arrives; and the terror, which his anger against Howard excites in his daughter, occasions the premature birth of a dead child. This scene, a pathetic one, and described pathetically, is, like many others in the book, disgraced and marred by the intrusion into it of Mr. Gamble's disgusting sentiments." At this moment," exclaims Howard, she would be a lifeless corpse, if chance (he called it Providence, for grief as well as fear makes us religious,) had not saved her."

From a long and severe illness, Louisa at length almost recovers; Howard obtains from his benevolent patron a more eligible appointment; and the father gives his consent to the marriage of the lovers. Every thing now seems to wear a propitious aspect. The wedding is to take place in a fortnight, on his return from a visit which he is compelled to pay to the country. But it never takes place. Mr. Gamble cannot bear the idea of making any of his characters happy. A letter reaches Howard, which contains only the words, "come quick, if you would see her alive." In the agony of her feelings, on being subjected unexpectedly to a cruel insult, a blood-vessel had burst, and her death was become inevitable. He hastens back in distraction, just soon enough to receive her last sigh. Insanity seizes him; and he ultimately recovers from it, only to drag a life of deep and cureless sorrow.

This story, simple as it is, is told in a manner which excites a powerful interest. That interest, indeed, remains undiminished, even by the circumstance of the catastrophe being divulged almost at the beginning of the work. But to the literary merit alone of Mr. Gamble, can any praise be awarded? After the specimens which we have given, it is needless to say, that nothing can be worse than his doctrines. Their direct, their inevitable tendency is to make man at least discontented, wretched, and incapable of exertion; for who will exert himself, when he believes that an over-ruling fate laughs all his efforts to scorn? Well would it be, were these their worst effects. But it is impossible not to see that they remove all the restraints on the vices of mankind, and that, therefore, they cannot fail to be the fruitful parents of innumerable crimes In vain would Mr. Gamble plead, that he intends his novels to show the direful consequences which arise from the commission of a single guilty act.-He has disqualified himself from urging this plea. Has he not laboured to destroy the strongest motive for loving virtue, and abhorring wickedness; and has he not likewise, over and over again, taught the lesson that man is the sport of an invincible necessity, against which all his prudence will not avail him in the slightest degree." With Mr. Gamble's principles, it is as much a mockery to talk of the "fault" of Howard, as to talk Ff

VOL. IV. OCTOBER, 1815.

of

of the fault committed by a bayonet or a bullet. Before we part with him, we must advise him, and we do it in perfect sincerity and kindness, to beware that his principles do not ultimately exclude not only all "levity," but also all feeling of comfort from his mind, and involve it in profound and irremediable gloom," We fear that he may not be quite as safe from such a tremendous infliction, as perhaps he himself will imagine.

ART. IX. The Evidence of Authority of the Christian Rehgion. By the Rev. Thomas Chalmers, Minister of Kilmany, Edinburgh. 8vo. 266 pp. 7s. 6d. Longman. 1814. THE contents of this volume have already been presented in part to the public, under the article CHRISTIANITY, in the Edinburgh Encyclopædia. We are happy to see it republished in its present form, as we are persuaded that it cannot be read without producing the most serious and heartfelt conviction of the truth of that holy religion which it is designed to defend. The evidences of Christianity are so numerous and overpowering, that no one writer can enter at large upon every ground of defence, but each man takes that department, to which the natural tendency of his mind peculiarly directs him. Mr. Chalmers dedicates the chief part of his labours to the exposition of the historical evidence, and the ground which he has thus chosen is defended both with accuracy and with skill,

The work is divided into ten chapters. I. On the Priuciples of Historical Evidence, and their Application to the Truth of Christianity. II. On the Authenticity of the different Books of the New Testament. III. On the internal marks of Honesty and Truth to be found in the New Testament. IV. On the Testimony of the Original Witnesses to the Truth of the Gospel Narrative. V. On the Testimony of Subsequent Witnesses, VI. Remarks on the Argument from Prophecy. VII. Remarks on the Scepticism of Geologists. VIII. On the Internal Evidence and Objections of Deistical Infidels. IX. On the Way of Proposing the Argument to Atheistical Infidels. X. On the Supreme Authority of Revelation.

The distinguishing feature of this volume is the calm and convincing manner in which it speaks to the common and practical sense of the reader. We trust that it will have its due share of readers, who can.ot fail of deriving much useful and satisfactory knowledge from its perusal. Mr. Chalmers is a clear-headed man, and understands the laws of evidence well, but we could. wish that he had not decried the mode of defence pursued by

Dr.

Dr. Clarke and the reasoning school. The attacks upon Christianity a priori, are much more formidable and much more numerous than those which are made upon its historical evidence; they require, therefore, at least as zealous and as able defenders. Until a man be made convinced of the reasonableness of a revelation, and the necessity of a Redeemer, he will trouble himself very little with an examination into the historical evidence of their existence.

ART. X. Sermons on the Lord's Prayer, and on several Subjects. By the Rev. E. Scobell, A. B. Chaplain to the Directors and Guardians of the Poor of St. Marylebone. 8vo. 424 pp. 12s. Lloyd. 1815.

