larity, on which, in general, we should like to say that it too readily assumes similarity to prove a historical community of origin-a historical transmission; secondly, that similarities to be satisfactory, should be something more than neutral; a line in an ode, a sentiment, or feeling, the common teaching of nature to an eye

That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality,'

should be something organic, or peculiar otherwise to the supposed original; and thirdly, that we demur to the value of the witnesses from whom the author has chiefly drawn his representations of the philosophers of Greece, as shown by his frequent reference to them as authorities-the fathers, Eusebius, Lactantius, and others of their era, who manifestly were concerned to make a party for themselves in antiquity against their own age.'

It is unnecessary to go into a more minute detail of the individual instances of similarity adduced by Mr. Tomkins. Though not fully assenting to the extent to which he pushes his conclusion, we cannot but express our high sense of the indefatigable industry with which he has collected his illustrations-an industry which must make his volume a treasure-house of authorities for all future investigators, and of the deep spirit of religion which is breathed through the whole.

Barnes on the Gospels. Part I. Green's Edition.

London: Green.

How many editions of Barnes we are to have no one can tell. This one is like its predecessors, is said to be rather cheaper, and has been subjected to a correction by the editor, chiefly as it seems for the purpose of detecting typographical errors in the American editions.

The Wesleyan Methodist Missions in Jamaica and Honduras delineated &c. By Rev. Peter Samuel. London: Partridge and Oakey. THIS Volume contains an immense mass of facts put into chronological order; and, we believe, is perfectly trustworthy; but the author seems singularly destitute of power to combine and dispose, and so gives us chronicles from which a reader must extract the history for himself. For any one who will do this, there are abundant materials here. The author has most rigidly kept to his title, Wesleyan Methodist Missions. We would just venture to hint that when a man writes a book about Jamaica and slavery without the name of Knibb being found in its pages, he either commits a suppression of truth which is the mark of bigotry, or is convicted of gross ignorance on the subject.

.

Spiritual Heroes; or, Sketches of the Puritans, their Character and Times. By John Stoughton. Second Edition, revised and enlarged. London: J. Snow.

6

THIS edition is but slightly distinguished from its predecessor, save in the addition of a chapter entitled, Baxter at Kidderminster.' We have already expressed our opinion on the merits of the work, and see no reason to alter it. The judgment of the public we conclude to be favorable from the appearance of a second edition. We congratulate

Mr. Stoughton on the fact, and shall be glad to learn that his labours have stimulated inquiry, and led our younger people, especially, to make themselves more familiar with the character and views of our Puritan fathers.

The Life of James Davies, a Village Schoolmaster. By Sir Thomas Phillips. London: Parker.

THIS little volume is the sketch of a very beautiful life-that of a poor Welsh schoolmaster, whose unworldliness of character and constant Christian liberality are worthily commemorated. The incidents are few, the life simple, memorable as it would seem, for but one thing-practical self-consecration-and so distinguished for that, that no Christian man can read without being bettered. As to the way in which the narrative is presented, there is rather too much Church of Englandism and sounding of trumpets; but that does not affect the lesson that the life teaches.

The Task of the Age. An Inquiry into the Condition of the Working Classes. By D. G. Paine. London: Houlston and Stoneman. WE welcome every sincere labourer in the field; and can recommend this volume as the production of an honest, right-thinking mind. It does not contain anything very original, but reiterates forcibly important truths, on the recognition of which the welfare of England depends.

Nineveh its Rise and Ruin. By the Rev. John Blackburn. London: Partridge and Oakey.

MR. BLACKBURN has skilfully indicated the salient points in Layard's researches, so far as they may be brought to the illustration of the scriptural notices of Nineveh. The interest created by the delivery of portions of the volume from the pulpit, has led to its publication,'and so on. To persons who have not money and time for Layard, Mr. Blackburn will prove an interesting guide.

The Mercy Seat. Thoughts Suggested by the Lord's Prayer. By Gardiner Spring, D.D. Edinburgh: Clark.

