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of this system began very early to be obscured. In order to bring in Jews and Heathens, many rites and usages were adopted with reference to ancient or established customs; and hence the Liturgy of the Catholic church became greatly corrupted. Many prelates and learned men in Germany, active and distinguished friends of the Catholic church, have often declared their opinion to this effect. Who does not know and esteem the labours of Werkmeister, Winter, Pracher, Huber, Selmar, Busch, Brunner, &c?"

The proposed reforms they describe under three heads.

1. They intreat that the bishop would cause a Psalm-book to be prepared and generally circulated, to be used by Catholics in all their religious services. According to the tenor of their remarks, this Psalm-book would be similar in its objects to those commonly employed by Protestants. In some parts of Germany the Catholics already use such books.

2. They most earnestly argue in favour of having the Liturgy read in the vernacular tongue.

3. They petition for a general revision of the Mass-book, for the omission of many things which are useless, unmeaning, or unsuitable, and for the allowance of more time for preaching.

Dr. Scholz.

DR. SCHOLZ, the professor of theology in the University of Bonn, has been pursuing a novel mode of cultivating his biblical studies, in which he is deservedly eminent throughout Germany.

Having determined to pursue a course of travels, having for their principal object an inquiry for all materials necessary to the most extensive collation of MSS., he has made a journey from Trieste to Alexandria, and thence through Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.

The results of his observations, of a sort secondary to his main pursuit, but highly interesting on every topic of ancient literature, customs, arts, and languages, have been published by him in the form of a volume of travels.

Well skilled, not only in the Greek, but in the different Eastern tongues adapted to his favourite pursuits, Dr. Scholz every where prosecuted his Biblical studies with the greatest industry, and was peculiarly active in his examination and collation of MSS.

This book of travels then gives the clue to one branch of his resources for his grand design of a new edition of

the Greek text, founded on the most extensive comparison which it is possible for any individual to make, without pursuing a still more energetic system of personal investigation. A second series of illustrations of his design appears in another work, which comprises a Biblical Tour made over Europe with the same view.

The grand result is his New Testament itself, for which 600 MSS, not known to Griesbach, have been made tributary, and which is now in the course of publication. It is understood that very important results are to be looked for from this highly praiseworthy and laborious undertaking; and we shall certainly lose no time in making our readers acquainted with it as soon as it reaches our hands.

PRUSSIA.

THE CATHOLICS.-Germany supplies a striking refutation of what has been so often advanced of late, that the character of the Catholic religion never changes. Silesia, the richest and most industrious province in the Prussian dominions, contains about two millions of inhabitants, of whom about one half are Catholics. The proportion of Catholics was somewhat greater when Frederick wrested that fine province from Austria. It may naturally be supposed that the Priests were by no means pleased with the change which placed over them a Protestant Sovereign; and those who have acquired their notions of policy in the English school, will naturally suppose that he succeeded in retaining possession of Silesia by a system of rigour towards the Catholics, and by securing the devoted attachment of the Protestants by vesting them with an ascendancy over the Catholics. This, however, was not the policy of Frederick. He made no distinction between Protestants and Catholics. By providing for the instruction of the people, by freeing them from numerous abuses, by improving the administration of justice, by restraining an insolent Aristocracy within due bounds, he soon gained the affections of the Silesians, who have long been among the most devoted of all the Prussians to their Government, and during the war of liberation, particularly distinguished themselves by their enthusiasm and their bravery. This system of kindness and impartiality has been completely successful in extinguishing all jealousy between Catholics and Protestants. They live on the best terms with each other. The Catholics have made no scru

ple of accepting Bibles from the Protestants, and reading them. The Prince 1 Bishop of Breslaw, having lately interfered to prevent the reading of these Bibles, was disobeyed. The Catholic clergy of Silesia, so far from sharing the views of their Bishop, have united in I demanding a reformation of the whole Ritual, more especially of the Missal, by substituting German for Latin, &c., so as to suit it to the wants of the present age; and threats are held out, that if their demands are refused, they will all go over to the Protestants.

Oaths by the Menonites.

Berlin, March 28.-In order that the Menouites dwelling in the Prussian dominions may be freed from making Oaths at variance with their religious principles, his Majesty the King has ordered as fol. lows:

"If a Menonite is called on to swear an oath as a party, or to be heard as a witness, or is nominated to an office in which the taking an oath is necessary, he must by a certificate from the Elders, Teachers or Presidents of his congregation, shew that he was born in the Menonite sect, or that at least a year before the commencement of the process or the nomination to office, he has belonged to that religious society, and that he has hitherto led an irreproachable life.-To this attestation the common formula of the Menonites must at the same time be added. The affirmation by means of a shake of the hand, which is the form followed by them, has equal force with the actual swearing of an oath; and whoever abuses this form in confirmation of an untruth, shall receive the punishment of perjury."

LITERARY NOTICES. Mr. Scaum, of Beverly, is writing a History of that place, to be published under the title of Bevariæ.

Dr. T.F. Dibdin is engaged on a trauslation of Thomas à Kempis's Imitation of

Jesus Christ.

