The Lighted Valley; or, the Closing Scenes of the Life of Abby Bolton. By one of her Sisters. With a Preface by her Grandfather, Rev. W. Jay, of Bath. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co.

The

To those who think scenes' on a death-bed are fit subjects for the world's eye, this volume will present a narrative of the peaceful, glad departure of a young lady of interesting character. On ourselves, the effect of this and all its class of books is not pleasant. We doubt the wisdom, and we are sure of the indelicacy, of putting on record the details of death, however they may exhibit Christian fortitude. biographies of Scripture men avoid carrying us into the presence of the last moments, and there is deep significance in the fact. If, however, this general objection be surmounted, this volume will exhibit (how involuntarily we drop into theatrical words, scenes,' 'exhibit'—and this about a death-bed!) a gentle, patient, young heart, welcoming, rather than enduring, death.

The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon: consisting of an Alphabetical Arrangement of every Word and Inflection contained in the Old Testament Scriptures, precisely as they occur in the Sacred Text, with a Grammatical Analysis of each Word, and Lexicographical Illustration of the Meanings. To which is prefixed, a complete Series of Hebrew and Chaldee Paradigms, with Grammatical Remarks and Explanations. 4to. Pp. 90: 784. London: Samuel Bagster and

Sons. 1848.

MORE than seven years of unremitting labour, we are informed in the preface, have been bestowed upon this work. It is especially intended and adapted for those who are obliged to prosecute the study of the original languages of the Old Testament Scriptures without the advantage of oral instruction. Such persons will find it an invaluable companion, whatever lexicon and grammar they may use, but especially those of Gesenius. The paradigms and grammatical introduction, compiled from Gesenius's Uhrgebäude, and Winer's Chaldee Grammar, exhibit, of course, the same principles as are developed in the elaborate grammar prepared by Mr. Davidson, from Professor Rodiger's edition of that of Gesenius, formerly noticed by us. The lexicon stands in the same relation to Mr. Tregelles's elaborate and revised translation of that great Hebraist's lexicon, which we noticed at the same time. The special object of the present work, as compared with those we have just named, and as a companion to them, is to assist the student in analyzing and accounting for unusual or more difficult forms. This it does, we are happy to say, not by superseding either the grammar or the lexicon, but by facilitating the use of them. It is, in fact, a help to parsing, and such a help as we believe will be a stimulus to diligence, by obviating the peculiar causes of perplexity which the Shemetic languages, as they are called, present.

Having, on more than one occasion, expressed our views in reference to Gesenius's grammatical and lexical systems, it is unnecessary to discuss that subject again. Nothing which has since been published on the

continent detracts in any measure from the pre-eminence of Gesenius's labours as we have described them, that is, as the most judicious, inductive, synthetical exposition of the phenomena and principles of the Hebrew language. His errors belong to another department of literary labour, that of exegesis: and with them, as we have before shown, Mr. Bagster's beautiful Lexicon had nothing to do, for they were removed by the patient diligence of Mr. Tregelles. It merely remains for us, therefore, now to say, that the volume before us is, in every respect, deserving of a place by the side of those which it is intended to accompany, and that with them, and the elaborate and excellent Hebrew Concordance, which we owe to the same enterprising publishers, it leaves even the solitary student nothing to desire in the way of help, after he has acquired the pronunciation of the language.

Female Agency among the Heathen, as recorded in the History and Correspondence of the Society for Promoting Female Education in the East. London: Suter.

We notice this volume with great pleasure, as containing most interesting records of the operations of a society far too little known. The condition of women in heathen nations, whether civilized or barbarous, presents but too unvarying depression and misery; whilst the jealous seclusion which is their lot removes them from the influence of our ordinary mission agencies. There is thus ample room for such a society as that whose operations are recorded here; and we earnestly urge on all our lady readers to study this book, that they may strengthen the hands of their sisters, whose noble exertions are detailed in it. We have met, in turning over its pages, with accounts of some of the truest heroines that have ever lived. It would be easy to say a

hundred sentimental things about woman's endurance, and so forthbut instead of all that, we would only refer to the narrative itself, and press Its claims, not only, nor chiefly, as a literary production, though these are high, on the earnest attention of all the Christian women of England.

