Forth from its nostrils, steaming as with breath Its proper continuity of road, Reversing the direction of the winds Towards its rock-entunnelled darkling lair: Altogether we are bound to say of this work, that if it does not afford evidence of poetical powers of the very highest order, it is the production of a scholar and a gentleman, and of one who is certainly capable of producing poetry of more than ordinary merit. XIV.-Tract XC. historically refuted; or a Reply to a work of the Rev. F. Oakeley, entitled "The subject of Tract XC. historically examined." By WILLIAM GOODE, M.A., &c. London: Hatchards. THE general line of argument adopted by Mr. Goode, is identical with that which we ourselves took on a recent occasion (vol. iii. p. 157, &c.); and all our statements and arguments re-appear in his pages, without the slightest reference to our labours. Mr. Goode has, however, entered at greater length into the historical question, and has brought amply sufficient evidence to show that the articles were not written with any latitudinarian views-any intention of comprehending persons holding Romish doctrines in our Church. The real state of the case is now beginning to be understood every where; and those few persons who have been so unhappily deluded as to suppose that Romanism may be upheld by members of the English Church, are gradually forsaking our communion. Much as we deplore the errors into which they have been led, and the fatal results to themselves personally, we cannot but anticipate good to the Church at large from their secession. Churchmen will in future more clearly understand their own position: they will have passed through a severe trial, and their principles will have been tested and ascertained. The separation of men of unsettled principles from the Church, will have the effect of putting persons on their guard who might otherwise have been misled. The influence which such a writer as Mr. Ward exercised as a "Romanizer," is very different from 66 that which he will have as a Romanist." In the one case he appeared professedly as a friend of the English Church; and it was this alone which rendered his speculations dangerous and noxious. When such men speak openly as Romanists, they will not find it so easy to command public attention, or to produce impressions on others. On the whole, we cannot think that any injurious effect will be produced by the lapse of a few scattered individuals to Romanism. The position of the Church will not be affected in any way; nor are we of opinion that Romanism has much cause for self-gratulation in the additions it has received, or any grounds for the extravagant hopes which have been entertained in reference to the "conversion of England." XV.- Letters on the Unhealthy Condition of the Lower Classes of Dwellings, especially in large towns, &c. By the Rev. CHARLES GIRDLESTONE, A.M., Rector of Alderley. London: Longmans. MR. GIRDLESTONE has in his pamphlet brought together all the most striking facts embraced in the various official documents which have been published within the last few years, in reference to the condition of the labouring poor. The sanatory report (1842); a report on the practice of interments in towns, by Mr. Chadwick (1843); the report on the training of pauper children; the reports of the Commissioners for inquiry into the state of large towns, &c. (1844 and 1845), are the documents chiefly cited by Mr. Girdlestone in his compilation. The horrors which these official documents have brought to light are almost beyond belief, and they are here detailed in all their painful and revolting enormity. Mr. Girdlestone's object, however, is to offer practical suggestions for the remedy of these evils; and this he does clearly and well. But it is to be feared that individuals can do but little to correct this wide-spreading evil. XVI. MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. WE have to notice a very tastefully illustrated edition of “Undine" (Burns). The design and execution of the wood-cuts which adorn this elegant volume are in a high style of art. "The Book of Nursery Tales" in three volumes (Burns) will be a most acceptable Christmas gift to children. Its handsome binding, and the pictorial embellishments with which it is enriched, adapt it rather to the drawing-room than the nursery; and the tales themselves appear to have thrown off the homely dress which they wore in former times, and to have put on a jaunty air and a foreign costume, which gives them quite the appearance of novelty, without in any degree diminishing their interest. 233 Foreign and Colonial Intelligence. ALGERIA.-French Colonisation.-The colonisation of this conquest by the French proceeds, under the joint auspices of the army and the religious orders. The official journal l'Algérie contains a manifesto of Marshal Bugeaud, setting forth a project of military colonisation, which has been much canvassed and freely criticised by the Parisian press. The colonists are, it appears, to be selected from the regiments stationed in the country, by way of reward, and, we apprehend, subject to their own free concurrence. From the day of their selection they are to have a six months' furlough to get married in France, the Government defraying the expense of their journey there, as well as of their return with their wives and any moveables they may bring with them. While they are so absent, villages are to be constructed for them, and every thing got ready for their reception. Each colonist will be provided with a pair of oxen, two cows, ten sheep, a breeding sow, a cart, a plough, and other agricultural implements, as well as trees and seeds for planting, with an advance in cash, if necessary, for the purchase of household furniture; and will receive, during three years, pay, equipments, and rations for himself and his wife, the same as if he were employed in military service. Ten hectares (24 to 25 acres) of arable land will be assigned him, which will become his freehold property. The officers for the government of these settlements will be appointed from among the officers of the army, on terms similar to those for the common men, with an increase in the quantity of land, agreeably to their military rank; the portion of a colonel being 50 hectares (123 to 124 acres). The colonies will continue under military government for three years, and during this time the colonists will have to give their services, under certain regulations, in the execution of public works. At the expiration of three years they will be put under civil government; after two years from that time they will be permitted to dispose of their lands and houses; and after three years more they will become subject to taxation. Whether this project, which seems to be an act of autocrasy on the part of the military governor, will be adopted by the authorities at home, remains to be seen. In the mean time, the Trappist settlement, to which a model farm is attached for the encouragement of agriculture in the province, is nearly completed. The monastery was to have been dedicated, and the church of Notre-Dame de la Trappe to be