of it, even if not impertinent, could not be other than superfluous. One only further remark we will make upon it-we refer to the seasonableness of its present publication. There is no doubt that the present is a very critical period to Protestantism-we mean the Protestantism established and left by the Reformation. It is in a state of unrest, of agitation and dissension, which betokens the working of elements whose eventual results it is not easy to foresee. We will advance no opinions of our own on a subject of this nature, on an occasion affording no opportunity of developing or defending them. Yet it is certain that many at least see in the present aspect of the Christian world a great silent Protest in progress, of the human reason and heart, against Protest antism, according to the general acceptation of the term. They see it a house divided against itself, in countless factions, between which prevails a mutual animosity, little in harmony with the essential spirit of the Religion common to all. Standing midway as it does between Catholicism and Rationalism, they see in its wavering mass a double movement-backward and forward. Backward, to rest the aching weariness of doubt on the great pillar of authority, as maintained by Catholicism. Forward, to seek, if possibly it may be found, a more steady poise on the self-sustaining centre of the individual reason and conscience, interpreting the great Charter of Faith, the Bible, with a more bold and free philosophy of criticism, which repudiates the fetters of creeds, and the hampering machinery of church organizations. With these two influences at work against it in opposite directions, Protestant Orthodoxy-however it may denounce the one as popish superstition, and the other as disguised infidelity-has its hands full to hold its own. A most fit and seasonable period is it, therefore, for the publication, in this country, of such a work as Bishop Burnet's great History of the Reformation, which should be well studied by all the various opinions, and tendencies of opinion, now so deeply fermenting on the subject throughout the Christian world. Man a Soul; or, the Inward and the Experimental Evidences of Christianity. By the Rev. A. B. MuZZEY. Boston: William Crosby and Co., 118 Washington-street. 1842. 16mo. pp. 157. THIS little volume consists of the substance of some conversations between the author and a young man who came within the sphere of his ministerial labors; and who, while conscious that he was dying from a hereditary consumption, and though educated in a somewhat strict school of ordinary Christian doctrine, was distressed by his own want of comprehension of, and faith in, the great spiritual truths and mysteries of Christianity. Abandoning the ground of disputable and unsatisfactory dogmas respecting total depravity, grace, &c., the author states, that by turning his eyes inward to the contemplation of the deathless nature of the Soul, and fixing his thoughts on the Inward Man, he fully succeeded in the object of bringing peace, light and faith, into the moral chaos of the mind on which these pious labors were devoted. To have rendered this service to one fellow human being, is to have lived enough. His dying language was "of the firmness of his faith, of his calm trust, of his sublime anticipations, and his hope in Heaven." Without having been able to command the requisite time to read the book through, we have gathered from such of its pages as we have been able to turn over, a favorable impression of the ability with which the author has executed a task evidently prompted by the highest motives and animated by the purest spirit. The following are the concluding words in his Introduction: "The case of this young man represents, I helieve, that of many, many others. In the hope of doing a slight service to such, and of leading all who may read these chapters to look deeply for the foundations of the Christian Faith, I have committed to the press the substance of several conversa. tions I had with that interesting individual. The form in which it is done may be too abstract to interest the common reader. Should a philosophical mind look into this little book, I am sure he will see at once its lack of profoundness. But, fellow-men, and to the Blessing of God." such as it is, I commend it to the Charity of my The Characters of Schiller. By MRS. ELLET. New York: John Allen. Boston: Otis, Broaders, and Company. 1842. 