will bear comparison with the most splendid specimens of our old sterling matter-of-fact theologians; a race of men, like the giants of ancient days, who have left few, if any, descendants. As a preacher of righteousness, springing from the only foundation, that is or can be laid, we place him on the summit of his ambition; and feel satisfied, that what he alleges in his brief advertisement, "the possibility of being useful to a few, and, among that number, to his clerical brethren," is fully proved.

There are a few notes appended, which touch on points which might easily be extended to a voluminous length. We particularly approve their allusion to the abominable indifference to sacred things, which characterizes the present age, and especially amongst that class in society who should be the "leaders" in all things as well as in some. "What," he properly demands, "what are the people of England to think of the cabinet meetings and cabinet dinners, as they are called, of his majesty's ministers upon the Lord's day?" We sadly fear, that some of our brethren in the ministry of the King of kings are a little, if not much, to be blamed for apathy upon these and similar inquiries; and if to one of these court ministers, Dr. Evans should be able to hint a single idea applicable to his situation, his work will not have been in vain; nor will our recommendation of it be too favourable.

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Sermons by the Rev. HOBART CAUNTER, B.D. Domestic Chaplain to the Earl of Thanet, and Curate of St. Paul's (late Portland) Chapel, St. Mary-lebone. London: Edward Bull, Holles street; and Rivingtons, St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1832. Pp. viii. 380.

SERMONS, preached by a fashionable preacher, at a fashionable chapel, and to fashionable people, may appear an odd idea. But the sermons may be good for all that. Dr. Evans's sermons, just noticed, came to us fresh from the closet, addressed with something of authority, to his brethren, without any words of apology for their direction or tendency. Mr. Caunter comes

before us with a plea in behalf of his, as published by request, and deprecating, or rather propitiating, the severity of criticism, not having been written with a view to publication; and there is a list of subscribers to the volume, added as a sort of tail-piece to balance the preface. Yet, in its way, this volume has as much good in it nearly, as the former, though differently handled. Mr. Caunter, with more than three hundred friends, to back his pretensions, by a subscription of nearly 2001. in purchase of his book, may care little for our official, and perchance officious, good opinion; but, though we do not think a Christian preacher ought to demean the character he should sustain by apologetic compliments to his hearers or readers, (for never can a teacher of the truth need to apologize for a word in season or out of season,) we still think his sermons may do good, and, therefore, we wish him "God speed."

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary; Explanatory of the History, Manners, and Customs of the Jews and neighbouring Nations. With an Account of the most Remarkable Places and Persons mentioned in Sacred Scripture; an Exposition of the Principal Doctrines of Christianity; and Notices of Jewish and Christian Sects and Heresies. By RICHARD WATSON. London : Mason. 1832. Pp. iv.

1068.

ALLOWING for the bias of the editor's opinions, his may be considered one of the best Theological Dictionaries in the language. As a compilation from preceding compilations, it is enlarged and corrected throughout; and many important articles, which have not been hitherto inserted in works of the kind, add considerably to its value. The articles on Church-discipline, and seetarian tenets, must be consulted with particular caution; indeed, in some of the articles touching our Church, we must take nearly the opposite of what is said: but in other respects, the student will find it an accurate and useful compendium of all that is necessary to illustrate the Holy Scriptures, and the history of the Church of God from the creation to the present time.

The Invalid's Help to Prayer and Meditation; with Prayers, &c. in Behalf, and on the Loss, of Relatives and Friends. By the Rev. E. P. HANNAM, M.A. Curate of the New Church, St. Pancras. London: Rivingtons. 1832. 12mo. Pp. xvi. 84.

By the 67th canon, the minister is left to his own judgment as to the propriety of visiting the sick in cases of infectious diseases; and though we are well assured that the Clergy pay little regard to their own personal security, yet the consideration of their families may well be allowed to weigh with them under circumstances of imminent peril. Accident also may sometimes prevent, even in ordinary occurrences, the immediate attendance of the minister; on which occasions, as well as in the interval of his visits, a manual for the direction of the relatives or friends of the invalid, cannot be otherwise than conducive to his spiritual improvement and consolation. The judgment of the lower classes is not always ready in the selection of passages adapted to the peculiar case of the sufferer; so that a selection of prayers, and a reference to certain portions of Scripture, applicable to different states of mind and body, will render the task of family ministration both easy and efficient. A guide of this nature is supplied by Mr. Hannam in the manual before us, on the plan of the "Hospital Manual," to which we have already directed the attention of our readers, and which has been placed on the catalogue of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

very many heads of families who adhere to this devout and laudable practice. To all such, this volume will prove a valuable auxiliary. The discourses are short, and judiciously combine doctrine and practice; and they are written in a plain, earnest, and affectionate style; which, with the divine blessing, cannot fail to do good.

