Jones, and the consequence is that every page has a meaning, and the more deeply it is studied, the more profound appears the knowledge of human nature. The best recommendation, however, that can be given, for the publisher's sake, to Percival Keene, can be awarded honestly to it. It is very amusing and interesting, and gives a pleasant glow to the thoughts that is extremely agreeable.

Poetry, &c.

The Shepherd's Evening Tales. I. Ethelwolf. A Tale of the Olden Time. 8vo. pp. 102. London: R. Hastings. A very threadbare excuse is put forth in the Preface to this work, for its defects, namely :--that of the author having other claims upon his time and attention. Now poetry is not to be put off in this way, although there is much illiberality in supposing that poets can do nothing else but write poetry. Plautus was a miller's man, and Mr. Rogers is a banker. It is certain, however, that poetry, truly deserving the name, must for the time absorb every faculty of the soul, and cannot be penned like a scrivener's deed, from nine o'clock to eleven every evening, after the shop or office has closed. Verse, and very fair sounding verse, may be so concocted; but as for the inspired line that is to thrill the "universal heart," it is a dew of a much richer distillation than such a faint perturbation of the soul can create.

The author of the present poem— like too many others, and some of them, by the way, for a time very popular writers,-mistakes verse for poetry, and thinks if a collection of words are not actual prose, they must be the opposite. The versification and style of the present tale is that of Scott's most popular poems, and had it appeared at a time when they were popular, it would have no doubt obtained much more attention than it is likely to do in an age that has at least a juster appreciation of what is true poetry.

There is considerable fluency, and no absolute absurdity of imagery; but there is also a total deficiency of

true melody, and a mediocrity of ideas and sentiments that forbids the laurel crown ever shading the brows of its author. The story, as the author states, "is deduced from facts, common to the least reader of English history;" and we cannot say that the dry bones of history are clothed with flesh and blood, or reanimated by that inspiration, which can alone shed charms on such a trite tale.

L. A. Seneca et P. Lyric Mimi forsan et aliorum selecta sententiæ quas notis Illustratas, edidit Emanuel Swedenborg, ad fidem rarissimæ editionis principis, Anni 1709; denuo publici juris fecit et fragmenta nuper reperta adjecit, Dr. J. F. Emanuel Tafel, Regiæ Universitatis Tubergensis Bibliothecarius. 8vo. London: Newbery. The labours of the indefatigable Dr. Tafel in editing the works of Swedenborg, and other literary publications, has been already noticed in this magazine. A short time ago we noticed his edition of Swedenborg's Ludus Heliconius, and we have here a republication of Swedenborg's other poetical works, a critical selection of the Latin proverbs of Seneca, and Publius Syrus, accompanied by the Greek version of Scaliger, and the annotations of Erasmus and others. When Swedenborg published this work, the preceeding ditions of which have become very scarce, he was just twenty years old, and the critical illustrations which adorn his text are such as few scholars of his time could have written at so early an age, and which, probably, could not be excelled by the most mature of our cotemporaries.

Socrates: a Tragedy. By Francis Bar

ham, Esq. 8vo. Painter.

This play, which first appeared in the pages of this magazine, and which has won the general approbation of the press, is now published in a separate form by Mr. Painter. It is an experiment worth trying, whether the elevated sentiment and gorgeous spectacle of the classical mythos would not at present excite greater astonishment and interest when represented on the stage, than dramas of the common school, with which

the public appear to have grown tired, usque ad nauseam.

The Elegies and Epic Poem of Tibullus. Translated by Laurence Reynolds, Author of a Poetical Translation of Persius, &c. pp. 204. London: Saunders and Otley.

This is a very pleasing and lively translation of the best Latin Elegist. We know not, however, whether Mr. Reynolds is quite right in preferring four lined verses to the common

couplet adopted by his predecessors. However, his verses are better for music and singing, if any ladies are still romantic enough to sing the songs of Tibullus-which, by the by, are very lady-like and amatory. One of Tibullus's best hits, Mr. Reynolds translates as follows:

How sweet, as on my bed I rest,
To hear the furious south-winds roar,
While closer to my happy breast
Clings the scared girl that I adore.

Politics and Statistics, &c. Lectures on Female Prostitution; its Nature, Extent, Effects, Guilt, Causes and Remedy. By Ralph Wardlaw, D.D.,delivered and published by special request. Post 8vo. pp. 164. Glasgow: Maclehose.

