1810.] 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, | n 
N answer to a constant reader, page 
159, I send some observations on the 
sun-flower; having heard the asseruon 
made some years since, respecting the 
peculiar properties of that flower, turn- 
ing always to the sun. 
When only one flower has blown upon 
a stalk, and that of a very large size, it 
most frequently faces the east or south- 
east points of the compass; but, on 
many a plant now growing in my garden, 
where three, four, or more flowers, blow 
upon one stem, they indiscriminately face 
all points. 
hat the heat of the sun should ex- 
pand, warp, or incline so large a surface 
of blooming vegetation, and that even the 
weight of the flower, with such numerous 
seed-vessels, should twist the stalk, is not 
to be wondered at; but if another season 
afford me an opportunity, further parti- 
culars shall be noticed respecting this 
grand flower. ; 
Having often been desiroug of render- 
ing the seeds of so very prolific a plant 
useful, perhaps your correspondent may 
take a pleasuve in commanicating much 
useful information on that head: and par- 
ticularly so, as I have been informed 
that great quantities of sun-flowers have 
been cultivated in some parts of the 
fenny counties, for the benefit to be 
derived from their seeds. 
Your’s, &c. 
Aw Essex PaRMER. 
i SE 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
ERMIT me to make a few observa- 
tions upon an article which ap- 
peared lately in your Magazine, respect- 
ing the Bishop of London, and Mr. Ro- 
binson. I do not intend to canvass the 
merits of either of these gentlemen; but 
as some of the remarks of your corre- 
spondent are not altogether decent or 
ingenuous, I feel convinced that you will 
sive me an opportunity of publicly all- 
madverting upon them. 
The sanctity of private judgment, 
however constituted, is so constantly 
made the subject of declamation with 
persons disaffected to the religious and 
civil polity of this country, that we must 
not be surprised, if in some Instances 
individual opinion is found to encroach 
somewhat rudely upon characters con- 
spicuous for their attachment: to the con- 
stitution. Wherever this is done, openly 
and avowedly from party feclings, and 
‘Sept, 14, 1809. 
Defence of the Established Church. 885 
peculiar sentiments, which the world can 
readily ascribe to their proper authors, 
the effects of it can be nearly ascertained, 
and the public are in a manner offered, 
at the same time, the bane and the an- 
tidote., When we are unfortunate enough 
to hear our greatest enemy extolled, at 
the expense of truth, and of our own re- 
putation, or to observe a poison exhi= 
hited for a remedy, we instantly know 
the character of him who would presume 
to defame his country, or endanger our 
lives. Immediate indignation, and uni- 
versal disgust, are the consecuence. But 
when we are soothed by the endearing 
name of liberality, and the drift of pur- 
pose is more concealed, though no less 
certain, it becomes those whose oppor- 
tunities are greater, and whose jealous 
care of the common welfare is supposed 
to be more vigilant, to characterize im- 
partially, but resolutely, every attempt to 
unhinge the gates of public sentiment, 
and undermine the principles of the in- 
experienced, It is this sense of duty, 
which has induced me to communicate 
these remarks. The author has ren- 
dered it unnecessary for me to say, that 
Iam actuated by no personal motives, 
and that I wish to speak only of his opi- 
nions, since he has concealed his name, 
which, for my own part, I neither know, 
nor wish to learn. I shall select only a 
few possages, and comment upon them 
as briefly as possible. 
The first I have extracted, is the fol- 
lowing. “The writer, in the true spirit of 
high-church, appears to think, that the 
addition, reverend, is prostituted, when 
given to one, who refused to have epis- 
copal hands laid on his head.” “Ts not 
the. dissenting teacher as much a cler- 
gyman, as one of the establishment ?” 
I shall not insist upon the disingenuous 
sneer contained in this assumption ; nor 
the malignant spirit of schism betrayed 
in it. These are sufficientiy evident to 
strike the reader of high or low charch, 
and will be duly appreciated by the 
more moderate in religion. In answer, 
‘however, to the concluding question, I 
must observe, that the civil polity of this 
country, which considers the established 
church as an integral part of the state, 
does not acknowledge a _ dissenting 
teacher as a clergyma:. Individuals 
may confer the title, but there can be 
no public sanction’ to render it general. 
A society might exist among us, which 
could for a time assume the official de- 
signations of Chancellor of the Exchee | 
quer, First Lord of the Treasury, Secre- 
tary 
