An Ascent of Mont Blanc without Guides, by a New Route. By Rev. Chas. Hudson, M. A. and Edward Shirley Kennedy, B. A. This book is entitled "Where there's a Will there's a Way," a catch-title, which does not show much taste. The ascent was hardly worthy of a book. A few pages of a pamphlet might have told the whole.

Shakspeare's England. By. G. W. Thornbury. 2 volumes.

A new edition of Byron's Poetical Works has been completed in six handsome volumes 8vo, uniform with Johnson's Lives of the Poets, Gibbon's Decline and Fall, the Works of Oliver Goldsmith. All belong to the Series called Murray's British Classics.

The Eleventh Course of Lectures to Young Men, delivered in Exeter Hall (1855–56), has been published. It consists of thirteen lectures by different men. The system of lecturing, after this fashion, will soon run out. It has continued long enough. Popular, superficial, worthless, such lectures must almost of necessity be, considering the audience for whom they are intended.

An edition of the English Poets, annotated by Robert Bell, still continues. The volumes are published at half a crown each. On the 1st of May were issued Ben Jonson's Poems.

It is to be hoped that books connected with the war will now cease. We have been deluged with them of late. One of the most popular has been : "The Siege and Defence of Kars, under General Williams. By A. Sandwirth, M. D." The pious have also been delighted with the "Memoir of Captain Headley Vicars," who was killed at Sebastopol. Yet there is nothing remarkable either in the book or its subject, except the fact of a young man being so pious while engaged in such murderous work, and surrounded with such wicked associates. S. D.

The volume of the Cyclopædia Bibliographia [Darling's] arranged under Subjects, is in active preparation, and will be ready for the press about the end of this year. Besides being very complete in Theological Literature, it will embrace nearly all departments of knowledge, pointing out the best books on each subject. It will be issued in the same manner as the volume already published on Authors, their Lives, and Works.

SCOTLAND.

[The following intelligence was prepared for the April No. of the Bib. Sacra, but was unavoidably deferred.]

A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians. By John Eadie, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Biblical Literature to the United Presbyterian Church. This is a companion to the author's previous work on the Epistle to the Ephesians. The commentary is copious and takes notice of all matters affecting the meaning of the Epistle, critical, philological, exegetical and dogmatic. The author has carefully employed the best helps, and has exhibited meritorious diligence in ascertaining and comparing the opinions of interpreters ancient and modern. His style is not exactly that best suited for a commentary, and his phraseology is not

always correct; but his philology is in general unimpeachable, being carefully borrowed from accredited German writers; and though he does not manifest any peculiar exegetical tact, and oftentimes reasons vaguely and inconclusively, his elucidations of the Apostle's meaning are in general such as are calculated to afford important aid to the student of this Epistle.

Faith in God and Modern Atheism compared in their Essential Nature, Theoretic Grounds, and Practical Influence. By James Buchanan, D. D., LL. D. 2 vols. 8vo. Dr. Buchanan is the successor of the illustrious Chalmers as Professor of Systematic Theology in the New College, Edinburgh. Before his appointment to this chair he occupied that of Apologetic Theology in the same institution; and in this capacity it was his duty to lecture on the Evidences of Natural as well as on those of Revealed Religion. Of his prelections on the former of these branches the substance is contained in these volumes, though in a form more adapted to general perusal than when first addressed to his class. He arranges his materials under four sections. The first is devoted to a Statement of the Evidence for the Being and Perfections of God; and under this head, after some introductory observations in which the question of the book is stated and the different methods of stating the proof of the fundamental doctrine of Theism are historically described and critically surveyed, he proceeds to indicate the different proofs which have been advanced by Theists, in all of which he finds something valid, and the true and relative worth of which he carefully points out. The second section is devoted to an "Examination of the Rational Principles which are involved in the process of proof." Here the author discusses the opinion that the Divine Existence is a truth given to us by intuition a truth not reached by any logical process but "gazed upon immediately by the eye of the soul;" investigates the Principle of Causality which he regards as “ noumenon or perception of reason which is alike spontaneous, universal and irresistible;" vindicates the legitimacy of the argument from final causes; and examines Kant's Critique of the Proofs of Natural Theology. In section third the author enters very fully on the subject of "Modern Atheism and the Theories which have been applied in support of it," viz. Theories of Development, of Pantheism, of Materialism, of Government by Natural Laws, of Chance, of Fate, of Religious Liberalism, of Secularism, of Certitude and Scepticism. The concluding lection is on "The Uses and Defects of the Natural Manifestation of God." This analysis of the contents of these volumes may afford the reader a conception of the comprehensive character of Dr. Buchanan's treatise; but no analysis can furnish any just idea of the whole worth of such a work. We think it in many respects one of the most valuable productions of recent British authorship in the department to which it belongs. The author writes in a clear and attractive style, and he has left no part of his subject unexplored. His reading has been immense, embracing not only all the best writers, ancient and modern, on both sides of the questions, but even the tracts and speeches of the itinerant teachers of Atheism who have been laboring so industriously to disseminate the poisonous seeds of unbelief among the operative classes of Britain. We have

