of subjects. One is sure in such cases that the author has at least one idea; whereas the generality of volumes of sermons rather imply that a clergyman has contrived to be moderately popular with his congregation, not unfrequently by that very absence of definiteness either in doctrinal or practical teaching, which alone can make sermons of any real value. In this hope we took up the Rev. G. HUNTINGTON'S Sermons for the Holy Seasons of the Church, (Manchester: Simms; Oxford Parker,) and we have not been disappointed. They are written in a high sustained style of diction, suitable to the grandeur of the subjects treated; and with more accuracy of theology than we generally meet with. In the Sermon on "CHRIST'S Presence among two or three," however, we should have been glad to see more stress laid on the meeting of worshippers being "in the Name of CHRIST," i. e., a formal act of the Church, not a mere chance aggregation of units. This is of course implied, but the actual force of our LORD's words is scarcely brought out with sufficient prominence.

We are glad also to meet with a new edition of Mr. ARTHUR BAKER'S Lectures on the Saints' Days, (Rivingtons). There are many who will welcome this memorial of an earnest man, now divided from them "toto orbe."

An Apology for the sign of the Cross, (Hayes,) consists, as the title implies, in bringing together a variety of authorities in its behalf. We wonder that more is not made of the practice of the Lutherans.

S. Anselm belongs to that period of the Church, when, according to popular notion, learning and devotion had become equally extinct. Under this impression, few persons have cared to refer to his writings; and it will be with much surprise that many make their first acquaintance with him in Dr. PUSEY's translation of his Meditations and Prayers, (J. H. Parker); for they will find in them a wonderful depth and spirituality. It is true that most of them had been previously used by Dean Stanhope: but his work was really an adaptation rather than a translation, and was become very scarce.

We seem to agree pretty nearly with all Mr. CARL ENGEL'S Reflections on Church Music, (London: Scheurmann and Co.;) but the author does not arrive at any striking or practical conclusions.

Two new religious periodicals have recently been started in Paris, which are deserving of a short notice from us, the Observateur Catholique, and the Revue Théologique. The first is a bi-monthly publication, and advocates Gallican views. It is ably written, and has lately contained some very vigorous articles on the new dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. It also signalizes itself by its energetic attacks against the writers of the Univers, whose hands, by the way, seem pretty full of rather hard and disagreeable work just now, they being also engaged in a very sharp controversy with the Ami de la Religion and the Correspondant, not to speak of the many single pamphlets which have recently appeared against them, and in which they are somewhat severely handled. The Revue Théologique is published quarterly. It professes to eschew controversy altogether, and to devote itself exclusively to the consideration of practical questions; and it is,

in fact, a continuation, under another name, of the Mélanges Théologiques, which were formerly published in Belgium, but which have now been for some time discontinued. Among the articles which have already appeared in its pages, are some very interesting ones under the following titles: Etudes sur les Synodes provinciaux et diocésains; Essai sur la Théologie Morale; De la Communion quotidienne et fréquente; Commentaire historique et pratique sur le Rituel Romain; Des bénédictions des personnes, réservés aux Evêques. We observe in the Revue Théologique one feature which, we believe, is unprecedented in periodical publications-in those certainly which only appear quarterly. To each number there is appended the Table of Contents of the succeeding number! In giving the headings of the different articles which are to appear in the ensuing number, care should however, at the same time, be taken to give the contents of the present one-which we perceive is not the case with the first number. We are informed in the Prospectus to this Magazine that each number is to have the sanction of the Ordinary. To each number accordingly is appended the imprimatur of +J. Ep. Versal." which stands for Jean-Nicaise Gros, Bishop of Versailles; for though the work is published by our old friends MM. Leroux and Jouby, of the Rue des Grands-Augustins, it is printed in the Diocese of Versailles-namely at S. Germain-en-Laye. As to the Observateur, it is to be had at Huet's, Rue de Savoie. If two new French Reviews have been recently started, three others, however, have become defunct within the last few months, viz., the Université Catholique, the Revue de l'enseignement Chrétien, and the Athenæum.

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It is a good sign that a new edition of COURBON's Instructions on Mental Prayer has been called for. The editor is Mr. Upton

Richards.

We have read through a Tract On the Intermediate State, (Wertheim and Macintosh,) by the late Duke of MANCHESTER; but as to what the noble writer meant we are as profoundly ignorant as if we had not read it.

