his successor Clark. Of the many editions of this, I possess the first, (1734) published by Harding, St. Martin's Lane, and containing nearly 100 pages for 1s. I have not seen Clark's, but a friend who examined for me a copy at a bookseller's, priced 17. 5s., tells me that its plan goes no farther than Letsome's. I have endeavoured to make my copy more useful by adding in the margin references to all later authors which I may have. There is no doubt much utility in these works, but of infinitesimal importance compared with that which I seek, or suggest.

I need not enlarge on the vast advantage to be derived from a work which would enable the student, and especially the composer of sermons, to turn to all the casual discussions (not to be guessed from a text,) which occur in the writings and sermons of our best divines, on a particular subject and even a ramification of one. I may be told

that the best modern and some of the old editions are furnished with indices, but every one does not possess the editions which have them, and the alphabetical ones are of inferior value to what I propose. A digest of the best works in divinity, calculated to answer the ends I have pointed out, if well done, and sold for a moderate price,* (say 158.) would be of infinite value to the clergy, and would find a ready sale, not only among them, but the more studious part of the reading public also.

The labour of compiling such a work of course would be considerable, but it has probably been, in great part. already undergone in a long course of years, by some studious Divine, who has commonplaced his reading. No man can, however, dare to say, that such drudgery is beneath him, when it has been undertaken and executed for medicine by one, who, when the range of his acquirements and the light which he has shed upon such diversified subjects of literature and science is considered, will be pronounced "facile princeps," the first philosopher of his age.

Pray answer my question satisfactorily, or set the project a-going.
Yours,
A COUNTRY INQUIRER.

Oct. 19, 1832.

CASES OF ADULTERY.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

MY DEAR SIR,-Seeing your pages open to communications of all kinds, particularly from the clergy, I venture to address you on a subject, which has probably, more or less, engaged the attention of my clerical brethren. I have lately taken the curacy of a small parish, and am grieved to find that in it, and in the adjoining parish, there exist gross cases of adultery. Of course it is my duty to hinder, if possible, the continuance of such vice, but on inquiry I find, that

* Young's Med. Lit. was published at 18s.

without incurring an enormous expense, nothing can be done, and that, even then, nothing would follow but the excommunication of the parties concerned-a punishment which, in these days of lax discipline, it would be difficult to enforce, and which, if enforced, would probably be no annoyance to the parties, (who would immediately go to meeting,) and would not prevent their cohabiting; so that in fact there is no punishment at all for it. Now that reform is the order of the day, would it not be well if something were done, by which such gross violations of both human and divine laws might be prevented, and the punishment be rendered more severe? Could it not be made an offence cognizable at common law?

I throw out this hint, in the hope that, among your numerous readers, some one may be kind enough to correct me, if I am wrong, or that, if I am right, it may attract the attention of those who have the power of remedying the evil. dear Sir,

I am,

Dec. 6, 1832.

ANCIENT TABLE IN THE CHAPTER-HOUSE OF SALISBURY

CATHEDRAL.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

SIR,-Being somewhat of an antiquary myself, I can readily enter into the feelings of those who have been severe on the Chapter to which I have the honour of belonging, for having permitted such a profanation of the ancient table in the Chapter-House, as to supply four new legs to it, in the room of those which were decayed and rotten.

Having read the animadversions, in a journal so respectable as the "British Magazine," I thought it my duty, on coming into residence, to examine this table, in order to appreciate the justice of the public critical remarks; and I now think it equally my duty to inform the Editor of the publication which contained the remarks, that, as to the legs of the table, they were found in such a state of entire decay, that, to use the words of the clerk of the works, "he was absolutely unable, from the old wood, to preserve sufficient to make a snuff-box."

The Dean, therefore, desirous of supporting the ancient frame, left orders, on leaving residence, that four new legs should be substituted of the exact pattern of those which it was found necessary to

remove.

Unfortunately, the clerk of the works thought he might as well add a new top to the table at the same time, the former boards being decayed, and therefore took away all the original boards, the greater part being decayed and rotten.

This is the plain history, but on the part of the Chapter, directions have been now given by me, in the absence of the Dean, that all which remained of the old boards, and which could bear a nail, should

be carefully replaced. This is all that could be done; and having thought it my duty, in concurrence with the present residentiary, Archdeacon Macdonald, to give this explanation,-declining, however, all controversy, with best wishes for the success of your publication,

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
W. L. BOWLES.

