Mount Cannel. A Poem. By Edward Smyth Mercer. (London :
Whitfield, Green, and Son.)—In whatever light wo look at this little volume of verse, we are foredoomed to laughter. The so-called "poem " which gives its name to the book is a new reading of tho story of Elijah, and the contest with the prophets of Baal. We did not know till Mr. Mercer told us that this contest was between " Jove " and Baal, but neither did we know that Elijah spoke prophetically against the doctrine of the Trinity and the adoption of certain stand-points. What is the Hebrew for stand-points, by the way ? But Mr. Mercer is not content with such prophecies. Ho makes Elijah predict that the doctrine of the Trinity will be renounced by Blanco White and the third Duke of Grafton—a fact of such astonishing importance that it might well be proclaimed on "Mount Carmel." Then, too, he finds that Long- fellow's " Excelsior" has a close connection with Unitarianism, and he adds this stanza as the concluding one of the poem :— " While next his heart, on parchment found,
Well wrapt around, these lines were bound, 'Nor maid, nor home, shall mo deceive ; More gods than ONE I'll not believe.' As read the monk ho trembling fell ; He gazed on heaven, and read the spell,
Excelsior!"
But the spell is more than others can read, even in Mr. Mercer's elegant phraseology. We had marked a few other passages of equal humour, but perhaps this sample may suffice. As the author calls the Times "that grave but versatile paper," and quotes at full length from the London Journal and the London Reader, we can hardly expect him to be influenced by any words of ours.
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