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by high walls; and seldom does the sun shine upon any part of it. The privy attached to it is not sunk, as propriety might have suggested; it' is dirty beyond belief; and, in the summer months (for some prisoners have spent all the seasons here) it eructs such, almost pestilential, effluvia, as to render the court-yard intole rable. The pump also, ordained to supply the essential beverage of life, is out of order; and, though long ago the prisoners have prayed to have it mended, this grand desideratum of comfort is still left in the same useless state. Many unpleasant instances, both of want and vexation, have occurred, from the negligence of supplying the prisoners with a regular quota of water. Complaints have frequently been made on this head, which, it is hoped, may never again be rendered necessary.

It has been doubted by Manx gentlemen of the Law, whether, and how far, English Acts of Parliament can bind this Island, except in matters of revenue. Is it thus then that pecuniæ › ́omnia obediunt! or can it be suffered, that imperium in imperio shall thus prevail? Such a decision it is the interest of no one to desire; for to all it must prove injurious in sonie degree, and could benefit no honest man. We are told, that such laws of innovation, even if originating from England, ought to be first promulged on the Tynwald Hill, a consecrated spot, in the centre and heart of the Isle of Man, where all new Laws are necessarily proclaimed. It may be so, locally; but, surely, this reasoning cannot reach to militate against the common law of humanity.

The apartments for confinement in this gaol consist of three principal rooms. One of them is about 20 feet by 14, with a single window in it, which does not open, but has two wooden panes made occasionally to be taken out, and thus let in air. It was not long since occupied by 14, but now by three prisoners only.

The second room is 14 feet by 12, having two Gothic windows, 8 inches each in breadth, with an iron bar through the centre. Here, recently, were nine inhabitants; but now only

two.

The third room is of the same dimensions; and lighted (if light it may be called) by two windows like

the above. It lately held, of prisoners, 13 in number; but now only three; besides an infant boy, son of a man and his wife, who (so strangely is the Law here constructed) are both of them confined in this gaol for the same debt!

On the walls is a small apartment, about 9 feet square, said to be a Danish watch-turret, and in which one gentleman is detained.

Of the above four rooms, it may seem almost difficult to believe, though true, that not one has been white-washed in the last three years; and when they were so refreshed, for the most obvious reasons, it was done at the expence of the prisoners themselves, who inhabited them at the time.

At present, they are obliged to contribute to the expence of having a woman to clean out their respective rooms daily; to pay 2s. 6d. per week for the hire of a bed and bedstead; six-pence a week also for the use of a little table and a chair; and coals cost them each about 28. per week. These articles, together with the charge for their female attendant, stand each individual (if he has it to command) about 26s. per month, exclusive of the expence for candles; and "by the badness of this writing," my Correspondeut observes, "you will readily perceive, that the darkness of our regions requires them."

A mind like yours," continues he, "will feel great gratification, in averting the horrors of an approaching winter, by a supply of coals; and

Mr.

Merchant, in Castle Town, would readily purchase them at the cheapest rate, to whatever amount in money you may be pleased to remit. From the pits of Whitehaven, coals are sold here at a comparatively reasonable price and measure; and I presume, that about six tons would last through the winter, which, it is feared, may prove cxceeding hard."

"The apartments here, or rather dungeons, are very damp and cold. Mr. S, who lately occupied the room in which I am now confined, has declared to me, that, had be remained another winter in it, he must have entirely lost the use of his limbs." A supply of Candles also would be of the most charitable consequence."

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"The iron-bedsteads, &c. which you mention, would answer the best. If the beneficence of the donor should extend the number to six (or two for each room) it would be impartially benefiting the whole: and, in that case, I would advise, that some impression, or stamp, should be made upon the iron; such, for instance, as The Donation of * * * * * * to the Prison (or the Prisoners) of CASTLE RUSHEN GAOL.' The kind gift would thus become exclusively secured, and perpetuated to the use of the pri

soners."

So very singular and unsystematic do the proceedings of this secluded Island appear, that certain arbitrary and lawless events in it occasion less surprize. The venerable Bishop Wilson, whose name here is only not adored; and by whose exemplary life and writings, the world has received, and will long continue to receive, unspeakable edification, was, on the 29th of June, 1722, together with his two Vicars-general, committed to this destructive prison of Castle Rushen, for the non-payment of a fine, which he had just reason to oppose, and which afterwards appeared to be unjust. They were kept closely immured within these dreary wails, and no persons: admitted to see or converse with them.

