might otherwise want, should appear best adapted to the accomplishment of that end. The simplicity of the Society's object, and the uniformity of its operations, discouraged every attempt at ingenious and artificial distribution. To do justice to the subject, it seemed necessary that the facts should be stated, as nearly, as possible, in the order in which they occurred; and that such connection should be preserved among them, as might show their mutual relation to each other, and their derivation from the same common original. For this purpose, the course suggested by the Society's Annual Reports, appeared that which, on the whole, it would be expedient to prefer; inasmuch as, while it conducts the reader through the several transactions both domestic and foreign, it reminds him

periodically of the degree in which they combine to manifest the growth, and to extend the usefulness, of the Parent Institution.-Adopting, therefore, this principle as the basis of his plan, the Author selected from the Society's printed Reports, and unpublished records; from the different publications of Auxiliary Societies and individuals; and from such papers, whether private or official, as were in his possession, or came within his reach, whatever could throw light upon the facts which it would be his business to record. At the same time, with a view to relieve, in some measure, the monotony of annual detail, he cast the decad into three general parts, agreeably to certain epochs, very distinctly observable in this portion of the Society's History; and gave to the years which fell within them respectively, the form and denomination of chapters.-Of the manner in which the plan has been executed, the Author may be permitted, in general, to say, that he has done the best which his peculiar circumstances would allow. The variety and urgency of his official duties in the Society, added to the concerns of a numerous family, and the interruptions of frequent indisposition, rendered his task not a little onerous, and will, he trusts, be accepted as some apology for the delay and the imperfection with which it has been performed."

The History contains much amusing and useful information; and a good Index accompanies each Volume.

55. The Literary and Scientific Pursuits which are encouraged and enforced in the University of Cambridge, briefly described and vindicated. With various Notes. By the Rev. Latham Wainewright, A. M. F. A. S. of Emmanuel College, in that University;

"While it becomes us to rectify the errors of those who gratefully acknowledge the singular advantages resulting from our civil and ecclesiastical establishments, it is equally expedient that we should endeavour to counteract the mis-statements and false accusations of men, who are not only uniformly hostile to all that wears the venerable form of antiquity, but who, in their incoherent projects of reformation, would reduce the attainments of every order of the State, however elevated by rank or dignified by profession, within the limits prescribed by their own contracted and illiberal views."

In publishing these pages the Author has been principally influenced by the suggestions of others. After reading the History of Cambridge, by Mr. Dyer, he has discovered nothing in that Work to supersede the necessity of the present, either with reference to the information it is intended to convey, or to the principles which it incidentally inculcates. He trusts that in point of correctness of detail, but little will be found to call for animadversion, as he had the satisfaction of submitting his manuscript to the inspection of two members of the University, of learning and station, upon whose judgment he could place implicit reliance. It may not be irrelevant to observe, that though the Author occasionally speaks in the first person, he has, during the last twelve years, ceased to reside in the University; but as he continues to be a Member of the Senate, he retains a vote in all its deliberative measures, and feels the highest interest in whatever is connected with the dignity and reputation of that learned body."

Having occasion to notice the remarks of Dr. Knox on the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Mr. W. subjoins,

"To deny the existence of any cause for animadversion in the latter establishment, would be to suppose a state of perfection never to be found in human institutions. Let any one, however, direct his view to the seminaries projected at various times for the education of those who call themselves rational Dissenters (to say nothing of similar foundations for the Independents and

the

the Methodists), in which the defects and corruptions of the English Universities were professed to be avoided, and the acquirements of learning were to be accomplished with infinitely less toil and less consumption of time; let him observe the success of these visionary attempts, and ask where are now the academies of Warrington, Daventry, and Hackney, and what is the condition of the few which have escaped the wreck of their companions, and he will then be less disposed to indulge in unreasonable declamation against those venerable and magnificent institutions, which have endured the trial of so many ages, or to be led away by chimerical dreams of the possibility of exemption from practical error."

Mr. W. then subjoins,

"My more immediate object is to show, that in the University of Cambridge every student who comes properly prepared and well disposed-and without these qualifications, the instructions of a Newton would be of little avail-has the fairest opportunity of acquiring the most valuable knowledge, and of cultivating almost every species of science in the most advantageous manner. In order to evince the truth of this observation, it will be expedient to notice the different branches of learning which are there considered as the principal objects of attention, as well as the manner in which they are generally pursued. For our present purpose, these pursuits may not improperly be classed under three heads,-Classics and general Literature-Natural Philosophy and Mathematics-Morals (including Political Philosophy), Metaphysics, and Theology."

We should gladly, had we room, make copious extracts; but must content ourselves with transcribing a few

detached notes.

