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1815.]

The Rev. W. Shepherd's "Paris" vindicated.

every one whose breast cherishes that most delightful inmate, I mean, candour. On turning to p. 412 of your last Magazine, my attention was excited, by what appears to me at least, a most illiberal attack on Mr. Shepherd's "Paris in 1802 and 1814." Now, I will candidly confess that, like Castigator, I purchased this book on the recommendation of the Edinburgh Review, and perused it with an avidity equal to the ideas which I had formed of it. The work combines, in my opinion, the "utile dulci," and, as has been well observed, ❝contains every where the traces of a vigorous mind, at once shrewd and bold, and of feelings and principles equally candid and pure." That your correspondent, Mr. Editor, should have formed a different verdict excites my regret no less than astonishment. At the same time I should have listened to his suggestions with greater pleasure, had they not been sullied with contemptuous sneers and personal reflections. "But such effusions cannot fail to lower the authors themselves in the opinion of impartial judges; and, if malice is accompanied with an affectation of pleasantry, it cannot fail to excite disgust in every man whose taste is not corrupt, or whose judgment is not perverted." (See Dr. Marsh's letter to Mr. Vansittart, p. 5.) I sincerely trust that Castigator will have no reason to complain that I misinterpret his meaning in any part, or that I use against him any undue severity of language. At the same time I must confess that it requires some command of temper to treat him with respect and forbearance, so offensive are the insinuations, and so insulting the terms to which he occasionally has recourse. He talks of Mr. Shepherd's quaint flippancy," sneers at him for having, as he terms it, "the simplicity of an apostle," calls his book" dull," "a trivial publication," and hopes that the merited exposure of such trash, as he has been quoting from, may deter others of our wise countrymen from inundating us with crude observations on their return from France. For his own sake I much wish that Castigator had not suffered such language to escape him; it confers no benefit on a good cause, but for the most part savours of a bad one. ♫ žeive Emagrinta ovEidea κατιοντα άνθρωπος, φιλέες επαναγειν τον θυμον συ μεντοι αποδεξάμενος υβρίσματα εν τῷ λόγῳ ε με έπεισας ασχημονα εν τη αμοιβη γενέσθαι. I do not propose to follow Castigator through all his windings: one or two

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quotations from his remarks will suffice to show of what the remainder consists, for, "throw but a stone, the giant dies." Take the following one," I sat down to the perusal of the Rev. W. Shepherd's Paris in 1802 and 1814;' a title as imposing as the work has proved; and, to spare any fellow labourers in literature a similar waste of his precious time, I shall trouble you with the following instances of futilities and inaccuracies scattered in luxuriant profusion over 250 meagre pages." Now, what will the candid reader think, when I venture to say, that he who has taken upon himself to chastise others, (aλλwv sargos, avog ehusori Bguar) has brought forward no inaccuracies which have not been anticipated by the Edinburgh Reviewer, and certainly, no futilities, unless he imagine that illiberal sneers supply the place argument. It is true that Castigator has analyzed the contents, but in most instances he finishes the quotations with a sneer:

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quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu ?" I beg to remind him that to talk of inaccuracies and futilities, and to produce no evidence in support of the charge, betrays both a want of ability and charity. I will maintain again and again, that Mr. Shepherd's work is what it professes to be, and it "ought in fairness to be judged of according to those professions." It is very probable that in its progress through the press the author made few alterations either in the expression or in the sentiments. Whatever a work of this kind may gain by subsequent corrections, it loses, perhaps, more in spirit and fidelity. The first impressions made upon the mind of a traveller are generally the most true to nature, and consequently the more instructive to a reader. And I think that even Castigator must allow the truth of these remarks, and repent of having written the above sentence. But to proceed," after a quaintly flippant preface, the author states the powerful motives which induced him, in common with a large proportion of pseudo-patriots, with their leader at their head, to carry their incense of gratitude and praise to the first consul of France." I have again perused the preface alluded to, and am unable to find a single mark of flippancy which it displays, and I therefore challenge Castigator to produce the passage, or to stand convicted of what he knew to be untrue. I shall leave Mr. Shepherd to reply to the concluding charge of pseudo-patriotism, if

