24 OCTOBER 1846, Page 18

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The Emigrant. By Sir Francis B. Head, Bart.

Wit and Bunton selected from the English Poets; with an Illastratirt Essay, and Critical Comments. By Leigh Hunt. The Recreation; a Gift-book for Young Readers. With Engravings. Geological Observations on South America; being the Third Part of the Geology of the Voyage of the Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, ii. N., during the years 1832 to 1836. By Charles- Darwin, M.A., F.R.S., F.G.S., Naturalist to the Expedition. Published under the appro- val of the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury.

The Country-House and other Poems. By James Prior, F.S.A., M.B.LA., &c.; Author of ""The Life of Burke," &c.

The Pre-Adamite Earth: Contributions to Theological Science. By John Harris, D. D., Author of the "Great Teacher," &c. [This is the first volume of a series which is to unite science and revelation; and to treat of God, creation in its successive stages, "individual man, the family, the nation, the Son of God as the second Adam, the Lord from heaven,' the church which he has founded, the revelation which he has completed, and the future prospects of humanity." Of this wide field, the volume before us deals with God, the necessity of his existence, and his attributes, a general review of the origin and progress of the Pre-Adamite world, as well as organic and sentient life. The principle on which the author works is really that of the Schoolmen, which Bacon overthrew. He first assumes certain problems as true, and then proceeds to argue downwards from them, sticking all the time in gene- ralities. The book is very ingenious in itsairy logic, and not devoid of occasional eloquence, or that loose kind of knowledge picked up from desultory scientific reading.: but the friends of Dr. Harris would do well to advise him not to con- tinue the series.] The Stars and the Earth; or Thoughts upon Space, Time, and Eternity. [An attempt to illustrate the omniscience of the Deity by the manner in which light travels. It is calculated by astronomers that three years elapse before a ray of light from the nearest fixed star reaches us, whilst that from a star of the twelfth magnitude has to -travel four thousand years. Assume an eye with suffi- cient strength to see not only light but actions, and we can conceive a Deity om- niscient without being omnipresent excepting with the mind's eye. In addition, however, to a long sight, there must be an Argus-like power of seeing very many things at once, as well as of looking through walls, as the author observes. The idea 18 ingenious, but net very successful in its end.] Scientific Dialogues; intended for the Instruction and Entertainment of Young People; in which the first principles of Natural and Experimental Philosophy are fully explained. By the Reverend J. Joyce; with Correc- tions and Improvements by Dr. Olinthus Gregory. A new edition, con- tabling the recent Additions to Science. By Charles V. Walker, of the Electrical Society, Editor of the "Electrical Magazine," &c. [Me author of these Dialogues was a Dissenting minister, of principles so Liberal as to have been included with Hardy and Horne Tooke in the well-known prose- cutions for high treason. Among his various publications, the Dialogues be- came so popular that Dr. Gregory revised and improved them, when their matter required to be brought up to the then state of science; and it seems, their power of blending instruction and amusement is still deemed so great as to ad- mit of a second adaptation of that kind-] The Syrian Churches; their Early History, Liturgies, and Literature. With a Literal Translation of the Four Gospels, from the Peschito, or Canon of Holy Scripture in use among the Oriental Christians from the earliest times. By G. W. Etheridge.

I. This volume contains a good many particulars relating to the history, doctrines, divines, antiquities and literature of the Oriental Churches; though sometimes depending upon traditional or doubtful authority. To this compendium of facts

Etheridge has appended a literal translation of the Gospels of the old Syriac. It is a curious publication.]

British Consuls Abroad; their Origin, Rank, and Privileges, Duties, Juris- diction, and Emoluments; including the Laws, Orders in Council, and Instructions by which they. are governed, as well as those relating to shipowners and merchants in their connexion with Consuls. By Robert Fynn, Esq., Barrister-at-law. [The greater part of this volume consists of orders in Council, official circulars, and acts of Parliament, either directly bearing upon the duties of a Consul, or involving. questions which his position must constantly call upon him to consider. The ongmal matter is slight, and might be further condensed by the omission of the writer's mere opinions. The book, however, is a mercantile and marine utility, from the authoritative documents it contains, which are here collected for the first time.] The White Stone Canoe; or the Better Land. By Percy B. St. John, Author of "The Trapper's Bride," &c. [The -White Stone Canoe is scarcely equal to the two former tales of Mr. Percy. B. St. John; not from any falling-off in the literary execution, but from the cha- racter of his subjects, which are not only not pleasing, both in their Pale-face and Indian aspects, but from this cause inspire little sympathy.] Indian Railways. By an Old Indian Postmaster. Second edition. [This publication contains an exposition of the political and military importance of railways in India, as well as of their social and commercial advantages; followed by a general view of the districts best adapted to their formation,. and an analysis of the (Efferent lines proposed, with some practical data. There is nothing of grasp or power in the general views, but the obvious and favourable points are well brought together from the evidence and writings upon the subject. The analysis, and the decisions in favour or against particular lines, seem just, though there is a touch of partisanship in the tone.]

Bradshaw's Monthly Railway and Steam Navigation Guide.

[The new feature of this well-known and useful publication, or rather the feature that is to be new next month, is an improved map. Instead of having lines in progress and projection presented to bewilder him, the traveller will now have nothing but railways on which he can traveL This alteration not only simplifies the map for reference, but improves its appearance.]