a work of no importance, we should withhold these animadversions. Aware, however, as we are, that it will be used in very many Sunday Schools, we should be glad to see its musical character somewhat improved.

The harmonizing of the various melodies here collected, bears witness to the taste and skill of the editor; and is well calculated to foster a correct taste in part-singing. The type is remarkably distinct; and the cost within the reach of the less wealthy classes.

THE "INFANT SCHOLAR'S HYMN-BOOK " is an excellent little publication; and will, we hope, find its way into all our Sunday-Schools. Some editors of hymn-books have, of late, indulged themselves in what we deem a very pernicious licence, in the way of altering well-known hymns. Cowper's exquisite composition, beginning "There is a fountain fill'd with blood;" Watts's "Come, let us join our cheerful songs," and other hymns, "stereotyped," as a living writer observes," upon the Church's heart," are scarcely to be recognized in some modern compilations. From this fault, and we think it a great one, the present little publication seems wholly free. The hymns contained in it are well chosen; and by their simplicity, are adapted to the intellect of childhood. The book is suited alike for the Sunday School, or for domestic use.

LABITZKY'S QUADRILLE OF ALL NATIONS, Dedicated by special permission to His Royal Highness Prince Albert; and performed at the Grand National Concerts. London: R. Cocks and Co., New Burlington Street.

THE opening of "The Grand National Concerts" in October, 1850, would seem to have been, to a certain section of London musical amateurs, the great event of the season; the appearance of Labitzky in the orchestra, the most interesting circumstance connected with those highly popular entertainments; and the performance of the QUADRILLE OF ALL NATIONS, their greatest attraction.

A contemporary critic informs us, that, as performed "at the Grand National Concerts," this matchless quadrille has, "night after night, borne upon its brazen thunder the patriotic enthusiasm of a loyal people." We can only judge of it as arranged for the pianoforte; and to the musical talent which it displays in that form, we cannot hesitate to bear witness.

The idea of this Quadrille of all Nations, is a good one; the popular airs introduced in it, are very skilfully combined, and the whole composition is clever and effective. As arranged for the pianoforte, this

Quadrille will doubtless be popular. The orchestral effects are generally very well preserved, and the laws of composition for the most part duly respected. We would just suggest, however, for the author's consideration, that the consecutive fifths in the twenty-second bar of "Rule Britannia," might, in a future edition, be advantageously avoided. The English "National Anthem," very brilliantly arranged, forms the concluding movement; and the composition, as a whole, deserves the popularity which it has attained.

THE FAMILY ECONOMIST; a Penny Monthly Magazine for the Industrious Classes. Vol. III. 1850. London: Groombridge and Sons, Paternoster Row.

It is justly stated on the wrapper of this volume, that it is "A VOLUME FOR ALL." It does really contain very excellent " Articles on Domestic Economy; Education; Sanitary Reform; Cottage Gardening, and Farming;" it is enlivened by "Social Sketches ;" and "Moral Tales:" it is rich in "Family Secrets," and Household Recipes; and, best of all, it is marked by a Christian tone, which many publications somewhat similar in design utterly lack; and without which, any “Family Magazine" must be radically defective.

THE BLACK FENCE. A Lay of Modern Rome. By the Rev. John Moultrie, M.A., Rector of Rugby. Author of "My Brother's Grave,' "Dream of Life," &c. &c. Second Edition. London : Whitaker and Co.; Rugby: Crossley and Bullington, 1850.

As a poetical writer, the Rev. John Moultrie is probably known to some of our readers. Those who are acquainted with his former works, will expect to find in the present publication decided marks of genius; nor will their expectation be disappointed. With respect to the title which he has bestowed upon this poem, the author has rightly deemed it necessary to offer a few words of explanation. "THE BLACK FENCE," he informs us, "extends along the grounds of a gentleman recently converted to the Romish church, and distinguished by his active zeal in her cause. The scenery of the poem is entirely real." Thus elucidated, the spirited stanzas presented to him, will be intelligible to the reader; and the greater part of them will awaken an echo in every Protestant heart. With one grave error, however, this poem is tainted; an error no less radical than the inculcation of baptismal regeneration.

The author, alluding to the Church of England, thus writes

"She hath wash'd us from ancestral sin in the spirit-cleansing flood,
She hath fed THe life which then she gave with the Saviour's flesh and blood,
She blesses still our marriage-morn, she soothes our dying bed,
She gives our bodies back to earth when the deathless soul hath fled."

Were this stanza expunged, we would not hesitate to recommend this poem as a truly noble "Lay of Modern Rome;" and had we space at command, we would gladly quote several of its spirit-stirring

stanzas.

THE ZEALOUS SUPERINTENDEnt.

A Memoir of Edward Thomas; Thirty-one Years Superintendent of the Silver Street Girls' Sunday School, London; With Selections from his Journal and Correspondence. London Peter Jackson, Angel Street, St. Martin's-le-Grand.

THIS very interesting memoir ought to have received an earlier notice at our hands. We would now direct towards it the attention of our readers; and more especially of that portion of them who may be engaged in the important work of Sunday-school teaching. It presents a highly instructive and encouraging account of the useful career of a devoted labourer in the Sunday-school cause; and is calculated, under the Divine blessing, to animate in their "labour of love," all who are engaged in the same work of Christian benevolence.

