stipulating only for a delay made ad- And, calmly as I might, I now survey'd arm Had sav'd him when in peril of his life. I thought of these things, and, my inmost soul It should not prosper. Edith! shall I dare Of what I bent my nature to sustain? I swore, with purposed falsehood, to uphold The duke's pretensions. Thus the way was free, &c. He arrives-Edward dies-and Wil- In Waltham Abbey, on St. Agnes' Eve, Uncover'd, by the taper's trembling light, Of him whom Death, and not the Norman Had conquer'd; him, the noblest and the last If this is one separate canto of a longer historical poem, we are sorry that we have not the others. The lines on the Death of Mr. Villers are very poetical, with much beauty of expres sion as well as of feeling. In the moral conveyed in Alwine and Adelaide, we are not so sure that we agree; but we have now only room for the shortest lay of all: For me no roseate garlands twine, But wear them, dearest, in my stead; Enough to know thy place on earth The Hellenics of W. S. Landor, THIS little volume of poems is dedicated to Pope Pius the Ninth, in language such as he will be proud to receive; for the inscription thus commences:-"Never until now, most holy Father! did I hope or desire to offer my homage to any potentate on earth; and now I offer it only to the highest of them all." And it ends-" One honest man, one wise man, one peaceful man, commands a hundred millions, without a baton, and without a charger. He wants no fortress to protect him; he stands, higher than any citadel can raise him, brightly conspicuous to the most distant nations, God's servant by election, God's image by beneficence." Mr. Landor is not very sanguine as to the success of his volume. He says-"It is hardly to be expected that ladies and gentlemen will leave on a sudden their daily promenade, skirted by Turks, and shepherds, and knights, and plumes, and palfreys, of the finest Turkish manufacture, and look at these rude frescoes, delineated on an old wall, high up, and sadly weak in colouring" adding, "The reader (if there should be one) will remember that sculpture and painting have never ceased to be occupied with the scenes and figures which we venture once more to introduce into poetry, it being our belief that what is becoming in two of the fine arts is not quite unbecoming in a third, the one which gave birth to them." Not unbecoming certainly; and when the old Grecian lyre is taken down from the nail where it has hung so long, and is struck by such hands as Mr. Landor's or Mr. Tennyson's, it sends out sounds that remind us of our earlier years, passed amidst the woods that wave on Delphic steep, or the murmuring of that ever-refluent surge That parts hoarse Trachis from the Euboic shore. The author of Gebir has preserved inviolate his early style-strong, natural, picturesque-presenting the images clearly and fully to the mind, according to truth and nature; a little rough sometimes in execution, but more in the style of Theocritus and Catullus than of Virgil or Ovid. The poems are about thirty in number. We shall mention the names of those we best like, as p. 30, "The Hamadryad," who falling into the rear of the interloper. I subsequently took out two caterpillars, about fifty from the head of the procession; by my watch I found that the intelligence was conveyed to the leader in 30 seconds, each caterpillar stopping at the signal of the one in his rear. The same effect was observable behind the break, each stopping at a signal from the one in advance: the leader of the second division then attempted to recover the lost connection. That they are unprovided with the senses of sight and smell appeared evident, since the leader turned right and left, and often in a wrong direction, when within half an inch of the one immediately before him. When he at last touched the object of his search the fact was communicated again by signal, and in 30 seconds the whole line was in rapid march, leaving the two unfortunates behind, who remained perfectly quiet, without making any attempt to unroll themselves. I learn from a medical gentleman here that these caterpillars feed on the eucalyptus; and that when they have completely stripped a tree of its leaves they congregate on the trunk, and proceed in the order here described to another tree. The caterpillars I saw must be nearly full grown, measuring about two inches and a quarter." We just have room to add the following little fact, of which we were not before aware: "It has only lately been known that the goldfinch pursues a regular migration in the west of England, from which it departs in companies of from twenty to fifty at the middle of October, and returns about the middle of March. It is remarkable that the blackstart (phoenicurus tithys) is seen in Cornwall only in winter; and, since attention has been directed to it, that rare bird the firecrest (regulus ignicapillus) has been found to visit the same county in the same season. It may be added that some single birds will take what might be imagined a perilous journey across a wide expanse of ocean, with no apparent inducement beyond the desire of change, and these aimless strangers are commonly young birds of the first year. Travels in the Holy Land. By W. R. Wilson. 