the decline of life as a relic of happier days. The recollections of the morning of existence, which flash upon us in the midst of the toils and the afflictions of the world, are welcomed to the heart, as one who has long been absent is to his home, and all that they bring with them shares in our regard. It is, therefore, a work of the purest benevolence to furnish youth with such scriptural associations as may irradiate the future scenes of life, and diffuse over the mind a calm and equable pleasure.

We are happy in being able to recommend this little volume to those who may wish to make a useful present to their youthful friends or relatives. The subjects on which it touches are: Belshazzar's Feast-the Plague of Hail on the Egyptians-the Drought in the Desert-Jephtha-the Widow of Sarepta-the Translation of Elijah-the Vision of Zacharias-the Annunciation-the Nativity-the Crucifixion- and the Ascension. These poems are of unequal merit; but are generally mellifluous and pleasing, sometimes very polished, and always full of excellent reflections. There are some defective verses, among which the one that closes the book must be numbered; and we could not help regretting that such a line as "on God's right hand eternally to reign," should be found in a situation where it may dwell on the mind and ear to the discredit of the fair authoress. Some of the descriptions, particularly of the evening scenes, are very pretty; though the peculiar characteristics of the scenery of Judæa, are sometimes not strictly attended to. Were we to select the best of the sketches we think we should prefer that which bears the name of Jephtha. The authoress has taken up the hypothesis of those who suppose that the vow of that inconsiderate warrior did not affect the life of his daughter, but merely doomed her to perpetual virginity. At all events, the narrative, as here woven, is very touching, without any thing of the tragical horror which is attached to the catastrophe usually believed to have been intended. The poor girl is represented as betrothed to a valiant and amiable youth, when the fatal offering for ever forbids their union. The following delineation of her early innocent love is very sweet and pathetic :

"Yet in her heart one feeling rose above

Her tranquil calmness;-shall we deem it love?
So pure, so mild, like that which angels shed
Around the sleeping infant's peaceful head;
In early youth a brother's name he bore,
Nor, to her fancy, seem'd than brother more;

Together oft they shar'd Instruction's hour,
Together still they cull'd the opening flower,
Or rang'd the mead, or climb'd the mountain's side,
Or sate delighted by the fountain's tide;

As years increas'd, their fond affection grew,
Though yet the name of love it never knew:
Noble the youth; in manhood's opening day,
No selfish passion led his heart astray."-P. 48.

After the fatal truth has been disclosed, her tenderness and resignation are feelingly pictured:

"Say ye, whose hearts have own'd Love's mighty power,
What were her feelings in that mournful hour,

Which saw at once her rising hopes destroy'd,

Her future life decreed a joyless void?

As from the pitying group, she slow retires,
One effort inore, pure filial love inspires,
Her Zared's kind attention to engage,
To soothe her Father's lone repentant age;

She stoops!-'tis vain!-to speak her tongue denies,
And tears of softness tremble in her eyes:
She caught one hand of each, first fondly prest,
Then join'd and clasp'd them to her throbbing breast;
Wrapp'd close her veil, as from their arms she flew,
And bade to early love a last adieu.”—P. 56, 7.

We can afford room for no further extracts; but the preceding will be sufficient to induce our younger readers, at least, to peruse the work for themselves. Indeed we think that even adult readers might be improved-certainly amused, by looking into it. In doing so they might fancy themselves entering the tent of the hoary patriarch, and listening to the voice of his evening thanksgiving. We must not omit to mention, that the work is printed in a style that accords well with the general neatness and elegance of its composition.

ART. XVII. The Poems of Richard Hatt, (author of the Hermit, &c.) small 8vo. pp. 119. Westley and Parrish.

THE author modestly states in his preface-" I am not a Gray who can expect to astonish the reader with beauties of the highest order. To have imitated the impressive interest of Burns is all I have aimed at; and if I have attained that, my first ambition is gratified." These pieces have no claim to sublimity. Some display a simple neatness, (simplex munditiis) and others a pleasing, though not very impressive interest; particularly the ode to "Neglected Genius." The author has inserted the pro

ductions of others: "Alberto and Maria," by J. Glanville, author of "Poetical Prolusions," an interesting ballad ;-" A Yorkshire Song," and "the Harper," by Charles Feist, author of "Poetical Effusions," "An Invocation to the Muses," and "A Fragment," of considerable merit. This being an improved edition, we are surprised there should be so many typographical errors; and naturally conclude that the violations of grammar, which we observe, are inaccuracies of the press.

Some of the songs are beneath mediocrity. In the "Supplementary Poems," which, we suppose, did not appear in the former editions, we see nothing very striking. We extract a

few stanzas.

ART. XVIII. Fragments on the Study of Man, with a View to the acquisition of Self Knowledge, and a just Estimate of his Intellectual and Moral Powers. 12mo. pp. 50. Dean and Munday.

