pointed unto him;' and that it is only in a world of purer light and clearer vision that he can hope to have all his doubts removed and his knowledge perfected. We have left ourselves but a narrow space to speak of the works whose titles stand at the head of this article. The little tract of Professor Planck first opened the way fully to a correct estimate of the character of the style of the New Testament, and unfolded those philological principles of which the works of Wahl and Winer were intended to exhibit the practical application. Though of small dimensions, it is full of large views; and has exerted a wider influence in the critical world than all the ponderous tomes produced during the centuries of the Attic controversy. On this account, and as a specimen of acute and judicious criticism, we would fain hope that it may yet be republished in this country. The author has been for several years employed upon a Thesaurus of the New Testament, which shall contain the practical results of all his labors on this subject. This work, if his feeble health will permit him to complete it, cannot but be in the highest degree valuable and important; though from the specimens of it which we have had an opportunity to see, we should anticipate from it greater improvements in the philology, than in the interpretation of the New Testa ment. The Clavis or Lexicon of Wahl is founded, as we have said, on the principles first unfolded by Planck, and on those general views of interpretation, which we have been attempting to develope. It was the object of the author to bring into a moderate compass the results of the latest and most extended investigations into both the philology and interpretation of the sacred volume; so that they might be made universally accessible, and be adapted to the daily convenience and habitual use of every student. The work was intended to embrace simply the results, without the processes, of investigation; with references to authorities sufficient to verify those results, should the student wish to prosecute his inquiries farther. That such is the plan best suited to the purpose which the author had in view, there can be little doubt; nor can we hesitate to say, that he has successfully accomplished that purpose. The object of a lexicon is not commentary not the exhibition of a system of theology; it is designed simply as an instrument in the hands of the student, by which he is to aid himself in ascertaining the sense of a writer, and making out, practically if not formally, a commentary for himself. To do this fully, he must of course go back to the same sources of information from which the Lexicon itself was drawn. In a work of this kind, moreover, a great deal of the merit must necessarily depend on the power which the writer may possess of condensing his thoughts, and expressing them in terms at once concise and perspicuous. In this respect, we think that a high rank must be assigned to Wahl; and that he is far removed both from the garrulous diffuseness of Parkhurst, and from that prolixity and unnecessary copiousness for which Schleusner is distinguished. The work of Winer was designed to exhibit the application of the same principles to the grammatical structure of the language of the New Testament. It is as yet the only treatise of the kind; and like most of the author's other works, bears marks of haste both in the conception and execution. It contains many observations of great value; the general plan, and the internal arrangement and classification are good; and the principles are, for the most part, correctly stated and happily illustrated. On some points he has carried his views too far, and on some few he is probably erroneous. We look upon the work as one, which will impart new and important views to the students of this country, and serve to stimulate them to more extensive inquiry. The manual of Bretschneider exhibits a less strict adherence to the general principles, which we have been discussing, and on which the works hitherto mentioned are exclusively founded. The illustrations are drawn more frequently from the Septuagint and the apocryphal books; and also from the apocryphal gospels collected by Fabricius, on the value of which we have already offered some remarks. The work as yet is comparatively unknown in this country; and, as we are given to understand, it has acquired in Germany also less currency than that of Wahl. Before closing this article, we wish to say a few words on one other topic. The question is often asked, Why should we be indebted to foreign nations for our manuals and other books in sacred literature? Why, especially, should we be thus indebted to Germany, and not rather use the helps, which the English language affords? To the first part of this question we may answer, that it would be needless labor to toil at the composition of elementary books, when such as we want exist already in another country, and can be introduced among us at the expense, at farthest, of mere translation. Besides, in the pressing demands of this country for active labor, there are very few who have leisure to qualify themselves in the best manner for such undertakings; and of those few, there are probably none, whose time and talents are not devoted to a different and not less important portion of the same field. In regard to the latter part of the question, we have no hesitation in saying, that we take German books, because they are the best for our purpose. In that country, literature of every species is a profession; and there are profound scholars, who are constantly occupied in the processes of instruction, and are therefore able to feel the wants of pupils, and qualified to supply them. With their loose and fanciful speculations, we have nothing to do. We know, that in religion and philosophy they hold, as in other things, the 'empire of the air; and that the views of many of their writers on both these subjects are erratic; and knowing this, we may be upon our guard. Give us English books of equal value, whether Grammars, Lexicons, or Commentaries, and we will gladly discard the German writers. Such a course would