POPULAR sermons, in a pleasing style, not too profound, and imbued with pious feeling. So much for the book. As for the edition, it is handsomer, and rather more expensive, than that by another publisher; but which is the true original, we know not.

Science Simplified. By the Rev. D. Williams, M.A. London: Piper. DIFFERS in few respects from the shoals of catechisms on natural philosophy. It has a great deal of information, and seems accurate. It treats of physiology, both animal and vegetable, mechanics, optics, astronomy, and geology.

770

EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT.

My exclusive responsibility closes with the present number. A new Series will be commenced in January under the joint editorship of Dr. Stowell and myself, and the readers of the Eclectic' will, I feel assured, have much cause to regard the change with more than simple complacency. Of my own efforts to sustain the future reputation of the journal, it would be unbecoming in me to speak. What they have been is known to the readers of the Eclectic,' and from them a conclusion may be formed of what they will be. Of my future associate, however, I might speak freely, were it not that his position, attainments, and ability, render it superfluous to do so; and that any commendatory expression from me would savor of presumption and vanity rather than serve a useful purpose. The association with one whom I so highly esteem, and who has been for many years a literary contributor to the Eclectic,' will be as pleasing to myself as it will prove useful to the Journal.

For some years past, I have been urged, from various quarters, to reduce the price of the Eclectic,' in order to insure it a much wider and more influential circulation. I have again and again seriously contemplated doing so, and have been deterred only by the fear that the change might possibly endanger the Journal itself. That the alteration recommended would be ultimately successful, I have never doubted. But in order to its being fairly tried, larger resources than were at my command appeared to me to be needful. These having now been supplied, I hasten, with much pleasure, to make the contemplated change. More than this I must not say, lest I wound where I least intend it; but so much is due to my own feelings, and to the friends of the Eclectic,' for whose benefit this service has been rendered. The price of the journal will consequently be reduced to eighteen-pence, while its size will remain undiminished.

I will only add, that no pains will be spared by Dr. Stowell and myself to render the Review worthy of the great names associated with its past history, and the yet greater principles with which it is identified. The best literary aid will be secured. No deterioration of quality will result from the reduction of price. What the Review has been in principle it will continue to be; but as a literary organ, we hope to render its contents more varied, of a higher character, and of more

general and commanding interest. I need scarcely express the hope, that those who are attached to the Journal will promptly and vigorously employ themselves to insure the immediate success of the experiment we are about to make.

Literary Intelligence.

Just Published.

The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey. Edited by his Son, the Rev. C. C. Southey, M.A. Vol. VI.

Lectures on the Existence and Attributes of the Divine Being. By Thomas Swan.

Poems: Legendary and Historical. By Edward A. Freeman, M.A., and the Rev. Geo. W. Cox, S.C.L.

An Analysis and Summary of Thucydides; with a Chronological Table of Principal Events, &c. By the Author of "An Analysis and Summary of Herodotus."

Lectures on the Religious History of the Sclavonic Nations. By Count Valerian Krasinski.

Nineveh its Rise and Ruin, as illustrated by Ancient Scriptures and Modern Discoveries. A Course of Lectures, delivered at Claremont Chapel, London. With Additions and Supplementary Notes. By the Rev. John Blackburn.

The Apostle of the Gentiles and his Glorying. A Sermon, preached in Cherry-street Chapel, Birmingham. By John Barritt Melson, M.D.

The Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures. A Lecture, delivered at the Chapel of Stepney College, on the opening of the Session, September 18, 1850. With Notes. By John Howard Hinton, M.A.

The Four Gospels combined; or, the Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as narrated by the Four Evangelists. Being a Chronological Arrangement of the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

On the Construction of Locks and Keys. By John Chubb, Ass. Inst. C.E. Glimmerings in the Dark; or, Lights and Shadows of the Olden Time. By F. Somner Merryweather.