a

been struck also with the calm and judicial gravity with which he uniformly writes, the result in no small measure, we feel persuaded, of the thorough mastery he has of the entire subject. Though divested of all outward traces of the lecture-room (unless it be an occasional use of the second person in propounding his statements), the work is eminently that of a Professor as distinguished from a controversialist or advocate, and therefore eminently adapted to the use of students.

The Truth of the Evangelical History of our Lord Jesus Christ proved in opposition to Dr. D. F. Strauss, the Chief of Modern Disbelievers in Revelation. By William Gillespie. 8vo. Mr. Gillespie is a layman who has addicted himself to the study of theological questions, and has earned for himself no mean reputation as the author of a work on the necessary existence of God. In his present work he descends from high à priori reasonings to grapple with the practical difficulties and material cavils which Strauss has urged against the Life of Jesus as recorded by the Evangelists. We have here, however, only the initiatory part of his reply, in which he deals chiefly in preliminary matter. His main thesis is that each of the Evangelists had a dogmatic or apologetic object in view, peculiar to himself, in writing his gospel, and that from this we are to account for the variations and discrepancies that occur in their narratives as compared with each other. Matthew wrote, he thinks, to prove specially the Messiahship of Jesus; Mark, to vindicate his divine commission as a teacher sent from God; Luke, to present the peculiar aspects of his humanity; John, to set forth his divine nature. This view the author maintains with much ingenuity, and we think renders sufficiently probable to make it worthy of serious consideration. We do not see, however, how his view, even if established, is to meet the difficulty arising from the alleged discrepancies of the Evangelists. Matthew may have written primarily to show that Jesus was indeed the Messiah promised to the Fathers, and John may have written primarily to impress on his readers the true and glorious divinity of his Master; but why this difference of purpose should have led the one, for instance, to say that our Lord ate his last supper with his disciples on the evening of the Passover and the other to say he ate it the evening before the Passover, does not appear. As Mr. Gillespie, however, leaves the application of his general thesis for a subsequent volume, we will not anticipate by urging such objections now. May we hint to him that a larger incorporation of the matter discussed in the notes with the text would be an improvement, and that a more sober style of writing than he has thought fit to indulge in in these notes would better beseem the dignity and solemnity of his subject. Dr. Thomas Guthrie's Series of Sermons on the Thirty Sixth Chapter of Ezekiel, under the title of "The Gospel in Ezekiel," has had a large circulation. It is the production of one of the most popular preachers of the day in Britain; and it affords some insight into the secret of his popularity. To thoroughly evangelical sentiment and biblical phraseology, the preacher adds a most picturesque imagination, a deep-toned sensibility, an earnest spirit, and a free, manly, generous utterance. No man could listen to such

discourses as these, especially when uttered by a tall, commanding speaker, with a sort of antique earnestness in his countenance, and possessing a voice that, in varied ́modulations, seems to touch every chord of the human heart, without being deeply moved. [The volume has been reprinted in the United States.]

Religion in Common Life: A Sermon preached in Crathie Church, Oct. 14, 1855, before Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert. By the Rev. John Caird, M. A., Minister of Errol. This sermon," published by Her Majesty's command," is perhaps, without exception, the most productive sermon that was ever published, the author, it is said, having received from the publishers the sum of £700 sterling as the produce of its sale. So much for preaching before the Queen and Prince Albert. Be it said, however, that the sermon is one of first-rate excellence, and that Mr. Caird has far more of honor from the able, manly, and faithful manner in which he discharged his duty, than from the accident of having had such a duty to discharge.

