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An Enquiry into the Principle of Population; by J. Grahame, Esq. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

On the Principles of Political Eco nomy and Taxation; by David Ricardo, Esq. 148.

James's Journal of a Tour in Germany, Sweden, Russia, Poland, &c., during the years 1813-14, 2 vols. 1. 10s.

A Narrative of the Briton's Voyage to Pitcairn's Island; by Lieut. Shilliber, 8vo. with sixteen etchings. 7s. 6d. Letters from the Highlands; by Miss Spence. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Germanicus, Tragèdie en cinq Actes et en Vers, par A. V. Arnault. 8vo, 3s. A Translation of the above in Blank Verse; by George Bernel. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

A Description of the Pictures in the Royal Museum at the Louvre, with Biographical Notices of the different Painters: to which is added, a Description of the Museum of Sculpture, in the Lower Gallery. 18mo. 3s.

Major Barnes's Tour through St. He lena. 12mo. 5s.

Narrative of a Voyage to Hudson's Bay; by Lieut. Edward Chappell, R.N.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

FROM an account laid on the table of the House of Commons of the number and value of books printed within the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, which have been furnished to booksellers for sale, during the last seven years, it appears that there were sold, in

Bibles. Testam. Com, Pr.

1810, 42,288 63,984 47,889
1811, 37,292 62,045 41,951
1812, 50,611 79,408 74,622
1813, 67,585 50,344 67,809
1814, 60,816 62,167 69,445
1815, 66,388 64,229 88,233
1816, 65,183 81,109 94,004

PRAYER-BOOK AND HOMILY

SOCIETY.

On Thursday, the 8th of May, this Society's Fifth Anniversary Sermon was preached, at Christ Church, Newgate-street, by the Rev. R. P. Beachcroft, Rector of Blunham, Bedfordshire. The Annual General Meeting was afterwards held at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street; the Right Hon. Lord Gambier in the chair. The Report stated, that select portions of the Liturgy translated into the Bullom language, by the Rev. G. R. Nyländer, had been printed at the Society's expense; that the Compendium of the Book of Common Prayer, translated into Hindoostanee, by the Rev. D. Corrie, was in the press; that an octavo edition of the Book of Homilies, with copious Indexes, had just been completed; that during the past year 8,891 Prayer-books, 1062 Psalters, more than 38,000 Homily Tracts, and 1071 copies of the Articles

of the Church of England in the same form, had been issued from the Society's Depository; that Prayer-books had been sold at two-thirds of the cost-price among the soldiery both at home and abroad; 1500 Homily Tracts had been distributed among the poor in Spitalfields, besides other donations both of Prayer-books and Tracts, for the use of scholars in Sunday Schools, and convicts on their voyage to New South Wales. An anonymous donation of 6001. was acknowledged; and many valuable names had been added to the list of subscribers.

In the course of the proceedings of the day, Mr. Thady Conely from Ire.. land stated, with great simplicity and effect, the advantage he had derived, under the Divine blessing, from the Book of Common Prayer translated by Bishop Bedell into his native tongue. The Rev. Mr. Hans and the Rev. George Hamilton expressed their earnest hope, that, in its exertions for the benefit of other countries, the Society would not forget the interests of Ireland. In this sentiment we cordially concur, and we trust that it will become an early object of the Society's attention to furnish the Irish with an edition of the Liturgy in their own language and character.

The Rev. Mr. Richmond, the Rev. Mr. Beachcroft, the Rev. Mr. Cunningham, the Rev. Mr. Wilson, the Rev. Mr. Burn, Mr. Babington, and several other gentlemen took a part in the proceedings of the day, and strongly en forced the claims of the Society to the cordial support of the members of the Church of

England. Some highly interesting facts were detailed, to shew the benefits arising from its institution, and from the increased attention which it had excited among the lower classes, to the Homilies, Articles, and Liturgy of the Church, and to the venerated examples of those illustrious martyrs and confessors who had framed them. It was noticed as one, and that not the least, beneficial result of the formation of this Society, that the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge had been induced first to place the entire Book of Homilies in its catalogue, and subsequently to adopt the plan of circulating the separate Homilies as tracts. Considering the wide extent to which their diffusion will thus be secured, had no other effect than this followed the institution of the Prayer-book and Homily Society, we should have said that it had answered a most important purpose. Our views, however, are now carried far beyond the circle of our own islands, and are extended to the very ends of the earth. Measures have already been taken for putting our Liturgy into the hands of the Christian converts in Africa and Hindoostan; and we cannot but indulge the delightful hope that wherever the zeal of the Missionary Societies belonging to the Church of England shall carry the knowledge of a crucified Saviour, there the faith of the converts will be directed by the scriptural instructions of our Articles and Homilies, and their devotion cherished and animated by the divine strains of our liturgical services.

