10 Evils of indiscriminate Charity. How happens it that while some of the most fertile parts of Europe have a stagnant population and a miserable revenue, the people of England are bebeld with admiration or envy by all nations? The answer is at hand: it is because in this island industry is the only respected channel to riches and honours. Truly, therefore, is it to be lamented that any good men among us should so far mistake the principle of charity as to think that because they have a superfluity of wealth, the overplus ought to be frittered away in donations to the indigent. A little judument would tell them that by so doing they are rendering useless what, by accumulation and management, might have been made a blessing to posterity. These persons would do well also to consider, that they not only weaken the springs of industry, but that by holding out an encouragement to the poor to apply for eleemosynary grants from private beneficence, a temptation is laid in their way to violate truth in order to excite greater compassion. Little reliance is to be placed on the veracity of merdicants at any time, but were the sources of charity multiplied, and the facilities of relief increased, it is to be feared that our streets would be filled with sturdy beggars and impostors of both sexes, making idleness their calling, and lying their study. Another evil attending this profusion in the distribution of alms, is the fact, that while the vagrant poor are fostered by it in the worst of habits, the. virtuous and industrious who have the strongest claim to the assistance of the affluent, are struggling with difficulty, but in silence, to gain a livelihood by the sweat of their brow. Benevolence, regulated by prudence, will select these for the objects of its regard and kindness, rather than pay any attention to the tales of wretchedness told by those who waste their time, which is an estate common to all, in prowling about to pick up a maintenance by deceiving goodnatured credulity. I shall conclude in the words of a writer who has treated this subject with his accustomed energy, and pointed out a line of benevolence the least likely of any to be imposed upon or misapplied. "Among those actions which the mind can most securely review with unabated pleasure, is that of having contributed to a hospital for the sick. Of some kinds of charity the consequences are dubious; some evils which beneficence has been busy to remedy, are not certainly known to be very grievous to the sufferer, or detri [Feb. 1, mental to the community; but no man can question whether wounds and sickness are not really painful; whether it be not worthy a good man's care to restore those to ease and usefulness, from whose labour infants and women expect their bread, and who, by a casual hurt, or lingering disease, lie pining in want and anguish, burthensome to others, and weary of themselves. Yet as most of our hospitals are supported by voluntary contributions, without any solid fund of support, there is danger lest the blaze of charity, which now burns with so much beat and splendour, should die away for want of lasting fuel; lest fashion should suddenly withdraw her smile, and inconstancy transfer the public attention to something which may appear more eligible, because it will be new. Whatever is left in the hands of chance, must be subject to vicissitude; and when any establishment is found to be useful, it ought to be the next care to make it permanent. But man is a transitory being, and his designs must partake of the imperfections of their author. To confer duration is not always in our power. We must snatch the present moment and employ it well, without too much solicitude for the future, and content ourselves with reflecting that our part is performed. He that waits for an opportunity to do much at once, may breathe out his life in idle wishes, and regret in the last hour his useless intentions and barren zeal.” Nov. 1. MR. EDITOR, INVESTIGATOR. IN the last number (for October) of the Monthly Review, which, by the bye, contains many articles very unfavourable to revealed religion and good manners, is a severe critique on Mr. Custance's publication intituled "A Popular Survey of the Reformation." It is not my intention to enter into a defence of that book, with which, in truth, I am not acquainted; but the following passage in the review is so remarkably virulent, and betrays such a determined spirit of hostility to a fundamental doctrine of Christianity, that some notice ought to be taken of the attack, in order to guard those who yet have a regard for their creed against these insidious attempts to undermine their faith. The chapter on Justification, in the treatise of Mr. Custance, gives great offence to the reviewer, because it exhibits a statement of that primary article in perfect unison with the sentiments of the first 1815.] Defence of Cowper against the Monthly Review. reformers, and