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A Final Appeal to the Literary Public relative to Pope, in reply to certain Observations of Mr. Roscoe, in his Edition of that Poet's Works. By the Rev. W. L. Bowles, A.M. Prebendary of Sarum, and F.R.S. 8vo. 7s. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. WORKS IN THE PRESS. A Volume of Sermons, translated by the Rev. Dr. Luscombe, from the French of Protestant Continental Divines, is in the Press, and will appear in a few days. The Sixth Quarto Volume of Dr. Lingard's History of England, will be published in the Spring. It will contain the reigns of James I. and Charles I. Songs of the Greeks, translated into English verse from the Romaic text; edited in 2 vols. by M. Sauriel, with Additions. By Charles Brinsley Sheridan, Esq., are in the Press. The present state of the Mines in Mexico, Chili, Peru and Brazil, represented from practical knowledge, and finely illustrated by Extracts from popular Writers, with Notes and general Remarks on the operations of Mining, will shortly be published.. Mr. Cohen has in the Press, A new System of Astronomy, in six parts: comprehending a discovery of the Gravitating Power; the efficient Cause which actuates the Planetary System; the Causes of the Tides; the Laws that govern the Winds, &c. &c. The whole accounted for on Mechanical Principles. In one vol. demy 8vo. Professor Zumpt, of Berlin, author of the Latin Grammar, is-about to publish a new Edition of Quintus Curtius, in two volumes, 8vo. The first volume will contain the Text, for which the Professor has used thirteen MSS. not hitherto collated; the second, the Commentary, in which the Latinity of Curtius will be vindicated, and the Meaning very fully illustrated. Mr. Nichols's Collection of "The Progresses, Processions, and Public Entertainments of King James the First," will contain (by the kind communications of númerous Literary Friends) many interesting particulars, never before published, of the King's welcome reception in various Corporation Towns, and of his Entertainment in the hospitable Mansions of the Nobility and Gentry whom he honoured by his Visits. Complete Copies are also reprinted of several Tracts of extreme rarity, not to be separately obtained, but at an enormous expence; amongst which are all the Masques at Court during the 22 years of that pacific Monarch's Reign, including those performed by the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court, and as many of the " I.ondon Pageants" of the period as can be met with. Illustrated by Historical, Topographical, Biographical, and Bibliographical Notes, collected during the Researches of not less than Half a Century.-This Work is printed uniformly with the " Progresses of Queen Elizabeth;" and will form three handsome volumes, to be published periodically in separate Portions, to commence on the 1st of June. Preparing for Publication, and nearly ready for the Press, A Manual of Family Devotion, containing a Form of Prayer for every Morning and Evening in the Week, selected chiefly from the Book of Common Prayer. The History of the Protestant Church of the United Brethren, By the Rev. J. Holmes, is in the Press. In the Press, and to be published in one volume 8vo. Sermons, Expositions, and Addresses at the Holy Communion. By the late Rev. Alexander Waugh, A. M. Minister of the Scots Church in Miles-lane, London. A short Memoir of Author will be prefixed. Dr. P. M. Latham has in the Press, An Account of the Disease lately prevalent at the General Penitentiary. A Work, by the Author of Self-Advancement, is in the Press. It is entitled Triumphs of Genius and Perseverance; and presents an interesting picture of the difficulties that may be surmounted by men of science and literature bent on attaining eminence in their pursuits. This was the last number THE BRITISH CRITIC, FOR MARCH, 1825. ART. I.-The Evidence of Christianity, derived from its Nature and Reception. By J. B. Sumner, M.A. Prebendary of Durham; Vicar of Mapledurham, Oxon; and late Fellow of Eton College. 8vo. 429 pp. 10s. 6d. Hatchard; Rivingtons. 1824. AN author, when he comes before the public, is in some respects in the situation of an actor. Except on the suppo sition of a certain quantum of talent, he ought not to appear upon the stage at all; but whatever his talent may be, the public have a right to expect that he shall do his best to please them and if he is able to perform much better than others, not content himself with merely doing as well. Now, if this canon were introduced in the criminal law of criticism, we think that, as impartial judges, we should be fairly authorized in condemning the work now before us. The book itself contains many things that are useful; it is very pleasingly written, and in a spirit of unaffected piety.. Had it been the production of an unknown author, we believe that we should have praised it highly. But either the character which Mr. Sumner bears in the world for theological learning and ability is very considerably overstated, or he is capable, if he would, of producing something very much better in every respect than we can conscientiously allow this work to be. The perusal of it, we are free to say, has much disappointed our expectation; and we are the less reserved in expressing our disappointment, because it affords us an opportunity at once of expressing the high estimation in which we are willing to hold the talents of Mr. Sumner, at the same time, that we regret the little permanent benefit which the church seems likely to reap from his exertion of them. Often have we wished that writers, and more particularly theological writers, could be persuaded to adopt that wise VOL. XXIII. MARCH, 1825. Q regulation of the college of physicians at Memphis, which assigned a specific disorder to each separate practitioner ; and forbad him to study the treatment of any disease, except that which he was allowed to cure by law. In imitation of this admirable provision, we should be glad if no divine were allowed, by the canons of the church, to devote himself to the investigation of more than one department of his science; or even were forbidden to appear more than once in the course of his life before the public, in the character of an author. For want of some such enactment, it is quite grievous to see how the press teems with publications on divinity; and at the same time to notice how few of them are calculated, or even seem intended, to survive the season in which, and for which, they are brought out. In ordinary cases this does not much matter; but it is a subject of serious regret, when we find men, such as Mr. Sumner is thought to be, lending themselves to this vulgar scramble for reputation. There may have been a time, when the literature of the country was in its infancy, in which some apology might be offered, for the publication of works hastily composed. While every subject was new, and every path untrodden, allowance perhaps was due to the eagerness with which men communicated what was no less eagerly sought. But all the high roads of learning have now been trodden down and beaten; and nothing valuable, on any important subject, can at present be added to the general store of knowledge, except at the expense of a degree of labour which was not heretofore required. In theology, this is more particularly the case. Here every path has been explored, every nook and dingle has been surveyed. All that seems now wanting to complete the science, is some such general map of the country, or of particular provinces in it, as would bring the bearings of all the different parts in one view before the eye. The theological student, at present, is overwhelmed with the vast mass of materials that are before him; and we really think, that every work, by an author of reputation, that does not add very materially to the truths already known, or at least place them in some clearer and more philosophical arrangement, is in the nature of a positive grievance. We are perfectly willing to do justice to the merits both of this and of the preceding publications of Mr. Sumner. Considering them merely as new publications, no doubt they are entitled to rank high in the popular divinity of the day. But if our author's ambition is satisfied by this kind. of praise, we confess that our expectations are not. Mr. Sum |