History of the Waldenses, &c. &c. By the Rev. Adam Blair. 2 vols. 8vo. Edinburgh, 1833.

It is, we conceive, a principle of literary criticism, now at least universally received, that the merit of an author is not to be determined by an exclusive regard to the quantity or the quality of the matter contained in his publications, as indeed so unjust a method of graduating the honours of authorship would bear excessively hard on, and perhaps even annihilate many an aspirant who, by the advantage of a more equitable law, has attained to eminence; but, that allowing something to the author's credit on account of what he conveys to the public, the meed of praise should be awarded in a ratio proportionate to the degree of difficulty which is supposed to have attended the acquisition of that precise quantity in the author's case. Thus we praise, as poetic beauties, in the lines of Yeardsley and Bloomfield, what in the pages of Byron or Campbell we should have regarded as tame and prosaic. The letters of Sancho were endured because they were written by an African, by one who had been a slave; under any other circumstance, if indeed they could have been written, they certainly would not have been read.

On this principle we think the present publication has very powerful claims on the attention of reading men; its appearance, under all circumstances, is indeed extraordinary. We should, for instance, have thought that a history of the Waldenses could not have been well written without an accurate acquaintance with the languages used in the documents of that people, though, indeed, there have been so many illustrious instances to the contrary in the present day, that the merit arising from this noble

abjuration of ancient prejudices is somewhat lessened. To what degree of praise the author now under consideration is entitled on account of his disadvantages in this particular, we leave our readers to judge from the examples we shall adduce. Mr. Blair, in the tenth page of his first volume, having occasion to quote an ancient document of the Waldenses, which reads in the original, "Quanto tempo e ch'e stata predicata la pura doctrina nelli valle?" has rendered it, "At what time have the religion and state (stata) been preached in the vallies?" When we first met with this singular translation in Mr. Blair's pages, we were somewhat startled, but on referring to the document in Moreland, we discovered that a form of the Italian verb to be had been metamorphosed into the abstract noun state, and as this was not the first useless auxiliary that has been enlisted in order to establish the union of church and state, we agreed to pardon the mistake on account of the ingeniousness which it displays. In p. 229, of the same volume, Mr. Blair has rendered "le firent egorger de nuit," by

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they caused choke him by night;" a translator who had possessed the advantage of the least instruction in French, would translate the passage, "they cut his throat by night." In the second volume, p. 285, our author renders the Latin ablative "scloppetis," by the somewhat unusual word

blowings;" a man who had felt himself restrained to tame accuracy by an acquaintance with the Latin, would have said “ fire-arms." As the latter two instances are amongst the very few cases where Mr. Blair indulges his readers with the original words of his authorities, we cannot pretend to show how far his merit in the present publication is increased by the cause to which

we have adverted; but if we had the documents before us, we are persuaded from these and a few more instances which we have observed that his claims on this head would appear altogether extraordi

nary.

As we have endeavoured to exhibit Mr. Blair's merits as an author, on the ground of the little assistance he has derived from his acquaintance with languages, we shall, in the next place, give him some small portion of the praise he deserves on the score of originality. His modes of reasoning have a peculiar character in this respect.

In p. 16, vol. 1, Mr. Blair infers from the fact that Campian the Jesuit had called the Waldenses "our ancestors," that they were "therefore more ancient than the Roman Church." In p. 60, our author concludes, because Hilary of Poictiers was orthodox in his religious opinions, that "Protestants therefore are not ashamed to search for their ancestors among the Waldenses," &c. In p. 65, "Nor do the Priscillianists, who were Manichees, seem to have corrupted the Gauls, though they continued through the sixth century." In p. 67, we learn that "Jerome does not solidly prove the saints omnipresent." We should indeed have been much surprised if he had solidly proved it! In p. 84, we learn," Probably Cæsarius and such councils were instrumental in checking Semipelagianism, for Hilary of Arles had been of that sentiment." The illative for is supposed generally to indicate a reason; in the present instance we do not see the force of the reasoning. In p. 75, Niceas is stated to have written, "never think of obtaining pardon, ab humano die, against an uncertain day, because he who has caused thee make this promise has de

ceived thee." The reasoning and the translation of ab humano die, in this passage, are equally original. The phrase ab humano die, might appear to a Greek scholar as a translation of the apostle's words, 1 Cor. iv. 3, υπο ανθρωπινής ημερας, which we render, of man's judgment; but certainly our author's paraphrase has the advantage of novelty. In p. 49, we read, “Constantine formed the orders of clergy so as to resemble the different orders or magistrates, like the second beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast.""

Mr. Blair's facility in demonstration is truly astonishing; he has contrived to settle the whole knotty question so long contended between the two different parties in the question of grace, by this short sentence. "The former is the view of Arminians, the latter is the doctrine of Calvinists and apostles," p. 150. Is it so? These Arminians are sad fellows to stand in opposition to the apostles! p. 349, Bonaventure, urging the ruin of the Waldenses," showed that this war had been very expensive, as if the French must of necessity perish in encountering the Albigenses; and that all this would be lost, unless they persevered in weakening them," &c. &c.

