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The Autobiography of Thomas Platter, a Schoolmaster of the Sixteenth Century. Translated from the German. By the Translator of Lavater's Original Maxims. London: Wertheim. 1839.

This is an interesting biography of a singular man in an extraordinary period. It is a practical and vivid exemplification of the determined pursuit of knowledge under the pressure of difficulties, and will be read with great pleasure. It gives a view of one side, and a very curious side, of society in the sixteenth century. The book is illustrated with wood-cuts.

1. The French Master for the Nursery: or Early Lessons in French. By M. Lepage, Professor of the French Language in London.

2. Lepage's French School.

Part I. L'Echo de Paris.

3. Lepage's French School. Part II. Gift of Conversation. London: Effingham Wilson. 1839.

The above works are intended to form a complete French course ; and any one who will go through them as the author recommends may make himself master of the language. But unfortunately the difficulty is not in finding good books for teaching French, but in getting them worked through with perseverance. It is mere empiricism to talk of acquiring any language thoroughly (and if not acquired thoroughly it is not acquired at all) in a short time. A smattering of a dozen languages may be got in a few weeks; but to learn any one well is a work of time, and of a long time too. What is wanted is the resolution to go regularly through some course.

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Supplementary Notes to the Third Edition of The Law of Christ Respecting Civil Obedience, especially in the Payment of Tribute.' By John Brown, D.D. 8vo. pp. 123. London: Ball, Arnold, and Co.

On looking over the third edition of his volume 'On the Law of Christ,' &c., Dr. Brown informs us, that 'various remarks occurred, and a number of passages, I had overlooked, or had met with in the course of subsequent reading, suggested themselves to me, as fitted to throw additional light on the important topics treated in the work.' These were noted for future use, in the event of another edition being required, but were ultimately found to be so numerous and important, that he resolved on immediately printing them as a Supplement." In the propriety of this resolution we fully concur,-our only fear is that in this day of light and hasty reading, few will be disposed to examine with sufficient diligence the invaluable materials with which he has supplied them. We counsel all our readers to do so, and feel confident of their thanks should they take our advice. The various reading and discriminating judgment of the esteemed author are signally conspicuous throughout his excerpts.

Scripture Illustrations; being a Series of Engravings on Steel and Wood, Illustrative of the Geography and Topography of the Bible, and Demonstrating the Truth of the Scriptures from the face of Nature and the Remains of the Works of Man, with Explanations and Remarks. By the Rev. J. A. La Trobe, M.A. Quarto. Lon

don L. and G. Seeley.

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The character of this publication will be best explained by an extract from the brief Introduction which is prefixed to it. The following series of engravings,' remarks Mr. La Trobe, illustrative of Scripture scenes, has been chiefly selected from works of acknowledged worth and fidelity. The travels of Ainslie, Buckingham, Ferbin, Le Brun, Niebuhr, Parsons, Sir R. K. Porter, Wittman, and others, are the sources whence they have been for the most part derived. The author of the accompanying letter-press has no claim to the merit of the selection, as it had been made long before it was referred to his notice. His object, in his particular department, has been to blend instruction with pleasant reading-to avoid fanciful descriptions on the one hand, and dry skeleton statements on the other. It has been his aim also, when opportunity permitted, to speak a word in season,' that the spirit might be refreshed, as well as the understanding profited.'

The Religion of Protestants a Safe Way to Salvation. By William Chillingworth, M.A. Two vols. London: The Religious Tract Society.

A neat and cheap edition, without alteration or abridgment, of the most masterly defence of Protestantism in our language.

The Young Man from Home. By John Angell James. London: The Religious Tract Society

An excellent companion and most judicious adviser, which we heartily recommend to the confidence of every youth, and especially of those who are quitting the parental roof.

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Geography of the Bible or Some Account of the Countries and Places mentioned in Holy Scripture. London: The Religious

Tract Society.

Another of those useful little volumes by the publication of which the Tract Society is so admirably fulfilling its vocation. It is mainly a reprint of a small work issued a few years since by the Rev. Messrs. Alexander, of Princeton, in North America, and entitled 'A Geography of the Bible.' Numerous additions and some corrections have been made with a view of rendering it more complete and instructive.

The Convalescent. Twelve Letters on Recovery from Sickness. By Mrs. Gilbert. London: Jackson and Walford.

The tenderness of maternal love blended with a tone of deep Chris

tian earnestness pervades these letters, and renders them singularly adapted to the purpose for which they were written. We need say no more to commend them to religious parents.

Literary Entelligence.

In the Press.

The Sons of the Soil. A Poem in twelve books; embellished with twelve exquisitely finished wood-cuts. By the Author of The Women of England.'

Biblical Topography. Lectures on the Position aud Character of the Places of Scripture, with Maps. By Samuel Ransom, Classical and Hebrew Tutor in Hackney Theological Seminary. With a Preface by John Harris, D.D.

Just Published.

The Imperial Classics. The Chronicles of Enguerrand De Monstrelet. Johne's Translation. A new Edition, with Notes and Illustrations. Parts I.—IV.

Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap-Book. MDCCCXL. With Poetical Illustrations by L. E. L. and Mary Howitt. London: Fisher, Son, and Co. The Juvenile Scrap-Book. By Mrs. Ellis.

