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"Thou and the earth, twin sisters as they say,
In the old prime were fashioned in one day;
And therefore thou delightest evermore
With her to lie and play

The summer hours away,

Curling thy loving ripples up her quiet shore.

"Sunlight and moonlight minister to thee;-
O'er the broad circle of the shoreless sea

Heaven's two great lights for ever set and rise;
While the round vault above,

In vast and silent love,

Is gazing down upon thee with his hundred eyes.

"All night thou utterest forth thy solemn moan,
Counting the weary minutes all alone;

Then in the morning thou dost calmly lie,
Deep-blue, ere yet the sun

His day-work hath begun,

Under the opening windows of the golden sky.

"The Spirit of the mountain looks on thee
Over an hundred hills; quaint shadows flee
Across thy marbled mirror; brooding lie
Storm-mists of infant cloud,

With a sight baffling shroud

Mantling the grey-blue islands in the western sky.

As a Sacred Hymn writer, we consider Mr. Alford second to no living Poet.

Mr. KEBLE'S Lyra Innocentium is at length published. (Oxford: Parker.) In size, as well as thought, the volume bears a close resemblance to "The Christian Year." The subjects treated of are classed under heads, as e.g.: "Holy Baptism," "Sacred Seasons," &c.

The Fifth Part of the "Collection of Ancient Church Music," printed under the direction of the Motett Society, (Chappell, New Bond Street,) has appeared after a somewhat long interval. It consists almost exclusively of Miscellaneous Anthems, and those chiefly by Giovanni Croce, Maestro di Capella in the church of S. Mark, Venice, about 1600, a writer whose compositions of the Church are but little known in this country. Perhaps our countryman Peacham's remark, "For a full, lofty, and sprightly vein Croce is second to none," requires some qualification; still the specimens here printed give us a very favourable impresson of his skill. The very first piece in the present part, "Behold and Praise the LORD," may be quoted as a fair sample of a Series of Anthems much needed for our Choirs;- Ecclesiastical and devotional in its structure and tone, and at the same time pleasing and easy of perform ance. None of the Anthems of this part are in more than four parts, so that they are well adapted for general use in this respect. We understand the Society resumes its meetings for practice early this month.

The Loosing of the Euphratean Angels, (Deightons: Cambridge.) Pp. 24, a Seatonian Poem by the Rev. J. M. NEALE, exhibits very remarkable powers of versification. For every stage in his narrative the Author has a fresh metre; which he seems to handle with as much ease as if he had never written in any other. It is a spirited and striking production.

Several small volumes of a devotional character have reached us, indicating by their number, we apprehend, the existence of a general conviction that a complete change is required in works of this class. In Dr. Pusey's Series, to which we are much indebted for raising the tone in this department, we have Scupoli's well-known "Spiritual Combat." Secondly, may be noticed a" Manual of Daily Prayer," by the Rev. Sir GEORGE PREVOST, (Burns,) which we very strongly recommend. Thirdly and fourthly, “Prayers for Children, especially in Parochial Schools," (Oxford: Parker,) by Mr. W. B. HEATHCOTE; and a "Form of Family Prayer; on a Card, published anonymously, (Rivingtons,) both of which deserve praise.

Belonging to the same class is a tract entitled, "Aids to a Holy Life, in forms for Self-examination, general and particular, compiled from various sources, with an Introduction explaining the manner in which the duty should be performed." By T. H. B. BUND, A.M., a Priest of the English Church. (London: Cleaver.) We hail the increase of works of this kind with hope and satisfaction.

"The Druidess: a Tale of the Fourth Century, translated from the German," (London: Sharpe, pp. 191,) is a pleasing little volume descriptive of the conversion of the Gauls; and may, perhaps, serve somewhat of a good purpose in promoting an acquaintance with Ecclesiastical History. We could wish that, in condescension to popular prejudice, the word "mass" at p. 164, had been changed for one with which we are more familiar at the present time.

The Rev. C. W. PAGE has published a Letter to the Bishop of London, (Rivingtons), in vindication of his Catechising at Christ Church, Broadway, which deserves notice, not only as a temperate and complete answer to the charges of the Record, but as illustrating the subject of Mr. Gresley's pamphlet. The whole outcry, we do hesitate to say, was the result of a conspiracy of certain persons who, if they are Churchman in name, are deniers of the Church's most sacred doctrines. And if the "danger" arising from the scandalous accusations referred to passed away, we know that for a time it was real, and threatened a very important branch of the Church's operations; whereas the accusers were of that kind, that in any proper system they should have been "put out of Court."

