Art. X. The Spirit and Manners of the Age: a Christian and Literary Miscellany. January, 1829. 8vo. pp. 80. Price 1s. 6d. THIS is really a very spirited and mannerly specimen of the literature of the age, and if kept up with the same talent that is displayed in this Number, will both deserve and ensure an extensive popularity. Among the Contributors whose names appear in these pages are, the Rev. Dr. Walsh, Dr. Uwins, Mrs. Hemans, Miss Mitford, Mrs. Opie, the Rev. Mr. Greenwood, Mr. and Mrs. Howitt, Miss A. M. Porter, Mr. S. C. Hall, Mrs. Hall, Mr. Edmeston, and the Author of " My Early Days". Letters, poetry, essays historical and medical, prose sketches, and reviews, make up this pleasing olio. In short, it is a Literary annual which flowers once a month, and bears fruit while in blossom. We commend it to reading societies in general, as a very combination of the utile cum dulci.

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ART. XI. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

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We shall probably receive the thanks of those of our readers who may be book-collectors, as well as of the Directors of our Academic Institutions, and students in general, by directing their attention to á Catalogue, of which the First Part has been just issued, (extending to about 400 pages,) by a Bristol bookseller. It appears that Mr. Strong has recently purchased an immense and valuable Collection of Old Books, made by Dyer, the Exeter Bookseller, and his father before him, who were vigilant and assiduous in bringing together all the publications of any account that appeared on most of the remarkable occa sions of ecclesiastical, theological, and literary controversy. There are many of the English works produced in the great warfare between the Romish Church and the Protestants; works on all parts of the controversy between the English Established Church and the Puritans, and somewhat later Non-Conformists; nearly all the works of any note, temporary or permanent, which appeared in the great dispute on the truth of Christianity, during the earlier part of the last century; a great variety of those on the more special questions of theology and orthodoxy, especially the Arian, agitated in that age; very large collections of those which were occasioned by Middleton's book on the miraculous powers, and the integrity of the ancient fathers; of those produced in the great literary hostility excited by Warburton; and of those which appeared in the dispute on the subject of the demoniacs. There are collections of nearly all the pieces, larger and smaller, of a

number of the distinguished literary, philosophical, and ecclesiastical polemics of that former age, whose works were never printed in collective editions. The first volume is confined, with small exception, to English literature. The next will comprise a great assemblage of foreign theological authors, and the Christian fathers.-Private collectors, and the persons who have the charge of supplying the deficiencies of libraries for more public use, will rarely have such an opportunity as is afforded by this ample collection, so peculiarly full in some of the departments.

In a few weeks will appear, the First Monthly Number of a Work, to be entitled "The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society delineated; being Descriptions and Figures in illustration of the Natural History of the Living Animals in the Society's collection." To be published, with the authority of the Council, under the superintendence of the Secretary and Vice-Secretary of the Society. The numerous Engravings will be executed by Branston and Wright, from Drawings by Harvey. Specimens will be ready for delivery in a few days.

In the Press, and will shortly be published, a Collection of Hymns, from Dr. Watts and other Authors, adapted for Congregational Worship. By W. Urwick, Minister of York Street Chapel, Dublin.

A Volume of Tales, under the title of "Sketches of Irish Character," from the pen of Mrs. S. C. Hall, the Editor of the Juvenile Forget me Not, is announced for publication in April.

In the Press, Recognition in the World to Come, or Christian Friendship on Earth, perpetuated and perfected in Heaven. By C. R. Muston, A.M.

Miss M. A. Browne, the Author of Mont Blanc, Ada, &c. &c., is about to publish a small volume of Sacred Poetry. Dedicated to the Rev. H. H. Milman, Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford.

Shortly will be Published, The History of the Huguenots during the Sixteenth Century. By W. S. Browning, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. The Work will contain a concise Narrative of the Sufferings of the French Protestants during the Sixteenth Century; and will shew, that the Massacre of the St. Bartholomew was premeditated, and that the cruelties exercised towards the Protestants was instigated by the Court of Rome.

