many of the selections are very good, and made with great judgment. We extract the following passage from the prefatory address, which explains the design of the editor.

"Feeling deeply interested in the present and eternal happiness of our naval and military countrymen, and especially for those among them who have not the means of reading many books, or time or abilities to read much of any book at one time (as is the case with many of the inmates of Greenwich and Chelsea College), I determined on printing and presenting this collection of extracts for their acceptance. But although I have chiefly had naval and military men in view, and particularly those at the Greenwich and Chelsea establishments, I cannot but hope and believe that the contents of this volume may prove useful to others in various ranks and conditions of society."

Communion Meditations, or, the Manner in which the Faithful of the Church of England do Remember the Lord Christ, in the Communion of His Supper, extracted, without Abridgment, from Mason's Christian Communicant. Edited by the Rev. John Missing, M.A., Magdalene-hall, Oxford. 18mo. London: Nisbet.

THE editor states in his preface, that "this edition contains the whole of that portion of the original, without abridgment, which consists of meditations on every part of the Communion Service of the Church of England, and to this are added portions of the introductory and concluding chapters." The work is very well printed, and in a convenient and portable form.

A Catechism of the Apostles' Creed, with Scripture Proofs. By the Rev. J. B. Wilson, M.A., Fellow of Magdalene College, Oxford, and Perpetual Curate of Marshchapel, Lincolnshire. London: Simpkin and Marshall. Louth: W.

Edward. 1839.

BOTH the questions and answers are very well arranged, and the proofs from Scripture are selected with judgment.

Ecclesiastical Entelligence.

METROPOLIS CHURCHES FUND.-The following is a brief account of the origin and progress of this fund. In the summer of 1836 the Bishop of London called the attention of the public to the fearful extent of spiritual destitution which existed in the metropolis; especially in the North and North-east parts of it, and proposed a subscription, in order to the formation of a fund sufficient for the erection of fifty additional churches. It was proposed that each church should have its own district, and its resident clergyman. This call was promptly answered; numerous subscriptions were offered, including one of 1000l. from his late Majesty, several contributions from single individuals of from 4007. to 1000l. each, more of 500l., a great number of 2001. and 1007., and other sums far larger than had been usually subscribed to objects of public interest. Subscriptions have continued to come in, and still continue. At the present moment the amount subscribed is, 137, 2137., 8s. 9d. of which 7861. has been given specifically for the purposes of endowment. In the early part of the present year some pious and charitable individuals, struck by the extremely destitute state of the parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal-green, and desirous of proving by experiment, what might be done towards remedying the evils of ignorance and vice and pauperism, by applying to them the remedy which they believe to exist in the salutary energies and influences of the church, determined to make an effort, for the purpose of providing for that parish a number of additional churches, clergymen, and schools, adequate to the wants of the population, amounting to more than 70,000. For the attainment of this object, a sum of at least 75,000l.

would be required. An appeal was made by them to the public, with the full approval of the Bishop. The Committee of the Metropolis Churches Fund determined to appropriate to this object the sum of 10,000, being 10002. for each of the intended new churches. Her Majesty's commissioners for building additional churches have granted 5007. ; the Corporation of the City of London, 10004; the Principal and Fellows of Brasenose College, patrons of the living, 5004; the Bank of England, the Grocers' Company, and some individuals, the same sum; and many of the companies, merchants, bankers, &c., various sums of from 300l. to 1007. Messrs. Hanbury, Buxton, and Co., 1000l., in addition to their former subscriptions to the Metropolis Fund; and from anonymous donors the following munificent subscriptions have been received: From "a successful emigrant of former days," an exchequer bill of 10007.; from a merchant under the designation of "Commercial prosperity," 2000l., by the hands of the Rev. Bryan King; and from a clergyman and his sister, by the hands of the Bishop of London, 6000l. Altogether, the fund for erecting additional churches, schools, and parsonage houses in Bethnal Green, already amounted to 48,2607. 15s. 104d.; and the total sums raised since 1836, for supplying the want of religious and pastoral instruction in the metropolis, exceed 170,000l. Besides this, in some instances sites for churches have been given, in others, sold at a cheap rate to the Committee. The application of the fund up to the present time is as follows:Eight new churches have been built exclusively from the fund, and consecrated. Six others have been consecrated, which were built partly by means of the fund. One is now in progress, the expense of which will be defrayed entirely from the same source. Six are building, and nearly ready for consecration, to which grants in aid have been made. Three are in contemplation, to be built wholly from the fund. Assistance has been promised to seventeen others, including the ten to be built in Bethnal Green; so that on the whole, if the remainder of the money requisite for the last mentioned churches be raised, of which the Committee entertain a confident expectation, forty-one new churches, each with its district and clergyman, will have been added, under the divine blessing, to the means of spiritual instruction and public worship which existed before in the metropolis; an addition by no means adequate to the actual necessity of the case, but affording abundant cause of thankfulness, and ground of encouraging hope to the friends of the undertaking. It should be added, that two parsonage-houses are already finished, and two more are in course of erection.

