him, small as are his worldly gifts, far above many THE PEASANTRY OF ENGLAND.

an artificer in the crowded city, who boasts of his Next to the class of country gentlemen, there are

extended mental endowments, and who lives in the few portions of the population whose welfare and

midst of comparative luxury ;--- yes! even above happiness are more important to the country at

many an individual still higher in the social scale, large than the peasantry of England; under which possessing talents, information, and wealth; but term we mean to include the whole of the labour

who, in common with the last, in the midst of all ing class who are employed in agricultural pur

his plenishing and merchandise, whether of the suits. We are aware that it is the fashion with

intellect, or of gold and of silver, it is to be feared certain liberal and enlightened persons in the pre

still wants that goodly pearl, which, when he has sent day to affect to decry the members of this ex

once found, he would do well to sell even his tensive class, to talk contemptuously of them as

choicest possessions, and to go and purchase it. stupid and ignorant, and, in some instances, even

Who that has gone forth from the crowded city to look upon them as little better than the earth

into the country, and has passed a Sunday in some which they are employed in cultivating. It is cer

lone and sequestered village,—who that has viewed tainly true they may not be acquainted with a

the perfect quiet, the almost holy repose, the calmsmattering of some one of the mechanical sciences;

ness and serenity of such a scene on such a day, they may not be able to talk in the scientific jargon

who that has heard those sacred bells which on acquired by attendance at a mechanics' institute;

each Sabbath morn, with sweet and solemn sound, they may not be able to consider theories of go proclaim to all the hour of prayer,vernment and legislation, to investigate the re “How many blessed groups this hour are bending, spective merits of monarchies and republics, or

Through England's primrose meadow paths, their way

Toward spire and tower 'midst shadowy elms ascending, even to discuss the advantages of a voluntary or

Whence the sweet chimes proclaim the hallow'd day! an established Church ; they may not perhaps un

un- || The halls, from old heroic ages grey, derstand the principles of free-trade, or the ele

he ele. Pour their fair children forth; and hamlets low

With whose thick orchard-blooms the swift wind ments of political economy. No; these brilliant

Send out their inmates in a happy flow, advantages, which we suppose are claimed by mo Like a freed vernal stream ;" dern philosophers for the artisans of our great and at their holy summons has seen the population towns, the agricultural class do not possess ; but

of the village in their decent and cleanly holyday they possess knowledge, which some old-fashioned

attire, wending their sober way in one continuous persons, we are disposed to believe, will think

stream towards the house of God-the aged grandquite as valuable, if not more so, than that which

sire bowed down with years, the hale and vigorous we have mentioned. They understand the culti

peasant with his rustic partner, and their ruddy vation of the fruits of the earth; they can describe

and cheerful offspring trotting at their side, -who the production of that which is emphatically called

that has entered with them within one of those the staff of life ; for they are accustomed to watch

temples of the Most High, which adorn each disits progress from the time when, as a little grain,

trict of this favoured land with their simple and it is dropped into the earth, until the period when, ||

beautiful architecture, and guide the weary wanhaving attained its full measure and stature, as the ||

| derer in this world of sorrow to those realms which ripe and golden-clustered corn, it bends before the

| are above the tomb and has observed the earnest sickle of the reaper. They can tell the names of

and serious demeanour of this humble congregathe trees of the forest, and of the plants which

tion, the watchful attention with which they listen adorn the fields; they can declare the times in

to those portions of the Book of Life, those prayers which they put forth their leaves, and expand

and praises from our incomparable liturgy which their many-coloured flowers ;-yes ! we have heard

are read by the minister of God, and to those excountry peasants answer questions on these sub

positions of the Scriptures which fall from him in jects, which we firmly believe would have puzzled

the pulpit ;-who is there who has witnessed all many a would-be scientific theorist, who, dwelling

this, and has not been compelled involuntarily to in the midst of the great city, prides himself upon

feel respect and regard for those humble rustics, the knowledge which he has acquired from study

their sober and religious conduct, their sincere ing elaborate treatises on the history of vegetation,

piety, their quiet and contented disposition, and to but who has neglected, in the plenitude of his con

draw a comparison in his own mind between what ceit, to turn over the life-breathing pages of the

is passing before him, and those sad and disgracebook of nature. The country peasant, moreover,

ful scenes which too often, we fear, profane the knows the signs of the seasons, the changes of the

same sacred day in many of our greater towns,weather; he can foretel the coming of the refresh

who is there, in short, who can judge between ing shower, and the approach of the raging tem

order and disorder, between piety and licentious. pest. But this is not all the knowledge which he

ness, between content and turbulence, who shall possesses ; le has that which is far more excellent,

presume to speak slightingly or with an affectation which is above all price, which lifts the mind from

of contempt of our rural population ? the cares and troubles of this passing scene to that

