redoubtable argument to Mr. Newman, it is a blow at his friends rather than at his opponents; for even Froude, as well as his successors, had laid all the grievous and unpardonable sin of Romanism at the door of the Tridentine Council. Trent had excommunicated us,-had fixed erroneous doctrines as articles of Faith, which never before had been held binding on the consciences of the people,-had converted errors into terms of communion, and had bound her sons in a grievous chain. The council appeared to them the sole obstacle to re-union with Rome. But by the light which tract 90 throws upon it, this obstacle is removed, and the extravagances of ultra-Romanism, as exhibited in some comparatively recent practices, are the sole impediment to this ardently desired coalition between the hostile churches! Such is the inconsistency of error with itself; but we may leave Tractarians to settle these differences as best they can.

On the measures adopted by the leading members of the University of Oxford, in reference to this tract, we need not speak; they are generally well known. And so is the prohibition (mildly enough put forth by the Author's Diocesan) to the continuation of the Series; though it appears, that his Lordship has not forbidden (as we think he ought most earnestly to have done) the republication of the obnoxious tract itself. A feature of the case not by any means the least remarkable, appeared, on the publication of the defence set up for the tract by its Author, which was, that it was written at the earnest request of some whom he revered, who urged him to do all that he could to keep members of our Church from straggling in the direction of Rome.' That is, after having shaken the principles of young men in the University by his popish teaching, he must himself turn Jesuit, to persuade them to remain where they were, and even to become Jesuits in order to keep their places.

The result of the campaign was not however to be determined by the fate of Tract 90. Other ministries were at work, to deceive the minds of the people. There were cheap and decorated tales and novels to inculcate Church Principles; there were public journals of some celebrity to patronize the cause, there was the Times Newspaper to carry the virus to every portion of the Empire, and the British Critic under the superintendence of Newman himself, to run riot in all the disgusting extravagance of Ultra-montane Romanism. And therefore, the movement has still gone on-not, we humbly hope, as the Bishop of Ossory supposes at an 'accelerated rate,' but yet with sufficient rapidity to call aloud for the utmost vigilance and zeal of all genuine sons of the Reformation.

Large quotations are given in the Charge from the BRITISH CRITIC, which seems to be the bold Pioneer in this warfare. There is nothing which the writers in this wretched periodical will not venture, nothing which they will not say, nothing which they are ashamed to insinuate or to avow, in order that they may, by any means, urge onward this alarming movement. The abuse this work contains of everything venerable in the piety of martyrs, bishops and confessors, and of everything sound and orthodox in the doctrines of our Reformed Church, has, it may be hoped, reached the utmost limit to which assurance and reckless hate can go. This violent party organ is said now to be passing into new hands. Whether such an announcement be made merely to

deceive the public with the hope of change, where none is intended; or whether there be a real retrogression from an extravagance too great to be endured, time will show. But we may safely say, If the British Critic truly represents Anglican views, then the holders of them are Romanists in everything but the name; and the sooner they take the name as well as the thing, the more creditable it will be to their honesty, and the better for the Church which will be relieved from such an incubus.

But while the British Critic rages against the doctrines of the Church and of the Reformation, and glories in the fact, that its own learned, pious and meek-spirited adherents have been willing to become 'agitators,' to break in upon the peace of the contented,' to raise 'doubts in the minds of the uncomplaining,' to 'vex the Church with controversy,' to 'alarm serious men,' and to 'interrupt the established order of things,' all for the benevolent purpose of unprotestantizing' the Church, another publication appears in the form of a letter from Dr. Pusey to the Archbishop of Canterbury, very respectfully, yet also very plainly chiding the Bishops, who have spoken against the system, as being angry without cause at proceedings which they did not understand! The writer professes to speak on behalf of others, rather than on his own. He fears lest an attempt to check the movement, should drive the younger portion of the party into the arms of Rome. It is indeed, in his judgment, too late for any mere check. "When the whole ocean is stirred from its depths, to what end to stay, if we could, a single wave?" Surely then the Bishops should sympathize' with these meek and quiet spirits, and if possible strike in with the current; but if not, at all events be quiet.' Here are words of peace from hearts intent on war. Here is the Daniel O'Connell of the ecclesiastical fray, who first raises the storm, and then affects, by soothing words, to speak a calm. When we put together the rabid intolerance of the British Critic, and the syren-strains of Pusey's address to the Archbishop, and know that one spirit moves and animates both, we may discern, in the same person, the mild voice of Jacob, and the rough and warlike hands of Esau.

