Hannah More, and others of the most judicious, scriptural, and consistent Christians of this and other ages. There was a time when our own pages were represented as unchristian, hostile to the Church of England, and unfit to be seen upon any orthodox table, because we took our humble share, with those and other valued friends -many of them now in a better worldin endeavouring to bring back our fellowChurchmen to the principles of their own Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy; or because we vindicated a Wilberforce from

of the hill. The tree, you observe, from being near, appears higher than the hill which is distant; though the hill actually is much higher than the tree. Now this tree represents to my mind the objects of time; that hill, the objects of eternity. The former, like the tree, from being viewed near at hand, appear great: the latter, like the hill, from being viewed at a distance, appear small.' Speaking of the enfeebled state of my health, which was the occasion of my present absence from home, she advised me to be particularly on my guard against undue excitement. The disciples,' she observed, 'could sleep in sorrow;' and she had found that she could sleep far better after a day of affliction, than after an interview which has caused much excitement. Her own character through life, she said, had been marked by impatience; not that impatience which would lead her to be peevish towards her servants or others around her; but that which led her to push on a work, when she had commenced it, till it was completed; and to this trait in her character, especially, she attributed the fact of her having written so much. She remarked that she had never been able to quote from her own writings; that her companion would often read to her paragraphs from them, and she did not recognize them as her own; and though her memory, in regard to most subjects, seems to be very perfect, she assured us that she could not now recollect the titles of all her works; and having occasion to refer to one of them while we were sitting with her, she looked up to the book-case in which they were, and said, I do not remember the title, but it is something about Christianity I believe.' She presented me with her last work on the Spirit of Prayer, saying that it was principally a compilation from her other works, and was dictated to a friend, while she was confined to her bed, and supposed herself near the gate of eternity; that she felt the importance of the subject so deeply that she determined to send the work to the press, though the sale of it should be limited to fifty copies; but that eight thousand copies were disposed of within less than six months. She also presented me with another work

the absurd and party-spirited charge brought against him by a Daubeny, of "decrying"-not merely omitting or discouraging, but absolutely “decrying good works ;" and because we did not, with the Anti-Jacobin Reviewers-speaking, they said, the opinion of the large majority of the bishops and clergy, of the two universities, and of ninety-nine hundredths of the Church of England laity denounce "the senseless and unscriptural gibberish of Wilberforce." We bless God that times are changed; and that in every part

Of

of her's, which I had never seen before, entitled, Hints to a young Princess;' and accounted for its not having been printed in America, as her other works have been, from the fact that it was deemed inapplicable to our form of government; though, she remarked, that with the exception of forty pages, it applied equally to the education of all females in the higher walks of life. the late Princess Charlotte, for whose benefit this work was particularly designed, she spoke as a most amiable, accomplished and promising character, and expressed the hope that she died the death of the righteous. Mrs. More dissuaded her from learning music, on the ground that it would occupy time, which might be employed by her in more important pursuits and that it was unnecessary, inasmuch as she could always have professors of eminence to perform in her presence.

"She told us that the place on which she resides had been in her possession twenty-six years; that when she purchased it, it was in a wild, uncultivated state; and that whatever ornamental trees or shrubs we should see, in walking over it, were planted by her own hand. As we passed round the enclosure, we saw at almost every step some monument of the taste of this wonderful woman. We were particularly struck with the wild beauty of a Druidical temple, as Mrs. More called it, made of knots of oak, disposed in such a manner as to represent the most fanciful figures. Her dwelling is a thatched cottage, standing on the declivity of a gently sloping hill, overlooking the church and village of Wrington, a charming verdant vale, and commanding a view of Bristol Channel, and a beautiful range of hills which skirt the distant horizon. After going over her grounds, we returned for a short time to her chamber, where she had provided some refreshment for us, and where she again entertained us by her delightful conversation. On taking leave of her, she expressed the kindest sentiments, and, with an air of unaffected humility, desired me to remember her in my approaches to a Throne of Mercy; and added, that she attached great importance to intercessory prayer; and that she felt

of the land are now to be found not a few who believe, and preach, and practise those blessed truths, which, thirty years ago, were too generally accounted strange things in Episcopal pulpits and Church of England publications. How much of this national revival of religion may be traced to the writings of the two individuals above mentioned, will never be ascertained till the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. At that day, "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars, for ever and

ever."

