The libels charged were then read. Mr. GURNEY.-That is my case, my Lord. Mr. Justice BEST, addressing the defendant, said, that if he had any observation to offer, the time had arrived when it was competent for him to proceed with his defence. The defendant accordingly rose, and read from a written paper, the object of which was to shew to the Jury, that considerable talents, united to great legal learning, were enlisted against him. He proceeded in this line of defence for some time, and having made use of a phrase to this effect" the inflated insignificance of official power" The JUDGE said, Sir, I will not suffer that scandalous language to be applied to those in power. The defendant observed, that he must conduct his defence in his own way. The JUDGE.-Perhaps, Sir, you conceive that I have only that power which has been lately delegated to me with so much courtesy by your concession, namely, to sit here to preserve order and to record the verdict; but remember that I have not only the power of confining you, but also of punishing you by fine; and I tell you now, that I will fine you as often as you repeat such insolent remarks. The defendant. If your dungeon is ready, my Lord, suffer me to give you the key. The JUDGE.-I fine you twenty pounds for that contempt of Court. The defendant then proceeded to state the difficulty under which he was placed by his ignorance of what was meant by libel, and also to observe upon the partial course of proceeding adopted by the Society for the Suppression of Vice, who selected their victims from the lower ranks, and allowed those to escape who were of weight and significance by their rank and station in society. He then made some coarse remarks upon Christianity, and was proceeding in that course, when he was interrupted by The JUDGE.-I cannot sit here and allow the Christian religion to be reviled, and the empire of the laws to be thus wantonly insulted, without attempting at least to vindicate them. I have submitted patiently as long as your insults were confined to myself, but I will not preside here and hear the Christian religion scoffed at. I fine you for this second offence forty pounds. The defendant said that he would read the whole dialogue. The JUDGE. Certainly, if you think it material. The defendant, after reading the pamphlet in question, The Deist's Magazine, proceeded to observe, that the infidelity of the Nobility and the scepticism of the Bishops was not to be doubted. The JUDGE-You are stating what you know to be false. The Reverend Bishops are not before the Court, and I should be acting as ungenerously as you are if I suffered such language to be applied to them. I fine you for this insult forty pounds; and remember, no matter what may be the result of the present trial, these fines must be paid. The defendant said, that he was not worth ten pounds in the world; he judged from the arrangement of the libraries of those persous in which he had frequently been; and he there observed the works of Shaftesbury, Bolingbroke and Gibbon. He meant no offence to his Lordship. The JUDGE.-Your language, Sir, is too contemptible to offend me. The defendant then proceeded to read some extracts from a published work, and concluded by calling on the Jury to believe that he was actuated in the course of conduct which he had pursued, solely by a love of that truth which, however eclipsed for a season, must ultimately prevail. Mr. Justice BEST.-No man could be more convinced than he was, of the absolute necessity of preserving a calm and unruffled temper during the discussion of such a question as that which was before them; but if it be necessary for the preservation of that temper to sit there and hear the Christian religion insulted, its precepts directly and openly scoffed at, without preventing the repetition of such a course of proceeding, he confessed that he was altogether unfitted for that situation. But he hoped he should convince the defendant that his conduct would have no weight in the decision of his fate on that occasion. A Judge was placed in a delicate and difficult situation. If he committed the defendant, the Jury might say, and justly, that if the defendant had not been committed, it was possible for him to have addressed something to them that might explain or justify his conduct. And the law, wisely perceiving the difficult situation in which the Judge was placed, armed him with that other power of fining the defendant, who dared to insult the Court by insolent language, or to traduce the Ministers of the Government under which he lived, when that conduct was not in issue before them. The fines, therefore, having had the effect of preventing that deluge of blasphemy with which they were threatened, it was enough to shew the defendant that the Court possessed that power, and to add, that the fines were then remitted. learned Judge then passed on to the consideration of the question, and having replied to the various topics relied on by The the defendant, concluded by telling the Jury that it was for them to say whether the publication in question was not an attack upon the truth of the Christian religion, whether it was fair argument or scurrilous abuse: if they viewed it in that light they would find the defendant guilty; if it were possible for them to think otherwise, they would give the defendant the benefit of their doubts by an acquittal. The Jury, without leaving the box, returned a verdict of Guilty. Mr. GURNEY.-My Lord, I move that the defendant be committed. The JUDGE.