PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

From Ain il 19th to April 25th.

BocKS.

On Holy Virginity ; ith a Brief Account of the Life of St. Ambrose, (from whom the tract is derived.) By ALBANY J. CHRISTIE, M.A., Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. The Lift of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. From the Latin of ST. BONAVENTIIRE. Newly translated for the MC of members of the Church of England.

[The title of the tract of the " Saint and Father" AMBROSE eufficiently indi- cates its character, though it is nor so silly in its recommendations as might be inferred ; consisting chiefly of mystic exhortations and directions to those who have become the "spouse of Christ." Saint BONAVENTERE was a Rornish priest of the order of St. Francis, who flourished in the thirteenth century, a period when superstition was at its height. His Lift of Christ is not so much a biography as a series of hortatives or aids to reflection ; taking the different remarks of the Saviour, or the scenes in which he was engaged, as the text fur a short sermon—not, however, like the discourse of am English diviue, but the wayside outpourings of the South of Europe. The spirit of the work is of an amiable and devout kind, but very ignorant, aud grossly superstitious. To many minds in the Protestant churches, unaccustomed to the familiarity with which fervid ignorance speaks of sacred things, the good Saint, indeed, will appear rather blasphemous ; and much of his work is pure invention—a religious romance. A defence of this process of supplying deficiencies in Scrip- ture is set up in the introduction, on the plea that errinething besides what the sacred narrative tells muat have taken place, and by a reference to Paradise Lost. But poetical fiction, which depends upon nothing hut such authority is its inherent truth and power can command, is a very different thing from a book of instruction, put forward as real and true in its facts and its doctrines. The Life of our Lord, however, does not merely fill up Scripture, and irreve- rently, in a Protestant sense, but desiates from it. There is no Scriptural warrant, for example, fr.r tile worship of guardian angels: the idea is heathen- ish, and derived from the Genii or Lama.

" You see," says the Saint," how faithfully our guardian angels wait upon us ; and I will take this occasion of saying somewhat more about them. I should wish you then to understand, that we ought to practise great reverence to- wards them, and daily to praise and honour them, render them thanks, and, as in their presence, seeing they are always with us, to allow ourselves in nothing shameful or wrong, either iu thought, word, or deed. And this same warning is given by St. Bernard in his sermon on the Psalm Whnso dwelleth.' 'He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.' How ought this say ing to fill you with reverence, to inflame you with devotion, and to inspire you with confidence l—reverence at such a presence, devotion fur mielt good-will, confidence in such a guardianship. Tread cautiously when angels are by, for charge is given them over all your ways. In every resting. place, and in every corner of the street, demean yourself with reverence to- wards your angel."

If people choose to worship saints or guardian angels, they are of course welcome to do so, or to recommend the practice. But the case before us really wears an appearance of a fraudulent object aimed at by means of false colours. The titlepage of this book professes it to be intended for "the use of members of the Church of England"; though we suspect the bulk of that

body would reject it, and often with disgust. But this is not all: the two publications before us emanate from the same publisher as the Life of " Saint " STEPHEN Hannisia, and each appears to spring from a different individual, (though apparently a clergyman or person designed for the church,) so as really to wear the air of a "conspiracy." Let us not be misunderstood. Every man, whether Puseyite or any thing else, has an undoubted right to promulgate what views of religion lie pleases; he has also the same undoubted right to combine with others for that purpose; but be has no right to do it fraudulently or under false colours. No one is bound to uphold the views of a corporation when they oppose his own ; but "conscience " is an idle plea for taking the privileges and profits of membership, yet endeavouring all the time to disseminate views which that corporation is bound to oppose. It is still more wrong to take advantage of a privileged character to pervert or seduce minds over which in- fluence may be gained by the prima facie possession of that character.

