"Young clergymen on their first entrance into the ministry-inexperienced in the choice of subjects adapted to the consideration of sick persons-not ready, perhaps, from want of practice, in the choice of application of passages of Scripture suited to their situation-and possibly not, at first, fluent in expressing themselves, feel that, with every desire to assist and instruct such persons, their ministration is often of little benefit, failing to make a due impression: at least, such was the author's experience at the commencement of his ministry in this particular. To the young minister of religion, therefore, he ventures to offer these lectures, in the hope that they may in some degree assist him in performing one of the most important duties of his sacred office" (vi).

Footsteps of our Lord and His Apostles in Syria, Greece, and Italy: a Succession of Visits to the Scenes of New Testament Narrative. By W. H. BARTLETT. London: Hall and Virtue. 1851. THE biblical student, the serious Christian, and the general reader, are all of them under obligations to Mr. Bartlett for the many correct and beautiful representations he has provided of scenes especially dear to those who are familiar with Scripture, and having that oriental charm which is interesting to all Europeans; but we think that the work now before us will prove the most generally attractive of all these publications from taking so much wider a range-being a selection of the choicest scenes and appearing to us more exquisite in its finish than the former engravings, though we thought those superior to anything of the kind that had then come under our notice.

It is not an unreasonable supposition that the success of Mr. Bartlett's former publications has stimulated to increased exertion; and that, as art is continually progressive, its latest productions should be the most perfect. However this may be, all, we think, must acknowledge the choice of scenery, and variety of effect, and delicate finish of engraving in this volume, to be a step in advance of what has hitherto been done. The spot where Paul stood at Athens (p. 106) appears to us a master-piece of effect and execution; and the Mole of Puteoli (p. 228) is equally beautiful as a distant scene.

There are twenty-two steel engravings of various scenes in the Holy Land: then of Tyre, Antioch-where the disciples were first called Christians; Damascus-the scene of Paul's conversion; Rhodes, Athens, Cenchrea, Corinth, Smyrna, Ephesus, Syracuse, Reggio, Puteoli, and Rome—all places memorable in the early history of Christianity; and there are twenty-four wood cuts of tombs and temples, illustrative of passages in the Acts of the Apostles or the Epistles.

The narrative is entertaining, consisting chiefly of the per

sonal adventures of Mr. Bartlett, and such local information as he was able to collect in the several journeys which he undertook for the purpose of making the drawings. These adventures were but the accidents incidental to the higher object he had in view; and in this volume they are to be regarded as of secondary importance, in comparison with the information indelibly impressed on the mind by a faithful representation of the places hailowed by association with the great events of Christianity. Next to the instruction and pleasure of visiting such localities is that to be derived from a truthful delineation of the same. This is the kind of gratification afforded us by Mr. Bartlett's volumes, and we return him our best thanks for the same.

The Use of Sunshine: a Christmas Narrative. By S. M., Authoress of "The Story of a Family," "The Maiden Aunt," "Lays and Ballads from English History," &c. London: George Hoby. 1852. THIS Christmas narrative is elegantly written. The religious portions breathe a spirit of truth and tolerance; and the cheerful tone of its instruction, free from all gloom or impracticability, renders it a book fitted equally for all ages and for the virtuous as well as the erring. It was scarcely necessary for the authoress to tell us that the character of Peggy Doherty is from life-the impress of nature is stamped upon it in unmistakeable features. It would be doing injustice to our authoress not to give some of the many bright passages with which this sun-shiny little volume abounds:

"Marion gladly acceded, and set foot on the territory of Glen Fern House with a beating heart. There was little to see which she might not have anticipated from the outside. A large, old, rambling mansion, with no architectural pretensions, battered and weather-stained, with half the shutters closed and half the remaining windows broken, looking all the more desolate because it might have looked so comfortable. Poor old house! You could not see it without picturing to yourself its heavy staircase, its disproportioned space of corridor and gallery, its small multangular rooms crowding into corners where they were not expected and multiplying as they proceeded, like a Chinese puzzle-ball within ball-without fancying the light feet that had moved about these floors, and the pleasant voices that had sounded along those walls-without seeming to trace the gradual steps by which decay and desertion in the dwelling had kept pace with a yet sadder change in the family" (p. 61).

Again :

"The man conducted her into the right path and then took his leave, and Marion proceeded alone, her heart too full of feelings to have room for thoughts" (p. 61).

The stern father announces that he will pardon his daughter:"The meaning broke upon Horace with these last words; for the former part of the sentence had utterly puzzled and confused him. His eyes filled with tears as he involuntarily grasped the man's hand and said- My friend, you need not wish me a happy Christmas-you have given it me. God bless you!" (p. 217.)

"Ah!(thought she) such mere transient glimpses of human life are all that the place will know now. The life which belonged to it is ceasing. The bright, busy, grateful spirit which tenanted it, and was a familiar friend to the hills and waves and sky, is passing away. It will never be a home again—it will seem like a tomb; yet how unreasonable to regret her! It is only taking a glow-worm from the earth to make it a star in the heavens" (p. 346).

