which it is inconvenient to overlook. The cacoethes scribendi is not exactly the description of Dr. Cumming's passion, but the cacoethes publicandi. It is no affair of ours that wealthy people should gratify their taste in such matters; but we demur to considering this volume as belonging strictly to the literature of our language. At the same time we cheerfully accord to every man the right to do good in his own way, and to make the best use he can of popularity. We do not think that any man can long be popular in a London pulpit without deserving it; but we confess to a certain squeamishness about any appearance of clerical solicitude in courting it, and turning it, in a worldly sense, to good account. So excellent a preacher as Dr. Cumming has no occasion to give such an impression, and we trust that so good a Christian will allow us to express freely our dislike, in religious circles, of what our friends in Germany express by a word for which we have no English-aufschneiderei.

Castle Deloraine; or, The Ruined Peer. By Maria Priscilla Smith. In Three Volumes. London: Bentley.

1851.

THESE Volumes have a taking title, and a startling tale, well conceived, and told with much vivacity. The moral is not to our taste; and the long discussions in favour of communistic doctrines are not the less wearisome for being contrary to our convictions of truth. While we admire the tact and power of the authoress, and sympathise with many of her aspirations, we hold our Christian belief too strongly to be carried away by the dreamy philosophy of Ferrers Hartwell, or to be edified with the death-bed scene of Harry Thornton.

Heroes of the Bible; or, Sketches of Scripture Characters. By W. T. Edwards, Congregational Chapel, City Road. London: John Snow,

1852.

SINCE the publication of Robinson's 'Scripture Characters,' and Hunter's 'Sacred Biography,' we have had few works of the same order, with the exception of Dr. Cox's, of which a second edition was noticed in our last Number. We have often sketched, in thought, a plan somewhat different from those adopted by the writers to whom we have now referred, as well as by Mr. Edwards. Of the Heroes of the Bible,' we can only say, that, without any pretensions to originality of thought or richness of illustration, it is a good specimen of pulpit instruction-brief-lively-serious -scriptural in its tone, and eminently practical in its application.

Social Statics; or, The Conditions Essential to Human Happiness specified, and the first of them developed. By Herbert Spencer. London: John Chapman. 1851.

THIS is a remarkably lucid and well-sustained exposition of one simple principle in most of its logical consequences. The author begins with a brief but smart dissection of the doctrine of expediency, especially in the form given to it by Jeremy Bentham in his principle of the greatest happiness of the greatest number,' during which he exposes the fallacy of assuming that men are agreed on either the definition of happiness, or the

methods by which it is to be attained, and the kindred fallacy of imagining that the stage of human civilization implied in government is the normal and permanent condition of man. The writer has not burdened himself with the consideration of the historical development of the social life, which is the only philosophical method of treatment. He can no more construct society on abstract theories than he can create planets. We look with distrust on all works of this description as likely to encourage the recklessness of innovation; at the same time, we acknowledge that many of the principles asserted are solid, and the inferences drawn from them are fair; only there are many other principles equally solid, of which this writer takes no cognizance, from which different conclusions, not less logical and cogent, might be drawn.

The Importance of Literature to Men of Business. A series of Addresses delivered at various Popular Institutions. Revised and Corrected by the Authors. London: Griffin and Co. 1852.

THESE addresses are by the following eminent persons:-G. O. C. Verplanck, Esq. (New York); Sir J. F. W. Herschel, Bart.; Right Hon. B. Disraeli; Lord John Manners; The Hon. G. Sydney Smythe; Sir T. N. Talfourd; Professor Philips; the Earl of Carlisle; Archbishop Whately; Charles Knight, Esq.; Lord Mahon; Professor Nichol; the Duke of Argyle; Sir David Brewster; and Henry Glassford Bell, Esq. As might be presumed, they are of varied interest, and abound in local references; but we know not any class of readers to whom they will not be deservedly welcome. They derive most of their interest from the reputation of the several speakers, and they set forth the themes of science and literature with a healthy freshness seldom found in more formal publications.

Anschar a Story of the North. London: Parker.

