the great actors, the local history of Geneva, its surrounding scenery, even the old divisions of the city, its walls and environs, and the modern alterations, all are held present to his view, as the back-ground and framing to set forth the story of Calvin in its right relations to the times, and in its proper relief, as contrasted with the men of his day. The references are copious, and the quotations are satisfactory. Nothing on this score is deficient, but the means are at hand for the justification or refutal of the biographer's opinions. We regret, indeed, that the work of translation did not fall into the hands of a scholar, more accurate, and more in sympathy with all the views of the reformer. We regret also the heaviness of the style, and the erudite dullness of the composition. But this is more apparent than real. To the general reader even, who will commence the reading in an earnest spirit, the interest will warm and increase as he advances, till it will rise to excitement. To the scholar and the theologian, it will be a treasure-house of constant reference and instruction. The reading of ecclesiastical history in the lives of the most eminent men of past times, is fitted to confirm the believing, to liberalize the narrow-minded, to correct those tempted to error. It cannot be too strongly recommended to the Christian teacher. The preacher is in all respects improved by it for his appropriate work. Especially is he encouraged by the lives of eminent preachers and theologians of other times. He feels that his work is great and important, and however discouraging its present aspects, and feeble its results, its fruit will remain. We mourn that so few have a taste for reading of this kind, and that of the few who have the taste, so many are limited in the means to gratify it.

General History of the Christian Religion and Church: From the German of DR. AUGUSTUS NEANDER. Translated from the last Edition. By JOSEPH TORRAY, Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy in the University of Vermont. Volume Fourth, comprising the fifth volume of the original, (Ninth and tenth parts of the whole work). First American Edition. Boston: Published by Crocker & Brewster. 1851.

A MINUTE, comprehensive and familiar acquaintance with individual facts, philosophical skill in connecting these facts together so that the whole shall correspond as near as may be to the plan of divine providence, in accordance with which they took place, and a Christian spirit united with versatility and depth of intellect and feelings, to enter into and understand and sympathize with the great men of the church and the world, these would seem to be some of the more important characteristics of the church historian. They were in a very remarkable manner combined in Neander. In respect to knowledge-a thorough and familiar acquaintance with the original sources, he stands in the first rank; but it is in the power of identifying himself with the times, and of looking at the great men of various temper of mind and various character, from that point of view in which they appear as they really were, and then of estimating all these facts and analyzing all these characters with a genuine Christian spirit, that Neander is unrivalled. It is delightful to read church history under the guidance of a teacher, whose warm Christian heart, enlarged by broad contemplations of Christian life, beats in unison with whatever is good in whomsoever it may be found; who can do justice to Tertullian as well as to Chrysostom, to Bernard as well as to Abelard. It is delightful to pursue one's studies with a truly learned, a truly profound, a truly liberal, warm-hearted, catholic Christian man. And such was Neander.

The present volume brings down church history from Gregory the Second to Boniface the Eighth, almost to the fourteenth century. Among other things it

treats of the renowned schoolmen of the middle ages, Anselm, Abelard, Bernard, Peter Lombard, Alexander of Hales, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, William of Paris, and others. The student of philosophy and the student of profane history will find much here to interest and instruct them. It is hardly necessary to say that Neander has been very fortunate in his translator.

Cosmos: A Sketch of a Physical Description of the Universe. By ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. Translated from the German by E. C. Oité. In three volumes. New York: Harper and Brothers, Publishers. 82 Cliff Street.

1851.

THIS is one of the great works of the present age, if not the very greatest. The vast circuit which it takes through the regions of knowledge, the precision and directness with which it speaks of the difficult question of science, the comprehensiveness of its views and the accuracy of its details, all make it a most remarkable work. Humboldt, it is not too much to say, is the only man living who could have written it. The first volume was published in Germany, in 1845, the second in 1847, the third not till very recently. But although the work has been written within a comparatively recent period, the fundamental principle of it— "the combination of cosmical phenomena in one sole picture of nature”—was announced more than twenty years ago, in the public lectures of the author. The idea then announced has been at length realized. There have been three translations in England. The present publishers have done well in adopting the translation of E. C. Otte, and in following the edition of Bohn. And in every respect, the American is equal to the English edition.

The Philosophy of Mathematics: Translated from the Cours de Philosophie Positive of AUGUSTE COMTE. By W. M. GILLESPIE, Professor of Civil Engineering and Adj. Professor of Mathematics in Union College. New York. Harper and Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff Street. 1851. 8vo. pp. 260.

