Having collected, and brightened up a set of doctrines, wide of every other church, he fixes at a distance from all.  But time, and unavoidable intercourse with the world, promote a nearer approximation; and, mixing with men, we act like men.  Thus the Quaker under George III. shews but little of the Quaker under George Fox.

In two congregations of the same profession, as in two twins of the same family, though there is a striking likeness, the curious observer will trace a considerable difference.

In a religion, as well as a man, there is a time to be born, and a time to die.  They both vary in aspect, according to the length of their existence, carry the marks of decline, and sink into obscurity.

We are well informed how much the Romish religion has declined in this country:  three hundred years ago Birmingham did not produce one person of another persuasion; but now, out of 50,000 people, we have not 300 of this.

The Roman Catholics formerly enjoyed a place for religious worship near St. Bartholomew’s-chapel, still called Masshouse-lane; but the rude hands of irreligion destroyed it.  There is now none nearer than Edgbaston, two miles distant; yet the congregation is chiefly supplied from Birmingham.

If the Roman Catholics are not so powerful as in the sixteenth century, they seem as quiet, and as little addicted to knowledge; perhaps they have not yet learned to see through any eyes but those of the priest.—­There appears, however, as much devotion in their public worship, as among any denomination of christians.

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

We have also among us a remnant of Israel.  A people who, when masters of their own country, were scarcely ever known to travel, and who are now seldom employed in any thing else.  But, though they are ever moving, they are ever at home:  who once lived the favourites of heaven, and fed upon the cream of the earth; but now are little regarded by either:  whose society is entirely confined to themselves, except in the commercial line.

[ILLUSTRATION:  Birmingham Theatre, Hotel and Tavern.]

In the Synagogue, situated in the Froggery, they still preserve the faint resemblence of the ancient worship.  Their whole apparatus being no more than the drooping ensigns of poverty.  The place is rather small, but tolerably filled; where there appears less decorum than in the christian churches.  The proverbial expression “as rich as a jew,” is not altogether verified in Birmingham, but perhaps, time is transfering it to the Quakers.

It is rather singular, that the honesty of a jew, is seldom pleaded but by the jew himself.

THEATRES.

The practice of the Theatre is of great antiquity.  We find it in great repute among the Greeks; we also find, the more a nation is civilized, the more they have supported the stage.  It seems designed for two purposes, improvement and entertainment.