A brief View of Sacred History, from the Creation of the World to the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans; with Questions for Examination at the End of each Chapter; and a Glossary, explaining Words and Phrases peculiar to Scripture, or there used in a Sense different from that in common Acceptation. By ESTHER COPLEY, Author of" Cottage Comforts," &c. London: Roake and Varty. 1832. 12mo. Pp. iv. 288.

In the school and in the cottage this little work is calculated to be of considerable utility: not indeed by superseding the regular perusal of the Holy Scriptures, but by assisting the unlettered reader in forming a correct and comprehensive view of their historical contents. The plan upon which it is constructed is sufficiently explained in the title; and we prefer it to any of the various summaries of the same class, which are generally employed for this purpose.

A short Explanation of Obsolete Words in our Version of the Bible, and of such as are there used in a peculiar or Uncommon Sense. For the Use of Young Persons. By the Rev. H. COTTON, D.C. L. Archdeacon of Cashel, and late Student of Christ Church. Oxford: Parker. London: Rivingtons. 1832. Pp. 72.

A VERY useful little book, the merits of which, will be better shewn by the following examples, than by any thing we might add:

"BOLLED. At Exodus ix. 31, we read that the flax was bolled.' This word is said to come from the verb to boll,' which lexicographers interpret to swell. But, as they justly remark, the older form was not bolled,' but 'bollen,' or 'boln,' as may be seen in Shakspeare: whence I cannot help believing that it is the past participle, not from 'boll,' but from bell,' (as 'swollen' from 'swell,' &c.) 'To

4 T

"BRIGANDINE. A coat of mail; perhaps such as was formerly worn by robbers, called (from the French) Brigands. The word occurs twice in Jeremiah, but is now obsolete. 'Fur

bish the spears, and put on the brigandines.' Jer. xlvi. 4. So likewise, they have their brigandine, their soldier's girdle; and, to be short, all that complete harness,' &c. Erasmus' Paraphrase. And Milton, in Sampson Agonistes, 'Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet and brigandine of brass, thy broad habergeon, vantbrass and greaves.'' P. 16.

"REINS. The inward parts, properly the kidneys; from the Latin renes.' The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.' Psalm vii. 9. In this sense the word is obsolete. In our Version it is often used metaphorically for the thoughts, or affections of the heart; similar use is made of the English word bowels' and the Greek σπλάγχνον.” Ρ. 55.

"REREWARD. Derived from the French 'arrière,' means that which we now usually call 'rear-guard;' 'ward' and guard' being, as is well known, the same word; and 'rere' being a more correct spelling than rear.'

The Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.' Isaiah lii. 12. 'Rereward' is found in Shakspeare, but has long been obsolete." P. 55.

Historical and Antiquarian Notices of Crosby Hall, London. By E. I. CARLos, one of the Committee for the preservation of the Structure. London: Nichols. 1832. 12mo. pp. 58. IN advocating the conservative cause against the Vandal demolitionists of

"Our Ladye's Chapel," we were instigated, in some degree, by a devotional veneration for an ancient temple of religion; but, though there is not the same sacred call upon us in the present instance, we should still be unwilling, on the mere score of taste, to pass a silent vote for the restitution of Crosby Hall. There is not, indeed, that necessity for echoing the voice of indignation at the barbarian cry of havoc, which was raised by the radical mob in the Borough; but we would fain assist in augmenting the subscription which has been set on foot for saving one of the few remaining monuments of our ancient domestic architecture from the devouring hand of time. For the historical and antiquarian records of this interesting structure, for a description of its original and present state, we gladly refer our readers to the work of Mr. Carlos, in which they will meet with all the information which can be gleaned respecting it, from the most authentic sources. The will of Sir John Crosby is added in an appendix; and, with the note which the author has subjoined, affords a most pleasing illustration of the manners and customs of former times. Indeed we have seldom relished a more delightful antiquarian repast than in the perusal of these "Notices."

A Word of Testimony; or a corrected Account of the Evidence adduced by the Trustees of the National Scotch Church, in support of their Charges against the Rev. E. Irving: and his Defence. 8vo. Pp. 86. Adam Douglas, Portman Street, London. 1832.

THOSE Who feel an interest in the transactions alluded to above, may here have the most impartial and correct account that has yet been published: Mr. Irving himself having revised a part of the work. Of the poor man who is the subject of it, it is needless for us to say any thing; except that we should be glad to hear that he was able to distinguish between sober piety and wild enthusiasm.