Art. IX. Scientia Biblica: being a copious Collection of parallel Passages, printed in Words at Length, for the Illustration of the New Testament. The Whole so arranged as to illustrate and confirm the different Clauses of each Verse: together with the Text at Large, in Greek and English, the Various Readings, and the Chronology. Part I. 8vo. pp. 112. Price 38. London. 1823. AS the design and nature of this publication (which has just reached us) are precisely the same as those of the "New Self-interpreting Testament," noticed in our last Number, it will only be necessary to point out the slight variation of plan exhibited in the specimen before us, and the comparative merit of its execution. In the "Scientia Biblica," the introductory arguments,' ⚫ reconciliation of seeming contradictions,' and various trans'lations,' given by Mr. Platts, are omitted. The text, instead of running on, is broken into verses, and the parallel passages are interposed; an inconvenient method, were the publication designed to be used as a common Bible, but preferable for the student's purpose. The Greek text printed from Mill's edition of the Textus Receptus, is also given, together with the Various Readings. The Chronology is taken from Dr. Blaney. In examining the parallels, we have to make the same complaint as in the case of the Self-interpreting Testament, that the text is overloaded with fanciful, or remote, and useless illustrations, which swell the bulk of the work without enhancing its value, and distract the student more than they aid him. Ingenuity and diligence are far more conspicuously displayed, than judgement and discretion, in this compilation. Under Matt. ii. 12., for instance, are given Exod. i. 17. Acts iv. 19. v. 29. 1 Cor. iii. 19.-not one of them a parallel passage. Mr. Platts, with more propriety, contents himself with referring to Matt. i. 20, and, under the next verse, to Job xxxiii. 14-17. In the Genealogy, we have very needlessly introduced, the detailed account of the birth of Phares and Zarah, and all the preceding circumstances, as recorded in the xxxviiith chapter of Genesis; and part of the same history is a second time introduced under the 19th verse of the same chapter of the Evangelist, together with the laws respecting adultery at full length. The other names in the Genealogy are severally illustrated' in the same manner, by which means the first chapter of Matthew's Gospel, occupies twenty-seven closely printed columns. The simple words, "confessing their sins," in Matt. iii. 6., draw after them the following texts: Levit. xvi. 21. xxvi. 40. Numb. v. 7. Josh. vii. 19. Job xxxiii. 27. Psal. xxxii. 5. Prov. xxviii. 13. Dan. ix. 4. Mark ii. 13. Luke xv. 18-21. Acts xix. 18. Jam. v. 16. and 1 John i. 9. No notice is taken of any one of these parallels' by Mr. Platts; and we think him in the right. Again: under Matt. vi. 29., we have above a column taken up with 1 Kings x. 4-7. 2 Chron. ix. 13-22, 25, 27. There is no end to note-making at this rate of proceeding; but what purpose can it answer to the Biblical student? Amid this overwhelming redundancy, we hardly expected to be able to detect any thing like omissions. Yet, with no consistency or propriety, are the following parallels passed over. Under Matt. vi. 9. ". Psal. xcvi, 8. and Isa. lxiii. 16. Under ver. 13.a. Jam. i. 12, &c. 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. Under ver. 16. a. Matt. xvii. 21. Under ver. 17.a. Luke vii. 16. These texts are at least as relevant and as important as nine tenths of those which are cited, as our readers may satisfy themselves by comparing them; and they shew that the collection, though copious to a fault, might still be enlarged; that the selection is after all very arbitrary, being conducted on no sound principle. Even It is not too late for both Editors to review their plan. The work they have undertaken, would be very serviceable, if brought within a rational compass. It ought not to aim at being a verbal concordance: this is not wanted. The principle of self-interpretation is that which should govern the selection, and this does not always require the citation of every passage in which the word to be illustrated may occur. similar passages, if not necessary for the purpose of illustration, only incumber the notes. The rule of citing the texts at length, ought not to be adhered to in all cases. It cannot be necessary to give whole paragraphs from the historical portions of the Old Testament. A mere reference, or the first few words of the passage, would answer the student's purpose, in many instances, quite as well. We do not see the use of giving the Greek text, since no respect is paid to Greek parallelisms, and Schmidt's Concordance supersedes any attempt of that kind. We cannot but suspect that both works are got up more for sale than for use: otherwise, the pretension would not so far outrun the performance, and the bulk of the apparatus be so disproportionate to its power. ART. X. