sage of its own downfall. "The roar of the Ball," to borrow the remark of a powerful goaded to madness by the operations of the speaker, "is but the instinctive cry of a beast, Bible Society. One would pity, were it not for the cause in which he is engaged, the writhing agonies of the aged Pontiff'; the anxiety and the alarm, the trembling and the astonishment, which, according to his pathetic One cannot but be reminded of the charactercomplaints, the Bible Society has excited. petrators of atrocious crimes. "They know not the light, for the morning is to them even as the shadow of death." But much as they hate the dawn, it is in vain to oppose it; the sun will rise, although they curse its beams; and the deformity of their features, the filth of their garments, and the atrocity of their deeds, become visible to all. "As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth;" but their deceptions shall not always succeed; their incantations shall fail; their triumphs shall terminate," and their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also some great object, when he conferred upon mankind this inestimable treasure: which end, undoubtedly, was, that they might be profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness-that the man of God might be perfect, &c. In a word; to use the phrase of the Papists themselves" to be a right rule of faith." It is a mode of infinite wis-istic description uttered by Job, of the perdom, always to proportion the means to the end: but, if the position of the Papist be allowed, herein God has failed; for the means he has adopted have fallen short of the end. Can we for a moment suppose, consistently with the infinite wisdom of God, that he was unable to give us this sufficient rule of faith? His attribute of goodness, presupposes that he was willing to afford us certain information, to guide us to eternal bliss; but the inefficiency of the means he adopted for that purpose, evidence a want of power. Again: would this be any more consistent with his justice? Could he justly inflict upon us eternal punishment for transgressing a law, or for a non-performance of duties, concerning which we were imperfectly instructed? How could we be ex-zealous Protestants, lend the Bible Society pected to do right, when we had no certain standard to which we might refer? From whence it is plain, that if we allow the Papists to be correct, in denying the express gift of God to be sufficient for the purpose which called it forth, we impiously extinguish three of the glorious attributes of God. But we cannot attempt further to follow up this wide-opening argument. We must hurry to the end of the volume, which contains some very spirit-stirring appeals. We select, as a specimen, the following extract :"The Bible and Popery are two masters, whom it is impossible to serve together: they cannot even exist in immediate contact; the Bible will destroy Popery, or Popery will destroy the Bible. The insufficiency of the scriptures, and the right of the Romish clergy to rule our faith, the two main pillars of the Romish system, must give way, if the laity read that book which it is admitted came from God, and which expressly declares that it is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." I wonder not at the agitation and dismay excited in the conclave by the operations of that noble institution which offers the scriptures, without note or comment, to all classes in Britain, and to all the nations of the world. It sees in the free circulation of the scriptures the sure pre was. "But the shrieks of this devouring monster, now that it sees before it the instruments of destruction; the cries of the crocodile, that has been accustomed to range in security, preying on its helpless victims, without fear of retribution, now it sees the ichneumon; may teach us the part it is expedient for us to act. This Bible Society it dreads; this Bible Society it execrates; this Bible Society it declares to be its most dangerous foe; if then you are your aid. I believe I have been honoured and are willing, for the pleasure of acquaint- | ance with its contents, to brave the anger of their priests." In conclusion-we have to apologize to Mr. Groser, for the unintentional delay which has occurred in noticing his work, and to assure him, that it has been entirely owing to the pressure of this part of our literary engagements. We hope at some future time, again to have the pleasure of introducing to our readers some work similar to the present from his able and orthodox pen. MR. RICH'S claims to poetic merits are not very strong. His muse, we are sorry to say, seldom soars upon its "weak unbalanced wing," above the heights of mediocrity. "We canpot," however, he tells us, "expect the fruit of autumn amid the blossoms of spring, nor mature composition from the pen of inexperienced youth." We admit the justness of the observation, but an admission like this does not at all screen him from our censure. Nay, he becomes the judge of his own abilities; and out