magnitude of the design is alone suf. ficient to deter any ordinary topographer. The volume now before us is rather to be considered in the light of aid lent to the general concern, than as a perfect work in itself; for it is devoid of that investigation on which the antiquary prides himself, and which so particularly characterizes Newcome's History of the Abbey of St. Alban's: the editor, indeed, acknowledges that conciseness and utility, rather than elegance and perfection, have been his aim in the publication of this little work." The town described has not found a place in English History, and a faithful "hoc duce carpe vias" was the utmost that even a subscriber could expect but we have been agreeably disappointed. The book commences with a Preface similar to others of this kind; it is then divided under the following heads: History of the Town of Woburn; Present State of the Town; Woburn Abbey; the Modern Abbey; Origin and Genealogy of the Russell Family; Memoirs of Francis, late Duke of Bedford; Stanzas on the Russel Family, &c.; Account of the Vicinity of Woburn; Appendix; Public Offices, &c. In the Preface mention is made of the few inaccuracies which the eye of the censor may aim at detecting; we hope, however, that we shall not be deemed censorious when the following remarks are perused. A list of the Incumbents has most unaccountably been omitted, and this at first inclined us to believe that the work proceeded from the pen of a Separatist; till we were informed that it is the production of one, whose duty should have suggested its necessity: the pages of Ant. à Wood and Calamy will supply the editor with memoirs of Edmund (not Edward) Staunton; he "exercised his ministry" in Hertfordshire. That Hugh de Bolebec founded the Abbey of Woburn is perfectly correct, but he was son to Hugh the celebrated baron of that name, who built the castle of Whitchurch. The loss of the Convent Registers, &c. is not an uncommon misfortune, but it is by no means certain that Woburn labours under that calamity; for Tanner in his Notitia Monastica, has given us particulars of the Abbey, from records in the possession of the Duke of Bedford. Nor is a list of its Abbots given; an omission, which, joined to that of the Runic inscription mentioned in page 130, [see Gent. Mag. 1749.] the Antiquary will scarce forgive. Had the Editor even perused the Life of Tristram Shandy, he would have learnt in what his duty consists, viz. that he "has various Accounts to reconcile-Anecdotes to pick up-Inscriptions to make out-Stories to weave in-Traditions to sift-Personages to call upon-Panegyrics to paste up at this door-Pasquinades at that." We now come to the Memoir of the late Duke of Bedford, which is certainly the best-written portion of the work. As a public character he is remembered by the Nation at large, but it is as a private one that his name has sunk deep into the breasts of the inhabitants of Woburn; his History is therefore inseparable from that of the town, as his mind was from its interest. "Our portrait," observes his biographer, may be deficient in the vivid expression of features, and strength of colouring, which constitute a finished picture; but it will possess that fidelity of outline, and embodying of its characteristic traces, which identify it with the great original." Of the poetry, it might be sufficient to observe, that it is by the Author of "Aonian Hours *," but it would be unpardonable to omit the following beautiful stanza on the late Duke: "He would have torn the page of war From England's blazoning book, And bent the gashing scimitar To plenty's pruning-hook; The description of the vicinity is a diffused and entertaining performance; it gives the Reader a pleasing view of the surrounding country: the book will be a great accommodation to those who visit Woburn, and are strangers to its history and localities; and give a high idea of it to "such as have never seen it, and never may." We recommend the Author to * See vol. LXXXIX. p. i. pp. 150, 238. "put put forth" a second edition; for, by extending his researches he may collect much curious matter; by a more systematic arrangement of his materials, with some extracts from the register, he will be enabled to lay before the publick an interesting Church History." J. M. 5. Picture of Margate and its Vicinity. By W. C. Oulton, Esq. Author of "The Traveller's Guide, &c. &c." Illustrated with a Map and Twenty Views; Engraved by J. J. Shury, from Drawings by Captain G. Vario, R. N. 8vo. pp. 124. Baldwin. THIS is a very pleasing "Picture;" and it will, doubtless, be found an admirable guide to strangers; and even the annual frequenters of Margate will derive from it much gratification, it being embellished with twenty of the most prominent Views, the whole taken on the spot, and engraved purposely for this volume. "A Town so much resorted to, not ouly for the benefit of sea-air and bathing, but even for the sake of pleasure, is well worthy the attention of the topographer, and the pencil of the artist; for the accommodation, of strangers or habitual visitors, whether invalids or persons of fashion, we have endeavoured to produce a complete-Picture of Margate," "Several Descriptions of it have been published at different periods, which, instead of faithfully pourtraying all its beauties and conveniences, have proved, in many instances, unsatisfactory outlines or partial sketches. In order to present the publick with an accurate delineation of Margate, not only as it was, but as it is, former publications have been carefully examined, and every necessary information has been procured; in short, neither expence nor exertion has been spared for the purpose of rendering the present superior to all similar works." 