A Key to the Knowledge and Use of the Book
of Common Prayer. By J. H. Blunt. (Rivingtons.)—We cannot but think this book would be more useful if it did not constantly obtrude Mr. Blunt's own notions, or those of his party. What is there particularly in the Prayer-Book to show that "such follies as are talked of under the name of woman's rights are always associated with infidelity, and are contrary to the principles on which God has founded the relation of woman to man ?" Why must we be told, with regard to the marriage service, that "per- sons who desire to live together as man and wife without public dis- grace go to the registrar of marriages, who makes their cohabitation legal by entering it in his register book ?" Why, again, is a Dissenting preacher talked of as a layman in schismatical separation from the Church ? None of these sentiments are necessary for the true compre- hension of the Prayer-Book. We do not object so much to directions for receiving the sacrament with one open hand resting on the other, for praying that lay baptism may be pardoned if the act has been done presumptuously, and for eating nothing but a cross-bun on Good Friday. Yet even these opinions detract from the general value of the book.
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