-Certainly. The Judge then told the defendant that he was at liberty to put in bail, himself in £500, and two securities in 100 each, to keep the peace; and if he continued the sale of such publications as those for uttering which he had been just found guilty, the recognizances would be escheated. The King v. Jane Carlile. This was an indictment against the defendant for uttering certain blasphemous publications. Before this case was opened to the Jury, Mr. HILL, who was Counsel for Mrs. Carlile, addressed the Court upon the subject of challenging a Special Juror; the ground, however, appeared to the Court to be insufficient to warrant the challenge. Mr. GURNEY stated the case, and called Thomas Vere, who proved that he purchased the publication which he held in his hand, The Memoirs of Thomas Paine, on the 28th of January last, at the shop of Mrs. Carlile, and also The Republican in the same shop. Cross-examined by Mr. HILL.-How do you know that the shop was Mrs. Carlile's? I inquired from a young man whom I saw in the shop, who carried on the business? And he told me that it was carried on by Mrs. Carlile. Mr. HILL.-My Lord, I apprehend this is not evidence. The JUDGE.-I think it is not. Mr. GURNEY to Witness.-Have you ever seen Mrs. Carlile herself in the shop? i have, three or four times, I have been served by her. Mr. HILL.-Was it before or after you bought those books that you saw Mrs. Carlile there? Before. Wm. March, the Collector of Poor'srates for the parish of St. Dunstan, proved that the shop was occupied by Mrs. Carlile. This was Mr. GURNEY'S case. Mr. HILL addressed the Jury on the part of Mrs. Carlile, and entered very ably into her defence, not attempting to justify the course of argument or attack pursued in those publications, but endea vouring to shew, with great ability, that from the character and formation of a person's mind, what might appear absurd and incredible to one, obtained the implicit credence of another, and citing several of the divines in proof of the position, that Christianity was advanced rather than retarded in its progress by the attacks of Infidelity. The JUDGE payed a well-merited tribute of approbation to the talents of the gentleman who conducted the defendant's cause, and called upon the Jury, if they believed that the publication in question were sold under hier direction, and that they were direct attacks upon the Christian religion, they would find her guilty; if they thought otherwise, they would in such case acquit her of the charge which was preferred against her. The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty, without leaving the box. FOREIGN. FRANCE. Consecration of a Protestant place of Worship in the College Royal de Louis-le-Grand, at Paris. THE Protestants of France had long occasion to lament that their children had no means of obtaining religious instruction in the establishments for public education; and they were fully aware of the painful situation of the Protestant pupils, who were unable to frequent the temples for religious worship, whilst their Catholic companions were attending the service of the chapels belonging to those establishments. The Lyceum at Strasburg was the only institution which, from the time it was founded, possessed a Protestant preacher. The propriety, and even necessity, of allowing a similar privilege to other colleges in which there were Protestant students, was evident: several consistories and pastors-those of Paris in particular-took repeated opportunities of representing this to the competent authorities, by petitions for the establishing of Protestant worship in some of the places of education. The last appeal of this kind was a memorial presented, in 1818, to his Excellency the Minister of the Interior, by one of the pastors belonging to the church of the Augsburgh Confession, at Paris. The Consistory supported the memorial by a petition, which they considered the more likely to avail, because the Protestants of Bordeaux had just addressed to the Chamber of Deputies a petition respecting the religious instruction of Protestant pupils in establishments for public education. The subject of these numerous appeals was discussed under the former ministry, by the Protestant commission, over which the minister himself presided. In consequence of its deliberations, and according to the decision of his Excellency, the Commission of Public Instruction has began to promote the religious interests of the Protestant pupils, by granting them a chapel in the College Royal, Louis-leGrand, at Paris. The consecration of that place was performed on the 27th of July, 1820, by the Pastor, President Marron. All the pastors of the churches in Paris, the members of the Consistories, several of the deacons and assistants belonging to those bodies, were present at the ceremony, as well as the provisor, steward and visitor of the College, and the Protestant pupils, with their relations. Fervent prayers, and an affecting discourse on the words, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord, expressed the sentiments which we ought to feel on this occasion towards our Heavenly Father, who is perpetually showering down his blessings upon us, and towards the protecting Government which is daily affording us fresh proofs of its justice. The assistant Pastor, M. Monod, the younger, has undertaken to give religious instruction, on the Thursday of every week, to the Protestant pupils now in the College, Louis-le-Grand, and to conduct their worship every Sunday, until the nomination of a Protestant chaplain to perform