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otherwise we should have been inclined to have dropped a few suggestions respecting another very important class of semi-novels, professing to be written for good and useful purposes; we mean, the modern race of tales for children, both of the moral and the religious cast. To the utility and excellence of some of these, we should have given our willing testimony; while, perhaps, we should have felt it right to inquire whether an over indulgence even in works of this description, in childhood and youth, may not be productive of some of the evil effects which we have men. tioned as applying to novel-reading in general, particularly on the score of their stimulating effect, and of their tendency to create a distate for more thoughtful reading.

Our general estimate on the whole subject is, that it is primarily a question of kind, and then of degree. Works of the first of our three general classes are wholly inadmissible; those of the second are, wethink, generally inexpedient, and often positively, however undesignedly, injurious. There may be and are partial exceptions; for example, some of the historical and graphical sketches in the Waverley Tales, and many single characters and descriptions in these and other novels, well calculated to foster virtuous, disinterested, and magnauimous feelings. But the composition of such works as a whole, and when judged of by scriptural principles, is in almost every instance found to be liable to just objection. Where, however, specific objections do not apply, it is a habit of trifling reading, rather than the perusal of an occasional volume, that is chiefly to be dreaded and deprecated: the rein is a more necessary implement than the spur in the management of the imagination at all times, but especially in this age of light and desultory reading, and with so powerful an inducement to an indul

gence in works of fiction as is presented, to the more conscientious reader, by the literary attractions and somewhat guarded character of many of our modern tales and novels. With regard to the third class, there is still a strict necessity for great caution in the selection, and not less so for habits of selfcontrol and a strong sense of duty in determining the degree in which an indulgence in such a line of reading shall be admitted. But after all that may be said or written on these questions abstractedly, their practical application must depend in a great degree upon the age, the habits, the temperament, the duties, the occupations, and the besetting sins of each individual.

Were we to wind up our review, like a sermon, with a familiar application, we should say; Fill up your time so fully with useful employments as to leave little leisure for pursuits of a doubtful character. Endeavour further to acquire such a strong sense of duty, such a taste for contemplations of a higher order, and such well-arranged habits of sacred study and devotion, as may supersede the temptation to devote to idle, if not injurious, amusement moments which may be so much more profitably given to the great concern of "making your calling and election sure." Keep in mind the claims which your family, your friends, and society have upon your hours of retirement; and the importance of so employing those hours, be they few or many, that both your mind and your body may be refreshed for the returning duties of each successive day. And lastly, guard against habits of idle curiosity; and he not ashamed to own that there are many things with which neither your time nor your taste permits you to be acquainted, and least of all with every new tale that happens to be the subject of popular conversation.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE,

&c. &c.

GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication:-The Life and Correspondence of Bishop Horsley; by his Son ;-Provence and the Rhone; by J. Hughes;-One Thousand FacSimiles of the Hand-writing of Eminent Englishmen ;-Sermons and Miscella neons Pieces; by the Rev. R. W. Mayow; In two vols. octavo, with plates of the Egyptian Deities, Sections and Plans of the Egyptian Temples, and Tombs,ichnographical Plans of Thebes, Jerusalem, &c., Travels along the Mediterranean, and Parts adjacent, extending as far as the Second Cataract of the Nile, Jerusalem, Damascus, Balbec, Constantinople, Athens, Ioannina, the Ionian Isles, &c. &c., in the years 1816, 17, 18, in company with the Earl of Belmore; by R. Richardson, M.D.

In the press Discourses on the Scripture Character of God; by the Rev. H. F. Burder;-The Wonders of the Vegetable Kingdom; by the Author of Select Female Biography ; - The Fossils of the South Downs; by J. Mantell; -A Journey to the Oasis of Siwah, to ascertain the Site of the Temple of Ammon; by A. Linant;-Public Men of all Nations, living in 1822;-Two Poetical Works; also, A Tour on the Continent; and Ecclesiastical Sketches; by Wm. Wordsworth ;-Essays on the Discipline of Children; by the Rev. W. Bamford.

