The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-02-05 00:00:00

THE STATESMAN.

Pft, l!Pl" `ln ,711141 e .meta;(tint time. Rat.
tne necessity of this motion was quickly superseded
by Major Miller, who intimated that Air had been
desired by Mr. IJ Itillan, who sat ileac him, to state,
that he would trek partivil er pleasure in Illaiiintt the
Club a present of the portraits in (volition ; and he
'sow begged leave to -drink the health of an artist,
who bade fair to rise to the highest honours of his
profession, nini whose. wurks .already rattled on bins
the liig hest credit.
(Sentiment by Mr. (lordon)-11ay living merit
'sever want a patron, nor it. memory Kratcful admirers,.
Is eaeli passing generation.
• Mr. Nunuie, after a few judicious Observations tui
the propriety of Dot forgetting anthers, although
the public had begun to view their .nierits, through
the " postern of time long elapsell,"7 proposed the
memory of tleorge Iltichanius,whose Latin poetry, as
he justly remarked, OA there are few. 'linen. in this
part of the comity st least, better 1111131itieti to judge,)
will bear a comparison with that of any writer since
the days of Horace.

.

Mr. 31.1.)11 Alt 31► D proposed the health of Me. Thomas
White, one of the three Honorary Members of the
Dunifties and expatiated on those nu-
merous good qualities, which in the course of a pro-
fessional life of unusual letrolt, bad endeared him ss
a man and a teacher. tin this snliject the speaker
seemed to kindle the sympathies of the whole com-
pany, many of Whom had been Mr. White's petits:
and he conetudell by remarking, that II ever there
should be such a thing as 44Legislatttre of s4-ieder Mr.
%V. sconld mitiothwdly be elected to represent% the
!"Dumfries District of Burghs. This toast was drunk
with the wreatezt enthusiastn.

Mr.lYnt yz returned thanks and proposed. the health
of Mr. Kennedy, which was drunk with- is similar
smirk of respect.
I;ll.Lis,,e;r. proposed the memory of the late Dr.
Thomas Ilrown,--s toast which he preface:l with an
affecting' eulogy on the worth and Halt intellectual
endowments of that distingnished-
The health of Mr. James ltotor, (by MeMillespie.)
The memory of Tannabill, (by Mr. liordur.)
Mr. Wintrz proposed the health, of Mr. Urierson.
and as well as Mr. Co lin, illicit upon the un-
wearied zeal ivith which this gentiematt had promot-
ed the-subscription to the Nlattsoleum, the formation
of the present ‘oeirty, and in short every thing. con-
nected with the public improvements of Dumfries,
often at the expense of his own interest and personal
comfort.

Mr. Ontrit e• sox replica in the foil tern :
___

To have been a !sundae instrument in contributing,
in however small a deg•ree, to rescue the remains of
departed genius from neuleet, is a gratification I very
sensibly feel : and that the object is effected that has
so far silpesl nit the just reproach thrown on our ma-
tive country: It is therefore no small satisfaction,
that Scinland ran now point out the spot whirls eon-
tains the dust of Barns, adorned by the hand of art,
to which his countrymen, in various parts of the
world. contribroetl, as a grateful tribute worthy of his
memory. lty the illiberal and detracting. part of
mankind, I know we are reproached for doing honour
to the nu•nsisry of Omits, aid for what F. because lie
was like ilreissselveis, subject to the iinirmitiets of hu-
man Amore, and not free front stnin :-.-true. Ire hid
his failings. and as he says himself, .. thougistlesi
follies laid him low ;--blit he had ;.o dissimulation
to cover his infirmities—if his errors wer.' exposed
to the eye of the world it IV:V4 perhaps because he'
was free from that hypocrisy, which is the wells )))) inant
characteristic of those who are so Instil its censuring
his memory. Allow me, Sir, to return you thanks
for the handsome manner you have beeu pleased to
,cotnplitnent me, and to the company, for the kind
feeling-they have also expressed. Long usay this club
prove " the feast of reason and the flow of. sonl."
Mr. A t.xxA x Dan having asked leave to give a toast,
proceeded as fellows ;
Gentlemen—l rite on the present occasion to pro•
pose a toast, which I have no doubt will be drank with
the respect due to one who has materially aided the
family of Burns ; but before I 113111! the object of my
toast, I wish to say a few %c.o.ds of the Bard whose
anniversary we are met to celebrate. It is, I must
own, with considerable diffidence I say any thing
particularly, when any thing I can say mast be so
very inferior to the able and ?torment effnsions of
poetical prose which has emanated from the gentle-
men who preceded me. I bare had Treat grad.'
tication in listening to them, and the pleasure I felt
has been heightened by the couscionsne.., that what
they advanced was deservedly due to our. celebrated
and lamented bard. lientiecnsis, ate hartedasentbled
with joy to testify our reopctst fur the :mutt -of one,
whose works have adorned his country. Weil. 1 asked,
the conclusion I would come to after a single perusal
of his WriliflV, I would say, that we must- admire him
for the simplicity and ease 4 his coutpoeition. 110-
none him for the high independence of soul visible
tbrotighout these writings, and revere him fur the
'knobs, both moral and religions, which arc contained,
ilt,kis unrivalled productions. .1t may be sdirl;gith
*diseseit, that all his pictures are drawn front using,
,for the more we compatie-thens with ilso4rigival, tltto
Wore will we be routine...l •cifilie justness of the
peeseistatinn. Nay, I sionbl ray more, nanteli; t .
.La attained the highest wish of every poet. /1
irtraised statues loom listable than brass, and mom tie
more conspicuous than pyramids. —Posterity mar 54141
to, bat will never move, by a comparison, one sittgpl
leaf of the naafi* laurels which hare heen et--
twined. round Lis brow, by It country grateful and
proud of such a bard. .1 oan give but the trifling
tribute of my make, sad-thaMl do with il). the enthns'
siactic ardour of one who Batters himself tipahle oe
feeling and appreciating the heandesulihil matchless
pen, and I would feel, pleamsre I* vindicating his-ho-
hours.against the restlenosl unbecoming *tusks of de.
'traction; but those are so few, so (timings, sail skew
such want of intellectual powers, that it is. unneces-
sary to confound such votaries of ismer:sec-6-h would
be hard, indeed, to make then/ feel—.
That dearly bought, the hidden treasure,
Finer seelingts can bestow—
Chords
that vibrate sweetest plettsire,
Thrill the deepest sole% of wod.
Gentlemen, I will not detain cow looter-1 have the
honour to propose the health of the Marchioness a(

