586 Rhetoric of the Infidel School. ness? Saint-John's loud invective is not more objectionable than Byron's flagrant perversion of sentiment from its right and its noblest use, and the cold, the half-exulting avowal of crime and enor mity at which humanity, unsophisticated by splendid novelties and the sorceries of fashion, hides her head, is the one, therefore, to live untarnished with posterity, while the other, in his literary capacity, is perpetually suffering under a sort of literary pro scription? If, therefore, the noble author of "Harold" be so unfortunate as, in his most aspiring moments, to anticipate no OTHER immortality than that which may accompany his writings,-if, superior to the prejudices of his age, he fears the arraignment of no future tribunal, save that of criticism,-are not these his anticipations built on those "reeds" which he so confidently predicts of those who still cherish a hope and a belief which shadows forth one of a higher description *? What pity that the rising luminary, which at its first emerging from the horizon that concealed its early dawn, threw out amongst mankind such beams of radiant splendour, and threatened, in its meridian glories, to warm, to cheer, and to invigorate all within the sphere of its action, should, at length, glare like a meteor of evil omen, whose wild and haggard aspect shook pestilence and desolation over all within its hemisphere. How greatly is it to be regretted that a giant, whose intellectual powers gave promise of an expansion which should elevate and ennoble the British muse, should ripen in vigour only to the moral injury of his kind;-that a genius aptly exemplifying the wellknown lines of Sir John Denham, who, in speaking of the River Thames, has described it Tho' deep, yet clear, tho' gentle, yet not See "Childe Harold," canto 2. character so as to become a fit parallel to some of the most degenerate and profligate of our Bards. His own English Bards" certainly, though a satire of the most caustic kind, contained no offence against good morals, and no earnest of that reckless infidelity which his later writings too plainly bespeak; and the Poet who could dictate these lines for the reformation of some of his contemporaries, Mend, Strangford! mend thy morals and In taking leave of his Lordship, the question may be reiterated, can he consistently aspire to future success upon the ruins of his predecessors of the same school? The high reputation which Bolingbroke, in his own age, enjoyed as a man of genius and of letters, has shrunk into comparative forgetfulness from the date of his deistical labours. The learning and accomplishments of Herbert and Shaftesbury, appreciated in a former age, are little known and talked of in the literature of the present. The philosophical subtilty and research of Helvetius occupies but a back ground in the reading and speculations of our day, because its tendency evidently points to the subversion of the best interests of human society. The admirers of his Lordship's genius are as numerous as his readers, but does he think that the claims of Poetry, however transcendant, will do for him what it has denied to others? If the author of The Patriot King" could not preserve his reputation, after impugning principles which the common consent of the greatest minds had decided to be propitious to the welfare of the human race, it is not probable that any new tale which the author of "Manfred," "Don Juan," or "Cain," can tell them, should induce them to alter their suffrage in his favour. Melksham. E. P. A. B. inquires, whether there is any account kept of the amount of money deposited in the different Saving Banks, and where? PART 11.] Hutt, in Halewood.-Insolence of Pew-openers. Tin Co. Lancaster (see HE following account of the Hutt, the Engraving), is extracted from Mr. Gregson's "Fragments of the History of Lancashire," Part II. p. 213. The Hutt or Haut is distant from Hale about one mile and a half, and was formerly the residence of the Irelands, lords of Hutt, Hale, and Halewood. That the Hutt was a building of some importance is evident, from the few remains which now exist; the massive stack of kitchen chimnies, the large stone transome window-frame, the antient chimney-piece, and an upper range of windows, of similar dimensions, that were remaining a few years ago (1805), all tend to testify the consequence of this edifice. It is said that the great Hall was 100 feet long, and 30 feet wide. The whole, except the outbuildings, was surrounded by a moat, over which was a bridge, most probably a draw-bridge of the description used in antient times. The Gate-house is of far more modern date than the very antient Hall. The gate or doorway is now pretty entire. The building, like Speke Hall*, lies low; but, if it be possible, is more secluded; in a flat country, adorned with a vast quantity of wood, and no public road passing near it, its situation is suited to the hostile times in which it was built, when this part of the country was subject to the incursions of the Scots, whom the English in their turn ravaged to their capital. Halewood and Halebank are returned in one assessment, under the title of Halewood, and Hale is kept separate and distinct. The two former town ships together contain 3704 acres and 11 perches of land. I Mr. URBAN, G. M. Stepney, Dec. 5. BEG leave to offer a few remarks on the inattention and incivility of the Pew-Openers in many of the Churches in this Metropolis, and which I am continually experiencing, in consequence of all the Pews in the Parish Church to which I belong being occupied previous to my becoming an inhabitant: thus myself and family are obliged to separate ourselves on the Sabbath to different Churches, in or 589 der that we may be better accommoof the number, endeavour to avoid the dated, and likewise, by the smallness insolence of the Pew-Openers, who on several occasions have made it their business to inquire to what parish we belong; and on finding that we had (as they ignorantly supposed) no claim upon their attention, have insultingly desired the younger part of my family (who have gone to Church attended by a servant) "to go to their own parish." This is but