fessor of Logic, Rhetoric, and Metaphysics, in the University of St. Andrews. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1853.

The history of a language and the history of its literature are two very distinct and captivating subjects of inquiry. Both are the history of the human mind; the one of its progress in the creation of the vehicle of thought, and consequently, of the general character of thought itself; the other, of the various forms of intellectual cultivation which lie embodied in the language, and which are necessarily less general than the language. All languages, perhaps, have a literature, from the traditionary ballad to the lofty philosophic system. Some have a very meagre literature, while others are rich in the productions of genius. No modern language can vie with the English in its hoarded literary treasures. So abundant and valuable are they, that their historical review becomes an extensive and profitable study, the facilities for which, through the industry of English scholars, are constantly increasing. The work of Mr. Spalding is a striking example. It takes a thorough and comprehensive survey of the progress of our literature from its remotest developement in the Anglo-Saxon and Norman times, through its successive and complicated stages, to the close of the present half-century. In the historical sketch of the language itself, he points out "the introduction of its constituent elements; the transition of the Saxon into the English; the formation of its structure, and the sources of the modern English Tongue." In all these investigations, we perceive an intimate acquaintance with the subject.

15. Elements of Rhetoric. By Richard Whateley, D. D., Archbishop of Dublin. Reprinted from the seventh (octavo) edition. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1853.

If Whateley's Rhetoric had not been long before the world, and its reputation perfectly established, we should deem it a duty to detain the reader's attention at some length upon so invaluable a production. It is, in truth, the only treatise which deserves the name, or gives a scientific view of its own nature and objects. That of Campbell is not only repulsive by its name but is, in many instances, intricate and confused. That of Blair, the popularity of which has been unequalled in this country, and which has greatly contributed to improve the style, is, it must be confessed, only a part of Rhetoric. That of Whateley exactly defines its province, by making it "an off-shoot of Logic," That province is," the finding of suitable ARGUMENTS to prove a given point, and the skillful arrangement of them." This is the germ of his system, which is expanded into "the address to the understanding; the address to the will; style and elocution; with an appendix of extracts from authors, with remarks." This is his entire system, treated with that profound knowledge of the subject and that practical good sense combined which must ever render him the most reliable of instructors.

16. The Rhetoric of Conversation; or bridles and spurs for the management of the tongue. By George Winfred Hervey. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1853.

The name is more a novelty than the subject to which it is given. Though not employed in its strictly scientific sense, the term rhetoric is not inapplicable to the conversation, for it is intended to indicate that system of rules which should regulate our speech in the private and social relations of life; which inculcates both the proprieties and moralities of language in our intercourse with each other. In these respects, it differs from the Rhetoric of public addresses or of literary composition. To impart purity, elegance, truthfulness and edification to our every day language, is an object worthy of a Christian philosopher. There is no treatise, in our knowledge, which occupies the place allotted to this volume. It is one of the very few which has no competitor in its vocation, and its perusal will suggest many means of improving and elevating the most useful and instructive of all gifts.

17. Theory of Politics: an inquiry into the foundations of governments, and the causes and progress of Political revolutions. By Richard Hildreth. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1853.

There is no problem, in human science, more complicated or difficult of solution than the one propounded in the foregoing title. The elements of society and of government are so deeply embedded and so widely distributed in the family of man, that the most powerful generalizations cannot harmoniously embrace them; and no man can elaborate a theory which will appear unexceptionable to others. Yet all political economists have flattered themselves that they discovered the secret of universal government. Monarchy, democracy, socialism, have all their philosophical advocates. who enunciate their formulas of government with oracular authority. Mr. Hildreth handles his positions with equal confidence, but whether he has established them politicians must decide. On the primary and secondary sources of power, he has many original ideas. On the forms of government, and their influence upon the progress of civilization and upon human happiness, his observations are not unworthy of the dignity of his theme. They are delivered in a condensed and axiomatic form, expressive of laborious thinking. They will be read with profit, if not with unqualified approval. 18. A visit to Europe in 1851. By Prof. Benjamin Silliman, of Yale College. In two volumes, with illustrations. New York: George P. Putnam & Co. 1853.

The travels of Prof. Silliman cannot be classed with the viatory adventures or the romantic pictures of the vast majority of modern tourists, who have no other ends to serve but vanity or leisure; or with the more sober diaries of clerical and professional valetudinarians, who convert the means of health into the occasion of a book. He is an American savant, in the ma

turity of his intellectual proportions, and endowed with the rich fruits of a life successfully devoted to science. Having visited Europe in 1805, chiefly at the instance of his son he repeated his visit in 1851, after the lapse of nearly forty-five years, in the serene evening of a vigorous old age. He carefully recorded his observations on all the great objects of nature and art with which he met, as well as on the institutions of the countries through which he passed. These observations have the twofold value of taste and science. They delight us with their representations of the grand and the beautiful, and instructs us with the solid information which they impart. He has favored us likewise, with occasional sketches of the scientific dignitaries of Europe. A number of picturesque engravings accompany the volumes.

19. A manual of Greek Literature, from the earliest authentic periods to the close of the Byzantine era. By Charles Anthon, LL. D. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1853.

The professional duties of Dr. Anthon, in his annual lectures to the senior classes, originated the present manual, in aid of their classical studies. From the time and labor bestowed upon it, and its frequent repetition before the students, it is necessarily exempted from the charge of a hasty production or a servile compilation. On no subject, perhaps, has he exercised more patient industry than in the examination of rare and costly authorities. It is a matter of delightful surprise to witness the results which learned labor has accomplished, in late years, in removing obscurities from the productions, and introducing us into the interior life of the most polished and influential nation of antiquity. The institutions and the literature of Greece are laid open to us with the clearness and satisfaction of modern history. On the study of the language itself and on the cultivation of liberal and refined sentiments, a knowledge of the Greek literature will powerfully act; and those who come after us will enjoy advantages for classical attainments to which we have been strangers.

