Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

who took the chair; W. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. Lord Gambier, Rev. Lewis Way, Rev. Legh Richmond, Rev. J. Owen, Rev. D. Wilson, Rev. C. Simeon, and the Rev. W. Marsh.

It appears from the Report which was read, that, among the children for whose instruction the society had made provision, the prospects of doing good seemed favourable. In the boys' school, they had 42; and in the girls', 38: eight boys and ten girls had been admitted during the preceding year; and four boys had been bound apprentices to different trades. At Bethnal Green, a school-room had been erected for the boys; and £750 had been subscribed towards the building of another for the girls. It also appeared, that the New Testament, in Hebrew, had been stereotyped, and that 10,000 copies were now in the press; that 1000 copies of the Hebrew Testament, and several thousand tracts in German and other languages, had, during the last year, been in circulation on the Continent; and that the Rev. B. N. Solomon had been appointed to preach to his Polish brethren, under the special protection of the Emperor Alexander. During the preceding year, the collections, donations, and subscriptions, amounted to £9,287. 15s. 2d. and the disbursements to £9,910. 4s. 9d. The Report being read, the children made their appearance, and afforded much gratification to the auditors, by the neatness of their dress, the propriety of their behaviour, and the pleasing harmony of their voices, in singing a hymn before they retired.

Alluding to the moral condition of the Jews, and the difficulty of inducing them to believe the Gospel, Mr. Legh Richmond made the following observations." If they are so degenerate, our care should be the greater for their recovery, and it should act as a stimulus to our exertions. We have seen what the ever-to-be-revered Howard has done by his perseverance; and what that good woman, Mrs. Fry, is doing; and her scholars are none of the most virtuous. The baser the character, the more her attention is drawn towards them. Trifles deter her not in the prosecution of her work; but she presses forward, and her efforts have been crowned with remarkable success. Let us also persevere, and due season we shall see a glorious harvest springing from our labours.”

At this meeting, it was stated by the Rev. Lewis Way, that "Associa tions are daily increasing in support of this society; and that in Ireland Christians seem to be peculiarly sensible of its importance. They have a Christian feeling for the benighted Israelites; and are as anxious about the soul of a Jew, as of a Gentile." In this kingdom, also, the same benevolent disposition has been powerfully excited towards the Jews. This has been incontestably proved by the liberal contributions which have been made in their behalf. And though Israel be not gathered, yet we cannot doubt that such services, springing from Christian benevolence, are pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God.

To extend the influence of this benevolent institution, and to excite an increased attention in a Christian public to the condition of the Jews, the Rev. Mr. Simeon, of Cambridge, and the Rev. W. Marsh, from Colchester, have lately visited Liverpool; and in several churches in this town and its vicinity, so effectually have they pleaded the cause of these descendants of Abraham, as to call forth an affectionate feeling for this long neglected race.

On Thursday the 9th instant, a public meeting was held in the MusicHall, which was numerously and respectably attended. At this meeting, a variety of important and interesting documents, respecting the Jews, was produced. These related partially to such as inhabit this country; but principally to those who reside on the Continent, which these gentlemen has lately visited, for the express purpose of ascertaining the state of their moral character, and their prevailing dispositions towards the principles and doctrines of the Gospel.

These documents, among other articles, consisted of an EDICT, which the king of the Netherlands had lately issued, to encourage and promote the literary, moral, and religious improvement of the Jews, within his dominions. They also contained a PROTOCOL, similar in its tendency and effect, signed by the representatives of all the Allied Sovereigns, lately assembled at Aix la Chapelle. These documents, in conjunction with other communications, which state, that a spirit of ininquiry has lately been awakened among the Jews, furnished some pleasing presages of future good, and produc

among the auditors, a full conviction, | denomination. In support of this inthat it is the duty of Christians to use stitution, no public collections are every effort for their moral and spiri- made. Its resources arise from annual tual advantage. Under these impres- contributions, of two pounds each, sions, the formation of a kindred asso- | from established congregations in Engciation to that which had been esta- land; and one pound from the congreblished in London, was proposed, gations of Wales. entitled, "The Liverpool Auxiliary Jews' Society;" which being approved, Vice-Admiral Murray was called to the chair, when various resolutions were moved and adopted. The association thus formed unites itself with the London Society, for promoting Christianity among the Jews. Towards its support, upwards of £170 have been already collected; and many highly respectable names were given at the meeting, as annual subscribers. The management of these institutions is now wholly conducted by members of the Establishment. But it is the earnest desire of the present managers, that Christians of every denomination will render all the assistance in their power to so benevolent a cause. To these they make their appeal with the greater confidence, since one primary object which they have in view, is, the instruction of Jewish children, and the circulation of the Hebrew New Testament among them.