The horrors of a prison were aggravated by the unexampled severity of the then Governor, in not permitting the Bishop's house-keeper (who was the daughter of a former Governor) to see him, or any of his servants to attend upon him during his whole confinement; nor was any friend admitted to either his Lordship. or his Vicars-general. They were not treated as common prisoners, but with all the strictness of prisoners confined for High Treason. Their sole attendants were common gaolers; and even these, we are told, were instructed to use their prisoners ill ! In this wretched gaol, were the good Bishop, and his innocently-suffering friends, confined for two months; and, at the end of that time, released, upon his Lordship's Petition to the King and Council before whom his

cause was afterwards heard and determined. On the 4th of July, 1724, His Majesty in Council reversed all the proceedings of the officers in the

Island, declaring them to be oppres sive, arbitrary, and unjust.

From the dampness of his prison in
Castle Rushen, even in a summer
season of the year, this excellent
Prelate contracted a disorder in his
right hand, which disabled him,
through life, from the free use of his
fingers. He ever after wrote back-
wards, slanting towards the left, with
his whole hand grasping the pen.. A
friend has just laid before me some
autographs of Bishop Wilson (an ex
cellent Tract on the Visitation of the
Sick); and but too clearly do they
evince the injury he must have sus-
tained, from so vile and cruel an in-
carceration. The following lines
upon the occasion are cited from
Feltham's "Tour" of the Island in
1798 ', p. 109; and cannot but gra,
tify a lover of Religion and Virtue:
"But, oh! the sad reverse of fate,
That neither spares the good nor great,

Not e'en can cherubs paint.
Lo, Envy! brooding o'er the scene,
Dash'd with a cloud the bright serene;

And bore to RUSHEN'S walls the perse

cuted Saint.

"There as immur'd the good man lay,
Awhile to Tyranny a prey,

Sate Patience, with calm eye;
And there too, Faith, who gives to flow,
O Innocence, thy robe of woe,

Oped, through the vale of tears, a vista
to the sky."

My only apology for writing this long letter, is from the hope of its attracting the attention of some Member of the British Legislature, during the approaching Session of Parlia ment. I am, dear Sir, yours truly, JAMES NEILD.

To Dr. Lettsom, London.

Mr. URBAN,

Dec. 13.

AM one of those old-fashioned Churchmen, who lament the neglect of the Feasts and Fasts of the

Church. I particularly regret that the Ember-Weeks are not regarded with more solemnity. So little is there of this, that many of the people, I am persuaded, do not even know when they come; and I have known a Musical Festival of three days' continuance, held in the Ember weeks, in one of the most po

* An elegant Octavo, printed by Cruttwell of Rath, and sold by the late Mr. Charles Dilly. See vol. LXIX. 44.

p.

pulous

pulous towns in the kingdom, to the
absolute prevention of the Public
Prayers; and that too, at a season
when both Clergy and Laity are sup-
posed by the Church to be devoutly
engaged in Fasting, and Prayers for
those who are to be admitted into.
Holy Orders.
If there ever was a
time when well-wishers to the Church
were in duty bound to pray for her
welfare, the present is such a time.
I think, therefore, blame attaches to
those Clergymen, who omit to read,
at the proper seasons, one or other
of the Prayers appointed to be read
every day in the Ember-weeks. The
Bishops are at their posts at these
seasons, ready to do their duty, if
there be candidates for Orders; the
Clergy ought therefore to do theirs
also, in calling forth and conducting
the Prayers of the people for such.
candidates. As to the objection, that
Ordinations are sometimes held at
other times than the Ember-weeks,
candour requires us to believe such
cases to be both rare, and of extreme
necessity only. What Bishop would,
under other circumstances, deprive
his candidates of the prayers of the
faithful, previons to their entering
upon the most important of all
offices? The Sectaries may smile
at the importance which I seem to
attach to the use of a form of words.
But these hints are not intended for,
them, but for those Members of the
Church, who know there is a vast
difference between the use of a form,
and formality, in devotion; and who
are well persuaded, that the Al-
mighty may be worshiped in spirit
and in truth, in the use of a form of
sound words.
ESCA.

Mr. URBAN,

Nov. 24.