WE have read this book with much pleasure and instruction. We agree entirely with the estimate which the translator has made of it. It is the opinion of mathematicians, we believe, that it contains the best classification of the several sciences included under the general term Mathematics, which has as yet been proposed. Indeed, in point of simplicity, sharp and definite distinctions, and masterly development, we see not what more is wanted. We observe there has been some controversy in the religious newspapers as to the position which Comte holds in the world of science, and the translator has been somewhat blamed for the way in which he has spoken of him. Possibly a fuller account of the author would have been better; but if this is actually the best work on the subject of which it treats, as we suppose it to be, we see no objection against saying so.

The History of Rome. By THOMAS ARNOLD, D.D., late Regius Professor of Modern History in the University of Oxford, Head Master of Rugby School, and Member of the Archæological Society of Rome. Three volumes in one. Reprinted, entire, from the last London edition. New York: Appleton & Company, 200 Broadway. 1851. pp. 670.

THIS history of Dr. Arnold is so well known that no criticism is needed in a notice of this kind. It will be sufficient to say, in regard to this edition, that in printing the three volumes in one, the publishers have made the work much more convenient as a text-book for school; and we are glad to learn that it has been extensively used for this purpose.

London Labor and the London Poor: A Cyclopædia of the condition and earnings of those that will work, those that cannot work, and those that will not work. By HENRY MAYHEW. Vol. I. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff street. 1851. pp. 531.

THIS work uncovers a world of heathendom existing in the midst of the highest civilized and the most christianized nation of Europe. We felt, in glancing over its pages, that the world of abominations which the Apostle Paul so graphically describes, was here restored to life. Some commentator has remarked that the disinterment of Herculaneum and Pompeii confirms all that the apostle has said even when applied to the most civilized nations of antiquity. But we doubt if there is any debasement depicted in these disinterred cities which is more horrible than what has been brought to light, not from hidden recesses, not from burrows under ground, but in the lighted streets of London and on the fair fields of England. It lies within sight of the Bishop of London and the Dean of Westminster. But not the least remarkable thing about these disclosures is, that the large majority of the people who make up this world within the world of London, are engaged in the ordinary avocations of life. They are tradesmen. They sell articles of diet and wearing apparel, cheap luxuries and cheap literature, as well as the cheap incitements to vice. They have their laws of trade, their competitions, their upper and lower classes, their wholesale and retail merchants, their authors, their literature, in its several classes, from a merry ballad to a horrible tragedy; their theaters and their operas, but no school-house, no church, no household. It is men and women, with every restraint removed but that of brute force, laboring but just to escape starvation, debased by harsh and dreadful poverty, "without hope and without God in the world."

Is it possible that this state of society has been suffered to grow up without guilt by that National Church, the most richly endowed of any in the world, which claims, as its peculiar mission, to teach the whole people of England the way of life? We trust that the disclosures made in this volume may be the means of arousing the Church of England to its duty in this matter, and may serve as a lesson to our own countrymen not to suffer such things to take a start in any of our cities. If this should be the result, the publication will be timely; though we must acknowledge, we doubt whether the general circulation of the volume will be of any advantage to the community. It is not safe always to describe vice, even with a good intent.

Literary Reminiscences; from the Autobiography of an Opium Eater. By THOMAS DE QUINCEY. In two volumes. Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields. New Haven: T. H. Pease. 1851.

WE have heretofore spoken of this collection of the writings of De Quincey. We need not repeat what we then said upon the great value of his productions. But the present volumes of literary reminiscences possess a peculiar interest. De Quincey lived for many years in the neighborhood of Wordsworth and Southey, and was intimately acquainted with Coleridge, Lamb, Wilson and other men of letters, especially of that class who demed the supremacy of the Edinburgh Review. We have here his recollections of those distinguished men, and in some respects he gives us a different view of the "society of the Lakes," from that we had before entertained. But a work containing the literary reminiscences of such men as Wordsworth, Coleridge, Lamb, Southey, Davy, by such a man as De Quincey, needs only to be made known to be welcomed by every student of English literature and by the general reader.

Posthumous Poems of William Motherwell, now first collected. Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields. 1851.

MOTHERWELL is a true poet. He moves in the domain of fancy, not like a stranger, but like one whose home and possessions are there. His lyrical poetry is remarkable for smoothness of rhythm and beauty of diction. Tenderness and delicacy characterize his thoughts, simplicity and naturalness his expression. There is nothing in this volume equal to the choicest pieces in the earlier collection of his poems; though this volume, like that, is characterized by great ease of versification and delicacy of sentiment, and often by exquisite beauty of expression. The pensive pieces lack the depth of pathos, and the warlike ones the vigor, which mark the best of his productions. Yet, there are gems in this collection, such as, "The Rocky Islet," and "Oh, think nae mair of me," which will make it welcome to his numerous admirers.