Ir would be a great blessing for writers and readers, if nine-tenths of our authors of fiction or historical stories were put under a 'gagging act,' and half of the other tenth forced to write what did occur, instead of what might, could, would, or should, have occurred. Here, for instance, is a gentleman, who is evidently well read in the history of the period he lays his tale in; but instead of writing what his acquirements would well fit him for a life of the great Anschar, the apostle of Christianity in Sweden, by which he would do a service to our scantily-furnished shelves of ecclesiastical history-he must needs try to write what he is not fitted for-a story founded on the life-by which he only weakens the interest of the history, and gives us a second-rate, pale, colorless tale.

The author is evidently thoroughly at home in his subject, as far as student familiarity is concerned. The accessories, dresses, and decorations, are all quite correct; giant berserkirs, pirate Northmen, priestesses, runes, chaunts, Odin, Freya, althing, and all the rest of it, are here; but somehow, like Pharaoh's chariots, they drive heavily.' The characters are but unsubstantial personages after all; and though a scene or two are spirited, yet the whole surrenders the perpetually interesting power of real history without attaining the poet's power of the truer truth-the perfect fiction,

The Four Gospels Combined; or, the Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as narrated by the four Evangelists; being a Chronological Arrangement of the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; in the words of Holy Scripture, according to the authorized version, without any additions, and omitting repetitions only. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.; and W. Adams and Co. 1850.

A Monotessaron; or, the Gospel Records of the Life of Christ, combined into one Narrative, on the basis of Dr. Carpenter's Apostolic Harmony. Edited by Russel Lant Carpenter, B.A. London: S. T. Whitfield. 1851.

WE have read each of these harmonies with much interest. Dr. Carpenter's differs from the former, which is anonymous, in occasional departures from the received version, in brief explanatory notes, and in what appears to be a more elaborate arrangement, and in a lucid exhibition of that arrangement in analytic sections, drawn up in a tabular form. We do not find any indication, in either the one or the other, of a theological bias. The former work is the more elegant in appearance; the latter more likely to assist the reader in a somewhat exact and critical understanding of the Gospels. We commend them both as laudable attempts to help the Christian student in the most interesting, as well as sacred, of studies, by presenting to him the Life' which, beyond others, is full of heavenly truth, which is the perfection of human goodness, and the brightest manifestation of the one living and true God.

Sermons Preached on various occasions at the West London Synagogue of British Jews. By the Rev. D. W. Marks, Minister of the Congregation; published at the request of the Council of Founders. London: Groombridge and Sons. A. M. 5711-A. D. 1851.

THESE sermons are respectable as compositions, and valuable as conveying a large amount of useful instruction. Their chief and proper interest, however, lies in their being an exposition of the doctrines held by men sustaining towards the Hebrew faith a relation like that of Protestants towards the Catholic church; that is, they reject the traditions of the elders, and hold fast by the Scriptures. Of course, the Christian reader regrets the absence of that faith which we believe to have animated the ancient Hebrews, and which is consummated in the teaching of Messiah. Nevertheless, there is much in these discourses which is worthy of attention on the part of Christians as well as Israelites. The movement of which they are a sign and an exposition is of great importance both in England and on the European continent, and one in which, so far as it reaches, we eannot but rejoice, while we hope it is but the precursor of one immeasurably more spiritual and glorious. We tender the reverend author of the volume our thanks for so precious a contribution to our sacred literature.

Health made easy for the People; or Physical Training to make their Lives in this world Long and Happy. By Joseph Bentley. London: Joseph Bentley. 1851.

A sensible and useful book.

N. S.-VOL. IV.

Ezekiel and the Book of his Prophecy; an Exposition. By the Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, Salton, author of Typology of Scripture,' 'Jonah,' &c. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1851.

