28 JANUARY 1865, Page 19

The Witness of the Eucharist; or, the Institution and Early

Celebration of the Lord's Supper considered as an evidence of the historical truth

of the Gospel narrative and of the Christian doctrine of the atonement, is unmistakeably the result of special reading. Mr. Maclear got up the subject to write the essay, and did not write the essay because he was fall of the subject. In a prize essay this, however, is no fault, because it i avowed, and indeed involved, in the very nature of such compositions, and oven if it were not, there are literary sinners enough of the same kind to keep him in countenance. Thus much, however, we are bound to add, that Mr. Maclear has thoroughly got up his subject, and has pre- cluded a very well-seasoned and well-written treatise, in which the great subject with which he deals is adequately and reverently handled.

It contains the matter of many longer treatises in a readable form, and the subject has been well digested. At a time when such subjects are eagerly studied by the public we doubt not Mr. Maclear will have many readers. Finally, let us add a very small criticism—the use of italics is excessive.