It was well remarked by Mr. Cunningham, that in the recent efforts which have been made to disturb the public peace, by exciting the people to tumult and insurrection, the barriers to their designs which our domestic enemies found it most important to remove were the formularies of the Church of England. Sedition despaired of her cause while these remained. To bring these into contempt by blasphemous parodies, and thus to alienate the minds of the people from the lessons and prayers of their ancestors, formed a main hope of the disaffected. But this very circumstance, as the same gentleman justly observed, ought to give fresh vigour to our exertions in favour of the Society. We ought to meet the exigency by inorcased activity, and resist the enemy with the very weapons of which he has shewn himself to be most afraid.

CHURCH-OF-ENGLAND TRACT

SOCIETY.

The Fifth Annual Meeting of this useful Institution was held in Bristol on the 30th December, 1816; the Hon. and Right Rev. the Bishop of Gloucester in the chair. At the preceding anniversary the funds of the Society had been declared very inadequate to its intended objects; but in consequence of an earnest appeal to public liberality, they had been considerably increased during the year, so that the Society had been enabled to prosecute its benevolent view3 to a greater extent than at the commencement of that period there appeared any reason to expect. The total receipts for 1816, including 2001. by sale of tracts, amounted to 6537. 16s.; the expenditure was 6657. 19s. 10d. The Bishops of Gloucester and St. David's had sanctioned the Society by their patronage: twenty-three tracts had been re-printed, and seven new ones added to the list; each edition, both of the new tracts and the reprints, consisting of ten thousand copies. The total number of Tracts printed in the course of the year was two hundred and seventy-five thousand.

The new tracts are as follows:

No. XLIV. The History of the worthy Martyr of God, the Rev. John Nicolson, better known by the Name of John Lambert, who was burnt in Smithfield in the Year 1538.-12 pages.

No. XLV. A short History of the State of the Church in England, from the first Introduction of Christianity, to the Establishment of the blessed Re. formation, under Queen Elizabeth.36 pages.

No. XLVI. A Clergyman's Address to his Parishioners.-4 pages.

No. XLVI. A Clergyman's second Address to his Parishioners.-4 pages.

No. XLVIII. An Address to those who wish to attend upon the Worship of Almighty God with devout Reverence, and to their spiritual Advantage.-4 pages.

No. XLIX. The Life of the Rev. William Tyndall, the Translator of the Bible, called the Apostle of England, at the Time of the Reformation, who was burnt at Antwerp in the Year 1536.12 pages.

L. The Parochial Minister's Affec tionate Address to a newly-married Couple.-12 pages.

These, together with the preceding Numbers, as far back as No. 30, will

make a second volume, which the Committee had ordered to be prepared with out delay.

Tracts issued during the year were, by sale, ninety-eight thousand three hundred and ninety-seven; sent with the Report to subscribers, one thousand seven hundred and two; donations, six thousand; amounting in the whole to one hundred and six thousand and ninety-nine. The proceeds of tracts sold amount to 2001. 4s. 6d.

The receipts of the year had not, however, been adequate to the expenditure. Indeed, it was not to be expected that the returns of one year should so far exceed those of others as to meet not only its own exigencies, but the deficiencies of former years; and when it is recollected that the money is not lost, but reduced to another form, convertible into its original shape, the Society will appear to have resources in itself fully and even more than equal to all the claims that lie upon it. The stock of tracts on hand at the depository, and with the several agents of the Society, amounted to four hundred and seventeen thousand two hundred and thirty-two; the net value of which is more than 9007., a sum so far exceeding the claims upon the Society, as to leave property to the amount of at least 4001."

It must not, however, be imagined, from this statement, that the Society, though fully capable of redeeming its debt, stands therefore in need of little or no further assistance. One great aim of the Committee has been to establish a respectable capital, which alone can enable them to effect the objects of the institution, especially the retaining a competent number of tracts in various local depositories in different parts of the kingdom. Materially to lessen their present stock, without providing a corresponding supply, would greatly cripple the powers of the institution; the Committee therefore look with increasing hopes and expectations to the friends of their society, to assist still further its important operations.