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the Press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the public, if consistent with its plan. Preparing for publication, in 1 vol. 8vo. The Life of Howell Harries, Esq. Founder of the Establishment at Trevecka, extracted chiefly from his letters and papers: with general observations on the state of religion in the principality of Wales during the principal part of the last century. By H. Brigstocke, Surgeon, Honorary Member of the M. & C. Society, &c. The profits of the work will be devoted to the sup'port of charity schools in Wales. Mrs. H. Brigstocke has in a state of forwardness, Athaliah, a sacred drama, .translated from the French of Racine. In the press, the entire works of Demosthenes and schines; with the Greek Text selected from the different editions which have been published of the whole or part of their works; a Latin Interpretation; the Greek Scholia; the notes of various commentators digested, and put under the text; the various Readings collated, and copious Indices. The notes of Riske have not been incorporated, but are printed in a subsequent part of the work. Reiske's text has never been adopted; but it has been collated throughout with the texts selected, and the variations placed immediately under the text of the new edition. Taylor's text has likewise been collated in all those orations in which it has not been used, and the variatious similarly placed. The continuation of Mr. Booth's Analytical Dictionary of the English Language is now in the press, and the several parts will be published successively, at short intervals. The printing of the second part was necessarily deJayed for the purpose of calculating, with some degree of probability, the number of copies that would be required. Nearly ready for publication, Horæ Momenta Cravena, or the Craven Dialect, exemplified in two dialogues, between Farmer Giles and his neighbour Bridget; to which is annexed a copious glossary of the dialect of Craven, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In the press, a Course of Lectures illustrative of the Pilgrim's Progress. By D. Warr, Minister of the Tabernacle, Haverfordwest. The generality of readers are not aware that much of the Pilgrim's Progress refers to the civil and ecclesiastical history of the times in which the Author lived, which it will be one object of these lectures to illustrate. 8vo. to subscribers, 6s. Preparing for publication, a critical Analysis of the Rev. E. Irving's Orations and Arguments, interspersed with reinarks on the composition of a sermon, by Philonous. The fourth edition of the Rev. T. H. Horne's Introduction to the Critical Study and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, will be ready for delivery early in October, in 4 large vols. 8vo. illustrated with maps and numerous fac-similes of Bibli cal MSS. Possessors of former editions may have (gratis) an additional facsimile, on applying for the same through their respective booksellers. Preparing for publication, Outlines of Midwifery, developing its Principles and Practice: intended as a text book for students, and a book of reference for junior practitioners. By J. T. Conquest, M.D. F.L.S. Member of the Royal College of Physicians, and the Medico Chirurgical Society of London, &c. &c. and one of the Lecturers on Midwifery at St. Bartholomew's Hospital-third edition, enlarged and illustrated by 12 copper plate engravings. Mr. Cottle of Bristol will shortly publish, Observations on the Orestor Caves, with their animal contents (dedicated by permission, to Sir Humphrey Davy.) lu this work will be given, engravings of the Fossil Remains of fourteen differeut animals, obtained, by Mr. C., from these caves, selected from between two and three thousand specimens of Jaws, Teeth, and Bones in his possession. In the press, a Second Volume of Brief Memoirs of Remarkable Children. Col. lected by a Clergyman of the Church of England. In the press, Memoirs of the late Captain James Neale. By the Rev. George Barclay, of Irvine. In the press, a New Edition, much improved, of Miss Benger's Me:noirs of Mary, Queen of Scots. ART. XI. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. BIOGRAPHY. Memoir of John Aikin, M.D. By Lucy Aikin. With a selection of his miscellaneous pieces, biographical, moral, and critical. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 4s. Sketches of the Lives of Correggio and Parmegiano. With notices of their principal works. Small 8vo. 10s. 6d. Memoirs of the Marchioness de Bonchamps, on La Vendée; edited by the. Countess of Genlis. Translated from the French. 12mo. 5s. Memoires de Madame la Marquise de Bonchamps, sur la Vendée. Rédiges, par Madame la Comtesse de Genlis. Reprinted from the Paris Edition. 5s. HISTORY. A Memoir of Central India, including Malwa and the adjoining provinces, with the history and copious illustrations of the past and present condition of that country; with an original map, tables of the revenue and population, a geological report, and comprehensive index. By Major Gen. Sir John Malcolm, G.C.B. K.L.S. In 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 12s. POETRY. The Graces: a Classical Allegory, interspersed with poetry, and illustrated by explanatory notes. Together with a poetical fragment entitled Psyche among the Graces. Translated from the origianal German of Christopher Martin Wieland. 12mo. 7s. National Songs of Scotland. To which is added, a Useful Glossary. 18mo. 5s. 6d. Specimens of British Poetry, chiefly selected from authors of high celebrity, and interspersed with originals. By Elizabeth Scott. 8vo. 12s. A Collection of Poems, chiefly manuscript, and from living Authors. Edited for the Benefit of a Friend. By Joanna Baillie. 8vo. 11. 1s. By Dartmoor, and other Poems. Joseph Cottle. Small 8vo. 5s. POLITICAL. Remarks on the External Commerce and Exchanges of Bengal, with appendix of accounts and estimates. By G. A. Prinsep, Esq. 8vo. 5s. 6d. THEOLOGY. Strictures on the Plymouth Antinomians. By Joseph Cottle. 8vo. 2s. 6d. A Dissertation on the Fall of Man; in which the literal sense of the mosaic account of that event is asserted and vindicated. By the Rev. George Holden, M.A. 8vo. 10s. 6d. Letters on the State of Christianity in India; in which the conversion of the Hindoos is considered as impracticable. To which is added, a Vindication of the Hindoos, Male and Female, in answer to a severe attack made upon both by the Reverend *****. By the Abbé J. A. Dubois, Missionary in Mysore, Small 8vo. 7s. TRAVELS. Memorable Days in America: being a journal of a tour to the United States, principally undertaken to ascertain, by positive evidence, the condition and probable prospects of British emigrants. By W. Faux, an English Farıner. 8vo. 145. The article on the Abbé Dubois' Letters, will appear in the next Number. THE ECLECTIC REVIEW, FOR OCTOBER, 1823. Art. I. Letters on the State of Christianity in India; in which the Conversion of the Hindoos is considered as impracticable. To which is added, a Vindication of the Hindoos, Male and Female, in Answer to a severe Attack made upon Both by the Reverend *****. By the Abbé J. A. Dubois, Missionary in Mysore, Author of the Description of the People of India. Small 8vo. pp. 222. Price 7s. London. 1823. THE HE Abbé Dubois, after having tried his method of con-> verting the Hindoos, the method of the Jesuits, during a period of twenty-five years, without any success, has come to the conclusion, first, that their conversion by any method is impossible, that the time for it is, in fact, gone by; secondly, that it is not very desirable, for, bating a few enormities, they are not worse than Europeans. Disgusted at the total inutility of his pursuits, and warned by his grey hair that it was full time to think of his own concerns, he has returned to Europe' to profit by the credulity and good-nature of the British public, to whom he pays a compliment not wholly undeserved, in the declaration, that if the Hindoo Brahmins were animated by a spirit of proselytism, and sent to Europe missionaries of their own faith, to propagate their monstrous religion, and make converts to the worship of Seeva and Vishnoo, they would have much more chance of success among certain classes of society, than we have to make among them true converts to the faith in Christ.' p. 136. Those of his readers who may have in recollection the apologies for Hindooism, put forth by certain British Christians between fifteen and twenty years ago, with the avowed purpose of opposing the dissemination of Christianity in India, will know to what classes of society the Abbé's sly sarcasm is applicable. And indeed, a person that should be brought to think on all points with our Author, must be more than half VOL. XX. N.S. |