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1818.]

On Parochial Libraries.

carried down to Windsor, there to make recantation for those words, and to return back to the House of Commons, to receive FURTHER SENTENCE; and it was ordered that a writ should presently issue for a new election in his room.

"On the second of June, Mr. Taylor petitioned to be restored upon his submission; but his petition would not be hearkened unto."

Thus the chit-chat of private conversation was made a heinous crime, and no doubt the Mayor of Windsor for his information was well rewarded by a triumphant faction, which having engrossed all the prerogatives of the crown, and the rights of the people, crushed under its wheels the infatuated multitude, who, like the worshippers of Jagbernaut, lashed themselves to the car of democracy, under the delusion that they were advancing to liberty and happiness. August 6, 1818.

J. WATKINS.

ON PAROCHIAL LIBRARIES. MR. EDITOR,

AMONG the increasing novelties of the present day, the institution of village or parochial libraries deserves some notice. It is now above a century since that the pious Dr. Thomas Bray devoted much of his attention to this subject, but the association which he formed, and which still continues, had for its object the benefit of the poorer clergy, who could not afford to purchase the books necessary for their instruction in professional duties. The present scheme is of a wider extent, being designed for the use of the laity only, and that part which consists of the lower classes. There certainly can be no rational objection to the mere establishment of such lending libraries, which, on the contrary, may be productive of much good, in regard to economy of time, the peomet ing of social union, and the improvement of the morals of the poor. Still the most laudable designs are liable to abuse, and institutions, which in themselves merit support and extension, may in bad hands be perverted to very pernicious purposes. This has been manifest in the case of Sunday schools, which by sectarian management have proved injurious to the church in which they originated, and contributed more to schismatical disorder than to the maintenance of sound principles and practical morality. With such glaring evidence before our eyes, and the consideration of the weighty truth that

"A little learning is a dangerous thing,"

125

I cannot help viewing the present
device of parochial libraries with no little
jealousy, as affording potent means of
mischief to the enemies of order. The
more narrowly, indeed, this project is
examined, the more serious will it appear
to every man who has the welfare of his
country at heart.
Bad books are in-
struments of incalculable evil, and trifling
ones take up that time which might be
usefully employed.
At first perhaps

these libraries may not contain any thing
offensive to good manners, but there is
no answering for the thirst of curiosity
when ministered to by interested de-
ceivers. They who read one work of
fiction with delight will be desirous of
similar entertainment in the perusal of
voluptuous tales and extravagant ro-
mances, while others, who have derived
amusement from false representations of
life, will be willing enough to follow their
guides in the path of error. The greatest
danger, therefore, to be apprehended, is
that arising from insidious advice and
injudicious management; when artful
emissaries, taking advantage of credulity,
shall obtrude mental poison under the
guise of utility.

I am naturally led to this remark by observing the zeal manifested on this subject in some recent numbers of a rival publication, the principles of which are the reverse of loyalty, in which the general adoption of parochial libraries is strongly recommended by the editor, who kindly offers, at the same time, his assistance in the formation of them, by giving lists of looks, suited, as he says, to such institutions. In these lists, however, the intelligent reader will find many articles to which country villagers night remain strangers, without sustaining any loss in the necessary stock of human knowledge. But the cloven foot appears at once in these summary catalogues, by examining the proportion which the number of the publisher's own books have to the entire collection. These amount on the average to near one half, and therefore it is evident that the industry displayed on this occasion is neither better nor worse than an empirical puff to get rid at a distance of wares; the quality of which has been so long known in the trade as to have brought the manufactory into contempt.

The detection of imposture is a duty incumbent upon all who have the means of doing it; and to warn others of their danger when they are most confident of security may be justly esteemed an act of the purest philanthropy. Our obliga

126

Importance of Agriculture-Taming of Otters.

tions, as members of society, require that
we should expose machinations that have
a tendency to the injury of public morals,
under which impression I have pre-
sumed to lay these hints before you, with
the hope that some of your Correspon-
dents will pursue the subject, and lay
down a safe plan, by which the institution
of parochial libraries may be carried on,
without becoming the vehicle of schism,
disloyalty and infidelity, to which I fear
they must be instrumental, unless con-
siderable vigilance be used, and strong
barriers are placed to keep them from
the venders of deleterious compilations,
published under fictitious names, and
with high pretensions to intellectual
excellence.
August 8, 1813.

