A remarkable and important feature of the influence thus created is the fact, that the Bible has been used simultaneously with the "Readings," for the sake of the connection of the passages commented upon. We have seen the boy intently conning and comparing the two, and proceeding in the task as opportunity offered, until the store was exhausted. We have also seen the girl, with her intellect developing into womanhood, return Sunday after Sunday to take these volumes from the shelves, with a pleasure heightened as acquaintance became more familiar.

We have found these volumes by Dr. Kitto subserve the purpose most to be sought after, in the chamber of sickness. The invalid has read them every word, with increasing pleasure, because they have been found to combine amusement and profit. Scripture characters and events are placed in a new light, and have thrown around them much drapery of a novel kind, derived from the vast stores of archæology, and of oriental manners. Then, as in the Pictorial Bible before alluded to, while direct pious exhortation is not often introduced, its influence is everywhere felt, notwithstanding. The mind receives warning, instruction, or comfort, from the whole of the matter furnished for its benefit, and is imperceptibly improved, while amused and interested.

Further, we have had satisfactory proof that the "Daily Bible Illustrations" have fed the higher class of minds, and been highly suggestive to Christian ministers in relation to their pulpit labours. To give some little novelty to themes so often dwelt upon, is most desirable, and the wise preacher will seek not only for new arguments, but also for new illustrations in his very frequent addresses to his hearers. The whole character of a discourse, in the estimation of the audience, is often formed from some little incident which, although bearing a very small value in relation to the truth to be taught, has a high one in fixing the

attention upon it. A skilful allusion to some historical circumstance, the bringing into high relief some unobserved trait of character, or the exhibition of the light thrown on an obscure text, will often propitiate the listener, and gain the attention for less attractive matter. This will be found one characteristic of Dr. Kitto's productions, that they are luminous with the illustrations we now refer to, as important to the public speaker on sacred themes. We cannot wonder

therefore, that they should often be found in the libraries of clergymen, not for curiosity or ornament, but for active use, and we can confidently recommend them as aids to that large and useful class of public instructors.

The first thing which strikes us, on a careful inspection of these volumes, is the varied erudition, which in a quiet and unobtrusive manner they display. Dr. Kitto is furnished with all the varied learning which is necessary to make an accomplished annotator of the Bible. His personal acquaintance with the scenes and the customs of the East, he derived from an acute observation on the objects which accident, apparently, permitted him to move among; but by his own industry he has added to this advantageous qualification for the labours of his life, the acquisition of all that can complete what Divine Providence thus begun. The languages of the East, which exist only in the noble monuments of a past age; those now used by living men; and the tongues of literature in Europe are keys in his possession to unlock the treasures they contain. In addition to these advantages, there is an acquaintance with books, which probably would never have been acquired had Dr. Kitto been able to hold more familiar intercourse with men. He knows where to look for what may answer the purpose of elucidating what is obscure, and heightening the beauty of what is already fair to look upon.

This entire fitness for his task will occur to a thoughtful reader of his works.

Intimately connected with this fitness, there is a second trait, growing out of, and depending upon it– the trustworthiness of the information which he conveys. We never entertain a doubt about Dr. Kitto's statements of fact, and, to a Biblical student, no feature of printed books can be more valuable. The works before us contrast strangely, in this respect, with others of some pretensions at the present day, which may be fit for captivating the ignorantly pious, but are entirely useless to the studious. There may be found statements not authenticated, though we have never met with any, for to err is human; but substantially, we confide thoroughly in the information brought before us in these volumes. When they undergo a revision by the author, and receive a standard form by his corrections, they will be a monument of sanctified learning not soon to be excelled in stability or beauty.

We mention a third characteristic, they are everywhere distinguished by an evangelical orthodoxy. Conversant as the writer is with various schools of theology, and accustomed to look for facts in the writings of men who have departed from the truth of the Gospel, it is pleasant to see how entirely his spirit is untouched by the vagaries of eccentric genius, when it undertakes to search around the field of the Word of God. A meditative piety, fed by prayerful_communion with the Scriptures, has kept the learned subject of these observations erect where many have fallen; or, to speak more correctly, he has maintained the proper posture of adoring dependence, where others have dared to look loftily, as though not needing humility or instruction.