MR. SCOBELL informs us that this volume is his first production, we are happy, therefore, that it is in our power to offer him the encouragement which he so justly deserves. His doctrines are sound, and his language powerful and animated, and we doubt not that if these sermons were to be delivered in the same energetic manner in which they are written, they would have a strong practical effect upon a large and mixed congregation. The comparison of the pilgrimage of life with that of the Israelites through the wilderness is drawn with much sweetness, and in a manner that reminds us of Bishop Horne himself,

"It is true we suffer beneath the yoke of sin and Satan, heavier by far than even Egyptian rigour, more cruel and destructive than earthly task-masters. It is true we are placed in a land of shadows, subject to tribulations, to pains, and death. But God forsakes not his people. The sighings of bondage, and the cry of affliction come to the throne of heavenly mercy. He hears our groaning, and remembers his covenant. Like the Jews to Moses, we are pointed to a guide and leader, and that friend is Jesus Christ. He is, to us, the voice of one crying in the wilderness,

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” He is a lamp to our feet and a light to our goings. Safe under his protection, the children of earth may pass, not only safely, but with gladness, through the rugged mountains of the world, and go on their way "rejoicing in hope." He refreshes their fainting hearts with the "hidden manna" of immortality, and to the thirsting soul he sheweth "the pure river of the water of life,' "of water" clear as chrystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Sorrows may come, or adversity oppress, but let their night of affliction be ever so dark, He pierces it with the cheering beams of his Holy Spirit; He erects the pillar of sacred flame within the heart, and whispers to the trembling mortal, pardon and peace. F f 2

"None

"Nor is this all. While he calms with power the wind and the tempest here, he leaves us not in doubt about the scenes of an hereafter. He points our eyes to a celestial country, of joy and plenty, of liberty and light. All its treasures are open to our pos session; all its blessings extended to our enjoyment. We are invited, encouraged, intreated, urged to enter into this everlasting Canaan, that we may "eat the fruit thereof, and the goodness thereof;" and that when all the dangers of our probationary jour ney are finished and gone, when the waters of salvation" are clean passed over," we may be refreshed with the dews of heavenly favour, and rest amidst the tranquillity of the eternal Sabbath." P. 327.

With the following sentiments respecting liberality, or the religious apathy of modern times we were much pleased.

"If by liberality be meant a general spirit of philanthropy, a charitable compassion for the failings of humanity, a backwardness to impute unworthy motives, modesty of behaviour, lenient judg ment, and an indulgent toleration-the principle is heavenly; it is the morning star of the Gospel; it is the pure effluence of the fountain of mercies. But if, on the other hand, it be intended by this term to insinuate that all religions are alike, that doctrines are non-essential; that present sincerity is, under every opportu nity, to compensate for corrigible errors: that a chain of spiritual union is to subsist between opinions diametrically and physically opposite; that creeds are of little or no importance, provided the life be correct, or in other words, that works without faith are safe and acceptable-against this, in whatever shape it appear, the Christian minister, in word and in deed-with moderation, but with firmness, is bound unequivocally to protest." P. 209.

We can safely pronounce these sermons to be hortatory and as Christian discourses, untainted by any fanatical cant. Should Mr. Scobell publish again we should recommend rather more attention to method, and rather less exuberance of expression. These, however, are errors which we have no doubt but that his own good judgment will correct.

ART. XI. A Dictionary of all Religions, &c. By Thomas Williams. 16mo. 336 pp. 7s. 6d. Williams and Son. WE are sorry that we cannot compliment Mr. Williams either upon the principles or upon the execution of the work before us. Let us take for the example his account of the Church of England.

"ENGLISH CHURCH. The Church of England is Episcopalian, and boasts a regular succession of Bishops from the time of the Apostles,

9

Apostles, conveyed to them through the Church of Rome. The Churches of England and Ireland were united by the Union of 1801, and form a grand national establishment; but with a free toleration of Dissenters in their principles and worship, without admitting them to any of its emoluments, and excluding them from many offices in the state."

Now we should be happy to know what information any stranger to the doctrines and discipline of our Church could derive from such a description. Mr. Williams in truth has given us a very meagre and confined performance, and inferior to one or two others, whose principles indeed are no better than his own. The best part of the volume is the print preceding the title-page, which is taken from the celebrated picture of the meeting of the Reformers with the Bible before them, and the Pope, the Cardinals, the Monks, and the Devil, attempting to blow out the candle.

ART. XII. Poems and Imitations, by Daniel Cabanel, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn. Svo. pp. 192. 105. Bickerstaff. 1814. THE two first poems in this volume have been published before, and have received, as we think they deserve, a favourable notice. The poetry of the Tocsin in particular is entitled to commendation. The thoughts are elegant, and the general flow of the lines harmonious. Of these and the subsequent poems we can now, in our turn, speak in terms of praise the translations from the Italian are pretty, and the lines written at different places through which the author has passed in his travels are generally pleasing. We shall cite, in confirmation of our opinion the two last stanzas from an Address to Hope.

"Indulgent Power thy aid impart !
With chasten'd raptures fill my heart-
Thy soothing Heralds send!
Teach me the ways of Love and Peace,
Bid sublunary sorrows cease,

And Earth's delusions end!

And on the confines of the Grave-
When Heaven resumes the life it gave,
And claims my forfeit breath;
Be Faith thy Seraph Sister nigh!
With thee to waft me to the sky-

And charm the shaft of Death!" P. 113.

ART.