Society, the exclusive application of their funds to the provision of the latter. A wish had been expressed, with which he would most gladly comply, that he would state to the meeting the nature of the duties of a Catechist-the qualifications and declarations required of him-and the restrictions under which he would be required to act. He proposed, then, to impart religious instruction to every plantation thrown open to him, through the agency of Catechists and Teachers, licensed by the Bishop, after previous examination and subscription; acting under, and directed by, the Minister of the parish within which they should be appointed to act; paying every proper regard to the wishes of the master, as to the time and frequency of instruction; and confining the material of instruction to the Scriptures, the Liturgy of the Church, and such other religious works as are included in the catalogue of the "Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge." With regard to the subscription required of the Catechist previously to his being licensed, he would state, in pursuance of the wish thus expressed, that every Catechist should be expected to read and write, and to prove himself competently acquainted with the Holy Scriptures; and to make a declaration to the following effect:That he will not preach, or interpret, or minister the Sacraments, and other public rites of the Church; but only read on the plantations, or other places committed to his care, that which the Minister of the parish shall direct; there, during his absence, and with his consent, to bury, if required, the dead; to return thanks to God for women after child-birth; and instruct the young and ignorant in the principles of the Christian religion; that he will visit the plantations, or other places, at such times only as shall have been agreed upon between the Rector and the respective proprietor; that he will use sobriety in his apparel, and especially during times of religious instruction; that he will, as far as in him lieth, with God's help, move men to quiet and concord, and not give them cause of offence; and that he will be diligent in the reading of the Holy Scriptures, with prayers and good advisement, to the increase of his knowledge. For the means of support of these Teachers and Catechists, the Bishop stated, that he looked, first, to the sums of money placed at his disposal by his Majesty's Government; secondly, to the “ Society for the Conversion of Negroes;" and, thirdly, to the proprietors, individually and collectively, through the formation of a District Association of that Society. The Bishop concluded with trusting, that the Meeting would come to a unanimous resolution to form such an Association. Dr. Maycock then rose, and spoke to the following effect: "My Lord-It is with considerable diffidence I rise to address this Meetting; but my feelings will not allow me to give a silent support to the measure proposed by your Lordship. It is now more than two years since a meeting of the Clergy and Planters took place in this room. The Clergy, zealous in the performance of their duty, and conspicuous as an example of virtue and piety, proposed to devote a portion of their time to the instruction of the slave population in the leading and most essential points of the Christian religion; and the Planters (so many at least as signed the Resolutions of that day) pledged themselves to afford time, and give every encouragement in their power to the slaves to receive such instruction. No funds were raised at that time; but it cannot be doubted that much good has been done by the meritorious exertions of the Clergy, although the want of subordinate teachers has been, and continues to be, an obstacle to the general and efficient instruction of the slaves. The wise and unobjectionable measure which your Lordship has proposed, will, I am confident, remove this obstacle. My Lord, you are, doubtless, generally aware of the distresses and difficulties to which this Colony has for a long time been subject; but of their extent you can have no idea. I am sure I speak within compass when I state, that two-thirds of the real property of the island is under mortgage. Just now, indeed, there is the appearance of a dawn of better times, if it be not transitory and falla cious; but we have seen a long and dreary night, in which the fortunes of all have materially suffered-of some have been irrecoverably wrecked. Even at this time, when our hopes begin to revive, we are forced to reflect, that we are still weighed down and overburthened by the continuance of heavy war taxes on our staple commodities; an example of the partial operation of those measures of alleviation, which, since the peace, have been extended to all interests but ours. We are indeed, extremely poor; and if the proposition which your Lordship has made, were one requiring an extensive pecuniary sacrifice, with the most favourable dispositions we could not afford it efficient support. But the sacrifice is so small, the benefit to be afforded to a'numerous class of our fellow-creatures so great, and the duty on ourselves to afford that benefit so evident and imperious, that I am sure the measure proposed by your Lordship will