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HOME INTELLIGENCE.

Vaccination, or Cox-Pox.

THE College of Physicians in London have late y made their Report, concerning the state of Vaccine Inoculation. They observe, that during eight years past, its progress has been rapid in every quarter of the world. In the United Kingdom some hundred thousands have been vaccinated; in the East Indies, 800,000; and among the nations of Europe the practice has become general

"Vaccination, they observe, appears to be in general perfectly safe; the instances to the contrary being extremely rare. The disease excited by it is slight, and seldom prevents persons from following their ordinary occupations.

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The security derived from it against the small-pox, if not absolutely perfect, is as nearly so as can perhaps be expected from any human. discovery; for amongst several hundred thousand cases, the number of alleged failures has been surprizing ly small; so much so, as to form no reasonable objection to the general adoption of Vaccination; for it appears, that there are not nearly so many failures, in a given number of vaccinated persons, as there are deaths in an equal number of persons inoculated for the small-pox; and it is a most important fact, that in almost every case, where the small-pox has succeeded vaccination, whether by inoculation or by casual infection, the disease has neither been the same in violence, nor in the duration of its symptoms, but remarkably mild, as if deprived of its usual malignity."

The College also affirm strongly, that instead of producing new and monstrous diseases as has been pretended, vaccination does less inischief to the constitution than the small-pox, either natural or inocuJated; but that in its mildness, its safety, or its consequences, the individual may look for peculiar advantages: it spreads no infection,

and can be communicated only by noculation.

The Report of the London College is also confirmed by similar observations by the College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Dublin, and by the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh. The whole, is drawn up with peculiar candour, and is. well worthy of the consideration of those parents who retain any doubts on this important subject. It is sold at the low price of 3d.

It is no small recommendation of this discovery, that 20,000!. have lately been voted by Parliament to Dr. Jenner, who first made it public.

SOCIETIES

FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF

RELIGIOUS TRACTS.

Tur benefits arising from the distribution of Religious Tracts are particularly obvious from the Correspondence annexed to the Eighth Annual Report of the Religious Tract Society, recently published. The extension of the benefits to be derived from this source of religi ous instruction will be promoted by the numerous societies which have been recently formed for the purchase of Tracts, by small periodical contributions, as persons acting in society stimulate each other to exertion; and their example has a'so a tendency to promote active benevolence among those who are not immediately associated with them.

The Committee of the Religious Tract Society having extended to such societies the advantages of subscribers, it would be very desirable that, in every district, the followers of Him "who went about doing good," would unite for the purpose of embracing every seasonable opportunity of communicating religious instruction by this cheap and easy method, which, however contemptible in the eyes of the world,

bears some analogy to the manner in which the sacred Scriptures were originally promulgated before they were collected into one volume.

The Committee are of opinion, that considerable advantages would arise from a mutual correspondence between the Secretaries of the several Provincial Tract Societies and the Secretary of the Religious Tract Society, the Rev. Jos. Hughes, Battersea, near London, as the communication from time to time of such instances of usefulness as may come to their knowledge, and are well authenticated, will tend to encourage others to perseverance, while the number of the Society's Publications may be enlarged by the labours of their brethren in various parts of the country.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL

FOR THE CHILDREN OF DISSENTERS.

We are informed that the plan of the Dissenting Grammar School, which has been for a considerable time under consideration, is in a great degree of forwardness. The Committee has purchased large and commodious premisses at Mill-Hill, near Barnet: a situation peculiarly pleasant and salubrious. The Rev. John Atkinson, of Hoxton, whose education, classical attainments, experience in the art of teaching, and piety, have strongly recommended him, has been chosen head master; and the Committee are enquiring for suitable gentlemen to fill up the remaining departments. The school is expected to open on Monday, the 25th of January next: Terms, 451. per annum, exclusive of washing. For the Sons of Ministers, 301. per

annum.

It is also proposed, that as soon as the finances of the Society will permit, an additional number of boys, sons of ministers or others, shall be received on terms still farther reduced, in cases which shall meet the approbation of the Committee. The grand object of this institution, is, to unite the advantages of a strictly classical and religious education. English grammar, writing, arithmetic, geography, history, the mathematics, and other

XV.

branches of useful learning, will have a due share of attention. The French language will not be professedly taught in the school, lest it should interfere with objects of greater importance. When a solid foundation is laid in an intimate acquaintance with the Greek and Roman classics, modern languages, it is well known, are acquired with ease. An approved French teacher, however, will attend at the expence of such parents as may desire it.

This institution, it is presumed, holds out to the public superior advantages on comparatively moderate terms; it affords ministers an opportunity of educating their sons on terms still more moderate; and it opens a channel for communicating the best of blessings (a learned and pious education) to some youths whose contracted circumstances may be the least recommendation of them to the patronage of the Society.

It is scarcely necessary to observe, that, in order to execute the last part of the plan in contemplation, recourse must be had to the liberality of the public, for donations and annual subscriptions. The purchase of the premisss, the fitting them up. completely for the object in view, and the salaries of the masters, which must be both certain and li beral, involve expences which call for generous exertions.

