From Dalzel I learn, by his erudite pow'rs

That the wines of the ancients were better than ours;
And I glow at the names of Anacreon and Flaccus,
The rogues were such lovers of Venus and Bacchus !
-As the Scots so renown'd are sor wisdom and knowledge,
I came hither, some further improvements to seek;
But this I'll maintain, thro' all forms of the college,
Compotatio's good latin―EYMITOZION good greek!

And science we find is now grown so bewitching,

From the garret we trace her, quite down to the kitchen!
While boilers, and roasters, sage Rumford applies,
Which delight our professors, our ladies surprise;
Tho' the cook maids lament, and declare 'tis quite cruel
To puzzle their nobs with such new ways to dine,

His scheme may be good to œconomise fuel,

But let him save our coals-we will not save our wine!'

Memoirs of the Rev. John Newton, late Rector of the United Parishes of St. Mary Woolnoth and St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, Lombard-street; with general Remarks on his Life, Connections, and Character. 2nd edit. corrected. By Richard Cecil, A. M. Minister of St. John's, Bedford Row, 12mo. 4s. Hatchard,

1808.

The extraordinary history of Mr. Newton, previously to his entering into the ministry; the irregularities of his youth, his sufferings on board different vessels, his cruel treatment, when in the service of a trader on the coast of Africa, and the perils he encountered while master of a slave ship in several voyages to Guinea, with his miraculous escape from various dangers both on shore and at sea; form such a combination of occurrences as cannot fail to render his Memoirs peculiarly interesting. But we do not recommend this volume merely as a Narrative of singular facts. As a moral and religious character, Mr. Newton was as eminently distinguished after he arrived at maturity, as he was in the younger part of his life, remarkable for profligacy aud infidelity. The manner in which so important a change in his principles and conduct was effected is fully detailed, and we think no reader can pass over this part of the work without instruction and improvement. Most of the leading circumstances of his life are extracted from the narrative, published several years ago by Mr. Newton himself, and

*The Greek Professor.

from the letters to his wife, a publication, which, tho' it shews the honest and amiable simplicity of his character, might and we think ought to have been kept from the public eye.

The following account of that truly benevolent and noble minded gentleman, the late John Thornton, Esq. will no doubt be acceptable to our readers.

"It is said of Solomon, that the Lord gave him largeness of heart, even as the sand on the sea shore: such a peculiar disposition for whatever was good and benevolent was also bestowed on Mr. Thornton. He differed as much from rich men of ordinary bounty, as they do from others that are parsimonious. Nor was this bounty the result of occasional impulse, like a summer shower, violent and short; on the contrary, it proceeded like a river, pouring its waters through various countries, copious and inexhaustible. Nor could those obstructions of imposture and ingratitude, which have often been advanced as the cause of damming up other streams, prevent or retard the course of this. The generosity of Mr. Thornton, indeed, frequently met with such hinderances, and led him to increasing discrimination, but the stream of his bounty never ceased to hold its course. Deep, silent, and overwhelming, it still rolled on, nor ended even with his life.

"But the fountain from whence this beneficence flowed, and by which its permanency and direction were maintained, must not be concealed. Mr. Thornton was a Christian. Let no one, however, so mistake me here, as to suppose that I mean nothing more by the term Christian, than the state of one who, convinced of the truth of revelation, gives assent to its doctrines-regularly attends its ordinances-and maintains an external, moral, and religious deportment. Such a one may have a name to live while he is dead; he may have a form of godliness without the power of it-he may even be found denying and ridiculing that power-till at length, he can only be convinced of his error at an infallible tribunal; where a widow, that gives but a mite, or a publican, that smites on his breast, shall be preferred before him.

"Mr. Thornton was a Christian indeed, that is, he was alive to God by a spiritual regeneration. With this God he was daily and earnestly transacting that infinitely momentous affair, the salvation of his own soul; and VOL. IV.

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next to that, the salvation of the souls of others. Temperate in all things, though mean in nothing, he made provision for doing good with his opulence: and seemed to be most in his element when appropriating a considerable part of his large income to the necessities of others.

"But Mr. Thornton possessed that discrimination in his attempts to serve his fellow-creatures, which distinguishes an enlightened mind: he habitually contemplated man, as one who has not only a body, subject to want, affliction, and death, but also a spirit, which is immortal, and must be happy or miserable for ever.. He, therefore, felt that the noblest exertions of charity are those which are directed to the relief of the noblest part of our species. Accordingly he left no mode of exertion untried to relieve man under his natural igno rance and depravity. To this end, he purchased advowsons and presentations, with a view to place in parishesthe most enlightened, active, and useful ministers. He employed the extensive commerce in which he was engaged, as a powerful instrument for conveying immense quantities of Bibles, Prayer Books, and the most useful publications, to every place visited by our trade. He printed at his own sole expense, large editions of the latter for that purpose; and it may safely be affirmed that there is scarcely a part of the known world, where such books could be introduced, which did not feel the salutary influence of this single individual..

