Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

the correction of the evils that have sprung up in the representation of the people and the duration of parliaments. The tenor of them all may be best seen in a short petition from a district of Huntingdonshire, signed by between three and four hundred persous, chiefly respectable freeholders and householders; and as it does not come from a manufacturing district, it may be considered as a fair criterion of the sentiments of the landed interest and persons in the middle walks of life. It states that the petitioners "seeing and deploring the general distress of the country, earnestly entreat the House to take into its most serious consideration the alarming state of the nation, and to use its best endeavours to alleviate the burden of excessive taxation to abolish sinecure places and un. merited pensions-to remove the nuisance of rotten boroughs and to promote a complete constitutional reform in the representation of the people in parliament." The question will be brought to an issue soon after the holidays, and a great and important question it is. It involves in fact the nature of the constitutional government of the country. No one doubts that this is by King, Lords and Commons. The institution of the latter body is generally allowed to be good, as experience has shewn that without some check from the people, every government, whether monarchical, kingly or aristocratical, is liable to great abuses. To make the House of Commons answer the purpose for which it is designed, it is contended that its members must be free and independent of all control, but what arises from the opinion of their constituents. If they are controlled by either the crown or by powerful individuals, it is impossible from the nature of man that they should have that due regard for the general interests of their constituents, which it is the main intention of such an institution to protect. It is as serted that a control does actually exist, which is injurious to the constitution; for by the innovations of time, several boroughs send members to parliament, who are in fact only the nominees of a few individuals, having the possession of these boroughs. Consequently it is possible that measures may be taken which may be very beneficial to these individuals, but very injurious to the public at large. Is it right and proper then that the institution should be brought back to its original design, or that it should continue as it is, giving farther power to the innovations of time, and increasing the influence of the borough-holders?

parliament, the balance would preponderate too strongly in favour of the democratical part of the constitution. This might be indeed an argument against those who contend for universal suffrage; but it does not meet the question with those who complain of an abuse in the representation which may be remedied, and for which the history of parliament presents several instances. No one can doubt the propriety of its interference with respect to certain boroughs, where very immoral practices existed, and on which account the number of voters was increased from the adjacent hundreds. If this was allowed to be right in certain cases, surely it cannot be doubted, that if time has swept away the houses of a place or the number is very small, it would be very advantageous to use a similar corrective by giving it voters or enlarging its numbers from the adjacent hundreds. The plain matter of fact is, that the chief thing to be desired in, a member is independence, and this will be best secured, when he is sent to parlia ment not by a single man, but by such a body of constituents as cannot be under the influence of a single man. The House has it in its power to make this correction, and a great deal of the present heat would be allayed by a judicious and temperate use of it.

The chief argument against any amendment, is, that the nation has flourished in its present state, and that any alteration may be dangerous. In fact, that if the people were fairly and truly represented in

But the argument on the prosperous state of the country under its present system is fallacious. For allowing the prosperity to be real, this did not arise from the present constitution of the House of Commons, but from a previous state of things, which the innovation of the borough-holders has not been able entirely to overthrow. The evil has been gradually growing up to its present alarming height: and the idea of selling seats in parliament, as stalls at a fair, is comparatively speaking of very late date. And probably it would not be difficult to prove that the alarming expenditure of the nation, which is now sensibly felt by all parties, would not have risen to so great a height if the House of Commons had been that constant check on the minister, which was intended to be one great excellence in the institution. This judicious control cannot be exercised when the parties who ought to employ themselves in it, may be rather considered as the allies of the minister than the scrutinizers of his measures and the examiners of his accounts.

We shall, however, see in a short time the whole question brought to a fair discussion. If it should be determined that no change whatever shall be made in the representation, that every rotten borough shall remain exactly as it is, the necessary consequence will be that the power of the borough-holders will continue to increase,

for time is producing daily alterations in boroughs, and persons of property will not be wanting to lay out their money in judicious purchases, whose value will be increased by diminishing the number of votes that have been purchased. Syrup tons of this may be seen in many parts of England, where a ruinous cottage with a burgage tenure is preferred to a good house, whose inhabitant might not be so submissive to the order of his landlord.

