which the ancients stood, and look round over the same delicious scene, which excited their admiration and inspired their songs.

"I have not yet ascended Vesuvius; till my foot is quite well, I shall not attempt it. From the appearance it has presented since I have been here, I should not have suspected it to be volcanic. It is as peaceable as any hill in England, not the smallest smoke or vapour that I can perceive ever issues from it.

"Rome, during the last week of my stay there, was the scene of much parade and splendour. As I thought it would be the only opportunity of my life, and moreover as I was desirous to know how far my mind might be affected with it, I attended all the pompous ceremonies of the church. The Pope goes through a complete imitation of the latter acts of the life of Christ, and at last prostrates himself before the altar in the Sistine Chapel, while the miserere is sung, which is a sort of attempt to set to music the passion and agony of the Redeemer. Every thing that music can do is done by the choir-- all that acting can do is done by the Pope, who certainly performs his part to admiration; but after all, my Protestant feelings rather partook of horror than devotion, and I recoiled from the scenes, as I should from any thing avowedly blasphemous; in truth, there is so much of the ludicrous mixing up perpetually with the pious observances of the Romans, that one cannot choose, but laugh even at their most solemn ceremonies. The fast of Lent, in which is ordered the most rigorous abstinence from flesh, is at an end on Easter-day, and then you see all the tables of the eating-houses decorated with flowers, and the joints of meat gilded and illuminated. Bladders of fat are hung out at the ham-shops brilliantly ornamented, and every things seems sweating with greasy joy, that the days of fasting are over, and that the season is again restored, when all may eat, drink, and be merry. The illumination of St. Peter's, and the splendid fireworks from the castle of St. Angelo, finish the whole matter. As the rockets fly up and disperse in the air, all remembrance of the penance and abstinence of Lent vanishes. The giorni di grasso (days of fat) are commenced, and the whole of the people give themselves up to merriment and pleasure."

and the reader of the Bible feels a particular interest in treading on the very spot, (Putioli), where Paul first landed on his way to Rome. In good truth, had I not made this excursion to Naples, I should have gone away with but an imperfect idea of the beauty of Italy. You, who are yourself a genuine lover of nature, can conceive the raptures I have felt in wandering through these delicious scenes. The orange-groves of Sorrento, where the air is perfumed with sweets; the romantic and ever varied paths of Vico and Siano--paths too steep and too rugged for even a mule to keep his feet; the enchanted ground of Amalphi--the huge caverns and overhanging rocks, where all that is sublime, and all that is lovely in nature, is heaped together in the most profuse variety, and where the whole seems more like the fantastic creation of fairy-land, than the ordinary march of nature. All the dreams of my infancy, all the waking visions of my youth, and all the inventions of my riper years, have been realized--exceeded, a thousand times exceeded--by the rich and voluptuous assemblage of beauties which are scattered with an unsparing hand round the bay of Naples, and the still more interesting bay of Salerno. Antiquities, merely as antiquities, do not much affect me. When I have once realized the sentiment of departed greatness, I can do no more; but the beauties of nature take me by storm. "History has but one page, nature is inexhaustible.

"My compainon and I have been in many places where English have never trodden. Travellers generally content themselves with seeing the regular lions, which they do in the smallest possible time. I have heard a man in fashionable society in Rome boast that "he had done up Tivoli in seven hours." My fellowtraveller and myself do not "do up' things in quite so small a space. We wander for days together amongst the mountains, and share the hospitality of the cottagers. "Siete proprio Inglese 2" is a question that has been often put to me.

E purche siete venuto in questo paese?" (Are you real (right earnest) English? and what can have brought you to this place, so far from home?) When we tell them it is the beauty of their country that has tempted us, that we are delighted with their delicious fruits, their grapes, their figs, and their oranges, their eyes sparkle with pleasure; they make us come into their houses, and set before us the choicest productions of their gardens. They listen to all we say with the greatest eagerness, and when we go, shower down blessings on our head. My companion, who manages the patois, the linguaggio contadinesco, a great deal better than I do, is very fond of talking to them about religion. I sometimes tell him we

shall have the priests down upon us; and I really believe, were we to stay long in any place, this would happen. The people every where seem ripe for reform; but they are kept in a state of most deplorable ignorance. When the Bible is described to them, they can hardly bring their minds to believe such a book can exist. They know of no authority but the church, and no law but the ipse dixit of the priest.

