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ARCHDEACON BUTLER'S SCHOOL ATLASES, &c.

I.

ATLAS of ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY,

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GENERAL ATLAS of ANCIENT and MODERN GEOGRAPHY, Forty-five
coloured Maps, and Two Indexes. £1 4s.

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The Author begs to observe that, in the present editions, he has added Maps
of the West Indies and Australia to the Modern, and of Mauritania, Numidia, and
Africa Propria, to the Ancient Atlas; and has had several of the Maps re-drawn
and re-engraved, especially those of Greece and Italy, on a larger scale, and one of
Italy also added, without any increase of price.

SKETCH of MODERN and ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY,

For the Use of Schools. New Edition, corrected to 1835. In 1 vol. 8vo., 9s. bds.
OUTLINE GEOGRAPHICAL COPY BOOKS, intended as Practical Exercises.
4to., 4s. each, sewed.

A PRAXIS on the LATIN PREPOSITIONS,

Being an attempt to illustrate their Origin, Signification, and Government. For the
Use of Schools. New Edition, 8vo., 6s. 6d.

KEY to the same. 6s. bds.

London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman.

BACHELOR'S HOLIDAYS, with some Thoughts of a Theoretical

Philanthropist. 12mo. fancy cloth. Price 5s.

II-TALES THAT MIGHT BE TRUE.

Containing-True Independence; Blue Socks; Charity; The Best Reward. Half-
bound. Price 2s. 6d.

III-SABBATII RECREATIONS; or SELECT POETRY.
Edited by EMILY TAYLOR. Third edition. Arabesque, gilt edges. Price 58.
Houlston and Son, 65, Paternoster-row.

MONTHLY REPOSITORY,

FOR 1835.

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF REFORM.

IT is evident that what Wordsworth calls the mighty stream of tendency,' is flowing in the direction of Political Reform, with a force and steadiness which cannot be resisted. The mistakes of the late Administration could not divert its current; and the present Government, thrown up like a breakwater in its course, will only serve for a while to measure its calm rapidity, and then be washed away. There is more in this state of things than meets the eye of those very superficial persons who are fancying themselves the arbiters of the nation's destiny and the directors of its energies; more than enters into the comprehension of the bustling champions of contending parties. Every reflective mind must have noticed the almost total absence from Parliamentary debates and political publications, of statesmanlike and philosophical views of the condition of society, the moral influences which are acting upon it most powerfully and extensively, and the changes which may be expected to result from their agency. And yet there are not wanting abundant materials for this noble and useful species of speculation, without which, we are but groping along in the dark, trying in succession the nostrums of empirics, or clinging with the tenacity of fear to the customs of our forefathers. We should rejoice to see this subject thoroughly discussed; the phenomena classed; the principles indicated; and, which might then be done, the future predicted. The ablest intellect our country, or the world can boast of, would be well employed upon it. Would we could stimulate such a mind to the undertaking. The few slight thoughts we have now to offer may serve as hints to our readers, of its importance and interest.

The popular exertions which obtained the Reform Act, and the craving which exists for further legislative reforms, are only symptoms on the surface, prominent ones though they be, of a moral power which lies much deeper. The Whigs did not create the desire, nor can the Tories repress it. The tricks of party have been, and will be, powerless in this matter. There is a spirit at work too potent for its petty spells, and baffling all its short-sighted calculations.

Whatever of ridicule may have been made to attach to such phrases as the march of intellect,' the schoolmaster abroad,'

No. 97.

Jan.

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&c.; whatever may be the disappointments produced by the comparative inefficiency of Mechanics' Institutes, the London University, and similar attempts for the promotion of public instruction; whatever may be our just complaints of the yet deficient quantity, and the far more deficient quality, of popular education; it cannot with any plausibility be denied that our times are characterized by an extraordinary developement of intelligence, The growth of intelligence is naturally and always that of discontent. Not of a querulous and aimless discontent, but of that acute sense of present, yet not necessary or irremediable evil, and of that perception of higher but attainable good, which constitute the spur to human improvement. Why is it that the mechanic of the present day is at the same time better off, and yet more dissatisfied, than were the operatives of past generations? He has more knowledge, more mind; he wants more, and he believes that more is to be had; and eventually he will have it. Very silly is the attempt to lecture him out of this craving; it is nature's provision for the progress of society. The more enlightened he is, the stronger will it be in his bosom; and the greater the security of its impulse not driving him to acts injurious to others. Far and wide has the conviction spread amongst the working classes, and a just conviction it is, that they have not yet found their true place in society. And there is another description of persons who are in a similar predicament. The Aristocracy of Talent, as it has sometimes been called, is an Aristocracy chiefly in its own estimation. Its power is only recognised at irregular intervals, when it makes itself felt upon other portions of the community in a manner which cannot be mistaken. A public writer takes no rank by his profession. often subjects him to unworthy imputations. He is regarded, sometimes, as a convenient tool for his betters to employ. if there be much, in the present arrangements of society, to sting the sturdy operative, much more must there be to goad and lacerate the sensitiveness of cultivated intelligence. The discontent (we use the word, as before, in no bad sense) of this class must be of a deeper character. Their perceptions both of evil endured, and of good not realized, are of the keenest description. And what numbers there are who wholly or partially depend upon intellectual exertion for their pecuniary resources. How strong, of late, have been the stimulating influences to which they are subject. What a mass of mental vitality there is in this country. We must not estimate it by the production of epic poems or voluminous histories. Look rather at newspapers, periodicals, and the current literature of the day. With all the deductions that must be made, they are yet a magnificent exhibition of intellectual power. The press is the fourth estate of the realm; but it is swamped by the other three, so far as affects the condition and prospects of its individual members.

It

Now,

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