The "Society for promoting Christian Knowledge in the Diocese of St. Da vid's," has awarded a Premium of 501. to Mr.H.V.Tebbs,Proctor,ofDoctors'Commons, for the best Essay on "the Scripture Doctrine of Adultery and Divorce, and on the Criminal Character and Punishment of Adultery by the ancient Laws of England and other Countries." This Essay is in the press; as also, an Essay on "The Influence of a Moral Life in our Judgment in Matters of Faith" (John vii. 17); by the Rev. S. C. Wilks, A.M.: to which the Society awarded its premium for the best composition on that subject.

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When the deficiencies in this table shall have been supplied, the total number may probably exceed seven millions. POLAND.

A decree has been published, abolishing all the heads of the Jewish commnnities (called Kahal) in the kingdom of Poland. This measure is expected to be of great importance towards promoting the civilization and welfare of the Jews; as these national magistrates, it is said, not only opposed an invincible barrier of gross prejudices to the improvement of their countrymen, but were themselves frequently guilty of oppressive partiality.

RUSSIA.

A ukase was lately issued by the Emperor, commissioning the Governorgeneral of Siberia to inspect the governments under his care, to collect upon the spot detailed information respecting their situation; to found upon this information the means for improving their condition, and to lay them before the Emperor.-The plans proposed by the Governor are approved; and, in consequence, this extensive region, comprehending various climates and tribes of inhabitants, instead of being any longer an inhospitable desert, will, it is hoped, enjoy the advantages of a united, civilized, and, we trust, religious country.

UNITED STATES.

The fourth census of the United States gives the population, including the New States, at 9,625,734. The slaves amount to about 1,531,436; and foreigners, not naturalized, to 53,646. The persons engaged in agriculture were 2,065,499; in commerce, 72,397; in manufactures, 349,247.

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THEOLOGY.

Contemplations on the last Discourses of our Blessed Saviour; by the Rev. J. Brewster, M.A 8vo. 7s. 6d.

A Sermon preached at the Consecration of the King's Chapel, annexed to the Pavilion at Brighton; by the Rev. Hugh Pearson, D.D. 1s. 6d.

MISCELLANEOUS,

Antiquities and other Curiosities of Ancient Rome; by the Rev. E. Burton. 8vo. 15s.

Frank: being the Sequel to Frank, in Easy Lessons; by Maria Edgeworth. 3 vols. 9s.

Rosamond: being the Sequel to Rosamond, in Early Lessons; by the same author. 2 vols. 58.

The Greek Grammar of Augustus Matthiæ, translated into English; by the Rev. E. V. Blomfield. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 108.

Moral Discipline; or, Elements of Self-Improvement; by the Rev. T. Finch. 1 vol. 12mo. 6s.

Advice to Young Ladies on Conduct and Improvement; by the Rev. T. Broadhurst. post 8vo, 6s.

No. I. of the Sunday School Biography. 4d.

Atlas of Ancient Geography, comprising 20 coloured maps; by Samuel Butler, D.D. 12s.

The History of France, from Clovis, to Louis XVI.; by the Rev. A. Ranken. Vol. IX. 8vo. 9s.

Memoirs of his Own Times; by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford, from the Original MSS. found in the chest left, by his lordship's will, to be opened by

the first Earl of Waldegrave who should attain his twenty-first year after 1800. 2 vols. royal 4to, 51. 58.

Monarchy Revived; being the Personal History of Charles II. with 14 portraits. demy 8vo. 168. royal, 28s.

The Edinburgh Annual Register for 1818. 11. 1s.

An Account of the Abipones, au Equestrian People in the Interior of South America; from the Original Latin of Martin Dobriehoffer, twentytwo years a Missionary in Paraguay. 3 vols. 8vo. 11. 16s.

A System of Mechanical Philosophy; by the late John Robson, LL.D.; edited by David Brewster, LL.D. 4 vols. 8vo. 41.

Napoleon, and other Poems; by Bernard Barton. 8vo. 12s.

History and Actual State of the Military Force of Great Britain; by Charles Dupin, Member of the French Institute, translated, with Notes; by an Officer. 2 vols. 11. 1s.

Europe; or, a General Survey of the Present Situation of the Principal Powers; by a Citizen of the United States. 8vo. 12s.

