NOTICES OF REVIEWS, &c.

It has been suggested that, at the close of the present work, some notice should be taken of the different reviews which have appeared in the various periodicals of the day during the progress of its publication. We are no controvertialists, neither do we intend to enter upon the field of controversy: but, even if it were otherwise, the some twenty notices which have been professedly reviews of the work scarcely present one tangible point upon which we could exercise such a talent. Many of the reviewers have very judiciously and adroitly avoided the subject matter of the book, simply announcing to their readers, that such a publication was in existence; but that, though they had read certain numbers, the arguments advanced had failed to produce conviction upon their own minds. One reviewer, indeed, has taken elaborate pains to convince his readers of the writer's inconsistencies, as exhibited in the work itself; not with reference to the interpretations themselves, but rather the mode of handling them, and the unscholastic method of the argument. Upon which we would simply remark, that we consider the matter of a subject is of far more importance than the manner or method of the argument: and whilst we admit he has certainly made the most of the various points he has selected for animadversion, yet we think he has not been very happy in the selection itself. And though we have no reason

certainly to thank him for his indulgent consideration, we nevertheless feel indebted to him for exhibiting to our readers, as well as to ourselves, how few sterling objections could be urged against the work, when the disposition to advance them was too manifest to be mistaken. For mere ridicule we have no reply, and still less sympathy for satire and sarcasm: we are nevertheless perfectly conscious of the startling character of some of those interpretations which have appeared in the "Retrospect ;" and as one of the most prominent has formed a subject of comment in some of the reviews, wherein the argument of the work has been alluded to, we would anxiously entreat the writers and readers of those reviews to reconsider, whether the objections against that interpretation be in truth well founded or not. We allude to the interpretation proposed of the septimo-octavo head of the beast-"the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

Now, the argument advanced against our interpretation-if argument it may be called-is, that it is too extraordinary to be true. Why, the interpretation being of an extraordinary character is one of the strongest prima facie arguments in its favor; for, if any explanation of this apocalyptic enigma were proposed which was easy of apprehension, and exhibited, moreover, a perfect consistency with the ordinary experiences of nature, the presumption would be, that such an exposition must of necessity be erroneous, because not found in accordance with the prophecy itself; which essentially consists in the inconceivable phenomenon of the reappearance of a being, "who was, and is not, and yet is." We do not contend, because our interpretation is wonderful and extraordinary, that therefore it is true; but we do maintain that the fact of its being so is no argument against

its truth, but rather the reverse.

Nor must it be forgotten, that it is expressly stated in clear and distinct terms, in the prophecy itself, that it is the reappearance into life of the beast that was, and is not, and yet is, which occasions the wonder of the world: and furthermore, that, by the universal consent of all commentators, the infidel Antichrist of the last days will prove to be a spiritual person; and, as such, the exact, though antagonistic, counterpart of him who is the wonderful

one.

It is really very marvellous to perceive the shrinkings of the human heart in respect to the spiritual, supernatural, realities of the age to come. Men must certainly attach very vague and indefinite notions to the spiritual and supernatural, as though these terms contemplated a condition of existence having no relation whatever to time, circumstance, or place: whereas the truth is, that every created being, whether natural or supernatural— visible or invisible-cannot have reference to any condition out of either, since the powers of every created being are of necessity limited in their operation. We suspect, therefore, that the difficulty of apprehending the re-existence of a man, to re-act another career upon the stage of this world, is rather attributable to man's inaptitude to apprehend future spiritual things, as substantial realities, than to any well-grounded objection that such a notion is inconsistent with divine revelation, or otherwise incongruous with the existence of spiritual beings; and we submit that the more legitimate mode of argument, in opposition to our interpretation, would be an endeavour to prove that that interpretation was contrary to both. But we must now take leave of both reviews and reviewers; and which we do, by beseeching them all to weigh our arguments rather than criticise

our manner of advancing them; and carefully to regard the grave propositions we have propounded, for the consideration of the Church, rather than the agent through whom they have come; for such objections, if they are made to be causes of offence and stumbling, will, in the end, prove to be very insufficient reasons for the rejection

of any truth, which is otherwise susceptible of no well grounded objection.

W. E. Painter, 342, Strand, London, Printer.