B. remarked, that he did not know but he was about worn out; sometimes he thought he was; but then he did not wish to decline service in the church so long as he was able to do anything. He did not wish to stand in the way of any one better qualified than he was for the post which he occupied. He then made an allusion to some sort of a publication, which he called "a fly sheet, or a fly leaf," by an anonymous writer, in which he was represented as excessively ambitious and greedy of power. "The Lord rebuke thee, Satan!" ejaculated the old president, with a stern and severe tone and countenance. "But," continued Dr. B., smiling, “I doubt if this is the right way to get rid of me. It wakes up the old man, or the old Methodist preacher, or the old Christian, and rather disposes me to hold on." "But," continued the doctor, "I must soon cease to labor. I feel the approach of age and infirmities, and must, before long, give place to others." The work was done. Dr. B.'s calumniator was regarded with disgust and horror, and the old veteran cheered on in the conflict.

In free conversation we asked one what the conference would do when Dr. Bunting died. "O!" he answered, "we want the doctor to live as long as he can, and when he goes we shall perhaps be able to do without him. I don't know that we shall then need a successor. He has done the work of a generation to come in arranging our financial system, and, with the results of his labor before us, our way is clear."

Dr. Newton holds his age well, having changed but little since he was in this country. He is the same indefatigable, boundlessly popular man that he has been for many years. He speaks but little in the conference, and what he says is in a plain, matter-offact style, without the least rhetorical flourish.

Drs. Hannah, Jackson, and Dixon, occupy a highly respectable standing in the body. Their opinions-though, so far as we had the opportunity to observe, they were always put forth in a simple, unpretending manner-are always highly respected. They are all probably over fifty years of age, and are becoming gray.

We shall not occupy the reader's attention with remarks upon other individual members. The body, as a whole, for gravity, intelligence, and moral worth, would not suffer by a comparison with any body of divines in the United Kingdom. There are many men in the Wesleyan Conference of high literary and scientific endowments, and eminently gifted as ministers of the New Testament. They are courteous and hospitable, though not in general so free and unreserved as we Americans are, in their intercourse with strangers.

We have often been asked if we preached at the conference; and have been obliged to say to our friends that we were not invited to do so, and that our fellow-travelers were treated in the same way. As this looks to American Methodists exceedingly uncivil, we have to explain. And we now introduce the subject, not because we have the slightest sensitiveness in relation to the matter, but for the purpose of bringing out a peculiarity of English Methodism. So far as our feelings were concerned, we honestly say we were truly gratified with the fact that we were permitted to hear, and were not called upon to preach. But for the explanation. The stationing committee meet a week before the opening of the conference; and in due season the appointments are all made out, and published beforehand. We have a copy of the appointments for the Bristol Conference, which we brought away with us. This being done, it is not an easy matter to turn one of the men appointed, and published to preach, out of his place. Often the sermon is upon some set theme, and is always thoroughly elaborated. Had we and our friends been there in season, or had our coming been anticipated, we should doubtless have been upon the "plan of appointments." We, in this country, are not so stereotyped and methodical as are our brethren in Great Britain. We can preach at conference, or let it alone; and are generally quite happy to procure a substitute when we can get a good one, and indeed we are not always very careful as to the quality of the men we put into our own shoes. But a member of the Wesleyan Conference feels himself bound to fill his own appointments, come what will.

Several matters were discussed before the conference which excited much interest. The applications from the district meetings for an increase of the number of laborers, in several instances called forth considerable discussion. The application was made through the chairman of the district, who read the resolution upon the subject from the minutes of the meeting. Great vigilance was exercised by the leading members lest the supply of laborers might exceed the means of support. Some wanted "another married man," others "a newly-married man," but more “a single man."

A considerable discussion arose in relation to an application for a preacher for a chapel in Scotland, erected by a lady, who proposed to settle upon the chapel the annual interest on certain bank stocks in America, which she held, for the support of the preacher. It was asked how many members there were in society. Upon hearing that there were only some twenty-five, Dr. Bunting and

others made strong objections. Some asked, Are not these stocks upon banks in the States which have repudiated? Dr. Beaumont advocated the application of "this elect lady" with great zeal, but it failed. We said, in private conversation, that such a nucleus as that for a church and congregation in America would not be slightly passed over. The answer was, We have not the same room for expansion here that you have. This is doubtless the true state of the case. While such a beginning, in this country, almost anywhere, would soon result in a strong church, in the British Isles it might remain for years without sensible increase.

We were much interested in a discussion which commenced in relation to a new edition of Benson's Commentary, with pictorial illustrations. The discussion took a wide range, and finally fell upon the matter of cheap and popular publications. Mr. G. Osborn delivered a very eloquent speech, which had evidently cost him some considerable pains, in favor of modifying the plan of the Book-Room publications, so as to accord with the improvements of the age. He introduced several specimens of books which were published at other houses; and by a comparison with Methodist books, undertook to show that they were much cheaper. His arguments were clearly stated, and warmly urged; but did not convince Mr. Mason, the agent, nor Dr. Bunting. The former earnestly maintained that to adopt the plan of cheap publications would in all certainty end in utter bankruptcy: while the latter was not much inclined to run after new things." The conference, he said, were certainly brought under great obligations to Mr. O. for the ability with which he had treated the subject, and the light he had shed upon it; and he hoped the book committee would "take the matter into serious consideration." There the whole subject ended.

