parison between the Insolvent Act and the Bankrupt Laws, in which the author endeavours to shew, in many respects, the superior benefits of the former. As the latter are likely to undergo an early revision under the auspices of a distinguished professor, we are not disposed to follow Mr. Warrand into this division of his subject. The remarks on the Bill, from page 19 to 23, deserve the espe cial attention of those by whom its fate is to be determined.

Two or three alterations are recommended in the present measure, so that the approbation of Mr. Warrand is not unqualified and indiscriminate. The Bill is admitted to have deterred the trader from resorting to his former remedy of arrest, under the apprehension that, by so doing, he should lose both his debt and costs. The law thus disarms the creditor of his power to threaten the debtor with its fury, and enables the debtor to threaten, in his turn, with ruinous expenses who may have a just claim upon him. To remedy this abuse, it is proposed that any defendant who shall, either before or after his surrender, file what is termed a sham plea, bring a writ of error for the purpose of delay, or plead the general issue, without being able to shew that he had a defence to the action, shall not be discharged as to such demand, until he shall have suffered an imprisonment of two years.

The Bill imposes imprisonment for three months, in order that the debtor may undergo some punishment for not discharging his engagements. Mr. Warrand justly observes, that the very idea of confinement is rendered ridiculous, by allowing the prisoner the liberty of the rules, when he may have a sufficient amount of his creditor's property in hand to enable him to purchase this indulgence. In that situation he continues still lavishly to squander the remaining property in his possession, and he has neither the appearance nor the feelings of a prisoner; and it is therefore suggested, that the man who surrenders his person to obtain the benefit of the Insolvent Act, should have locks to secure him, and walls to inclose him during a three months imprisonment, and should not be allowed to enjoy "the comfort and sensations of a country lodging at a great expense, be defrayed, not by himself, but by his creditors."

to

ART. XXVII.-A First and Second Letter to the Right Hon, the Earl of Liverpool on the proposed New Coinage. By THOS. SMITH. London, Richardson, 8vo. 1816. Pp. 41-26.

THE writer of these letters is likewise the author of an Essay on the Theory of Money, and several other publications connected with political economy. The first of the letters, as far as the practical observations extend, is confined to the silver coinage; the next includes the gold coinage, Mr. Smith having subsequently found that this description of the precious metals was included in the bill before Parliament. He says, that if that if Ministers mean to do the country a real service, they should take this opportunity of altering the Mint-rates of gold, and thereby put the country on an equal footing with its neighbours in regard to gold coins. Instead of doing this, however, they have come forward and declared, not only that the rate of gold is not to be altered, but that it ought not to be altered, as gold is the standard of value; and as one of their authorities, they quote Mr. Locke, although he expressly declares, that gold is not the standard of value, nor fit to be so."

66

ART. XXVIII.—Metrology, or an Exposition of Weights and Measures, chiefly those of Great Britain and France, comprising Tables, &c. By P. KELLY, L.L.D. London. Lackington and Co. 8vo. 1816. Pp. 116.

We

THIS is a more learned work than has usually been published on such a subject, and it is particularly useful at the present moment, when a bill is under the consideration of Parliament, the object of which is to produce an important change in the system of British weights and measures. have here a synopsis of laws relating to the subject from the year 1215 to 1816, and the weights and measures of Scotland and Ireland are comprehended. The Appendix supplies the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1814, and the outlines of the new bill.

ART. XXIX.-Letters on the Corn Trade, containing Considerations on the Combinations of Farmers, and the Monopoly of Corn, with Remarks on the Trade, &c. By JoSEPH STORRS. Fry, London. J. and A. Arch. 8vo. 1816. Pp. 38.

FIVE letters are the materials of this pamphlet, three of which appeared in the Public Ledger at the close of the

year 1814, and refer to the distinct trades of a farmer and a corn-dealer. The fourth considers the corn business in a national point of view; and the fifth discusses the position, if maintenance be only another term for the wages of the labourer. An Appendix enters into some explanation of the laws enacted at various times to regulate the corn trade, from 1266 to 1389. The principal purpose assigned for extracting these legislative regulations, is to shew the state of knowledge on the subject at the respective times the acts were passed; or rather the ignorance of our early statesmen such matters of political economy.

ART. XXX.-Third Report of the London Society for the Improvement and Encouragement of Female Servants by annual and other Rewards. London, Hatchard, 8vo. 1816. Pp. 32.

It is well known that this Society was formed to improve the general character of a class of our fellow-creatures, whose assistance is abundantly useful, and to encourage fidelity by the hope of public approbation and reward. This short pamphlet gives a history of the proceedings of the Committee, and the beneficial effect of its exertions, and it concludes with detailing the rules of the society as revised and confirmed.