These lectures were both given and published at the request of some of the most influential inhabitants of Glasgow. The author seems to have been instigated to his inquiries by an enlightened philanthropy, and nothing but the most benevolent sympathy with the wretchedness of the unfortunate class of whom treats, could have induced him to undergo the labour and extreme annoyances to which he must have been subjected.

There are four lectures, divided in the following manner:-1. The nature and extent of prostitution; 2. The effects of prostitution; 3. The guilt and causes of prostitution; 4. The means of prevention, mitigation, and removal. The facts thus arranged are collected from a variety of sources the author's personal observations, the statistics of the locality in which he resides, and a full and searching intimacy with all that has been written on the subject.

It is a besetting defect of most

works on this subject, to exaggerate the evil they deplore: and to overlay it with a “fatal facility” of words that raises the suspicions of the reasoning reader, as to the truth of the whole statement. There is no tendency, at all events, to exaggeration in Dr. Wardlaw's book, and the statistics of the matter are rigidly sifted, and dispassionately placed before the reader. There is, however, in the style, a little of that rhetorical flourish, and running to climaxes, which seems inseparable from public lecturing. This is so slight a blemish upon so excellent a work, that it would have been unnecessary to notice it, had its omission not have made the notice appear an indiscriminating eulogy.

Dr. Wardlaw, as all theological students and readers are aware, is the author of several works on divinity, that have reached many editions.

Religious Subjects, &c. Apostolical Christianity, or the People's Antidote against Romanism and Puseyism. By the Rev. James Godkin, Author of "A Guide from the Church of Rome to the Church of Christ." 8vo. pp. 400. London: Snow. This work is written in what professes to be the apostolical spirit, and appears to be practical and valuable. We conceive, however, that Mr. Godkin might have taken a more generous view of Romanism, or at least of Puseyism, than he has done. He might have supposed that Romanism possessed some great excellencies as well as great defects. He might have shown that many of the grandest doctrines, and practices of Christianity, are still inseparably blended with this same Romanism. There is a soul of goodness in things evil, which, to use the words of Burke, “keeps alive even in the bosom of servitude itself, the spirit of the most exalted freedom." He might have shown that this same Romanism was for centuries efficacious in conducting the souls of men to the living streams of salvation-and preserving all Europe in the elements of piety and civilization. Let us look, then, at the

bright, as well as at the black side of the ecclesiastical history. We deny not there is a black side-horribly, diabolically black-but we deny the fairness or policy-except in matters of mere exparte pleading of viewing one side only; so again with Puseyism. Our author does not seem to see or allow the bright side of Puseyism; he does not state that Puseyism, as it is called, has been a means of reviving an earnest religionism in the minds of a multitude of British clergymen, who were before slumbering, like Jonah in the midst of the sea, to the sound of the roaring breakers. He does not allow that this recent developement of the high church principle, under the name of Puseyism, has immensely strengthened the noblest national church in existence; that it has made a multitude of careless worldlings zealously affected to that doctrine and discipline of the church, which, if duly maintained, will secure the salvation of their souls. The author takes precisely the counter argument, and warns us to avoid all Puseyism as an almost unmixed peril. Yet Mr. Godkin's book is, as we before said, a valuable work,-it abounds in information respecting the different branches of the great Roman Catholic controversy, very clearly and graphically stated.

The following passage from the Introduction is a favourable specimen of the style of the work :

"The Church of Rome it will be said is changed. She is imbibing the spirit of the times, and is shaking off the customs of the dark ages. Many of her people it is true are doing so; but let not Protestants be deceived by appearances. It is a

part of the very nature of the Roman Church to hate liberty, her whole history proves this; she is indeed accommodating herself to the popular movement, in order to control it, and make it subservient to her own interest. See how fondly she would hug the Tory Puseyites, clasping them with one arm, and the Spanish Monks with the other. Her spiritual tariff may avail as long as there is prejudice to sustain it, but prejudice is yielding to knowledge in every part of the world."

For ourselves, we still love to cherish the old syncretic view of Erasmus and Grotius; we like to consider Romanism, and Puseyism, and all other isms, as composite wheels, consisting both of good and evil, which have been framed and appointed by God himself, because he saw them necessary to regulate the great clockwork of the universe. It was for their good not their evil they were appointed; it is by their good, not their evil, they stand and consist. In this doctrine we agree with the optimism of Leibnitz, and that of Thomas Carlyle. It is a doctrine, however, few yet understand or appreciate.