We subjoin two copies of verses, which have been sent us for insertion.

To the Memory of Mr. Wilberforce. WHAT is the charm of sweetest, holiest worth, To him who loves with early dawn to muse O'er nature bright'ning into daylight hues; Giving each form of grace and grandeur birth, As if all things were new in heaven and earth? Oh! 'tis a charm we feel, but cannot name; Something to hush the voice, and fix the eye, Beyond the purple tint and golden flame, Beyond the blushing of the gorgeous sky:

A thought within the heart,-that GoD is nigh. So, Wilberforce, thy zeal for man below

Was more than earth-born love of human-kind; And souls that kindled in thy burning glow, Felt 'twas the Saviour's sunlight on the mind. M. G. S.

On the Death of Mr. Wilberforce. RAISE we the requiem o'er a noble mind, With richest stores of various learning fraught; Where fancy, taste, and feeling were combin'd With all a master's energy of thought; Where sparkling wit with harmless weapon shone,

For sober judgment claim'd the poignard as her

own.

that she was a poor creature who needed an interest in the prayers of God's people as much as any one.

"After leaving this interesting spot, which I am sure will be associated through life with some of my most delightful recollections, we rode into the village of Wrington, distant about half a mile, to see the birth-place of the illustrious Locke. It was not the residence of his parents, but providentially his mother was there at the time of his birth. The house in which he was born is very small, and is occupied by Mrs. More's washer-woman. The old lady who inhabits it seemed very familiar with the honour which appertained to her dwelling, and shewed us the chamber in which the illustrious philosopher first saw the light; but though she talked abundantly of John Locke, she evidently knew as little who he was, as any old lady of the same standing on the opposite side of the Atlantic. On leaving Wrington, we again passed Barley Wood on our return to Bristol; and I kept my eye on that charming spot till it was hidden behind the hill, though my imagination still lingers about it with unabated interest. I could not but reflect,

Raise we the requiem over one who moved
In private circles with peculiar grace;
Lofty, but humble; reverenc'd, belov'd;
Shading his power by kindness, playfulness,
Till those who might have shrunk before his
might,

Bound by a spell, remain'd in calm, entranced delight.

High was his fame: for senates oft had heard
With wonder that harmonious eloquence;
And injur'd Africa had caught the word-

Her chains had burst beneath its influence; And her dark sons now learn to breathe the name Of him who thought of them when sunk in guilt and shame.

Slow peals the anthem o'er the open'd tomb, Where prince and peer in solemn state attend; Sad train, with sable stole and nodding plume, And grief of heart for a departed friend. Is there no ray to lighten deep distress? Is there no voice from heav'n to comfort and to bless?

Yes! all his pow'rs he cast before the Cross:

He fought the glorious fight, he kept the faith; His richest gain he learn'd to count as loss: Patient he wrestled, faithful unto death. Higher than earthly meed remains untoldHis is the blood-bought harp, the conqueror's crown of gold.

Then hush the requiem-raise a nobler layFaith lifts her eye, and Hope expands her wings.

Glory to Him, the Life, the Truth, the Way, A sinner dies-a soul to rapture springs! Glory to Him who bow'd unto the grave, But ever lives in heav'n to intercede and save.

S.

We little thought, when we commenced our notices of this honoured servant of God and friend of man, that before we concluded them we should be called to

inscribe among our Obituaries the name of another ever-dear and valued friend,

when I heard Mrs. More converse, and recollected what she had been, and saw what she was, that her's was one of the most honoured, useful, and happy lives that the world has known. In her progress through life, she has diffused blessings at every step; and has probably contributed far more to elevate the standard of female education and female character, than any other person living. Her old age is rendered serene and cheerful by a review of her past life on the one hand, and by a firm trust in the Saviour on the other; and she is now waiting, in the bright hope of immortality, till her change come. Few indeed can hope to descend to the tomb like her, amidst the benedictions of a world; but there are none who may not aspire to that which constitutes her noblest distinction -a life of faith and piety.

