A Journal of the Plague Year, by Daniel De Foe; a new edition (in the Family Library, Vol. 52.) By E. W. Brayley. London: Tegg and Son. 1835. NOTHING need be said in recommendation of this very interesting work. Mr. Brayley has discussed the sources from which De Foe took his facts, in a pleasant preface, and has added some useful notes. But there are some few of these which should not have appeared. Why does Mr. B. state, in p. 146, on the credit of a non-conformist, that the clergy fled, and the non-conformists braved the plague and officiated, when, in p. 149, De Foe, no friend to the church, especially mentions, that although there were clergy who fled with other men, yet others kept up constant service as long as any one ventured to attend service? Mr. Brayley's own conclusion of the note, p. 248, is in an equally unfriendly spirit to the church.

Sonnets. By the Rev. C. Strong, formerly Fellow of Wadham. London: Murray. 1835. 8vo.

ONE rarely sees a more elegant little volume, as relates to its outward being; and it is only justice to say, that the contents shew a refined and gentle mind, expressing its feelings in pleasing versification.

Ten Discourses on the Communion Office of the Church of England. By the Rev. Robert Anderson, Perpetual Curate of Trinity Chapel. London: Hatchards. 1835. 12mo. pp. 372.

THIS is a part of a series of discourses explanatory of the Liturgy, delivered by Mr. Anderson; and if they were all (as doubtless they were) as full of good sense and kind affectionate teaching, the series must have been most useful. The plan of explaining the Liturgy, so as to open to the congregation the mind of the church, is most useful and advisable. If it were more common, and if with it were joined good and sound (occasional) instruction on the discipline of the church, and the grounds of her separation from Rome, we should not have the disgraceful ignorance manifested in the House of Commons, through which the church is ruined. Mr. Anderson has done an acceptable service to his congregation, and churchmen generally, in publishing so useful and pleasant a series of discourses on so important a subject. The notes, containing extracts from several of our best writers, are very judicious and useful; and Mr. Anderson's book is one among many proofs how far Alex. Knox's Remains have made their way.

Noble Deeds of Woman. London: Hookham. 1835. 12mo.

AN interesting collection, from all sources and all times, of the heroism and virtues of the female sex. Some omissions might be made with advantage. How the obstinate perseverance of a Miss Tucker to plead her own cause at Exeter, and in a way which the judge tried to stop as improper, is a proof of female eloquence, is hard to tell. The jury acquitted her, to be sure, contrary to the judge's direction. But juries are absurd as well as ladies eloquent.

Historical Sketch of the Art of Sculpture in Wood. By R. F. Williams. London 1835. 8vo.

THEY who have observed the richness, variety, grotesqueness, and yet frequently the beauty, of many of the wood sculptures in our cathedrals, churches, and halls, as well as of the carvings on articles of furniture, or ornaments for domestic use, will be much interested in this pleasing volume, which gives a learned and curious account of the art. Mr. Williams gives, too, a full account of the very curious wooden statues of the reformers, by Brustolini, brought from Venice, and now exhibiting in London.

Ten Plain Sermons and Two Assize Sermons. By the Rev. F. W. Fowle. London: Rivingtons. 1835.

ONE of Mr. Fowle's assize sermons was favourably noticed in this Magazine, and the present volume deserves an equally favourable notice. The sermons are plain, which is one merit, and are earnest and useful also. In one respect the reviewer may differ with Mr. Fowle. While he is well aware that too many persons trust to their own decent lives implicitly, he very much doubts whether any but the insane would maintain explicitly that they deserve heaven. See p. 62.

Two Sermons, with Notes. By J. S. Cox, M.A., Fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford. London: Hatchards. 1835. 12mo.

THE first of these sermons is on Episcopacy; the second on the testimony of Scripture to certain elementary doctrines of revealed religion. The first is a sensible sermon; of the second, (which is called a sermon from the press,) the reviewer has failed to catch the object.

Lectures on some of the Articles of the Church of England. By the Rev. R. C. Dillon, M.A. London: Hatchards. 1835. 12mo.

MR. DILLON thinks it advisable to take bulls by the horns, and canvas all the hardest questions on divinity in sermons to audiences at Charlottestreet, Pimlico. A la bonne heure. His doctrines are the total depravity of man, &c. His reasoning on the old Quam longissime is as follows:-" Not to insist on the plain and unquestionable fact, that if I am very far gone from any particular place, I cannot be in that place at all. Let it be seriously considered, that if man be not totally fallen, he is not, and cannot be, fallen at all. A partial fall is a state unintelligible and impossible. There is no medium between righteous and unrighteous." When Mr. Dillon or others speak of moral loveliness as attainable by those who are not real Christians, if the words have any meaning, is not this an express admission that we can both speak and do good things without God's grace?