2 vols. THIS work has gone through no less than four editions; has acquired a character that needs no praise, and may defy all censure. To be popular is the just aim of an author, and Mr. Wilson has succeeded in his endeavour to instruct and to please; but in our opiion the text reads too much like loose notes, and stands in need of a better arrangement and connection. We were amused by the account of Lady Hester Stanhope and her spiedd stud of Arab steeds, in the second volume, p. 103, "I proceeded," says the author, “to the spot, and found a train of servants gorgeously dressed in the Oriental style, glittering in the Syrian sun, with several beautiful animals, when the dragoman put into my hand her note, descriptive of their names and pedigrees, and to one called Diana she directed my particular attention. It ran thus: "Aba El Haster, Slave of thy Will; a black horse. “Almaz, Diamond; young, three years old. "Asfound, Bird; the white mare; race of the famous Duher El Omer, of whose name Volney speaks. "Zara, of the race of Mahomet's fa mous mare. "Leila, Juliet of the East; three years old. “ Birt Asfound, Daughter of the Bird; one year and six weeks old. "The whole of this princely stud was in beautiful condition.". Of the cedar trees of Lebanon, the author says, in a short time there will be no trace of them remaining. They do not spread out their branches laterally, but confine themselves in a uniform pyramidal cone. The greatest may be 40 feet round. A seedling having been found among the cedars, was brought to Paris, where it was planted, grew a noble tree, affording shade for all ranks; and, after remaining one hundred years, was cut down, as a railway was to be made through it. It may be further mentioned that oaks, so often spoken of in Scripture, may be seen in different parts of this country occasionally, both on the hills and plains; there are different species that are evergreen and prickly. P. 144. The author mentions that the dry fruits exported from Damas *The author appears to have no knowfor our own sake. He has confused the ledge of dendrology, which we lament rican cedar, which is a Juniper; a very difcedar of Lebanon (p. 127) with the Ameferent plant, with much firmer and better wood. Why did he not tell us what was that great tree he met with at Rhodes? ii. p. 247. Was it not a plane tree? cus to Constantinople amount to not less than 100,000l. yearly in value. P. 198. What is here said of the mulberry gardens of Bayreuth, and the cultivation of silkworms, may be read with advantage. It appears that experience has proved the efficacy of the Chinese mode of feeding silkworms on rice flour. In France they feed them on the leaves of the salsifi, which improves the silk. P. 455. The author mentions a curious custom in some parts of Spain. "When girls are marriageable they walk in procession at certain times in the streets, when any one in search of a wife is at liberty to mark her out by throwing his handkerchief. I observed the same form at Palermo." Daily Scripture Readings. By the late T. Chalmers, D.D. Vol. I. THIS portion of Dr. Chalmers's posthumous works is to be comprised in three volumes, of which this only has appeared. The preface informs us that these biblical compositions were commenced in Oct. 1841, and continued with unbroken regularity till the day of the doctor's decease. Each week-day had its "Horæ Biblica Quotidianæ." Each Sabbath-day its "Horæ Biblica Sabbaticæ." In preparing these works he had beside him for use and reference The Concordance, The Pictorial Bible, Poole's Synopsis, Henry's Commentary, and Robinson's Researches in Palestine. These constituted what he called his biblical library. "These are (he said) the books I use all that is biblical is there I have to do with nothing besides my biblical study." It was not his object to be led away, by numerous volumes of profound and various erudition, into any lengthened, critical, historical, or doctrinal investigations. These writings were not intended by him to be the vehicles of learned research, but of moral exposition and religious reflection. He used his pen here for his private benefit alone; and his great object was to take off from the sacred page as quick, as fresh, as vivid, and as complete an impression as he could. The Hora Sabbaticæ are described as differing from the Hore Quotodianæ, as being more devotional and contemplative, passing into direct addresses to the Deity; while the latter were occasionally shown to a friend, to the others all access was forbidden; but after due and careful consideration, it has been thought advisable now to make them public. We give one specimen from the Hora Sabbatica (p. 70) to show in what manner the commentary, or rather these meditations and reflections, on the text of Scripture are written. "Genesis xxxviii. 