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cation of the poor, and, we may add, of all orders of society. We also would remind him of the evil effect upon the minds of the other children as well as the culprit himself. Children ought never to be encouraged, or allowed, to employ ridicule to their unfortunate companions, unless we mean to sap all the best principles of the human and Christian character.

But we must hasten on to financial speculations; for of course nothing is to be done without money, though our author shews that the disbursements in a large infant school need not be very formidable. The whole expense for the salary of a master and mistress, a female servant, coals, slates, cards, and other requisites, except rent, amounts only to 150%; that is, ten shillings per child on 300. The monitors, none of whom, we presume, are under the responsible age of four or five years, gladly undertake the charge of "teaching twenty or more children to spell one hundred words each every morning, besides keeping them in order, and doing other things," for one penny per week. Mr. Wilderspin thinks it but right to give them this little reward for their trouble, and they well earn their money; but, with regard to the rest of the school, we are strongly of opinion that it is most desirable they should pay for their privileges. In the country we have known the poor very glad to pay to dames' schools one penny per week for children before they can speak, in order to have them out of the way; two pence when they begin to read; and three pence when they are old enough to read, and, if girls, to commence needlework: and we should therefore think that a small charge might, without difficulty, be made in the case of infant schools, so as to defray a considerable part of the expense. We need not dilate upon the many advantages which result from making the poor, as far as practicable, purchase, at least in

part, their privileges, rather than be indebted for them to the hand of mere charity.

We have no space to enter upon the subject of early juvenile delinquency, to the consideration of which Mr. Wilderspin's book naturally invites us, and for the prevention of which infant schools seem to present a more hopeful remedy than most other plans which have been suggested. Our author shall relate in his own way one of his adventures in his benevolent rambles, which will furnish a good commentary on all that has been stated both in and out of Parliament on this great moral and national question.

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Independently, then, of the good that may be done to them as individuals, it becomes a public duty, en our own account, to take the children of the poor from falling into the hands of evil and out of the streets, and thus prevent them designing persons, who make a living by encouraging the children of the necessitous poor to commit crimes, of the produce of which they themselves take the greatest part.

"The younger the children are, the better they suit the purpose of these vile miscreants; because, if such children are detected in any dishonest act, they know full well, that few persons would do more than give the child or children a tap on the head, and send them about their business. Thus the tenth part of the crimes committed by juvenile offenders, never come under public view; because if any person being robbed by a child should detect him, and make a stir in the business, he is silenced by the by-standers with this remark, Oh! he is but a child: let him go this time; perhaps the poor thing does it from necessity, being hungry, and in want of bread.' Thus the child is almost sure to escape, and instead of being punished, is not unfrequently rewarded for the adventure, as will be proved from the following fact. Having occasion to walk through Shoreditch, not long ago, I saw a number of people collected together around a little boy, who, it appears, had stolen a brass weight from the shop of a grocer. The account that the shopman gave of the matter was as

follows: he stated that three boys came into the shop for half an ounce of candied

horehound; and while he was getting down the glass that contained it, one of the boys contrived to purloin the weight in question. Having some suspicion of the boys, from the circumstance of having lost a vast number of brass weights, he kept his eyes upon them, and saw one of them put his hand into a box that was on the counter, and take the largest weight that was in it, and then run out of the shop, followed by the other two boys. The boy that stole it, slipt the weight into the hand of one of the others; and the shopman having observed this manœuvre, followed the boy that had the weight, who, being youngest of the three, could not run very fast, and finding himself closely pursued, threw away the weight in the road, and, when he was taken, he declared that it was not he that took it. The man wished to take the child back to the shop, in order that his master might do with him as he thought proper: but the bystanders actually prevented him, and one man in particular seemed to interest himself much in the boy's behalf, stating that he knew the child very well; that he had neither father nor mother; and the child immediately answered, that he had no father or mother, and that he had had no victuals all day: the individual before-mentioned then gave the child one penny: his example was followed by many more, and I think that the boy obtained nearly a shilling. I put several questions to the child, but was checked by this fellow, who told me, that, as I had given the child nothing, I had no right to ask so many questions; and after giving me a great deal of abuse, ended by telling me, that if I did not take myself

off, that he would give me something for myself. Feeling a great desire to sift still further into this mystery, I feigned to withdraw myself, but kept my eye upon the boy, and followed him for nearly two hours, until I actually saw him join the other two, one of whom I had not seen before, who had a bag with something very heavy in it, which I have every reason to believe contained weights, or something which they had obtained in a similar manner. Wishing to ascertain the fact, I approached the boys, who no sooner perceived me, than the little fellow who had been principal actor in the affair called out, Nose, Nose,' when they all took to their heels, and ran down some obscure alleys: I followed, but was knocked down, as if by accident, by two ill-looking fellows, who kept apologizing to me, until the boys got out of the way. I cannot help thinking but that this was an organized system of depredation, and that the man who took such an active part at the first was at the bottom of all the business." pp. 133-138.

