CONTENTS. 1. Ranke's History of the Popes: and Glad. 2. The Wesleyan Almanack for 1852. The Protestant Dissenters' illustrated The Reformers' Almanack and Political The Christian Almanack for the Year 1852. 3. Thirlwall's History of Greece. Vol. VI. On the Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes; 5. The Taloot Case. An Authoritative and 6. Secret Prayer, and its Accompanying Exercises. Ranke's History of the Popes: and Gladstone on Church and State. Essays from the Times. Being a Selection from the Literary Papers which have appeared in that Journal. Reprinted by permission. London: J. Murray. THE first and second of these publications belong to 'The Travellers' Library. Of the former we need not speak. It forms part of the justly popular Macaulay reprints, and is every way entitled to rank with its predecessors. The scheme was a happy one, and we cannot doubt but that it has proved remunerative. The publication of such works in a neat and cheap form was a national service, and has already gone far to displace much of that trash which had previously been provided for travellers. The present reprint is specially acceptable to us, as, apart from its literary excellences, the treatises which it contains enunciate principles of the highest importance which do not ordinarily find their way into our first-class literature. The second publication happily varies the series to which it belongs. It is deeply interesting, and unites personal anecdote with geographical and other information in a more than usually attractive form. It would be difficult to find a more agreeable and instructive companion for the traveller. The translation has been made verbatim from the original work, some parts of which, however, are omitted, as dealing with matters already familiar to the English reader. The chief attraction of the work will most likely be found in the personal narrative, and in the singular character, of the authoress, . . . who has emancipated herself in earnest-not from the fashions of gowns and petticoats, but from indolence, and vanity, and fear-and that, too, without deviating for a moment from the simplicity and housewifely sobriety of her sex, her age, and her position in life.' The work will have many readers, all of whom will be much delighted with its vivacious and picturesque descriptions. The Essays from the Times' constitutes the first volume of Mr. Murray's Readings for the Rail,' which has been commenced in accordance with the suggestion of that journal on the 9th of August last. It contains eleven papers selected from the Times,' the topics of which are various, and the ability displayed, we need not say, is first-rate. We often dissent from the judgments pronounced by our daily contemporary on the works reviewed in its columns, but no difference of opinion can exist as to the pre-eminent talent and vast range of information which its literary articles betoken. We are glad to have such a selection as the present volume furnishes, and recommend our travelling friends to make its early acquaintance. It is published at four shillings, while Messrs. Longman's series is issued at one shilling each part. The Wesleyan Almanack for 1852, compiled for the Use of the Wesleyan and other Branches of the Methodist Family. Pp. 64. London: John Kaye and Co. The Protestant Dissenters' Illustrated Almanack for 1852; with Pictorial Illustrations, from Designs, by Gilbert, of several important Events in the History of Nonconformity. Pp. 84. London: John Cassell. The Reformers' Almanack and Political Year-book for 1852. Pp. 92. London: Aylott and Jones. The Christian Almanack for the Year 1852. Pp. 72. London : Religious Tract Society. The Scripture Pocket-Book for 1852; containing an Almanack; also a Passage of Scripture for every Day, with an arrangement by which the Bible may be read in the course of the Year; and a variety of Useful Information. London: Religious Tract Society. THESE almanacks are clearly distinguishable from each other. They are designed for different classes, and the information they communicate is adapted to the position and requirements of these several parties. The first proceeds from the reform party of the Wesleyan body, and is, in consequence, pervaded by an animus, to which the friends of Conference will strongly object. Its information-within the circle of Methodism-is extensive; and its general views are indicative of progress, though the temper sometimes evinced savors more of personal and party contention, than of genuine spirituality. 