Mr. J. Graves has announced, as in the press, the History and Antiquities of the Town and Honour of Woodstock, including Biographical Anecdotes, &c.

Mr. J. F. Stephens has issued proposals for publishing, in monthly parts, embellished with coloured figures of the rare and interesting species, British Entomology, or a Synopsis of Indigenous Insects, containing their generic and

specific distinctions, with an account of their metamorphoses, times of appearance, localities, food, and economy.

Miss Edgeworth has in the press a volume of Dramatic Tales for Children, intended as an additional volume of Parents' Assistant.

Mr. Isaac Taylor, Jun., is printing a concise History of the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times; or, an Account of the Means by which the Genuineness and Authenticity of Historical Works especially, and Ancient Literature in general, are ascertained.

Memoirs, including correspondence aud other remains, of Mr. John Urquhart, late of the University of St. Andrew's, are preparing by the Rev. Wm. Orme.

Sir Isaac Newton's Two Letters to Le

Clerc; the former containing a Dissertation upon the Reading of the Greek Text, 1 John v. 7; the latter on 1 Tim. ch. iii. ver. 16, are announced as about to be published from authentic MSS. in the Library of the Remonstrants in Holland.

Mr. William Carpenter will shortly publish a Natural History of the Bible; or, a descriptive Account of the Zoology, Botany, and Mineralogy of the Holy Scriptures: compiled from the most authentic sources, British and Foreigu, and adapted to the use of English readers, illustrated with numerous engravings.

Mr. Sweet is preparing a work on the most ornamental and curious Plants which are natives of New Holland and the South-Sea Islands.

The Bishop of Strasbourg, late Bishop of Aire, lately published a Reply to Fa ber's Difficulties of Romanism, which was au answer to a former work of the Bishop's, entitled Discussion Amicale. A translation of both these works is announced.

Mr. Samuel W. Burgess will shortly publish Sacred Hours; consisting of select Pieces in prose and verse.

The Author of the "Cigar" has nearly ready for publication, The Every Night Book, or Life after Dark.

A Life of Morris Birkbeck, written by his Daughter, is in the press, and will appear in a few days.

In the press, The Desolation of Eyam, the Emigrant, a Tale of the American Woods; and other Poems. By William and Mary Howitt, Authors of the Forest Minstrel.

The Rev. John East, A. M., has in the press, The Sea-Side; a series of short Essays and Poems, suggested by a temporary residence at a Watering-Place.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Academic Unity, being the Substance of a General Dissertation contained in the Privileges of the University of Cambridge, as translated from the original Latin, with various Additions. By G. Dyer. 8vo. 78. boards.

An Essay on the Limits of Human Knowledge, designed, from a Consideration of the Powers of the Understanding, to promote their most legitimate and advantageous Exercise. By W. H. Bathurst, M. A., Rector of Barwick in Elmet, &c., &c. 8vo. 1s. 6d. sewed.

Morell's Elements of the History of Philosophy and Science, from the earliest Records to the Commencement of the Eighteenth Century. 12s. boards.

Allbat's Elements of Useful Knowledge in Geography, Botany, Astronomy, &c. with Eight Engravings. 12mo. 4s. 6d. half-bound.

Memoir of the Geology of Central France; including the Volcanic Formations of Auvergne, the Velay, and the Vivirais. By G. Poulett Scrope, F. R. S. F. G. S., &c. 4to. Boards. 31. 38.

Illustrations of Ornithology. By Sir William Jardine, Bart, F R. S.E. F.L.S. M. W. S., &c., and Prideaux John Selby, Esq., F.L S. M. W. S., &c. Part I. Royal 4to. 17. 11s. 6d. boards; large paper,

21. 12s. 6d.

A Chronicle of London, from 1089 to 1483; written in the Fifteenth Century,

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On Idolatry, a Poem. By the Rev. William Swan. 12mo. 5s. 6d. boards.

A Widow's Tale, and other Poems. By Bernard Barton. 12mo. 5s. 6d. bds.

Old English Sayings, newly expounded, in Prose and Verse. By Jefferys Taylor. 12mo. 4s. boards.

Memoirs of the Life of Mr. Robert Spence, late Bookseller, of York. By Richard Burdekin. 12mo. 3s.

Whittemore's Historical and Topogra phical Picture of Brighton and its Environs, and Visitor's Guide; embellished with Eighteen beautiful Eugravings on Steel and Copper. 38.

Harry and Lucy's Trip to Brighton; a pleasing Description of the Amusements and Scenery of this popular Wateringplace, for Children; with Fourteen Engravings. 18. 6d.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Conductors have again been obliged, by the influx of interesting matter, to exceed their prescribed limits. They have to acknowledge the receipt of numerous Communications, for which they hope to find room hereafter. The recommendation, of sending Unitarian Missionaries to Ireland, would, they think, be more suitably addressed to the Committee of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association.

The Conductors would rather court than repel Communications to the Poetical, or, as one Correspondent is pleased to call it, the "Rhyming," department of their work but they would, once for all, observe, for the information of some who are disposed to favour them with papers of this class, that correct grammar and an intelligible meaning are as essential requisites to good poetry as to good prose.

ERRATA.

