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THE PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY APPLIED TO THE CONDITION, THE BESOURCES, AND THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. By FRANCIS BowEN, Alford Professor of Moral Philosophy and Civil Polity, in Harvard College. Boston: Little, Brown & Company. 1856. 8vo. pp. 546.

As we propose to discuss the subject treated of in this volume at some length in our next No., we simply announce the work here, and add a few remarks upon its design and character.

Political Economy is comparatively a modern science; and is undoubtedly one of the most important sciences of modern times. There is indeed a sense in which it may be called the theology of our age; for no deity is worshiped more sedulous. ly than Mammon; and Political Economy is regarded by most men, and in its practical phase, as the science of wealth, and its acquisition. Even in this point of view alone, a work on this subject would be deserving of, as it most certainly would receive, careful and considerate attention.

But it is not for this purpose, nor in this view of it that we have called Political Economy one of the most important sciences of modern times. Not only is it concerned with, and the science of, the material well-being of a community, but so intimately connected is this well-being with many of the deepest questions of polity and of civilization itself, that to it, we must look for a solution of many of the most important and fundamental problems of the future. The social position of the laboring classes-the possibility of civil liberty and political equality, all depend upon questions embraced and discussed within the province of Political Economy.

Professor Bowen bas undertaken and executed his task, in no mere spirit of s book-making trade; but apparently with a full appreciation of the momentous interests with which he is dealing. He has entered upon the work in a spirit of calm philosophic insight into the nature of man and of society, and has prosecuted it with a most patient and diligent investigation of the facts and statistics by which his conclusions must be determined. It is in a general view of it, the best general treatise on the subject that has yet been published. It states with ample fullness and the most perfect fairness the great theories of Adam Smith, of Ricardo, and of Malthus, on free trade, rent and population, and answers them in a way, which if it do not prove satisfactory to the readeras we think it will-will nevertheless present him the grounds upon which to form his own opinions. He has also discussed at great length the theory of money, of paper currency, and of banking, though in our opinion the discussions on this point are not quite so satisfactory as those on the preceding.

As a text book for schools and Colleges it may be thought somewhat too large and full. But if so, it will be only the more satisfactory for the private stu dent and the better adapted to his wants. The fact that the Prof. has had our own country, its resources, institutions, and its experience always in view and drawn his facts and illustrations from that source to so great an extent, will be found to give to the work an additional and peculiar value.

One criticism alone have we to make. It is this: that while the Author has shown great familiarity with every European writer of any note, whether English or Continental, he has not that we recollect so much as once noticed our own countryman, HENRY C. CAREY. This seems a strange omission, net only on account of Mr. Carey's European reputation, but for the reason that he has devoted especial attention to those European theories of Smith, Ricardo, Malthus and Say, which Professor Bowen feels called upon either

to refute altogether or to show to be inapplicable to this country. We have been accustomed to regard Mr. Carey's as one of the great names in the science of Political Economy, and one that will stand hereafter only second to that of Adam Smith, and second even to his, only because he was the founder of the science. We think he is beginning to be so regarded in Europe also. It can hardly be possible that Prof. Bowen does not know how nearly he agrees with Mr. Carey on many of the most important points of his theories. And yet there are several places in Prof. Bowen's work where we have fancied that his own statements would have been somewhat improved if he had possessed as much familiarity with the writings of our countryman, Carey, as with his British and European authorities. But, as it is, we consider it the best work yet published, and as such commend it to the public.

RELIGION IN AMERICA; or an Account of the Origin, Relation to the State, and present condition of the Evangelical Churches in the United States. With Notices of the Unevangelical Denominations. By ROBERT BAIRD. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1856. Svo. pp. 696. New Haven; Durrie & Peck.

