object has been to direct the attention of his fellow men to his wonderful work of Creation, and the immortal spirit of man -to prepare them for the better understanding of his revealed word. Such is precisely the sort of publication which was wanted. It will be seen, that it is contributory and preparatory to the higher study. Here there is no infidel antagonism to inspiration, but a fine cultivated mind, respectfully offering its contribution to the great object for which man is created and redeemed-the church established and the world preserved. Our readers must have patience at the outset, since, from the nature of the subject, it will not be found a fairy tale. They who make reading a preparation to sleep must eschew this book; but they who desire to invigorate the understanding and to comprehend the instrument itself, and who will devote a few weeks of patient thought to these pages will, so long as they live, be at once wiser and better

men.

Modern Domestic Cookery. Based on the well-known Work of Mrs. Rundall, but including all the Recent Improvements in the Culinary Art, and adapted to Private Families. By A LADY. Murray.

HAD our object been to determine the comparative merits of the work before us, we might have found it convenient to call in the aid of Hempster Bisker, who would have been able to tell us how the tables of kings are served all over the Continent, from St. Petersburgh to Cadiz, with a full tale of cooking authorship, and all that appertains to the kitchen. But such is not our object; we mean to take a very common sense view of the matter, and show in what consists the value of the work to the English family of the middle and upper classes, who alone are likely to become its purchasers. Some twenty years ago, Mrs. Rundall was "all the go; her praises were sung in every kitchen. But every thing has its day, and that famous lady has had hers. Time and taste, whim and experience, have suspended a number of her receipts, and the whole book has accordingly been revised with care, and all available methods resorted to for its improvement without any diminution of what was really excellent in that celebrated volume. On many grounds, the book is a curiosity: there is even something for the man of science, and the

student of morality, who will find in it not a little in the way of data, furnishing the means of augmentation. Of the many compliments philosophy has paid to man, one has described him as a cooking animal;" and certainly we were never more impressed with the propriety of this definition than in going through this extraordinary book; man is verily "a cooking animal," and his cookery has called forth not a little science! "A Lady's" book is a magazine of experience which implies an amount of experiment all but incalculable. All that appertains to marketing, carving and cooking, beef, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, poultry, and game; salt-water fish and fresh-water fish, shell-fish, gravy, sauces, curry, vegetables, sallads, sausages, and forcedmeat; curing, potting, puddings, pies, puffs, custards, creams, jellies, and a multitude of things too manifold and multiform to enumerate, go to make up this interesting publication, which requires no recommendation from us. Mrs. Rundall's famous work ran through many editions; upwards of two hundred thousand copies have actually been sold. Now this is Mrs. Rundall with improvements — Mrs. Rundall adapted to the year of the Great Exhibition.

The Temperature of the Seasons; and its influence on Inorganic Objects and on Plants and Animals. By JOHN FLEMING, D.D. Johnstone and Hunter. THIS work is a contribution in furtherance of the "new series of publications on literary and philosophic subjects, adapted to the apprehension and improvement of general readers," and it eminently deserves a place in that series, as an elaborate, erudite, and exceedingly interesting production.

The volume opens

with a series of preliminary positions on the subject of clouds, after which, the author plunges into the heart of his subject, with an able disquisition on the curve and daily temperature of inorganic subjects, which presents a great variety of interesting facts, as touching both plants and animals. Many things are here presented, as bearing upon science, which are deemed beneath the cursory notice of the vulgar eye. Dr. Fleming, in this section of philosophy, puts his critics strongly in mind of Cowper in his "Task," where the most every-day and insignificant things have their place assigned them, and are clothed with dignity. For example, the subject of cock-crow

ing, with which everybody is conversant, but on which very few have ever reflected, is thus remarked on:

The time-marking propensities of the common cock during the night season, have long been the subject of remark, and conjectures as to the cause very freely indulged in. The bird, in ordinary circumstances, begins to crow soon after midnight and about daybreak, with usually one intermediate effort. It seems impossible to overlook the connection between the times of crowing and the minimum temperature of the night, nor can the latter be viewed apart from the state of the dew-point or maximum degree of dampness. Other circumstances, however, exercise an influence, for it cannot be disputed, that the times of crowing of different individuals are by no means similar, and that in certain states of the weather, especially before rain, the crowing is continued nearly all day.

Dr. Fleming next proceeds to consider the influence of the curve of animal temperature on inorganic subjects, plants, and animals. This part, which is very copious, is even more interesting than the former, more especially the third section, as touching animals. Here a multitude of things are discussed, such as clothing suited to the seasons, the casting of hair in quadrupeds, the moulting of birds of passage, winter ditto, equatorial and polar migrations, torpidity of animals, their respiration, circulation, irritability, state of the digestive organs, diminished weight, torpidity of birds, reptiles, of mollusca, of insects, and of other creatures. The book is altogether a beautiful contribution to the great subject of which it treats.

