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in a German and also a Latin edition. The observations of Heller, a Nuremberg astronomer, have also been found.

A portion of the Ximenes Chronicle, from the Library of the University of Guatemala, written about 1721, is to be published at Vienna. It gives the history of the Indians, from their own traditions.

New editions of Tholuck on the Romans and on the Sermon on the Mount, with large alterations, have been published; the author is now engaged in revising his commentary on John's Gospel.

The third part of the Studien u. Kritiken, 1856, has the continuation of Müller's elaborate essay on the Relation between the Holy Spirit and the Divine Word, especially in conversion; an ingenious parallel, by G. Baur, between the Book of Job and Dante's Divine Comedy; with other articles of less general interest. The Zeitschrift, f. g. hist. Theologie, has a full account, by Hesler, of the controversy between Athanasius and Arius; a learned refutation, by Soldan, of the ultramontane objection to the genuineness of the Pragmatic Sanction of Louis IX.; and an account, by Graul, of the missions among the Tamuls.

Dr. Alexander Schweizer's important work on the "Central Doctrines of Protestantism" is concluded by the publication of the second volume. It is the most thorough history of continental Calvinism yet written, though too exclusively on the basis of an ultra divine sovereignty.

The first volume of the new edition of Schelling's works, edited by his sons, contains his lectures on the "Introduction to the Philosophy of Mythology." They were carefully prepared for publication before Schelling's decease. This is a most important work, giving the matured views of this great philosopher on the highest subjects of speculation. His Philosophy of Revelation is to follow. Twelve volumes will include his published and unpublished writings.

"Fichte's and Schelling's Philosophical Correspondence," ranges from 1790 to 1802, and is a curious work, showing the intimacy of the two, their common opposition to Kant, and their separation at last, because each alleges, that the other did not understand his system. It is also of philosophical value, as containing the germs of present German speculations.

Other recent philosophical works are; G. Biedermann, The Doctrine of Consciousness; C. F. Goeschel, Man in Body, Soul and Spirit, here and hereafter; F. Roese, Psychology; J. H. Fichte, Anthropology, newly grounded in the method of the Natural; J. Schaller, Body and Soul; Volkmann, Psychology.

In Biblical and Historical Theology have appeared; H. Messner, The Doctrine of the Apostles; G. M. Redslob, The Biblical Accounts of the Passover; L. Bodenheimer, The Song of Moses; J. Diedrich, The Epistle to the Romans; L. Herzfeld, Three Treatises on the History of the Synagogue; H. G. Holemann, The Crown of the Song of Songs; L. Reinke, The Prophet Malachi, interpreted; J. Bucher, John's Doctrine of the Logos; C. J. Hefele, History of Councils, vol. 2.

NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.

I. Life of Schamyl; and Narrative of the Circassian War of Independence against Russia. By J. Milton Mackie, author of "Cosas de España." Boston: J. P. Jewett & Co

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Philadelphia:

Any one interested in the subject of the races of mankind-a subject which has been said to be the only one worth considering, because it includes every other will be concerned to have authentic information touching the cradle of the conquering tribes. "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant." The history of the world lies very much in that sentence, and the country about the Black and Caspian seas, is the place where Japheth trained his youthful powers for the conquest of the world.

The authorities in this book are stated to be Bodenstedt, Moritz Wagner, Marlinski, Dubois de Montpéreux, Hommaire de Hell, Taillander, Marigny, Golovin, Bell, Longworth, Spencer, Knight, Cameron, Ditson. The style is of a kind which we dislike in history and biography; a sort of figurative, inflated, semi-romantic way of stating things, which has been brought into fashion by Carlyle and certain French and German writers. What we want in history and biography is fact; let the narrative be clear and distinct; when attending to business, fine words are an incumbrance. The reader will know what we mean when we say that Mr. Mackie throws an air of unreality-an opium-eating atmosphere over the whole affair; and though we have no reason to doubt the authenticity of the details stated, there is something in the manner of relating them, that leads to a doubt whether this may not be a romance on Schamyl, instead of a biography; so important is an appropriate style. We think Mr. Mackie altogether capable of writing a better book with his materials.