12mo. p. 246. WE are pleased to see a second issue of a volume which, in its first edition, published a few years ago, found as many admirers as readers-a circle which will doubtless at the present day be much widened, from the cultivation which has of late been given to the German language and literature in this country. Those who have made themselves acquainted, in the original, with those noble creations in which Schiller expresses and manifests the lofty loveliness of his own soul, will be glad to compare their own impressions of them with those of a critic who brings to the task so rare a degree of natural as well as cultivated accomplishment for its performance, as the fair and youthful author of this volume. While to those who do not enjoy that advantage, it will afford an opportunity that should not be lost, of beholding at least a reflection of the glory of the great Poet's genius, in a skilful analysis of his plays and characters, illustrated by numerous passages of fine translation. But Mrs. Ellet scarcely deserves at our hands the praise which justice extorts;-for the re-appearance of this volume, after the long interval during which she has altogether with held from the public, a name once so great a favorite, suggests an expression of discontent thereat, in which many will concur. Mrs. Ellet's youthful promise-yes, and youthful performance too-were such as to excite and to justify expectations of her continued devotion to the fine labors of literature, which she has no right, in the absence of any reason, to disappoint. If there is anything in the southern air of her present residence adverse to the exertions once so easy and natural, we trust that Professor Ellet will speedily retire from the chair (Chemistry and Natural Philosophy) which he fills with so much ability and distinction in Columbia College, South Carolina, and return to the more congenial though sterner climate of the North; since it is far better that a few students in that institution should lose the benefit of his labors, than that a whole "public" should be defrauded of its rightful claim upon hers. Remains of the Rev. Joshua Wells Downing, A.M., late of the New England Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. With a Brief Memoir, edited by ELIJAH H. DOWNING, A.M. New York: Published by G. Lane and P. P. Sandford, for the Protestant Episcopal Church at the Conference Office, 200 Mulberrystreet. 1842. 12mo. pp. 329. THIS Volume consists of sermons, notes of sermons, and some letters, by a young man, who seems to have left behind him so sweet an odor of memory in the hearts of his friends, and those who had listened to his preaching, as to induce his brother to embody this record of him, as not useless in itself, and as a gratification to many having a particular interest in its subject. These productions, without aspiring to any remarkable intellectual rank, seem yet characterized by a fervent piety, which is in itself recommendation enough. Of the genuineness of this spirit, a beautiful death of peace and joy, as described by his biographer, was at once the sign and the seal. Models of English Literature for the Use of Colleges and Academies. Baltimore: John Murphy, 146, Market-street. 1842. 12mo. pp. 372. A SCHOOL-BOOK collection of " pieces " for reading and declamation, pretty copious and varied, and, being the last, doubtless as good for the purpose for which designed as any other collection of the kind,—perhaps a little better, for we do not believe that any other contains Dickens's inimitable scene of the examination of Sam Weller, by Serjeant Buzfuz, in the great cause of Bardell vs. Pickwick. A number of other books on our table are necessarily deferred till our Next, the space at our present command being here exhausted, MONTHLY LITERARY BULLETIN. AMERICAN. MR. NORMAN, a traveller, recently re- and Fate of England," is rapidly pass- of Philadelphia, has in preparation, "The Smuggler's Son, with other Tales and Sketches," by a Lady of Tennessee. We observe that Professor TORRY is preparing for the press, the "Scientific and Miscellaneous Writings of the late President Marsh." Mr. GRUND, the well known American author, has in press a work on the "Present State and Prospects of Germany." A new work, by Mr. SEARS, is to be pub lished this month, in one handsome octavo, with 500 plates, entitled, "The Wonders of the World in Nature, Art and Mind." The subject of this work is of universal interest, and in the hands of the industrious editor it cannot fail of proving a most desirable contribution to the domestic libraries of the land. It will be perfectly unique in its binding decorations, presenting one of the richest specimens ever attempted. We are happy to learn that Dr. FORRY, author of the recent valuable work on "The Climate of the United States," has nearly completed for publication, by the Harpers, a new production, to be entitled, "The Physical Geography of the Earth, and its Relations to Organic From the deserved Structure," &c. success of his former work, which we observe has received the most unequivocal commendation from two of the severest critical Journals of England, (The London Literary Gazette, and the Athenæum,) there can be no doubt of Lea & Blanchard are about to issue an A new work of important historical inte- ENGLISH. MR. DICKENS' new work is to be entitled tish Museum, from which most of the engravings are copied. Preparing for publication, "Illustrations of Froissart;" being a series of colored fac-similes from the drawings contained in the illuminated copies in the