"Dr. Conyers Middleton wrote a book to prove that the observances of the Catholic Church are purely of pagan origin, and that it is only the ancient worship of the gods bunglingly engrafted on Christianity. I have not seen it, but the idea struck me most forcibly on going the see a festa which is held at a little village at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. It is the feast of the Madonna del Arco--a madonna celebrated throughout the kingdom of Naples for the extraordinary miracles she has performed; in memory of which miracles, the church is filled (like the little church of Notre Dame de Fourviere, at Lyons) with representations in painting, in wood, or in wax, of all the accidents and deformities that can disfigure the human frame, all of which have been cured by the miraculous power of this wonderful virgin. In the intervals of the masses that are said by the priest, the people go down on their knees, and placing their tongues on the floor, proceed in this attitude from the church door to the altar, licking the dust all the way. By the time they are arrived before the Virgin, they are completely exhausted. They remain, however, on their knees, (their tongues and their noses blackened with filth,) till they have got through a certain number of prayers, and then leave the church with the full assurance of having obtained the favour of the madonna, and having gained indulgence from many years of purgatory. Their throats are then cleansed in the village with abundant libations of wine, their beads are decorated with oak-leaves and bunches of peeled nuts, that are made to hang like grapes about their hair; they are placed upon donkies, and carried home to Naples, singing drunken songs in praise of the Madonna del Arco, who heals all diseases, redresses all wrongs, and fulfils to the utmost the desires of all her votaries. Such a mixture of filth and piety, drunkenness and devotion, must have had its origin in the ancient Bacchanalian orgies, of which it is a most lively and animated illustration. At Rome I had seen the people crawling on their knees through the holy doors, falling down in the dirt whenever the Pope passed by, and, what is still a greater exertion, ascending the holy staircase, which they tell you once was Pilate's; but never did I see them in a state of such filthy degradation as at the festa of the Madonna del Arco.

I wish all our senators would come out and see the real state of Italy; they would not be quite so loud in defence of what they miscall emancipation, but which in fact is opening the door to the increase of the worst of slavery. I have seen the whole of the respectable population of Rome assembled in the splendid church of St. Peter's, and I have seen them fall down instantaneously on their knees at the sight of what are called the holy relics, which are exposed by the priest from an elevated gallery on particular occasions. Once I found myself the only individual who had courage enough to maintain the erect posture, and I stood up alone amidst the kneeling multitude. I have seen the horses, asses, and dogs, brought up on St. Anthony's day, to be blessed by the priest; and then the riders have driven them through the city like madmen, thinking no harm could come to them. I have seen people of ali ranks and ages prostrate themselves before the statue of St. Peter, and after saying a short prayer, most humbly kiss his toe, To such an extent is this carried, that the great toe of the image (it is so wretched a thing I can hardly call it a statue) is from time to time worn away, and the brazier is called in to supply another, that the toe-worshippers may not miss the object of their adoration. But a letter would not suffice to tell of half the instances that I have seen acted before my eyes of the most degrading superstition and image - worship; and yet this is the Catholicism of an enlightened age, which some of our statesmen would hold up to a Protestant country as a thing to be encouraged, supported, and patronized, That might not labour under any misunderstanding about the matter, I have made it my business to hear their ser mons and their different addresses from the pulpit and the altar. But I cannot describe, nor would you believe, the nonsense with which my ears have been insulted on these occasions. I have heard the most paltry, lying inventions of ghosts and goblins, gravely addressed to respectable audiences, and boldly asserted to have passed under the priest's own observation. But I beg pardon for occupying your time with these filthy abominations."

