Imatges de pàgina
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the civil servants for revolt there is whom he was to command, that he
not a single instance in which the himself possessed no sort of credit with
shadow of disaffection has been proved his superiors. As to the tour which
against any civil servant. This we General Macdowall is supposed to have
say, from an accurate examination of made for the purpose of spreading dis-
all the papers which have been pub- affection among the troops, and the
lished on the subject; and we do not part which he is represented by the
hesitate to affirm, that there never was agents to have taken in the quarrels of
a more unjust, unfounded, and pro- the civilians with the Government, we
fligate charge made against any body utterly discredit these imputations.
of men; nor have we often witnessed a They are unsupported by any kind of
more complete scene of folly and vio- evidence; and we believe them to be
lence, than the conduct of the Madras mere inventions, circulated by the
Government to its civil servants, exhi- friends of the Madras Government.
bited during the whole period of the General Macdowall appears to us to
mutiny.
have been a weak, pompous man; ex-
tremely out of humour; offended with
the slights he had experienced; and
whom any man of common address
might have managed with the greatest
ease: but we do not see, in any part of
his conduct, the shadow of disloyalty
and disaffection; and we are persuaded
that the assertion would never have
been made, if he himself had been alive
to prove its injustice.

Upon the whole, it appears to us, that the Indian army was ultimately driven into revolt by the indiscretion and violence of the Madras Government; and that every evil which has happened might, with the greatest possible facility, have been avoided.

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We have no sort of doubt that the Governor always meant well; but, we are equally certain that he almost always acted ill; and where incapacity Besides the contemptuous treatment rises to a certain height, for all practi- of General Macdowall, we have great cal purposes the motive is of very little doubts whether the Madras Governconsequence. That the late General ment ought not to have suffered Colonel Macdowall was a weak man, is unques- Munro to be put upon his trial; and tionable. He was also irritated (and to punish the officers who solicited that not without reason), because he was trial for the purgation of their own deprived of a seat in council, which the characters, appears to us (whatever the commanders before him had commonly intention was) to have been an act of enjoyed. A little attention, however, mere tyranny. We think, too, that on the part of the Government - the General Macdowall was very hastily compliment of consulting him upon and unadvisedly removed from his subjects connected with his profession situation; and upon the unjust treat-any of those little arts which are ment of Colonel Capper and Major taught, not by a consummate political Boles there can scarcely be two opinions. skill, but dictated by common good In the progress of the mutiny, instead nature, and by the habit of mingling of discovering in the Madras Governwith the world, would have produced ment any appearances of temper and the effects of conciliation, and em- wisdom, they appear to us to have been ployed the force of General Mac- quite as much irritated and heated as dowall's authority in bringing the army the army, and to have been betrayed into a better temper of mind. Instead into excesses nearly as criminal, and of this, it appears to have been almost infinitely more contemptible and puethe object, and if not the object, cer- rile. The head of a great kingdom tainly the practice, of the Madras Gov- bickering with its officers about invitaernment to neglect and insult this tions to dinner-the Commander-inofficer. Changes of the greatest im-chief of the forces negotiating that the portance were made without his advice, and even without any communication with him; and it was too visible to those

dinner should be loyally eaten - the
obstinate absurdity of the test-the
total want of selection in the objects of