"I have extended my account of my visit at Barley Wood much beyond what I intended; but if any apology is necessary, you have it in the fact that it has made an impression upon my own mind which disposes me just at present to write and talk of nothing else.

"Yours, as ever, in the best bonds."

and the especial friend of Mr. Wilberforce

MRS. HANNAH MORE. We are unwilling in the few brief lines that remain of the present Number to attempt to open the fruitful theme which presents itself in connexion with that beloved and honoured name. What Wilberforce was among men, Hannah More was among women; and her writings powerfully co-operated with his, and his with hers, to produce that revival of pure and undefiled religion to which we have before adverted. The general outline of her character has been strikingly and eloquently described in the following paragraph, from the pen of one who knew her well and esteemed her highly.

"On the 7th of September, at her residence in Windsor Terrace, Clifton, in the 89th year of her age, after a painful and protracted illness, Mrs. Hannah More. Few persons have enjoyed a higher degree of public esteem and veneration than this excellent and distinguished lady. Early in life she attracted general notice by a brilliant display of literary talent, and was honoured with the intimate acquaintance of Johnson and Burke, of Reynolds and Garrick, and of many other highly eminent individuals, who equally appreciated her amiable qualities, and her superior intellect. But, under a deep conviction that to live to the glory of God, and to the good of our fellowcreatures, is the great object of human existence, and the only one which can bring peace at the last, she quitted in the prime of her days the bright circles of fashion and literature, and, retiring into the neighbourhood of Bristol, devoted herself to a life of active Christian benevolence, and to the composition of various works having for their object the religious improvement of mankind. Her pen could adapt itself with equal success to the instruction of the highest and of the humblest classes, and the numerous editions through which her various publications have passed attest the high sense enter tained by the public of their varied utility and excellence. Her practical conduct beautifully exemplified the moral energy of her Christian principles. She was the delight of a widely extended sphere of friends, whom she charmed by her mental powers, edified by her example, and knit closely to her in affection by the warmth and constancy of her friendship. She lived and walked in an atmosphere of love, and it was her delight to do good. The poor for many miles around her felt the

influence of her unceasing benevolence, and her numerous schools attested her zeal for the improvement and edification of the rising generation. In these works of faith and charity, she was aided for a long course of years by the concurring efforts of four sisters, who lived with her; who regarded her with mingled feelings of admiration and affection; and towards whom her conduct was ever marked by the kindest and most endearing consideration. It was truly a sisterhood animated by all the social and hospitable virtues. Mrs. Hannah More's last illness was accompanied by feverish delirium, but the blessed influence of Christian habits was strikingly exemplified even under the decay of extreme old age and its attendant consequences. Not seldom she broke forth into earnest prayer, and devout ejaculation; and invariably met the affec. tionate attentions of the friends who sedulously watched over her sick bed, by unceasing and most expressive returns of grateful love. The writer of this tribute to her memory saw her only the day before her last seizure, in November 1832, when she expressed to him in a most impressive manner the sentiments of a humble and penitent believer in Jesus Christ, assuring him that she reposed her hopes of salvation on His merits alone, and expressing at the same time a firm and joyful affiance on His unchangeable promises. In her excellent writings she will long live, not only as one of the brightest ornaments of her sex, but as the benefactress of her species."

We have felt a melancholy pleasure in thus adding to our notice of Mr. Wilberforce these few lines respecting Hannah More. They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths they have not long been divided; and we delight to think of them together as two eminent servants of God, whom He was pleased to render an especial blessing to mankind by their writings, their active exertions, and their personal example; and whom He has now translated to that brighter world, where the spirits of the just made perfect, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and purified by the Holy Spirit, are for ever before the throne of God; and we doubt not are permitted to recognise each other, that they may the better magnify the praises of that crucified Saviour through whom they were brought out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (To be continued.)

