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Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians. By John Calvin. Translated from the original by the Rev. William Pringle, Auchterarder. Edinburgh: Clark. 1841.

CALVIN is one of those divines who, though much talked of, are seldom read, save by the recluse student; yet those best acquainted with his works know that, however erroneous he may occasionally be in doctrine, his writings can never be studied without benefit. The Commentary on the Ephesians and Galatians abounds with practical matter of a very valuable character, and is most efficiently translated by Mr. Pringle.

Thoughts on Phrenology. By a Barrister. Nisbet.

THE author of this little book is a man of philosophical mind; he perceives that phrenology is not bound by the dicta of Mr. George Combe, and that, consequently, it is neither answerable for the latitudinarianism nor the love of expediency which distinguish that gentleman. To all those who are in doubt about the compatibility of phrenology with Christianity, we would recommend the thoughts of the Barrister.

Stories of the Animal World; arranged so as to form a Systematic Introduction to Zoology. By the Rev. B. H. Draper. London: Darton and Clark. 1841.

THIS little collection is a very pleasing one, and well fitted for its object. The juvenile world ought to be much obliged to Mr. Draper, for thus bringing within their reach the latest discoveries of naturalists.

Reasons for Conservatism. By the Rev. Matthew Hutchinson, B.A. London: Whittaker. 1841.

Ir any body were to be convinced by argument, we should say to the Whig-Radical, read Mr. Hutchinson's book; but as we apprehend that this is not very likely to be the case, we must content ourselves with recommending it to the Conservative, who wishes to give a reason for his political creed.

Alda, the British Captive. By Miss Agnes Strickland. London: Rickerby. 1841.

ONE of the very best tales that we ever remember to have read; equally good in its intention and execution. Did our space permit, we should make long extracts: as it is, we can only recommend our readers to get the volume for themselves. A more pleasing present for a young person need not be desired.

The Englishman's Library. Vols. 14, 15, 16. London: Burns. 1841. 1. Charles Lever: the Man of the Nineteenth Century. By the Rev. William Gresley, M. A., Prebendary of Lichfield.

2. Scripture History (New Testament). By the Hon. and Very Rev. H. E. I. Howard, D.D., Dean of Lichfield.

3. Tales of the Village. Second Series. By the Rev. E. Paget. We are very glad to be able to give our unmingled approbation to these little books, which, in every way, are likely to be useful. So good a series (there are but two exceptions-viz., Sewell's "Morals," and Churton's " English Church") cannot fail to have a very beneficial tendency in these days of latitudinarianism and ill-concealed scepticism. May they go on and prosper. The tale by Mr. Gresley is the best of his efforts in fiction, and Mr. Paget has admirably read to the Dissenter, in this second series of the "Tales of the Village," the lesson which, in the former series, he read to the Papist.

Abraham, the Father of the Faithful. London: Seeleys. 1841. THE present is a book-making age; that is, it is an age for making little books, and reprinting great ones. Now so long as

the makers of little books can find a market for their wares, doubtless they do well to prosecute their business. At all events, we shall not complain of the taste of the day, if really good little books, such as the present, are called forth by it.

The Centurion: Portraits of Roman Officers delineated in the New Testament. London: Seeleys. 1841.

THIS, again, is an instance similar to "Abraham, the Father of the Faithful;" but it is a superior book, and, in the hands of a judicious preacher, might furnish matter for a course of interesting village lectures.

Anti-Popery; or, Popery Unreasonable, Unscriptural, and Novel. By John Rogers. London: Simpkin and Marshall. 1841. THIS Volume comes recommended by a host of newspapers, all of which say that Mr. Rogers is a literary giant. He may be; but if so, he is like most giants, a very clumsy and awkward person. There is nothing in the volume that has not been much better said before; and the language is such, that those who hear it may suppose, in the words of Butler, that—

"They'd heard three labourers of Babel,
Or Cerberus himself, pronounce
A leash of languages at once."

1. The Latter Days of the Jewish Church and Nation. By Dominie McCausland, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. Dublin: Curry. 1841. 2. A Brotherly Enquiry for "The Holy One of Israel." London: Ridgway. 1841.

WE are, in the present day, overwhelmed with works about the Jews, or rather books about them, either hastily concocted without due study, or else actually manufactured by scissars-andpaste artists. Hence the great want of originality which such books display. This is not, however, what we find fault with; but rather, that they were ever published at all. The two volumes before us are very well made up, but there was no need of them, and the labour and expense might have been very well spared.

Slavery, and the Internal Slave Trade in the United States of North America. London: Ward. 1841.

IT so happens that we have made preparations for articles, of some extent, on most of the subjects on which the books submitted to us for review are written. No man can read this volume (Slavery, &c.)—that is, no man who has the common feelings of humanity, and has not lived in that land of liberty, America-without being struck with utter horror at the records of human depravity here unfolded. Surely America must be stricken with judicial blindness, having such a load of guilt upon her, to provoke a war with any nation, much less with Great Britain.