in F

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punishment — and the wickedness, or negligence-turnpike roads so shamethe insanity, of teaching the sepoy to fully neglected and public conveyrise against his European officer - the ances illegitimately loaded in the face contempt of the decision of juries in of day, and in defiance of the wisest civil cases-and the punishment of the legislative provisions? We confess juries themselves; such a system of our trepidation at seeing the Toleration conduct as this would infallibly doom Act in the hands of Lord Sidmouth; any individual to punishment, if it did and should be very glad if it were not, fortunately for him, display pre- fairly back in the statute-book, and the cisely that contempt of men's feelings, sedulity of this well-meaning nobleman and that passion for insulting multi- diverted into another channel. tades, which is so congenial to our preThe alarm and suspicion of the sent Government at home, and which Dissenters upon these measures are passes now so currently for wisdom and wise and rational. They are right to courage. By these means, the liberties consider the Toleration Act as their of great nations are frequently de- palladium; and they may be certain Eroyed-and destroyed with impunity that in this country, there is always a to the perpetrators of the crime. In strong party ready, not only to prevent distant colonies, however, governors the further extension of tolerant prinwho attempt the same system of ciples, but to abridge (if they dared) tyranny are in no little danger from their present operation within the the indignation of their subjects; for narrowest limits. Whoever makes though men will often yield up their hap- this attempt will be sure to make it piness to kings who have been always under professions of the most earnest kings, they are not inclined to show the regard for mildness and toleration, and same deference to men who have been with the strongest declarations of respect merchants' clerks yesterday, and are for King William, the Revolution, and kings to-day. From a danger of this the principles which seated the House kind, the Governor of Madras appears of Brunswick on the throne of these to us to have very narrowly escaped. realms; and then will follow the We sincerely hope that he is grateful clauses for whipping Dissenters, imfor his good luck; and that he will now prisoning preachers, and subjecting wake from his gorgeous dreams of them to rigid qualifications, &c. &c. &c. mercantile monarchy, to good nature, The infringement on the militia acts is moderation, and common sense. a mere pretence. The real object is, to diminish the number of Dissenters from the Church of England, by abridging the liberties and privileges they now possess. This is the project

TOLERATION. (E. REVIEW, 1811.)

Hints on Toleration, in Five Essays, &c.
raggested for the consideration of Lord
Fiscount Sidmouth, and the Dissenters.
By Philagatharches, London. 1810.
Ir a prudent man see a child playing
with a porcelain cup of great value, he
takes the vessel out of his hands, pats
him on the head, tells him his mamma
will be sorry if it is broken, and gently
cheats him into the use of some less
precious substitute. Why will Lord
Sidmouth meddle with the Toleration
Act, when there are so many other
subjects in which his abilities might
be so eminently useful—when enclosure
bills are drawn up with such scandalous

which we shall examine; for we sincerely believe it to be the project in agitation. The mode in which it is proposed to attack the Dissenters, is first, by exacting greater qualifications in their teachers; next by preventing the interchange or itinerancy of preachers, and fixing them to one spot.

It can never, we presume, be intended to subject dissenting ministers to any kind of theological examination. A teacher examined in doctrinal opinions, by another teacher who differs from him, is so very absurd a project, that we entirely acquit Lord Sidmouth of any intention of this sort. We rather presume his Lordship to

Would it not be a singular thing, if the friends of the Church of England were to make the most strenuous efforts to render their enemies eloquent and learned ?-and to found places of education for Dissenters? But, if their learning would not be a good, why is their ignorance an evil?-unless it be necessarily supposed, that all increase of learning must bring men over to the Church of England; in which suppo

mean, that a man who professes to teach | folly and inexpediency of it rest pre-
his fellow creatures should at least cisely upon the same grounds.
have made some progress in human
learning; that he should not be wholly
without education;-that he should be
able at least to read and write. If the
test is of this very ordinary nature, it
can scarcely exclude many teachers
of religion; and it was hardly worth |
while, for the very insignificant dimi-
nution of numbers which this must occa-
sion to the dissenting clergy, to have
raised all the alarm which this attack
upon the Toleration Act has occa-sition, the Scottish and Catholic Uni-
sioned.

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versities, and the College at Hackney,
would hardly acquiesce. Ignorance
surely matures and quickens the pro-
gress, by insuring the dissolution of
absurdity. Rational and learned Dis-
senters remain:-religious mobs, under
some ignorant fanatic of the day, be-
come foolish overmuch,- dissolve and
return to the Church. The Unitarian,
who reads and writes, gets some sort of
discipline, and returns no more.

What connection is there (as Lord
Sidmouth's plan assumes) between the
zeal and piety required for religious
instruction and the common attain-
ments of literature? But, if know-
ledge and education are required for
religious instruction, why be content
with the common elements of learning?
why not require higher attainments in
dissenting candidates for orders; and
examine them in the languages in
which the books of their religion are
conveyed?

