"The action of the sun and of the different sidereal bodies exercises a particular influence upon her, according as she is exposed to them. Light and sound affected her differently than when in the normal state. The creation, thus brightened afresh for her, had become the object of her perpetual admiration, and though illiterate, she found comparisons and images to express her admiration.

"But this constant over-excitement of the nervous system exercises an unfavourable influence upon the organs of the young girl, which are visibly decaying. According to the advice of the medical men in attendance, her parents purpose taking her to Paris, in order to seek relief from the celebrated medical men, and also to submit to science the facts of her extraordinary case, which are out of the ordinary sphere of its investigations."

THE NINEVEH SCULPTURES.

The Rev. Thomas Chalklen has recently delivered a course of six lectures "On the representative character of Assyria in the Holy Word," at the church in Argylesquare, London, with a view, it is understood, of repeating them elsewhere. He has been at great pains in preparing illustrations from the drawings given by Layard of the lately exhumed Sculptures of Nineveh, and having collated a great variety of information in explanation of them, a character of novelty and interest was imparted to the subject, which rendered it highly interesting and instructive. The following is a copy of the syllabus:Lecture I-The Science of Correspondences-Representatives of the ChurchThe Holy Word written accordinglyAssyria representative of one of the great principles of humanity-In its highest significancy of a Divine principle-Thence of a principle appertaining to the Church -Its relation to higher and lower principles-How came these to be actually represented by Assyria and its cities Those general features of the Assyrian character which render it such a representative, gathered from the literal sense and confirmed by the recently discovered Sculptures-The especial usefulness of these discoveries as testimony to the authenticity of Scripture-Their further use in helping to understand the spiritual

sense.

Lecture II.-Assyria representative of a perverted principle in fallen man, and thence of a perverted principle in the state of the Church-Its antagonism to

the Church, shewn to be such in the Word-The testimony of the Sculptures in agreement with the literal sense as regards the perverted principles represented -The moral decline which rendered Assyria representative of perverted principles-Those features of the Assyrian character exhibited in the Sculptures, which represent perversions or falses.

Lecture III.-The Animals of Assyria named in the Word and found on the Sculptures-What they represent in a good sense-Further shewn by natural history-The emblematical figures-Their resemblance to Scriptural descriptionsTheir original intention-Their perverted

use.

Lecture IV.-The Animals -- What, in a bad sense-. -Assyrian articles of use and commerce, and implements of war-The significations of those mentioned in the Word--Further indications of the representative character of the Assyrians in the prevalence of eunuchs and absence of females in the Sculptures.

Lecture V. The particulars of their intercourse and wars with Israel interpreted-And illustrated from the Sculptures-The prophecies respecting them interpreted and illustrated by the fall of Nineveh-The rise and downfall of Babylon-How the principle represented by Assyria becomes that which Babylon signifies.

Lecture VI.-The spiritual cause of the long disappearance of Nineveh and other Assyrian cities, and of their present disentombment-The restoration of spiritual Assyria to orderly conjunction both with lower and higher principles of the Church-The relative localities of Assyria and the land of Israel, &c.

A good attendance throughout the course was a proof of the interest with which the subject was invested by the lecturer; and considering the importance of such subjects, especially to the young people of the New Church, it is to be hoped that Mr. Chalklen will be invited to deliver them elsewhere. We may take this opportunity of observing that Mr. C. is now without any permanent engagements in the ministry of the New Church, and that his numerous efforts in the cause as a missionary, and more particularly in fostering many young societies, while supported by his professional avocations as an artist, entitle him to consideration. We regret that his professional resources are at present very precarious, and should be glad indeed to hear that some provision was secured for him before he is

overtaken by the decline of life. We commend the subject to the consideration of those who have the means, and would be willing to do the Church a service at the same time, by settling a worthy pastor with some infant society, who would appreciate his services, and from which, as a centre, he might extend his labours, as a missionary, to the surrounding neighbourhood.

INTELLIGENCE FROM DR. TAFEL.

