familiarity with the scenes it so widely portrays, beginning with "that brief December day," its portents of the coming storm, the "nightly chores" at the farm-house and the barn, with the grand blazing, crackling fire in the old fire place so ample, and the peculiar wildness of the night without, followed, next morning, by the strange spectacle of a buried world; but we shall be much disappointed if this "Winter Idyl" does not prove to be the favorite production of Whittier's muse. What more than that magnificent snow-storm the poem portrays, is indicated in the simple and touching dedication,

"To the Memory of the Household it describes, this Poem is dedicated by the Author."

Very exquisitely done are

"These Flemish Pictures of old days,"

and we are persuaded that the reception which awaits them will far transcend the modest author's anticipation, so beautifully recorded in the closing lines, of favor from those to whom his descriptions bring back the memories of their own early days:

"And thanks untraced to lips unknown
Shall greet me like the odors blown
From unseen meadows newly mown,
Or lilies floating in some pond,
Wood-fringed, the wayside gaze beyond;
The traveller owns the grateful sense

Of sweetness near, he knows not whence,
And pausing, takes with forehead bare
The benediction of the air."

18.-The Poets and Poetry of the Hebrews. By J. WESLEY CAHART, D. D. 12mo. New York: Sheldon & Co. 1865.

THE author's purpose is not critical, but popularly instructive. His idea was happy-to give a series of parochial lectures on this topic so full of attractive points to cultivated literary tastes, and so suggestive of important religious truth. He has brought his theme into yet closer sympathy with his readers, by weaving the biographical and historical threads of the subject into the discourses, giving a sketch of the author, the occasion, the various accessories of the poems which he introduces, thus adding much to the power and beauty of these citations. He writes in a flowing and exuberant style, with much poetic feeling, and a deeply Christian spirit. Generally, his quotations from uninspired authors, which are frequent, are well chosen. We should dissent from his endorsement of Horsley, that what are

called the "maledictory" psalms are not to be taken in the imperative but the declarative sense. The best of the more recent exegetes does not sustain this view; nor does the true theological sense require this easing-off. Nor do we like the opinion that Solomon died an apostate from God. His case is confessedly obscure; but not enough so to extinguish all hope of resuscitated grace. We welcome this volume as a hearty tribute to the surpassing beauty and value of the Scriptures, and as a good example to be followed by our pastors for putting their congregations into a fuller possession of the varied treasures of the Bible.

19.-Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church. Ordered by the General Assembly. 8vo. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 1866.

SEVENTY chants, and less than five hundred and fifty hymns, with appropriate music, make up this collection, the editorial and mechanical execution of which are alike creditable to the venerable church whose imprint it bears. The division of psalms and hymns is abandoned. The poetry is of the substantial quality of our older sacred lyrics, for the most part, though we see a mingling of modern names in the index. The music seems, to a rapid inspection, of a kind which will stand the severe test of frequent use. We think the day enough for all the

of mammoth hymn-books is going by. This is demands of public worship. Is the hope of a uniform manual of psalmody in our churches never to be realized? We can hardly think that any one would say that it is not desirable.

20.-Hans Brinker; or, The Silver Skates. A Story of Life in Holland. By M. E. DODGE, author of the "Irvington Stories." Illustrated by Darley & Nast. 12mo. New York: James O'Kane. 1866.

A SUCCESSFUL effort is here made to weave a pleasant and useful narrative for children, of about equal parts of story and travel. The story is natural, interesting and of good moral tone. The sketches of scenery, character, customs and life among the Hollanders, are skilfully and tastefully wrought, taking the reader through the choice districts of a remarkable country in a way to leave valuable instruction in the young mind, as well as useful impressions on the heart. This is a good vein to work in juvenile literature; and this volume is one of its better specimens.

21.-Little Foxes. By CHRISTOPHER CROWFIELD, Author of "House and Home Papers." Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1866.

THESE "prelections" are republished from the Atlantic Monthly, where they appeared some two or three years since. They exhibit the characteristic excellencies of the author, are sparkling, witty and eminently readable. They describe with caustic pen some of the common evils which afflict the social life of our poor fallen humanity, the little foxes spoiling the vines, and they prescribe simple and easy methods of catching the same little foxes, and putting them out. They make small account-indeed no account at all—of the sad truth that sin has deranged all things under the sun, and that only a divine remedy can be of much avail. But these sprightly papers have defects of another character. The pictures are exaggerated. There is no relief. They are painful, almost excruciating to contemplate, as pictures. And they are not true, in the exaggerated form, except in occasional and extreme cases which are utterly beyond hope of cure or relief. We suppose that most young men call their affianced" angels" and all that, in the dreamy period of courtship, and girls love to listen to it, though they do not quite believe it, and say to themselves, "Ah! poor fellow, he will find out different to that by and by!" We are much inclined to believe, too, that, as a general rule, the real and substantial joys of married life are felt to be far more valuable than the mild moonshine and balmy zephyrs of the season of courtship. We believe that it is altogether probable that the blushing damsel, looking so like a fairy, and listening under the trysting tree to the airy nothings of the man she loves, will make him a good sensible wife, soothing his sorrows, helping to bear his burdens, and will have no wish to exchange the sober realities of her home for that misty, dreamy, delirious past.

sense.

