of Scottish descent, was an excellent poet, a sincere Christian, and a zealous philanthropist ; and will be long and affectionately remembered for his efficient services as Secretary to the Anti-Slavery Society. After engaging in various literary projects in his native country, he emigrated, along with some of his relations, to South Africa, where he opened an academy at the Cape of Good Hope. Having fallen under the displeasure of the Governor, on account of his political opinions, expressed in some periodical works with which he was connected, he returned to England with his property greatly impaired, and was unsuccessful in his efforts to obtain redress. To the first edition of his "South African Sketches" were appended several charming poetical compositions, mostly relating to that distant country. They are omitted in the edition before us, which, however, is enriched with a beautiful and interesting account of the author, by Mr. Conder. The volume is well written, is full of incident, and will especially form an admirable article in the juvenile library; while the general reader, and the friend of Missions and of mankind, will peruse it with equal delight and advantage.

Algiers, with Notices of the neighbouring States of Barbary. By Perceval Barton Lord. In Two Volumes. Small 8vo. pp. 320, 308. 21s. Whittaker.

The Works of William Cowper, his Life and Letters, by William Hayley, Esq. The Series now first completed by the introduction of Cowper's Private Correspondence. Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, A. M., Rector of Burton, Northamptonshire, and Vicar of Biddenham, Bedfordshire, Author of the Life of the Rev. Legh Richmond. Vol. I., II., III., IV. 18mo. pp. 335, 340, 319, 354. Saunders and Olley.The incompetency of Hayley to write a Life of Cowper, worthy of that devout Christian and favourite poet, is now generally acknowledged. He could, however, collect and arrange the facts of Cowper's personal history; but the principal value of his work consists in the correspondence of the poet, which he introduced to the public attention. That correspondence, in the edition now in a course of publication, is to be completed by the insertion of a large number of additional letters. Mr. Grimshawe has engaged to revise, throughout, the narrative of Hayley, and may be expected to supply those just views of Cowper's religious character, which his former biographer was not able to give. On these grounds the present

work has strong claims upon the public patronage. Mr. Grimshawe's qualifications for his undertaking are demonstrated by his former publications; and the correspondence of Cowper, taken all together, is unquestionably the finest in the English language. In simplicity, elegance, variety, beauty of sentiment and expression, as a letter-writer, he is unrivalled. His letters and poetry should have a place in every library. The present edition is remarkable for the neatness of its typography, and is illustrated by excellent engravings.

Travels to Jerusalem and the Holy Land through Egypt. By the Viscount De Chateaubriand. Translated from the French, by Frederic Shoberl. Third Edition. Two Volumes. Small 8vo. pp. 362, 335. Bentley.-A cheap and portable edition of an interesting and popular work, the production of a chivalrous French Nobleman, an eloquent and sentimental Roman Catholic.

Biblical Theology, expressed in the Language of the Original Record, with a literal Translation in parallel Columns ; and Notes, exegetical and illustrative (including the more valuable of recent German Writers): being an Attempt to exhibit, in continuous and systematie Connexion, the critical Interpretation of Scripture, and is immediate doctrinal Results. To which is added, a Bibliographical Guide to the principal Works in Systematic Theology, which have appeared in Germany and Holland during the last Century; also, various Disquisitions by De Wette, Reinhard, Neander, Hahn, Storr, Tittman, Jahn, Winer, Stuart, and others. By the Rev. Nathanicl Morren, A. M., Minister of the North Parish, Greenock. Vol. I. Rule of Faith. Royal 8vo. pp. 208, 80. Hamilton.