20. A Second Book on Latin; containing Syntax, and reading lessons in prose, forming a sufficient Latin reader. With imitative exercises and a Vocabulary. By John McClintock, D. D., late professor of ancient languages in Dickinson College. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1853. We shall be excused for indulging in a little denominational pride in recording the contributions made to sound classical learning by ministers and members of our own church. It always indicates a new epoch in the history of any body of men when they begin to perform their part in the mental culture of the generation in which they live. They are not only paying a debt to the race, but are laying the foundation of their own future prosperity and glory. We say this of the Methodist church in the United States, with pleasure. The period of its first aggressive triumphs having past, the spirit of intellectual improvement has arisen to give them depth and security. It is the second historical stage of the church, and the second symp

tom of its permanence and utility. No denomination of Christians, has, within the same length of time, done more for the promotion of literature; and not one, in this country, commands at present, so many fountains of learning for both sexes. The production of text-books is yet another step in the progress, which we are taking, especially when they are of a class which partakes of the most philosophic methods of the age. The Greek and Latin grammars of Dr. McClintock we rank in this class. We risk nothing in placing them in the advance of similar American publications, in their philological spirit and accuracy. Dr. McClintock's intimacy with German literature, and his experience as a professor, enable him to meet the wants of the times, and to anticipate the labors of others. His Second Book in Latin is a proof of the maturity of his judgment. After recapitulating the Syntax of the First Book, he furnishes progressive lessons from Cæsar and Cicero, with short philological notes upon words and phrases, and introduces a system of exercises upon the basis of the extracts; enabling the student not only to apply the grammatical principles upon which they were analyzed, but to form his Latinity after their perfect model. A vocabulary of all the words employed is added at the end.

21. Notes on the Twenty-five Articles of Religion, as received and taught by Methodists in the United States; in which the doctrines are carefully considered, and supported by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures. By Rev. A. A. Jimeson, M. D. Cincinnati: Applegate & Co. 1853.

We regret that this very rare book has reached our desk too late to receive, in this number, that full notice which its undoubted importance demands. And yet, our conviction of its immediate utility will not permit us to wait the lapse of an entire quarter without announcing its appearance to our readers. It occupies a place hitherto totally unsupplied in our church literature, and of which the want has been almost universally, if not keenly felt. It is a systematic digest and exposition of the articles of faith as held by the Methodists in the United States, comprising their three principal divisions. For it is a notable fact, that though they differ in ecclesiastical posi tion, they harmonize perfectly in the maintainance of these articles. Yet, although they have set forth their symbols, there never has been a book specially devoted to their consecutive illustration. The author, feeling the necessity in his own case, after the study of several years, has undertaken the task of meeting it for others, as well as for himself. And, if we may be allowed, upon, as yet, a superficial examination of the book, to express an opinion, he deserves the thanks and the patronage of the entire Methodist public. He is a thorough Methodist himself, though to which of the branches of Methodism he belongs, we know not, nor does it matter. He is well read and judicious. Each of the Twenty-five Articles is taken up in order; all of their members are explained in opposition to the errors against which they protest, and in their practical relations to the great system of revealed truth; and are sustained by Scriptural proofs. The manner and style are well adapted to their object; and their object, appears to

us, to be fully accomplished; which is, to present a clear, concise, and yet comprehensive view of the fundamentals of our faith, and the grounds upon which they rest. Both for ourselves, and to define our exact position in the ecclesiastical world, it is an invaluable publication; a beautiful duodecimo of 407 pages, with a copious index of all the subjects discussed. Such a book will do more to make well-informed Methodists, on these points, than any one of the same size in our catalogues; and we trust that it will find its way throughout our Zion.

22. The Way of Peace. By Henry A. Rowland. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1853.

A simple, unpretending, but well digested and useful treatise on the most important of all subjects; peace of mind: religious peace. It is neither doctrinal nor ethical, but spiritual and experimental. Those who sigh for spiritual repose will find, in these pages, many a lesson to guide their inquiries and to comfort their souls.

23. The Missionary of Kilmany; being a memoir of Alexander Paterson, with notices of Robert Edie. By Rev. John Baillie. New York: Carter & Brothers. 1853.

Another jewel added to the crown of the Redeemer. Such was Mr. Paterson. He and Robert Edie were the first two converts under the ministry of Dr. Chalmers, at Kilmany, soon after his own memorable change. Mr. Paterson was a weaver by trade. He became an eminent Christian, and afterwards, a home missionary, the value of whose labors eternity alone will disclose. After Dr. Chalmers had removed to Edinburgh and had surveyed the extent of its outcast population, amongst others, he enlisted the sympathies of a lady, who offered to support a missionary whom he might select to labor in one of the most destitute districts. Alexander Paterson was his choice, and though an unlettered man, for twenty-five years, he scattered the goodly seed with glorious success amongst its degraded inhabitants. His labors constitute a bright page in the missionary annals of the day, and a hallowed fragrance embalms his memory in the hearts of neglected thousands.

24. Water from the Well-Spring, for the Sabbath hours of afflicted believers; being a complete course of morning and evening meditations for every Sunday in the year. By Edward Henry Bickersteth, M. A. New York: Carter & Brothers. 1853.

The hours of affliction are not only hours of solitude, but of severe trial to the Christian. They require, not only the balm of sympathy, but the cordial of consolation; oft-repeated and special consolation. The present tribute to the suffering people of God is designed to be their Sabbath companion. It is not only adjusted to their spiritual wants, but to their bodily strength, by its brief requisition upon the attention. It is full of sweet soft tones from the inspired harp. Appropriate Scriptural themes furnish