Public Meeting for the Establishment of a London University.It is with great satisfaction we present our readers with the proceedings of a very large and most respectable meeting, convened to establish a liberal University in the Metropolis, for students of every denomination. It was held on the 1st of July, at the City of London Tavern. two o'clock the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor took the chair, surrounded by a great number of distinguished senators,

At

merchants, ministers, and other literary gentlemen. The great room was crowded in every part, and many hundreds were compelled to retire, who could not even approach to the doors. After a short address from the Lord Mayor, the Rev. F. A. Cox, M. A., of Hackney, as Provisional Secretary, gave an outline of the general plan. It was difficult, he said, to trace with accuracy the various circumstances which had led to the meeting of this day. The importance of such a plan of education had been impressed simultaneously upon the minds of many. Some liberal senators, and a celebrated poet, bad noticed the overflow of the universities, and wished to secure their benefits to the middling classes; at the same time, some distinguished Dissenters were extremely anxious to adopt plans for the more general dissemination of liberal knowledge. These various elements were at work, combining to produce one grand end. It is now proposed to establish an Institution, to be called "The London University." Its object is, to diffuse general science; to be open nine or ten months in the year: it is to be a college of general science, including languages, moral philosophy, jurisprudence, medicine, mathematics, &c. &c. &c. It is to be governed by a chancellor, vice-chancellor, and counsellors, who are to be elected by the body of shareholders, every two years: shareholders are to be constituted such by subscribing £100. Professors are to be chosen and appointed by the Directors, and to be entirely under their control. The capital proposed to be raised is £300,000, a sum which is supposed to be fully adequate to the expenses of the foundation, and which is to be divided into shares of £100. each. No person to be allowed to subscribe for more than ten shares. The holder of five shares is to have two votes ; the holder of ten shares, three votes. The annual payment of the students to be five guineas, with the free use of the library. The shareholders are to receive 4 per cent. for their subscription. Donations will be received; and every donor of £50. to be entitled to the same privileges for life, as a subscriber of £100.

John Smith, Esq., M. P., after a few remarks, proposed the first resolution. Mr. S. then moved, "that the Prospectus read as the basis of the proceedings, representing the necessity of a University in London, and explaining the principles of such Institution, be immediately printed for extensive circulation."

H. Brougham, Esq., M. P., entered at this moment amidst thunders of applause. When the cheers had in some measure subsided, that gentleman addressed the meeting to the following effect :-

It gives me the greatest possible satisfaction to have the honour of meeting my

fellow-citizens on this occasion; for I have the honour of being a citizen, in common with many here. But on no occasion have I felt my heart more warmed by the business which formed the object of the assembly; for I am thoroughly persuaded, that no man who values the best interests of his kind-the diffusion of useful knowledge--the raising the middling classes to the station they ought to occupy--the blessings of a literary and scientific education, without which, riches are but dross, rank is an empty bauble, and power a gift, not for the happiness but for the injury of mankind ;--no man, I say, who values these things, can be indifferent to the object of our present meeting. As we are, thank God, very numerously assembled, I will not unnecessarily detain you, but with all possible brevity state what are our views.

It occurred to many persons, some months ago, when Mechanics' Institutions were formed under the patronage of my excellent friend, Dr. Birkbeck--it occurred that, as one consequence would naturally be that of the labouring classes of the community acquiring a degree of knowledge, and making advances in science of which our forefathers never dreamed ;--it occurred, I say, to the patrons of these measures, that one necessary consequence would be, that the great, the powerful, and the rich, would no longer be worthy of being called their superiors, unless they were their betters also in worth and knowledge. All thought that the inevitable consequence of teaching carpenters, and bricklayers, and smiths, to reason on scientific principles, while those who employed them were not instructed themselves, would be one of the greatest solecisms in the world. It occurred, therefore, that they could not too speedily put these resolutions into a practical shape; and they also found that some excellent and worthy friends among the Dissenters, were actually at the same time impressed with the same views, and from the same causes, were actually, with a degree of light proportioned to their real worth, which is unbounded, engaged in the same way. So we joined--we laid aside our differences, and united. We said, "We are Churchmen, and you are Dissenters; we may be right, and you may be wrong, or you are right or we are wrong;" but all this we put out of the question; both must learn, both must be taught just the same way. Dr. Birkbeck is a Dissenter--Sir Humphrey Davy is a Churchman; but I believe they both teach chemistry the same way. They have no tests (unless indeed they be chemical tests) whether a thing be an acid or an alkali; no test, except lithmus, or some other, to ascertain the quality of a thing as it shall turu the paper either