It will appear surprising that many persons of large landed property should be advocates for the present system, and even those who expend very large sums of money to become the representatives of a county, which sums would purchase with ease two or more seats in parliament. But many anomalies of this kind arise out of the present system; and it cannot be denied that many persons of very great eminence and truly patriotical principles are introduced into parliament by means of private patronage, who otherwise, if there was not a place with less than a thousand votes, would scarcely choose to go through the trouble of a canvass, or if they did could create by their merit sufficient interest for their return. But even this is scarcely an argument against reform, for talents will find their way, and there would be no want of them if the field of popular exertion were extended. The present state of the House has grown out of a variety of circumstances. Person's minds are more alive to it now than ever, and if nothing is done there is danger of the House sinking into contempt, or it will be perpetually agitated by the renewal of the same question. The suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act has taken place, and a number of persons are in consequence of it now in a state of confinement. It is to be hoped that those who have been placed there on account of the Spencean plan may be brought to trial, as the nation will then see what foundation there was of danger from that quarter. Very few persons probably are acquainted either with the author or his plan, and indeed the writer never saw the latter till some time after his last report was before the public. The fact is that if the plaa had been published in the same manner as that of Sir Thomas More's in his Utopia, it might like that have found its way into the closets of the studious, and have excited very little general attention. From the notice taken of it by the present administration, we must be led to presume that certain persous have really undertaken to realize it. But if that is actually the case, a madder plan perhaps never entered into the mind of man; for it supposes that these persons imagined that they could overthrow the whole tenure of landed property in this

kingdoni, and re-model it according to their pleasure. To do this it is evident that a prodigious force would be requisite, and it is difficult to say how it could be raised, as too many persons are interested in the present state of things to admit of a change, and much less of a change, which even to the laborious part of the community must appear disadvantageous. What then is the strength of this new party it remains for time to develope. If five hundred persons in the United Kingdom are engaged in it, the number will be thought extraordinary; and if a bundred times that number had taken it up, little could they effect. The plan would destroy itself by being made generally known, and treated with the contempt it, deserves. At the same time it must be observed that the tenure of land in several parts of the world is of a much more objectionable nature, and that if a nation were formed upon the Spencean plan, its history might furnish to the politician many curious facts, and its operations on its neighbours would be no less extraordinary than those of the banditti by whom Rome was built, and of the people formed by the system of Lycurgus.

The bill on seditious meetings has occasioned considerable debates, and its provisions are of a most extraordinary nature. In fact, till the whole has passed into an act, it will not be possible for the people of England to know in what situation they stand; but according to present appearances it will be very difficult for them to act, for having been accustomed to indulge in a freedom of debate and a liberty which has raised them to the degree of eminence they possess in the political word, they will not easily be brought to curb their tongues, and to pace in the trammels prescribed for them. Liberty is a blessing beyond all others, it is the parent of every thing great and good. Like other blessings it may be abused, but if in correcting the evils the sacred principles of liberty are crushed, an inroad is made on the spirit of the people which will gradually be enlarged till such a nation becomes the contempt of its neighbours. Experience has shewn us how great nations have sunk into insignificance. This country may have performed the task assigned to it by Providence; and if liberty is not held in the high estimation in which it was in former periods of our history, the abridgment of it will be little felt. It must be remembered, however, that with loss of liberty we lose all the sources of our wealth, and this may make even the most fearful of the supposed dangers of the present crisis careful how they trench too much upon it.

[ocr errors]

Events at home have rendered every one less attentive to the course of affairs abroad; but a history from a remote quarter has excited no inconsiderable alarm for a valuable part of our commerce, It will be recollected that an embassy was sent out to China with most valuable presents for the Emperor. He has condescended to accept some of the meanest of them, for which he has paid according to their rules many times their value. But the ambassador has been dismissed without an audience. The reasons remain to be explained. It is probable however that they are contained in the green bag of Mandarins of the cabinet and will never transpire. The court of Pekin has ite politics as well as the cabinets of Europe, and the Chinese are not quite. so absurd a nation as Europeans are apt to fancy them. In fact Europe does not contain all the wisdom of the world, and it may not be amiss that from other parts of the earth it should receive admonition to this effect. An unlucky affair has happened also between a ship of war and one of the Chinese forts, which was silenced with great ease by a broadside; but how the tale will be told at Pekin we shall

bear hereafter. The Chinese gazette is not more remarkable for its attention to veracity than the newspapers of Europe, and the Mandarins understand how to make up a story as well as if they had received their education amongst their enlightened brethren of Europe.

A history has arrived in Europe from St. Helena, which brings the extraordinary prisoner again before the public, The letter from his secretary contains the complaints of his treatment, and this is authentic, but the memoirs of his life may have been dictated in Europe. As to his treatment it cannot be doubted that the utmost attention must have been been paid to it by our government, and in fact it has been so declared by a minister in the House of Lords. However, there are three parties in this question, the prisoner, the government and the jailer, We have heard the statements of only. two of them. It remains to hear the third party before a decisire opinion is, formed. The generosity of the English, character would be much hurt if that which has been amply provided has not been managed in the manner best suited. to the feelings of the prisoner.