those functions. There is no doubt that what has been done for the Collége, Louis-le-Grand, will subsequently be done for other colleges; and we trust that Protestant parents will give the preference to institutions in which so beneficial a change has been brought about, when they are selecting a place of education for their children. Public Meeting of the Consistory of the Reformed Church of Paris, July 16, 1820, at the conclusion of Divine Service in the Temple of the Rue Saint Honoré, for the reception of the Pastor Monod as a Knight of the Legion of Honour. AFTER calling upon the holy name of the Almighty, M. Marron, the President, spoke as follows: "My dear Brethren, Members of the Consistory, Elders and Deacons of this Church, "The occasion is of an interesting nature which brings you together in this public meeting. In his benevolence and justice, the King has nominated M. Monod, our dear and much-respected colleague, a Knight of the Legion of Honour. It will give you pleasure, Gentlemen, to contemplate in this nomination a fresh proof of the kind protection which his Majesty, faithful to the Charter for which we are indebted to him, grants to the Protestant worship, equally with the worship of the majority of our countrymen; a protection daily proved by such varied benefits, and claiming our liveliest gratitude to Divine Providence. Our highly-esteemed colleague has given us a precious pledge of fraternity, by requesting of the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, permission to receive his knighthood by our hand; and his Excellency has been pleased to accede to the request." Here the Pastor, M. Marron, read what related to the promotion of M. Monod; he administered to him the oath; declared him Knight of the Legion of Honour; presented him with the decoration of the order; gave him the embrace, and thus addressed him: "HONOUR AND COUNTRY. You read on your insignia the sacramental words, Honour and Country! These words do not now become sacred to you: true Honour has ever distinguished your character your Country, the idol of every good Frenchman, is also your idol. For her sake, you love the King-the father of his people; for her sake, you love the government created by the laws, and ai the head of which Providence has placed him. "All that appertains to your country, all that is connected with the person of its illustrious head, obtains the homage of your loyal affection, the tribute of your respectful devotion. On one side, behold that revered emblem, the fleurs de lys; on the other, the image of the good Henry; of him who, of all the monarchs of France, is preserved most affectionately in the memory of the people; of him whose statue they were so lately ornamenting with garlands of flowers. tants of France their constitutional "He it was who gave to the ProtesCharter; that Charter, the revocation of which cost the country so many citizens, so much treasure, so many tears. Would it were possible to exempt his memory from reproach! Yet he atoned for a serious fault by so many excellencies, by so much glory, that, even whilst contemplating his error, we are induced to acquit, or at least to pardon him. GOD SAVE THE KING." THE Monthly Repository. No. CLXXX.] DECEMBER, 1820. [Vol. XV. Sketch of the Character of the late Rev. William Hawkes, of Manchester. [MR. HAWKES was born February 10, 1759. He received his academical education in part under the Rev. Mr. Robins, at Daventry; and in part under the Rev. Dr. Aikin, at Warrington. He afterwards continued his theological studies for some time under the direction of the Rev. William Turner, of Wakefield. He first settled as a minister at Dob-lane, near Manchester, whence he afterwards removed to Bolton, where he, for a few years, officiated as assistant to the Rev. Philip Holland. About the year 1789, a number of most respectable and intelligent gentlemen in Manchester, from their high opinion of Mr. Hawkes's talents and merit, were desirous to have the benefit of his instructions as a minister, and with this view erected the chapel in Mosley Street, at which he continued to preach, from the time it was opened till his death, August the 1st, 1820.] HE late MR. HAWKES was so toriety, not necessarily implied in the discharge of his professional duties, that he was much less generally known, than from his eminent talents might have been expected. By his friends, however, he was always highly valued, and they may now indulge the melancholy satisfaction of recollecting and recording, as well as they are able, those various excellencies of his character which, in their opinion, justly entitled him to respect and veneration. The distinguishing faculty of his understanding was a most clear and vigorous judgment. This was discovered, not merely in the correctness with which he discriminated the various kinds of evidence, and pointed out the nice gradations by which probability ascends to moral certainty, but in particular, by the justness with which he estimated the real value, and marked the relative importance of different truths.