most of their laws were not only wise in their generation and suited to their climate and circumstances, but among them there are many that we might do very well to copy. Whence comes this total neglect and indifference as to the health of the community? It seems that each community, as such, thinks it not only right in itself, but true self-interest, to provide for the education of its children; it is not found either right or wise to let children grow up in ignorance and degradation of mind. But how is it with the body? Does any one feel that there is anything to be done to prevent the education into habits of drunkenness, of the children of drunken parents? Does any one consider it his business to guard against typhus fevers by taking measures before hand to prevent starvation and ill-living? Does any one fear the stench and effluvia from filth collected in his neighborhood or town or city, provided he keep his own house, yard, and skin clean? Who takes the lead in draining bog lands from which arise marsh and other fevers? Who, until cholera and fever drive them into it, take any steps in the paths of sanitary reform in cities? And who continue in the good way after the panic is past?

Is it not time to ask whether this letting things alone ought not to be put a stop to, because it is not the right way, neither the best way? The wise must think for the foolish, and not only think, but act; the strong for the weak, or Christianity and human improvement will not move forward one inch. But let us take courage, inasmuch as this is slowly and surely doing, not by the great, and rich, and mighty, so much as by the sound, hearty human sympathies of the people themselves.

The world was given to man that he should cultivate and subdue it; and selfishness has been the strong stimulant under which he has removed mountains; but it becomes necessary to enlighten this selfishness by benevolence, before it can fully do its work. "Local miasms, from defective drainage, are," says Dr. Moore, "the most pregnant causes of disease. We need heroes of the Herculean stamp, to cleanse, drain, and irrigate the world we live in; but great wisdom, as well as power, is required in the undertaking, for though the means are abundant enough, the knowledge and combination necessary to employ them are at present, alas! sought in vain." Again: "What an amount of poison must be floating about in that chaos of eternal smoke, hanging over London (or any city), with its volatile corruption' arising from the decomposition of fifty-two thousand corpses annually interred within its limits. The two hundred and eighteen acres in which they lie are black and greasy; the wells near them contain nitrates and other results of putrid

decay, producing a tendency to dysentery and low fever; and the close courts around them must have a deadly atmosphere, which the man from the country, with any sensibility of nerve, immediately perceives, and as quickly suffers from." This is a strong picture, not a pleasant one to the delicate sensibilities of some readers; but it seems that rose-colored sentiment, with all the help of art, will not heal the broken-hearted, nor bind up the wounds of the fallen, nor sweeten the gutters of the street. No one can at all estimate the amount, not only of valuable information, which would result from intelligent inquiry and examination as to the sources and remedies of diseases partaking of the character of epidemics and contagions; neither can any one at all foresee what improvement might result from the public attention being properly directed to such matters as have been under discussion. The reader is perhaps ready to say "it is easy enough to find fault, but I cannot leave my business to attend to such things. What would you have us to do?" Fortunately Dr. Stevens in a recent report has suggested the beginning of the movement. He recommends the appointment of a public Health Officer!

Should not this be done at once, by choosing one for the corporation of every large town-and one or more for each State? Might it not be his business to lecture through the State, to examine into the diseases of districts, and in connection with a public board of health, make such recommendations either to legislatures, counties or towns, as might seem best? The appointment of such an officer would be the first step, and every man may do his part toward such an appointment. It is not necessary, perhaps not best, that he should be a physician of high standing or of any standing; it would probably be better to appoint an intelligent man, whose habits of body and mind. would lead to action. In connection too with the emigration boards of cities, such an officer might be invaluable, furnishing as he could a means of communication between them and unpeopled districts of country.

The effect of bodily suffering in leading to crime, too, is beginning to claim general attention, and it may be a question whether a sanitary police might not be more efficacious than some of our present Dogberries, and their watches. Galen was in the habit of saying, "Send your criminals to me!" It is pretty well known that the starvation in France more than anything else, led to the first violences of the French revolution of 1789, where by some prudent property-holders not only lost money, but heads-indicating that it is not always safe to take care of one's self alone. Captain Franklin found that his party, when suffer

ing from want of food, was liable to ill-temper and fierceness upon the slightest provocation; and that too, in spite of a strong moral tone which would at once bring them back to shame and penitence. "The author of Eothen, who, though anonymous, is evidently well-informed, states that the fasts of the Greek Church produce an ill effect upon the character of the people, for they are carried to such an extent as to bring on febrile irritation with depression of spirits, and a fierce desire for the perpetration of dark crimes. Hence the number of murders is greater during Lent than at any other time of the year.-Dr. Moore."

But let us come to a close, with a restatement of some of the positions which have been taken and sustained according to the ability of the writer, and the limits of such an article. These positions are commended to the careful consideration of the reader.

1. That obedience to the natural laws will insure health and life; disobedience is necessarily followed by sickness and premature death.

2. That these natural laws may be known by every one who will use his faculties in trying to know them, as the Creator intends he should.