NEW PUBLICATIONS IN THEOLOGY AND GENERAL LITERATURE.

Letters to William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. on the Doctrine of Hereditary De-, pravity. By a Layman. Third Edition, corrected. 12mo.

A Sequel to a "Vindication of Unitarianism," in Reply to Mr. Wardlaw's Treatise, entitled" Unitarianism incapable of Vindication." By the Author of the Vindication. 8vo. 3s.

Six Letters addressed to a Congregation of Independent Dissenters, upon separating from their Connexion. By a late Member, a London Merchant. 8vo.

Vice Triumphant: The Remedy proposed Easy and Effectual: with the Statement of a New Hypothesis to explain Accountableness. By Samuel Spurrell, 12mo. 3s.

A Few Cursory Observations, in Reply to the Strictures of the Rev. Mr. Gilchrist, in bis Rational Grammar, or a Treatise on English Etymology and Syntax. By the Rev. Alexander Crombie, LL. D.

8vo.

Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty and the Principles of Liberty. By the late Richard Price, D. D. F.R, S. A New Edition. Dedicated to the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor. By William Beck. 8vo. 6d.

Psalms, Hymns and Religious Odes, adapted to Public and Private Devotion. Selected by Samuel Dobell. 12mo.

Sacred Poems. Selected from the best Writers: designed to assist young Persons', to read and recite Metrical Compositions » with Propriety, and to inculcate the most important Principles of Love to God and Benevolence to Man. By Ph. Le Breton, A. M. Master of the Academy in PolandStreet. 12mo.

[ocr errors]

Scripture Genealogy from Adam to Christ: exhibiting, in a Series of Thirtysix Engraved Tables, a distinct View of the Nation, Tribe, Family, Lineal Descent and Posterity of every Person mentioned in the Bible, so far as they can be traced from Sacred and Profane History. 21. 12s. 6d. An Explanation of the Principles and-Proceedings of the Provident Institution at Bath for Savings. By John Haygarth, D. D. F. R. S. and F. R. S. ED. 810. 5s.

4to.

A Collection of Facts and Opinions relative to the Burning of Widows, &c. iu British India. By William Johns, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. 2s. 6d.

On the Fducation of Roman Catholic Children and the Rejection of the Bible by their Priests: chiefly extracted from the Reports of a Select Committee of the House of Commons, &c. 1s. 6d.

Sermons.

The Unity and Simple Personality of God: A Sermon, preached at Oldbury, June 20, 1816, before the Unitarian Tract Society. By John Small. 12mo.

Scripture the Delight and Guide of the Unitarian Christian: A Sermon before the Western Unitarian Society, 1816. Joseph Hunter. 1s. 6d.

By

Religious Reading recommended: A Sermon before the Unitarian Book Society at Manchester, Jan. 2, 1817. By William Jevons. 12mo. 6d. 8vo. 1s.

The Goodness of God in Adversity: A Sermon at Newcastle, Jan. 1, 1817. By William Turner, Jyn. M. A. 8vo. 1s.

A Series of Discourses on the Christian Revelation, viewed in Connection with the Modern Astronomy. By Thos. Chalmers, D. D. Minister of the Tron Church, Glasgow. Bro. 8s.

Discourses on the Apostles' Creed, intended principally for the Instruction of the Young. By Robt. Stevens, Prebendary of Lincoln, &e. and Chaplain to the House of Commons. 7s.

Sermons on the Parables of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. By William Martin Trinder, LL.B. at Oxford, and M. D. at Leyden. 8vo. 12s.

Fifty-seven Sermons, on the Gospels or Epistles for the Year: with Observations on Public Religious Instruction. By Richard Warner, Curate of St. James's, Bath.

2 vols. 12mo. 16s.

Sermons, by the late Charles Wesley, M. A. Student of Christ Church, Oxford. With a Memoir of the Author. 12mo. 7s.

Christian Morality, or a Hint to Gospel Preachers: A Sermon, delivered in the Cathedral of Lincoln, October 13, 1816. By William Kett. 13.

Baptism.

A Brief Statement of the Scriptural Doctrine of Regeneration, in Reference to the late Controversy occasioned by Dr. Mant's and other Tracts on that Subject. By an Impartial Observer. 1s. 6d.

Facts and Evidences on the Subject of Baptism, in Three Additional Letters to the Deacon of a Baptist Church, being the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth: with Two Additional Letters in Examination of Dr. Hyland's Candid Statements, &c. With a Plate. By the Editor of Calmet's Dictionary. 3s.