A New Volume of Sermons, by Mr. PRYNNE, of S. Peter's, Plymouth, will be found very earnest and practical, and specially suited for private devotional reading.

An Appeal to English Churchmen, (Bosworth and Harrison,) is an Irvingite production. It denounces the English Church as practically denuded of her functions, but recommends, or seems to recommend, persons to continue in her,―i. e., we suppose, till the said Irvingite Communion is able to supersede her.

In noticing Mr. Blackader's English Bible, we spoke of the importance of a well-arranged Text; and in speaking both of that and of Lord Lyttelton's book, we quite felt that a few brief verbal notes would often be of more help than a long commentary. We are quite prepared therefore to award a certain amount of praise to Archdeacon COTTON'S edition of The Four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles, (J. H. Parker.) The book is well printed, and the text conveniently arranged in paragraphs. But the notes are really, most of them, below the ne

cessities of a schoolboy, and we cannot understand how any considerable number of persons can wish to purchase such a fragmentary portion of Holy Scripture.

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A Letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, by CLERICUS, (Hammans, Oxford,) is an Advertisement of Swedenborgianism as solving the theological difficulties of the day. The way is prepared for the enunciation of several of the principles of that system by a long and confused tissue of quotation from English authors, many of them of no particular celebrity, Dr. Wordsworth, Bp. Hinds, Lowth, Churton (1785), Hall (1798), Chandler (1825), Waldgrave (1854), Pearson (1835), Dr. Hey, Wilson (1851), Williams (Rational Godliness), Bp. Law, Bp. Warburton, Wintle (1794), Bp. Butler, Lee (on Inspiration), Bp. Conybeare, Bp. Brown, Archbishop King, Bp. Cople stone, Archbishop Whately, Veysie (1795), Bp. Berkeley, Dr. Bentley, Dr. Wallis, Locke, Sanderson and Sherlock (as quoted in "Christian Faith and the Atonement "), Scott (Christian Life), Bp. Marsh, Professor Frazer, Sir W. Hamilton. We should feel more strongly the dishonest use of many of the extracts, if we thought the writer knew enough of logic or scholastic theology to be aware when he was writing to the point and when not; but a gentleman, even though a clerk," who has furnished his shelves and his mind so largely at so little cost as the purchase of a complete series of Bampton Lectures, may doubtless have advanced far in the Christian virtue of patience, but will scarcely be held responsible for the obfuscation of intellect which such a course of reading was likely to produce. The worthy and reverend gentleman regards the Bampton Lecture as such an oracular institution that he feels it necessary to add an Appendix for the purpose of quoting the Lectures of '55, which appeared for sale only after the previous pages were in type. Doubtless after the devout study of an annual which has generally proved so dreary (and the years which Clericus has referred to are not the most happy ones), the philosophical technicalities of Swedenborg would be attractive, but we should recommend those who desire to make progress in theology, if acquainted with Latin, when they have familiarized themselves with some of our standard English theologians to betake themselves for philosophy to the pages of Aquinas rather than to those of the Scandinavian mystic. Whether heresy in general or only Swedenborgianism in particular considers the present moment favourable for advocating its claims we do not know, but it so happens that we have just received a Life of this heresiarch, from which it appears (so singularly do extravagances combine) that the Phonetic system of writing, as represented by the "Phonetic Nuz," has entered into an alliance offensive and defensive with the disciples of Swedenborg.

The Rev. THOMAS WILLIAMS' Catechetical Notes on the Prayer Book is certainly by far the best in Mr. Parker's Series. In the division and arrangement of the Services the compiler follows the "Companion to the Prayer Book" in the " Practical Christian's Library." In some other points we could wish to see an alteration. The habit of giving a Text in proof of every petition and epithet in the Prayers appears to us one that is positively injurious to a child's mind: we wish also that there had

been a preliminary chapter on the Principles of Divine Service, and also some questions on the prefatory matter of the Book of Common Prayer, which is really the only exposition of their views that was ever put forth by the Revisers of our Church Offices.

We are indebted to Mr. J. D. CHAMBERS for the first part of a Translation of Ancient Latin Hymns belonging to the English and other Churches, (Masters and Novello). The verse is smooth and rythmical, and follows the original metres. The book also is beautifully got up, and will form an excellent Christmas Present. The general title is Lauda Syon.

