men, I was told, evince even a wish to rob old Neptune of any part of his domain; which is really surprizing, as from the increasing value of land, a few years would pay the expense of the undertaking. Larne consists of an old and new town, the latter chiefly of one long street, pretty well built of stone, the houses of which have generally an a'r of ncatness; in the old town the houses are also mostly decent, but the street and lanes are narrow, crook

ed, and badly paved, so that it has but an indifferent appearance. By accounts taken January 1st, 1808, the number of dwelling-houses in both was 421, and the families 563; containing 2312 persons, 1120 of whom were males, and 1392 females. The inhabitants, from their numerous places of public worship, seem rather of a religious cast, there being an established church, three dissenting meetinghouses, and a catholic and methodist chapels. There are two large book clubs here, that of the gentlemen is said to be extensive and well chosen, the other has also some valuable works; in the town is like wise a circulating library. Markets are held here on the first Monday of each month, for linen-yarn, &c. fairs are also held the 31st July, and 1st of December. Here are large flour-mills and a linen-bleachfield, but the chief business is the cotton, chiefly the calico branch, the weaving of which employs a considerable number of hands, very few being employed weaving linen.There is likewise a manufactory of sail-cloth, and two small rope walks. Early on the morning of June 7th, 1798, a slight skirmish took place here between a party of the king's troops, and a large body of insurgents, in which the former, by the imprudence of the officers commanding, had three killed, and the same

BILFAST MAG. NO. XXXII.

number wounded, among whom was the commandant; the latter one kil led, and some wounded: the party of the army however kept possession of their barrack, till relieved next day by a detachment from Carrickfergus.

(To be concluded in our next.)

For the Belfast Monthly Magazine.

DEFECT IN THE FRONT OF THE NEW CHAPEL.

Donegall-street, in an archiONSIDERING the new chapel

ia

tectural point of view solely (for as to its other effects they are matters with which I never meddle, leaving every man to his own orthodory, as I wish to be left to mine,) I was much pleased with its progress, promising as it did to form an handsome ornament to an handsome street. But just as I thought the point had arrived at a state, when any blunder in it was almost impossible, when even it was ready for the last coping stone, I have the disappointment to find that the ingenuity of man in going astray is beyond calculation, and that in laying this very last course, the bullders have contrived to disfigure the whole pile, so as to take away much more from the appearance of the street than I hoped it would bare added. It might be thought that when the front was so near completion, so great a change was impos sible: but let any one consider how a handsome lady would look, dressed becom.ngly in every other res pect, who to inish her toiler, should clap on her head a grenadier's cap, a judges wig, a coil-scurte, or any other preposterous article, and he will have some idea how an iacongrous termination may spoil the look of a building, that but for it would bave been ornamental to the town.

I admire the Greciau architecture

for its grandeur and sublimity, and I admire that (which is falsely called the Gothick) still more, for the admirable skill and science, added to a sublinity no ways inferior, which I have seen displayed in the fine specimens of it, that I have viewed with so much delight. But like many other good things they will not bear to be mixed, every attempt at uniting the two orders invariably ending in monstrous incongruity, and disgusting deformity.

It is an error of this nature that has disfigured the building in question, for the entrance or vestibule, has been so disposed as to terminate in a pediment, which is a member of architecture entirely of Grecian origin; and yet a most unaccountabie perversion of taste has led the planner of the building, whoever he may be, to finish this pediment with an embattled parapet, a species of finishing used in Gothic architecture only, and which, so far from being ornamental, makes it look so extremely anomalous, that it might almost be worshipped without a breach in the second commar dment," not being the likeness of any thing in heaven above, the earth beneath, or the waters under the earth.

The embattled parapet is moreover independent of architectural considerations, an improper termination for a place of worship dedicated to the religion of the Meek Jesus, who both by precept and example discouraged every thing of a warlike nature. This kind of parapet was first used for fortresses, and castles, and other places of defence in war; and from the old castles being in other points of the Gothic architecture, come to be considered and used for a termination to buildings of that order, intended for very different purposes. This parapet was in fact a mode of defence against smell arms, and the arrows used when

the old castles were built; that from behind it the beseiged might discharge their missive weapons, without being much exposed; and with equal propriety (as the using this parapet for a christian place of worship) the church yard should be surrounded with a ditch, rampart, covered way, and glacis, and have embrasures with cannons in the proper places. That the embattled parapet is not a necessary termination to a Gothic building for religious purposes, any more than a congruous one, is evident from many instances where other kinds of parapets are used; but in this case one example will suffice, especially as it is of undisputed authority, which is that elegant specimen of the Gothic order, St. Mary Radcliff in Bristol, which is so justly admired (and for its beauty and perfection, added to its small dimensions, may well be called the Gothic gem); where the parapet is formed of a species of open work in angular compartments, perfectly congruous to the Gothic arch; and which has an effect extremely light and rich and harmonious in the most pleasing manner with the beautiful whole.