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

On the Supply of Employment and Sub-' sistence for the Labouring Classes, in Fisheries, Manufactories and the Cultivation of Waste Lands; with Remarks on the Operation of the Salt Duties and a Proposal for their Repeal, By Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart. 8vo.

3s.

popular Objections to the Repeal are conPostscript to the Above; wherein some sidered. By the Same.

Observations for the Use of Landed Gentlemen, on the present State and future Prospects of the British Farmer, By Rusticus. 3s.

A Letter to the Rt. Hon. Lord Rolle, on the present Distresses of the Country. By John Edye. Is.

Considerations on the Poor Laws, and the Treatment of the Poor; with Sugges tions for making the Public Annuitants contributory to their Support. By One of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace.

3s.

Some Facts shewing the vast Burthen of the Poor's Rates, in a particular Dis trict, and a View of the very unequal Mode in which different Kinds of Property contribute to the Support of Paupers; with' some Observations on Mr. Clarkson's late Pamphlet. By a Member of the Shropshire” County Committee for the Employment of the Poor destitute of Work. 28.

ERRATA.

In the Number for January.-P. 27, col. 2, 1. 19 from the top, for "charity" read

clarity.

In the last Number.-P. 69, col. 1, 1. 9 from the bottom, for "advise" read devise.

-P. 120, col. 2, the signature should have been L. instead of "S." Holden, and in p. 121, col. 1, the signature should bave been L. instead of " S." H.

Mr. Mace's death took place, not on "the 17th of

December," but on the 17th of February.

[blocks in formation]

Memoir of the late Rev. W. Vidler.

[Concluded from p. 186.]

N 1798, Mr. N. Scarlett, who was

[Vol. XII:

respect and friendship. He continued to carry on business in the Strand by himself for a few years, till he was

I a of congres compelled by want suc

gation, published a new translation of the New Testament, with Notes, in which work Mr. Vidler took an active part. The chief peculiarity of this Version is its being accommodated to the universal hypothesis; the words dion and Eonian being invariably used instead of world, age and everlasting, whenever the Greek words from which those terms are derived are found in the original. The work possessed all the recommendations which it could derive from its external form and embellishment, and met with favourable notice from the Monthly and Critical Reviews, but it will be scarcely uumbered hereafter amongst improved versions.

This literary connection between Mr. Scarlett and Mr. Vidler led to a partnership in trade. Mr. Scarlett was then carrying on the bookselling business in the Strand. Mr. Vidler was tempted to join him by flattering prospects that were never realized. Some of his friends made considerable efforts in order to ensure his wishes; though others warned him from the beginning of the risk which he incurred. A little time convinced him that he had been careless in his estimates and sanguine in his expectations, and the partnership was dissolved, with great loss to Mr. Vidler, though on a ground which was highly honourable to him, namely, his refusing from scruples of conscience to join Mr. Scarlett in the publication which he had for some time been conducting of a collection of plays entitled The British Theatre." Notwithstanding this separation and disappointment, Mr. Vidler never spoke of Mr. Scarlett* but in terms of

Mr. Scarlett was educated first at

[blocks in formation]

cess to relinquish it. His failure, however, did not cure him of his selfconfidence as a tradesman, for by a whimsical contradiction of character, whilst he entertained a very humble opinion of himself as a Christian teacher, he was accustomed to set a very high value upon his fitness for business. His last attempt as a tradesman was in Holborn, where he succeeded to the bookseller's shop which had been established, and in 1804 vacated, by Mr. Marsom. Here he was weighed down from the first by incumbrances which had been long growing, and after an ineffectual strug gle for two years retreated from the cares of business with the loss of every thing except his conscious integrity and the sympathy and confidence of his friends, confessing at last that he knew less of mankind than he once, thought.t

Kingswood school, under the patronage of
Mr. John Wesley, and afterwards at
Merchant Taylors' school. He was ap-
prenticed to a shipwright, but leaving that
employment he became an eminent ac-
countant, and originated the "Com-
mercial Almanack." Besides the Version
of the New Testament, taken notice of
above, he published, in 1801, a small
volume in quarto, entitled "A Scenic
Arrangement of Isaiah's Prophecy relating

to the Fall of Babylon." At the time of
his decease, which took place Nov. 18,
1802, he had written and methodically
arranged a curious work called
"The
Millenial Age," intended to be published
in twelve numbers, quarto, embellished
with superb engravings by artists of the
first eminence.

+ The failure of Mr. Vidler's successive experiments in trade was not owing to any want of industry, much less of attention and civility: he was remarkably obliging

« ZurückWeiter »