a solitary instance amongst a great many of the unwarrantable freedom and insulting conduct of these ignorant set of people, but which to a thinking mind cannot in any degree palliate the evil. It should be the care of the Churchwardens, &c. to depute such persons capable of feeling it their duty to accommodate the stranger as well as the parishioner; nor do I conceive it beneath the dignity of any of the Parish Officers (who feel really interested in the service of the Church), to observe if the persons who are to open the Pews discharge their trust as they ought; which might be effected by their taking alternate Sundays, and walking at the commencement of the Service round the different ailes; as we repeatedly see, to the discredit of those concerned in the duties of the Church, that many persons are obliged to sit indiscriminately with those very far beneath them in every respect, and where their devotion meets with continual interruption. The want of better accommodation in our Churches+ is the leading theme of dissent; and unless the evil I now complain of, is in some degree amended, I greatly fear the number of Dissenters must inevitably increase; since, in every conventicle we invariably observe the greatest attention shown to strangers, and why? because a marked indifference prevails in almost all our Churches. Mr. URBAN, N P. F. Dec. 3. your Magazine for July, p. 20, I communicated a Letter from Mexico, in which was depicted a brief but correct account of the character and manners of its inhabitants. Passing events make the "New World" a place of interest to the observer of poli + We trust that this want will, by the late liberality of Parliament in erecting new Engraved in vol. LXXIV. p. 297. EDIT. Churches, be no longer felt.-EDIT. 590 Cautions with regard to South America.—The Ass. tical occurrences, and will become more so as they become more and more important to the commerce of our country. It is painful, however, to notice that great fluctuation of character, and great risk must consequently follow the events not big "with the fate of Cato and of Rome," but with their effects on Europe. Whatever events may take place with respect to old Spain, her Colonies (like our own formerly) are for ever separated from her; but she cannot say that our jealousy, like her own and her neighbours', did the utmost to fan the flame. The Government of our country has kept itself free from all imputations of this sort, and although individual characters of Spanish subjects are found to be highly honourable in personal conduct, yet we find the inhabitants of the "New World," warm as they are for what they deem Liberty, are yet deficient in those prime qualities of the human heart; and this added to the weakness of a Government still waiting for a system and formation, will be productive of many risks, many losses, and much anxiety. This may be hinted, I think, without impropriety; for at the moment I now write, a pressure of disappointment has been felt of no small import, on account of money transactions, where too great a confidence has been placed, and too much speculation entered into. The want of caution is too much felt in the present day, chiefly owing to that energetic and stimulating propensity the commercial part of the community is propelled with, to follow up that activity they have hitherto been so much in the habit of adopting. It ought, however, to be recollected that, during the war, when the British flag floated over the vast Atlantic and Southern oceans, protection could be afforded, and was received; but in a state of profound peace, every thing becomes widely different,-the vessels of Commerce proceed, arrive, discharge their cargoes; confidence is placed; and effects too often very different from what are expected, are produced. An application for relief on shore is not to be found, and the imbecilities of an infant State are incapable of affording protection or a remedy. I have experienced, in a former period of half a century, the assurance from a Governor that an old Castilian is a man of honour, and have found his assertion true; but it does not follow, from the mixed breed that populates the Western World and the more Southern States, that the same nice feelings prevail, or that the same power to act at present exists. This, therefore, ought to be a caution how commercial intercourse is carried on; whilst, on the other hand, there can be no doubt but the field will open to encourage and extend it. The weakness of those new-formed Governments, politically considered, is of another nature; their final separation from the Parent State will no doubt continue, and time may produce improvement, and give strength; but however pleasing the declaration of Independence may sound, public Virtue does not always follow it; with this we have no more to do than to observe, and to draw our own conclusions. At present the Mother Country offers to our notice an opening of events, wherein the British character again maintains itself for prudence and sound principles; and however other States may interfere, we hold ourselves in a dignified situation, of not adding to a flame that seems to indicate future evils. Political caution and commercial prudence are the best results for us. Yours, &c. T. WALTERS. ON THE MERIT OF THE Ass. 量 MANY being quite ignorant of the qualities of the Ass and the merit which protects him against a harsh and vulgar scorn, conceive that they have snatched as it were and secured for themselves in proud superiority an aigrette of honour fit for man; when in fact they have at best but coiffed him with some asinine quality. Not considering that this animal, on account of the mysterious secret which he bears within himself, and which none will acknowledge, I know not to what degree, I will not say of humanity, but which participates much of reason, this hint may serve as some instruction to those who, bearing in conspicuous characters in their front the tokens of ignorance, seem to draw that kind of injury from the mouth of those who surpass them, not only in knowledge of the world, but also in a due acquaintance with moral Literature. Every body cannot raise themselves to the same |