that this notice has been extended.

Whatever may be thought of the merits of Mr. Daubeny's argument, surely there ought to be but one opinion in regard to those of his motives. The conclusion of his letter is a perfect exemplification of that personal humility and official boldness in the clergyman which can be combined in no other character than the true Christian minister. "In making the foregoing remarks, Madam, I have, in my own judgment, discharged a duty. At the same time, when I consider that your late publication has received a publick testimony of approbation from one of the most distinguished prelates of our Church, it is not without a mixture of diffidence and respect due to so high an authority that I venture to submit them to your consideration. Conscious, however, of the integrity of my intention, it is not so much my wish that my interpretation of St. Paul be the true one, as that such interpretation may be established, which, in the judgment of pious and learned Christians, will do most justice to the Apostle's argument. As a fallible man, I shall readily acknowledge obligation to the person who shall convince me that I have been in error; being desirous of taking a leaf out of any book whose object it is, by the propagation of Scripture doctrine, to promote what every minister of Christ ought to have at heart, the grand design of the GOSPEL DISPENSATION."

The influence of the "Strictures on Female Education" is incalculable. Nineteen thousand copies, where every copy had at least a score of readers,

could not have been printed in vain. But, indeed, we have only to glance at the improved state of female education at the present day, to form some estimate of the effect of this book. The ardour for external accomplishments has not, perhaps, been greatly diminished; but the tone of female education, both intellectual and religious, has been materially raised. Even this view alone would afford only imperfect justice to the fruits of the "Strictures." Female education is an ample territory, embracing so many provinces, and abutting on so many important regions of morals, that it was impossible, even without any desire to transgress the legitimate limits of the subject, to improve it without great collateral benefits. In this small but comprehensive work, on which Mrs. More had expended the utmost care and labour, a moral picture of society was drawn, very different from what had been seen in that generation, and, by its native beauty, and accommodation to all that religion, reason, and good sense approve, too pleasing not to excite imitative zeal. Amid all the faults with which the present century is too justly chargeable, it is no less justly entitled to the praise of a more manly and rational character than its predecessor;— a character powerfully sketched by the hand of Hannah More, after her own just and vigorous conceptions, and, doubtless, finished after the portraiture of those whom she chose for her intimates and associates; but, certainly, no copy of the popular countenance. Her pen is therefore believed, with good reason,

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to have contributed essentially to the favourable portion of the contrast, in which the later of the centuries which she has adorned stands to its precursor; to have been a prime instrument in reclaiming publick manners from frivolity and enervation to rational and intellectual dignity, no less than in recalling publick morals to their true standard in scriptural Christianity. Hitherto her ethical system, like the earliest sunbeams, had shed light on the high places alone; but, with the close of the 18th century, it crossed the moral horizon, and, like the advancing sun, invested with impartial light the middle regions of the social landscape. The humbler walks of life she had already instructed on a different though no less effectual plan. Thus then had she drawn the chain of truth and virtue around the whole frame of society; and the applause of an admiring world was but the echo of a pure conscience. Like the wisest of men, she had dared to prefer wisdom to riches and honour; and like him, too, she had received the object of her desire, while riches and honour were superadded. Blest with the love of many friends, and, above all, with the peace of God, she might seem to be the happiest of human kind; but such periods of unqualified serenity suit not long our probationary condition. The cloud was gathering, and we must now pursue its rise.

"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed him. self to Him that judgeth righteously."-1 Pet. ii, 21-23.

CHAPTER VII.

WITH the opening of the nineteenth century, the biographer of Hannah More enters on the only unpleasant portion of his duty; but a portion it is, and, therefore, cannot be evaded. The object of this chapter shall be the barest and simplest possible statement of uncontroverted facts, without the smallest attempt to adjust the balance of " the Blagdon controversy." In adopting this line, I am not influenced by the belief that Mrs. More was

wrong. That question is here undetermined. Were such the fact, the biographer's duty would still be to draw a portrait, not a model; and no private partialities could excuse a deviation from strict historical truth. The general excellence of Hannah More, therefore, would not be of itself a sufficient reason for suppressing any essential portions of her life which might really detract from it. But no person acquainted, even by hearsay, with the state of society in the neighbourhood of Blagdon during the agitation of this question could do otherwise than revolt with horror from the mere possibility of reviving it, especially at a time when the best energies of all true churchmen are required for defence against the common enemy, instead of being wasted in internal contentions. Apprehension of this is the only motive which induces me to give a less detailed view of the Blagdon controversy than my materials (which in this part of my narrative abound the most) would otherwise warrant. The reader will find no facts here specified but such as are admitted by those who advocated each side of the question; a question which should never have been adverted to, were it, in the opinion of the writer, possible altogether to decline it.

The Blagdon school had been founded in the year 1795, at the earnest solicitation of the Rev. Thomas Bere, curate of that parish, and a magistrate. The profligate condition of the parish, which, both as a magistrate and a minister, he had daily cause to lament, were urged by him to Mrs. More as a special reason for opening a school