upon himself, on the school, and on those benevolent citizens by whom it has been mainly supported.

A History of Croydon. By G. Steinman Steinman, Esq. F.S.A. F.L.S. 8vo, pp. 424.

THE author of this volume had his materials for the most part placed before him, in Dr. Ducarel's History of Croydon, published in 1783; the ground has also since been beaten by Lysons and Bray. Yet, it is easy to distinguish between the servile or ignorant copyist, and the discriminating and judicious digester. The one is sure to blunder, confuse, and misapply; and to increase instead of removing the errors of his predecessor; the other improves by more perfect arrangement what it is no longer necessary to discover, and elucidates by additional information. From the nature of topography and antiquarian history, composed as it is of minute facts, a fresh inquirer may always add something; may fill up some of the numerous gaps which must ever exist, and supply some of the numerous links which time has removed from the many-twisted chain of historical evidence. We are happy to say that Mr. Steinman's industry, and his real antiquarian spirit of investigation, are very conspicuous.

His book is distributed into the following arrangement: the early history and present state of Croydon; its chronology and annals; the descents of the several manors and principal estates; the East India college at Addiscombe; charitable institutions; the Archiepiscopal Palace; the Church; and Benefactions; with an Appendix of documents.

The palace, which was the favourite residence of many of the Archbishops of Canterbury, is a subject of particular interest. Since it was deserted and condemned by Archbishop Cornwallis, the premises have been converted into a manufactory. However, the great Hall, and some other remarkable features, still remain; though another change is now in progress, for, in consequence of the estate having been sold in lots during the last year, various portions have lately been converted into modern dwellings, with an attendant destruction of the ancient parts.

Respecting the races formerly held at Croydon, Mr. Steinman has met with two traditionary notices that they were promoted and visited by James the First (p. 14), and that he lodged on such occasions in the manor-house of Whitehorse (p. 32). On reference to Mr. Nichols's "Progresses" of that monarch, we do not find any record of the King's presence; but the tradition that it was one of the earliest places at which meetings were held for that purpose, is confirmed by a letter in 1611-12, which notices "a great race or running at Croydon, where by occasion of foul play or foul words, one Ramsey, a Scotsman, struck the Earl of Montgomery with his riding-rod; whereupon the whole company was ready to go together by the ears, and like enough to have made a national quarrel, but for want of weapons it was pacified."*

volume consist of several very neat The embellishments of this judicious engravings on wood.

* Progresses of James I. vol. II. p. 439, where will be seen Osborne's exaggerated account of the rencontre.

lowing note: A card has lately been published by Westley and Davis, price id. or 58. per 100, entitled Questions which concern every man, of which the following is a specimen- Ought you as a citizen to suffer wrong to be done to you? Do not you suffer the greatest wrong, when any party seeks to prescribe to you in religion, either what you shall believe, or how you shall express your faith? Do not you suffer the greatest wrong in being obliged to pay to the support of religious worship of any form?"! On the reverse of the card, are maxims and

watchwords, among which are, “An Establishment, if not a theocracy, must be a tyranny."-" Preference is Persecution." "Toleration is intolerance."—" Man can owe no religious allegiance to man."-"To establish religion is first to corrupt, then to destroy it." "Think, decide, fear not.". "Oh!" says the author of this Letter, "that some of the forefathers of these advocates of dissent could have foreseen these doings of their posterity."-Shade of John Wesley! we appeal to you.

Third Letter on Church Reform. By REV. C. GIRDLESTONE.-Sensible, moderate, and conciliating; but we fear that the Dissenters look far beyond Mr. Girdlestone's views, and would now pass him over in their first step to the reform they want. Will he grant them a separation of Church and State? will they be contented without?

Ecclesiastical Establishments not inconsistent with Christianity, with a particular view to the leading objections of the Modern Dissenters. By WILLIAM HULL, 1834.-A pamphlet which does infinite credit to the feeling, the principles, the taste, and talent of the author; "of one (to use his own language) who has no party interest to serve, no sectarian passions to indulge, no ecclesiastical preferments to obtain by avowing them; and who has been placed in circumstances more than usually favourable for forming an unbiassed estimate of the men and principles of different religious denominations. His convictions have been strongly, but irresistibly forced upon him. In the course of this work, an unqualified opinion is expressed, (which recent transactions have proved to be unwarranted) of the loyalty of Dissenters to the law. Their refusal in various places to pay the church rates, when legally demanded, must be matter of grief to every man who has at heart the peace of his country. Such conduct proceeds on a principle subversive of all government, and is the first step towards rebellion and anarchy. It assumes the right of individuals to resist the authority of the legislature, in any particular instance in which selfishness, caprice, or faction may choose to cover their enormities, under the sacred plea of conscience. In the present case, it is difficult to see in what sense conscience can justify the resistance of a particular body to the will of the public, expressed by the constitutional authorities of the kingdom. The object to be attained is trivial, on all sound principles of moral casuistry, compared

with the pernicious influence of this example of revolt set by persons professing superior sanctity, and who are supposed by the reckless multitude to be not ignorant of moral obligations. The particular crisis selected for this and similar displays of radical dissenteism, brands them as the ebullitions of a spirit essentially ungenerous and ignoble; nor is it difficult to determine with what justice men lay claim to a purer faith, or a loftier patriotism, than their neighbours, whose leading characteristic it is, that "they despise dominions and speak evil of dignities."