But the matter in which we felt the deepest interest was the reading of the appointments. The rough draught is made out by the committee, who labor upon it for a week before the conference commences its session, upon data gathered from the chairmen of the districts, and communications received from the officiary of the several charges, and also from the preachers. This draught is first rapidly read by the secretary, without remarks. As the whole matter is to be sanctioned by the conference, the second reading is more deliberate, and subject to interruptions. During the first reading all is perfect stillness: the only exception is a little notetaking in several quarters. When the reading closes, there is a universal bustle, as though every man had fixed his eye upon some point in the plan which would pinch somewhere.

On the second reading, the appointments which are questioned are debated. It should be observed, however, that but comparatively few are called in question at all. When the secretary is arrested, the scene is animated; and to us it was exceedingly novel. To an American Methodist it looks strange to see a man arise, and plead his claim to a better appointment; and to hear others with equal confidence and earnestness deny that claim in his presence. But all this takes place without a rupture; and when the matter is settled, which is done by the president saying, "Let it pass," or, as is sometimes the case, by a vote, all remain quiet.

The debates in the Wesleyan Conference are more in the character of the discussions of a popular assembly, than in our conferences in this country. Feelings of approbation or displeasure are often expressed. Sometimes, "Hear, hear," and at others, "No, no," are heard in all directions; and occasionally a speaker takes his seat in the midst of thundering applause. When, as upon several occasions was the case, the scene becomes confused, the president arises upon his feet, and cries out with a strong voice, "Order, order." If the turmoil is not abated in a moment, which is usually the case, fifty voices are heard crying out, "The chair, chair, chair." This shortly restores silence and order. The American reader will wonder at all this; but he must not judge a convocation of divines in England by American rules of propriety. We make the record simply as a matter of information. At the same time we must note with emphasis, that the British Conference reach their results about as soon, and are fully as well satisfied with them, as is the case with bodies in this country who conduct their business in the most noiseless and quiet manner.

Upon the whole we were gratified, highly gratified, with our visit to the British Conference. As we have already intimated, we made some sacrifices to attend the sessions of this body. Some of our friends made interesting excursions to Tinton Abbey, Bath, Kingswood, &c.; and it would have been highly gratifying to us had we accompanied them; but we waived the pleasure to be able to form as correct an opinion as possible of the mode of doing business in the conference. We did wander abroad, and spend some little time in sight-seeing, before we left Bristol; but cannot now give the reader the results of our observations..

ART. X.-CRITICAL NOTICES.

1. Evangelical Alliance. Report of the Proceedings of the Conference held at Freemasons' Hall, London, from August 19th to September 2d, inclusive, 1846. Published by order of the Conference. London: Partridge & Oakley, Paternoster-row. Octavo, pp. 607.

THIS is the first and the only official history which has been given to the public, in any form, of the acts and debates of the celebrated London Conference. The speeches are reported by the official reporter, and are presented with unusual accuracy. There is a charm about the book to one who was present, and listened to the distinguished men who gave direction to the councils of that conference, which it can have to no one else; but it furnishes a rare treat to any pious and intelligent mind. Even to those who seem determined to regard the Evangelical Alliance as "a great humbug," or "a splendid failure," the book cannot be without interest. We can most confidently invite the attention of all-both friends and foes of the Alliance-to this book. Few can peruse its pages without being made better; and none but incorrigible sectarians will become weary of them. The work, in addition to the acts and speeches, contains an appendix of nearly one hundred pages, composed of communications from distinguished individuals not present, and bodies of Christians, together with an alphabetical list of the members; receipts and expenditures, &c. This work may be had at the Book Room, for the low price of $175, without discount. We hope our preachers especially will early avail themselves of the present opportunity of procuring a copy.

2. A History of Rome, from the earliest Times to the Death of Commodus. By Dr. LEONHARD SCHMITZ. Harper and Brothers.

In his preface to this work, Dr. Schmitz remarks, with perfect justice, that, in spite of all the efforts of the most celebrated scholars of the last half century, the books on Roman history generally used in schools at the present day continue what they were fifty years ago. It was mainly to remedy this defect that the present work was undertaken; and it seems to us admirably well fitted to supply the want which has been felt so long. It imbodies all the recent discoveries of the eminent scholars referred to; and presents their conclusions, interwoven with the regular course of the narrative, in a remarkably clear and intelligible light. It is by far the best condensed history of Rome now before the public, and merits general favor. We commend it especially to the attention of all who are interested, in any way, in the cause of education.