SIEVWRIGHT'S "PRINCIPLES, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS."

It is difficult to say to which of the writers the following correspondence does most honour. The active friendship and public spirit of " the Scots Whig and Presbyterian," cannot be more deserving of approbation, than the condescension and generosity with which his application, in behalf of a humble and deserving individual of the episcopal persuasion, was received by the head of the English church.

Letter from Mr. John Garden to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury; dated Brechin, April 24th, 1767.

May it please your Grace,

I am a layman, content with the fruit of my labour, and have nothing to ask for myself. I am a Scots Whig and Presbyterian; not quite so rigid, indeed, but I would conform to the Church of England, were it by law established, but I shall never wish to see it so here. Our country is too barren and poor; and from the experience I have had of the clergy here, I shall never wish to see them possessed of power, the constant concomitant of great riches; so apt they are to domineer, or to side with those who are disposed to do so, when they can see their own interest in it. This, I am sensible, is no plausible introduction in addressing one of your station; but plain truth tells best, and is always more prevalent (prevailing) than fiction.

I have lately read a book, published this year at Edinburgh, titled "Principles, Political and Religious," by Mr. Norman Sievwright, minister of the authorized episcopal congregation here, to be sold at A. Donaldson's shop, London. I am pleased with the performance; the more so, as an essay, of its nature, from one of his profession in this conntry, would have been looked upon as quite exotic some years ago. The design is certainly laudable, to open the eyes of, and introduce loyalty among a blind, deluded, and disaffected people; a design, wherein the interest and happiness of Great Britain are not a little concerned; and, of consequence, worthy of your grace's attention, whom kind providence has placed at the head of the church of England.

I am absolutely unconnected with the author, either by blood or alliance; but I know him to be a good man and a loyal subject, and the character I give will be confirmed by every honest man that knows him; and though altogether unknown to your grace, and even void of the improper and presumptuous ambition of being so, I have, without Mr. Siev

wright's knowledge or participation, from the mere motive of
public spirit, ventured to address you in this way, and, under
your correction, to suggest, that the countenance your grace
may be pleased to show him, and your approbation of his
design, will be a spur on him and others to exert themselves
strenuously in the same way, and cannot miss to have a ten-
dency to make us in this country more unanimous, if not in
religious, at least in political matters, which would be no small
point gained. Two rebellions, in my time, demonstrate the truth
of this. Though my acquaintance and Mr. Sievwright's is of
pretty long standing, (sixteen years or thereby,) I was yesterday
in his house for the first time. I saw his wife, a grave genteel
woman, big with child, and six young children, all clean and
decently dressed, and every thing orderly. Mr. Sievwright
was not at home. He has only £40 annually to support all
this. Great must be the economy, considering the enormous
price to which every thing is risen; for cold I know is the
charity of the place. I never heard Mr. Sievwright complain,
and I believe no man else ever did. I own I was moved at
the decent solemnity which I observed; and, upon con-
sideration, nothing could have hindered me from giving that
relief which a good God and a generous nature prompted, but
want of ability. To whom shall I pour forth the emotions of
my soul so properly on this affecting subject, as to him who,
next to our amiable king, is God's viceregent for good in the
island of Britain? The humanity, generosity, and god-like
disposition of soul, for which you are so famed even in this
remote corner, leave no room to doubt, that you will unex-
pectedly send Mr. Sievwright that relief, which, upon due
consideration, you shall find his merit deserving of, either by
calling him to some small benefice in England, or otherways,
as your great wisdom shall seem most meet. These prudential
and charitable suggestions are submitted to you with all
humility. Begging pardon for this great and uncommon
piece of presumption, I have, with the most profound regard,.
the honour to be,
My lord,
Your grace's

Most obedient and most humble servant,
JOHN GARDEN.

Letter by the Archbishop of Canterbury to John Garden, in answer to the preceding; dated Lambeth, May 25th, 1767.

Sir,

I beg your pardon, that I have suffered your letter, in this busy time, to lie so long unanswered: and I hope the plain speaking of an English Episcopal Whig will be as acceptable

to you as that of a Scots Presbyterian is to me. Your established church hath as much power as ours hath, I believe, or more, though less wealth; and its wealth, perhaps, is not so much less as you may imagine, allowing for the different prices of things-only with you the shares are nearly alike. I wish the incomes of your ministers were somewhat greater, and those of ours somewhat more equally divided. I wish, too, that all your episcopal clergy were friends to the government, and that all the Presbyterians were as candid as you, to such of them as are. But, however vain it may be to form wishes about others, each person may endeavour to act rightly himself; my business is not to abuse either my power by lording it over God's heritage, or my wealth to the purposes of luxury or covetousness, but to do as much good as I can with both. One part of it I am sure you have done, by recommending Mr. Sievwright to me. I have heard of a performance of his relative to the Hebrew language, for which I am enquiring. I have got his "Principles, Religious and Political;" a work that shows much good sense and reading, and hath given me much information concerning the state of episcopacy in Scotland. I should be glad to see him rewarded in proportion to his merits; but one half of the preferments in my gift are no better, all things considered, than what he hath already; and there are, among the English clergy, thrice as many claimants, on good grounds, for the other half, as I shall live to gratify. Besides, I should do Scotland an injury by taking such a man out of it. I must, therefore, content myself with desiring you to put the enclosed little note into his hands; and to tell him, if I live another year, and do not forget, which last I hope you will prevent, notice shall be taken of him again by,

Your friend and servant,
THO. CANTERBURY.