We are aware it may perhaps be said, in answer happiness which fadeth not away, and raises man

to the picture which we have attempted to draw, from earth to heaven,—the knowledge of God and

that it is too highly coloured, and that the good of his will, of his redemption by the Son of God,

qualities of the class in question are too favourably and of his sanctification by the Holy Spirit. It is

delineated. Of course, we never intended to assert, such gists as these which impart a true and genuine

that in no rural village was drunkenness to be found, respectability, even a moral dignity, to the cha

discontent to be met with, or that amidst a very racter of the humble country- peasant, and raise Il general respect for religion and its divine ordi

1 From "Sketches of Country Life." W nances, examples of an opposite kind of feeling

were not occasionally to be discovered. No rule || dual in a country village absents himself from atis without its exceptions; and there is no reason | tendance at church, he becomes, in a certain sense, to suppose, that the individuals who compose the a marked character, not only in the eyes of the agricultural class are to be entirely uninfluenced clergyman, and of the rest of his superiors, but by those circumstances which operate on other por- || also with his neighbours and equals, and is very tions of the community. We spoke of the general | soon looked upon with a degree of suspicion and condition of the peasantry, and meant not to deny mistrust. They go not to church with a wish to that amidst a prevalence of good some evil might doubt or to cavil, or to detect any inadvertent not exist. We feel convinced that the character slip or imperfection in the sermon delivered to of this part of the population only requires to be them by their spiritual instructor ;-far from it, examined and studied, in order to confirm the | They attend, filled with feelings of respect for their statement which has been made. The exceptions, pastor, and with the determination to receive not indeed, prove the truth of the rule in this case in only what he reads to them from the Word of God a most striking manner. The instances of evil and from the book of prayer, but what they hear which are to be found, the examples of drunken from the pulpit as well, with implicit faith and unness and profligacy, of discontent, of turbulence, hesitating trust. How enviable is such a frame of and of irreligion, which occasionally force them mind! How devoutly should we all strive to at. selves on our notice amongst the peasantry of Eng. tain it! and yet, little as some persons may imagine land, all tend to shew, in the strongest manner, the likelihood of such a result, the acquisition of from the origin to which they may generally be this disposition is placed in the power of all,-of traced, the almost entire absence in a country life all, we mean, who possess the wish. It requires of all exciting causes to produce such effects, and not any commanding power of intellect, or any declare as clearly as possible that they are derived persuasive force of genius; it is more an effect of from sources alien to the habits of the peasantry. the will than of the understanding, which is neces

It will generally be found, that in proportion as sary for the full development of belief. Nothing communication between the metropolis or any of can be so foolish, so absurd, nothing can display. the greater towns and any country district is in more striking or palpable inconsistency, than the creased, so do the decorum and propriety of be- | practice which is adopted by some persons (who haviour, the purity of manners, and respect for imagine that in so doing they are only indulging in religion, which have previously existed, diminish; what they call a candid and philosophical spirit of and that where this intercourse does not take place, investigation) of discussing in a cold and unimthe orderly and religious habits prevail which are passioned manner the great truths of revelation, of usually found in a country village,-a fact in itself examining into their comparative clearness and obsufficient to lead us to the conclusion, that there scurity, and speaking of them as if it were even a must be some one circumstance connected with a matter of question whether they are to be made a rural life which, independent of that calmness and subject of belief or not. If we acknowledge the repose belonging to it, possesses sufficient power | omnipotence of the Deity, we are guilty of the most to counteract the temptations incidental to its own | gross and absurd contradiction if we do not receive nature ; since this corrective influence generally without either cavil or question every truth, howmanifests itself where the manners of the popula | ever inscrutable by our limited faculties, which tion are not corrupted by communication with a | He condescends to reveal unto us his weak and great town. The question is, what this is ? We dependent creatures. A humble and teachable answer, unhesitatingly, the prevalence of religious | disposition, a prostration of the understanding, principle. Notwithstanding the absence of those and an obedience of the will to the words of inspirtemptations peculiar to large communities, we || ation, are all that is required to enable the Chrismust not forget that wherever human beings are | tian to receive the most sublime truths of his blessed brought together, even in the limited numbers of faith. The philosopher, the man of science, and a small country village, there must always be evil the worldling, may each learn a lesson from the inclinations in existence, dormant indeed, but ever sincere and confiding belief of the country peasant, ready to be called forth, if not kept under restraint and one, moreover, of life and hope unto the soul. by some controlling power. Now the peasantry in the rural districts of England are accustomed from childhood to feel the influence of this restric