WE feel as though we were not doing justice to so large and so well studied a work as this by merely a brief notice;' and indeed we have been waiting for an opportunity of devoting to it, as it deserves, several pages of review; but as we are unwilling to keep back any longer a volume so important, we feel that we are better fulfilling our own sense of duty when we yield to the necessity of choosing between brevity and delay. Mr. Fairbairn has mastered the literature of his subject; is familiar with Greenhill and Newcombe, with Radus and Villalpandus, with Calvin, Rosenmüller, and Maurer, with Ewald, Hävernick, and Witzig, and Hengstenberg; he has entered profoundly into the idiosyncrasies of Ezekiel's mental character; his imaginativeness, his sensuousness, his 'fleshly eye'; his love of strong painting and symbolical expression; he has seen the worth of such a prophet in the peculiar circumstances of his ministry among exiles and captives, while Daniel was directing the movements of an empire; he has seized the salient points of character and position which gave their tone to the composition; and has pondered the gorgeous visions of inspiration with learning, wisdom, devotion, and reverential love. We do not go along with him in all his expositions; yet, when we differ from him, it is with hesitation and unfeigned respect. We entirely concur in his views of the Vision of the Dry Bones, and of the Assault of Gog and Magog; and his dealing with the last eight chapters is the most satisfactory we have ever read. We prize the Exposition' very highly, as one which both vindicates and illustrates some of the principles of prophetical interpretation, which have been so grievously violated in a very large portion of books professing to foretel the future course of our world's outward history, by converting the symbols of poetry into the actual anticipation of events. We look on Mr. Fairbairn as a good expounder of the literal sense of the words of this inspired prophet.

Rural Economy for Cottage Farmers and Gardeners; a Treasury of Information on Cow Keeping, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry, the Horse, Pony, Ass, Goat, Honey Bee, etc., etc., etc. By Martin Doyle and others. London: Groombridge and Sons.

A USEFUL reprint, with additions, of the principal articles on rural economy in the Family Economist.' The very title is refreshing to us amid the urban labours of literature; and we know enough of country life to be satisfied that the practical advices here given are among the best things that can be said to persons of the class for which they are intended.

Instinct and Reason Definitively Separated; and, consequently, including an answer to The Vexata Quæstio of Brute Reasoning,' which has so long perplexed the ablest writers on that important point, by Gordonius. London Effingham Wilson. 1852.

A really clever performance, which will amply repay perusal.

An Exposition of the Principal Motives which induced me to leave the Church of Rome. By C. L. Tuvier, formerly a Roman Catholic Priest. Translated from the French, by A. S. Busby. London: Bosworth, 1851. THE writer is now the Protestant Minister at Clemont-Ferrand, Puy-deDôme, Auvergne, much esteemed by the Evangelical clergy of France. We commend it to our readers as the personal testimony and the enlightened defence of an intelligent and earnest convert to the Bible.

New and Popular History of England. By Robert Ferguson, L.L.D. In four volumes. London: J. Cassell. 1851.

THESE volumes are well written. They bring the history down to the year 1850. We are glad to find so much accurate information combined with principles so enlightened brought within the reach of the many. It is an undertaking which deserves all the encouragement it can receive.

A Week on the Isles of Scilly. By J. W. North, M.A., Chaplain. Penzance: Rowe and Son. London: Longmans.

A VERY intelligent, entertaining, and useful companion for tourists in the beautiful islands, which we commend to the attention of our readers who have leisure for excursions in the approaching summer. We omitted to notice it last year, because the grand attraction of the Crystal Palace interfered with our purpose. The volume will, however, be found both instructive and entertaining to those who are obliged to make their excursions on, the wings of imagination. It tells them all about the topography, history, antiquities, statistics, and natural history of islands which, though but a few hours sail from Penzance, are less known, probably, to Englishmen than those of the Antilles or the Pacific.

The Slingsby Papers: A Selection from the Writings of Jonathan Freke Slingsby. Dublin: M'Glashan. London: Orr and Co. 1852. THIS agreeable volume belongs to a series of 'Readings in Popular Literature.' The papers it contains are reprinted from the Dublin University Magazine, which were much commended, not in Ireland only, but in Great Britain and America. They are written in a lively and somewhat brilliant style on the following attractive topics:-The Slingsbyan -General Thoughts on Christmas-Christmas Day at Castle SlingsbyThoughts on the Old Year-The Old Year and the New-The Bells of St. Bruno-Twelfth Day; or, the Last of our Holidays-St. Valentine's Day -A Legend of St. Valentine-St. Patrick's Day in my own Parlour. The Selection is a wholesome addition to the many cheap publications for popular and family reading.

The Justified Believer; his Security, Conflicts, and Triumphs. By W. B. Mackenzie, M.A., Incumbent of St. James', Holloway. A new edition. London Religious Tract Society.

A JUDICIOUS, practical, and highly Scriptural treatise on a vital aspect of the Christian faith, seasonable at all times, and adapted to all capacities and to every class.