THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE WEATHER, and a Guide tO ITS CHANGES. By T. B. BurLER. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1856. 12mo. pp. 414.

The author of this work is one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut, and was, in the years 1849-50, a Representative in Congress from the same State. His object in writing, as he states, is not the desire to acquire scientific reputation, but to fulfill a promise given to a friend,--to put on record a series of daily and sometimes hourly observations of the clouds and currents of the atmosphere, connected with reports of the then state of the weather elsewhere-to impress the reader with the belief, “that he will derive a pleasure from a daily familiarity with, and intelligent understanding of the countenance of the sky,' not exceeded by that which any other science can afford."

With this in view, and divesting his subject, so far of technical terms, as to make it readily intelligible to all, while enough are retained to give clearness and precision to his statements, he has embodied in the volume an amount of useful information, which commends it at once to the student in the closet, the farmer in his field, the traveler on his journey,--to all who are curious about or interested in the weather.

Starting with the assertion, that from the arrangements which exist for the diffusion of heat and distribution of moisture over the earth, with magnetism as the great agent, result all the phenomena which constitute the weather, he discusses at length the manner in which these elements are produced, diffused and distributed-gives the definition and character of storms-the mode in which, and from what ocean our rivers return "-analyzes the origin and operation of the winds, and the various theories in relation to them, which he deems fallacious, accompanying his criticisms with his own personal observations, and with such diagrams and explanatory plates, as to place the subject clearly and intelligibly before the reader.

The theory of Meteorologists of the present day, who refer all atmospheric conditions and phenomena to the influence of heat, is thoroughly tested and criticised, and that in no ex cathedra tone or manner, but in the spirit of his own language, that "the time has come, or should speedily come, when pride of opinion' and 'esprit du corps,' among theorists and philosophers, should neither be indulged in, nor respected; and when their theories should be freely discussed, and rigidly tested by the observations of practical men."

The last chapter treats upon "Prognostics" of the weather, in which much curious information, with quotations of quaint sayings and proverbs-many of which we hear in every day life-are blended with "signs which foreshow the weather" and those peculiarities exhibited by animals and birds before approaching storms.

No doubt the theories here advanced will meet with many assailants, and in this the author will not be disappointed, but we opine that the great mass of readers, will peruse this volume with equal profit and pleasure.

THE NEW AGE of Gold, or THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF ROBERT DEXter RoMAINE, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co. 1856. 12mo. PP. 403.

This New Age of Gold," is a sort of romantic dream, a mere creation of the imagination, though the author labors, (improperly as we think,)to convey the idea that it is a narration of facts, by introducing the names of well known persons, and appending at the end, what purports to be "a note by the publishers," describing the personal appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Romaine. The book is, however, a delightful and pleasant one to read and think over. seems written to make the reader happy," and will pleasantly wile away the dog days for those who have "nothing else to do."

"It

SERMONS. BY ROBERT A. HALLAM, D. D., Rector of St. James' Church, New London, Connecticut, and author of "Lectures on the Morning Prayer." Philadelphia: Herman Hooker. 1856. pp. 310.

We are glad to see these Sermons by Dr. Hallam. His recent" Lectures on the Morning Prayer," which we are pleased to state, have been received with great favor, and very generally circulated, prepare the way for the perusal of these sermons, with the certainty of receiving rich and instructive lessons. The sermons here collected are mainly of a practical and devotional character-and are admirably suited for family reading, and, with one or two exceptions, for the lay reader also. We fully agree with the Episcopal Recorder, that many of these discourses are "imbued with that sweetness of style and tone which makes the writings of Leighton on the one side, and Manning on the other, so very attractive."

Some of the texts, upon which the discourses are based, may strike the reader oddly and lead him to wonder what lesson can be deduced therefrom, but the manner in which the theme is handled, the sound practical Christian instruction, which is evolved, will convince him that no passage of Holy Writ is without meaning, and that all Scripture is "written for our learning.'

The writings of Dr. Hallam are characterized by a certain quaintnesss of expression, which happily tends to attract and fix the attention, while his terse and piquant style and earnest manner, impress upon the mind of the reader the great truths which he enunciates. The late hour at which this volume came to hand, forbids that examination which it deserves, and we can only refer our readers to the book itself for a confirmation of the opinions we have thus briefly expressed.

THE WONDERS OF SCIENCE; OR, Young Humphrey DAVY, (the Cornish Apothecary's Boy, who taught himself Natural Philosophy, and eventually became President of the Royal Society.) The Life of a Wonderful Boy, written for Boys. By HENRY MAYHEW, author of the "Story of the Peasant Boy Philosopher," &c. With Numerous Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1856. 16mo. pp. 452. New Haven: T. H. Pease.

Sir Humphrey Davy, whose chemical discoveries contributed immensely to the advancement of this branch of modern science, was as remarkable in his boyhood as in his manhood. His genius and talent were both of a high order, and this story of his life by Mr. Mayhew, will be sure to strike a responsive chord in the breasts of many of our youth.

HARPERS' STORY Books. A series of Narratives, Dialogues, Biographies, and Tales, for the instruction and entertainment of the Young. By JACOB ABBOTT. Embellished with numerous and beautiful Engravings. No. 18. The Museum; or, Curiosities Explained.

