arithmetician and scribe; but he is nothing in the school itself but moral. He may be just religious, but he must not exhibit a definite religion.

Where any well-organized Christian body, of defined belief, form the great majority of the population, in a country where such a system is adopted, and where, as a consequence, it is insensibly coloured by that prevailing belief, the evils which it is likely to superinduce will be considerably neutralized. But where there are a number of opposing sects, each jealous of the other, and all nearly equal in numbers, the probability will be that no religious truths will be prominently and distinctly set forth, and the children will be left to a few vague generalities, worthless as articles of faith and incentives to practice. The far-seeing Roman Catholic bishop is thought by most intelligent Protestant churchmen of New York to have outwitted both the people and government of that state. He has secured to the children of his own church the constant inculcation of all that he holds necessary to salvation; while he has beheld, perhaps with satisfaction, the children of rival communions confused en masse in institutions, where, it is feared, they will learn to care for none of these things.

The common-school system in the southern states, particularly Virginia, is so meagre and inefficient, that none but the very lowest classes of society avail themselves of it.

The education of the people is practically supplied by private adventurers, mostly men of standing and education, who are prominently attached to some religious body, and receive into their schools the children of members of their own communion.

But these rarely give any definite religious instruction. It is presumed that the children receive it at Sunday schools, or in the homes of their parents, or in the catechetical lectures of the clergy.

Some of the higher families have a private tutor for their sons, who is generally a clergyman, or, at least, a theological student.

Considering the great importance of education in the formation of the character, several of the bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States have organized higher schools or colleges.* But in most parts of the Union great jealousy is felt of the foundation of what are called Denominational Institutions. They cannot be incorporated or hold lands.

The whole subject seems to be, like the population of the country, in a state of transition. Public opinion, among the laity generally, is in favour of united schools, i. e., in which only general instruction is given on religious subjects. What turn events will take can scarcely be conjectured. Ought not the great and good, in far western Christendom, to apply their minds to the question in all its subtle and involved relations, that they may be prepared with some complete and organized system, for the future instruction of the mighty population which will be gathered under their banners?

I am, Sir, obediently yours,

AMERIGO VESPUCCI.

* Dr. Meade at Alexandria, and Dr. Doane at Burlington, &c.

12mo. pp. 75. (London: Longman and Co.)

A LITTLE work, for the use of young ladies, designed to explain the allusions to heathen mythology contained in books, and more or less used in conversation. It is free from the objectionable expressions found in Lempriere and most other writers on the subject. Elementary schoolmasters will find this volume of use in preparing pupil-teachers for their examination.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE IN BEHALF OF NATIONAL EDUCATION. BY THE

REV. THOMAS BOYLES MURRAY, M.A. (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.)

MR. T. B. MURRAY has already contributed most usefully to the literature of education. Some of his poems for children are worthy of being placed by the side of those of Dr. Watts. He writes now as the apologist of the benevolent institution, which owes so much to his services as secretary, and he proves that the ancient mother of church societies in this country employed her youthful energy, as she now bestows her matronly patronage, on the right education of the poor.

THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION, ILLUSTRATED BY SELECT PASSAGES
FROM OLD ENGLISH DIVINES; AND A HISTORY OF CONFIRMATION.
BY THE REV. HENRY HOPWOOD, M.A.
J. H. Parker.)

18mo. pp. 182. (London:

AN excellent little volume, the title of which explains its design. It is beautifully printed, in the style of Bishop Wilberforce's Eucharistica ; and will form a suitable present for young persons who have followed, as the canon so wisely says, that "solemn, ancient, and laudable custom in the Church of God continued from the Apostles' times, that all bishops should lay their hands upon persons baptised, and instructed in the catechism of the Christian religion, praying over them and blessing them."

