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every thing interfering with that pursuit to be neglected, and even despised, till, in process of time, the other faculties of the mind have become obscured from the mere want of culti-efforts to better the moral condition vation and exercise.

| Roman Catholic clergy, to the introduction of the holy Scriptures into the schools, and clearly demonstrates, that, without the inspired volume, all

In the early period of his life, Richard seems to have somewhat resembled the celebrated Moses Mendelsohn, who led the way, during the last century, to the improvement of the German language, though in the result their fortunes proved so essentially different. Mendelsohn was the son of a poor schoolmaster; but though exposed to poverty and hardships, he became one of the first literary characters of the age.

The person, however, to whom the character of Richard's mind, in the earnestness of its pursuits and the success of its application, bears the most striking affinity, is Magliabechi, the learned librarian of the Grand Duke at Florence. His acquirements in ancient and modern languages were truly astonishing; in addition to which, his filthy appearance was of the most disgusting kind. His station, however, operated so much in his favour, that he became a correspondent of the learned throughout Europe, while an extensive library, to which he could always have access, facilitated his progress in all his undertakings. Richard, on the contrary, almost without a home, nearly friendless, and frequently in want of the necessaries of life, carries his literary treasures on his back, and is indebted to the hand of charity for his daily subsistence. In Liverpool, where he chiefly resides, he is but very partially known; and he bids fair to end his days in obscurity, without benefiting either himself or others by his vast acquisitions.

OBSERVATIONS ON EDUCATION. MR. EDITOR. SIR, Mr. O'Driscol, in his very interesting work on the moral, political, and religious state of Ireland, furnishes some excellent observations on Education: his paper on the subject is worthy the notice of all who take a part in the extension and dissemination of Christian knowledge by the establishment of schools. He has discussed, in a masterly way, the objections which have been made by the

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of the people must, as they have done, prove unavailing. Our author is of opinion, that the mere faculty of reading will do nothing, unless it be properly exercised. Other books than the Gospels will not avail with the people, because none other speak to their hearts with so much power. None others come with such high and awful authority to their bosoms, and preach the great laws of patience and obedience upon principles, and in language, that they can so well understand.

Should you think the article subjoined, suitable for your columns, its insertion will oblige, Your's truly, April 21st, 1826. W. RENNICK, Jun.

Worcester,

WHEN We consider for a moment, the total failure of all the various devices which have been contrived and. invented with a view to supersede, and render unnecessary, the inspired book of God, we are struck with astonishment to see the warm and angry contest which is still carried on, to take this book from the bands of the people, and remove it as a pestilence from the land; and if the matter were not a very serious one, we should be amused at the frivolous and absurd pretences, under which this rooted antipathy, and horror of God's word, disguises itself. The most violent enemy of the Bible must preserve some decency upon this subject, particularly if he be a clerical enemy.

The great pretence is, the difficulty of understanding the Bible; and these wise and unpresuming personages, who oppose its distribution, arrogate to themselves a greater degree of explicitness and perspicuity than the Holy Spirit has been able to arrive at in explaining the things of heaven; but the Spirit has not chosen to be explicit. Do you, then, think it expedient to unfold what he has thought it right to conceal? Or do you think you shall succeed in the attempt? Witness your disputes and wranglings to this hour; witness the wise and intelligible attempt to expound the doctrine of the Trinity, of which the Athanasian Creed furnishes an in

stance in the Protestant church, and in that of Rome.

pretation; which is pronounced dangerous, in most cases, to read, and which, instead of promoting the object it professes to have in view, that of guiding men into the sure path to a happier and a better world, tends rather to lead them astray, and to confound them in the perplexities of perdition.

