uneasiness becomes general, and men's minds are habituated to look forward to revolution as the natural crisis of the disorder. We are disposed to think that such is pretty nearly the state of France at the present moment. The existing ministry in that country has few or no sympathies in common with the great mass of the population. It is regarded as alien from France. It is known to be in heart attached to an order of things which is there almost universally dreaded and detested; and every arbitrary act of the government, and every abridgment of the public liberty, is contemplated not as a solitary exertion of power, but as the result of a fixed design to restore the ancient regime; an idea pregnant with alarm, not merely to those who speculate in politics, but to nine-tenths of the occupiers of land in France. It is to be remarked, that here again the passion of fear, when once excited, is likely to produce, if possible, still more irrational and exaggerated effects, than we have supposed it likely to produce on the part of the government. The bulk of a people will be still less apt to reason,and still more quick to feel,than their rulers; and with the lessons on this subject which the Revolution has taught, it surely would have been the true wisdom of the royalist ministers to have set themselves sedulously to abate (prejudices and alarms, instead of pursuing measures directly calculated to excite them. We allude, for example, to the manifest discouragement they have given to the diffusion of light and knowledge, by means of the schools of mutual instruction, and which has procured for them the significant title of Eteignoirs. We allude also to the increasing jealousy with which the Protestants are regarded, and the direct countenance afforded to practices and proceedings which excite the apprehension of a revival of jesuitical power and bigotry, with all their injurious accompaniments. We should say that the tendency of things under the present men, is further manifest from this, that the Slave Trade, instead of being proscribed and punished, is connived at, and in private defended as desirable and beneficial, if it were not that upon this point almost all their predecessors have thought nearly alike, and that here, we fear, they are not placed in any direct opposition to the general feeling in France. But, however that may be, we have little doubt that France is now in a very unquiet state; and the extraordinary vigilance of the police shews that this at least is the feeling of the government. Two of our countrymen, Sir Robert Wilson and Mr. Bowring, have come under its notice. We are not surprized that the former, considering the part he took in the liberation of Lavalette, should be an object of jealousy with the present ministers, or that he should have been ordered to leave the country. The latter was arrested at Calais, and is detained in prison, confined au secret, on a charge, it is said, of conveying treasonable letters to this country. We forbear to enter on the subject at present, as no official proceedings have yet transpired, and we are led to expect that there will be an early judicial investigation of the alleged delinquency. Mr. Bowring was the bearer of fifteen letters; but he professes himself to have been wholly unapprized of their contents. SPAIN. The royalist and democratic parties continue in a state of open war. Trifling skirmishings have occurred in some of the provinces, but have produced nothing decisive as to the relative strength of the parties. It would appear that the Liberals have generally obtained the advantage over their opponents, but that the latter are so buoyed up by the supposed favourable regard, if not the expected assistance, of France, Austria, and Russia, that matters are not likely to find their adjustment so speedily as they would if all hope or fear of foreign interference were at an end. The disclosures officially made to the Extraordinary Cortes, which the emergencies of the country have induced the ministry to assemble, prove that the Government is conscious of its weakness. The financial exposition acknowledges a general failure of the revenues, and the difficulty of either paying present claims or raising funds for the future. A loan of nearly ten millions sterling is necessary; and how, in the present distracted state of Spanish politics, this money is to be raised, it does not seem very easy to devise. The king's speech is remarkably strong against the ultra-royalist party; but in this his majesty is probably constrained to act a very unwilling part. Whether his neighbour, the king of Portugal, has been acting under similar constraint, when, in taking the oath to the constitution, he gratuitously expressed the pleasure