24-30. This severe sentence of Judah on Tamar who had only been a sharer in that guilt of which he himself must have been conscious, would argue that in those days there was a similar estimate to what is current now of the relative culpability of men and women when they fell into licentiousness. It is remarkable, however, that he should hold her fault to have been so much ex tenuated by the plea or palliation which he advances for her; though it is probable that he was glad to compromise the whole matter by passing away from it altogether, as a thing that involved his own disgrace as well as hers. I have often thought of it as wonderful that this incestuous transaction should form one step of that chain which led to the birth of our Saviour. I observe that it is spoken of by commentators as a thing that deepens his humiliation. I feel as if in associating himself by relationship with such an atrocity as this, that his humiliation descends as it were to the lowest depths of human guilt and depravity. I feel my need of such an assurance-for the en couragement of my own faith: it casts a light on the infinite mercy of God, and makes me to feel in this alliance of the transcendental with the terrestrial in its grossest form that God's ways are not as man's ways, and his thoughts are not as man's thoughts." Again. "Genesis, xlvii. c. 11-26. What a laborious superintendence Joseph must have had! what a multiplicity of con cerns and which we have reason to believe he conducted with great wisdom, to the satisfaction of Pharaoh, and so as to command the respect and acquiescence of the Egyptians at large. The most important step in the process described herein is that by which the property in land passed from its owners to the sovethat Joseph had in removing the people reign. One is not quite sure of the object from the old locality; possibly to disjoin them from the old and now alienated possessions, and save those heart-burnings which the sight or the proximity of what had now been wrested from them might 284 Count de Lasteyrie's History of Auricular Confession. [March, otherwise have awakened, and so as to endanger the tranquillity of the state. When the land had been restored to them, with the burden of one-fifth of the produce as a rent to the king, we may well suppose this to have taken place at the end of the famine and several years after they had surrendered it; for we find that Joseph set them a-going with seed, which would have been thrown away had it been sown previous to the expiry of the famine. We are not to suppose, however, that the people who had been removed to cities were all drafted back again to their original possessions. It would seem a better policy to have given each proprietor land that was near to him, and with which no feeling or remembrance of its being at one time his own unburdened property could have been associated. What they got would thus be felt more as a gift; and accordingly it seems to have called forth the grateful acknowledgements of the Egyptians. The fifth of the produce was a moderate rent, considering the fertility of the soil in Egypt, but if well collected would have yielded immense riches and power to the king. One should like to meet in the History of Egypt, by other authors, with illustrations of such an economy." As regards the great and much talked of miracle (Joshua x. 8-14) the author says, "The shower of hailstones was miraculous; and in regard to the much controverted miracle of the sun and moon standing still, I can have no doubt that it was literally so, to the effect of the sun dial being stationary, which leaves room for the speculation, that it may have been by atmospherical refraction, or in other ways. I am not so staggered by this narrative as to feel dependent on the usual explanations. I accept of it in the popular and effective sense, having no doubt that to all intents and purposes of that day's history the sun and the moon did stand still, the one resting over Gideon, and the other in the valley of Ajalon," &c. History of Auricular Confession. By Count C. P. de Lasteyrie. 