the house of God, nor entreaties at the dwellings of the poor, would be of much avail. Accordingly, I made up my mind to endure every kind of obloquy, and proclaim war upon able-bodied pauperism in every shape, wherever and whenever I could meet with it in the parish. In this attempt I knew I should have to sustain the fiercest opposition in all quarters, save that of the chief (non-resident) landedproprietor of 1070 acres, whose support had been promised me. The result has been, that since March, 1829, up to the present day, (Nov. 16th, 1832,) not a single able-bodied labourer has received (I may, I believe, say, scarcely one has asked either for himself or his family, however large) one farthing from the overseer; the farmers have had their work all done; the labourers have been constantly employed and liberally paid, and the general state of the parish rendered, as to order, morals, cleanliness, comfort and contentment, the reverse in every respect of what it was in 1826. The report of the parish expenditure ending in March, 1832, is 2537., and in March, 1833, will probably be below 1907., sums paid for eight apprentices and six emigrants forming part of the parochial expences within the last four years.

If am asked, as I have often been asked of late, what my system has been, I have only this reply to make-the only system pursued has been that of detecting and destroying pauperism under whatever guise or disguise it might exist, and that in spite of all discouragements and dissuasives. How each case was treated, the select vestrybook will shew, since scarcely any thing has been done or said in the vestry-room, whether by rate-payer or by pauper, for the last six or seven years, that is not most minutely recorded. I have only to add that I have endeavoured in every possible manner to elevate the labourers and to instil into their minds notions of comfort. A pig, a clock, a barrel of beer, has more to do in determining the moral, and through that, by degrees, the religious character, than is generally supposed. Make a man comfortless, and you make him improvident; make him improvident, and he is lost both here and hereafter. The want of forethought pervades the whole entire man; he sinks into the condition of an idle, reckless profligate, thus exemplifying the melancholy sentiment of the poet

"Who falls from all he knows of bliss,
Cares little into what abyss."

To raise his mind, I have endeavoured to render comforts not only attractive but accessible, connecting the acquisition of them, however, with character, industry, and morality. Instead of indulging him in his desire of living in an unrented, or a too low-rented, and therefore, squallid, filthy, ruinous, cottage, I have made him pay a rent that, though moderate (for it has hardly ever exceeded 21. per annum), has covered the roof with a warm thatch, neatly painted the whole of the exterior walls, given him new lattice windows, built substantial brick partitions to his pantry, painted his doors and his windowframes and his very mantle-piece and shelves, and lastly, built (at least this is now nearly universal) a hovel and a pigstye at a small VOL. III.-Jan. 1833.

Ꮮ

distance from his dwelling. In addition to this every space near the labourer's cottage has been enclosed, and a portion of it embellished with flowers sufficient to give him a pride in its exterior neatness, and make him exert himself to preserve it upon an equality with the neighbouring gardens.

And now, Sir, may I not ask, without being snubbed as vain, why others should not act upon the principle, which I assure them has proved in every respect, not only gratifying in its results, but actually economical in the progress of it? Why should not each person, according to the circumstances of the parish in which he resides, check at least, if he cannot eradicate the growth of pauperism? Why should not every active clergyman or layman, with slender means, solicit the co-operation of the great landed proprietor, and by that union effect what is so essential to the well-being of all? Addressing myself through "The British Magazine," to readers conversant with rural affairs, I shall be pardoned for submitting to their serious consideration, whether the grand parochial curse of England might not be in numerous instances averted, in all mitigated; and whether land allotments and clothing societies, directed to their full use, may not effect far greater good, in their remote and somewhat indirect consequences, than in their more obvious and immediate results. In conclusion of this long address I will observe, that under the head of pauperism, I do not include the relief which is given to the aged, the sick, the infirm, and the orphan; to them I would be liberal in assistance, and upon them I would wish to affix no stigma; but I freely confess that I am anxious to remove even them from the degrading acceptance of alms from an overseer, and at this very time I am forming a plan, by which I hope to induce the rate-payers in my parish to undertake to relieve certain persons upon our permanent weekly list as objects of private charity, at home, instead of paying them through the overseer. That in this, and in all such matters, many persons may succeed far better than I have done, I have no doubt, for (the truth is declared as an encouragement to others) although I am able to act fortiter in re, I have unfortunately for myself a lack of its desirable accompaniment, the ability to recommend what I propose by the suaviter in modo. The object of this letter must be accepted as an apology for its length, and the illness of the writer, now at Cheltenham in search of health, for some of its deficiencies.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

