1702. The first and second volumes are chiefly by Arnauld; the former half of the third comprises Arnauld's life, and some letters of his, and St. Cyran's.

8. "Avertissement sur deux lettres de M. Arnauld à M. Le Feron," etc. 1700.-The two letters of Arnauld were addressed to Le Feron in 1687, about a book of one Bourdaille on the Ethics of St. Augustine, and formed part of the great casuistic controversy, and is a defence of Port Royal against certain charges.

We shall throw together in the margin a description of numerous minor and fugitive writings, as diligently collected by Reuchlin.*

It is time we should say something of the reprint which has just been issued by the Philadelphia press. Clearness and beauty of typography have certainly been secured. In comparing this with Collins's three volume Glasgow edition, of 1830, which is a sightly book, we give the preference to the American copy.

As pruned of those popish errors which hung about certain parts, but which lay chiefly in unessential phrases, the "Moral Reflections" are eminently fitted to be useful in our day and country. As Doddridge said of Leighton, we may say of Quesnel, that we never read even a few pages of his writings without elevation of mind. Bishop Wilson's commendation of the work is justly cited by Dr. Boardman; we may add of another

* Letter to M. Van Susteren, Dec. 5, 1703—« Motif de droit," 1704; already alluded to, and directed chiefly against the archbishop of Mechlin." A Problem, moral and canonical, proposed to M. Malo, Canon of Mechlin, and sometime official of the archbishop; to wit, which is the more probable, first, that M. de Precipiano has been for twenty years in contumacy and rebellion against the apostolic see under four popes, for being in spite of them dean and pastor of the metropolitan chapter of Besancon, or, secondly, that the apostolic see and four popes have unjustly persecuted M. de Precipiano."- Letter to the King against the Jesuits," 1704."Letter to the Chancellor."-"Letter of Father Quesnel to Port Royal de la Chaise." -"Letter to an Archbishop."-"Letter of a private person to a friend." Letter to a friend touching what is abroad in the name of His Catholic Majesty," 1704.Declaration and protestation against the placard of the Archbishop of Mechlin."— « General idea of the libel of the fiscal of Mechlin," 1705.-" Letter concerning the process or motif de droit,” 1705.—“Anatomy of the sentence of the Archbishop.”"Memoir in vindication of Father Qesnel's resort to the King," 1702Bouhours, Jesuit, convicted of his old calumnies against the Port Royalists,” 1700.— "Answer to two letters of Archbishop Fénélon." 1711.-Numerous other titles are preserved, but of publications less concerning our general subject.

Father

Bishop Wilson, of Sodor and Man, not only that he caught much of the good Jansenist's spirit, but that he again and again borrowed from him in his well-known Sacra Privata, a manual of devotions, which is highly valuable when purged of those passages which inculcate the doctrine of merit.* It is not our purpose to quote from the volumes before us. They contain passages so fraught with genuine gospel truth, and such assertions of the sovereignty of the divine choice, the efficacy of grace, the inability of the sinner, the justification of the ungodly by faith, and the loveliness of the Lord Jesus Christ, as make us forget during the perusal, that the author acknowledged any allegiance to Rome. Such truth and such holiness, from whatever pen they come, should be welcome to every Christian mind.

SHORT NOTICES.

Miscellaneous Discourses and Expositions of Scripture. By George Paxton Young, A. M., one of the Professors of Theology in Knox's College, Toronto, Canada West. Edinburgh: Johnstone & Hunter. 1854. pp. 348.

WE feel a deep interest in our brethren of the Free Church in the British Provinces, and are filled with hope for their future, when we discern in them that zeal for sound education, as connected with scriptural theology, which has characterized genuine Presbyterianism in all its migrations, under Calvin, Knox, the Melvilles, and the Tennents. In 1853, the author of these discourses exchanged a pastoral charge at Hamilton for a theological chair at Toronto. The volume before us is an affectionate tribute to the people whom he left. These homiletical and expository exercitations evince sound judgment, biblical learning, and a tasteful mastery of diction, with an occasional surprise of unexpected thought. The metrical version of Habakkuk, at the close, is at once bold and successful. In speaking of this work, we may properly allude to a lecture of Professor

* We refer to the original folio edition of Bishop Wilson's works, or to some unaltered reprint, as, for instance, that of Oxford, (John Henry Parker,) 1853, 12mo.

Young's, on Sir William Hamilton's Theory of Sensitive Perception, of which the venerable philosopher says, under date of August 23, 1855: "I have seen no writing in which that doctrine is more intelligently and independently treated; and while acknowledging my personal obligations and my high estimate of the writer, I beg you will excuse me if I should take the liberty of quoting it. We shall expect to hear again from Professor Young, in matters connected with his chair.

The Contrast between Good and Bad Men, Illustrated by the Biography and Truths of the Bible. By Gardiner Spring, D. D., LL.D., Pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in the city of New York. In two volumes, 8vo. New York: M. W. Dodd. 1855.

