world, and greatly to enlarge and clarify our knowledge of its relations to the world of sense. Already the old view of the universe as merely inert gross matter, has been displaced by the recognition of the ether, and of the correlation and conservation of force, and new lines of thought from the material to the spiritual indicated. This justifies the anticipation that clearer light is to be thrown on the relations of the two. The bold speculations of this volume are necessarily crude and imperfect. But the authors have the merit of seeing that there is a way to truth in that direction and of resolutely endeavoring to find it. It may be read with profit both by theologians and scientists. It certainly demonstrates that the ocean of human knowledge is broader and deeper than the shallows which may be navigated by throwing the lead and observing the headlands on the shore.

The reputed authors are Prof. Balfour Stewart of Owens College in Manchester, and Prof. Tait.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF NATURAL THEOLOGY. *-This essay received a prize of £100 offered for the best essay in confutation of the Materialism of the present day, and to be competed for by members of the University of Oxford of not less standing than Master of Arts. It treats the subject of Natural Theology in its relations to existing objections and discussions, and is full of fresh and living thought. The Essay is enriched with notes constituting about one half of the volume, and containing extracts mostly from recent writers illustrating and confirming or contravening his doctrines and arguments, and containing his own comments and criticisms on the same. The whole constitutes a valuable contribution to the rehabilitation of Natural Theology which the times demand.

FREEDOM AND FELLOWSHIP IN RELIGION.t-One purpose of this volume is to make known the "principles and tendencies " represented by the Free Religious Association. It contains ten

*The Philosophy of Natural Theology. An Essay in confutation of the Scepticism of the present day, which obtained a prize at Oxford, Nov. 26th, 1872. By the Rev. William Jackson, M.A., F.S.A., author of "Positivism," "Right and Wrong," "The Golden Spell," &c. New York: A. D. F. Randolph & Co., Broadway. 1875. 8vo, pp. xviii and 398.

+ Freedom and Fellowship in Religion. A Collection of Essays and Addresses edited by a committee of the Free Religious Association. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1875. 16mo, pp. 424. Price, $2.00.

papers, the authors of which are, D. A. Wasson, S. Longfellow, S. Johnson, J. Weiss, W. J. Potter, F. E. Abbot, O. B. Frothingham, J. W. Chadwick, T. W. Higginson, and Ednah D. Cheney. It contains also extracts from less formal speeches and discussions in the annual meetings of the Association.

The majority of these writers have not lacked diligence in giving the public opportunity to know their principles and tendencies. We presume the majority of our readers are familiar with them even to weariness, and will find nothing new in this volume.

RELIGION AND SCIENCE.*-This Essay is a discussion of the address of Dr. Tyndall before the British Association at Belfast. It was originally read last autumn before the Philosophical Society of Washington, under the title of "The present State of the Sciences," and was published soon afterwards in the N. Y. Tribune. In preparing it for publication in its present form, the author has revised it and inserted some additional matter. He seeks to find the reconciliation of Science and Religion, by distinguishing Science, Philosophy, and Religion, and acknowledging Philosophy as the umpire between them. The author has extensive acquaintance with science; he writes in a scientific spirit, and recognizes the legitimate claims of science and its attained results. The Essay is worthy of the attention of thoughtful persons, and must awaken high expectations of the work in preparation by the author since 1860, designed to exhibit the harmony of science and religion.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF TRINITARIAN DOCTRINE.-This little book is the result of an effort to learn by inquiry of the Scriptures themselves what is the purely Scriptural doctrine of the Trinity. The result has been a divergence of views in various particulars from the current theological standards. A part of the conclusions reached are presented in the volume before us. The author shows himself a man of scholarship and ability; the work evinces much

*Religion and Science in their relation to Philosophy. An Essay on the present state of the Sciences. Read before the Philosophical Society of Washington. By CHARLES W. SHIELDS, D.D., Professor of the Harmony of Science and Revealed Religion in Princeton College, N. J. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co. 1875. Crown 8vo, pp. 69.

Philosophy of Trinitarian Doctrine; a contribution to Theological Progress and Reform. By Rev. A. G. PEASE, Rutland, Vt. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 4th Avenue and 23d Street. 1875. 12mo, pp. xii, and 183.

study, and earnest and original thought; it breathes throughout the spirit of a reverent and devout seeker for the truth. The writings of such a man will be read with interest and profit, whether his conclusions are accepted or not.

The author announces his belief in the annihilation of the incorrigibly wicked-a doctrine which seems to have no necessary logical connection with his peculiar views either of the Trinity or the Incarnation.

