it, to inshrine the truth, and to keep alive the embers which were destined in happier days to be again "a light to lighten the world." We shall conclude our extracts with the writer's remarks on the Reformation: On contemplating the effects of the Reformation, in another point of view, we shall, however, perceive that this remarkable event, after the first commotions it occasioned had subsided, contributed in no small degree to the improvement of the human mind, not only by setting it free from the uncontrolable authority formerly exercised over it by spiritual judges, but also by the profound and learned investigations which arose from those religious disputes; as in every subject of disquisition the collision of opposite opinions strikes out new sparks of genius, and affords new lights to the inquisitive mind, Difficult investigations of complicated subjects, by exercising the mental faculties, ripen and invigorate the understanding Things are viewed in new lights in which they would never have been seen. had they not been brought forward to distinct inspection by this kind of mental process, and appear with a train of dependent images, with which they would not otherwise have been seen in connection. Whenever any question appears so interesting as to become a subject of general investigation and inquiry, reading and conversation furnish new ideas, which reflection arranges and combines. Thus are new combinations formed in the mind, by which the sphere of human knowledge is enlarged, and its objects multiplied. The watchful eye of opposition, ever prone to censure the conduct and expose the faults of adversaries, also rendered the clergy of the different parties and sects of Christians more circumspect and regular in their morals than before those divisions took place. It was, indeed, absolutely necessary, that the clergy of every denomination of Christians should regulate their moral conduct in consistency with their sacred character, in order to avoid exposing themselves, and their party, to the contempt and censure of their opponents; a degree of circumspection, of which they would not, perhaps, have so sensibly felt the necessity, if there had been no adversary, whose censure they might ap prehend. And it is a fact, which scarcely any one will call in question, that the clergy of the whole Christian church are both more learned, and more pious, than they would have been if those divisions had never taken place Difference in religious opinions, among men, is a circumstance which appears inevitable. Those persons who never think, may, indeed, silently and supinely acquiesce in any opinion proposed to their belief; and the bulk of mankind assent to doctrines, which they cannot with propriety be said to believe, because they have never once bestowed a thought on them, nor ever endeavoured to ascertain their truth; but, it appears absolutely impossible, that think. ing persons should all think alike on any complicated subject, especially on subjects of abstract speculation, which cannot be brought under the inspection of the senses. The diversity of opinion on the subject of religion, could not however, be productive of any bad effects, if men, in exercising freedom of conscience themselves, would allow allow to others the same privilege; but it is a melancholy circum- What enlightered mind will not heartily concur in these just and liberal reflections! If our limits permitted, we could with pleasure proceed to state the author's views of America, and the probable effects which the discovery of that new world may ultimately produce: but it is time for us to close our remarks, together with the interesting volume which has excited them, ART. IV. Gleanings in England; descriptive of the Countenance, SCORNE CORNING to be a mere brick and mortar traveller,' Mr. Pratt does not glean up in his rambles any of the ordinary notices respecting the architecture, dimensions, &c. of public buildings. Mind and Character are the curiosities after which he seeks, and all that memory, reading, or reflection can furnish, is employed either as web or woof in his literary loom: for it must be observed that this gentleman is not a mere gleaner, but makes ample use of the materials which he col lects. On former occasions, (see M. R. Vols. xiii. xxi. ard xxxvi. N. S.) we have given our opinion of Mr. Pratt's merits as Man? as a writer, and of the distinguishing character of these Glean ings. He continues, qualis ab incepto, to be entertaining, though often too diffuse; and to be successful in exciting our tender feelings, though forgetful that protracted pleasure terminates in something that is not pleasing. Could he learn to compress, and not "spin out the eternal theme, as he the fatal spinners would outspin," we apprehend that his works would be more acceptable to his readers; and we suggest this hint to his consideration with no malevolence of criticism, but with the purest view of contributing to his still farther utility; for Mr. Pratt is one of those writers who endeavour to speak to the heart, and to disseminate those virtues which constitute at once the glory and the felicity of social Man. The first of the series of letters which form this 3d and last volume of Gleanings in England is dated from St. Ives, Huntingdonshire; near to which place the author's father resided, and kept a pack of hounds.' In this letter, a number of sonnets are included; the first of which, On a Prospect of the Author's Birth-place, we shall transcribe : Scenes of my boyish days-yet scenes of woe!- Eager to own each object thro' my tears? And draw more near, alas! my natal earth- I hail my birth place, tho' I weep my birth. Passing from Woodhurst to Warboys, Mr. Pratt introduces the reader to a mole-catcher, formerly his father's huntsman; thus sketching the man, and the hut which serves him for a daily retirement: Reared of turfs, on a few poles by way of pillars, and here and there a rude lath to fence the sides and to form the door way, behold a sort of hermit-seeming hovel. Yet it is not the abode of an Anchorite : it is the daily retirement of a little social old man, aged eighty eight years*, whose name is John Grounds. He has fol * A few days previously to the revision of this page for the press, the Author heard that the person here alluded to, is still liv ing, which advances his age to ninety-three; and still in the enjoyment of health.' lowed lowed the occupation of a mole-catcher above thirty of those years, gaining from the parish the sum of two pence for