6. The Chronology of our Saviour's Life ; or an Inquiry into the true Time of the Birth, Baptism, and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. By the Rev. C. Benson, M. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. 8vo. pp. 343. Baldwin. THE Unitarians having coolly pronounced the whole of the narrative contained in the preliminary chap. ters of Matthew and Luke to be false (see p. 8), Mr. Benson, with great temper, merit, and learning, has ela borately and successfully confuted them. It is a severe trial to the temper of Christians, even to hear of such effrontery as gave occasion to this work; but our opinion is, that the authors are mere jesters, and jackpuddings, in a clerical costume, making a salt-box of the Bible. 7. Discourses on several Subjects and Occasions. By William Hett, M. A. Two vols. 8vo. Richardson, &c. Of the scope and tendency of the Discourses before us, we think it best that the Author should speak for himself: "These Discourses are chiefly occasional ones. They took their rise almost universally from some particular seasons and circumstances, which seized my attention during the course of my Christian ministry; and have been composed under a variety of different impressions and affections of the mind. But in whatever tone of spirits my soul might be when I put down my sentiments in writing, the edification and improvement of my hearers in Gospel truth, and Gospel righteousness, was the sole object I had in view, both in the composition and the delivery of them; and therefore, they exhibit no effort of fine writing, no specimen of elevated sentiments. To be easily and thoroughly understood by the different individuals of. my congregation; to produce such plain and obvious arguments, as might induce them earnestly to endeavour to amend their ways, to learn and to love righteousness, to improve themselves in every good word and work, was the grand import of all my endeavours." As by this declaration it will appear, that these sermons are to be ranked among that species which we should judge to be most generally and extensively useful; so we can safely recommend them, as containing plain, practical doctrine, set forth in terms adapted to the meanest capacities, yet not unedifying to the most instructed. The Author is always strictly orthodox, and appears to speak from the heart. There is the same characteristic simplicity in his style, whether he be addressing his parishioners in the country, or his more refined auditors in the Cathedral at Lincoln; in which latter place, XXIV out of the XXXIII Discourses which these volumes contain, were delivered. The second Discourse in the second volume, entitled, "The Memory of the Just," was preached at the Cathedral on the occasion of the death of the late Mr. Wharton, Chancellor of that Church. (See our LXXVIIIth Vol. p. 175.) From this we shall make a short extract, both as a specimen of the Author's manner, and because we highly respect the memory of him, on whose decease it was delivered. "I have how laid before you, my Christian brethren, what I conceive to be the true character of a just man, according to the Scriptures. I have described him, as one who fears God and keeps his conrmandments, to the very utmost of his abilities; as honest in all his dealings, friendly and liberal in his behaviour, meek and good tempered in his manners. "I am sure it will readily be admitted by all who hear me, that a person of this exemplary character once lived among us. If he hath been recently withdrawn from us, it doth not become us to spend our time in unavailing lamentations. In this, as in all other cases of a similar nature, not our's, but God's will be done. We may go to him, but he cannot return to us; and our loss is his gain. I think you will readily agree with me, my Christian brethren, that if men of this character and description were more frequently to be met with than they are, the world would be much benefited by the influence of their advice and their example; and that human society itself would by degrees, assume a very different appearance. "As the loss, which we have sustained by the departure of this worthy character, is very great; let us comfort ourselves with the reflection, that "the memory of the just is blessed." It is blessed in the effect which, through the favour of God, their faith and obedience will have upon their own future state; "Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord; even so saith the spirit; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Vol. II. p. 27. The subject of this Discourse was a most accomplished scholar; yet, though possessed of very considerable classical attainments, and an elegant taste in matters of literature, his superior knowledge could not be known to any but his intimate friends. For, far from making a parade of learning, he was modest, mild, and unostentatious; and at his death, chose to be buried in a country