disposition will be found; each of t condary groups will form their own c affinity; these again are found to smaller circles, till at last the inquiry limited to the individual species. more readily excite our wonder. But all inquiry into their nature is futile. We know not whether those distant worlds are inhabited by mortals or by spirits, or whether they are the abodes of happiness or misery: all this is hidden from human research. But with Natu- But the discoveries of those few, w ral History the case is different. The myriads pursued this line of inquiry, have no of organized beings that cover the surface of here. It is found, notwithstanding t our globe, are continually before our eyes: we plicated system of circles, that each is can distinguish their races, examine their struc-ed to another, and to all, either by di ture, and even explore their habits and econo- nity or relative analogy. An exam my. And if our knowledge of the system of explain this part of the subject more f their creation, will bear no comparison with I shall give one which the most ph that which is known on the general laws naturalist of the age has pointed out which regulate the planets, it is only because is a particular group of beetles, char the minds of most men have dwelt on details, by feeding upon living vegetables onl instead of grasping at general principles. exhibit five variations of form, very d There may be some who think, that even to the typical examples, but in those inse attempt such a discovery, as the plan which constitute the intermediate links, the the Almighty has pursued in creation, is al- tions are so diminished that one form in together vain, if not bordering upon impiety. blends into the next. On the other ha Might not the same argument be used against is another group of beetles, all of whic Astronomy? And was it not actually used in their sustenance from decayed vegetab the infancy of science? In regard to spiritual construction, no less than their food, things, we not only know that the human ingly different from the former rac mind is limited, but we also know the extent likewise are composed of five subord of those limits. But in natural science, al- milies, and like the others, are C though we feel the impossibility of even com- among themselves by a circular serie prehending the nature of things in perfection, nity. Now upon comparing the two ra we are utterly ignorant of those limits which present such a wonderful resemblan invisibly circumscribe our understanding. The spect to analogy, that not only the fiv discoveries of this age, in every branch of sci- pal families in each agree in one or m ence, would no doubt have appeared perfectly ing peculiarities, but it may even be visionary to those who lived in the last; while every insect in one race finds its repre that knowledge upon which we may now pride in the other. In short, not only in ourselves, will no doubt, in the estimation of stance, but throughout nature, there future ages, appear as comparative ignorance. symbolical relationship, from the high In Astronomy, indeed, we feel how hopeless it lowest of created beings. Their ve is to gain any information on the true nature and colours are not only important to of the heavenly bodies; yet we have been per- culiar habits or economy, but are em mitted to understand the great principles by types and symbols to designate someth which they are regulated. We know to a Thus, whether our attention be direc certainty that our own planet daily and annu- animal or vegetable kingdom, to the t ally revolves in two descriptions of circles, and or celestial world, one plan alone is dis that numerous others move in all directions on and that itself is typical of ETERNIT the same principles. Now, however unintelligi- tribute which proceeds alone from t ble such a complicated system may at first ap- Architect of all.t pear, yet the discoveries of science have made it both plain and undeniable: and that an assemblage of stars, which to the uninformed observer seem promiscuously scattered in the firmament, are nevertheless regulated by a plan the most beautiful and wondrous that can possibly be conceived. Now there is incontestable evidence to prove, that the same system which is found to govern the heavenly bodies-a system plainly circular -is typically represented on earth, and is that upon which the whole of organized matter has originally been planned. If either the animal or the vegetable kingdom be attentively considered, they will each present a certain number of primary divisions, following each other in a series of affinity. They will also have this remarkable peculiarity, that the last will so intimately resemble the first, that the series returns again to the point from which the investigation commenced; and thus by the union of the first division with the last, the whole can only be represented under the form of a circle. Again, if any one of these primary divisions be examined singly, the same It is only under this view that Nat tory assumes her true dignity, and herself from all those pursuits which earthly advantages, takes her statio side of Religion; and like her, directs to the contemplation of Omnipotence Well therefore may it excite surp in a science so peculiarly connected w tianity, a neighbouring kingdom should have taken precedence over a nation rably more religious. The truth is, th day there are few who have any defini on the matter, or who are in the least the station which Zoology is now a These causes can alone account for no professorship of Natural History ex either of our Universities; when they found in every petty city on the C and for the remarkable fact, that the Macleay, Hora Entomologica, passim. It is well known that the Ancien sented Eternity under the form of a serpent; the tail passing into the mou Sun of Righteousness.