the original MS. which exists as far as Proverbs, and is preserved in the library of St. Patrick's Cathedral, contains a preferable word, that word has been in a few instances, and on mature deliberation, substituted for that used by Boyle's editor; and, secondly, Anglicisms, such as "Butler, Baker," &c. have been in some cases superseded by synonimous Celtic terms-if these be elsewhere found in the Irish Bible applied to the same meanings. The 8vo follows in the New Testament the 12mo above-mentioned, without any verbal alteration whatsoever. This servility of adherence to it is adopted, in order to avoid any variances whatsoever between the existing editions of the Bible; the same strictness was not essential in the Old Testament, as the previous edition was out of print. 66 "A second edition is in preparation : it is to be printed by the Hibernian Bible Society, in a 24mo size, and in a minion type, cast expressly for the purpose by Mr. Watts, of Crown-court, London. He also prepares the plates, as this edition is to be stereotyped. It is accurately to follow the text of the 8vo without altering the words, but with proper grammatical, orthographical, and typographical emendations where required. It is to have the various readings of the 4to of Boyle in the Old Testament, and of Daniel in the New, printed at the bottoms of the respective pages, wherever new words have been admitted into the 8vo. To edit this book, the Committee of the Hibernian Bible Society have engaged Mr. Edward O'Reilly, an eminent Irish scholar, and author of the Irish-English Dictionary. It "A third edition of the Irish Bible has proceeded as far as the 34th Psalm. was commenced about five years ago by the Committee of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, but was, for some reason unknown to me, interrupted. The edition is to be in three volumes 12mo, in the same type as the stereotyped 12mo New Testament of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the number of copies, I believe, is to be 2000. Its editors have of late become very sanguine to complete it; and interleaved copies of what is already printed have been sent to me, in order that I should procure a competent collation of them before they proceed with the rest. This I have most willingly undertaken, and have entrusted Mr. O'Reilly with the task. Cancels will be made of any of the pages which are already struck off, if necessary to the purity of the version; which appears, from our collation hitherto, to be strictly that of Bedell. It is to be printed by Mr. Gilbert, London." BOOKS IN THE PRESS. Annotations on the Apocalypse, &c. and a Vindication of it from the Objections of the late Professor J. D. Michaelis, by JOHN CHAPPEL WOODHOUSE, D. D. Dean of Lichfield and Coventry.-The Naturalist's Journal, by the Hon. DAINES BArrington. -A Brief Inquiry into the Prospects of the Christian Church in connexion with the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the Hon. and Rev. GERARD NOEL.Sermons, by the Rev. JAMES PROCTOR, A. M.-Researches in South Africa, by the Rev. JOHN PHILLIP, D. D. Superintendent of the Missions of the London Missionary Society in South Africa, &c.-The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans; with an Introduction, Paraphrase, and Notes, by C. H. TERROT, A. M. NOTICES OF BOOKS. A SECOND SELECTION FROM THE PAPERS OF ADDISON IN THE SPECTATOR. By the Rev. E. Berens. 1828. 8vo. Price 5s. 6d. bds.-This second selection is intended for the more advanced in literary attainments. It contains seventy-four of the most beautiful and instructive of Addison's contributions to the Spectator. The several papers on the Pleasures of the Imagination, and those comprising the criticism on Milton, are not injudiciously excluded, as being in themselves too much of separate and complete treatises for the present object of the compiler. Altogether it is a very judicious selection, and forms a little conipanionable volume, with the double and unusual recommendation of being both valuable and cheap. Πέτρος ή Πετρα.-Observations on St. Matt. xvi. 18, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." 8vo. pp.35. The writer shews, somewhat satisfactorily, that this prophetic declaration of our Saviour alludes to Cornelius and the first Gentile converts exclusively; that the church of Christ had no existence as a distinct church till that event; that this event was of sufficient importance to be considered the foundation of the Church; and that no other in the Gospel history will so precisely explain and fulfil our Saviour's words. SHORT AND FAMILIAR SERMONS FOR SCHOOLS. By the Rev. Thomas Scard, Master of Bishop's Waltham School, and Curate of Durley, Hants. 12mo. pp. 284. Price 5s. These Sermons were composed for the instruction of the author's school. They are plain, practical discourses, and suited to the purpose intended. They are now offered to the public for the use of similar establishments, or the family circle. PECKSTON'S CHART OF THE PATRIARCHS FROM ADAM TO MOSES. pp. 159. Price 7s. 6d. This little book contains a chart, shewing which of the Patriarchs were contemporaries, and for what length of time; to which are added copious observations explanatory thereof. A striking feature in the chart is the making the birth of Abraham to have been A. M. 1498, instead of A. M. 2008; the latter being the received date among chronologists. This change seems founded on rather strong scriptural evidence. The author next proposes some serious reflections on the patriarchal chronology, and afterwards recommends, in the form of an essay, the use of technical helps for the memory upon Dr. Grey's system. ELEMENTS OF PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION; or Easy Lessons introductory to the Study of Prophecy; with a Symbolical Dictionary. 18mo. pp. 50.