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We shall only add, in conclusion, respecting our author, his book, and his employer, that we heartily wish that wherever our work penetrates, and the character of the population renders the experiment desirable, there were found just such a benevolent individual as Mr. Joseph Wilson, blessed with just such a worthy schoolmaster as Mr. Wilderspin; and that both may meet with that best reward, the blessing of God, upon their well-founded exertions.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE,

&c. &c.

GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication :-Sermons, with Notes, critical, historical, and explanatory; by the Rev. C. Swan ;-Historical Portraits, by E. Lodge;-the Works of Garcilasso de la Vega, by Mr. Wiffen ;an enlarged edition of Matthew Henry's Life of Philip Henry, from numerous MSS.; by J. B. Williams.

In the press :-Dissertations introductory to the Study and right Understanding of the Apocalypse, by Dr. A. Tilloch;

Sermons, by Dr. Chalmers ;-English Flora, by Sir J. E. Smyth ;-History of Suli and Parga, translated from the [modern] Greek.

The committee of the House of Commons appointed to consider the best means of disposing of the Royal Library, have made a report, in which they recom mend that it should be placed under the trustees of the British Museum, in a distinct building to be erected for that pur

pose adjoining the Museum. The Museum Library contains about 125,000 volumes, and the Royal Library 65,000. The duplicates in the united libraries are 21,000, of which it is proposed to weed out about 12,000. Since the formation of the Museum, Parliament has bestowed the following among other special grants for the purchase of valuable collections. 1753. Sloanian collection..........20,000 1753. Harleian collection.............10,000 1772. Hamilton collection of vases 8,410 1805. Townley collection of statues20,000 1807. Lansdown manuscripts....... 4,925 1810. Greville minerals...............13,727 1813. Hargrave library............................................ 8,000 1814. Remainder of Townley collec

......

tion.......... 8,200 1815. Phigalian marbles............. ..15,000 1816. Elgin marbles........... ....35,000 1818. Burney library..................13,500 The 'donations also of individuals have been highly liberal and extensive.

The act which passed March 26, 1823, for amending the Marriage Act of 1822, repeals the enactment which required that no license shall be issued without certain oaths specified in that act, together with the whole of the subsequent provisions of that act. Licenses may now be granted by the same persons, in the same manner, and with the same consent, as before the act of 1822 was passed. Marriages solemnized under the act of 1822 after the passing of the new act shall be valid; and no marriage solemnized by license according to the provisions of either act shall be deemed invalid for want of consent of any parent or guardian. The new act, as we have stated in a former Number, is only temporary, till a well digested bill can be framed.

INDIA.

A steam engine of twelve-horse power has been erected at Calcutta, for the purpose of watering the hot and dusty roads of that metropolis.

The following is a curious example of oriental precision. In the Hindoo law, or Institutes of Menu, the weights for gold, silver, and copper are determined with such nicety that the unit or lowest denomination is the smallest mote which may be discerned in a sunbeam passing through a lattice. Eight of these motes are supposed to be equal in weight to one minute poppy seed; three poppy seeds to one black mustard seed; three black mustard seeds to one white one; and six white ones to a barley corn.

A quarterly publication has been commenced at Calcutta, entitled the Asiatic

Observer, or Religious, Literary, and Philosophical Miscellany. It will embrace the following subjects: Biography of characters eminent for piety, literature, patriotism, or philanthropy; Essays on important subjects; Biblical criticisms; Miscellane ous communications; Poetry; Reviews of works published in that country, or connected with it;-Summary of intelligence,-1. Literary and philosophical, including select lists of works preparing for publication, and recently published in Asia, Britain, and America; 2. Religious and philanthropical; 3. Obituary notices; 4. Retrospect of public affairs; 5. Register of marriages, births, and deaths. The price is three rupees each Number, and the profits are to be devoted to benevolent purposes.

The following is a copy of a letter from a native of India, accompanying a contribution for the distressed Irish. "Sree Sree Doorgah.-The Memorial of Byrao Chunder Singh, Gomashtuh of Salgurmudua Factory, in the zilla of Jessore.

