Rivington's Ecclesiastical Year-book for 1865. London: Rivingtons, THIS book is in fact a summary, yet most comprehensive, history of the Church of England in 1865. It is, therefore, a volume which will be most valuable for reference in time to come. The plan is good and well wrought out. All that is necessary to secure for it an extensive sale is to make it known as a very compact, convenient, and accurate manual. As such it affords us pleasure to recommend it.

Ritualism and the Gospel: Thoughts upon St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. With an Appendix. By Rev. C. H. Í. Wright. London Nisbet and Co.

THE "Thoughts' " which Mr. Wright has favoured us with were addressed as sermons to his flock at Dresden, and are in fact a short practical commentary upon the chief portions of the Epistle to the Galatians. They are substantially evangelical in doctrine, and as such adhere very closely to the Scripture model. We have much pleasure in noticing so clear and faithful an exhibition of principle and duty, and warmly recommend it.

Novum Testamentum Polyglottum.

Edited by C. G. W. THEILE, D.D., and R. STIER, D.D. London: Williams and Norgate. WE beg to call attention to this most useful and well edited volume, which is both cheap and convenient as well as accurate. It contains the Greek text, the Latin Vulgate, the German of Luther, and our Authorized Version. All four texts are exhibited at every opening of the volume, which, moreover, displays important various readings, and references to parallel passages.

L'Idée de Dieu, et ses Nouveaux Critiques. Par E. CARO. Paris! Hachette.

THE learned and talented author of this work may congratulate himself on the success which he has achieved, and the rapid sale of his publication. The book is one which may be confidently recommended as one of great and varied interest on topics of paramount importance. We beg to call to it the attention of those who have not yet seen it, and to record our appreciation of its distinguished merits.

The Sacrificial Vestments: are they legal in the Church of England? An Inquiry into the history and intention of the Second Rubric of the Book of Common Prayer. By WILLIAM MILTON, M.A. London: Rivingtons.

A CAREFUL and comprehensive examination of authorities in regard to a question which it is curious should have been unasked till now. The question is one which we are prevented from discussing; but we fear that if everything is lawful in the Church so long as not in formal terms prohibited, peace and union will not be seen in our days.

Reunion with Rome, as advocated in the "Eirenicon" of Dr. Pusey. Two Sermons by S. BUTCHER, D.D. Dublin: Hodges, Smith, and Co.

THESE sermons are an able embodiment of facts and arguments bearing upon the Eirenicon; and are followed by a useful and carefully compiled appendix of notes, Dr. Butcher demonstrates, we think, that the English Church could not be united to Rome on any terms which would not exclude immense numbers of persons, or compel them to sacrifice not a few of their most solemn and conscientious convictions.

De la Date de nos Evangiles; ou réponse populaire à cette question: Quand est ce que nos Evangiles ont été composes? Par CONSTANTIN TISCHENDORF. Toulouse: Société des Livres Religieux..

WE are glad to see a French version of an essay which will instruct and please many who have no time or no taste for more elaborate and scholastic productions.

The Life and the Light. A Sermon by Rev. HENRY ALLON. London: Jackson, Walford, and Co.

MR. ALLON is the able minister of Union Chapel, Islington, and he preached this discourse on behalf of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. The sermon is liberal, but practical and evangelical in its tone, and it is worthy of high praise as an eloquent exposition of great principles and duties.

Christianity and Recent Speculations. Six lectures by Ministers of the Free Church. With Preface by R. S. CANDLISH, D.D. Edinburgh: J. Maclaren.

We live in the new apologetic age, and hence the constant issue of works in defence of Christian principles. The subjects of these lectures are: The Bible not inconsistent with science; The place and ends of Miracles; Spiritual Christianity in relation to secular progress; The purpose and form of Holy Scripture; Prayer and Natural Law; and The Sabbath. We have much pleasure in expressing the opinion that this is a most seasonable book, well executed, and fitted for extensive service in the cause of God and truth.