May a life thus dedicated to the noblest purposes long be spared for future usefulness!

EVENINGS WITH THE EDITOR.

EVENING THE EIGHTEENTH.

Aug. Good evening, Mr. Editor. I hope you enjoyed your continental trip.

Ed. Thank you, Augustus. I spent a very pleasant time. How have you managed with the reviews in my absence?

Aug. We have just looked at several books.

But we have been away ourselves and have had little time to devote to criticism.

Emm. Here are two memoirs, Mr. Editor. Biographies of two of the oldest contributors to our venerable Magazine-The Rev. R. H. SHEPHERD* and MRS. SHERWOOD.

Ed. Ah, Mr. Shepherd began to write very early. In the volume for 1807, I find several papers signed "R. H. S.," and he continued to the last to afford his valued assistance to the pages of this miscellany. He subscribed from the first volume to his death, and recommended it constantly to his young friends. One of his sons, writing to me, says, “You had his best wishes and prayers for the success of your valuable publication." A notice of Mr. Shepherd's death has already appeared in our Magazine (in August, 1850).

Emm. What a long time has elapsed before the publication of the Memoir.

Ed. For various reasons, as stated in the preface. The narrative is brief, and describes the "even tenor of a quiet Christian course; blessed by God in his ministry, happy in his relationship to society and the church, and truly valued by his many friends. In this small volume will be found letters from such men as Scott, Newton, Richmond, and Henry Blunt; men who were not afraid to call a dissenting minister their friend, and were not ashamed of the intimacy. "Old Humphrey has recorded his judgment of Mr. Shepherd in a letter to one of his sons.

Emm. Do let me see it, sir, I am so partial to "Old Humphrey."

Aug. As Emmeline is not alone in this partiality, it might be as well to give this letter to our readers.

Ed. With great pleasure. It is as follows:

"MY DEAR SIR,

FROM OLD HUMPHREY.

"June 24th, 1853.

"I have been to that lovely garden of death, the Cemetery at

* London: Nisbet & Co.

Norwood, paying another pilgrimage to the resting-place of your honoured father. On such occasions the past comes over us, and brings with it vivid remembrances that awaken our sensibilities, and rekindle our affections. While standing over the grave of my departed friend, and plucking a daisy from its flowery sod, the sun was shining thereon, the fresh breeze was blowing, the throstle and blackbird were melodiously singing, starlings were flying around the battlements of the church, and peace and tranquillity reigned around.

"A cemetery is a fit place for quiet thoughts and solemn musings of the mind, and especially is it a place for recalling to our remembrance the more striking points of character of such of our relations and friends as may there be slumbering. As I looked on the head-stone of your departed father, and read, graven thereon, the simple but expressive and suitable allusion to him, in the words, 'Oh, to grace how great a debtor,' I could not but take a backward glance at our acquaintance with each other.

"My first interview with him was at a dinner-table, where a literary party shared, with the more substantial provision of their hospitable host, a mental banquet of more than common gratification. Your father was on that occasion a liberal contributor to the general hoard of enjoyment; and I could not but remark, that I never remembered to have met one more highly gifted with the power of clothing happy thoughts in happy words. The richness, variety, and redundancy of his language, as well as the ease and celerity with which, when necessary, he repeated the same sentiment in different words, much surprised me; subsequent intercourse only set this talent in a stronger light, so that the impression made on my mind, in this respect, the first hour of our acquaintance, was retained to the last.

"Often have I noticed the affection he manifested for Mrs. Shepherd, and the different members of his family, always put. ting them in favourable attitudes when opportunity occurred. Again and again have I observed him listening to your remarks, or to those of your 'antiquarian' brother, or kind-hearted sister, with as much attention and respect as if he had been young, and you had been adorned with gray hairs. I never could exactly understand how it was that I felt so free from restraint, so completely at home with one who inspired me with so much reverence; but it must, I suppose, have been owing to his affectionate kindness.

"Philip of Maberly has elegantly written concerning the amenity of the prophet ELIJAH, Whilst his solemn rebuke turned back the messengers of Ahaziah, and like a flaming sword waved between them and "the God of Ekron," his simple words drew after him, with cords of love, the ploughmen of Abelmeholah.' Much of this amenity, this simplicity of mind, have I met with