399 Gleanings.-Literary Notices. GLEANINGS. Slavery." What a stupendous, what an incomprehensible machine is man! who can endure toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment, and death itself, in vindication of his own liberty, and the next moment be deaf to all those motives whose power supported him through his trial, and inflict on his fellow-men a bondage, one hour of which is fraught with more misery than ages of that which he rose in rebellion to oppose."-Jefferson. Royal Example.-The Emperor of Austria devotes one day in the week to the giving audience to, and hearing the complaints of, his poor subjects. Some years back the writer of this paragraph was at Vienna, when early in the morning he witnessed this scene, and saw the poor people admitted by turns into the presence of their Sovereign, in his private apartment in the Imperial Palace. His example is now followed by the King of the Netherlands and the King of Wurtemberg. Glorious Deed.-General Charles Ridgeley, of Maryland, whose death we mentioned a few weeks since, has, by his last will and testament, emancipated all his slaves. l'he number is represented to be from 250 to upwards of 400.-American Paper. My Jefferson in Retirement.-I am retired to Monticello, where, in the bosom of my family, and surrounded by my books, I enjoy a repose to which I have been long a stranger. From breakfast to dinner, I am in my shops, my garden, or on horseback among my farms; from dinner. to dark, I give to society and recreation with my neighbours and friends; and from candle-light to early bed time, I read. health is perfect, and my strength considerably reinforced by the activity of the course I pursue: perhaps it is as great as usually falls to the lot of near 67 years of age. I talk of ploughs and harrows, seeding and harvesting, with my neighbours, and of politics too, if they choose, with as little reserve as the rest of my fellow-citizens, and feel at length the blessing of being free to say and do what I please, without being responsible for it to any mortal. A part of my occupation, and by no means the least pleasing, is the direction of the studies of such young men as ask it. They place themselves in the neigh bouring village, and have the use of my library and counsel, and make a part of my society. In advising the course of their reading, I endeavour to keep their attention fixed on the main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man; so that coming to bear a share in the councils and government of their country, they will keep ever in view the sole objects of all legitimate government.-Jefferson's Memoirs. Water proof Cloth.-A saturated solution of water, sugar of lead, and alum, being prepared, the cloth should be immersed in the fluid for a few hours; on withdrawing it, and allowing it to dry, it will be found impervious to rain. The cloth should afterwards be hot-pressed. Litigation. The number of actions commenced in the three superior Courts at Westminster, on an average of five years, amounts to nearly 80,000 per No. XII. of the National Portrait Gallery, with Heads of the Right Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan -the Right Rev. William Carey, DD. Bishop of St. Asaph-and of James Marquis of Ormonde. The present Number completes the First Volume of this great national Work, and comprises Thirty-six striking Likenesses of some of the most conspicuous characters of the present century, with a Biographical Sketch of each. In one volume, 18mo. a new and beautiful edition of the Rev. J. G. Pike's Guide to Young Disciples in their way to Immortality. No. I. of the Christian Inquirer. 400 An Essay on the Uses of Common Salt for Agricultural purposes, and in Horticulture, with experiments and illustrations from the latest authorities. By Cuthbert W. Johnson. 3d edition. An History of English Gardening, from the Invasion of the Romans to the present time. By George W. Johnson. The Argument derived from Miracles, in support of the Divine Origin of Christianity, illustrated. By George Payne, LL. D. A Clerical Report of the Royal Dispensary, for Diseases of the Ear, from 1816 to 1830. By Mr. Curtis, Surgeon. The Trumpet, a Fragment, dedicated to the Wesleyan Society. Outline of the Plan of Education, to be pursued in the Bristol College. Letters, &c., to Dr. Robert Hamilton. By an Advocate for Truth, Fitz of Fitzford, 3 Vols. By Miss Bray. Criminal Executions in England, &c. &c. Alan Newman. By The Christian Hearer, &c. By the Rev. Edward Bickersteth. 4th edition. The Listener, in 2 vols. By Caroline Fry. A Funeral Sermon on the late Mr. Roby. By John Clunie, LL. D. Sketches from Nature. By John M'Diarmid. Protestant Truths, and Roman Catholic Errors. By Rev. Plumpton Wilson, LL. B. Dialogues on Natural and Revealed Religion. By Robert Morehead, D.D. &c. Remains of the late Rev. Alexander Fisher, Dumfermline, with a Memoir. By the Rev. John Brown. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Conversion, &c. By John Howard Hinton, A. M. Practical Sermons on the Epistles to the Seven Churches, &c. By the late Rev. J. Milner, A. M. The Christian Student. By the Rev. Edward Bickersteth. 2nd edition. The Christian Ministry, By the Rev. Charles Bridges, B. A. 2nd edition. Manual of Devotion. By Elizabeth Strut. Whittaker's Catalogue of New Publications, and New Editions. In the Press. Conversations for the Young, on subjects tending to illustrate the Nature of Religion, and the Truth, History, Doctrines, and Style of the Holy Scriptures. By the Rev. Richard Watson. A New Edition of the Hon. and Rev. Gerard T. Noel's Sermons, in 2 Vols. 12mo. The Young Disciples, or Grace Triumphant, 1 Vol. 18mo. By the Rev. J. Young, &c. And, The Affectionate African, or the Rewards of Perse. verance. 