We think it was an undertaking that did not answer in the late Mr. Swain's time. Shortly after his decease it was to be sold. Mr. Woodd made friends to purchase it for £1000, and no doubt it pays very good interest, as almost every inch of it is well let: after which it underwent many repairs, additions, and improvements; and it is now one of the most crowded chapels in or near London; and its congregation consists of people of title and opulence, with many elderly persons, who have retired from the bustle of trade to end the evening of life tranquil, and who have houses in that neighbourhood. The rents of houses in that neighbourhood have greatly augmented since the last 10 years, on account, as is supposed, of Bentinck Chapel being so well attended on a Sunday, and having so popular and well respected a preacher; though the making a Paddington canal, and getting an act to make the road to Harrow a turnpike road, have also done great service to this neighbourhood, where of late many new houses are building, and this neighbourhood is greatly improving. Many persons' suppose Bentinck Chapel to be a methodist chapel. This is an error: it is a Chapel of Ease to the parish of Mary-le-bone. It has a bell, an organ, and the Church of England prayers, the same as other

protestant chapels; and the Reverend Sir Richard Kaye, Bart. the Rector of Mary-le-bone parish, frequently preaches there.

"The minister we are now speaking of bears an universal good public and private character, is very charitable to the poor, of plain easy temper and manners, and beloved by every one far and near, that has seen him, or heard him. He had several children by his first wife, who are living; and several by the present wife, also living; and the whole seem a united religious family; and they have the best of examples, as well as the congregation, from this celebrated preacher.

'It has given some offence because he never reads his sermons, and only uses a little bible in the pulpit, with a few notes on a slip of paper, to help his memory. I like extemporary preachers, provided they are never confused, or find themselves at a loss in the pulpit, and deliver themselves in good language; for any little boy of ten years old can read a sermon. I think it shews a scholar, an orator, and a man of abilities, to preach extempore with propriety. Of this matter Mr. Woodd is perfect master, perfectly collected and recollected, never at a loss, and never in a high tone of voice, as if scolding the hearers: he is mild, affectionate, pathetic, and the applications truly pleasing and instructive; a

man of benevolent principles, and whose head and heart are a great ornament and honor to the country.

'He is perfectly loyal to his king, and obedient to the laws of the land, which he seldom fails preaching to his audience; a great promoter of charity, the poor's best friend (if they bear irreproachable characters): he has established several schools for the education of the rising generation of the poorer sort of persons, in the neighbourhood and other places, whose will might be good, but who have not got the means, these dear times, of paying for their education; many of these schools he contributes himself to every year, preaches one or two sermons a year for them, and is the first of the congregation who puts his hand in his pocket for their relief. He attends these schools, examines the children every week; and the first Sunday afternoon in the month there is at Bentinck Chapel a public catechising, where between two and three thousand children may be seen-a glorious heavenly sight, with this pious worthy good man in the middle among them, hearing them himself from the pulpit for three hours. He is always remarkable clean and neat: if there are any fault to be found, he is rather too low in the pulpit for those at a distance, or a little deaf, and in particular towards the end of each sentence; and when of a Sunday evening he is tired, he

repeats the same thing too frequently.-He preaches three times every Sunday; viz. the forenoon at Bentinck, and often reads the prayers; he reads prayers and preaches at St. Peter's every Sunday afternoon, and preaches in the evening at Bentinck. The duty is too hard, and particularly as he does not appear to have a strong constitution.'

Little need be added. Onesimus declines making any comment on this transaction. Let others judge between him and a Friend of Mr. Woodd.'

RICHARD YATES, B. D.

CONNECTED as he is with the Literary Fund,' there seems especial propriety in introducing, under the name of this preacher, the plan for an ECCLESIASTICAL FUND; which is proposed by the founders of the former fund, and in which Mr. Yates, commonly with his coadjutors, is said to feel heartily interested. The prospectus should be extensively known.

To extend the utility of the LITERARY FUND, and to impress the public mind with just sentiments of its importance, it has been proposed, by the Council and Committee, to interest the Clergy in its behalf; and a late learned Prelate was solicited to preach and publish a sermon on the subject of the Institution. He required some time to return his answer; and, being waited upon by a deputation, he asked, "Do you assist the distressed Clergy?" If they are Authors, my lord.'