thought that he meditated piracy. This, however, turned out to be the case, as was shown when we next visited the top of a bare hill which was never invaded by a ploughshare. When Mr. Chambers had finished his usual demonstration with his compass and walkingstick, the metropolitan geologist stepped forward, and with the air of a hardened sceptic said, "Pray, Mr. Chambers, don't you think these scratches might have been produced by the plough instead of a glacier or an iceberg." The answer was very obvious, that Scotland, though poor in soil, was not so hard pushed as to plough the bare rock. The piratical sceptic was obliged to slink back abashed. This triumph of Mr. Chambers was, however, abated by an occurrence soon after. He came to a deep groove in the rock, and as his theory imperatively demanded that it should be quite smooth, he put forth his strength in showing its perfect smoothness-the absence of anything like angles; but while proceeding with his demonstration, M. Martin, the distinguished French geologist, was turning up the thin turf with his hammer, which exposed, somewhat inopportunely for the theory, another portion of the groove, where the angles were as fresh as from the tool of the sculptor. Mr. Nasmyth was of the party, and he proved a most valuable accession. He was minutely acquainted with every inch of ground, having frequently visited the spot in his youth with Sir James Hall, who was the first to draw attention to the geological phenomena of the district. Mr. Nasmyth, however, did not agree with Mr. Chambers. He argued for hot instead of cold applications. He would bring in the blast furnace, while Mr. Chambers made his drafts upon the glacier-especially when explaining the convex surfaces of the trap. All the party were in the highest spirits, and when separating, a loud burst of grateful and well merited applause resounded through the woods in honour of Mr. Chambers. We were personally gratified in finding a new argument for the continuance of that incognito which has proved so lucrative, and which has been so skilfully worked in reference to the "Vestiges." It could not be, we argued, that one with so child-like a faith should pen the sceptical passages of the "Vestiges." We have since been confirmed in this conviction by the circumstance, that Mr. Chambers has become, if we may judge from his Journal, an enthusiastic convert to mesmerism, and mesmerism, too, in its higher developments, which necessarily implies very large faith. He believes that he can, by the invisible ligament of his own will, work the faculties and limbs of the mesmerized subject just as he would with a wire work the figures in a puppet show. He believes that a mesmerized subject, though not a Major Rawlinson, might read, with the pit of his stomach, the bricks of Babylon, and decipher their cuneiform characters. Nay, we have little doubt, that if Mr. Anderson, Professor of Magic, were to swallow knives and forks, and eight-day clocks in his presence, he would firmly believe in the reality of the feats, though the professor honestly protested that it was all sleight of hand. It will be remembered that some few years ago a great noise was made in books of travels, and in Reviews, about a magician in Egypt, who performed wonderful feats of clairvoyance, by means of a drop of ink in the palm of the hand. All the resources of art and science were exhausted in vain endeavours to explain the matter. The wonder loving were left in undisputed possession of this well-attested case of modern miracle. The magician, however, suddenly lost his art of painting home-scenes to the wondering Englishmen, and this was soon explained by the fact, that the innocent looking Turkish Ciceroni had died. But with his death there came a full revelation of the mystery. It was found, that the Turkish guide was nothing else than a canny Scotchman, a native, we think of Strathbungo, or some such town in the West, who had found it convenient to adopt the Mussulman creed and garb. It would appear, that there was a great deal of Scotch humour as well as deceit under the turban, if we may guess, from the nature of the practical and lucrative jokes, which he played off upon his countrymen, in concert with the Egyptian, who was only a man of straw. When the hoax was thus exploded, all the parties taken in, of course, put it off with a hearty laugh, and forgot the matter. Not so Mr. Chambers; he believes, as appears from a late number of his Journal, that the feats were real cases of clairvoyance, nay, that the Mussulman-Scot is still alive and well, and that he is plying his magical vocation with the same success as formerly. Such a case of implicit child-like faith is exceedingly refreshing in these days of scepticism and rationalism. Is it possible then, that one whose whole nature is so steeped in the element of faith should be the author of the “ Vestiges?" The draft which Moses makes upon our faith by the miracle of creation, is not for a moment to be compared to the exorbitant demands in the above cases, so that it is hardly credible that the same person should refuse the former and grant the latter. We must then be allowed still to doubt, notwithstanding the cogent evidence to the contrary, whether Mr. Chambers is the author-or we must be driven on the alternative, which some may prefer, that human nature is a strange compound, and that it sometimes presents inexplicable contradictions. We have now conducted our