one of his pencils, and Charles having taken it up, made, in answer to the Artist's apologies, the often quoted observation, That Titian was worthy of being waited on by Cæsar.' This great Artist seems to have been well suited to a court, by his polished manner and courteous address. His mode of living was suited to his rank and fortune: he lived in affluence and honour; and died in 1576, of the plague, at the advanced age of ninety-nine.

We shall not enter largely on the description and discussion of the special modes by which Titian produced his marvellous effects, inasmuch as such a dissertation would demand a treatise, rather than a paragraph in a review. A few intimations, however, may gratify the curiosity of those who take an interest in these things; and we shall avail ourselves of the materials within our reach, to describe the chief peculiarities of his manner. He appears to have been fond of painting on a white ground, a practice evidently favourable to the clearness, brilliancy, and transparency of his colouring. Some of his pictures still exist in such stages of execution as throw considerable light on his processes; and it was in relation to one of these that Count Cicognara, President of the Venetian Academy, congratulated himself on having detected Titian in the very act of painting.' Boschini has preserved the explanations given on this subject by the younger Palma, who had been Titian's pupil; and from him it appears, that, after having laid on the foundation colours, and put in the principal lights, with indications of the general tone of colour, he would turn the picture with its face to the wall, leaving it there, perhaps, for months; and when he resumed it, he would subject it to severe revision, and finish it in his usual

way.

Titian went over each picture as the colours dried, laying on the flesh tints from time to time, with repeated touches; but it never was his practice to complete a figure at once, observing, that he who sings off hand, can never compose correct and faultless verses.' In order to bring the finishing touches to perfection, he blended them with a stroke of his finger, softening the edges of the lights with the half-tints, and thus uniting them together, which gave form and relief to both. He sometimes put in with his finger a touch of dark in some angle, or a touch of a rich red tint, similar to a drop of blood,--giving by these means a surprising animation to his figures.'

The volume which has suggested or supplied these comments, offers a considerable collection of valuable materials relating to the life and labours of Titian. It might have been more systematically arranged, and a larger admixture of original and effective criticism would have given it a higher zest; but the Author has been more solicitous in the accumulation of facts, than concerning the analysis of opinions, or the exhibition

of himself as an eloquent writer on the subject of Art. He has brought together an exceedingly useful variety of information respecting the paintings of Titian still in existence, their present possessors, and the best engravings which have been made from them at different times; and his book will, in addition to its value as a memoir, be found an acceptable companion to travelling virtuosi.

Art. V. Twenty-one Sermons, by the late Reverend Thomas Spencer, of Liverpool. 12mo. pp. 324. London, 1829. (Printed for the Religious Tract Society.)

IT

T is much to be regretted that these interesting papers were not published at an early period, and in immediate connection with Dr. Raffles's "Memoir." They are valuable in themselves, as a clear and eloquent enforcement of Evangelical truth, and as indicative of distinguished talents for the pulpit; but it is only when we take into account the peculiar circumstances under which they were written,-the mere boyhood of their Author, his imperfect education, and his premature entrance on the anxieties and activities of ministerial life,-it is only, we repeat, when we are fresh from the consideration of these things, that we are qualified to do justice to these (in this point of view) very extraordinary productions. The first was preached by Spencer when only in his seventeeth year; and the last, when he was but four years older, and within fifteen days of his death, of which it might almost be considered as indicating a presentiment. Now, without meaning to claim for these memoranda, rapidly thrown together and unrevised, the highest order of intellectual or rhetorical excellence, we have no hesitation in saying, that they are demonstrative of uncommon powers. That which opens the volume, although the composition of a mere boy, exhibits a facility of Scripture reference and exposition, a clearness and fulness of arrangement, with an accuracy and richness of theological sentiment, that would do credit to the close, instead of the commencement of a ministerial career. And there is, moreover, a steady and decided improvement manifest throughout this series of sketches, which indicates a reflective power not usually characteristic of minds so buoyant and elastic as Spencer's. It was much to possess this power, but it was still more, situated as he was, to have cultivated it. He was at the height of popularity; preaching incessantly, shifting from place to place, sought after by all; and this during the very time which should have been spent closely and exclusively in his study, to make up for early disadvantages. It may be that he was more usefully employed, but, in an intellectual view, he

was not fairly dealt with; and it is this which has excited our surprise, and enhanced our admiration of the man who, amid such disadvantages, could do so well. Had he been spared to feel his ground more firmly, to make a correct estimate of his own excellencies and defects, to grapple resolutely with his difficulties, to enrich, by deep and consecutive thought, aided by close and persevering research, a mind already gifted with noble faculties, it is impossible to say how far he might have gone.

It would not be fair to exhibit as specimens of these draughts, detached paragraphs or sentences; they have not received the necessary elaboration for such a dismembering process. We shall take, therefore, without any very careful selection, a larger portion as an average sample of these compositions.

