The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-12-06 00:00:00

and we are never tired in regaling our senses upon their
fragrance.
We have, in sober truth, scarcely ever been more'de-
lighted with Blackwood, than we have been this month.
Its contents are so varied, and so truly excellent, that
there is something to gratify the taste of every class of
readers. To the classical scholar, we beg to recommend
"The Prometheus Bound, translated from iEschylus, by
Mr. Chapman," and "The Epigrams of Theocritus."
The former is vigorous and dignified ; and the latter pro
(-rases to be as popular as " The Anthology." To the
lover of the abstract sciences, we recommend the "Meta-
physician," which contains an excellent chapter on " Ah-
staction." its political articles are " Religious Liberty
in France," "The Voluntary Principle," and "Justice
to Ireland." We subjoin an extract from the second of
these. "The World we live in," and its other miscella-
neous articles are charming- as usual.
" What, say the Voluntaries, can be so unjust as to tax the
members of one persuasion for the support of another? In
every other department of instruction, whether secular or eccle-
siastical, men are left free to choose the species of knowledge
which they requite; and the. encouragement of the professor
is left to the voluntary support which he ieceives from his pupils.
Why should religious instruction be made an exception to the,
general rule ? Why should the Catholic be compelled to con-
tribute to the support of the Protestant, or the Methodist of the
Episcopalian? It is temporal interest which lends bitterness
to the divisions of theology; it is the payment of money which
constitutes the injury which never can be forgiven. Every man
should pay for his own religious teacher, as every man pays for
his own tailor, or apothecary, or baker. Competition under this
equitable and simple system, would here, as elsewhere induce
perfection; theological error would aspire under the ascending
light of truth and investigation. Fat Deans, drowsy Bishops,
would no longer be able to wring the means of pampering their
daily appetites out of the sufferings of the people. Relieved
from the odium consequent on the present iniquitous system,
Christianity would regain its hold of the affections of mankind.
It will never do so till its connexion is severed with the State,
and its professors are thrown hack to the apostolical rule, which
declared that its kingdom was not of this world.

" So reasons the Dissenter; so; reasons the Irish Papist (but
no other Papist;) so reasons the prodigal; so reasons theinfl-
del ; 'so reasons the libertine. The first anticipate, from the use
of this argument, the liberation of their flock frorivall pay-
ments to the Clergy of another faith, and the direction of all
ecclesiastical dues to their own treasury. The second hope to
succeed, by its general adoption, in regaining the lost patri-
mony of St. Peter, and by the force of a clamour against-tithes
to the Protestant clergy, to restore their payment in timeto the
Homish priesthood. lbe coalesced herd of the last regard it
as the means of getting quit of all religious payments what-
ever, and establishing, as in Prance, a state of society where
the pleasures of sensuality, or the dictates of passion, are unre-
strained by the inconvenient denunciations of judgment to
come."

Fraser's Magazine,- December.
We have been highly deliOted - with the perusal of
this number, and particularly With the merited castiga-
tion inflicted upon the flunky who perpetrated " The
Great Metropolis." Mr. Gratt might well deprecate
the criticism of Fraser ; and it will be some time be-
lore he forgets the rough handling which his silly pro-
duction has met with. We have only space to glance at
the principal contents of the number before us, which
•we shall do after a somewhat novel fashion. We con-
dense our criticism upon each paper into a word or two.
" The Songs of Horace, from the Prout papers."—
Delectably rich.

" The Statesman," by John Galt.—Fraught with
utility and instruction.

" Oliver Yorke at Paris."—A highly interesting con-
versation with Chateaubriand on English Literature.
" The Radicals, the Dissenters, and the Papists."—
Pre-eminently caustic.
Sir Egerton Bridges .to Oliver Yorke."—Abounds
with original thoughts, tersely expressed.
" A Song of Solitude."---Trumpery trash. We are
ashamed that a Welshman should have been guilty of
perpetrating such miserable nonsense.
" The Remembrances of a Monthly Nurser'—We
doubt the propriety of giving publicity to such narratives.
" Crichton."—An admirable review.
" Epistles to the Literati."—We delight in these-7.-
they form a species of auto-biography.
" December Sonnets."—We quote the latter of these.
" A merry Christmas soon comes round again.
What have we done since Christmas last? God knows ! ,
So does the Devil,—for the world still goes
Rolling about in the old-fashioned strain.
But, Palmerston, what next? The Queen of Spain
You've dished, and Molly Portugal is done—
Thanks to your lordship. Nesselrode makes fun
Of your bright missives urged by Durham's brain.
Belgium is still unsettled. King Philippe
Tumbles his tongue demurely in his jaw,
And Autun's good ex-bishop says Catspaw,
•Oft have I witnessed; but such silly sheep
As Cupid never.' ➢Meanwhile, welcome back,
In turkey-time, from Ham, Prince Polignac !
" Cultrisa's Piazza, Covent-Garden.
. [‘. I forget the day of the month, but it must be coming on
for December."]

Dublin University Magazine. December.
We are glad to perceive this talented periodical
rising, from month to month, in public estimation. The
valuable services which it has already rendered to the
cause of conservatism, has, no doubt, chiefly contributed
to its increasing popularity. But, independently of its
claims as a powerful auxiliary in the promotion of loyal
and constitutional Prineiples, it has others—and those of
no ordinary kind—in a literary point 'of view. In this
respect it need not fear a comparison with any of its
elder contemporaries. It fully equals them in the
variety—the interest—the ability—the moral purity—
the humour—the pathos—and the learning of its several
articles.

The present number is, if possible, more varied and
interesting than any of its predecessors. Let us glance
at the contents.

"On the origin of Alphabetic Writing."--A very
able article, displaying profound research and independ-
ent thinking.
The Miser of Padua."--A highly characteristic
tale, of considerable force.

" Attractions of Ireland."—An able disquisition on
the state of society in the Sister Island.
" Gallery of Illustrious Irishmen—James, Earl of
Charlemont."—An admirable biographical sketch, evi-
dently composed by one who is a master of his subject.
" Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference
to Natural Theology."—Well written; we disagree,
however, with the author in our view of the tendency of
Professor Buckland's hypotheses.
" Jane Sinclair."—A tale of surpassing interest and
pathos—we wish our limits would permit us to quote it
entire.

" Anthologia Germanica•"—Will never prove so
attractive as the Greek Anthology.
" Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society."—From
this concluding article we transfer to our columns the
following judicious remarks on