Making these abatements, we can say that we have read the work with much interest, and had weʼroom we would offer the reader a few extracts to show him how worthy it is of his attention.

II. History of Europe from the Fall of Napoleon in MDCCCXV. to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in MDCCCLII. By Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., &c. Two Volumes. pp. 441, 479. New York: Harpers. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1855.

We have carefully examined this History, that we may give our readers a correct view of it. The idea of such a history is an exceedingly ambitious one, involving as it does, a consideration of almost every question that has agitated the world for nearly forty years, and a criticism of almost every prominent man in Europe in that time. There is very much

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that is interesting; there is diligent research, and, of course, much information, and there is, by no means, an absence of effort in the direction of the philosophy without which history is now considered nothing.

But, we think it plain that Sir Archibald Alison is not equal to the effort he has undertaken. The work is respectable, but not superior. So long as the author keeps within the range of opinions which are generally held, and have become common property, everything moves on well, but when, not content with this, he attempts profound and original theories, he fails. For materials with which to form opinions, the work is valuable, for opinions themselves, it cannot be relied upon. Nor have these volumes the charm which enchains us to Bancroft or Macaulay. There is talent, but no genius.

III. Men and Times of the Revolution; or Memoirs of Elkanah Watson, including Journals of Travels in Europe and America, from 1777, to 1842, with his Correspondence with public Men, and Reminiscences and Incidents of the Revolution. Edited by his Son, Winslow C. Watson. New York: Dana & Co. 1856. pp. 460.

A lively, pleasant, gossiping book. Our readers have sometimes met with such a fine, intelligent old gentleman, who has been much about in the world and mingled with all classes of men, including some of the best, and who, in a cheerful and hopeful spirit, and with the zest of pleasant memories, relates the anecdotes of his past life. Mr. Watson's opportunities were unusually good; he recollected the whole of the Revolution; knew Washington, Franklin, Adams, and the other leading men personally, and his reminiscences are generally very agreeable. The account for example, of the King's speech, recognizing our Independence, is very interesting, as also that of the two days which he had the privilege of spending with Washington at Mount Vernon.

Mr. Watson was especially devoted to internal improvements and agriculture. We should have been pleased to have seen more evidence of religious feeling, especially at the close of life.

IV. A Hand-book for, the Presbyterian Church in Minnesota, designed to promote Order in and Love for the Sanctuary. Prepared by Edward D. Neill. Philadelphia: Printed by Henry B. Ashmead. 1856. pp. 72.

Annals of the Minnesota Historical Society, MDCCCLVI., containing Materials for the History of Minnesota. Prepared by Edward D. Neill, Secretary of the Society. Saint Paul: Joseph R. Brown, Territorial Printer. 1856. pp. 158.

The Manual begins with the history of our Church in Minnesota, and proceeds with the following topics: "The House of Hope," Mr. Neill's new Church at St. Paul; a short sketch of the Presbyterian Church in

the United States; Memoranda for Presbyterian Youth; our history in the Revolution; distinguished men in our body; some extracts from the Directory and Form of Government; extracts from the Statute of Minnesota concerning Religious Societies; List of our Churches in Minnesota; Confession of Faith and Covenant of the First Church, St. Paul; Covenant at baptism; questions for self-examination; list of officers and members of the First Church, St. Paul. Pastors would do much good by thus making accessible to the people, a variety of information which they constantly need, and which it is difficult for them to find.

The "Annals" are in the shape of a Report to the Territorial Legislature, who ordered them to be printed. We cannot too much commend the Minnesota Historical Society for its activity in collecting these perishing materials. This volume contains addresses by Governor Ramsay and Mr. Sibley, Articles by Mr. Neill and others, embodying the history of the Territory, Explorations, the Indians, &c., with many interesting incidents from the earliest times to 1819.