and cordiality with which he took it, time alone can shew. It is clearly, however, the policy of both to be content, wisely and with good faith, to guide and moderate measures which they cannot prevent. And if this had been done by Ferdinand from the first, how different might at this time have been the state of Spain! The appointment of Sir W. A'Court as a minister of the first rank from Great Britain to the Court of Madrid is said to have encouraged the friends of the Constitution with the hope that British influence at the Congress will be employed to prevent the adoption of any measure of hostile interference in the internal affairs of the Peninsula. PORTUGAL. The kingdom of Brazil has at length, by a solemn decree issued by the Prince Regent, formally thrown off its submission to the mother 'country. Portugal seems to have no chance of restoring her power in that quarter; and will therefore do well to ensure, with as good a grace as possible, the commercial advantages she may probably obtain from her relationship with her now full-fledged and independent offspring. Pride, and passion, and obstinacy, however, are likely to oppose themselves to this course. A war will probably ensue, and already there are strong indications that it will extend, in its range and consequences, to the Black and Coloured population of that immense region. The Brazilian proclamations have already begun to advert to the subject: the inveterate hostility of Portugal, they remark, is preparing for them the fate of Hayti. TURKEY. Our knowledge of the real state of affairs, in the contest between the Greeks and the Turks, has made scarcely any advances during the last few weeks. No decisive action has occurred; and the Greeks seem wisely to have adopted the plan of melting away the Ottoman armies by a retreating protracted warfare. Every week's delay is a partial victory to the insurgents. The Turkish finances begin to suffer severely by the expenses of the war, and the diminution of the customary supplies raised by the legal-and not unfrequently illegal-plunder of their hapless Christian subjects. The government is resorting to arbitrary measures to recruit its finances: it is stated, in addition, to be meditating an issue of paper money. Another naval victory is reported to have been obtained by the Greeks. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS. Rev. G. D. Grimes, Emildon V. Northumberland. Rev. Arthur Loftus, Helhoughton, with Rainham St. Martin R. Norfolk. Rev.T.Lovell, St. Sepulchre V. Northampton. Rev. George Sherer, Marshfield V. Gloucestershire. Rev. Thos. Silvester, to be one of the Duke of Buckingham's Domestic Chap. lains. Hon. and Rev. Mr. Blackwood to be Archdeacon of Ross. Rev. S. Bennett, Walton-on-the-hill R. Surrey. Rev. J. Breeks, Carisbrooke V. Isle of Wight, with the Chapels of Newport and Northwood annexed. Rev. Edw. Robert Butcher, Chapel Royal Perpetual Incumbency, Brighton. Rev. T. Calvert, B. D. (Norrisian Professor) Holme R. with Holme in Spalding Moor V. annexed, Lincolnshire. Rev. George Ludford Harvey (Chap. lain to Duke of York) Diseworth V. Leicestershire. Rev. John Lonsdale (Chaplain to Abp. of Canterbury) Mersham R. Kent. Rev. C. N. L'Oste, M. A. Claxby Pluckacre R. Lincolnshire. Rev. D. Middleton, Crux Easton R. Hants. Rev. H. Pepys, B. D. Moreton R. Essex. Rev. Wm. Pritchard, Great Yeldham R. Essex. Rev. W. Tindall (Head Master of Wolverhampton Free Grammar School), Holme Perp. Cur. co. Lanc. vice Whitaker. Rev. C. S. S. Dupuis, Domestic Chap. lain to Marquis of Hertford. Rev. S. Kent, of Southampton, elected Chaplain of Royal Yacht Club. Rev. J. H. Monck, to the Deanery of Peterborough, and Fiskerton, R. co. Lincoln. Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel (Librarian of the Bodleian) Haughton-le-Skerne R. Durham. Rev. William Riland Bedford, Sutton Coldfield R. Warwick shire. Rev. J. Cubitt, Overstrand R.Norfolk. Rev. John Glanville, St. Germain's P. C. and Jacobstow R. Cornwall. Rev. Hen. Gordon, BilsthorpR.Notts. Rev. W. C. Hill, Trentishoe R. Devon. Rev. Albert Jones, Vicar Choral of Hereford Cathedral. Rev. John Miller, Benefield R. Northamptonshire. Rev. G. Tucker, Musbury R. Devon. Rev. S. L. Noble, Frowlesworth R. co. Leicester. Rev. S. W. Perkins, Stockton R. co. Warwick. Rev. Bowen Thickins, Temple Grafton Perp. Cur. Warwickshire. Rev. F. De Veil Williams, Abdon R. Salop. Rev. J. Neville White, Great Plumstead Perp. Cur. Norfolk. Rev. J. Young, Heathfield V. Sussex. Rev. T. C. Brown, Chaplain to Duke of Manchester. Rev. Christ. Jeaffreson (Rector of Iken) Chaplain to the Marquis of Hertford. Rev. G. P. Boileau Pollen, Chaplain to Lord Northwick. Rev. (Lord William Somerset, to a Prebendal Stall in Bristol Cathedral. Rev. Matthew