PINACOTHECÆ HISTORICA SPECIMEN, AUCTORE F.K., A.M. (Bell.) A SERIES of epitaphs, or rather characters of illustrious men after the manner of epitaphs. They are elegant examples of Latin composition, and are evidently the work of a scholar. The language is terse, and the judgments discriminative. We think the one addressed to Alethea, a favourite cat, though in an appendix, would have been better omitted.

LETTERS TO AN UNDERGRADUATE of oxford.

BY THE REV. CHARLES

CLARKE. (London: Cundall.)

THE COMMEMORATION SERMON PREACHED IN TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL.

BY JOHN GROTE, M.A.

HINTS ON PRIVATE DEVOTION.

(Cambridge: Deighton.)

BY THE REV. C. MARRIOTT, B.D,

12mo. pp. 100. (Oxford: Masson.)

THERE is reason to fear that instruction, with respect to private devotion, has been of late years very much neglected by those who have charge of the education of youth. To all who are so engaged we recommend the perusal of this thoughtful volume. While the critic may find some things which he would be glad to see omitted, it contains many more, for which every earnest mind must be thankful to the pious author. In these days of incessant occupation and excitement, let us humbly bless God that there are found men, who would recall their generation to secret communion with Him. That collectedness of mind, and that calm and devout temper, which become a Christian teacher, can only be secured by constant watchfulness; and they who would watch among their fellows, must often wait upon Christ in secret religious exercises.

NOTES ON THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR 1848. BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. (London: Sunday-school Union.)

REFUTATION DE LA METHODE JACOTOT, CONSIDEREE DANS SES PRIN

CIPES, SES PROCEDES ET SES RESULTATS. PAR P. LORAIN. (Paris: Librairie Classique de L. Hachette.)

INSTRUCTION FOR THE YOUNG ON THE OFFICES APPOINTED FOR THE FESTIVALS AND FASTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. BY THE AUTHOR OF TRAVELS OF ST. PAUL,' A CATECHISM ON THE MAP OF THE HOLY LAND." (London: Groombridge and Sons.)

66

LESSONS ON THE CHURCH CATECHISM.

Part I. 8vo. pp. 53.

99 66

BY THE REV. C. J. ABRAHAM, M.A. (Eton: Williams.)

WHATEVER Mr. Abraham indites is thoughtful and suggestive. His writings have always more ideas than words. Hence arises their value to an elementary teacher. If a teacher wants a book just adapted to supply him with lessons on the Catechism and its connexion with the Liturgy, let him purchase this admirable volume. We extract a page, as a specimen of the method of the author :

Question." Rehearse the articles of thy belief."

Answer." I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."

1. The words, "I believe in God," mean a great deal more than a simple belief that God exists. They imply that we put our whole trust in Him, that we place no confidence in ourselves, or in anything that we can do, without

His grace and providence. A man might believe in the existence of God, and yet not live a life according to that faith; whereas a Christian acknowledges in the Creed his duty towards God as well as his belief. St. James ii. 17-26. Collect for Sexagesima and for 4th Sunday after Trinity.

2. This first article of the Creed more particularly impresses on our mind the works of an overruling Providence, our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life. The Jews, by way of acknowledging this truth, (that their life was ever in God's hand,) paid what was called the half-shekel of atonement yearly. Exod. xxx. 15; St. Matt. xvii. 24; x. 28-30; Rom. viii. 28. And our Lord distinctly asserts the work of providence, as of grace, to be continually exercised. St. John v. 17; Acts iv. 28; xxvii. 23-25.

3. There are three senses in which God is called the Father:-(a) of our Lord Jesus Christ; (8) of man by creation; (7) of man by adoption. God has condescended to call Himself our Father, that we may in some degree understand His love and mercy towards us and the nature of our duties towards Him, which, though in an unspeakably greater degree, are somewhat similar to those towards our earthly parents. Malachi i. 6; Psa. ciii. 13; Matt. vii. 10-12; Heb. xii. 9. Our chief feelings towards our earthly parents are those of love combined with reverential fear. 1 John iv. 16-19; St. Luke xii. 45. Collect for 2nd Sunday after Trinity. A verse in the Litany on "love and dread," &c.

