town of Wurtzburg, no authentic report in puncto maleficiorum et magia has been laid before the pubiick. Nor has the Eastern Church been deficient in miracles, particularly likewise in extraordinary cures; but the labours of her Ecclesiastical Historians are not so generally known and conspicuous as in the Latin or Western Church: Though the original commencement of such miracles and cures is so far attributable to the East, that the hermits, stylites, and monks, together with the bishops, who had formerly been monks, migrated principally from Egypt into other countries, and were even surpassed by their disciples and successors, both in the magnitude and multiplicity of such miraculous cures; yet it is an ascertained fact, that the Vila patrum in Egypt and Syria contain by far not so many nor such surprising occurrences as the Acta SS. ordinis Benedictinorum alone. Notwithstanding we are repeatedly told by Mabillon that the insignificant, trifling, (silly, foolish) miracles are all omitted; which omission, however, the authors of such relations could not have approved. Had those times been prolonged till now, many of them would again appear, and punish the ingratitude of the present monks. To say nothing of whole collections that might be brought in as auxiliaries from other quarters. The famous Gregory, bishop of Rome, for distinction sake surnamed the Great, has actually stated the precise tone and articulation wherein the miracles of the friars particularly excel, in those celebrated Dialogues, where he has so ably and highly trumpeted the exploits, surprising indeed, achieved by St. Benedict; that it was thenceforth very easy for the other monks to adopt the twang, and preserve the harmony. The fourth book of these Dialogi has especially provided psychology, as it is commonly admitted in the Latin faith, with tolerably comprehensi ble principles. Petrus Damiani had now an easier task of it; the coarsest part was done to his hands. There is really no disease, no casualty, affliction, or malady, to be imagined, that had not already been repeatedly cured and removed, as related from time to time in that Church History. And it certainly implies no peculiar skill and address, that so many miracles. and legendary adventures at once appear together in the Francisci Conformitates; since they had all been often before confirmed by such numerous reports and experiences. This book, therefore, was absolutely necessary for more convenient use, as a summary recapitulation of the former religious history, since executions and inquisitions against some instances of disbelief were then of almost daily occurrence; which, indeed, must have contributed more to the confirmation of the once settled and immutable truth, than the ex-amples of infidels and apostates could pervert from it; that is to say, of the heretics, who would not bow submis sively their private judgment to the everlasting yoke of the Church. It was, however, the excessive number of these miraculous cures, together with some other propitious incidents, that proved the proximate cause of the memorable final recovery of our reason. After the buman intellect, while the Christian body was in perfect health, or at least indulging the hopes of recovering from incidental bodily ailments, had so long lain mortally sick, it is entirely. owing to the wise superintending grace of God over the race of man, that the sound doctrine of the true Saviour and Divine Physician of the Soul, which, amid the daily triumphs of these holy empirics, and the numerous dogmas of the Church, for extending the Christian faith, lay inert, or was even rejected as heretical, could be at length again examined and applied to the inward reli gion and recovery of the truly forlorn understanding. BLOOMSBURIENSIS. (To be continued). Mr. URBAN, April 9. tonth, D. M.Y. observes, that N p. 253 of your Magazine for in Snelling's "View of the Silver Coin and Coinage of England," it is stated, that the money coined by Henry IV. before his 13th year, and those of Henry VI, after his 49th year, are, by the balance, placed to the right owners. D. M. Y. then observes, that Henry VI. reigned 38 years, six months, and four days, and was only in his 40th year when his successor, Edward IV. assumed the the crown: he then requests some friend will state what the author intended to convey. Henry VI. commenced his reign on the decease of his father, August 31, 1422; Edward IV. assumed the title and office of King after the battle of St. Alban, 1461; Henry VI. remained a prisoner in the Tower of London till the latter part of the year 1470, when he was released by the return of the Earl of Warwick (who had declared in his favour), and the flight of Edward IV. to Holland. Henry VI. was then declared King by the Parliament, and Edward an Usurper, and the statutes of the latter repealed. This resumption of the regal power continued to April 1471, when, by the defeat of the army of Henry VI. at Barnet, Edward IV. re-ascended the throne: the captivity, and soon after the decease, of Henry