idolatry; and as the place distinguished by the abode of the Son of Man, whose birth and life, doctrines and miracles, death and resurrection, have shed a charm over it which no other region can present. Superstition has degraded many of its scenes by its mummeries, and enthusiasm in its vanity has fancied it the place of Messiah's personal reign in the latter days; but often has piety dropped a tear while memory brought to her ear the tones of its harp, and the love of the Son of God, and when faith beheld in the garden and on the cross the agonies of the Man of Sorrows. While the subjects of these volumes are thus interesting, the manner in which they are set forth is entitled to very high commendation. The information they contain is extensive and varied, and must have been collected with great labour; the style is neat and pleasing, the plates are beautiful, and the execution of the whole reflects great credit on the taste and spirit of the publishers. The pious reader will find in both volumes, and especially in the last, light shed on scenes amidst which his heart loves especially to dwell, and reflections fitted to strengthen devout feeling, as well as to improve him in holy wisdom. We were especially pleased to find that Dr. Russell had avoided the snare in which some writers on these subjects have been entangled, who, from a professed contempt of vulgar credulity, and an affectation of scientific ingenuity, have represented the wonders wrought in ancient times as skilful contrivances, or as the results of natural causes, over whose operations a veil of mystery was spread, fitted to inspire the popular mind with the impression of supernatural agency. Such concessions are received by infidels with greediness, and they are repaid by insidious praises to their candour and liberality; but so far from rendering them more favourable to Christianity, they embolden them to demand further sacrifices. The principles of our religion are more hated by them than its miracles, and it is by heaping discredit on them that they hope to open their way into the citadel of our faith. They compliment the policy of Moses at the expense of his integrity. The refinement which would explode all that is supernatural from our signs, cannot be supposed willing to retain aught that is mysterious in the doctrines of our faith. Under pretext of simplifying religion, they strip it of all that characterizes it as a revelation from heaven, and try to put away the cloud of glory from its temple, and the vail which guards the holy of holies from the intrusion of presumptuous curiosity. We cordially recommend these volumes as rich in valuable information, presented in a form highly attractive, and adapted for far nobler objects than the amusement of the passing hour, or the gratification of mere curiosity. We rejoice to think that the pub. lishers are meeting with such encouragement

VOL. X.

to proceed in the execution of their plan, for among the various schemes of literary publi. cation for popular utility, history appears to us peculiarly fitted for that end. Here by the past we are led to judge of the future: we see God's agency, and the different results of virtue and vice; we learn to rise superior to narrow prejudices; and while other knowledge puffs up, history humbles us; for every page of her record is a lesson of contrition, or a warning of punishment. Fictitious narratives may charm by the power of fancy or description; but the idea of its being a mere invention, however skilful, enfeebles its moral influence; but, in history, we see the admonitions of experience.

The survey of the present state of Egypt and of Palestine, as described in these volumes, is strongly adapted to excite the pity of Christian benevolence. An expedition from France and one from England has in our day conquered in Egypt; but it remains as it was in political and moral debasement; but were it open to the influence of the gospel, it would set its people on high from their miseries, and fill them with light and holiness. In the crusades Europe poured its thousands into the Holy Land for slaughter and conquest, and left it to the rod of the oppressor; but the period will come when the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously,--when he shall pass through the length and breadth of the land in robes of light,-when the voice from the excellent glory shall proclaim, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him ;"--when glad hosannahs shall be the reply from all ranks and ages,and when the daughter of Zion shall take down her harp from the willows, and tune it for the triumphs of him to whom God has given the throne of his father David, who shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

ON THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF FREE TRADE, and its Effects on the Prosperity of Nations. By EDWARD BAINES, jun. 8vo. pp. 66.

Ridgway; Baldwin and Cradock.