- This work contains, in a condensed form, a view of the principles of the prophetic style, and points out a system whereby the separate parts of prophecy may be reduced to one grand whole. The Symbolical Dictionary is an abridgement of Dr. Lancaster's work of the same nature. ANALYSIS OF THE HISTORICAL BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; with Notes and References from the most approved Commentators. 12mo. pp. 356.- This work may be of use to those who are studying the Old Testament carefully and systematically. SERMON Preached at Ashford, Kent; by SAMUEL HOLLAND, M. D. at the Visitation of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, 1827. This is a very appropriate and seasonable discourse. The general subject is, the vanity of philosophy without divine truth; and from this are drawn some very salutary cautions against yielding to the seductions of the liberal, or rather latitudinarian principles of this age. These are concluded by a serious warning to the ministers of the Gospel, of the awful consequences of lowering the standard of the Christian doctrine to suit the opinions of men. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. WRIGHT'S Commentaries on Newton's Principia, 2 vols. royal 8vo. 17. 8s. bds.—— Lowndes' Modern Greek Lexicon, 8vo. 17. Is. bds.-Omnipresence of the Deity, by R. MONTGOMERY, 8vo. 7s. 6d. bds.— CRAIG'S Practical Sermons, 12mo. 5s. 6d. bds. DUNLOP'S Roman Literature, Vol. III. 8vo. 16s. bds.-BROWN's Philosophy of the Mind, 8vo. 17. 1s. bds.BURGESS on the Via Appia, crown 8vo. 9s. 6d. bds. SOAMES'S Reformation, Vol. IV. 8vo. 18s. bds.-TEGG'S Chronology, 1828, 6s. POLITICAL RETROSPECT. PARLIAMENT.-TEST AND CORPORATION ACTS.-Numerous petitions have been already presented to the House by all classes of the Dissenters, praying for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. Amongst the num→ ber is one from the Roman Catholics in Ireland, almost inducing the supposition, that that church was altering her ancient opinions, and was determining to become the supporter of apparently liberal principles; but it cannot be overlooked that, in so doing, they are only covertly serving their own cause. Under a pretext of liberality, they are endeavouring to procure the admission into the legislature of a party, who they well know will prove friendly to themselves; many sects of the dissenters being not merely adverse to the forms and government of the Established Church, but to the most fundamental doctrines of our religion. It can, therefore, never be expected that they will be careful either to promote its welfare, or preserve its purity. If a church establishment is requisite for the benefit of a country, either in a moral or political point of view, it is necessary that the government of the country should be composed of persons who are members of it; and there must be some rule by which to ascertain whether they are so or not. Our law secures to all religionists the privilege of public worship, without interruption, as long as they do not offend against the peace of the country. Their dissatisfaction with this security must be produced by a love of power, and a desire of possessing the emoluments arising from office. A real grievance it can never be considered, whilst every man's person and property are protected equally, whether he belong to the Establishment, or prefer being without her pale. It cannot be out of the memory of any one who feels an interest in this subject, that during the two latter reigns of the Stuart dynasty over these kingdoms, any attempt to obtain concessions for the Roman Catholics, was invariably preceded by granting some immunities to the Protestant Dissenters; thus seeking to strengthen their party, partly by a show of liberality, and partly by gaining over some of their opponents. But that this liberality on the part of the Irish Catholics is merely assumed, for present purposes, may fairly be inferred, from their conduct during the past year, in several instances relating to the late conversions from popery to Protestantism; nor can the various sects of Dissenters expect, that if their popish allies should attain to situations, in which they may have an opportunity of acting the original and avowedly unchanged principles of their hierarchy, they would shew themselves more tolerant towards one class of heretics than they are towards another. THE PENINSULA.-This portion of Europe still continues the theatre of insurrection and tumult. The evacuation of Spain by the French troops has commenced; an event which appears to have already given the signal for fresh disturbances in that unhappy country. Symptoms of discontent have broken out in the province of Granada, and the roads and mountains of Catalonia are infested by numerous bands of robbers as formidable to the peace of the country as the old Guerilla parties. An insurrection amongst some bands of military stationed at Saragossa, was, by prompt and active measures, immediately suppressed.— Added to these disturbances, the finances of the kingdom are reduced to the lowest ebb, so that altogether the country is sunk into the greatest degree of wretchedness. In Portugal there is at present a cessation from action, both parties anxiously awaiting the arrival of Don Miguel, as ignorant what line of politics he will adopt. Transports have also been dispatched to Lisbon for the recall of our troops. GREECE. But little news has been received from the East during the past month. The Porte continues to hasten VOL. X. NO. III. its military armaments of every description. Independently of the measures already pursued, the high treasurer has been ordered to take care that the troops are punctually paid, which, notwithstanding the scarcity of money prevailing at the Porte, has been attended to. It has likewise summoned to Constantinople all the Albanian chiefs, under pretext of concerting with them various measures adapted to the present state of things, but none of them had obeyed the summons for fear of either losing his head, or being detained as a hostage. The last accounts from the Archipelago state, that the fort of Scio still held out, but that the situation of the besieged was