Christianity without Judaism. A second series of Essays. By Rev. BADEN POWELL, M.A. Second edition, revised. London: Longmans and Co.

WE willingly bear testimony to the great ability manifested in this book, the peculiar and original views of which are expressed with much force and freedom, and, as is well known, have won for it a position of some celebrity. Although we often differ from the author's opinions, we are glad that this new edition has appeared, because it will enable many to examine them who have had no opportunity of seeing the previous edition.

NEW SERIES.-VOL. IX., NO. XVIII.

H H

1

Forty-nine Opinions of Eminent Men on the Authority and Observance of the Sabbath. London: 20 John Street, Adelphi.

A VERY useful and interesting tract on the Lord's-day question. The extracts are ranged alphabetically, and are well fitted to shew the opinions which many great men have expressed regarding the duties and advantages of the Christian Sabbath."

Les Apôtres. Par ERNEST RENAN. Paris: Levy, frêres.

THIS second volume has no chance of causing a sensation like that which followed the appearance of the Life of Jesus. The former book flashed like a meteor upon the eyes of the world, or came like the booming of the gun which gives the signal for a war in which we must take a part pro aris et focis. But now we have had some experience in the war, the opening of a second campaign, as some will think it, rouses no great curiosity, anxiety, or enthusiasm on either side. It is unnecessary for us to describe M. Renan's literary and critical procedures, and we have not space at present to analyze and estimate the book. There are many things in it which are true and beautiful, few which have the air of novelty thrown over the Life of Jesus, and some which we think quite fanciful. Although we differ so much and so often from the author, we cannot but recognize in him a singular absence of that bitterness and spirit of vituperation and contempt which is common in our day. True, the book is avowedly a history, but it is an armed history, and one which comes to dispute the ground occupied by many preceding histories of the same times and events. advise our readers to peruse the book, and we hope to have an early opportunity of reviewing it at some length.

Achtzehn Hebräische Grabinschriften aus der Krun.

We

Ein Beitrag zur Biblischen Chronologie, Semitischen Paläographie, und alten Ethnographie. Von D. CHWOLSON. St. Petersburg: Eggers and Co. THE existence of ancient books and monuments among the Caraite Jews of the Crimea has been long known and frequently noticed, but it is not till recently that any considerable researches have been made in regard to them. Inquiries made in 1839 brought to light fifty-one ancient Biblical MSS. and fifty-nine copies of ancient sepulchral inscriptions. Of the MSS., one dates from A.D. 640. Further explorations were rewarded by additional inscriptions. These discoveries stimulated inquiry, and led to new revelations of a very curious and important kind. Not content with copies from the monuments, eight of the original inscriptions were procured in 1863, and deposited in the Asiatic Museum at St. Petersburg. Dr. Chwolson published facsimiles of these eight and of ten others, along with a mass of valuable information collected from divers sources, both in regard to the inscriptions and to Biblical MSS. as well as in regard to the history of the Crimean Jews. The dates assigned to the eighteen monumental stones are these: A.D. 6, 30, 89, 179, 197, 262, 305, 369, 625, 670, 678, 719, 807, 834, 898, 937,

958, and 960. Resides these there are copies of six others from the Caucasus, of which the dates are A.D. 597, 598, 604, and 609,-three bearing the last date. As examples of the inscriptions we give translations of the three oldest.

This is the monument of Buki the son of Isaac the priest. His rest be in Paradise at the time of the salvation of Israel! In the year 702 years of our exile (i.e., A.D. 6).

Rabbi Moses Levi (or, the Levíte) died in the year 726 of our exile (i.e., A.D. 30).

Zadok the Levite, son of Moses, died 4000 after the creation, 785 of our exile (i.e., A.D. 89).

The rest of the inscriptions are very interesting, and frequently embody pious wishes for the deceased.