The following is an extract from a letter received by Mr. Butter from Dr. Tafel :

"It was my intention and desire to express, immediately after my return home, my heartfelt thanks to yourself and to all other friends in England, for the numerous proofs of their kindness I experienced during my abode in London. But you cannot imagine how, since my return, I have been oppressed with business, so much so, that I have not been able to clear up my correspondence. I cannot, however, now longer delay writing to announce to you the arrival of the copies of the Report of the Public Meeting at Freemasons' Hall, which I have lately received. I have distributed these copies to certain libraries and individuals, as I thought most useful, and thereby have fulfilled, I trust, your intention. I have presented a copy to Dr. Niedner, Professor of Theology, and President, for life, of the Historico-Theological Society at Leipzig, instituted in 1814, and acknowledged by the government of Saxony in 1830. You probably may remember that I stated to you, in one of my letters, that once had a visit from this gentleman, and that he has made a favourable mention of the New Church in his celebrated History of the Christian Church. On the 17th of November, I was surprised by the arrival of a wellexecuted diploma, declaring me an ordinary member of the society, together with a friendly letter from the President. Although they have abundant contributions to this work, still the President has intimated a wish to have various articles from my pen to be inserted in the transactions of the society, especially one on the Societies of the New Church. As I am willing to do so, I should like to be assisted by friends in England and America, concerning topics which are not so well known to me. I will send a copy of the Report to the library of this society, whose ordinary members are in

all parts of the world, and of course in England. There are also honorary members who are not theologians; for instance, the Prussian Ambassador in London, M. Guizot and M. Cousin at Paris. Now this membership may be useful towards dissipating the prejudices against the New Church. For the principal criteria of the true church are [as to its fundamental principles] immutability, freedom, and purity; and I hope to show, in a work entitled Irenie, or "Theology of Peace," which I am now publishing, that these are the characteristics of the New Church. In connection with this, I am writing a refutation of Dr. Mohler's article on Swedenborgianism, in his work entitled "Symbolism,"* and in which he has misrepresented Swedenborg. This refutation has become absolutely indispensable in English, as well as in German, because the translation of Moehler's work is now much read in England, and especially at Oxford; and when I was in London, both Mr. Clissold and Mr. Smithson urged me to the task.

"I have likewise been engaged in publishing another work, entitled “The Principal Truths of Religion; or Hours of Meditation upon the Fundamental Reasons of Religious Truths." The object of this work is to develope, from the germ in every conscience, eternal religious truths, and to show their agreement with Revelation. I have also lately published a German translation of Clowes' Sermons on the Ten Virgins; and likewise three more sheets of the German translation of the Arcana Cœlestia, chap. xii. These are publications of which only a small amount is covered by the sales, but which were necessary, and the Lord has always hitherto, in some way or another, given the means. The fourth volume of Part I. of the Adversaria will shortly be printed.-I beg my most affectionate remembrance to all friends, and am, yours &c., E. TAFEL."

[It is obvious that the necessary documents to supply Dr. Tafel with the authentic data and materials for writing his account to be inserted in the transactions of the Leipzig Historico-Theological Society, are the Minutes of Conference and the proceedings of the American Conventions, together with the Reports of our Printing, Tract, Missionary, and School Societies, &c. All these documents, we trust, he either already

This work, as stated above, p. 189, is now being translated into English.

PRESENTATION TO THE MANCHESTER FREE LIBRARY BY THE LONDON PRINTING SOCIETY AND THE SWEDENBORG ASSOCIATION, OF THE THEOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC WORKS OF SWEDENBORG.

In acknowledgment of this handsome donation of books to the Manchester Free Library, the following letter has been received from Sir John Potter, Chairman of the Committee:

"Manchester, March 12, 1852. "Reverend Sir,―The Committee of the Manchester Free Library and Museum have received, through you, from the society in London for printing the theological works of Swedenborg, and also from the Swedenborg Association, the handsome presentation of forty-three volumes of books, for which I am requested to return their best acknowledgments and thanks I have the honour to be, Rev. Sir, your obedient servant,

"JOHN POTTER, Chairman. "To the Rev. J. H. Smithson, Ordsall Terrace, Salford,"

To the Editor.

NORWICH.

Sir,-A social tea meeting of the teachers of the Sunday schools, and some of the friends of the New Church in Norwich, was held on the 10th of March, when the subject of popular amusements was discussed, at the close of which the following resolution was carried by a large majority:"This meeting, having duly considered the nature and tendencies of the following places of amusement, viz., the theatre, horse races, tea gardens, and fairs, connected with this city, and

tion that the above-named places, as at present conducted, are highly injurious to society at large, and principally to the rising generation ;-this meeting, therefore, believes it to be a duty imperative upon all Christians, and especially on Sunday school teachers and members of the New Church, to refrain not only from visiting such places, or in any way rendering them any support or countenance whatsoever, but likewise to discourage and discountenance them both by example and precept."