The History of the United States of America, from the adoption of the Federal Constitution to the end of the Sixteenth Congress. By RICHARD HILDRETH. In three volumes. Volume II. John Adams & Thomas Jefferson. New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff street. 1851. 8vo. pp. 686.

THIS Volume is filled with much interesting matter. It contains the history of the violent contest which resulted in the overthrow of the Federal party, and the predominance in political power of the Democratic party. The idolaters of Thomas Jefferson will not be much pleased with the exhibition which is here made of him, or rather which, by means of his letters, he is compelled to make of himself. Others, who would be glad to see full justice done to him, will think, perhaps, there is still needed a comprehensive and philosophical development of his whole character.

Appleton's Dictionary of Machines, Mechanics, Engine-work and Engineering. Illustrated with four thousand engravings on wood. In two volumes. Vol. I. pp. 960. Vol. II. pp. 960. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. 1851.

We have several times, during the publication of the successive numbers of this work, spoken in its behalf. And now that it is completed, we again commend it to the attention of our readers. A glance even at its pages will give one a high opinion of the great extent of the domain of mechanical science. It would seem as if almost everything was done by machinery. The work has been prepared with uncommon care and at great expense; it is beautifully printed, on good paper, and the drawings are every way admirable. It is an equal honor to publisher and editor. Such a work was much needed, and we doubt not it will be extensively useful.

The Literature and the Literary Men of Great Britain and Ireland. By ABRAHAM MILLS, A.M., Author of Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres, &c. In two volumes. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82 Cliff street. 1851.

THESE Volumes contain a course of lectures which the author has delivered professionally during the last twenty years. The title gives a sufficiently correct idea of what may be found in the work. The author treats first of AngloSaxon and of Anglo-Norman literature; he then commences with the first production in the English language, and traces the course of English literature down 40

VOL. IX.

to the age of Johnson, with which he ends. He gives a short biographical sketch of each author, mentions their principal works, and adds extracts from their writings. These selections are well made, and the sketches accurately drawn. The reader, however, will not meet with much criticism, and what there is does not go beyond the range of Blair. The scholar will be a little surprised to find the author assuming, in regard to Ossian, that he actually composed the poems attributed to him by Macpherson. Indeed, he calls him "the brightest and perhaps the only ornament of the Celtic age." We think this question ought to be considered as settled. We cannot commend the work for profound criticism, but the reader will find a connected account of the principal English writers with well-selected extracts from their writings.

Memoir of the Rev. W. H. Hewitson, late Minister of the Free Church of Scotland. By the Rev. JOHN BAILLIE, Linlithgow. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 285 Broadway. 1851.

We take a great deal of pleasure in making our readers acquainted with this memoir. The editor has well expressed, in a few words, what they will find in it," Genius and high scholarship, dedicated to the service of Christ, and laid a living sacrifice at his feet, is the life sketched in these pages." Dr. Kalley and Mr. Hewitson were the two principal instruments in the great work of reforma tion in the Island of Madeira. Dr. Kalley laid the foundation and Mr. Hewitson reared the superstructure. While the work was in progress, prudence required that the details should not be published. There is now no longer any reason for withholding a full account of what has been well called "the greatest fact of modern missions." The Christian world should know the history, both external and internal, of a work which, in one of the darkest spots of Popery, rescued so many souls from her grasp. Such a history will be found in this volume. It is the first account of the whole work we have had, and its authenticity is placed beyond all doubt. Dr. Kalley himself has given an account of its first stages, in a series of "Notes," contributed by him for this memoir, while Mr. Hewitson's letters and journals furnish the remainder.

Memoir of Adoniram Judson: Being a sketch of his Life and Missionary Labors. By J. CLEMENT, Author of "Noble Deeds of American Women." Auburn Derby & Miller. 1851.

THIS Volume comes before the public with sufficiently modest pretensions. It claims to be little more than a compilation, and contains but little biographical matter that has not already been given to the public. It can be viewed only as an outline sketch of Mr. Judson's life and missionary labors. It even announces that a more extended memoir-from the pen, we suppose, of Mrs. Judson, already a favorite authoress-is in process of publication. Such a work, giving a more detailed history of the Baptist missions in Burmah and Maulmain, is certainly demanded, and will be anticipated with no little interest. So far as the present will prevent the sale of the larger memoir, we regret its publication, but so far as it may operate to excite higher interest in the devoted Judson, father as he was of the American Baptist missions, and render the work by Mrs. Judson more extensively useful and pecuniarily profitable to herself, we rejoice. Viewed as introductory only to that work, the volume by Mr. Clement, executed as it is with no little merit, will be favorably received. It is issued by the publishers in good style, and, for a time, at least, will meet a ready sale.