the capture of each mole; and, so uninterrupted has been his health, that he has not been prevented in his employment more than thrice in the whole of that long space of time; though the walk from his cottage at Warboys to his turf hovel on the moor, is a full English league: and most of his time passed upon marshy land amidst humidity and vapours. Yet how few people who live in the air of a palace, and in the bosom of luxury, can vie with our poor Fenlander in all that makes life desirable-health, spirits, and content. But having shewn you his place of business by day, I will reconduct you to the hut where he has passed the nights of those thirty years in unbroken repose; and as we bend our way to the spot, I will present you with a true portrait of the man, and a brief sketch of his family and of his adventures. John Grounds, about sixty years preceding the date of this letter, had been a follower of my father's hounds, and distinguished himself as a lover of the sport, to partake which he would bound over the interposing fields, hedges, and ditches, with almost the speed, and more than the spirit of the hounds themselves, upon the first summons of the bugle horn. This early activity recommended him to the notice of the huntsman, who preferred him to the whipperinship, then vacant; and having, in this office, acquitted himself much to the satisfaction of the 'Squire, and of the pack, which, as he used to say, "all loved him to a dog," he was elevated, on the removal of his first patron, to another appointment, even to the entire command of the kennel: a situation which he filled for many years with great dignity and reputation. And, although it was not till late in his reign, that I was of sufficient age to form any personal opinion of those atchievements which, to the enthusiasts of the field of sports, are reckoned as important as any which are appreciated by heroes of another description, in the field of battle: (and perhaps with more reason, certainly with less criminality, considering the general causes of war,) I was old enough before he resigned the canine sceptie, to attest, that his government exhibited that happy mixture of fortitude and moderation, encouraging the true, correcting the false, paying honour to the sagacious, and rearing up the young and thoughtless to steady excellence, at the same time punishing the babbler, and teaching the ignorant And I remember I even then thought, that poor John Grounds might furnish no mean model, whereby to form those who are destined to rule a more disorganized and extensive empire; and how often has this idea since occurred to me, as I traced back the events of my boyish days. That simple monarch of my father's kennel, thought I, might come forth in the blameless majesty of dominion, and dictate wisdom to ministers and kings. The only poetical work which my father seemed truly to enjoy, was Somerville's fine poem of the "Chace," and often meeting it in my way, I perused and reperused it with avidity; not so much from any love of its glorious subject, as my father often called it, nor because I caught any thing of the spirit which the music of the hounds and of the horn is said to inspire, for I was extremely degenerate in that respect; but because I seemed to be led over hills and dales, and scoured the plains, and followed the echoes through their woods, and brushed the dew, and passed the stream, in company and under conduct of the Muses. These appeared to shew me the hare, her velocity, and her energy, without worrying her In numbers more harmonious than the sounds, which were reverberated from the hills or thickets, these tuneful associates brought every thing of beau y and of sense to my mind's eye and in reciting aloud different passages, that painted the loveliness of early morn, the fragrance of nature, the sagacity of the dog, and the pride of the horse, I was not seldom praised by my dear father, who thought me at length a convert to the joys and honours of the chace, when in effect, I was only animated by the charms of verse; and I was complimented for my feelings being congenial with the sportsman, when in truth, I was in raptures only with the port. in " As time warned my father of the necessity of relinquishing the vehement exercise connected with these diversions, John Grounds passed with a fair character into the service of Lady St. John, of Bletsoe, as her ladyship's gamekeeper; in which office he remained, good'y favour and i king," as he expressed it, till the sorrowful day of her death. After this he married, and lived well pleased, till his first wife's decease: but he found the holy estate so happy, that he entered upon it again; and jocosely now advises his second damne not to give him another opportunity, for fear the third time should not be so favourable. His mole catching is united with the occupation of bird frighter, in those parts of the year when the feathered plunderers as-ault the corn and fruits or when, as their poetical advocate of served the birds of Heaven assert their right to and vindicate their grain. But, 66 poor fools," would Grounds often say; "I sometimes think they have as good a right to a plumb, or a cherry, or a wheat ear, as any Christian person; and so I seldom pop at them with any thing but powder; and that more for the pleasure of hearing the noise of a gun than to do any execution; except, now and then, indeed, I let fly at a rascally old kite, who would pounce upon cherry and bird too, and off one of carry my chicks into the bargain, if it lay in his way. "And when I do try my hand at a thief, I am not often wide of my mark." cried the old mar, in a late int view; I can still give him a laden luncheon, when I have a mid to it Now and then too, a carrion crew, with a murrain to him, and a long-necked heron, with a fish in his mouth, goes to pat: but some how, I don't relish Exing my trap for these, poor soft creatures! (taking one from the mole bag slung over his shoulders) they look so comfortable, and feel so sleck and sky; and when they lie snugly under the carth, little think, poor soul! what a bait 1 have laid for them, seeing I cover the tumble-stick with fresh sed so slyly, there seems to be no trap at all. Though they turn up the ground, to be sure, and rootle, like so many little hogs; and for that matter, do a power of mischief: and as for blindness, none are so bli..d, as they who won't see, your honour.' These fellows know a trap as well as I do, and can see my tricks as plain as I can see their's: and sometimes they |