ments of the "Christian Year," the Church, following the example of the divine appointments under the law, has applied this obvious principle to the commemoration of the great facts of Christianity. In the festivals of the Nativity, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, the divine Saviour seems, year by year, to be visibly set forth in his mighty and merciful acts, performed for our redemption: while in the minor festivals, the blessed weekly feast of Sunday, and the solemn days of preparation and of commemoration, the glorious and endearing theme is constantly kept up before our eyes and hearts; and "the rolling year," in a sense far higher than the poet's, "is full of" Him. The effect of this practice, where it has been adopted, has been well seen in the increase of the knowledge of salvation, and in the familiarity, to which even children attain, with the "first principles of the doctrine of Christ." In the additional interest which this little volume will create in these, the most important of all subjects, the editor expects to find his sufficient reward.

* Thomson's Hymn to the Seasons.

The Author of these pieces, it has come incidentally to the knowledge of the Editor, while he holds the most honourable office of Professor of Poetry in the University of Oxford, is the exemplary and faithful pastor of an humble country congregation, and devotes himself unsparingly to the spiritual welfare of a rustic flock, in which there is scarcely a single family of rank or education. It is in such a school, that the sweetest and most Christian poet of modern days, is fitly taught. So it was that Bemerton, and Little Gidden, and Hodnet, became nurseries of strains that shall never die. God be thanked, that along the tract of ages he still scatters spirits like Hooker's, and Herbert's, and Walton's, and Ken's, and Ferrar's, and Jeremy Taylor's, and Heber's, and Keble's,-to show how nearly the human may by grace attain to the angelic nature, to enchant our spirits here by the prolusion of those seraphic strains which in heaven are the continual occupation and. enjoyment of the saints,-"singing on earth," as Isaak Walton said of Herbert, "such hymns and anthems as the angels, and he, and Mr. Ferrar now sing in heaven."

In conclusion, the "Christian Year," apart from its high poetical merit, is recommended most earnestly for its pure, affectionate, and elevating character, as a family book. The taste which can appreciate its excellencies, is a Christian taste. The meditation of its eminently spiritual strains will tend to spiritualize the heart. And the Christian home, where it is made a household book, will find it fruitful, above almost every book of human origin, in homebred charities and innocent delights. "Then came the long quiet evening," writes one who can well estimate the various merits of a volume which she has done much to draw into general use, “when some of us gathered, as closely as possible, round the bright fire, and listened, while one and another dear voice read some passage from Keble's Christian Year. Soothing, beautiful poetry! well calculated to lift the heart above the cares of this troublesome world, and to light the path with the sunshine of heaven."* G. W. D.

ST. MARY'S PARSONAGE,

BURLINGTON, JULY 1, 1834.

* Scenes in our Parish, by a Country Parson's Daughter.

Throughout the volume the notes of the American Editor are enclosed in brackets.

Author's Advertisement.

NEXT to a sound rule of faith, there is nothing of so much consequence as a sober standard of feeling in matters of practical religion: and it is the peculiar happiness of the Church of England, to possess, in her authorized formularies, an ample and secure provision for both. But in times of much leisure and unbounded curiosity, when excitement of every kind is sought after with a morbid eagerness, this part of the merit of our Liturgy is likely in some measure to be lost, on many even of its sincere admirers: the very tempers, which most require such discipline, setting themselves, in general, most decidedly against it.

The object of the present publication will be attained, if any person find assistance from it in bringing his own thoughts and feelings into more entire unison with those recommended and exemplified in the Prayer Book.