quire*. We do not recommend Schism: but the excommunicated members ought not to be excluded from the benefit of social worship in their own way.

The monthly meeting at Hardshaw laments, as well it may, that Mr. Rathbone's Narrative of Events, &c. tended to lower the Society in the eyes of the world by exposing its weakness: but if such has been its harsh and inconsistent conduct, it ought not to complain of exposure. It was generous in Mr. Rathbone, at the risk of his own expulsion, to publish the case of the excommunicated members, for the consideration of the nation at large; since, if they were deprived of the comfort and advantages of the religious sect to which they had belonged from their birth, the public had a right to inquire into the reason of their disgrace among the members of their own communion t. To enjoin secrecy in such cases is not honourable. Justice to all parties demanded an open statement of facts; and the reflections which Mr. R. has subjoined are of so truly temperate and judicious a nature, that both parties might derive benefit from them. We require no other evidence of the acrimonious leaven which has insinuated itself into the deliberations of the Society of Friends, than the expulsion of such a man, so reasonable, so candid, and so well informed, as Mr. R. appears to be. He ably vindicates himself against the rigorous proceedings of the Hardshaw Meeting, and accuses the Society at large of no longer "standing fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ has made them free." Of the general truth and pre-eminent value of the Scriptures, he acknowleges his sincere conviction, though he does not reply to the charge which accuses him of believing that they contain some

*The present dissention respecting Marriage might occasion some questions on the legality of some of their marriages.

The following testimony is given in behalf of 60 excluded members in Ireland:

ex

Whatever supposed delinquency may have been imputed to these persons, in other respects, they never, (so far as my information tends) swerved from their firm belief in the doctrine of inward and immediate revelation; nor is there a single instance on record of immoral condnct being charged by the Society upon any one of these persons, as the ground of their disownment. They dissociated on account of their conscientious dissent from much of the then existing ministry and conduct of the discipline, and from the recent decisions of the national yearly meeting. These had, in their opinion, a direct tendency to abridge liberty of conscience, and to enforce conformity and uniformity with respect to unessential tenets and practices, to an extent beyond that to which the discipline had before been earried.'

important

important errors. All liberal readers will pronounce that Mr. R. has triumphed; and it is for his opponents to rebut the charge of a departure from the obvious dictates of equity, candour, and benevolence.

Another tract on this controversy will be noticed in the Catalogue part of this Review; and an additional volume has just appeared, which we have not yet had time to peruse.

ART. XI. North Wales; including its Scenery, Antiquities, Customs, and some Sketches of its Natural History; delineated from two Excursions through all the interesting Parts of that Country, during the Summers of 1798 and 1851. By the Rev. W. Bingley, A. M.. Fellow of the Linnean Society, and late of Peter-house, Cambridge. Illustrated with a Map, Frontispieces, and Music. 2 Vols. 8vo. 11. Is. Boards. Longman and Co. 1804.

THE

HE growing predilection for Welsh tours gives to publications like the present a value beyond their literary estimate, communicates to them a higher importance, and raises them to the rank of practical performances. Considered in this point of view, the Principality has been fortunate, and the curious or the fashionable visitant can be at no loss for guides; since persons of excellent taste and considerable information have not disdained the useful office of directing the steps of the future traveller, and of pointing out the objects which challenge his attention. In this class, with respect to South Wales, Mr. Malkin bears the palm *; and, with regard to North Wales, Mr. Bingley, though a writer of a different class and character, claims to be the best companion which the English visitor can adopt. If the Welsh are prepared coolly to contemplate the extinction of their venerable dialect and their antient manners,— if they deem the increase of wealth, and a more entire incorporation and a more complete identity with their luxurious fellow-subjects, an adequate compensation for such a change, -they will own themselves obliged to the above named Gentlemen, who have taken so much pains to facilitate and render inviting our excursions into their country. That these peregrinations should be attractive to persons of fortune and leisure, can be no matter of wonder. They might be described as a kind of foreign travel which may be performed at home; for without crossing the water, we are introduced to a country presenting singular aspects, a rich variety of scenery, and a state of society dissimilar from our own; inhabited by a people altogether distinct from ourselves, speaking a different language, and distin

* See Rev. Vol. xlvi. N. S., p. 363. and xlvii. p. 41.

guished

guished by peculiar qualities, habits, and manners;-a people interesting as a remuant of the antient population of the West of Europe, whose very barbarism was qualified by a refined and artificial superstition; the number and excellence of whose bards shew a more liberal distribution of creative talents than falls to the lot of most other nations, and who, to this day, are characterized by loyalty, bravery, and a proud spirit of independence.

Mr. Bingley commenced his tour at Chester, of which place he gives a very interesting account; stating, with great conciseness, whatever distinguishes it, as well politically as topographically.

A view of Downing, near Holywell, the residence of the late Mr. Pennant, on the road from Holywell to St. Asaph, calls from Mr. B. a tribute to its departed owner, which he thus concludes:

In the writings of Mr. Pennant, we are not to look for any of those brillant effusions of genius that mark the pen of some of the modern naturalists and travellers. But if he did not posses their fire, he had the more valuable requisites of untarnished principle, and a scrupulous adherence to truth. Perseverance, industry, and correctness, are their leading characteristics. His reading was extensive, particularly in the zoological branches of natural history. He possessed a retentive memory, and a considerable rapidity of composition, his works being generally printed, with little or no correction, as they flowed from the pen.

