have habitually, or frequently, or occasionally, or (we believe we might add) ever been made at those meetings; and, if the accusation is persisted in, let the evidence be produced.

Probably the right reverend prelate, whose language is not always the most precise, intended his complaint to apply, not to the meetings of the general society, but to those of minor associations. At one or two of these, an instance may possibly have occurred of sentiments indiscreetly expressed; but, considering the number of these associations, we are well persuaded that such instances have been extremely rare-so rare as to be in fact evanescent-and that the reports which have been circulated of them are shameful exaggerations. It is to be feared that the Bishop may have been misled by the writings of one conspicuous disputant on the subject of the Bible Society-a person, whose disingenuous perseverance in charges confessedly founded on anonymous information, after the parties affected by such charges have flatly denied them, and have challenged him for his proofs, ought for ever to exclude him from the pale of honourable controversy. Why then should those, who would disdain to follow his example, condescend to rely on his authority?

In taking our leave of the Bishop of Carlisle on this occasion, we certainly cannot but admire the general good temper with which (mistaken as we deem him) his Charge is composed; but must, at the same time, acknowledge, that the satisfaction which the manner of his address afforded is much

more than compensated by our regret at the opinions it contains. We feel afresh afflicted by every new instance in which a prelate of the English Church commits the weight of his authority in opposition to such a cause; and sincerely should we rejoice, if the right reverend person, on whose work we have been animadverting, could be induced to reconsider and recast his sentiments on this most important subject. The Bishop speaks with much piety of the long life with which he has been favoured. No circumstance, we presume to think, would crown that life with a happier termination, than his concurrence, even yet, in the measures which he has so unhappily condemned. Not wholly declining to entertain this hope, may we be allowed, in conclusion, respectfully to set before him a striking declaration from one of the most venerable of his brethren, in the Episcopate of another communion, the Archbishop Metropolitan of the Russian Greek Church::"It is extremely pleasing and gratifying to every Christian, and particularly ΤΟ EVERY CHRISTIAN BISHOP, to share in the sacred intentions of so beneficent a community: the object of which is, to spread among the people of the earth the salutary light of Divine Revelation; to illumine their understandings, not with earthly, but with heavenly and spiritual, wisdom; to form their hearts to the laws of God; and to extend and consolidate the kingdom of Jesus Christ."*

* Owen's History of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Vol. II. p. 426.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.
Hawthorn Hill, Bracknell, Berks,
Dec. 13th, 1816.
SIR,-From the respect I enter-

tain for the professed objects of your publication, it is painful to me to impute unfairness to it on a subject closely connected with those

objects. If the Reviewer of my work in your last Number (which has just reached me) had stated the nature of my argument against Mr. Malthus with the same fairness as he has stated that of Mr. Malthus himself, I should have had no reason to complain, whatever the conclusion might have been. But when, after a clear and concise statement of Mr. Malthus's argument,he proceeds(I presume through inadvertence) to misstate and misrepresent mine, entirely avoiding the real and obvious point of difference between us; however I might be tempted to feel gratification as an author, I do feel much sorrow as a man, anxious only for the discovery of truth on a subject deeply affecting the temporal and eternal interests of mankind. In support of the imputation I have made, I think that I might refer to almost every page in the part of the Review yet published; but I will be satisfied with pointing out to you one instance only. In p. 736, I am asserted " to ADMIT DISTINCTLY the tendency of population to increase indefinitely, while the productive powers of the earth are limited!" And this assertion is supported by a quotation, beginning at the middle of a sentence in the 107th page of my work, and which, WHEN THUS TAKEN, appears to convey such an admission. But I beg you, as a fair and impartial man, to refer to that page of my work, and you will find the passage to be no admission on my part, but merely an hypothetical statement of an adversary's argument made at the outset of a chapter, which I immediately devote the whole of the same chapter to answer. Surely, sir, such a mode of making out a case is unworthy of a journal professing your principles. I must add, too, that it is the less excusable, inasmuch as, among the many imperfections of my work, it can scarcely be accused of not having shown, very fully, that its OBJECT is almost exclusively to disprove

Mr. Malthus's assertion concerning the indefinite increase of population. To endeavour, therefore, to fix upon me a contradiction, by falsely stating that I FULLY ADMITTED such increase, is a course of criticism which I should scarcely have expected to discover in your journal. I wish I could say that the instance now pointed out is the only one of the same nature in the article to which I refer.