* He appeared always to seize and dwell upon those which were most sound, substantial and practical. His mind was more exercised in meditation than in reading, and hence it was not so much the compass, as the excellence of his knowledge; not so much its extent, as its selectness, that was admirable. On the subjects which he studied, however, his information was sufficiently ample, and his discourses from the pulpit were not less distinguished by the comprehensiveness of view which they discovered, than by the precision with which the truths he proposed to inculcate were stated, and the unexceptionable nature of the evidence by which they were substantiated. The tenor of his preaching was rather moral than doctrinal. On proper occasions he stated and explained his theological opinions; yet whilst he expressed himself on these subjects with that decision which became his powerful understanding, his language controversy, and his mind appeared to be always pure from the slightest taint of intolerance. We may hope, indeed, from the mercy of God, that opinions which from the very first ages of the gospel have been matter of perpetual controversy, and respecting the truth of which, men of the greatest learning, acuteness and integrity, continue to form the most opposite conclusions, cannot be of essential importance, either to the present or future happiness of mankind; and a minister may therefore reasonably be excused, if he miserable, if our final state had been Our condition had been extremely placed on an uncertain hill, and the way to it had been upon the waters, upon which no spirit but that of contradiction and discord did ever move. JEREMY TAYLOR. do not make them a very prominent object of his preaching. But whatever interest Mr. Hawkes might feel in the more dubious articles of his creed, he was deeply sensible of the infinite value of the great doctrine of a future state of existence and retribution, and of the supreme excellence of that pure and merciful system of morals, which Christianity enforces by the most powerful sanctions. With the former of these topics a variety of interesting inquiries are connected, which have in all ages exercised and perplexed the sagacity of the ablest inen, and Mr. Hawkes would occasionally pursue these inquiries with that subtlety and precision of reasoning which they require: he sometimes likewise discussed those curious and difficult questions which embarrass the theory of morals; but his ordinary, his habitual and favourite subjects were those on which there is happily little difference of opinion amongst the wise and good; upon which, by the united aid of reason and revelation, we can make some near approach to certainty; and which have an iminediate bearing on the great concerns of life. These subjects afforded ample opportunity to discover the strength and soundness of his understanding. A mere grammarian is a most incompetent interpreter of those concise maxims, in which the great founder of our religion has compressed the spirit of his morality. Thoroughly to understand and properly to apply them, a knowledge of the terms in which they are promulgated, must be united with a knowledge of the subject to which they relate; a knowledge of the world as it really exists, and of human nature as modified by the circumstances in which men are actually placed. They must be studied with the aid, as it were, of a reflected light. In Mr. Hawkes, that enlargement of mind and familiarity with general and abstract principles, which are the fruits of a liberal education, were happily combined with that knowledge of life which is the result of attentive observation and experience. He was eminently successful in exhibiting the Christian character under a form of high, but attainable and practicable excellence; in demonstrating the profound wisdom of our Saviour's precepts; in pointing out the necessary and blessed tendency of Christianity to refine, to exalt and ennoble human nature; in shewing, that, far from rejecting, it adds new purity and lustre to the light of reason; that, far from disdaining, it adopts and enforces with a deeper insight into the nature of man, and a more tender mercy for his infirmities, every virtue which has adorned the lives, or been recommended in the writings of the great philosophers of ancient and modern times; and that whatever be the form of his devotion, and whatever the articles of his creed, he is the truest disciple of Christ who discharges most steadily, wisely and magnanimously, the great moral duties of life. These observations relate to the matter of Mr. Hawkes's discourses. That in fact was what arrested the attention of his auditors; it was only on reflection, that they adverted to the inferior merits of style and delivery. They then recollected, that he spoke with the earnestness and solemnity which necessarily attend a deep conviction of the truth and importance of what is delivered; that his manner was perfectly easy and natural; that his language was correct and pure; his style simple, forcible, and of the most lucid perspicuity. It was rarely indeed, if ever, sufficiently impassioned to admit the bolder figures of rhetoric; but there was always that smooth and melodious flow of diction, that structure and modulation of the periods, which distinguish a finished composition, and discover a cultivated ear, and a taste formed on the best models. The tones of his voice, too, happily accorded with the weight and value of the sentiments he expressed, and contributed to render his strong reason and masculine sense," still more interesting and impressive. In his morning public services Mr. Hawkes used a printed Liturgy.† This * Reconditas, et exquisitas sententias mollis et pellucens, vestiebat oratio-nec vero hæc soluta, nec diffluentia, sed adstricta numeris; non apertè, nec eodem modo semper, sed variè, dissimulariterque conclusis. Cic. ad Brutum, 274. But the eloquence of Mr. Hawkes had more power than Cicero ascribes to that of Calidius. In the afternoon service, during |