It is impossible in a short notice to do justice to the great learning and research displayed by Professor Chwolson in this remarkable book. We have no doubt whatever that it will be prized as it deserves to be by every scholar who is interested in Jewish archæology and bibliography. It seems to bring us, beyond dispute, into the presence of descendants of those tribes which were exiled nearly seven hundred years before Christ.

A History of the Gipsies: with specimens of the Gipsy Language, by W. SIMSON. Edited, with preface, introduction, and notes, and a disquisition on the past, present, and future of Gipsydom. By JAMES SIMSON. London: Sampson Low, Son, and Marston. A VERY remarkable book, containing a wonderful amount of curious matter and equally curious speculations. Mr. James Simson advances many remarkable and untenable, but at the same time amusing ideas. He thinks, for example, that the gipsies are descended from "the mixed multitude" which came out of Egypt at the Exodus; and he "That the mixed multitude' travelled into India, acquired the says, language of that part of Asia, and perhaps modified its appearance there, and became the origin of the gipsy race, we may very safely assume." With equal safety we may assume that this, and very much more to be found in the same book, is quite erroneous, but it is after all a decidedly entertaining volume.

The Resurrection of the Just, and their condition in a Future State; considered chiefly with a view to the doctrine of Mutual Recognition. Eight Sermons. By Rev. J. T. PLUMMER, M.A. London : Rivingtons.

HERE are eight sermons upon a subject which will always be one of extreme personal interest to the mass of Christians. The author writes in a devout and scriptural manner, and his sermons will be read with pleasure by those who are like-minded with himself. He has read some of the works most in favour with the orthodox schools, and earnestly maintains the doctrine of the mutual recognition of the risen

in the world to come. Certain notes and extracts are appended to the sermons, but what does Mr. Plummer mean in the first of these notes. when he speaks of Justin Martyr "as being the earliest father of the Christian Church?" There is a good deal of edifying reading in the volume.

Swiss Pictures; drawn with pen and pencil. The illustrations by E. WHYMPER, F.R.G.S. London: Religious Tract Society, THIS volume is most beautifully illustrated, and the typography is excellent. It abounds in useful information, and no traveller to Switzerland should go without it. Those who stay at home will find it a charming volume for the family library. Venice and other places described in it have at present exceptional interest, and the notices of them are pleasingly and accurately written.

Letters from Florence on the Religious Reform Movements in Italy, By W. TALMADGE, B.A. London: Rivingtons.

MOST of these letters appeared in the Guardian, and attracted much attention. They will be very welcome in their present form as a graphic description and record of matters which will have an interest in the future. The author writes clearly and with much candour and fairness, and we have pleasure in recommending his book to all who wish to know more of its subject.

The Annotated Book of Common Prayer; being a Historical, Ritual, and Theological Commentary on the Devotional System of the Church of England. Edited by the Rev. J. H. BLOUNT, M.A. Part I. London: Rivingtons.

ALTHOUGH this elaborate book lies somewhat beyond our domain, we are happy to say a few words indicative of its plan and editorship. The editor has had the co-operation of several accomplished clergymen, whose contributions are very properly acknowledged. Particular mention is made of the Reverends T. W. Perry, W. D. Macray, J. B. Dykes, J. I. Fowler, W. Bright, P. G. Medd, and M. E. C. Walcott Some of these gentlemen have furnished contributions of considerable interest and importance. The volume supplies a great mass of information which will just now be specially valuable, and the list of authorities consulted includes many, we cannot say all, that we naturally look for, besides some which are new to us. Of course the literature

of the Prayer-book is enormous, but there are books like that of Harrison on the Rubrics (Rivingtons, 1845), and numerous older ones, which we should have expected to see on the list. The work itself must be regarded as a very elaborate attempt to produce a cyclopædic commentary upon the Common Prayer-book. Besides the copious, we had almost said voluminous, introductory essays and notes, the text of the forms is illustrated by parallels in Latin, and an abundance of annotations. The rubrics are by no means overlooked, and even the