sible ever to convey the minute ideal of Mrs. Sherman's lovely character; but of its lofty and substantial virtues the memoir before us will impart a just and realizing conception.

We owe it to Mr. Sherman to say, that, considering the subject he had to deal with, he has imposed a commendable restraint upon himself in his manner of treating it. He has indulged far less in high-wrought eulogies than in truthful delineations of mental tendencies and gracious endowments. He might have been forgiven if he had yielded to a partial feeling of excess, in dwelling upon the memory of one whom it was difficult to meet even cursorily wtihout being fascinated with the grace, the gentleness, and the intelligence of her mind, manners, and social intercourses.

Doubtless her personal attractions contributed not a little to the vividness of a first impression; but it was the open candour, the sterling sense, the marked benevolence of her conversation that riveted the heart, and produced almost perfect oblivion of all that was externally beautiful.

One longs to ascertain the facts, and to become conversant with the influences connected with the early training and development of such a mind; for however much mere natural and physical causes contributed to the fine temper and womanly graces of Mrs. Sherman, it was obvious on a first interview with her, that other and loftier elements entered into the production of so much feminine and Christian excellence.

"It

The true philosophy of Mrs. Sherman's character, we are happy to say, is fully disclosed in the volume before us. was her privilege to have a mother, to whose piety and personal superintendence she was much indebted for the formation of habits, which enriched her character, and rendered her useful and acceptable to the church of Christ." 66 Education," observes Mr. Sherman, "especially in the formation of character, does not consist merely in conveying to the mind ethical maxims, useful knowledge, and the higher branches of gospel lore, but in the living exhibition of personal graces, a rigid love of truth, a spirit of prayer, a dependence on Divine aid, a delicate sense of purity, and an indomitable perseverance in aiming to win the heart to Christ.

"These qualities eminently belonged to Mrs. Tucker. She was a woman of great, but fervent piety; her regularity in retiring for private devotion at stated times, notwithstanding great personal indisposition, was sustained till within a few days of her decease; her love of punctuality, neatness, and order prevailed throughout every engagement for the church, or for the

family; her attention and liberality to the poor were proverbial; the delicacy of holiness was maintained in her conversation and habits; and her constancy in training her children for God, had its reward n their early consecration to his service. Beyond this, she was remarkable for her practical good sense, which, while it did not reject the ornamental part of education, was generally directed to the promotion of some useful object in life."

Such was the domestic atmosphere in which Martha Tucker drew her infant breath, and beneath whose benign influence the buds and blossoms of her early piety and social goodness were matured and perfected. O, ye mothers of Great Britain! be it your earnest, anxious aim to train your infant offspring for the service and the enjoyment of God. Your influence is potent beyond expression; from you, under God, the type of our future Christian society must be derived.

With an only sister, lovely and beloved, Martha Tucker spent her youthful years. Mary was more grave and sedate than Martha; but not more loving and attractive. Perhaps the natural character of each acted favourably on that of the other. The thoughtfulness of the one supplied a counterpoise to the buoyancy and vivacity of the other. Martha was the soul of every youthful circle in which she moved, both before and after her attendance at boardingschool. Her animal spirits were exuberant in the highest degree; but never such as to interfere with the claims of benevolence, or with that native politeness which adorned her tenderest years. When she was but a very little child, the late Rev. Matthew Wilks called one day when her parents were out. She was alone in the dining-room; but she instantly "placed a chair for him, took his hat, and persuaded him to take some refreshment, engaging him in conversation till her mmama returned. When Mrs. Tucker came in, the old gentleman told her how much he had been indebted to the kind attentions of her little daughter, adding, as he patted her on the shoulders, 'You are the first young lady that has taken a fancy to my old face.""

She had withal a great vein of natural humour, combined with a great power of mimicry. "Hearing that one of the neighbours (who had said it was impossible she could be ever deceived in Martha's face and person) wanted a servant, she went to her in that capacity; and after referring to several persons whom they both equally knew, for her character, was dismissed, the lady telling her that she feared, from her countenance, she was not good tempered, but would inquire more about her. She did so that day, and found, to her astonish

ment, that her young friend with the merry face had overmatched all her discriminating powers."

This truly engaging young creature, there is reason to believe, was early the subject of very serious religious impressions; but the death of Mary, her sister, at the age of twenty-two, was the first link in the chain of events to bring Martha's heart under the dominion of Christ. This great trial, with the happy state of mind indicated by her sister in her dying hours, left an impression never to be effaced. The change thus produced was greatly advanced by her connection with a district visiting society at Enfield, where she was visited with an anxious feeling to discharge her duty in a right and successful manner. An aged woman, of the name of Taylor, interested her greatly. The poor woman was very ignorant; Martha, with her Bible before her, prayed that she might be able to teach her aright; "a flood of heavenly light seemed poured upon her mind;" she went to her work with new delight and hope; the poor old woman was enlightened and saved; and thus a career of usefulness commenced which shone forth more and more unto the perfect day. So vividly did Mrs. S. ever remember this instance of early usefulness, that a few weeks only before her death she remarked: "I never think of heaven without an assurance that I shall meet Mrs. Taylor there. She had indeed received the word of God as a little child. Though she expressed herself ignorantly, yet her enjoyment of the preciousness of Christ exceeded anything I had ever seen. Her faith heightened into calm and settled assurance. The influence on her temper and habits was so remarkable, that though her ignorant children could not understand what had produced the change, yet they observed to a friend who accompanied me, that they were very glad of Miss Tucker's visits, as they had made their mother so kind and good-tempered, and so thankful for everything done for her. A short time before she died, she grasped my hand, while the tears flowed down her furrowed cheeks, and thanked God that she had ever seen me, and heard of the way of salvation from my lips, concluding her speech, which she had made with great effort, with these words, There is hope for me, Miss,' and in a few minutes entered into bliss, at the advanced age of ninety-three!"