Oliver Cromwell; or, England in the Past viewed in relation to England in the Present. By JOSEPH D. SMITH. Snow.

THIS is one of the all but innumerable productions, of various merit, called into existence by the Papal Aggression. Mr. Smith being strongly pressed to publish, wisely consented, and has given the world what he designates a shilling book," and certainly it is a good shilling's worth. If not so large as some of those now being issued at that sum, it contains more substantial matter than most of them,matter highly opportune, and well put together. Mr. Smith avows "himself a decided Protestant, and has been at no expense to conceal his sentiments." In this there is no great merit, and we do not see why such concealment should even become a subject of temptation. But at the same time, it must be remembered, that Mr. Smith, although an En

glishman, is a minister in Ireland, where there is more difficulty attendant on a decided and prominent profession of the Protestant faith, than on this side the Irish Channel. In the present book, he has done an excellent service to his country, and the great cause which is so near his heart, and to which he has already, by his zealous and disinterested labours, so eminently contributed. Mr. Smith might have been happily and comfortably settled, and efficiently useful, in England. But he has made his choice; and its object has been travel, care, difficulty, and discouragement, although he is one of a class whom it is difficult to depress. The firmament of Mr. Smith is, happily, one which has few clouds, and seldom a speck upon it. He has much of the Englishman in him, a countenance ever beaming, a heart always light, and a tongue ever ready. But while he always speaks well, he has written well in the present case-much better than in any of his previous and minor productions.

Of late years we have had several valuable productions on the subject of Cromwell, more especially a smaller volume of several lectures, of which we have spoken in high terms some considerable time ago; but nothing better than this has yet been presented, and from its style as well as its cheapness, is remarkably adapted to popular use. How it will be received remains to be seen; but it ought to attain a very extensive circulation. Mr. Smith has full sympathy with his magnificent subject; he is an admirer, but not a blind one, of the glorious Oliver, to whom he has here done great justice.

SHORT NOTICES.

Daily Bible Illustrations,-Solomon and the Kings. By Dr. JOHN KITTO, D.D. Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

HERE again we have original readings from October to December inclusive, in subjects from sacred history, biography, geography, antiquities, and theology, especially designed for the family circle, while the name of D.. Kitto, Editor of the "Pictorial Bible," and "Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature," and other works, is guarantee sufficient for all that is required in conducting the work. We are right glad to find that our noble Queen has granted permission to inscribe with her illustrious name, the endeavour embodied in these most valuable volumes to introduce into the homes of her people a large portion of useful knowlege in sacred literature, contributing much to promote the intelligent study of the word of God, a favour which is elegantly acknowledged by the Editor in the

present volume. While the matter of this volume is most excellent, the illustrations are strikingly beautiful and various, beyond what the reader may be led at first sight to expect. Here we have the winged human figures from Babylon, Nineveh, and elsewhere; the winged sphinx and bull, the winged lion from Nineveh, the human-headed bird from Egypt, the eagleheaded and winged human figures, and other grotesque, strange, but striking illustrations of the wild fantastical notions which occupied the mind of the earlier ages.

The Land of Promise. By JOHN KITTO. Religious Tract Society.

THIS beautiful volume presents a topographical description of the principal places in Palestine, and the country eastward of the Jordan, embracing the researches of the most recent travellers, with map and numerous engravings. The volume descants with great copiousness on Jeru. salem, after which it proceeds to the Jordan, to Hebron, to Gaza, to Ramah, Nazareth, Tyre, Sidon, Hermon, and many other places. The list of engravings is unusually numerous, comprising no fewer than fifty-four. The volume is elaborately got up, presenting copious indices of Scripture references and names, an example which it would be much for the benefit of readers were authors more generally to follow. The volume presents by far the most complete digest of the subject that has yet appeared. To recommend it is superfluous. It cannot fail of most extensive circulation, as it will form a valuable addition to those works which require to be always at the hand of the student of the Scriptures.

The New Testament-the Received Text; with Selected Various Readings from Griesbach, Scholz, Lachmann, and Tischendof, and References to Parallel Passages. Bagster and Sons. IN the present case, Messrs. Bagster have furnished a most valuable copy of the Sacred Scriptures in the original Greek language, with a type so large that it may be read constantly without injury to the eye, and with entire comfort.