The Church's Self-regulating Privilege a National Safeguard in respect of Real Church Reform, or, Reasons for reviving Convocations or restoring Provincial and Diocesan Synods. By John Kempthorne, B.D. London: Hatchards. 1835. pp. 203.

THE second of these titles describes Mr. Kempthorne's object, which he fulfils by giving a pleasant and correct sketch of the history of Convocation, and then going on to point out the various important uses which a church council would render, by correcting falsehoods and misrepresentations, making or suggesting the required changes and improvements in discipline and education, putting down false doctrine, &c., promoting union both within and without. On every one of these subjects Mr. K. writes with good and gentle feeling, and there is, doubtless, much truth in what he says under most of these heads. In other words, a church council of some kind would be a great good if one could see the means of making it at once safe and efficient. But that is a difficulty which no one has yet solved.

It seems to be more and more evident we shall have a cry raised in favour of Convocation. The one strong argument against it, which deserves full and serious consideration, is that we are no more fit for it than the blacks for freedom. Now, it may not be justifiable to withhold a right, but that cannot make it wise to give power to those who cannot use it well, and who, by having it, may injure others as well as themselves. We are scarcely equal at present to VOL. VIII-August, 1835. 2 B

legislating for ourselves from disuse, and we know but little of the questions of doctrine and discipline which would come before us. If there were a Convocation, the waverers in the church would be all for concession on every point; our Prayer-book would be assimilated to the American, &c.

Again, Convocation is almost a creation of the State-it came in with civil violence towards the church, it was suspended by the same. The State has destroyed its own work; ought we to resuscitate it? Here Mr. K. agrees, preferring diocesan and provincial synods. These would have this advantage, that from the multitude of deliberative bodies one should think nothing dangerous would be done, for the diocesan synods could but recommend to, and again receive, or not, the decisions of, the provincial. But it is, of course, difficult to see the effect of any such arrangement; and, after all, difference is an evil. The following brief notes may deserve Mr. K.'s attention:

Mr. K. claims the British Magazine as favourable to the revival of Convocation. What articles does he mean? (vide p. 10.)

The most questionable part of Mr. K.'s book is his description of "Standard Doctrines (p. 10), and application of his theory, (pp. 138—140.) He defines them as those with which "all persons blessed with the Holy Scriptures, who rightly and prayerfully use them, as the only Divine standard, and ordinarily none else, may expect to become acquainted," and then says that they are "man's total ruin," &c. If this is a correct definition, supposing A. or B. chooses to assert that the apostolical succession is a standard doctrine, and that those who do not hold it have not rightly and prayerfully used Holy Scripture, how will Mr. Kempthorne refute them? What is his authority (p. 47) for "laymen sitting and voting in Convocation," (vide p. 168.) P. 65, Mr. Kempthorne recommends "a council of patronage." Surely this is a dangerous precedent-must it not be withstood? is it not likely to be acted on; P. 77-There is here a singular contrast between the Articles and Liturgy. Suppose another person should reverse Mr. K.'s statement, what would be his answer? Pp. 78, 79, 84-Mr. K.'s own objections to an alteration of the liturgy are very good, yet he destroys all their force (pp. 86, 87) by saying, that a Convocation ought to decide the matter. Surely this is like saying, “I am quite sure that if a certain beam is dislodged, my house will fall; but as builders have advanced different opinions, let us get together a number and decide by the majority."

The Rambler in North America, 1832 and 1833. By C. J. Latrobe. London: Seeley and Burnside. 1835. 2 vols.

MR. LATROBE is a very lively agreeable traveller, with a great deal of poetry in his mind and a great deal of force in his descriptions. To these qualifications he adds much good sense and some humour. He tells you what he has seen and observed himself, and with this, a great deal of curious and interesting information as to the original settlers in many parts of America, and the origin and growth of many customs and inventions which give a character to the nation. He justly observes, that to talk of describing " Men and Manners" in America, where every state is widely different, is absurd; and that it is equally absurd of the American of one state to be offended if an absurdity in the citizen of another is pointed out. What he does say on this subject is just, sensible, and in good taste, and the volumes are very creditable altogether.

Scripture Biography. (Second Series.) By the Rev. R. W. Evans, M.A. London: Rivingtons. 1835. 12mo. (RIVINGTON'S THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY.)

Ir original thought, warm piety, taste, and imagination, can give a work claim

to regard, Mr. Evans's work has this claim in no common degree. The more it is known and studied, the more will these qualities be felt and known. They who observe that in some cases he has given the lives of those of whom little is told in Scripture, and who think they must say something about his book, are very likely to talk of the impossibility of adding to what Scripture says, &c., &c. Now, the merit of Mr. Evans is that he does not do this. When a striking remark in Scripture (as for instance, those on Demas, on Aquila and Priscilla, &c.) is made, he most skilfully takes hold of it as indicating a particular class of character; and then shews what, in a Christian view, are the faults or beauties of it, its dangers and temptations, or its excellence as an example. Such a work so executed, as Mr. Evans has executed it, is one of the best modes of conveying Christian instruction.