A Commentary on the Bible, with the Sacred Text at large. By Robert Hawker, D.D., late Vicar of Charles, Plymouth. A new edition, Corrected from the former, with the Author's final Amendments. 4to. London: Spettigue, Chancery Lane; Sherwood and Co. Paternoster Row. The former editions of Dr. Hawker's very pious and popular comment on the Bible having been exhausted by a rapid and extensive sale, Mr. Spettigue has been induced to publish this 4to. edition in cheap monthly parts. The appearance of the work, and its style of execution, are highly creditable to him, and it will doubtless command the attention, not only of the Hawkerians, a large and energetic denomination, but the evangelical world in general, of which Dr. Hawker was so long an ornament and a favourite. This valuable national work has already reached the 6th number.

Dodd's Church History of England, with Notes, Additions, and a continuation by the Rev. M. A. TierLondon: ney, F.R.S. 8vo. Vol. 4. Dolman.

Dodd's Church History of England is a truly valuable national work, and Mr. Tierney has on the whole fulfilled his labours as editor in a very creditable manner. The former volumes have been already noticed in this magazine. This 4th comprises the history of James I. Dodd's History, like Lingard's, is written altogether on the Roman Catholic

side of the question; yet, for a onesided book, it is exceedingly bland and candid. The student who would gain a fair view of the ecclesiastical history of Great Britain must read Dodd as well as Collier, Fuller, and Burnet, otherwise he will be much deceived.

Morning and Evening Services for Every Day in the Week, for the Use of Families. By Walter Kerr Hamilton. 8vo. pp. 300. Oxford: Graham. This is a valuable family liturgy, written much in the spirit and style of the Book of Common Prayer. It mainly consists of brief affirmations and responses, which the author has selected from Scripture, and the fathers. We conceive that this book will conduce to a more cheerful and interesting kind of family devotion than that usually obtained from family prayer books.

The Modern Pulpit viewed in its Rela-
tion to the State of Society. By Ro-
bert Vaughan, D.D. 8vo. pp. 204.
London: Jackson and Walford.
This is an important work on an im-
portant subject. Dr. Vaughan has
established a considerable reputation
among the dissenters, and we are
glad to see him supporting it so
creditably. In this publication (in
the preface of which he states that
the Independent Congregationalists
are multiplying their colleges very
prosperously) he views the pulpit as
the noblest organ of religious im-
provement. He argues nearly as
Channing does, that the pulpit being
so potent an engine of good or evil,
should be most carefully adapted to
the real wants and requirements of
the age, and not merely keep pace
with but lead the rapid developments
of human intelligence amid these
perilous revolutions of society. The
treatise is written in that candid
spirit we ever advocate, and is far
more free than some of our author's
other publications from sectarian
one-sidedness.

The Youthful Christian; containing
Instructions, Counsels, Cautions, and
Examples. By J. Burns. 12mo.
pp. 170.
London: Houlston and
Stoneman.

Mr. Burns seems to remember with

peculiar tenacity St. Paul's text, "Let all things be done to the use of edifying." Practical edification of his readers he aims at as stedfastly as the American writer, Abbot. Though this work is not so full of interesting anecdote as his previous publication, entitled "Youthful Piety," it is yet a serviceable addition to Christian literature, and is well fitted as a present book for young people. In the course of it he sketches the character of Sir Isaac Newton, Beveridge, Baxter, Gill, Doddridge, and a great " cloud of witnesses" of the truth of evangelical religion.

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Roman Forgeries and Falsifications: or an Examination of Counterfeit and Corrupted Records, with especial Reference to Popery. By the Rev. Richard Gibbins. Part 1, 8vo. pp. 141. Dublin: Grant and Bolton. This is a book of the good old learned order-one which appears to us perfectly refreshing after the shallow up-start publications that are continually coming before us. It does Mr. Gibbins's scholarship very great credit; for his accuracy and research are peculiarly conspicuous throughout. He does not appear to us, however, to evince the fact so clearly as he might have done, that the documents of the Church, (even of the Roman Church,) are for the main part authentic, and that the errors or impostures are comparatively a few exceptions. The book is written in the spirit of a special pleader, making a regular exposé of the weak points of his antagonist. Yet it is not the less valuable for this reason; for as the Romanists have exhibited Protestant variations, the Protestants in turn should exhibit theirs, and the defects of their literature should be rendered as manifest as the defects of ours. Mr. Gibbins endeavours to prove, (in the words of an old writer) that "the chiefest advantage of our Romish adversaries doth consist in falsifications; that they are compelled to forge authors, to impose false expositions on the texts of the Fathers, sometimes to abridge, sometimes to enlarge, the tomes of Councils, and to purge and corrade ecclesiastical writers, old and new.”