FRENCH REVOLUTIONISTS. tive power, in the form of respect for religion. As children, they are brought to church on each

Danton was not a mere bloodthirsty tyrant. Bold, successive Sunday, they are catechised by the

unprincipled, and daring, he held that the end in clergyman of the parish, and are, generally speak every case justified the means; that nothing was ing, instructed in the Sunday-school. And such blamable, provided it led to desirable results; that is the happy effect of this early discipline upon the

nothing was impossible to those who had the coumind, that in after-life they seldom lose the babit thus acquired of attending upon divine service.

rage to attempt it. A gigantic stature, a comJudging from our own experience, indeed, and we

manding front, a voice of thunder, rendered him believe the experience of most persons conversant the fit leader of assassins more timid or less ferowith country manners and life will fully bear out cious than himself. A starving advocate in 1789, the assertion, we should say that they not only re

he rose in audacity and eminence with the public gard their attendance as a duty, but look forward to it with feelings of gratification and pleasure.

disturbances; prodigal in expense, and drowned So strong and permanent, indeed, is the effect pro

in debt, he had no chance, at any period, even duced by this habit, that if any particular indivi- | From Alison's History of the French Revolution.

past.

of personal freedom, but in constantly advancing him, and the assassin of thousands met his fate with the fortunes of the Revolution. Like Mira- || with less courage than the meanest of his victims. beau, he was the slave of sensual passions ; like | Marat was the worst of the triumvirate. Nature him, he was the terrific leader, during his ascend- || had impressed the atrocity of his character on ency, of the ruling class; but he shared the cha- || his countenance ; hideous features, the expression racter, not of the patricians who commenced the || of a demon, revolted all who approached him. For Revolution, but of the plebeians who consummated || more than three years his writings had incessantly its wickedness. Inexorable in general measures, stimulated the people to cruelty: buried in obhe was indulgent, humane, and even generous to scurity, he revolved in his mind the means of individuals; the author of the massacres of the 2d augmenting the victims of the Revolution. In September, he saved all those who fled to him, and vain repeated accusations were directed against spontaneously liberated his personal adversaries | him ; flying from one sublerraneous abode to anfrom prison. Individual elevation, and the safety other, he still continued his infernal agitation of of his party, were his ruling objects; a revolution | the public mind. His principles were, that there appeared a game of hazard, where the stake was was no safety but in destroying the whole enemies the life of the losing party: the strenuous sup of the Revolution ; he was repeatedly heard to porter of exterminating cruelty after the 10th Au say, that there would be no security to the state gust, he was among the first to recommend a re till 280,000 heads had fallen. The Revolution turn to humanity, after the period of danger was produced many men who carried into execution

more sanguinary measures; none who exercised Robespierre possessed a very different cha so powerful an influence in recommending them. racter: without the external energy of his rival, | Death cut him short in the midst of his relentless without his domineering character or undaunted || career; the hand of female heroism prevented his courage, he was endowed with qualities which ulti- || falling a victim to the savage exasperation which mately raised him to the head of affairs. Though | he had so large a share in creating. not splendid, his talents were of the most powerful kind; ungainly in appearance, with feeble voice || THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN RELA. and vulgar accent, he owed his elevation chiefly to