1 Vol. 18mo., by the same. In three Volumes duodecimo, The Living Temple, in which man is considered in his true relation to the ordinary occupations and pursuits of life. By the Rev. Michael Russel, LL.D., a small volume of Discourses on the Millennium, the Doctrine of Election, Justification by Faith, the Assurance of Faith, and the Freeness of the Gospel, &c. &c. Preparing for Publication. Early in May will appear a New and Superb Edition of the National Portrait Gallery, in royal quarto, to be called the King's Edition, (from the royal approbation recently obtained.) The earliest impressions of the plates,-a bolder type,-and a larger and superior paper, will constitute its claims to preference among the higher classes. By Mr. Babbage, a work on the Causes which have influenced the Decline of Science in England. A Statement of the Nature and Objects of the Course of Study, in the Class of Logic, and the Philosophy of the Human Mind, in the University of London. By the Rev. John Hoppus, A. M. A Second Edition, enlarged and improved, of "Historical Sketches of the Native Irish and their Descendants," by Christopher Anderson, is promised next month. Mair's Introduction to Latin Syntax, with additional Notes, Examples in Prosody, and a Copious Vocabulary; by the Rev. Alex. Stewart. A Second Series of "Stories from the History of Scotland." By the Rev. Alex. Stewart, which is in tended to complete the Work. LONDON PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY II. FISHER, SON, AND CO. THE Emperial Magazine; OR, COMPENDIUM OF RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE. MAY.] PERIODICAL LITERATURE IS THE GERM OF NATIONAL LEARNING." MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN MORISON. (With a Portrait.) ALTHOUGH biography, in the abstract, is a species of writing with which almost every reader is pleased, the interest excited depends very much upon the culture and the soil. A congeniality of sentiment, pursuits, and habits of reflection, between the character delineated and the disposition of him who peruses the narrative, essentially contributes to that intensity of feeling from which the pleasure is derived. Hence, the sketch which is highly gratifying to one, will be viewed with indifference by a second, and, perhaps, prove disgusting to a third. Of some individuals the memoirs are rendered intrinsically valuable, by tracing the dawn of intellect, the progress of inquiry, the means of obtaining useful knowledge, the development of mental energies, and the attainment of literary, scientific, or moral excellence. Others, on the contrary, acquire their popularity from the incidents, adventures, contingencies, and localities, with which they happen, adventitiously, to be associated. Nothing, however, can be done without materials, and these it is sometimes exceedingly difficult to procure. Fiction can create both its straw and clay; but fidelity disdains to pass beyond the boundaries of fact. [1830. The Rev. JOHN MORISON, the subject of the accompanying portrait, was born at Millseat, in the parish of King Edward, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the 8th of July, 1791. Though not descended from the great ones of the earth, he can boast a lineage far more honourable than many, the names and characters of whose ancestors are associated with rapine and stained with blood. His parents were highly respectable, adorning their station in life with virtues that can never lose their reputation, and particularly exemplary for that care which they exerted to train up their offspring in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Isabella, the mother of Mr. Morison, was distinguished throughout the whole circle of her acquaintance, for the gentleness of her manners, and the warmth of her affections. This amiable woman departed the present life, like a shock of corn fully ripe, on the 15th of June, 1826, leaving behind her a name that will be remembered with feelings of respectful attachment, when "The busto moulders, and the deep cut marble, Unsteady to the steel, gives up its charge." The venerable father of Mr. Morison, who still survives his amiable partner, is famed throughout a wide district of country, for the extent and variety of his reading, the accuracy and depth of his religious Memorials of living characters have in knowledge, the lively, instructive, and engeneral many formidable obstacles to sur-tertaining peculiarity of his conversation, mount, as the source whence genuine information might be obtained, rarely fails to prove difficult of access. Under such circumstances, the biographer feels a delicacy in making an application; and if he assume courage to overcome his timidity, the modesty of him to whom he applies, always dreading the imputation of egotism, vanity, and display, almost invariably conceals the occurrences, anecdotes, and trifles, to which biography is chiefly indebted for that freshness, life, and vigour, with which its paragraphs and pages should be enriched. In all compositions of this description, instruction never appears more attractive than when it is accompanied with entertainment. But it is high time to abandon these reflections, and proceed in the memoir with such materials as we have been able to procure. 137.