The

A Practical Guide to Executors and Administrators; designed to enable them to execute the Duties of their Office with Safety and Convenience: comprising a Digest of the Law, Stamp-Office and other Directions, Forms, Tables of Duties, and Annuities, &c. Intended also for the Use of Attorneys and Solicitors. By Richard Matthews, of the Middle Temple, Esq., Barrister at Law, Author of "A Digest of the Criminal Law, alphabetically arranged." 12mo, pp. 352. 8s. W. Crofts. The office of an executor involves great responsibility; and in many instances its duties are complex, and not easily ascertained. For want of correct information a person on whom this office devolves, though actuated by the most upright intentions, may place him

investigation. The following observations did really surprise us :-" Accustomed to handle the truths of Revelation in connexion with, and in addition to, those of Natural Theology, and never having experienced any state of mind in which we were without the latter, we forget how essential they are to the former. It requires a violent fit of abstraction to figure to ourselves the state of our belief in Revelation, were the lights of natural religion withdrawn. The existence and attributes of God are so familiarly proved by every thing around us, that we can hardly picture to ourselves the state of our belief in this great truth, if we only knew it by the testimony borne to miracles, which, however authentic, were yet wrought in a remote age and distant region." How is it that a mind so acute as Lord Brougham's, and so well acquainted with the past and present condition of the world, considered in reference to religion, did not at once perceive that the exact converse of his proposition is that alone which is borne out by facts? Where are we to go for any thing like a distinct view of the being, perfections, and will of God, separate from the light of Revelation? Whether in ancient or modern times, the great mass of the people in this situation have been grossly ignorant and superstitious; and as to the philosophers, if there be a proposition established by facts beyond all rational controversy, it is that solemn declaration of the Apostle, that "the world by wisdom knew not God." Among the thoughtful few, some general principles were held, but held very doubtfully, and with many contradictions; held, in fact, rather as shadowy and uncertain recollections, than as well-reasoned discoveries. Even Cicero (according to Lord Brougham, "the ancient philosopher best imbued with religious opinions ") writes on Natural Theology in an evident spirit of melancholy doubt, as every one must have felt who has read his celebrated dis. putation, De Natura Deorum. In this work, he is anxiously careful, before introducing his interlocutor, to show that himself, as an Academic, had no settled and certain opinions on this great subject. Velleius the Epicurean states and defends the opinions of his master on the existence and nature of the gods; and Cotta the Priest refutes them, though he still resolves to maintain the belief, derived from their ancestors, that gods there are, and that they ought to be worshipped. Balbus the Stoic is next introduced, and gives the opinions of his

Ci

sect in what is more like a discourse on Na ural Theology than any other part of the treatise; but then comes Cotta again, and, examining the arguments of the Stoic, shows their insufficiency to support his conclusion; ending by the remarkable declaration, that he had not argued so much for the purpose of denying the existence of the gods, as of showing the obscurity of the subject, and the difficulties connected with its explication. cero closes the whole by saying, that to Velleius the disputation of Cotta appeared the truer, to himself, that of Balbus seemed to approach nearer ad veritatis similitudinem," to a resem blance of truth." Here, then, we have the case just as Lord Brougham supposes it. Here is a great lawyer, orator, and philosopher, imbued moreover with religious opinions, standing in the "light of natural religion," and exercising his "unassisted reason; " and here we have the account, furnished by himself, of his weakness, uncertainty, and gloom. Account for it as we may, the fact is mest evident that we owe, directly or indirectly, all we know of God,-his being, perfections, character, and will; that is, all that we know of what is called Natural Theology,-to Revelation; and that, as we depart from the light which shines forth from the temple in which God manifests himself, we move into a darkness increasingly dense and palpable. But we cannot enter further into either the merits or demerits of the work. We have only to say, in conclusion, that Lord Brougham has written the discourse with evident seriousness, and we are glad of that; but still, we fear that he has yet to become a scholar in that school which can alone make men wise unto salvation. Our careful perusal of the volume he has given us has heightened our respect for his talents; but we are bound to say that it has strengthened the conviction, first impressed by what he said in his Glasgow inaugural address, of the unsoundness of his religious principles, judged according to the standard in which all catholic Christians agree.

Lexicon Egyptiaco-Latinum, ab Henrico Tattam, A. M., F. R. S., &c., Rectore S. Cuthberti, Bedfordiæ. Oxonii, e Typographeo Academico.

