tating simplicity, can surely be explained on no other ground than that it represented an original traditionary, or an instinctive (inspired), judgment of apostolic times: while, on the other hand, the books not universally received seem to have been in most cases rather unknown than rejected."

In treating of the third period, the author shows, first, the advantageous effect which the persecution of Diocletian had on the more determinate settlement of the Canon; and secondly, after bringing down the history to the Third Council of Carthage, in which the first synodal decision on the Canon was given, he continues the history briefly through "the Age of Councils," and onward to the Reformation and the Council of Trent.

The work differs considerably, as it will be seen, from other works on the subject of the Canon, in the circumstance that, being of a purely historical character, it deals with external evidence, rather than with subjective criticism; though, at the same time, it admits the great value of the latter method of inquiry, as giving important support to the conclusions of the former, by "the powerful internal testimony drawn from the relations of the books to one another, and to the early developments of Christian doctrine."

It deals with a subject somewhat abstruse and unattractive, as it is usually treated, and therefore not very generally studied, even by divines, except from brief summaries. But Mr. Westcott has succeeded in producing a book, which, though of moderate compass for such a subject, is at once highly valuable for the amount of information it conveys, and the lucid arrangement under which that information is presented, whilst it is also, for the style in which it is written, sufficiently interesting and attractive for the taste of general readers, as well as of students in theology. To the latter it will prove an admirable text-book; and to all others who cherish any curiosity on the subject, it will be satisfactory, as one of the most highly interesting, as well as most useful and instructive, pieces of history which the records of the Church supply.

A History of Modern Italy, from the first French Revolution to the Year 1850. By Richard Heber Wrightson. London: Bentley. 1855.

AMONGST circles conversant with the political condition of the different Italian Governments, there prevails an opinion that great changes are impending. The attitude so creditably assumed by Sardinia in the war with Russia, following a five years' consistent constitutional career, has shown that a native basis exists, on which a national superstructure may be raised. Austria's persistence in a repressive policy throughout her Lombardo-Venetian provinces, and her devious, dishonourable, and timid conduct in her negotiations with the Western Powers, have intensified the dislike of her foreign subjects, at the same time that they have stimulated their hopes. The utter helplessness of the Papal Government still continues, requiring the protracted dry-nursing of the French troops. And need we say, that the insane and brutal behaviour of the King of Naples crowns the catalogue of Italian wrongs,-wrongs which loudly cry out for justice, and lead to the expectation of a speedy providential adjustment ?

A good history of the politics of Italy during the last fifty years

Brief Literary Notices.

287

was much needed. The diversity of Governments, and the complication of political movements consequent thereupon, together with the fact that peninsular affairs have only recently become topics of general interest amongst Englishmen, have been the causes of the ignorance which so generally prevails.

And, unfortunately, this ignorance has, to some extent, diverted the sympathies of our countrymen from those Italians whose constitutional efforts should fairly claim them, to the advantage of noisy republicans, whose proceedings have constituted them the best allies of Austria. Mr. Wrightson's volume will be of great utility to those who seek for truth. His narrative is simple and straightforward, and his political views are moderate. Commencing with the state of Italy under the sway of Napoleon, he refers to the condition of the peninsula at the time of the Congress of Vienna; and remarks the severity and want of tact shown by Austria in her conduct to her recovered and enlarged Italian provinces. He then describes the formation, the growth, and fatal effects of the sects which have had so unhappy an influence over the destinies of Italy. He then proceeds to tell the story of each separate State, and relates in detail the revolutionary movements of 1848-49.

Memorials of Mrs. Mary Sarson Cooper, late of Dunstable:

compiled from her Diary and Correspondence. By Henry Fish, M.A. London: J. Mason, and A. Heylin. 1855. THIS is an excellent Memoir of an accomplished lady, who, early in life, gave her heart to God, and, throughout her brief course, which yet included many trials and afflictions, held fast her confidence in Him. It consists mainly of extracts from her letters and diary, which manifest her cultivated mind and pious heart. Mr. Fish's name is of itself a sufficient guarantee for the worth of this little book; and we cordially recommend it to our readers, especially those of the gentler sex.