blue or red; they do not say, we will not teach you, unless we take you first into a private room, and examine you before a bishop as to your opinions if the Pope himself were to learn chemistry, he must learn it just in the same way. And there

fore we thought it would be best not to teach theology--not from any undervaluing of it! no! we never thought, we never attempted, we never supposed we could put them on a level. But theology is well taught in other places: there are the universities for the Church-- Scotland for the Presbyterians--and Homerton and Hoxton and other places for the Dissenters; and my friend Cox here, to whose services we are all so much indebted, is a sort of bishop among them. I am very anxious that you should understand me. Religion is of consequence: it is important if it be true--it is important if it be not true--and it has to do with the highest interests of mankind. But it is a subject on which we may split, and therefore we do not admit it. Men may differ on other points with safety, but no man can give up his opinions here; he cannot consent to believe what he considers to be erroneous doctrine. So, therefore, it is because we value religion so highly, that we will not mix it with these other concerns, but place it in a class of its own. I hope this subject will be well understood. Professions, on all subjects, are to be mistrusted, and most of all as respects religion. Some will not be satisfied with all the professions you can make, and therefore I advise you not to mention a word about it.

The council are to be invested will full and absolute power to choose, reject, or expel professors and others who shall neglect their duty, or be found teaching any thing inconsistent with the duties of good subjects to the state, or religious men to religion; and this is a ground of security to the public, that no doctrinal opinions of their own are to enter; and all who take part in this concern, while they hold religion most sacred, join in laying the foundation most generally, by having no tests, no exclusions; and so nothing contrary to religion can ever pass the threshold of the Institution.

But now as to the Institution itself. Could a man believe that we are now in the year 1825, and that a man living in the city of London, or in Westminster, or in the borough of Southwark, has no means of teaching his children the useful arts, the belles lettres, &c. unless he happens to be not only a respectable man, but one who has two or three hundred a year to pay for each child? And unless he has that, he cannot. His carpenter mayhis bricklayer, his smith may be taught, but the master cannot! Unless, indeed, he be willing to send him to the Mecha

nics' Institute, which he, perhaps, would not like; though I will engage he would be well taught there. This is the case; and this decides the question. There must be a University in London! There will be a University in London! You might as well persuade a man that is thirsty not to partake of a clear purling brook that is near his lips, for fear of offending some one who has a longer neck than his own, and to say to him, "Sir, I cannot think of drinking till you are refreshed," as persuade the man who feels his need of information, not to stretch out his hands to partake of the benefits of such an Institution when it is placed within his reach, as persuade the man who thirsts for science not to slake his thirst at the sacred fountain!

But some may say, "I have £300 a year for each of my children, and I like Oxford and Cambridge very well; but I don't like to send them away, at the age of eighteen, when the character is forming, from under the parental roof: I wish to keep them at home under my own eye." Well, this may be done, and they may be sent to this fine day-school of science. It has been said that London is a very immoral place. But I had rather send my son to an immoral place under my own eye, than I would send him to the most moral place, even to Oxford or to Cambridge, away from my observation. Those who argue thus, reason as if their sons went to the universities under their inspection; but as this is not the case, the comparison does not hold good.

Now, there are many respectable persons whose sons are educating for surgeons, doctors, &c.; and how can they send them to the university from the age of 15 to 21, which is the very time required for their apprenticeship? But if three or four hours a day would suffice, as it will, this would be readily spared, because the master would know that his pupil was receiving benefit.

We do not call upon you to do wonders or impossibilities. When it was found necessary to erect a building for the Mechanics' Institute, my friend, Dr. Birk. beck, had not patience to wait for subscriptions, and he laid down £3,000 at once on the table. We want a large sum, and we divide it into shares of £100 each. We look forward, therefore, to the accomplishment of our plan with confidence. We firmly believe we shall be assisted both by donations and by shares. We come into the City of London, where I will not say, money may be had for asking for, but where, I will say, no man ever came whose scheme was honest, and did not receive support. We ask no tests, because we consider they lead to intolerance and inconsistency, and that many who take them, do it from motives of gain. That is my creed on the doctrine of tests and

subscriptions; and I think it more honest, more religious, more philosophical, more fitting an honest man, than his who wrote a whole book about subscriptions, and then said that he was too poor to keep a conscience.