consequently are totally different from the perverted and degrading scheme taught by the ancient and modern Sorinians. "We must tell Mr. Custance," says the Review," that, as a prudent advocate of the fundamental doctrines of the established church, he should have abstained from quoting the following very reprehensible methodistic stanza in illustration of them: There is a fountain fill'd with blood Drawn from Immanuel's veins, "The idea which this vile poetry conveys is coarse, disgusting, and incorrect. In what part of Scripture is our Saviour's blood represented as drawn into a large cistern, into which sinners are to take a plunge, and then to rise spotless? A writer of any credit ought to blush at giving such a picture of salvation by the cross and sufferings of Christ. Perhaps Mr. C. will say that this is a popular sketch of Christian redemption; but we are at a loss to conceive what the common people will understand by a plunge into a fountain full of blood."" Of the ideas of the multitude on this subject the Reviewer may entertain what opinion he pleases, but that any man of common understanding should so mistake the representation here given of the satisfaction of Christ, as to suppose that there is a cleansing power in the mere blood of the victim who became a voluntary offering for our redemption, is to judge of the human mind much more grossly than can be charged to the account of those who hold the orthodox doctrine of the atonement. That person must be little conversant with the language of Scripture, who knows not that the blood of the animals offered in sacrifice was typical of the redemption wrought out by the death and sufferings of the Messiah. No Israelite was so ignorant as to believe that there was an inherent virtue in the blood of bulls and goats, for the expiation of guilt; nor does the believer under the gospel enter tain such an idea of the blood which flowed from the cross. When he reads that "without shedding of blood there is no remission," and that the "blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin," (Heb. ix. 22,-John, L. 7): he is aware that this is spoken of the efficacy of that obedience which was paid to Infinite Justice by the Mediator. In reference to that sacrifice, and the benefits of it to believing penitents, by acting continually as 11 an incentive to good works, the prophet Zechariah has this graphical description: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness." Ch. xii 1. This prediction can be understood in no other sense than that of a moral change to be accomplished under a new and particular dispensation, emphatically denominated "that day;" and by a recurrence to the context, it will be seen that the period commences by a national act of ingratitude, followed by a general dispersion of the families of Jacob, and with circumstances of extraordinary humiliation. "They shall look upon me," says the divine speaker, "whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born." (Ch. xii. 10.) In whatever sense this whole prophecy is understood, only one can be made of the purgation, which is the result of the mercy extended to the offenders. They are cleansed from their moral defilement solely by a vicarious expiation, originating in the divine wisdom and goodness, without deriving any efficacy from human exertions. Such is the promise of which the pious and accomplished Cowper has given a paraphrastic version in the stanza so illiberally abused as vile poetry by the Monthly Reviewer. Now, admitting that the verse be ever so contemptible, certain it is that the language is scriptural; and if the author has presumed to apply the prediction directly to our Saviour, he is borne out in it by the authority of an evangelist, who, in his relation of the crucifixion expressly affirms that then was fulfilled "the Scripture, which saith, they shall look on him whom they pierced." (John xix 37.) Nov. 11, 1814. MR. EDITOR, SCRUTATOR. AS few things contribute more to the pleasure and prosperity of the country than good roads, allow me, through your most excellent magazine, to make public the great advantage which may be derived from making the roads with bricks. This is of great consequence to be known in low tracts of clay and loam, where stones and other materials cannot be obtained. I can most strongly recommend them from trial on a private road: they never cut through, and resisted every thing. The road was made with old broken bricks, and was always 12 Repairing Roads-Foreign Plants recommended. firmer in that part than that which was made of stone.