Byron. By Abate Domenico Gregori, Professor of the Belles Lettres in Rome. 2 vols. 18mo. 7s.

The Duke of Mercia, an Historical Drama. The Lamentation of Ireland, and other Poems. By Sir Aubrey De Vere Hunt, Bart. 8vo. 108. 6d. Translations from Claudian. By the Hon. and Rev. Henry Howard. Post Svo. 10s. 6d.

Poems on Scripture Subjects; "The Offering of Isaac;" "Elijah" (2nd ed.); "The Famine of Samaria," &c. By Mrs. W. C. Bousfield. 68. 6d.

Gethsemane, a Poem; Founded on the Messiah of Klopstock. By the Authoress of "The Enchanted Plants," &c. 2 vols. Small 8vo. 88.

The Christian Armed against Infidelity for the Defence of all Denominations of Believers. By the Author of "Body and Soul." 12mo. 58.

A Dissertation on the Fall of Man, in which the Literal Sense of the Mosaic Account of that Event is asserted and vindicated. By the Rev. G. Holden, M. A. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A Sketch of the Life of the Rev. Jules Charles Rieu, Pastor of the Reformed Church, Fredericia, in Denmark; containing an Account of that Colony. An Engraving. 18mo. 1s. 6d.

Memoirs of Wm. Stevens, Esq., Treasurer of Queen Anne's Bounty. By the Hon. Sir James Allan Park, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. 3rd edition. 12mo. 2s. 6d.

Sermons.

brarians of the British Museum, and Assistant Minister of Welbeck Chapel, St. Mary-le-bone. 2nd ed. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

A Country Parson's Third Offering to His Mother Church; in Nine Pastoral Sermons. 48. (The First and Second Offerings, 3s. each.) Single.

The Kingdom of God. Delivered before the Devon and Cornwall Unitarian Association at Tavistock, July 2nd, 1823. By J. Johns. 8vo.

Christ's Presence a Source of Consolation and Courage: preached on Trinity Monday, May 26, 1823, before the Corporation of the Trinity House, in St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford. By the Very Rev. T. Calvert, B. D. Warden of Manchester and Norrisian Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. 4to. 1s. 6d.

A Sermon, shewing that genuine Faith is necessarily influential upon the Heart aud Life: preached in the Parish Church of Holy Rhood, Southampton. By Robert Oakman, A. B. [Published in consequence of his Ejection from the Curacy, with an Appeal to the Rector to state the Cause.]

The Missionary's Farewell; preached in Port of Spain, Trinidad, by Thomas Adam, late Missionary in that Island. 1s.

The Duty of Searching the Scriptures; preached before the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge, at their Anniversary Meeting in the High Church, Edinburgh, June 5; by the Rev. Robert Gordon, Minister of the Chapel of Ease, St. Cuthberts. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

Preached in Highgate Chapel, on Sunday, June 15, 1823, for the Female Charity School, and published at the request of the Trustees, for the Benefit of that Institution. 1s. 6d.

By Johnson Grant, M. A.

Preached in the Parish Church, Newark, on Friday, April 25, at the Visitation of the Venerable the Archdeacon of Nottingham. By the Rev. John Bayley, M. A. late Fellow of Emanuel College, Cambridge. 2nd edition. 18. 6d.

No. CCXIV.]

[Vol. XVIII.

[The following paper, printed but not published, relates to so important an establishment, that we have great pleasure in laying it, according to the request of a correspondent, before our readers. ED.]

THE

HE Irish grants for the current year have now passed, and the Belfast Academical Institution has been once more neglected. Its usefulness is not only diminished, but its very existence is rendered questionable. After an expenditure of above thirty-five thousand pounds,after overcoming the prejudices of its early opponents, and uniting all par. ties in Belfast, in sincere efforts for its welfare,*-it alone, of all the various societies established in Ireland for the diffusion of knowledge, is left without support. Why is this so? Is it merely from an unwillingness to add even the trifling sum required, to the expenses of the nation, at a time when economy is so loudly called for? Or, are there other motives, which are not avowed? I am most anxious to put the most favourable construction on the refusal; but, can this system of exclusion be allowed to go on, without drawing attention to its consequences ? Can they, who in their hearts believe that it originates in mistaken views, and will be productive of effects which even the excluders would regret, when it would be too late-can they be silent? I have had opportunities of knowing the anxiety of gentlemen in high official situations, to promote the dissemination of knowledge; I have

