houses, and the peace of the county as it is called may be kept by them, though the individuals to be returned to parliament may be of opposite sides of the question. If the interest of a member for Yorkshire should be connected with that of the borough-holders by the prospect of having some boroughs in his own possession, the paradox is solved. It requires a great freedom from prejudice, that is, a previous judgment, a judgment not formed by an examination of the question in all its bearings, to examine the representation in a proper manner. Age, experience, freedom from passions, and a determined resolution to speak the truth, independent of all parties, seem to be requisite to place this question in its true light, and to enable every man, who will study it properly, to be convinced in his own mind of the propriety of every step to be taken on so important a subject. That such a man should be produced in a nation, and exactly at the time when his talents were most wanted, is one of those extraordinary circumstances which are not without example in the history of the world. Rendered illustrious in every part of Europe by the developement of the principles of legislation, from which every kingdom may derive advantage-dignified by age, and by the concurrent testimony of all that is great and good in this kingdom-Mr. Bentham has concentered the powers of his mighty mind upon the subject of the representation of this kingdom. His work is now studied in the closet by every man of thought and reflection. It can be read only by such men. The language and diction render it in a great degree inaccessible to the generality of readers. It is a study by itself, and every one who has the capacity to enter into the profoundness of his investigation, to fathom his reasonings, to perceive the bearings of every part of his argument, will be improved by the study of his work; and, whether he agrees with him or not ultimately, he cannot fail of discovering where the truth lies and we are much mistaken if the man who should sit down with a determined resolution to confute it, would not arise the more convinced of the propriety of every sentiment maintained in this extraordinary work. We shall of course be understood to mean this, with the reserve of what may appear to be exasperations, as applicable to those individuals in the present or former times, who justly er unjustly may have become objects of the severity of censure. The work is destined to be a standard book on representation. The comments on it may be voluminous; the substance of it will find its way gradually into public notice. : Whatever may be the result, the historian of this country cannot fail of recording that it had the fullest means of being enlightened, by being forewarned on the general tendency of different modes of representation. Sir F. Burdett took up the general question of reform, desirous only of a committee to inquire what steps should be taken to produce that which is suited to the present state of the country. Mr. Brougham bas given notice of a particular reform; that is to bring back the duration of parliament from seven to three years. This will be a point gained, for the present duration has a very bad tendency. It renders the representative less dependent on, and less attached to his constituents. The annuality of parliaments is considered by many" persons as more desirable, and they who are of this opinion cannot at any rate object to the duration being brought nearer to their system. However, it is not apprehended that Mr. Brougham will meet with more success than Sir F. Burdett. These questions naturally interest us most at home. Abroad, new appearances perplex the political world. It is well known that a matrimonial connexion has united together the Courts of Brazil and Madrid, and it was supposed that the seizure of Monte Videa, by the former had been concerted in unison with them both. A state paper, however, signed by several foreign powers, has set this matter in a very different light, and it made its appearance in the public papers at the same time with intelligence from the Brazils, which may render nugatory all the plans of the Christian powers to restore ́peace and amity, between the contending courts. Several foreign powers, among which is England, have drawn up a spirited remonstrance to the King of the Brazils, founded on their Christian zeal for the preservation of peace, the expectation that the connu-“ bial engagements would have produced more favourable dispositions, and the in justice of an unprovoked attack on the King of Spain's transatlantic dominions. In this situation they have been solicited by the King of Spain, and have undertaken to mediate between the two powers, SO unfortunately at variance with each other. The answer of the King of the Brazils is not arrived, and upon it will depend the resolves of the high and mighty powers in this difficult conjecture. The bone of contention is the possession of Monte Video, and the country on the northern bank of La Plata, the country opposite Buenos Ayres, which has withdrawn its allegiance from the King of Spain, and which assuredly would never let him have a foot of the disputed terri tory. The vulnerable points of the King of Brazil's dominions are Portugal, and if the high and mighty powers choose to give it