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Art. VII. The Cross-Bath Guide, being the Correspondence of a Respectable Family upon the subject of a late unexpected Dispensation of Honours. Collected by Sir Joseph Cheakill, K.F. K.S. &c. &c. &c. fcap. 8vo. pp. 92. Price 3s. 6d. Underwood. 1815. THERE is a considerable proportion of satirical humour in

this jeu d'esprit. Its design is to expose the alleged impolicy and absurdity of the late liberal dispensation of military honours, in the creation of a legion of knights. The invidious partiality of the distinction conferred, the mockery of an empty title to those who have not the means of supporting it, the embarrassments introduced in the court of precedence, by the new creations, and the unhappy effect on female vanity of honours so unexpected, are depicted with a great degree of spirit and shrewdness, and in easy versification. The title will immediately remind our readers of Mr. Anstey's humorous production. If the imitation is not quite equal, in point of wit, to the original, it has the superior merit of being free from those violations of decency which disgust us in the New Bath Guide. One verse, however, in the song, at p. 47, we wish that the Author had not obliged us to mark as an exception.

The following will serve as a sample of the letters. It contains an account of the first dinner given by Mr. Hitchins on occasion of his son Thomas's elevation to the dignity of a Star, and is addressed by Miss Margaret Capper to her sister Dinah at Bath.

'I wrote all the cards, and can fully explain

Who and who were the folks that composed the grand train ;
Though Cousin invited some brother stars too,
But with him and his set I had nothing to do.
Each name on the list I'm about now to send,
Is that of some great and particular friend.
Sir Audrey Fitztrollop, whose shield has a bar,
But cover'd, he hopes, by a red hand, and star;
The Rev. Sir Luke Chaplyn, for lawn rather wild,
Promoted for christening Lord Faddleville's child;

Sir John Jukes, Sir Mark Hicks, Sir Job Snipe, Sir James
Hare,

All four, in succession, of London Lord Mayor;
Sir Christopher Congo, the India Director,
Of a trade to the Terra Stultorum projector;
Sir Benjamin Billings, who brought his own dish,
Of the company chairman for catching fresh fish;
The great farrier-surgeon, Sir Parkynson Proctor,
Sir Timothy Clearwell, our family doctor;
Five stars of the navy, and three of the army-
A party like this is enough to alarm ye!

In truth uncle Hitchins was caught in a scrape
By the party assembled, but made an escape

Through native good-humour. When dinner was served,
As rights of precedence are strictly observed
On solemn occasions, no creature would stir,
For no one there present was less than a Sir.
Off hobbled my uncle, as bowing they stood,
And left Tom to drill them as well as he cou'd,
(Which cannot be done, now, in due etiquette,
Without a Court Guide, or a London Gazette :)
When dinner began, what a fuss and a pother!
The guests soon perceiving each Sir had his brother;
Their host himself simper'd, with honour elated,
And never perceived what in looks they debated
All trades and professions, of dignity jealous,
Are piqued to be elbow'd in rank by their fellows:
Though Peers precede Knights without any demurs,
A Sir, of one calling, hates all other Sirs.
My uncle presided with wonderful grace-
"Sir Benjamin, fish? Aye, you like a good plaice;
"Sir Giles, you were young when you enter'd the navy?
"Sir Job, let me give you a little more gravy;
"Sir Parkynson, used to the same sort of work, he
"Sir Philip, will help you to cut up the turkey;
"Sir Harry, how long have you had your dragoons?
"Sir John, wait a moment, there's plenty of spoons;
"Sir Christopher, try this receipt for your curry;
"Sir James, let me beg-help yourself-there's no hurry ;'
"Sir Timothy, jelly? 'tis wholesome you know:
"Sir Mark, things look ill, omnium's shockingly low".
"Mr. Hitchins, I think half the city will break.”
Mr. Hitchins began, at this word, to awake."

Art. VIII. Brief Memoirs respecting the Waldenses, or Vaudois, Inhabitants of the Valleys of Piedmont; the result of Observations made during a short Residence among that interesting People in the Autumn of 1814. By a Clergyman of the Church of England. 18mo. pp. 42. Price 1s. Hatchard. 1815.

THIS simple memorial cannot fail, we think, to accom

plish its benevolent object. It is an appeal in behalf of an interesting people, whose very name constitutes a claim upon the affectionate sympathy of their fellow Christians, -descendants of a class of men who were, for a series of 66 ages, "destitute, afflicted, tormented;" but " of whom the "world was not worthy!" With the character and history of the ancient Waldenses, their exalted heroism and cruel sufferings, few of our readers, we should hope, are unacquainted.

It is a page of history with which every Protestant especially ought to be familiarised and the public are indebted to Mr. Wm. Jones, the author of a recent publication on the “ History of the Waldenses," for bringing forward the subject again more prominently into general attention.

It appears that their more recent history discloses persecutions equally atrocious and sanguinary. To the Author of this "Brief Memoir" was presented, by a minister of the valleys, an affecting relation of their sufferings in 1686, when Louis XIV. instigated the court of Turin to measures correspondent to his own ferocious proceedings at the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. It is a manuscript of about one hundred years old; and the truth of its contents is attested by ten ministers, assembled in synod, the 19th Oct., 1716. We must be allowed to express our earnest hope that the manuscript, from which extracts are given, will not be suffered to remain longer in obscurity.