be unanimously adopted; that we shall gladly embrace the opportunity of becoming united to the Society at home for the Conversion of the Negro Slaves in the West Indies; and in support of the objects of that Society, cheerfully give a portion even of that little we have left. There is a circumstance intimately connected with the object of this Meeting (the religious instruction and moral improvement of the slaves), to which your Lordship has not alluded, doubtless from delicacy to the planter; but which I, as an interested planter, may approach with freedom. I allude to the continuance of the disgraceful and disgusting nuisance of the Sunday market; one which obtrudes itself to the annoyance of every well-thinking person; is a standing contradiction to every declaration we may make of zeal for the interests of religion; and takes from us the very character of a Christian community. It does appear to me impossible to implant religious feelings in the minds of the slaves until this nuisance be removed, and they be taught to respect the Sabbath. This evil has been allowed to continue, not from an insensibility to its nature and extent, but from an apparent difficulty in removing it. In this island, one third of the working days of the year is appro VOL. VII. NO. XI. priated to the raising articles of food for the slaves; and they are supplied with a superabundance and variety of provisions, being in no respect dependent on their own exertions for subsistence. On this account it may appear to some, that an opportunity of attending a market is not necessary for them. But it should be kept in mind, that from the produce of his garden, of his stock, nay, from the very superabundance of his allowance, the slave has many articles which he can advantageously exchange for others, which add to his comfort, to his importance among his fellow-slaves, and contribute to the general improvement of his condition. If you take from him the opportunity of doing so, you take away the operative induce ment to industry, care, and economy, and you create an obstacle to his advancement in civilization. If, therefore, it be not absolutely necessary that the slave should have an oppor tunity to attend a market, it is certainly proper and desirable that he should enjoy such an indulgence. The planters, however, holding property subject to heavy demands from their creditors, can never, consistently, propose a legal subtraction of any portion of the labouring days of the week; nor could the Legislature enforce it by an Act, without evident injustice to the encumbered proprietors of landed property, and their creditors. The difficulty, then, of abolishing the Sunday market, has arisen from the propriety of allowing the slave an opportunity to dispose of the produce of his industry and economy; and the impropriety of making any legal subtraction from the time employed in the cultivation of the soil. When, however, I reflect on the gradual amelioration which has taken place in the moral and physical condition of the slave population; when I reflect on what it was when I left this country, a boy; on what I found it when I returned, a man; and on what it is at this present moment; when I reflect, that so far from being the effect of legislative enactments, it may be said to have proceeded in opposition to law; that it commenced partially, and is become general (I wish I could say with truth universal) from the 5 A force of example and the influence of opinion; I am convinced that the comfort and accommodation to the slaves of time to attend a market, may be safely trusted to the benevolent feelings and interested policy of proprietors; interested policy, I say, because every thinking planter is aware, that any abridgment of the comfort of his slave will ultimately recoil as an evil upon himself. Matters individually not very important, but collectively more essential to the well-being of the slaves, than an opportunity, under their circumstances in this island, of attending a market, are necessarily dependent on such feelings. Legislative enactments may, and indeed should, grant particular privileges to the slave, and correct evident abuse of the power of the master; but it is the conviction on the part of proprietors that it is no less their interest than it is their duty, to render their slaves comfortable and happy, which can alone ensure to the slaves comfort and happiness. It is this conviction which has brought the condition of the slaves to be such as it is: it is this conviction which will continue, by every reasonable and practicable means, to improve their condition; it is this conviction which, as soon as the Sunday market shall have been abolished by law, will induce all the influential planters to make such voluntary arrangements, as shall afford the slaves under their direction the necessary comfort and indulgence of attending a market. I have been anxious, my Lord, to separate the abolition of the Sunday market from a legislative grant of time to the slave to attend the market on the days of the week-I have been anxious to separate that which is absolutely necessary, from that which appears to me (under all circumstances) to be not so necessary, because I am very fearful that if the two points be coupled together, the Sunday market will long remain an opprobrium to this country." The following Resolutions were then moved and carried : 1. That a Branch Association of the "Incorporated Society for the Conversion and Religious Instruction and Education of the Negro Slaves in the British West-India Islands," be established in this Island. 