"Parish Sermons," by the Rev. H. W. SULLIVAN, (Oxford, Parker,) are intentionally orthodox; but manifest an inadequate grasp of theology, and no great power of language. Mr. R. W. Evans has also published a second volume of Sermons, (Rivingtons,) which will not add much to his reputation.

We cannot award higher praise to " Hymns for the Festivals and Saints' Days of the Church of England," (Parker, Oxford,) than we did to a similar production in our March No. They fail alike in doctrine, knowledge, and versification. The Author has fallen into the mistake of supposing, that it was S. James the Less whom Herod put to death.

Messrs. Bogue and Bohn are carrying on a severe competition and recrimination in the "European" and "Standard" Libraries. The only work of any value which is promised by either, however, appears to us to be a translation of "Schlegel's Philosophy of History" in the latter.

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Two very pleasing little volumes of Religious Poetry have reached us, viz., Holy Times and Scenes," by one writing from S. John's College, Cambridge, (Walters) and "Lenten Thoughts," by Mr. J. FURNEAUX of Stoke Damerell. (Rivingtons). The profits of the latter are to be devoted to the Fund for supplying the spiritual destitution of that much neglected place.

We desire to call attention to Mr. Heathcote's Sermon preached before the University of Oxford, at the Festival of the Anunciation. (Oxford: Parker.) It is the production of a really theological mind.

The Church Sunday School Magazine," (Leeds: Harrison,) is a valuable addition to our cheap periodicals. We wish it all success.

Mr. Parker has published an abridged edition of his "Glossary of Architecture," in a single Svo. volume.

"Biddy A batch of children's books may be conveniently noticed together. Kavanagh and other Stories" (Burns) have the singular merit of being Irish, and yet perfectly sound. They are written with great simplicity and well "Little Louis calculated to impress the minds of the children of the poor. the Emigrant," both in plot and in the manner of life which it depicts, will remind the reader of Schmid's "Christmas Eve." It has a quiet, domestic air about it, and was intended, doubtless, by its author, to exercise a wholesome influence on the excited mind of Germany. More striking, however, and rising into a higher rank of life, is "May-Day," a tale also, we imagine, borrowed from the German; and full of deep and touching sentiment. heartily recommend it.

We

ECCLESIASTICAL RECORD.

THE EAST INDIANS AND THE MADRAS UNIVERSITY. It is always gratifying to notice evidences of principle where we do not immediately expect it. The Indo-British inhabitants of our Eastern Empire, that is the mixed race, originally sprung from European fathers and native mothers, are a class that from circumstances have been much neglected, and the fruits of that neglect have become too evident in a very deplorable state of morality. Whether it be that the sins of the father are visited on the children, or that the effects of the climate tell hostilely on the European element in their nature, it has been the case, that a great law-that a mixture of races produces a fine people, has in this case been infringed. Feeble in physical organisation, small in stature, the Indo-Briton or East Indian as he terms himself, has inherited the vices without the virtues of either parent. Proud and irascible on the one hand, cowardly, indolent, and sensual on the other, they have had to struggle against an artificial state of things, which has tended to quench whatsoever was good in them, and to develope their evil nature. They have been treated as an inferior order of beings. They have not even been permitted to aspire to the higher offices to which the Heathen nations have been advanced. They have been confined to positions, where a legible hand and a tolerably clear head have been the only requisites. As every thing developes into Castes in India, the Indo-Britons may be called the clerk and secretary caste of the English. No pains have been taken with them-they have been felt to be a disgrace to the English name. They have been rejected both by the conqueror and the conquered.

Meanwhile, this class has been increasing in number from a double source of propagation, and in intelligence, and in consideration. In many

cases they have become rich. Where they, either from the Portuguese original or from other circumstances, have happened to be Roman Catholics, they have been better taken care of, and finding sympathy and encouragement, have done well. We are persuaded that it is not their own fault that they have hitherto been so backward. Some of the regiments in the native troops are officered by them, and better soldiers could not be found. They are careful and correct in detail, quick and subtle in argument, and under better auspices might be one of the main props of our power in the East. A similar class at Goa have been the means of preserving the nationality of the Portuguese in the East; and even in those places where England is now dominant, there still exists a feeling for their European fatherland, and an affectionate reminiscence of the glorious days of Albuquerque and Fonçeca.