TION TO ROMANISM AND DISSENT. the inflexible obstinacy with which he maintained | Many passages of Scripture represent the Church,' his opinions at a time when the popular cause

or the Church of the living God,' in the aggrehad lost many of its supporters. Under the mask

gate, without the distinction of time or place; but

as the whole is made up of parts, and is one holy of patriotism was concealed the incessant influence

Catholic and Apostolic Church” is an article of the of vanity and selfishness; cautious in conduct, Christian belief, there is a necessity for regarding slow but implacable in revenge, he avoided the that part of the whole which exists at a certain perils which proved fatal to so many of his ad

time and country, and which in that country is versaries, and ultimately established himself on

called the Church,' because it then exists in a

visible form, and as a part and representative of their ruin. Insatiable in his thirst for blood, he |the holy Catholic Church ;' and, ihe more disdisdained the more vulgar passion for money; at | tinctly to mark the locality, the Church is named a time when he disposed of the life of every man | in conjunction with the kingdom : thus," the in France, he resided in a small apartment, the

Church of England' is the appellation which the only luxury of which consisted in images of his

Reformers adopted to mark the Church' in

England. "The Roman Church,' the · Greek figure, and the number of mirrors which, in every

Church,' in like manner, signify the respective direction, reflected its form. While the other | localities of these Churches. Such distinctions leaders of the populace attected a squalid dress are apostolic: and “ so ordain I," saith St. Paul, and dirty linen, he alone appeared in elegant

“ in all Churches" (1 Cor. vii. 17). It is maniattire. ' An austere life, a deserved reputation for

| fest, from the consideration that as Churches in

each kingdom are parts of "the one holy Cathoincorruptibility, a total disregard of human suffer. lic and Apostolic Church," there must be much ing, preserved his ascendency with the fanatical common to all; and that any great rejection or supporters of liberty, even though he had little perversion of revealed truths must cause a separain common with them, and nothing grand or ge

tion or schism from the Christian communion. It nerous in his character. His terrible career is a

is also manifest that individuals may be separated

from the Church' of any country, either by the proof how little in popular commotions even do

sentence of those who have authority in that mineering vices are ultimately to be relied on; Church, or by the acts of the individuals themand how completely indomitable perseverance, and selves. It would be alike difficult and unprofitthe incessant prosecution of selfish ambition, can

able to the many to set forth in what cases such supply the want of commanding qualities. The

separations may be made as regards our own approach of death unveiled his real weakness;

country. It is a more easy and profitable under

taking to point out the distinctions and differences when success was hopeless; his firmness deserted ll wbich mark-1. The Romanist or Papist-2. The Churchman-3. The Dissenter. We may learn what || would search out by the ancient fathers, he shall

the Church of England' is, by considering what find, that all the whole Bible (or the greatest part is set forth in the Book of Common Prayer' and | thereof) should be read over once every year." the prefaces thereto, composed at the times of the || Again, it is observed : “ But these many years Reformation, and sanctioned by the bishops and passed, this godly and decent order of the ancient clergy assembled in convocation.

| fathers hath been so altered, broken, and neglected, The Romanist, or Papist, contends that the bishop || by planting in uncertain stories and legends, that of Rome, or, as he is called, 'the pope,'has, or ought commonly, when any book of the Bible was begun, to have, power or authority in all spiritual matters ; || after three or four chapters were read out, all the that the pope, or the Church of Rome, is infallible; | | rest were unread.” and as there is no possibility of error, so implicit | “ And moreover, whereas St. Paul would have confidence and obedience are due to these authori- || such language spoken to the people in the Church ties. The English Churchman contends," as the || as they might understand and have profit by hear-Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, || ing the same; the service in this Church of Enghave erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, || land these many years hath been read in Latin to not only in their living and manner of ceremonies, || the people, which they understand not.” The but also in matters of faith" (Article xix.); and that || Reformer who useth this language, who thus neither the pope, the bishop of Rome, nor the bi- || spoke of “the service in this Church of Eng. shop of any foreign country hath, or ought to have, || land these many years" before the Reformation, any jurisdiction in the Church of England : where | could not suppose that any thing then done gave fore the bishops and clergy of the Church of Eng- l existence to "this Church of England.” Casting off land renounced the usurpations of the bishop of || the impurities and errors of Rome, and renounRome, and made reformation in their living and || cing the usurped authority of the pope, could neither manner of ceremonies, and “in matters of faith," || destroy nor give existence to this Church of Eng. wherein the Church of Rome had erred. A com- || land ; but the rejection of “ this godly and decent parison of the Roman Breviary with the Book of | order of the ancient fathers," adherence to the Common Prayer, would more at large shew how | pope, and neglect of the authority of the bishops and the Church of England differs from the Church of clergy of this Church of England, made the RoRome. A few of the differences will be noticed as manist a contumacious schismatic. The preface we proceed.