becoming every day more critical, in consequence of the bombardment which the Greeks continued without interruption. Col. Fabvrier had been in the night to Chesme, to take possession of the boats, by means of which, provisions, ammunition, and even reinforcements, had been conveyed to the Turks in the fort, but had returned without success. Ibrahim Pacha had withdrawn his troops from the Morea, and returned to Alexandria. Mohammed Ali has determined to maintain a friendly intercourse between Egypt and the European nations. Immediately on receiving the news of the battle of Navarino, he sent for the consuls of the three allied powers, and declared to them, that whatever might be the final issue of the political negotiations, he would give them and the subjects of their sovereigns entire protection. No European, therefore, thinks of leaving Egypt, even in case of a war. It is, indeed, even more than probable, that Mohammed has so impoverished himself in fitting out the expedition against the Morea, that he could not possibly, even if disposed, render farther assistance to the Ottoman Porte for the want of funds. Lord Cochrane has returned to England. He describes the Morea to have been rendered nearly a desert by the ravages of the Egyptian troops, and the country generally to be in a most deplorable condition. The reason ascribed for his departure from Greece is, that the battle of Navarino has rendered his services useless. CC ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE. TITHES. A Bill to enable incumbents of livings to commute their tithes by agreement with the owners of lands, has just been brought in and printed by order of the House of Commons. The provisions of the bill may be understood from the following summary. Incumbents may by agreement commute for their own tithes. Parties wishing to commute are to petition the Archbishop, who is to issue a commission. When more than one person is possessed of right to tithes, the consent of all parties must be obtained. Commissioners are to be sworn, and no proceedings are to be valid unless done at a meeting where three of them are present. Tithe valuers may be appointed by the parish, by the incumbent, and by the commissioners. The proprietors are to pay their own expenses and those of their attornies or agents. Neglect to act by a tithe valuer to be deemed a refusal. A survey is to be made; old plans and surveys may be used if commissioners think proper. Commissioners are to determine disputes and assess costs. If parties interested are dissatisfied touching the amount or value of tithes, they may appeal to the Sessions. If they are dissatisfied as to their non-liability, they may try their right by an issue at law, or take the opinion of a court of law or equity, or refer or compound for the same. Proceedings under the commission or in courts of law, to proceed in case of death of any of the parties. The award of commissioners, which is to be conclusive, to be proclaimed in church, and transcripts thereof to be sent to the clerk of the peace, and the consistory court of the diocese, to the incumbent, and to the churchwardens. Surplice fees to be paid the same as before the commutation. Tithes due before the commutation are recoverable. Annual payment in lieu of tithes to be subject to taxes, rates, &c. In case the said payments are not made, the incumbent has power to distrain. Those tithes which are variable in their value, may be re-valued; but the annual sums paid in lieu of composition, moduses and dues, not to be varied. Provision to be made for rectors, &c. in case of waste lands being inclosed, and the annual sum may be apportioned accordingly. Tithe valuers to lay their accounts before the commissioners, and the commissioners to lay them, with their own accounts, before two justices, once a year. Commissioners' award, after being executed, not to be invalidated. NEW SOUTH WALES.-We have been grieved to learn the difficulties which are opposed to the Church Establishment in New South Wales. That the very reverse had been the case we should have been led to suppose from a description given in one of the colonial newspapers of a meeting of the Bible Society which was held in August last. By dint of exertion about seventy persons were assembled, not as a "political and uproarious convocation," but to report upon the improvement which had been wrought in the colony. Yet what is the fact? The shocking immorality of the free population is calculated to corrupt, by evil communication, the comparatively better manners of the criminals who are sent thither for punishment and reformation. The efforts which are made to preserve the rising generation from such irreligious influence, are likely to be defeated by the operations of a free press, protected, as we fear it is, by the judicial authorities of the colony. What can we expect when convicts are incited to assert their just rights, and to despise a Church of which the ministers are treated with obloquy and contempt? Even the discipline of the schools is subverted. The common chastisement due to the correction of an idle boy, calls forth from the lazy miscreant a threat of exposure in the "Monitor" (a reforming journal of the colony,) or the more direct recourse to a magistrate's warrant. It is not long since a verdict, with considerable damages, was given in favour of a profligate against the regularly appointed visitor of the schools, for having brought him into a court of justice to answer for his misconduct. While the ministers of the Established Church are thus supported in their work, a very different encouragement is offered to contending sects. The Roman Catholics have a magnificent building in a very forward state, erected for them, we are informed, by government, aided by the subscriptions of protestants. There are eight Wesleyan Meetings, and a Scots Church with two ministers. These are a few of the evils, aggravated by a corrupt and violent press, with which the clergy of New South Wales have to contend. |