H. GREIG.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE.
MR. EDITOR,

The late intelligent Doctor James Anderson, in a mixed company, listened to a circle of gentlemen, debating whether the anchor, the anvil, the shuttle, or the ploughshare were entitled to preference, as the palladium of national prosperity. When he had opportunity to speak, his sentiments were delivered to the following effect: Maritime trade and local manufactures, are certainly of vast importance, and deserve every encouragement. Yet we should keep in view, that all articles of commerce, all fabrications of ingenuity, or industry, are liable to become an overstock; and it is long, very long, since Britain produced a sufficiency of grain for her own consumption. Therefore the ploughshare is our palladium. We have lands waste, or deficient in cultivation, that might employ millions of our people, and prevent millions of money in specie from being remitted to foreign countries, in exchange for the products of their agriculture. By the same resources we should reduce the amount of our paupers, and promote a demand for all the commodities procured by our seamen, our manufacturers, and artisans. Beyond doubt, the more we employ the ploughshare, the more shall we enrich our empire, and secure individuals from the inconveniences, the calamities of scarcity; an evil severely felt,both by high and low. This is the language of common sense, authenticated by the experience of ages; more especially by the state of many kingdoms during the last two years. A zealous friend to humanity has arged these considerations, with

[Sept. 1,

importunity, and reiterated them ever since 1816. Experiments to ascertain the practicability of preserving the surplus of plentiful crops, to supply the failure of others, have been proposed in a manner neither burthensome to the public treasury, nor to private persons; and also so directed as to counteract the most dire moral distemper that originates manifold crimes. An outline of the scheme has been published in the New Monthly Magazine for last January, page 502. One effort more, and if the writer shall not succeed, we must conclude the time has not arrived, when Britons will appreciate the importance of drawing all their bread from their own soil, and maintaining labourers by their own exertions, instead of continuing to feed them as unprofitable paupers. Auchterblair, N. B. July, 1818.

B.-G.

P.S. Some time ago, we saw in a provincial paper, an account of a seal, belonging to a gentleman at Bruntisland, in the south of Scotland. This amphibious creature had been caught young, and formed such an attachment for his master, that though carried out frequently to sea, and even thrown into his native element, he always returned to voluntary servitude. About six miles from this place, on Speyside, an Otter manifested equal devotion to his captor. He was taken young, became tame as a dog, and lost all his original propensities. If cast into the river, he swam about, but returned soon to the house. He preferred milk and cheese to fish, or animal food. There are traditional details of otters being trained to fish; a circumstance of which the proprietor of this animal was informed too late. The otter, though a keen fisher, only sucks the blood, and eats the gills of his finny prey. To train them for service, they ought to be taken very young, and whenever they form à liking to their feeder, they are to be brought to the river, when a net is drawn, and allowed to regale themselves with fish. It is said they will soon learn to seize, and take them ashore.

DEFENCE OF MR. SAMUEL BADCOCK

MR. EDITOR,

CASTING my eye over a very amusing compilation, entituled "Chronolo gical, biographical, historical "and miscellaneous exercises, for young ladies," by William Butler; I was astonished and disgusted to meet with the following illiberal language made use of in regard

1818,] Defence of Mr. Badeock-Plan of an English Academy.

to the ingenious Mr. Samuel Badcock. "About three years before his death," says the editor, "he conformed to the established church, and laboured, like many other unprincipled and despicable apostates, to prove the sincerity of his conversion by the outrage of malice on his first connexions." p. 173.

Reference is indeed made for this scandalous aspersion, to the Memoirs of Gilbert Wakefield; but this is no excuse for Mr. Butler, who ought to have made some inquiry before he took up so gross a calumny, and retailed it upon the authority of such a writer. Does Mr. Butler mean to say that it is apostacy to turn from one communion to another; if so, then Gilbert Wakefield was himself an apostate. But this I believe he dare not maintain; since in doing so he must brand, with the most odious of epithets, Bishop Chandler, Bishop Butler, Archbishop Horte, and Archbishop Secker; all of whom quitted the ranks of nonconformity for the Church of England.

As to Mr. Badcock, no man merited the imputation of apostate less than he did; for though he joined the established church, upon conviction, of which I could produce unexceptionable testimony; he neither sought nor obtained preferment. It was not three years before bis death, but two, that this change happened; and as to writing against his old connexions, nothing can be more remote from the truth; for all his critiques upon Socinian publications were published before his admission into the ministry of the church; and even after that, he continued upon the most friendly footing with his oldest and nearest friends among the dissenters, who still esteemed him for his talents and principles. By the last I mean his doctrinal sentiments, which were, both before and after his conformity, perfectly orthodox. Mr. Badcock, though an occasional correspondent of Dr. Priestley, chiefly on metaphysical subjects, was never a Unitarian in the common sense of the term; for both the congregation at Barnstaple, and that at South Molton were always what is called moderately Calvinistic.

Gilbert Wakefield indeed had reason to feel sore under the castigations which he received, as a translator and commentator, from this acute scholar; but it will be somewhat difficult to shew that they were unmerited. He that shall put faith in the assertions of Wakefield, has no reason to complain of the credulity of

127

others; and if he can bring himself to apologize for the furious spirit of that controvertist, he is neither to be envied for the delicacy of his feelings, nor authorized to accuse any one else of the want of liberality. DANMONIENSIS.