2. That the Lord Bishop of the Diocese be requested to accept the office of President. 3. That the Venerable the Archdeacon be requested to accept the office of Vice President. 4. That Messrs. Higginson, Deane, and Scott, be requested to accept the office of Treasurers. 5. That the Rev. John H. Pinder be appointed Secretary. 6. That this Association be under the following regulations : First-That every Subscriber of one Guinea annually be a Member of this Association, and entitled to attend its General Meetings. Secondly-That a General Meeting of the Society be held annually, on the first Wednesday in the month of August. Thirdly-That the following gentlemen, Hon. Sir R. Alleyne, Bart., Hon. R. Hamden, Hon. J. Brathwaite, Hon. N. Lucas, Hon. J. R. Best, Hon. John A. Holder, John Barrow, Esq., Joseph Jordan, Esq., M. Coulthurst, Esq., E. H. Senhouse, Esq., Dr. Maycock, B. Ifill, Esq., F. Clarke, Esq., W. Sharpe, Esq., C. Pile, Esq., together with the Rectors of the respective parishes, and the Rev. R. F. King, Chaplain to the Society, be appointed a Standing Committee for transacting the business of the Association. Fourthly-That the said Committee do meet quarterly, on the first Wednesday in the months of August, November, February, and May; to proceed to business as soon as seven Members shall be assembled. Fifthly-That the Committee do make a report of their proceedings to the Annual General Meeting of the Subscribers on the first Wednesday in August. Sixthly-That any vacancies which may occur in the said Committee be filled up by the Members of the General Committee. Seventhly-That the Treasurers do make a report half-yearly. Eighthly-That the Report of the Proceedings, together with a list of the Officers and Members, be transmitted annually to the Society in London, through the Bishop. 733 UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE. MEMOIR OF THE LATE PROFESSOR DOBREE. THE REV. PETER PAUL DOBREE was a native of Guernsey, and received the rudiments of classical learning in Dr. Valpy's school at Reading. To the place of his early education he was gratefully attached during the remainder of his life, and was led by his regard for Dr. Valpy to take an active interest in the Classical Journal, published by that gentleman's son; which miscellany is indebted for some of its most valuable articles to the exact and learned pen of Mr. Dobree. He proceeded B. A. in 1804. A singular dislike of ostentation, and even of publicity, which was at all times a leading trait in his character, prevented him from becoming a candidate for any of the numerous prizes, which the University of Cambridge bestows upon the youthful competitor in the race of classical literature. But he was, at a very early period of his residence in Trinity College, distinguished amongst his contemporaries, by great acuteness of intellect, and exactness of learning, as well as for simplicity and candour. He was much noticed and esteemed by his illustrious predecessor, Porson; whom he resembled in the leading qualities of his mind, as much as he differed from him in his habits and modes of life. Mr. Dobree had for many years given much of his attention to Plato and Demosthenes; and it was hoped that he would publish a correct edition of one, or both those authors. Probably the labours of Bekker might have diverted Mr. Dobree from his intention; but the chief obstacle was, the precarious state of his health, the result, in part, of a delicate constitution, and partly of sedentary habits. A dread of publishing any opinion which he might afterwards see reason to retract, and of falling into any inaccuracy, which longer research might have prevented, deterred him from appearing frequently before the public; what he did communicate to the world, was sufficient to place him in the very highest ranks of criticism. In an exact acquaintance with the niceties of Attic Greek, particularly as they are exemplified in the writings of the orators and comic poets, he was second only to Elmsley; in caution and accuracy he was perhaps superior to that distinguished critic. He was advantageously known to continental scholars, first by his appendix to Mr. Kidd's collection of Porson's Tracts and miscellaneous criticisms; and afterwards by his publication of Porson's Notes on Aristophanes, to which he added some very valuable remarks of his own. He has left his Manuscripts, and his books containing MS. notes, to the University Library; and it is hoped that a selection from them may be made, by some person competent to the task, and given to the world. He has bequeathed about 1000 volumes to Trinity College, of which he was elected Fellow in 1806, and continued so till his death. He had just taken the valuable living of Guisley in Yorkshire. His election to the Greek Professorship took place upon the resignation of the present