As proprietor of "The Parochial Registry," the present Compiler suggests the advantages of a renewed series, in accordance with recent changes: distinguishing the more local claims from those of unions; wherein the rights of the poor, and their legal resources, might be recorded, for their protection; contradistinguishing their protectors individually, from the present guardians of the rich, and their funds collectively.

The most compact and essential part of my evidence as to the administration and practical operation of the late Poor Laws, and as to Parochial Unions, as taken from a Report of one of the Assistant Poor Law Commissioners, for inquirng into those Laws: will be found in my Address to the Electors, already described: in the England and English,' of Edward Lytton Bulwer, Esq., M.P. of 1833, in which that honourable gentleman did my evidence the honour of expressing himself thus:'Let me summon Mr. Crook, the Clerk of St. Clement, in a portion of the evidence in the Poor Laws,' (as then unpublished) it gives an admirable picture,' &c. with appropriate comment: that Evidence was subsequently given more at large in the Magazine For the Diffusion of Use ful Knowledge,' and The Crisis,' with suitable comments. "In my publication of 1810, in allusion to the then attempted amelioration of our Poor Laws, is an announcement, that The writer has a design of availing himself of the experience of years, in treating this subject at large ;, that design has not been abandoned, but subsequent minor attempts, has convinced him that entire independence of men and manners was requisite to infuse into the Essay, the beneficial effects."-The Parochial Registry, No. 4.

The Compiler, in allusion to parochial concerns generally, in 1819, announced them as in the daily order of Providence, and, as the work more especially appointed

him; and in 1836 remarked, that "habitual practice had occasioned him to hold the department of poverty, as the more immediate business of his life."- The Voice of the People, p. 53-The Parochial Registry, No. 3.

As the general advocate of Religious and Civil Union, and as the firm adherent to the advocates of Reform, in the last century, even, when the leaders were in their greatest political adversity: the remaining partizans were the successful legislators on Parochial Unions :-being still in full political power I do not, even now, despair of ultimate success.

IV. In the session of Parliament which commenced on the 4th of February and ended on the 20th of August," 1836, amongst the public Acts recorded as passed, are "The Act for the Commutation of Tithes in England and Wales, a measure which, amongst other advantages, will afford greater scope and encouragement to agricultural labour."- The Paper Duties Act, which takes off half the duty on paper." The Stamp Duties' Act, which reduces the amount of the stamp on Newspapers from threepence-halfpenny to one penny, and allows them to be transmitted free of postage to any part of the United Kingdom." The Marriage Act," and the "Act for the Re gistration of Births, Marriages, and Deaths;" measures of great importance as affecting the relations of domestic life, the transmission of property, and the conscientious opinions of those who dissent from the established Church," &c.-Mr. Brotherton's Letter. "The New Moral World, or Millennium," 15th October, 1836. "The Selector," No. 701, p. 349.

V. Remarks on nature and reason, and on the works of creation, emanating from the Deity and as a revelation: the effects upon the character and conduct of individuals, and the beneficial consequences are admirably delineated

in

Hampden in the Nineteenth Century," as quoted in the New Moral World as last described.

VII. The increase of happiness, as the genuine stamp of divine Revelation, and the beneficial effects of the study of nature and of reason, extracted from "The Religions Creed of the New System," by Abram Combe, as above, are admirable.

VIII. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”—(Isaiah v. 20.)

"Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."-(2 Timothy iii. 7.)

IX. "There are now few bigots among well-informed laymen of any persuasion."-The Times, 26th Dec. 1807.

The Rev. Editor of "The Shepherd," on his conclusion of that periodical, as late as the 22nd of August, 1835, considered politics as "public morality," and religion as "private morality," that "politics in this sense is the most universal of the two," and that "nothing but politics, now a-days, can absorb the public attention." But on the 3rd of August, 1836, "The New Doctor," states that "Religion is now become the common topic of conversation, and never was such a subject so little understood by those who raise such commotions in public assemblies about it. True religion does not consist in a man being Protestant, Catholic, or Methodist, for there are good men to be found no doubt in every religious sect, let the sect be what it may. It is not the faith a man professes that will render him either good or bad, but his actions alone will prove whether he is, or is not a truly religious character."The New Moral World, No. 94.

XII. "In which the Author has displayed much ingenuity, together with a liberality of sentiment rarely to be

K

met with in Theological Publications."-The Selector, No. 702, p. 357.

43,

XV. The Edinburgh Review, or Critical Journal, No.

P. 226.

In the quarterly list of new publications, p. 241, “The Charity Schools of St. Clement Danes, with observations, &c. by John Crook, Is." is recorded.

"Nature's Progress." "One of the greatest geniuses which Germany ever produced, namely, Schelling, was of opinion that Universal being divided itself into three great stages-first, chaos; second, nature; and third, the reign of an Universal Spirit, who is not yet brought forth, but will be.". "It is a very good emblem of the progress of society."-The Shepherd of 25th July, 1835 page 381.

"Jordanus Bruno, of Nola, and Vanini, were both executed for openly professing and teaching Atheism. The latter might have been pardoned the moment before his execution, but he chose rather to be burned than to retract his opinions."-The Weekly Herald of 30th Oct., 1836.

XXI. Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun, all the days of his life which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart." (Ecclesisastes v. 18 to 20.) "There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. For God giveth to a man that is good in His sight, wisdom,

and knowledge, and joy."-(Ecclesiastes ii. 24 and 26. "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life which God giveth him under the sun." (Ecclesiastes viii. 15.)

"I have seen the travel which God hath given to the sons of men, to be exercised in it. He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their hearts; so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God."-(Ecclesiastes iii. 10 to 13.) Who left not himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."-(Acts xiv. 17.)

XXII. In special allusion to the Act of 53 Geo. III. cap. 160, granting relief to persons who impugn the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,-according to the common acceptation.

See The Selector, 1808, pp. 350, 397.

XXIII. The happy era of Truth is making rapid progression in the recent declarations of individuals, relative to their well-founded metaphysical opinions.

"THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH.”

"An Essay on Nature, as the universal basis of Truth, Perfection and Salvation, and their universality ;" and on "Power, Wisdom, and Goodness as the unbounded Attributes of the First Cause," originated in a solemn determi