V. The Christian Life, social and individual. By Peter Bayne, M. A. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 1855. pp. 528.

Our readers, we think, will be much interested in the design of this book. The author was painfully impressed with the fact that there had been "a too extensive diffusion of the idea that evangelical religion, in its strict, personal form, comports ill with solidity and compass of intellect." Then he had been greatly captivated with Carlyle; his estimate of him is no doubt beyond the truth as to intellectual power, while he dissents totally from Carlyle's opinions. The world is full of floating ideas about philanthropy and sociology. Mr. Bayne's endeavor is, to deepen these impressions, and to place them upon the only durable foundation, a purely evangelical one.

The execution is not equal to the conception. That is, it is not the work on the subject that will stand as complete and permanent.

There are biographies of John Howard, William Wilberforce and Samuel Budgett, in illustration of Christianity as the basis of social life, and of John Foster, Thomas Arnold and Thomas Chalmers, as representatives of Christianity on the basis of individual character. There are hints for a solution of the Social Problem of the age, and chapters on the Positive Philanthropy and Pantheistic Spiritualism.

It is obvious that the work is in the right direction, and that it aims to be thorough. No right-thinking man can fail to be interested in it. Its faults are two-fold: It is prolix; the speculative parts, too much drawn out, and of course, rather tedious. The other fault is a want of boldness; it is too apologetic; it does not come to us sufficiently from the vantage ground. Christianity, in this work, rather appeals for permission to mould the world and bless mankind. Carlyle and Comte dogmatize endlessly, while they are pulling everything down and building up nothing; Bayne, with the plans of the Omnipotent Architect in his hands, suggests rather deprecatingly, that it might be better to try them.

VI. "The Modern Whitefield." The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, of London. His Sermons. With an Introduction and Sketch of his Life. By E. L. Magoon. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman & Co. 1856. pp. 320.

A sufficient flourish of trumpets, certainly! It takes a good deal to make up the idea of a "modern Whitefield." We do not think it very judicious for a minister's friends to put such a label upon him.

Yet we are not of the men, or of the Church, that demands stereotyped excellence. We thank God when a minister has strength to break through established routine and arouse the world to a sense of its worldliness and sin, even though it be in a somewhat irregular manner. The question, therefore, is not so much as to whether Mr. Spurgeon has violated conventionality, as whether he has power to do so in a way to advance the interests of religion.

It will not, however, take the reader long to discover that he is no common man. The sermons may be taken up anywhere, and the impression

will be almost immediate.

Mr. Spurgeon is quite a young man, only twenty-two. His father and grandfather are both living, and are Independent ministers. He himself is a Baptist. He preaches at New Park Street Chapel, on the Surrey side of the Thames, near Southwark Bridge, the church of Gill and Rippon. The church, which holds eighteen hundred people, is never able to contain the masses that throng to hear Mr. Spurgeon. He is a thorough Calvinist. "His countenance is boyish. He is under, rather than over, the middle size, and has few or none of the physical advantages of the orator in his appearance. A voice, full, sweet and musical, is under perfect control. The countenance speaks-the entire form sympathises. The action is in complete unison with the sentiments, and the eye listens scarcely less than the ear." He is said to be incomparably the most popular preacher in Great Britain.

VII. The Roman Exile. By Guglielmo Gajani, Professor of Civil and Canon Law, and Representative of the People in the Roman Constituent Assembly, in the year 1849. Boston: Jewett & Co. 1856. pp. 450.

This work is dedicated to Professor B. Silliman, sen., of Yale College, and the New Englander calls the author, "Our excellent and accomplished friend, Prof. Gajani." The work contains the Author's Life. He belonged to the secret Society, "La Giovine Italia,” (Young Italy,) and after watching all the political impulses and movements of his time, took an active part in the Revolution of 1848. After Rome was taken by the French in 1849, he was exiled, and took refuge in America. We commend the book to the reader who has had difficulty in understanding the Italian people.

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