Barnstaple, August 6, 1813.

DESIGN OF AN ENGLISH ACADEMY.
MR. EDITOR,

AMIDST the numerous societies that
have arisen of late years for the en-
couragement of scientific enquiries, and
the advancement of religious knowledge,
it is much that no ingenious person has
turned the attention of the public to the
utility of an Institution for the improve-
ment of the English language and litera-
ture. All the societies that have been
hitherto established have some peculiar
feature, and are directed to specific ob-
jects. The Royal Society embraces the
circle of the sciences, the Antiquarian
receives communications upon the re-
mains or manners of old times, the Lin
næan is devoted to Natural History in
general, while the Geological, the Ento-
mological, and the Wernerian, are con
fined to still more narrow limits. With-
out disparaging any of these associations,
I think that another of a more compre-
hensive description and general benefit is
desirable, to which persons of various
professions and pursuits might cheerfully
contribute their support, and derive from
it considerable advantage and entertain-
ment. The mathematician-and the na-
turalist, the antiquary and the musician,
are all, more or less, interested in polite
literature; and yet, while they are re-
spectively labouring in their favourite
lines, it is too common for them to neg-
lect the study of the language in which
they have to impart their ideas or dis-
coveries to the world. At the time of
the rebellion, that which now bears the
name of the Royal Society was formed
with the title of the Philosophical Club;
and it appears from one of its most active
members, Mr. Evelyn, that after the re-
storation it was intended to form an
other of a more enlarged description, for
the cultivation of letters and the im-
provement of the English language. In
a letter to Mr. Pepes, this ingenious man
dwells at length upon the utility of such
an establishment. "We should not
then," says he, "have so many crude and
fulsome rhapsodies imposed upon the
English world for genuine wit, language,
and the stage; as well as on the auditors
and spectators, which would be purged

128

Plan of an English Academy-The Querist.

from things intolerable. It would inflame, inspire, and kindle another genius and tone of writing, with nervous, natural strength and beauty, genuine, and of our own growth, without always borrowing and filching from our neighbours. And indeed such was once designed, since the restoration of Charles the Second, (1665,) and in order to it, three or four meetings were begun at Gray's Inn by Mr. Cowley, Dr. Sprat, Mr. Waller, the Duke of Buckingham, Matt. Clifford, Mr. Dryden, and some other promoters of it. But by the death of the incomparable Mr. Cowley, distance and inconvenience of the place, the contagion, and other circumstances intervening, it crumbled away, and came to nothing. What straw I had gathered towards the bricks for that intended pyramid, (having the honour to be admitted an inferior labourer) you may command and dispose of, if you can suffer my impertinences; and that which I have not shewed you, the plan I drew and was laying before them for that design, which was the polishing of the English tongue, and to be one of the first intentions and chiefest subjects of the academists."

It is to be regretted that more particulars of this project are not extant, and that the plan here alluded to is lost; but the simple relation that a scheme of this sort was once contemplated by such men, who were no visionaries, may serve as a stimulus in this inquisitive age, to the adoption of a similar undertaking. July 13, 1818. BRITOPHILUS.

THE QUERIST.

[Under this head it is intended to dispose of such short enquiries as may be transmitted to us, from time to time, for the purpose of eliciting information from our intelligent readers. A magazine may be considered as the public mart, or exchange of literature, where all persons may find matter for their intellectual pursuits in art, science, and polite learning; or where, by making their particular wants known, they may obtain intelligence and directions suited to the immediate objects in which they are engaged.]

[Sept. 1,

1. PRINCE'S WORTHIES. DANMONIENSIS is desirous of information concerning the manuscript collections of John Prince, the laborious author of "The Worthies of Devon." Our correspondent is led to this inquiry by seeing in one of the Naval Histories, reference made to a supplement, or continuation of Prince, for an account of an early voyager of the name of Parker, but of whom no mention is made in the folio or quarto edition of the Worthies? 2. CALAMY's MS.

BIOGRAPHICUS wishes to be informed where the manuscript Life of Dr. EDMUND CALAMY is deposited, and whether any material part of the Memoir has been ever published?

3. LOCKE'S PAPERS.

In Miss Benger's interesting Memoirs of Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton, it is said that some of the correspondence of LOCKE was offered to that lady for the illustration of his Life, if she had chosen to undertake the work. In whose possession is that correspondence? Most of Locke's papers were in the hands of the Masham family; and the unfortunate Dr. Dodd having full access to the collection in that library, is supposed to have made sad havoc with these literary treasures. One curious fact connected with this subject is, that Dodd finding there a vast number of scriptural illustrations and theological disquisitions, published several of them in a Commentary on the Bible, as the performances of Locke, when in truth they were the productions of a much greater man, Dr. RALPH CUDWORTH, the father of the first Lady Masham.