-Bricks, I believe, are allowed to be burned for the use of roads duty-free, only observing to make them of such a shape that they cannot be used for any other purpose. If they were made much thinner than usual, they would be still harder and better. Should fuel also be scarce, as well as stones, we may remove this difficulty by planting a few acres in each parish with willow, alder, and the Canada poplar: these would yield most abundant crops of faggot-wood every third year, and would answer extremely well to the landlord and the tenant;-but ash would be still better to plant for this purpose. Now I am on the subject, let me inform the commissioners of the road at the back of Holland-house, leading to Uxbridge, which is generally in the winter scarcely passable, that that very hill may be rendered firm and good for ages, by one mode of repairing it, and which, though expensive at first, would soon save them many pounds. Let them take advantage of dry weather in May to rail off one-half of the road, from the top of the hill to the bottom, and having carefully scraped off the whole of the dirt down to the hard road, let them cover it with stones, broken very small, s.x or eight inches thick Over these let the strongest stone-lime mortar be poured in a fluid state, and the stones covered in every part four inches deep with it, laying the surface properly rounding, and as even and smooth as possible. The mortar should be made with the coarsest sand, or rather pulverized stones or bricks. Let nothing pass over the road till it is completely dry throughout; then let the other half of the road be finished in the same way. This once properly done, would be done almost for ever. I would pledge a large sum of money that it would be found the cheapest, and the best, mode of making that part of the road. MR. EDITOR, VIATOR. THE joyful return of peace affords a fiue opportunity to increase the number of our useful plants by adding those which have been brought into cultivation on the Continent. I will mention two which I think worthy notice. In the department of Landes and L'Heraut in France, an oily plant, called arachis, of the family of lentils, (Arachis Hypogea,) is cultivated. It was brought by the Spaniards from Mexico, and was introduced by the French from Spain. [Feb. 1, An ounce of the oil of this plant, with MR. EDITOR, I PERCEIVE by the last number of your useful magazine, the notice of a new edition of Dr. Lettsom's Naturalist's and Traveller's Companion. I am not aware from what source that information has been derived, or from whom it has been obtained. I beg leave, however, as it has thus been brought before the notice of your readers, to inform you that 1815.] Lettsom's Naturalist's Companion-Surnames. I have in preparation an edition of that MR. EDITOR, I BEG leave to submit to the consideration of your readers the following additional contributions to a "Historie of Surnames," first suggested by your correspondent in the Magazine for May. I shall first give specimens of each of his classes, and then mention a few additional ones that have occurred to me. By occasional contributions of this nature, that great desideratum among antiquaries, viz. the history and origin of surnames will be easily accomplished. I shall merely suggest in conclusion that, in the present rage for Latin and Greek derivatives, the title of the "Cognominal Dictionary," would not be ill adapted for a work of the above nature. PHILO-COGNOMEN. Class I. Surnames derived from Christian names. 1. By the addition of the word "son." -Anderson, (Andrewson,) Davidson, Donaldson, Henrison, (Henryson,) Gregorson, Jefferson, (Jeffreyson,) Jenkinson, Jobson, Ferguson, Ronaldson, Neilson, Gilbertson, Robinson, Stevenson, (Stephenson,) Wilkinson, Paterson, (Peterson,) Jameson, &c. N.B. This class of surnames is not so extensive in number as frequent in occurrence. There is, I may safely affirm, scarcely a parish in the kingdom, where one or more of these surnames is not to be found. This form, indeed, is common in most languages. Thus in Gaelic, M'Donald, and in Irish, O'Donnell, is equal in signification to the English surname of "Donaldson." To this class also are to be referred surnames of the following nature, either derived from, or giving origin to Christian names;-1. without any addition, as, Adam, Henry, Jatnes, Abraham, John, Alexander, Lewis, Thomas, Philip, Matthew, Hodges, Edmond, (Edmund,) &c. 2. those which have the addition of s, es, man, &c. or other syllables, as Adams, Hughes, Johns, Philips, Matthews, Peters, Roberts, (Robarts,) Robins, Matthewman, Johnston, Peterkin, Rogers, &c. all which are of universal occurrence. 