to Spain, the latter country will have received ample compensation for the injury it has sustained; and besides the King of the Brazils would in vain attempt to resist the invasion of his European dominions. But a new scene is opening. At the time we are writing perhaps there is not a King of the Brazils. Not that the person so named is not in existence, but his power in the Brazils is annihilated. An account is brought that the people of that country have some how or another acquired certain notions of liberty and independence, which makes them think that they may be happier without the Inquisition and the fostering care of the House of Braganza. An insurrection to a very alarming extent has taken place. Seizing the opportunity, when the troops were gone to La Plata, the people have risen and have determined to imitate the conduct of the United States, to enjoy freedom of religion and freedom of commerce, to have laws of their own, and to be governed by representatives of their own nation. The accounts of course are very general, and it may be exagge-rated; but the probability of the circumstance is so great, that a considerable degree of credit is given to the report. A short time, however, will develope the evil to its full extent, and in the mean time the intelligence which the Court of Madrid is receiving cannot be very pleasing. Its power in Chili seems to be annihilated, and in the Caraccas a signal victory over its troops has established independence in that part of its dominions. It has quelled insurrection at home, but a general, the principal of the insurgents, has not suffered the fate assigned to him by law, and it is doubtful whether it will be expedient to make away with him. The press, bowever, is in such complete subjection in that country, that very little dependence can be placed on any accounts from it. One paper asserts, that the Spaniard is devoted to the reigning system, whilst another maintains that general dissatisfaction prevails. Time will unravel all this, but probably matters will not be settled without the interference of the Holy Alliance. CORRESPONDENCE. Owing to our being under the necessity of putting the sheets of the present Number to press earlier than usual, the couclusion of the Review of Dr. Laurence's Remarks upon Griesbach is unavoidably deferred to the next month. The lateness of the day of the month of the anniversary of the Unitarian Fund prevents us also from reporting the proceedings of the meeting in this Number. C. A. E. and Scrutator on the paper signed A. B. C.; E. on Vindictive Punishments; and various other communications, too numerous to be specified, have been received. We are desired again to say that the parcel, before promised but delayed, lies at the " publishers' for our Liverpool correspondent. The following subscriptions are in hand: Richard Cooke, Esq. T10 A few copies remain of the proof print of the late Mr. VIDLER, which (together with the proof prints of Dr. PRIESTLEY, Dr. TOULMIN and SERVETUS) may be had of the publishers, price 5s.-Very few more copies of the MONTHLY REPOSITORY are printed than are actually sold at the beginning of the month, and therefore subscribers are advised to be punctual in filling up their sets.-The same plan is now pursued, and the same advice is given, with regard to THE CHRISTIAN REFORMER, of which Two VoLUMES are completed, and may he had of the publishers, price 6s. 6d. each in boards. ERRATA. P. 168, col. i. 5 lines from the bottom, dele "they" and read these questions. - 240, col. i. 5 lines from the top, "the" should have been printed in the Roman cha racter. -241, cel. ii. 17 lines from the top, for "Now" read How. Memoir of the late Right Reverend Dr. Richard Watson, Bishop of Llandaff. THIS (From "The Annual Biography and Obituary, for the Year 1817.") NHIS celebrated Prelate possessed many claims to public attention, as a theologian, a chemist, an agricul turist and a man of letters. It would be unpardonable, therefore, to allow such a name to sink for a moment into oblivion; or even to permit his memory to remain unhallowed with the just meed of praise. Richard Watson, a native of Westmoreland, was born at Eversham, about five miles from Kendal, both situate in that county, in the year 1737. His father, a clergyman, who possessed but a very trifling preferment, enjoyed for many years the Mastership of the Free Grammar School in Kendal, where the son was brought up. That his education was carefully attended to, and that he was not only early, but thoroughly initiated in the elements of human learning, appears probable; his knowledge, indeed, seems to have been all that he carried with him to Cambridge, except a very scanty stock of money, the most persevering economy, and a habit of application that defied imitation, and almost belief. He was admitted of Trinity College about the year 1755; and his true blue worsted stockings and coarse mottled coat, both of which doubtless evinced themselves of homespuu manufacture, together with a northern or provincial accent, are still commemorated by tradition in the annals of that celebrated institution. Nor ought such trifles to be overlooked in this place: for when it is recollected, that his unimpeachable morals, rapid progress and uniform good conduct, either served to overcome or to obliterate the