Dreams and Dreaming. By Mrs. Blair.

1841.

London: Groombridge.

MRS. Blair advocates the theory that, even in these days, dreams are frequently revelations from on high; and she has certainly collected some very interesting cases on its behalf. We are not prepared to agree with her philosophy, but whatever it be that exerts a powerful influence upon the mind, may, if that mind be well directed, be turned to good account.

Ecclesia. A Volume of Poems. By the Rev. R. H. Hawker. Oxford: Parker. 1841.

THESE poems are decidedly better than Mr. Faber's, and yet they do not indicate so much poetical power: nevertheless, it is pleasant to find poets springing up around us to fill the places of those who, in the natural order of things, must soon cease from among us.

The Romance of Jewish History. By the Misses Moss. London: Churton. 1841. 3 vols.

OUR readers will hardly require to be told that we are somewhat slow to notice novels; nor are such greatly recommended to us by any dedication to Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, who, though a clever man in his way, is pre-eminently a man of the nineteenth century.

In this book of two young ladies of the Jewish persuasion, we find much, however, that attracted us; and though there are many faults, both of style and arrangement, which years and experience will correct, there is yet sufficient merit to induce us to recommend a continuance in the path they have chosen for themselves. "The Romance of Jewish History" is an imitation of "The Romance of English History," by Henry Neeleof "French History," by Leitch Retchie-and of "Indian History," by Hobart Caunter-and we are bound to say, by no means an unsuccessful one. We find objections have been made on the ground that the Hebrew history is of too sacred a character to be romanticized: we can only say that while we fully appreciate the objection, an attentive perusal of the tales before us will prove that the Misses Moss have steered perfectly clear of the error in question; they have taken the episodes of Jewish history, and worked them into very pleasing narratives, with a properly preserved costume, there is much in this. Altogether we look on these volumes as giving a fair promise of future excellence.

1. The Works of Josephus. Parts 9 and 10. Pictorial Edition. Virtue. 2. Fox's Book of Martyrs. By the Rev. J. Cumming, M. A. London: Virtue, 1841.

THE former of these two works, of which we have already expressed our favourable opinion, is proceeding towards a close, and we are happy that we can continue our praise. The latter is a new undertaking, and will be a good book for reading, though not intended for reference. It is peculiarly seasonable in these days of semi-popery.

Ireland. By N. P. Willis. Parts 1 and 2. London: Virtue. 1841. WE are glad to see this work; it will prove not only more intrinsically beautiful, but more generally interesting, than the Canadian and American scenery, which it succeeds. These were beautiful; and our remarks mean not that we admire Canada less, but that we admire Ireland more.

Helen Fleetwood: a Narrative. By Charlotte Elizabeth. London: Seeleys. 1841.

It is a great pleasure, and one not a little enhanced by its. novelty, to speak in terms of approbation of this lady's writings. In the volume before us we have nothing to object, save that, characteristically enough, the office of the clergyman is deputed to the "doctor and nurse, and a great many more." Let us pass over this, and acknowledge, which we can do with great pleasure, that the book is a pleasing and a profitable one. We rejoice to see another protest against the factory system, and we wish well to all who take up this holy crusade. Charlotte Elizabeth will see from these remarks, that our strictures on many of her former publications were made unwillingly; and that we are glad when we can discontinue them.

Pulpit Recollections; or, Miscellaneous Sermons preached in the Parish Church of Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. By the Rev. Sir William Dunbar, Bart., S.C.L. London: Smith and Elder. 1841. WE have long known the amiable and truly pious author of these excellent discourses; at Stoke-upon-Trent, in Staffordshire, he worked a wonderful refor.nation among his rude parishioners. Since then he has been equally successful at the "Sailors' Home ;" and it is with no small delight, knowing these things, that we find embodied in the admirable volume before us those lessons which its author has so nobly practised. Sir William Dunbar has not yet reached the middle period of life; we hope, therefore, for many years to trace him in his useful and honourable course, and from time to time to hear of him by means of the press. That it will not be unprofitable, the sermons here published give promise.

The Restoration of the Jews to their own Land, in its connection with their Conversion and the Final Blessedness of the Earth. By the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, M.A., Rector of Watton, Herts. London Seeleys. 1841.

WHEN the Jewish question was first taken up by "the religious world," as it is called, it was at once seen that it was more a practical than a merely theoretical question. Among those who have most effectually taken it up has been Mr. Bickersteth. The present volume is an able collection of serinons and other papers, very well digested into a continuous treatise.

Home Discipline. London: Burns. 1841.

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A BOOK small in size, but containing much valuable matter. Rightly does the authoress lay the foundation of all true education, and all domestic felicity, in the precepts and practice of our holy religion.

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