of his own mouth we shall convict him. "I am aware," says he, "that many of the pieces are puerile and unworthy of perusal." If so, why inflict them upon the public, and tax not only their time, but their pockets, by the purchase of those "early amusements of his boyhood," which, however interesting to himself and immediate acquaintance, are wholly uninteresting and valueless to the public? His verses are generally pretty, and occasionally even elegant; but never distinguished by any traces of poetical richness, boldness of imagery, or forcible and picturesque description. The volume abounds with odes, songs, and fragments, one of which we will extract as a fair specimen of the whole : SONG TO JESSY. From your dark blue eye darting love. THIS is one of the most felicitous titles our juvenile author could have selected; and we certainly think he has fully and satisfactorily demonstrated his claim to the epithet of a poetical trifler. It is really surprising how individuals, in the present state of improved society and intellectual taste and cultivation, abundantly furnished as we are with literature of a superior cast, should presume, either "from a desire of complying with the requests of friends, or from the vanity of pleasing themselves," to expose their insipid doggrel to the severity of animadversion. Such works are generally born to expire ere they have opened their eyes upon the intellectual world, and they afford no other advantage to society than the profit which jointly accrues to the " manufacturing districts" of printers and paper-merchants. Others indeed obtain some circulation, but chiefly in private and circumscribed channels, and are soon hurried into the silence of oblivion, from which it is to be lamented that they ever emerged. This we should suppose will be the fate of the volume before us. A specimen of our poet's trifling with the sacred muse, will, we think, justify these remarks, and convince our readers that it is richly deserving of the "mangling butchery" of criticism, (to use his most elegant phrase,) which, however, he has the modesty to tell us, he thinks his poems will be found too trifling to merit. We extract the following lines from one of his pieces entitled, Reflections at the Setting Sun: While the mild air is fann'd by cooling breeze, And whisp'ring murmurs of departing day Melodious sound on mine attentive ear, 20 O! let me range to silent meadow green, 1 cloud, That beams so bright with alternate flick'rings; Eheu!-jam satis! For our own parts, we have striven in vain to torture these unhappy lines into any sort of metre: doubtless, however, our young friend's Pegasus, on one of its excursions, discovered a new species of versification, to which we can give no name. It is, however, but just to add, that there are several little compositions in this volume, to which these caustic strictures will not apply. Among these we have noticed, "The Soldier's Return," "The Wish," ," "There is a Hope," &c. which, though not free from imperfection, discover some indications of genius. We can only regret that they are not more numerous, and that they should be found in worse than suspicious company. On the whole, by making this premature appeal to the public, our author has committed an error, for which his youth, though it may offer an apology, can make no atonement. He is not aware how much time and talent are required to efface an unfavourable impression. We would advise him to read more; and with deep attention study, from some of our masters of song, the character and construction of English verse. He will then find that our remarks, though unpleasant, have not been either misapplied, or unproductive of benefit. other 12mo. REVIEW.-The Prospect, and Poems. By Edward Moxon. pp. 120. London. Longman. 1826. WE are informed, in a prefatory address, that this is "the production of a very young man, unlettered, selftaught, and ignorant of every language except his own, and but imperfectly acquainted even with this; that from twelve years of age, he has been daily engaged from morning until evening in a laborious occupation, and that Sunday mornings, and the hours he can steal from repose, are cultivation of his mind." Statements the only seasons he can devote to the like these, though they cannot impart preponderation to the scales of literary justice, may invest the judge with the character of advocate, and give a new position to the standard by which the merits of the author's productions shall be tried. It is well known that some candidates for literary fame come before the public with all the advantages that erudition can supply; while, in the garb of simplicity, others appear with no recommendation but that which the unassisted efforts of native genius can furnish. Such characters impartial criticism is bound to meet on the ground where they respectively take their stand; and it scarcely need be added, that it is to the latter description, the author of the poems before us belongs: Were a comparison to be made between the