182 Intelligence.-Mr. Gilchrist's Grammar and Dictionary. Manchester College, York. The following benefactions have been received on account of this Institution. Wm. Brodhurst, Jun., Esq., of Mansfield Rev. Mr. Anstis, Bridport Wm. Shore, Esq. Tapton Grove, Rev. John Holland, Bolton Rev. John Kentish, Birmingham 1. 3. d. 5 0 0 0 5 0 50 0 5 00 105 00 £172 10 5 13 0 0 The following Congregational Collections have been likewise received. KENDAL-Rev. John Harrison CHESTERFIELD-After a sermon preached by the Rev. Wm. Parkinson 12 12 Q す The Rev. James Gilchrist, of Newington Green, has issued the following Prospectus of a Rational Grammar and Dictionary of the English Language. The foregoing title is not pre-occupied and not merited by any system of grammar and lexicography already published. That of Dr. Johnson has been pronounced a disgrace to the English language by the most philosophic philologer of modern times. It is not however the intention of this Prospectus to point out the demerits of the philological works which already exist: that which is now offered to the public has nothing in common with them. The Grammar is introductory to the Dietionary and contains, 1. The nature and origin of alphabetic signs explained. 2. A canon of etymology established. 3. The elements of speech; or, the few simple words collected into one view of which all the numerous compound words are formed. 4. The manner of their formation. 5. The common system of grammar examined and its absurdities exposed. 6. A standard of orthography established. Though the Grammar be introductory to the Dictionary, yet it may be considered as a separate and independent work; and if it do not justify the pretensions of the Author and satisfy the expectations of Subscribers, they may withhold their encouragement from the Dictionary: they shall 100 therefore in the first instance be considered as subscribing only to the Grammar. 10 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 10 0 6 0 10 6 0.10 6 0 10 0 It is expected to contain about 300 pages, demy 8vo., price 6s. to Subscribers, 8s, to Non-Subscribers; and will go to the press whenever a sufficient number of names has been obtained. Those who intend to encourage the work are earnestly requested to notify their intention as soon as possible to the Author, 0 10 0 Newington Green, or to any of the following Publishers and Booksellers: Mr. Hunter, St. Paul's Church Yard; Messrs. Longman and Co., Paternoster Row; Mr. Arch, Cornhill; Messrs. Ridgeway and Sons, Piccadilly; Mr. David Eaton, High Hol 0 born. Subscribers in the country will have the 0 goodness to communicate their names through the medium of the nearest Bookseller. 20 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 The plan of the Dictionary is as follows: 1. All the different forms or spellings of the same word are brought together into one view. 2. The common meaning of Obituary-Mrs. Ann Marsom. these different forms of the same word is clearly and concisely given; showing that while the same word has many applications both literal and metaphoric, it has uniformly one unvarying meaning. 3. The Dictionary here proposed being intended as a handmaid to philosophy rather than a mere Vocabulary, those words which are fittest for the purposes of speech are recommended to the choice of clear thinkers; and obscure, indefinite, equivocal, unintelligible, unmeaning and false-meaning words or uses of them are proscribed. A leading object of the work is to promote clear and definite expression to dissipate mysticism and jargon and put down sophistry. 4. The German, Italian, French, Spanish and Latin forms or spellings of the same word are presented to view with its English form or spelling. Thus the work is intended to servé as an easy introduction to universal lexicography. 5. All the words etymolo gically related are brought together and arranged according to their degrees of proximity all the branches of the same stock or members of the same family are 183 clustered around the primitive stem or parent word. Competent judges will admit this to be the most philosophic plan ofTMlexicography. It is attended however with one disadvantage-the difficulty of finding any word that may be wanted. To obviate this difficulty an Index will be given-all the words of the Dictionary will be alphabetically arranged, with the page referred to where each may be found in its proper etymological connexion. 