Of the churches which have been built, or may be built, by means of the Metropolis Churches Fund, in the parishes which are in the patronage of Brasenose College, the Principal and Fellows of that Society have voluntarily placed in the hands of the Bishop the nomination of the first clergyman; and have agreed to vest in him the perpetual patronage of those for which a competent endowment may be procured. It is hoped that this statement will be an encouragement to the promoters of church-building, and an inducement to the many opulent members of our Church, who have not yet contributed to that good work according to their means, to come forward with their subscriptions.-Ecclesiastical Gazette, Dec. 10.

We also insert the following correspondence, which has passed between Mr. Kay and the Rev. T. Wharton, (which we extract from the Ecclesiastical Gazette of Dec. 10,) on the subject of National Education:

"Committee of Council on Education Council-office, Whitehall, Nov 2, 1839.

"Rev. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 31st of October, in which you urge that your application to the Lords of the Treasury, for aid, was made at a period when other conditions were in force, and when it was presumed that no new conditions would be imposed on applicants for a portion of the Parliamentary grant for the erection of schools.

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My Lords direct me to inform you, that applicants were never assured by the Lords of the Treasury, that the conditions required by their lordships were finally settled; nor could the applicants have the smallest assurance that the intentions of Parliament would not change. My Lords have, however, not been insensible to the fact, that many of the present applicants for aid from the parliamentry grant, may have presumed that the appropriation of the public

C

funds voted for the promotion of education would be confided to the Treasury, and administered as in past years; and their Lordships have therefore adopted for the present year, regulations differing in no important particular from those issued by the Lords of the Treasury, excepting in the condition of inspection. 'My Lords cannot abandon the condition of inspection in your case.—I have the honour, &c. (Signed) "J. P. KAY."

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Rev. T. Wharton, St. John's Wood."

"St. John's National School, Nov. 12, 1839. "Sir, I have this day submitted your letter of the 2nd inst. to the worthy committee of this school, and am desired to express their deep regret that the Lords of the Council on Education should still adhere to a condition which, as regards this and all other schools which were projected before this condition was imposed, inflicts upon them a peculiar injustice.

"With reference to the expression in your note, that applicants could not have the smallest assurance that the intentions of Parliament would not change,' we beg leave to remind you that it was not Parliament, but only one branch of the legislature, and that by a very small majority, which made the change against which the other branch of the legislature, by a large majority, entered their solemn protest: and against which also the opinion of the people was recorded in numerous petitions. Under these circumstances, we confidently rely upon the wisdom of Parliament for a remedy to a state of things, the tendency of which must be not only to aid the educational funds of the various sects of Protestaut Dissenters, to the entire exclusion of the schools of the Established Church, but probably to extend among the infant population the corrupt doctrines of the bitterest enemies of the Protestant faith.-I have the honour, &c. (Signed) "THOMAS WHARTON.

"To J. P. Kay, Esq.”

NATIONAL EDUCATION. The following circular has just been issued by the National School Committee, promising aid and assistance to all the applicants so unjustly rejected by the Committee of Council.

"No.

"National Society's Office, Sanctuary, Westminister, Nov. 30, 1839.

"School Case.

"Reverend Sir,-The Committee of the National Society have been for some time prevented from deciding upon the various cases now before them, by the difficulties and embarrassments arising from their negociations with the Committee of Council on Education; now that these negociations are at an end, the committee have been enabled to adopt the following resolutions :

"In the first place, the committee will make good any guarantee or promise of aid, as soon as it becomes due.

