tion; and I dare say, we could pro- | cure a large subscription towards the support of the mission in our individual capacities. I pray that it may please God to bring this scheme into accomplishment, and that he may bless your labours with success. It can hardly, however, be expedient for you to go to Africa so soon as you mention, as you would, in that case, arrive during what is called the Smokes: it will be better therefore for you to wait till November or December. I cannot help adding, that much must depend upon the qualifications and dispositions of the missionaries, not only for their success among the natives, (according to the usual proceedings of Divine Providence,) but also for the friends we might raise for the general purpose of the establishment." though they were not forward in manifesting that spirit which they accused him with neglecting to cherish. It was attacked by the Rev. Thomas Belsham, who published his review of this treatise, in a series of letters, addressed to a Lady. At the general election in 1806, it was suspected that he would have found some serious opposition to his being returned for the county; but such was the popularity of his name and character, that his friends from every quarter rallied round him, and secured his seat. At the next general election, he declined standing for the county. This arose from his discovery of the offence which several had taken to some branches of his Parliamentary conduct; in addition to the offence which he had given them in 1806, in favouring the return of another candidate whom they disliked. Hence, as the tide of public opinion was not promising to his success, he was unwilling to risk his hard-earned reputation on the precarious issue of an expensive contest. He now sits in the house as member for Bramber, in Sussex. The wife of Mr. Wilberforce, is the daughter of Mr. Isaac Spooner, a wealthy and popular merchant of Birmingham. By this lady he has several children. In connection with these amiable displays of a benevolent heart, Mr. Wilberforce has invariably manifested a strong attachment to the interests of Christianity. In the year 1797, he published a volume entitled “ A Practical view of the prevailing Religious System of professed Christians in the higher and middle classes in this country, contrasted with real Christianity." This work, as might naturally be expected, excited a considerable degree of interest, when it first made its appearance. Its circulation was both rapid and extensive; as several editions were sold during the first year. Shortly afterwards it was published in a less expensive form, for the accommodation of those benevolent individuals who thought it a work highly proper to be given away among the lower orders of society. In this shape its circulation was very considerable, many thousands being distributed through various parts of the country. The work in general consists of regular essays on almost every leading topic in divinity. The style is perspicuous, and forcible; never degenerating into meanness, and but rarelying influence than Mr. Wilberforce. rising into an elegance of diction. Its prevailing character is that of dignified simplicity, which is happily appropriate to the nature of the subject. In his public character, he has in general shewn himself friendly to the measures of the ministry, but without furnishing his opponents with any just ground for accusing him with having surrendered his independence. As a senator, his opinions have always commanded much attention and respect, even among those who censured his conduct, in the support which he gave to Mr. Pitt during his long, popular, and occasionally reprobated, administration. Few men who have appeared in Parliament, occupying a similar situation, can boast of a more command In private life, he is said to exhibit, in an eminent degree, that humanity and benevolence, which his opposition to the slave-trade might lead us The popularity which it acquired, to expect, and that piety, which his soon called forth animadversions and" Practical Views," are calculated to replies, in which the writers charged the author with that want of candour and moderation towards those who differed from him in sentiment, which they did not forget to amplify; al enforce. To every benevolent institution, he has been the undissembled friend. Bible Societies, Sunday Schools, and Missionary Associations, have invariably found in him an able advocate, and a liberal subscriber. His zeal for the propagation of Christianity seems to have increased with his years, without shackling his mind with the fetters of bigotry, or communicating an enthusiastic impulse to his exertions. In his person, Mr. Wilberforce is rather below the middle stature, and his body is of a slender make. His health is extremely delicate; and any extraordinary effort in public speaking, renders his constitutional weakness conspicuously apparent. But this bodily weakness has been more than compensated by that vigour of intellect, which on all occasions emanates from his spirit. His strength of mind may be fairly contrasted with the weakness of his corporeal frame; and the greatness of its powers, and the manner in which they have been employed, in behalf of the unfortunate slave, and in the cause of Christianity, will be mentioned with dignified gratitude, when the present generation shall be swept aside, and his spirit shall have mingled with beings of congenial feelings in the regions of immortality. THE VILLAGER'S LAY. A POEM. BY PALEMON. SPIRIT of rural Verse, who dost appear In coronal of her own flowers bids stay, Remember'd Village! scene of earliest joys, Where sportive childhood trifled with its toys, Where village friends, that nectaréan cup Prepar'd, which childhood rapt'rously drinks up; Then as the Schoolboy mark'd the Summer nigh, Young hope sprang sparkling in his eager eye; When holiday and sweet vacation lent, Till there arriv'd, how glad the youngster's breast, When Friendship welcom'd him, and smiles carest. Those days are past, but scenes of time and If once enjoy'd, fond memory will retrace; place Warm fancy's eye lights at its genial power The splendid sunshine of lite's morning hour, Roves through gay scenes, and pleasantly de tains, From joys ideal from the mind's real pains, With youth's fresh crown the brow of age adorns, Whose blooming fragrance hath surviv'd its thorns. Come, Inspiration! come, expand, inspire The pregnant bosom with poetic fire. Come, and from scenes unvisited of long, Transfuse their beauties through my wanderIn Britain's vales, sweet poesy! 'tis thine ing song. To lead the song-0 lead this song of mine! Still stray with me, and still, benignant maid, To thy own votary give indulgent aid; May Heaven's own power my youthful fancy guard, And virtue lead me to her own reward! Farewell, ye scenes, where busy toils of trade Hard is his lot condemn'd by hopes of gain, Or, if in fortune's sun he faint or thrive, But just supplied, now wavering to expire True happiness alone the absent guest. Ye fairer scenes, ye rural beauties, hail, Where healthful breezes fan the charming vale; Where lovely scenery in perspective lies, And simple art with simpler nature vies! Here, while remember'd scenes the wand'rer views, Life's earliest sports and pleasures he renews. Each wood, each tree, each meadow, tells a tale Of young adventures in this peaceful vale, THE IPHIGENIA OF TIMANTHES, A Poem: The Subject for the Newdigate Prize, at By the Author of Genius, a Vision. Bid pilfering Time again restore his prey, First, where the foremost shed the pitying tear, Could almost dare to deprecate the blow; Her conscious spirit owns the godhead there, And chill conviction chains the tongue of pray'r. Fix'd and forlorn in terror's breathless calm, This! Aulis! this! we owe thy piteous tale, DRUNKARDS AND IDOLATERS. Which is the greater sin, and which the least; Which finds the sharper, which the milder rod; To turn God's glorious image to a beast, Or turn the image of a beast to GOD? ON THE TRANSIT OF VENUS, AND THE Nuptials of his Majesty George III. IN THE YEAR 1761. [By a Student of Trinity College, Dublin.] To far distant climes whilst Astronomers run, For a prospect of Venus approaching the sun: (Since such a phænomenon rarely appears, But once in a hundred and twenty-two years:) If they had made Harwicht the place of their stay, They might see a bright Venus arise from the sea; And scarce a degree of her orbit begun, 'Till she at St. James's was joined with the sun. How needless, ye sages, to take such a scope, To sail to St. Helen's, or Cape of Good Hope? How needless abroad for such prospects to roam! Behold a more glorious conjunction at home! * Two Astronomers were previously sent out to take their station at the Cape of Good Hope, to observe the Transit in the Southern Hemisphere. The place where her Majesty landed; which is about sixty miles from London. |