The Christian Sabbath considered in its various Aspects, by Ministers of Different Denominations. With Preface, by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel.

Additional Annotations, Critical, Philological, and Explanatory, on the New Testament. Being a Supplemental Volume to the Greek Testament, with English Notes. Two Vols. By Rev. S. T. Bloomfield, D.D., of Cambridge and Oxford.

An Enquiry into M. Antoine d'Abbadie's Journey to Kaffa, to discover the Source of the Nile. By Chas. T. Beke, Ph. D., F.Š.A.

The Art of Conversation. A Lecture, addressed to the Young, delivered before the Members of the Mechanics' Institute, Launceston, Van Dieman's Land, May 18, 1849. By William Henty.

The American Biblical Repository. Conducted by J. M. Sherwood. Third Series. Vol. VI. No. 4.

Dara; or, the Minstrel Prince. An Indian Drama. By Major Vetch. The Palladium. A Monthly Journal of Literature, Politics, Science, and Art. Nov. 1850. Part V.

The Children's Own Sunday Book. By Julia Corner.

Spiritual Heroes; or, Sketches of the Puritans, their Character and Times. By John Stoughton. Second Edition, revised and enlarged.

A Dissertation on Church Polity. By Andrew Coventry Dick, Esq., Advocate. Second Edition.

Serpents in Hedges. A Plea for moderation in the hours employed in business. By Samuel Martin, Minister of Westminster Chapel.

Wayside Tracts, issued under the Superintendence of the Rev. Henry Cameron.

The Philosophy of Spirits in Relation to Matter. By C. M. Burnett, M.D. The Acknowledged Doctrines of the Church of Rome. Being an Exposition of Roman Catholic Doctrines, as set forth by esteemed Doctors of the said Church, and confirmed by repeated publication with the Sanction of Bishops and Ministers of her Communion. By Samuel Cappe.

The Papal Invasion: how to Defeat it. An Appeal to British Protestants. By James Carlile, D.D., Editor of the Protestant World.' Pleasant Pages for Young People. Part V.

The Bath Fables; or, Morals, Manners, and Faith. With Illustrative Prose from many Writers of celebrity. By Sheridan Wilson, F.S.A. Second

Edition.

A Memoir of the Rev. Henry Watson Fox, B.A., of Wadham College, Oxford, Missionary to the Jelogoo People, South India. By the Rev. George Townsend Fox, B.A. of Durham. With a Preface, by the Rev. H. V. Elliott, M.A. Second Edition.

Autumn Evening Verses. By John Stebbing.

The Romish Hierarchy in England. A Sermon preached at DevonshireSquare Chapel, London, on the 3rd Nov. 1850. By the Rev. John Howard Hinton, M.A.

Sacramental Religion subversive of Vital Christianity.

Two Sermons, preached at Bloomsbury Chapel, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 1850. By the Rev. Wm. Brock.

Part XLVI. of National Cyclopædia of Useful Knowledge. Theea-Tredgold.

No Popery! The Cry examined. By Edward Swaine.

Part II. of the Bible of Every Land.

Part IX. of the Life and Epistles of St. Paul.

Mental and Moral Excellence, and the Way to attain it. Exhibited in Memoirs of the Rev. John Hessel, consisting chiefly of Extracts from his Journal and Correspondence. By the Rev. Joshua Priestley.

Daily Bible Illustrations. Being original Readings for a Year on Subjects from Sacred History, Biography, Antiquities, and Theology. By John Kitto, D.D. Samuel, Saul, and David. July-September.

An Enquiry into the Principles of the Distribution of Wealth most conducive to Human Happiness. By Wm. Thompson. A New Edition, by Wm. Pare.

Imagination. An Original Poem. In Two Parts. By Spero.

England's Danger, and England's Duty. A Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1850. By the Rev. J. E. Cox, M.A., F.S.A.

Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason, and Seeking Truth in the Sciences. By Descartes. Translated from the French. With an Introduction.