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Secondly. In all cases where the parties interested have incurred personal liabilities in full confidence of obtaining a grant from Government, but have been prevented from accepting it by the new condition with which it is encumbered, the committee will make a loan to the amount necessary for their immediate relief, not exceeding 10s. for each scholar.

"When the amount of these loans has been ascertained, the committee will proceed to consider cases that have already been before them, and will make the applicants such grants, or such additions to former grants, as each case, considered on its own merits, may appear to deserve, and as the funds of the society may be able to afford.

"Lastly. In the case of applicants who have been disappointed of a grant from Government, the committee will immediately advance whatever sums they may have voted, without insisting on the usual condition, that the school shall be free from debt.

"The committee hope, that under some one of the above provisions every contingency is included; and that you will not have any difficulty in applying them to your own case.

"Believe me, Reverend Sir,
"Your faithful and obedient servant,
"JOHN SINCLAIR, Sec."

TESTIMONIALS OF RESPECT TO CLERGYMEN. Rev. T. J. C. Adamson, incumbent of Padiham, Lancashire, a silver inkstand, a pocket communion service, and a superbly bound polyglot Bible. Rev. Colin Campbell, curate of St. Paul's, Birmingham, a silver inkstand. Rev. T. T. Champness, of Upton-cumChalvey, Bucks, a silver breakfast service. Rev. J. F. Denham, of St. Maryle-Strand, Westminster, a superb set of robes, by the congregation attending his Wednesday evening lecture. Rev. R. Downes, of Leamington, a splendid candelabrum. Rev. R. Ganvey, M. A., Principal of the West Riding Proprietory School, has been presented by the pupils with an elegant silver snuff-box. Rev. R. Harvey, of Hornsey, a beautiful and costly set of robes. Rev. W. Houbrook, of Bradford, Yorkshire, a tea and coffee service. Rev. H. Howell, curate of Washfield, a silver salver. Rev. T. Kennion, of High Harrowgate, a splendid silver salver. Rev. F. W. Knollis, curate of Diggeswell, Herts, by the governess and children of Diggeswell school, a beautifully ornamented writing book. Rev. Samuel Shipley, Vicar of Ashbourn, a very handsome silver tea and coffee service. Rev. F. O. Smith, of Swineshead and Frampton, a splendid set of robes.

NEW ZEALAND.The settlers in New Zealand have provided a glebe for the Rev. J. F. Churton, and have also engaged to provide him with a house and 2007. per annum, in addition to the grant of 100%. per annum made by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.

mas.

Miscellanea.

CAROLS. The term carol seems originally to have signified a song of gladness, intermingled with dancing. It afterwards was applied to any festive songs, and at length through various influences was referred solely to those of ChristIt had its application extended to all which were used at Christmas, even to those solemn hymns of the season which were of a nature totally opposed to the merry and often profane song, which alone, in its original import, carol signified. Thus did carols become divided into two sorts; one founded upon, and frequently incitative of the ancient Latin hymns of the Church and these were sung in the Churches and through the streets on Christmas night, and every morning and evening, as religious exercises, from Christmas until Twelfthday; and others, merely jovial songs, which were sung during the hours of revelry, and some of these may be traced to the Anglo-Normans. But they were all comprised in the one indiscriminate term, carol.

UNCULTIVATED ARABLE LAND IN IRELAND.-It is in evidence, that the extensive arable territory of Ireland is not half cultivated. There are five millions of acres waste, capable of cultivation, and unemployed labour is imploring for permission to render them productive. It is not an exaggerated calculation, that the reclaimable wastes of Ireland would yield a rental of four millions, if brought into cultivation; and if, in addition to this, a proper system of agriculture were adopted, and the means of internal communinication extended, the present rental would be more than doubled. Ireland would be thus fully enabled to supply the agricultural wants of England, whilst the augmented employment afforded to the people would greatly enhance the revenue, and considerably increase the demand for English manufactures. That Scotland is inferior in soil and climate to Ireland is known to every one, yet the revenue collected in the former, in 1834, on articles also taxed in Ireland, with precisely similar rates, amounted to 2,377,3861. per annum; while the revenue collected in Ireland on these articles in that year amounted to 1,975,3311. per annum. Were trade and the consumption in proportion to the population, and the country on an equality of condition with Scotland, the Irish revenue would have been nearly 8,000,000l. By raising, therefore, the condition of Ireland to an equality with Scotland, six millions a year might be added to the revenue.