VI. left him (Edward IV.) in complete possession. Henry VI. having thus resumed the royal power for about six months, every act of his after such resump. tion, dates the year of his reign in continuation during the time the throne was occupied by Edward IV.; consequently public instruments and acts during this short interval of resumption, are stated as acts of his 49th year. This is not peculiar to that period; all acts of Charles II. after his Restoration take the date of the year of his reign from 1648, the year of the murder of Charles 1. Mr. URBAN, Crosby-square, April 11. BRISTOL CATHEDRAL. HIS Protestant Cathedral was founded by Henry VIII. upon the ruins of a dissolved Monastery; and the King, in his Charter of Foundation, assigns his motives for this new Establishment in a strain of much ap parent zeal for the promotion of piety, the reformation of morals, and the encouragement of Literature. "We from our heart affecting nothing more, than that the true Religion may be wholly restored and reformed to the primitive rule of its own genuine purity, have endeavoured, so far as human infirmity can provide, that instructions out of the Holy Oracles may be purely administered, the discipline of good manners be sincerely kept, youth liberally instructed in learning," &c. All his Charters of Foundation are to the same effect; he invariably provides for the liberal instruction of youth. In all the Cathedrals which he either founded or new-modelled, he established a Free Grammar School, and committed the patronage and superintendance to the Dean and Chapter. The original School-house connected with Bristol Cathedral is an ancient, small, and incommodious building; but has been improved bythe addition of a large and airy school-room. This Foundation has not hitherto attained much celebrity, or produced Scholars of distinguished eminence. It was for a time so greatly neglected by the Masters, that the Chapter, some years since, conceived themselves justified in doing away the Royal Grammar School, and substituting one of more general utility for the inferior classes of society. That Henry VI. coined money during his resumption appears by the existence of an indenture with Richard Tunstable, Principal Master and Worker of Money in the Tower of London. By this indenture 112 groats and a half were coined out of a pound of silver (a pound of the Tower, which was equal to 5400 Troy grains); and is dated 7th of March, the 49th year from the inchoation of the reign of our Lord the King, and the first year of his redemption. This Coinage was from the 24th day of October then last past. See Folkes, edition 1763, p. 14, and note on plate IV. p. 21. The Groats of Henry IV. before his By the judicious arrangements of 13th year, weigh 72 grains; between the present Dean, and with a due rethat and the 38th Henry VI. and dur-gard to the Founder's design, a course ing the three first years of Edward IV. of greater liberality has been adopted, the Groat weighs 60 grains, and those and the School has resumed a inore of 49 Henry VI. weigh 48 grains; respectable character. which latter is the weight of those of The Choristers receive daily lessons in Music, at such hours as least interfere with their general education : they are all taught reading, writing, and arithmetic; and their classical instruction is entirely optional. The number of Choristers has lately been augmented from six to eight, as in the original Foundation. Their general conduct and proficiency are represented as meriting warm approbation. M. H. Mr. URBAN, Montague-place, April 14. BOUT the year 1808 I became a A Subscriber to a series of Plates illustrative of the Paintings in Fresco, which were then recently discovered at Stratford upon Avon.-The Third part of this Work was published in December 1809;-to this, an advertisement was prefixed, stating the intention of the Editor, Mr. FISHER, to publish another Number, which, in addition to the Plates, was to contain copious letter-press descriptions. Year after year has rolled on; and, notwithstanding the most earnest inquiry, I have been unable to learn why the ingenious Editor has not completed the Work which he so ably and with so much correctness began, and thereby gratified thoseSubscribers who have been anxiously wishing to place his Book amongst the more valuable part of their antiquarian collections. Yours, &c. M. B. ALLOW me, as a friend to the education of the common people, to introduce to your notice a plan for the formation of Circulating Libraries, adapted to the wants of the lower orders of society. I have lately met with this plan in rather a singular and unexpected situation. It forms an appendix to two Sermons, entitled, "Reflections on Infidelity and Pro'faneness.' It would have been much better if the author bad thrown it into a distinct publication. How ever, the idea is so valuable in itself, that we must not fall out with it for trifies. If the poor are taught to read, it is surely but right and proper that we should afford them the best means of indulging