Page 233, line 5, for Emerg, read "Emery."

234, line 35, for Theodocie, read "Theodocée."

241, line 4, of the quotation from Juvenal, for tibicini, read “tibicine." 264, for J. T. Clarke, read "T. T. Clarke."

282, line 7 from the bottom, for it is, read "this."

297, col. 2, line 23 from the bottom, for resort, read "revert."

THE MONTHLY REPOSITORY

AND

REVIEW.

NEW SERIES, No. VI.

JUNE, 1827.

REMARKS ON MR. BENTHAM'S VIEW OF THE EVIDENCE FOR IMPROBABLE AND SUPERNATURAL FACTS.

upon correct

MR. BENTHAM'S Treatise on Judicial Evidence, as arranged by his ingenious and skilful editor M. Dumont, is one of the most valuable contributions to this department of practical logic which the present age has produced. Its intrinsic merit entitles it to a very high rank, and the reputation of the author (a reputation which we may venture to predict will be much more general and firmly established when the questions of party politics shall have passed into oblivion, with which alone, in the minds of many, his name is at present associated) cannot fail to secure to such a work a powerful and lasting influence on the sentiments of mankind. The practical rules which are laid down are, in most cases, excellent, and founded principles; and many important general questions are discussed with great ability and judgment. Among others, the chapter on the morality and expediency of Oaths displays the hand of a master, and has, I think, exhausted the subject. It is impossible that so complete and unanswerable an argument should be altogether without its effect on the public mind. For a while, it is true, the prejudices on which the present practice is founded will continue to prevail apparently unchecked; but we should consider, and it is a circumstance most essentially conducive to the happiness and improvement of the human race, that these, like all other prejudices, are affections of mortals, while the work in which they are exposed is immortal, or at least must endure and be the object of increasing attention as long as political science and the laws of the human mind shall continue to be studied among men.

In proportion to the general excellence of such a work, and the benefit which may be derived from other parts of it, is the mischief of which it may be the instrument if any considerable or important part is erroneous; and in this case, the more we admire the performance as a whole, the more we feel it to be our duty to expose the fallacy of such reasonings as may be likely to mislead the unwary. This character I cannot but apply to one very elaborate discussion, in which the author proposes to lay down rules for estimating the evidence adduced in favour of improbable and impossible facts, including among these such facts as claim to be supernatural. The

VOL. I.

2 D

tendency, unquestionably, and, I fear it must be added, the intention, of this dissertation, appears to be to weaken the force of historical evidence as applied to those miraculous facts upon which alone the proof of a divine revelation can be founded. It is true that in the outset the author professes to confine his attention to such cases as are likely to be made the subject of judicial proceedings; but when we find him afterwards stigmatizing the Mosaic law, or the historian of the raising of Samuel, as responsible for all the horrible tragedies enacted by modern believers in witchcraft; when we find him representing it as impossible to receive any fact professing to be supernatural upon testimony given after the event has taken place, we cannot but perceive that his principles are capable of a more extensive application. Nor can we read with attention the variety of ingenious and subtle illustrations with which he has accompanied them, without being impressed with the conviction that they were intended to be so applied.

Mr. Bentham sets out with the remark, that, in regard to judicial facts, the term impossible can only mean, in the highest degree improbable.* It is presumed that under "judicial facts" are here comprehended only those which are represented as having been accomplished by unassisted human power, otherwise the limitation here introduced involves an assumption of the question in debate. When any supernatural power is concerned, or is alleged to have been concerned, the mere intrinsic improbability of the fact attested has evidently nothing to do with the credibility of the testimony. Provided that such an exercise of supernatural power, in confirmation of a divine commission, is admitted not to be in its own nature impossible or even improbable, we have no further inquiry to make except into the character of the testimony, the veracity of the witnesses, and their opportunity of observing accurately what they profess to have seen and heard."

The only correct and philosophical definition of impossible is, that which involves a contradiction. Whatever does not involve a contradiction may be conceived to take place; and where Omnipotence is concerned, whatever can be conceived to take place may be realized but where finite or human power alone is in question, the term has evidently a more extensive meaning. If the limits within which this power is confined can be exactly ascertained, whatever goes beyond them is, relatively speaking, impossible. To assign these limits with absolute precision is, indeed, impracticable, and this is a circumstance on which Mr. Bentham afterwards lays great stress, for the purpose, apparently, of shewing that, as we cannot say where the eredible ends and the incredible begins, any extraordinary fact or phenomenon inconsistent (at least in the degree in which it is reported to have been observed) with the usual course of things, cannot be relied upon as an evidence of the exercise of supernatural agency. This difficulty, however, does not appear to be of material consequence; because, though we cannot trace the precise line which separates the relatively possible from the relatively impossible, the uncertainty attending the solution of this problem may in general be reduced within very narrow limits; and with reference to every mode of exercising human power we can fix upon some point to which it may be affirmed without fear of contradiction that it has not attained. Thus, in proving an alibi, if the possibility be admitted of a man's travelling two hundred miles in a day, it would be difficult to prove it impossible that he should be found at the distance of two hundred and twenty miles; but we

* Vol. II. p. 168.

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