THIS essay supplies us with the knowledge of facts and the application of reasonings, which deeply interest every subject of the British crown, and, indeed, every member of the human community, savage or civilized. We here see, as in a comprehensive and luminous panoramic view, the nature and operation of those daily proceedings in the world of government and commerce, upon the right or wrong application of which depend the peace, prosperity, and happiness, or the bloody contentions, the wretchedness, and the ruin of all nations and families. our chief motive for introducing a notice of this pamphlet, is to invite the attention of serious Christians to the subject which it discusses. They are the lights of the world

G

But

and the salt of the earth; and it behoves them to be aware how closely the preservation and diffusion of true religion are connected with the free intercourse and commerce of nations. The ways of Providence are in harmony with the methods of grace; both are but parts of the same wise, holy, and eternal counsel. It is pleasing and encouraging to perceive in what numerous and powerful ways the diffusion of the gospel, with all its blessings, is entwined with that unrestricted intercourse of peaceful arts and friendly offices, which it has been one of the slowest movements of political men properly to understand, but which the greatest statesmen of our own time avow to be the best and surest means of national wealth and power. It is but of yesterday that the old state-maxim of blind selfishness has been rejected and abhorred by the most eminent politicians; and that it has been acknowledged, that a nation cannot soundly and permanently thrive upon the ruin of other nations, and that the only sure way for one community to grow and remain rich and comfortable is for all around to do the same. Yet, this is the lesson which the religion of Jesus taught from the beginning. The sum of his moral precepts is,-"All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." Had men acted honestly upon this principle, monopolies, restrictions, and the jealousies of trade and policy would have been abrogated, and the gospel, with a glorious train of temporal and spiritual blessings, would have spread like the winds of heaven or the rays of the sun. We make a few citations from Mr. Baines.

-I think I shall be able to show that the general establishment of free trade would have prevented many of the wars undertaken for the acquisition of colonies, and all those arising out of a claim to exclusive privileges; and would have so bound the nations of the world together by the ties of affection and mutual interests, as to have restrained monarchs from going to war to gratify their own ambition. If this be made to appear, I may safely assert that the universal establishment of free trade would be one of the greatest blessings that the philanthropist or the Christian could desire."-p. 19.

"I could not excuse myself if, in treating of the spread of civilization, and of the future benefits to be derived from commerce, I omitted to refer to the astonishing changes and improvements effected of late years in many of the islands of the South Sea, by means of Christian missionaries. These events have been little noticed in the literary and scientific world; but I do not hesitate to say that, as far as my knowledge of history extends, they are the most remarkable instances of the sudden civilization of barbarous nations recorded in the annals of mankind. There is the most unexceptionable evidence to prove

that the inhabitants of several considerable islands, who, less than twenty years since, lived in the practice of the grossest and most bloody superstitions, and of the worst vices and cruelties of savage life, have been entirely reclaimed from their abominationshave assumed the habits, dress, and usages of Europeans, and, whilst they possess the form, also powerfully display the spirit, of Christianity. These facts do not rest upon the authority of one individual, but of many; of persons whose character and talents place them above suspicion; and they are not merely asserted in vague generalities, but proved by innumerable details, which defy misrepresentation or doubt. (See Polynesian Researches, by the Rev. Wm. Ellis.) If one fact be more convincing than another, it is, perhaps, not that they have abandoned their idols and their inhuman sacrifices, but that the men have relinquished their habits of indolent, gross, and brutal sensuality, and no longer treat their women as worse than slaves; but now live each man with his own wife, in virtue and purity, and treating her with the honour and courtesy which Englishwomen are accustomed to receive."-pp. 48, 49.

As the islands of Polynesia may be said to be in a natural state, without commerce, and, of course, without commercial restrictions, I should like to appeal to the common sense of any plain man, whether the principles of free trade, or systems of restrictions and prohibitions, would be most likely to promote the prosperity, peace, and intellectual improvement of those clusters of islands. Swift never composed a keener sarcasm on the folly of governments than he might have done by applying the commercial regulations of the Old World to the embryo states of the South Sea. He might have shown them quarrelling with their neighbours, with whom a close connexion would be very profitable, and forming alliances with islands thousands of miles distant, with whom intercourse was difficult and expensive. He might have exhibited them solemnly forbidding the importation of iron, because it would throw out of work some dozens of persons who wrought in bone; refusing to receive tow or canvass for the manufacture of their ropes and sails, and preferring to make them of the fragile bark of their native trees, lest they should injure their agricultural interest; choosing bad cocoa-nut oil from a remote island, rather than good from a contiguous island; singling out comparatively barren shores for colonies, and binding themselves to take their produce, though they paid for it twice as much of their own productions as was necessary; and restricting all traffic in particular articles to the vessels or canoes of particular islands. An island with a fertile soil, and teeming with natural productions, might be shown neglecting these advantages, and compelling its inhabitants to become

