tion of the plan, fo long as the present mode of levying rates for
the poor shall continue to subsift. For is it not evident, that
one parish would be induced, when application was made to it
for the relief of a pauper's family, to throw the burden upon
some other parish, perhaps less able to hear it, which might
very easily be done, by giving the applicants money enough
(and something more) to pay their expences to such parish ?
Would it not also have a strony tendency to discourage the esta-
blishment of manufactories, since in many a poor parish where
manufactories are established, and many hundred hands em-
ployed; if the proprietors were to fail, and the workmen to
become chargeable to the parish in which they live, it might
prove the ruin of every other inhabitant of the parish ? Va-
rious other objections of a similar description suggest them-
selves to our minds, but there will suffice to show the nature
of our apprehensions on the subject. All these objections, how-
ever, might be removed by one plain and simple alteration, and
we are rather surprized, that it did not occur to the worthy
author; the abolition of the present mode of levying poor-
rates, and the substitution of a general pound-rate, throughout
the kingdom ; in other words the conversion of the parochial
tax into a national tax. There may, poffibly, be serious ob-
jections to this plan; but, we confess, they do not at present
occur to our minds ; it certainly would be attended with the
eminent advantage of fimplifying the whole system, and of
destroying many abuses which, no doubt, exist at present.

To the following propositions of the author, no folid objection can, we think, be urged.

“ But if it should not be thought expedient at present to make any alteration in the law of settlements, I should then submit to consideration the propriety of making the following regulations : FIRST, that all orders of removal should be signed by one magistrate only; this would prevent the delay and difficulty which now attends the getting two magistrates to hold a petty sessions, without which no removal can legally take place : SECONDLY, that a copy of such order, and the pauper's examination, properly certified, mould be sent to the parish to which the pauper is ordered to be removed ; and, if such parish admit the settlement, then to allow and pay fuch fum towards his maintenance as was usual in the parish where he then resided; but if this should be refused, then to be at the expence of removing him to his own parish : and, THIRDLY, that, if the settlement should be dispated, the reasons for appealing against the order of removal hould be given in writing at the time of delivering notice of appeal, and a copy of such reasons left with the clerk of the peace; and, upon the hearing of the appeal, the court to order, if they see proper, the expence of keeping and removing the pauper,

The

« The adoption of this mode would not only save the expence of removal, but would also, in a great measure, prevent frivolous and vexatious appeals."

The author remarks that, in former times, one-third of the tithes of the church were devoted to the support of the poor ; and seems to infinuate that recourse ought to be had to a similar means of supporting them at present. He observes that those titles have long since been diverted to ecclefiaftical purposes." But surely he cannot have forgotten how very considerable a portion of these tithes were diverted from “ ecclesiastical purposes” at the time of the reformation, and are now in the hands of lay-impropriators; and how very inadequate a fupport the remaining part of them now afford to the clergy of the established Church.

On such a subject as the Poor-rates, great difference of opinion has existed, and, in all probability will continue to exist, among the most able and best intentioned men.

But on one point, we conceive, there can be no difference, viz. that the enormous sums which have, of late years, been raised for the support of the poor are not only a national grievance but a national disgrace. Formerly the indigent man disdained to apply for parochial relief until compelled by absolute necessity; and even then the shame and distress, evident in his countenance, strongly marked the reluctance with which he made his application. But now the young, the healthy, and the strong, particularly in the metropolis and its vicinity, do not blush to demand, with a tone of assurance and importunity, admission to the Poor-house, there to subfift in idleness, on the labours of the industrious. This is a serious evil to which an effica"cious remedy ought to be immediately applied; it betrays a base, degenerate, spirit; an absence of all manly feeling; and a total want of that mental independence which gives a stimuJus to useful labour and virtuous industry. To trace the sources of this degeneracy would be an important talk; it would, we fear, be found to originate in a widely prevailing fpirit of immorality and irreligion. We shall conclude our present observations on this interesting subject by proposing one question for the consideration of reflecting minds ;-Whether the vast increase of charitable contributions (so honourable to the nation, in more points of view than one) has not had a direct tendency to produce a multiplication of their abjects ?

