On this page
-
Text (3)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
is grudgingly erased , it is impossible not to feel indignant at the pitiful monopoly ; * * * Already the stranger , if he loses his way ,: is in jeopardy of falling into the horrid fangs of a steel trap ; the botanist enters a wood to gather a flower , and is shot with a spring-gun : death haunts our dells and . copses , and the poet complains , in regretful notes , thai he Wanders away to the field and glen ,
Far as he may for the gentlemen , ' "&c . —Pp . 235—240 . This is very pretty and very feeling too . But , in defence of themselves , our landed proprietors have a sad tale to tell of the wanton , irreparabie mischiefs done
to young plantations and hedgerows wherever " the . people" are admitted ; and who does not bear testimony to the unmeaning outrages of the English upon whatever is beautiful abroad and at home ? We are compelled to admit the disgraceful fact—the enlightened and respectable , few must be punished for the mischievous many . But it cannot have been always so , and whatever may be fancied of our innate national
propensities , we cannot help thinking that the evil of which we complain arises directly or indirectly out of our political and social condition in this country . It is a melancholy fact , that " the poor" are becoming more aud more a separate people among us ; that no outward charities , however largely bestowed ,
increase their feeling of general goodwill towards their wealthy neighbours ; that the idea of charity has assumed in their minds the shape of a composition which the rich are willing to bestow for the sake of peace . Who thinks it grief and shame now to apply for parochial relief ? Who does not think it becomes him to
clamour for it , as a certain right ? Who among the rich does not feel that the poor know their power and their numbers , and because they cannot go to the root of the evil , are ready at any moment to * fix their misery upon the nearest landed proprietor , or the parson , or the farmer ? In such a state , ill fare the pleasant things of life . Children grow tip trained iu hardy despite of their richer
neighbour , reckless of their property , their bounties , their enjoyments . Personal character has its influence no doubt , but it is checked at every turn by the
contention of interests . This may be a gloomy picture ; we . fear . it is a true one ; and while it is true , we must look with increasing doubt on the possibility of a return to complaceut feedings between
Untitled Article
the rich and poor . But we are drawing towards a whirlpool we have neither time noi ; spirits nor ability to struggle with—we mean political economy , ami must keep aloof while we may . Mr . Howitt ' s book is dedicated "to Mary Howitt , at home and abroad , in the fields of nature and of literature , the one true companion and fellow-labourer , by her
affectionate husband . " To the general history of every month are appended catalogues of the garden plants , the wild flowers , and the insects peculiar to the season , with the situation and the time of flowering . This arrangement adds much to the utility of the book , which is certainly one of the most beautiful and pleasing volumes , of its kind , that has ever come before us .
Untitled Article
Art . IX . —On the Necessity of an Extension of Moral and Political Instruction among the Working Classes . By R . Detrosier . Manchester , Forrest . We have lately met with a proposal made , we suppose , more iu jest than iu earnest , that the clergy should be paid for their work by the piece . If this were carried iuto effect , the nine millions a
year consumed by the Established Church would diminish incalculably the moral depravation of the labouring classes . Other instruments , in spirit and character different from the clergy , are , however , needed for the reformation of the people . Knowledge lies at the foundation of virtue , and of that knowledge which most concerns them , the bulk of the humbler classes are almost destitute . A
knowledge of science may increase a man's productiveness without augmenting his happiness . Moral and political knowledge , therefore , are of indispensable necessity . Teach men to use as well as to produce wealth , and you shew them the high road of happiness . Thereunto does Mr . Detrosier Jabour with zeal most laudable , with talent truly admirable , not , we hope , without some success .
" Our physical knowledge , " he truly says , "is far . in advance of our moral attainments , " yet " political melioration is the resulting consequence of moral progression . " In a similar style , and with equal truth , we are told , " Science
creates wealth , but it is morauty that perfects man * " There is truth in the following : " The Sunday School , the infant Hercules of modern times , whose task is to cleanse the Augean stable of ignorance , brutality , and vice . Infant , indeed £ for though it has increased Ike
Untitled Article
Critical Notices . —Miscellaneous . S 45
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1831, page 545, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2600/page/41/
-