CURRENT LITERATURE.
Bengal's Gnomon, to which has boon added a summary of the results of more recent orthodox criticism. The editors appear to have done their duty with judgment, and it is needless to say that a work based upon
the labours of so able a commentator as Bengal is of considerable value and utility. That portion, however, which relates to the Apocalypse stands on a different footing from the rest. "Time," we are told, "has so completely exposed the fallacy of Bengel's calculation of times and
seasons," that it has been thought wise to substitute for his speculations an epitome of Mr. Elliott's "Horn Apocalyptiem." As Mr. Elliott's views are in a great degree prceterist, they are certainly safer. We must
confess, however, that our confidence in the accuracy of his historical interpretations is not increased by what we observe him to say of our own times. Catholic emancipation and the Reform Bill are regarded, unless he is misrepresented by his epitomists, as signs of the growth of evil powers. And whence comes the amazing statement that in London
in 184.5 the issue of pernicious publications amounted to thirty millions, a number much increased since that time ? Writers of this school pro- bably include all the harmless literature of fiction and the sporting press in these frightful totals, and very likely the Spectator itself contributes to swell the number.
Previous page
