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visit, seems to cast a reflection on the correctness of all the translations which have been made of the Holy Scriptures into the Syriac language, we have been at some pains to ascertain the truth of the charge. In reply to our inquiries, we have been informed, by the most respectable authority, that the statement, by whomsoever made, is wholly unfounded. The Syriac, we have been assured, has very few points; and these are so distinct, that one can hardly be substituted for another, by any person who has a tolerable acquaintance with the language; and, consequently, such mistakes as those mentioned are scarcely probable. The Bibles which have been printed in the East, and transmitted to the Syriac Christians, are stated to be correct in their translation, and in their printing; more so, it is presumed, than any will be which may pass under the inspection of a native, wholly unacquainted with the art of printing, although they receive their corrections from his hand.

We shall be exceedingly glad, if some one of our learned correspondents, acquainted with the Syriac tongue, will furnish us with a dissertation on this subject for our next Number, that the charge of inaccuracy, with which the Oriental learning of Europe is reproached, may he repelled.

ANTIQUITIES.

A French Traveller, who is now in Egypt, is said to have discovered an ancient city between some unfrequented mountains, not more than about nine hours from the Red Sea. He describes the situation as between 24 and 25 degrees of N. latitude; but omits to mention the longitude. According to his account, nearly 800 houses are still visible; among which are several temples, which appear to have been dedicated to different divinities. There are also eleven statues, and the ruins of many others. Some ancient stations have also been discovered by the same Traveller, in the route leading from the Red Sea to the Nile. These seem to have been placed at the regular distance of about nine hours from one another; and, no doubt, in ancient times they were constantly visited by the caravans which traversed these now unfrequented territories. The same Traveller is also said to have ascertained the situation of an ancient Emerald mine, which

was known to exist, but of which no satisfactory accounts have been obtained for many ages.

ROMAN REMAINS.

A work of considerable magnitude, and of much importance to an extensive neighbourhood, generally known by the name of the Surry Sewers," was undertaken by the Commissioners of the Surry Districts. This laborious task, which is now nearly brought to a termination, has led, in the course of its progress, to a discovery of no small consequence to those who view every specimen of antiquity with eyes of veneration.

In driving the tunnel along Kingstreet, towards the Borough end, many articles of Roman antiquity have been brought to light. Among these are several fragments of cinerary urns, some of which, if entire, would have measured nearly two feet in diameter; thence varying downward in diminution of magnitude to those which are not more than two inches. Roman pateræ or dishes have also been taken up, which, being filled with odorous oil and fragrant combustibles, were probably used in feeding the fires of the funeral piles; and, what is singularly remarkable, in many instances these combustible materials still adhere to the fragments, in a concrete form. Of lachrymatories, and glass vessels of various kinds, several fragments have likewise been discovered; but very few have been preserved entire, except the sepulchral terra cotta lamps, of which great numbers have been secured; but in general these are of a very plain character. Some few among them have been stamped on the bottom thus

FORTIS; while others, so far as the letV

ters can be distinguished, have the name AVGVSTVS; others of CLAVDIVS, &c. A few human bones have also been taken up; but these, in point of number, have been far exceeded by the tusks of boars, the bones of birds, and of various animals.

From this assemblage of sepulchral remains, it seems evident, that part of the Borough was formerly a Roman ' burial ground. It is, however, somewhat remarkable, that it has never been noticed as such by any writers upon the history of those periods; not even

those who have recorded many minute circumstances respecting the Metropolis and its vicinity. These discoveries may hereafter lead to others of a similar nature, which may, on some future occasion, give a new feature to the history of Southwark.

would, during the remainder of the term, stand possessed of the chapel or meeting-house, upon trust, for the use and benefit of the society or congregation then assembling at the chapel or meeting-house, maintaining certain doctrines therein particularly described. But that in case the society or congregation of Protestants, holding the

IMPORTANT LEGAL DECISION RESPECT- doctrines aforesaid, should be totally

ING A MEETING-HOUSE.

