The debts of the company are stated to amount to near £.20,000,000., and the net amount of their assets in India is .12,618,623. The sales of the company's goods at home have fallen short of what they were estimated at last year by nearly a million. We mentioned in our last, that the bill for abolishing the slave trade, had passed the House of Commons with very triumphant majorities. It was carried up to the House of Lords on the 28th of June, and read a first time. On this occasion an intimation was given that, on account of the lateness of the session, which did not admit of examining the necessary evidence, a motion would be made to postpone the second reading for three months. In this arrangement the friends of the measure acquiesced: for, although they did not allow the necessity or even the propriety of hearing evidence at all, yet as the House seemed inclined to permit the petitioners against the bill to be heard by counsel and to produce evidence, they admitted that in that case a postponement was requisite. The delay, therefore, is not to be considered in the light of a victory obtained by the slave traders, but of a compromise be tween the two parties, on the express ground that the enquiry should be taken up early in the next session, and pursued with all possible vigour. Greatly as we deplore the continuance for a single day of that "pestilent iniquity," which the bill was intended to remove, we must congratulate the friends of justice and humanity on the progress which their cause has made during the present session. For the first time has a bill for the total and immediate abolition of the slave trade passed the House of Commons. The majorities too have been so decisive, as to extinguish every hope which the supporters of the trade might entertain, of influencing that House, to adopt, on some future occasion, a different determination. Even in the House af Lords several circumstances have oc curred which afford ground to expect a favourable result, whenever the question shall come fairly before them. On the 3rd of July, when the motion for postponing the second reading of the bill to that day three months was agreed to, some conversation took place, which served to shew the state of opinions in the house. Lord Grenville, the Bishop of St. Asaph, and Earl Stankope, expressed themselves decidedly hostile to the trade, spoke of it as a traffic of blood, of sighs, and of groans; a crime which it was inconsistent with the honour and dignity of parliament to tolerate for a moment; and they pledged themselves never to desist till they had wiped away this foul reproach from their country. Lord Mulgrave, formerly one of the warmest advocates of the slave trade, did not hesitate to say that late events had greatly shaken his opinions; and that he doubted whether the measure of abolition, which he had hitherto opposed, was not required by every consideration of national policy and regard to the safety of our West Indian possessions. Lord Harrowby, the secretary of state, pledged himself to support the measure whenever it was brought forward. And we observed, that even Lord Haukesbury intimated no intention of opposing it. Its great opponents are likely to be the Duke of Clarence, the Earl of Westmoreland, and Earl St. Fincents. The Lord Chancellor thought the petitioners had a right to be heard; but we were glad to hear him assure their Lordships that he would not permit the time of the House to be wasted in the examination of any evidence,which was either frivolous or useless, or which was introduced merely for the purpose of delay, NAVAL OCCURRENCES. The Toulon feet was lately drawn out of the harbour by the hope of cutting off two English men of war, which had stood close in shore. After pursuing them some time, Lord Nelson's fleet hove in sight, which induced the enemy to desist from the chase, and to seek shelter in port. A letter of the French admiral has appeared in the Moniteur, giving a very different account of the affair, and stating that he had pursued Lord Nelson's squadron till night; and that next morning, seeing nothing of him, he had borne up for Toulon! The admiral (La Touche Treville) ought to explain, under these circumstances, how it happens that he should continue blocked up by the fugitive English fleet. Several skirmishes have taken place, during the course of the month, between detached parts of the enemy's flotillas and our cruisers. A part of the Boulogne