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On the Propriety of Chanting certain Prayers.

he thinks it worth his while, only ob-
serving that from an attentive perusal
of the book before us, he appears to me,
"an inflexible lover of liberty, and friend
of the constitution," and

A determinate spirit
By ancient learning to th' enlighten'd love
Of ancient freedom warm'd;

especially as I find honourable mention
made of him in the life of that illustrious
and able champion of learning, Gilbert
Wakefield, whom even Castigator may
revere, particularly when he peruses the
character given of him by Dr. Samucl
Parr-" His diligent researches, his ex-
tensive knowledge, his zeal for the diffu-
sion of learning, and solicitude for the
discovery of truth, will always be re-
membered with respect by unprejudiced
readers, who consider the numerous dif-
ficulties with which he had to struggle,
and the virtuous motives by which he
was actuated." It is idle for Castigator,
in his usual style of generalities, to talk
of "the minor blunders in French and
Latin names as they occasionally occur,"
and to produce not a single instance of
them. From this omission we may
fairly conclude that he was unable to
maintain the charge, and therefore sup-
posed," after cannonading the castle
with a volley of shot from his pedantic
battery, to advance under the cover of
the smoke, and take the fastnesses by
storm, without the tediousness of a regu-
lar approach by the mines of argument
or the lodgment of confutations.”

I shall now, after quoting Castigator's concluding remarks, lay down the cæstus for the present. These, like their brethren, contain an abundance of pertness and loquacity. "I should not," says he," bave thus long trespassed on your readers' patience, in animadverting on so trivial a publication, did I not conceive that I was doing (elegant repetitions!) a twofold service to the public; first, in proving that the Edinburgh Review is as little to be trusted in praise as in censure that in both cases it is influenced by faction or caprice; and that, having survived its founders, the present race have inherited only the malice of their predecessors, and are fast sinking in popular estimation under the growing ascendancy of more able competitors. My second object is, the hope that the merited exposure of such trash as I have been quoting from, may deter others of our wise countrymen from inundating us with crude observations on their return from France, in the

[Feb. 1,

shape of letters, journals, tours, and
diaries, to the annoyance of the better
informed at home, and who already
suffer enough by the recent importation
of bad French and worse manners."

Here with an artful smile, quoth Dick,
Your proofs come mighty full and thick;
Into those common places look,

Which from great authors I have took,
And count the proofs I have collected,
To have my writings well protected :
These I lay by for time of need,
And thou may'st at thy leisure read;
For standing every critic's rage,
I safely will to future age,

My system as a gift bequeath,
Victorious over strife and death.

Finally, to one and all the objections
which Castigator has brought against
"Paris in 1802 and 1814," I will briefly
urge what Professor Porson has applied
to a canon of Dawes, " Ea nisi machinis
impulsa validioribus, æternum persistet
inconcussa," and subscribe myself,
Cambridge, Dec. 16.

MR. EDITOR,

N. N.

IT has been long customary in cathedrals, and also in country churches, where organs have been introduced, to chant or sing the short prayers or supplications which follow the commandments in the communion service, the propriety of which custom has appeared to me altogether doubtful, as relaxing that serious tone of mind which a person praying and petitioning for grace ought to possess. Is any afflicted? says St. James, let him pray; is any merry? let him sing psalms. The service of the church consists of prayer and praise: these must be considered as somewhat differing from each other, or the distinction in terms would be without effect. Singing, therefore, is applicable to praise, but not to prayer. When Christ and his disciples had eaten the Passover they sung a hymn or psalm. Beda and Grotius suppose this to have been the Lord's Prayer; but Dr. Roberts, in his Key to the Bible, says, "I dislike this, because it is not proper or usual to call a prayer a hymn." Paul and Silas, when in prison, prayed and sang praises unto God. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to speak to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs-singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord; and he bids the Colossians to teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns. The posture in which we are enjoined to be, namely, upon our knees, forbids us, in

1815.]