Reply by John Garden to the Letter of the Archbishop of Canterbury; dated June 5th, 1767.

My Lord Archbishop,-May it please your Grace,

I am instantly favoured with yours of the 25th ult. and have communicated the same to Mr. Sievwright. The honour you have conferred on me by your speedy and effectual reply, though far beyond what I have hoped for, is at present swallowed up in the more substantial joy which I feel in living in those days, when one is found at the head of the church of England, who knows so well to make a proper use of that

power and those riches which Almighty goodness, out of
mercy to mankind, has been graciously pleased to bestow
upon so much merit. Methinks, at present, I feel and fully
understand what St. Paul meant when he said, "that for a
good man one would even dare to die." What Mr. Siev-
wright's feelings are, your grace will best understand from
himself, for he is also to write to you. Sure I am, I surprized
him. From the experience I have of him, I have reason to
think, that the more your grace knows of him the better you'll
be pleased with him, and the less you'll think your favours
misapplied. He is a man of learning, and one whose walk
and conversation seem worthy of his calling. He has now got
the seventh child, and the wife is presently on the straw, so
that the £10 note came seasonably. May those sensations,
which a good man feels upon doing a generous action, be
your grace's constant attendant. In one word, may God bless
you, and
preserve you long to bless others.

With the greatest regard and affection,
I am, my lord, your grace's, &c.

JOHN GARDEN.

GYPSEY JURISDICTION.

In England, 'till the time of Henry the Eighth, the Gypsies were not only tolerated, but entitled to several privileges; amongst others, that, as aliens, they could only be tried by a jury composed of one half aliens. The Scottish government followed a different course, for it left them to be punished by their leader or chief, wisely judging that the best method was to "employ a thief to catch a thief;" and following the laws of King Alfred, that glory of England, in making each society answerable for its members. Of this we have a very remarkable proof in the following curious edict, issued by James the First previous to his accession to the English throne, charging all under him in authority, to give their aid and concurrence to Johnie Faw, "Lord and Erle of Little Egypt, in the execution of justice upon his company and folkes, conforme to the laws of Egypt; and in punishing of all yame that rebellis against him."

"James, be the grace of God, King of Scottis, To our Sheriffs of Edinburgh, principal, and within the constabulary of Haddington, Berwick, &c. provestis, aldermen, and baillies of our burrowes, cities of Edinburgh, &c. Greeting.

Forsameikle as it is humblie meanit and schawin to us be our lovite JOHNNE FAW, LORD AND EARLE OF LITELL EGIPT, that quhair he obteint our letters under our grete seile, direct to zow, all and sindry our said sheriffs, stewartis, baillies, provestis, aldermen, and baillies of burrowes, and to all and sindry oyris havand autorite within our realme, to assist him in the execution of justice upon his company and folkis, conforme to the lawis of Egipt, and in punishing of all yame that rebellis against him; neveryeless, as we are informit, Sebastiane Calone, Egiptiane, ane of the said Johnne's company, with his complicis and partakaris under writtin, yat is to saye, Anteane Dorea, Satona Fingo, Nona Finco, Philip Hatfeyggow, Jowla Bailzou, Grafta Neyn, Giles Bailzou, Bernard Beige, Demer Macskalla, Notfaw Caulour, Martyn Femyne, rebellis and conspiris agains the said Johnne Faw, and hes removit yame all uterly out of his cumpany, and taken fra him divers soumes of money, jewellis, claiths, and oyris gudis, to ye quantite of ane grete soume of money, and on na wyss will pass hame with him; howbeit he has bidden and remanit of lang time upon yame, and is bunding and oblist to bring hame with him, all yame of his company yat are on live and ane testemoniall of yame yat are deid; and als ye said Johnne hes ye said Sebastiane's obligatioune, maid in Dunfermling before our master housald, yat he and his cumpany suld remaine with him, and on na wyss depart fræ him, as the samin bearis: In contrar ye tenor of ye quhilk, ye said Sebastiane, be sinister and wrang informatioun, fals relatioun, and circumventioun of us, hes purchest our writings, discharging him, and ye remanent of ye personis above written, his complices and partakaris of ye said Johnne's cumpany, and with his gudis taken be yame fræ him, causses certaine our lieges assist to yame and yair opinions, and to fortify and take yair part against ye said Johnne, yair lord and maister, sua yat he on na wyss can apprehend nor get yame, to have yame hame again within yare own countre, after the tennor of his said band, to his heavy dampnage and skaith, and in grette perill of tynsall of his heritage, and expres agans justice. OUR WILL IS HEREFORE, and we charge you straitlie, and commands yat incontinent our letters sene, ze, and ilk ane of zou, within ye boundes of zour offices, command and charge all your legis yat nane of yame take upon hand to reset, assyst, fortify, supple, manteine, defend, or tak part with, the said Sebastiane and his complices above written, for na buddes, nor oyr way, agains ye said Johnne Faw, yair lord and maister; bot yat yair and ye in likewyss tak and lay handis upon yame quharever yai may be apprehendit, and bring yame to him to be punist for yair demerits, conforme to his lawis, and help and