Notices relating to China; by Sir G. T. Staunton, Bart. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

The Third Volume of the Statistical Account, or Parochial Survey of Ire land; by W. S. Mason, Esq. 8vo. 11.

Wakefield's Statistical and Political Account of Ireland.. 2 vols. 4to.

A Journey from India over land to London; by Lieut. Thos. Lumsden, 8vo. 10s. 6d.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE influences of which men are allowed

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and encouraged to read the word of God. And in our day the Bible Society has sprung up, under the fostering care of which Bibles are multiplying and circulating in a manner that fills the world with wonder. The Auxiliary of Lutterworth and the neighbourhood has, dur ing this first year, been enabled to number upon its lists, (including that established in the town of Lutterworth,) thirteen Associations, embracing the supply of about sixteen villages."

From Mr. Charles Stokes Dudley.

"Nottingham, 1st Dec. 1821. "It is with feelings of a truly satis factory nature that I announce the esta

blishment of the Nottingham Ladies' Branch Bible Society, and its seven connected Associations. As the districts are so arranged as to include on an average only about forty houses each, one hour in the week will be found sufficient for the discharge of the duties of a collector. The total number of ladies engaged exceeds three hundred, and the extent of population included may be estimated at 50,000. Of the necessity which existed for such an institution, and the inadequacy of all means of supply short of those which are furnished by Bible Associations,sufficient evidence will be found in the facts, that Nottingham was the second town of Great Britain in which an Auxiliary Society was established, and this institution has distributed within twelve years 20,000 Bibles and Testaments; yet the ladies have already obtained more than two thousand subscribers for copies at cost prices, although scarcely more than one third of the town has been visited." From the Third Annual Report of the

rupted the morals of the people: but the people have learned to read; the tree of knowledge has become accessible to them, the evil of which has been continually before their eyes, whilst the good has been out of sight. The thirst for knowledge has been fed by pernicious publications from the continent; by obscene songs and romances; and by the writings of sceptical and infidel false philosophers, who would have trampled equally upon the laws of God and man.”

Jersey Female Auxiliary Society. "Some respectable persons refuse to contribute, because, they say, the people were better forty years ago, when there existed no Bible Societies, than they are now. But those persons are requested to recollect, that forty years. ago, education and learning were very rare in this island; that scarcely a ser vant or labourer of any description could read; that many masters were nearly as illiterate as their servants; that ladies themselves were but little instructed; that, if vice has increased with learning, it has not been with learn ing acquired from the Bible; for it is not an exaggeration to say, that three years ago not one family in ten of this island possessed a Bible. With the exception of a very few of Ostervald's folio edition, which had passed from hand to hand, there were scarcely any but the Bibles of John Calvin, in old French, printed in the 16th and 17th centuries, and hardly legible by the pre. sent generation. A woman of St. Ouen's parish, who has purchased seven Bibles from this Society, for different members of her family, all labourers or sailors, assured a member of this Committee, that she had saved more than one pound, twelve years ago, to purchase a Bible: that she had commissioned a friend going to Holland to buy her one, but he was not able to procure it. It has not been the Bible, then, which has cor

From the Annual Report of the Devon and Exeter Auxiliary Society,

"The issues of books from the depository in the past year have amounted to 1359 Bibles; 1098 Testaments;-making a total, from the establishment of the Society, of twenty-six thousand and thirty-three Bibles and Testaments."

FOREIGN.

From the Secretary of the Hudson's
Bay Company.

"I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company to inform you, that Mr. Garry, a member of the Committee, having visited the territories of the Company in North America, during the past summer, directed his attention, among the various objects which came under his notice, to the consideration of the best mode of promoting religious instruction, and the consequent improvement of the moral conduct of the servants of the Company and of the other inhabitants of that country. As one mode of promoting these objects, an Auxiliary Bible Society was established." "I beg to inclose a draft for 103. 11s. the amount of the subscriptions.

"The above Society comprehends the whole of the Hudson's Bay Company's territory; and has appointed officers at each of the following stations, viz. York, Red River Colony, Saschatchwan, Athabasca, Churchill, and Moose."

