fore the public, characterised by excel- expected on earth, can only be fully matured under the influences of a far other clime; still it was the object of Howe's habitual and intense contemplation. Plato himself never kindled with a more intense rapture over his beautiful visions of ideal virtue, than Home, with a mind enlarged and purified with the Gospel, dwelt on the lineaments of that image with which the Christian is gradually transformed as he gazes by the Spirit of the Lord.' We are obliged to omit much of what follows, from want of room,but conclude with the more particular and practical account, at p. 13. "If the reader who may be ignorant of Howe's character and writings, think that I am dealing in indiscriminate and extravagant eulogy, I would simply ask him in what terms he would speak of one of whom the following facts could be truly affirmed. Let it be supposed for example, that it could be said of some individual, that throughout he had friends in all parties and enemies in none,-that those who agreed in little else concurred in loving and admiring him, --that he conciliated the noblest esteem of those from whom he differed, without alienating the affections of those with whom he agreed, that he knew so well how to reconcile the claims of truth with the claims of charity; that he was firm without bigotry, and moderate without mean. ness; that in his hands, even contro. versy wore an amiable spirit, and that while he never offended against conscience by concealing his sentiments, he never offended against love by expressing them. That this strange union of zeal and discretion, integrity and prudence, wisdom and love, was maintained throughout a long and eventful life, in an age of bitter faction, amidst scenes of civil tumult, and in situations the most difficult and perplexing,-what, I ask, would the reader say of such an individual? Would he not say, that the panegyric which he deemed extravagant, was no more than due to excellence so rare ? An appeal to every record of the life of Home, will show that all this, and more than this, can safely be affirmed of him. If indeed I could forget to what all this variety of excellence was owing, or could represent it as the native growth of unaided reason, the language which I have used, might then appear unwarrantably strong; but the light in which I regard him, is that of a signal trophy of the transforming power of the Gospel; an illustrious example of what it is, and of what it can effect. Thus viewed, his cha. racter well deserves the attentive contemplation of every Christian, and we may cease to wonder at the declaration of Robert Hall prefixed to the present volume that as a minister, he had derived more benefit from John Howe than from all other divines put together." We must end by saying, that notwithstanding, as may be seen, we highly praise the spirit and conduct of this work, there are sentiments in which we do not agree, and expressions we should like to have modified. We should like to have a judicious selection of Howe's works, edited by his present biographer. Loudon's Arboretum Britannicum. Nos. XXXIX. and XL. 1837. WE have long considered Mr. Loudon as the happiest author in existence. While we are puzzling over disputed theology, or thorny metaphysics, he is revelling in the fairest creations of Flora and Pomona. He sits at the foot of the Tree of Knowledge, while the sylphs around him (his band of young poetesses and painters), are waiting to fetch him the most goodly specimens from every tree and shrub in the garden of Nature's Paradise. We never close the gates of his delightful suburban home without a sigh, when we think of our solitary lares, and the phalanx of grim and grisly authors who stand in hope or fear, glaring round the Reviewer's Cave. Oh leave awhile your lov'd abode, While we are fondly waiting for the nymphæ loci,' we turn to him, A Defence of Christianity, or a Conference on Religion, by M. D. Frayssenius, Bishop of Hermopolis. Translated by John Benjamin Jones. 2 vols. 8vo.This work, the advertisement informs us, consists of a series of lectures which were delivered in the church of St Sulpice, at Paris, before an audience chiefly composed of young persons belonging to the the presiding genius of the place, and, descending to plain prose and common life, express the great pleasure we have felt at the perusal of the present number of the Arboretum, which contains the history of the genus 'Quercus.' Mr. Loudon's very extensive communications, his great knowledge, and his indefatigable industry and accuracy, leave scarcely anything for others to glean. The subject of oaks, with their species and varieties, was by no means an easy one, but he has pursued his way through this complicated inquiry with great success, and his Treatise is a rich treasurehouse of valuable and authentic knowledge. 1. We want to know, whether the Panshanger oak is an accidental variety of the common. 