their curiosity. This, as the Author truly remarks, can be done in the cheapest of all manners by a Circulating Library. This Library, he proposes, is to be formed under the direction and sanc tion of the National Society, who are to compile a general and comprehensive catalogue of all such publications as are fitted for the instruction and amusement of this class of the people. I do not pretend, Mr. Urban, that I can entirely approve of the whole of this scheme, but I think that it is deserving of serious attention. If properly conducted, it might certainly do much to draw off the notice of the poor from seditious and criminal publications. But whether it be practi cable or not, I will not determine. This is an age of wonders; and 1 account this not amongst the least interesting of those novelties by which the public attention may be at once awakened and gratified. AN OLD SUBSCRIBER. Mr. URBAN, THE Enfield, Feb. 5. HE inscription on the Monument in Westminster Abbey recently erected to the memory of Dr. Vincent (vol. LXXXVII. p. 636), particular, viz. in not noticing, with seems to be deficient in the following the other information, that the Dean' was also Dean of the most honourable Order of the Bath. Surely it does not follow that every Reader must know the Deanery of the Order of the Bath is annexed to that of Westminster; or else this information on all the monuments of the Deans of Westminster in the Abbey, since the revival of the Order in the year 1725, useless. I forbear remarking on the may be considered as redundant and omission of heraldic insignia, and a representation of the badge of the said monuments of the very Reverend Dean of the Order, as exhibited on the Dean's predecessors. H. C. B. REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 40. Scriptural Essays, adapted to the Holydays of the Church of England: with Meditations on the prescribed Services. By the Author of "Letters to a Young Man," &c. In Two Volumes, 12mo. Longman and Co. THOUGH the mother name from modesty of the Authese volumes, yet few Readers will fail to recognize Mrs. West, under the description of "The Author of Letters to a Young Man." That Work, so remarkable for its sound piety, and judicious, though affectionate maternal admonition, obtained for the Author a species of reputation which the present will not fail to extend: while the recollection of it may serve to remove all feelings of surprise, that the Author of so many ingenious and interesting fictions should devote so much of her time to the investigation of Christian History and the Illustration of Sacred Truth. Giving all due praise to the pious and judicious Nelson, whose Work on the Fasts and Festivals has so long been the manual of the soundest members of the Church, and disclaiming all idea of an attempt to supersede it, Mrs. West says, still "the usefulness of a new admonitor is evident, from the general neglect of the Church holydays, excepting a few of the more solemn ones, most intimately connected with our Redemption. For the rest, they are only recollected as interruptions to some species of public business, or as denoting the period in which some transactions should be performed.” Under such circumstances, the attempt to recall attention to these holy institutions, by a set of Essays, pleasingly written, and adorned with the varieties of biographical and other kinds of research, will doubtless be admitted to be laudable: and "the revival of a religious spirit among us from our late dangers, and signal deliverances," affords the Author a wellgrounded hope of success. The Author very justly claims for sacred biography a share of favour and estimation which has long been bestowed on the commoner subjects of that science : "Since biography," she says, "has become so popular GENT. MAG. April, 1817. a study, it seems a proper reason to invite attention to the founders of our religion."—The pleasing manner in which this invitation is held out by Mrs. West may afford us a good hope of her success ;-variety arises and with that advantage, a mind so out of the very nature of the design; fertile, and a pen so well exercised, can hardly fail to attract a multitude of Readers. The design originally suggested, she tells us, was "to modernize Nel. son's Festivals, &c. discarding the catechetical form, omitting the account of ancient theological controversies, and abridging the more abstruse arguments." But, for various reasons, this design has been relinquished, for that which appeared to the Author less difficult, "an original work, designed to be supplementary and popular, rather than elementary and profound," and adapted to the use of those who have previously read Nelson, and wish rather to vary the manner than to change the matter of their theological meditations. Mrs. West speaks with a becoming modesty of her theological acquirements; but she is evidently conversant with our best English Divines; and whoever is so, must have much less talent of his own than belongs to this Author, if he make not a respectable and an