From the Rev. Dr. Pinkerton. "The whole issues of Van Ess's Testament, up to the present date, have been 431,163 copies. The whole stock on hand will be found to be about 51,000 copies. In his treasury he has 9,000 florins, about 7501. sterling. The Committée of the Russian Bible Society have promised him a grant amounting to about 1401. and he expects to receive an equal sum from Amsterdam. These funds are intended to be employed in binding, for such persons as are too poor even to pay for the binding; whose num;

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Relig. Intell.-British and Foreign Bible Society. [APRIL,

bers, especially among the Catholic
peasantry, the Professor states to be
very great. The issues of copies from
the beginning of this year up to the pre-
sent date have been 27,096."
From the Rev. Drs. Paterson and
Henderson.

"Kherson, 28th June O. 8. 1821.
"From Khotin we directed our course
through the Russian part of Moldavia
to Skoulani, in itself an inconsiderable
village, but of importance on account
of its Quarantine established on the
left bank of the Pruth. What rendered
it peculiarly interesting at this time,
was, its being the great resort of the
emigrants from the northern parts of
European Turkey, of whom not fewer
than 18,000 had passed the Quarantine
before our arrival. How many thou.
sands might be in the place, and on the
opposite bank of the river, anxiously
waiting for an opportunity of passing
in the boat, we could not determine;
but such a scene of confusion we never
before witnessed. Rich and poor were
encamped together under the open
heavens, surrounded by every thing
valuable that they had been able to
carry along with them; but, we fear,
most of them destitute of the most pre-
cious of all treasures, the holy Scrip-
tures. To adopt measures for putting
such of them as could read in possession
of this invaluable book, we considered
to be an object which imperiously de-
manded the attention of the Committee
in Kishinew, and accordingly resolved
to bring it before them immediately on
our arrival in that place.-It is, per-
haps, known to you, that his Eminence,
the Exarch Gabriel, who was such a
warm friend to the Bible Society, left
this earthly scene in the course of last
spring; but in his Vicar, the worthy
Demetrius, Bishop of Ackermann and
Bender, we found one of the most zea-
lous and active promoters of the cause
that we have met with in the course of
our journey. Having said thus much,
(and less in justice we could not have
said), we almost feel ourselves at a loss
for terms in which to express our high
opinion of his valuable coadjutor, the
Archimandrite and Rector Ireneus, and
his excellency General Insov, who is
not only the chief of this government,
but has also the care of all the colonies
in the south of Russia. After having
been favoured with numerous conversa-
tions with these and other active mem-
bers of the Society, in the course of

which we had opportunities of becoming thoroughly acquainted with its affairs, we had the pleasure, on the morning of the 10th of June, of attending the meeting of the Committee, at which were present, besides the Governor-General, the Governor, Vice-Governor, and Bishop, the Armenian Archbishop Gregorius, and Daniel, Metropolitan of Adrianople, who, together with several other dignitaries of the Greek Church, have taken refuge in this quarter from the fury of the Turks.

"The attention of the Committee was directed to the subject of the Bulgarian version of the New Testament. They conceived it to be their duty to attempt something towards supplying the wauts of the 30,000 people of that nation, who are settled as colonists in Bessarabia, and accordingly resolved to recommend it to the Committee in Petersburgh, to print 2000 copies of the Gospel of Luke by way of experiment.

"The manner in which the business of this Committee was conducted af

forded us the highest satisfaction. They are burning with impatience to recommence their exertions in the northern parts of Turkey, and much may be expected from their zeal for the good cause, when peace shall be restored to those quarters.

"From Kishinew we proceeded to Bender, where we crossed the Dniester, and were obliged to submit to a partial quarantine, and prosecuted our journey across the Steppe to Odessa, where, by the Divine blessing, we arrived in peace and safety on the 12th in

stant.

“On account of the preparations that were making for the solemn interment of the late Patriarch of Constantinople, we could not obtain a meeting of the Committee before the evening of the 15th; but this delay was amply recom pensed by its affording an opportunity for the excellent Demetrius, and two of his Archimandrites, who had arrived to assist in the performance of the funeral rites, to favour the meeting with their presence and counsel. Besides going through the routine of business which we usually had to transact with the Committee, and which it is unnecessary to report here, we brought before the meeting the importance of furnishing an adequate supply of the New Testament to the numerons body of Greek refugees at present in the town, and urged the measure by the consideration

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