The Sun.
London, England, 1823-03-25 00:00:00

CLOSE OF THE SURREY INSTITUTION.

Mr. OWEN, of New Lanark, still continues his
labours in Ireland. He has been rather closely pressed with
regard to the religion which is to be established in the ' New
State of Society,' and has at last given the following general
reply, in a letter addressed to the editor of the Limerick
Chronicle Limerick, January 27, 1823. Sir, in your
paper of Saturday last, I am requested by a gentleman,
who signed himself' A Citizen,',to explain what my views are
respecting religion, with the arrangements for its support in the
intended colonies—and, as I feel the time is arrived for this de-
velopment, I meet his wishes with pleasure.
I have often been urged to declare myself in favour of some
one sect of religion, and it is,
.perhaps due to the public that
I should now explain my sentiments on this important subject.
' For nearly forty years I have studied the religious systems
of the world, with a most sincere desire to discover one that was
devoid of error, one to which my mind and soul could consent ;
but the more I have examined the faiths and practices which
they have produced, the more error in each has been made ma-
nifest to me ; and I am now prepared to say, that all, without
a single exception, contain too much error to be of any utility
in the present advanced state of the human mind. There are
truths in each religion, as well as errors in all; but if I have
not been too much prejudiced by early education and surround-
ing circumstances, to)udge impartially between them, there are
more valuable truths in the Christian scriptures than in others—
but a religion, to be pure and undefiled, and to produce the pro-
per effect upon the life and conduct of every human being, and
to become universal, 'must be so true, that all who run may
read, and so reading, may fully comprehend. A religion of this
character must be devoid of forms, ceremonies, and mysteries ;
for those constitute the errors of all the existing systems, and of
all those who have hitherto created anger, and produced violence
and bloodshed throughout society. A religion devoid of error
will not depend for its support upon any name whatever. No
name, not even Deity itself, can make falsehOod true—no name,
not even Deity Itself, can make truth into falsehood. A
pure and genuine religion, therefore, will not require for its
support, or for its universal promulgation and acceptance by
the human race, any name whatever, nor aught except, the Irre-
sistible truths which it shall contain. Such religion will possess
whatever is valuable in each, and exclude whatever is erroneous
io all, and, in due time, a religion of this character, freed from
every inconsistency, shall be pr6mulgated. Then will-the world
be in possesion of principles which, without any exception, will
produce corresponding practices, and then all shall see, face to
face, clearly and distinctly and no longer through a glass darkly.
In the mean time however, while the change shall be gradually
working in the minds of those who have been compelled to re.
ceive error mixed with truth, it is intended that no violence shall
he offered to the conscience of any one, and that, in the propos-
ed new villages full provision shall be made for the perform-
ance of religious worship, according to the practices of the
country in which die villages shall be situated ; that to the ex-
tent which the present fum of society admits, there shall be full
liberty of conscience fur very individual, and all will be recom-
mended to have real charity for their brethren of the human
race, who have been made to differ from them in opinions,
which all must now perceive have been formed by the geogra.
phical circumstances of their birth. Ample provision will be
also made by the inhabitants of each village for the support, in
the highest comfArt of the Ministers of the respective persua-
sions, and, in consequence, all of them will be held in estima-
tion, according to their real usefulness in the community. To
me it appears that this mode of proceeding can alone calm the
present irritations of society, and prepare the human mind for
the reception of that divine charity, which, when received, will
insure peace to every bosom, and extend its beneficial influence
over the whole earth.

It was stated, In a late Paper, that a naval, officer, whose
death was then announced, was the last of the companions of
Captain Ctaog, in his voyages round the world. One of the
companions of his second voyage is still alive, and doomed to
end his life in the Workhouse of St. Cuthbert's. He after-
wards fought in America, and was seven years under the im-
mortal ADERCROMBY, when he commanded a battalion, com-
posed of the light companies of the Army, which was con.
tinually exposed. This poor man has no pension, although
he had attained the rank of seejeant in the army.—( Edin.
burgh Courauti March 23.)