STRIVINGS FOR THE FAITH.*-The prevalence of certain forms of disease leads to the multiplication and advertisement of intended remedies, and though, as we have said before, we do not admit the unbelief of this day to be so much more formidable than that of the past as would be inferred from the tone of some apologists for the truth, yet as it is no doubt in some of its forms more aggressive and blatant, it calls forth a corresponding activity in defence of Christianity. In England especially, the attacks of historical criticism on the Bible addressed to the popular mind are met by the publications of the Christian Evidence Society, and this volume is a series of eight lectures for the people given by as many different authors under the auspices of that body, though not revised by their committee, each writer being alone "responsible for the statements and arguments of his own lecture." The authors are in good repute for ability and scholarship, of different communions, handling diverse topics under the common head of Christian Evidences independently of each other, and we judge, from those that we have read, doing their work thoughtfully and with competent preparation. The first lecture, by Dr. Maclear, of King's College School, under the head of "Difficulties on the side of unbelief in accounting for historical Christianity," treats of the universality and significance of sacrifice, and how far and with what lessons its old forms have been supplanted by the Lord's Supper. The second, by Birks of Cambridge, deals with "the Variations of the Gospels in their relation to the evidences and truth of Christianity." The third is on "the Apocryphal Gospels," and refers to a translation of them by the same author, a layman, B. Harris Cowper. Dr. Lorrimer, of the English Presbyterian College in London, gives the fourth, on

* Strivings for the Faith: a Series of Lectures delivered in the new hall of Science, Old street, City Road, under the auspices of the Christian Evidence Society. New York: A. D. F. Randolph & Co. 1875. pp. 287.

the "Evidential value of the early epistles of St. Paul viewed as historical documents." The fifth, by Rev. John Gritton, Discourses of "Lord Lyttleton on the conversion of St. Paul." The sixth, by Rev. C. A. Row, Prebendary of St. Paul's, is on "Alleged difficulties in the moral teaching of the New Testament." The subject of the seventh, by Rev. J. H. Titcomb, of the established Church, is "The combination of unity with progressiveness of thought in the books of the Bible, an argument in favor of divine Revelation." The last, by Rev. W. R. Browne, of Trinity College, Cambridge, is on "The Autobiography of John Stuart Mill." The reprint is in handsome style, and the size of the volume adapts it to the popular use for which it was intended.

We invite attention particularly to the first lecture as a clear and persuasive presentation of an old theme, and to the fourth as a fresh argument most effectively handled. And indeed, as far as it is worth while to make the evidences of Christianity the subjects of pulpit discourse in refutation of current infidelity, most of these lectures may be commended to ministers as fair models in matter, arrangement, and style.

BELLES LETTRES.

QUEEN MARY.*-This "venture," as it has been called, of Mr. Tennyson into the dramatic field has already called forth many and ample notices from all quarters, and the testimony shows that his fame has not suffered but gained from the novelty of the undertaking. The reception given to every thing from his pen indicates that besides being acknowledged as a poet of a high order, he has the good will of the English-speaking public to a degree not always accorded even to such gifts. It may be noted in his case, perhaps as clearly as in any, that the personal character of the poet is taken into the account, making his fame the more enviable. Without attempting formal review or needless eulogy, we are impressed in this drama with the richness and delicacy of sentiment and imagery, felicity of language, and melody of verse, which make the charm of his idyls and smaller pieces, while he also conforms himself more rigidly than would have been expected to the conditions of dramatic composition, its restraints as well as its liberties, keeping himself in the back

*Queen Mary, a Drama by ALFRED TENNYSON. (Author's edition, from advance sheets.) Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. 1875. pp. 284.

ground, as Byron did not, in the delineation of character, and skilfully subordinating the parts to the whole in the conduct of the action. Some of his admirers have not, we think, shown their own judgment in already classing him with Shakspeare. We should rather agree with those who have found in this play too studious an imitation of the master, as in the introduction of the songs, beautiful as they are, and in the brief colloquies of the common people. He may be commended for keeping closer, as his learning led him to do, to the details of history. We are not so sure as some of his critics, and as the poet is reported to be, of the permanent success of his work on the stage, though this may be more the fault of stage-goers than its own. The representation will no doubt, however, derive a special interest for a time before an English audience, as unavoidably related to the "antipopery" feeling recently excited anew by Mr. Gladstone's remonstrances and appeals. It is an effective historical argument to English protestantism. The chief deduction we have felt from the pleasure afforded by the work, though we do not remember seeing it adequately noted in current criticisms, is in the choice of the principal personage. "Bloody Mary" has stood and will stand as a representative of superstition, bigotry, and cruelty, neither commanding the respect felt for Elizabeth, nor inspiring the pity felt for Mary of Scotland, not to mention Lady Jane Grey, and, hateful as Philip seems, one does not compassionate even her ill requited love as he would wish to enter into the misfortunes of a heroine. The picture is too painful and repulsive, whether in the history or the play, to be redeemed by the sympathy and tenderness which tragedy aims to inspire. Not the less wonderful, however, is the poet's art in depicting her hopes and fears and at last her miserable despair. Whatever drawback there may be in the material, the workmanship is consummate.

THE ABBÉ TIGRANE.*-The Rev. L. W. Bacon, among other valuable services which he has rendered to the church, while residing temporarily in Geneva, Switzerland, has recently translated a "Tale from the French of Fabre," which is of special interest just at this time. The characters are all clerical. The hero of the story is a French Abbé of extraordinary ability and boundless

*The Abbé Tigrane, candidate for the Papal Chair. By FERDINAND FABRE. Translated by the Rev. Leonard Woolsey Bacon. New York: J. B. Ford & Co. 1875. 12mo, pp. 212.