fio. tilla having ventured out of the harbour, and being overtaken by some unfavoura ble weather, was attacked by our squadron, and nine or ten of them were driven on shore, and, it is supposed, entirely lost. The rest with difficulty regained the har bour. 450 Public Affairs...Domestic Occurrences...Eceles. Preferments. The preparations of the French for the grand attempt at invasion continue, we believe, to proceed with unabated vigour. It is impossible even to guess when the attempt will be made; but we are more and more confirmed in the opinion of its being seriously meditated. Admiral Linois's squadron was reported to have taken a station in the eastern seas, which rendered it highly probable that the whole of our homeward bound China ships would fall into his hands. Considerable alarm has, therefore, existed on this aċcount. Reports, however, have recently reached this country, by means of an American vessel, which state, that although Linois had actually fallen in with our China ships, seventeen in number, he had been completely worsted by them in a severe engagement which took place, and obliged to sheer off, and make the best of his way to Batavia to repair the damage he had sustained. DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES. The king has been pleased to appoint the Hon. Cecil Jenkinson to be his Majesty's Secretary of Legation to the Court of Vienna; the Rt. Hon. George Rose and the Right Hon. Lord Charles Henry Somerset, to the Office of Paymaster-general of his Majesty's forces; and James Duke of Montrose and Lord Charles Spencer to the Office of Postmaster-general. A cause was tried in the Court of King's Bench, on the 14th instant, which will serve, in some measure, to illustrate the horrors of the slave trade. The ship Mereury, Captain Hume, belonging to James Parr and Co. of Liverpool, had sailed to the grain coast and had taken on board about 250 slaves, which were insured at .50. a-head. With these she went to Barbadoes, but finding no advantageous sale for her human cargo on that island, she sailed with an intention of proceeding to Demerara. Meeting with a storm, she was obliged to make the best of her way to St. Vincent's, in order to repair the damage she had sustained. Having refitted, and being unable to procure a market for his slaves in St. Vincent's, the captain resolved on going to the Havannah. But before the ship had entered the Bahama passage, his provisions had become so deficient that the slaves were almost starving; (JULY, and it is stated, 'that so furious were they stores, and began greedily devouring the made by hunger, that they broke into the beef and pork in its raw state. Meeting captain had an opportunity of exchanging with a Spanish vessel in the passage, the which he continued his course. one of his slaves for some provisions; after In the got aground, and was in imminent danger. Old Streights (as they are called) the ship The captain and a great part of his crew took to the long-boat, in order, as he said, islands. Soon after his departure the ship to procure assistance on the adjacent excepting one girl who escaped on a raft went to pieces, and all the slaves perished probably, the only negro on board who with some of the crew. This girl was, possessed the means of even attempting confinement, as usual; the men in chains, to escape. The rest were, doubtless, in and both men and women under locked hatches, so as to render it impossible for them to make a single effort to save themlate work, we find that the natives of the selves. By consulting Dr. Winterbottom's grain coast, whence these slaves had been brought, are uncommonly expert swimin the water. It is, therefore, highly promers, and spend a great part of their time of them would have effected their escape. bable that had they been at liberty many Such a circumstance, however, would have merchant. He might have found it more been inconsistent with the interest of the difficult to recover from the underwriters the value of his slaves, had they been perdering how much they must have been emitted to get on shore. Indeed, consiconsiderably more by their total loss than maciated by hunger, he probably gained he could have done had they reached the have been obliged to reimburse their full Havannah market: for the underwriters value. within the last week, but no specific cause The public funds have risen considerably has been assigned for the variation. On the 26th inst. 3 per cent. consols were as high as 57 three-eights, and omnium 71. We are happy to inform our readers, that Francis Burdett will not succeed in his ethere is strong reason to hope that Sir lection for the County of Middlesex. On the 28th inst. the numbers were for Mr. Mainwaring 1840, for Sir F. Burdett 1718. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS. REV. Vaughan Thomas, Stoneleigh V. co. Rev. Richard Smith, Kingsley R. co. Lincoln, to a prebenda! stall in Lincoln ca- Rev. George Huddesford, Loxiey V. co. Rev, John Glasse, LL. B. Burnham- Rev. Francis Swan, rector of St. Peter's, Rev. John Haggitt, B. D. Ditton R. co. Cambridge; Rev. George Law, M. A. Rev. John Ellis, Barnby-on-the-Moor prebend, in York cathedral, vice Carey, resigned. Rev. George Burrard, M. A. Middleton-Tyas V. co. Warwick, vice Watson, deceased. Rev. Henry Plimley, M. A. vicar of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, Windsor living. Rev. R. F. Onslow, M. A. vicar of Kidderminster, Newent V. co. Gloucester, vice Foley, deceased. Rev. Wm. Doncaster, M. A. Normanton-upon-Trent V. co. Nottingham, vice Clarke, deceased. Rev. J. W. King, rector of Nuthurst, Fittleworth V. both in Chichester diocese. Rev. Daniel Lancaster, Putney R. Wilts. Rev. John Davis, Kilklrampton R. co. Cornwall. Rev. Charles Sloman, LL. B. MarstonTrussell R. co. Northampton, vice Bullivant, deceased. Rev. John Lowthian, M. A. Thatcham V. co. Berks. Rev. William Hooper, B. D. MoorMonckton R. co. York, vice Woodhouse, deceased. Rev. John Rowe, B. A. Stratton V. co. Cornwall, vice Martin, deceased. DEATHS. June 28. Of a deep decline, in her thirty, seventh year, Mrs. ELIZABETH BEST, wife of George Nathaniel Best, Esq. of Bedford-Row, and second daughter of Col. John Wood, late of the East Indies. Letters from Costantinople communi◄ cate the death of the celebrated GHEZZAR PACHA, governor of St. Jean d'Acre and Damascus. Lately, Mrs. PARRY, relict of the late Rev. W. Parry, of Ruthin. She only survived her husband a few days, owing to the affectionate regard she had for him. May 13. In his eighty-fifth year, the Rev. CHARLES BLACKSTONE, eldest brother of the late Sir William Blackstone, and for upwards of fifty years Fellow of Winchester College; be was likewise Rector of Week and Widley, with the Vicarage of Wimering, Hants. On Tuesday, the 12th June, at Darlington, aged fifty-two, Mrs. ESTHER BLAND, the wife of Mr. Bland, ropemaker. Lately, in America, the Rev. CHARLES NESBITT, D. D. for more than 18 years Principal of Dickenson College, Pennsylvania, and formerly one of the Ministers of Montrose, in Scotland. June 2. At Dursley, the Rev. JAMES WEBSTER, LL. B. Archdeacon of Glouˆ June 8. At Lewes, Sir FERDINANDO POOLE, Bart. He is succeeded in his title and estate by the Rev. Henry Poole, of Rev. Edward Willis, M. A. Morley R. the Hooke, near Lewes. co. Derby. Rev. J. Wilkinson, Kirkella living, near Hull, co York. Rev. John Wane, Sherfield English R. Hants, and White Parish V. Wilts. Rev. Alexander Richardson, M. A. vicar of Takeley, Essex, Great Dunmow V. in the same county, vice Howlett, deceased. Rev. Edward Harbin, Takeley V. co. Essex, vice Richardson, resigned. Rev. Charles Swan, M. A. Ridlington R. co Rutland; and Rev. Edward Jones, rector of Greetham, co. Rutland, North Kilworth R. co. Leicester; both vice Belgrave, deceased. Rev. Thomas Gardner, B. A. Brooksby R. co. Leicester; and Rev. Edward Morgan, Reresby R. in the same county; both vier Orton, deceased. Rev. Thomas Noris, M. A. Harby R. co. Leicester. Rev. John Stanton, Ścaldwell R. co. Northampton. Rev. John Froude, Molland and Knowstone V. Devon. Rev. West Wheldale, M. A. Christ Church R Spitalfields, Middlesex. Rev. Mr. Parslow, of Hampstead, St. Giles in the Fields curacy, Middlesex, vice Keddon, deceased. June 11. In St. James's Place, the Rev. WILLIAM MAXIMILIAN FRIEND, late rector of Chinner, in Bucks. June 14. The Rev. W. W. PORTER, M. A. of St. John's College, Oxford, aged twenty-eight years. June 18. In Bromley College, Kent, Mrs. OWEN, widow of the late Dr. Owen, of Edmonton, and daughter of Dr. Butts, formerly Bishop of Ely. June 20. At Cheam, in Surry, after a long and painful illness, Mrs. PEACH, Wife of the Rev. Henry Peach, Rector of the above place. At, near Hull, Mrs. PARRY, Lady of Edward Parry, Esq. of Gower-street. June 11. After a few days illness, in his twenty-third year, Mr. F. BLICK, eldest son of the Rev. F. Blick, rector of Tamworth, and