The Rev. W. L. to the Rev. S. T. Wylde.

MY DEAR SIR,

Jan. 5, 1813.

I have received your circular letter, and beg to add my tribute of thanks for having taken up a subject, which more or less must create an interest in every parish in this neighbourhood. The complaint of a general diminution of home marriages, is, I believe, universal. Couples appear without any account how or where they were united. This, as you observe, may "draw a veil over the guilt of many, who cohabit as man and wife, without submitting to the ceremony:" and may tend to the subversion of religious and moral institutions, as well as to the fatal increase of vice and depravity. I can only assure you, that in my own parish, the population of which, during the last 14 years, has increased one-third, the number of marriages has decreased from about 10 to 4.

Although the multiplying of oaths is perhaps not desirable, yet it appears, that some such plan as you suggest, on applications for banns, might prevent the complete evasion of residence, which the situation of every large parish may at present afford.

I shall be ready to concur in any further step to this purpose, and am,

Dear Sir, your most sincerely,

W. L.

The Rev C. A. to the Rev. Mr. Wylde.

MY DEAR SIR,

Jan. 18, 1813.

Your excellent and much wished for letter, richly deserves my humble thanks. The subject is one that this neighbourhood loudly called for, as the pangs arising to parents, from the frequency and flagrancy of the violation of the Marriage Act, are increasing.

I have been resident in this parish (you know) but a short time, and therefore cannot give you many grievous examples. My predecessor, the Rev. Mr. P-e, doubtless can, for I have heard of them; but the applications from many respectable inhabitants of my parish, for the suppression of the present opportunity many indiscreet young persons now take to marry, have been numerous. I shall only relate one circumstance that has occurred since my short residence here, and conclude with sincerely hoping your laudable and praise-worthy exertions will be crowned with success.

About a month since, a young man and woman, both of age, left this parish (I believe) on a Friday; they returned the Monday following, the latter asserted they were married in Bristol, the former in the negative: they now live together, and the woman will soon be confined. The fathers of both I have seen within this hour; they are quite ignorant, even now, whether they are married or not, but do, I assure you, most grievously complain of their children's treatment, and fervently hope a speedy and effectual prohibition will take place.

In unison with their feelings, I have the honor to subscribe myself,

Your sincere friend,

C. A.

The Editor will be happy to receive any new communications relative to the subject of the preceding Pamphlet, as the publication of additional instances will tend to advance the laudable cause, in which Mr. Wylde is engaged, and which will speedily come before Parlia

ment.

THE NATIONAL RELIGION THE FOUNDATION

OF NATIONAL EDUCATION.

A

SERMON,

PREACHED IN THE

Cathedral Church of St. Paul's, London,

ON

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1811:

BEING THE TIME OF THE YEARLY MEETING OF THE CHILDREN EDUCATED IN THE CHARITY-SCHOOLS IN AND ABOUT THE

CITIES OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A COLLECTION OF NOTES,

CONTAINING

PROOFS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

BY HERBERT MARSH, D. D. F. R. S.

MARGARET PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

̔ΙΕΡΑ ΤΑ ΠΑΤΡΙΑ ΤΙΜΗΣΩ.