In Manchester, also, through the exertions of Mr. Simeon and Mr. Marsh, an interest has been excited, similar to that which has been awakened in Liverpool. A public meeting was held in the Exchange Dining-room on Monday the 14th instant, at which a vast concourse of people attended. The collections in that town amounted to about £120; and so far as appearances, evincing a sympathetic feeling, can furnish any criterion, the spiritual welfare of the Jews is evidently gaining interest among the inhabitants.

The liberal spirit and superior ability with which its proceedings have been conducted, have raised it to a considerable degree of respectability in the metropolis. And although the committee, when their annual meetings are about to take place, do not announce it to the Public by advertisements, the day is always known, and a vast concourse of people rarely fail to attend. It happened this year that the annual meeting of this association, and that of the British and Foreign School Society, took place on the same day. This was a subject of regret to many, who anxiously wished to attend both; but it did not prevent the ample room from being crowded, at an early hour, by persons of high respectability, of considerable influence, and of extensive information.

In 1817, the chair was filled by Alderman Wood, then Lord Mayor of London. In 1818, it was honoured by his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex; and, on this occasion, by Sir James Mackintosh, M. P., a gentleman distinguished for his superior talents, domestic virtues, and literary attainments. At this meeting, the speakers were not numerous; but the topics of discussion, and the abilities with which they were introduced, forbade all who were present to complain that a greater variety was wanting to render the day more interesting. In addition to the eloquence of the Chairman, that of John Wilks, Esq. of Alderman Wood, of the Rev. Dr. Bogue, and of the Rev. Mr. James, arrested the attention of all present, and

PROTESTANT SOCIETY FOR THE PRO- drew from them such bursts of ap

TECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

THE anniversary meeting of this society was held on May 15th, at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street, London. The object of this association is, to protect civil and religious liberty; by preventing those laws which have been made by the Legislature of our country, from being infringed by legal artifice or domestic oppression. In its principles it is not confined to any sect or party, but invites to a general union, Dissenters and Methodists of every

plause as are very rarely expressed on such occasions.

From the statement given by Mr. Wilks, of domestic tyranny, of local oppression, of illegal decisions, and of acts of injustice, the necessity of this association was rendered most conspicuously apparent. The facts adduced had occurred in various parts of the kingdom. In some of these, where power had invaded the dominion of right, the interference of the society had prevented the usurper from being

seated on the throne, by instructing the ignorant how to proceed in resisting oppression, and by furnishing the defenceless with the means of asserting their legal rights.

Of the speeches delivered at this meeting, the facts to which the speakers adverted, the eloquence displayed, and the resolutions that were formed, an interesting account has been published in a supplementary number of the Philanthropic Gazette, for May 26th, 1819; to which paper the reader is referred, for further information on this important and interesting subject.

ALTHOUGH We have devoted several pages of this number to the Benevolent Institutions of our country, we find it impossible to notice all with which it is honoured, even in the compendious way which we have adopted. The churches of the Moravian Brethren in particular, in connection with several other important establishments that cannot fail to prove interesting to every friend of humanity and virtue, have an imperious claim upon our attention. Of these, we hope to give a succinct account in our ensuing number.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CORN BILL.

SEVERAL petitions lie on the table of the House of Commons, from agricultural districts, praying, that, as the empire is sufficient to produce corn for its own population, a law to prohibit the importation of Foreign Corn may be enacted. Supposing, for a moment, that the prayer of these petitions were granted, it may be useful to consider, what are the probable consequences.

1st. The average quantity of corn hitherto imported, must be grown upon land in the empire, which was heretofore depastured.

2d. The quantity of pasture being less, the animal food must be dearer, and placed out of the reach of a greater proportion of the people than hitherto.

3d. The price of corn having no check but the rivalship of sellers, whose lowest price arises only from the lowness of rent, and the pressure of sale from necessity, the landlord obtains an easy rivalship in bidders for the vacant farms, over the rents of neighbouring farms, in the proportion of the new lease being longer than the partially-expired old leases; and to this

progression of high rents there is no check but the present.