Editor of the Birmingham Ga zette. June 16. At Kingston, in her eightythird year, Mrs. Knowles, relict of the late Rev. J. C. Knowles, Rector of Fetcham, and Vicar of Effingham, in Surry. June 19. After an hour's illness, at his house at Chilton Foliat, in the county of Wilts, the Rev. JOHN CRAVEN. June 26. Mr. HENRY SWAYNE, son of the Rev. Mr. Swayne, of Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A FRIEND TO PRACTICAL PREACHING; W. H.; and G. B.; will appear the first convenient opportunity. The Hint of A CHRISTIAN PARENT will be attended to. ▲ SEARCHER AFTER TRUTH may find some of his difficulties removed by turning to a paper in our Vol. for 1803, p. 74; and also by a perusal of Bennett's Christian Oratory. The Persian Hymn will not suit our work. The Poetry of P. B. is considerably below par. We have received N. G.'s letter, and obeyed his injunctions. We are much obliged to SANUS for his judicious remarks on the Annual Review. The character of that work is so well known to be, at least, Socinian, that few will expect from it an impartial or satisfactory review of theological works. We, therefore, doubt the necessity of entering on a formal exposure of its heterodoxy and unfairness. A CHRISTIAN FRIEND; . T.; CANDIDUS; A SINCERE FRIEND OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, APELLES; AN UNDER GRADUATE; and A LAYMAN on the Duty of expounding the Scriptures to the People, have come to hand, and are under consideration. In reply to the Queries of FREDERICK, we would observe-1. That although there are several passages in scripture which seem to imply, that the day of grace for individuals, as well as for nations, is limited, yet we think no one is warranted in considering himself precluded from the hope of divine acceptance, however he may in tine past have slighted the mercy of God, who really repents of his sins, and in faith applies to Christ for salvation. One thing we know with certainty, that the period of probation, the day of grace, terminates with this life.-2. That piety alone cannot possibly be a sufficient qualification of a minister of religion; for young persons, who have hardly attained to the complete use of reason, have been eminently pi The scriptures require, that a minister shall be a workman, who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. No man, who is absolutely illiterate, can correspond with this character.-3. That we have not seen the Sermons mentioned by R. J. ous. The first answer, in the foregoing paragraph, will furnish a reply to FREDERICK'S Second letter. We certainly cannot flatter him with any hope that the most fervent prayers of the most pious men will contribute to alter the condition of the dead. This (Popish) doctrine is directly contradicted no less by sound reason than by the general and unequivocal tenor of scripture. Our view of the case, however, instead of leading us to waste our days in fruitless sorrow for relatives already summoned to their great audit, should produce in us deep repentance for past neglect, and an earnest desire, and assiduous endeavour, to be instrumental in rescuing from endless misery those whom we love, or over whom we possess any influence. We have considered with care, and, we trust, with impartiality, the Strictures of A CONSTANT READER, on our account of the late Lord Camelford; but we see no just ground for them. No doubt can be entertained of the future condition of those who die impenitent; but it would not be safe, in many cases, coufidently to affirm who has or has not repented. We were very far from affirining, that Lord Camelford was either a true penitent or a true believer; indeed, the contrary is plainly implied. We forbore, indeed, from affirming, that he was shut out from all hope of forgiveness: but this forbearance and moderation, we conceive, were required, not by the misjudging candour of the world, to which we owe no subjection, but by true christian charity. We are sorry to find our correspondent cavilling at such expressions as "repentance if real is not unavailing," and "faith lays hold on the mercies of a Redeemer." We do not hesitate to say, that the objections to them, whatever they may be, can stand on no scriptural ground whatever. We should probably differ widely from C. B. in our estimate of the utility of the work for which he pleads. He must know, for he has read our numbers regularly, that "cautionary remarks" have not been wanting. Had we really