1811.) Defence of the Church Discipline of the Quakers. 
pear to me to be incapable of removal, 
though some trouble and expence would 
undoubtedly attend it. By ascertaining 
the depth to which the sap-root of the 
apple-tree usually runs, and the breadth 
to which its other roots usually spread, 
and the description of soil which is best 
adapted to its culture*, ‘and then exca- 
vating the earth to a corresponding depth 
and breadth, and filling: up the cavity 
with the proper soil, and planting the tree 
in the centre of it, the impediment might 
be removed, and thus every one of our 
countigs would become capable of pro- 
ducing cider. It is true, that to form an 
orchard in this manner, would at first 
occasion a considerable expence; but the 
expence, once incurred, would never 
afterwards need to be repeated, and the 
produce of the trees, when they began to 
bear, would soon repay it with abundant 
interest; particularly when it is recol- 
lected that the home-close of a farm- 
house, when planted as an ofchard, re- 
mains as fit for the purposes to which it 
was before applied as if the trees had 
never heen planted in it; and that there- 
fore the profit produced by the cider 
made fromthe apples, would be a ciear 
and considerable addition to the former 
annual value of the close. To gardens 
especially, and particularly to the gardens 
of gentlemen, where expense is seldom 
pat in competition with the attainment 
of a desired object, the plan I have pro- 
posed is peculiarly adapted ; and it might 
be applied to other trees requiring a par- 
facular soil, as well as the apple-tree. 
Kentish- Town, Hi. 
May 13th, 1811. 
y ———— 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
ONCEIVING that correct accounts 
of the principles and practices of 
religious sects will be deemed of some 
importance, and relying on that impar- 
tality which distinguishes the Monthly 
Magazine, I am induced to hope that 
the following observations will find a 
place in its next number. 
A paper having recently appeared 
under the signature of ** Verus,’”” on the 
* I should be greatly obliged to any, of 
your correspondents for information on these 
two points, viz. the depth to which the sap- 
root of the apple-tree commonly extends, and 
the soil in which it best thrives, 
Monruix Mac. No, 214 
513 
Church Government of the Quakers, 
which contains many palpable misrepre- 
sentations; it is my intention, by pub- 
lishing correct statements, to endeavour 
to efface the erroneous impression which 
Many persons must have contracted in 
consequence, 
This writer introduces his observations 
with an affected candour, and apparent 
concern for the real interest of the so- 
ciety in question ; but very little pene- 
tration is requisite to discover, from the 
context, that it is his design te throw an 
odium on that religious body, He then 
charges its members with an avaricious 
disposition, with a spirit prone to bigotry, 
and with a contempt for learning. Sup~ 
posing that these unamiable traits had 
place in reality, and that they were at« 
tributable, as is insinuated, to the dis~ 
cipline of the society being conducted 
by a comparatively small body, whose 
proceedings are veiled in profound se« 
crecy, even to the generality of the mem~ 
bers, whence would the latter become 
contaminated? Surely some communi- 
cation of improper principles must take 
place before injurious effects could arise. 
But these accusations are unfounded, 
since they are exploded by the more li- 
beral members of the community, and 
sufficiently refuted by Clarkson, who, 
indeed, states it as his opinion, that the 
society has not hitherto been adequately 
attentive to the literary educatton of its 
members, but admits that respectable 
schools are on the increase. Is this a 
proof that the qnakers “ look with a jeas 
lous eye on science and literature,” 
It is asserted, “ that the really-effec. 
tive part of the government of the society 
is exercised by the select meetings.” [ 
would observe en passant, that this is an 
improper term not to_be found in the 
official publications of the discipline of 
the quakers. On the more important 
question it will be sufficient to quote a 
passage from the author I have before 
appealed to, which will serve to place 
the subject in its true light. * Of the 
ministers and elders it may be observed, 
that it is their duty to confine themselves 
wholly to the exhortation of one another 
for good, They can make no laws like 
the ancient synods, and other convo 
cations of the clergy, nor dictate any 
article of faith. Neither can they med« 
dle with the government of the church. 
The quakers allow neither ministers nor 
elders, by virtue of their oflice, to interes 
fere with their disciplige, . Every pro 
3U position 