2. He ought to have mentioned the fine specimen of Quercus Phellas' at Purser's Cross.-3. He should have no ticed the collection of oaks which Mr. Lyons brought over, and the most curious and hardy of which are at Lord Stradbrooke's, at Henham, Suffolk.-4. He should have referred more often to Bartram's Travels for size, soil, situation, of American oaks. 5. Lastly, the late Lord Redesdale, a curious and diligent planter, used often to tell the story-that old Luccombe assured him that he knew no more of the origin of the Luccombe oak, but that he had some acorns from America, a few of which he kept in his pocket and had overlooked; but at length sowing them-the produce of one was the beautiful tree that now bears his name. We can certify to the accuracy of our report of Lord Redesdale's narrative, and so we must break off-saying that, if this work does not repay the author for his immense labour, the public deserve to be gibbeted on the trees which they have not had the sense or taste to value. more elevated classes of society. They were commenced in 1803, suspended in 1809, resumed in 1814, and completed in 1822. Whether this work, which we think well adapted for the improvement and conviction of the persons to whom it was addressed, will be as useful in our country, which has so long abounded in works on the Evidences of our Faith adapted to persons of all classes, and viewing those evidences under every aspect and order, we cannot say; yet certainly there are discussions and a connection of argumentative reasoning, that may not easily be found united in any other work under the same popular form. Mr. Jones very justly observes, that the original is remarkable for the clever demonstration of the fact, that our faith need not be at variance with our reason. Secondly, for the candid and unflinching manner in which the ob jections of our opponents are stated, this being generally done in their own words; and thirdly, for the truly Christian spirit infused into the arguments adopted for their refutation. There is nothing savouring of controversial contention; no bigotted insolence (intolerance),-no intemperate remark. When there is zeal and warmth, both are equally tempered with Christianity, &c. Mr. Jones's translation appears to us to be faithful and elegant, and though this work will not be found on the shelves of the scholar or theologian, it will not want readers among many classes of the community. We think it may be recommended to the educated females of our higher ranks, as both in the lucid exposition of the arguments, and the elegant arrangement of the language, offering to them inducements to consider attentively its important contents. Some of the author's inculcations of the moral duties, and his expositions of the religious demands of God on man, with their accompanying promises and their necessary results, are expressed with a warm and flowing eloquence. In some philosophical parts we think him defective. Slade's Family Readings from the Gospel of St. John.-Mr. Slade observes that the publication of this volume has been undertaken at the request of some clerical friends who had been present at his family readings, and though he considered that there are plain Scriptural commentaries enough, especially in the works of the Bishop of Chester and Mr. Girdlestone; yet that as different plans are suited to different families, he yielded to their judgment. We think Mr. Slade's friends did wisely in urging the publication, and himself equally so in granting it. The fact is, that though one scientific or learned work may supersede another, or render another unnecessary; yet that it is different with moral and religious treatises, which address themselves to the feelings and affections, as well as to the understanding. Let them be ever so numerous they never can interfere with each other; differences will exist in the works of different authors; and they will be suited to the differences in the readers. It is true that the same great leading truths lie at the bottom of all these works, but the explanation, illustration, enforcement of the truth, and not the truth, belongs to the author: the truth itself comes to him and is not his. Now, as each man's abilities, knowledge, views, and feelings differ from those of all other persons, his discussions and illustrations will be different from those of others,his language will differ,-in precision of reasoning, in justness of inference, in happiness of exemplification, a distinction will be found; therefore while authors are much fewer in number than readers, it never need be feared, that too many familiar explanations of Scripture doctrines should appear. As many as they are, executed with knowledge and discretion, there will be readers enough to avail themselves of any shade of distinction in the genius of the various works before them. There is a general demand in the present day for works of plain and practical application; and not only do authors make readers, but readers make authors also. Mr. Slade will find ample room for himself among a thousand fellow labourers, and with such a work as this to show, he will not stand long unhired in the market-place. Saul and David, a Sacred Dramatic Poem. By the Rev. Edward Bagnell, A.M. -We cannot say that there is a high strain of poetic fiction in this volume, nor much outpouring of the Delphic inspiration, but there is no want of elegance and refinement in the language and versification, and of beauty in the thoughts. The characters are well contrasted; and the lyrical parts animated. A Compendium of Rudiments in Theology. By the Rev. J. B. Smith.