Having taken up my pen, I am induced to trouble you with a very few words concerning the real nature of my argument in opposition to Mr. Malthus. I admit that his principles give (as your Reviewer expresses himself)" a clear and elementary view" of the subject, as the author sees it; and if his view were the true one, this would be a great advantage. But if it be untrue, I apprehend that the philosophical and imposing manner in which it is advanced only renders it the more dangerous. Now, I have ventured to deny its TRUTH, in one of its fundamental propositions-viz. that the natural force of the principle of population, if left perfectly free, is capable of doubling the actually existing numbers of people as rapidly in the advanced states of society as in the American Colonies:-and I have stated, that I believe the gratuitous assumption of this capability to be the great deception advanced in Mr. Malthus's work. It necessarily leads his readers, and has in fact led many of them, to suppose that the natural force of the principle of population, as established by the Creator, is greater than in fact it is; and to despair of the efficacy of any moral means of ameliorating the condition of mankind in opposition to it, when the powers of the soil become contracted from full cultivation. The TRUTH or falsehood, however, of the proposition, and not its consequences, or the mode of enunciating it, is the real question. I have endeavoured to impeach its truth, by showing that,

THAT only can properly be said to be natural to a moral agent of which he is morally or physically capable ;-that as society advances, through all its gradations, from the early stage observed in the American Colonies, man does certainly become physically and morally less capable of increasing his numbers, although left to the free operation of his own will; until at length, at a high point of civilization, the natural force of the principle of population may probably become incapable of further increasing the existing number of people. Therefore, I believe that Mr. Malthus's assumption is untrue, that man continues "to the end of time" equally capable of doubling his numbers, so far as the natural force of the principle of population is concerned.

This, sir, is my STATEMENT in its elementary parts. I have endeavoured to prove it in a variety of ways, and to draw it out into consequences; most of them, I venture to hope, favourable to the religion, the morals, and the happiness of mankind, according to the plain and rational meaning of those terms. If my statement be true; it seems also to relieve the subject from one of the most appalling difficulties under which it previously laboured-viz. the alleged extreme disproportion between the natural power of the soil to produce further food on the one side, and the natural power of the principle of population on the other, as the former evidently becomes contracted in the advanced stages of society. I confess that my imagination fails in conceiving any moral means by which this extreme natural disproportion (as it is frequently asserted by Mr. Malthus) can possibly be reconciled, consistently with the revealed will of God to

man.

I wish, sir, for nothing more than to see the question fairly stated, and fairly met: and I have unfeignedly rejoiced at seeing it lately

so treated by persons who in some respects dissent from my opinions.

Having now trespassed at great length upon your attention, I shall omit or defer many other observations which press upon my mind; and only add, that you are at liberty to print this letter in the next Number of your journal, or to throw it into the fire, as to your candour may seem best.

I have the honour to be, sir,
Your humble servant,

JOHN WEYLAND, jun. P. S. I think it fair to state, that I retain a copy of this letter, which I consider myself entitled to hold at my own disposal, according to circumstances.

We confess ourselves to be not a little surprised at the tone of the preceding letter. We admit that we mistook, and therefore inadvertently misstated, Mr. Weyland's meaning in one passage, and we exceedingly regret the mistake. But surely no impartial reader will infer, from the general tenor of our Review of this work, that it was not our wish to treat Mr. Weyland with the respect to which he is most justly entitled, and which we really feel for his character and talents; or that we could have any view, in the part we have taken in this discussion, except the promotion of sound knowledge on a very important question.