The publisher of this work has done it great justice, by the very beautiful exterior in which it is produced. It closes that extensive series of works, the fruit of pastoral labours, which have during a number of years proceeded from the tried and indefatigable pen of the author. The trains of thought, with all the peculiarities of manner, which have secured for him the esteem of his own particular flock, are here presented at every opening of the page; and with the increasing probability that few more volumes can be made public, the parishioners and other numerous hearers of Dr. Spring will procure these discourses with more than usual eagerness. The plan of the series is something novel; the work exhibits a number of Scripture characters, arranged by pairs, and in contrast; and in such a way as at the same time to embody and hold out some important religious principles. Thus we have, among others, Pharaoh and Moses, Saul and Samuel, Ruth and Orpah, Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, Judas and Peter, Paul before his conversion, and Paul after his conversion. The fifteenth chapter presents the points of contrast in a single view. Though this work bears indubitable marks of having been newly written in all its parts, it also exhibits the fruits of long reflection and careful observation of life; and we have no scruple in saying, that of all the author's productions, this pleases us most. As favourable specimens, we would select the portraiture of Noah, of Paul, and and of Judas. The closing paragraphs, which have almost a valedictory sadness and earnestness, are, we think, as affecting as they are manly. Before closing this hurried notice, we must be allowed to remark, that such instances as these persuade us to believe that useful men and ministers may bring forth pleasant fruit in old age, and that there may be increase of years without senility, and length of labour without decay of power. The history of such a ministry as this, in such a city as New York, cannot be contemplated without sentiments of affectionate

veneration.

The Union Bible Dictionary, for the use of Schools, Bible Classes, and Families. New edition, improved and enlarged, with entirely new engravings. American Sunday School Union, 1855. pp. 691.

It is not surprising that the Union has continued to improve its Bible Dictionary by successive editions, instead of pursuing the impolitic and unjust economy of patching the old stereotype plates. The high credit which the establishment has gained for keeping its publications even with the advance of Biblical science, and the mechanical execution and embellishments of books, required that such a standard work as the Dictionary should be often recast and new dressed. The first look at the present issue proves its entire freshness, and its superiority to its predecessors. No ordinary wood engraver either designed or cut such plates as Samson at the Mill, the Mourner in Sackcloth, the Eagle's Nest, the Jewish Table, the Vintage, or a large number that might be mentioned out of the hundreds of illustrations of ancient customs, geography, natural history, scriptural subjects, and allusions of all kinds, that are thickly interspersed through the leaves and text of this volume.

A mere compiler, with Calmet, Winer, Kitto, and other Biblical Encyclopedists in his hands, might condense an invaluable work "for the use of schools, Bible classes, and families;" but we are assured in the Preface, that whilst every advantage has been taken of the principal authors, most of the leading articles are strictly original. The size of the book shows that it has room for all the titles likely to be sought by a diligent reader of the common version of the Scriptures, and an examination of the articles gives the best evidence that they are neither meagre nor superficial. We might add, that this would be expected of an author of the accurate and laborious habits of Mr. Packard. Anything in the shape of a dictionary is generally supposed to be excluded from the catalogue of books for continuous reading, but in turning over these pages we were struck with the thought that it is not only a capital manual for reference, but would make an etertaining, and certainly an instructive volume for perusal from "Aaron" to "Zuzims."

A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer, or Geographical Dictionary of the World, containing a Notice and the Pronunciation of the Names of nearly one hundred thousand places, &c. Edited by J. Thomas, M. D. and T. Baldwin, assisted by several other Gentlemen. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1855. pp. 2182.

It is just ten years since we commended to the notice of our readers an unpretending volume of the same description with the one before us, and expressed our firm belief that, while it

claimed to be nothing more than a beginning, it was one affording promise of an admirable ending. This promise, we are happy to announce, is abundantly fulfilled in the present publication. Besides its geographical contents, including, as the editors affirm, twenty thousand names more than any other English Gazetteer in circulation, it presents the only full and accurate notation of the sound in every doubtful case. The principles of this notation, as expounded in the Introduction, are indicative of learning, taste, and judgment, which do honour to the country. The unwearied and conscientious labour which has been expended on the volume, equal perhaps to any in the language in the bulk of its contents, would be sufficient of itself to command the respect of every intelligent reader. But its claims to such respect are vastly higher, and will probably be valued most by the most competent judges of such matters. While the authors have availed themselves of every aid, including the Imperial Gazetteer just finished, they have spared no labour or expense in securing uniformity and accuracy even in details. Some of the arrangements of the work are new to us, and add immensely to its value as a book of ordinary reference. Such is the insertion of the ancient names of places in their proper alphabetical position, with references to the modern names and the accompanying description. Such too is the insertion of the various current modes of writing the same name with references from one to the other. Another valuable feature is the etymological vocabulary of geographical names appended to the volume. So far as our inspection has been carried, and our knowledge of the subject goes, this is decidedly the fullest and most accurate geographical dictionary in the language.

My Father's House, or the Heaven of the Bible. By James M. McDonald, D. D. 1855. 12mo. pp. 369.

It is impossible to estimate the value of a good book. We are glad to see ministers enlarge the sphere of their usefulness by resorting to the agency of the press, and scatter among those who have never seen their face such spiritual food as has proved effectual to the nourishment and strengthening of their own flocks. This might be advantageously done to a greater extent than it is. A book may be seasonable and useful though it make no positive addition to the sum of human knowledge. If it can reach the heart, though it dazzle not the understanding, if it can suggest in pleasing and attractive forms good thoughts, though not unthought before, if it can communi

* See Biblical Repertory for October, 1845, p. 647.*