In

Mr. Blair's originality is equally observable in the extraordinary combinations of ideas of different and indeed opposite kinds which he occasionally exhibits. Thus in p. 58, "Alexander having been commanded by the emperor to receive Arius into the church, betook himself to prayer; and Arius when parading the streets in his way to the church on the Sabbath morning, was seized with a violent disorder of the bowels, and miserably died under horror of conscience." In p. 60, "The Novatians, in all

places refused running tilts, shows, and stage-plays." It is said of Cæsarius, Amidst the confusion of the times he was distinguished by acts of mercy." In p. 85, it is said, "Fortunatus was a man of various erudition, and an ingenious poet, but the year of his death is not mentioned." In p. 107, we are told, immediately after a paragraph on the increasing worldliness of the clergy," In the church of St. Sophia at Constantinople hung a picture of the sixth general council which had condemned the Monothelites."

Our author has the merit of undoubted originality in his figures. In p. 23, we read, "The former (the martyrs) walked with cheerfulness, majesty, and grace; their fetters were like the dress of a bride, elegantly garnished, overlaid with gold, and emitting a fragrant smell." What amazing fetters! fetters garnished, golden, and of fragrant smell!

As for the language of our his torian, it is unquestionably the most original which has ever been consecrated to grave narration in this part of the world. In p. 2 we hear of some, who were doubtless missioned through the Italian territories." The effect of this beautiful phrase is somewhat weakened, however, by its perpetual repetition: it occurs continually throughout the first volume. In p. 23, we learn, that "where Christ is glorified, no lamentation is loathsome." In p. 24, it is said, "The rescript, like that of a Stoic, enjoined," &c. and in the same page, "Alexander's signs and sorrow, his restlessness and deep interest in the Christians, made him be viewed as the cause why many who denied should now avow themselves followers of Christ." In p. 49, we learn, that "the internal inspection in religious controversies, forms of wor

ship, the offices of the priests, the vices of the clergy, and the like, belonged to bishops and councils.' In p. 50, it is stated that "The discovery of reliques founded a feast for the martyr." We hear of "entrants to the ministry," p. 56; of some who "give a prescription to the gospel," p. 59; of" Agelius, a most denied man," in page 60, and that Cæsarius" caused other ministers read his sermons," p. 82. We hear of a "compend of faith," p. 157, and in p. 55, that " Mosheim views Catharus and Gazarus the same when applied to the Paulinians." But the most wonderful of all Mr. Blair's exhibitions in this way is a game of leap-frog performed by a certain personal pronoun, insignificant indeed in size, but of an activity and prowess altogether wonderful. Let the readers observe his evolutions through the following passage. "He attacked the Count of Foize, who, like the Viscount of Carcassonne, was called Raymond Roger, who had accompanied Philip Augustus in the third crusade to the east, who had reigned Count since 1188, who must have been now fifty-five years of age, who possessed the greater part of Albigeois, and who was suspected of secretly favouring the new doctrines," p.324. Excepting we had some reason to doubt the identity of this redoubtable who in the several parts of this sentence, we should say he was the most wonderful little hero that ever lived.

One subject alone remains to be discussed: the originality displayed in these pages in the exhibition of proper names. Now this is a branch of originality quite peculiar to our author. However writers may differ from each other in the use of arguments and figures and style, they usually follow in the beaten track, in the manoeuvring

of such obstinate and unmanageable creatures as proper names. Mr. Blair has, however, scorned such a common-place procedure, and by this novel plan has spared his readers the trouble of a too frequent recognition of old and stale acquaintances. Thus we have in p. 13," Namesius;" in p. 14, and elsewhere" Porphery;" in p. 335, Pyrannees," and many other gentlemen and places who, with all the charm of novelty, endeavour to entice us to their acquaintance. On the whole, we cannot but say

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that we have been completely surprised by this publication, and that though it was certainly a very difficult, and we should have thought an impossible enterprise to rival and surpass, in their own particular line, many of the historians of the Waldenses with whom we have been favoured within the last few years, Mr. Blair has left them far behind. He has had many precursors: but he has outstripped them all, and need fear no successful competitor.

Hints and Examples illustrative of the Theory and Practice of Analytic Teaching. By John Bligh, Master of the Grammar School, South Crescent, Bedford Square, London. 8vo. pp. 48. L. and G. Seeley.

SINCE education is being reduced to a system of investigation, it begins to be perceived and understood that "graceful motions of the limbs, and motions of the tongue in well-turned phrases of courteous elegance, and a knowledge of some of the brilliant expressions of poets, and wits, and orators of different countries, and of a certain number of the qualities of the masses or atoms which surround him,' are not sufficient to render a child's education complete. Tuition is properly a course of mental discipline and improvement. The child is taught to think, habits of investigation are induced, and every lesson is an effort to compare, and combine, and classify for himself. This is placed in a clear and perspicuous light in the pamphlet before us.