THE WORKING MAN'S HOUSEKEEPING BOOK FOR FIFTY-TWO WEEKS; A simple plan for keeping a correct account of domestic expenditure and income. Adapted for any year, and for beginning at any time in the year. By the Editors of the "Family Economist." London Groombridge and Sons, Paternoster Row. THIS little book is primarily and especially intended to assist families of the working classes in the practice of economy. While, however, we would earnestly recommend to our readers, this "Working Man's Housekeeping Book," as a publication which, with the greatest advantage to their cottage-neighbours, they may place in their hands; we would add, that the principles of economy which it inculcates, and the mode of keeping household-accounts which it recommends, are well worthy of the attention of all, to whom, whatever may be their grade in society, practical economy is a matter of necessity or duty.

NEW SERIES.-NO. LXI.

SOME PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF A CONVERT FROM ANGLO-CATHOLIA Narrative of Facts. Bath Binns and Goodwin. London: James

CISM TO THE TRUTH AS IT IS IN JESUS.

By R. C. J.

Nisbet and Co.

WE have here no anti-tractarian nouvellette, but a plain record of facts, closely connected with the religious experience of the writer; and calculated, under the Divine blessing, for extensive usefulness. It would, PASSAGES " without we think, be impossible to read these remarkable" being convinced of the truth of the narrative.

In the early part of his work, the author of this striking piece of autobiography, treats very ably, and with considerable originality, on the causes which have led to the wide spread of Tractarianism in England. On this portion of the book, headed "the Secret of Anglican Success," we need not dwell. It may suffice to extract from it two weighty

sentences.

"True godliness can never be acceptable in this world, until the kingdoms of it become the kingdoms of the Lord Jesus; but any form of it merely, without its power, will be welcomed by the natural mind."

"It was no wonder, that, when the new birth,' (that offence to the natural man,) was publicly denied, and the regeneration by baptism fearlessly asserted, many, ignorant of Jesus, and of the power of his resurrection, should gladly accept the proffered teaching."

Through the author's very interesting personal history, we cannot here follow him. We must, however, make some extracts from that part of his narrative which refers to "TRACTARIAN LITERATURE.”

"My life," he writes, "was what the life of all men by nature (baptized or unbaptized) is, one of alienation from God. ... I was, as I suppose all men are, occasionally visited by gleams of light and smarts of conscience; but in general, I was cold and hard as marble. It was, perhaps, in one of these phases of feeling, that the doctrines of the Anglican party first presented themselves."

With these doctrines, as the writer proceeds to relate, he first became acquainted by the perusal of some of the earlier volumes of "The Englishman's Library," then published by Burns, who has since become a Roman Catholic. "In these books," he says, ("I speak more especially of the lighter literature of the series), the views in question were artfully and skilfully introduced, so that many persons read and admired the books, and received the leaven of them, without in the slightest degree imagining that they were, all the time, imbibing doctrines that subverted the faith.

"The fictitious narratives written by Mr. Gresley," continues this 'Convert from Anglo-Catholicism to the Truth as it is in Jesus,' "made

the deepest impression on me; and it was to this class of reading, highchurch, pseudo-religious fiction, that I addicted myself.

"One book in particular I call to mind, Charles Lever,' one of the productions of Mr. Gresley's pen, remarkable for its power of description and vigour of writing." Here follows a sketch of the plot of "Charles Lever." For this we have not space; but will give the writer's judgment of the work :-" I marvel now," he writes, “that I could ever have been blind to the falsehood of this train of reasoning, and that I should have failed to detect the weakness of it."

The above observations on the character and influence of the lighter Tractarian literature, deserve, in an especial manner, the careful consideration of Christian parents. To the perusal of the clever "pseudoreligious" stories of Mr. Gresley, and others of his school-a species of writing highly attractive to young persons--is to be dated, we believe, the commencement of the downward course of many, who have not only been led, "step by step," to the precipice of Romish apostacy, but who have ultimately made the fatal plunge.

We have not space to dwell upon the author's account of his own conversion "from death unto life, and from the power of Satan unto God." He was reading what he terms "that false and dangerous book," (Wilberforce's Eucharistica,) when, as he states, "the scales fell from his eyes." His experience was like that which "dear old Bunyan" attributes to Christian; "just as he came up with the Cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from his back, and began to tumble; and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, when it fell in, and was seen no more."

With respect to the "instantaneous" character of the great change here described, it is enough to observe, that the Almighty is not confined to one mode of operation in bringing sinners to himself. Of this, as of all sudden conversions, the test must ever be a continuance in the way of holiness. Whenever the subsequent life is found to stand that test, we may well believe, that though "there are diversities of operations, it is the same God that worketh all in all."

We have not room either for the passages from the Eucharistica, on which the writer founds his condemnation of that work; or for the earnest remonstrance which he addresses to "Samuel Wilberforce," its author. A brief extract from its final exhortation must conclude our notice of this very striking and well-timed publication.

"I warn you," says the author, addressing his readers, "against any refuge of lies. I listened to the voice of one who told me, that peace was to be found in my infant baptism; . . . of another, who told me, that I should find it in the