Such parents as wish to send their sons to this seminary, are desired to signify their intention to the Secre-` tary, or any of the Committee.

Samuel Favell, Esq. Treasurer, Tooley Street, Southwark.

William Whitwell, Esq. Secretary, Hackney.

Committee, Rev. Mess. J. Clayton, jun. Hughes, Humphrys, Sa❤ vill, Smith, and Winter; W. Alers, and J. Bunnell, Esqrs. I. Buxton, M.D. J. Collins, J. Davies, R. Dawson, S. Favell, J. Fox, J. Gutteridge, S. Houston, and E. Maitland, Esqrs. Mr.J. Page; B.Tomkins, W. Sabine, W. Savill, J. Watson, H. Waymouth, and W. Whitwell, Esqrs.

Subscriptions are received for the use of the intended institution, by the Treasurer, Secretary, Committee, and the following Bankers :

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LITERARY PREMIUM. A gentleman, lately deceased, has bequeathed Twelve Hundred Pounds to be paid to the person who shall write the best Treatise on the following subjects, viz.

"The Evidences that there is a Being all-powerful, wise, and good; by whom every thing exists; and particularly to obviate difficulties regarding the Wisdom and Goodness of the Deity; and this, in the first place, from considerations independent of written Revelation: and, in the second place, from the Reveation of the Lord Jesus; and, from the whole, to point out the Inferences most necessary for and useful to Mankind."

-Three judges of the performances exhibited, are to be appointed by the Ministers and Professors of the Colleges at Aberdeen, Letters are to be addressed to Mr. C. Galen, Aberdeen, of whom all necessary information may be obtained. The time for composing the Treatise extends to January 1, 1814.

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The Society for the Suppression of Fice have lately circulated among their members an Occasional Report (No. 4.) of their proceedings; from which it appears that they have continued, with much activity and effect, to enforce the laws against the Profanation of the Sabbath, not only in the metropolis, but in several districts of its vicinity. From a comparative view of the number of prosecutions under the Lord's Day Act, they conclude that the offence has become much less frequent. At the last general meeting, only 70 cases were reported; at a former,

180.

The Society have also prosecuted a man who kept a stail near the Admiralty, for selling obscene books. He was sentenced to be imprisoned ten months, to stand in the pillory, near Charing Cross, and to give security of 1007. for seven years. It is peculiarly gratifying to find that this prosecution was so conducted

in court, as to prevent the bad effects of an exposure of the libel; for the obnoxious passages, having been found by the Defendant's Counsel to agree with the record, were not read.

Another person was prosecuted for indecently exposing his person to a young woman, at a shop in Soho. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment in the House of Correction.

A woman who had sold an ob. scene book, absconded to avoid trial; but petitioned the Society, who complied with her request, on condition that she should appear in court, plead guilty, and enter into recognizances not again to commit the like offence.

A cock-pit at the West end of the town, has also been suppressed.

The Society are gratified in having been instrumental in forming similar Societies at York, Glouces ter, Long Sutton, and Reading.

We regret that this Society is restricted to members of the Church of England. "Resting," say they, "on such a basis, viz. the legal establishment of the kingdom, institutions like the present are more likely to obtain the approbation and support of the legislature and magistrates of the country, without whose concurrence their field of usefulness, it is to be apprehended, would become very limited indeed." For our part, we conceive more highly of the Legislature and Magistracy of our country than to suppose that they would disregard the demands of justice, or refuse to execute the laws of the country, because persons called Methodists or Dissenters formed a part of such a Society, We have known many instances in which the Magistrates have most readily performed their duty at the request of persons not belonging to the establishment; and we think that this Society would have acquired strength and vigour from a combination of good men of all denominations.

In the success of this Society, however, Christians of all descriptions will rejoiee, even though they are not allowed to contribute their assistance,

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SADLER'S WELLS.

ON Thursday evening, Oct. 15, a very melancholy event took place at Sadler's Wells, a place of entertainment in the skirts of London. A little after Ten o'clock, some of the company in the gallery were quarrelsome, and began to fight: there was also a troublesome party in the pit, who seemed desirous of creating a riot. It was thought that the word fight, which some persuis repeated to others, as the cause of the disturbance, was misunderstood for fire; the alarm of which soon began to spread through the house, and threw the audience into the great est consternation. Distress and confusion instantly ensued; and though

the cry of "No fire! No fire!" was vociferated from the stage, and even by a speaking-trumpet; the people began to rush out at every

avenue with the utmost violence and the boxes and gallery into the pit, precipitation. Some jumped out of and on to the stage, while numbers were crushed to death, or suffocated, lery stairs. In a short time eighteen in attempting to get down the galdead bodies were found, besides a great number of persons who were dreadfully bruised, or had their bones

broken.

On Friday the Coroner's jury sat, when they inspected the bodies of eighteen persons extended at length in the music room and kitchen of Sadler's Weils; of these some had already undergone a material change, from the raid progress of putrefaction, so that they could scarcely be known by their afflicted relatives and friends, who attended to claim them. Many of the sufferers were under 20 years of age.