6. The pronunciation of all those words which deviate from analogy will be marked and indicated in the manner of Mr. Walker's Dictionary; which shall be taken as the standard of English pronunciation. Thus with the principles and rules laid down in the grammar, the present work will serve as a guide to provincialists and foreigners for pronouncing the English language. It is intended to publish the whole work in Five Parts, at 6s. each, to Subscribers; 8s. to Non-subscribers; but the Author means to wait the decision of the public respecting the Grammar before he send any part of the Dictionary to the press. OBITUARY. Died, Wednesday, March 13, 1816, in the 69th year of her age, Mrs. ANN MARSOM, wife of the Rev. John Marsom. She was born in the year 1747, received a religious education from her mother, and at an early age made a public profession of Christianity by baptism and an association with a church of the Calvinistic persuasion. She afterwards embraced the Unitarian doctrine, and in the year 1774 addressed a letter on that subject to the pastor of the church of which she was then a member, avowing and defending her sentiments, in consequence of which she was separated from their communion. This letter has been lately printed in the first number of the Christian Reformer. Ou some disputed points she could never fully make up her mind, but her views in general were rational and free from enthusiasm, and she entertained the most friendly sentiments towards those from whom she differed in opinion. On this subject she often repeated the words of the Apostle Peter, as containing a declaration which gave great satisfaction to her mind, In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him, On the subject of the Divine Unity she frequently mentioned the 3rd verse of the 17th of Joba as having been decidedly convincing to the mind of her mother as well as herself. This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. In her disposition she was remarkably affectionate and sympathizing; strongly affected by the sufferings of others and anxious for their relief. This temper continued with her even when the decay of her faculties rendered her incapable of the active exertion for which she had before been distinguished, and which had made her eminently useful in her family connexions, among whom ber memory will long be cherished with tender and grateful recollection. With respect to her hope of acceptance with God she always expressed it to be founded distinctly and solely on the mercy of God as revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and professed to derive all her comfort from the promises of God contain ed in his word. She often repeated those two lines of Dr. Watts's, "The voice that rolls the stars along Speaks all the promises !" She was often heard to say, "I never had a voice from heaven to tell me that I was a child of God; but I trust I can say, I know in whom I have believed." She disclaimed all confidence in herself, and her mind seemed to rest for support on such declarations as these, There is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, and in those that hope in his mercy. It was remarkable that in the latter years of her life, when she was in a state of 184 Obituary.—Mr. J. Drover.-Mrs. E. Easley.-S. Downer, Esq. great mental debility which particularly impaired her memory, she could nevertheless recollect and repeat whole psalms and chapters, besides a variety of detached verses of scripture on which she dwelt with delight. One of the last expressions she was heard to utter was, that passage Titus ii. 13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. From these words her Funeral Sermon was preached to a full congregation on Sunday, March 25th, at Worship Street, by the Rev. John Evans, who read the above character of the deceased from the pulpit -adding his own expressions of regard for her memory. Her remains bad, on the preceding Tuesday, been interred by the Rev. R. Aspland in the adjoining cemetery. 15th, at Reading, aged 53 years, Mr. JAMES DROVER, an intelligent and active member of the Unitarian congregation of that place. His death was very sudden. He attended religious worship on Sunday the 10th; went on Monday the 11th to Oxford to exercise his musical profession, in one branch, of which he was very eminent, and in which he continued to practise from his attachment to it notwithstand ing his being engaged in a considerable business of long standing; and returned home on Wednesday noon, the 13th, when he complained of a cold and took to his bed. His disorder rapidly increased and terminated in a mortification, of which he died on Friday evening, the 15th, to the unspeakable grief of his family and the consternation of his neighbours. He was buried on Friday, the 22nd inst.: his remains being followed to the grave by a vast concourse of people. On the following Sunday, the 24th inst., a funeral sermon was preached for him at the Unitarian Chapel, Reading, by his friend, Mr. Aspland, of Hackney; a crowd of his surviving townsmen, testified their respect for his character by attending this melancholy service. Great numbers returned from the chapel, unable to gain admittance, at an early hour. By desire of Mr. Drover's surviving family and friends, the Sermon is put into the press; some further particulars will be extracted from it in our next. On Thursday, the 21st, at her son's house, Crown Street, Finsbury Square, aged fifty, Mrs. ELIZABETH EASLEY, widow, after having submitted to a most painful and lingering illness (with remarkable Christian fortitude) the foundation of which was laid by some severe domestic afflictions and bereavements. As