-This is a most useful and excellent work, containing a digest of three of the most important works which bring their evidence to the truth of our religion, viz. Bishop Butler's incomparable work on Analogy; Dean Graves on the Pentateuch; and Bishop Newton on the Prophecies. All these works are familiar to the theological scholar; but to the young student it is of great advantage to have them presented to him in a compendious form; and we can safely assert, that Mr. Smith's epitome and analysis are most correctly and ably formed. Watson's Important Considerations, &c. Edited, with a Preface and Notes. By Rev. Joseph Mendham, M. A. 1831.— We are obliged to Mr. Mendham for the republication of this curious and valuable little tract of certain secular priests, printed in 1601, and for the excellent preface which accompanies it; though we confess we could not help smiling at his account of the Oriel school of theology and logic. An Introduction to the Criminal Law of England. By a Country Magistrate. -A very useful, correct, and excellent summary of the law, enabling any one not conversant with legal terms to understand the law on the subject. A Sketch of the Church of the first two Centuries after Christ, drawn from the Writings of the Fathers down to Clement Alexandrius inclusive. By Rev. John J. Blunt. The object of these excellent discourses is to show the ancient and venerable foundation on which our present Church stands; thus answering those who assert that it is of recent growth and specious authority. The author, we believe, has clearly and satisfactorily proved his point, and brought a sufficient mass of authority to bear on the subject, which cannot be refuted or rejected. Altogether, it is a valuable and most useful series of discourses, especially to the student in divinity and the young clergy man. Researches Antediluvian, Patriarchal, and Ecclesiastical, &c. By Thomas Clark son, M.A.-It would be difficult to present an abridgment of the contents of this volume in any reasonable size; nor would we wish that an imperfect sketch of our own should usurp the place of the legitimate work, which we have read with much delight. It is written in a clear and unaffected style; it abounds with fair reasonings and just inferences, and it is imbued throughout with a spirit of piety and a zeal for truth. The dissertation on the age in which Job lived is conducted with much ingenuity and sound argument; and the first question as to how the antediluvians, or first men, acquired their notion of God and of their duties towards him, is solved, we believe, according to the reality and fact. We think the author in his belief of the authenticity of the Sybilline verses, has placed too much reliance on the authority of Bishop Horsley, who, although he was very learned and ingenious in the use of his learning, was not always consistent nor sober in his views. We think at least this question open to much doubt. On Ireland and its Evils. By the Rev. John Page. This little volume is written by one who was an eye-witness of the abuses and evils he describes, and whose narrative of the oppression of the priests, their tyranny and bigotry, will be read with a confidence that his statements are but too true. The Gipsies, their Origin, &c. By Samuel Roberts. This is a little volume that will interest even those it does not convince. Mr. Roberts considers the modern Gipsy to be the descendant of the ancient Egyptians, living like the Jews under a divine curse-" that they are the reserved, scattered people, whose dispersion, continuance, and return to Egypt, the holy prophets, by the express command of God, foretold so frequently, so strongly, and so explicitly, through a period of a century and a half." Whether this can be supported or not, is very doubtful; but the value of the book is in the details relating to the life, habits, morals, and customs of the present Gipsies. In p. 70 and 78 is a curious catalogue of their words, with translations. We shall only add that the sudden and simultaneous four centuries since, is a fact yet to be appearance of this people in Europe about accounted for. Bethlehem, a Poem. By W. Bernet, Esq. 1837.