4th. The end of all this is, that as the rents generally become higher, the corn and cattle must be dearer; and then the consumer must obtain a higher value for his manufacture ; and when the alteration pervades all classes, the landlord will discover, that his expenditure has increased in exact ratio with his rental; for the manufacturer can have no pretensions to a foreign market.

But these are narrow and secondary considerations, in the view, that English power, wealth, and prosperity, are derived from her commercial intercourse with all the world. For though the landlord who raises his rent, can purchase the manufacture which he has forced up to a comparative price, the landlord of another country has no such inducement, and the foreign middle ranks still less, and they will cease to purchase British manufacture, from the necessity of the case. This consequence once firmly in position, British power, wealth, and prosperity, are sacrificed to that idiotism of British landlords, which produces them no good, and can only have the colour of a plausible temptation, by the supposition of a selfish being, that the bad consequences of it will not be so much visited upon himself, as upon the second and third generations.

On the other hand, the cry of "No Corn Bill," would produce the bankruptcy of all those farmers whose landlords would not reduce the rent of their leases; and after the ruin of many families, this revolution might probably in another generation, place the British manufacturer in a more advantageous position with the foreign, so as, on a general view, to compensate the country for her temporary suffering; and even the farmer's expenditure, in the purchase of manufactures, would nearly balance, in advantages, the reduction of his corn.

The peace has produced a partial revolution of this sort, notwithstanding the present Corn Bill. To reduce corn considerably at once, may be too great a shock; and to arrive at it altogether, even gradually, may be a dubious advantage. If corn enter England so cheap, as to make the land not worth the labour of sowing for sale, like much of the land on +1 Continent, industry will be paral

ease and idleness then succeeding, the population will increase, till the demon of war tempts the young men to escape from their peaceful ennui, by rushing into those scenes of hardihood and death, in which the abounding population is consumed. The population of France, if more employed in commerce and colonies, would probably find a vent for their energies, less destructive to the neighbouring nations, than what they have for some centuries called the "love of glory."

It may be argued, that to have no Corn Bill, might infallibly ruin England, unless public granaries were always supplied with two years' corn. But if the superior fertility of southern countries supplied corn, so as to occasion us to discontinue home-sowing for sale, a war, which cut off this supply, would only revive English agriculture so, as to produce a supply of wheat towards the end of the second year, if there were a sufficient portion of seed to spare from the granaries for that purpose, when the lands were restored, by a due preparation, to receive it.

[ocr errors]

-The time when this happened, the season of the year, and the probable causes which have produced the change, are required?

2. One of the Stephens' is said to have put the New Testament into verses while on a journey. What is meant by, on a journey?" By these verses, the sacred volume is undoubtedly more easy for reference; but, in many places, the sense has been materially injured by this accommodation. I have an octavo Greek Testament, Cambridge, 1632, which secures the reference, without injuring the sense. figures are placed in the margin, by the side of the passages, while the text remains unbroken. Is there any English edition printed in this manner? It might be an improvement to retain the paragraphs into which the sacred books are divided.

The

3. In a list of the late Dr. Burney's Works, is one, entitled, Appendix in Lexicon Græco-Latinum a Joan: Scapulâ, constructum a Burneio, Lond. 1789." Will some one of your correspondents favour me with a plan of this work through the Imperial Magazine?

STEAM VESSEL FROM AMERICA.

The standard price of the Corn Bill, for opening the ports, should then be fixed so low, as to leave each nobleman and landholder the rental they had about thirty years ago; affording the farmer a clear third-part of the produce of his land for himself, one third for his landlord, and one third for tithe, taxes, labourers, and expenses. This price would be nearer 50 than 80 shillings; but if it were fixed at 60s. by an amendment of the present Act, great general advantage must follow, and the independence of England on foreign supply remain un-made land in 21 days. She is fitted shaken.

H.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMPERIAL
MAGAZINE.

THE STEAM ship Savannah, Captain Rogers, a vessel of 350 tons, built upon the most beautiful model, arrived at Liverpool on Sunday, 20th of June, 1819, from Savannah. Her destination is to St. Petersburg; but, in consequence of her wanting fuel, she put in here. During the first 18 days of her passage from Savannah, the people on board made use of the steam engine only, to propel the vessel. She

up with accommodations for 60 cabin passengers. This steam-vessel, which is the first that ever crossed the Atlantic, was built at New York, for the purpose of conveying passengers to SIR, June 10, 1819. and from the old world. Prior to her By inserting the following queries, to undertaking this perilous voyage, a which I shall be exceedingly glad if trial was made from New York to Sasome of your ingenious correspond-vannah; and such was her expedition, ents will give replies, you will greatly oblige your's, most respectfully,

Φ.

