easy acquisition. There is a tendency to measure the progress of the age by these external means of enterprise and enjoyment; and the course of education is too much guided in reference to a utility that can be tested by the ledger, to the neglect of that higher utility, that sees in all these but the means of a more expansive benevolence, and of an end truly valuable in the education and moral improvement of man. But if the sun of our prosperity is to reach its meridian, the reins of its chariot must not be entrusted to a mechanical and sensualized utility that will be reckless of scorching and withering up every generous principle, and fresh affection, and noble sentiment, and high aspiration; it must rather be so guided as to quicken these into new vigor, and cause them to take deeper root and to overtop the unsightly and noxious plants by which they are so often choked. If, under the excitement of all that can stimulate the lower nature of man, the principles of his moral and spiritual nature do not receive a correspondent expansion, and vigor of action, there can be nothing to control the fierce and thickening struggle of conflicting interests, and we shall but furnish another, and a signal illustration of the truth of that saying of the wise man, "The prosperity of fools shall destroy them."

ARTICLE VIII.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

1. Comprehensive Commentary.

It gives us pleasure to say that the second volume of this extensive work is now published. The first volume, embracing the Gospels, has had a very wide circulation, amounting, we believe, to nearly 30,000 copies. This circumstance, as well as the nature of the subject, shows the importance of time and of the utmost care in the preparation of the remaining volumes. We hope that the excellent editor and his assistants, will not allow themselves to be too much hastened by the demands of subscribers or the voice of the community. It is a great matter to settle in one's own mind the meaning of a single difficult

text.

What must be the labor attendant upon the solution of a

hundred passages which might be mentioned in almost any one of the larger books? The present volume contains 832 pages, and extends from Genesis to the end of Judges. About one fourth of the volume is taken up with Genesis. There are engraved portraits of Henry, Scott, Doddridge, A. Clarke, and Lowth; a vignette title page-Moses receiving the law; three or four maps; about 80 wood cuts large and small; and various illustrative tables. In the introduction, the proofs of the inspiration and divine authority of the Bible are condensed. The illustrations from existing Egyptian originals were obtained from the great French work in Harvard university. The writings of Champollion and other oriental investigators have been consulted. Valuable aid has been rendered to the editor by the Rev. L. I. Hoadley, of Charlestown, and J. W. Jenks, of Boston. Others have given occasional assistance. In the critical notes, the most use is made of Rosenmueller, Bush, Calmet, Greenfield, and Boothroyd. For a general commentary, the whole work is well deserving of its reputation. It is not designed to be controversial, nor, in the highest sense, critical. It is a practical and family commentary. The editor's labors, in our opinion, have been performed with much ability and suc

cess.

We need hardly say that there will be a great variety of opinions respecting the interpretation of particular passages. We are not accustomed to rely on the first chapter of Genesis for proof texts of the doctrine of the Trinity. The remarks from Malte Brun and others, p. 18, on geology, fail to do justice to the present state of that science.

2.-Abstract of Biblical Geography, to which is added a compendious view of the Modern Geography of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Compiled by M. L. R. Perrine, D. D., Professor in the Theol. Sem. Auburn. Auburn: H. Ivison & Co. 1835, pp. 211.

THIS abstract was compiled, as we learn from an advertisement, with the design of furnishing the Auburn theological students the means of obtaining as full a view of Biblical Geography as possible, in the limited time allotted them for this study. It is printed in order to save the labor of transcribing and taking notes. In preparing the book, free use has been made of the labors of Wells, Taylor, Calmet, Paxton, Car

penter, Jahn, Horne, D'Anville, and S. Butler. The general arrangement seems to be judicious, and the manner in which the work is executed praiseworthy. The typographical labor is uncommonly neat and prepossessing. We are not sure that a greater amount of matter might not have been advantageously included. The spaces and margins are large. We recommend to the respected author in a future edition to insert two maps, and thus to separate the modern names from the ancient, which appear rather heterogeneous on a single map. Modern travellers, like Burckhardt, Leigh, Rennell, Leake, and some recent journalists in Asia Minor, might well be added to the author's list. We find no notice of the valley of the Ghor, the ruins of Petra, and other interesting objects between the Dead and Red Seas. Space might be found for these matters by leaving out the "Compendious Modern Geography," transferring what may be important in that sketch to the appropriate heads of ancient Geography.

3.-Translation of Tholuck on John.