-These verses are intended by the author to illustrate a sketch for a Lady. They are such as criticism, unless very sour and severe, could not hurt. We have only room for two stanzas :--Along yon shelving sides no flocks are seen, Or lowing of the gathering kine is heard; No winding valleys clothed with woodland Echo the carol of the evening bird. [green All nature droops, save when the lovely palm Curls its long foliage in the breathless calm. On yon dark promontory, rais'd on high, I view thee, Bethlehem! with awful gaze, Lift thy grey turrets in the clear blue sky, And thy arch'd portals in the partial blaze. Yet mouldr'ing age has robb'd thee of thy prime, Ancient of days,-nursling of by-gone time! Spartacus, a Tragedy. By Jacob Jones, Esq. 1837.-Mr. Jones must not be offended at our saying that we do not approve of his subject; for it is one that offers little variety of character or change of incidents, and leads the author too much to expressions of violence, and what some wit calls-kettle-drum language. Just as we should have predicted of the fable, has it come to pass. There is no attraction in any of the characters, beyond what their reckless bravery bestows; and Camilla, the only female, is a Roman Lady Macbeth, or a sort of Rob Roy's wife. That Mr. Jones does not work on other ground, and look to our own early history, as Shakspere did, for subjects for his poetical pieces, we much regret. He may depend on it, there would be a greater force and verisimilitude in his pictures, and his subject would be more attractive. We say this with the best feelings and wishes, for Mr. Jones has a vivid poetical conception and considerable power of expression, and we see no reason why he may not be a successful competitor for the tragic laurel which Messrs. Knowles and Talfourd now wear. Many of the individual parts are good in the play, though we neither like the Sibyll nor Castus, but as a whole it wants characters of greater interest, incidents more diversified, and some passages of repose and calmness to relieve us from the incessant turmoil of the gladiatorial revolt. The few lines of the Boy in the tent of Castus are introduced with the effect we desire. A Geographical, Statistical, and Commercial Account of the Russian Ports in the Black Sea, &c. By A. Schloss.-A very clear, compendious, accurate, and useful little work, which we recommend to our commercial friends, who, we hope, will be more fortunate in these seas than the owners of the Vixen. Russia, in Answer to a Manchester Manufacturer. 2nd ed. 1837.-We like the SCHOOL OF DESIGN. spirit and the reasoning of this pamphlet. Of the ambitious and aggrandizing views of Russia, we have had a late occasion to speak. That such they are, all past facts and all analogies force us to believe; and were we to look to power and force alone in national conflicts, we should consider one opposed to her, as of more difficulty and danger than any perhaps that ever threatened us; but we believe that the spirit of enlightened freedom and knowledge is advancing faster even than her resources increase; that Europe would feel an aggression by her on any one European state, as directed against the whole congregated body of nations ;--that much time must elapse before her wealth is sufficient to wield her power, or carry it to distant objects ;-and lastly, that a moral hatred of oppression, and a determination to vindicate the natural rights of man in his private and social character, overthrew the greatest power of the modern world in a few weeks-that of Napoleon: and so would Russia fall. FINE ARTS. This School (before noticed in our April number, p. 187) has been established at the rooms in Somerset House, lately occupied by the Royal Academy for instruction in such of the branches of the Fine Arts as are peculiarly applicable to the Manufactures of this Country, for which purpose the Students will be instructed in the principles of Composition, Light and Shade, Colour, Perspective, Modelling, &c. The School was opened for the reception of students on the 1st of June. The hours of attendance are from ten till four daily, and each student pays four shillings per week. The direction of the School has been confided to the able care of Mr. J. B. Papworth; masters, under his superinten dence, are to be employed to afford instruction in the various branches above enumerated; lectures will also occasionally be given on the principal subjects connected with the ornamental art; and a large collection of drawings and casts for the use of the school has been provided. THE ART-UNION. This is the name of a new Society for the advancement of the Fine Arts. The mode of encouraging art, by purchasing works to be distributed among the subscribers, is neither novel in principle, nor untried in practice; institutions founded on such a plan have attained a firm footing in France and in Germany; have been introduced with great success into Scotland, and also, more |