This is our plan; and we are happy to have one presiding among us who, to his own great honour, and our benefit, presides over this city. Men may contend elsewhere on grounds of religion or politics when it is proper; but let it not enter here. We are the friends of Science, and Science is of no party; it lifts its head above all the clouds that roll around it, and shines forth in its own native splendor and dignity:

"Like some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form,

Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm;

Tho' round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,

Eternal sunshine settles on its head."

Mr. Brougham then withdrew, loud and repeated plaudits.

amidst

Sir James Mackintosh.--I propose another resolution with some inconvenience to myself, but with the most heartfelt wishes for its success. You have, by coming to this place, given a sure pledge that you approve of the grand object which has brought us together. My difficulty in speaking on this subject, arises from its clearness. To illustrate it, is to illustrate that which is more clear than any illustration. We might well ask a reason for the most astonishing phenomenon of a city, the greatest the world has ever seen in ancient or in modern times-a city which owes more of its greatness than any on which the sun ever shone, to knowledge to those principles which tend to make men virtuous and loyal; yet so long destitute of an institution such as that which we now contemplate. I believe all that need be said, may be said in one word. The circumference of ten miles from the place where I now stand, contains a population of upwards of 1,200,000 souls. There is not in such a space so large a proportion in any other part of the world, the welfare of which so depends on education- whose character may be so much improved by it-whose importance it will so much increase, as those to whose doors it is thus proposed to be brought. If this proportion be true, it not only follows that the city of London is a fit place, but that it is the most fit place for a university; it follows, that it is not only a wise and fit measure, but, morally speaking, a necessary measure. And where there is the greatest demand for this species of education, and where it is necessary that it should be brought to the very door, there is the place where those who NEW SERIES, No. 8.

wish for it will endeavour to establish it. But it is not for London alone. A number of young men come to London from a distance, to acquire a knowledge of those professions and occupations in which they are to be engaged through life. These occupations bind them in a great measure to a particular spot, and make it impossible for them to go in quest of knowledge to any distance. But by means of this institution they may obtain education at the same time that they are pursuing their private studies; and they are likely to pursue them with greater advantage, when they pursue them at the same time that they are learning habits of punctuality, and industry, and obedience. It is a mistake to suppose that industry in the various pursuits of life, is at variance with the acquirement of knowledge. We have a proof of this in the case of my eloquent and learned friend who has just addressed us. Mr. Brougham multiplies himself into a thousand men, and thus gives to his life a duration tenfold more than that of most men, if we reckon the duration of life by thoughts, and meditations, and acts, and services. This tends to prove, that industry in the various pursuits of life tends to a more vigorous application to science. I beg leave to move, That the proposed Institution be called "The London University," and that its object be, to afford a liberal education at a moderate expense.

T. Campbell, Esq.--I feel that it would be like turning my back in the day of battle, if I did not now come forward. This great cause must not give way to physical sensations, because the nind should prevail over the body. I offer you sentiments of joy and congratulation on the business which has brought us together--that we meet under such auspices-that we are supported by such eloquence. It is not my wish to declaim, or to detain you by uttering one word irrelevant to the object of our meeting, or to enter into an argumentative or detailed defence of our proposed establishment. Your coming here--your appearance--your plaudits, are all pledges of the interest you feel in its success. I will not refer to the mercenary arguments which mercenary men have urged; but I hold it proper to assert, that all their arguments and objections are frivolous and futile, and too insignificant to deserve refutation. Our arguments in its favour rest on two points, its vital utility and its practicability. If London wishes to accomplish this object, it has only, like Fortunatus, to put on its wishing-cap; it has only to desire, and it will be accomplished. Every thing seems favourable to such an establishment; it is a time of peace-a time when improvements are making in every species of education.. There are only three capital cities in 3 L