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Here closes the Bishop of Ossory's sketch of the progress of the Tractarian heresy. Since the Charge was delivered, one more important series of steps has been taken; namely, the preaching and publication of Pusey's popish Sermon, and the censure passed on it by the University of Oxford. It is impossible that such a production should fail to increase the fears of all sound Churchmen for the result of this outbreak. It is almost as certain, that in the present state of many minds-deeply tainted by tractarian_notions, several more converts must be made by it to Romanism. We shall not, however, enter into any further detail. Enough and perhaps more than enough has been said, to show our dangers, and to direct the attention of Christians to the consideration of the best means for meeting the approaching crisis.

One thing ought to be deeply impressed upon the minds of all our readers, which is, that the present times are no times for supineness, for letting things take their own course, or for waiting in the expectation that they will correct themselves. Error is too rife, too rampant, too insidious, too crafty, and too persevering to be left to work its own cure. The Christian must put on a bold, uncompromising front, and must be willing both to fight and to suffer in his Master's cause. Yet the weapons

of his warfare are not carnal; he may be actively and efficiently employed, when a mere looker on would think he was doing nothing. It is necessary, that some should wade through the depths of this new controversy, and that others should lift the warning voice against the inroads of false doctrine, and that all should be careful to discountenance it, to the utmost of their power. But there is one thing more necessary than all besides, and that is prayer, to Him who alone can stay the proud waves of this unhallowed controversy, and speak this storm into a great calm. "The enemy is now coming in like a flood," let us not cease to pray, that "the Spirit of the Lord may lift up a standard against him." When this is done-and done we believe it will be, in answer to prayer-we may hope for a more abundant blessing upon the Church of Christ, from the hand of Him who bringeth good out of evil, causing even the wrath of man to praise him, and restraining that remainder of it, which would injure his cause and bring dishonour on his name.

THE ENGLISH GOVERNESS. A Tale of real life. By R. M'CRINDALL, Authoress of the School Girl in France. Small 12mo. pp. ix. and 300. London, W. H. Dalton, 1844.

We may take this opportunity of observing, that we frequently insert the size of the books we review, as well as the number of pages contained in them. This we do for the convenience of our readers. But as so many new forms and shapes have come into fashion of late, we fear we should not be generally understood, were we to designate all books by the strict title of the size to which they justly belong. We therefore prefer to keep to the designations which are most commonly known, and to add an adjective to qualify the same. We refer to the Title of the book, as given above for an illustration of these remarks. This volume is strictly speaking foolscap octavo,' but bears no resemblance to the usual octavo size. It corresponds, in appearance, with the works entitled, The Christian's Family Library,' and others of like nature, which seem to have earned the meed of public approbation.

We never had the pleasure of reading any production of Miss M'Crindell's before; and we have some difficulty in forming a just opinion of her merits as an Authoress. The public, however, seem already to have shewn their approval of her former work, as the commencement of her preface informs us. It is as follows;

'The unhoped-for success which has attended the publication of 'the Schoolgirl in France,' has emboldened the author again to come forward before the public, hoping that her present attempt may also meet with some share of favour and encouragement. The English Governess' is a simple narrative, consisting almost entirely of facts, with very little mixture of fiction. In it she has attempted to pourtray the efficacy of vital religion, in sustaining the true Christian under trials and bereavements which would otherwise be overwhelming; and the power of scriptural principles, in enabling the mind to pursue that path of self-denying adherence to duty which the Bible enjoins, when it commands us not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.'

If this book illustrates Miss M'Crindell's ideas of the meaning of a

'simple narrative,' we should be curious indeed to see a specimen of what she would designate as complex'! We profess not ourselves to have any extensive acquaintance with the class of narratives generally styled novels, but we imagine it would be difficult to outdo the small volume before us as far as the marvellous is concerned. Our vague idea of a fashionable novel is, a book in three volumes, price one guinea and a half; the object of the first volume being to introduce to us a hero or heroine generally the latter-of a well nigh immaculate order; that of the second, to bring the said personage into some unnatural and almost inconceivable circumstances of danger or distress; and that of the third to emancipate her from the depths of misery, and place her on the highest pinnacle of prosperity. A marriage connected with every cir cumstance of exultation, and with no mixture of disappointment, seems to be the crown of the whole! How far these notions are just, probably many of our readers are better aware than we either are or care to be; as we conceive time to be far too precious to be expended on such worthless and injurious productions.