EJECTMENT for a chapel or meetinghouse, situate in Dartford, in the county of Kent. Plea, not guilty.-The cause was tried at the Maidstone Summer Assizes, 1817, before Lord Ellenborough C. J., when the Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, subject to the opinion of the Court of King's Bench, upon the following case:

On the 30th September, 1795, the lessor of the plaintiff, John Wellard, was possessed of a piece of land at Dartford, for the residue of a term of years; and being so possessed, he in the year 1796 erected and completed at his own expense the chapel or meetinghouse in question, on a part of that land; and in the year 1806, 4007. was subscribed by the congregation there assembled for public worship, for enlarging and improving the same; and in consideration of the money being so subscribed, and that it should be expended for the aforesaid purposes, Wellard agreed to grant an underlease of the chapel for a term of years, by way of security to the congregation for laying out so large a sum of money upon the premises; and accordingly a lease for twenty-three years, in the common form, was executed by Wellard, to twelve persons as lessees "of all that messuage, tenement, chapel, or meeting-house, situate in Dartford, and which then was, and for many years past had been, used as a place for the worship of Almighty God, by a society or congregation of Protestants, assembling under the patronage of the trustees of the late Countess of Huntingdon's college," rendering a pepper-corn rent during the life of the lessor, and after his decease a rent of 10l. per annum for the remainder of the term. And on the 13th day of October, 1806, upon the back of the said lease was indorsed a declaration of trust, purporting to be by all the lessees, but which was, in fact, only executed by four; by which it was declared, that they

dissolved or dispersed, and the public worship at the chapel discontinued by them for the space of twelve calendar months together, then, upon further trust, to assign the premises to such person, and for such civil purposes, as to the lessees should seem meet, or the survivors of them- should unanimously agree. The chapel has always been used as a place of public worship for the congregation in the declaration of trust mentioned. The defendant, Sampson Hawthorn, was the minister, and had possession of the chapel. On the 24th day of March last, Wellard demanded possession of the defendant, which was refused. The question for the opinion of the court was, whether the indenture of lease of the 29th day of September, 1806, was void.

In this action, Chitty was counsel for the plaintiff, and Comyn for the defend

ant.

But as nothing that materially affected the question, which may not be found in the observations of the learned judge, was advanced by either, we omit laying their pleadings before our readers, and hasten to the remarks and decision of his lordship.

"The question in this case depends upon the construction of the 9 G. 2. c. 36. s. 1., which enacts, "that no man's lands, &c. shall be given, granted, aliened, limited, released, transferred, assigned or appointed, or anyways conveyed or settled to or upon any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, for any estate or interest whatsoever, in trust or for the benefit of any charitable uses whatsoever, unless such conveyance be made by deed, sealed and delivered, in the presence of two or more credible witnesses, twelve months before the death of the donor or grantor, and be enrolled in the Court of Chancery, within six calendar months after the execution thereof." It is admitted, that if this lease come within the former part of the clause, it is void, inasmuch as the provisions of the act have not been complied with, and the question therefore is, whether it was conveyed for the benefit

of a charitable use. Now, to ascertain the purpose for which the lease was made, we must see, first, the situation of the parties at the time; then, what was the thing granted; and lastly, the declaration of the lessees to whom the grant was made. It appears, from the case, that in 1795, Wellard had, at his own expense, erected a chapel, and that 4007. had been subscribed for the making of improvements by the congregation, and that the lease was executed as a security to the congregation, for laying out so large a sum of money upon the premises. The motives, therefore, which induced Wellard to grant the lease were, that the chapel might be enlarged and improved as a place of public worship; and he agreed, that the congregation should have the lease, as a security for the money they were about to lay out on the premises, which were to continue to be used as a place for public worship. The lease itself then describes the subject matter of the conveyance as a chapel or meetinghouse, which then was and had been used as a place of public worship, and there is then a reservation of a pepper-corn rent during the life of the lessor, and upon his death, 10l. per annum during

the remainder of the term. It has been argued, that this must be taken to be a full consideration for the granting of

trust, it puts the matter beyond all doubt; for the purposes for which the lease was granted are there specifically described, and clearly amount to a charitable use; and although the premises may cease to be used for public worship, yet the lease having been originally granted for a charitable use, is void. It has been argued, too, that the declaration of trust having been executed by four only out of the several lessees, is only evidence against those; but I take it to be clear, that the declaration of one of the lessees is evidence against all, as to the purpose for which the lease was taken. Under these circumstances, I have no doubt, that this lease is void, within the 9 Geo. 2. c. 36. s. 1.; and that being so, there must be judgment for the plaintiff."

On the point thus at issue, Justice Abbott and Justice Holroyd spoke at some length. But although in some particulars they took distinct views of the same subject, the result of their reasonings was much alike, and they were led to the same conclusion. Under this concurrence of judgment, the Jury had no ground for hesitation. They accordingly found a verdict for the plaintiff, agreeably to the direction of the Judges.

AND DHERMA RAMA, TWO CINGALESE
PRIESTS, NOW RESIDING WITH DR.
ADAM CLARKE, AT MILLBROOK, ABOUT
TEN MILES FROM LIVERPOOL.