1. Every one must have noticed the weak vegetation of the Lime Tree. It is said, that, a few years since, they were blasted throughout England in one night, and that they have never since recovered their primitive vigour.

that she went to Staten Harbour, and returned, in one hour and fifty minutes. She is calculated to bear twenty inches of steam, and is said to excel every other vessel of this description hitherto built. She is fitted out and furnished in a most elegant manner. There are thirty-two state rooms. Her cabins are on an entire new plan; the

accommodation for the ladies being wholly distinct from those of the gentlemen. Captain Rogers, by whom she is commanded, is considered as one of the first engineers in the United States.

EMIGRATION TO SOUTH AMERICA.

as that in which they are about to engage. The making and the repairing of public roads, the levelling of hills, the draining of morasses, and the cultivation of waste lands, would furnish ample means of subsistence, if due encouragement were given.

FOR COLDS AND COUGHS.

TAKE half a pound of the heads of the large white poppy, without any of the seeds, the heads just ripe, and mode

A great number of volunteers, to the amount of nearly 300, are now in Liverpool, ready to embark for South America, to join the Independents. They are waiting for orders of embark-rately dried; put them into three ation, and are to act under General Devereux. With the exception of a few non-commissioned officers, none among them have uniforms. It is, however, presumed, that every thing is prepared, and that, as soon as they leave this harbour, they will appear in their proper regimentals.

In Ireland, on Saturday the 12th instant, upwards of 140 volunteered in Colonel Eyre's regiment, to serve in the same independent cause. These marched from Dublin to Warren Point, to prepare for embarkation. Their uniform is green.

It is a melancholy consideration, that so many fine athletic men should be compelled thus to leave their country through want of employment, or that they should be placed in such a situation as should tempt them to embark on such a desperate adventure,

quarts of boiling water; let them boil gently till the liquor is reduced to one quart; squeeze the poppies well in a cloth, to drain out the liquor; boil the liquor again slowly, to one pint, and strain it; then add to it a pint of white wine vinegar, and one pound of raw sugar; let them boil gently to the consistence of a syrup; then add thereto spirit or elixir of vitriol, to make it gratefully acid.—The dose for adults is, one or two teaspoonsful, but never exceeding three, on going to bed. If the cough continues violent, two more may be taken the following morning. One dose sometimes cures, two generally, and it is never necessary to employ it more than thrice. For young children, one tea-spoonful is sufficient. Many persons have been cured of coughs and colds by the above syrup.

COMMERCIAL RETROSPECT FOR JUNE, 1819.

THE Committee of Finance having now closed their labours, and the long-agitated question respecting the resumption of cash payments being now settled by Parliament, we had formed hopes, that our trade and commerce would have felt some of the beneficial effects resulting from the confidence which has already invigorated the public funds. As yet, such has not been the case: the manufacturing districts, have, in many instances, had great numbers of workmen partially or wholly thrown out of employ; and the depreciation of many staple articles has been greater than during any period of the late war. It is to be hoped, these disastrous circumstances may not long continue, and the unemployed workmen will find a subsistence in the labours of the harvest; against the close of which, we trust, a revival may take place, as, by the last accounts from the Continent, a considerable demand for colonial articles had arisen; and when the interior of Germany begins to provide itself for the ensuing winter, we may reckon on a farther improvement in the demand for colonial produce and twist. This will eventually have a beneficial influence on our own manufactures; and it is worthy of remark, that the quantity of cotton taken weekly out of our market, has been as great as usual: the quantity on hand is now 180,000 bales, of which 70,000 are East Indian. Prices are fully d. per lb. lower than in the preceding month. Sugars are also a shade lower: this remark will equally apply to every article of colonial produce. The new Act for the consolidation of the Customs has given a temporary impulse to some dry-saltery articles, which are subjected to higher rate of duty; such as shumac and madders. The Corn Market has not recovered from its languor, although advices respecting crops, both at home and abroad, are not so favourable, as respects some species of grain. Ships have declined in value, and freights are barely paying owners; several vessels have been chartered to carry troops from this port, to join the Spanish Patriots: the vessels clear out for some of our West India Islands, such as Trinidad, &c. The emigration from this port to the United States and to British America is on a larger than ever known before.

[ocr errors]
« ForrigeFortsæt »