church-yard, at the neighbouring village of Nettleham, where a plain altar-tomb, guarded with an iron railing, was placed, with the following inscription, which is given at the end of this Dis course: "Robert Wharton, Clerk, A. M. Archdeacon of Stow, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Lincoln, and Rector of Sigglesthorne, in the East Riding of the County of York, died January 29th, 1808, Aged 56 years *." To these Discourses Mr. H. has subjoined numerous uotes. "These," says he, "are partly of my own composing, and partly extracted from the works of authors of acknowledged credit." In a few, perhaps half a dozen of the former kind, there is a quaintness, bordering, it may be thought, upon colloquial levity, which would have been better omitted. But whatever there may occasionally occur in the notes, which is liable to this objection, the sermons themselves will be found to be serious and impressive. We may add also, that we think them not unworthy of a place on the shelves of such young divines, as are making a selection of plain Discourses, which may be addressed with advantage to their country congregations. "A handsome mural monument of Imarble was afterwards erected in the chancel of the same Church by Fisher of York; the inscription on which, after stating his preferments, as above, thus proceeds: Who on the 29th of January 1808, and in the 57th year of his age, was released from a long and painful illness, from whom he ever trusted to receive, of a good and faithful servant.' revered for his piety, and beloved for his benevolent or prolong his memory. Yet in grateful recollection of his most tender regard for themselves, and unremitting care of their best interests, this humble tribute of respect, of gratitude and affection, is inscribed by those, 8. An Inquiry on the Duty of Christians with respect to War; including an examination of the Principle of the London and American Peace Societies. In a series of Letters. By John Sheppard, Author of "Letters, descriptive of a Tour on the Continent, in 1916." 8vo. Hamilton. IN this canting age (as Mr. Brougham calls it) we see perpetually ex hibited the monstrous absurdity of supposing that particular creeds, Bible Societies, and missions, can supersede the political necessity of actual power; and accordingly we find all sorts of cowards incorporating themselves under the name of Peace Societies. For our parts, we think, that the extinction of the war-like character of a nation is the introduction of every kind of mean villanies; if you lose a dissipated soldier, you gain a rogue, rebel, or fanatick in his place: one, who lives by duping others, instead of squandering his own property. Bravery and liberty are the grand supporting principles of general nobleness of mind, and with the fall of the military and free establishments of Greece and Rome, declined the character of its citizens. Religion, as the basis of moral and benevolent character, we believe the best human means of personal perfection, but as an instrumeat of public policy, or worldly object, we think it to be of pernicious result. There are two evils inevitably attendant on civilization, beggars and pleasurable vices. These alarm various old women in breeches; but wherever there is man there will be vice, and wherever there is wealth there will be pleasure; and military and gentlemanly habits support a chivalrous, honourable, and upright mode of behaviour between equals, and a spirit of patronage towards inferiors, which can never proceed from the conventicle system, that implies both mind and action in an enslaved state; where morality is without charity, where innocence is tutored to counive at design, and purity is without holiness, and roguery is without censure. The reply of Christ to the soldiers (Luke iii. 14.) is generally understood by orthodox Commentators to imply no reprobation of the military profession as such; and the ingenious GENT. MAG. July, 1820, Miss Porter has shewn, that such an institution is a real blessing; for, in states, where there is no such distinct order, the collision of two whole nations in war, is only not extermination to one or other of them, as in battles between savage nations. Under the professional plan, a few devote themselves for the service of the many.Mr. Sheppard, who writes ably in support of defensive war, very sensibly observes, "According to their views, [i. e, of the Peace Societies] the Prince Regent, if he would act up to his Christian profession, must either abdicate his office, or order the disbanding of all military force, or forbid its use. This, even without any foreign foe, would, in all human probability, lead to immediate anarchy." The truth is, as it appears to us, that a Military Institution is no more than a Police Establishment against foreign aggression: and an indispensable necessity as long as vice presses violence into its service. 