This is in all respects a curious book, and in some respects one of considerable value. In a country where the government tolerates all religions, it is an important question, What is the present status of Religion? Which of all the various forms of Religion is most in accordance with our civil Institutions? Which is best suited to the genius of our people? Which is advancing most rapidly? &c., &c. The author, the Rev. Dr. Baird, is and has been for many years connected with the “Evangelical Alliance" movement, and has for the last twenty years resided much of the time on the Continent of Europe. This large portly volume has grown out of a desire in Europe to know something of the condition of Religion in the United States, which seems to be regarded both as an enigma and a bugbear; and from a small work the volume has increased to its present dimensions. It has attracted much attention in Great Britain, especially among the Dissenters; and a former edition was translated into French, German, Swedish, and Dutch, and was extensively circulated all over the continent of Europe. The present movement among ourselves looking toward the great doctrine of the Unity of the whole Body of Christ, can never be discussed intelligently without just such information as this volume proposes to give; and, in fact, the" Evangelical Alliance," so called, is but another attempt to attain a similar important end, though upon an entirely different basis. There is proba bly no man living who has devoted so much attention as Dr. Baird to an examination of the present condition of the religious denominations in the United States, and the book abounds in information which can hardly be found anywhere else; as will be seen from the account of its contents. It will be noticed that he makes no mention whatever of some scores of Sects with which our country swarms; nor does he stop to ask, over this heterogeneous mass,"Is CHRIST divided?" But he does name the more important denominations, and, by a standard of his own, divides them off into "Evangelical" and "NonEvangelical." The Contents are as follows:

The First Book is devoted to preliminary remarks, &c.

The Second Book treats of the early colonization of the country now forming in the United States, the religious character of the first European colonists-their Ecclesiastical institutions-and the state of the" Churches" when the Revolution took place by which the Colonies became independent of the mother country. The Third Book treats of the changes involved in and consequent upon that event the influences of those changes-the character of the civil governments of the States-and the relations subsisting between these Governments and the "Churches."

The Fourth Book exhibits the operations of the Voluntary System in the United States-and the extent of its influence.

The Fifth Book treats of the Discipline of the "Churches"-the character of American preaching-and the subject of Revivals.

The Sixth Book is occupied with brief notices of the Evangelical denominations in the United States-their Ecclesiastical polity and discipline-the doetrines peculiar to each, their history and prospects. In this class, he includes Protestant Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Moravians, Dutch and German Reformed, Lutherans, and Quakers.

The Seventh Book treats in like manner of the non-evangelical sects; and in this class, he places the Roman Catholics, Unitarians, Christians, Universalists, Swedenborgians, Jews, Rappists, Shakers, Mormons, Atheists, Deists, Socialists, Fourierists, &c.

The Eighth Book shows what "the Churches" are doing in the way of sending the Gospel to other lands.

Dr. Baird has evidently endeavored to write with entire fairness; and his account of the "Protestant Episcopal Church," though grossly inaccurate sometimes, is, on the whole, as favorable as could have been anticipated. He thinks that more than half of our thirty-eight Bishops, and about two-thirds of our 1714 clergy, are "Evangelical;" while " among the laity there is scarcely any sympathy with these semi-popish doctrines;" and that "the progress of Puseyism is much smaller than has been supposed." He concedes the strong posi tion which the Church has gained in the cities and large towns.

Whenever Dr. Baird leaves the facts, to discuss the philosophy of his history. of course he enters on debatable ground; and there is none more so in the whole field of letters; and here we detect at once his own theological and denominational opinions. Himself nominally an Old School Presbyterian, he dissects and labels through Old School Presbyterian spectacles.