WE have been highly gratified with the
perusal of a letter, written by Dr. Clarke,
which has lately been published in the
Wesleyan Missionary Notices; and, from
a full persuasion that its contents will
prove particularly interesting and in-
structive to many of our readers, we
shall make no apology for introducing a
considerable portion of it to their notice.

the lease, and that this case, therefore, SOME ACCOUNT OF MUNHI RAT HANA, comes within the exception of the act of parliament. When the plaintiff has, however, once established that this is a charitable use, it lies upon the defendant to bring himself within the excep tion; but it is quite impossible to say, that this was a full and valuable consideration. Wellard had, at his own expense, built this chapel upon his own land, and 4001. having been subscribed for the improvement of that chapel, he parts with the premises for twenty-three years, without receiving any remuneration whatever, in the event of his living to the end of the term, and if he die, then his executors are to receive 10l. per annum during the residue of the term. The purpose, therefore, for which the lease was to be made, is stated on the case, and if that only had been stated, without adding the declaration of trust, I should have thought that this case came within the act of parliament. I take it to be quite clear, that it is not necessary that the purpose should appear upon the face of the instrument itself, for if it were so, the statute might always be evaded. Then, if we look to the declaration of

The Cingalese Priests, to whom our extracts will be chiefly confined, have been in England somewhat more than one year. They came to this country with Sir Alexander Johnston; and, soon after their arrival, were placed by the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, under the paternal care and religious instruction of Dr. Clarke. Of their natural dispositions, Oriental learning, talents, recent acquirements, and general character, the following extract will furnish an interesting account.

:

:

"It is now high time to say something of the two Cingalese Priests, MUNHI RAT HANA and DHERMA RAMA, you have placed under my care. These young men are cousins-german; the first 27, the latter 25 years of age. It will give you satisfaction to know, that they still behave well, are meek, gentle, and submissive. They are very diligent in their studies, and have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and particularly religious knowledge. They continue to improve in their writing, and will soon write a very ele. gant hand; their profiting in this is surprising, as they had never done any thing in this way before their own writing gave them no advantage here, as that is a mere species of engraving with a steel point on the talipot leaf, which is the sub. stance used instead of paper. They improve also both in reading and speaking English this is of vast importance, as I am satisfied the English language is, under God, the grand key to their salvation. Nothing but a thorough course of theological and philosophical English reading, can ultimately conquer and remove all the false notions and deep-rooted prejndices, relative to God and nature, found in that Priesthood. I say deep-rooted; because with false theology and philosophy they have had their minds imbued from their earliest infancy. Munhi Rat Hana and Dherma Rama entered the temple when they were about five years of age; and before they could arrive at their high order in the Priesthood, were obliged to learn several languages; not only the Cingalese in its purity, but also the Pali, Patois-Portuguese, Tamul, and Sanscrit; and to commit to memory, many thousands of Slocas, or verses, containing their Theology, Physic, Metaphysics, Traditions, History, Mantras or Incantations, and their most curiously involved doctrine of the Metempsychosis, or Transmigration of Souls. From these they have derived all their principles of morality, theology, medicine, philosophy, and political economy. Till now they have had no opportunity of knowing better; these false principles had undisturbed empire in their minds. In a word, all their thoughts, ideas, and moral feelings, were cast in this mould. They now see they were wrong in many things, and strongly suspect they were wrong in all. They wish for instruction; they devour it with the keenest appetite; and long, ardently long, to have their minds stored with nothing but what is true and useful. gainst Christianity, they have not, as

far as I am able to judge, one remaining prejudice: but they find it difficult to perceive the suitableness of many things, while they admit of their general truth. In a word, they want to perceive and comprehend the reasons of those things; and they have not, as yet, English sufficient to understand those arguments, which I know would at once set their minds at rest on such points. "These men cannot be treated as common heathens: they are both philosophers; men of profound erudition in their way; with, as far as I can judge, a powerful commanding eloquence. They are deeply read in the most speculative, most refined and purest ethics of the Brahman and Budhoo systems. In these respects, their acquirements are immense. I have myself read the Oupnek’hat, and some other works of this kind, and well knowing the subtle and specious reasons which both these systems can bring forth in behalf of their ethics and philosophy, I do not a little wonder at the blessed subjection of these men's minds to the general truth of the gospel. I must say, I see them at the feet of Christ; and they are ready to lie at my feet, in order to be taught. Every new truth, they receive with gratitude, delight, and often with extasy.