THE WORDS OF MARTYN LUTHER." I would not advise any one to place his child where the Holy Scriptures are not regarded as the rule of life. Every institution where God's word is not diligently studied must become corrupt.”

THE DAHLIA.It was in Holland House Gardens that this celebrated flower first made its appearance in this country, in the year 1803, from seeds sent from Spain by Lord Holland. Though the season was far advanced, a few parcels were selected, and one of them was labelled "dahlia pennata;" when about nine inches high, it was planted out, and in the middle of September appeared the first dahlia purpurea, forming a luxuriant branching root about eight feet high; their rich variety of colours was predicted by the most experienced botanists, and in the following year were produced the rosea, croceata, and coccinea.

VARIETIES OF WHEAT.-At the late meeting of the English Agricultural Society at Oxford, Colonel Le Couteur received a prize of 20l. for his essay on the cultivation of wheat. This gentleman, who is one of the first agriculturalists of the day, has for five years been instituting experiments in order to ascertain the expense and profit of growing the several varieties of this staple of our agriculture. From this statement we learn that the Hoary White, or Velveteen wheat, produces per acre, 48 bushels of corn, worth (at 8s.) 19. 4s., and straw worth 57. 8s. 9d.; total value, 247. 12s. 9d. The expenses of cultivation are 97. 6s.; leaving a nett profit of 157. 6s. 9d. per acre. Of the next variety, the Jersey Dantzic, the items are, produce, 221. Os. 6d., expenses 91. 6s. ; profit per acre, 12. 14s. 6d. The third variety, the Whittington, affords 221. 11s. 6d. of gross produce per acre; from which 107. Os. 6d. being deducted for expenses, leaves the nett profit at 127. 11s. The last sort recorded in the experiment of the gallant colonel, is the valuable variety called the Talavera Belle Vue, which produces 52 bushels per acre, and 5,480 lbs. of straw, of which the total value is 267. 1s. 6d; while the expenses being only 10%. Os. 6d., there remains the enormous profit of 167. 1s. per acre.

THE VALUE OF TIME,-In our dealings with each other, there is nothing which we so much miscalculate as the ever-varying value of time; and, indeed, it is but too material, to look upon it as it seems to us, and not as it seems to others. The slow idler on whose head it hangs heavy, holds the man of business by the button, and remorselessly robs him on the king's highway of a thing ten times more valuable than the purse that would hang him if he took it. The man of action and business, whose days seem but moments, forgets, in his dealing with the long expecting applicant and the weary petitioner, that, to them, each moment is far longer than his day.-James's Henry of Guise.

A PEOPLE WITHOUT RELIGION.-The Arafuras, a people of the Moluccan Archipelago, seem to have no religion whatever. Mr. Bik, who visited them in 1824, found it impossible to convey to them the simple notion of a Deity :. "At length one of them, who had listened with particular attention, demanded of me where this all-ruling being took up his abode. I answered, that the Deity was present everywhere, not only among us, but in every plant that, through his goodness and power, he has furnished us for our food. This idea was too abstruse for the Arafuras; for one of them answered, Then, this God is certainly in your arrack, for I never feel happier than when I have drunk plenty of it.'”—Kolff's Voyages, &c.

REMARKABLE CYPRESS.-Perhaps the oldest tree of which there is any record in the world is the cypress of Soma, or Somma, in Lombardy. This celebrated tree is generally supposed to have been planted in the year of the birth of Jesus Christ, and on this account is treated with great reverence by the inhabitants of that part of Lombardy where it grows. Abbé Berleze informs us that it was a tree in the time of Julius Cæsar, B. C. 24.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"Pretensions of the Bishops of Rome," No. X. shall appear in our next.

Thoughts on the Trinity," shall appear in our next.

The letter of" B." is of too particular and personal a character for insertion in our

pages.

WILLIAM EDWARD PAINTER, STRAND, LONDON, PRINTER.