F. L.

(Curate of Farthinghoe.) P.S. With respect to land allotments, a quarter of an acre has seemed to be the maximum within the ability of the honest labourer to cultivate. The rent should be fair, and by no means so low as to make the land appear to be allotted by way of charity. All rent is deemed a grievance in such a case; my general scale has been half a quarter of an acre to each, at the rent of 31. per acre, free from rates and tithe. This, by the bye, is in addition to a garden at home, which every labourer rents as part of his cottage occupancy.

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

A View of the Early Parisian Greek Press, including the Lives of the Stephani, Notices of other Contemporary Greek Printers at Paris, and various particulars of the Literary and Ecclesiastical History of their times. By the Rev. W. P. Greswell. Oxford. 1833.

THESE learned and elaborate volumes are recommended most heartily, not only to bibliographers, but also to all critical scholars, to whom it is a great object to know accurately the character of the early Greek printers, and the history of their works. They contain, besides these particulars, very interesting memoirs of Budæus, a defence of Robert Stephens against the charges of Porson; and some valuable remarks on the troublous times during which some of the most remarkable works of the Stephens's were produced.

Village Psalmody. By the Rev. L. Marcus, M.A. London. Monro and May. AN excellent collection of about 80 plain tunes; well fitted for country congregations.

A Pastoral Admonition to an Affectionate Flock. By the Rev. C. Simeon, London. Holdsworth and Ball. 1832.

A VERY excellent sermon, on an interesting occasion-the author completing the 50th year of his anniversary. The strong protest against Antinomianism, and the affectionate exhortation to a constant and indissoluble union between faith and practice, deserve especial notice.

A Word of Testimony, or a Corrected Testimony of the Evidence respecting Mr. Irving. London. Douglas. 1832.

THE Controversy about Mr. Irving is one into which this Magazine has purposely declined entering. All that need be said about this book is, that it contains an authenticated account of the charges against Mr. Irving, and his defence, and is, therefore, that which must be used by his friends and foes.

A Discourse delivered at the 16th Anniversary of the Framlingham D. Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. By R. B. Exton, Rector of Athelington, &c. Woodbridge. 1832.

EVEN in these days there is something new. For here is actually a sermon in blank verse, and in blank verse so good, at all events, that it could not be mistaken for prose. Mr Exton does not give one single word in explanation of his reasons for choosing verse instead of prose for his sermon. Nor can it be necessary to say one word against it: when one man departs from the rule which has been followed by tens of thousands for centuries, it is for him to assign his reasons, not for them to defend their own practice.

Mr. Exton, by the way, is the author of a very useful book for the Parochial Minister, which, we are happy to see, has reached a third edition. It is called Speculum Gregis, and presents the young Parish Minister with very convenient tables for registering the religious condition of all the families in hi parish.

Not quite new, however, if one understands aright what Evelyn says of Fell. See the Extracts from Evelyn in this Number.

Offences in the Ministry, a Stumbling Block to Christians;' and Religion the Humanizer of Man, and Support of Society : two Visitation Sermons. By Augustus Wm. Hare, Rector of Alton Barnes, Wilts.

BOTH these sermons must be most warmly and earnestly commended to general attention. The first is not only a most valuable exhortation to the clergy to avoid the offences most likely to injure their cause, but is a beautiful specimen of the manner in which a delicate and difficult subject can be handled by a Christian gentleman and scholar, not only without giving offence, but so as to give high gratification to all who read or hear what he says. The offences to which Mr. Hare especially and rightly points attention, are unnecessary separations on account of trifling differences and worldly-mindedness. One can easily imagine how these subjects could be treated so as to offend every body, and please and profit no one. Mr. Hare's Christian feelings and refined taste have enabled him exactly to reverse this operation.

The second Sermon is a very powerful, and, in many respects, original exposure of the doctrine of Expediency.

Selections from the Old Testament; or, the Religion, Morality, and Piety of the Hebrew Scripture; arranged under heads. By Sarah Austin. London : Wilson.