Inquiries concerning Ralph Allen and Peter Annet.

my opinion, singing those prayers or supplications for grace; for, though it be allowed that prayer may be made in any posture, and that a canon of the ancient church commands the people to pray standing, yet do I no where find that the people are commanded to sing kneeling, and it is evident that the compilers of our liturgy (that of Edward VI. when the commandments were first ordered to begin the communion service) had no such ideas, for the Rubric commands the people to continue kneeling, and ask God mercy for their transgression of the commandiments for the time past, and grace to keep the same for the time to come.

When we picture to ourselves the clergyman standing in the most holy part of the church, (if I may so say,) and then on the north side of the communion table, turning himself to the congregation, and, like another Moses, delivering God's laws in an awful and commanding manner, shall we, who are commanded and have transgressed, shall we, I say, raise our voices in chant and song; or shall we not rather, like frail and offending creatures, with the greatest reverence and submission, pray for God's grace to incline our hearts to keep those his several and just commandments; and if, as is really the case, those commandments are to be universally submitted to and acquiesced in, then is it necessary that ALL should join with one voice in praying for that disposition of heart which may incline them to their duty; but if those prayers are to be chanted, not one-fourth part, perhaps, of the congregation can join in the service; it will therefore be partial and imperfect;-and this alone is a weighty argument for suppressing a custom which seems to have been unwarily begun. But, it is observed, the Litany is commanded to be sung or said. I cannot assimilate the Litany with the prayers alluded to. God delivered his commandments amidst such awful appearances upon Mount Sinai, that the people ALL trembled, and fearfully solicited Moses himself to speak with them; "but let not God speak with us," said they," lest we die." How inconsistent would chanting have been with the trembling and the fear of dying which at that time possessed the Israelites! Besides, litanies have been used in all ages upon less solemn occasions. St. Augustin and his train first approached Ethelbert, King of Kent, sing ing litanies; and King Henry VIII. be

7

fore he entered upon his expedition against France, ordered a litany or procession to be set forth in English.

In conclusion, Mr. Editor, I shall feel highly obliged to any of your learned correspondents if they will point out when this custom crept into the church, and upon what ground it was admitted, seeing it is contrary to the Rubric; or, if my sentiments are erroneous or frivolous, to have the goodness to set me right. Chester, Oct. 28, 1814 HOMO SUM.

MR. EDITOR,

AMONG the many benefits that have accrued to literature from the institution of periodical miscellanies, supported by the correspondence of intelligent men, one of the most pleasing has been the rescuing the names of many ingenious persons from that obscurity into which they would have fallen, if inquiry had not been made about them in one quarter, and as readily answered from another. Instances of this have lately occurred in your magazine, and some valuable information has been elicited in consequence of the hints and queries which you have suffered to occupy an occasional corner in your useful pages. With the same view, I beg leave to call the attention of your numerous readers to the following names, of whom we have either no historical account at all, or at least such only as relates to their public acts and professional pursuits, their literary performances and particu lar connexions.

RALPH ALLEN, esq. the correspondent of Pope, the Allworthy in Fielding's "Tom Jones," the patron of Warburton, and the most intimate friend of the great Earl of Chatham. A memoir of this excellent man, properly executed, would prove an inestimable mirror of morality for young persons, besides affording a rich and instructive body of information to the world at large. Mr. Allen died at Prior-park, near Bath, June 29, 1764, at the age of 72.