India and the Gospel. By Rev. W. Clarkson. London: Snow. THERE is more material for thought in this book, of about three hundred pages, small octavo, than in some books of fourfold its size. The material, too, is of the best kind. Were we asked by a stranger to the operations of Christian missions in India to put him in the best way of thoroughly understanding them, we should introduce him at once to Mr. Clarkson. His production is worthy a high place amongst our missionary literature; to which, unless we are greatly mistaken, he will add further contributions of yet greater value. He is just the man to observe the varying moral phenomena of British India, to estimate their bearing on the progress of the Gospel, and then to indicate the corresponding duty of the Church of God. India and the Gospel ' is an admirable book.

John Cassell's Library, Vols. I. and II.-Sailings over the Globe; or, The Progress of Maritime Discovery. London: John Cassell.

THE object of this work is mainly similar to that of the periodical which we have already noticed. Its cheapness is, if possible, still more remarkable. The volume, neatly bound and lettered, contains two hundred and eighty-eight pages, illustrated with wood-cuts, and sells for one shilling. Perhaps a more useful and generally interesting subject might have been selected for the introductory volumes of such a series. History and biography, we think, should be its staple material.

The Norwegian Sailor: a Sketch of the Life of George Noscoe, written by himself. With an Introductory Note by the Rev. Thomas Raffles, D.D., LL.D. New Edition. With an Account of his Death. Lon

don: Charles Gilpin.

Ir is not often that we meet with such a narrative as this-so touchingly simple, truth-like, and instructive. There is, as Dr. Raffles remarks, an air of truthfulness and sincerity about it, that commends it to the confidence of the reader as no fiction.' George Noscoe was a Norwegian, born in 1788, and the narrative of his sailor's life, his conversion to God, and of the hearty zeal with which he devoted his closing years to the religious welfare of others, is one of the most pleasing records we have ever perused. I have seldom, if ever,' says Dr. Raffles, perused a narrative more adapted to be acceptable and useful to that interesting class of our fellow-men to which he belonged. I would earnestly recommend its perusal to every sailor.' In this opinion and recommendation, we heartily concur. A better book for such a purpose cannot be found.

The Revelation of St. John-simply analyzed and briefly expounded. By Delta. London: Nisbet.

An Exposition of the Book of Revelation. By the Author of the Scheme of Prophecy' from Daniel. London: Green.

THE former of these volumes adopts the theory of a three-fold parallelism in the Apocalypse-the Epistles to the Churches being taken to represent seven states of the Church, chronologically successive, extending over the period from Christ to the consummation, which same ground is again twice traversed in the following portions. There is much calm sobriety of interpretation in the volume.

The second is the production of an elderly lady, who follows the beaten track of Protestant commentators, with a luxuriance of fancy which does not commend itself to us. For instance, she put in apposition John's vision of the Son of Man, whose head and hairs were white like wool, with the spouse in the Canticles, whose locks were black and bushy, and finds in this the Saviour's condition when his people's sins were laid on him-and the contrast when, by the shedding of his blood, all was purged away.

Regeneration. By Wm. Anderson, Glasgow: Jackson.

THESE transcripts of a series of pulpit discourses are not the work of a common sermonizer. Their author is too little known south of the Tweed-but wherever known is held in the highest estimation as the possessor of one of the strongest, purest, most original minds, in the whole of Scottish dissent. With many peculiarities of style and thought, that sometimes jar on a fastidious ear, there is such a mass of sterling hard thinking in this volume, as we seldom find in the same compass, in sermons at all events. And withal, there comes, in the most unexpected places, a tone of such strange beauty, a gleam of such tenderness and pathos, as marks at once the man of genius-the poet under the guise of seceder minister-and, highest of all, there is deep religious life and intense earnestness. Logic, passion, almost tears, blend in the strangest but most captivating manner, in this as in all the remarkable productions of its remarkable author.

