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neither detracted from their dignity nor thrown away their labour in these pleasing volumes. The two books-alike in form, and very much alike in character-should be purchased together, and they will make a very delightful addition to any young lady's library. Perhaps we may say that there is more power in Mrs. Owen, and more pathos in Mrs. Crossland. Those who take a "Peep into the Family of Mrs. Delmar" will be glad that they are not obliged to do more, but may return at once to more pleasant homes and more congenial companions. The book is unmitigated trash. Spencer's Cross" is a pleasant and well told tale; the characters come out naturally, and the aim of the book is good throughout. Still higher in character is Mrs. Bray's "Peep at the Pixies." This is indeed a lovely little volume. Here is romance, art, poetry, and nature, all at once. We would gladly recommend this work to young and old alike; and the same commendation we would bestow on the “Letters from Sarawak." The writer of this last most interesting book has just seized on what is most interesting and most worth knowing in that strange land, and placed it before her youthful readers in the most graphic way. Not quite so good, but still very valuable, are the volumes by the author of "The Peep of Day." The first part describes, and describes well, Asia and Australasia; the second deals with Africa and America; and it is saying no little for the author when we put these works in the same category with the "Letters from Sarawak." "The Lamp of Love" is a pretty little magazine. We know not whether it is to be continued, or whether the one volume completes it. If it goes on we wish it all success. Mr. Sinclair's very small, but very pleasing volume, is written in a style that strongly reminds us of Defoe. The interest is sustained without flagging to the melancholy close, and the lesson taught is most valuable and important; while the tenth, which closes our list, "Dale End," is a proof that, on the other side of St. George's Channel, the same wants are felt, and with equal ability and integrity supplied.

1. The Popular Educator. London: John Cassell. 1854. 2. The Historical Educator. London: John Cassell. 1854. 3. The Popular Biblical Educator. London: John Cassell. 1854. 4. New and Popular History of England. By Robert Ferguson, L.L.D. 4 vols. John Cassell. 1854.

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5. Education best Promoted by Perfect Freedom, not by State Endowments. By Edward Baines. London: Snow. 1854. 6. Whitaker's Educational Register. London: Whitaker.

1854.

POPULAR Education had never so many advocates, and never so many persons engaged in its work, as at present; and if royal roads are not found to every branch of art, science, and literature, it is not for want of trying.

Among the various purveyors of instruction to the million, Mr. Cassell holds a distinguished and very enviable place. His publications are remarkable for soundness and accuracy, and though the low price at which they are issued precludes the idea of much beauty in paper and type, yet even in this respect it is wonderful that so much can be obtained at so small a cost.

The writers employed seem to be all competent, and a few of high standing. The "History of England," by Dr. Ferguson, may be taken as an example. There are four volumes for four shillings, so closely printed as to be capable of occupying at least ten times the space. The book is valuable; and if it be ugly—and this undoubtedly it is-it must be remembered, at the same time, that it is good, reliable, and exceedingly cheap.

Mr. Baines' pamphlet is able and argumentative, but not to us convincing. He is certainly, however, the most competent advocate that the purely voluntary system can boast of.

Mr. Whitaker's "Register" contains an account of all the universities, colleges, educational institutions, foundation and grammar schools, and training institutions for teachers, in the kingdom. It seems to be carefully compiled. It does not, however, give the names of trustees. In cases where trustees are the patrons of schools, this would greatly add to the value of the work. We notice that it gives an account of all the chief educational establishments on the Continent and in America.

XIII. PERIODICAL LITERATURE.

THE "Westminster Review" has in the January number a very curious article on the origin and present types of English religion which will be worth studying, by those who imagine they can make Christianity embrace all kinds of creeds. It will be hardly necessary for us to say, that able,

and in many respects profound, as the essay is, we do not consider it Christian.

The "British Quarterly" has a very interesting article on Neibuhr, especially regarded in a religious point of view; and a remarkably powerful and searching essay on Coleridge as a theologian. There is an attempt also, to elevate the late amiable and excellent Pye Smith into the rank of a great man, but, as may be imagined, without much success.

The "Irish Church Journal" is very good, but not especially Irish. In the second number, is an interesting account of religion in America; and in the third, one, scarcely less interesting, on the present state of the Waldenses.

The "Homilist" is a work little known, but which deserves to be much more so. It is conducted by a congregational minister, and circulates chiefly among Nonconformists. Its object is to present sketches and skeletons of sermonsthoughts which may be expanded, and a few more finished productions; it also reviews sermons; and is faithful as well as useful.

The "Eclectic" for March, contains an article on Christianity and its modern assailants, which will well repay perusal.

The "Journal of Sacred Literature" for January, has an important article on the Armenian translation of Eusebius, and another on the sources of the received text of the New Testament, which is worth examining.