readers through the various sections, and given them a view, through necessarily, a very imperfect one, of the most advanced frontier of science; but we cannot conclude, without expressing our hearty acknowledgment of the benefits conferred by the British Association. We do not indeed think, that the direct benefit to science, in the way of extending its boundaries, is very important. As a working society in this point of view, it can never be of much service, and this is pretty obvious from the fact, that almost every paper of importance brought before the Association, was either communicated previously, or has been communicated since to some other society, where the merits might be maturely weighed. Its importance lies very much, we apprehend, in forming a link between the learned societies and the educated classes at large. We have already spoken of its importance, regarded as a reunion of scientific men; but it fulfils a still more important mission, in bringing science, as represented by her priesthood, in contact with the people. An acknowledgment is thus made, that while the priest ministers at the altar of science, it is for the benefit of mankind at large. We anticipate the best results from the arrangement by which scientific men take into their own hands the instruction of the people. Till recently, popular instruction in science was left very much to the mere literary compiler, or the itinerant show man; but now the highest names in science do not think it derogatory to their position to stoop to the level of the people, and instruct them by popular treatise and lecture. Even the Astronomer Royal, Mr. Airy, lately condescended to deliver a course of lectures to a popular institute at Ipswich, and this condescension will justly raise him in the estimation of all who can appreciate his eminence as an astronomer. We have then a full and gratifying acknowledgment from the scientific priesthood, that they look upon their mission as one of zealous co-operation with the minister of religion, in elevating the moral and religious character of the people. This ought to be regarded as a matter of rejoicing to all who are interested in the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom, and ought to allay the fears of those who habitually look with trembling to the progress of science, as if it were an enemy to be jealously guarded against. The interests of truth are undoubtedly much safer in the hands of the true sons of science than with the scientific charlatan. It is almost exclusively from the latter, that the flippant infidelity, and the insidious pantheism so widely pervading the popular science of the present day proceed; and on the other hand, the loftiest names of science, with rare exceptions, have thrown the weight of their authority into the scale of Christianity. We hope that the British Association will prove the means of cementing a still closer and more friendly alliance between religion and science, and with this hope we close a pleasant but a somewhat protracted task. DR. CUMMING AND SHERIDAN KNOWLES ON 1. Cardinal Wiseman. A Lecture. By the Rev. J. CUMMING, D.D. purposes cher We believe that the voice of Providence spoke to Britain as once the chief champion of the principles of the Reformation, when the public mind was lately aroused by an indication of the ished and the hopes entertained on the part of that power which for many centuries arrogated and possessed uncontrolled dominion over the Christian world." The present Pontiff had hardly by the aid of French bayonets, and at the expense of no small spilling of Italian blood, been re-seated on his throne, than his advisers prompted him to issue the Bull which partitioned England into Papal dioceses; an act involving the assertion of superiority over the people of a free enlightened country, an unjustifiable interference with the prerogatives of the Sovereign, and an attempt to gain addititional proselytes from amongst the weak and wavering, the dissatisfied and ambitious, of the Anglican clergy. But the boldness of the attempt has retarded the accom plishment of the hopes that gave it birth. Our Government, indeed, had acted unworthily and inconsistently. The spirit of liberalism had for years in Ireland and the Colonies refused to acknowledge the existence of distinction between truth and error. It was contented, or even solicitous to ignore as weak and driveling folly the supposition that Romanism was unworthy of countenance and support. Romish priests were invited to Dublin Castle, and fawned upon by Viceroys. Romish cupidity was sought to be tempted by dazzling bribes. Catholic Bishops were paid in Canada and elsewhere out of the State treasury. It was not, then, so wonderful that the Pontiff and his advisers thought of hazarding a step in advance, allured by the exaggerated accounts that might have reached the Vatican of Oxford Catholicism as spreading in many quarters of the land, as symptomatic of returning fondness for the creed of bigotry and the convenient faith which holds out allurements alike for the ascetic and the sensualist, for the sentimental and the depressed; which, unless Scripture has laid down wrong marks to guide and guard the members of Christ's body, is the power that resisteth the ordinances of heaven, the "mother of abominations," the cruel and deceitful adversary of godliness, which is destined to be at last consumed, and from fellowship with which, all who have minds to