Mr. Weyland ought in fairness to have waited until be had seen the second as well as the first part of our Review, before he proceeded in a strain of so much irritation to animadvert upon it generally. He would, in that case, have found every essential part of his system brought forward in a manner which ought to satisfy him, because it is done chiefly in his own language. We must in candour add, that nothing contained in his letter has in the slightest degree altered our sentiments on the questions at issue between him and Mr. Maltbus, or led us to think, that with the ex

ception of the error already acknowledged, we have done him the slightest wrong. Mr. Weyland, indeed, insinuates that there are similar mistakes in every page of the first part of the Review. We think he must have been betrayed by the warmth of his feelings into

the sweeping generality of this iutimation. But if otherwise, and that he will take the trouble to point out those other errors to which he alludes, and of which he professes to be satisfied with pointing out only one instance, we shall be very ready to correct them.

GREAT BRITAIN. In the press-Lay Sermons, by Mr. Coleridge, addressed to the Middle and Labouring Classes, on the present Distresses of the Country ;-Letters from the late Mrs. Carter, to the late Mrs. Montagu, in two volumes 8vo. ;-Sermons by the Rev. John Martin, more than forty years pastor of the Baptist Church in Keppel-street, in 2 volumes; -Biblical Criticisms on the Books of the Old Testament, and Translations of Sacred Songs, with Notes Critical and Explanatory, by the late Bishop Horsley; -A New Volume of Poems by Mr. Leigh Hunt;-Sermons on the Offices and Character of Jesus Christ, by the Rev. T. Bowdler, M. A. ;-An Account of the Island of Jersey, by W. Plees, many years resident in the Island: with engravings;-A Tour through Belgium along the Rhine, and through the North of France, by James Mitchell, M. A.; -The Second Volume of Mr. Southey's History of Brazil;-No. II. of Stephens' Greek Thesauras;-The First Volume of "The Annual Obituary," containing 1. Memoirs of celebrated Men who have died within the year 1816. 2. Neglected Biography. 3. Analyses of recent Biographical Works. 4. An Alphabetical List of all the Persons who have died within the British dominions ;-A VoJume of Sermons, by the late Rev. Dr. Vincent, Dean of Westminster; with an Account of his Life, by the Rev. Archdeacon Nares;-Female Scripture Biography, by the Rev. F. A. Cox, A.M.

A Memoir of the life of Dr. Claudius Buchanan, late Vice-Provost of the College of Fort William, and the wellknown author of several valuable works on the Moral and Religious State of our Asiatic Dominions, has been prepared

from authentic documents by the Rev. Hugh Pearson, M. A. of Oxford, and is now printing in two volumes 8vo.

The first Number of a Work, called the Correspondent, which will be continued every two months, appeared on the 1st instant: its price is 5s. It consists of Letters, Moral, Political, and Literary, between eminent persons in France and England; and is designed, by presenting to each nation a faithful picture of the other, to enlighten both to their true interests, promote a mutual good understanding between them, and render peace the source of a common prosperity. They have been long kept in ignorance of each other's true characters and attainments. The revolutionary governments of France pursued a settled policy of animosity and rancour; and, by means of the interruption of communication, the absolute slavery of the continental press, and the regular employment of hired libellers, succeeded in misrepresenting the views and conduct of England. On our side, we have also been accustomed to view France with much prejudice; and what there has been to admire' in her, has been thrown into the shade by the prominence of objects creating only horror or disgust. In short, ignorant travellers, factious journalists, the mistakes of the prejudiced, and the artifices of the malevolent, have left the two nations in a great degree blind to each other's real merits, mutually suspicious and mutually deceived. To correct these misconceptions, is the object of the Correspondent, which will contain about an equal proportion of the letters of French and English writers; the whole of which will appear in English at London, and in French at Paris. It is scarcely pos