It is impossible that it should have been otherwise. We do not blame him for this; we only speak of it as a feature of his book. Thus his account of the origin of Unitarianism in New England, is that usually given by the "Orthodox;" to wit, that it was the natural fruit of that laxity which had grown out of the "Half-way Covenant," and which was precipitated under the "Revival of 1740" into a formal and visible separation. On the contrary, Unitarianism in New England is one of the natural, and, we may say, necessary fruits of s system of Metaphysical Theology, which has now grown effete. There are other and better fruits of that system, not natural but incidental, yet real and somewhat abundant, to which he has not alluded, and of which we doubt if he has any conception. But Unitarianism has been, to a very large extent, just such a result as we have described; and the process is still going on, and Unitarians are exulting over it. We are sorry to see that Dr. Baird has repeated the old slander on the Church concerning King's Chapel, Boston; a slander which has been again and again exposed. If his book ever reaches another edition, we call upon Dr. Baird, as an honest man, at least to examine that subject more thoroughly. In all matters involving the discussion of theological opinions, the author is to be distrusted. Yet he has given to the public a valuable book, and we thank him for it. As an argument for the "Voluntary System,” so called, it will have in Europe great weight. Yet are there two sides to that question; and a large mass of facts pointing in an opposite direction from the object of this book, which do not here appear.

A NEW AND IMPROVED STANDARD FRENCH AND ENGLISH, AND ENGLISH AND FRENCH DICTIONARY, &c., &c. By A. G. COLLOT. Philadelphia: C. G. Henderson & Co.

1856.

A good French Dictionary has been a desideratum. Those we had, were either too large or too small, too simple or too complicated. The compilation of Mr. Collot, seems to us, fully and precisely to supply our needs. It is full and yet simple in arrangement in both its parts, satisfactory in definition, and accomplishes. we imagine, as much for pronunciation as can be done without the living teacher.

We have tried it with considerable care, in several points, where we have found other dictionaries insufficient, and it has stood the trial. Its merits ought to insure for it a wide, and for author and publishers, a remunerative circulation. A valuable addition is the comparative table of Mythological and other names, ancient and modern. We recommend the book without reservation.

POEMS. BY RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH, Author of the "Study of Words," etc., etc. New York: Redfield. 1856. 12mo. pp. 336.

Mr. Trench has published several volumes of Poems within the last few years, all of which, we believe, have passed through more than one edition. The Rev. Dr. J. A. Spencer has selected more than half of all his published Poems, and they are embodied in the volume before us. They are all short, several being less than twenty lines, "Genoveva," the longest, and one of the finest, extending to forty pages. This last Poem, "Genoveva," is a versification of a legend of the Middle Ages; and the best of the Poems are those in which Mr. Trench has fashioned anew the traditional romances, tales, and legends of Mediæva ind Oriental life. The author, we think, has more true sentiment than poetis genius; and his verses with all their purity and richness of thought, and lofti. ness of Christian tone, and truthfulness to their subject, are yet often harsh and labored, and lack that musical and easy flow which bespeaks a truly poetic ear. In this judgment, we differ from high authority; but we yield to none in our respect for his rare talents and capabilities, and in our estimate of the vast good which he is accomplishing by his learned writings. Neither is the success of his Poems at the present day to be regarded as sufficient proof of their high poetic merit. When such miserable stuff as Maud,"

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"Dismally dull and dolefully dawdlin,"

can be sent forth by the "Poet Laureate," we may well conclude that the stream of Poesy in England runs decidedly low. The Boston "Examiner," (Unitarian,) speaks of Trench as belonging to the " Broad" School; an imputation, as understood by the Examiner, wholly undeserved. It is noticeable, with what avidity these persons catch at any intimation that men are growing radical, and untruthful to their principles.

WESTWARD EMPIRE; OR, THE GREAT DRAMA OF HUMAN PROGRESS. By E. L. MAGOON, Author of "Proverbs for the People," "Republican Christianity," &c. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1856.

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The author of this volume informs us in the preface, that the philosophy of history resides not in isolated events and detached facts, but flows without interruption down the lapse of ages, the accompaniment of human destiny and the life of ennobling actions;" also, that "fortunately the tide of improvement has already rolled onward so far, and with such increased might, that Oxford is just as impotent to stay the ameliorating progress of mankind, as was the Vatican," a piece of information by which we feel greatly relieved; also, that "all great revolutions in the intellectual world are marked by successive steps of generalization and transitions into wider realms through more expanded truths;" also, that "four mighty landmarks rise prominently to view, around which are concentrated all the beneficent institutions, and renowned names, universally admired by the civilized world."