As to his private character; he was religious without bigotry, and, from principles the most pure and disinterested, firmly attached to the established church. He was a steady friend to our excellent constitution; and when the spirit of democracy with which the mania of a neighbouring country appeared desirous of overwhelming our kingdom, was spreading abroad, he resisted its efforts with all his ⚫ might. In times of scarcity, he materially alleviated the distresses of the neighbouring poor by the importation of grain. If he had foibles let them be buried in his grave, and let the first who is without draw them thence to his dispraise. To sum up the general character of Mr. Pennant in few words, he was a man of upright conduct and the most unshaken integrity, uniting to a good head that valuable counterpart so often wanting, an excellent heart.'

The old adage, de mortuis, &c. sanctions the sentiment here expressed by Mr. Bingley: but, in our opinion, this is to be regarded as a rule of good breeding which was never intended to controul the conduct of the historian. If the biographer's pencil be assumed, no line of character should be omitted; truth requires, and the public have a right and an interest, that the sketch should be faithful.-We may here observe that the author never passes the birth-place of any distinguished character, without paying the same homage to his memory as in

the

the present instance; and it is but justice to add that these memoranda are composed with neatness, as well as with great fairness and impartiality. They much enhance the value of the work.

We must not omit the following sketch, which occurs in the author's account of St. Asaph :

The tower of the cathedral commands a most extensive prospect of the vale of Clwyd, in every direction; and it is almost the only situation that I could find for seeing it to advantage. The tiver Clwyd, from which the vale takes its name, is a diminutive stream that meanders along its bottom, scarcely three yards over in the widest part. Its banks are low, and after sudden rains it is subject to the most dreadful overflowings, the torrent at these times frequently sweeping along with it even the very soil of the land it passes over. From this circumstance it is that much of the land near its banks is very low rents. This vale is perhaps the most extensive of any in the kingdom, being near twenty-four miles in length, and about seven in width; containing the three considerable towns of St. Asaph, Denbigh and Ruthin; and, though it is impossible to exhibit a more beautiful scene of fertility, yet, from its great width and its want of water, I believe the painter will prefer to it many of the deep and picturesque glens of Caernarvonshire and Merionethshire.'

let at

In the above vale stands Rhydlan, now an insignificant village, which was created a free borough by Edward I., and in which was passed the famous statute of Wales.

From the section on Conway river, we extract an account of a natural production, which is not generally known to belong to our island:

This river was celebrated in former times as a pearl-fishery; and pearls have been found here at different intervals ever since the Roman conquest. It was to obtain these that Suetonius alleges as one of the principal motives for his invasion of our island; but there is reason to suppose that he was in a great measure disappointed in his hopes, both with respect to their size and quantity. The shell in which they are found is called the Pearl Muscle, and is the Mya margaritifera of Linnæus. It is peculiar to stoney and rapid rivers, burying itself with its open end downwards in the sand; but it is not often found here at present. The pearl is a calculus, or morbid concretion, supposed to be produced by some disease, and is at times found even in the common oyster and muscle. It is sometimes within the body of the ani. mal, and sometimes on the inside of the shell; and one muscle frequently contains more than a single pearl. The shells that bear the best pearls are not smooth and equal like the rest, but are crooked and wrinkled; and the larger the pearls are the greater is their deformity. Linnæus informed Mr. Pennant that he had discovered the art of causing the pearls to form : he however refused to communicate it, and it is supposed to have died with him. When there are pearls in the shell, the animals, on being squeezed, will eject them, and they even sometimes spontaneously cast them on the sand of the river. It is

reported

reported in the country that Sir Richard Wynne of Gwydir presented the queen of Charles II. with a pearl from the river Conwy which was afterwards placed in the regal crown. About twenty-five years ago the late Sir Robert Vaughan went to court with a button and loop in his hat set with pearls from the Conwy. An Irish pearl is mentioned by Sir Robert Redding in the Philosophical Transactions, as weighing thirty six carrats, and valued at forty pounds. The present lad Newborough has a good collection of the Conwy pearls, and she purchases all the best that are now to be found.-The fish of the pearl muscle is not eaten, being extremely bad and unpalatable.'

The author bestows high praise on the views which present themselves in Conway vale, and along the route from that place to Bangor; which city, and the adjoining seat of Lord Penrhyn, seem very much to interest him. At Landygai church, near Bangor, Mr. B. saw the monument of Archbishop Williams, so well known in our history, and who was a native of Conway; which induces him to add a dispassionate and faithful account of this last of our Statesmen-Prelates. We now meet with a passage which, as descriptive of some very singular religionists, the pure and exclusive growth of a Welsh soil, is intitled to a place in our pages. If the philosopher and the statesman cannot view them with complacency, it is perhaps the antiquary who has most reason to be displeased with them; inasmuch as they have wrought a change in the national character and features, have converted a lively merry race into gloomy fanatics, and have occasioned games, which promoted health and activity, and all the cheerful amusements, even the love of music, to give way to a rage for religious austerities. This circumstance, more than intercourse with England and the progress of society, has invaded the antient manners and habits of this interesting people. Never did fanaticism obtain a soil more congenial to it, and never did it reap a richer har

vest.

Whilst I was at Caernarvon, I was induced from motives of curiosity, more than once to attend the chapel of a singular branch of calvinistical methodists, who, from certain enthusiastical extravagancies which they exhibit in their religious meetings, are denominated Jumpers. Their service here is in the Welsh language, and, as among other methodists, commences and concludes with a prayer. It is not till the last hymn is sung that any uncommon symptoms are exhibited. The tune consists only of a single strain, and the hymn, having but one verse, this verse is, in consequence, repeated over and over, sometimes for half an hour, and sometimes, if their spirit of enthusiasm is much excited, for upwards of an hour. With this begin their motions. It is sung once or twice over without any apparent effect. The first motion to be observed is that of the upper parts of their body from right to left. They then raise their hands, and often strike one hand violently against the other. Such is the effect pro

duced