In a literary point of view, the Life is curious, and is worth examination by those who knowing what they have to expect from its perusal will not be taken by surprise. The introduction is distinguished by much subtilty of argu- ment, and much scholastic elegance of style, as well as by personal amiability of feeling.] The Reiigious Life and Opinions of Frederick William lIL King of

Prussia ; as narrated by the Very Reverend R. Fa. EYLERT, D.D., Bishop in the United Evangelical Church of Prussia, &c Translated from the German by JONATHAN Broca, Holder of the Prussian Great Gold Medal of Homage; Author of "Fifty-one Original Fables and Morals," &c.

[Bishop EYLERT was the confidential divine or Protestant confessor of the fate King of Prussia ; and he has published some autobiographical reminis- cences, from which this volume is selected ; the translator, Mr. BIRCH, cou- fining himself to the religious traits and characteristics of the Monarch. If the translator has fulfilled his intention with common care, Dr. EYLERT has made but slender use of his opportunities, or FREDERICK 'WILLIAM must have been fully as humdrum a personage as NAPOLEON described him, though very " talkee talkee " in the shallow-profound way. There is but one proper anecdote of doings in the volume ; and that relates to the legitimatizing the four illegitimate children of an official, respecting which the Bishop presented a petition, but was "sternly "repelled, although his Majesty, having privately inquired into all the particulars of the bygone transaction, subsequently con- sented to grant the prayer. Of the sayings of the King there are plenty. The most important is a reminiscence of the battle of Culm, which was won not by himself, but, humanly speaking, by accident. The following is about the smartest- " He disliked all hair-aplitting and microscopic explanations ; and therein his views and judgments were tree, exalted, and tolerant. Not without a savour of irony he recounted 'how, when he was in Holland, he heard a Dutch dominie preach, who expounded every word of his text, even to the conjunctions and articles, and then elaborately discussed what quality of stones those were on which Christ stool when before Pontius Pilate, in the great hall of the palace— pronouncing them to be mosaic ! ' "

The title of King's Confessor is not to be understood in the Romish sense, but merely means a confidential clergyman, to whom the puzzled or penitent

sinner may have recourse upon any point that troubles him. Much of what the Bishop calls confession is contained in the volume, but there is marvellous little of doubt or difficulty in the Prussian Head of the Church. These con- fessions, indeed, are a species of outpouring, mingled with self-laudation on the part of his Majesty, and free remarks on publicans and sinners.] The Night- Voices, and other Poems ; and The Steward, a Drama, in five acts. By HENRY SOCCER, Esq., Author of "The Lords of Effing- ham," &c.

[Excepting some scenes in the drama of " The Steward," the longest piece in the book, the whole of these poems are youthful productions, published for friends, and perhaps from the itch or habit of publication. In one point of view,. they are entitled to praise ; for the diction is sonorous, the versification not devoid of harmony, and the images what is called poetical. The want of Mr. SPICER is want of independent individuality. We meet something like his poems everywhere. Open an annual or a magazine, and tea chances to one

but is found, which, if not exactly like, will serve the turn as

w A Voice from Palace Yard! Addressed to Sir Robert Peel and Members of both Houses of Parliament. By GEORGE CANNING. [ The statue of GEORGE CANNING is supposed to speak from its place in Pa- lace Yard, and tell why he turns his back on the Houses of Parliament. The why seems to consist in the degenerate character of the present Members; several of whom he passes in review. There is a brisk and fluent style about the verses, with here and there a bit ; but the thing is deficient in power, closeness, and acumen. As far as matter and strength are in question, the

Voice from Palace Yard might be made by a versification of the smart remarks of a second-rate newspaper.]

Philip; a Tragedy. By ALFIERI. Translated by CHARLES ORLANDO CHILDE.

[A translation of ALFIERI'S first drama on the subject of Philip the Second of Spain and his son Dun Carlos. The translation seems respectable, though somewhat prosaic, and with lame line,: but even had the peculiar powers of ALFIERI been preserved, it may be questioned whether a translation of this tragedy was wanted; for the subject is unpleasant in itself, and not improved by the Italian's treatment.] English Songs, and other small Poems. By BARRY CORNWALL A

new edition.