We have received from America, the "Bibliotheca Sacra,” (the London publishers are Tübner and Co.) The January number is one of great value. We would especially notice an article by Mr. Aiken, on the "Comparative view of English and German Biblical Science ;" and another, by Dr. Hickok, on "Rhetoric determined and applied." A paper on Phrenology in the same number, by Dr. Pond, is altogether a mistake; Dr. Pond does not know what phrenology is.

The 18th part of the "Cyclopædia Bibliographia" differs in no essential respect, from its predecessors. It is, however, gratifying to find how well its character continues to be sustained. And we can speak, from our own actual experience, to the great advantage conferred by such a book, on all who are seeking after some of the hidden treasures of theological lore ;-on all, indeed, who are occasionally called on to hunt through the pages of some old, dusty, folio, which is seldom privileged, except as a special favour, to quit the repose of the shelf.

You hear, for example, as we heard, that the list of the

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books in the Bible, according to the various editions, is to be found in Hody. You discover, after a little trouble, that this Hody is an austere looking volume, of very antiquated character; and the leaves show unmistakeably that few indeed have been bold enough to peruse it. You grow pale at the very thought of having to search it; but you determine before beginning, to consult the Cyclopædia Bibliographica, and it soon gets you out of your trouble; for under the article Hody, you see "De librorum Biblicorum numero ac ordine, p. 644;" and you turn, with a light heart, to this page, inexpressibly rejoiced that the good offices of the catalogue have relieved you from the need of any further acquaintance with the venerable Archdeacon.

In our estimation, the entire work would have been a far more complete thing if it had been confined to theology; because on no other subject does it pretend to approach towards perfection. A catalogue raisonnée of any one department of literature, such as theology, is quite practicable. But if any one would form a conception of what it would be if consisting of universal literature, let him look at the catalogue of the British Museum, which is not by any means so minute as Mr. Darling's, and remember that the library of the British Museum is not the largest in Europe.

This 18th part almost brings us to a close of the first volume of the work. The second volume will contain the same matter, arranged, no longer under names but under subjects; and we would press upon Mr. Darling's consideration, whether the exclusion of all but theological books, and the insertion of all standard works of theology, would not add to the value of a publication, which ought to be in the possession of every literary man.

XIV. MISCELLANEOUS.

1. China; her Future and her Past: a Charge, by George Smith, D.D., Bishop of Victoria. London: Hatchard. 1854.

2. A Charge to the Clergy of the Diocese, by John Bishop of Fredericton.

3. Church Synods: a Charge to the Clergy and Churchwardens of the Archdeaconry of Worcester. By Richard Brindley Hone, M.A., Archdeacon of Worcester. London: Parker. 1853.

4. A Discourse on Church Discipline and the Burial Service. By Charles John Vaughan, D.D., Head-Master of Harrow School. London: Parker. 1854.

5. A Sermon on the Rights and Privileges, the Duties and Responsibilities, of a Christian Nation. By the Rev. Robert Bruce Kennard, M.A. London: Dalby. 1854.

6. Two Sermons on the Prospect of a General War. By the Rev. J. S. Boone. London: Parker. 1854.

7. Casuistry and Conscience. Two Discourses delivered in the University Chapel, Dublin. By the Rev. Arthur B. Rowan, A.M. Dublin: Hodges and Smith. 1854.

8. Oxford Reform and Oxford Professors. By Henry Halford Vaughan, M.A. London: Parker. 1854.

9. Modern Revision of the Prayer Book, on the Orthodox Principles of its Preface. By the Rev. C. H. Davis, M.A. Lon

don: Jackson. 1853.

10. The Tables Turned; or, the "Wandering Spirit" of the Churches. By Anti-Satan. London: Walker.

11. "The Destructive Art of Healing;" or, Facts for Families. London: Routledge. 1853.

12. Cathedral Commission, and the Collegiate and Cathedral and Parish Church of Manchester. Manchester: Beresford and

Gall. 1853.

THE charge of the Bishop of Hong-Kong or Victoria will be interesting to all who are looking for the christianization of China; that of the Bishop of Fredericton will justify what we have said of this prelate in another place; while that of Archdeacon Howe will amply bear out our observations on Convocation.

The sermons are good. That of Mr. Bruce seems to go, however, a little out of its way to protest, very indirectly, against the admission of Jews to Parliament; and that of Mr. Rowan is a powerful exposure of the fundamental error of Jesuit theology. The appendices, too, are very valuable.

Professor Vaughan's pamphlet is an able recommendation of the professorial system at Oxford, as contra-distinguished from the tutorial: a view in which we cannot coincide with him. Mr. Davies' "Essay on the Moderate Revision of the Prayer Book," is itself moderate and wise. "The Tables Turned" is very well in its way, but has no great merit to compensate for the choice of a subject in which, if nothing new can be said, silence is wise.

Dr. Dickson deprecates bleeding and depletion in all cases; and, in nine out of ten, he is right.

The pamphlet on the Manchester Chapter is corroborative of all we have said in our article on Chapters in general.