been delighted with the liberality of their views; and I am convinced, that if those who are now in office, would investigate the case, they would come to a different conclusion, and that no Irish grant would pass the House of Commons with more general approbation, than one for the Belfast Institution. It is unnecessary to enlarge on what Belfast is; its extent and its commercial imthere occasion to state the origin of portance are well known. Neither is this Institution, or the difference of opinion that once existed respecting it. It has been eight years at work, and it has worked so well, that opposition to it has been given up, and its welfare has become the earnest desire of all sects and of all parties.

What are its objects? Three: Schools, a College, and Popular Lectures for the diffusion of general knowledge.

Has Parliament consi

dered these objects deserving of support?

For schools of the description of those of the Belfast Institution, there has been no occasion to seek parliavarious parts of Ireland, endowed mentary aid, because there exist, in schools, with ample revenues; and rious boards, applicable to this imthere are funds at the disposal of vaportant purpose. Some of these have revenues more than sufficient to support all the objects of the Belfast Institution. It is not, however, as a school, that aid is sought for; since the schools are, as they ought to be, able to support themselves.

As a collegiate establishment, it may be asked, what occasion is there for sufficient? It was not from any disit? Is not the University of Dublin like of the University of Dublin, that the Belfast Institution was formed; and, I believe, that it has even been instrumental in increasing the number of students in that University, from this part of Ireland. For my own

to it, as the place of my own education; I approve of its general system of instruction; I respect the individuals by whom it is directed; and I do not wish to seduce a single student from its walls. But are there no students for whom a different system of education is desirable, and who would never have gone to Dublin, if the Institution of Belfast had not existed? Can those educated for the Presbyterian ministry be expected to go to a College, where the only instruction in divinity is conformable to a church, of which they are not members? Let them, it may be said, go to Glasgow, as they did formerly. No objection can be made to the course of education at Glasgow; but it has been found, by eight years' experience, that more care can be taken of the morals, and more attention paid to the progress of the young men at Belfast, where they are under the frequent inspection of the Committees of their respective synods, than at Glasgow, where they were strangers, under little or no controul, and left to their own discretion, in a manner the bad effects of which were often too visible. A domestic education for their ministers has been long desired by some of the wisest members of the Presbyterian body. It has been effected. Áble Professors have been provided, and lectures are given on Logic and Belles Lettres, Latin and Greek, Mathematics, Moral Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, Anatomy, Hebrew, and Divinity; and the progress of the young men, some of whom are now settled as pastors of congregations, has proved the utility of the plan. Members of the general Synod, who were at first hostile, have become friendly, from seeing the effects; and nothing is wanted to render it permanently useful, but aid from Parliament, before the subscriptions are exhausted. As the Presbyterian body has been deemed worthy of countenance, will it be consistent to refuse what would secure a respectable succession of ministers ? The seminary at Maynooth, for Roman Catholic priests, is supported; why not that also for Presbyterians at Belfast? It may be objected, that Belfast is a bad situation. I shall not discuss this point. It is enough, that

If danger be apprehended, from political impressions on the students, is there no danger of similar impressions at Glasgow? Are not the students there led into party politics, at the annual election of the Rector? Admit, however, that there is danger; may it not be guarded against? The present Professors are unimpeachable, and plans may be easily devised for preventing, at any future time, the election of Professors who would be obnoxious. Objections may be made, also, on the score of religion. There are, however, no clerical members, who have not been approved by Government as ministers of the Presbyterian Church, and no instances have been produced of improper interfe rence. Should there be ground of complaint, it would be better to provide a remedy for the evil, than to ruin the Institution. At the same time, it is to be remarked, that it seems to be the principle of the Belfast Institution, to choose the fittest person for the office, without inquiring into his peculiar opinions, provided his moral character and attention to religious duties be unexceptionable; and to receive students of every religious sect, allowing all to retain the sentiments of their parents, without interference. If this be objectionable, let it be declared.