Chester, St. Helen's P. C. Auckland, Durham. Rev. John Cumins, Rackenford R. Devon. Rev. John Nolan, Torpoint P. C. Cornwall. Rev. Mr. Bullock, St. Paul V. Bristol. Rev. A. C. Player, Headcorn V. Kent. Rev. G. Prideaux, Bayton, P. C. Cornwall. Rev. S. Redhead, Calverley V. Yorkshire. Rev. Sam. Savory, Houghton juxta Harpley V. Norfolk. Rev. H. Tattam, St. Cuthbert R. Beds. Rev. W. Thursby, All-saints V. Northampton; and Hardingstone V. in the same county. Rev. R. Vavasour, Stowe St. Edwards R. co. Gloucester. Rev. H. W. Whinfield, Tyringham cum Filgrave R. Bucks, with the R. of Battlesden cum Potsgrove, Beds. Rev. John Watson, D.D. Ringstead V. cum Denford, Northamptonshire. Rev. Thomas Bittland, B. A. Chaplain to Right Hon. Lord St. Helen's. Rev. W. Thursby, M. A. Domestic Chaplain to Duke of Cambridge. Rev. Henry Tattam (Rector of St. Cuthbert's, Bedford), Chaplain to the English Church at the Hague. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. BENTFORDIENSIS; A BOOKSELLER; A SERIOUS INQUIRER; F. V.; C. C.; and some communications without signature, are under consideration. B. B. will find that we replied to his note last month. We refer AMICUS to the preface to our last volume. We agree with CLERICUS, that the reading of the new Marriage Act, during Divine Service, however well-intended the provision, is unseasonable and painful; but our correspondent is mistaken in supposing, because the Act specifies no particular penalty for a breach of this injunction, that therefore no punishment can be inflicted on an offending party. The violation of a statute is an offence at common law; indictable as a misdemeanour, and punishable at the discretion of the judge, where the Act does not specify the penalty. So much for the legal point. With regard to the moral obligation, we shall say nothing at present, as our correspondent seems to be already aware of our opinion of Sir James Stonehouse's celebrated receipt for evading a similar requisition in the case of the Act against Profane Swearing. It would be very desirable that some of the members of our Houses of Parliament should exert vigilant attention to prevent the introduction of clauses of this nature into the bills brought before the Legislature. The new Marriage Act is nearly double the length of many a modern sermon; and even after it is read, what is an ordinary congregation likely to know of its provisions, from one or more hurried and perfunctory recitations? The reading exends to six times; three times in the present, and three in the next year. In many churches the sermon has been omitted, to make room for it. CHRISTIAN OBSERVER. No. 251.] NOVEMBER, 1822. [No. 11. Vol. XXII. RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. For the Christian Observer. MEMOIR OF THE RIGHT REV. THEODORE DEHON, D. D. LATE BISHOP OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SOUTH CAROLINA. THE HE following particulars of the life and death of the Right Reverend Theodore Dehon, D. D. late Rector of St. Michael's Church, Charleston, and Bishop of the Profestant Episcopal Church of South Carolina, are selected from the account presented of him by the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, M. D., in his history of that church, and which is prefixed to the Bishop's sermons, lately published, and from the more copious memoir given in his funeral sermon from the pen of the Rev. C. E. Gadsden, Rector of St. Philip's Church, Charleston. Theodore Dehon was born in Boston, Dec. 8, 1776, and was, says Mr. Gadsden, " in early life remarked for his personal beauty, the index in his case of a celestial disposition." Like many other eminent men, he owed much to the care of a pious mother, by whom he was religiously educated. His childhood was remarkable for docility and the love of learning; and his prevailing wish, from his earliest youth, to become a minister of the Gospel, excited him to unremitted exertions in his studies. In the common amusements of youth he took little delight, but devoted all his leisure to reading. Having received the rudiments of his education at the Latin school at Boston, conducted on the old English system, he entered Harwood university at the age of fourteen, and graduated in 1795, beCHRIST, OBSERV. No. 251. fore he was 19 years old. Here, as at school, he was looked up to by his youthful companions with extraordinary veneration, and was greatly regarded for his virtues and acquirements. His industry was unwearied; his conduct irreproachable; his amiableness of deportment almost proverbial; and, above all, he was rapidly growing in piety, and in an abhorrence of every sinful thought and practice. While pursuing his studies, among which divinity held a conspicuous place, young Dehon engaged