-Pollok's Course of Time. Naturalists of this country are living either in retirement or obscurity. Like the Poet in Rasselas," they are only known or valued but by men like themselves." The French Philosophers of the present age have acquired great and deserved fame by their splendid discoveries in Physiology, Geology, and comparative Anatomy; but as regards the Natural System, or that which is to develop the plan of Creation, it is not too much to say? that the book of nature to them has been hermetically sealed. Their discoveries will indeed remain; for these regard things which are immutable; but their systems and theories, formed either without any reference to religion, or in direct opposition to its greatest truths, are even now fast tumbling to decay. They may indeed be remembered, but only as lamentable instances of the infirmity of our nature, which taking not God for its guide, perverts His works to inculcate the baneful principles of materialism and infidelity. From the Pulpit. THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. LIGHT of the universe, bright Sun of glory! Rise on the Heathen benighted, and shine; Disperse all the clouds and darkness before thee, Diffuse all around thy splendour divine. Life of the world, and death's potent destruction! Breathe once again on the valley of bones; stones. See! Lucifer falling, son of the morning! Demons to caverns of darkness retire; His kingdom may spread all over the world. Diffuse all around thy splendour divine. From the Eclectic Review. 1. THE COURSE OF TIME; a Poem in ten Books. By Robert Pollok, A. M. In two Volumes. 12mo. pp. 520. Edinburgh. 1827. 2. PALINGENESIA. The World to Come. roy. 8vo. pp. 276 and 30. Paris. 1824. THE World before the Fa the Flo the Grave, the Last Man, the Last Day. ed to see him die. Others have sung of De combination of the varied powers of imagin we have now before us an attempt bolder th attempt to pass, in a direction opposite to th all these such as might seem to require which Milton took, tion exhibited by all preceding bards: it is Nor would success in the daring enterprise b "The flaming bounds of time and space." And shadow what, while I of things to come, too dearly purchased by the same penalty. As past, rehearsing, sing the Course of Time, "My eye unscale; me what is substance teach, The second Birth, and final Doom of man." give a general idea of the theme which Mr. which he has undertaken his task. Of the These lines, taken from the invocation, will Author himself, we are unable to give our reaPollok has chosen, and of the serious spirit in ders any account. He comes before us without any previous notice or introduction; and, for any thing that appears to the contrary, this may be his first effort, his maiden production. The poem presents itself without apology, proem, argument, or table of contents;-we cannot say whether this be owing to inexperience, modesty, or the pride of conscious genius. And we think it not unlikely that, on the bare mention or first discovery of the plan and subject of a poem which commences with the end of time, and the first volume of which carries the retrospective narrative beyond the Millennium, the last five books being occupied with sumptuous and almost profane temerity of such the course of events subsequent to that period, -the reader will be ready to resent the prean undertaking. It is not, indeed, in every mood, that either the critic or the casual reader will be qualified to do justice to such a poem. Yet, a very slight inspection may satisfy him, that the Author has powers which must rescue to be from the pen of the Rev. Lewis Way, is even failure from contempt, and that his purpose has been befitting "argument so high." Palingenesia," which we have understood a poem of a very different order. It is in fact, as it professes to be, a "didactic essay," upon the Millennium. poems are to a certain extent so far similar, that The subjects of the two we have deemed this a proper occasion for noticing a work which it would be injustice to pass over; but it will claim to be reviewed as an essay, rather than as a poem; and with regard to the views and sentiments only which it advocates, would it be fair, perhaps, to bring it into close comparison with Mr. Pollok's more efficient production. As we wish our readers to form their own judgment of the latter, before Iwe venture any observations of our own, we Author describe his argument fa cannot do better than submit the general plan of the poem to the test of analysis, making the in his own To number seasons, days, and months, and years To mortal man; hope was forgotten, and fear; And Time, with all its chance and change, and smiles, And frequent tears, and deeds of villany, Or righteousness,-once talked of much as things Of great renown,-was now but ill-remembered; In dim and shadowy vision of the past, From pilgrimage, and war, and weeping, long "Thus far the years had rolled, which none but God Doth number, when two sons, two youthful sons Of paradise, in conversation sweet, (For thus the heavenly muse instructs me, wooed At midnight hour with offering sincere Of heaven, walked, casting oft their eye far through The pure serene, observant if, returned The celestial citizens welcome the stranger, whose face betrays a sad concern, occasioned, as he proceeds to explain, by his having wandered far into the region of eternal, uncreated night, where, suddenly, he came in view of the adamantine confines of the den of perdition; and he asks their "elder knowledge" to explain the origin and purpose of that dreadful place. They reply, that they had indeed heard of its existence, but required to be themselves further taught on the mysterious subject. "For we ourselves, tho' here, are but With truth and