The third object of the Belfast Institution is, popular lectures to promote the diffusion of knowledge. The want of funds has occasioned less to be done in this respect, than was intended; but lectures of this description have been given on Chemistry, on Natural History generally, on Botany, and on the Belles Lettres. Is this an object thought deserving of encouragement? It is thought to be so in Dublin and in Cork; for the House of Commons voted 7000l. to the Royal Dublin Society, and 20007. to the Royal Cork Institution, during this session. These Institutions want not my feeble testimony, but I know the important services they have ren

dered, and sincerely wish that they may continue to flourish, and to enjoy these grants as long as they wisely and faithfully employ them. But does the name of Belfast render that useless which is elsewhere so highly approved? Or, is the circumstance that the noblemen and gentlemen about Belfast, as well as its own inhabitants, have done more than has been done in other places, a reason why this should be less assisted? I believe the subscription, on becoming a member of the Dublin Society or Cork Institution, is thirty guineas, whilst there have been severa! subscriptions of one hundred and fifty guineas each, to the Belfast Institution, and some of still larger sums; and the friends of literature in India, with the Marquis of Hastings as their leader, sent a donation of above 50001. The sums so liberally bestowed, have been partly expended in building, and partly in the maintenance of the Institution, since the annual grant from Parliament was withdrawn.

Is it consistent with that impartiality which ought to distinguish, and which, in most instances, does distinguish the Irish Government, that there should be such marked neglect of the Belfast Institution? According to the Act of Incorporation, the bye-laws are sanctioned by the Lord Lieutenant in Council, and cannot be altered or rescinded, without his approbation. Amongst the visitors are, the Lord Primate, the Bishops of Down and Dromore, the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, the Sovereign of Belfast, and the Members of Parliament for the Counties of Antrim and Down. If these are not sufficient checks, can no further security be devised, which, whilst it would satisfy the Government, would not deprive of all influence those who, at first, gave their money, and have given also their exertions for so many years, to make the Institution what it is? This is no party question. Let inquiry be made, as it has been always courted; and if, on inquiry, it be found, as I dare assert it will, that the Institution is conducted on pure principles, and is rendering important services to the country, may not its friends hope, that assistance will at length be afforded? Those who shall be accessary to such an event,

will hereafter rejoice in the good they will have effected; whilst, if every effort be unavailing, -if this truly useful Institution must give way to the objections raised against it, there will be a melancholy satisfaction in reflecting, that it did not deserve to be neglected.

SIR,

Hackney,
from the Rev. E. Irving's book
September 15, 1823.
HE following remarkable passage

of Judgment to Come. I quote it as a sample of that extraordinary man's manner, but more particularly as it indicates a doubt of the very creed he is so vehemently insisting on.

Like many other good and pious men, I fear he stifles inquiry, lest it should lead to blasphemy, and contrives to believe with the PseudoEgyptian Athanasius, because he dare not question the dogma. "Padebat etiam non videre, quod tam esset perspicuum."

"He" (God) "cared not that he must for a season abdicate the throne, and resign the government of the universe" (to whom?) ་་ he cared not that he must wrap up his conditions within the bounded sphere of a creature-he cared not that man's puny strength must be his measure, and man's penetrable and suffering frame, the continent of his being-that his❞ (God's) "Spirit must take on human affections, and his" (God's, God's body!) "body be afflicted with human wants-and he cared not that hell, and hell's sovereign should be loosed against him, and those of his own household become traitors,-those he died for, his executioners-death his portion,"-(oh, immortal God!) "and the grave his abode. Nor did he care that during the hottest of this fiery trial, his Father should cloud his face, and withdraw his countenance, and leave him to tread the wine-press of sorrow alone, and roll his garment in blood.-Oh! what is this," (he naturally and justly exclaims, self-revolted from the fiction,) "oh, what is this we speak of; can it be that the Creator should become a creature, dwelling upon the ungrateful earth he made, in want of a morsel of its bread, and a cup of its water to satisfy his hunger and his thirst, calling upon the creatures he formed and fed, for their cha