3. That parents can secure sound bodies to their children by attention to these natural laws before birth; and are mostly responsible for their health during childhood.

4. That physical beauty may be secured by attention to these natural laws.

5. That disobedience to these laws results in idiocy and insanity, in addition to other ills.

6. That physical education should precede mental.

7. That girls are in more danger than boys from the want of physical education.

8. That occupation, requiring activity of soul and body, is necessary to sanity.

9. That excess of it leads to disorder.

10. That medicine in itself works no cures.

11. That public health-officers would relieve the police-officers, and assist the clergyman and philanthropist.

It may be expected that a few words should be said as to the two new books which stand at the head of our list. The second one is best adapted to popular use for its information and carefulness. A sentimental religious strain runs through the first, which would please some and displease others, but the books are valuable for the purpose which they have in hand, which cannot be said of all books. The other works quoted are sufficiently well known.

ART. VI. BROWN, ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER.

Expository Discourses on the First Epistle of the Apostle Peter. By JOHN BROWN, D.D., Senior Minister of the United Presbyterian Congregation, Broughton Place, Edinburgh, and Professor of Exegetical Theology to the United Presbyterian Church. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 285 Broadway. 8vo. pp. 800.

THE first epistle of Peter is one of the choicest books of the New Testament. It is not characteristically discursive as are the epistles of Paul, nor meditative as are those of John, nor ethical as is the epistle of James, but it is instructive, devotional and practical all in one. It presents the great facts of the Christian faith, in statements singularly compact, forcible and full of meaning. It kindles the feelings by the very force and interest of the truths which it utters, accomplishing by a word or a hint what might be expanded and repeated, in a variety of forms. It draws from these truths, the most important practical duties, by natural and conclusive inferences without the formality of deduction. The manner of the writer, so far as it is peculiar, arises preeminently from his felicity in condensing into striking statements, truths which furnish their own evidence from the manner and form in which they are uttered. There is no single book of the New Testament which within the same extent contains more, perhaps none which contains so much, of the Christian system of doctrine and of duty, as this epistle of five chapters. For the reasons which we have given, it has always been a favorite book for public exposition and private reading. No book is more frequently opened for familiar remarks in the lecture-room; none is more fruitful of meditation in the closet.

Of all the commentaries upon this favorite epistle, that which stands highest in the estimation of the church, is the commentary of Archbishop Leighton.-" Next to the inspired Scripture," says Coleridge, "yea, and as the vibration of that once struck hour remaining on the air, stands Leighton's Commentary on the first epistle of Peter." Dr. Doddrige, his editor, calls Leighton "this great adept in true Christianity," and speaks with enthusiasm of "the delight and edification which he had found in the writings of this wonderful man." Dr. Henry Miles, a correspondent of Doddridge, says with truth: "There is a spirit in Archbishop Leighton I never met with in any human writings; nor can I read many lines in them without being moved."

Leighton is always just in thought, generally correct and even felicitous in his exposition of the meaning of the apostle, but always felicitous in the exposition of practical Christianity. His style is uncommonly pure and correct for its time. It often rises into passages of exquisite beauty, and is studded with images which are strikingly appropriate, and satisfy the mind with serene and delightful associations. The occasional formality of expression suits well with the authority of one speaking with the positiveness suited to a long experience of the power of the gospel. The dash of quaintness gives variety and freshness to that sweetness and melody, which otherwise might cloy and tire. The mystic vein to which the author was inclined by his natural temperament and a long life of sorrow, differs as widely from the forced and second-hand imitations which obtrude themselves upon the public in these days, as the fragrance that loads the atmosphere of a breezy day in June differs from the stifling and sickening odor that is emitted from a conservatory of plucked and fading flowers.

It may naturally be asked, If Leighton is so good, what occasion, or room even, is there for another exposition? Surely all attempts to rival Leighton must be vain. This is true. Leighton cannot be rivaled or equaled upon his own ground. But he has not occupied the whole ground. We have now ample means by which to elicit the exact meaning of the sacred text. The truths of Christianity must now be brought to face the antagonist opinions that are peculiar to our times. The duties that the gospel enjoins, though the same in principle, and similar in their leading features, need to be illustrated with reference to new conditions of society, and to be enforced against mighty systems of error, that, in the name of Christian reform, overturn the foundations of Christian ethics, and abjure the very spirit of Christ. Besides, Leighton is not sufficiently close and specific in unfolding the truths and duties of his text to meet the wants of those in every generation who look to an exposition, not only for principles but for their particular applications.

The exposition before us is evidently the work of a superior man and an industrious scholar. The author had at his command the most important appliances which the Latin, English, and French commentaries could furnish, and the aid of a translation from the German work of Steiger. It is obvious that he has made diligent use of these helps, and what is of more consequence, that he has sagacity and good sense in seizing upon the meaning of his author, and the power of stating that meaning in condensed and felicitous language of his own. This last peculiarity is rare. To understand an author, even to the incer