13' 2. Class II. Surnames derived from abbreviations or contractions of Christian names:-1. By the addition of “ son," as in the former class, as, Anson, (Annson,) Benson, Danson, Gibson, Nelson, Robison, (Robyson,) Robson, Davison, Sandison, Harrison, (Harryson,) Simson, Willison, Wilson, Jamson, Jamieson, Alison, Pattison, &c. Without any addition, as, Jack, Dick, Watt, Roby, an, Gibb, Davy, Sim, Thom, &c. 2. With the addition of s, or any other particle, as, Watts, Gibbs, Davies, Davis, Sande man, Sandys, Ilewan, Sims, Wills, &c. This, like the former class, is pretty often to be met with. Class III From names of countries and provinces, with their inhabitants, as also from the names of foreign places, as, Scotland, Scot, (Scott,) England, English, German, Britton, (Briton,) Virginia, Moore, (Moor,) Hague, Canton, Florence, Leghorn, Flanders, &c. From their nature these are limited in number. Class IV. From the names of counties, towns, and villages in Great Britain and Ireland, as, Lancaster, Warwick, Leicester, Buckingham, Cumberland, Bedford, Kentish, Huntingdon, Montgomery, Aberdein, (Aberdeen,) Ross, Sutherland, Elgen, (Elgin,) Nairn, Stirling, Roxburgh, Mayo, Selkirk, PeeblesCromar, Murray, (Morav,) Angus, Argyle, Carlisle, or Carlyle, Mearns, Cullen, Hastings, Newport, Evesham, Poole, Irvine, Harwich, Appleby, Winchester, Beverley, Dunwich, Gainsborough, Bath, Ludlow, Boston, Barnett, Wells, Wigan, Preston, Lanark, Dysart, Anstruther, Linlithgow, Clare, Youghall, Lowth, Meath, Fife, (Fyffe,) Lichfield, Derby, Arundel, Whitby, Shields, Lewes, Marlow, Turriff, Berwick, Clitheroe, Kingston, Rye, Rippon, Woodstock, Dumfries, Dunbar, Galway, &c. also, names of rivers, as Don, Clyde, Thames, &c. From the above copious specimens it will be seen that this class is of extensive influence: not less so is the next. Class V. From local residence, situation, and other concurring circumstances, as, Hall, Chambers, Lougfield, Broadrick, Bottomley, Greenstreet, Greenway, Greenhill, Greenwood, Coldwell, (Caldwell,) Clayhills, Morecroft, Lawford, Blackburn, Whitfield, Western, Westover, Southey, Southern, Bloomfield, Kingsford, Medland, BroomUnder this very hill, Mansfield, &c extensive head are comprehended the surnames compounded of the woods, field, way, croft, hill, ford, land, &c. and 14 Contributions to a History of Surnames. similar objects in nature, of which specimens are given above. The two next classes as arranged by your correstondent, may be incorporated into one, viz. Class VI. Surnames derived from diguities and offices of honour or trust in church and state, as, Pope, Cardinal, Earle, (Earl,) Marquis, Dean, Archdeacon, Squiie, Fryer, (Friar,) Gentleman, Priest, Deacon, Clerk, (Clarke,) Mon, Baillie, (Bailly,) Stewart, Landseer, Chaplin, (Chaplain,) Serjeant, Messenger, Burgess, Yeoman, Butler, Proctor, Leader, &c. vide Class XIth. As a striking illustration of this class it may not be amiss to insert here the following curious fact, no doubt already known to most of your readers. A very remarkable jury was taken at the assizes held at Huntingdon before Judge Dodderil in July, 1619. A comma placed after the names of these men gives a very different idea of their per sons, as follow: Maximilian, King of Joseland. Class IX. From personal qualities and parts of the body, as, Greathead, (Greatheed,) Broadhead, Crookshanks, [Feb. 1, (Cruikshank,) Longshanks, Morehead, Smallbone, Lightfoot, Whitehead, Whitelock, Rawbone, Prittie, (Pretty,) Walker, Power, Ironside, &c. Class X. From epithets of ridicule and reproach, as, Duguid, (Dogood,) Wiseman, Wiseacre, Ramsbottom, Clutterbuck, Bonnyman, Thoroughgood, Bidgood, Toogood, Higginbottom, Bradfute, Tippler, Crookshank, Ironside, Goodiad, Scudamore, Rideout, Hobhouse, Strangeways, Lickbarrow, Merriman, Playfair, Goodall, Butterworth, Hussey, Bragg, Pratt, Cant, Mum, Strutt, Longshank, &c. Class XI. From warlike and athletic sports, instruments, &c. as, Archer, Bannerman, Arrowsmith, Dance, Dancer, Pindar, Parry, Spears, (Spiers,) Pearce, Crickitt, Card, Dyce, Champion, Chevalier, Serjeant, Fife, Gunn, Pistol, Dudgeon, Hanger, Cannon, &c. Class XII. Surnames derived from the animal kingdom: as, Bird, Fish, Cock, Cocks. Martin, Drake, Hogg, Wildgoose, Kidd, Buck, Lamb, Rooke, Heron, Swann, Partridge, Wren, Whale, Duckworth, Bullock, Leach, &c. Class XIII. From the vegetable kingdom, as, Bush, Shrubb, Peat, Hawthorne, Hazlewood, Vetch, Thorn, Broom, Wood, Lemon, Alder, Elder, Peach, Perry, &c. Class XIV. From the mineral kingdom, including colours and the seasons, &c. as, Gold, Silver, Emery, Rust, Steel, Leadbetter, Brass, Clay, Salt, Stone, Claymore, Red, (Read, Reed, Reid,) Greenly, Dunn, Goldsmith, Snowy, Merryweather, Fairweather, Mist, Fog, &c. Class XV. From objects in nature, as, Hill, Mountain, Rivers, Park, Meadow, Meadows, Wood, Brooks, Beach, Banks, Firth, Poole, (Pool,) Field, Moor, Muir, Dale, Ford, Heath, Pitt, Marsh, Ridge, Ridgley, Topcliffe, Stonehouse, Way, Well, Wells, Burns, Croft, &c. This is a very numerous class. Class XVI. Surnames derived from numbers, months, days of the week, &c. "as, Third, Forty, Six, March, May, Monday, (Munday,) Friday, Miles, Furlong, Foot, &c. Class XVII. From artificial contrivances, instruments, and utensils, as, Maule, Hammer, Hammersley, Shovel, Bell, Warren, Hook, Key, Combe, Pen, Patten, &c. These, when incorporated with the other classes of your correspondent, will, I should imagine, comprehend most of the English surnames now in use. The |