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But we venture to express the belief that there are few novelists who have such materials to work with, as have been supplied to Miss M'Crindell in this simple narrative' of facts. There are few heroines who meet with such a practical catastrophe as to be hurled headlong from the Rock of Gibraltar! or whose felicity is so great as not only to be preserved alive, but preserved to marry a wild young officer, reputed to be killed at a steeple chase,' but now transmogrified into an excellent clergyman'!

But while the impression produced upon us by the perusal of this book, almost compels us to write in a strain which our readers may possibly think somewhat satirical; they will, perhaps, be more than surprised, when we state, that we have, notwithstanding, been extremely interested, and we believe edified by the perusal of Miss M'Crindell's volume. Were we credulous enough to believe it all true, or any thing approximating to truth, we should think it one of the most extraordinary narratives that ever was detailed. But as we are too sceptical for any such belief, we can only say that we cannot but regret that so much interesting and valuable matter, should have been mixed up with so much fictitious absurdity.

We think we are only doing justice to our Authoress when we state, that her style is pleasing and forcible, incumbered with no long and ill-punctuated sentences, like the productions of some able writers, of the female sex, whom we could mention; and that her sentiments on subjects connected with morality and religion are, in our opinion, very correct and scriptural. Whether she belongs to the Church of England, or is a Dissenter, we cannot find out from her book. She seems to patronize, to a great extent, a Missionary in Spain who is, we suppose, a Dissenter; and she allows one of her approved characters, somewhat sneeringly to style an unworthy Clergyman, one of the successors of the apostles,' when speaking of his grossly unclerical conduct. But though we consider the latter of these, at all events, as unwise and inexpedient; yet we feel no considerable anxiety for the defence of those clergymen who thrust themselves into the ministry of the church, for which they are alike uncalled and unfitted; and we rather rejoice when the justly earned discredit falls on their own heads, instead of on

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the Church of which they are the incumbrance and disgrace. With respect to the former point alluded to; we feel it utterly impossible conscientiously to discourage the efforts of pious Dissenters for the spiritual welfare of their fellow-creatures, especially when they are confined to the attempt to propagate christianity among so grossly ignorant and benighted a people as the inhabitants of degraded and unhappy Spain. We suppose, from Miss M'Crindell's statement at p. 200., that she, in common with most Authoresses of the present day, holds the notion of a Pre-millenial Advent of our blessed Saviour, and of his Personal Reign upon earth. She, however, alludes to it rather incidentally, and expresses no very decided opinion on the subject. We believe that the very praiseworthy interest taken by many christian ladies in the spiritual welfare of God's once highly-favoured people of the Jewish race, leads them on to espouse the notions to which we have alluded. We had always been led to conclude that no necessary connection whatever subsisted, between the restoration of the Jews to their own land, and the pre-millenial advent, and personal reign of our Saviour upon earth. To the former we have always assented with that moderation of tone and manner which a somewhat doubtful subject seemed to call for, while the latter has formed no portion of our creed. We must still hold to the belief that no such connection necessarily exists. And withal, we must candidly confess, that could it be proved to subsist, we should, with our present sentiments, be much more disposed to believe, that we had mistaken the language of Scripture on the former, than on the latter topic. In other words, the insuperable difficulties which appear to militate against a Personal Reign on earth, far more than counterbalance the beneficial results which can be traced as following a restoration to temporal privileges to the Jewish people. This is not the place to dwell* more minutely on the subject; but we must beg our readers to bear in mind, that spiritual blessings yet in store for the descendants of Abraham, according to the flesh, are far different from the temporal benefits which seem to be so disproportionately dwelt on. Of the former we entertain not a single doubt. As respects the latter, we are content to hope and believe, without being unduly tenacious of our own opinion. To the authority of Scripture, on both, we are perfectly ready to bow with unqualified submission. We only ask for the unprejudiced decision of a sound and judicious mind, as well as of one thoroughly imbued with Christian principles.

Having touched on the somewhat exceptionable points in the volume of our Authoress, we are happy to turn to those in which our views entirely coincide with hers. Another extract from her preface shall inform our readers of the second object she has in view in the publication of this work.

'But the author has had a still more important object in view,-that of awakening the attention of British Christians to the spiritual destitution, and degraded condition, of unhappy Spain, and her interesting, though misguided children. She has endeavoured to sketch, though but very faintly, the sad effects of that pernicious system, miscalled religion, under whose fearful influence they are still kept in a state of ignorance, spiritual delusion, and awful moral degradation, which no one can conceive, who has not had the opportunity of personally observing it. She is convinced, that no sincere follower of Christ could witness the characteristic effects of the great apostacy, without a fervent desire to make some effort, for the rescue of its devoted