productions even of our second-rate poets, and those of Mr. Moxon, the result would appear much to his disadvantage; and perhaps were he to be tried by the canon law of poetical criticism, he would gain nothing by being placed at the bar. But when we lose sight for a moment of comparisons and rules, and view him as the untutored child of nature, and his work as an emanation of uncultivated genius, we cannot shut our eyes against the occasional sparkling of its beams, nor abandon the hope that it may hereafter shine in more refulgent coruscations. The work before us abounds with blemishes, and were these to be exclusively selected for animadversion, the author's poems would appear in a very despicable light. On the contrary, we could refer to many pretty lines, which, if taken as a standard, would raise him to a point of elevation which he has no right to claim. The principal piece in this volume is "The Prospect," the earlier parts of which give promise of excellencies that the subsequent portions do not fulfil. Throughout the whole, the sentiments are rather common-place; and towards the conclusion, the language is less harmonious than when the muse began her flight. His Lines to Maria, to Mary, to a Young Lady &c., he should have left with those to whom they were addressed; and if Emily's song had never seen the light, his poem would have sustained no disadvantage by the omission. The following lines partially delineate the character of a miser: "See yonder form, care furrow'd on his brow, Still plods his way, and Mammon is his god: Sweet social comfort, or domestic ease. Mr. P. has evidently an intimate knowledge of the Quaker character, and if he be not one of that community, we are certain (so far at least as we can judge by his writings) that the This is well drawn, so far as it goes; Friends of the good old school would but instead of tracing avarice to its be glad to enrol him of their number; exit, which would have furnished an -for his book tells us he is one who excellent climax, our young author, wishes well to his neighbour,-who on falling in with "the mournful despises oppression, slavery, deceit, widow" loses sight of the miser alto--and who would that all the inhabigether, and here we must lose sight of him. REVIEW.-Saul among the Prophets; or, a Visit to the Yearly Meeting of Friends, commonly called Quakers, London. 1825-26. Describing the Friend of the Good Old School, the Worldly-minded Quaker of the New School, the Pharisee, and the Dandy, &c. &c. By John Pearson, Student of the Outer Temple. London. Cowie and Co. Paternoster Row. 1826. THERE is nothing about which a good man is more concerned than the consistent behaviour and upright conduct of that particular religious body to which he belongs. Whether he be Methodist, Calvinist, or Quaker, he views with sorrow every deviation from the path of rectitude in any of his fellow-worshippers in the temple of God, and sighs to think that he is connected with those who may be called "wolves in sheep's clothing," who profess, but who do not possess any of the vital principles of godliness; and who make religion a cloak for the vilest and the worst of purposes. It is to be regretted that there are so many persons of this description in the present day; and we hope that the little book now before us will tants of the world should live in unity and peace. We hope the strong language Mr. house of God for no other purpose P. uses towards those who go to the than mockery, or to shew their finery, &c.—will have its effect. We had scarcely an idea that it was carried to such excess among those who, generally speaking, do honour to their religious principles by their sober conversation and upright behaviour in their walk through life.-Let those to whom the portrait belongs, blush for themselves when they read it, and renounce the folly of their ways, before the world, its pleasures and its enchantments, shall be for ever hidden from their view. For the honour of our country we feel much concern from the following fact, which our author states from a conversation at Malacca, with an Armenian merchant, who informed him "that the English were abhorred and detested by the Japanese, for their treacherous dealings, and thirst for human blood." Charity induces us to hope that some time has elapsed since this conversation occurred, and that Englishmen now sustain a less reprehensible character among the nations of the earth. We cannot applaud our author for crowding so great a and that against bribery and corruption; and by statute 25 George III. all electors for cities and boroughs must swear to their name, addition, or profession, and place of abode, and also, like freeholders in counties, that they believe they are of the age of twenty-one, and that they have not been polled before at that election. Where a poll is demanded, it shall continue from day to day till it is finished, to be kept open at least seven hours a day; but if it should continue till the fifteenth day, then the returning officer shall close