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These are deplorable and visible effects of a horrid spirit; but, let it not be forgotten, that though these effects are visible in a few instances, the spirit that produced them may be nursed in secret among thousands; for these things are not, and cannot be, the effect of the mere criminal disposition of those concerned, but the effect of teaching. Terrible as is the volcano that bursts out once in a hundred years, it is a proof of the existence of elements of combustion under the soil. Let me not be supposed as bringing such instances forward by way of "Hints to the Legislature." The spirit of evil must depart as it comes. My object is to recommend that mode of religious instruction in which, as far as human wisdom can provide, the spirit that produces these enormities does not mingle ! !

Lest it might be thought that I have the least exaggerated in what I have said respecting the religion of this woman, I extract the following from the printed, plain, unvarnished account of her end :

"This unhappy woman, during her confinement, manifested the greatest reluctance to say any thing of the crime with which she was charged; but although she appeared fully alive to the consoLATIONS OF RELIGION! and evinced the GREATEST FIRMNESS even to the last moment, there is too much reason to apprehend that she was laboring under a most fatal delusion, from an opinion that having been ONCE in a STATE of GRACE, she could never finally fall !!!"

Spirit of the God of Mercy! when such "fruits" appear, can any real Christian doubt for a moment the author of them? This creed is preached by thousands, and believed by tens of thousands. Many who profess this belief would tremble at the consequences; but thousands profess it, regardless of its consequences, as an axiom of religion. The fruits may be visible in one instance, but the deplorable effects may remain on the heart without being visible, in numberless instances This was the unction that Cromwell put to his wounded heart on his death-bed, for the murders which he committed after "seeking the Lord!", "By their fruits shall YE KNOW THEM."

I cannot avoid adding two most remarkable facts, which have come immediately under my own cognisance, respecting the immoral effects, and that mode of preaching and teaching, to which I have alluded; and at the same time to point out the effects of that mode of common education, pursued by the Church of England. Mrs. Bowles, at the place from whence this is written, has for upwards of fifteen years, (ever since I came to this preferment) been in the habits of teaching herself the poor female children of the parish, on Sundays. They all assemble after morning service

on the lawn before the house, and the improvement, which has taken place in their dress, manners, &c. is almost inconceivable, when it is considered how destitute, and ragged, and ignorant, these children appeared when we first came to the village, which has been for so many years the retired scene of my humble pastoral labors. Nearly fifty children are constantly so educated. Many of those who were taught in this manner, long before any parochial education was generally thought of, are now grown women; and I can say, with some pride, that NOT ONE, of all the number, (from forty to fifty, being every year in the course of instruction, for fifteen years) of all this number NOT ONE GIRL has turned out ill. Many are in service, and patterns of industry, honesty, and morality, as I could bring their masters and mistresses to prove; others are married. Now, mark the reverse! In the same parish, but in a distant hamlet, a girl, not yet sixteen, of the most flagitious and abandoned character, though yet so young, at fourteen years of age began this life of premature debauchery: of course she was not one of those children who ever attended my church or our school. Some time ago, she came before me as a magistrate, and I then spoke earnestly to her respecting her mode of life. I asked her, if she could read?" Yes, any chapter in the Bible." Did she ever go to church to hear any religious instruction? No! but she went to "meeting" in another parish. "Then if you have been instructed, and go to any religious place of worship, what can you say, in excuse, for being, at so early an age, so abandoned and shameless a young woman ?"

She answered, with a simper, which none can conceive, unless they have witnessed that kind of pertness, which is the effect of what is called being " enlightened" "Oh! sir, the Lord CAN turn ME, as well AS THE best, WHEN HE PLEASES!!!" Another circumstance is this :-a teacher of a village school, superintended by the amiable wife of the incumbent, went to see some friends at Reading, a town, of which it is said that if every genus of dissent from the apostolic age to the present, was lost and forgotten, it might there be found. This young woman went to this place for a short time, and showing on her return that kind of pertness which I have described, so different from any thing in her character before, Mrs. said, "I am sorry to see you so much altered." Yes," madam," was the reply, "I hope I am; for I was in a SAD MORAL condition before!!" Whether she has recovered from this sad moral style, and made the best use of the time she has lost, I know not, but I have little doubt of what will follow.

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FREE THE ATMOSPHERE

OP

LONDON

IN A VERY CONSIDERABLE DEGREE,

FROM THE

SMOKE AND DELETERIOUS VAPOURS

WITH WHICH IT IS

HOURLY IMPREGNATED?

BY W. FREND,

ACTUARY OF THE ROCK INSURANCE.

LONDON:

ON THE

SMOKE OF LONDON.

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THE Smoke of London, first viewed from a distance, affords sight which strikes a foreigner with astonishment. The inhabitants are so accustomed to it, that they cease to regard it as a matter of much inconvenience, though a box of clothes sent from the metropolis sensibly affects their country friends. In fact, the Londoner is in the situation of a man, who lives in a smoky house: he is used to it but every one, who comes to visit him, perceives the difference between his sooty chambers and a well ventilated mansion.

There are people, who, from long habit, are not disgusted with dirt and nastiness. The Hottentot returns to his grease: but, I believe, that, if the smoky atmosphere of this great city was exchanged for a purer air, none of the inhabitants, or the occasional visitors of the metropolis, would lament the loss of their black fog. All talk of the smoky town; but they sit contented under their dense vapours, from an opinion, that the evil is incurable.

This is the case with every improvement that is suggested. A few years back, the visitors of Bedlam were assured, that it was impossible to keep the unhappy patients but by such immense locks, bolts, and chains, as shocked humanity. The very people, who were thus manacled and fettered, are now walking about at their ease in the new Bedlam, and are more tractable in consequence of the removal of these restraints. I went over this excellent institution the other day, and, on contrasting it with what I had seen

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