In this little volume many curious things in Natural History, Mechanics, Geography, &c., are explained for the amusement and instruction of the Young. The series will be sent regularly for three dollars a year, and the postage is only a trifle. It is a cheap and beautiful present for good little boys and girls.

LARDNER'S ONE THOUSAND AND TEN THINGS WORTH KNOWING.-A book clearly explaining how to do rightly almost everything that can be necessary in the Kitchen, the Parlor, and the Dressing Room, with Maxims, Receipts, &c., &c., &c. New York: H. Long & Brother. 1856. 12mo. pp. 143.

LYRA APOSTOLICA.-First American, from the Fifth English Edition. New York: Thomas W. Stanford. 1856. pp. 262.

A series of poetical compositions, reprinted from the British Magazine, in which they originally appeared. These poems, designed to illustrate important Christian truths, are many of them of great excellence, and will richly repay an attentive perusal.

The following Pamphlets, &c., have been received:

BISHOP DOANE'S SERMON; "The Church for Use," at the Institution of the Rev. J. W. Shackelford, Newark, N. J. Feb 12, 1856.

Rev. S. L. SOUTHARD'S SERMON on "The Christian Measure," in St. John's Church Buffalo, N. Y.

Rev. J. H. MORRISON'S SERMON, "A Plea for Confirmation;" in St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, Feb. 17, 1856.

Rev. THOMAS S. BACON'S SERMON; "A Defense of Street Preaching;" in Trinity Church, Natchitoches, La., Advent Sunday, 1855.

PARISH STATISTICS OF CHRIST CHURCH, Elizabethtown, N. J., and Third Annual Address of the Rector, (Rev. Eugene Aug. Hoffman.)

Catalogue of the Berkeley DIVINITY SCHOOL, at Middletown, Conn. 1856.

In this young and promising Institution there are in all eight Professors and Teachers, and already nineteen Students. Its facilities for thorough study and effective training are unsurpassed by any similar Institution in the country. Rev. F. H. CUMINGS' DISCOURSE, "The Prosperity of the Church promoted by Wardens and Vestrymen and other members of the Church;" in St. Mark's Church, Grand Rapids, Mich. Second Edition. 1856.

We copy the Appendix to this valuable Discourse, as follows, on the "Duties of Wardens and Vestrymen."

The duties of Wardens and Vestrymen are thus summarily defined in an early number of the Churchman's Magazine, published in New Haven, Connecticut The duties of Wardens are,

1. To provide for the church a Prayer-Book and Bible of suitable size, at the expense of the parish.

2. To make the usual collections in the church.

3. To provide, at the expense of the parish, fine white bread and good wholesome wine for the Lord's Supper.

4. To provide a book of records, in which to enter, in the absence of a Rector, the names of persons baptized, married, or buried, with the date.

5. To present to the Bishop, or the chairman of the standing committee, every Priest and Deacon who has voluntarily relinquished his sacerdotal office, and uses the employments belonging to laymen.

6. To take care that the church be kept clean, and in good repair; and to preserve order during divine service.

7. To see that persons resort to church.

8. To prevent idle persons remaining in the churchyard, or about the doors of the church, during divine service.

9. To give an account to the Corporation of the church, if it has no treasurer, at the expiration of the year, of all moneys received and expended.

The duty of Vestrymen, or Trustees, is to transact all the temporal business of the church; to collect money stipulated to be paid to the minister, and at the expiration of the year if there be a deficiency, to give information thereof to the congregation, and if necessary to enforce the payment.

NOTE.-We are compelled to omit a large number of Book Notices, prepared for this number of the Review.

The Rev. HIRAM R. HARROLD, Rector of St. Anne's Church,'Middletown, Delaware, died April 28th, 1856, aged 53 years.

Mr. Harrold was taken away, after a short but severe illness, having officia ted on Sunday, April 20, in his own Church, apparently in his usual health. On the Tuesday following, he was attacked with pneumonia, which proved fatal in less than a week.

The Episcopal Recorder says:

"Mr. Harrold enjoyed the esteem of a large circle of friends, and the respect and affection of his parishioners. He was diligent in the performance of the duties of his sacred office, and for many years cheerfully underwent labors from which many men of fewer years and more robust health would have shrunk.

"He had been for about twenty-two years in the ministry of the Episcopal Church, which he entered from convictions of duty, having previously ministered in connection with the Protestant Methodist Communion. The greater part of his ministerial life was spent in the Diocese of New Jersey, where he left behind him abiding monuments of his zeal, energy and perseverance. In 1849 he removed to Delaware, and took charge of the ancient and interesting parish of St. Anne's, officiating also for several years in Christ Church, Delaware City. During his ministry, the latter church, which he found unfinished, was completed, and St. Anne's Parish has been improved by the addition of a beautiful and convenient parsonage. The intelligence of his sudden decease occasioned general sorrow, and drew forth many evidences of affection on the part of the community in which he resided."

Bishop Doane in his Address to the late Convention in the Diocese of New Jersey, paid a warm and beautiful tribute to the memory of Mr. Harrold, from which we make the following extracts:

“HIRAM R. HARROLD was born in Trenton, New Jersey, August 20, 1803. His ancestors were of the Church of England; but through his immediate