4. LITHOGRAPHY.

C. W. W., in a note to the Editor, says, "I observe in your Magazine for last month (p. 68), an account of chemical printing, invented by M. Aloys Senefelder. It being a considerable improvement upon the first invention, which he termed Lithography, I shall feel greatly obliged if any of your correspondents can give an account of the method of using copper-prepared paper, &c. instead of stone."

THE CABINET.

DR. TUCKER, DEAN OF GLOUCESTER.

AT the general election in 1767 there was a violent contest at Bristol, on which occasion the vestry of the parish of St. Stephen, one of the most conside

rable in the city, entered into a resolution to oppose Lord Clare, who had represented the place during two or three parliaments. Having come to this determination the gentlemen waited upon the rector, Dr. Tucker, Dean of Glou

1818.] Loyalty-England in the Seventeenth Century-Stratagems. 129

cester, who was a fast friend to Lord Clare, and told him that if he presumed to vote against the vestry, they would not collect a shilling for him in the parish. The Dean heard them patiently, and then very calmly replied," Gentlemen, do whatever is right in your own eyes; I shall certainly vote for Lord Clare, consequently against you: but I shall, notwithstanding, do my duty to you as your minister, whether you collect for me or not. If you can answer that in your own consciences, I am satisfied. Sure I am, that my conscience shall never reproach me for my conduct towards you; and I shall be very sorry, for your own sakes, that your's should ever reproach you for your conduct towards me." This manly and disinterested behaviour had such an impressive effect that his income never lessened.

LOYALTY.

Sir Thomas Wyndham, who was a zealous royalist in the reign of Charles the First, a few days before his death called to him his five sons, and thus addressed them :-" My children, we have hitherto seen serene and quiet times under our three last sovereigns; but now I warn you to prepare for clouds and storms. Factions arise on every side to threaten the tranquillity of your country. But whatever happens, faithfully honour and obey your prince, and adhere to the crown. I charge you never to forsake the crown, though it should hang on a bush." This solemn advice had its effect, for all the sons proved loyal men through the rebellion.

ENGLAND IN THE 17TH CENTURY. Count Oxenstiern, who had been three times ambassador from the court of Sweden to that of England in the former part of the seventeenth century, drew the following sketch of this country, which some may think not very far from the truth at the present period.

"England without dispute is the queen of isles, the empire and arsenal of Neptune. She is at the same time the Peru of Europe, the kingdom of Bacchus, the school of Epicurus, the academy of Venus, the country of Mars, the abode of Minerva, the support of Holland, the scourge of France, the purgatory of partisans of opposition, and the paradise of those of liberty. The women are handsome, but their beauty is attended with something very insipid. Bravery there, is, as it were, natural to the men, but carried to an excess that approaches to savageness. Wit and

NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 56.

judgment reign there, and perhaps more than in any other country whatever; but they produce a certain air of pride which considerably diminishes their merit. 'Tis there, one may say, that fortune distributes her favours abundantly; but these islanders are ignorant of the use they ought to make of them to strangers, as the courtiers and their taste are the only objects of their liberality. Their language is an odd mixture of almost all the tongues of Europe: but with this advantage, that it expresses itself the best of all of them: in short, 'tis a nation where nothing is wanting to its happiness but to know how to enjoy it. Her natural restlessness and extreme jealousy for liberty and property have often plunged her into civil wars, which have laid her within six inches of her destruction. The three journies I made there having let me into their manners, I venture to assert that it is the most delightful country in the world for young gentlemen to be amused in, provided they are masters of the language, and able to support the expense; and if the high road to hell be sown with delights and pleasure, you must necessarily pass through England to go to it."

STRATAGEMS.

In the reign of James the second, Robert Ferguson, a Presbyterian minister, who had plotted against the government, fled from justice to the city of Edinburgh, when perceiving that he was closely pursued, and that the gates were shut to prevent his escape, he had recourse to a device which men of less cunning would have considered as the certain means of destruction. Instead of secreting himself in a cellar or garret, and putting confidence in strangers, he went to the town prison, where he knew an old acquaintance was confined, and there he remained concealed till the search being over and curiosity at an end, he was enabled to go quietly about his business. The same man, after the unfortunate affair in which the Duke of Monmouth perished, with whom he acted as secretary, had a still more narrow escape. Ferguson knew that a proclamation was issued out against him, and his person was so very remarkable, that he could hardly entertain the least hopes of eluding pursuit. Being, however, a man of great presence of mind, he made the best of his way for the coast; but instead of passing along byeroads, or through little villages, he entered the largest towns, and fearlessly VOL. X. S

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