consecrated, by the Bishop of Algiers, on the 30th of August last. The monastery is described as a magnificent building, consisting of four wings, each 50 mètres (164 feet) long; it is situated in the extensive plain of Staoueli, between the sea and ranges of undulating hills, at the foot of which are a number of flourishing villages and townships; in the midst of these rises the lofty and elegant spire of the church of Notre-Dame. It is to be hoped that among the effects produced by this and other religious establishments will be the abolition of the slave-trade, which is at present carried on openly in the Algerine territory. One of the local papers gives an account of a kind of fair for the sale of blacks, which was held within gunshot of the town of Algiers, and lasted three days; a caravan of the Beni-Mzab having arrived with sixty-eight slaves, among whom there was only one male, most of which were disposed of. The census of the year 1844 states the population of the town of Algiers at 44,772, of which 19,760 were Roman Catholics, 275 Protestants, 18,704 Mahommedans, and 6033 Jews. AMERICA.-The American Church.-The annual conventions of the different dioceses of the American Church were held in the course of May and June last. They were, for the most part, occupied in the transaction of ordinary business. In the convention of Maryland the question of admitting to the diaconate men of inferior literary attainments, reserving the present standard of qualification for admission to the priesthood, was mooted; it was ultimately resolved that the question should be brought before the next annual convention, with a view to consider the propriety of asking for a determination upon it by the general convention in 1847. The convention of Pennsylvania proceeded to the election of a bishop. The two parties, the low and the high-Church party, being nearly equally balanced, several ballots were had by the clergy, without producing a sufficient majority for either of the respective candidates; at last the election of the clergy fell upon Dr. Bowman, a sound churchman; but the laity having refused to confirm him, another election became necessary. The choice of the clergy then fell upon Alonzo Potter, D.D., Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union College (so called from the comprehension of different denominations of Christians which forms its basis), Skenectady. The laity of the convention having confirmed this election, it was communicated by the standing committee of Pennsylvania to the standing committees of the other dioceses, and assented to by a majority of them. It required, therefore, now only the ratification of the episcopal body, of which there appeared to be no doubt; and it was expected that Dr. Potter would be consecrated in September. The difficulty which has arisen in the diocese of New York respecting the ordination of candidates for the ministry during the suspension of the bishop, has been set aside by the standing committee giving the candidates letters of transfer to the Bishops of Connecticut and of Delaware, both of whom have accepted these letters, and ordained ministers for the diocese of New York. The canonical character of these ordinations is, however, by many called in question. A concession of consi derable interest and moment was made to the Swedish Church by Dr. Kemper, the missionary bishop for Missouri and Indiana. A congregation of Swedes being settled in the district of Wisconsin, within the limits of his jurisdiction, Dr. Kemper ordained for them a native of Sweden, and permitted him, with the advice of the other bishops, to use occasionally certain portions of the Swedish liturgy'. Among the subjects which were brought before the different conventions, we observe the employment of assistant bishops in several of the dioceses, either on account of the extent of the charge, or else by reason of the age and infirmity of the bishop. In some instances this course has actually been adopted, in others it was only suggested. Another point deserving of notice, is the manner in which the convention of the diocese of New Jersey was opened at Burlington, under the presidency of the Right Rev. Dr. Doane; the clergy habited in their surplices, with the bishop at their head, and followed by the scholars of St. Mary's Hall, going in procession from the bishop's residence to the church in which the convention was held. Several boards, representative of the general body of the Church, met likewise in New York, in the month of June; of which we note particularly the board of missions, whose funds we regret to state were found to be insufficient for the extent of its operations; and the board of trustees of the General Theological Seminary. The state of this institution, which in consequence of the circumstances connected with the ordination of Mr. Carey, had become the subject of much 1 This Liturgy, which the "Church Chronicle" gives in extenso from the " Banner of the Cross," an American church publication, resembles in many points our own. It commences with the Ter Sanctus in a modified form, after which follow a confession and absolution, with the Kyrie Eleison and the doxology. A psalm or hymn is then sung, which being finished, the minister resumes with the Dominus Vobiscum. The collect for the day and the epistle are next read, and the Apostles' creed is recited. This is followed, after another short psalm, by the reading of the gospel, and the sermon, which usually consists of an exposition of the gospel. After the sermon follows on certain Sundays and Holydays a litany, similar to that in our Prayer-book, or in lieu thereof, three general collects for a blessing upon the word spoken, for pardon, and for grace, then another psalm, and certain prayers special to the day; concluding with a Hallelujah, the blessing, and another psalm. The administration of the Holy Communion is always preceded by a special preparatory and penitential service, either on the day before, or on the same day, an hour before the general service. In the latter a prayer for those who are to receive the Holy Communion is then inserted after the collect for grace, and followed by the Lord's prayer, the use of which is apparently reserved for the Communion Service. After this, it seems, the non-communicants withdraw; this being done, an exhortation is read, and the Dominus Vobiscum, the Sursum Corda, and the words of institution are recited or chanted; then follows another modified form of the Ter Sanctus, the Lord's prayer, the Pax Vobiscum, and the Agnus Dei; this is succeeded by the distribution of the elements, during which the congregation is engaged in singing. The form of words in delivering the elements to each communicant separately, is, with the bread: "Jesus Christ, whose body thou receivest, preserve thee unto everlasting life! Amen;" and with the cup: "Jesus Christ, whose blood thou receivest, preserve thee unto everlasting life! Amen." The Post Communion, which again opens with the Dominus Vobiscum, consists of a thanksgiving prayer, the Hallelujah, and the blessing, after which again a short psalm is sung. |