Feeling that the subject is of immense importance in relation to our social well being, and of the cause of genuine morality amongst mankind, and knowing that professing Christians have the means of exercising great influence upon society, it was deemed advisable to give publicity to the above resolution. If this will meet with your approval, we hope to see it inserted in your next Repository.

I remain, yours sincerely,
W. J., Secretary.
Norwich, March 12th, 1852.

NEW PUBLICATION.

New Medical Dictionary for the People, to to be completed in Twelve Monthly Parts, price sixpence each; or a Dictionary of Domestic Medicine and Household Surgery. By Spencer Thomson. M.D., &c.

We have perused this first part with great pleasure. There is a certain amount of pathological knowledge and of medical treatment which every parent especially ought to possess; and this knowledge, judging from what we have read, and from the high practical standing of the author, will be conveyed in a simple though ample form in the work before us, which is illus trated by numerous woodcuts.

crease her love for, and dependence upon, the Lord, and to induce a more entire preference for spiritual over natural concerns. She had long and frequently expected to be called away, and often expressed her wishes to that effect; but she passed into the eternal world at last more suddenly than was anticipated by her friends, yet in the composure of heavenly peace.

Recently deceased, Mr. John Bolton, a member of the society at Preston, who for about fifteen years had been an affectionate recipient of the doctrines of the New Church. He was among those who held spiritual truth in high veneration, and was consoled by its teachings under a variety of painful circumstances and bodily sufferings. These induced upon him a state of deep resignation and patience, and all who knew him regarded him as a worthy and excellent man. The following notice of him, as it appeared in one of the local newspapers, will furnish some idea of the person we have lost from amongst us, together with his position and pursuits :

"Mr. Bolton died at his house, in Deepdale-road, on the morning of Saturday, the 20th Dec., 1851, after a long period of intense suffering,- in his 45th year. He was born at Ormskirk, in this county, (his parents having gone thither from Cumberland, where Mr. B. had a small patrimony) and at a very early age was introduced into the extensive manufacturing establishment of Messrs. Horrockses, Miller, and Co., in this town. From a subordinate situation in the warehouse he advanced to the responsible office of sub-cashier, which he continued to fill with credit to himself and satisfac tion to his employers for more than fifteen years. From this office he had no ambition to aspire-its duties left considerable time at his disposal (of which a higher situation would have deprived him) for the cultivation of those arts and sciences which have raised him to high rank among the "illustrious obscure," and by which he earned an honourable niche among the many worthies of Preston. We believe we are right in stating that the present movement in favour of the fine arts in this town had its origin in Mr. Bolton's quiet enthusiasm on the subject and objects of painting. We say quiet enthusiasm, be

ance.

cause he was mild and gentle by nature, and was physically incapacitated for those outbursts which enthusiasm sometimes engenders, and in which it obtains utterHe was, nevertheless, untiring in pursuit of art; no exertion was too great, no deprivation too severe, and scarcely any suffering intense enough, to stem the torrent of his indomitable will in ministering to the advance of a knowledge of art, either in his own person or in those whom circumstances had thrown it in his way to teach, and whom he was at all times ready to assist by his advice and counsel. He studied art from an inherent love of the beautiful. To him, in truth,

66

a thing of beauty was a joy for ever;" and some of his works now in the exhibition at Avenham, will show to the observer that, had he made painting exclusively his profession, he might have attained eminence among the more illustrious professors of that divine art. His chemical acquirements, as applied to the science of preparing pigments and vehicles for artists' use, were extraordinary in their character, and some of the rarest, richest, brightest, colours recently brought into use, were the results of his well-conducted experiments. For some years, in earlier life, Mr. Bolton devoted considerable time to the science of Taxidermy, which he chiefly exercised in connexion with his love of Ornithology; and, on the formation of the Preston Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge, was appointed one of the honorary curators, and an ex-officio member of the committee, which, under the then constitution, was considered an appointment for life; and on reconstructing the constitution a few years ago, he was again appointed to the same honorary vocation, and to a seat in the council, and continued efficiently to discharge the duties thus reimposed upon him until health and strength utterly failed. His love of art, however, and the science of art, during his latter years, was ever uppermost-the ruling passion evincing itself up to the last moments he was heard to speak-his only desire to live arising from an idea of his ability to prosecute with success the discovery of yet unseen colours. Mr. B. allied himself with the religious teaching of the Swedenborgians, and of that body was a consistent and unobtrusive member."-Preston Guardian, Dec. 27, 1851.