The following are the declarations of the Dissenters, as published by them:

1. "A state establishment of Christianity must be a crying abomination, a daring encroachment on the prerogatives of Heaven.

2. If a church the greatest and best that ever existed, distinguished by the purity of her doctrine, the sanctity of her discipline, the apostolic splendor and devotedness of her ministry; if a church unrivalled for the glory of her various institutions, were this day established, we should remain what we are now, conscientious Dissenters.

3. As to actually conforming-leaving the meeting house for the church, to any Dissenter who understands his principles, or respects himself, the proposition is absurd, almost ridiculous.

4. What instances are there of men distinguished for their ability, and piety, and zeal, and usefulness, brought up and thoroughly initiated in the principles of dissent, and of religious liberty, surrendering themselves up to the diocesan law, and joining in the pomp and ceremony of a national religion, founded or annihilated by an Act of Parliament !

Rightly does the author therefore observe, that "all hope of an amicable compromise between the Church and the Dissenters is excluded. The enemies of the Church have proclaimed, that truce and neutrality are at an end; the friends of the Church therefore know their duty! The recent procedures of some of the body have breathed the spirit of persecution, the turbulent spirit of a secular and revolutionary faction."

Sermon preached at the Visitation of the Archdeacon of Totness. By the Rev. E. A. BRAY, Vicar of Tavistock.-A very sensible discourse, directed against those who whilst they themselves talk with the fullest latitude, and even speak evil of dignities, would have the Church keep silence in her defence.'

A Letter to Lord Althorp, on the Irish Church Reform Bill. By the Rev. ROB. UVEDALE, M. A.—A pithy, but useful production, from the pen of the nephew of the late Bennet Langton, admonishing his Lordship not to appropriate ecclesiastical revenues to state purposes, or desecrate the property that belongs to the Church of Christ. Let us beware, Master Hyde, (said Sir Benjamin Rudyerd,) that we do not look with a carnal, worldly, evil eye upon church lands; let us clere our sight, search our hearts, that we may have unmixt and sincere ends, without the least thought of saving our purses. Churchlands will be fittest to maintain churchmen, by a proportionable and orderly distribution. A clergyman ought to have a far greater proportion to live upon than any other man of an equal condition. He is not bred to multiply three-pences. It becomes him not to live sordidly or mechanically. Master Hyde, I am as much for reformation, for purging and maintaining religion, as any man, but I profess I am not for innovation nor abolition."

A Sermon, preached at the Visitation of Charles Lord Bishop of Winchester, at St. Saviour's, Southwark, by GEORGE D'OYLY, Rector of Lambeth.-A Sermon, the object of which is to press on the clergy the necessity of showing by their conduct, the holiness of their profession; equally distant from a formal and Pharisaical hypocrisy, and an indulgence too secular and free. The Appendix contains a statement of the revenues of the church, and some observations on tithes and church-rates. It is well worthy of perusal, and does no discredit to its learned author.

A proposed Book of Common Prayer, &c.-the whole forming a most comprehensive Plan of Church Reform, by MARTYN ROBERT MELVILLE, Esq.Much that is sensible and much that is ludicrous, much practicable and much that cannot be practised, yet all worth the attention of those on whom the task of Reform in the Church will fall.At p. 110, the dress of the clergy is to be re-modelled, and they are not to have shirt-collars, but satin breeches, and wigs, and short gowns, and long black boots, and not very fine linen; and they are to play cards moderately, but not as during the time of George the Third's illness, when three of our prelates played snipsnap-snorum and commerce with the Princesses, and the Bishop of Norwich

was a great whist-player. So much for the Melville Reform.

The New Evangelical Church of England Champion, 4 Nos. by the Rev. WILLIAM BAILEY, A. B.-Mr. Bailey is a most upright and zealous defender of the Church to which he belongs; and he wants neither learning, nor industry, nor sagacity well to support his claims. We do not know how Bishop Talleyrand will like his observations on his domestic character in the second number.

The Work of an Evangelist; a Sermon preached at the Visitation of the Lord Bishop of Winchester, by the Rev. CHARLES CATOR, A. M.-A manly and honourable and fearless exposition of the preacher's sentiments on the evils that beset the Church, and on the defects within it; on one of which he touches, which we have long thought deserved grave consideration; we mean, on the Charges that might be delivered by the Bishops to the Clergy on the great questions which are constantly rising into controversy, and their opinions and advice on them. We are sorry that such Charges have fallen into desuetude; and too often we lament that we have directions for repairs of churches, and repairs of parsonage-houses, and threats and severe edicts on residence, (being much fitter for churchwardens than for scholars and theologians to hear,) instead of those powerful and learned discourses which Horsley was the last to give to his delighted and instructed brethren: Horsley took for granted, that HIS clergy were men of moral lives, of upright consciences, and solid learning. That he did not want fresh powers to restrain their immorality, (see the Bishop of Landaff's Charge,) and that, of all classes of the community, they dwelt, every man at home, under the shadow of his own. vine, and his own fig-tree. HE addressed them as men of sense, and learning, and piety; as his equals in age, and conduct, and knowledge-in all but station; not as boys just let loose from college, who are to be told what amusements they may have, and what are forbidden. We think Mr. Cator's learned and honourable exposition of his sentiments on this point, will meet the approbation of his brethren.