Lord Brougham has republished, in 3 volumes, 8vo., his Contributions to the Edinburgh Review. He claims several Articles which Lord Cockburn has ascribed to Jeffrey.

A second edition of Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Ralph Wardlaw, D.D., by Dr. W. L. Alexander, has appeared; the first edition having been disposed of on the day of publication.

The issue of Dugald Stewart's collected Works has reached the 8th volume, which contains the first part of his Lectures on Political Economy. These are now published for the first time.

A second part of Douglas's Passing Thoughts is about to appear. It will embrace the following subjects: "France and the Democracy; Britain and the World; the Moors in Spain; the History of England; Devotional Writers."

The Rational Creation: an Inquiry into the Nature and Classification of Rational Creatures, and the Government which God exercises over them. By Rev. John Brodie, Monimail. The object of the author, in this work, is to determine the peculiar characteristics of rational creatures, their various classes and conditions, the laws by which they are governed, and the destiny that is before them.

The Rev. Alfred Edersheim, D. D. is preparing a History of the Jewish Nation after the Destruction of Jerusalem.

A Translation of the Life of Friedrich Perthes, by his son, is announced.

UNITED STATES.

MR. W. F. DRAPER, of Andover, has recently published a duodecimo volume of 271 pages, entitled, "Discourses and Essays by William G. T. Shedd." The volume contains Discourses or Essays on the following important topics: The Method and Influence of Theological Studies; The true Nature of the Beautiful, and its Relation to Culture; The Characteristics and Importance of a Natural Rhetoric; The Nature and Influence of the Historic Spirit; The Relation of Language and Style to Thought;

The Doctrine of Original Sin. These elaborate Articles have been previously published in Periodicals or Pamphlets; but some of them have been inaccessible to the majority of readers; and all of them are now presented to the public in an attractive form. Prof. Shedd writes in a lucid and racy style, and invests with a rare interest the themes of which he treats.

Messrs. Whittemore, Niles, & Hall, of Boston, have just published “Exercises on Words; designed as a Course of Practice on the Rudiments of Grammar and Rhetoric. By William Russell, editor of the American Journal of Education, First Series." It is an 18mo. volume of 225 pages. The design of this volume is "to secure a thorough knowledge and expert use of the words of our language, as regards Orthoepy," Orthography, visible Syllabication, Etymological Analysis, the Signification and Meaning of Words, Definition, Synonymes, the Supplying of Ellipses, Variation of Expression, and Analysis of Composition. The volume is written with great care, by a master in the department to which he devotes himself. The reputation of Mr. Russell as a teacher of the English language is deservedly high, and in none of his numerous writings has he exhibited more skill and research than in the present work. The volume may be advantageously studied by clergymen and other professional men, as well as by the members of our Universities and Normal Schools.

Messrs. Crosby & Nichols, of Boston, have published a duodecimo volume of 468 pages, entitled "Sermons for the People. By F. D. Huntington, Preacher to the University, and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals in the College at Cambridge." It will contribute much to elevate the already high reputation of Dr. Huntington. A more lengthened notice of the volume was prepared for our present Number, but is necessarily deferred.

The Biography of American Clergymen, which has been so laboriously prepared by Rev. Dr. Sprague of Albany, is to be published in seven large octavo volumes. The first two of these volumes are devoted to the Congregational clergy, and are expected to be in the Bookstores early in the autumn. The remaining volumes will appear each after an interval of a few months. The work will contain contributions from probably more than six hundred writers, each of whom describes the character of some divine with whom he was personally acquainted. Nearly eighty of these contributors have deceased since the work was commenced. More than fifty of them have a place in the work, both as writers and as subjects of the biographical sketches. The work is to be entirely free from a partisan spirit. It will doubtless form a thesaurus of clerical biography, such as has never been previously given to the world. It will be an honor to our country and to the church.

Prof. J. J. Owen, D. D., is now engaged in preparing an English Commentary on the New Testament. The Commentary on Matthew and Mark will appear soon. It is the result of much labor. Dr. Owen has been a patient and indefatigable scholar, and his new work will be received with general interest.