Who can reflect on this catastrophe without the most painful feelings? How awful the thought!that 18 persons, in full health and vigour, without the least apprehension of death or danger, should be suddenly hurried out of the world, from the midst of a noisy carnal throng (amusing themselves with foolish and hurtful vanities) to the eternal world,-without probably a moment's space for repentance or prayer! There are few persons such advocates for public amusements as to be willing to meet death in such a place the most thoughtless will admit that it is more desirable to be removed while better engaged. We sincerely wish that this calamity may operate to discourage young persons from such sinful and dangerous amusemenis as those of the theatre.

It may be proper to remark, that in case of an alarm of fire being given at any place of public concourse, the wisest and safest way is to sit still. It is giving place to the momentary apprehension of danger, to loud exclamations, and to sudden efforts to escape, that creates the real mischief. These alarms are generally false, and free

quently malicious. Every one therefore should sit still; and a few moments would convince the assembly that no danger was to be apprehended.

ON January 1, 1807, a neat and commodious chapel (42 feet by 36) was opened at Duckenfield, Cheshire, by Mr. Evans, of Stockport, who preached from Hag. ii. 9; Mr. Roby, of Manchester, from Ps. xcv. 6; Mr. Blackburn, of Delph, in the evening, from Ps. cxviii. 25.

May 21. The Rev. W. Marsh was ordained pastor of the Independent church at the above place. Introduction, &c. Mr. Blackburn; ordination prayer, Mr. Hudson, of Tintwistle; charge, Mr. Meldrum, of Hatherlow, from 2 Tim. iv. 2; sermon, Mr. Whitehead, of Charles worth, from Mat. xviii. 20; Mr. Mather, of New Windsor, preached in the evening from Deut. xxxiii. 29; Mr. Ashton, of Stockport, and Mr. Hampshire, of Henley, prayed, &c. This new and promising cause at Duckenfield, may be considered as the fruit of many prayers and much exertion of the neighbouring ministers and their friends, who, in the year 1795, licensed a place in Ashton under Line, and supplied it all that year gratis. It afterwards declined till this year, when a gracious Providence laid a foundation for, we trust, more lasting usefulness. A few poor people have exerted themselves with all their strength; and need the prayers and assistance of their Christian friends.

Aug. 19. The Rev. T. Wood was ordained over the Independent church at Peniston, Yorkshire. Introduction, &c. Mr. Phillips, Classical Tutor at Rotherham; ordination prayer, Mr. Dawson, of heffield; charge, Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, from Col. iv. 7; sermon, Mr. King, of Doncaster, from Phil. ii. 16. The other parts of the service by Mr. Rayson, of Wakefield, Mr. Dixon, of Sheffield, and Mr. Moorhouse, jun.

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Sept. 9. The Gloucestershire As. sociation met at Wolten under Edge. Mr. Phillips, of Chedworth, and Mr. Jones, of Chelford, preach

ed: the former from Gal. ii. 20; the latter from Ps. xci. 14-16. The afternoon was employed in transacting the business of the Benevolent Society for the Relief of Ministers, their Widows and Orphans. The Society finding that they had reached a pecuniary point fixed by its provisionary laws, exchanged them rejoiced in the success which they for others more permanent; and had attained. Mr. Thorpe preached in the evening from Rom. viii. 28. Mess. Winter, Lowell, Sloper, Ball, and Bishop, engaged in prayer.

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Sept. 15. Mr. John Church was ordained the Independent church at Banbury. Prayer, &c. Mr. Read, of Warwick; ordination prayer, Mr. Taylor, of Witney; charge, Mr. Franklin, of Coventry, from 1 Cor. ii. 1-4; sermon, Mr. Scraggs, of Buckingham, from Heb. xiii. 17; Mr. Toms, of Hook Norton, concluded. The present pastor is a Baptist; but mixed commu nion is to be admitted.

The same day the Wilts Association met at Devizes. The following ministers preached :-Morning, Mr. Williams, from Gen. xviii. 19; af-ternoon, Mr. Berry, from Col. i. 15 to 17; evening, Mr. Thorp, from Heb. vi. 4-9. Mr. Sibree preached the preceding evening, from 1 Pet. ii. 9.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, in Easter, 1808, at Mr. Sloper's, Westbury: Mr. Bourne to preach in the morning, on Secret Worship; afternoon, Mr. Clift.

Sept. 16. The Dorset Association met at Dorchester. Mr. Cracknell, of Weymouth, preached on SelfExamination, from 2 Cor. xiii. 5. In the afternoon, Mr. Lloyd, of Mr. Saltren, of Bridport, preached Cerne, preached from Mal. iii. 16. in the evening from John viii. 54, Mess. Vickery, Banister, Wheaton, Molland, Weston, and Higgs engaged in the devotions of the day. In future meetings, the Lord's Supper is to be administered after the morning sermon. The Association declared themselves cordially inclined to unite and co-operate with the proposed General Union of Independents, in promoting the objects pointed out in their Address.

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