"It is no exaggeration to affirm, that geology has close relations to every branch of natural history and to all the physical sciences, so that no district of that vast domain can be cultivated without awakening trains of thought leading to geological questions; and, conversely, the prosecution of knowledge in this department, cannot fail to excite the desire and to disclose the methods of making valuable acquisitions to the benefit of human life. In our day, through every degree of extensiveness, from the perambulation of a parish to the exploring of an empire, travelling has become a universal passion,' and action too. Within a very few years, the interior of every continent of the earth has been surveyed, with an intelligence and accuracy beyond all example. Who can reflect, for instance, upon the activity now so vigorously put forth, for introducing European civilization, the arts of peace, the enjoyment of security, and the influence of the most benign religion, into the long-sealed territories of Central Asia, and not be filled with astonishment and delightful anticipation? Similar labours are in progress upon points and in directions innumerable, reaching to the heart of all the other vast regions of the globe; and the men to whom we owe so much, and from whom so much more is justly expected, are geologists, as well as transcendent naturalists in the other departments. Whoever would run the same career must possess the same qualifications. Even upon the smallest scale of provincial travelling, for health, business, or beneficence, acquaintance with natural objects opens a thousand means of enjoyment and usefulness.

"The spirit of these reflections bears a peculiar application to ministers of the Gospel. To the pastors of rural congregations, no means of recreating and preserving health are comparable to these and their allied pursuits; and thus also, in many temporal respects, they may become benefactors to their neighbours. . . ."

-For those excellent men who give their lives to the noblest of labours, a work which would honour angels, preaching among the heathen the unsearchable riches of Christ, a competent acquaintance with natural objects is of signal importance, for both safety and usefulness."

The "Wreath for the Tomb" is a very remarkable work. It was occasioned by a time of unusual sickness, yet not of mortality, among the students of Amherst. Professor Hitchcock availed himself of the opportunity to preach the sermon here published, from Ps. cxix. 71. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." To it is prefixed an essay, of which the design is to search out, examine, and refute the subtle sophistry of that "magic power" by which men, in all the states and circumstances of personal and social life, are betrayed into a fatal inattention to death and eternity. This investigation is conducted in a manner strikingly original and affecting. The author applies his moral anatomy to the youth, the man of mature years, the middle-aged, the old :-merchants, clerks, and accountants; farmers, lawyers, physicians, ministers of the Gospel; mechanics and minor tradesmen; the student of the fine arts, the politician, the soldier, the devoted lover of literature, the editor of a periodical, the poet, the metaphysician, the mathematician; the experimental philosopher, the physiologist, the botanist and zoologist, the geologist; the irreligious, the truly pious; the intemperate, the unchaste, the censorious; and other varieties of human character. In the sermon we are taught how to derive the purest pleasure from the

bed of illness, and from any less degree of indisposition. We find difficulty in selecting a citation; but we will take the first inference, on Self-Examination.

"What have we actually learned in this school of severe discipline? Does any important religious truth remain impressed, more deeply than before, upon our minds? We have been permitted again to resume worldly pursuits: do we engage in them with the same spirit as before? Or, do we tread more carefully. as if upon more dangerous and treacherous ground? Does a sense of obligation for sparing mercy, constrain us to consecrate ourselves more entirely to the glory of God? Do we feel the need of such consecration, in order to be prepared for the next sickness, which we are now taught may come in an hour when we think not? Does the cross of Christ appear to us more precious than ever; and every other ground of support for eternity, delusion and fallacy? Do we still feel so deeply the emptiness and illusory nature of mere worldly pursuits, that we can keep them in their proper place; that is, subordinate to the higher interests of the soul? Does the cause of the Redeemer seem to us more precious than formerly; and are we willing to make greater sacrifices to promote it? Especially, do we more deeply realize the critical and alarming condition of our impenitent friends and acquaintance? Are our prayers for every good object more fervent, our faith stronger, and our humility deeper? O, let us not rest till these questions are faithfully answered! We have been under faithful discipline; and, if it has not softened our hearts, it must have hardened them at a fearful rate. It may be lawful for us to pray that we may be preserved from future sickness; but we ought to fear still more, lest God should utter concerning us the fearful interrogatory, Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt yet more and more. The most dreadful judgment which God ever brings upon a man in this world, is to bestow upon him, while his heart is unreconciled, uninterrupted health and prosperity."-p. 104.

The select passages are from Baxter, Drelincourt, Saurin, Howe, and other authors of high esteem, down to our own times. They are appropriate, and of a tendency harmonizing with the other parts of the volume; but the sermon and the essay are the things which give to this little volume its extraordinary value. It seems a great mistake that the chief place has not been assigned to them in the title-page.

