or Districts distant from two
to six miles from church

With a Population of 200, and under 300

60

6

The Bishop considers two-thirds as the usual calculation, but it appears to the

writer that this is beyond what is necessary.

MISCELLANEA.

MEMBER OF A BOARD OF GUARDIANS' LETTER.

THE Conductors of this work have never refused any gentleman the opportunity of gratifying his political, party, or personal feelings, against themselves or the Magazine, when any remarks of their own gave him a fortunate opportunity; but surely a member of a board of guardians' cannot expect them to print a long letter attacking them as the authors of an extract from a newspaper which is actually HEADED "from the Cambridge Chronicle," and does not contain one single line of comment of any sort or kind on their part. His arguments, however, shall be stated, though his letter is not given. First of all it is quite clear, that as the editor of the British Magazine' wrote this abominable article, (it being a reprint from a newspaper,) and devised, of his own proper will and malice, all its evil insinuations, &c., &c., it is not only matter of suspicion, but of certainty, that all the pretences to regard for religion in this journal are nothing at all but party!

Next, it is quite clear that all the outcry raised by the conductors of this Magazine (i.e., the editor of the "Cambridge Chronicle") against the allowance given to chaplains of workhouses is mere hypocrisy, as this Magazine would unquestionably be the very first to raise an outcry against any one who said that the paying curates so little was wrong. [This gentleman never inquires how much the livings were in these extreme cases to which he alludes. The only case of which the writer remembers to have had personal knowledge was one where an incumbent, at the age of seventy-two or seventy-three, and with a living of 170l. per annum, became incapable of doing his duty, and paid only 40l. to a curate. Would this merciful gentleman have required him, with the sufferings of old age requiring more comforts instead of less, to have paid 1007., or, perhaps, to have given up his whole living to the curate?] Nay, more, ten years ago a fearful outcry was actually raised against a body of clergy who combined to get higher salaries for curates. [Whether the guardian, on the plan of the well-known fable, means to charge the poor Magazine with sins committed five years before its birth, is not quite clear; but what can the mention of this outcry mean if it does not mean this?] On the whole, it is quite clear that this clamour against the allowance to chaplains, devised by the proper malice and wickedness of the British Magazine,' is a mere party attack on the plans of the present government!

With respect to this last observation, as the guardian states that he has been carefully examining the pages of this Magazine, he knows perfectly well that he is stating what every one of those pages prove to be false. The person who has been principally concerned in managing this work, has never in private concealed his political opinions, and was never ashamed of them. He has as much right to hold Tory principles as this guardian has to hold Whig or Radical principles, and certainly has not thought his own one whit the worse since they have been out of fashion; but this Magazine has NEVER been made a party engine. The conduct of government has never been animadverted on, except as far as church matters went, and then very sparingly. If this guardian really had examined the pages of the Magazine with an honest eye, he would have seen this, and more especially in the course of last session. If facts have been stated not favourable to his friends the ministers, really that cannot be helped; but it was thought a matter of both principle and expediency, not to make a church journal a political party journal.

It is rather curious to observe with what great facility writers like this guardian make assumptions. For example, he calmly states that this Magazine is avowedly the organ of the most orthodox part of the church. What sense does he give to these words? Ten times over this Magazine has disclaimed being the organ of any party. It was a private enterprise, without any public support, without any party support, nay, without the support or sanction of a single individual beyond the publishers and editor. Thus it established its circulation, and thus it has remained. It has never been in the hands of any individual or party, nor has one farthing of money except the

publishers' own ever been advanced for it. Whatever support has been given to it by letters or information, has been given voluntarily, or from private friendship; and down to the present hour it receives such aid from members of both parties. The guardian, therefore, is guilty of an entire departure from truth, in saying that it is avowedly the organ of any party, as far as any act on part of its publishers or conductors is concerned. Will he then go to the other horn of the dilemma, and point out any act of what he calls the orthodox party, or of any members of it avowing this Magazine to be their organ? Or what does he imagine is the meaning of avowedly and organ? Does he by chance not know the meaning of these words? More has been said on this subject than the letter which gives rise to it is worth, because common feelings of honour must prevent any persons from allowing themselves to be reckoned the organs of a party when that party has never made them so, and they have never pretended to be so. What the principles and what the practice of this work are, may indeed be tolerably well known after it has gone on for five years; but it could not have gone on for five years, or for one, if the conductor had felt himself tied down to utter the opinions of any party, or of any individual in any station whatever. It is only a duty to say that no party, and no individuals whatever, of any kind, rank, or degree, ever have had, or have wished to have, any influence, check, or control, directly or indirectly, over the Magazine. For private advice from friends the conductors have ever been, and ever will be, grateful; and they can say very truly, that whenever they have spoken offensive truths, they who think rebukes wholesome have never been sparing in administering the dose.

One word on the real subject of the letter, the bad payment to chaplains. The guardian's solitary argument for it (indeed he says he does not approve of it) is, that it is not done from personal motives, for that the guardians would not pay the salary out of their own pockets. Does he really think that that proves that they do not act from personal motives? In the first place, they share in the benefit of all the reductions; in the next place, it becomes a sort of fight which union can save most; and then, if radicals and dissenters form a large part of the guardians, other guardians may often wish to get hold of them from party feelings or objects; and, if there are Whig guardians, it is of course a great object with them to make what they consider (like this guardian) one of the great glories of the present government work as effectually as possible. Certain it is, that in more printed cases than one the great boast has been that so much is saved-whether rightly or not is not discussed. Rem quocunque modo. For the law itself, notwithstanding all the dreadful imputations of party and want of religion, &c., &c., the writer of these lines must say, that he thinks it a great deal too harsh, and a great deal too sudden in its operation. With more time given, and considerable modifications of its rigours to the old and to those who are willing to work, it might have been very salutary. What it will be remains to be seen. If its authors think that that is yet settled, they are very seriously mistaken; they have just had a very narrow escape, and several years must pass before the result of the experiment can be known.

DOCUMENTS.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF CANTERBURY TO HIS MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED ΤΟ CONSIDER THE STATE OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH, WITH REFERENCE TO ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES AND REVENUES.

WHEN We assembled in chapter at the November Audit, 1835, a claim for moneys accruing to the prebend that had become vacant in our church, by the decease of Earl Nelson, was tendered to us by the treasurer of Queen Anne's