But, without any reference to the magnitude of the effects, is the principle right? or, What is the meaning of religious toleration? That a man should hold without pain or penalty any religious opinions and choose for his instruction in the business of salvation any guide whom he pleases; care being taken, that the teacher, and the doctrine, injure neither the policy nor the morals of the country. We maintain, that perfect religious toleration applies as much to the teacher as the thing taught; and that it is quite as intolerant to make a man hear Thomas, who wants to hear John, as it would be to make a man profess Arminian, who wished to profess Calvinistical principles. What right has any Government to dictate to any man who shall guide him to heaven, any more than it has to persecute the religious tenets by which he hopes to arrive there? You believe that the heretic professes doctrines utterly incompatible with the true spirit of the Gospel; first you burnt him for this, then you whipt him, then you fined him,-then you put him in prison. All this did no good ;-and, for these hundred years last past, you have let him alone. The heresy is now firmly protected by law; -and you know it must be preached: -What matters it then, who preaches it? If the evil must be communicated, the organ and instrument through which it is communicated cannot be of much consequence. It is true, this kind of persecution, against persons, has not been quite so much tried as the other against doctrines; but the

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A dissenting minister, of vulgar aspect and homely appearance, declares that he entered into that holy office because he felt a call; and a clergyman of the Establishment smiles at him for the declaration. But it should be remembered, that no minister of the Establishment is admitted into orders, before he has been expressly interrogated by the bishop, whether he feels himself called to that sacred office. The doctrine of calling, or inward feeling, is quite orthodox in the English church; and, in arguing this subject in Parliament, it will hardly be contended, that the Episcopalian only is the judge when that call is genuine, and when it is only imaginary.

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The attempt at making the dissent- than they are at present. This is the ing clergy stationary, and persecuting direct and obvious tendency of Lord their circulation, appears to us quite Sidmouth's plan. as unjust and inexpedient as the other Nothing dies so hard and rallies so measure of qualifications. It appears often as intolerance. The fires are put a gross inconsistency to say-"I admit out, and no living nostril has scented that what you are doing is legal,- but the nidor of a human creature roasted you must not do it thoroughly and ef- for faith;-then, after this, the prisonfectually. I allow you to propagate doors were got open, and the chains your heresy, but I object to all means knocked off; - and now Lord Sidof propagating it which appear to be mouth only begs that men who disagree useful and effective." If there are any with him in religious opinions may be other grounds upon which the circula- deprived of all civil offices, and not be tion of the dissenting clergy is objected allowed to hear the preachers they like to, let these grounds be stated and ex-best. Chains and whips he would not amined; but to object to their circula- hear of; but these mild gratifications tion, merely because it is the best of his bill every orthodox mind is surely method of effecting the object which entitled to. The hardship would indeed you allow them to effect, does appear to be rather unnatural and inconsistent. It is presumed, in this argument, that the only reason urged for the prevention of itinerant preachers is the increase of heresy; for, if heresy is not increased by it, it must be immaterial to the feelings of Lord Sidmouth, and of the Imperial Parliament, whether Mr. Shufflebottom preaches at Bungay, and Mr. Ringletub at Ipswich; or whether an artful vicissitude is adopted, and the order of insane predication reversed.

be great, if a churchman were deprived of the amusement of putting a dissenting parson in prison. We are convinced Lord Sidmouth is a very amiable and well-intentioned man: his error is not the error of his heart, but of his time above which few men ever rise. It is the error of some four or five hundred thousand English gentlemen, of decent education and worthy characters, who conscientiously believe that they are punishing, and continuing incapacities, for the good of the State; while they are, in fact (though without knowing it), only gratifying that insolence, hatred, and revenge, which all human beings are unfortunately so ready to or preaching at Ealing feel against those who will not conform when he ought to preach at Acton ;;-to their own sentiments.

But, supposing all this new interference to be just, what good will it do? You find a dissenting preacher, whom you have prohibited, still continuing to preach,

his number is taken, and the next But, instead of making the dissentmorning he is summoned. Is it believed ing Churches less popular, why not that this description of persons can be make the English Church more popuput down by fine and imprisonment ? lar, and raise the English clergy to the His fine is paid for him; and he returns privileges of the Dissenters? In any from imprisonment ten times as much parish of England, any layman, or cght after and as popular as he was clergyman, by paying sixpence, can betore. This is a receipt for making a open a place of worship,-provided it stupid preacher popular, and a popular be not the worship of the Church of preacher more popular, but can have England. If he wishes to attack the no possible tendency to prevent the doctrines of the bishop or the incummihief against which it is levelled. bent, he is not compelled to ask the It is precisely the old history of perse-consent of any person; but if, by any cution against opinions turned into evil chance, he should be persuaded of a persecution against persons. The the truth of those doctrines, and build prisons will be filled-the enemies a chapel or mount a pulpit to support of the Church made enemies of the State also,—and the Methodists rendered ten times more actively mad

them, he is instantly put in the spiritual court; for the regular incumbent, who has a legal monopoly of this doctrine