A character very different from the above was that of PETER ANNET, the deistical writer, who made it the constant study of his life to bring the Christian religion into contempt, with a virulence of hostility which either indicated some rancour against its highest ornaments, or the consciousness of his own baseness. Some account of the man who attacked Sherlock, and was answered by Chandler, will, however, be acceptable to many who feel an interest in the great

8 Inquiries concerning Rev.C.Peters, Rev.C. Kidgell, S. Hartlib. [Feb. 1,

truths which were agitated by his means; and before I dismiss his name, I beg leave to suggest the utility of collecting into one volume the memoirs of those men who have distinguished themselves on the side of infidelity; a work which, faithfully executed, would I am persuaded do more good than all the controversial volumes that ever were published.

From one whose labours were directed to the strange object of undermining the principles of public and private happiness, I turn to the almost-forgotten name of CHARLES PETERS, master of arts, rector of St. Mabyn, in Cornwall, perhaps the most elegant and vigorous polemic of the last century. His Critical Dissertation on the Book of Job is the finest commentary in our language, whether it be considered with respect to verbal criticism, literary research, or evangelical illustration. In language it is elegant, and in learning profound; the argumentative part is unanswerable, and the wit is equally pleasant and good-natured. Bishop Warburton never had such an adversary as Mr. Peters, who completely succeeded in demolishing the ideal system advanced in the prelate's famous work on the Divine Legation of Moses. The bishop, however, affected to treat his acute antagonist with contempt, and in his usual coarse language designated him by the illiberal appellation of the Cornish Critic. Bishop Lowth, in his letter to the right reverend author of the Divine Legation of Moses Demonstrated, quotes the passage, and in a note subjoined observes thus: "The very learned and ingenious person of whom this decent language is used, is the Rev. Mr. Peters. I mention his name because the readers of the Divine Legation will hardly know it from thence, where he passes by the style and title of the Cornish Critic. What the true meaning and import of this title may be I cannot say: I suppose it may allude to some proverbial saying relating to Cornwall, perhaps like that of the Jews, equally false, concerning Galilee that out of Cornwall ariseth no critic; but this is mere conjecture; I have never heard of any such proverb. I was thinking of explaining it by another common saying; but then the title would imply a commendation, and, what is worse, would have too great a propriety. Every one has beard of a Cornish hug; which, if a man has once felt it to the purpose, he will be sore of as long as lie lives."-Mr. Peters was

also the author of a volume of admirable sermons.

Some account is likewise desired of the Rev. JOHN KIDGELL, M. A formerly of Hertford College, Oxford; and afterwards rector of Horne, in Surrey, to which was added the living of Godstone, in the same county. Mr. Kidgell was the author of a very witty poem intituled "Table Talk," which is to be found in many miscellaneous collections. But he was principally made known by the share he had in the prosecution of the celebrated John Wilkes, for the publication of that abominable libel the "Essay on Woman." Mr. Kidgell published a narrative of the proceedings, and a justification of himself in the part he took on that occasion. He was also the author of two small volumes of fables designed for the entertainment and instruction of his royal highness the Prince of Wales. These fables were printed in a very neat manner, with appropriate designs, engraved in outline; but after the whole were executed, with a dedication to Lady Charlotte Finch, who had the charge of the young princes, his majesty, casting his scrutinizing eve over the work, discovered in it a levity of style, and a satirical allusion to living characters, which in his judgment rendered it an improper manual to be put into the hands of his children. In consequence of this the fables were called in and suppressed, with the exception of such copies as may be found in private col lections.

But a still more important service would be rendered to literature in genéral by a copious memoir of SAMUEL HARTLIB, who lived in the middle of the seventeenth century, and was one of the most active founders of the Royal Society. He might truly be called the Mecenas of his age; and he was deservedly esteemed by the greatest men of that period both abroad and at home. It is remarkable that none of the names here mentioned, and concerning whom information is now sought, occurs in our numerous biographical collections. Hereafter I shall trouble you with some more desiderata of a like kind, in the hope of obtaining, through this useful channel, some interesting communications illustrative of the history of learning.

MR. EDITOR,

A GLEANER.