Discourses, &c. on several Subjects. By the late Rev. Christo

pher Wells, B. D. formerly Fellow of Jesus College,

Oxford; Oxford

THE

and afterwards Rector of Remenham, Berks ; 2 Vols. 8vo. PP. 994.. 148. in Boards. Leigh and Sotheby, and F. and C. Rivington. London. 1800. "HERE is a peculiar delicacy due to the character of

writers, whose inedited compositions fall into the hands of surviving friends. Incompetent, perhaps, to appreciate their merits, certainly partial to whatever dropped from the pens of those whom they admired and loved, while they travelled together on the journey of life, and of whom, when deprived of their pleasing and instructive society, they often think with fresh regret; they may possibly lessen the reputation, which they were solicitous to exalt: viewing, with the суе of affection, what will be seen with other eyes, when examined by the critic, they may dilserve the cause which they withed to promote. Hence has it sometimes happened, that the literary fame of authors, of no mean note, has been considerably diminished by injudicious editors; who, not difcriminating between what was left revised and prepared for the press, and that which was never intended for the public eye, have done no honour to the memory of their departed friends. On the other hand, it ought not to be forgotten, that many useful and excellent works, calculated to advance the cause of religion, virtue, and learning, may be consigned to unmaited 'oblivion, through an excess of modefty and diffidence, often as inseparable from genuine worth and extraordinary talents, as is arrogance or self-conceit from ignorance or fuperficial learning. They, therefore, deserve welt of mankind, who will take the pains to select and prepare for posthumous publication such valuable writings. In this latter class may these two voluines of Discourses and Letters be justly ranked.

Mr. WELLS, as is stated in a short, but intercfting, account of his life, prefixed to the first volume, was a man “Of an uncommonly great understanding, cultivated, with the utmost care, by deep ftudy; having, from his earliest youth, read and con lidered the best books, in the Greek language particularly ; in which he was allowed to be a moft accurate scholar ; which was an advantage in what he Audied beyond all other things, the fcriptures, daily and hourly almoft; and, from his cruly Christian temper and disposition, added to those other qualifications, he was peculiarly ficted for the itudy of divine things." He died in the year 1765, about 65 years of age."

His manuscripts, after his decease, fell into the hands of a

a

"If we mistake not, the lace Rev. Philip, Cocks, A. M, Rector of Acton, Middlesex." NQ. xxxI, VOL. VIII.

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very worthy divine, not long since dead; to one of whose brothers Mr. Wells had proved hiinfelé a most valuable tutor and sincere friend, having received his young pupil, at the most critical period of his life, from the hands of a worthJess and unprincipled profligate, who had abused the confidence reposed in him by a moft refpectable family; “ being - unwearied in his endeavours to pervert his pupil's judgment,

and corrupt his mind." To one, who had fnatched a tenderly
-beloved brother from impending ruin," and inculcated
into his mind the principles of true religion and virtue,” every
token of grateful respect was due ; , and to one, entertaining no
-finall portion of veneration for the memory of so truly amiable
- character as ' Mr. W. appears to have been; having
-the same view of things, the fame simplicity of cha-
'racter, the fame suavity and calmness of temper, the fame
great learning and reverence for the holy Scriptures, and being
fo peculiarly qualified for the task ; it would have proved a wel-
"come office to revise and correct, for the press, some of Mr.
Wells's papers. This the excellent person, into whose
chands Mr. WELLS's writings fell, determined upon doing :
but ill health soon discouraged, and, at last, disabled him,