thought praise due in the instances mentioned by C. B., we should not have withheld it from fear of censure. He cannot expect that we should not qualify our expressions of commendation, in cases where we may have reason to question the accuracy of the statements; or that we should not withhold it entirely from transactions, which appear to us not only ostentatious, but which we have known, in almost every parallel instance, to prove materially injurious to the spiritual interests of the persons principally concerned. He ought to give us some credit for forbearance in these respects. A SINCERE FRIEND OF THE CHUrch of England, on the heterodoxy of the British Critic, in our next, if there should be room. ERRATA. Number 28, p. 233, col. 2, line 47, for great read quiet Present Number p. 423, col. 2, line 40, for become read becomes THE CHRISTIAN OBSERVER. No. 32. O AUGUST, 1804. [No. 8. VOL. III. Religious Communications. To the Editor of the BSERVING, in your number for April last, an account of Lady Carbery, by Bishop Taylor, I am induced to send you another character drawn by the same great master. It may probably be less known than the account of Lady Carbery, as the discourse, from which it is extracted, is not in the folio volume of the bishop's sermons, but annexed to a treatise on the Lord's Supper. The subject of the following memoir was a Sir GEORGE DALSTONE, of Dalstone, in Cumberland, who died in September, 1657, I had some thoughts of adding, in imitation of your correspondent C., some reflections on the more prominent parts of the account, by way of obtaining for them more notice than they are likely to receive from a rapid reader. But as the account is long, I conceived your limits would not allow of any addition to it. I have omitted a few lines which I could not myself understand; not knowing but some of your readers might be equally at a loss. I have, in very few instances, ventured to exchange a word, lest the author's manner should be lost by the too frequent use of such a liberty. VIATOR. SIR GEORGE DALSTONE was descended of an ancient and worthy house in Cumberland, and he adorned his family and extraction with a more worthy comportment; for to be of a worthy family, and to bring to it no stock of personal virtue, is to be upbraided by our family. A worthy father can be no honour to his son, when it shall be said, "Behold the difference: this crab descended from a goodly appletree." But he who beautifies the escutcheon of his ancestors by worthy atchievements, by learning, or by wisdom, by a holy life and a useful conversation, that man is the parent CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 32. Christian Observer. of his own fame, and a new beginner of an ancient family. He was bred in learning, in which Cambridge was his tiring room, and the court of Queen Elizabeth the stage on which he first represented the part of a hopeful young man. But here he stayed not. His friends not being desirous that the levities of youth should be fermented by the liberties of a rich and splendid court, caused him to lie in the restraints, that he might grow ripe in the sobrieties, of a country life, and a married state. In this situation, as I am informed, he behaved himself with so great worthiness, and gave such probation of his love of justice, popular regards of his country's good, and abilities to serve them, that, for almost forty years together, his country chose him for their knight to serve in all the intervening parliaments. Magistratus in-. dicatorium; employment shews the man. He was a leading man in parliaments; prevailing there by the great reputation of his justice and integrity: and yet he was not unpleasant, and hated at court. He, indeed, well understood, that the true interests of courts and parliaments were one; and that they are like the humours of the body, if you increase one beyond its limits, that destroys all the rest, and itself at last: and when they look upon themselves as enemies, and that hot and cold must fight, the prevailing part is abated in the conflict, and the vanquished part is destroyed: but when they look upon themselves as varieties serving the different aspects and necessities of the same body, they are for the allay of each other's exorbitances and excesses; and by keeping their own measures, they preserve the man. God was pleased to endue him with a marvellous sweet nature. A good nature is apt to forgive injuries, to 3 N |