6 Mr. Cassell's almanack has a new feature this year, which will commend it to many purchasers. The eye is addressed by means of pictorial embellishments, which are employed to illustrate, and give vividness to the conceptions formed of, some of the most prominent events in the history of Nonconformity. It was thought,' says the editor, that to select a few of those occurrences, with a brief narrative, and a well-executed engraving, might tend to inspire respect for those who nobly suffered for the truth's sake; and a determination to cherish and defend the great principles of civil and religious liberty.' This end is very happily attained in The Protestant Dissenters' Illustrated Almanack, in combination with a large amount of statistical information, and a forcible exposition of the principles which lie at the basis of religious freedom. 'The Reformer's Almanack,' as its title indicates, differs from the other two in the kind of information supplied. This is strictly political, and evinces considerable diligence and pains-taking on the part of its editor. It contains, in addition to the usual matter furnished by such publications, a list of the members of the Lower House, with their votes on important questions; an analysis of the principal statutes of 1851; an electoral table, and a variety of statistics pertaining to the taxes on knowledge, the freehold-land movement, army expenditure, episcopal revenues, and other kindred topics. The whole forms a volume, eminently worthy of being the text-book of reformers in Church and State,' and to such we cordially recommend it. 'The Christian Almanack,' and 'The Scripture Pocket Book,' are sufficiently described by their title, and the Society by which they are issued. Their character is distinctively religious, at the same time that they furnish a variety of information useful to all. The latter is issued in the form of a pocket-book. We may just add, that each of these Almanacks is published at so low a price, that nothing but a large circulation can render them remunerative. The History of Greece. By Connop Thirlwall, D.D. Vol. VI. 8vo. London: Longman and Co. WE are glad to receive another volume of this admirable work, of which we have spoken so frequently, and in such high terms, that we need add nothing now to a simple announcement of its publication. Its appearance has been so long delayed, that we began to fear it might not be forthcoming, at least, in our time. However, here it is, and we give it a right hearty welcome. From the prefatory notice of the publishers we learn, that the Bishop of St. David's cannot, at present, find leisure to complete his revision, and that they have resolved, in consequence, to bring out the remainder of the work without it. The bishop's revision is carried to page 161 of the volume before us, and as the subsequent portion of the history has been recently published, it is thought not to require such revision, as would compensate the subscribers for further delay.' In this opinion we entirely concur; at the same time, that we regret the loss which the world of letters will thereby sustain. The present volume brings down the history to the death of Callisthenes, and leaves little to be desired save the speedy appearance of its successors. Buried Treasures: The Law of Liberty; A Letter on Toleration. By John Locke. With a Life by the Editor. Part I. On the Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes; and on the Likeliest Means to Remove Hirelings out of the Church. By John Milton. With a Historical Sketch and Notes. Part II. London: Albert Cockshaw. THESE are issued by the Anti-state-church Association, as specimens of a series of reprints which, if judiciously selected, and edited with the same ability as those before us, cannot well fail to be popular: and will certainly conduce to the diffusion of sound views on matters ecclesiastical. The literature of past times, and the periodical press of our day, furnish a mass of very valuable treatises which ought to be put into a more permanent form; and the Anti-state-church Association will greatly enlarge its usefulness, by rendering these accessible to the general reader. Locke's Letter, and Milton's Treatises, constitute the first and second parts of a series entitled-not very happily, as we think- Buried Treasures.' They are printed in a neat and cheap form, and are introduced, the one by a brief memoir, and the other, by a historical sketch. Of these we shall merely say, that they are admirably suited to their purpose; are full of all requisite knowledge; and display towards the illustrious men whose works they preface, the profoundest respect and admiration. We strongly recommend the series to the favor of our readers. It promises to supply what has long been needed, and will do so, if the two before us are a specimen, in the very best way possible. The Talbot Case. An Authoritative and