9. A Story, exhibiting the Sorrows of Moestus and the Wrath of God, in visiting the Sins of Parents upon their Children; being Part First of a projected Work, intended to show the Nature and Value of the Power of Antient Church over the Malady of modern Nervous Affliction. By the Rev. William Snape. Newcastleunder-line. 8vo. pp. 125. Longman and Co. THIS is a singular book, but contains very valuable hints upon the subject of latent lunacy. For our parts, we no more believe all minds to be sound, than that all watches are chronometers; but in such complicated engines as both, it is hard to discover the primary causes of derangement. In the platform of an antient Church taken chiefly from Bishop Beveridge, and prefixed to Wheatley's Common Prayer, is a "place for the dæmoniacks or lunaticks," and, from an opinion that the disease results from sins of parents, the Author thinks (p. 86,) that "certain ordinances and antient customs of the Church have been highly beneficial to persons afflicted with mental disease." Mæstus, the hero of his story, was, he says, (ibid.) "smitten in his mother's womb, for an open and notorious sin of an ancestor." Now, though diseased pa rents rents will have diseased children, yet a robust, healthy, temperate rogue may entail no disease upon his children; and by comparing the denunciation of the commandment with Ezekiel (c. xviii. v. 14, 17, 26), it is found to apply strictly to idolatry, a sin of the nature of our high treason, and the punishment to mere expulsion of the posterity of the offending Jews from the land of Canaan (see Haverfield on the Catechism, p. 361). The Author has, however, in this book given an excellent thesis for medical discussion. 10. EHTHMATA AIANOHTIKA, or a View of the Intellectual Powers of Man; with Observations on their Culti vation, adapted to the present state of this Country. Read in the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool, 28th November 1818, 8vo. pp. 55. Longman and Co. THIS is an Essay, intended to recommend a proper attention to the physical processes of the combinations and other acts of mind, in reference to ideas, on account of their respective influences upon conduct or happiness. The plan of the Author, so far as it concerns practice, is the formation of clear ideas by the study of Geometry and the dissociation of combined ideas by that of Logie, accompanied with intercourse with the world; "from that practice, which, learnt from books and in the world, fixes the habit of dissociating combined ideas, proceeds the true Art of Reasoning.' p. 39. The following remarks are of a high character, in relation to the Consequences of ignorance in the lower orders. "That the incapacity in the lower classes to estimate the value of that which it was intended to teach them, should have been permitted from inattention to their education, is one of the greatest oversights with which the English nation has been charge. able; a clergy trained to thought and reflection, preaching, and expected to preach to audiences, trained to none. The consequence has been, what it might have been expected to be; and as without schools for intellect, kept up throughout the uation generally, it would continue to be, knowledge deserted by ignorance: the reverse of that right and wholesome order, by which knowledge comes to be superior knowledge, and less improvements become greater; the former in due time, giving place to the latter. Between the dark. ness, which is the absence of light, and that which is occasioned by its excess, there is always this difference, that the later, while it is equally darkness, is painful and irksome, and that all avoid it who can." "Desirous as the clergy might be to descend to the level of their audience; and, as desirous as Bishop Horsley was, that 'they should:' this was scarcely more to be expected, thau that Raphael should have painted his subjects daubings, or that Handel should have played his notes on a bag-pipe." "The worst consequence, too, remains; and that is, the poison vended in the nation, under the name of Religion of which the most fallacious, because the most palatable to a disordered taste; and, as exhilarating, as it is palatable, is, the cheap salvation of those, who mean to he saved by believing rightly,' to the exclusion of that on which all true happiness, here or hereafter, must depend; the right ordering of the mind and disposition, and through these the conduct." pp. 49, 50. This passage enables us, we think, to offer some important collateral remarks, The education of the nobi lity and gentry is almost wholly vested in the regular clergy. This we conceive to be a mighty support of the Established Church; but, without any offence to persons of particular taste, we deem it vain to think that this privilege can be preserved, if what is called the Evangelical mode should become universal. Adam Smith has sufficiently exhibited the impracticability of introducing an austere system into societies where wealth, and consequently luxury and pleasure, lord it with supreme power. Rational piety, honourable uprightness, classical elevation of sentiment, bravery, elegant accomplishment, high reason, pure taste, and a habit of graceful intercourse with society are the objects desired by the higher ranks. These they will not, and cannot expect to find in gloomy systems, formed upon the plan of the conventicle. We have known various strong religionists, mostly good as well as pious men, but we could never find one, who was not so narrow-minded, or so indifferent, as not to regard elegant accomplishments, with secret human learning, the fine arts, and contempt; and who would not, if able, convert every polished gentleman, every cheerful man of soul, formed for enlivening society, into a gymnotus |