[A neat and cheap little volume, matching in appearance with Mr. MOXON'S. editions of TALFOGR WS Tragedies and LEIGH BENT'S Poems. It it not alto- gether a reprint : BARRY CORNWALL has taken the opportunity to strike out about forty songs " of inferior quality," adding some seventy new ones, together with a few other poems and dramatic scenes.]

Buds of Thought ; or a Century of original Enigmas, Charades, &c.; to which are added an equal number carefully selected from other Authors. By a Lady. [A pretty little volume, forming a source of amusement to those who take an interest in puzzling their brains to solve riddles. For our parts, we like to consider the enigma when we know the answer, as the mind is then at liberty to test the execution. For people of this taste, or those who are not dabs at a solution, the answers to all the puzzles are given in the volume.]

A Practical Treatise or: Congestion and Inactivity of the Liver; showing some of the effects produced by these disorders on the most important organs of the body. Illustrated by cases. By FREDERICK J. Mos- GROVE, surgeon. [A. little hook containing a plain account of the functions of the liver, and the effect which its derangements may produce on other organs, illustrated by cases. Mr. MOSGROVE appears to be impressed with the idea that he is an- nouncing discoveries ; but, unless perhaps in his ideas of the action of biliary derangement upon the heart, we see nothing new in the publication. Exercise, regimen, and alterative doses of calomel and blue pill as a basis with some com- mon ruljuvans, are surely no novelty in the treatment of a sluggish liver: nor is there much in the opinion that the lungs often suffer from a disease of the liver, and that although in such cases the cough should not be lost sight of in prescribing, the principal point is the primary disease.] A Brief Description of the Characters of Minerals; forming a familiar Introduction to the science of Mineralogy. By EDWARD J. Cum.- MAN, Author of "Practical Mineralogy." [There are two distinctive traits in minerals,—one "external," as hardneee, specific gravity ; the other "chemical," consisting of the substances detected on the decomposition of the mineral. This little volume treats of the best mode of testing the nature of minerals by each method, and points out the degree of' certainty attendant on each experiment. It is only designed as an introductioa to larger works, especially to the author's Practical Mineralogy ; but it is com- plete as far as it goes.]

SERIALS.

The Bondmaid. To which is added, Axel and Anna; or a Correspond- ence between Two Stories of the Same House. By FREERIKA BREMER. Authoress of Strife and Peace," &c. (Smith's Standard Library.) Sintram and his Companions; a Tale of the North. From the German of FREDERIC Baron DE Lt. MOTTE Fourauk, Author of " Undine." (Smith's Standard Library.) [Two additions to the translated series of " Smith's Standard Library." We believe the version of the tales of FREDRIRA Batmen is a forestalling of MARY HOWITT ; these stories being all that are now wanted to complete her series of translations.] The Practice of the Water Cure. By JAMES WILSON, M.D. Part L [A pamphlet consisting of " cases " and letters from non-medical patients, vouching wonders for the cold-water cure. Some account of the practice of the system also appears, and a few opinions on the subject from medical men.] Kohl's Travels in Ireland, Parts III. and IV.

ILLUSTRATED WORKS AND PRINTS.

Pocket Chart of Foreign Architecture. Chronologically arranged by ARCHIBALD BARRINGTON, M.D.

[A. graphic epitome of the distinguishing characteristics of the various styles of architecture, chronologically arranged ; showing at a glance the leading features of the buildings of different periods, by examples turd details. The chart folds into a cover which includes a little " Manual,' explanatory of the delineations ; written in a popular style, with technical exactness of information.]

Roberts's Sketches of the Holy Land, 6-c. Part XIV. [The magnificent ruins of Baalbec form the subjects of the plates in this part. 'rbeir grand proportions and superb architecture are delineated with precision and boldness by Mr. ROBERTS; whose power of representing large and solid masses of stone is extraordinary. He understands the art of lesving out ; and Mr. HAGUE is equally a master of that essential ingredient in breadth of effect his management of the neutral tint and white lights of the lithographs is com- summately skilful.] Britials Moths, No. XXX.