"I think they are both pretty nearly masters of the Cingalese Catechism; I mean Mr. T. Wood's Catechism, which has been translated into Cingalese, and to no part of this do I find them making any serious objection: indeed I have made it a maxim in their education, that "Christianity is indubitably true, comes immediately from God, and cannot be successfully controverted." This assumption I found it absolutely necessary to adopt from the beginning: on this I founded another, not less necessary to my dif ficult work, viz. that "all other systems of religion are false or forged; and on them no man can rely, but at the utter risk of his salvation." I told them, however, that I was at any time willing to enter into the proofs and demonstrations of these points, as soon as they were capable of comprehending the argument. Thus I became necessarily pledged to prove much, and satisfy many a scruple: but in this I found no other difficulty than their imperfect knowledge of English to comprehend the requisite argumentation. They never carp or cavil, nor start a difficulty that is not serious and conscientious. They pray often, and are very devout in prayer: and I am sure they have now

[To be continued.]

METHODS FOR DESTROYING INSECTS
AND ANIMALCULES ON TREES.

no object of adoration in heaven or earth | unsuitableness to present powers of apbut the true God: and his favour they prehension: for if it be of God, He will seek through the only Mediator. Here, give the understanding to know that much is gained. The Budhoo system has, which is true." properly speaking, no prayer: because in fact it has no God. The decent regula. tion of the life, and the subjugation of the passions by strong ascetic discipline, is their law of righteousness, and the sum of their religion. Under this kind of discipline these men were brought up A Gentleman in Oxfordshire has lately from their infancy; and have, I believe, tried some experiments with the ammonever been guilty of any acts of immora- niacal liquor produced by the manufaclity. In consequence of this, I cannot ture of gas. Among these experiments expect them to mourn on account of he fortunately thought of trying what sins which they have never committed. effect it would have on grubs and Swearing, lying, drunkenness, theft, un- worms, which infested his garden; but cleanness, &c. they have in the utmost fearing lest the means he was about to abhorrence. They have the highest opi- employ, for destroying his unwelcome nion of our Decalogue, and make it most tenants, should prove pernicious to his conscientiously their rule of conduct: at trees, he for some time gave way to the same time, they see that it cannot be hesitation. The attempt, however, was properly observed but by the especial at length made; which, in the destrucassistance of God; and for this they pray. tion of animalcules, succeeded beyond In speaking to them about the divine his most sanguine expectation. His nature, I have been truly astonished to trees also, he soon discovered, had susfind how much they have apprehended of tained no injury; but, on the contrary, even the most abstruse subjects. I often they appeared in a more thriving state felt much difficulty to give them any such than they had previously displayed. description of the mysteries of Christi- But whether the additional luxuriance anity, as would lead them to form just which they have shewn since the expenotions of those mysteries: and indeed I riments, has arisen from the negative often trembled, lest, in endeavouring to benefit they have received in the debring down these subjects to low appre- struction of the worms and insects, or hensions, my trumpet should give an from any thing nutritive that has been uncertain sound. I could not bear the imparted by the fluid with which their thought that these persons should be only limbs have been washed, are points Christian Theists; and, with scarcely a which future experiments must deterhope that they would as yet form any mine. proper notion on the subject, I ventured to mention to them the doctrine of the Trinity! I did not wish them to enter deeply into it as yet; but I wished them to know it was an essential article of the Christian religion. My laudable caution, I thank God, was vain: His eternal Spirit has taken up the lesson, and opened their understanding that they might know the Scriptures: and, to my great astonishment, on a recent examination, I found that they had clear and satisfactory views of the Trinity, of the personality of the Trinity, and of the infinite unity in this personality! I saw the truth of that word, All thy children shall be taught of the Lord: and I saw also the truth of that saying of one of the primitive fathers; "When God teaches, there is no delay in learning," This has taught me a good lesson, never to be afraid to propose any doctrine which I believe to be of God, on account of its apparent difficulty, or fancied

AN EXPERIMENT THAT IS WORTH

TRYING.

AN American farmer lately informed the Public, that if the water in which potatoes have been boiled, be sprinkled over plants, shrubs, and trees, it will most effectually destroy those insects with which they are infested. At what particular season of the year this sprinkling must take place, we are not informed. We are only told, in general terms, that this water will destroy the insects in every stage of their existence. As the trial may be made with only little trouble, and with no expense, we cannot conceive that time would be misapplied, if some gardener were to carry on a course of experiments throughout the year, in various ways, in order to ascertain the result.

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