!lasting..
Mr. APDIAILMIIP proposed the heattlrisf/aammithly.
Esq., the zealous vindicator of the poet's wwweber,
and the constant friend of his widow :ad &milt, a
gentltnsan• distinguished for his acquirements m:a
4:

selso)arote well. as..for Isisk pisetitisi • talents, of which
he haft given a convincing proof •in his elegant poem
of the Yale of Ciwyd."
Mr. I.llt•rtnaa proposed the health of the Author of
-Ewer fair, a gentleman; riot more distinguished for
his unequalled vein of humour, than his knowledge
of classic and oriental literature.
The heAlth of Mr. William Millar was given by
Mr. Gillespie, whose effusions, published from time
to time iit the Dumfries Courier, breathe a spirit of
poetry which is not often fund in one so young, and
possessing as yet an few nt. the advantages which at
least serve to reline the efforts of original genite,.
A 'Amber of other toasts were given by various
members, ansl,•varions songs were sung by Messrs.
gitteijr, Carson, Oilfillan, &e. bat these we have no
time to enumerate at present. At a little past tell
• the' Preeideut left.the Chair, but the company were too
litipprie'sermittod parly, and accordingly kept it up
"1111 altret*lite 'hem+, although to the very lastohe
meeting was conducted with .the utmost regard tv
order, harusonp4.ead decorum.

THE OUREN A.VD• THE LITURGY.
TO•TDE EDITOR OF TIIE STATESMAN.

S. ode shall be deprived of his liberties or fret, rights,
or punished in any manner het h) the insv of the land.
We wHI ndt dens or defer to any one rather justice or
sight." MAGNA CH•RT t.

Sir—The custom of praying for the King and nobility
of Emkanst, revelled aie early as the reipi of Edward
the Third, when rite de °rayed() pro liege et Reggio
were issued fur that purpose at the beginning of the
Parliaments ► and in the year 1359, in the same reign,
Archbishop Islip 'made a Constitution directed to the
Bishop of London, ordering prayers for the King and
other persons of distinctiOn attending him to the wars
abroad. See Y Johnson's Canons.