"Were there no other proof of the high cultivation of classical learning in this University, it would be quite sufficient to refer to the erudite labours of the unrivaled Porson, to the admirable editions of the Greek dramas, published within the space of a few years by Professor Monk, Mr. Blomfield, and Dr. Butler; and to a recent periodical work printed at the Cambridge press, entitled Museum Criticum. In the difficult department of Greek Metres, it cannot be considered as any exaggeration to say, that there is no production of the Continental scholars which can be at all compared to Professor Porson's Supplement to the Preface prefixed to his edition of the Hecuba of Euripides,

1

or to Dr. Burney's "Tentamen de Metris ab Æschylo in Choricis Cantibus adhibitis." The favourable opinion which this statement must create of the classical merits of Cambridge, might be still farther confirmed by referring to the dedication of Dr. Burney's edition of the Lexicon Technologicum of Philemon."

"As a specimen of College Prizes we may mention, that at Trinity there are two prizes for Latin declamations and three for English, the former consisting of money, and the latter of silver goblets; also 107. for the best essay on the character of William III.; the same sum for the best-qualified student of those who are candidates for their Bachelor's degree; and two smaller sums for the two best readers in chapel, besides various prizes of books distributed to those who compose the two first classes at the annual examinations. At St. John's, prizes to the amount of more than 1001. are annually conferred in a similar manner. Of these there is one for the best proficient in moral philosophy among the commencing Bachelors of Arts, and several for the best declamations and themes. In almost every college a short weekly composition, either in English or Latin, here termed a theme, is required from those undergraduates who are in their first or second year's residence, though the precise régulations may vary in our different societies: and if the example of St. John's College, in offering prizes for the best themes, were generally followed, it would certainly add very materially to the encouragement, which already exists, to a proficiency in prose composition."

"The subjects of examination for the first degree (B. A.) consist of Natural Philosophy, Mathematics, Moral, Political, and Intellectual Philosophy; sothat

the above regulation secures the attainment of most of the different branches

of academical learning."

The following statement will give a correct idea of the College Prizes.

The

"Sir W. Browne's prizes consist of three gold medals, of the value of five guineas each. The Chancellor's prizes consist of three gold medals, equal in value to fifteen guineas each. Members' prizes are fifteen guineas each, distributed in money. The Seatonian prize amounts to forty pounds, the Norrisian to twelve pounds (part of which is to be expended upon a gold medal, and the remainder in books), and the Hulsean likewise to forty pounds. It is a fact well deserving of notice, and which furnishes an amply reply to any objection

to

to this part of the Cambridge system, that the public prizes, open to the competition of the whole University, amount annually to nearly nine hundred pounds, three fourths of which are appropriated to the encouragement of classical literature and English composition: and that the yearly amount of the smaller prizes peculiar to the different colleges, may be estimated at about three hundred pounds, two thirds of which are devoted to the same purpose.

"Besides these public prizes, there are not fewer than fourteen public scholarships, of which, while some are upon nearly the same plan of general competition, others are subject to some few restrictions, but most of them are designed to promote the advancement of classical learning, and composition.These are: two, called Craven scholarships, founded by Lord Craven; one founded by Sir William Browne; one by Dr. Battie; one by Dr. Davies, formerly Provost of Eton; and eight by Dr. Bell, one of the present prebendaries of Westminster; besides the Pitt scholarship. This last has been only very recently established out of the surplus money of the subscription raised for the purpose of erecting a statue, in the Senate House, to the memory of that illustrious character, Mr. Pitt; and which was increased by a donation from the members of the Pitt Club, formed in the capital."

"The series of Lectures on Mineralogy, delivered by Dr. Edward Clarke, already well known to the world by the publication of his Travels, are of recent date, as they only commenced shortly before his appointment to the office which he now holds, and which was founded by the University seven years ago, in a manner highly flattering to his talents and acquirements. The plan which the Professor pursues is in some particulars peculiar to himself. Besides the usual information on the subject, it contains remarks on the natural history of the various materials which have been adopted, both in ancient and modern times, in architecture and sculpture, and professes to elucidate the knowledge possessed by the antients of mineralogy, as it is displayed in the Sacred Scriptures, or in the writings of the Greeks and Romans. The numerous specimens which Dr. Clarke collected on his travels, are deposited in an apartment appropriated for the purpose, and are open to public inspection. The University is much indebted to this enlightened traveller for the present of some venerable fragments of Grecian

GENT. MAG. October, 1816,

art which now adorn the vestibule of the Public Library; and it is much to be lamented that it cannot boast of possessing the valuable MSS. offered by the same gentleman, but which have since been disposed of in another quarter.-The present respected Professor of Botany has for some years discontinued his lectures on that subject; but they who are disposed to follow this pursuit, either with a professional view, or as an elegant amusement, have within their reach the means of accomplishing their object in a manner infinitely superior to any oral instruction whatever. I believe it is acknowledged by the best judges, that the Botanic Garden at Cambridge contains one of the finest collections of plants in the kingdom, and is only inferior to the Royal Garden at Kew. The class Cryptogamia may probably form an exception to this statement. He who possesses the advantage of constant access to this extensive collection, together with the works of Professor Martyn and Sir James E. Smith, the President of the Linnæan Society, can well dispense with the assistance of lectures, in acquiring the elements of this popular branch of science."