The fact to which we wish to call the attention of our readers, and to which these remarks are preliminary, is the noble stand which the Indo-Britons of Madras have made in a matter of real principle. Last year, in accordance with a notification from the Governor-General and Council, constituting a Council of Education at the Presidency for carrying out the views of Government with regard to the instruction of the Company's subjects, a thing called the "Madras University" was founded. It was opened with some pomp, if we recollect right, by the late Governor. Members of Council, and Judges, and those sort of people speechified. It was to instruct in every thing without reference to creed, and therefore was to educate in nothing. It was to be, in short, a sort of Carnatical Gower Street Institution. How it was received we have no means of knowing (we know from private sources that it met not with the approbation of some of the Clergy). The respectability of those concerned in it would show that it was popular. Now will it be believed, that the only public protest against this wicked system came from the Indo-Britons? As far as we know the Bishop was silent-no formal remonstrance was made by the body of the Clergy-the Church Missionary Society, there most powerful, and represented by one, who, from his goodness and ability, is worthier of a better cause, held their peace. It was reserved for the very last people from whom it would have been expected, to fight the battle of principle. After expressing a doubt whether on the present terms of the government scheme, there is a doubt whether they and others be really included in its terms, fully sensible of the advantages of something of the kind, if made compatible with their principles, they conclude their address to Government with the following paragraphs :—

"8. From the peculiar constitution of these institutions, your memorialists, as a body, feel that they are virtually excluded from a participation in those educational advantages conferred on them, nor can they allow their sons to receive their education under a system which does not include instruction in that ONE BOOK, which they are conscientiously persuaded is the only revelation from GOD: and consequently, while the Heathens and Mahommedans are partakers of the bounty of the Honourable Court, your memorialists, as preferring the Christian religion, are deprived of it; that thus their Christian principles place them under a disadvantage, and the whole of the beneft bestowed by a

Christian government, is enjoyed by the Heathen and Mahommedan part of the community alone. Your memorialists are fully persuaded that such could never have been the intention of a paternal government, but that on the contrary, in accordance with that spirit of religious toleration secured to all classes of British subjects in India, the education imparted by the State must have been intended to meet the wants of all classes of its subjects, and among others the community composing the body represented by your memorialists.

"9. As from the reasons already recited, the children of your memorialists and the rising generation, are excluded from the advantages to be derived from the Madras University, and thereby precluded from qualifying themselves for competing for those public appointments and pecuniary rewards, held out as encouragements for educational attainments; your memorialists most earnestly and respectfully solicit, that your Lordship in Council will be pleased to admit them to participate in the bounty of the Honourable Court of Directors, without sacrifice of their principles as Christians; and that such portion of the money may be appropriated to their benefit as the Government may think fit, and under such rules and conditions as may appear to them wise and just.

"10. That your memorialists are emboldened in respectfully soliciting this boon, from the consideration that they are a numerous and rapidly increasing community, but without the means to help themselves for obtaining a high standard of Christian Education; and that without the aid of Government for improving the moral culture of their minds, they are more likely to become a burden to the country, and a great obstacle to the moral and religious elevation of those around them, than prove, as they ought to do under a more favourable state of things, a valuable auxiliary for public employment, a useful support to the State, and a suitable instrument for the spread of civilization in British India."

There is no affectation of
There are earnest, honest

There is admirable good sense in this. taking higher ground than they really do. men, fully alive to the advantages of a certain system of education, yet held back by a great overpowering feeling from participating in its advantages-not undervaluing the worldly good to be got by it, o disguising their anxiety for fair play, but steadily and firmly declining to have anything to do with the matter in its present unprincipled condition. We think the East Indian community have conducted themselves beyond praise in this matter, and we heartily wish them every success.

OXFORD PARISH BURIAL GROUNDS.

The Oxford Parish Burial Ground Committee have been employed, since the spring of last year, in meeting certain legal questions connected with their design, which it was thought better to dispose of before soliciting further Subscriptions. These questions have now been met; the Church Building Commissioners are satisfied with the plan, and are prepared to assist in carrying it into effect.

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