Explanatory Notes and Comments on the New Testament. By Edward Ash, M.D. In Three Vols. London: Partridge and Oakey. THESE Volumes contain a large amount of carefully-compiled explanatory remarks. The author states his aim to be setting before the reader the true scope and meaning of the text wherever it requires explanation, and exhibiting the train of thought, with the connexion between the several parts. Of course, an exhibition of the reasons for the adoption of one view of doubtful passages in preference to another, is not contemplated in such a plan-all that can be looked for is a sufficiently clear, brief statement of the author's conception of the text -and this Dr. Ash very successfully gives. His comments are short and unambiguous, he avoids sermonizing meditation, and all other excrescences. The result is a work which is not meant for the student, but keeps steadily in view the wants of one specific class, and, to a large extent, meets them. We can honestly recommend it as judicious, laborious, and plain, the result evidently of a devout and careful study for many years of the Bible and Biblical commentators.

Windings of the River of the Water of Life. By George B. Cheever, D.D. Glasgow: Collins.

DR. CHEEVER has gained so large a reputation for a fascinating style that we can scarcely venture to hint the doubt whether good taste will not meet many things in his writings which will offend. We do not admire the sort of mawkishness that entitles a book on the development and fruits of faith by such a title as this; and should be glad if popular taste were so far elevated as to dislike it too. We willingly bear testimony, however, to the great substantial merits of Dr. Cheever's volume, and suppose that in consideration of the many successful attempts at striking and beautiful things, we must be content to accept a miss now and then, especially as there is much to benefit as well as attract in the book.

Letters on Happiness. By the Author of Letters to My Unknown Friends. London: Longman and Co.

THIS Volume belongs to the class of books of practical religion, but not to the larger division of that class-which is marked not less by the presence of deep devotional feeling than by the absence of all pretensions to literary grace. We rejoice in the great change in tone which has in this respect passed on much of our popular religious writing, and refer with pleasure to the present volume, as well as to others from the same writer, as possessing, in an eminent degree, the charms of thorough Christian principle, deep humble godliness, and cultivated taste.

Gems from Matthew Henry. London: Partridge and Oakey. WE need not sing praises to our great English commentator; a century and a half has done that wherever there have been devout men reading our tongue. This little volume is a collection, arranged under several heads, of many of his peculiar, pithy, aphoristic sayings, which present a fair view of his piety, his knowledge of men, his thoroughly English love for proverb-like sentences, laying hold of men as with hooks. It is a very valuable gift for readers of books of what is called an experimental character; no man can look over it without lighting on some line of wisdom, or tenderness, or rebuke, that will set him to think, or reflect, and pray.

Facts in a Clergyman's Life. By the Rev. C. B. Tayler, A. M., &c. London: Seeleys.

THERE is no attempt at order or method in Mr. Tayler's confidences. He gives us a collection of facts such as we presume almost every preacher has met, and a number of reflections such as we are sure every preacher could make. The volume reflects from every page the character of an amiable, hard-working, pious clergyman. It has all the simplicity of thought, and (with all respect we say it), some of the feebleness characteristic of the estimable party to which the writer belongs. While it contains nothing remarkable, it will doubtless edify many devout persons, partly for that very reason.

Romanism in England: The Redemptorist Fathers of St. Mary's Convent, Park-road, Clapham. London: Hall, Virtue, and Co.

A REPRINT of a series of letters that originally appeared in the Historic Times,' containing copious extracts from Roman Catholic authors, to establish the charges of idolatry and false morality. Considerable pains have been taken in the work, which may serve to enlighten some people on the invariableness of Roman Catholicism in some of its most objectionable points of doctrine and precept.