THE following pamphlets and tracts really deserve notice :-The Nature and Design of the Poor Laws Explained; by a Norfolk Clergyman. The second edition of Mr. Capper's Practical Results of the Workhouse System. Professor Lloyd's, of Oxford, Lectures on the Poor Laws (which ought to be more fully noticed). The second edition of the Essays on the Church (which is materially improved).

The following also must be noticed-Church Establishments Defended; or, Church and State in America. By the Rev. J. G. Lorimer. (London: Burns.) A most useful pamphlet. Mr. Perceval's Letter to Sir R. Peel; and a most excellent tract, called, Advice to Churchmen who have Votes for Members of Parliament, reprinted in a cheap form by Mr. Cock, in Fleet-street.

A second edition of the Schoolboy's Manual (a most sensible and excellent book) has just been published by Messrs. Hatchard; as have also the late Mr. Howel's Prayers before and after Sermon, taken down by one of his hearers, many of which have a depth of thought and power of words truly remarkable.

The Memorials of Oxford, and Beattie's Views in Switzerland, go on as well as before.

MISCELLANEA.

ACCURATE INFORMATION.

OXENSTIERN said, that it was remarkable how little was the wisdom which governed the world. We might add, that the knowledge which guides it is still less; or rather, that the gross ignorance of those who write and speak confidently on all subjects, is perfectly marvellous, and only exceeded by the greater ignorance of those who listen to them. In church matters, the assertions made perpetually by public writers are wonderful. A new review is just started by the Whigs, called The British and Foreign Review," which handles ecclesiastical reform. Among other things it says, that "They (the canons) are always printed and published with the common prayer-book, that all possible notoriety may be given to what is not law, &c.' As every one who knows any thing knows that it is really quite hard to find the canons; that they are never printed in any but the enormous prayer-books for the desks, in chapels and churches, one may guess how to value the coolness of this writer on church reform, who actually either mistakes the canons for the articles, or has never looked into a prayer-book in his life.

USE OF THE BIBLE AMONG THE ROMANISTS.

(From the "Northern Whig.")

Ar a meeting in honour of Mr. Carlile, in the Commercial Hotel, Belfast, The most Rev. Dr. Crolly (Catholic Primate of all Ireland) rose and said, that he was ready to subscribe to every thing that had been said by Mr. Carlile. He was, with his rev. friend, equally the friend of bible instruction. It had been charged against the Catholic clergy of Ireland, that they were opposed to the circulation of the scriptures. The accusation was, in every way, untrue. From their peculiar and unfortunate situation, the Catholic people of Ireland were unable to purchase bibles; but this obstacle was fast being removed, by means of cheaper editions. For himself he could say, that he (Dr. C.) had circulated more copies of the Old and New Testament than any man in Ireland. He had got an edition printed entirely at his own expense. The Bible, which formerly cost 188., was now sold at 68.; and Mr. Smyth and Mr. Mairs (Belfast printers) could testify to the extent of copies which he had circulated. To Mr. Mairs alone, within a very short period, he had paid upwards of 1000l. The Catholic prelates of Ireland have not been fairly represented, in regard to biblical instruction. They are men who will never allow the serpent of bigotry to coil itself round the tree of knowledge.

[It is thought only common justice to give this statement; and, at the same time, to call on Irish Protestants to look to it.]

DOCUMENTS.

HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S FACTS.

SIR,-I was not aware till last Friday of the existence, in the Number for December last, of the British Magazine, at page 672, of a letter in which an account is given of a professed statement of facts, which, if true, would reflect discredit upon a parish of which I was curate for the period of eight years, and, of course, upon myself also. This statement, according to your Correspondent, was made at an anniversary meeting of the Home Missionary Society, by a person "who described himself as the society's missionary at Midhurst." A friend of mine, resident at Midhurst, to whom your correspondent's letter was pointed out some months ago, immediately called on this home missionary, and demanded of him whether the report of his speech was correct. He complained much of his statement having been misrepresented, but, upon being questioned as to particulars, allowed that, in some points at least, his allegation of facts agreed with your correspondent's account. Upon my friend's remonstrating with him, and pointing out to him the groundlessness of his charges, he admitted that he had been misinformed, and promised to write a retractation of his statement, for insertion either in your periodical or in the Patriot. My friend, soon after this, was called from home upon anxiously urgent business, which engrossed his attention for months, and was the cause why he did not inform me of the existence of this letter till last Friday, when the accidental sight of your publication recalled the circumstance to his mind. In the meanwhile, the society's missionary had taken his leave of Midhurst, his congregation, as I understand, not being able to support a resident teacher, without the society's aid, which I am informed is now withdrawn.

Not knowing whether the author of this statement has or has not published a retractation, I feel called upon, by a regard for my public character,