We have nowhere met a finer page than it presents. The narrative goes on unbroken by the absurd plan of our authorised version, into verses, so materially militating against the sense on occasions innumerable, at the same time that the verses are every where inserted, giving thus all the convenience without the deformity and the disadvantage. For general use we recommend it to all ministers, and students of the Scriptures, as a most serviceable edition, while they will find everything appertaining to readings, references, parallel passages, &c.-all they can reasonably wish, and such as might be expected in anything that bears the name of Bagster.

The Lighted Valley; or, The Closing Scenes of the Life of Abbey Bolton. By ONE OF HER SISTERS. With a Preface by her Grandfather, the Rev. W. JAY, Bath. Fifth Edition. Hamilton and Co.

THE fact that 5000 copies of this volume are now before the public, cuts short all disquisition on its merits, or at any rate, its popularity; and rare, indeed, it is for such a work to attain to such a circulation, without some substantial merit. Such is the fact in the present instance.

It is a valuable addition to our Christian female biography. Apart, however, from its essential value, it derives not a little of its interest from the Preface of the celebrated and venerable Grandfather of its amiable subject. The confidence of the Christian Church in the Rev. W. Jay is such that his name is a passport to any. thing, while the few pages here presented are themselves so inlaid with the purest gold that few will read them without desiring to possess the volume to which they are prefixed. These paragraphs are characterised by more than the Author's customary pathos, while they are remarkable for their beauty; the narrative itself is throughout fragrant with odour of the richest perfume. We do not recommend it, we only advertise it, since recommendation it requires not. It bids fair to go on from thousand to thousand, till it be universally read, and we predict it will long remain a favourite, running side by side with the touching narrative of Harriett Newell, beside whose grave, by the way, the "little saint," Mr. Jay tells us, lies buried.

Notes and Reflections on the Epistle to the Romans. By ARTHUR PRIDHAM. Campbell. WITHIN the last half century, at least a half dozen respectable works have appeared on the Romans, but still the subject is not exhausted. If but little new can be added, old truth is so rich as to admit of an endless variety of exhibition. Mr. Pridham has not the vanity to suppose that he has added anything material to the stock already existing; at the same time he offers his book as that which will, in many respects, be found somewhat to differ from the regular commentary. Minute exegesis, and the text of the Epistle, has not been his main object, so much as a general exposition of the doctrines it contains. However, many passages he has avowedly passed with but little notice, while others have received a more full examination, and are considerably amplified. His object, in preparing the present volume, was different from that of verbal criticism; but seldom, and never without reluctance, has he cited the original text, or obtruded upon the attention of his readers, foreign translations. In this he has showed his good sense. His object is not controversy, but edification; and to promote this, every paragraph of it, to the best of his ability, has been made to bear. Soundness in such a work as this, is of the first importance, and it is, therefore, proper the writer should know the views of the author on such matters as enter materially into what, in this land, are deemed thoroughly orthodox notions. For example, our author, we think, very justly considers the picture drawn by the Apostle in the close of the Seventh Chapter of the Romans, as descriptive of a convert; not of a man in an unconverted state. We have never been able to view that language in any other light than that of an accurate description of what is felt by every child of God, when once he becomes the possessor of the double nature; and it strikes us, as among the strange illustrations of the force of prejudice and of early training, that any person can be brought to look upon it as the language of an unrenewed man. The Eighth Chapter, doubtless the greatest in the Epistle, may be viewed as the most trying portion of this wonderful composition, and Mr. Pridham comes out of that test with honour. He has given what

appears to be a sound, enlightened, and edifying view of the subject. The book is one which bids fair to be useful to the Church of Christ, occupying a place distinct from all its predecessors, being, in effect, a book for everybody.

Christianity in Harmony with Man's Nature, Present and Progressive. Seven Lectures, by the Rev. GEORGE LEGGE, LL.D. Snow. We have already spoken, in something more than cordial terms, of this production, and predicted for it an extended popularity amongst ingenious and cultivated men, more especially young men. Having so thoroughly entered into the merits of the book in our former notice, it were superfluous to go over the same ground again. It may suffice to intimate the appearance of this second edition, which, we trust, will not be long in giving place to a third. It is a book to make men think, and think in a right direction, teaching them to combine God's works and God's word, to view the one and the other, as alike proceeding from the great Father of all, and calculated to illustrate, in their respective measure, his glorious attributes. They are a segment in the great circle of evidence; the heavens, the earth, and the things which are under the earth; sculpture, medals, customs, languages, all have been, and are being rendered tributary to the support of the claims of the heavenly mission; and now that the outer circle has been in a manner worked out, the hand of genius is at work upon the centre, and in man's soul is seeking for evidence of the truth of God's words, showing how completely mind was made for truth, inspired truth, and that truth adapted to meet the necessities of the human mind.