PARLIAMENT was prorogued on the 29th of August with the following Speech, delivered from the throne by his Majesty in

person; and which, though long, we copy, as a most serious document; intending to advert in detail, during the recess, to some

of the many momentous topics involved in it.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,-In opening the present Parliament, I stated that there had never at any former time been a session that would require greater industry and attention, in consequence of the magnitude of the questions that would be submitted to your consideration. The manner in which you have discharged the duties thus committed to you, now demands my warmest regard; and enables me to close a session not more remarkable for its extended duration than for the patience and persevering industry which you have employed in many laborious inquiries, and in perfecting the various legislative measures which have been brought under your consideration.

"I continue to receive from my allies, and from all foreign sovereigns, the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition. I regret that I cannot yet announce to you the conclusion of a definitive arrangement between Holland and Belgium; but the Convention which, in conjunction with the King of the French, I concluded, in May last, with the King of the Netherlands, prevents a renewal of hostilities in the Low Countries; and thus affords a fresh security for the general continuance of peace. Events which have lately taken place in Portugal have induced me to renew my diplomatic relations with that kingdom; and I have accredited a minister to the court of her Most Faithful Majesty Donna Maria. You may rest assured I look with great anxiety to the moment when the Portuguese monarchy, so long united with this country by the ties of alliance and by the closest bonds of interest, may be restored to a state of peace, and may regain its former prosperity. The hostilities which had disturbed the peace of Turkey have terminated; and you may be assured that my attention will be carefully directed to any event which may affect the present or the future independency of that empire.

"Your investigation, carefully prosecuted during the last session, has enabled you to renew the Charter of the Bank of England, on terms which appear to be well calculated to sustain public credit, and to secure the usefulness of that important establishment. The laborious inquiries carried on by Committees of both Houses of Parliament, for several successive sessions, have also enabled you to bring the affairs of the East-India Company to a satisfactory adjustment. I have the most confident expectation that the system of government thus established will prove to have been wisely formed for the improvement and happiness of the natives of India; and by the opening of the China trade, a new field has been afforded for the activity and the enterprize of British commerce. The state of Slavery in my Colonial possessions has ne

cessarily occupied a portion of your time and attention commensurate with the magnitude and the difficulty of the subject. Whilst your deliberations have been guided by the paramount consideration of justice and humanity, the interests of the colonial proprietors have not been overlooked. I trust that the future proceedings of the Colonial Legislatures, and the conduct of all classes in my colonies, may be such as to give full effect to the benevolent intentions of the Legislature, and to satisfy the just expectations of my people.

"It has given me great satisfaction to find that your attention has been directed to important amendments in the Law, by which titles to property have been rendered more secure, and its conveyance more easy. The proceedings in the courts, both of law and equity, are likewise rendered more expeditious, and less costly. The law, as it regards the Privy Council, has also my warmest approbation; and I have no doubt but that it will be attended with the greatest advantages, not only at home, but to suitors in my foreign possessions; and you may rest assured that no part of your labours can be more grateful to me than those which have for their object the rendering of justice easily accessible to all my subjects. I have appointed a commission to digest into one body all the enactments of our criminal law, and other branches of jurisprudence. I have also ordered a commission to inquire into the state of the municipal corporations, the result of which will enable you to mature those means which may appear the best adapted to secure their finances, their judication, and their police. In the mean time, two important Acts, giving corporations to places in Scotland, have already been passed; and at a future time it will become your duty to extend that privilege to the new boroughs in England.

"It was with the greatest pain I felt myself called upon to require from you additional powers to controul and punish the excesses in Ireland. This call was answered, as I confidently expected it would be, by your loyalty and firmness; and I have great pleasure in informing you that it was not found necessary, except in a very limited degree, to put into exercise the powers with which you invested me. It is with the greatest satisfaction I am enabled to inform you that the spirit of insubordination and violence that has so long disgraced that part of my dominions, has been in a great measure subdued; and I look forward with anxiety to the time when those severe laws may be withdrawn. In the mean time, it was with pleasure that I gave my consent to the salutary and remedial measures which you have passed. The Act which, in pursuance of my recommendation at the opening of the session, has now passed into a law, respecting the Temporalities