"Charitable Sir,-Having understood from the English newspapers, that in one part of the British dominions there is a great famine on account of the scarcity of the fruits of the earth, it is our duty every one to contribute something, more or less, according to his means, to relieve the inhabitants of that country. But more especially, as when the waters rose suddenly and overflowed the zillah of Backergunge, so that the inhabitants were dying for want, the English people raised money, some giving much, some little, every one in proportion to their respective abilities, to save the people from starving to death: I, your honour's humble servant, am desirous, according to my circumstances, of sending 100 rupees, to help to relieve the distresses of that country of Great Britain where the famine exists; and I beg your honour will have the kindness to inquire and find out how the same may be conveyed to these poor suffering people."

A writer in a contemporary journal, in a zealous anti-missionary paper, quotes the following passages from a Hindoo author, Brujamohun, with a view to shew that it is only the absurdity of the Hindoo worship, and not any immorality among the people, which Brujamohun censures. But let our readers peruse the passages, and then ask whether from such religious institutions vice must not of necessity obtain a wide sanction in a community; and whether, therefore, on the shewing of natives and anti-missionaries themselves, Christianity is not indispensably needful

for our Indian fellow-subjects, not only for a future, but also for the present world. Indeed, the very circumstance that it is in what professes to be, not flagitious vice, but "religious worship" that such scenes are exhibited, is in itself the most affecting claim to the benevolent sympathies of those who possess an infinitely purer code of faith and practice.

"Why," says Brujamohun, "do you expose yourselves to the ridicule of all sensible men, by regarding extraordinary motions of the mouth, the fingers, the striking the feet on the earth, the clapping of hands, songs the most licentious and infamous, and gestures the most abominable, as conducive to salvation?" Again; "On some occasions, fathers, sons, brothers, and elder relatives, assembling themselves before the image, indulge in the most indecent language, and disgrace themselves by the most indecent gestures, unrestrained by the presence of their own or their neighbour's female relatives. On other occasions, placing the image on a

boat, they indulge themselves in licen tiousness without restraint." Again; "Before the goddess, whom you esteem your mother, you indulge in the most licentious conversation-in the most licentious dances; dances which you would feel ashamed to practise in the presence of even the most abandoned. You hire others to sing the most disgusting songs, in the presence of the object of religious veneration, and of the female members of your own family; and cause the singers to perform dances before them, which excite all the evil passions of the mind. Would these unworthy actions ever receive the sanction of a man of true sense; and ought we not to feel pity when we see them sanctioned by men otherwise respectable?" UNITED STATES.

By an estimate made last year, there ́ were considered to be not less than 700Sunday Schools in the New-England, States, and nearly 1200 in the remainder of the Union. The number has since considerably increased.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGY.

Address to Veteran Seamen: from a Sermon preached at Greenwich Hospital, on the Day of general Thanksgiving for the Victory of Trafalgar; by the Rev. C. V. Le Grice.

Witherspoon's Treatises on Justification and Regeneration with an Introductory Essay. By William Wilberforce, Esq. 12mo. 4s.

Alleine's Alarm to Unconverted Sinners with an Introductory Essay. By the Rev. Andrew Thomson, A.M. Edinburgh. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

A Supplementary Volume of Sermons. By the late Samuel Lavington. 10s. 6d. The Practical Study of Scripture recommended and illustrated; by Mrs. Sheriffe. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s.

Critica Biblica, or Remarks on the Sacred Scriptures. No. 1. 1s.

The Chronology of the Apocalypse investigated and defended; by J. Overton; 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Dr. Chalmers's Christian and Civic Economy of large Towns. Nos. 14, 15, and 16," On the Causes and Cure of Pauperism in England."

-An Essay on the Objects of Taste. In Three Parts. Part 1. Principles. 2. Illustration of Principles. 3. Analogy with and Support from Scripture. 12mo. 5s.

The Widow of Roseneath, a Lesson of Piety; affectionately dedicated to the Young. 18mo. 1s.

The Sabbath-school Magazine for Scotland. Published Monthly. Price 6d. each Number.

An Essay on Marriage, Adultery, and Divorce; and an Essay on the State of the Soul between Death and the Resurrection, to which Premiums have been adjudged by the Church Union Society: with a Lecture on Taste, &c. By the Rev. R. Polwhele. 5s.

A Catalogue of the Ethiopic Biblical MSS. in the Royal Library of Paris, and in that of the British and Foreign Bible Society: with Specimens of the Modern Dialects of Abyssinia. By T.P. Platt, B.A.