Voices of the Day. By the Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D.D. Shaw.

ACCORDING to our eloquent author, the night is far spent and the day is at hand. The present volume opens with a dawn ushered in by angel chimes, the forerunner of glory; after which he proceeds to descant on the Heavens, and Earth on Fire-The New Heavens and the New Earth-The great Great Benediction-The Resplendent House The Better Country- The City of God-Present Privileges, &c., &c., ending with the Blessed Hope. Such are the readings, from which it will be anticipated that there is a large amount of the imaginative and the pictorial in the disquisitions of our author, which is the fact. The book is distinguished by vivacity, vigour, and brilliance. We need say nothing of its theological views, since those of the Author are well known. Let it suffice to say, that whatever are the views entertained, there is abundance in the volume to strike, instruct, captivate, and edify.

Lectures delivered to the Young Men's Christian Association, in the Rotunda, Dublin, from November, 1849, to February, 1850. Curry. WE learn, from a note prefixed, that it was intended to publish the whole course, but that it was found impossible to obtain the manuscript of more than eight, the other speakers having spoken from mere notes, or without even these. We are glad, however, that sufficient to form the present volume have been rescued. subjects are well selected and ably discussed. That of Dr. Urwick, on the Life and Character of Sir William Jones, is an able and inte

The

resting dissertation. Next to this, we might mention the Lectures on Christian Missions, by the Rev. T. Stephens, and then that on the Importance of Mental Discipline to Young Men, by Dr. Power. These are classes of subjects which we deem specially adapted to such courses of Lectures. That on the Genuineness and Authenticity of the Scriptures, by Dr. Appleby, that on the Evidences of Christianity, by the Rev. R. Dill, and two or three more of the same stamp, are very well; but we do not think they are precisely the thing in such a series. These points are far better studied in books, and it strikes us that, in future courses the managers of the concern will do well to pay some attention to this, and to give suggestions to the gentlemen chosen to lecture, as the case may require. The three we have mentioned with special approval, are well worthy of separate publication, in a handsome sixpenny volume. In that form they might reach the sale of thousands of copies and could scarcely fail of effecting very great good. It is impossible for a young man to read the lecture on Sir William Jones without receiving very material benefit. It presents a subject which has great charms for the ingenuous spirit, and illustrates much in which all young men are deeply interested. As one whom Dr. Johnson proclaimed "the most intelligent of the sons of men," he must have had claims of no common order. We think this, however, was somewhat of a flight; but still he of whom Johnson could thus speak, could not have been an ordinary mortal. We consider this the best discourse of the volume, and that on Mental Discipline next, and scarcely inferior to it. Both are elaborately prepared, and entitle their authors to the thanks of the Christian patriot.

Sermons and Sacramental Addresses. By the late JAMES HAY, D.D. With a Memoir, by WILLIAM MACKELVIE, D.D. Hamilton and Adams.

DR. HAY was minister of the United Presbyterian Congregation, Kinross, Scotland, and one of the most respected and useful members of the highly respected and large denomination to which he belonged. The present volume presents a remarkable interesting sketch of his life and labours,-a life which extended through eighty years, and a ministry through fifty-five. The man of whom this could be affirmed, must have been no ordinary man, and have well deserved the tribute which is here so reverentially and affectionately paid him by Dr. Mackelvie. The sketch well merits separate publication, when the present edition of the compound volume has been disposed of. The Sermons are excellent, strongly characteristic of the solid, high-toned divinity of the denomination he adorned. The Addresses are nine, and of various character, most of them having been delivered on communion occasions, and one at the ordination of Dr. Mackelvie, so far back as the year 1829, who, probably, little thought that in 1851 he was to have the honour of issuing the Memoir of that friend who had delivered to him paternal counsels. The last address is to elders after ordination, which sets forth briefly but wisely, the duties of that honourable and important body of office-bearers.

On Lots. Houlston and Stoneman. THE writer of this pamphlet, was compelled to his self-imposed task by a conviction that among

his fellow Christians of various denominations much ignorance and confusion of thought prevail on the subject; mainly, he conceives, arising from the fact that public opinion has been rarely directed to it. We think he is right. The subject is undoubtedly one of importance, and is worthy of all the attention which has here been given it, and much more. The Essay is very intelligent and interesting, well worth the paltry twopence exacted for it. We shall not say what the conclusion is to which the writer comes. We would only add, he fortifies himself by a quotation of writings of the excellent John Brown, of Haddington, the Commentator, who says, "To pretend that chance, which is but the want of design, determines in any lot, is too absurd for rational beings to believe. God or the Devil must, therefore, be the arbitrator to whose determination the matter is by lot referred. God challenges it as his province to direct lots, Proverbs xvi. 33."