1840.

The Life and Services of Horatio Viscount Nelson. From his Lordship's Manuscripts. By the Rev. James Stanier Clarke, F.R.S. and John M’Arthur, Esq., LL.D. Vol. I.

Lowndes' British Librarian, or Book Collector's Guide to the formation of a Library in all branches of Literature, Science, &c.

The Religion of Protestants a Safe Way to Salvation. By W. Chillingworth, M.A.

Geography of the Bible: or Some Account of the Countries and Places mentioned in Holy Scripture.

The Fear of God. By John Bunyan.

The Young Man from Home. By John Angell James.

The Life of Marcus Tullus Cicero. By J. F. Hollings. (Family Library.) A Treatise on Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity. By J. Ray, M.D. With an Introductory Essay. By D. Spillan, M.D.

Observations on the Rev. Dr. Wiseman's Reply to Dr. Turton's Roman Catholic Doctrine of the Eucharist Considered. By Thomas Turton, D.D. The Poetical Works of the Rev. R. Montgomery, A.M., Oxon. New Edition revised by the Author. Vol. IV.

National Establishments of Religion Considered in Connexion with Justice, Christianity, and Human Nature. By John Taylor.

A Manual of Christian Antiquities; or an Account of the Constitution, Ministers, Worship, Discipline, and Customs of the Ancient Church, Particularly during the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Centuries; to which is prefixed an Analysis of the Writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. By the Rev. J. E. Riddle, M.A.

Melaia and other Poems. By Eliza Cook.

Christian Duties in the Various Relations of Life. By T. Lewis, Islington.

THE

ECLECTIC REVIEW

FOR DECEMBER, 1839.

Art. I. The Life and Times of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon. By a Member of the Noble Houses of Huntingdon and Ferrers. 2 Vols. 8vo. London: Simpkin and Co. 1839.

ON

N first taking up these volumes, we had no other intention than of indulging in some cogitations, on the religious state of England during the early part of the eighteenth century. It was our purpose to have written an essay rather than a critique, -a practice too common perhaps amongst the members of our craft. From the prosecution of this plan, we have, however, been diverted, by the unparalleled interest and value of the materials here collected, and whatever our vanity may suggest as to the importance of our lucubrations, we are satisfied that our readers, in closing this article, will rejoice at our having adopted a different course. We have had occasion so frequently to mourn over the meagreness and inanity of modern religious biographies, that it has been perfectly refreshing to meet with a work like the present, in which the abundance, and richness, and variety of the materials, are in happy keeping with the warm devotion and catholic liberality of the author. Who this noble personage may be we know not,-it is enough that he has laid the Christian world under an obligation of no common magnitude. We propose, therefore, on the present occasion, to do little more than furnish our readers with some extracts illustrative of the character and religious labors of the most remarkable woman of her times; a lady signally honored by the Head of the church, and to be remembered with admiration and gratitude, by all who are concerned for the spiritual welfare of mankind. In the course of these extracts we shall have occasion to refer to several of her contemporaries, who were like-minded with herself, and shall

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thus furnish our readers with a fuller and more accurate view of the religious state of society at the period in question, than could be effected by any other means. Nothing is farther from our design than to attempt a consecutive narrative of her ladyship's life. Our limits forbid this, and the object we have in view will be better secured by a different course.

In relinquishing our original design we must not, however, be understood to regard the subject we had intended to discuss as of trifling or temporary importance. On the contrary, we believe it to be of vast interest, and capable, if thoroughly investigated, of throwing light on principles and systems, beyond almost any other period of our history. It is scarcely possible to conceive of a contrast more perfect, than that which existed between the early and middle portions of the seventeenth century, and the commencement of the eighteenth. The two periods are marked out by broad and palpable lines of distinction, so that no intelligent mind can permit its admiration to rest on both. The time is now happily past for indiscriminate and sweeping condemnation of the former of these periods. We have learnt to distinguish the gold from the dross,-to separate the good from the evil; to admit the energy and power, the indomitable firmness and seraphic devotion of the religion of that day, notwithstanding the bigotry, and fanaticism, and hypocrisy which were rife. With every allowance which a severe but upright judge can claim, it is now generally admitted that religious principle and religious passions were in more vigorous existence, put forth more vitality, and shaped more potently the ways of men, than at any former period of our history. Admitting the truth of this statement, as we most assuredly do, the question has often recurred to us,and we had designed to attempt its solution-what were the causes of the change which took place, the declension as we must term it of the life and power of religion? What were the several stages of the process through which the public mind passed, in its transition from fervor to coldness, from activity to indolence, from an enlightened and sympathizing appreciation of the spiritual in religion, to a quiescence in outward forms and carnal obser'vances?' These are questions which we have never seen satisfactorily answered, and as the reply, if honestly rendered, would, probably, reflect little credit on any of the religious organizations of the day, it may be possible to prosecute the inquiry without having our judgment warped by party feeling. He who should so conduct the investigation would render an invaluable service to the Christian church, and though somewhat mistrustful of ourselves, we hope nevertheless speedily to do our best. In the meantime, and without further preface, we recur to the volumes before us.

Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, was descended from the

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