it. And it is equally obvious, that such of our charitable trusts as consist of houses or land, or both, could not derive any benefit from it.

W. N. is of opinion that this act was intended for our benefit, and that of all other religious societies, by the legislature. I very much doubt this. It was introduced into parliament by a member of the Baptist body, the present Sir S. Morton Peto, and is generally known as Peto's Act; and it was framed expressly to meet the requirements of that and other dissenting bodies, without any reference to Friends. It appears, however, that the promoters of the act are not satisfied with the working of it, and have intimated their intention of applying for another to remedy some of its defects. When the amended bill comes before parliament, I hope the Meeting for Sufferings will be prepared to suggest the insertion of such clauses as may render it available for all our charitable trusts; for I fully agree with W. N., that such a provision for the appointment of new trustees would be acceptable to all classes (if applicable to all), and to none more so than to our Society.

"

I see more difficulty than W. N. does, in adapting the schedule appended to this act to our usages; but this difficulty may be overcome in a fresh act.I am, yours respectfully, H. B.

2d Month, 17th, 1857.

THE "ATHENEUM" VERSUS BARON MACAULAY.
To the EDITORS of THE BRITISH FRIEND.

ESTEEMED FRIENDS, The Athenæum of the 2d ult.,
in a review of the recent edition of Lord Macaulay's
History of England, enters into an elaborate defence
of William Peun from the aspersions of the historian.
The article, occupying several columns of that journal,
is too long for entire extract in your pages. I shall,
therefore, confine myself chiefly to the reviewer's
commentary upon Macaulay's text, with a connecting
line or two of explanation, thinking the subject might
be of interest to such of your readers as may not have
access to the Athenæum. The review opens as follows:
"That Barou Macaulay should defend what Mr.
Macaulay wrote will not surprise any one. That
having resolved to defend his accusation of Penn in
the 'scandalous business' of the Taunton girls, he
should do so with a certain dexterity and strength,
every one will expect to find. If the charge breaks
down in his hands-if his facts fail, and even his
assertions lack force the reader will be sure that the
weakness lies in the cause rather than in the advocate.
The new edition of his History is advertised as 're-
vised and corrected; but with regard to the charge
against Penn, though it has been disproved by evi-
dence which all the organs of opinion have accepted
as conclusive, there is no revision and no correction.
William Penn still stands in the historical text a par-
don-broker engaged in scandalous transactions. Our
readers will be very curious to see the reasoning by
which the 'corrector' has arrived at this extraordinary
conclusion, confronted with the introductory chapter
of the new edition of Mr. Hepworth Dixon's Life of
Penn. Lord Macaulay's fame is national property.
We are proud of his talents, and we are naturally
jealous of his credit. If this be lowered, literature
itself suffers somewhat; but truth is of more conse-
quence than the reputation of a great writer. The
original Macaulay's text still stands:-An order was
sent down to Taunton that all these little girls
should be secured and imprisoned. Sir Francis Warre,
of Hestercombe, the Tory member for Bridgewater,
was requested to undertake the office of exacting the
ransom. He was charged to declare in strong lan-

guage that the maids of honour would not endure delay--that they were determined to prosecute to outlawry, unless a reasonable sum were forthcoming, and that by reasonable sum was meant £7000. Warre excused himself from taking any part in a transaction so scandalous. The maids of honour then requested William Penn to act for them, and Penn accepted the commission." The reviewer says, "To this text we have an explanation by Baron Macaulay, which we quote entire, merely pausing at the chief points to assess its value."

Having quoted this lengthy paragraph, the reviewer proceeds to comment upon it:-"The question of the spelling, about which we have here these needless illustrations, amounts to this and no more:-A letter is found addressed to Mr. Penne. There is a Mr. Penne. He spells his name Penne. The Pinney family spell his name Penne. Everybody spells his name Penne. In deeds, petitions, acts of parliament, it is spelt Penne. Moreover, he is a pardon-broker. He is at Taunton. He is actually engaged in selling pardons. Why, then, assume that the writer of the letter is ignorant of the mode in which his correspondent writes his name? Had there been no Mr. Penne (as Sir James Macintosh imagined), it might have been argued that Sunderland had made a mistake in spelling. But there being a man whose name the letter does bear, and who is a known pardon-broker, actually engaged at the time in Taunton selling pardons, why go in search for a man whose name it does not bear, and who is not known in any way ever to have been connected with the sale of pardons at Taunton or any other place? Would Lord Macaulay wish the reading world to infer that all his investigations have been made in this spirit, and according to this logic?"

To the remark of Macaulay's that George Peune "was evidently an adventurer of a very low class," the reviewer replies-"George Penne was not a mere vagabond, as here described. Though he had become a pardon-broker, he had once been a gentleman of property. A great deal more is known about George Penne than the two facts which Lord Macaulay borrows from Mr. Dixon."