It is only necessary to add, that these four landmarks, are, Pericles! Augustus Cæsar!! Leo X!!! and Washington; concerning the first three of whom this is certainly a discovery; and that in chasteness of style, clearness of expres sion, profundity of thought, and a good many other things, the volume quite fulfills the brilliant promise of the preface.

SINAI AND PALESTINE, IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR HISTORY. BY ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, M. A., Canon of Canterbury. With Maps and Plans. New York: Redfield. New Haven: S. Babcock. 1856. 8vo. pp. 535.

We were prepared by notices of the English edition of Mr. Stanley's work to see a scholarly and reliable contribution to our literature, descriptive of the Holy Land. Mr. Redfield's edition more than justifies our high anticipation. The learned will search this volume to decide contested points of famous localities, although this was not the main design of the work; Christian divines will read it, to see new light and fresh beauty flash upon the historical, prophetic and devotional portions of the Old Testament. And Christian hearts will follow him as, step by step, he describes places, sacred with the memories, and hallowed by the footsteps, of the adorable SON OF GOD. Mr. Stanley made it a point to omit no geographical feature which throws any direct light on the history or the poetry of the Sacred Volume; and, on the other hand, to insert no descriptions except those which have such a purpose. The Maps present not merely the physical features, but the actual coloring offered to the eye of the traveler. He has aimed at greater precision in the use of geographical terms than has been attempted in our authorized Version, and has thrown into an Appendix a catalogue of such words as a help in philological and geographical study. The work contains seven Maps-1st, a diagram of Egypt, Sinai and Palestine 2d, Egypt; 3d, Peninsula of Sinai; 4th, Traditional Sinai; 5th, Palestine: 6th, South of Palestine; 7th, Plain of Esdraelon and Galilee. After an introductory sketch of Egypt, fragmentary and rapid, yet graphic, Mr. Stanley enters the Holy Land, and proceeds with a most minute description of every point of interest: its geography and physical features, its hills and valleys and plains, its lakes and rivers and fountains, its towns and villages, its sacred localities, sacred and profane history, &c. &c. It should be mentioned, also, that Mr. Stanley, who visited Egypt, Arabia and Syria in the winter of 1852 and the spring of 1853, had before him the "Researches" of our own distinguished traveler, Dr. Robinson, and also M. de Sauley's “Journey in Syria," two of the ablest late works on these sacred localities. He is, besides a most thorough Biblical and Classical scholar; and his copious foot notes show that he has passed nothing by, ancient or modern, bearing upon his subject.

We have been thus particular in giving the contents of this volume, because it is one which the Clergy, Biblical students, Sunday School teachers, and intelligent Christians, will welcome with pleasure. It is also a delightful book to read. So far from being dull, even old scenes attract us with new beauty under the author's fresh and vigorous style, while the heart is warmed with the devout tone which pervades the work, and with its constant reference to the sacred Volume.

Mr. Redfield has issued the volume in a neat and tasteful manner, and at a very moderate price.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES: A Sketch of its Ecclesiastical History. By HENRY DE COURCY. Translated and enlarged by Jons GILMARY SHEA. New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. 1856. 12mo. pp. 591.

It will be recollected that in the seventh and eighth Volumes of the Church Review there appeared two Articles on " Maryland Toleration," proving, be yond a doubt, that "Religious Toleration " in Maryland was not a boon granted by Roman Catholics, and that the popular notion on that subject is a miserable old wives' fable, without the shadow of a foundation to stand upon. We are aware that these extravagant pretensions in respect to Religious Toleration, claimed alike in behalf of Maryland Roman Catholics and New England Puritans, have received hitherto the popular assent. They have been announced by popular orators, been taught in our public schools out of Protestant Histories, and even Churchmen have fallen in with the popular current, or been branded as

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