Ireland and Wales offer a wide field for Christian exertion. Of the latter the Bishop of St. David's writes: "I am very glad that the connection of our Church Union Society with the Bristol Church-of-England Tract Society is acceptable to your Committee. I have no doubt that it will be very beneficial to us, especially if you adopt Mr. Cotton's. proposal. Welch tracts are essentially

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In consequence of an order from the Rev. Thomas Twisleton, at Columbo, 19,400 tracts, of the value of 501. had been remitted to that place. From Boston, in America, Mr. Merrill an nounces the formation of "The Episcopal Prayer-book and Tract Society of the Eastern Diocese," of which he is appointed Secretary; adding, “Success, far beyond our expectations, has hitherto sttended us. Already several Auxiliary Societies have been instituted in the interior of the state. We should be grateful for any advice, which may aid us in regulating our Society, and for such of the Bristol tracts as you may think suitable for re-publication in this country. We have witnessed with delight the unprecedented exertions of the Church of England in the cause of Christianity, and shall endeavour, by our humble efforts, to imitate the bright example you have set us."

Several new corresponding members and agents have been obtained: a wide sphere for the circulation of the tracts was opening in the towns and neighbourhood of Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds, in addition to the places mentioned in former Reports. In the firstnamed of these places, the Committee expect the formation of a Branch Society; and in Sheffield there already existed a society, called "The Sheffield Church-of-England Tract Society," which was largely supplied with tracts. Peculiar obligations had been laid upon the Society, by the zealous services of its friends in Leicester and the neighbourhood. Some arrangements also had been made in the metropolis, calculated more effectually to promote the interests of the Society in that important sphere of action, by affording greater accommodation to fits friends who live in London, or places with which London has peculiar facilities for intercourse; as also by making the institution more generally known. Instead of many agents, the business of the Society will

thus, in future, be conducted by one. Mr. Seeley has undertaken the management of this important branch of the institution; and has been authorized to supply subscribers with tracts at the reduced prices, and to receive subscrip. tions and donations for the Society.

The Society conclude their Report as follows:-"When your Committee view the beanty of their venerable parent, the Church of England, they cannot but feel the liveliest emotions of affection and respect-they cannot but wish that all loved her as they them selves do-they cannot suppress the feeling that every one, whether a member of her communion or not, every one who loves the truth as it is in Jesus,' is deeply interested in her prosperity: they cannot but warmly advocate this institution, whose object is to unfold and to commend her excellencies; and whether they look to the interests of those whose views and feelings harmonize with their own, or of those who, differing from them on this point, are the friends of pure and undefiled religion, this is their determination, and they trust it will be that of a daily increasing number, with respect both to the Church herself, and to this institution, her handmaid: 'For our brethren and companions' sakes, we will wish thee prosperity; yea, because of the house of the Lord our God we will seek to do thee good."

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE

SOCIETY.

The anniversary of this Society was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on the 7th of May; Lord Teignmouth in the chair. His lordship commenced the business by reading the Report of the Committee for the last year, which particularized the contributions of the Auxiliary Societies to a large amount, and noticed the astonishing number of Bibles which had been circulated by the Society. Apologies for unavoidable absence were read from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Exmouth; and a motion for thanks was passed to the Vice-Presidents of the Society, to the Dukes of York, Kent, Cumberland, Sussex, and Gloucester. W. Money, Esq. M. P. introduced a cheering description of the extension of religion in India and the island of Ceylon. The Rev. Dr. Mason, Secretary to the American National Bible Society, gave a lively account of the progress of

religion in that country. Dr. Thorpe, as Secretary to the Hibernian Bible Society, mentioned many interesting circumstances relative to Ireland, where, he said, 35,000 Bibles had been distributed in the course of the last year. He mentioned an instance of an old man of ninety-seven making a pilgrimage of fifty miles to beg a Testament of large print, who assured him, that, till the year before, he had never heard of such a book. He stated that 300,000 Bibles were still wanting to enable every family in Ireland to possess a copy. Several other gentlemen spoke; and we hope to have an early opportunity of giving an outline, both of the speeches and of the Report. It was gratifying to us to find that the funds of the Society, notwithstanding the extraordinary pressure of the times, have experienced very little diminution. The sum total of contributions, during the year, was only about 7001. less than those of the preceding year.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN
CANADA.