relieve us from much labor, and would exempt the cause of sacred literature from much reproach. But until this is done, or until we have among ourselves more men of talent and research who can devote themselves to this object, they who are in earnest in pursuing these studies, must seek the best helps wherever they are to be found, and however much they may be encumbered with extraneous speculation. We would not, without cause, speak lightly of the present state of sacred literature in England; but it may well be supposed, that at least they are not far in advance of this country, when it is known, that the works of Parkhurst are still the standard helps for the study of both the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures. On this topic we would only adopt the words of one of their own very few scholars, who are competent to pronounce a correct decision on this point. We allude to Professor Lee of Cambridge, himself a most signal instance of genius triumphing over all obstacles and all discouragements. In the preface to his translation of Henry Martyn's Persian tracts, he holds the following language; on which we would merely remark, that it applies to the New Testament as well as to the Old, though his subject led him to speak only of the latter; and which we would especially recommend to the notice of those who insist upon the use of English commentators, to the exclusion of those of Germany. 'No book, with which I am acquainted, stands so much in need of elucidation, as the Hebrew Bible. From the times of Grotius to the present day, I believe we can find scarcely one original commentator. And many, even of his remarks, have been borrowed from the Jews. The Dutch and German Commentaries are the books most worthy of the scholar's regard; but many of these are such, as to make it a question, whether they should be recommended or not. Nothing, if we except the dreams of Hutchinson, has come out in England for the last hundred years, in the shape of original investigation. Compilation has long been the order of the day; and names, respectable indeed and valuable in their time, are now appealed to as the only safeguards against innovation, or as instructers in the way of truth. In almost an universal dearth of Scriptural knowledge, this is not to be wondered at; nor is it to be condemned. It is, without doubt, the best and safest path. But it should not satisfy the minds of those who have both ability and opportunity for making further progress. And as the character of the times in which we live calls for such exertion, it is to be hoped, that the call will not be disregarded.' To a testimony like this, we cannot wish to add a single word. ART. VI. Analytical Outlines of the English Language, or a cursory Examination of its Materials and Structure, in the form of Familiar Dialogues, intended to accompany Grammatical Studies. By JOHN LEWIS. Richmond. Shepherd & Pollard. 8vo. 1825. THIS is a work of some novelty, and evidently proceeds from a thinking, rather than an imitative mind. Though the author complains of the want of access to a very extensive library, he has certainly made a good use of those books (and they are among the best for his purpose), which he was able to command, and has approached and pursued his subject unshackled by any preceding system. We have not so much confidence as some, in the magical efficacy of dialogues, or conversations, regularly penned and printed, in gaining the attention of pupils, or imparting the instruction which such writings are intended to convey. Though called, and intended to be familiar, they are usually couched in phrase too elaborate for the pupil; and for the teacher, they are a kind of labor saving machinery, on whose operation he may repose with too much confidence, and task his own intellect too tenderly. The dialogues and conversations which rise out of the daily lessons of the learner, if he is properly encouraged by his master, will be the true familiar dialogues, and will prove the most instructive. The teacher will perceive exactly how far he is understood, and will learn to vary his explanations, till he finds he has acquired the art of adapting them, in each case, to the comprehension of his scholars. Besides, there is something rather too alluring in the name of dialogues or conversations. It is calculated to raise an expectation of entertainment too high to be gratified, upon subjects abstruse in their nature; and disappointment is a sore thing to children and youth; an evil for which our ingenuity is sometimes taxed to the utmost to devise a remedy. We feel bound to commend the modesty of Mr Lewis, in proposing his work merely as an accompaniment to grammatical studies. This modesty is the more deserving of praise, as it comes in contrast with the pretensions of some of his predecessors in a similar walk, who, from their supposed discoveries, or the novelty of their writings, have claimed for them a measure of praise paramount to that which belongs to the productions of all other philologists. This is a kind of charlatanry peculiar to no age. We recollect to have seen the title of a book, written by an obscure Englishman, in the seventeenth century, which runs thus; 'The art of signs; or a universal character and philosophical language, in which men speaking different languages, may be able, by studying it for the space of two weeks, to express their thoughts, either by writing or speech, no less intelligibly than individuals of the same community in their vernacular tongues; by which also the young may acquire the principles of philosophy and true logic, with much greater ease and despatch, than from the common treatises of philosophers.' This is a climax of arrogance, that is seldom equalled; but in some of its parts, we can find instances of too near resemblance, in more recent times. But let us return to the subject immediately before us. Mr Lewis considers the process of induction the readiest way of acquiring the right use of words; and to a certain extent, no doubt, he is right. But perhaps every one is not sufficiently aware, that this process begins with the very dawn of |