understand, and consciences to be impressed, are commanded to "come out and be separate, lest they should be made partakers of her plagues." We do not know that the advisers of the Pontiff counted on anything like the storm of opposition which has lately been raised in this country by the audacious act to which allusion has been made; but we believe that the next hope entertained will be that of a deep lull after the burst of indignation has died away, and after perhaps some inefficient legislative measure has been enacted. The Romanists will embrace the period of repose to dig their mines and lay their trains; their energies seem evidently directed, their plans laid, and their contributions unstintedly given for the purpose of proselytizing in the British Islands. To be forewarned, however, is to be forearmed; and that the mind of the general public may understand what sort of adversary is to be dreaded-the nature and extent of Romish pretensions, the opposition of that system to Scripture, its derogation from the merits of the Saviour, and the bondage under which it lays its vassals-a multitude of publications, of course of varied merit, have issued from the press. We are concerned at present with only two of these, both of ability in their lines, and one of them more particularly assuming the form of a close, elaborate argument on the subject of transubstantiation,-in which the ambitious Cardinal, whose honours are so recent-the wily apologist who claims with a species of mock humility the purlieux of Westminster as the chosen scene of his exertions, and as his daily walk, is utterly put hors de combat, by no less a personage than the talented author of "Virginius" and the "Hunchback." Mr. Knowles gone into the field of controversy strong in a good cause. His blows are dealt with rapidity and force; there is a freshness in his mode of treating the subject, and a hearty earnestness that give in has terest to his argument, which rises occasionally towards the conclusion of the volume into passages of very considerable eloquence and power. We can promise Mr. Knowles, should the Romish see gain the object of its wishes, a close and thorough examination before the Ecclesiastical Court of "Nicholas, by divine permission, and the grace of his Holiness, Metropolitan of all England;" while Dr. Cumming will be viewed in his present pamphlet as having only added another to his many previous sins against the Holy Office. Dr. Cumming affords specimens of one or two choice flowers from the paradisaical region to which Archbishop Wiseman would lure us. The ci-divant Bishop of Melipotamos, now the owner of the hat, who would fain persuade us in his wily document and his other specious discourses that no harm is meant,-that no change is meditated-no dire intentions are entertained, must have been startled if he was made aware that those who have paid some attention to the Romish controversy can produce evidence from authenticated works of recent date, that the persecuting spirit of Popery has not abated one jot of its rigour. The following passage, accordingly, is worthy of notice on the part of all who have felt inclined to believe that the wolf has been changed into the lamb, that Rome is now so very liberal that she seeks to gain converts merely by argument and persuasion. Dr. Cumming thus handles the subject of the Oath against Heretics. "Let me presume, that when the Cardinal was made an Archbishop, he received the pallium, a robe woven from the fleece of certain sheep, tended, I believe, by certain nuns; ceremoniously spun, ceremoniously woven, and ceremoniously put upon the Archbishop. When he received the pallium, he repeated a solemn oath, which will be found in the Pontificale Romanum. I have the book, and have carefully examined all that he must say; it is the edition of Clement VIII., Antwerp edition. 1627. One clause of the oath is as follows 66 Hereticos, schismaticos, et rebelles, Domino Nostro, vel successoribus prædictis, PRO POSSE, PERSEQUAR ET IMPUGNABO." That is, he solemnly swore, on his solemn oath (I wish thus to prepare you for his reception)"All HERETICS [that is Protestants] SCHISMATICs [that is, members of the Greek Church that separated, as they say, from Rome], and rebels against our Lord, or aforesaid successors. I will PERSECUTE and ATTACK to the ut most of my power,”—the correct translation, I believe, of pro posse. "Cardinal Wiseman believes, no doubt, what Cardinal Bellarmine teaches, If the heretics are stronger than we, and if there is danger that if we ATTACK them (the words of the oath) in war, more of us may fall than of them, we are to keep quiet.' I wish to impress upon you that you have here a man who will not come into collision with principles merely, but with persons; he does not say, 'I will attack schism and persecute heresy,' which he might lawfully do; but I will attack schismatics and persecute heretics.' But in looking over the Pontificale Romanum," in order to find out if there were any canonical weapons in that arsenal which the Cardinal might probably use in case he should get the upper hand in Westminster (and if he get the upper hand there, he will soon get it elsewhere), I noticed one remarkable weapon which he will no doubt forthwith employ; I know there are others, but the following caught my eye. It seems that while the true Church is distinguished for blessing, the Cardinal's Church has an amazing taste for, and sympathy with, cursing. I find |