melody delighted both. "So saying, they linked hand in ha out Their golden wings, by living breeze And over Heaven's broad champa serene. O'er hill and valley clothed with ver That never fades; and tree, and flower, That never fades; and many a river With nectar, winding pleasantly, th And mansion of celestial mould, and Divine. And oft delicious music, su By saint and angel bands that walke Or mountain tops, and harped upon t Their ear inclined, and held by sweet Their wing; not long, for strong des Of knowledge that to holy use migh Still pressed them on to leave w seem'd Pleasure, due only when all duty's "And now beneath them lay the spot, The sacred bower of that renowned That ancient bard, ancient in days a But in immortal vigour young, and In rosy health; to pensive solitude Retiring oft, as was his wont on ear "Fit was the place, most fit for hol Upon a little mount that gently rose He sat, clothed in white robes; a head A laurel tree, of lustieth, eldest gro Stately and tall, and shadowing far a Not fruitless, as on earth, but bloom With frequent clusters, ripe to heave Spread its eternal boughs, and in its A myrtle of unfading leaf embraced The rose and lily, fresh with fragra And every flower of fairest cheek, Him smiling flocked; beneath his f And round his sacred hill, a stream Warbling the holy melodies of hea The hallowed zephyrs brought h sweet; And out before him opened, in pros Descending from the lofty throne The river of life, in many a windin That with excessive glory closed t "Of Adam's race he was, and lone By chance that day, in meditation Reflecting much of Time, and Eart And now to pensive, now to cheer He touched a harp of wondrous m A golden harp it was, a precious g Which, at the day of judgment, wi Of life, he had received from God Reward due to his service done or To this ancient of Adam's race be mistaken, the two their new c troduce. He repeats his story, and of questions bearing upon the aw He receives for answer, that the is hell. "But whence or why they came t Why they curse God, what mean morn Of Resurrection,-these a longer Demand, and lead the mournful I Thro' memory of sin and mortal Yet haply not rewardless we shal The dark, disastrous years of finished Time. name." His morning hopes awoke before him smiling, Possessed his soul, and held it still awhile. He listened and heard from far the voice of den vow Premising that the inquirer must prepare to hear the narrative in other language than his ear had been accustomed to, the dialect of man," the Bard of earth, to whom the task is so happily transferred, proceeds, in the Second Book, to "sketch in brief the history of Man." The creation of the earth and its first happy sovereigns, the fall, the Divine purpose and plan of Redemption, and man's refusal of the invitations of Mercy, are first briefly unfolded to the wondering audience; and on their re- Heard, and was charmed; and deep and sudmarking that "Men surely lost their reason in their fall," the Bard replies, "they had the "Bible." This introduces a beautiful panegyric on the inspired volume, and an account of its sacred contents, which has great merit as a clear and nervous epitome of the Christian faith; followed by a rapid sketch of the false doctrines, sceptical creeds, and monstrous phantasies which dimmed the light of Christianity; The sins of kings and priests are then detailed and characterized, as Milton would have spoken of those whose "One intent, Purpose, desire, and struggle, day and night, He then proceeds to trace the individual characters of the infidel, the formalist, and the worldling, tracing the sin of all to its primal cause, "pride, self-adoring pride." In the Third Book, the Bard of Earth invites his visiters to "hear more largely of the ways of Time, the fond pursuits and vanities "of men." Philosophy; the search for happiness; the love of gold, pleasure, of fame; the various forms of human folly; the crowning madness of atheism; the false' estimate of wisdom maintained by the world; the twin progeny of Sin, Disappointment and Remorse; the late lesson of the death-bed;-compose the weighty and solemn argument of this book. Those readers who wish to see how these sub jects are treated, will do well to obtain Mr. "One of this mood I do remember well: names? In humble dwelling born, retired, remote Of resolution made to be renowned; And deeper vowed again to keep his vow. Measured his soul severely; and looked up fair: And out before him opened many a path But stood, admired not long. The harp he The harp he loved-loved better than his life; Pleased, then displeased, and hesitating still. "Thus stood his mind, when round him came Slowly and heavily it came; a cloud To find some avenue to light, some place now Was dead and mouldering fast away. He tried Of loss, he, as some atom seemed which God Of tideless, waveless, sailless, shoreless wo! The reader may, perhaps recognise, in this portrait, a family likeness to the Javan of the World before the Flood; a coincidence which detracts nothing from the interest and truth of the narrative. Mr. Pollok must be conscious that many persons will be apt to identify the imaginary character with the poet himself; nor are we aware that he will have any cause to regret or to complain of such an interpretation being put upon the passage. It describes a course of discipline well adapted to qualify the candidate for the higher honours of his order, for succeeding in his lofty enterprise. The Fourth Book is of a very desultory character, rather more so, perhaps, than quite comports with the general style and character of the poem, and not easily admitting of analysis. The leading topics are, Liberty, true and false; the Christian's conflict: books: the tellectual good. In illustration of the "A man of rank, and of capacious so |