Brief Literary Notices. 561 Egyptians and of the Hebrews. The Empires of Sesostris, Ninus, and Semiramis; that of Persia, at the time of Cyrus and Darius; of the Medes, the Parthians, and the Kingdom of Macedon; the Expedition of Alexander the Great; of Cyrus the Younger, with the Retreat of the Ten Thousand; and of Hannibal,-all have distinct geographical illustrations, by full and accurate maps. The world, as first peopled after the Flood; and, as the science of Geography became illustrated by discovery, its wider range; the different States of the Grecian and Roman Empires, the countries chiefly implicated in Scripture history; the extent of Mohammedanism; the Crusades for the recovery of the Holy Land; and the various conditions of Europe, from before the invasion of the Huns, A.D. 370, down to the period of the French Revolution,—are all illustrated in this beautiful Atlas. The fifty-one maps are classified under thirtysix subjects. When we get into the defined territories and knowledge of true history, they become intensely interesting, and valuable beyond computation; and show that Geography is truly "one of the eyes of History." The importance of those maps which illustrate great expeditions, voyages, and travels, and especially the scenes of great battles, will be at once evident; and the present Atlas abounds in them. The names of places are numerous and clear, the boundaries carefully traced; and the tinting is transparent and harmonious in colouring. We should have been glad had the volume been accompanied by some letter-press introductions, containing a short history, both of the subject treated, and the authorities relied upon. And we think the page before us would have looked brighter, if the ocean-shading had not been so dark. In other respects, the execution is most beautiful; and the enterprise and labours of the spirited publishers deserve the largest public support. Messrs. Philips and Son have nearly completed a Commercial Atlas, which, from the parts we have seen, we are sure will be a fit companion volume to the present Classical one. Handbook of Natural Philosophy. By Dionysius Lardner, D.C.L., formerly Professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy in University College, London. Mechanics with 357 Illustrations. Vol. I. Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, and Heat: with 292 Illustrations. London: Walton and Maberly. 1855. THE older cultivators of science must be greatly amazed at the change in the class of introductory works since the time when they commenced their studies. Scientific instruction is now become absolutely seductive, and the royal road to learning, whose existence has so often been denied, would seem to have been actually discovered. The happy idea has been conceived and acted upon, that only the masters of a science are fit to stand at the porch and introduce aspiring candidates to its mysteries. The volumes before us may fairly be termed classical; and we cannot imagine that any one will be bold enough to attempt to provide competing Handbooks of Natural Philosophy for some time to come. The subjects are unfolded to the reader by such gradual steps, the illustrations are so simple and intelligible, and the descriptions are so devoid of mathematical technicalities, that nothing seems wanting that might urge the student on his way, or smooth the difficulties of his path. Excelsior: Helps to Progress in Religion, Science, and Literature. Vols. III. and IV. London: Nisbet. 1855. THIS serial continues fully to make good its title and professions. Each volume is welcomed by intelligent young folks as if it were a Christmas gift; and, while it maintains the intrinsic value of its predecessors, it has the freshness that belongs only to perennial verdure and bubbling springs. The articles are very condensed and brief, so that a new series is begun in each new volume. "Life in its Intermediate Forms," and " Ourselves," are papers that are deservedly popular. The notices of the most valuable publications, and ihe chief events of each month, are always acceptable. We are much delighted with the woodcuts: they are few, but they are gems, perfect gems; their force, sharpness, brilliancy, and softness, surprise us. We can only say that the young people of our circle will be sorry when the series of "Excelsior" shall close. Life and Times of the Rev. Elijah Hedding, D.D., late Senior Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By the Rev. D. W. Clark, D.D. New York: Carlton and Phillips. 1855. WE are sorry that want of space prevents our giving more than a cursory notice of this beautiful volume; beautiful in every respect,-its subject, the treatment of it, and its getting up. Bishop Hedding was born in America in 1780. He found religion among the Methodists when about eighteen years of age; and in three years he entered upon the public ministry. He was a most energetic, judicious, and faithful Minister for upwards of fifty years; "a pattern of Christian propriety and integrity, and a model Bishop." His ministry extended over a period of the greatest excitement, and full of the most pregnant events in the New World and its Churches; so that his Memoirs are replete with the most valuable information and heartstirring incidents. But it would require a lengthened article to do the most ordinary justice to topics such as these; and we must, for the present, forego the pleasure of endeavouring to portray a man whose character may challenge the strictest scrutiny, and whose life was a most illustrative comment on his teaching. The Museum of Science and Art. Edited by Dionysius Lardner, D.C.L. Illustrated by Wood Engravings. Vols. V.-VIII. London: Walton and Maberly. 1855. WE can only repeat the commendations we have before given of this beautiful series of Science made easy. The explanations are exceedingly lucid, and, although brief, they are sufficient. The Common Things" will give an ingenious youth a powerful impulse Brief Literary Notices. 