Mr. B. has well illustrated both the theory and practice of the system; and we would strongly recommend every parent and instructor of youth to peruse his hints. They are particularly worthy of the attention of Sabbath-school Teachers. No where would the system of analysis prove more beneficial.

Two Sermons on Religious Intolerance, addressed to Bigots, whether Churchmen or Dissenters. By the Rec. Thes Bissland, M. A., of Baliol College, Or ford, Rector of Hartley, Mandyth, Hants, &c. 8vo. pp. 38. London: J. Hatchard and Son.

BIGOTRY, whether in Churchmen or Dissenters, is not only directly op posed to the benignant spirit and genius of our holy religion, but destructive of all those social and kindly feelings, which, as fellow-creatures. as well as fellow Christians, we ought to cherish one towards another. To rebuke and repress this evil spirit is the immediate design of the discourses before us. They breathe the charity which helpeth all things, but are deficient in that manliness of thought which should enter into the discussion of such a subject.

The Evidence for Infant Baptism. By the Author of "Notitia Luda," &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 32. London: Jackson and Waiford.

THIS pamphlet exhibits no ordinary degree of erudition and research. It is put forth by the author as a justification of himself and his friends. But while we are thoroughly convinced of the validity and scriptural charac ter of the argument in defence of pædobaptism, we cannot think that

any really beneficial results are to be expected from perpetuating the controversy on this subject. Why should diversity of opinion on one point, mutually acknowledged to be not essential to salvation, divide those who are denominationally one, and one too in their profession and belief of all the saving truths of Christianity?

The Christian's Daily Treasury: containing a religious exercise for every day in the year. By Ebenezer Temple. 12mo. p.496. G. Virtue, 26, Iry Lane, London. MASON, Jay, and other able writers, have published works of this description, which have deservedly become popular among religious readers. There is however ample scope for the volume which Mr. Temple has here furnished, and we have little doubt that it will prove both acceptable and useful; upon every text, we find the abstract and substance of a sermon, condensed into a narrow compass. The doctrines taught are sound, and the whole work breathes the spirit of devotion. In Dr. Hawker's Morning and Evening Portion, there are many excellent things, with some which are puerile and extravagant; and they are sadly deficient in practical admonitions and warnings. Mr. Temple has not laid himself open to this charge, for he gives the precepts of the word as much prominence as the promises; he is anxious to guide and guard, as well as feed the flock of Christ.

We shall give the exercise for Jan. 3, I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Ps. cxvi. 9.

"This was a noble resolution, and well

worthy an immortal being. Let us adopt it as our own. We are led from these words to consider the Christian's course in its peculiar nature. I will walk before the Lord.' It is a walk of faith in God. Faith in the heart is always connected with light in the mind. The exercise of faith implies the possession of knowledge. There must be faith in the being, character, bounty, promise, and covenant of God, and in his Son.

"It is a walk of communion with God.Union must exist before communion can be enjoyed. It is faith which unites us to God. You must walk with him not only in public ordnances, but in private

means.

"It is a walk of dependance on God.-It includes the surrender of the heart, the devotion of the soul, and the consecration of the life, and implies activity and progression. But we may contemplate the Christian's course,

"In its particular scene. 'In the land of the living,' because,

"Here the ordinances of religion are to be enjoyed-And only here. There are no ordinances in the grave. 'Shall the

dead praise thee?' There are no ordinances in hell; its inhabitants are beyond the reach of mercy. There are no ordinances in heaven, for there they need them not; they have obtained the end of their faith. Those who will not know God here in the riches of his grace, shall know him hereafter in the terrors of his justice.

"Here the supplies of grace are to be afforded. And only here. In hell there is

a sea of wrath-in heaven the river of life-on earth the streams of grace.

"Here the hopes of glory are cherished and only here.-In hell amidst the vast expanse of dark despair, no ray of hope ever flashes to lighten up the impervious gloom. In heaven, in the full blaze of fruition, the glimmerings of hope are eclipsed; for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for? The land of the living is the land of hope; let us then rejoice under its beams."

National Churches allied to Despotism. By

Andrew Nicol. 8vo. pp. 96. Edinburgh: M. Paterson. London: Westley and Davis.

cation is to establish the supremacy THE immediate design of this publiof Christ equally in the world as in the Church; that he is "Governor among the nations," as well as "King in Zion:" in other words, "that as Mediator of the new covenant, he is entitled to rule in the kingdoms of men, as well as in what is particularly styled his own kingdom--the church;" that the power of the Jewish kings being typical in all its extent-no more typical in the church than in the state, and being "all taken up in the great antitype, no man, under the gospel dispensation, has a right to assume the power of the Jewish kings in either church or state." This argument has been greatly overlooked, and consequently the position of the voluntaries rendered less impregnable than it might have been. It is with a view of filling up this gap, that Mr. N.