THIS work is now in the press of Gould & Newman, and will soon be published by Perkins, Marvin & Co. It is translated by Mr. Hermann Bokum, late instructor in German in Yale College, who has been several years in this country, and is favorably known to many in our community. We have perused the greater part of the translation in manuscript, and have full confidence in the ability and tact with which it is made. The commentary on John is considered by competent judges as the most delightful of Tholuck's writings. It is not so full of learned reference and critical discussion as the commentary upon the Sermon on the Mount, though it is not wanting in this particular. There is an overflowing richness in many of his remarks, which show that his heart is deeply interested in the sublime and precious truths which the Evangelist discloses. There is also not a little of that delicate and fine perception of character, which so remarkably characterises the apostle himself. The writer seems to modestly hide himself behind his own delightful comments and illustrations. We think that clergymen and the most intelligent laymen will find this volume to be a rich gem in their libraries. For those who do not readily read Latin and Greek, a translation of quotations in those languages will be inserted in the end of the volume.

4.-Elements of Political Economy. By Samuel P. Newman, Lecturer on Political Economy in Bowdoin College. Andover: Gould & Newman. 1835.

pp. 324.

This book supplies a desideratum which we have long felt. We trust it will serve to direct attention to a subject which has been unaccountably neglected. Political Economy, in its most comprehensive sense, deserves to be studied by all classes in our community, as it comes home to the business and wants of all men. With Prof. Newman's treatise, we are highly gratified. It does not enter into the vexed questions of the subject, nor propound rival and warring theories. It states clearly the topics on which most men will be agreed. We are much pleased also with the enlightened views on the value of intellectual labor, and the relations which educated men bear to the bustling community around them. Erroneous notions on the subject of the learned professions are very apt to be entertained, and they ought to be exposed on all suitable occasions. Those, who are acquainted with Prof. Newman's Rhetoric, need not be informed, that he understands the powers of the English language, and is able to communicate his thoughts with becoming perspicuity and force.

5.-Life of Jehudi Ashmun, late Colonial Agent in Liberia, with an Appendix, containing extracts from his Journal and other writings. By Ralph R. Gurley. Washington: James C. Dunn. 1835. pp. 554.

This Memoir ought to be published in a smaller and cheaper form, and diffused all over the United States. The expensive manner in which the first edition is brought out, will prevent its being circulated among that large class of persons who should read it, and whose prejudices and ignorance on the question of African colonization it would tend to remove. It is a history of Liberia as well as of Mr. Ashmun. The life of that servant of his God and of mankind is inseparably interwoven with the first beginnings of an enterprise, which, denounced and cast out though it be, shall yet bear most precious fruits to the glory of God and to the regeneration of Africa. We have rarely read a book, which brings out human nature in such strong relief, and which furnishes finer scenes for the inspiration of the poet, or the painter. We can only say, Read it. We can only, in

our feeble manner, repeat the almost unanimous voice of our public press. We are sorry that any men are found, who cannot sympathize with the noble spirit of Ashmun, and with the philanthropy of that enterprize, whose corner stone he laid on Cape Montserado.

6. A Comprehensive Pronouncing and Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language; with Pronouncing Vocabularies of Classical, Scripture, and Modern Geographical names. By J. E. Worcester; carefully revised and enlarged. Boston: Hilliard, Gray & Co. 1835. pp. 424. This Dictionary contains about 43,000 words; 6,000 more than Walker's Critical Pronouncing Dictionary, embracing numerous technical terms in the various arts and sciences, and a copious list of such words and phrases from foreign languages as are often found in English books. A prominent feature in the pronunciation consists in the exhibition of authorities respecting words of various, doubtful, or disputed pronunciation. The number of primitive words respecting which authorities are presented is above 1300. It is hardly necessary for us to recommend this Dictionary. The author's accustomed accuracy and sound judgment, have not deserted him. It is the Dictionary which we habitually use. It is printed with entire correctness, so far as we have observed, and with the publishers' usual taste. In the "Elementary Dictionary" of the same author, the authorities for the different modes of pronunciation are omitted, the definitions somewhat abbreviated, and the obsolete, and some of the technical terms omitted. In the geographical names, we observe that the author retains Otaheite. It should be Tahiti. Also Woahoo for Oahu, and Owhyee for Hawaii. Chippeways should have been followed by or OjibWe hold that missionaries, well acquainted with the languages in question, ought to direct geographers in such matters.

was.