On the Smokeless Fire-place, Chimney Valves, and other Means, Old and New, of obtaining healthful Warmth and Ventilation. By Neill Arnott, M.D., F.R.S., F.G.S., &c., of the Royal College of Physicians, &c. London: Longman and Co. 1855.

THIS thin octavo volume is, like the author's former writings, a remarkable combination of sound principles and practical suggestions. We need only give the divisions of the book to enable our readers to understand its objects. That the execution is able, they will readily infer. The volume is divided into six parts. Part I. is entitled, "Smoke-consuming and Fuel-saving Fire-place," and shows how to remedy the three common defects of open fires,-smoke, waste, and irregular heating; Part II. treats of the "Ventilation of ordinary Dwellings;" Part III., Of "Warming in General;" Part IV., Of the "Self-regulating Fire," a most ingenious and valuable suggestion; Part V, Of" Ventilation on a large Scale, by Pumps, Fan-wheels, Shafts, &c. ;" and Part VI. points out the most efficient means of combining warmth with ventilation.

MISCELLANEA.

Medieval History. London and Edinburgh, 1855. This volume is the most recent of Messrs. Chambers' Educational Course, and not the least interesting of that able series.-The Last of the Czars: or, The Doom of Nicholas. A Romance, founded on Russian History and Traditions. By W. R. Brand. By W. R. Brand. Partridge, Oakey, and Co. The romance of this work is wisely limited to the text; our interest and admiration are restricted to the notes.-Canada. An Essay, to which was afforded the First Prize by the Paris Exhibition Committee of Canada. By J. Sheridan Hogan. Montreal. A gratifying report on the material progress of this fine country, in some respects the noblest of our colonial provinces. Two large and well-executed maps increase the value of the work.--An Inquiry into the prevailing Notion on the Freedom of the Will. By Jonathan Edwards. Howell: Liverpool. A neat edition, of convenient size, and creditable to the provincial press from which it issues.-Glimpses of Jesus: or, Christ Exalted in the Affections of His People. By W. P. Balfern. Second Edition. J. F. Shaw: London. 1855. Earnest and practical, and calculated both for popularity and usefulness.— Thought and Language. An Essay having in view the Revival, Correction, and Exclusive Establishment of Locke's Philosophy. By B. H. Smart. Longman. 1855. A very sensible little book, by one whose services to English literature have not been duly acknowledged. As a metaphysical writer, Mr. Smart has the great merits of precision and conciseness.-An Essay on the Existence and Attributes of God. By the Rev. Patrick Booth, A.M. A creditable summary of Christian evidences, but written in a harsh, uninteresting style.-Indestructibility: One of the great Truths proclaimed by Nature and Science, traced throughout surrounding Things, from a Bit of Coal up to the Soul of Man. By Henry G. Cooper. An ingenious argument, but not, as it appears to us, of any great value. Indeed, all the natural arguments for immortality are most defective, and do as much for the spirit of a brute as the soul of a man. Happily, revealed truth makes the desired distinction; and, coming in aid of human consciousness, substitutes a profound assurance for rational demonstration.-Learning and Working. Six Lectures.— The Religion of Rome, and its Influence on Modern Civilization. Four Lectures. By F. D. Maurice, M.A. A certain tone of originality and vigour imparts an agreeable flavour to all the writings of Mr. Maurice. Yet we are at some loss to account for this author's popularity. When his matter is least objectionable, it is often most unprofitable; and with an evident ambition to be highly practical, he is usually (as it appears to us) very vague in his teaching. The first part of the volume before us strikingly illustrates this defect; but the second series of Lectures is of superior merit, embodying many just and discriminating views.-Creation's Testimony to its God; or, The Accordance of Science, Philosophy, and Revelation. By Thomas Ragg. Second Edition. Longman and Co. An eloquent and copious plea for natural and revealed religion; and none the less worthy of our confidence because it is the animated prose of a poet.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, 32, LONDON-WALL.

