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requisite to form it sublimely, and it is confounded with a great deal of inferior matter. For poetical common-place certainly constitutes too large a proportion of our author's composition; and its unfavourable effect is, naturally, most felt in the pieces which aim at the higher region of poetry. This region is, indeed, now and then attained for a moment by our author's muse, but it is not her appropriate dwelling-place.

He succeeds much better, we think, in the strains of a less aspiring character, on the amusing incidents of life, on occasions exciting the complacent affections, on the remembrances of friendship, and especially on pensive retrospections and anticipations. The thoughtful reader cannot fail to be very sensibly touched by some pieces and passages of this last quality. Nothing had so strongly interested us in all the preceding pages as the stanza in page 29., in an Ode on the approach of Spring,- against the third line of which stanza, however, there lies a very plain exception.

Yet I, who hail thy gentle reign,

Soon must leave thee, gentle Spring,
What time fate's high decrees ordain,
Or wills the Sovereign King.

Yes! all which charms at morn, of orient light,
And all which soothes of eve's soft-setting ray,
Thy gales, and songs, and rills, and flowers so bright,
All that can warm the heart, or gild the day;
All must be follow'd by funereal gloom,

And man, frail man, at length sink silent in the tomb;
But though I love thee, Spring so fair,

If there's one more fair above,' &c. Vol. I.

This will remind the reader of some of the most interesting passages in the Minstrel.-There is something pleasing, and classical, and truly scholar-like, in the author's many allusions to the Cam, and the other objects and circumstances connected with his Alma Mater, to whom, nevertheless, he acknowledges he has not been the most dutiful of sons. We e are confident the large work he is now engaged in will make her ample atone

ment.

Art. III. A Sketch of the History and Proceedings of the Deputies appointed to protect the Civil Rights of the Protestant Dissenters: To which is annexed, a Summary of the Laws affecting Protestant Dissenters. With an Appendix of Statutes and Precedents of Legal, Instruments. 12mo. pp. vii. 327. Price 5s. S. Burton; and Conder. London. 1814.

Art. IV. The Quarterly Review for October 1813. Art. HISTORY OF DISSENTERS.

THE irst of these articles is a highly interesting and important work, which, in our opinion, not only Dissenting Ministers, but Clergymen and Magistrates, ought individually to possess: for, as there are persons belonging to the first of these classes, who have suffered wrong in consequence of not having known how to defend themselves, or where to seek redress; so there are persons belonging to the other two classes, who have done wrong from pure ignorance or mistake, while they were anxious to avoid it, and to do only what was strictly just. The Sketch' before us has this circumstance of particular recommendation, that while it conveys essential information to all who prize religious liberty as an important means for the accomplishment of a more important end, it shews what it is in the power of discreet and intelligent men, by a persevering and steady attention to one object, and a patient continuance in well-doing," to effect; though their official existence and successful endeavours may be unknown to the greater part of the busy world.

There are many, even among the Dissenters, who know not that, during a period of seventy years, a society of gentlemen has met from time to time, to receive accounts of all attempts to abridge liberty of conscience, to disturb religious worship, to deprive Nonconformists of their recognized privileges, and also to search out and apply proper remedies, as well as to devise plans for a farther extension of religious toleration, and to confer with statesmen, and other public characters, whose liberal sentiments promised a favourable co-operation, in advancing so desirable a

measure.

This society has, however, existed, during this long period, and though its operations have been silent, they have been effectual. Thousands, who are at this moment ignorant of its existence, are enjoying the blessings which have been procured in a great measure through its instrumentality. From this body of men we receive an authorized volume with peculiar pleasure, and under a full persuasion that, whatever may be imputed to them, they cannot be accused of prematurely thrusting themselves upon public notice.

The annual appointment of DEPUTIES by the several congregations of Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists, in and within ten

miles of London, to protect the Civil Rights of the Protestant Dissenters, originated in the following manner.

On the 9th of November, 1732, a general meeting of Protestant Dissenters was held, at the meeting-house in Silver-street, London, to consider of an application to the legislature for the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts. At this meeting a Committee of twentyone persons was appointed, to consider, and report to a subsequent meeting, when, and in what manner, it would be proper to make the application. Another general meeting being held on the 29th of the same month, the Committee reported, that they had consulted many persons of consequence in the state; that they found every reason to believe such an application would not then be successful; and therefore could not think it advisable to make the attempt. This report was not very cordially received. The Committee was enlarged by the addition of four other gentlemen, and instructed to reconsider the subject. It was at the same time resolved, that every congrega. tion of the three denominations of Protestant Dissenters, Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists, in and within ten miles of London, should be recommended to appoint two Deputies; and to a general as embly of these Deputies, the Committee were instructed to make their report. An assembly of Deputies thus appointed, was accordingly held on the 29th of December; and the Committee, after mature deliberation, were obliged to make a report very similar to the former. The object, however, was not abandoned. The Committee was continued; and the appointment of Deputies renewed. It soon became evident, that whatever might be the fate of their attempts to procure a repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, the Dissenters would derive considerable advantage, in other respects, from estab lishing a permanent body to superintend their civil concerns. It was accordingly resolved, at a general meeting of the Deputies, held at Salter's Hall meeting-house, on the 14th of January, 1735-6, "That there should be an annual choice of Deputies to take care of the Civil Affairs of the Dissenters." In order to carry this resolution into effect, it was further resolved, "That the chairman do write to the ministers of the several congregations, some convenient time before the second Wednesday in January next, to return the names of their Deputies to him fourteen days before."

