the fund, &c. This book shall remain at all times open to public inspection. XXV. The clerk shall not receive a salary till the annual interest of the fund shall amount to L. 100 sterling; after which period, the managers shall determine on the amount of the salary. ; XXVI. James Bridges, writer to the signet, is hereby declared clerk. XXVII. These regulations are declared unalterable, except by the unanimous vote of the managers and trustees at the time. Proceedings of the Wernerian Society. T the meeting of this Society, AT on the 7th March, the Se cretary read an "Essay on Sponges, with descriptions of all the species that have been discovered on the "coast of Great Britain," by George Montagu, Esq. of Devonshire. From Mr Montagu's researches as to the constitution of sponges, it appears that no polypi, or vermes of any kind, are to be discerned in their cells or pores: they are, however, decidedly of an animal nature; but they possess vitality, without perceptible action or motion. Mr Montagu has divided the genus Spongia into five families, viz. branched, digitated, tubular, compact, and orbicular. Only fourteen species were previously known to be British: Mr Montagu, in this communication, described no fewer than thirtynine. A considerable number of the species are quite new, or have now, for the first time, been distinguished and formed by that indefatigable naturalist. At the same meeting, Dr Yule read a Memoir on the Natural Method in Botany, in which he defended the existence of the series of naural affinity in plants, against ob Sir J. Hamilton Dalrymple, Bart. Dr Meiklejohn, Professor of Church History, Edinburgh. The Rev. Leslie Moodie, Inveresk. Francis Anderson, Esq. Stonyhill, Musselburgh. Alexander Cowan, Esq. Edinburgh. Robert Dundas, Esq. W. S. Edinburgh. Thomas Guthrie Wright, Esq. W. S. Edinburgh. John William Watson, Esq. Edinburgh. Thomas Hopkirk, Esq. Dalbeth, Glasgow. Mr Samuel Paterson, merchant, Edinburgh. Mr James Bell, merchant, Edinburgh. Mr Robert Morton, merchant, Edinburgh. Mr Mr James Scougal, designer of gar- kie---On the transplanting of large dens, Edinburgh. CORRESPONDING. Mr James Paterson, jun. at Wishaw, Mr Duncan Montgomery, gardener Mr John Kyle, gardener to Mr Mr Thomas Barton, gardener to fruit-trees, and on the preserving of apples and pears in sand. 8. From Mr John Wanlass, at lon and cucumber pit, with a mo Mountwhanie---Description of ame del. Several very fine specimens of Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and lettuce, were produced; and the committee for prizes reported, that Mr James Kirk, gardener to the Hon. Baron Hepburn of Smeaton, was entitled to the medal for Brussels sprouts; Mr William Affleck, gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Home, at Hirsell, to that for spring broccoli; and Mr. James Stewart, gardener to Sir J. Hope, Bart. of Pinkie, to that for winter lettuce. Mr William Knox, gardener to Mr Monthly Memoranda in Natural Spiers of Elderslie. Mr John Mackray, gardener to John A number of valuable communications were read, particularly, 1. From Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. -On the advantages of turning the branches of fruit-trees over the walls against which they are planted. 2. From Mr James Scougal, designer-On the utility of clay paint in destroying insects on fruit-trees. 3. From Mr James Smith, at Ormiston-hall-On the canker in fruit trees. History. N the first week of the April. I month, a good deal of the snow which had fallen between the 19th and 23d of March, disappeared from the ground; but where it had been drifted, and on high situations, it still continued to lye very deep. On the 2dinst. a little Auk, Ratch, or Greenland dove (Alca Alle), was found dead among the snow at Friartown farm-house, on the estate of Mr Brown of Newhall, near the foot of the Spittal Hill, one of the Pent lands, distant nine or ten miles from the sea. It had probably been driven so far inland by the force of the wind and snow. But this sea bird, it may be remarked, seems inclined to take short inland excursions. few weeks ago, one was shot while on wing in the valley at the foot of Salisbury Craig, at a time when the weather was not stormy. This is accounted rather a scarce bird in England; 7. From Mr James Stewart, Pin- but it seems to be a pretty regular 4. From Mr John Mackray, at Errol-On the gooseberry caterpillar, and on the worms which infest carrots and onions. 5. From Mr Archibald Gorrie, at Rait-On the turnip-fly. 6. From Mr McDonald, Dalkeith Park-On the culture of the currant bush. A visitant visitant of the Frith of Forth during the severe weather of winter. In the Magazine for December 1807 and for January 1808, we have mentioned the circumstance of one being caught in Messrs Dickson's nurseries, Leith Walk, and of four being taken alive at one time near Aberlady in East Lothian. College, St Andrews. 