Another long sentence from Macaulay is further commented upon thus: "Here we have a very weak argument in very strong words. When the object was to cast dirt at Penn, the Taunton business was 'scandalous;' now that the object is to escape from the proved fact that the 'scandalous' business was assigned to a 'scandalous' agent, it becomes one proper for a gentleman of the highest rank. But the whole point rests on the assertion that George Penne could not have been in correspondence with such great people as Somerset and the maids of honour. One fact destroys this theory. George Penne was a person whom the Duke of Somerset might have addressed on such a subject as the ransom of the girls of Taunton. George Penne corresponded with the masters of Somerset-the Privy Council. He was of sufficient importance to the State to have his correspondence entered in the registers of the Privy Council."

Macaulay says, in summing up his evidence-"But nothing can be more clear than that the authorized agent of the maids of honour was the Mr. Penne to to whom the Secretary of State wrote; and I firmly believe that Mr. Penne to have been William the Quaker."

To this the reviewer responds:-"Nothing can be more clear;' unfortunately, nothing can be less clear. There is no authority, so far as we know, for the assertion that 'Mr. Penne' was the authorized agent. The 'corrector' adds:-'If it be said that it is incredible

after commenting very feelingly upon most of the chapter as so applicable to herself, she turned to the children, and addressed them in a memorable manner, warning them against the vain fashions and customs of the world, saying, "Dear children, I want you to remember the words of your dying the doctrines and testimonies of our religious Society, sayaunt." She earnestly exhorted all to a faithful adherence to

The review concludes:-"These reasons' will very much surprise Baron Macaulay's readers. 'I firmlying, "It is a good religion to die by." She admonished them believe' is no acceptable form of historical authority. We firmly believe there are only two opinions on the subject of this singular charge against Penn-on, one side that of Baron Macaulay; on the other side, that of the British public."

not to indulge a dislike to silent meetings, but to strive to get into their own hearts, saying, "There is nothing like the work of the Eternal Truth there; my stubborn heart and strong will were long in giving up, but now I rejoice that I am a Friend, and that I did not leave the Society and go out after forms and ceremonies." She added that she had felt, in times past, a repugnance to plain clothing, to some articles in particular, but that now, if the Lord saw meet to raise her up again, she was willing to wear the plainest gar similar remarks. Then, turning to her brother, she said, Pray for me that my faith may hold out;-I mean when thou art rightly enabled to do so, for words only are nothing. Oh, the happiness I have experienced for some days past! Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, the things which the Lord hath prepared for them that love him! I have given myself to him, and he will keep me if I keep the faith. I believe there is a mansion prepared for me, through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, my Lord, in that glorious city, not one of whose inhabitants can say, 'I am sick.'"

Here we have the opinion of a literary journal of established reputation and judgment on the question at issue; other organs of public opinion may follow on the same side. If, after these appeals to his betterments that were worn by Friends; with many more and feelings and judgment, Baron Macaulay should still remain obdurate, the credit of the historian and the integrity of the man will be shaken beyond the power of the most dexterous advocacy to retrieve. Your friend sincerely,

contrasts strongly with that of his brethren; and affords a striking illustration of our Saviour's declaration, that 'they who take the sword shall perish with the sword."

THE GLOAMING OF LIFE: a Memoir of James Stirling. By ALEXANDER WALLACE, U.P. Minister, and Author of "The Bible and the Working Classes." Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League. 103, Hope Street; London: Houlston & Wright, and W. Tweedie; Edinburgh: W. Oliphant & Sons. Pp. 116.

"Alas! that I should have but the 'GLOAMING' of my life to devote to my Maker, and to the helping on of a good cause."-Pp. 110.

heart, and she had supped with him in a holy communion, where there was nothing to divert her from it; and that he had, in marvellous loving-kindness, continued to do so at times throughout all her sickness; and said, "I now repeat it again, with dying lips, that I believe oldfashioned Quakerism is unadulterated Christianity. It is a good religion to die by." She then clasped her hands together, and, after lying still for some minutes, said, "What wonderful, wonderful loving-kindness to such a poor unworthy worm as I am, to have an assurance granted me that my peace is made; that I am prepared to die; I can but marvel at myself. I feel as if I only wanted wings to fly to my blessed rest, but am entirely willing to wait the Lord's time. My spirit is prepared to sing the song of the (Rev. xiv. 3). She then remarked that, although redeemed she had thus spoken of her preparation for death, she did it in the deepest humility and holy fear, and that it had cost her great suffering of spirit to attain to it; that it was a solemn thing to die, and that she had been distressed several times, on her sick-bed, to hear persons speak so coolly, and even lightly, about dying, as if we could repent when we pleased, and believe in Christ when we pleased. She added-"“I want all my friends to know that I am saved through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, my Saviour! Oh, it is a fearful thing to die, but a glorious release to those who are prepared, through the forgivenness of their sins." To a friend whom she had much loved, and who was sitting by her bedside, she said, "Give my love to thy dear sister, and to all good friends who love me;" and, raising her hand, said, although she could only speak in a whisper, "Praises, praises to the Lord God, and to the Lamb, who is for ever worthy! I am worthy only of stripes ;" and soon after added, "Lord, now let me depart in peace, for I have seen and felt thy salva-ing feature in many humble home circles of our land. vation." From this time the spirit of prayer seemed to be changed for the garments of praise, as praises were almost constantly upon her lips, until she quietly departed, like one falling into a sweet sleep. May our last end be like hers!