THE

LONDON QUARTERLY REVIEW.

JANUARY, 1856.

ART. I.-1. Sacred Annals: or, Researches into the History and Religion of Mankind. By GEORGE SMITH, F.S.A., Member of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, of the Royal Society of Literature, of the Irish Archæological Society, &c. London: Longmans :

Vol. I. The Patriarchal Age: or, The History and Religion of Mankind, from the Creation to the Death of Isaac: deduced from the Writings of Moses and other inspired Authors; and illustrated by copious References to the ancient Records, Traditions, and Mythology of the Heathen World.

Vol. II. The Hebrew People: or, The History and Religion of the Israelites, from the Origin of the Nation to the Time of Christ: deduced from the Writings of Moses and other inspired Authors; and illustrated by copious References to the ancient Records, Traditions, and Mythology of the Heathen World.

Vol. III. The Gentile Nations: or, The History and Religion of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks, and Romans; collected from ancient Authors and Holy Scripture, and including the recent Discoveries in Egyptian, Persian, and Assyrian Inscriptions: forming a complete Connexion of Sacred and Profane History, and showing the Fulfilment of Sacred Prophecy.

2. The Doctrine of the Cherubim: being an Inquiry, Critical, Exegetical, and Practical, into the Symbolical Character and Design of the Cherubic Figures of Holy Scripture. GEORGE SMITH, F.A.S., &c. London: Longmans.

By

THE inquiries embraced in the subject of these volumes are deeply interesting and important. They bring us into contact

with the earliest races of mankind, and relate to the most solemn and difficult problems of our condition. In a merely antiquarian point of view, they have strong claims on our attention; but to the philosopher investigating the ultimate causes of all existing human phenomena, and to the statesman seeking among the annals of the past for the principles which should guide and govern the present policy of nations, they are of the highest importance. Above all, do they demand the earnest study of every enlightened Christian. To him it is of the utmost consequence to arrive at a true appreciation of the primitive condition of man; to ascertain the origin and progress of those complicated evils which every where meet his gaze, and afflict his soul; and to trace the course of that scheme of revealed truth and mercy with which his own hopes, and those of the world, are all identified. The divinity of his religion, the truth and authority of those documents in which it is embodied, its adaptation to the spiritual wants of mankind, and its final triumph in the world, are all bound up with these investigations. Many subordinate questions, too,-such as would almost exclusively attract the attention of the mere philosopher and statesman, are to him invested with a solemn and thrilling interest, in consequence of their connexion with these fundamental topics. Man's material and temporal condition has always been more affected by his religion than by any thing else. chief causes of individual and national well-being or misery are of a religious nature. The principal reasons of the greatness or littleness, the prosperity or adversity, the growth or the decay, of nations, are to be found in the history of their several religions.

The

The student of history must, of course, first of all settle the proper method of inquiry. Especially, he must verify the documents on which he is dependent. This, indeed, is often a laborious process; becoming more difficult as we go higher up the stream of time, and demanding qualities of the rarest description. Patience, candour, critical acumen, the ability to balance probabilities, and to decide between conflicting evidences,-a tone of mind neither too sceptical, nor too credulous,-are indispensable. The most remote records of history are generally the least trustworthy; but to decide upon their genuineness, and the authenticity of their contents, is the historian's first task. In the majority of cases, even of genuine documents, truth and fable are strangely commingled; and it is no small part of one's work to unravel the tangled web, and separate the threads of truth from the texture of myth and legend. Niebuhr, Arnold, Grote, and Macaulay have done good service to the cause of truth in this respect; and, however we may regret the loss, in point of historic value, of some of the beautiful