learned Dean of Peterborough in 1823. It was his intention to deliver a course of lectures to a Greek class; and the writer believes, but is not sure, that one lecture was actually delivered. The exercise which he read in the Schools, as candidate for the Professorship, upon the orator Lysias, was much admired for its ingenuity and neatness, as well as for a certain quaintness, which characterised both his compositions and his conversation. Mr. Dobree was an intimate friend of the late Dr. Burney. Of the more distinguished members of the University, those in whose society he most delighted, were the present Bishop of Bristol, who attained the highest academical honours, both classical and mathematical, in Mr. Dobree's year; Mr. George Pryme, Fellow of Trinity College, distinguished for his classical acquirements, and the present excellent Norrisian Professor of Divinity, Dr. Hollingworth. Mr. Dobree was a man of great simplicity and integrity, straight forward and honest: but diffident of his own powers, and reserved in his communication with those whom he did not thoroughly and intimately know. His admiration of Porson led him, insensibly, into an imitation of his manner; but from every thing like arrogance, incivility, or contemptuousness, he was entirely free. Of the correctness of his life and manners too much cannot be said. Of his religious opinions, the writer of this Memoir had no opportunity of forming a correct judgment: but his last moments were placid and serene, and he was too honest a man to have taken preferment in a Church, to whose articles of belief he could not give a sincere and deliberate as sent. The regret which is occasioned by the unexpected death of so learned and amiable a man, is increased by the reflection, that in the particular department of Greek literature, which he cultivated with such eminent success, he has left behind him, no labourer of a kindred spirit, amongst the rising generation. The lamp of Greek criticism at our Universities seems to be waning in its socket; and when the present race of English scholars shall have passed away, we must be content to receive our additions to the stock of classic learning, from Leipsig, and Jena, and Weimar ;--unless indeed the memorials of Porson and Dobree, which will meet the eye of the young aspirant to classic fame, in the chapel of that illustrious Society, which numbers them amongst its ornaments in time past, shall excite him to seek for distinction in the same path; and to maintain the pre-eminence which Trinity College has long enjoyed, in the severer, as well as the more elegant studies of ancient literature. OXFORD. Degrees conferred October 10. MASTERS OF ARTS. Ball, Rev. John, Fellow of St. John's Col. Edwardes, Frederick Francis, Scholar of Corpus Christi College. Wilkinson, Rev. Thomas, Queen's College. BACHELOR OF ARTS. Sanderson, Rev. Thomas, Magdalen Hall. October 20. BACHELORS IN DIVINITY. Niblock, Rev. J. White, St. Edmund Hall. Scott, Rev. Richard, Brasenose College. MASTERS OF ARTS. Burroughs, Rev. W. H. Magdalen Hall. Causton, Rev. T. Henry, Christ Church. Dyke, Rev. Henry Grey, St. Alban Hall. Edwards, Rev. John, Worcester College. Hall, Nathaniel, Trinity College, (Incorporated from the University of Dublin.) Hedges, Rev. Charles, Lincoln College. Lloyd, Rev. William, Brasenose College. Lupton, Rev. James, Chaplain of Christ Church and New College. Martin, Rev. William, Merton College. Robins, Rev. Sanderson, Exeter College. Underwood, John Hanmer, Brasenose Col. BACHELORS OF ARTS. Stowell, John Lamotte, Queen's College. Todd, Edward James, Worcester College. Vallack, B. W. Salmon, Exeter College. October 27. MASTERS OF ARTS. Hotham, Rev. Charles, University College. Thring, Rev. William D. Wadham College. Wallinger, Rev. Wm. University College. BACHELORS OF ARTS. Blencowe, William Multon, Oriel College. October 7. The Rev. R. Jenkyns, D. D. Master of Balliol College, previously nominated by the Chancellor of the University, was admitted to the office of Vice-Chancellor for the ensuing year; who also nominaɛed his Pro-Vice-Chancellors, the Rev. George W. Hall, D. D. Master of Pembroke College; the Rev. J. Collier Jones, D. D. Rector of Exeter College; the Rev. George Rowley D. D. Master of University College; and the Rev. A. T. Gilbert, D. D. Principal of Brasenose College. October 10. The following gentlemen were appointed Examining Masters in Literis Humanioribus: Rev. Charles Girdlestone, M. A. Fellow of Balliol College. Rev. William Kay, M. A. Fellow of Lincoln College. Rev. Philip Wynter, B. D. Fellow of St. John's College. The Rev. A. B. Mesham, M. A. and Frederick Francis Edwardes, M. A. Scholars of Corpus Christi College, were admitted Fellows of that Society. October 19. Mr. Herbert Johnson was admitted a Scholar of Wadham College. CAMBRIDGE. Degrees conferred October 10. MASTER OF ARTS. Hinde, Rev. Thomas Hinde, Jesus College. BACHELORS OF ARTS. Cottle, Henry Wyatt, Sidney Sussex Col. BACHELORS OF ARTS. Cookesley, W. G. Fellow of King's Col. MASTERS OF ARTS. Beaumont, Rev. Thomas, Jesus College, Compounder. Gleadall, Rev. J. W. Fellow of Cath. Hall. Grylls, Rev. T. Trinity Coll. Compounder. Guest, Rev. Benjamin, Trinity College. |