4. God the Father made all things by His Son. Gen. i. 1-3; St. John i. 1-3; Heb. i. 2. Article of the Nicene Creed.

PETIT ATLAS GEOGRAPHIQUE DU PREMIER AGE, COMPOSE DE NEUF

CARTES ET D'UN TEXTE EXPLICATIF, PAR M. CORTAMBERT. (Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie.)

IN schools where the French language is taught in connexion with lessons on Geography, this little volume will be found very useful.

ONE MANIFOLD; OR, SYSTEM: INTRODUCTORY ARGUMENT, IN A LETTER ADDRESSED TO RAIKES CURRIE, ESQ., M.P. BY THE REV. J. S. BOONE, INCUMBENT OF ST. JOHN'S, PADDINGTON. (London : I. W. Parker.) THIS pamphlet, like all that Mr. Boone writes, shows remarkable power. We cannot, however, see at present to what point its author means to conduct us. We wait in hopes of reading some further development of his ideas into a plan. We hope that he has nothing in common with the new philosophers on the continent, who are dreaming of reconstructing the social arrangements of mankind.

WORDS OF COUNSEL AT PARTING; ADDRESSED TO THE BOYS OF PARKHURST PRISON, ON THE OCCASION OF SOME OF THEM LEAVING FOR AUSTRALIA. BY THE REV. H. SMITH, CHAPLAIN. DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION) TO THE DUCHESS OF KENT. (London: Wertheim.) A SENSIBLE and seasonable address. We are glad that Parkhurst Prison has so excellent a Christian teacher within its walls. Believing, however, that the system on which that institution is conducted is radically defective, we cannot expect from the pious efforts of the chaplain the success which, under happier auspices, they would probably obtain.

AUTHORIZED STREET PREACHING: PROPOSED AS A REMEDY FOR OUR SOCIAL EVILS, IN A LETTER TO THE VENERABLE ARCHDEACON BY A COUNTRY PARSON. (London: Bell.)

THERE is much that invites reflection in this pamphlet. We cannot say, however, that it meets the difficulties of the case. Street-preaching, as far as this country is concerned, has lost its charm. And would it really" remedy our social evils?"

A LETTER TO HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ON THE PRESENT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL AND THE NATIONAL SOCIETY. BY A RURAL DEAN AND SECRETARY

OF A DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION. (London: Kent and Richards.)

We strongly recommend this series to the notice of our readers.

THE PRINCIPAL TENSES OF IRREGULAR GREEK VERBS OF FREQUENT

OCCURRENCE. On a sheet or mounted in cloth. (George Bell.) ONE great difficulty which a boy has to contend with in learning Greek, is the inflexion of the irregular verbs. The works of Buttmann, Carmichael, and Veitch (which we have recently noticed in terms of praise) hardly meet the difficulty; they are rather for advanced students, and presuppose an amount of knowledge which one who is just beginning to construe cannot have attained.

This little sheet, so far as it goes, seems to afford the requisite help, -it is printed in a tabulated form, which we consider a great improvement, for the eye catches at once the word that is wanted. And it is of such a size that it may be affixed to the beginning and end of a lexicon or exercise book; or folded on cloth in an octavo shape. It does not profess to be a complete list, neither is it so copious as the list which will be found in Krüger. Its great merit is its brevity and clearness, and we have reason to know that it has been found exceedingly useful.

THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL MECHANICS, DESIGNED PRINCIPALLY FOR PRACTICAL MEN, BY JAMES HANN, A. I. C. E., MATHEMATICAL

MASTER OF KING'S COLLEGE SCHOOL, LONDON. Pp. 332. (London : John Weale.)

THIS able work should be in the hands of every practical man. Mr. Hann is undoubtedly one of our best writers in practical mechanics.