of the Church of Ireland-as well as the Acts regarding Vestry Assessments and the Jury System-must prove highly beneficial; and they afford the best proof that the fullest reliance may be placed upon my Parliament by every portion of the United Kingdom, and cannot fail to cement that legislative union which, with your assistance, I am determined, under all circumstances, ever to maintain inviolate.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, -I thank you for the supplies you have granted me. The estimates which I caused to be laid before you were lower than on any previous occasion; and you have applied the surplus to the diminution of the public burthens. By the practice of a judicious economy, notwithstanding all the exigencies of the state, you have been able to effect important reductions; and you have thus preserved the character you had acquired of guardians of the public purse.

66

My Lords and Gentlemen,-In returning to your respective counties, you will carry with you the assurance of the gratitude of your country; and during the recess you will pay that attention to the useful and honourable discharge of those duties that devolve upon you, and, by the blessing of Divine Providence, tend so much to support the people in their love to the institutions of their country, in obedience to the laws, and those moral virtues which ensure the safety and happiness of nations."

We cannot advert at present to the many important topics included in the above address, several of which we have already noticed, and intend recurring to during the recess of Parliament. But the very enumeration of the points to which legislation has been directed, and on many of which a decision has been come to, while others of great moment await an early discussion, will shew how overwhelming are the responsibilities of the Legislature, and especially of the House of Commons, under its new organization. Never was there a session in which so many questions of large magnitude were agitated, and in which such a rapid succession of measures, involving the most important interests, were determined upon. Well might the Speaker say, in his address to the Throne, that," In reviewing our labours of the last seven months, it may, I think, be truly said, that the history of Parliament will not furnish a session so wholly engrossed and overwhelmed with matters so various and so difficult in their character, and so deeply important to the vital interests of the empire, as this session, which, with your Majesty's permission, is now about to close. We have applied our most anxious attention to the completing new arrangements with the Bank of England

-to the renewal of the Charter of the East India Company-to the opening the

trade and commerce of this country with China to the abolition of Slavery in the West India colonies-to the revisal and alteration of the Temporalities of that part of our Established Church in Ireland -to the making good the payment of the tithe-owners of Ireland of those arrears to which they were legally entitled, but of which, from the disturbed state of some parts of the country, they have been illegally deprived-and to the endeavour (and I hope experience already entitles me to add, the successful endeavour) to restore the public peace and the security of life and property in that part of the United Kingdom, by the adoption of such measures of strength and severity as seemed alone adequate under such pressing necessities. Indeed, Sire, I may say that matters as important as numerous, involving the greatness, the stability, and the welfare of this country, in its credit, in its colonial prosperity, in its trading and commercial interests, in the internal tranquillity of a portion of the empire, and in some of its great and ancient institutions, have altogether most fearfully pressed upon us during the present session."

Sir Robert Inglis, on presenting the forty-second Report from the Select Committee on public Petitions, observed, that there had been presented a greater number of petitions than had ever been presented during any former session of Parliament, and that the House had sat a much longer time than had distinguished any previous session. The House had sat twice as many days as in some former sessions, and nearly three times as many hours. The present session had sat 142 days, and 1,270 hours. The session of 1806 had sat 125 days and 645 hours, an average of five hours a-day. In 1811, it sat 135 days, and 588 hours, being an average of four hours and a half a-day. In 1814, it sat 127 days and 476 hours, being an average of under four hours a-day. Before Easter the House had often sat nine hours a-day; since Easter it had often sat considerably more than twelve hours a-day; the average for the whole session, however, was nine hours a-day.

From the preceding syllabus, and from the unprecedented number of notices already on the books of the House of Commons for next session, it is clear that the future labours of the legislature will be most laborious; and as every Member has now a constituency who will expect his diligent attendance upon his parlia mentary duties, there will eventually be an utter extinction of that large class of senators who were mere idlers, assuming the office only as a sinecure honour, or in order to vote occasionally upon a party question. The majority of the members must now of necessity be working men, and also men who take an interest, whether for good or evil, in the public