What is there, in the Scripture, more difficult to comprehend than the doctrine of transubstantiation, which the Roman Catholic Church proposes to the belief of all her congregations? And when she has done this, she turns round, and expatiates on the unintelligible things of Scripture, and her This, surely, is a strange account of happy talent in explaining them! We a divinely inspired book; and the judge no church; nor are we here wonder will increase, when it is conconcerned with the truth or the false-sidered, also, that it is a very large hood of any doctrine; but we are bound to assert, that the explanations of the churchmen are generally more difficult than the text; and that the Scriptures, themselves, are more simple and intelligible than any commentary we have ever seen. We do not, however, quarrel with commentaries, provided they be made with due modesty, and make no preten-historian, the poet and the prophet, sions to an authority which does not belong to them. As human and fallible compositions, they have their use; but they ought not to be generally circulated, because they are human and fallible, and there is no certain evidence of their truth.

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and very long book; that it is the composition of different times and ages, during which, what was obscure might have been made plain, and what was imperfect might have been supplied. That the divine Author availed himself of every species of talent, and of every variety of disposition; that the pen was held by the legislator and the

and gave utterance to every various strain of elegance, from the loftiest heights of the sublime, to the calm narration; and from the warm current of the deep affections, to the gentle flowings of tenderness and synpathy.

It is wonderful, that, with such a power and with such a compass, this book should be the imperfect thing we are told it is. But who tells us this? Is this the opinion which the Author himself has pronounced upon his own performance? Far from it. He speaks of his book as beautiful and perfect, the treasure and the light of the world. He invites the simplest and the humblest to its perusal, and commends "little children" who read

We must suffer God to go forth among his people, and speak for himself. Who is there that has a right to say, that to this or that people he shall not be permitted to speak, and that to the poor he shall not address himself, whose mission was to them chiefly, except in our words, or with the glosses and additions we put into his mouth? This is a high and fearful presumption; and if it were not of every day's occurrence, we should be greatly startled at it. God has writ-it. He tells us, indeed, that there is ten a book, and he commands us to read it. It would be a bad character of any author to say that he had treated his subject so clumsily, as to leave it still obscure, and his readers still imperfectly acquainted with what he designed to communicate. It would be a reproach to any ordinary writer, to say, that he had written a book professedly intended for the instruction of all nations, which, yet, hardly any people could understand, and which it required hosts of inter- But shall the book be proscribed preters to make intelligible-a book, because of some hard things? Do we in which every man that comes into deal thus with any book of human the world is deeply interested, and performance? How much that is unwhich yet, it is asserted, none but a intelligible is there to be found in the few learned persons can understand, great writers of antiquity, and of our and these cannot agree upon the inter-own day! And yet we do not forbid

in it "things hard to be understood,” not to discourage his readers, but to make them humble; not that the learned might glory, but that they might understand; that, as to these things, they are on a level with the very least in knowledge. These things the learned have not understood, for, if they did, they would have agreed in their interpretations. These things are sealed until that day when the Author shall be his own commentator.

USES OF WATER.

them to be read. This harsh measure | dissemination of the Gospels; for is reserved for the book of inspiration. without this, experience has shewn What should we think, if we heard a that they labour to no purpose. very ignorant person pronounce of the work of a man of genius and eminence, that it was a dangerous and 'unintelligible publication? Should we not be astonished at his presump tion, rather than be guided by his folly? And if such a man were to tell us, that we were not to read the book at all, or only as he might think pro-lities by which it acts its part in this per to expound it for us, would we be inclined to obey the audacious pre

tender?

And yet, what is the distance between the most elevated heights of human genius, and the lowest and foulest depths in which our nature stagnates, compared with the space which separates these boasted elevations from the throne of the Most High? Shall we not then bring this same rule of good sense, to measure this more important matter? Or shall we throw it away, where the interest is deepest and profoundest? And shall we, where the height and depth of eternity are to be calculated, descend to a contest with the ignorant speculations and the arrogant pretensions of men?

It is an every-day occurrence to hear God's book denounced by men, as difficult, obscure, and dangerous, whose opinions we should not regard for an instant, and whose criticisms we should laugh at and despise, if employed upon any other, the most ordinary publication; but what though this severe condemnation come from stronger heads, and lips that are more eloquent? What though this sentence be pronounced, not only by individual temerity, but by the congregated audacity of multitudes; shall we receive it? Surely not; for we know the authority of the book, but we know not by what authority these men presume to condemn it. The Apostles, who healed multitudes of their diseases, and raised the dead to life, and wielded at times the mighty powers of the Deity, valued and recommended to all, the perusal of the sacred writings; whilst these men, who can shew no proof of their commission, are they who condemn them.