Mr. Urban, are at present turned to the momentous scenes passing in Spain and Portugal. The establishment of the Cortes in the former, and the enlightened and spirited Declarations published by that Assembly, respecting the future government of that kingdom, are sufficient to justify our warmest expectations. Political Liberty will, most assuredly, be the result of the continuance of their deliberations; and may we not hope, that the slavery of the mind, as to religious prejudices, will likewise in time be abolished? Laymen, we ob serve, are admitted to a participation in the Censorship of the Press; which may be considered as one step towards general Toleration; and though at present sacred subjects are not to be submitted to the discussion of this Censorship, yet every thing may be expected from the present temper of

the times.

In the progress of the struggle for Independence, it is most certain, that every nerve must be strained, and every species of property brought into requisition; and therefore, the Cortes must, from necessity, act in the spirit of the French Revolutionary Government; and, consequently, will in process of time secularise the enormous Church Establishments, and abolish the rich Monastic endowments, which are scattered over the whole Peninsula. This procedure, at the same time that it will add to the resources of the State, cannot fail to bring about important revolutions in the public mind. The Roman Catholic Church comprehends two orders of men equally prejudicial to religion and morals-opulent Church Dignitaries, and Ascetics: neither of these operate any good in society, but are

LOOKING over Mr. Faber's work rather, in the language of the Poet,

on the Prophecies relative to the Conversion of the Houses of Israel and Judah," I fancy I perceive in the passing events an inchoale developement, according to his expression, of one of the most difficult and obscure predictions recorded by the Sacred Prophets; viz. concerning "the King of the South;" see vol. 1. p. 30 *. The of eyes every person,

*Mr. Faber, in a note, says; "it is not impossible, or improbable, that ere long some such Power should make its appearance."

"Fruges consumere nati."

The continued and friendly intercourse of all orders of Spaniards with our countrymen, who have so nobly stood forth as their political defenders, cannot fail likewise to do away the injurious prejudices entertained against us as Hereticks, which their Clergy, when reduced to their proper occupation of Parish Priests, will no longer foment.

If now we turn our eyes to Portugal, the prospect to me seems even still more bright. There the Catholic

Dynasty,

Dynasty, the Royal Family, with all its branches, have expatriated themselves; and the whole population is in a manner amalgamated with our own. Ecclesiasticks, as well as Laymen, are there armed in defence of their Liberties; and the regulation adopted, of placing the Portuguese army under the discipline of British Officers, considering every man there fit to bear arms as at present a soldier, must operate a change in national sentiment. If the present successes continue, we may suppose this nation, once so conspicuous in History, and who, at the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, carried the Christian Religion into their settlements in the East, may prove the Southern kingdom, which is "to make his push at Antichrist." Dan. xi. ver. 40.

This train of thinking must afford comfortable reflections to those, who are duly impressed with the awful scenes at present passing in review before us; though I fear the generality of mankind, Politicians especially, are still flattering themselves with the restoration of the French Monarchy. If, however, the present Ruler of France, with his Vassal Sovereigns, constitute the Antichristian power described in Sacred Scripture, we are from thence assured, that much yet remains to be done. The recent matrimonial alliance between France and Austria, and the announced pregnancy of the Empress of France,

are indications of the prolongation

of these scourges of God's wrath. Baffled in his attempts on the Peninsula, Buonaparte, with his Imperial Ally, will probably proceed to the East, and invade the territories of the Grand Seiguior, who, from the nature of his government, will not be able to oppose effectual resistance; and the downfall of Mohammedism will quickly follow that of the Papacy *.

"The King of the North" can hardly be mistaken. While Antichrist is carrying on, as above, his designs, and destroying that mighty fabrick of Superstition, the religion of Mahomet, we may indulge a hope, that the Empire of Russia may be roused from its present abject state of

Popery may be said to he now extinct; as the Pope is a vassal of Buonaparte's, and the Ecclesiastical States are parcelled out into separate Dukedoms.

Religious Superstition, and form a Confederacy with the Protestant kingdoms of Sweden and Denmark, to proceed "like a whirlwind” against the same Infidel power. Dan. xi, ver, 40.

It will hardly be necessary to point out the line of conduct, which, during these great events, England ought to pursue. If we continue to act, in the present awful War of Nations, on principles of self-defence, and not of aggression, having a proper sense of the Divine Protection hitherto af forded us; we need not fear, from the tenor of Sacred Prophecy, the continuance of it; and we may encourage the hope, of being the "maritime nation, whose shadowing sails will be spread for the restoration of the Jews in a converted state to the habitation of their ancestors." Faber, vol. I. p. 182.

Yours, &c.

THEOSEBES.