*

does not choose to suffer any interloper; lectual qualifications of a preacher-
and without his consent, it is illegal to such a man is the member of every
preach the doctrines of the Church corporation ;-all impediments are re-
within his precincts. Now this appears moved :- there is not a single position
to us a great and manifest absurdity, in Great Britain which he may not
and a disadvantage against the Estab. take, provided he is hostile to the Esta-
lished Church, which very few establish- blished Church. In the other case, if
ments could bear. The persons who the English Church were to breed up a
preach and who build chapels, or for Massillon or a Bourdaloue, he finds
whom chapels are built, among the every place occupied, and everywhere
Dissenters, are active clever persons, a regular and respectable clergyman
with considerable talents for that kind ready to put him in the spiritual court,
of employment. These talents have, if he attract, within his precincts, any
with them, their free and unbounded attention to the doctrines and worship
scope; while in the English Church of the Established Church.
they are wholly extinguished and de-
stroyed. Till this evil is corrected,
the Church contends with fearful odds
against its opponents. On the one
side, any man who can command the
attention of a congregation-to whom
nature has given the animal and intel-

• It might be supposed that the general

The necessity of having the bishop's consent would prevent any improper person from preaching. That consent should be withheld, not capriciously, but for good and lawful cause to be assigned.

The profits of an incumbent proceed The fixed could not be affected; and from fixed or voluntary contributions. the voluntary ought to vary according to the exertions of the incumbent and the good-will of the parishioners; but, if this is wrong, pecuniary compensation might be made (at the discretion of the ordinary) from the supernumerary to the regular clergyman.*

interests of the Church would outweigh
the particular interests of the rector; and
that any clergyman would be glad to see
places of worship opened within his parish
for the doctrines of the Established Church.
The fact, however, is directly the reverse.
It is scarcely possible to obtain permission
from the established clergyman of the
parish to open a chapel there; and, when it
is granted, it is granted upon very hard and
interested conditions. The parishes of St. Such a plan, it is true, would make
George-of St. James-of Marylebone- the Church of England more popular
and of St. Anne's, in London-may, in the
parish churches, chapels of ease, and mer- in its nature; and it ought to be made
cenary chapels, contain, perhaps, one more popular, or it will not endure for
hundredth part of their Episcopalian in- another half century. There are two
habitants. Let the rectors, lay and clerical,
meet together, and give notice that any methods; the Church must be made
clergyman of the Church of England, ap- more popular, or the Dissenters less
proved by the bishop, may preach there; so. To effect the latter object by force
and we will venture to say, that places and restriction is unjust and impos-
of worship, capable of containing 20,000
persons, would be built within ten years. sible. The only remedy seems to be,
But, in these cases, the interest of the to grant to the Church the same privi-
rector and of the Establishment are not
A chapel belonging to the leges which are enjoyed by the Dis
Swedenborgians, or Methodists of the New senters, and to excite in one party
Jerusalem, was offered two or three years that competition of talent which is of
since, in London, to a clergyman of the such palpable advantage to the other.
A remedy, suggested by some well-
better doctrine. The rector (since a dig-wishers to the Church, is the appoint-
nitary), with every possible compliment to ment of men to benefices who have
the fitness of the person in question, posi-
tively refused the application; and the talents for advancing the interests of re-
church remains in the hands of Method- ligion; but, till each particular patron
ists. No particular blame is intended,
by this anecdote, against the individual can be persuaded to care more for the
rector. He acted as many have done be- general good of the Church than for
fore and since; but the incumbent clergy- the particular good of the person whom
man ought to possess no such power. It
is his interest, but not the interest of the
Establishment.

the same.

Establishment. The proprietor was tired of his irrational tenants, and wished for

All this has been since placed on a better footing.

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