Educate the people :-we strongly recommend a religious education. Aid the labour of the churches by the

(From BLACK's Lectures on Chemistry.) THERE are none of the elementary bodies with which we are better acquainted, than with water. Let us attend a little to the powers and qua

system of beings. We all admire its pure transparency in a spring; the level and polished surface with which it reflects objects that are on the banks of a lake; the mobility with which it runs along the channel of a brook, and the incessant motion of its waves in a stormy sea. But when viewed with a philosophic eye, it appears much more an object of admiration.

We know it

The same water, which, under its usual form, is such a principal beauty in the scene of nature, is employed in her most extensive operations, and is necessary to the formation of all her productions. It penetrates the interior parts of the earth, and appears to assist in the production of various minerals, stones, and earths, found there, by bringing their different ingredients together, and applying them to one another properly, that they may concrete. arises in vapours from the surface of the ocean, to form the clouds, and to descend again in rain upon the dry land, and give origin to springs, rivers, and lakes; or, upon proper occasions, to form deep snow, which protects the ground and vegetables from the intense and mortal cold to which some parts of the world are exposed; and, after it has performed this useful office, it readily yields to the heat of summer, and returns to a state in which it serves the same purposes as rain.

By its fluidity and tenuity, it penetrates the soil, and the seeds of plants which that soil contains. These it causes to swell and germinate into plants, which depend on water for support. It passes with freedom and ease through all their minutest tubes and vessels, and carries with it materials necessary for nourishment and growth, or changes its appearance so as to become part of the plant. There is no plant or vegetable substance

sists of a range of hills, running in their general direction from east to west, individually perhaps of no very great elevation, but reaching at the utmost to the height of 1500 feet above the level of the sea.

The mention of these circumstances must not be deemed irrelevant to the

that does not contain in its composition a large quantity of water easily separable from it. The hardest woods contain a great deal; the softer and more succulent parts of vegetables are almost totally composed of it. Even the oils and resinous substances can be resolved in part into water. It is plainly as necessary to the exist-matter in hand; for it is known that ence of animals, and is found to be as copious an ingredient in the composition of their bodies, and of all the different parts of them. These are some of the numerous and extensive uses of this beautiful element.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

(NO. I.)

THERE are few subjects of a philosophical nature, that excite a greater interest in the minds of the community, than questions concerning the weather. We live in a climate that is subject to continual changes from dry to wet and from warm to cold. Our engagements and pursuits are frequently interrupted by these transitions; and our health at times is materially affected. To bring these mutations under human guidance, was among the speculations of a Bacon; but to be able to foreknow them, is a more probable attainment, and one that would be almost equally valued. Whatever approximates to this, is secure of attracting attention, because, to employ an expression of the above named philosopher, it comes home to men's business and bosoms.

It is well known that the temperature of a country, and its tendency to moisture or dryness, depend more on its elevation and insulation, than on its latitude or geographical position; and as few districts, and still fewer countries, are similar in this respect, not only will the general temperature and comparative dryness vary in the same proportion; but the signs of the changes from one condition to another will vary also, both in their certainty and significancy.

The science of meteorology, then, can only be advanced by the study of every district, and by the contributions of observers from various regions. It becomes therefore necessary to remark, that the observations I have to record were made in lat. 50° 20′ on the eastern coast of Cornwall; and that the county itself con

the more elevated the region is, the greater is the tendency to cold; and that in this respect, in most of the countries of Europe, from 180 to 200 yards of height, are equal to a degree of latitude north of the place of observation. Situations also that lie in the neighbourhood of elevated regions, though low and sheltered to themselves, derive some influence, especially in winter, from any cold that may become attracted and fixed on the summit. At other times, on account of the shelter, the temperature may be higher than the geographical situation might seem to allow. But the principal cause that influences the nature of a climate is the prevalency of the wind in certain directions. The general tendency of the north wind is to bring cold; but the coldest wind in the northern hemisphere is the north-east; and hence it is that the eastern coasts of large tracts of land are much more cold than the western in the same paraliels.