In the Press, the first Volume of the Vestry Library, commencing with the Contemplations of Bishop Hall; which, with the Select Works of Baxter and of other eminent Authors, in succession, will be published in handsome duodecimo Volumes every Two Months. Edited by the Rev. T. Russell, A.M.

In the Press, A Memento for the Afflicted. By Barzillai Quaife.

In the Press, and speedily will be published, in 1 Vol. 12mo, The Protestant's Companion, being a choice Collection of Preservatives against Popery.

Captain Basil Hall's Travels in the United States, is in the Press, and may be expected about May.

In the Press, Historical Account of Discoveries and Travels in North America, including the United States, Canada, the Shores of the Polar Sea, and the Voyages in Search of a North-West Passage; with Observations on Emigration. By Hugh Murray, Esq. F.R.S.E., &c.; Author of Travels in Africa, Asia, &c. 2 Vols. 8vo.

We understand, that the Rev. Dr. Wait (of Cambridge) is about to commence a Repertorium Theologicum, or Critical Record of Theological Literature; in which, Dissertations on Theological Antiquities, the State of the Text, and other subjects of necessary inquiry, will be contained; in which, also, Foreign Works on Divinity will be condensed, so as to form a complete Work of Reference to the Biblical Scholar.

Mr. Carpenter, Author of the Scientia Biblica, &c., has in the Press, in one large Volume, 8vo., Popular Lectures on Biblical Criticism and Interpretation.

Mr. W. Jones, Author of the History of the Waldenses, &c., has in the Press, A Christian Biographical Dictionary, comprising the Lives of such Persons in every Country and in every Age since the revival of Literature, as have distinguished themselves by their Talents, their Sufferings, or their Virtues. The Work may be expected to appear in the course of next Month.

Messrs. Howell and Co. have just issued a very curious Catalogue, which is likely to excite, at the present moment, peculiar interest. It comprises a Collection of between three and four thousand Works upon Roman Catholic Theology and Controversy, including Missals, Acts of Canonization, &c., and Polemic Works on both sides. Altogether, it is certainly the most extraordinary Collection of the kind ever brought before the Public.

Washington Irving has in the Press, a new work, entitled, "Tales of the Moors;" which, it is said, will embody a History of the Rise, Glory, and Downfall of the Moors in Spain, chiefly composed out of Materials collected by Mr. Irving during his recent residence at Seville..

ART. XII. WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

THE

ECLECTIC REVIEW,

FOR APRIL 1829.

Art. I. 1. Gibbon's History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: for the Use of Families and young Persons. Reprinted from the Original Text, with the careful Omission of all Passages of an Irreligious or Immoral Tendency. By Thomas Bowdler, Esq., F.R.S. S.A. Editor of the Family Shakspeare. In five Volumes, 8vo. Price 31. 3s. London, 1826.

2. The History of the Rise and Early Progress of Christianity: comprising an Inquiry into its true Character and Design. By the Rev. Samuel Hinds, M.A., of Queen's College, and Vice Principal of St. Alban's Hall, Oxford. 2 Vols. 8vo. pp. xxiv, 746. London, 1828.

IT was the peculiar happiness of the Editor of the first of i these publications, 'to accomplish, during the latter part of his life, the two-fold labour of purifying the pages of Shaks→ 'peare and of Gibbon.' The Family Shakspeare' has been for some years before the public; but, laudable and patriotic as were the Editor's intentions, we question whether his benevolent object has been to any great extent realised. The num berless editions of the complete works of our great Dramatist, which are severally recommended by their cheapness, or pocket size, or embellishments, or learned notes, seem to render it a hopeless task to supersede them very generally, or even extensively, by an edition destitute of such attractions. Nor is this the only bar to its wide circulation. In a very numerous class of Christian families, an objection will, after all, lie against the domestication of Shakspeare in any dress. And many may think, that the process of purification might have been carried much further, so as to exclude altogether those plays which have very doubtful claims to be regarded as the genuine compositions of Shakspeare.

A Family Gibbon is a publication likely to be better received

VOL. I.-N.S.

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