8vo. 12s. Constable & Co. 1812. IT of T has long appeared to us a sublecturing should, in this counject of regret, that the practice try, have fallen so much into disuse. The reading of the Scriptures, which was universally practised in deed been rendered less necessary, the early reformed churches, has inby the generally diffused knowledge of reading throughout all ranks; but their exposition forms still an object as useful and necessary as ever. Few members of any audience can have leisure and opportu 15. Pentland Hills, and even Arthur Seat hill in the immediate vicinity of Edinburgh, are still mark ed with white stripes of drifted snow. The weather, however, has become favourable for agricultural operations. Peach-blossom on open walls is coming out; and plum-blossom is likewise beginning to show. Com-nity to clear up the obscurities which mon daffodils are just expanding. 25. To-day, a heavy fall of snow again took place, and rendered the country around Edinburgh temporarily white: by next day (26th) the snow was melted, and the moisture will prove refreshing and useful in many cases. Vegetation is, upon the whole, fully a month later than usual. This may probably prove favourable to the productiveness of fruit-trees, in Scotland, and great crops may be looked for, as very few trees were last year overburdened with exhausting crops. In some cases, however, the prevalent lightning of last summer appears to have destroyed or injured the buds destined to produce the 'fruit of this season; and such trees may possibly require some years to N. recover. Canonmills, 7 27th April 1812. SCOTTISH REVIEW. Lectures upon Portions of the Old Testament; intended to illustrate Jewish History and Scripture Characters. By George Hill, D. D. F. R. S. E. Principal of St Mary's exist, to a certain extent, in the sa themselves of such means as are in cred writings; and of these few, a part only can be expected to avail their power. We will venture to add, that, if judiciously conducted, erest and variety to pulpit orations, nothing could tend more to give inand to relieve that common-place, into which the constant repetition, even of the most important abstract truths, is liable to sink. Yet, notwithstanding these various uses of lecturing, it seems, in our fashionable congregations, to be almost relinquished as an uncouth and obso- . lete practice. While this is the a contrary example should be set, case, it appears to us fortunate, that by a preacher so very popular and generally admired as the author of the present discourses. In the mode of execution, too, there appears to us to be much tending to throw light upon the mode of rendering such compositions both pleasing and instructive. The ancient mode of lecturing was not perhaps very well adapted for general edification. A short passage of scripture was selected, which was expounded, verse after verse, with minute and laboured commentary. Such a plan is te dious and monotonous; it leaves little room for that interest which is derived from incident, character, or from extensive views of the scripture economy. It loses the unity of a sermon, without acquiring in return any advantage sufficient to compensate for the sacrifice. The plan followed by Dr Hill in this volume is entirely the reverse of that which we have just noticed. He takes for the subject of his lecture, the whole series of some grand event or dispensation; chusing for his text a leading passage which forms as it were the key of it. He does not, of course, enter into minute criticism or verbal illustrations. He takes a comprehensive view of the events comprised in the narration; he illustrates their connection with the general plan of providence; he points out the character of the various actors, and the moral instructions which the whole is calculated to convey. His work is thus calculated to form a complete introduction and guide to the study of the Old Testament history. The volume opens with two sermonson "Searching the Scriptures." Of these, the first illustrates the advantages to be derived from this exercise; the second points out the manner in which it may best be conducted. We are then introduced to Abraham, the most venerable character in the Old Testament, and the parent of the Jewish people. Afterwards, in the successive histories of Moses and Joshua, and of the Judges, we trace the rise of this nation, the early vicissitudes of their lot, and their final establishment in the promised land. A particular discourse is employed in illustrating the singular story of Balaam. The characters of Samuel and Saul, with the memorable reigns of David and Solomon, afterwards afford interesting subjects of discus sion. Two concluding discourses then treat of the history of the kings of Judah, the captivity of the Israelities; and, finally, their restoration to their native land. In