STOKE-UPON-TRENT, STAFFORDSHIRE.-DR. WOODHOUSE'S
DONATIONS.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

SIR, I respond to your call for the particulars of the Dean of Lichfield's munificence to the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent, of which he was late rector, with alacrity and heartfelt satisfaction, rejoicing that you have thus afforded the opportunity of recording his princely gifts in your valuable publication. Being patron of the rectory and a resident, I speak to the facts from my own knowledge, in giving you the following list of Dr. Woodhouse's donations to that parish within the last fifteen years.

To the National School at Stoke, besides an annual subscription of 10 guineas, 2551.; National School at Hanley 907.; National School at Lane End, 501.; North Staffordshire Infirmary, besides an annual subscription of 5 guineas, 4707.-(the privilege of recommending patients, in virtue of 4007. of this donation, is for ever reserved to the five incumbents of the churches of Hanley, Shelton, Stoke, Lane End, and Longton, from their respective districts;)—towards erecting and completing a new parish church at Stoke, besides presenting a beautiful painted window for the chancel, 33007.; for the permanent endowment of the National Schools in the parish, 30007.; towards providing parsonage houses for the two new district rectories of Shelton and Longton, 20007.; towards the enlargement of the church at Lane End, 500.; towards a new church at Handford, on the borders of the parish of Stoke, besides an annual subscription of 5 guineas to the sunday school, 2007.; for providing an annual dole of bread to the poor of Penkhull and Boothen on Christmas day, for ever, 1007.; towards the establishment of a friendly society in the parish, on the Beecher or Southwell plan, 4007.; the organist's salary at Stoke church for four years, 801. Making in the aggregate more than TEN THOUSAND POUNDS, exclusive of liberal occasional aids in times of local distress, and large donations to other places and objects.

Let the revilers of the clergy read this statement and blush for their slanders. Really, Sir, I cannot but think, in common justice to that ill-used body of men, the inquiry by the ecclesiastical commissioners into the revenues of the church, should have touched upon their distribution; and if a question had been added, as to the amount of donations and subscriptions from the respective incumbents to public charitable purposes, I am satisfied that no class of persons, with the same means, would stand higher in the lists of public VOL. III.-Feb. 1833.

2 B

benevolence; whilst the private relief of the poor by the clergy is undoubtedly acted upon to a great extent.*

I beg to subjoin the following inscriptions on a statuary marble tablet, lately put up in the new parish church at Stoke, as a curious and interesting record of the variety of sources from which funds were derived for accomplishing that important work in which the late rector stands so pre-eminently.t

I remain, Mr. Editor,

Cliff Ville, 10th January, 1833.

Your very obedient servant,

JOHN TOMLINSON.

* The Editor is now endeavouring to collect an account of the contributions of the clergy in each county to such charities as print their Reports; and although this will be very inadequate, and will show no parish subscriptions, or private charities, it will evidently be very large in amount as appears from those counties whence he has obtained returns. But he wants assistance very much. He has some counties completed, and expects a few more. Could any person have the kindness to send him such returns for Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Cornwall. The societies and charities in question are county hospitals, asylums, dispensaries, &c., district or auxiliary committees of the society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and that for the Propagation of the Gospel, and National Society, Bible Society, Church Missionary Society.

† A Table of Donations towards erecting and completing this parish church, and providing an Organ, eight new Bells, and a Clock.

The foundations were laid in June, 1826, and the church was completed and

consecrated in October, 1830.

The total expence exceeded fourteen thousand pounds.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

MR. EDITOR,-As I consider it the duty of the clergy to make known, through the medium of your Magazine, what is passing in their respective parishes, I send you the balance sheet of St. Mary's Benefit Club* for the past year, and also the leading rules by which it is governed. This club was established last year, and has worked wonderfully well. The depositors are thankful for the benefits they derive from it; and such numbers are pressing into it, that the only limits to it will be the want of honorary donations to make up the sum which each depositor is to receive at the end of the year. The principle on which it is conducted is, that any one member of a family residing in the parish, being married, or a widow, or a single person above fifty years of age, of good character, may deposit twopence weekly, for fifty-one weeks. Two-shillings-and-sixpence, from the honorary fund, is then added to the sum saved, the whole amounting to eleven shillings, which is laid out in coals, shoes, or goods. The depositors buy their own coal, and the ticket is brought to the treasurer for payment; or, if choice is made to purchase goods, an order is given by a printed ticket of credit, drawn upon a tradesman in Chester. No money is ever repaid to a depositor to be spent as he pleases. Every Sunday, after evening service, the members make their deposits; and numbers who never had been known to attend any place of divine worship have been drawn to church since they joined the club. The rule which compels regular attendance is, " if, at the end of three Sundays, the sixpence due is not paid, the depositor forfeits sixpence of the half-crown he is to receive at the end of the year. I am, Mr. Editor, your humble servant, WILLIAM HUTCHINSON, Curate of St. Mary's.