One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on the Hundred and Nineteenth Psalm. By the Rev. Thomas Manton, D.D. with a complete Alphabetical Table, directing to the principal matters contained therein. In three Volumes. Vol. I. pp. 585. Vol. II. pp. 590. Vol. III. pp. 540. Third Edition. To which is prefixed the Life of the

Author, by William Harris, D.D. London: William Brown, 130, Old Street, St. Luke's.

On surveying the numerous folios which adorn our well-stocked libraries, it is often matter of wonder how it comes to pass, that while the authors and publishers of former days could afford the expense incurred by their publication, the expectation of seeing any thing similar brought out in our times is perfectly chimerical. Is it that money is more

equally distributed among the community, and that fewer comparatively are able to purchase such costly volumes? Is it that we want the wealthy and enterprising publishers of the fifteenth and sixteenth cen turies? Or, is it that our literature has assumed more of an ephemeral, every-day character, that our readers have lost a taste for what is profound and extended in research, and are well satisfied with whatever promises to detain them only for a moment from tɩ kalóτepov, or that a Goodwin or a Howe would spoil the symmetry of the tables on which are displayed the annuals and sketches, and pulpits and other small fry, dwindling continually into still greater diminutiveness of size? Whatever be the cause, certain it is that we shall look in vain for the production, or reproduction of tall and portly volumes, such as those which form the glory of the bygone age.

There is, however, one consolation left to us, that if we cannot command the size and form (which perhaps few, after all, will regret) we may increasingly the rich and invaluable matter which stores the works of our earlier theological writers. Owing in no small degree to a dissatisfaction with the superficial manner in which religious subjects are too commonly treated, the masses of empty verbiage which cover the pages of so many modern publications, and the prevalence of a phraseology formed upon the newspaper and the romance, a decided reaction is taking place in favour of our older divinity. And, heavy and uncouth as the diction of the writers frequently is, crammed as their writings are with doctrine even to superfluity, it must be allowed that the deep vein of devotion and practical godliness, the high spirituality of tone, the depth of thought, the fruitfulness of invention, and the use and application of the word of God by which they are characterized, cannot fail to render them in no ordinary degree interesting and edifying to persons of renewed and healthy minds. Not only are they calculated to afford copious supplies of spiritual instruction and nourishment to the private Christian, but those who minister in holy things will reap no small advantage in devoting a portion of every day to their perusal.

Of these mighty men of old few are superior to Dr. Manton; and of the five folio volumes of which his principal works consist, that containing his sermons on the 119th Psalm is unquestionably one of the best. It contains One Hundred and Ninety Discourses, preached in the course of his three weekly lectures. In fecundity and variety of thought, solidity of judgment, spirituality of matter, and holiness of tendency, they are equalled by scarcely any of their cotemporaries!

The religious public are under great obligation to the present publisher for bringing out an edition of these excellent sermons in three octavos, at a price which places them within the reach of a very considerable number of readers. The work is well got up, and is supplied with an interesting memoir of the author, by Dr. Harris, and a copious alphabetical table of the principal subjects treated of in the course of

the volume. We cordially recommend it to all those who are desirous of improving in the knowledge of sound doctrine, and in the deep and ripening experience of divine things, and especially to our younger ministers, who will find in it much to assist them in their arduous labour of preparing "things new and old" for the edification of the church of God.

CURSORY NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Protestant dissenters have ever been distinguished by their steady attachment to the House of Brunswick, and every Nonconformist library contains large collections of discourses preached and printed on various occasions connected with the history of the present royal family. Although the fashion of printing sermons delivered in seasons of general mourning or gladness has greatly declined, we are happy that an event which has diffused universal gladness throughout the empire, we mean the birth of a Prince, the heir to the British throne, has not only been celebrated by appropriate discourses from many dissenting pulpits, but that some of them have been sent to the press as permanent memorials of the devout loyalty of the preachers, and the body to which they belong. Two such discourses are now before us—one, from the elegant and practised pen of the Rev. Dr. Fletcher, entitled, "The Birth-day. A Sermon occasioned by the Birth of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, delivered at Stepney meeting on Lord's-day, November 14th, 1841," is a patriotic and pious improvement of the prediction concerning John the Baptist, "Many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke i. 14. The reflections are alike creditable to the mind and heart of our gifted friend, whose ability to engage again in public services, after protracted affliction, is an occasion of the most sincere satisfaction to our minds. The other is, if we mistake not, the maiden publication of a young minister of great promise, Mr. Andrew Reed, of Norwich, and is entitled, "British Rejoicings Moderated by British Distress; a Lecture delivered at the Old Meeting House, Norwich, on November 14th, 1841, on occasion of the birth of an heir to the British throne." The basis of this able discourse is Ps. ii. 11, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling," upon which the preacher shows the occasions for the latter, and the duty of the former, in the aspect of our civil matters-onr foreign relations-our social condition—and our religious persuasions. Under these particulars Mr. Reed takes a rapid glance at the complex and conflicting state of our affairs, both social and ecclesiastical, and follows them with a faithful and fearless avowal of sentiments becoming so anxious a crisis in our national concerns. (Jackson & Walford.)