563 to think, explain, and invent for himself. We are glad to see the Microscope receive a fair share of attention; and only wish that good instruments could be brought more within the reach of those whose pecuniary resources are much more narrow than their desire for knowledge. The last volume contains a very good chapter on Instinct and Intelligence, although, if our space would permit, we should find occasion to dispute some of Dr. Lardner's positions. These volumes derive immense advantage from the profusion, correctness, and beauty of their illustrations; and we consider "The Museum" to be among the most interesting, the cheapest, and best of the serials now so numerous. The Footsteps of St. Paul. By the Author of "The Morning and Night Watches," &c. Second Edition. London: Nisbet and Co. 1855. THIS belongs to a class of books which we rejoice to see multiplying. The Scripture narrative is formed into a consecutive story, and illustrated by a reference to the history and geography of the period. Much of the valuable information is reduced from the standard works of Conybeare and Howson, Kitto, and Stanley. It contains some elegant engravings. A Popular Harmony of the Bible, Historically and Chronologically arranged. By H. M. Wheeler. London: Longmans. 1855. A VALUABLE little volume, containing a well-digested harmony of the Old and New Testaments, and a compendious history of the period between the two. Mr. Wheeler has also condensed a good deal of matter in reference to various biblical subjects, such as quotations, parallels, the arrangement of prophecies, the Jewish Comments, Sects, Calendars, &c. It will be useful to heads of families, and even to lie on the study-table of Ministers; and it has our hearty commendatio n. Nineveh and Persepolis: an Historical Sketch of Ancient Assyria and Persia, with an Account of the Recent Researches in those Countries. By W. S. W. Vaux, M.A., Assistant in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum. Fourth Edition, revised and enlarged. London: Hall, Virtue, and Co. 1855. THE object of this little book is to furnish the general reader with a clear and intelligent idea of what has been accomplished in the recent discoveries in Assyria and Persia. A considerable portion of the book consists of extracts from Mr. Layard and other travellers in the East; but the author has shown great judgment in his selections, and has avoided the fault so general in abridgments,-that of sacrificing the spirit and force of the original work for the sake of conciseness. As an introduction to these accounts, we have presented to us a very clear and succinct history of the Assyrian and Persian Empires, tracing the former from its first mention in the Scriptures, down to the period of its being merged in the Persian Empire; and continuing the latter until the Mohammedan era. The illustrations, which are numerous, are taken principally from the monuments recently placed in the British Museum, and are therefore, to that extent, similar to those published in Mr. Layard's work. We think the author has well fulfilled his intentions; and that his book will be found, to use his own words, "useful to those whose object, or whose time, does not admit of separate investigation." MISCELLANEA. Letters of John Calvin, compiled from the original Manuscripts, and edited, with Historical Notes, by Dr. Jules Bonnet. Translated from the Latin and French Languages by David Constable. Vol. I. Edinburgh, 1855. The admirers of the great Reformer will shortly have no reason to complain. When this series of his voluminous correspondence is completed, in four demy octavos, nearly the whole of Calvin's writings will be accessible to the English reader. The present publication is full of interest, biographical and historical; and the general student will probably esteem it of more value than the author's famous Commentaries.-Lectures to Ladies on Practical Subjects. Cambridge: Macmillan. 1855. The topics of this volume were chosen with some reference to the "plan of a Female College for the help of the rich and the poor;" but their value is not really so limited. Many of the Lectures, as those on "Law as it affects the Poor," and on "Sanitary Law," have interest for men as well as women; and such teachers as Kingsley and Trench will always reward the attention, even when they do not completely carry the assent.- Christian Aspects of Faith and Duty. Discourses by John James Tayler, B.A. This belongs to a very unsatisfactory class of books. Mr. Tayler writes in a devout and elevated style; but the reader is startled, every now and then, by grave doubts as to his belief in the reality even of the life and death and resurrection of our Lord. The author has great admiration for the sentimental part of our religion, but seems to discourage the vulgar notion of its positive and historic basis. This is transcendental Christianity. What would Mr. Tayler think of a transcendental astronomy, which accepted the doctrines of gravitation, motion, distances, &c., but denied the existence of the heavenly bodies?-Patriarchy: or, The Family; its Constitution and Probation. By John Harris, D.D. Partridge and Oakey. 1855. The learned author proceeds with eminent success in the evolution and application of his great argument. We hope at some future time to review the series of which this volume is a part.— Agamemnon the King: a Tragedy. From the Greek of Eschylus, by William Blew, M.A. Mr. Blew has produced a very interesting volume. His translation of the Agamemnon is, in many parts, truly fine, and, in spite of some doubtful experiments in metre, we think the author has surpassed the great majority of his predecessors. His Prologue evinces a genuine poetic vein; his Preface and illustrations an equal share of learning and taste. INDEX. re- A few Words by an Orthodox Christian See Artaud, Chevalier, anecdote by, 380 Bampton Lecture, the, 481-patristic views Church, 491-interpretation of pro- Bell's "Journal of a Residence in Circas- Brief Literary Notices:-Lady Holland's Essai sur la Vie et la Doctrine de Saint- Broglie's, M. de, denunciation of the French Brown, Dr., quoted, 495, note, 497 tory" reviewed, 1. See Egypt. Coal mines, life and death in, 30-immense quantity of coal raised annually, 32- |