British Museum, and elsewhere. To be published in monthly parts, super royal 8vo., size to correspond with the recent edition of Froissart in two vol umes. Just appeared, "An Historical Outline of the Book of Psalms," by the late JOHN MASON GOOD, M. D., F. R. S., author of "A New Translation of the Book of Job," &c., &c. Edited by the Rev. JOHN MASON NEALE, B. A."Cardinal Allen's Admonition to the Nobility and People of England and Ireland," &c. A. D. 1538. Reprinted, with a Preface by EUPATOR, in facsimile, and with the Cardinal's Arms. The third edition of the "French Orthotoger," by Mons. L. A. J. MORDACQUE, French Master at the Manchester Free Grammar School, is in the press, and will shortly make its appearance. The last edition of this most complete course of theory and practice of the French language, was published in 1832, and has remained out of print for several years, owing to the author's professional engagements. A new Novel is announced to appear im- Now ready," Dickinson's Rustic Figures," tint, the author's fac-similes of his Sketches. There are 24 plates, printed on 4to. "The Grasses of Scotland," containing We observe Mrs. JAMESON announces a A work, by Lady VAVASOUR, to be called, The Shakspeare Society will in a few days A Society has lately been established, LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, President, called the ELFRIC SOCIETY, for the illustration of Anglo-Saxon and Early English History and Philology. The object of the Society is the publication of those Anglo-Saxon and other literary monuments, both civil and ecclesiastical, tending to illustrate the early state of England, which have either not yet been given to the world, or of which a more correct and convenient edition may be deemed desirable. The works to be published in uniform octavo volumes, containing the AngloSaxon originals, and a translation. It is proposed to commence the series with the HOMILIES of the ANGLOSAXON CHURCH, of which a considerable portion (whether translations or originals) are ascribed to the learned prelate by whose name the Society is distinguished; to be followed by The LIVES of the ANGLO-SAXON SAINTS, -The ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, -The WORKS OF KING ALFRED, viz. :-his Version of Beda's Ecclesiastical History, of Gregorius de Cura Pastorali, and of Orosius; together with such other early remains as the Society may deem worthy of publication. FRESCO-PAINTING is, we observe, the allengrossing subject of speculation in London at the present time, among artists. The Royal Commissioners of Fine Arts have given notice that three premiums of 300l each, three premiums of 2001 each, and five premiums of 100/ each, will be given to the artists who shall furnish cartoons which shall respectively be deemed worthy of one or other of the said premiums, and Mr. Barry has submitted his plans with reference to the decorations of the New Houses of Parliament. Some half-dozen works have also recently appeared on this all-but-obsolete branch of art, and the public attention seems to be already favourably enlisted on the subject. Severn, Parris, and Haydon, are among its more prominent advocates. The beautiful art of Lithotint is to be seen exhibited in all its brilliancy and effect in a recent volume just published. The posthumous works of Sir David Wilkie, amounting to six hundred and sixtyeight, and comprising a splendid series of his pictures from his earliest efforts down to the matured productions of his later days, have just been sold by auction, and have brought, in most instances, immense prices. There should be an effort made in this country to establish an Art-Union on the plan of the London Art-Union, for the encouragement of the Fine Arts-its establishment would be comparatively easy, with a vigorous president at its head, and it would prove of incalculable benefit to the profession. The sixth annual distribution which recently occurred in London, awarded about £10,000 as prizes for the purchase of pictures and £500 for bronze and plaster casts. A moiety of such munificence here would doubtless speedily bring to light much of the latent courage of our neglected and depressed artists. NOTE. The Portrait embellishment of the present Number, is an engraving from an excellent miniature by Blanchard, of the able and distinguished Senator WALKER of Mississippi. The biographical sketch intended to accompany it, has failed to reach our hands in proper season, from those of the author to whom its preparation was entrusted, a gentleman in Mississippi. It will be given in our next. Several other miniatures from the same artist are only awaiting the opportunity for their insertion. They are of BENTON, WRIGHT and CALHOUN-all very recent and all admirable productions. The last named is the only truly good likeness we are acquainted with of the great Southerner. We refer to them for the purpose of recommending the artist to that public patronage which he eminently merits, and which he will well repay. |