ART. XXXI.-Thoughts on the Poor Laws, and on the Improvement of the Condition and Morals of the Poor. London, Hatchard, 8vo. 1816. Pp. 23.

THE intention of the writer is to suggest the means for bettering the condition of the poorer classes, and for promoting their frugality and industry. The author would continue parochial relief, with some extensive modifications of the present plan, in order that it may still be the interest of the farmer and the land-holder to repress idleness and profligacy, and he suggests two projects for public conderation, for which we must refer to the work.

ART. XXXII.-The Necessity of abolishing the System of Tithing in England, and substituting an equitable Provision for the Clergy in lieu thereof. Interspersed with Observations on the alarming Increase of Sectaries. By AN IMPARTIAL OBSERVER. London, Blacklock, 8vo. 1816. Pp. 42.

TITHES, says this author, were originally intended for the sustenance of the poor, as well as the clergy, but the latter

very conscientiously and christianly converted the whole of the tithes to themselves. He recommends an act to render null and void all claims for tithes above 10s. per acre for any land whatever, and to estimate the value of the present livings, that where they are needlessly enlarged, they may be reduced to what he calls a reasonable scale. He would abolish all tithes in kind every where, and fix a modus in lieu of them. On the subject of the increase of sectaries, we find it to be extremely difficult to compress, in any form suited to the space we can devote to him, the sentiments of the writer, from the desultory manner in which they are stated, and we do not think the reader will have any reason to regret the omission.

THEOLOGY.

ART. XXXIII.-The Christian's Manual, compiled from the Enchiridion Militis Christiani of Erasmus, with copious Scripture Notes and Comments. By PHILIP WYATT CROWTHER, Esq. London, Rivingtons, 1816, 8vo. Pp. 226.

SOME account of Erasmus, the author of the Enchiridion, is given in the introductory pages of this work. Jortin, adverting to the opinion of the founder of the Jesuits, who said his devotion was cooled when he read this book, observes," the judgment of Ignatius is altogether worthy of him, and every fanatic in the world, if he were to peruse this treatise of Erasmus, would be of the very same opinion; and would want something more pathetic and savoury, something with more unction, and less morality and common

sense.

"

ART. XXXIV.-Facts and Evidences on the Subject of Baptism, in three Letters to a Deacon of a Baptist Church, with an Introduction, &c. By the Editor of Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible. London, Taylor, 8vo. 1815. Pp. 52.

UNABLE himself to answer the arguments brought forward in the annexed tract, the Deacon has caused them to be published, by way of appeal to the body of the Baptist denomination at large. He has, as stated in the introductory observations, repeatedly consulted his friends in private, without receiving satisfaction; and he earnestly wishes to see that practice vindicated, which he has been in the CRIT. REV. VOL. IV. July, 1816.

habit of promoting, and for which he has been a "staunch" advocate during many years.

ART. XXXV.-Dr. Mant's Sermon on Regeneration vindicated from the Remarks of the Rev. T. T. Biddulph, by a Member of the Salop District Committee of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. Shrewsbury printed. London, Rivingtons, 12mo. 1816. Pp. 66.

THE author has not attempted any formal illustration of the doctrine of Regeneration. That has already, in his opinion, been sufficiently done by Dr. Mant. His object has merely been to shew, that for any thing Mr. Biddulph has yet written, Dr. Mant's Sermons stand unimpeached; and that the District Committee, of which he is a member, was fully justified in its desire to promote their circulation.

ART. XXXVI.-Twenty-one short Forms of Morning and Evening Prayers, for the Use of Families. By a Member of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. London, R. Hunter, 8vo. 1816. Pp. 143.

A KIND of Sermon is prefixed to this work on the duty of prayer. Every address to the Supreme Being is concluded with the Lord's Prayer. The style of composition is unequal, and is most excellent where it is copied verbatim from those admirable forms adopted in the established church. We cannot too much condemn the employment of expletives in prayer, which should be in the simplest shape, without argument or circuity. The following, occurring page 56, is in this view exceptionable: "May we learn to worship thee in spirit and truth;" that is, " with the sincere offering of a thankful and obedient heart." The prayers are adapted to the Unitarian form of worship.

ART. XXXVII.-A Review of" American Unitarianism, or a brief History of the Progress and present State of the Unitarian Churches in America. By the Rev. THOS. BELSHAM, of London. London, Williams and Son. Third Edition, 8vo. 1815. Pp. 45:

THE pamphlet intituled American Unitarianism was printed at Boston, and it is stated that Mr. Belsham's name