sible to enumerate all the subjects which such a work will embrace. Whatever is interesting in morals, in politics, or literature, will fall within the scope of its plan, provided it be drawn from authentic documents, or indisputable testimony. The English Editor is Dr. Stoddart, a name well known in both countries, as having already rendered essential service by his pen to the cause of truth, order, and rational liberty. The Number which has already appeared, gives a fair promise of future usefulness and success. The English articles, besides a very able introductory paper, consist of letters on the complaints of agricultural and commercial distress in England; on the municipal corporations of England, and on the corporation of London in particular; on the life of John Wesley, the founder of the English Methodists; on the political societies formed in Germany during the period of Bonaparte's despotism; on the affairs of Spain; on Junius. The French translated articles are, on the royalists of Brittany, and the marquis de la Rouerie; on the terms Liberal Ideas and Ultra Royalists; on the electoral colleges and chamber of deputies; on the means of eradicating mendicity; on the state of parties in France; on the revision of the French code; on the proceedings of the present Chamber of Deputies and on Fouche's letter to the Duke of Wellington. These papers, in general, are distinguished by their ability and great extent of information. We were particularly struck with the life of John Wesley, and the letter on the affairs of Spain. In short, we have no hesitation in warmly recommending the work to all our readers who take an interest in the very momentous subjects which are here treated of, or who are anxious to aid the truly laudable and patriotic objects for which it has been set on foot; namely, the promotion between England and France of that spirit of union which is the true bond of national peace.

A Work has been regularly published, for some years past, at the beginning of each year, entitled, "Time's Telescope," comprising a great variety of miscellaneous and scientific information. The volume for the present year contains, a complete guide to the Almanack for the year; astronomical phenomena in every month; the Naturalist's Diary, explaining appearances in the animal and vegetable kingdom; Sketches of com

parative Chronology; the principles of Zoology, &c.

Since the opening of the trade to India, on the 14th April, 1814, to private individuals. upwards of 200 ships, of the burden of 350 tons and upwards, have procured licenses.

RUSSIA.

Before the year 1811 the Constitution of Russia was an absolute autocracy; but at that period the Emperor Alexander declared that it should be in future a constitutional monarchy; and that the will of the sovereign should be regulated by a code of laws.-The government is composed of, 1. The Senate of the Empire, which in 1811 was composed of thirty-five members; 2. Of the Directing Senate, as the superior authority; 3. Of the Holy Directing Senate; and, 4. Of the High Ministers.— The revenues of the state in 1811 were 215,000,000 rubles. The expenses were the same year 274,000,000. The army in 1810 was 621,155 men; of which 110,000 were irregular troops. The navy in 1803 comprised 269 sail of different sizes, carrying 4,348 guns ; 32,046 sailors; 8,268 marines; and 4,000 gunners. The established religion is the Greek, which reckons four metropolitan churches; eleven archbishoprics; nineteen bishoprics; 26,747 churches, and a great number of convents.-In 1811 there were estimated of the following persuasions, 3,500,000 Catholics; 1,400,000 Lutherans; 3,800 Reformed Protestants; 9,000 of the Unitas Fratrum, cr Moravians; 5,000 Memnonites; 60,000 Armenians; 3,000,000 Mohammedans; 300,000 worshippers of the Daila Lama; 600,000 adorers of Fetiches, or idols, &c. &c.

CHINA.

The embassy to China, headed by Lord Amherst, arrived at Macao early in July last, whence, in a few days, he proceeded to Pekin. His lordship had received a very favourable letter from the Emperor.

CEYLON.

The following is an extract of a letter from the Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, the Chief Justice of Ceylon, to a friend in this country, dated Colombo, 22d July, 1816.

"I have, for the last ten years of my residence in Ceylon, been endeavouring, as I believe I have often mentioned to you, to get the principal proprietors of slaves on the island to fix a day after which all children born of their slaves