A reverend chaplain of her present Majesty, some time since, addressed to his royal mistress and her court, an extraordinary sermon, entitled, "Hear the Church," abounding with the most unwarrantable and mischievous assumptions. We are happy, therefore, that a sermon by another court preacher in the reign of George I. has been recently reprinted, entitled, "The Office of the Civil Magistrate in its Nature and Extent," delivered before the Lord Mayor by Dr. Ibbott, September 29, 1720. It will show that the brilliancy of a royal circle has not always dazzled the eyes of chaplains in ordinary, but that there was one, a century ago, who could see the difference between the end and design of civil government, and of religion. We wish this cheap and seasonable reprint a wide circulation. (J. Snow.)

The author of " Decapolis" has issued a beautiful little volume, entitled "Pastoral Addresses," designed for church members, and discussing subjects of the deepest interest. They are written in a candid and masterly style, and breathe a spirit of devotion and goodness, of prudence and of evangelical zeal, which must commend

them to most Christian people, while they are pre-eminently adapted to the members of Congregational churches. We scarcely know a more suitable present than this would be, from a pastor to any members of his flock; but as most of our bishops, like those of primitive times, however distinguished by learning and piety, are far from abounding in wealth, we would suggest to the opulent members of churches, that they might aid their pastors, and benefit their fellow-members, by placing a copy of these addresses in the hands of those not likely otherwise to obtain it.

We have received a copy of "The Etymology and Syntax of Murray's English Grammar Systematically Arranged, by Charlotte Kennion;" and though works of that class do not fall within the range of our critical jurisdiction, yet as it is the fruit of the long experience in the work of tuition of its gifted authoress, we do not hesitate to give a passing opinion in its favour. Without any pretensions, this neat and unassuming volume proceeds, in a clear and simple manner, to make that science intelligible and attractive, from which many a youthful student has turned away with disgust. We have known those who have learned the philosophy of their mothertongue by the rules here recited, and who always evinced great readiness in solving by their aid the practical questions which will often arise in the study of our language. We can, therefore, confidently recommend a system which has produced such satisfactory results. (Simpkin & Marshall.)

The defection of the mass of the Welsh people from the church as by law established, has at length aroused the friends of episcopacy to make vigorous efforts to recover the lost sheep to the apostolic fold! The recently appointed Bishop of Llandaff has not only most assiduously applied himself to the acquisition of the Welsh language, but has also condescended formally to challenge the dissenting churches upon the score of separation from an apostolical church. We are happy that they have found a youthful David prepared to face the literary giant who has come forth against them, in the person of Mr. Edward White, minister of the English Congregational church at Cardiff, who has met the bishop's plea for church union by a lecture, entitled "The Union of the Religious," in which, in a style of much perspicuity and force, but in a tone most deferential and courteous, he shows that Christ did not institute an unity of the church upon earth in the sense for which his Lordship contends. It gives us great pleasure to welcome this gifted young minister, whose able and convincing discourse bears many marks of the advantages he has derived, from the studies he has pursued relating to the fathers and ancient Christianity.

THE EDITOR'S TABLE.

Mesopotamia and Assyria, from the earliest ages to the present time. By J. Baillie Fraser, Esq. Being the Thirty-second Volume of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library. 12mo. London: Simpkin & Marshall.

Plants. 24mo. London: Religious Tract Society.

Rational Reading Lessons: or, Entertaining Intellectual Exercises for Children. 16mo. London: Simpkin & Marshall.

Female Character: an Essay. By Albert Pennington. Second Edition. 12mo. London: Houlston & Stoneman.

Connexion of Sacred and Profane History; being a Review of the principal Events in the World. By D. Davidson, Author of "The Biblical Dictionary." 16mo. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

Illustrations of Scripture, from the Geography, Natural History, and Manners and Customs of the East. By the late Professor George Paxton, D.D. 2 vols. 12mo. London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co.