"KNOW thyself" was the precept of Solon: and the author of these fragments endeavours to point out the way of acquiring this useful self-knowledge. In the commencement of his little work, he deprecates the enemies to this study-pride and self-delusion, and indeed with justice, since, as we all know, a man often sees an alarming blemish in his neighbour's character, though blind to some greater one in his own. "Men," our author insists, "are wilfully ignorant of, or designedly mistake, their own characters. Many people are ready enough to acknowledge that, when they retire and look a little into themselves, and impartially consider their own conduct, they find much cause of self reproach." Some, however, during this examination, have recourse to subterfuges, and quiet a troubled

conscience by ingenious devices-particularly by comparing themselves with others who appear to be more culpable, and by determining to reform at some future period. Our author argues that no man begins to know himself until absolutely convinced of the necessity of reformation. Religion being intimately connected with this self-knowledge, as it leads directly to reformation, the study of the Sacred Scriptures is recommended as indispensably requisite. He observes,

"Such being the inestimable value of the Bible, what shall we say of an association of men, formed for the express purpose of bringing this book under the review of every intelligent being under the sun, and in the very language in which he is capable of understanding it? Such an association actually exists, under the denomination of The British and Foreign Bible Society. A noble institution this!--the excellence and worth of which, no words can fully appreciate; and to which a future age alone, beholding the widely extended and salutary change it has been the means of effecting in the 'moral world,' will be able to do some kind of justice."

Much edification may be derived from this pretty little volume. It is a good deal after the manner of the Economy of Human Life. The style of it is simple, neat, and forcible: and and as it may be the means of making some who are now young, know themselves before they become old, it is fit that it be selected as præmium virtutis.

ART. XIX.-Systematic Education: or Elementary Instruction in the various Departments of Literature and Science, with practical Rules for studying each Branch of useful Knowledge. By the Rev. W. SHEPHERD, the Rev. J. JOYCE, and the Rev. LANT CARPENTER, LL. D. 2 vols. 8vo. pp. xii. 540 and 576. Price 11. 11s. 6d. Longman and Co. 1815.

NOTWITHSTANDING the multiplicity of Essays, Treatises, Dialogues, and Letters, that have been published on the importance and necessity of Education, scarcely a single work has appeared, whose professed object was the communication of that general knowledge which has been so often and so strenuously insisted upon, as essential to the well-being of society. This fact will appear still more singular, when the practicabi lity of the plan and the utility of the subject are considered, in connection with the powers of the human mind, and the present state of intellectual culture.

Since the design of the work before us is, not to prove the importance and utility of knowledge, but to present the general

elements of that knowledge, its plan may be regarded as novel; and, embracing the wide field of literature and science, the subjects of which it treats must be numerous, and the information it contains, necessarily condensed. As we cannot enter upon the examination of each subject separately, we shall endeavour to furnish our readers with a general idea of the work as a whole, and select a few of the topics, as specimens of its execution.

An advertisement stating the views of the authors, and explaining the manner in which they have endeavoured to realise them, is succeeded by an introductory and "Practical Essay on Education." This Essay occupies 33 pages, and though nothing very striking ought to be expected, either in its matter or manner, it contains some good observations on Education in general, and some judicious remarks relative to the comparative merits of public and private schools; with a correct estimate of the utility of Classical learning, and some valuable directions respecting the best methods of studying both the living and dead languages. Adverting to the effects which the conduct and example of parents are calculated to produce on the minds and habits of their children, the following sentiment, with which the discussion concludes, deserves to be deeply impressed upon all those whom Providence has invested with the responsibility of parental control.

"In order to form a moral agent to the highest degree of excellence of which he is capable, the most guarded vigilance over the propensities of early youth, is requisite on the part of natural superintendents--and it seems to be the wise ordinance of providence, that the anxiety which parents universally entertain for the welfare of their offspring, is calcu lated, when properly directed, to become a strong promoter, and a steady safeguard of virtue." P. 5.

Taking a rapid glance at the effects which the compulsory laws of the Spartan Republic, in regard to general education, were calculated to produce, and estimating the tendency which all the prescriptions of civil authority must have on intellectual improvement, it is well observed:

"It is, however, the business of education not to cramp, but to guide the intellect. Its province extends to the inculcating of those fundamental principles on which the structure of science is to be built: the finishing of the structure ought to be left in a great measure to individual discretion. To the attainment of Truth, freedom of inquiry is absolutely necessary. A man may as well attempt to penetrate the mazes of an entangled wood in fetters, as to investigate the vast variety of intellectual subjects, with a mind trammelled by the imperative decisions of human institutions. And to the reducing the general mind to this degrading predicament, do the prescriptions of civil authority in matters of literature usually tend. They lead to the fostering of prejudice, and the perpetuation of error. They necessarily keep a nation stationary in the march of intellect, and repress that expansion of