prejudices VOL. XII. 2 T [Vol. XII. arising from these petty obstacles, the very mention of them conveys an appropriate lesson to the raw, young and uninformed Tyro. Mr. Watson was twenty-two years old when he took his first degree, having obtained that of B. A. in 1759; he proceeded A. M. in 1762, when he stood high among the Wranglers; and finally crowned his academical promotions as D. D. in 1791. The Doctor appears at an early period to have obtained the respect of his own college, which could not be long unconscious of his worth; and to this was added the esteem of the whole University, in consequence of an incident which might have proved prejudicial to a person less discreet. The late Duke of Grafton, who was then their Chancellor, having made an improper recommendation of a candidate for a vacant office, he gave a spirited opposition to the appointment; but took care at the same time to mingle his objections with so much suavity of manner, as actually to obtain the friendship of the nobleman in question. Indeed, at an early period, he appears to have imbibed a due knowledge of the world and its affairs: for although he never excelled in mathematics, a study, then, as now deemed so essential at Trinity College; yet he soon obtained precedency of those who were deeply versed in all its most abstruse branches. Thus Postlethwayte, one of his ablest opponents as a Wrangler, could demonstrate himself fit only for a small rectory in the country, while Watson was soon enabled to become his Diocesan! A fellowship obtained some time before, afforded something like present independence, while a college tutor ship led to future honours and emolu. ments. The present Lord Carysfort was one of his early pupils; and to another, the late Mr. Luther, after wards M. P. for the county of Essex, he was indebted for a large portion of that affluence which accompanied the latter period of his life; while by means of a third-the late Duke of Rutland, he was at length enabled to attain a mitre. At the period alluded to, modern chemistry, then in its infant state in Great Britain, appears to have been unknown, or at least unattended to in the University of Cambridge. This may be fairly deduced from the circumstance, that a gentleman elected Public Professor of this science, was notoriously ignorant of the first principles of the art. Luckily, however, the office fell to the lot of Mr. Watson in 1764, who determined that it should not be a sinecure. Immediately after his nomination, he associated Hoffman, supposed to be a good practical chemist, in his labours, and by his means learned the rudiments of the art, in which he was to instruct others. It is well known in the University that their first attempts were rude, awkward and unsuccessful. During the course of their joint experiments, both they and their workshop are said to have been "blown into the air!" but luckily escaping with only a few bruises and contusions, they proceeded in their doubtful and dangerous labours, until considerable progress had been effected. Immediately on this, the subject of the present memoir having commenced his public lectures, adopted the nomenclature then in use, but since become obsolete, and exhibited his apparatus and his experiments to a crowded and admiring audience. The discourses of the new Professor were of a popular nature, he did not pretend to enter into the depths of science, but contented himself with explaining the more obvious principles, and above all demonstrating the intimate connexion between chemistry and manufactures. His fortune was now assured. In 1771 he was created Doctor of Divinity by royal mandate; and in the course of the same year was unanimously elected Regius Professor of Divinity to the University of Cambridge; to which office the rectory of Somersham, in Huntingdonshire, is annexed. On this, he married a lady of respectable connexions, with whom he had been long acquainted, and soon began to have a family around him, for which he was now enabled to provide. By this time his reputation had extended throughout the whole kingdom, and the Royal Society, anxious to incorporate a man of such talents among its members, immediately proceeded to his election. Many of his papers, soon after, were published in the Philosophical Transactions; and those connected with chemistry were at length selected, and engrafted into his Essays. Meanwhile, his friends and admirers were not inattentive to his clerical interests: for in 1774 he was presented to a prebendal stall in the church of Ely; and in 1780 succeeded Dr. Plumptre, as archdeacon of that diocese. In the course of the same year he obtained the rectory of Northwold, in Norfolk; while his patron and former pupil, the Duke of Rutland, now presented him to the valuable rectory of Knaptoft, in the county of Leicester, as an earnest of his future intentions. It may be here fairly and truly stated, without intending any insult to Oxford, that anterior to the French Revolution, the University of Cambridge was uniformly distinguished by Whig principles, and all those liberal notions both in respect to politics and religion, which were introduced with, or rather confirmed by William III. It was not until the year 1776 that Dr. Watson had an opportunity of publicly maintaining his own opinions on those interesting