The Liturgy of the Church of England, contained in
L. preaeot flook of Common Prayer, is founded on the
Statutes of 2attd 3 Edw. 6. ; 5. and *Faltv. 6.; 1. Elia.; and
4
* 11sa.t2. The Statutes of Edward were repealed by
Stytuto I Mary, but afterwards revived by the Statnte
of Elix. which last mentioned Act, and that of 14 Cha.
I. bre prefixed to the Prayer Book. These Acts enforce,
tinder the severest penalties, a strict observance of the
form and order of the prayers contained in the Book of
CoMmon Prayer, and prohibit any derogation or de-
pratution of the same by reading theut otherwise than
as set forth in the prescribed fort •.
Previous to the ;gassing the Acts of 2 and 3 Edw. 6.
I Elia. and 14 Cho. 2. the Liturgy had been subjected to
eertaie revisions and alterations which were recognised
and confirmed 17 those Acts. It happened, however,
that the Clergy, in convocation in the time ofJames Ist,
made some alterations in the Prayer Book, which were
out conirtnell by any Art of Parliament, and the Prayer
Book so altered, continued to he used till the 14 Cha.
2. when the present form was adopted.
The Statute of Charles 11., after referring to the Book
of Common Prayer, annexed to and forming part of the
sane AM, provides " That in all those prayers, li-
tanies, and collects, which do any way relate to the
King, QIIPCII, or Royal progeny, the !MIMI! he altel cd
aril ehanird, front time to time, antlfitied to the pre-
sent meamoa, according to the direction of lawful au-
thority."
There is on proviso of this kind in any of the pre-
ceding its, I :.hall
therefore attempt to account for its
insertion In the Statute of Charles. And first, it is to be
' rensitrked, thNt Statutes are to be expounded, according
to the intent and meaning of the legislature, sometimes
by consillgrilvr the cause and necessity of making the
.let, sionetlistes he comparing one part of the Act with
mother, and sometimes by foreign circittitettutres. See
Ph/olives Reports, Si, 2055. Now, it is extremely pro-
battle, that the legislature at the time of framing the
above mentioned proviso. had in contemplation the strict
prohilsitions which were contained in the previous Acts
against ally persons altering the form of service in any
respect ; also the sentence of excommunication de-
flounced by the Canon, intitled, " The Prescript Fenn
of Divine Service, contained in the• Book of Common
Prover," against any one who should speak any thing
in derogation of the Book, or of any thing therein con-
tailors!: also the Proclamation of James the First,
against any jiffy re alteration whatever, and also the
very extraordinary injunctions in the declaration pre.
axed to the 39 arti. les contained in the Cambridge edi-
tion of the Prayer Book, anal in some of the folio edi-
tions. All which prohibitions it is material to observe,
were promulgated after the passing the Act of Eliza-
bets, aml before the tusking of the next Act of Cul-
' fortuity in the reign of Charles.
The Nook of Coititnota Prayer was revised end settled
before the passing the Act orCharles 11. and the Prayer
Book, wheu printed in 1667, a few years afterwards,coo-
tainesl a prayer fur the King, and another for Queen Ca-
therine anal.the Duke of York ; dots the Book was made
to agree with the proviso in the Act, and this Book, ao
printed, was directed to he procured for all officiating
'Jainism-ph
The proviso is the statnte of Charles, by the term
(have, iptemled a Queen Consort, should be prayed for,
not a Orifen regnant ; for in the case of Hill v. l'irange,
in 11hvitlettli kep4t4, 1/6. 177, it was held that whets,
as artomosilse Abe"; it is always spoken in the permo
!of him as King, and in his dignity royal, and therefore,.
it include. all thyw wlswelijoy his function ; anal in Sir
T. Wroth's cap.". 4:of, Wilke same reports; It nes held that
a patent'Aranted in the naute of the Kites., (Edw. 6.7,
etodpiehentletl Quer* Marv, Isis iunnedsate soceessor I
Hence if is evident, that if the word " Otscris" in than
proviso was intruded to apply to i Qtteen regnant, it
was oloviensly mere surplusage and an unnecessary de.
scriptiont 'but no one would argue for this coantruetion•
who liai feast the acts prefixed to thm first 'elitism -of the,
rtloyeHrok in referred to the ayers contained there:.
An, which mention the itame of Queen Consort Oahe',
rice. Tfie proviso referred only to suck , alteration eat
el,-ange as might be neteleary to be made,
__ either by the
sleuth of Catherine or any subsequent Queen, of :the
change of title of the Mir of York, by his becoming
King, as afterwards happened, or the death, or change
;et tillo-in any respect of any other individual, whose
inames might in future be Introduced, and then 'this
Iteration and changoof the name, as well as of the per-.
lonal ideft, was to be Tile (as I understand the act.) by.
flp:oPtv.itlilezr Clekq, under tae dircetiva alluvial ast—
•llAffr ;-
*hies fiirlisl mthoritf, Max, iIIIVOI. 3,234, de.i
sietilbcksO he the its or Queen in Council, though the,
,ilashoir..Parllanaent • noes scot define h. And there ii 1
litlope
ft-
t; in conceiving.the King in council to
rviirection to himself.. But then the alteration ant
ange.of MIMICS and ideas were only to be made when
!the resent occasion required it, attic were to be 'fitted
Illiereroaeionlingly ; the occasion entitled to evidently.
sneak such as inlglit happen by flee Act of titid, or Ake.
ration oft)* law; thus, for instance, when Quemal
t te died, there waists occasion for leaving outlier
simike; • when .the Princess of Wales became queen Coos'
sort, by operation of law,.there was then an *cession foe
substituting her titles( dignity and fitting her name W
the.tiitm present occasion; set-mdeas forsworn stottetti.
The Art gives no power whatever to expunge names,
daps, or *Ste", onre iwsertol, published and received
into. gesteral.week The Att authorises the insertioh of
thelieek of Common -Prayer, and wheedle;
and pnblitiselli the prevision of the Act being
--- assies.:ltecom intAtentntial nomilealmg

.57

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