I. We will establish the fact, that the gospel does produce the most salutary effects on the mind and deportment.

We mean to say, that the gospel, by its holy power, produces a radical, a total change; that it forms us new creatures in Jesus Christ; and makes us partakers of a divine nature: the members of the body, and the faculties of the soul, are alike affected by its blessed influence; that tongue, which was once an unruly member, full of deadly poison, now tells the wonders of redeeming grace; those eyes, that were once evil and full of adultery, are now turned to heaven with pious adoration, or gushing with tears of penitence for sin; those ears, which before could listen to nothing but what was sinful and depraved, are now opened to attend to the things of the kingdom; the hands are lifted up to God in prayer; the lips praise the name of Jesus. That heart, which was once a cage full of unclean birds, is now a temple for God to dwell in, through the eternal Spirit. When the power of the gospel is experienced in the heart, the obstinate become mild; the self-willed, submissive; the careless, thoughtful; and the dissolute, holy. It is not enough that the gospel enlightens the judgement, and elevates the affections, but it must do more; it must transform both soul and body into the image of Christ, and thus affect the temper and the conduct; and that it does this, may be proved-from the design of God,--and the testimony of example. Learn that the gospel produces a holy effect upon the disposition and deportment of mankind,

1. From the design of God.

Jehovah determined to accomplish, by the inspiration and diffusion of the gospel, what the law could not do, in that it was weak: he chose it to be the grand means of turning men from darkness to light, and from the power of sin and Satan to God. He ordained it to be the sword of his Spirit, that should slay our corruptions; the rod of his strength that should rule in our hearts; and the noblest display of the power of God, in raising us to a high elevation of mental and moral excellence. He resolved in his eternal mind, that his word should heal the nations of the deadly plague of sin, and clothe the people in the garments of purity. Then, surely, the purpose of the Lord must stand, and he will do all his pleasure, because he wisely

determined that it should be so; therefore his gospel powerfully influences the temper and conduct. This be also seen

2. By the testimony of example.

may

Let those who have received the gospel in the love of it, be viewed by us as a long cloud of witnesses to its truth and divine effects; for into what heart has it darted its influence that has not, from being obdurate and hard, become tender and susceptible? Who is there that firmly believes the gospel testimony, that does not adopt a different line of conduct from that which is pursued by the children of disobedience? Through the power of the gospel, those who were cruel and profane, as Manasseh, like him begin to seek the Lord their God, and repent with full purpose of heart. Those who were as extortionate as Zaccheus, when the salvation of the gospel comes to their ears and their hearts, like him feel a spirit of pure benevolence to the world, and love to Him, who caused his grace to abound much more than sin. Those who persecuted the saints, like Saul of Tarsus, when the light of the gospel shines into their souls, throw down the weapons of hostility to Christ and his chosen, and determine to war a good warfare under the protection of the Captain of salvation. When all other attempts at reforming the character have failed, the gospel has gloriously succeeded. It has taught the liar to become sincere; the intemperate to become sober; the proud to become humble; the wanton to become chaste; and the self-righteous to submit to the obedience of faith. Yea, am I not addressing some who glory in the thought that they are trophies of its power, and who stand in the church of Christ as monuments of its grace: though ye were sometimes foolish and disobedient, the time past of your life has sufficed you, wherein to have wrought the will of the Gentiles; and you now desire to serve God in all holiness and righteousness. What, though I might, after I had mentioned some of the slaves of sin, say, "And such were some of you;" yet I rejoice that I am able to add, "but ye are washed, but ye are justified, but ye are sanctified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God;" and therefore you display the influence of the gospel, in your temper and conduct.' pp. 264-267.

And are these the triumphs of the gospel? Does it indeed produce so divine a change in the moral world? Then surely it is worthy of its Author; of him, "for whom are all things, and by whom are all things." Is it any disgrace to the wisdom that devised it, or the love that gave it to the nations? No: for in the gospel God has declared the glory of all his perfections, and particularly does his holiness shine in it with radiant lustre.

Is it the tendency of the gospel to refine and exalt the character; to make the temper and conduct such as God requires? Then who would not long for its general diffusion; who would not exclaim with ardour, "Fly abroad, thou mighty gospel?" Who would not love those noble institutions which have in view its wider circulation, and which God has honoured for the conveyance of its blessings to the children of men?

."

But oh! are there not many who profess to love the gospel, and to

feel its power, who are filled with envy, malice, and all uncharitableness? Yes, there are! But oh! thou blessed Jesus, are these thy disciples? Most glorious gospel! are these the men in whose hearts thy truths have made a deep impression? The Saviour and the gospel alike disown them: and, "Depart from me, I never knew you," will hereafter be uttered to them by God the Judge of all.

I dare not persuade myself to leave this pulpit, without asking my hearers, What has the gospel done for you? In the presence of God and all his holy angels, I would put this question to you, and leave you with all solemnity to consult God and your own consciences on the subject. But oh! do remember, that you may hear the gospel; you may avow your attachment to it; you may liberally support its interests; and yet die, after all, without experiencing its blessings, and have a neglected gospel rise up in judgement against you, to aggravate your condemnation.

'Here, however, allow me to turn from man to God; suffer me to express my wishes for all who compose this congregation; and, looking around you, permit me to say to the God of purity and the God of the gospel," Sanctify them all through thy truth; thy word is truth." pp. 271, 272.

The interest of the volume derives no accession from the preface: it should have taken a higher tone, in speaking of the sermons to which it is an introduction; it is too brief; and it is, moreover, interlarded with very singular phraseology. We are told of Mr. Spencer's watery translation to a better world;' and it is intimated, that

he left our world in the spirit of' one of his favourite verses.

"" Since none can see thy face and live,

For me to die is best;

Who would not into Jordan dive,

To land in Canaan's rest?"

The writer of these odd expressions, strange in themselves, and stranger in their application, must have very confused notions concerning the limits which separate the solemn from the ludicrous.

Art. VI.-The Character and Offices of Christ illustrated by a comparison with the Typical Characters of the Old Testament. By the Rev. John Crombie, A.M. Minister of St. Andrew's Scotch Church, London. 8vo. pp. 468. London, 1827.

THE Volume before us comprises a series of Discourses de

livered by the Author to his congregation at a Tuesday evening Lecture, and according to the account given by him in his dedication, were very hastily composed. It is unnecessary for us to describe the complexion of the Preacher's sentiments,