states other abuses of Romanism, but still shews • The Dissenter,' as the name implies, dissents the pious Reformers mindful of the experience of from the Church ; but it is uncertain whither he past ages; as if nothing of novelty was admissible goes when he separates from the Church ; it is not into the service of the Church, and that they were defined what he retains; he is known by what he | not unmindful of the ancient rule : “ Ask ihy fadoes not believe and do, not by what he does believe ther and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they and do; his is a religion of negatives. The origi- || will tell thee" (Deut. xxxii. 7). “And furthermore nal compilers of the Book of Common Prayer acted || (it is set forth in the preface), notwithstanding that upon a principle the very opposite to that which the ancient fathers have divided the Psalms into actuates the Dissenter; they retained whatever || seven portions, whereof every one was called a had the character of antiquity, and had always | nocturn; now of late time a few of them have been used in the Church, or had been universally || been daily said, and the rest utterly omitted." adopted by all Churches and in all ages. The We come now to the remedy which the pious Dissenters had no respect to primitive usages; || Reformers appointed for these evils :-" Yet, bethe charm of novelty caused that which was an cause there is no remedy, but that of necessity cient to be abandoned. The Reformers did not there must be some rules; therefore certain rules dissent from, but reformed, the services of 'the || are here set forth ; so that here you have an order Church ;' and therefore the English Churchman for prayer, and for the reading of the holy Scripcan refer the Romanist, who asks him where the ture, much agreeable to the mind and purpose of Church was before the Reformation, to the Book | the old fathers, and a great deal more profitable of Common Prayer, and read to him from the pre and commodious than that which of late was used. face “ concerning the service of the Church :". It is more profitable, because here are left out “ There was never any thing by the wit of man so many things, whereof some are untrue, some unwell devised, or so sure established, which in con certain, some vain and superstitious, and nothing tinuance of time hath not been corrupted ; as | is ordained to be read but the very pure word of among other things, it may plainly appear by the God, the holy Scriptures, or that which is agreeCommon Prayers in the Church.” Those holy | able to the same.” When the Reformers so highly men,-many of whom were bishops, and some mar. | respected, and so strenuously endeavoured in comtyrs,—who compiled our excellent Liturgy, never Il piling the Book of Common Prayer to produce, supposed that the Church of England did not l what is “much agreeable to the mind and purpose exist before the errors of Rome were renounced ; 1 of the old fathers,” the Churchman who values yea, they firmly believed that the Church of Eng. his excellent Liturgy must respect these authoriland' existed before the errors of the Romanist ties which so greatly influenced the Reformers in were introduced; and they expressly declare this, || producing the Common Prayer. Moreover, since for they set forth in this preface: “The first origi it was by reference to the old fathers that the Renal and ground of the Common Prayers, if a man formers were enabled so successfully to refute and

1 - The Church of England before the Reformation, and drive away that which was untrue, uncertain, vain, the Church of England after the Reformation, are as and superstitious,-in short, to banish the errors of much the same Church as a garden before it is weeded,

| Romanism,-the old fathers must be ever regarded and after it is weeded, is the same garden."-Bp. Bramhall, vol. i. p. 113.

as the champions whose armour is sufficient to

combat and subdue all adversaries of the Church mary of wise and pious services, in all respects of England that marshal themselves under the agreeable to the revealed will of God, which the banner of the pope and of Rome.