In giving this last parapet the encomiums it so justly deserves, there is no intention of recommending it as a model for the new chapel; it would indeed be almost as unsuitable to the stile of the building as the one now used: but certainly, filling up the embrasures, and placing the coping stones in right lines in continuation in all parts of the front, but particularly in the part over the vestibule (resembling a pediment, would be a very obvious improve. ment, which among other advantages would have cheapness to recommend it; and is worthy of notice, that had the parapet been built ̧m this way at first, it would have cost considerably less than the embattled

APPROVING of that friendly

discussion, which gives a zest to literary correspondence, and like the animated No in conversation, recommended by Cowper, enlivens the pages of a periodical work, I am inclined to make a few observations on two essays which have lately appeared in your magazine. Such discussions often by their collision, produce a spark, with which to kindle the lamp of truth to enligh ten us through the dark passages of life, and can do no damage, if care is taken to keep remote from the gunpowder train of the passions, and from all consequent danger of explosion.

A. P. censures George Ensor, who in his Essay on National Government, blames the people for their disinclination to political reform, and for that apathy, which is the present epidemic. I see nothing to induce me to think that George Ensor's censure is misplaced or mistimed. We must admit that the majority of the people are too inert, and require to be roused, and if this end be obtained, it is altogether indifferent, whether the arguments are drawn from the theories of materialism or immaterialism. We may proceed to prac

tice without delaying too long in ascertaining the theory. The habit of apathy is at present a desperate disease. The skilful physician directs his remedies to the existing state of disease, and judiciously administers corroborants and stimulants in cases of debility and langour, while he would direct sedatives in a contrary diagnosis. According to my view of our political state, we require something to arouse us, but not to be furnished with a costrum to af ford us a plausible excuse for our indolence. I hope however from the conclusion of his essay, that I have A. P. more with me than I expected from his introductory remarks. In his attack on reform, I

think we have him in reality on our side, while he playfully brandishes against us his polished shaft of irony.

But I am afraid to give the enemies of reform an apparent triumph, by having such an advocate for a moment in their ranks. If the people are too generally supine, and negligent to their best interests, it is the duty of the friends of reform, to keep at their posts, and to give the alarm of danger, whether their warn. ings are attended to, or neglected. The few who are enlightened, must keep before the multitude, endeayour to draw them on, and incessantly stimulate to virtuous exertions. To such precursors, and heralds of reform, mankind have in all ages been greatly indebted, and found among them their best benefactors; and these have been in the end repaid for all the obloquy thrown on them by the re-◄ vilers of merit, and been amply compensated by the calm approbation of their own minds, and the grateful tribute of a judicious few. The names of Milton, Sidney, Locke, and many other illustrious defenders of liberty, will be remembered with well merited gratitude, as the friends of man, while the Filmers, and the

supporters of arbitrary principles will be forgotten, or be remembered with disgust. I might adduce illustrious names of later date, but I forbear from reasons of prudence. I am not a friend to reformis brought about by force, but I earnestly desire to see the friends of reform yally round its standard, and incessantly persevere through reproach, through evil report, and every difficulty, in their exertions to enlighten their countrymen. But may the well wishers to this great and glorious cause, who are gifted with talents to do much good to it, never betray their trust, through timidity, indolence, or any indulgence of the selfish passions. May they keep on the alert, their opponents are active, and they with so much a better cause, should not be behind them in vigilance, Much injury has been done by precipitate attempts at reform, but much loss may be also sustained by temporizing and timid delay. If we wait too long for experience to confirm the benefit of charge, the occasion may pass by, and we may waste our lives in strenuous ideness, I new turn to another correspondent, who remarks on a note in a former number on the names of the months I am unconvinced by his reasoning that calling the months by a numerical name adapted to a former calendar, is not a musuemer, while according to the calendar Bow in use, and the act of parliament which altered the style, it is declared, that January shall be the first month. According to the old style, the 7th month was with sufficient propriety demonstrated September, now it appears inconsistent to retai the former appellation, when it is the 9th in order. If the simple numerical course were adopted, there is no room to diead, foolish as na tions are, that such a change would furnish cause for serious quarrels,

and wars, or that the change of seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres, a circumstance well known to most school-boys, would be any material obstruction to the changes of the names. The beginning of the year has been fixed at both the vernal and autumnal equinox, and a little after the winter solstice, without any disadvantage or inconvenience in either system. If it were continued as it now is, we in the northern hemisphere might com. mence our mode of reckoning, as it now stands, while those of the southern would have their winter in the midd.e instead of the end of their year. For an argument either for or against the alteration, I shal not go back to the tower of Babel, or stop to notice which system is most calculated to produce coafusion.

It is also oli,cuted, that other matters of more confusion require to be reformed before this, an alteration, confessedly of smalt importance be made. With those who dislike reform no time is ever suitable,soby a parity of reasoning no subject is suitable, because other cases perhaps more important can be pointed out, in which reform ought to begin. But if we are to set about reform, we must begin somewhere. This I admit is a case of no great importance, but it is well to be right even in trules, while we are careful not to attach too much importance to them. It may be the safest way neither to be indifferent to reform in smaller matters, or to attempt to swell them into importance.

It is objected that the French made not any approach to propriety in their change of the calendar. 1 consider that to see and avoid an error, is some approach to propriety, although I do not conceive they adopted the proper mode of rectifying the error. I think they fell into another error in their manner