DIVINE PROTECTION THROUGH EXTRAORDI-
NARY DANGERS; Experienced by Jacob and Elizabeth
Goff, and their Family, during the Irish Rebellion in 1798.
By D. W. GOFF. Second Edition. Price One Shilling.

London: W. & F. G. Cash, 1857.

WE expect many readers of The British Friend are already in possession of this neat and very valuable little work. To those who have not yet seen or read it, we recommend their getting it without delay; assuring them they will find it one of the most remarkable instances on record of preservation being experienced by this family of Friends, in the exercise of a humble faith in Divine protection. The sufferers were faithful disciples of Him who is emphatically the "Prince of Peace;" and in the season of trial, His power was marvellously manifested for their help and deliverance from wicked and violent men. The Divine protection is pledged to the disciple of Christ, who consistently acts out the Christian character "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good." And we know not a better work to place in the hands of those who doubt the practicability and safety of acting on peace principles, than the one now before us. Only one member of the Society of Friends lost his life during the Irish rebellion, and he unfaithful to his principles. His case

THE above little work, besides containing a brief
memoir of James Stirling, is also valuable for the
striking and characteristic features it presents to us
of humble Scottish life, which will render it increas-
ingly interesting to many of our southern readers.
We quote the following from the Preface:-
"The particulars regarding Jean Drysdale, his
mother, afford a pleasing illustration of piety, thrift,
self-reliance, skill in making the most of very scanty
means, patient fortitude in overcoming difficulties, and
a stern spirit of independence. These virtues stamped
a marked character upon the lowly homes of Scotland
in by-gone times, and still form a bright and a redeem-

"The Memoir is fraught with most important lessons, especially to the working-classes. It is a sad picture of the utter debasement and wretchedness, and the ruin to business, body, and soul, which follow in the wake of drinking habits. But there is a brighter side of the picture. The last thirty years of James Stirling's life formed a most cheering instance of the blessed change which takes place when the prostrate will acquires new strength, and asserts its supremacy over the fierce cravings of appetite; and the shattered frame, the enfeebled intellect, the debased moral nature, redeemed from the worst species of bondage, are brought under healing influences that usher in a new era, and lead on to a better fate. without being convinced that great good has been, "No one, we think, can read the following Memoir, and will yet be, accomplished by the Temperance

Reformation.

selects but one poor captive, and makes him stand When Sterne describes slavery, he out from the rest, the dark embodiment of the sufferings and wrongs endured by thousands. We look at him through the grated door of his cell, where for 'thirty years the western breeze had not fanned his blood. He had seen no sun, no moon, in all that time, nor had the voice of friend or kinsman breathed through his lattice.' When evil is thus individualized, one feels more intensely its crushing wrongs.

"We have in this Memoir given prominence to one case only; but in its darkest features and in its brightest aspects it represents many others. The single case of vividness to evils long endured, is at the same time a James Stirling, whilst it gives terrible reality and silver lining' to the dark cloud-a sad illustration of the evils of drinking, and a standing testimony to the good accomplished by the Temperance movement. Emancipated from the worst bondage, he set himself vigorously to work for the emancipation of others.

"Though dead he yet speaketh;"" and it is our earnest Prayer that, by means of this little book, he may long speak to many hearts, and do battle with the greatest

curse of our land.

"The good abides. Man dies. Die, too,
The toil, the fever, and the fret;
But the great thought-the upward view-
The good work done: those fail not yet!
From sire to son, from age to age,
Goes down the growing heritage."

EVANS, daughter of the late Joseph Evans, of Southamp-WANTED, by a Young Person, who has had

about 90, MARY, widow of William Dilworth, of Wyresdale, WANTED, by a Friend, a Situation as COM

4th. At Eden Mount, Stanwix, near Carlisle, WILLIAM WANTED, an Active PARTNER, with a

5th. At Cotherstone, aged 77, REBECCA, widow of John Bowron.

11th. At Colchester, in her 82d year, SARAH BARRITT, late of Woodbridge.

12th. ELIZA, wife of Daniel Weaver, of Liverpool.

14th. At Worcester, aged 84, HANNAH, wife of Samuel Hughes, of Worcester.

19th. At Maidstone, FRANCIS WHEELER, aged 38.

WANTED, Friends to fill the offices of TION in Chemical Works, or the Wholesale Drug Trade.

WANTED, for a Young Person, in her 17th A Young Man, aged 30 years, of active habits

A Young Friend, in her 17th year, is desirous THE following Offices are expected to be vacant