The continuation of Peggy's death-bed scene is touching, but in keeping with her character, which is the gem of this charming little volume.

The Hunchback's Chest. By the Rev. W. WICKENden, B.A. London: Hail and Co. 1851.

THE versatile genius of Mr. Wickenden, of Circassian fame, has laid open to us a rich store of fanciful literature from the "Hunchback's Chest." Poetry, drama, and history, each find a place among its contents, and all manifest the quaint genius of the author in each style of writing. His vivid powers of description are well contrasted with the fine feeling pervading his poetry; and we doubt not that the "Hunchback's Chest" will be oft conned over with interest.

Homer's Iliad; with a Copious Vocabulary. By JAMES FERGUSSON, M.D., F.E.I.S. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1851.

THIS edition is from the text of Bekker, which has been carefully revised. The addition of a vocabulary renders it peculiarly suitable for the use of students. It is clearly and legibly printed.

Olympus and its Inhabitants. By AGNES SMITH. Edited by John Carmichael, M.A. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. London: Simpkin. 1851.

THE manner in which the information here contained is conveyed is such as to commend it to the adoption of schools, for which it is especially designed. It supplies a desideratum which, notwithstanding the multitude of works that have been written on the subject, has been felt by ourselves, and doubtless by many others, who would place, without hazard, a knowledge of the heathen mythology within the reach of youthful students.

The Bible of Every Land; or a History, Critical and Philological, of all the Versions of the Sacred Scriptures, in every Language and Dialect into which Translations have been made: with Specimen Portions in their own Characters, and Ethnographical Maps. Part 12. Bagster. London. 1851.

THIS is the concluding number of this important work; and to those who may not have formed a full estimate of the extent of the undertaking, it may afford the means of appreciating it to be told that there are many engraved sheets of alphabets, besides those which are printed as specimens, wherever types of the several characters have been already cast, which are still more numerous. There is also an instance of truly imperial liberality in a series of alphabets, presented by the Emperor of Austria, as a contribution to the completion of the "Bible of Every Land," from the imperial printing-office at Vienna; which series is unquestionably of rare accuracy and beauty, and adds greatly to the value of the work.

We regard, this as an acquisition to the Church at large, in enabling them to form a true judgment of the great work which especially characterises our own generation, which is making such vast efforts to enable all nations to read, each in their own tongue, the wonderful works of God; while, to the scholar and the philologist, it combines a higher element with his favourite pursuits, and gives a sacred character to those studies which might otherwise be only dry and barren—a curious enquiry to occupy the head, but without reaching the heart.

It was the declaration of our Lord that the Gospel should first be preached in all nations for a witness unto all men, and then the end should come. We regard these translations of the Scriptures into all languages, and their diffusion throughout the world, as a striking fulfilment of this prediction, and as preparing the way for that epoch when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; and, in proportion as men desire the advent of that era, so should they promote by every means in their power this work of preparation -only secondary in its importance to the living testimony by living men—and it is a work which can be more speedily accomplished than preparing and sending missionaries, and will also reach districts where the missionary must labour for years before he could gain a footing. a footing. "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that; or whether they both shall be alike good."

Stories and Catechisings in Illustration of the Collects. London: Mozley. 1851.

PARTS I. and II. of these Tracts, edited by the Rev. William Jackson, M.A., present a novelty, and a very valuable as well as a pleasing one, in religious literature. In these troublous times of the Church, every such illustration of its doctrines especially calls for encouragement; which, we doubt not, this publication will receive, and that to an extent which will ensure its continuance. The work is neatly got up, while its cheapness will place it within the reach of the very humblest enquirer after truth.

The Monthly Packet of English Readings for the Younger Members of the English Church. London: Mozley. 1851.

THE twenty-first and twenty-second numbers of this increasingly interesting and instructive publication call for our brief but cordial commendation. We especially admire for its truth, good taste, and simplicity, the story of the "Castle Builders."

May's Doll-where its Dress came from: a Book for Little Girls. London: Mozley. 1851.

FULL of nice feeling, and valuable to our youthful readers, for whom, as its title imports, it was written, as containing a vast amount of information which they would not seek, or not find, in so agreeable a form elsewhere.

A Dictionary of the French and English Language. By GABRIEL SURENNE. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1851.

COMBINING in a small compass all the advantages of a larger and more voluminous edition, we have little doubt of its ultimate success, especially in educational establishments, for which it is admirably adapted.

Dialogues on the Early Church. 1. Rome. 2. Smyrna. 3. Carthage. By HENRY HAYMAN, M.A., Fellow of St. John's, Oxford. London: Skeffington.

THESE dialogues are intended to convey some idea of the trials and sufferings to which the early Christians were exposed, not only from the heathen, but from false friends and apostates. Such examples are never out of place, and they may soon become more opportune than ever.