** As Mr. Faber will probably see these observations, I would strongly recommend to him a publication of his excellent work, in an abridged state, in Latin, for circulation on the Continent. The Vulgate would supply the text; and the amendments from the Hebrew, by Mede, Newton, Lowth, Horsley, &c. &c. should be put as notes at the bottom of the page.

Mr. URBAN,

Oct. 30.

Aresting epoch in the annals of

S Jubilee year, that inte

our country, is just elapsed, a few reflections on the occasion will not, I hope, be deemed improper.

It was a proud sensation which the whole Empire felt, in beholding in the fiftieth year of his reign à respected Monarch, firmly seated on the throne of his ancestors, surrounded by all the splendour of Royalty, but far eclipsing that splendour by the more endearing lustre of a virtuous life, reigning in the hearts and affections of his people, and looking beyond this sublunary scene for that glory which is to last for ever. sensation which will not terminate with the year itself. It naturally causes the mind to look up with gratitude to that beneficence which has permitted, in these unsettled times, so fair a picture to be presented to the world. It serves to impress

It was a

stronger

stronger and stronger on every British bosom, that sacred principle, which Heaven itself implanted in the breast of man, the Love of his Country; and to admonish us, that, as on this Country Heaven has showered down its blessings with a liberal hand, Gratitude ought to evince itself by correspondent actions. Let then the Jubilee year be a rallying point to our reflections. Let us look back upon it as the period from whence we date the commencement of a gratitude more strenuous, and more earnest than before. Let us remember that mercy has bestowed, and not desert acquired, the bounties which we enjoy but that it is no less our high concern to endeavour, as much as we can, to deserve them, if we wish for their continuance. We must remember, that Righteousness exalteth a nation, but that Sin is a reproach to any people; and if from this time, with zealous unanimity, we strive assiduously to root out this reproach from amongst ourselves, we may then look forward with humble trust, without presumption and without dismay, to the termination of that eventful contest in which we are engaged.

:

However dreadful is the thought, we ought to accustom our minds to the contemplation, that Heaven may mean to prove us by trials of tre mendous magnitude; and, although it is our duty, earnestly to pray that these trials may not be reserved for us, it is equally our duty to be prepared to encounter them; to remember, that despair is the worst ingratitude; and to hope,, that in the conflict we shall still be defended by that shield, and aided by that arm, without whose protection we must strive in vain but, to justify this hope, our own exertions must not be wanting in the cause. Happy will it be for Britain, if every succeeding year, that adds to the reign of a virtuous Monarch, shall behold Vice diminished in his realms, and shall see the King and his people walking together in righteousness, in the ways of pleasantness, and in the paths of peace.

It may be, that the Tyrant, the foe to freedom and to man, may still put his long-meditated resolve into execu

tion; and may yet attempt, with his destroying footsteps, to invade the territory which Freedom has chosen

for her own. Too proud to be persuaded, too presumptuous to be cautious, he may be restrained by nothing short of the actual conviction, that the resolution of Britain, of which her warriors have multiplied proofs upon him abroad, will exert itself with redoubled vigour here. His appearance here would rouze a Nation into Warriors. Let us not be wanting to ourselves: let us shew him, that we are neither to be deluded by the specious overtures of hollow insincerity, nor intimidated by the furious ebullitions of vindictive menaces. Honourable security is our aim; and for that, we will strain every nerve. The spirit of Britain slumbers not. It warns us not to be dejected with adversity, not to be intoxicated with success; but it bids us persevere, and conquer. If on the shores of Britain, Britain is to contend for her independence; on the shores of Britain she will assert her independence, or perish in the attempt. We fight for Freedom, not for Fame; we fight for Safety, not for Glory: but Fame will add her honest testimony to our cause; and Glory will select her fairest wreath, and place it happy on Britannia's brow.

Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

J.

Dec. 8.

TROUBLE you on a subject, which

You

the scope of your Magazine: it being one of your objects to communicate information for ascertaining the authors of such works as are popular, or in any way considerable. must be aware, that the Charge delivered by the Bishop of Durham in 1806, and his late Tract on the differences between our Church and that of Rome, have occasioned a considerable Controversy; begun by an anonymous publication of certain Remarks on that Charge; and continued by the same writer, in other Remarks and Answers, and what is called, a General Vindication of the Remarks. In the Supplement to the Reply to Dr. Milner, and in my Treatise on the Eucharist, I have assumed (upon the authority of the Irish Magazine) that this author's name was Fletcher: but I have long doubted of the accuracy of this statement, as I have not been able to find

the

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