This night, at ten o'clock, the doors of this
temple of science, this agreeable retreat from the
fatigues and anxieties of business, this, one of the
fountain heads of literary and scientific informa-
tion, will be finally closed to its subscribers.
When we look back to the peculiar advantages
which this place offered to the young and inexperi-
enced, and to the pleasant relaxation which it af-
forded to those advanced in years, who here whiled
away their hours in an agreeable and improving
oacncduepxactioeltlie: when
ntlibr w
a ry,eofrme coorleletcht he
aill6ooveorvy usefulolum e,
which was ever open to the wants of the sub-
scribers ; and, above all, the various Courses of
Lectures which have been delivered at this Insti-
tution ; we cannot but regret that the wealthy
and enlightened inhabitants of the County of
Surrey should have suffered this temple of know-
ledge to fall into irrecoverable ruin. But the
scientific and literary prelections delivered at the
Surrey Institution deserve something more than
a cursory notice. We shall briefly enumerate
some of the most distinguished persons who have
added lustre to the Lecture Room of this Insti-
tution. Among those who have paid the debt of
nature may be named Dr. SnAw, the able and
scientific Zoologist ; and Dr. LETTSOM, the
humane and benevolent Philanthropist. Among
the living luminaries we may mention Mr. SAMUEL
WESLEY, and the correct and tasteful CROTCH.
In Chemistry, the acute and ingenious THOMSON,
and the the classic and inquiring MURRAY. In
Physics (Mr. now Dr.) MAsoN Goon. In Me-
chanics and Experimental Philosophy, Mr.
MILLINGTON, who is now a Professor in the
Royal Institution, and whose first lecture was
delivered at the Surrey. In Geology, Mr.
BA KEWELL ; on the Philosophy of Art, Mr.
LANDSEER ; on Perspective, Mr. JOHN GEORGE
Wool); on Architecture, the classic ELM ES ; on
Ethics, Dr. COLLYER ; on various branches of
the Belles Lettres, the discriminating HAztATT,
and the lofty and truly poetic COLERIDGE ; on
Aerostatics, the aeronaut SADLER ; on Experi-
mental Philosophy, Mr. PART! NGTON ; on the
Steam Engine, Mr. 'WEBSTER ; on Pneumatics
and Electricity, the ingenious, lucid, and inde-
fatigable Mr. CHARLES WoonwAßD, whose
gratuitous labours in the field of science are
worthy of all praise ; and last, though not least in
our esteem, Mr.J AMES .1 ENNINGS, whose lecture on
the History and Utility of Literary Institutions af-
fords a pleasing evith nee of his zeal in the cause
of Literature and Science. A great deal has
been said respecting the fate of Literary Institu-
tions in the metropolis, and abundant vitupera-
tion has been bestowed upon the Managers of
these establishments—the Surrey Institution has
not escaped this general obloquy. At the com-
mencement of this Institution each Subscriber
paid thirty guineas for his share. And for
this moderate sum he has had, or might have had,
fourteen years full and free enjoyment of this
excellent and well-conducted Establishment. He
has had daily access to a room containing
the Morning and Evening Papers, Gazettes, Sze.
—to a room containing the principal Magazines
and Reviews, and every new Book of Character:
—to an extensive library of reference—consisting
of the most valuable works :—to an excellent and
well
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o'clock in the morning till ten at night, for four-
teen years, for thirty guineas! And yet (mire:bile
theta) we are told that the money has been
squandered,* and that the Establishment has
been badly managed. For our 1)804, we think
with an ingenious Author, " that Literary Insti-
tutions are the cheapest of all the known methods
of diffusing knowledge," and whatever may be
the sentiments of those who have not attended
the Library and Lectures of the Surrey Institu-
tion, we have no hesitation in saying, that while
we award the full rneed of praise to the other
Literary Institutions of the Metropolis, we think
that no Establishment of this nature has been
more ably conducted, or succeeded better hi
combining 44 the useful with the agreeable," and
at a moderate expence, than the SURREY IN-
STITUTION.

• Notwithstanding this alleged extravagance, there is still
property remaining which cost between eight and nine thousand
Ppounds, and which is shortly to be sold for the benefit of the
roprietors.

PRICE or POSTING.—The Grand Jury last week after
having fulfilled the business of the Assize, took into their con-
sideration the present charge of posting, and determined to
support those innkeepers, who, during the present low rate of
agricultural produce, carry on the price of posting at ls. per
mile. Lord DEuitimnsT, M.P. was Chairman; and his
Lordship has published a letter in the Worcester Journal, de-
tailing the names of the innkeepers who charged Is. 3d. per
mile on the road from London to Worcester.—(His Lordship's
letter appeared in THE Susi last week.)
WINCHESTER, MARCH 22.-- The public performances
of the Gentlemen Amateurs terminated, for the season on
Thursday evening with a Concert and Ball, at St. Joint's
House, for the benefit of' Du. CHARD, President of the So-
ciety ; and, when we state that the room was crowded to
excess, by a brilliant assemblage of beauty and fashion,
amounting to upwards of 400 persona, it will be evident, that
their former successful efforts bad not escaped the recollection
of their auditors, but were duly appreciated by them—a com-
pliment alike pleasing to the Conductor, and to those who, by
the' occasional display of their musical talents, have contri-
buted to diminish the
.gloom of a rigorous and protracted
winter. This encouraging mark of esteem will doubtless ope-
rate as a stimulusto future exertion and improvement; so that
next season we may look forward to a repetition of so ra-
tional and elegant a species of entertainment. The selections
for the evening were from the compositions of the most eminent
masters, interspersed with choice glees. The orchestra was
led in a very spirited and masterly manner by Mr. Edward
Sibly, and supported by the admirable band of Amateurs,
assisted by several Gentlemen from Salisbury. The Violon-
cello Concerto, by Mr. Lucas, was most rapturously ap-
plauded, and in style of execution forcibly reminded us of the
chaste manner of the celebrated Crossdill. The Quartetto for
flute, violin, tenor, and violoncello, was exquisitely played.,
by Messrs. Lewis, Sibly, Prangnell, and Lucas, and re-
two MSS. of' Dr. Chard's) were exceedingly, . well sung,
great applause. The Glees (among which were
center'. with
annating2nve
Agregaiet
ridelight. The Finale of Rossini's L'lta-
absolutely electrified the room ; and the
• whole concluded with our tine National anthem of—" God
save the King I" Quadrilles and country dances soon after coin.
menced; and the company did not depart till near four o'clock,
gratified to the utmost of their wishes.