Reformation of the Church Revolution in Disguise. By a Country Clergyman. The threatening aspect of the times has evoked the reluctant spirit of the most secluded and studious from their sacred

the boundaries of quid decus aut quid non,' are too shadowy to be clearly recognized. Paley used to fish and ride-that was innocent; the old clergy all played at bowls-no harm in that. We remember all the Hampshire clergy cricketers, so are they of Sussex now-well and good. One bishop plays at cards, as good old Dean Vincent was wont to do; another dines at my Lord Mayor's-" to the pure all things are pure." We have played cards with one of the strictest and most dignified bishops on the bench, and we won his money.

The most debateable amusements we take to be those of the gun and the dance, yet we know some of the most learned, venerable, and pious divines to be veteran shots. Who can say there exists harm in such a pursuit? Who can say that their piety is in consequence less useful, that their example is less influential? Much on this head must be left to private discretion; to the situation, county, and people where the clergyman resides. The manner of our old friend Crabbe would not do in a London chapel; and a Norfolk vicar resides among a different people from the Curate of Hanwell. At the same time, woe be to the clergy if they are 'lovers of pleasure;' and in the choice of their recreations, the safe side is the wisest and best. There is an account in some late pamphlet that we have perused, of a Devonshire clergyman playing at cricket with his parishioners on Sunday evenings. On being asked his reason, he temperately and wisely answered, "I didn't play for my own amusement; but play they will, whether I like it or not; therefore, seeing that the game will be practised, I join in it for the sake of keeping it inno

cent.

In my presence, they will refrain from the turbulence, the riot, the misrule, the improprieties which would attend it, were they not checked by me." This we consider to be the language of a man of sense; by such conduct, no doubt he will in time change the day, and prevent the further desecration of the Sabbath.

The Day of Visitation, preached at Usk, Oct. 17, 1833. By REV. DANIEL JONES, Vicar of Caerleon.-This sermon, published at the desire of the learned Bishop of Landaff, is recommended by its animation, its piety, and sense.

The Gardener's Dictionary. By P. MILLER. In 4 vols. Vol. I. This promises to be a useful republication of Miller's admirable Dictionary, with improvements and the addition of the new plants. We must however observe, that it is not printed so correctly as it ought to be. The principal article in this part is on

Abies,' the fir tribe; on which, of course, recourse is had to the most curious and scientific work of Mr. Lambert. Many new kinds are mentioned; but we do not think the account of the abies Douglasii so full as we have seen it elsewhere; and why is the abies Lambertii omitted? A more instructive and entertaining account could be given of the cedars of Lebanon in England; and the silver firs in Petworth Garden should be mentioned. Of the acacia Julybrissin, it may be observed that the most northern situation in which we ever saw this beautiful tree as a standard, is the Botanic Garden at Paris, where a fine specimen is to be seen; in England it wants the shelter of a wall, and even then is comparatively weak and stinted in its growth, and apt to canker. As far as plants are concerned, what an immense difference exists between the climates of London and Paris! even the fine pomegranates in flower in the markets of Rouen and Brussels, show that, as lovers of botany, we are too "far from the sun and summer-gale;" and yet, by Dr. Prout's scale, there is but one degree between the mean summer temperature of Paris and London! The climate of Touraine, we think, is the very paradise of horticulture, where all the finest plants of the south of Europe might luxuriate over the green carpet, spread by the dews and showers of the north. The most beautiful tree we ever saw, is the Camphor tree, growing in that delicious little English garden in the Caserta at Naples, where the turf is as green as in Devonshire. When he comes to the Pines and Araucarias, we hope the Editor of this work will not forget the collections at Dropmore and at Kew; and for a few specimens of magnificent exotics, Mr. Thomson's nursery at Mile End should be visited. The Cork tree at Messrs. Whitley's, at Fulham, is far finer than those at Chelsea; and the Fulham Oak is an absolute A-per-se. Mr. Ord's garden at Walham Green affords some scarce trees; the Willow-leaved oak, Stone pine, and Sophora Japonica particularly. The Bishop of London's garden should also be visited; and Lord Tankerville's, near Oatlands, where there are some very fine Gleditsias. At Henham, in Suffolk, is the greatest variety of American oaks we know, brought over by Mr. Lyons; at Lord Darnley's, at Cobham, some of the finest Magnolias. We have heard of a fine collection of exotics at Lord Valentia's, in Staffordshire; but we never saw them. We know no finer tulip trees than those at Lord Egremont's. The Beech (Mr. Wyndham's property) that stands at the bottom of Carhampton Down, near Bishops Waltham, we believe to be the finest in Eng