a wife, parent and friend, few have fulfilled these important duties with more propriety. She has left two sons to lament ber loss. Her religious principles were strictly Unitarian: she was a convert of the late He At his house in Aldermanbury, early in the morning of Thursday, the 22nd of February, died SWAN DOWNER, Esq. aged 81 years. This worthy gentleman by habits of economy and diligence, acquired a considerable fortune, in the use of which he avoided all expensive and ostentatious parade, seeming to regard it as a talent, which he was bound to devote to purposes of usefulness and charity. His parents were Dissenters; he followed them in their dissent and conscientiously adhered to it, having made himself acquainted with its grounds, and being convinced of their solidity. He was, through a long series of years, a member of the Presbyterian church now assembling in Jewin Street, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Doctor Rees, on whose very able and interesting ministrations he attended with constancy, seriousness and entire satisfaction. was the firm and ardent friend of civil and religious liberty, of peace in opposition to war, of freedom as opposed to slavery and the slave-trade, of men's emaucipation from oppression and persecution in all parts of the globe, and of every practicable diminution of our national expenditure and burthens; and always approved the legislative measures, or the attempts in Parliament, the object of which was the attainment of these desirable ends. When he spake concerning religion, it was with a gravity demanded by its high and important nature; but he placed a just regard to it less in talking about it than in acting agreeably to its rules. The poor have lost in him a considerate and generous benefactor. He distributed his bountics among them not indiscriminately, but after a careful search and investigation, and with a due preference of the cases, which he judged most suitable and deserving. Strict and inflexible probity was always conspicuous in him, accompanied with remarkable strength and clearness of intellect. He retained his powers of recollection and discernment and of expressing his thoughts with precision tò the last. He was interred on Wednesday the 28th of February in the vault contain ing the remains of his parents and sisters in the burying ground of the parish church at Brighthelmston, his native town; in which, by the provisions of his will, there will be permanent memorials of his benevolence and compassion. He has also bequeathed liberal sums to certain well known and valuable institutions; nor. are his numerous though distant relations forgotten. W. J. State of Public Affairs. Addition to the Obituary of MR. JAMES HENNELL, p. 111. (Extracted from the conclusion of Mr. Aspland's funeral sermon for him just published.) "These animating prospects (of the improvement of mankind in the future world) supported and cheered our departed brother MR. JAMES HENNELL. He had enjoyed the unspeakable advantage of a religious education and had acquired in early life that habit of soul which may be called the religious sense. A favourite topic of his conversation in his last days was, his obligations, never to be sufficiently acknowledged, to pious parental counsel and example. After apostolic example, he reasoned upon his faith as a Christian, and reasoned well; but what is of more consequence, he felt deeply and felt correctly. In his varied and complicated transactions with the world he might err through the uncertainty of every thing human, but I am firmly persuaded he never erred from design. His, as he assured me, was on a death-bed, the testimouy of a good conscience; yet he was conscious of imperfections and frailties and with sincere repentance he reposed on the mercy of his heavenly Father. "It pleased the Sovereign Disposer of Life to lay him long on the bed of languishing. All hope of recovery had left him for months before his departure, during all which time he knew he had nothing to do but to die. But the prospect of certain death at so ́untimely an age, when in the course of nature he might have calculated on many years to come, and the thought of leaving in the world a large family to whom he was tenderly attached, never terrified or agitated him; for him 185 self, he knew in whom he had believed and that he was able to keep that which he had committed to him, his eternal interest, against the last day, and, for his children, he could trust with confidence to the Father of the fatherless. Seldom has a death-bed been so calm, so cheerful, so instructive, I may even add so animating, as his. As he had done with the world, so, in his own laugnage, he appeared to have risen above it. His conversation was in heaven. The greatest efforts of his sinking nature were put forth in exercises of parental duty and of piety. Whilst his strength lasted he was accustomed to lead the worship of his family, and his voice was often heard in the psalms that were sung upon these occasions with a fulness and vigour that bespoke