The first meeting of the Deputies, elected in pursuance of these resolutions, was held at Salter's Hall meeting-house, January 12, 1736-7, when Dr. Benjamin Avery was called to the chair. The meeting, after some preliminary business, adjourned for a fortnight, to give each member time to determine upon the most proper persons to form a Committee of twenty-one, on whom the principal business of the year was to be devolved. Accordingly, on the 26th of the same month, the Deputies met, and elected their Committee by ballot. These several elections,-of the Deputies by the congregations, and of the Committee by the Deputies,-have been continued annually from that time to the present.

Mr. Holden had been chairman of the Committee from its first institution, in November, 1732, to the October meeting in 1786, when he resigned.

Dr. Avery continued chairman of the Deputies, and of their Committee, from the time of his first election, for twenty-seven years; and by his indefatigable activity obtained the applause of every person interested in the cause of the Dissenters. On the death of Dr. Avery, July 23, 1764, Jasper Mauduitt, Esq. was called to the chair, which he filled very honourably till his death in 1771. He was succeeded by Thomas Lucas, Esq. who resigned, on account of ill health, in 1777. William Bowden, Esq. was then elected to the office, which he sustained two years, and dying, was succeeded by Nathaniel Polhill, Esq. From the death of this gentleman in 1782, the office was held by George Brough, Esq. till his death in 1785. He was succeeded by Edward Jeffries, Esq. who filled the situation till the year 1802, when his removal to a distant county obliged him to resign; and Ebenezer Maitland, Esq. was elected in his stead. This gentleman resigned in 1805; and was succeeded by the present chairman, William Smith, Esq. Member of Parliament for the City of Norwich.' pp. 1-4.

The Committee has generally, with the exception of one or two members technically conversant in legal matters, consisted of gentlemen engaged in commercial pursuits, and who have, therefore, united activity and habits of business, with an attachment to the cause of civil and religious liberty. In the present Committee there is one barrister, (John Gurney, Esq. who is deputy-chairman); and we believe this is not the first year in which his name has appeared on the list. But the Deputies have the farther benefit of a permanent solicitor; an advantage they seem to have enjoyed ever since the year 1738. Thus, in a letter to their friends, circulated in reference to the bills brought into the House of Commons, about that time, for rebuilding some London churches, they remark that,

In the first draughts of these bills there were several clauses which would have subjected many of the inhabitants of the parishes above named, and particularly such of them as dissented from the established church, to new and unreasonable exactions; and these seemed, to us, designed as precedents and rules for the drawing and modelling all future acts of parliament of a like nature. These, therefore, we thought it nearly concerned us to oppose, and have been so happy as to get those clauses struck out of each of the bills before they passed into laws. In our attendance upon these affairs, we found that the want of a proper attention and of a timely notice had manifestly occasioned many of the inconveniences we have laboured under. We judged it, therefore, a matter of great conse quence to engage a solicitor, who should make it a part of his stated business to acquaint us with any thing that may fall under his notice, which he apprehends can any way affect the cause of civil and religious liberty, which the Protestant Dissenters have always professed to have at heart and we have accordingly retained a person in this character, who is thought to be well qualified for the purpose; and

:

though we have had but a short trial of it, yet we are already convinced, by our experience, of the usefulness of this measure.' pp. 7, 8.

The preceding quotations and remarks will serve to develope the origin, nature, and objects of this constitution of Dissenting Deputies, as well as the appointment of committees for consentaneous operation: we shall next give a brief description, an analysis we cannot attempt, of the work they have presented to the world.

Nearly half the volume is devoted to the Sketch of the History and Proceedings of the Deputies,' from their origin in 1732 continued to the autumn of 1812: This sketch not only includes their various efforts to procure a repeal of all the laws by which religious liberty has been restricted; but it comprehends a concise account of numerous legal proceedings, which have been instituted, at different times, under the direction of the Committee, and many of which have terminated successfully. In a supplement to the Sketch, an orderly summary of these legal proceedings is presented under five general heads, viz. Unjust demands and prosecutions, refusals of magistrates to execute their office, refusals of clergymen to perform their duty, parochial disputes, and private disputes. After this follows, in about 50 pages, a digest of the laws which affect Protestant Dissenters, in four parts; of which part 1. exhibits, in five chapters, the laws which relate to Protestant Dissenters in general; part 2, in four chapters, the laws which relate to Dissenting Ministers; part 3. in two chapters, the laws which relate to Dissenting Schoolmasters; part 4. in two chapters, the laws which relate to Dissenting Places of Worship. The volume closes with two appendices, which contain the statutes 1 W. and M. c. 18.,-19 Geo. III. c. 44.,-52 Geo. III. c. 155., and 53. Geo. III. c. 160.; also, the oaths of allegiance, abjuration, and supremacy, required by 1 W. and M. c. I., and 1 Geo. I. stat. 2.. c. 13., the declaration against Popery required by 30 C. II. c. 1., the declaration of fidelity for Quakers required by 1 Geo. I. c. 6.; and lastly, a set of legal forms, viz. trust-deeds, indictments, certificates, legacies for charitable purposes, with a copious and useful index.

The historical part of this work is given very perspicuously and dispassionately: we have perceived no attempt, either to distort or tovarnish' a story; no symptoms of art or of effort, unless it be an effort to present historical truth accurately in the smallest possible compass. The whole is delivered in an una→ dorned, though not inelegant style; animadversions and strictures of every kind are, in a great measure, suppressed; the eircumstances narrated are left to make their own impression, and some of them are calculated to make a very deep impression indeed,

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