We never care to read through an account of a "shocking accident," or "barbarous treatment !" it lacerates our feelings. Neither do we believe that persons who find a pleasure in such things are remarkable for fine sensibility, a large humanity, or the highest moral We object to Mrs. Stowe's pictures on the same ground.. If there are just such scenes as she describes, we have no wish to see them painted so minutely, nor do we believe any good can come of it. The aim is good, but would not the author be a little more in harmony with her own philosophy, if her pictures were more after the style of Titian, and less after that of Spagnoletto?

22.-Orthophony: or The cultivation of the Voice in Elocution. A Manual of Elementary Exercises, adapted to Dr. Rush's "Philosophy of the Human Voice," and the System of Vocal Culture introduced by Mr. James E. Murdoch. Designed as an Introduction to Russell's "American Elocutionist." Compiled by WILLIAM RUSSELL, Author of "Lessons in Enunciation," etc. With a Supplement on Purity of Tone, by G. J. WEBB, Prof. Boston Academy of Music. Twenty Seventh Edition. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1866.

A RATHER long title-page to an exceedingly valuable book. We give it at length in the hope that it will be read, and that many will be induced to get the volume, and to read and inwardly digest that. All public speakers should have it, and use it every day. The sure result would be, a very great improvement of the voice, in the compass, depth, richness, flexibility, and a marvelously increased facility in speaking, by which we mean that a man could talk a long ime with pleasure to others and little fatigue to himself. There would be at the same time, a decided enlargement of the lungs and chest, with corresponding improvement of the health and the best ossible safeguard against consumption. Thus we have proved more han we asserted; that this book on elocution is good not only for ublic speakers, but for all who would have a full chest, a clear, rich, flexible voice, and good health. Our young ladies could not do a better thing than get this book and use it every day, for fullness of form, rosy complexion, and improvement in conversation. We are glad to see it has reached the twenty seventh edition, and hope soon to see the hundred and twenty seventh.

23.-Lectures on Pastoral Theology. By ENOCH POND, D.D., Professor in the Theological Seminary, Bangor. Andover: Warren F. Draper, Publisher.

THE tendency of ministerial effort in New England has of late been especially directed toward the pulpit, as the sphere of intellectual, rather than toward the parish, as the sphere of social and spiritual power. Indeed, in no particular have young ministers been more deficient than in knowledge of this subject of pastoral theology. Many of those who hold the position of professors in this department, have been mere theorists. Never having been pastors, they have not known how to speak of the practical difficulties of pastoral work, and young ministers have gone among a new people without experience, and without counsel; so that a young ministry is almost inevitably full of ignorance and blunders.

This treatise of Dr. Pond's covers most, if not all, of the important topics upon this subject, which need to be discussed. It is written in a clear, straight forward, unpretending style, and is eminently common-sense and practical in its suggestions. In treating of revivals Dr. Pond is moderate in his views, attempting to avoid extreme radicalism on the one hand, and extreme conservatism on the other. For example, on page 150, he says:

"Between these two extremes, and at a wide remove from either, there is a medium ground, on which the faithful minister will place himself, and where he may labor in promoting revivals with great success. Knowing that God works by means, and by appropriate means, he attaches a high and sacred importance to the means of grace. He labors to understand

the truths and motives of the Gospel. . He studies the character of those whose salvation he seeks. . . . At the same time, he feels that he is a 'worker together with God,' and his whole trust and dependence are placed upon Him. He desires above all things to secure his co-operation and blessing."

And so in giving directions to inquirers, Dr. Pond would neither reiterate, "Repent!" nor "Employ the means of grace!" but would seek to discover how the Holy Spirit was working, and direct the inquirer in accordance with His suggestions.

Now that we have such a text-book as this, practical, evangelical, American, let it be introduced into our theological seminaries, and let young ministers be made masters of it, and the churches will have occasion for gratitude.

24.-St. Martin's Summer. By ANNE H. M. BREWSTER. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 1866.

UNDER the form of a residence, with a couple of female friends in the South of Europe, the author gives us a sympathetic and appreciative picture of life and society in that ever fascinating region of the world. Naples is the centre of her observations and studies, which are surcharged with antiquarian, historical, musical, classical, artistic lore and sentiment. There is romance in it, and sightseeing; but it is not a novel or a book of travel. Much of it is a conversazione broken off and renewed to suit the convenience of its highly cultured participants. Some of these interlocutors show a remarkable literary memory: but we have known a few prodigies of this kind who seemed to have nearly the whole round of ancient and modern authorship at their tongue's end. There is valuable information in it, and an exuberance of delicate, sensitive, passion