the earnestness and the joy of his soul. Almost daily he assembled his children around him and gave them his counsels and his blessing. Soon after one of these edifying, exemplary exercises, the springs of life began to appear exhausted and he gently fell asleep, dying in the Lord, resting from his labours and awaiting that glorious day when them that sleep in Jesus God will bring with Him. The Lord grant that be may find the promised mercy of the Lord in that day; that his friends and children. may according to his fervent prayers live the life and die the death of the righteous, ́precious in the sight of heaven; and that we all may so pass the time of our sojourning upon earth as to enjoy a peaceful end and to rise in the resurrection of the just, companions of all them that through faithand patience inherit the promises. Amen and Amen.” MONTHLY RETROSPECT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS; THE OR, The Christian's Survey of the Political World. country has been in a considerable state of agitation since our last. The example set by the City of London has been followed by counties, cities, towns and boroughs, so that the table of the House was every night covered with petitions from various parts of England against the Income Tax. Even the county of York came forward upon this occasion, and as far as public sense can be known upon any measure, never has it been more decisively proclaimed, than in this instance. All orders and classes of men have united in reprobating this pernicious tax, and it was evident, that if the measure had been carried in the Houses, still so deeply rooted was the public odium against it, that it is not likely that commissioners could have been found to carry it into execution. The petitions, as they were daily laid before the House, were generally accompa-nied with some remarks, so that each night produced increasing reprobation of the measure. The pertinacity of the Minister in his determination to submit it to the decision of the House after such marks of reprobation was a subject of general astonishment. Many persons of great consequence had withdrawn from him; but it was presumed, that he was still secure in 186 State of Public Affairs. a very considerable majority: How he should have been deceived in this last circumstance is matter of more surprise, for it is evident, that on the night when he brought on the debate, he had the fullest confidence in victory. Very little debate however arose, the parties seem to have been satisfied, that enough had been said upon both sides; and the question was called for with eagerness when a few speakers only had delivered their sentiments. The result was, that the Minister was left in a minority. The difference between the majority and minority being thirty seven. Thus ended this great struggle, and it is evident that the declaration of the popular feeling had its share in the overthrow of the Minister. But people must not be led away with the idea, that it is in this country alone that a minister is kept in awe by popular feeling; the fact is, he knows with us its power, but he views it without dread or dismay. In despotic countries popular feeling finds a vent in a very different way. At Constantinople the head of the offending Vizier would have been thrown over the walls of the Seraglio: in Russia the Prime Minister would have exchanged the luxuries of a palace for the horrors of Siberia. In our country a question is discussed in court meetings, city halls, borough meetings. There may be energy and indignation, but animosity and ferocity are never seen there. If the general voice is heard, the minister retires from his station, or giving up the measure continues in it. The country is satisfied with its triumph, and has none of those base sentiments, which belong to the slaves of a despot. Still it is difficult to account for the Minister's permitting his weakness to be made so manifest. He ought to have known better his own strength, and that of his adversaries. But there may be cases, which justify this sort of pertinacity. The measure was probably determined on in Cabinet, when it was presumed, that the utmost reliance might be placed on the House of Commons, and the great measures of government were formed on this consideration. There are some minds not easily convinced, and when a project has been once formed they will not be diverted from it by the clearest prognostics of its future il success. Hence the voice of the country went for little, as indeed if other parties remain firm, it is not of great estimation. This might have done in ordinary questions, but in this it must be considered, that the voice of the country was in unison with the private interest of the voters, and however some might, from their offices under government compensate themselves for the tax on their private estates, yet this could not be the case generally, and it was a question, on which individuals would exercise their private judgment. The discontinuance of this odious and Symptoms of reviving spirit appear in |