throughout than the religious. The question of obedience to unlawful commands is soundly laid down & subject only to that sort of difficulty which all political propositions are liable to from the possibility of being over-strained, & of putting cases which shall drive you to absurd conclusions, by getting into extremes. Thus it will be objected, "Shall each com mon soldier judge of a nice point of law?" Nevertheless the doctrine is right and sound. But I do not so well like the application of Christian virtue, to enable a nation "to darken the Roman splendour, & to conquer and bless the world." I take conquering to bless, & cutting one half of a nation's throats, to treat the other with lenity, to be the most unchristian thing in the world. Indeed, I have always thought, parcere subjectis to be a very foolish, as well as a very impertinent saucy language, for man to talk to his fellow creatures. I do not know whether I should add to the force of my argument, by saying, likewise, fellow christians, because, I conceive, the great point of the Christian religion was to teach we are fellow creatures. But, indeed, where is the good of it? Why can't one as well spare people first? I am sure one may spare more of them, & with far less trouble. To talk of conquering people, and of the divine principles of free government, in the same page, (nay, within four lines) makes one sick. To know whether conquering (under the saucy pretence of blessing) is good, only ask how you would like for France, or Spain, or the Turk, if you please, to talk so to you? They would all bless you their own way; some with circumcision, some with the inquisition. And to know whether it is Christian, so to do to others as you would not be done to, is settled, as I remember, some where or other; so I need not argue it. Saving the few lines, p. 10, which the above refers to, I like the Sermon well; but that cursed habit, imbibed very early, of applauding successful generous highwayman, leads one into terrible scrapes, when one sets about to manufacture such a warp with a Christian weft. Charles the 12th must have been a devilish good Christian. What pity you Alexanders, &c. had not the same advantages? I think a Roman general had not the greater triumph, unless he had slain a certain number of men. To darken their splendour, I suppose the number must have been increased for a clever Christian triumph. And now having, I think, almost writ a sermon likewise, I thank you once more, & remain, Sir, Your obliged and Obedient humble servant, T. B. Bayley, esq; G. SAVILE. Population of the Town and Abbey of Paisley, Taken from 27th May to 1st July 1811. Population of the Burgh of Paisley, Taken betwixt 6th August and 7th October 1818. Total of Town and Abbey would be, 45769 As the population of the Abbey Parish has not been ascertained by actual examination, the sum total of inhabitants is, to a certain extent, matter of conjecture. At the same time there is reason to think, that its population has increased nearly in the same ratio as that of the town. Besides, it must be noticed, that in estimating the population of each family, it was almost impossible to obtain an accurate enumeration of the actual inmates of such houses us are appropriated to the keeping of lodgers, particularly those from Ireland, of which the number has of late rapidly increased. In the census, accordingly, this mass of floating population has been entirely omitted; and if we allow, on this account, the average of some hundreds additional, the gross amount of the whole population of the town and parish, cannot be estimated at less than 45,000. From the census of 1811, it appears that there were at that time only 15 houses in the course of erection throughout the whole community. At present the number stands as under: Houses in the town and suburbs, building, - The above is taken from Mr Burns' "Historical Dissertations on the law and practice of Scotland with regard to the Poor," &c. published in March last. The volume embraces a great variety of subjects, and from the concise and lucid manner in which it is written, and the numerous facts and documents brought into view, must be read with considerable interest by those who have turned their attention to the management of the poor, and the modes of promoting the improvement of the people, We intend further extracts in future numbers. Friendly Societies. A case of some importance relative to these institutions was tried at Kelso on the 26th ult. before his Majesty's Justices of the Peace. The Kelso Friendly Society of Tradesmen and others, summoned two of its members, who had neglected for some time to contribute to the funds of the society, without having intimated their resignation, to pay up their arrears. The defenders refused to comply with the demand, on the ground that, by ceasing to contribute, they had lost all claim to any benefit from the society, and, of course, were virtually no longer to be considered as members. The Court, however, decided, that every member of the institution is bound to pay up all arrears of subscription, fines, &c. till he has formally given notice of leaving the society. The Parisians have made excellent use of the Persian ambassador. One of the journalists conducts him to a debate of Deputies, and, in repeating to him the opinion of the orators, takes occasion to recommend for diffusion in Persia les lumieres du Siecle. His Excellency replies, that the Shah, being cousin to the sun and uncle to the moon, would content himself with the lights of the family, and would have nothing to do with those of the age. Alexander and the Pirate. Alexander demanded of a pirate, whom he had taken, "By what right he infested the seas ?" "By the same right" replied he boldly, "that you enslave the world. But I am called a robber, because I had only one small vessel; and you are stiled a conqueror, because you command great fleets and armies." This reply of the pirate furnished ample scope for reflection; for it is, we apprehend, an undeniable truth, that we too often judge of men by the splendour and not by the merit of their actions. Fish Story. A gentleman sent his black servant to purchase a fresh fish. He went to a stall, and taking up a fish, began to smell it. The fishmonger observing him, and, fearing the byestanders might catch the scent, exclaimed--" Hallo! you black rascal, what do you smell my fish for!" The negro replied-" Me no smell your fish, Massa."-What are you doing then, Sir?""Why, me talk to him, Massa."-And what do you say to the fish, eh!"-"Why me ask what news at sea? that's all Massa."-" And what does he say to you?"" He says, he don't know-he no been dere dese three weeks!" Original Poetry. SONG.. And can thy bosom bear the thought, Are all the plighted vows forgot, Sae fondly pledged by thee, laddie? You'd ne'er lo'e ane but me, laddie. Gin ye part frae me, laddie. |