An urgent appeal has been lately made in behalf of our fellow-subjects, the inhabitants of the Eastern Townships in Lower Canada, for assistance from England in erecting churches in connexion with the Established Church at home. The population is entirely Protestant, and amounts to the number of twenty thousand souls, extending over a territory of three thousand square miles. Except in the seigniories of St. Armand and Caldwell Manor, the whole of this country is totally destitute of churches. Throughout the district, the people feel sensibly the want of places of publie worship; and at several meetings lately held, they have resolved to build churches as soon as their means are more equal to so great an undertaking. But, without some aid from this country, it is feared that they are unable to accomplish this desirable but expensive object. At the same time it must be observed, that in Canada a much smaller sum will be sufficient for the purpose than would be requisite here; since the materials and other expenses of building are cheap proportionally with the poverty of the people. When it is considered that twenty-five years ago the greater part of this country was an uninhabited wilderness; that all the settlers were either labourers or poor farmers; that it was necessary to build

houses for themselves, and barns for their stock and grain; that roads were to be made, and schools erected; and all this without the least assistance from any public fund; it cannot be a matter of surprise that there are scarcely any churches, and that an appeal should be made to the generosity of the mother country.

At present, there are only three mini sters of the Established Church in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada. Their salaries (2001. sterling per annum) are paid partly by his Majesty's Government, and partly by the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; and an extension of similar support has been promised to any township in which the inhabitants shall erect a church and a parsonage. These conditions are, on various accounts, wise and salutary; but it is manifest, that unless the people are enabled, by pecuniary assistance, to meet these terms, they cannot derive essential advantage from this liberal offer. It will be satisfactory, however, to those who are disposed to assist them, to be in formed, that, notwithstanding their slender means, they are ready to use every exertion on their part, and to make such sacrifices as shall render them worthy of public benevolence. To this may be added the gratifying intelligence, that well-educated clergymen may be procured in England who will go to Canada, and that there are now several young men prosecuting their studies in that country with a view to admission into holy orders.

Among the donors, we perceive both the archbishops, with a considerable number of the bishops, his Majesty's ministers, several colleges at Oxford, and a highly respectable list of the nobility, gentry, church dignitaries, and private clergy.

Subscriptions will be received by

Marsh and Co., Drummond and Co. Herries and Co., Hoare and Co., and Martin and Co., bankers, London; the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, 57, Daviesstreet, Berkeley-square; R. Atcheson, Esq. 35, Great Winchester - street; Messrs. Rivington, St. Paul's Churchyard; and Mr. Hatchard, Piccadilly;also by Fletcher and Co., Oxford; Mortlock and Sons, Cambridge; Hobhouse and Co., Bath; the Rev. M. Jackson, Leeds; Forbes and Co., Edinburgh; and the Rev. W. Routledge, Glasgow.

The Lord Bishop of Quebec having represented that the circumstances of the inhabitants of the province of Upper Canada, and of some other parts of the diocese of Quebec, are similar to those of the inhabitants of the Eastern Townships in the Lower Province, and that they are equally with them deserving of assistance from the benevolence of this country; it is proposed to extend the plan of the above subscription, and to make it general in affording aid in the erection of churches, according to the Establishment of the Church of England, to the inhabitants of both the Canadas. The population of Upper Canada, consisting almost entirely of Protestants, exceeds one hundred thousand souls. The appeal in behalf of the interests of the Church, and of the inhabitants of the Eastern Townships, having been so favourably received, and supported by liberal contributions of numerous benefactors, it is hoped that their example will be followed by many pious and charitable persons; and that similar aid and encouragement towards the erection of churches will be afforded to the rest of the inhabitants of both the provinces.

The Lord Bishop of Quebec, the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, of St. Armand, in Lower Canada, and the Rev. Dr. Strachan, of York, in Upper Canada, are answerable for the proper disposal of the money subscribed.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

IN France seditious proceedings continue to be occasionally discovered, and arrests are in consequence taking place. The details, however, are of very little interest, except as they bear upon the

CHRIST. OBSERV, No. 185.

general fact of the still unsettled con. dition of that unhappy country.-A late census states Paris to contain 715,595 persons, divided into 227,252 families, and occupying 27,371 houses.

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