"Besides the excitements of a public nature, there are a few scholarships and prizes, instituted in different colleges, solely for the encouragement of Divinity. Thus, at Christ's College, there are four Divinity studentships (commonly called the Tancred scholarships, from the founder's name), each exceeding in value 1001. a year, and tenable for the period of eight years. It ought not to be omitted, that the same individual founded four other scholarships, on a similar plan, at Caius College, for the encouragement of medicine. In the former College there are also two prizes, consisting of medals of the value of fifteen guineas each; one for the best Latin prose dissertation on the Evidences of Christianity, and the other for the best English essay on some moral precept in the New Testament. At Queen's College there is likewise an annual prize of 101. for the best composition on some theological subject."

"The appellations given to the three orders of honours can only be familiar to those who have been educated at Cambridge-Wranglers, Senior Optimes, and Junior Optimes. The envied student who passes the best examination in the Senate House is called the Senior Wrangler, a title which, however singular it may appear to strangers, confers a reputation never forgotten in after-life, They who follow next in the

66

Here, in the bosom of his Alma Mater, the student is taught, and taught with justice, to consider our Church Establishment as founded upon principles at once rational and sound, pure and practical; equally remote from papal superstition and the extravagances of sectarian fanaticism. Here he learns, and learns without delusion, to venerate the genius of our civil Constitution, and to perreive that its unrivalled excellence is as incompatible with regal depotism as with republican fury, and that while it reprobates the absurdity of an equality of condition, it respects and upholds an equality of rights. In these tranquil retirements of genius and taste, in these classic groves of learning and science, we trust that religion and liberty have formed an inseparable alliance:-not, indeed, that distorted religion, which engages the veneration of the enthusiast and the devotee, not that meretricious liberty which captivates the Utopian speculatist, or inflames the frantic demagogue; but religion, which rectifies the obliquities of human conduct, and liberty, which harmonizes the discordant interests of human society. In the one we shall find that meliorating influence, which subdues the impetuosity of the passions, without clouding the understanding, and from the other we shall derive all that can increase the enjoyments of social intercourse, without endangering the security of social order. The one is professedly friendly to a rational, an enlarged, and an enlightened faith; the other is as resolutely hostile to indiscriminate innovation and tumultuous reform."

56. The Agricultural State of the Kingdom, in February, March, and April, ng 1816; being the Substange of the Replies of many of the most opulent and intelligent Landholders to a Circular Letier sent by the Board of Agriculture to every part of England, Wales,

. and Scotland, 8vo. pp. 436. Clement

ANOTHER veryimportant (though not a Parliamentary) Report.

"The Board of Agriculture, on assembling after the Christmas vacation, considered it as an incumbent duty to the Publick, to take the necessary measures for ascertaining the real state of the kingdom, in whatever most inti mately concerned its Agricultural Resources; and for this purpose, ordered the following Circular Letter and Queries to be immediately dispatched to all their Correspondents.

Sir-The Board of Agriculture, attentive to those circumstances which concern the Agricultural Interest of the Kingdom, beg your attention to the under-written Queries; to which they request the earliest possible Reply. The importance of the subject, in the present state of the Kingdom, will without doubt induce you to be carefully accurate in the Answers with which you may favour us. I am, Sir, your obedient and very humble servant,

J. FANE, Vice-President.

(Signed by Order of the Board.)

13th February, 1816.

Queries.-1. Are any Farms in your neighbourhood unoccupied by Tenants; and have Landlords, in consequence, been obliged to take them into their own hands? Please to state the number of Farms, and their size. -2. Have any Tenants, within your knowledge, given notice to their Landlords, of quitting their Farms at Lady-day, or any other period?-3. Have any Farms been lately re-let at an Abatement of Rent; and if so; what is the proportion of such Abatement?-4. What circumstances, denoting the Distress of the Farmers, have come to your knowledge, which may not be included under the above Queries?-5. Is the present distress greater on Arable, or on Grass Farms?6. Have Flock-farms suffered equally with others?-7. Does the Country in which you reside, suffer from a diminished circulation of Paper?-8. What is the state of the Labouring Poor; and what is the proportion of Poor-Rates, compared with the Years 1811 and 1812?-9. What Remedies occur to you, for alleviating these Difficulties?"

From 326 Letters which were received in consequence of the Queries, the several statements accompanying the Report were collected.

"The great object of the Board in these inquiries, has been to collect facts. If it be asked, what conclusions are to be drawn from these facts? Such will, of course, suggest themselves with

the