Succinct Account, from 1839 to the Lord Chancellor's Judgment. With Notes and Illustrations, and a Preface. By the Rev. M. Hobart Seymour, M.A. London: Seeleys. THE Talbot case was eminently instructive, and its occurrence at the precise period when the pretensions of the Papacy were urged with especial fervor, and in a mode which aroused the conscientious and alarmed the timid, was a significant and highly important fact. Happily the chicanery of priests was speedily exposed, and notwithstanding some rather extraordinary negligence on the part of the highest legal functionary, the supremacy of English law was, at once and firmly, established. All who were interested in the case will be glad to possess an authentic record of it, and this is supplied in the small volume before us. Times are coming when the disclosures of this narrative will serve an important end, by exposing the cupidity and checking the presumption of an intolerant priesthood. We have no sympathy with that pseudo-Protestantism, which would combat Popery by weapons drawn from its own arsenal. We reprobate coercion in matters of religion, under whatever guise it presents itself: but cannot express too strongly our conviction of the inherent wickedness of the Papal system, and of the mischiefs which attend its rule. Within the limit of argument and persuasion, it cannot be opposed too firmly, and in such opposition Mr. Seymour's volume will answer an important end. Secret Prayer, and its Accompanying Exercises. By Rev. James McGill. Glasgow: Bryce. THIS little book is one that you cannot read for the purpose of writing a notice of it. The class of works to which it belongs, the devotional, are not meant to be criticized, but to be felt; and we should as soon think of taking a good man's prayers to review, as of coming to such a volume for that purpose. We can only say of the present treatise that it is universally practical and prayerful, simple and earnest, likely therefore to be peculiarly acceptable to the large class who seek in reading for stimulus to their religious life from the affectionate reiteration in familiar words of familiar truths. 784 Literary Intelligence. Just Published. The Old Testament. Nineteen Sermons on the First Lessons for the Sundays from Septuagessima Sunday to the Third Sunday after Trinity. Preached in the Chapel of Lincoln's Inn. By Frederick Denison Maurice, M.A. Stories of Scotland and its Adjacent Islands. By Mrs. Thos. Geldart. Dr. Robinson's Greek Lexicon to the New Testament. Condensed for Schools and Students. With a Parsing Index, containing the Forms which occur, and showing their Derivations. The Fair Carew; or, Husbands and Wives. 3 vols. Wm. Ware, M.D. Sketches of European Capitals. By Literature and Life. Lectures, by Edwin P. Whipple. The Advent of Charity, and other Poems. By Thos. Bailey. The Young Man's Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality. By John Angell James. Babylon and Jerusalem. A Letter addressed to Ida, Countess of HahnHahn. From the German. With a Preface by the Translator. Thoughts for the Medical Student. An Introductory Address delivered at King's College, London, Oct. 1, 1851, on occasion of the Opening of the 20th Session of the Medical Department. By William Bowman, F.R.S., F.R.C.S. Second Edition. The Connexion of Morality with Religion. A Sermon preached in the Cathedral of St. Patrick, at an Ordination held by the Lord Archbishop of Dublin, Sunday, Sept. 21, 1851. By William Fitzgerald, A.M. Female Infanticide in the Doab. A Hand-Book of the English Language, for the use of Students of the Universities, and higher classes of Schools. By R. G. Latham, M.D., F.R.S. Readings in Science and Literature, for use in Senior Classes. By Daniel Scrymgeour. Chronicles and Characters of the Stock Exchange. By John Francis. 8vo. Second Edition. Lectures on the History of France. By the Right. Hon. Sir James Stephen. 8vo. 2 vols. The Jerusalem Delivered of Torquato Tasso. Translated in the Metre of the Original. By the Rev. C. L. Smith, M.A. 2 vols. Some Reply to Phases of Faith, by Francis Newman.' Designed to assist Christian readers who may be staggered by its tore or substance. By Daniel Walther. Christian Resignation. A Discourse occasioned by the decease of Mrs. Cuthbert G. Young. By Samuel Goodall. To which is prefixed a brief Memoir by her Husband. Arctic Searching Expedition. A Journal of a Boat Voyage through Rupert's Land, and the Arctic Sea, in search of the Discovery Ships under the Command of Sir John Franklin. With an Appendix on the Physical Geography of North America. By Sir John Richardson, C. B., F.R.S. 2 vols. Little Henry's Holiday at the Great Exhibition. By the Editor of 'Pleasant Pages.' |