manufacturers, by excluding all foreign articles of manufacture. Another island, whose surface was sterile, but whose bowels were rich in the useful metals, might be exhibited retaliating this conduct, by neglecting manu factures, and raising on its own surface the food which it might have obtained at half the cost from its neighbour. The Society islands might become unsociable; the Friendly islands, quarrelsome; and they might prefer forming political and commercial relations with the Sandwich Islands, several thousand miles off, to forming them among themselves. The government of Hawaii might take a particular liking to that of Tongataboo, separated as far from it as Europe is from America, whilst it had a mortal hatred for that of Oahu, almost within sight; and it might bind its subjects to trade with the former, whilst it erected the chevaux de frise of custom-houses against the productions of the latter. The introduction of the loom and the spade might be prohibited under the severest penalties, lest the people should construct their cloths and mattings at a more ruinously rapid rate than at present, or starve their population by cultivating their soil more easily. And thus they might be shown, at every step, contravening nature, checking the progress of art, indulging a short-sighted and pitiful jealousy, yet blessing their stars that they are plain practical men, and know nothing of political economy!"-pp. 51-53.

THE title of this neat little volume sufficiently explains its design. The author, it appears, encouraged his little children to search the Scriptures for illustrations of the principal figures of speech, promising them at the same time that, if they were successful, he would arrange and print their collec tion of texts. In this interesting manner did the publication before us take its rise; and we can assure our readers, especially parents, that a more excellent or suitable present they cannot put into the hands of intelligent young people.

A BRIEF VIEW OF THE MADRAS SYSTEM OF TUITION, as far as it is applicable to Sunday-schools. 12mo. London, 1831.

Tuis little work appears to be the production of a person well acquainted with the Madras system, probably a master in a school

conducted on that plan of instruction. His classes, his mode of examination, and various observations, have afforded us much satisfaction. The general and "much-approved method,” given in the appendix, clearly demonstrates the great practicability of the system, in reference to a sound and scriptural plan of instructing Sunday scholars, according to their ages or classes. Those worthy young teachers, therefore, who are sincerely aiming to do all the good they possibly can to their youthful charge, will find this cheap little work an excellent, we may indeed say a superior guide to them in their benevolent labours.

MEMOIR OF JANE JUDSON, a Sunday Scholar. By the Rev. B. H. DRAPER. 2s. 1831.

FROM the perusal of this instructive narrative, we can readily concur with Mr. D. when he says, that he never saw, in the course of his ministry, an instance of more decided piety." He, therefore, wisely took minutes of conversations and occurrences which he thought would be most instructive; and the substance, and often the very words of these conversations, are inserted in his book. His own observations, we scarcely need say, are most appropriate and scriptural. We are only sorry to see so many excellent woodcuts, as they necessarily enhance the price, and impede the circulation of an interesting publication. Yet, as a reward-book, or for the vestry library, we hope it will find its station, and extensively diffuse the savour of youthful piety.

THE PRIZE; or, the Five Sunday Scholars. 1831. 4d.

THIS seems to be the unpretending, but truly serious effort of a lady, whose earnest aim is to convey the most salutary instruction to Sunday scholars, by her poetical powers. The thought, or question rather, is ingenious; and the answers of the five scholars are most pleasing. Where verse is sought for, as a prize-book, we can assure our readers that, besides its devout tendency, this tract will be attractive for its harmonious versification.

THIS volume, though but one shilling in price, contains a large portion of most interesting information respecting the privations, dangers, and crimes, which accompany a state of savage life; and the extraordinary