2 vols. THIS work is similar in its purpose and nature to that of Michelet's Priests, &c., and, indeed, it is by the same translator. The Church in France, as in other countries, at the present time seems to possess the confidence and support of a certain portion of the people, while the other portion is strongly and violently impressed against it, disbelieving its doctrines, disliking its professors, and disparaging its communion and institutions. Accordingly, the work of Michelet just alluded to was received with very different feelings by the opposite parties: by the one as a powerful and true exposition of the fatal in the bosom of domestic intercourse: effects of the power of the priesthood by the other as a most exaggerated and false statement, proceeding from hatred to that religious order most implicated in those proceedings, so openly proclaimed and so loudly denounced. The great aim of the present work is directed against a very vulnerable quarter of the Roman Catholic Church -the institution of auricular confession, and it has supported its assertions by very afflicting proofs of the greatest corruption and misery produced by it, so as to convince all who read them that there is an evil attending the nature of the institution, and inherent in it, at the best times, but always ready to break out, and in bad and evil days to increase, and produce an enormity of guilt. It must, however, be observed that that the author has selected his in- Sermons preached before the University of Oxford. By Č. A. Ogilvie, D.D. 8vo. pp. vii. 131. THESE sermons were delivered when the author's turn as a Select Preacher occurred, between October 1845 and July 1847. The subjects were suggested by local events, which gave them the character of a connected series. They agree in exposing errors which "have of late been openly manifested, or must be expected ever hereafter, to a greater or less extent, to prevail in a place of resort for youthful students." (Preface, p. v.) The general opinion which these discourses convey is their appropriateness, as coming from the Professor of Pastoral Theology. Without affecting any display of eloquence, but rather speaking the language of mild expostulation, they are clear, persuasive, and instructive. They appear to be chiefly directed against existing tendencies in the university; though the practical errors which are combated in the last sermon have always abounded, and must continue to do so, in the world. To what extent the other evils prevail we have not now the local means of judging; but the least indication of the kind would well deserve this cautionary interference on the part of the learned professor, in virtue of his office. The first Sermon (on 1 Cor. x. 13) is adapted to youths who are entering the university. It points out the peculiarities and the disadvantages of a state, in which a youth becomes his own master for a time. And in this respect it particularly applies to those, who are suddenly transplanted from home to college, without having first gone through the acclimatation of a public school, or at least of one remote from their parents' eyes. It is painful to read such a passage as the following, and to feel that it is necessary; but the times demand it, and with that view we have chosen it as a specimen of the discourse :— "God forbid that any of ourselves, entrusted with influence, and appointed to aid in forming the moral and religious character of our brethren-God forbid that on us should lie the guilt of so much as forgetting or overlooking, at any moment, our responsibility. And far distant from us all be the more fearful guilt of undermining the integrity, and of causing shipwreck to be made of the faith, of those who are committed to our care." (p. 9.) The passage, as the note informs us, alludes to the secession of a former tutor, whose apologist declared that "while nominally with us he had, in heart and intention, during the four preceding years, been a member of the Church of Rome." But there is a passage in the second Sermon (Eph. v. 15-17) which puts these tendencies into a still more fearful light. Nor can we help inferring, that the approximation towards Rome has by no means infused a spirit of sincerity into those students whom it reaches, but rather the contrary. "From an attempt to enumerate and classify the prevailing evils of our own days and of our own country, I shall, on the present occasion, refrain; contenting myself with the notice of a single instance, which is deeply interesting for every one of ourselves, because closely connected with the pursuits and inquiries of a place Whither can we turn our like this... eyes without beholding the disastrous results of first overlooking and then forgetting the boundaries that separate truth from falsehood, right from wrong, withdealing are everywhere giving way to out perceiving that uprightness and plain equivocation and fraudulent concealment? Who amongst us is not familiar with examples of language employed for the purpose rather of disguising, than of sincerely expressing the meaning of the speaker or writer who uses it? . has not had occasion to deplore the smooth apologies which he has heard for sin, as if it were but mistake? . of old, Judgment is turned away backfrom ourselves, as from the people of God ward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey,' exposes himself to scorn and de Who Verily |