The Harmony of the Scriptures Vindicated. By J. H. Cox. 8vo. 7s. 6d.

Advices to the Young with Anecdotes, illustrative of the Utility of Sabbath Schools. 2s. 6d.

An Appeal to the Members of the Church of England on the subject of Sunday Schools, with especial reference to Lay-agency. By a Layman. Is.

Willoughby; or the Influence of Religious Principles. By the Author of "Decision." 2 vols. 15s.

Matins and Vespers, with Hymns and Occasional Devotional Pieces. By John Bowring. 12mo. 6s.

An Elegy on the late Henry Martyn, and other Poems. By J. Lawson. 8vo. 2s.

Martha; a Memorial of a beloved Sister. By A. Reed. 2 vols. 12s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

No. 1. (containing the Cathedrals of St. Asaph, Bangor, and Bristol,) of Views of the Cathedral Churches of England and Wales with Descriptions. By J.C. Buck, ler. 4to. 7s. 6d.

Poems. By the Rev. F. H. Hutton. 8vo. 3s.

Architectural Illustrations of the Pub lic Buildings of London. By J. Britton and A. Pugin. No. 1. 5s. medium 8vo. 8s. imperial 8vo. and 14s. medium 4to.

The Naval Biography of Great Britain. By J. Fitler. Part 1. 10s. 6d.

Memoirs of a Captivity among_the_Indians of North America. By. J. D. Hunter. 8vo. 12s.

A Dictionary of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology. By J. Mitchell, M.A. F.A.S. 18mo. 10s. 6d.

Hume and Smollett's Histories of England abridged, and continued to the Coronation of George IV. With 140 engravings. By Dr. J. Robinson. 9s.

A practical Essay on the Manner of Studying and Teaching in Scotland. 12mo.

58.

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Some Ancient Christmas Carols, with the Tunes to which they were formerly sung in the West of England. Collected by D. Gilbert, F.R.S. 8vo. 5s.

The King of France's Narrative of his Escape from Paris, and Journey to Brussels and Coblentz, in 1791. 8vo. French, 5s. 6d. English, 6s. 6d.

Sketches of East and West Looe, in Cornwall. By T. Bond. 10s. 6d. Delineations of the County of Cornwall, No. 1. 2s. 6d.

History of Enfield. By W. Robinson, LL.D. 2 vols. 8vo. 21. 2s.

The Pyrenees and the South of France in November and December 1822. By A. Thiers. 5s.

Narrative of a Journey from the Shores of Hudson's Bay, to the Mouth of the Coppermine River, &c. By Capt. John Franklin, R. N. 4to. 41. 4s.

A Selection of Moral Essays, from the Works of Mr. Addison. 8s.

Life and Travels of Serjeant B1 vol. 12mo.

5s.

The Annual Subscription Charities and Public Societies in London; with an Account of the several Sermons, Dinners, Concerts, Balls, and Meetings, &c.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ANNIVERSARIES OF CHARI

TABLE SOCIETIES.

NEITHER our plan nor our limits allow of our detailing the proceedings of the various meetings of the charitable institutions held in the metropolis during the month of May. An outline of the speeches alone at the principal meetings would fill the space devoted to Religious Intelligence during many Numbers. These we must therefore pass by entirely. The transactions of the societies during the year will come before us in their printed Reports; and we shall not therefore partially anticipate them, except so far as to state, that in general these benevolent operations are widely extending; that the public zeal and sympathy in favour of them are steadily increasing; and that, by the blessing of God, every successive year, while it opens new channels, and widens old ones, for religious and charitable exertion, attests the benefits which have already resulted from these truly Christian efforts, and gives enlarged promise of immeasurable harvests to future generations. We need not detail to our readers the various

objects to which these labours of religious philanthropy have reference; especially the multiplied agency connected with the universal distribution of the Scriptures; Christian missions among Jews and heathens; and the religious education of all classes of persons throughout the world. Much less can we touch at present upon the particular items of charitable effort selected by individual institutions, and calling forth increasing zeal in specific fields of exertion. We cannot however but advert, in passing, to two or three points which have justly excited particular interest at the late meetings.

One of these has been the imperative duty of lightening the bondage of our Black and Coloured population in the West Indies, and the powerful claim on Christians in public and private life to assist in promoting the work of their religious instruction; and preparing them to enjoy with benefit to others as well as themselves the blessings both of civil freedom and of "the glorious liberty of the people of God."

Another subject which has awakened great interest is the hopeful prospect of

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