-VOL. XII. and the unsullied purity of his character. The early impressions of the truth and excellency of Christianity were made on the mind of this patriarchal man while attending the ministry of the Antiburghers,* who preserved the gospel in great purity in the northern parts of the county of Aberdeen, when, in other connexions and places, there was a great scarcity of faithful preaching. Among this devoted, but at that time somewhat narrow-minded and proscriptive class of religious professors, the elder Mr. Morison cast in his lot, and in The Burghers and Antiburghers were two great bodies, who seceded from the national church of Scotland, upon questions of acknowledged public interest, under the auspices of Ralph and Ebenezer Erskine. These parties, with a few solitary exceptions, are now happily united under the denomination of "The United Associate Synod." 2 c 403 Memoir of the Rev. John Morison.` 404 this connexion all his children were bap- | cation. In three seminaries, New Byth, tized. Here he continued until they com- Cummingstown, and Turriff, he continued mitted, according to his views, the rash and to prosecute his studies during eight years. unjustifiable act of excluding from their At Turriff, where he remained the longest, body, the late Rev. G. Cowie of Huntly, he enjoyed the valuable instruction of the at that time the greatest ministerial light late Rev. William Panton, under whose that shone in the district in which divine able and affectionate care he was favoured Providence had cast his lot. Bigotry is, with great advantages, and became a rehowever, rarely blessed with acute discern- spectable proficient in classical and other ment. Had Mr. Cowie lived in the present attainments. day, those branches of his conduct which were then gravely condemned as irregular, and savouring of latitudinarianism, would have gained him much applause, and a host of friends, as partaking in a large measure of that apostolic zeal and devotedness which constitute the brightest ornament in the ministerial character. Although strictly moral in his deportment, he had reached his sixteenth year before any decided evidences of piety were evinced. His father, therefore, who had intended him for the ministry, and had directed his education accordingly, determined to proceed no farther, lest he should be instrumental in adding one more to a class of teachers, already too numerous, "who have," as Mr. Hill quaintly observes, "been brought up to the trade." Turning from the ministry to business, he directed his son to select for himself some particular branch congenial to his taste and inclination. This was found among the mechanic arts, and he was bound an apprentice to a watchmaker in Banff. After the exclusion of the Rev. George Cowie, Mr. Morison was only an occasional hearer of the Antiburghers, embracing in the mean while every opportunity of attending the ministry of the preachers belonging to the connexion of Messrs. Haldane and Ewing. Nothing, however, could induce him to return. The wound was too deep to be healed. He, therefore, at last forsook the Antiburghers entirely, and became a member and an elder of the congregational church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Joseph Gibb, late of Banff, but now of Canada; and continues to the pre-effected mainly through the instrumentality of sent day to rank himself with that denomination of Christians, though not without much kindly feeling towards the Secession Church. Mr. Morison's family consisted of five children, Margaret, Jannet, Isabella, John, and Joseph. Margaret and Isabella died when very young, but the others still survive, and walk in the footsteps of their pious parents. In behalf of his eldest son John, the subject of this memoir, many prayers were offered up to the Almighty by his pious parent, that, being made a partaker of divine grace, he might, if consistent with his holy will, become a messenger of the cross of Christ. Nor was this a vagrant and solitary wish. It began at his birth, and was continued through his infancy and youth; but many years elapsed before any satisfactory answer was given to the petition. Another plan, indeed, had been adopted for his future journey through life, before his mind was visited with light beaming from the Sun of righteousnesss. Scarcely, however, had he entered on this new sphere of life, before his mind became seriously impressed with the importance and value of eternal realities. This was the Rev. Joseph Gibb, whose faithful ministry was blessed to the conversion of his soul. In these movements the superintending care of Providence appears conspicuous, for no sooner was he removed from under the watchful eye of his parents, and exposed to temptations in his new situation, than power was imparted from on high, to guard him from their influence. Having given proof of his sincerity, and evinced an active zeal in promoting the welfare of Sunday Schools, his talents, attainments, and ready address, soon revived in the minds of his friends a feeling of his adaptation for the work of the ministry, which had been previously abandoned. It was, therefore, after some deliberation,'decided by his pastor, and others interested in his welfare, that he should be released from his apprenticeship, and sent to one of the English Academies, to prepare himself to preach "Christ and him crucified," to perishing sinners. Accordingly, by the kind interposition of the Rev. (now Doctor) John Philip, then of Aberdeen, but since removed Having been taught to read under the to the Cape of Good Hope, he was, in eye of his pious parents, young Mr. Mori- 1811, introduced to Thomas Wilson, esq. son, when about eight years of age, was and became a student under Dr. Simpson, first sent to school, where he soon acquired the Rev. John Hooper, and the Rev. the elementary principles of a liberal edu- | H. F. Burder, at Hoxton Academy, where |