CHARITY is a virtue so amiable, that even where it falls into weakness, and

1815.]

Evils of indiscriminate Charity.

deviates from the strict rules of prudence, reverence is justly due to the motives from which the waste of bounty flows. I was led to this reflection by reading the accounts given in our public papers of the extraordinary conduct of a young man of large fortune, who, instead of dissipating his income in brothels and gaming-houses, spends his time in travelling from one part of the kingdom to another, for the sole purpose of relieving the wants of the distressed. But, much as I may admire this uncommon spirit of generosity, it would be wrong to approve of the mode in which that liberality is exercised. All actions that affect the interests and the morals of the people must be judged on public grounds, and without any regard to private feeling. Mercy is heaven's prime attribute, but were it extended to criminals of all descriptions, the consequence would be fatal to the peace of society. Justice is indeed terrible, but her authority in the moral world is so necessary to the security of the state and the welfare of individuals, that any attempt to abridge it would be nothing less than an introduction to barbarism and anarchy. Charity is a most lovely grace; but when left to the impulse of mere sensibility, instead of being guided by the sober dictates of reason, the disposition becomes injurious where it might have been a blessing. That sentimental benevolence which is so feelingly described by some novelists and metaphysical moralists, has little to recommend it except in the way of contrast and opposition to the sordid mind which seeks only its own gratification. Though the last is often termed economy, and the former is generally dignified with the name of charity, it will be found on examination that the one is selfish avarice, and that the other is nothing better than ostentatious caprice. It would be wrong to say that no good is done by indiscreet alins; for prodigality itself is frequently serviceable to the sober and industrious, though at the same time no person would be hardy enough, like Mandeville, to maintain that private vices are in a moral sense public benefits. A discreet man will do more substantial good with a few pounds properly managed and bestowed, than an imprudent man who squanders away a princely revenue. A moderate estate well cultivated will prove a blessing to many generations, but a large domain continually made the scene of new improve ments and speculations, under the misNEW MONTHLY MAC,-No. 13.

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taken notion that by so doing the poor are employed and ingenuity encouraged, will, in a short space, be burthened with a debt which cannot easily be cleared. With respect to almsgiving, he that has the means, whether large or contracted, should have immediate utility in his view, and while he is relieving actual and visible distress, it is a duty which he Owes to society to be careful to at his bounty does not generate an inclination to idleness in those who are the objects of it. By not duly attending to this caution, and distinguishing between the honest poor and the clamorous, we shall encourage vice instead of relicving vir tue; thus, perhaps, with the best intentions in the world letting loose upon society those refractory beings who by proper discipline and left to earn their bread by labour, might have proved at least of some service in their generation. It requires no depth of argument to prove that indiscriminate benevolence has a direct tendency to create poverty instead of removing it; for a few persons animated with this Quixotic spirit of philanthropy, and possessing ample means for carrying it into effect, would soon disorganize our manufactories and reduce our fields into commons. Happily for the nation when the revolu tionary mania was spreading like the pestilence over the land, threatening to destroy all that our ancestors had left for the preservation of property and morals, the popular leaders in the cause of reform weie either too poor, or too covetous, to adopt this mode of operating on the passions of the multitude. In making this observation I would on no account insinuate any thing disrespectful of one who is active to excess in deeds of charity, as he thinks them: but nothing can be more clear than this, that such a course naturally leads the illiterate peasant and the impatient ar tizan to form invidious comparisons between the kind-hearted gentleman, as they call him, and the unfeeling landlord; though of the two the last is their best friend, by giving them employment all the year round, and teaching them by his authority and example to rely on the exercise of their bodily powers for the supply of their daily wants. In all coun tries where mendicity prevails the want of energy and integrity will invariably be perceived. The moral dignity of men is destroyed by a practice which draws off his thoughts from the use of his limbs and the proper exercise of his mental faculties for the support of himself and his family. VOL. III, C

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