Darwin attempted to account for this, by supposing that the north wind was converted into the north-east through the influence of the diurnal motion of the earth, which as it proceeded towards the south gave it a new direction and greater velocity. This explanation, however, seems exceedngly fanciful; since it is hard to believe that any substance moving over the earth can receive a new direction from the operation of that to which it was exposed at its commencement. In fact, for all the purposes of reasoning, a body moving along the earth's surface by the agency of a force impressed upon it, necessarily partaking as it does of the earth's motion at its first setting out, must be regarded as actuated by the same laws as if the earth were at rest. As the sea always preserves a higher and more uniform temperature than the land, for obvious reasons, winds passing over it in any direction will be warmer and moister than

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FRIENDSHIP, which is an alliance the sweetest and the noblest upon the face of the earth, is a combination, the principles of which are mutual esteem and love. These are its two grand constituents; and without this coalition, it is like a tender shrub trembling in the breeze, unable to stand before the storm of adversity, and is exposed to annihilation from the least breath of jealousy or suspicion. Hence the ephemeral duration of those connexions called friendly; to-day they live and bloom, but tomorrow they die. The worm of envy, feeding upon the vitals of their existence, has terminated the union. Selfishness has supplanted attachment; and in the bosom where love glowed, rancour dwells. But when the principle is compounded of esteem and love, friendship is secure both from sudden and gradual extinction.

Love is effervescent; it burns intensely, and is often consumed in its own ardour. It is a weak passion, and blind. It is raised by the appearance of those soft and amiable qualities which play upon the strings of the heart. A disposition to please, developed by a person in conversation with us, often excites our ardent attachment. His language enchants; his politeness irresistibly delights; his gentlemanlike attainments overpower;-in every respect, he is one of whom we are fond, and who is qualified for a companion. Like the separation between the generality of lovers, absence is an interval of misery-so warmly is heart united to heart. The union might continue, were not a disclosure of his character gradually made. But when this takes place, the waxen bands of attachment gradually melt; drop falls after drop, till coherence is destroyed.

Why, it may be asked, does love thus quickly die away? Because it is not strengthened with esteem. The charms of conversation will not atone for concealed deformity of heart; the graces of politeness may be only the varnish of immoral conduct, and or

namental acquirements the wretched substitutions for useful knowledge. The discovery of a character which is so lovely on one side, and so disreput able and odious on the other, may well, cause us to break up the con nexion. Love must therefore be supported by esteem, or friendship must fall. This compound principle must be its basis, if permanency be intended.

When friendship is thus grounded, what association is so noble? Can kings boast so valuable an acquisition as that of a friend? A crown is a brilliant pageant; a throne is the seat where the sceptre of supreme authority is wielded; but is any accession to such power and splendour, comparable with that of a friend? A crown imposes so heavy a responsibility, as often to distract and deject the head of the wearer-thrones are often, like the rocking tower, shaken by the convulsions of nature. But, considering them in their most favourable aspects; what do they confer? Do they make any augmentations to the happiness of the possessor? Alas! they are merely the symbols of draw-backs upon his felicity-given in exchange for the composure of mind which he surrenders. Does a throne then exclude friendship? Not necessarily. But by whom is it surrounded? With mercenary characters -men who court the favour of their sovereign as a means of advancing their respective interests. Among such, few kings can therefore congratulate themselves on the enjoyment of a friend, and few subjects, however exalted their sta tion, on being the friends of their royal master.

The excellence of established friendship consists, independently of its utility and pleasures, in its superiority over the destructive power of time. It is not broken by the darts of death. The king of terrors may exhaust all his strength in vain to destroy the amicable and interwoven relation between two kindred spirits; but destroy it he cannot; all that he can do is, to interrupt the relation for a season, by his malignant visit. Such a relation on earth, between two pious individuals, is only the commencement of a never-ending friendship in heaven. It is the origin of a celestial harmony of souls, progressively increasing to all eternity. Now, I

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