Letters in the Philosophy of Unbelief. By the Rev. James Wills. Evo. pp. 232. 7s. Fellowes.

Scriptural Refutation of Unitarianism. By Samuel Thompson. 12mo.

pp. 224. 3s.

the

the temples of Greece or Rome, "Supported by private contributions." But in Ireland that principle was novel: practice as to institutions in Ireland had been, to get up subscriptions to the amount of two or three hundred pounds, to present that to Government, with a statement of the expediency and importance of the object, together with their inability to raise adequate funds; thus making out a strong claim for a Government grant, which grant the Government seldom withheld. Thus private subscriptions were little more than a preamble to Parliamentary grants. But it was far otherwise as to the present institution : that had been supported by private subscriptions. To show how much the Society depended on its own principles, he would advert to the peculiar manner in which Government grants were bestowed. Formerly assistance might have been obtained from institutions which had some specific object in view, bearing upon the general operations of others; but the system on which those grants had been made for the last three or four years was, in many respects, opposed to the system of that institution. He did not mean to accuse the abettors of that system of any improper intentions; he was aware that they had formidable difficulties to contend with; and they had, doubtless, done what they conceived to be for the best. But what was that system? It was one by which the Scriptures were only partially admitted. The children of Protestant and Catholic parents were educated together; they were then separated to receive distinct religious instruction from Protestant and Catholic Teachers. In that case the Scriptures were not to be found, except in extracts; and it was, so far, opposed to the system of this Society. But it might be said that the Scriptures were admitted: true; but they were admitted only by sufferance, as were also Roman Catholic publications. The Bible in such an aspect was regarded as sectarian. Thus the system of the Government plan was at variance with the system of this Society, inasmuch as the Bible was not introduced at all, or introduced only by mere courtesy. And yet, how had those things told on the institution? For a time they seemed to cast a threatening gloom over its concerns; and when Meetings were assembled to celebrate the obsequies of the Kildare-street Society, it was thought that the system was shaken to its foundation. What has been the result? It had been tried as by a powerful

t, and the discriminating, the imagi

native Irish had preferred the system of this Society; and the motives which were used to induce them to go to other schools had, in fact, augmented the desire to attend the schools of the Society alone. They must, in a great measure, consent to have the Government system as a pioneer to introduce a better system; and where the children were prepared by general education, the system of scriptural education would make its way, and would ultimately prevail. But he must recollect that it was not in the excellence of their system alone that he confided for success, but in dependence on that Power on which they had hitherto depended in so remarkable a manner to protect it from mildew and blighting, and to bring it to the desired maturity. On that divine power, and on the liberal contributions of faithful Christians, they depended for support and success.

The Rev. THOMAS WEBSTER observed, that among the 100,000 scholars, there were not fewer than 40,000 children of Roman Catholics. Those children were educated together with 60,000 Protestants, and were reading an entire copy of the very best translation, in the vernacular tongue, of that inspired volume which is able to make wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. They were examined also as to their knowledge of that word, quarter after quarter, and were striving who should learn, who should repeat, most of that blessed book, who should obtain the prize, not of a fading garland, or a valuable article of dress, but the prize of the volume itself, from which they had learned such valuable lessons. The children of Roman Catholics, after thus receiving, together with Protestants, scriptural instruction, and thus obtaining the prize of a Bible, carried that prize home to the cabins of their parents with exultation, and there repeated to their parents the lessons which revealed Him who died that man might live for ever. And it was important to observe the anxiety of Roman Catholic parents that their children should attend such schools. It was truly pleasing to see that, though the Trentine fathers and the Romish canons forbade the use of that book which Christ had commanded his people to search, the parents were anxious both for the instruction and the book, and that they said to the Priests, "Where is the harm of my child's reading and learning the blessed book of God?" It was pleasing to find that 20,000 copies of the Scriptures had been distributed; and that sixty persons were going over hills and bogs to read in the cabins of the poor the