"Nor was Mr. Thornton limited in his views of promoting the interests of real religion, with what sect soever it was connected. He stood ready to assist a beneficial design in every party, but would be the creature of none. General good was his object, and wherever or however it made its way, his maxim seemed constantly to be, valeat quantum valere potest.

"But the nature and extent of his liberality will be greatly misconceived, if any one should suppose it confined to moral and religious objects, though the grandest and most comprehensive exertions of it. Mr. Thornton was a philanthropist on the largest scale-the friend of man under all his wants. His manner of relieving his. fellow men was princely; instances might be mentioned of it, were it proper to particularize, which would surprise those who did not know Mr. Thornton. They were so much out of ordinary course and expectation,

that I know some, who felt it their duty to inquire of him, whether the sum they had received was sent by his intention or by mistake?-To this may be added, that the manner of presenting his gifts was as delicate and concealed, as the measure was large.

"Beside this constant course of private donations, there was scarcely a public charity, or occasion of relief to the indigent or necessitous, which did not meet with his distinguished support. His only question was, "May the miseries of man in any measure be removed or alleviated?" Nor was he merely distinguished by stretching out a liberal hand: his benevolent heart was so intent on doing good, that he was ever inventing and promoting plans for its diffusion at home or abroad.

"He that wisely desires any end will as wisely regard the means; in this Mr. Thornton was perfectly consistent, In order to execute his beneficent designs, he observed frugality and exactness in his personal expences. By such prospective methods he was able to extend the influence of his fortune far beyond those who, in still more elevated stations, are slaves to expensive habits. Such men meanly pace in trammels of the tyrant custom till it leaves them scarcely enough to preserve their conscience, or even their credit, much less to employ their talents in Mr. Thornton's nobler pursuits. He, however, could afford to be generous; and while he was generous, did not forget his duty in being just. He made ample provision for his children; and though, while they are living, it would be indelicate to say more, I am sure of speaking truth when I say, they are so far from thinking themselves impoverished by the bounty of their father, that they contemplate with the highest satisfaction the fruit of those benefits to society which he planted-which, it may be trusted, will extend with time itself—and which, after his example, they still labour to extend.

"But, with all the piety and liberality of this honoured character, no man had deeper views of his own unworthiness before his God; to the Redeemer's work alone he looked for acceptance of his person and services; he felt that all he did, or could do, was infinitely short of that which had been done for him, and of the obligations that were thereby laid upon him. It was this abasedness of heart towards God, combined with the most singular

largeness of heart toward his fellow-creatures, which distinguished John Thornton among men."

Mr. Cecil has executed his duty as a biographer, ably and impartially.

The Causes of the increase of Methodism and Dissention, and of the popularity of what is called Evangelical Preaching, and the mears of obviating them, considered in a Sermon, preached at the visitation of the Rev. the Archdeacon of Leicester, held at Melton Mowbray, June 20th 1805, and subjoined appendixes, &c. &c. By Robert Acklom Ingram, B. D. Rector of Segrave, Leicestershire. 8vo. 4s. Hatchard. 1807.

It is a general opinion that the established church is in more danger from the prevalence of methodism, than it would be subject to if the Catholic claims were admitted in their full extent. Without at all contesting this point, we concur with Mr. Ingram in attributing the increase of methodism in a great degree, to the indolence or want of talent in the clergy; who satisfied with their benefices and livings, doze over their own printed sermons, and encourage their SMALL congregations to take a comfortable nap with the preacher. The neglect of the clergy at large, (numerous exceptions there are no doubt,) both as to the duties of the pulpit and the parish, is notorious; and hence arises the vast influence which men of ability and perseverence, in what is called the methodistical persuasion, over the minds and affections of their hearers. If this evil be not reformed, methodism will continue to increase, and deservedly so continue, for attention to the mere form of devotion, without its enlivening spirit, will neither attract a congregation or be of any benefit to when assembled.

Rays of Genius, collected to enlighten the Rising Generation. By Thomas Tomkins. 2 vols. 12mo. 15s.

Longman.

A compilation of essays in which the author has shewn much taste and judgment. The subjects are interesting and important, and the author has not forgotten that brevity is the soul of wit."

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