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    tainly so far " discarded , " as never to discuss nor even to inculcate it . Ben David's criticism , described in

    p . 4 / 7 , as c * ingenious , " does not strike me as particularly such . The scriptural references in the extract on p . 473 , are either very incorrect , or very irrelevant .

    Dissenting' Registers of Births , &c . Although the legal question connected with this subject , has quietly slept for a long time , and may continue to do so for an indefinite time to come , yet sooner or later , it seems to me , some crisis must unavoidably arrive , when the whole Dissenting body , and

    perhaps the whole British kingdom , will be startled from its repose , and shaken to its centre , by a judicial decision , clothed with constitutional authority , that shall mortally wound the interests of Dissenters , together with those of their possible Episcopalian descendants and connexions .

    Intelligence . Protestant Society , &c . The introduction of the subject of West-Indian Episcopacy into Mr , Wilks's speech and the Society ' s resolutions , appears to me quite impertinent . It is not shewn , nor even

    hinted , that the new colonial establishments will operate as a peculiar infringement upon " Religious Liberty , " and , therefore , there are a hundred questions with which this specific society might with as much propriety interfere as with this . There

    is in Lord Holland ' s fine speech , a passage somewhat obscure and confused , respecting political power and persecution ( p . 489 ) . Instead of the expressions " circumscribed , ' and

    " encumbered , " would not < imposing" or * armed with , " convey his Lordship's meaning better ? Even then , his ideas would not be lucidly brought out .

    Parliamentary . The discoveries made respecting the indulgence allowed to Irish revenue officers , would prove that the English Government is as yet very far from being a government of laws instead of men .

    Let me take occasion to bear ray feeble testimony to the admirable deliberative spirit which appears to prevail at the present time in the British Parliament . I can of course judge only by the reports which I read at a distance . But in theee I see much to be charmed with and to

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    approve . Every question produced on the floor appears to receive a thorough , patient , and adequate discussion . If large ministerial maj orities are secured by the corrupt state of the constitution , certain it is , that these

    majorities carry not their triumphs with an overbearing , unlistening petulance . Every objection from the opposition seems to receive a candid consideration and a patient answer . Profound and subtle argument , various and extensive knowledge , high and fair

    courtesy , are elicited from the combatants in every debate . Englishmen have reason to boast of their Parliament . In many respects , there is not an assembly of men on earth to compare with it . It is the fertile table-land of talents , of political and intellectual excellence . Proud and

    fond as I am of my own country and her institutions , yet in some things requisite to form the perfection of legislative qualifications , I feel and am willing to acknowledge the inferiority of the American Congress * Let not your haughty national spirit scorn this comparison . I think I can enumerate several circumstances calculated to

    modify the apparent difference of advantages in a competition between the two assemblies . I will first mention , however , some obvious causes , which would seem to account , in a great measure , for the existing superiority of Parliament . Its numbers are

    double those of Congress , and therefore the few , who are necessary to take a leading part in business and debate , might be supposed to present a more concentrated distillation of talents . Our age and condition as a nation call

    forth comparatively fewer exclusive , disciplined , professed statesmen . The general standard of education being less elevated in this country than in the other , fewer minds , intensely accomplished , are to be found assembled in our national council . Yet , on

    the other hand , is not the American Legislature superior to the British , in its constitution , its actual , living " , essential contact with every portion of the people whose interests it watches

    over and preserves ? I am aware oj Mr . Canning ' s ingenious writings and speeches on the other side of tms question . But surel y they are only so many splendid ana soothing apologies for the defects of the British

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    464 Critical Synopsis of the Monthly Repository for August , ! 824 #

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1825, page 464, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2539/page/12/