Reformers have compiled and brought together Romanism differs from the Church in devotional | in "the Book of Common Prayer." exercises, because in the Church the Scriptures are read, so that in the course of the year the whole of the sacred Scriptures are read to the

HEAT.1 people; whereas this practice was not observed by The earth, like all solid bodies, transmits into its the Romanist, who only read small portions, and

interior the inpressions of heat which it receives planted in uncertain stories and legends. In the Church the whole of the Psalms are read through

at the surface, and throws off the superfluous in the month ; whereas the Romanist reads only a

ll heat from its surface into the surrounding space. few of them, and the rest are utterly omitted. In These processes are called conduction and radiathe Church nothing is ordained to be read but the tion, and have each their ascertained mathematical very pure word of God, the holy Scriptures, or that

laws. By the laws of conduction, the daily imwhich is agreeable to the same; the Romanist in

pressions of heat which the earth receives follow troduces some things that are untrue, some uncertain, some vain and superstitious. But when Dis

each other into the interior of the mass, like the sent is compared with Romanism, how can it be I waves which start from the edge of a canal, and, shewn that the whole of the Scriptures are read like them, become more and more faint as they through in the course of the year, and that the

proceed, till they melt into the general level of whole of the Psalms are read through every month,

the internal temperature. The heat thus transin the dissenting meeting-house ? and it may be alike impossible to prove, that in the service of the

mitted is accumulated in the interior of the meeting-house nothing is read or uttered in extem earth, as in a reservoir, and flows from one part porary prayer but " the very pure word of God, the

to another of this reservoir. The parts of the holy Scriptures, or that which is agreeable to the

earth near the equator are more heated by the same.” The Romanist, by ascribing infallibility

sun than other parts, and on this account there to the pope, by praying to the Virgin Mary and to departed men as intercessors, by giving that hon

is a perpetual internal conduction of heat from the our to the creature which is due to the Lord Al- equatorial to other parts of the sphere; and as all mighty, falls into the evils of superstition. The parts of the surface throw off heat by radiation, in Dissenter, by forgetting them which have the

the polar regions, where the surface receives little rule over him, who have spoken unto him the word of God (Heb. xiii. 7), by leaning too much on

in return from the sun, a constant waste is prohis own understanding (Prov. iii. 5), and thus

duced. There is thus from the polar parts a becoming, as it were, a pope unto himself; by de perpetual dispersion of heat in the surrounding spising all rites and ceremonies, and making no space, which is supplied by a perpetual internal account of the sacred ordinances of Christianity ; | flow from the equator towards each pole. Heat and by supposing himself to be in immediate communion with God without intervention of the divinely

is communicated through water, not by being conappointed means of grace, inclines to all the evils

| ducted from one part of the fluid to another, as of enthusiasm. The Church," the pillar and ground in solid bodies, but (at least principally) by being of the truth,” by being a faithful keeper of holy carried with the parts of the fluid by means of an Scripture, and by causing the whole word of God

intestine motion. Cold water contracts by the to be read to the people; by cautiously guarding

increase of cold, till we come near the freezing against every error, and every novelty, both in matters of doctrine and of discipline; and by the temperature; but then, by a further increase of due administration of every means of grace, is cold, it contracts no more, but expands till the worthily called “the ark of Christ's Church," where. point at which it becomes ice. It contracts in in her members, observant of what is therein taught,

cooling down to 40 degrees of Fahrenheit's therare ever preserved" stedfast in faith, joyful through

mometer; in cooling further it expands; and hope, and rooted in charity."

Such is the relation of the Church of England when cooled to 32 degrees it freezes. Hence the to Romanism and Dissent; and we have touched greatest density of the fluid is at 40 degrees; and upon the subject, because it is necessary to look water at this temperature, or near it, will lie at sometimes at the errors that surround us, to make

the bottom with cooler water or with ice floating a due estimate of the blessing of God in Christ

above it. However much the surface be cooled, Jesus our Lord, in vouchsating to us such ample directions in the way in which we should go. Whilst

water colder than 40 degrees cannot descend to we celebrate the praises, we have set before us the displace water warmer than itself. .... Another example and the teaching, of “ the holy Church

peculiarity in the laws which regulate the action throughout all the world.” They, like us, had the

of cold on water is, that in the very act of freezing light of revealed truth to direct their course; we

a further sudden and considerable expansion takes have the wisdom of holy men that have lived in all ages to guide and assist u3 in the interpretation

place. These laws of the effect of temperature on and application of holy Scripture; let us there water are truly remarkable in their adaptation to fore profit by their wisdom and experience, and the beneficial course of things at the earth's surespecially give attention to that wonderful sum

! Bridgewater Treatise. .