even from making a beginning. It now devolved to a survi-
ving fifter, at an advanced period of life, to make the in-
tended selection; and, with the affistance of a clerical friend,
'who took upon himself the whole business of selecting, ar-
ranging aud preparing the manuscripts for the press, and cara
Tying them through it; two volumes of Sermons, with some few
Letters fubjoined, are now first published.
"Having perused the Discourses with a considerable degree of
attention, we hefitate not to pronounce, that they postess the
merit of being plair and practical sermons, written on Chrif-
tian principles, and designed, with few exceptions, for the
public instruction of the inhabitants of a country parish, of
which Mr. Wells, for some years before his death, was the
incumbent. They are printed, as a short and affecting
dedication of them to a female friend informs us, as they were
written by the pious author, without any alteration or correc-
tion; and they exhibit a specimen of unadorned composition,
fuited to the comprehension of a country congregation.
Though plain and fimple, they contain nothing in the style
or sentiment, beneath the dignity of the pulpit ; and to rea-
ders, who take into their hands books on religious topics, ra-
ther for folid edification, than mere amusement, they will af-
ford much fatisfaction. To us they present the venerable
character of the pious parifh-priest, inculcating,
upon line, and precept upon precept," the fundamental doc-

by line

trines and great' duties of Christianity; more attentive to things than words; more studious to edify his hearers, than to excite an admiration of himself by an oftentatious display of talents.

From these remarks the reader will not be led to expect either the elaborate discussion of abftrufe points in theology, or the limæ labor, in the construction of the sentences : but he will not be disappointed, if he look for better things; for the pious instruction of " a scribe well instructed unto the kingdom of God, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” Having premised thus much, we need only lay before our readers the Subjects of the several discourses contained in the two volumes, and make some few extracts, which will en, able them, in some measure, to form their opinion of Mr. Wells's merit, both as a writer and a divine.

The first volume contains 30 Discourses on the following topics; viz. I. The first and fecond Advent of Chrift, 2 Theil. i. 1o. II. Christ the Saviour of Sinners, Matt. i.

III. Prophetical Representations of Christ's Salvation, Matt. i. 21. IV. Chrift the Dayspring from on high, Luke i. 78, 29. V. The Nativity of Christ, Luke ii. 10, il. VI. The Death of Chrift, 2 Cor. v. 20, 21. VII. The Resurrection of Christ, 1 Cor. xv. '14. VIII. The Ascension of Chrift, Acts. i. 9. IX. The Gift of Tongues, Acts. ii. 16, 17, X. The Divinity of Chrift, John i.. 18.XI. The Rite of Confirmation, Mark x. 14, 15. XII. The Excellency of the Law of the Jews, (preached at St. Mary's, Oxford, before the University, Nov. 10, 1754) Pfalm xix. 9, 10, 11, XIII. The first and great Commandment, Matt. xxii. 37. 38. XIV. The Witness of God in fruitful Seasons; Acts xiii. 1 XV. The Knowledge of God, a Call to honour and obey him in our lives, Rom. i. 20, 21. XVI. The Goodness of God, Pfalm .cxlv. 9. XVII. The divine Mercy the proper Motive to Charity, Ephef. iv. 31, 32. i XVIII. The Meature and Rewards of Beneficence, Luke vi. 36, 37, 38. XIX. The Creation of Man in the Image of God, Genesis

XX.. Religious Gratitude and Admiration of the Works of God, Psalm viii6, 7, 8, 9. XXI. Love of Friends and Country, Luke vii. 54, 5, 6. XXII. Dependence on God's Providence, Matt. vi. ii: XXIII. The Marriage Feaft,

. Matt. xxii. 2. XXIV. The unjust Steward, Luke xvi. 10, 11, 12. XXV. The Pearl of great Price, Matt. xiii. 45, 46. XXVI. The Gospel a Light and Joy to the World, Ephef. v, 14. XXVIIConfeflion of Sins to God, Matt. ji. 6. XXVIII. Godly. Sorrow, 2 Cor, vi 10. XXIX. The Penitent restored, Psalm li. 12. XXX. God the Chrif.

. tian's Supreme Good, Psalm cxix. 57.

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i. 26, 27:

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