in the business of keeping a school, and on Sundays officiated as a layreader at Cambridge, and at Newport, in Rhode Island. He was confirmed by Bishop Seabury, the first consecrated bishop of the American Protestant Episcopal Church after the Revolution; and was admitted by Bishop Bass to the office of deacon in 1798, and of priest in 1800. His first ministerial charge was Trinity Church in Newport, where, though only twenty-one years of age, he was enabled by his great prudence and suavity to settle some unhappy differences which had long existed in that church, and to produce among its members a harmony which has never since been interrupted. He gained the unbounded affections of his people; who seemed, says one of his biographers, to watch his every motion, and to consider him almost more than mortal." They anticipated all his wishes, and made every little incident an occasion for some token of kindness; thus evincing that affection, the reciprocal exercise of which between a minister and his flock is the best 4 U security for their mutual comfort and edification. This attachment on the part of his charge naturally resulted from the character and conduct of their pastor. more. I cannot tell my sense of his worth, or of our loss. We seem to lament the removal of one of the higher order of beings, who had taken his abode on earth for a time, and is now returned to his native place. How interesting and how glorious is the path by which the righteous ascend to God! His was indeed the path of the just, which like the shining light shines more and more unto the perfect day." One of his congregation has recorded of him, that he was an example to age as well as to youth; that he was a model of self-control; that against the irreproachable integrity of his life, enmity never whispered a suspicion; and that it was a common observation that he could not be censured even for an act of imprudence. The same gentleman adds,-" The benevolence and heavenly charity which made his future bright career so useful, and which will make his death so widely afflicting, were permanent traits of his character. Entertaining the most grand and lovely apprehensions of the Deity, his devotion yielded him his highest pleasure, and fitted him to kindle the sacred flame in others. It was as rational as warm; consisting not in occasional sallies and inconstant flashes, but was a steady divine flame, fed by the clearest and strongest persuasion and most worthy apprebensions of the Divine perfections and providence; and it animated his whole deportment. His taste for the nobler pleasures of litera. ture, devotion, and benevolence, made it easy for him to observe the strictest temperance. He was naturally of a cheerful temper, considering cheerfulness as a kind of habitual gratitude to the Author of his being and while he constantly paid this homage himself, he enabled, by his example, all about him to pay it. It is to be lamented in this otherwise interesting statement, that there is no specific mention of those fundamental principles of the Gospel, on which alone a life truly pleasing to God can be grounded. This great deficiency prevails too much throughout the whole narrative; and, indeed, in the Bishop's own sermons there is not always that clear exposition which is desirable of the peculiarities of the Christian system. Much more, how~ ever, is often adverted to, or incidentally introduced, than is on every occasion clearly developed; and though too frequently there seems to lurk in the Bishop's sentiments what, under a less powerfully pervading influence of Christian humility and devotion, would have been likely to lead to a selfrighteous spirit, and to have made salvation appear as partly at least of works, yet there runs throughout them such a genuine contrition, such a humble and implicit faith, such an ardent love to God and man, and such scriptural simplicity and obedience of life, that it would be unjust to suspect that the virtues of his character were not grounded on the only true principles of action, or that he attributed the smallest portion of merit to his own, or to any human, observances. In proof of this remark, it may be, stated, though it anticipates a future part of the narrative, that on the very last day of his life, the following brief dialogue occurred between him and a friend :-" On what promise of God do you now: "His habitual hearers used to observe, that his sermons were remarkably equal, and always interesting. Such was their satisfaction in hearing his discourses, that they were never pleased to see his place in the pulpit occupied by another. "He was my minister, the only one of my youth. I cannot express the feelings which crowd upon my heart when I think that he is no |