edifying use of that knowledge. We can say without hesitation, that sound theology has not often worn a more attractive form than it does in these "Scriptural Essays:" nor have we any doubt that they will attract many Readers whom the didactic form of Nelson's admirable work would rather appal than invite; who even could not be brought to read in question and answer the very facts which they will eagerly peruse when conveyed in a pleasing narrative. No thing can be better calculated for social reading in families; for which purpose, as well as for that of familiar instruction, especially among females, we have no doubt that the Work will be largely demanded. We must, in justice, give a specimen of the execution of the Work, which we shall take, without any anxious anxious selection, from the very first Essay on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. 1 "The Collect prays for a large influx of divine grace, to perfect us in the knowledge of those saving truths, which the message of the angel, as on this day, first unfolded to man; that, from belief in the incarnation of Christ, we may proceed to claim the benefits of his expiation, and finally partake the glories of his resurrection. It makes no mention of the Virgin Mother, as is usually the case in days appropriated to the commemoration of Saints, though she certainly affords as eminent an example of piety, humility, and resignation, as any in the sacred calendar. But it must be remembered, that our Liturgy was adopted when we had just escaped from Popery: and even a tempered and deserved eulogium might have alarmed many zealous Protestants, who had been accustomed to see the idola trous worship of what was called, the Queen of Heaven, impugn the mediatorial supremacy of her Son; for this reason, in the two festivals where her name is combined with that of Christ in the title, no mention is made of her in the service. She is frequently introduced in Scripture, always in an amiable and interesting point of view; never as claiming or receiving any other distinction from her relation to the Messiah, but that of preeminence in sorrow: thus verifying the prophecy of Simeon; and evincing that acquiescence in the will of God, which she promised in her reply to Gabriel. On some occasions, when the fears and prejudices of the mortal parent interfered with the divine mission of the Son, the incarnate Deity answered by announcing the immutability of his purposes: thus recalling to her mind the declaration of the Angel, that that holy thing, which was to be born of her, would be called the Son of God: but generally Mary acted as a disciple of her child and Saviour, pondering in her heart the wonders which she saw, and urging others to do as he commanded." The first volume, besides the Introduction, comprises 13 Essays, on the principal days of celebration founded on the life and acts of our Lord. The second volume has 19 Essays, on the days which are appointed for the commemoration of Saints, and of events relative to them: and in each Essay, the several parts of the appointed Service for the day are noticed and illustrated. The Work, we confidently pronounce, is calculated to do much good. 41. A Word for my Country; or An Address to the Parishioners of Crosstone, and all whom it may concern. By Melville Horne, Curate of Crosstone*. 8vo. pp. 16. 1807. ADDRESSES from Magis trates t, or persons in official situation, claim attention from the dig. nity of the persons, as well as from the weight of the sentiments; but that of the Curate of Crosstone can have no recommendation (beyond the limits of his parish), but what is derived from its intrinsic value. Yet, on this single ground, will it stand distinguished, as an antidote, most judiciously prepared, against the poison of anti-constitutional demagogues. The Curate addresses his parishioners as friends, whom Jacobins had invaded, for the purpose of diffusing With their pernicious doctrines. those who are already Jacobins he attempts not to reasou, as being persons beyond the hope of cure; but to those who are honest men, of good consciences, who read their Bibles, and believe that they have souls to be saved, he here addresses a most energetic and able remonstrance. He first warns his friends of the desperate tendency of the seductions by which they were assailed: "None," says he, "should engage with Jacobins, who are not prepared to brave all consequences; to kill, or be killed.” On the subject of Parliamentary Reform, whether required or not, he ventures to remind his parishioners of their incapacity to undertake or direct it. "In his own art," he observes, every man is respectable; but the moment he steps beyond it, he becomes the object of contempt and derision. If Coblers will be Phy sicians, they will kill more than they cure; and the fools who trust their. lives in their hauds deserve the death they find. If you are so absurd as to think you can reform and govern Parliament, are you so mad as to dream that the first deliberate assembly, of the first men, of the first of |