It is with the character and condition of the present simple occupiers of the valleys, that it is particularly the object of this Memoir to make us acquainted, with a view of exciting an active interest in their behalf. We need only add, to ensure its circulation among our readers, that any profit arising from its sale is to be devoted to the object for which it pleads. It is in contemplation to appoint a Committee to superintend the effective distribution of any sums of money which may be raised for the Vaudois. The author justly remarks that it is unquestionably the duty of believers to endeavour to promote, and to pray for a revival of piety in churches once renowned, as well as for the diffusion of Divine truth among the heathen.'

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Art. IX. Religious and Moral Reflections, originally intended for the Use of his Parishioners. By Samuel Hopkinson, S.T.B. formerly Fellow of Clare Hall, Rector of Etton, and Vicar of Mortoncum Hacconby. Second Edition. pp. 203. price 4s. Harris. 1814. THIS is certainly a curious performance. Seldom have we

met with so great a medley of incoherency, absurdity, and false doctrines. A few lines will be amply sufficient to convince our readers that this is not an unmerited censure. Immediately after the ample title page, and a table of contents equally singular, a kind of glossary is abruptly introduced, without any explanatory reason assigned, consisting of several hundred words, of which the following are specimens. The unlettered inhabitants of Morton cum Hacconby are gravely informed by their vicar, that to detract,' is to draw from ;' that continual, signifies ، without opposition; that the ، author, is the

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'beginner of a thing;' that to 'depart' is to leave the world;" that peel is only applied to the quick noise of thunder; with several hundreds of similar valuable fragments of erudition.

As a specimen of incoherent and almost unintelligible writing, and, which is still worse, of gross mistatement, we extract the following paragraph.

Here it seems expedient to remark, that the foremost duties of Christianity, like the important concerns of common life, generally, take care of themselves: that, few, especially of the younger class, have the ability, inclination, and opportunity conjoined, at the outset of life, to commit enormous crimes. It is an old and just remark, confirmed by the experience of revolving ages, that "none became thoroughly wicked all at once." As in virtue, so in vice, there are different degrees of attainment, which require some time, much prac tice, and suitable company to mature them. Seldom, for instance, do we hear of men, in plain defiance of laws divine and human, totally and daringly disregarding the celebration of the sabbath, openly and professedly violating God's commandments. What, however, is more frequent than what is stiled even the better part of the Christian world to be indifferent about the sabbath? Parents, through a culpable fondness entirely to overlook or backward to check the early foibles of their children? What is more common, than persons in the higher walks of life being careless about the inferior branches of religion, as privately addressing the Almighty at entering and leaving the church at the beginning and end of each succeeding day: sitting eagerly down and rising hastily from table, without so much as once mentioning the name of their gracious benefactor: using words in familiar conversation and repeating improbabilities as facts, which, if not a direct breach of the fourth Commandment, are, at the least, not such as become the Gospel of Christ? However insignificant these and such offences separately considered may appear in our own eye, still, in an aggregate sense, they undoubtedly constitute a very important part in the general failings of Christians.' pp. 15-17.

Our readers will have observed, with some surprise, not only that the open violation of God's commandments' seldom occurs, but also that the neglect of secret devotion is classed by this public instructer, among the failings of Christians, and the duty itself among the inferior branches of religion.

On the subject of confirmation. Mr. H. writes thus:

This is one of those necessary duties required by the Christian Church, which appears, as clear as any thing can appear, from Acta viii. 17 and 18, to have originated with St. Peter and St. John.' p. 104.

On this irrefragable basis, he proceeds to establish the exclusive right of bishops, who, it seems, are alone the proper successors of the Apostles, to administer this sacred ceremony.

To prove that our charge of false doctrine is not unfounded, the following sentences will be more than sufficient.

• Be assured that if in your several vocations and capacities, from time to time, you continue to do your best according to what the Gospel generally enjoins, the Holy Spirit will neither leave nor försake you.' p. 49.

• Christ having ordained, in his church, two sacraments only as generally necessary to salvation,'&c. p. 43.

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, be assured, will have a considerable degree of influence towards our Creator's forgiving us. It is a principal, certainly not the only qualification necessary for divine acceptance, at the last. p. 112.

When describing the impressions with which Christians should approach the Lord's table, Mr. H. uses these remarkable words:

Rely not too much on the mercies of God, nor on the merits of his Son, for not even the regular repetition of this most solemn institution can or ought to afford any certain hopes of happiness, unless these very hopes are hereafter strengthened by the succeeding course of a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the end,'

In perfect accordance with the preceding citations, it is manifest throughout the volume that the Rev. Author scrupulously avoids exhorting his parishioners to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ;" that if he adverts occasionally to the merits of Christ, it is uniformly with reference to his intercession, and not to his atonement; and that the subject of regeneration is as completely excluded, as if it formed no part, either of the volume of inspiration, or of the doctrine of that Church of which he is a beneficed minister.

Our readers will not be surprised to learn that these Moral and Religious Reflections are dedicated to the Bishop of Lincoln.

Art. X-Evangelical Hope; An Essay. By Daniel Tyerman. 12mo. pp. xii. 236. Price 4s. Burton. 1815.

THE few small works written by this Author, had previously prepared us to receive with pleasure the intimation of his intention to add to their number. We had already considered Irim as a serious and affecting writer on morals and on religion; as a benevolent Christian, devoted to the advancing of the VOL. III. N. S.

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