subjects. Being then nominated to preach before his own University, on the anniversary of the Restoration, he delivered a discourse, which was soon after printed, under the title of "The Principles of the Revolution Vindicated," which attracted a considerable share of notice and popularity. Another of the same nature, and professing the same tenets, on the anniversary of his present Majesty's accession to the throne, produced a controversy; but like all similar contentions, the disputants were soon lost in their own smoke; and we now only recollect "An Heroic Epistle to Dr. Watson;" the author of which, supposed to be the same with that "to Sir William Chambers," remains still unknown. Having thus vindicated the principles of general liberty, and justified the revolution of 1688, Dr. Watson next proceeded to justify Christianity itself, from the attacks of sophistry, scepticism and infidelity. The late Mr. Gibbon, fond of ease, luxury and enjoyment, had relinquished his political opinions for a place; but in his religious tenets, he appears to have remained firm and sincere until the very last. In two of the chapters of his celebrated work on "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," he had attacked the religion of Christ; and he was now answered by means of a work, entitled, "An Apology for Christianity, in a Series of Letters, addressed to Edward Gibbon, Esq." This immediately became a popular production; for, instead of calling in the assistance of the secular power, or commencing his attack with the violence of bigoted zeal, Dr. Watson displayed all the mildness of a true Christian, and all the good manners of a well-bred gentleman. In 1780, he published another Sermon, preached before his own University, in the beginning of the same year (Feb. 4th), on the day appointed for the general fast; and in 1781, he produced his first volume of "Chemical Essays." This was soon after followed by four additional ones. At length, by the influence of the Duke of Rutland, to whom this work was inscribed, he obtained the mitre; and thus owed to a lucky incident, what his own merit had fully entitled him to. From that moment he seems to have abandoned his once favourite pursuit, as will be seen from the following quotation from the preface to his fifth and last volume: "When I was elected Professor of Divinity in 1771, I determined to abandon, for ever, the study of chemistry, and I did abandon it for several years; but the veteris vestigia flamma still continued to delight me, and at length seduced me from my purpose. "When I was made a Bishop, in 1782, I again determined to quit my favourite pursuit: the volume which I now offer to the public is a sad proof of the imbecility of my resolu tion. "I have on this day, however, offered a sacrifice to other people's notions, I confess, rather than to my own opinion of episcopal decorum-I have destroyed all my chemical ma nuscripts. A prospect of returning health might have persuaded me to pursue this delightful science, but I have now certainly done with it for ever; at least, I have taken the most effectual step I could, to wean myself from an attachment to it; for, with the holy zeal of the idolators of old, who had been addicted to curious arts I have burned my books." Soon after his consecration, the new Bishop attracted the notice of both the clerical profession and the public at large, by "A Letter addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury," on the equalization of the Church Revenues. His Lordship, on this occasion, proved himself the sincere friend of the great body of the clergy, by demoustrating the hardships to which those who possessed scanty livings were subjected. Yet, although his arguments were conclusive, and his facts incontrovertible, neither the Metropolitan himself, nor any of those possessed of rich livings, were much pleased, perhaps, with this address. * As this work, which has been lately re-published in the Pamphleteer (No. XVI.) formerly excited much attention, and is still worthy of perusal, we shall here give an analysis of it. After some prefatory remarks complimentary to the clergy in ticular, Dr. Watson fairly states his object general, and the Bench of Bishops in parto be two-fold, viz. "An Alteration re specting the Revenue of the Bishops and the inferior Clergy ;"-" not by means of a parity of Preferments, but a better apportioned Distribution of what the State allows for the Maintenance of the established Clergy." 1. He wishes to make the Bishoprics more equal to each other, both with respect to income and patronage, by annexing part of the estates, and part of the preferments of the richer bishoprics, as they become vacant, to the poorer; which would prevent the holding of preferments in commendam, on the part of some of them; and produce a greater independence of the prelacy in the House of Lords; and lastly, by restricting them to their original sees, superinduce a longer residence in their respective dioceses, which would thus also be the means of rendering their places of abode more comfortable and commodious, when no translation was expected. The Doctor maintains that the whole re venue of the church, including bishoprics, deans and chapters, rectories, vicarages, dignities, and benefices of all kinds, did not, when he wrote, amount to more than |