The fervid earnestness and plain language in which The Watch Tower, a book of Advent readings, (Masters) is written, will fit it for the purpose for which its author intends it to be chiefly used,-distribution among the poor. Without giving a reader exactly the feeling that he is reading a Sermon, the author, Mr. CLARKE, has contrived to embody much Catholic teaching in his pages; and the good taste which he shows in adapting his similitudes, and his language generally, to the understanding of the illiterate is very commendable. Much of the volume consists of free and spirited translations of the Fathers; and the general teaching both with respect to the Ministry and the Sacraments is of a very equal character, indicating a mind well grounded in the Faith.

Catholic exteriors do not make Catholic Theology: else would Mr. Nisbet's recent publications, The Comforter, and JESUS Revealing the Heart of GOD, be worthy of great commendation. As it is they are only a new illustration of the old proverb,-"It is not all gold that glitters."

There is nothing remarkable or original that we can discover in The Reconciliation of Geological Phenomena with Divine Revelation, (London, Bosworth and Harrison,) that need have led to its publication. The author professes to adhere strictly to the book of Genesis in his theorising on the subject of Geology: but we hardly think it is adhering strictly to scriptural principles to say that an universal deluge" could only be accomplished by sinking all the land, so as to force up the waters to cover the surface of the earth," p. 24, and "the withdrawal of the waters could only be effected by lifting the land to its former level, and causing the waters to return to their former caverns in the heart of the earth," p. 27. Is Almightiness to be limited to such bounds as may be comprehended in the brains of geological writers?

Read me a Story, and Violet, or the Tithe Barn, (Mozleys,) are tales by two favourite authors, and will be very acceptable to young people.

A Manual of Gothic Surface Mouldings, (Parker), forming one of a series of small illustrated books, brings together some very varied and pleasing examples.

The Rev. W. DE BURGH, viewing the controversy on the Holy Eucharist through the spectacles of Irish Protestantism, naturally quarrels with Archdeacon Denison's doctrine: but we think he might have spared himself the trouble of printing his Sermon.

Canon TREVOR's well written Sermon, Let both grow together unto the harvest, (Mozleys,) pleads for toleration, but shrinks from the Archdeacon's definitions.

Mr. GRUEBER's Letter to Dr. Lushington is a fair resumé of the artifices and perversions of doctrine which have been resorted to in the Proceedings against Archdeacon Denison, which will certainly be handed down in the Courts as one of evil notoriety.

Many of our readers will thank us for recommending to them Eight Short Anthems by the Bishop of FREDERICTON, (Novello.) We have tried the first as a Christmas Anthem, and can certify that it is very effective. The others also are equally meritorious-especially that to the words "Blessed are the dead." They are just the right kind of composition for a Parish Choir. The Bishop has also published another very useful and practical Charge.

We have already noticed favourably Mr. OLDKNOw's Tract on the Validity of English Orders, published in French by the "Association for making known on the Continent the principles of the English. Church." It is now published in English by Mr. Hayes, of Lyall Place.

The "Layman" who addresses a Warning to the Evangelicals of Liverpool, (Masters,) is evidently a man of right views, and of considerable ability, and certainly the "Developements of Protestantism" in that town have been such as to call earnestly for remonstrance. He would have done well, however, to have bestowed more pains on his style, which in many parts is involved and embarrassed.

A Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, (Masters,) by the Rev. A. J. D. D'ORSEY, shows us that the Ecclesiastical Difficulties of Madeira are still unsolved, and we fear will remain so as long as Bishops continue to ordain persons who do not really hold the doctrines of the Church of England; for so long as there are unfaithful Priests to be had for hire, there will be congregations found to prefer them.

Viewed as a repertory of devout practical thoughts, there is much that we can commend in the Rev. C. J. BLACK's Prayer of the New Covenant, (Masters and McGlashan,) but, tested by rules of exact doctrine, it seems to savour somewhat of eclecticism.

The Rev. R. J. LESLIE's Two Sermons on Common Prayer, (Bradley : Bingham,) is a publication that we gladly welcome, not so much for any intrinsic merit, as because they indicate the progress of right opinions on the very important subject of Church worship.