Mrs. S. joined the Christian church at Enfield in July, 1829, in the twenty-third year of her age; and few have better sustained the profession of godliness than she did, for the space of nineteen years, placed as she was at Reading and Surrey Chapel in circumstances of the weightiest responsibility. Her union to Mr. Sherman,

while a benefit to herself, was an unspeakable blessing to him. She entered into all his "work of faith and labour of love." The natural elements of her character being all sanctified, in an eminent degree, by Divine grace, fitted her for extensive and diversified usefulness. To "do good and to communicate" was the settled and fervent delight of her heart. She never became "weary in well doing," and never retired from her walks of benevolence until the stern hand of affliction compelled her. As she lived, so did she die,-serenely joyful; leaving behind her a testimony strong and emphatic to her Saviour's love; and an example which all might seek to follow.

We have been truly delighted and instructed by the perusal of this memoir. It is fresh and beautiful in the display of all the practical graces of the Christian character. It will be a blessing and a consolation, we doubt not, to hundreds of Christians. From its authorship we are delighted to think that it will obtain a wide circulation. May God bless it to the spiritual and eternal good of multitudes of the human family.

A BIBLICAL CYCLOPÆDIA; or, Dictionary of Eastern Antiquities, Geography, Natural History, Sacred Annals and Biography, Theology and Biblical Literature, illustrative of the Old and New Testaments. Edited by JOHN EADIE, LL.D., Professor of Biblical Literature to the United Presbyterian Church, and Minister of the United Presbyterian Congregation, Cambridge-street, Glasgow. With Maps and Pictorial Illustrations, drawn from the most authentic sources. 8vo. pp. 596.

John J. Griffin and Co., Baker-street, Portmansquare.

DOUGALD STEWART has well observed, that "the discoveries which in one age were confined to the studious and enlightened few, became, in the next, the established creed of the learned, and, in the third, form part of the elementary principles of education." This has been strikingly realized, within the last thirty years, in reference to the class of topics which form the subject of this volume. There is now a vast diffusion of that kind of knowledge which this volume is intended to diffuse. It is not intended to supersede the use of the larger works of Calmet and Kitto; but to supply, at a cheaper rate, a volume which shall be amply sufficient for less critical readers, who pant for increasing knowledge.

The basis of Dr. Eadie's work is the "Union Bible Dictionary" of America, originally prepared for the Amencan Sun

altered and improved as to be quite a new publication. Few men are better qualified to do justice to such an undertaking than Dr. Eadie, who has devoted great attention to all subjects connected with Biblical criticism. From his pen, as the Editor of Mr. Alexander's work on Isaiah, the public will feel themselves to be quite safe in such a work as this. Indeed, we feel strongly inclined to think, that the work, as now enlarged and improved, is adapted to almost all the ends for which such a volume is required. It contains a mighty mass of all the most valuable knowledge on Biblical subjects; and we give it our most cordial and unhesitating recommendation.

An EXPOSITION of the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS; wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents; the sacred Text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduced to its proper heads; the sense given, and largely illustrated; with Practical Remarks and Observations. By MATTHEW HENRY, late Minister of the Gospel. A New Edition, in Three Volumes, containing Supplementary Notes to each Book in the Old Testament, to the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, large additions to the Exposition on the Epistles and Apocalypse, and numerous Wood Engravings illustrative of Biblical Scenes, Customs, and Objects: together with a Life of the Author. 4to. Partridge and Oakey.

WE are much gratified to find this splendid edition of Matthew Henry's Commentary now completed. It is, indeed, a high gratification to us to find that a work of such profound piety and diversified merit retains its full hold of the public mind. We believe it is more read than ever; and we cannot help regarding this as a favourable sign of the times. The present edition has great claims on all the admirers of Matthew Henry. It is very accurate, and follows the standard copy. It is largely illustrated also by admirable wood-cuts, bearing on Jewish customs and manners, and Scriptural orientalisms in general. Considerable judgment has been evinced in the management of this department of the work. Then we have at the end of every separate book an Appendix, strictly so called, which brings down all the more important questions of Biblical criticism to the present times. This is an invaluable addition to the work.

But, as a boon for the people, the cheapness of the present edition is its most powerful recommendation. The Publishers, indeed, have been compelled to raise their original terms; but, at Fifty-Three Shil

department of printing economy, We most earnestly recommend this edition to all families, poor and rich, who are not in possession of one of the best family books that ever saw the light.

Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London.

HAPPY is it for the interests of our country, that Cromwell and his times are now beginning to be understood! The influences of an adverse character which set in with the restoration of the Second Charles, tended so fearfully to corrupt all the fountains of historical truth, that it required more than a century to unravel the clew of sophistry and falsehood which had been wound around the facts of the Protectorate, by the enemies of freedom and constitutional government. The materials, however, of honest history had not perished; and now, at last, they have been dragged forth from their hiding-places, by a succession of powerful writers, who have succeeded in turning the tide of men's minds, and placing the facts of the commonwealth in their true light; proving, beyond all contradiction, its benign effect upon the aspects of British rule and British Society. To Dr. Vaughan, Mr. Carlyle, and Dr. D'Aubigné, we are greatly indebted for the remarkable change wrought, of late years, in the state of public opinion on this great and vital topic.

We are much gratified to see this new and cheap edition of D'Aubigné's “Protector." It brings out to full view the religious character of Cromwell, and makes his correspondence an aid to the loftiest devotion. If there are any of our readers who question this statement, let them purchase the volume for themselves, and they will then cease to doubt.

ORIGINAL TALES; or, True Stories for My Little Grandchildren, Second Edition. 18mo. pp. 252.

Ward and Co.

THIS unpretending little volume is no common-place, ephemeral production; but a highly talented series of spirited and instructive tales for very young people, which they will understand and relish, even before they are able to read them for themselves. The auther well understands the philosophy of the infant mind-what is suitable to it, and what is unsuitable-what

it can bear, and what it cannot bear. When we inform our readers that these nursery tales are from the pen of a lady well known for her powers of interesting the young, they will be thankful to put her excellent volume into the hands of their young children. We have great confidence in bearing our testimony to the peculiar excellence of the work.

By

DEATH SCENES, and other Poems. ELIZABETH ANNE ALLOM, Daughter of the, late Rev. S. R. Allom, and Author of "The Sea-Weed Collector."

London: Simpkin and Marshall.

THE death of the late Mr. Allom, who departed in the midst of life and usefulness, was not only a severe shock to his congregation and his numerous connections, but it was felt most deeply by his widow and orphan children. Since that period, theirs has been a struggle to maintain a respectable station, and to provide things honest in the sight of all men. In this the writer of this small volume of Poems, which we now, though late, introduce to our readers, has been laudably diligent. We do not mention this circumstance to disarm criticism, or to bespeak for the book more than it intrinsically merits. It is genuine poetry, but of a sombre caste. Old as we are it has beguiled us of our sympathy, and in perusing some of its passages we have wiped away the unbidden tear which we have felt stealing down our cheeks. Of the first and principal poem the author expresses the hope that the motive which induced its publication will secure for it a kind reception; and that at least her highest aim may be attained, and the little messenger serve to remind a fellow-immortal, that it is only personal religion that can soften those painful bereavements to which all the "dwellers of clay" are subjected, and shed a halo of light and hope round his own path, when he himself shall enter the dark valley.

The Dying Christian's parting scene is touching and beautiful. The last page we quote; which will make its way to every pious heart of sensibility:

"I am dying, beloved one, passing away

From this earthly home, from this prison of clay;
I know that a mansion is waiting for me,
In that world which no mortal eye may see.
Bliss, bliss untold is my portion above,
And soon I shall rest in that region of love.
Oh! bow, my beloved, to God s sovereign will,
So his presence and favour shall rest on thee still.'
And weep not, my children,' he faintly said,
'Tis mercy that p llows this dying head;
My Redeemer liveth, and I shall stand,
With angels and seraphs at his right hand!'
He ceased; and I knew that the strife was o'er,
That his spirit might dwell on the earth no more;
And methought I could hear the angelic strain,
That welcom'd the freed one from grief and pain,

And hymn'd the praise of the Lamb of God, Who shed for poor sinners his life giving blood! 1 turn'd to look at the spoiler now,"

But changed was his mien, and alter'd his brow; He said: 'I am conquer'd, for Jesus hath died.' Death yielded his claim to the Crucified!

Now o'er my lowly harp

Triumph is swelling;

Now from my heart's deep fount,
Joy-springs are welling.

Jesus, the Ransom, died;
Death hath no terror;
Let God be glorified;
Praise him for ever!
Happy the Christian's lot,
Though grief surround him;
Jesus hath burst the chain,
That else had bound him.
Loud notes of joy shall ring
Through endless days;
And Death's great Conqueror
Have all the praise.

1. The MESSIAH'S ADVENT. By J. KING. 2. The RETURNING PRODIGAL. By the same.

Ward and Co.

To our juvenile friends Mr. King is well known as a composer. His "Hark, Father, Hark!" is lisped by many an infant voice; and needs only to be known to become a universal favourite. "The Messiah's Advent" is a Christmas Anthem, suited to all times. "The Returning Prodigal"-"Who can describe the joys that rise"-though in a different style, is of equal merit. They are both arranged for one, two, three, or four voices, with a separate accompaniment for the organ or pianoforte.