1833.

MRS. AUSTIN's preface is so pleasing and modest as almost to disarm criticism. Nor, in truth, is there any thing to criticise, so to speak, in her work; for what she has undertaken she has done very well. But it is a very doubtful point whether the undertaking is itself well judged. The picking out from the various and very different books of the Old Testament passages containing the same sentiments, and making them up into a continuous series of sentences, so as to form chapters and books, is not one which is free from objection. The one great excellence of the Bible morality is, in truth, the detached form in which it comes, its mixture with events, with reflections, with prophecy, and with warnings. And besides, for many purposes, it is very desirable and necessary to remember, not only a sentiment, but where it is, what gave rise to it, and what it enforces. These benefits are done away with by a selection like this, especially as the references are not given.

Manual of Prayers for the Afflicted. By the Rev. T. H. Horue. London: Cadell. 1833.

THIS is really a very excellent manual of prayers, principally selected from the best of our ancient divines, or else couched entirely in the words of scripture; with a practical essay on affliction, abridged from Sir M. Hale. It may be fairly recommended to general use.

Select Library, Vol. VI. Lives of Eminent Missionaries, Vol. I. By J. Carne, Esq. London: Fisher and Co.

THE lives in this volume are those of Eliot, Ziegenbalg, Schwartz, Hans Egede, some of the early Moravian missionaries,-Kiernander, Hocker, and Andes. They are full of interest. Of the life of that venerable apostle Schwartz nothing need be said; but there are really some of the others scarcely inferior to it in interest, especially that of Eliot, the first preacher to the North American Indians, which is almost a romance. Mr. Carne is a very agreeable writer, and we shall be very glad to see the remaining volumes of his work.

THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY. Vol. III. History of the Reformed Religion in France. By the Rev. E. Smedley. Rivingtons.

THIS Volume is one of the most remarkable specimens which the present day

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

A View of the Early Parisian Greek Press, including the Lives of the Stephani, Notices of other Contemporary Greek Printers at Paris, and various particulars of the Literary and Ecclesiastical History of their times. By the Rev. W. P. Greswell. Oxford. 1833.

THESE learned and elaborate volumes are recommended most heartily, not only to bibliographers, but also to all critical scholars, to whom it is a great object to know accurately the character of the early Greek printers, and the history of their works. They contain, besides these particulars, very interesting memoirs of Budæus, a defence of Robert Stephens against the charges of Porson; and some valuable remarks on the troublous times during which some of the most remarkable works of the Stephens's were produced.

Village Psalmody. By the Rev. L. Marcus, M.A. London. Monro and May. An excellent collection of about 80 plain tunes; well fitted for country congregations.

A Pastoral Admonition to an Affectionate Flock. By the Rev. C. Simeon. London. Holdsworth and Ball. 1832.

A VERY excellent sermon, on an interesting occasion-the author completing the 50th year of his anniversary. The strong protest against Antinomianism, and the affectionate exhortation to a constant and indissoluble union between faith and practice, deserve especial notice.

A Word of Testimony, or a Corrected Testimony of the Evidence respecting Mr. Irving. London. Douglas. 1832.

THE Controversy about Mr. Irving is one into which this Magazine has purposely declined entering. All that need be said about this book is, that it contains an authenticated account of the charges against Mr. Irving, and his defence, and is, therefore, that which must be used by his friends and foes.

A Discourse delivered at the 16th Anniversary of the Framlingham D. Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. By R. B. Exton, Rector of Athelington, &c. Woodbridge. 1832.

EVEN in these days there is something new. For here is actually a sermon in blank verse, and in blank verse so good, at all events, that it could not be mistaken for prose. Mr Exton does not give one single word in explanation of his reasons for choosing verse instead of prose for his sermon. Nor can it be necessary to say one word against it: when one man departs from the rule which has been followed by tens of thousands for centuries, it is for him to assign his reasons, not for them to defend their own practice.

Mr. Exton, by the way, is the author of a very useful book for the Parochial Minister, which, we are happy to see, has reached a third edition. It is called Speculum Gregis, and presents the young Parish Minister with very convenient tables for registering the religious condition of all the families in hi parish.

Not quite new, however, if one understands aright what Evelyn says of Fell, See the Extracts from Evelyn in this Number.