the poll at or before three in the afternoon, and shall immediately, or on the next day, publicly declare who have a majority of votes. The election being closed, the writs are returned to the clerk of the crown in chancery, with the persons elected thereupon. The members returned, are the sitting members until the house of commons, upon petition, adjudges the return to be false or illegal. Yours, &c. R." * In London the poll is confined to seven days, (exclusive of Sunday,) by acts of Parliament, and some other places have their peculiar acts by which the elections are regulated. GLEANINGS. Paper Clocks. Among the carious inventions of French ingenuity, clocks made of paper claim at present no small share of public attention. The invention is said to be a great improvement on metallic machinery, the paper time-pieces being light, portable, cheap, simple in their movements, and never requiring oil. The price is about fifty francs, and they will run about thirty hours without winding up: Modern Superstition.-In the Times paper for Saturday, the 24th of June, 1826, may be seen the following advertisement. "To captains, merchants, and others. To be disposed of, A Child's Caul. Apply, &c." This membrane, found on the head of some children at their birth, is supposed to indicate good fortune to the child, and to be an infallible preservative from drowning, even to a purchaser. It is high time that such follies should rétire to sleep-" among their kindred cobwebs in Duck-lane." Waterloo Bridge. The erection of this bridge has generally been considered a bad speculation. The tolls, however, during the last half year, amounted to £7030, being £130 more than on the preceding half year. Board of Longitude. This board has lately awarded premiums of £300 and £200 to the makers of the two best chronometers, selected out of fifty, and presented last year for trial at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Slavery in Antigua.-In this island the collector of customs lately seized all slaves that had been in England since the year 1807, declaring that they were entitled to their freedom. At this bold step the dealers in buman flesh and blood took the alarm; the magistrates issued their warrant, and took the humane offender into custody; who, refusing to give bail, has been committed. This affair cannot terminate here, and the final issue may prove of the utmost consequence to the emancipation of the negroes, now in agitation. Natural Curiosity.-Near Hornshead, in the north-west coast of Ireland, is a curious and frightful phenomenon, called M'Swine's Gan. By a decomposition of part of the rock, the waves have perforated a cave many yards in diameter, which extends about sixty feet into a rock, making part of the main land, and nearly horizontal with the level of the sea, at high and low water marks. When the wind blows due north, and the tide is half in, this gun of M'Swine's is seen to spout water, which ascends far higher than the eye can follow. This is accompanied with an explosion that may be heard at a distance of above twenty miles. Hornshead is near Dunfanaghy, in lat. 55. 13. N. long. 7. 51. W. Arctic Expedition.-Despatches have been received from Captain Franklin, dated Great Bear Lake, September 6th, 1825, stating that preparations had been made for prosecuting the great object of their undertaking during the present summer. Already they had visited the mouth of Mackenzie river, which was found to discharge its waters into an open sea. From the more elevated parts of Garry island, the sea was seen to the northward free from ice and islands; and to the westward the coast was discovered at a great distance, the view being terminated by lofty mountains, apparently in about 139 degrees of western longitude. These favourable appearances furnish the most promising indications of a successful issue to their perilous adventure. Death of Carl. M. Von Weber. This celebrated character has beenlong known on the continent, as possessing musical talents of the first order; distinguished alike for genius in composition, and skill in execution. As the author of several musical works, his fame reached England, in consequence of which he was invited to a country where Handel gathered immortality, to compose an opera for the English stage. This work he accomplished in the production of Oberon, a few weeks prior to his death, and being the last of his compositions, there can be little doubt that it will be highly valued wherever the name of music awakens admiration. Previously to his coming hither, he resided at Dresden, where he occupied the post of Maestro di Cappella to the king of Saxony, in whose court he was held in high estimation. It was not his intention to take up his resi-, dence in this country, having left a wife and two children in his native land, to whom he was anxious to return as soon as he had fulfilled his engagements, and reaped the benefit of his exertions. For some time before he reached England, his health had been in a precarious state, and |