A Defence of Infant Baptism. By the Author of "A Catechism on the Nature and Design, Objects and Mode of Christian Baptism." Houlston and Stoneman.

THIS Volume embodies replies to many of the leading arguments of the late Dr. Carson, Rev. A. Campbell, and the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel.

The substance of the present volume appeared in a series of articles in the Scottish Presbyterian, which, in part, accounts for ita somewhat discursive character. To its other merits may be added brevity. The author has the rare gift of discerning, almost intuitively, wherein consists the turning point of an argument, and what is merely accidental and extraneous. Hence the work comprises an unusual amount of the very marrow of the question, and to those who have still the study of the subject to begin, it will prove highly serviceable. He will find in this volume, a guide to the perusal of the larger works which have appeared upon the subject, and independently of these, he will be enabled to reach a somewhat correct conclusion on the subject for himself.

Walks through Paradise: a Guide to the Young

in the Study of the Primeval History of Man. By DAVID MOSES. Snow.

THIS volume is a sort of "Paradise Lost" in prose. Mr. Moses begins, Moses-like, at the beginning, that is, with the Creation, the original state of man, going on to Paradise, responsibility, probation, test of obedience, and motives to his federal relation; the serpent, temptation, progress of evil, the first sin, immediate effects, the guilty judged, and doom pronounced, and the expulsion, to which is added a solid, practical conclusion. These contents, which sufficiently indicate the volume, will show the reader at once what he has got to expect, and we can assure him he will find in it a piece of sound, and evangelical theology, which, whether by young or old, may be read with much instruction, and if they are not wanting to themselves, with edification.

The History of England. By MISS CORNER. Dean and Son.

THIS is a real history for young people. The type is very large; the illustrations are interesting, showing the dress, instruments of war, flags, coats, ships, the aspect of public build

ings, and, in fact, a life-like view of the subject from the first to the present time.

The History of Greece, from the Earliest Period to the Roman Conquest, with a Sketch of its Modern History to the Present Time, adapted for Schools and Families. By MISS CORNER, Dean and Son.

WE should like all our young readers to become acquainted with Miss Corner, who is an excellent monitress in matters of history. One peculiarity of the present volume is that it brings the history of this classic land to the present time; thus at one view, and in a brief space, enabling the writer to complete the subject. It is an excellent school-book, and also very suitable for private study. To those who cannot afford a costlier volume it will suffice, and to others it will be a meet introduction, as also an excellent means of revising the studies of those who have gone through the larger works.

Punctuality; with an Extended preliminary

Needful Digression, Anecdotal Illustrations, Appendix and Notes. By the Rev. J. KENDAL. Hamilton and Co.

MR. KENDAL, although a Methodist, is a great favourite with us. We have already testified to the worth of some of his other performances. He has all Dr. South's pungency, without his vehemence. Few men could take a hundred words, and a popular foible, failing, or vice, and of these words form for it so efficient a blister as Mr. Kendal. His gifts are very peculiar, and such as seldom fall to the lot of man. living men wield sarcasm of the best order with more effect.

Few

The Relation of Philosophy and Theology, and of Theology and Religion. Reprinted from the Eclectic Review, January 1851. Revised and Extended. Ward and Co.

THIS mode of publication of important Articles deserves praise, and can hardly fail to meet with encouragement, since by detaching such disquisitions from the work the price is cheap. ened, and the chances of extended circulation In proportionably increased. the present instance the act is particularly praiseworthy, since there are thousands of persons into whose hands it is desirable to place such disquisitions as this who may not meet the Eclectic. It is an act of homage to a great mind, and, taken by itself, is calculated mutually to contribute to extend a knowledge at once of the excellences and drawbacks of the opinions and works of this remarkable man-S. T. Coleridge.

Mines and Mining. Religious Tract Society. WHOEVER Wishes to know something of a subject to which all Englishmen are so deeply indebted, while so few know anything about it, let them read this beautiful digest of it. London in Modern Times; or, Sketches of the

Great Metropolis during the last Two Centuries. Tract Society.

THIS Volume is valuable alike to residents in the Metropolis and Englishmen generally, since it contributes very considerably to illuminate one of the greatest objects to which the mind of man can be given. Many books already exist upon the theme, but never before was such a digest of facts presented for the paltry sum of sixpence. This is really knowledge for citizens.