endeavouring to exhibit specimens of the manner in which this work is executed, we shall direct our attention first to the exhibitions of character; secondly, to the moral instructions drawn from them; and, thirdly, to the illustrations of the Jewish history and institutions. These appear to us to form the prominent features in the lectures under our consideration. Of the first, an example may be furnished by the delineation of that memorable friendship which subsisted between David and Jonathan. "The first appearance of David having introduced him into the king's family, the next object which draws our attention in the picture of his early life, is the intimate connection formed between Jonathan the son of Saul, and David. The heart, at their time of life, is susceptible of sudden and strong attachments. But the tenderness and fidelity of the friendship of these two young men are drawn with inimitable beauty; and there are circumstances attending their friendship which render it peculiarly interesting. "The son of the king felt no jealousy of the favour and growing reputation of the young shepherd he had learnt that David was to be the successor of his father; for he said to him at one time, "Thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth;" Yet he continued to love him as his own soul, and kept faithfully the covenant whith they had made. After Saul became David's enemy, and sought to take away his life, Jonathan Jonathan had a difficult part to act; but he did not betray or forsake his friend. He sometimes softened the mind of the king, by speaking good of David. When he saw that evil was again determined against him, he gave him notice of the danger, and went to him secretly, either to concert some method of escape, or to comfort his mind, by assuring him that he had not adopted his father's senti ments. "David received all the tokens of Jonathan's love with becoming respect; and returned them with an affection constant and warm, which, during all the enmity he experienced from the father, knit his soul to the son, which poured itself forth in the tenderest lamentations at the death of his friend, and which extended to the family of Jonathan. For we read in the ninth chapter of the second book of Samuel, that after David had subdued many surrounding nations, and when he reigned over all Israel, he inquired if any was yet left of the house of Saul, to whom he might shew kindnes for Jonathan's sake; and he sent for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, who was five years old when tidings came that Saul and Jonathan had fallen in battle, and who had been lame in both his feet from that day, because his nurse fell with him, when, upon receiving the tidings, she made haste to flee." When Mephibosh eth came unto David, he fell on his face and did reverence. But David said unto him, Fear not, for I will surely shew thee kindness, for Jonathan thy Father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually, as one of the king's sons." By this soothing paternal attention to a helpless young man, David fulfilled his oath to Jonathan, who, in one of their private meetings, looking forward to the time when David should ascend the throne, had made him swear by the love which was between them, and had said, "Thou shalt not only while yet I live, shew me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not; but also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever." David swore, and he kept his oath. "You recognize, my young friends, with pleasure, the sanction here given to those voluntary connections, those friendships arising from choice, which form one of the chief delights of your warm, generous, unsuspecting hearts; and which often constitute a large portion of the comfort, the joy, and the security of human life. You recollect also, that such friendships are consecrated by a higher example; for there was, in the family of our Lord, a person distinguished by this name, The disciple whom Jesus loved." While you feel yourselves warranted by this sacred autherity, to make a selection for yourselves, beware of confounding virtuous friendship with partnerships in iniquity, with associations for riot and debauch, with base alliances, where they who can stoop to give flattery, make a property of those who are mean enough to receive it. Learn from the picture of the love between Jonathan and David, the character of a true friend: He shews himself friendly: He loveth at all times, and is born for adversity: His heart answers to yours, sharing your sorrows, reviving your spirits, exciting your powers: His words are often words of grave sedate counsel, sometimes words of rebuke, but always faithful and hearty. Let the connection which continued between David and the family of Jonathan, recommend to you steadiness in friendship, a re membrance of ancient ties, and an attention |