and merely reflects the dull actual; and this is the state in which art is at the present time, and to which it has been tending for two centuries and a half." Mr. Wallace writes also of the "Law of the development of Gothic Architecture," "The Principle of Beauty in Works of Art," and of the "Cathedrals of the Continent," in which he evinces an extensive knowledge of the subjects, great powers of observation and description, and an unusually brilliant imagination. He expresses himself with a degree of enthusiasm at times, which shows in him, as in the artists of the fifteenth century, "the religious sentiment in excess." In another age, and under other influences this enthusiasm might have ripened naturally into the fanaticism of the Symbol and the Fane.

In a singularly beautiful description of St. Peter's, (Rome,) he says: "As you stand within the gorgeous, celestial dwelling-framed not for man's abode-the holy silence, the mysterious fragrance, the light of ever burning lamps, suggest to you that it is the home of invisible spirits,-an outer-court of heaven,-visited, perchance, in the deeper hours of a night that is never dark within its wall, by the all-sacred Awe itself." "The moral and the spiritual seem to become exquisitely sensuous in the strong beauties of this shrine of the world's hope and comfort. To the fancy of the soul, the mighty structure seems like a vast mystic organ, distilling to our hearts out of the common air of life, the music of inward and indestructible Peace; for, often as I paced those marble floors, lost in every delicious emotion that gratified intellect and taste could supply, the glories-inexhaustable, inexpressible and irresistible-of that tabernacle, always translated themselves to my spirit in strains of ideal harmonies,-touching, attendering, exalting. Assimilating from it those heavenly impressions into our sad and sorrowing natures, we become insensibly chastened, and thereby pardoned. Surely the very Angel of Consolation makes those vaulted roofs his ever-chosen dwelling-place. Thou, who, disappointed in others, or more fatally disappointed by thyself, mayest have sought restoration from Nature, from Thought, or fuom Endeavor, go, tread those long-drawn aisles, day after day, and hour with hour,-mingle thy tears with the dust that pilgrim-feet bring thither from earth's remotest borders, and thou shalt hear from the Great Loveliness indwelling there, whispers of a reconciliation with thyself and of contentment in thy hopes." We ought to be grateful that a pilgrimage to St. Peter's is not reckoned on any higher authority, an essential preliminary to penitence and reconciliation.

The Life of William H. Seward; with Selections from his Works. Edited by GEORGE E. BAKER. (pp. 410.) New York: Redfield, 1855. New Haven: T. H. Pease.

This volume was prepared to meet the demand for an edition of the Works of Mr. Seward, in a reduced and economical form. It contains a Memoir of the distinguished Statesman, embracing the incidents of his early life, and a general outline of his career as Lawyer, Politician, Governor of New York, aud Senatorial Representative from that state. The high position which Senator Seward occupies, the noble and consistent opposition which he has made to the encroachments of slavery, have rendered him conspicuous in the Councils of the Nation, and he is regarded perhaps as in some sort the exponent of northern sentiment on that subject. The book was therefore prepared at the proper time to gratify the numerous friends and admirers of Mr. Seward. We do not think, however, that the life of Mr. Seward, or any other living man, can be properly written. All the censure, or all the praise which might justly be recorded of the dead, may not be with propriety, of the living, and is not likely to be. The suspicion naturally arises that the memoirs of the living are not generally prepared to subserve any public interest, so much as to do some personal service to the subject, and redound to the interest of Editor and Publisher. Nevertheless, there is much in this life of Mr. Seward of permanent value; and those who wish to possess the history of his course respecting the Compromises of 1850, and the violation of the Missouri Compact, and his eloquent and comprehensive speeches on these and other subjects of interest, cannot be more easily gratified than by the purchase of this book.

Notes on Duels and Dueling; Alphabetically arranged; with a Preliminary Historical Essay. By LORENZO SABINE. (pp. 394.) Crosby, Nichols & Co. Boston: 1855. S. Babcock, New Haven.

"These notes," says the Author, "are simply the results of common and every-day reading, observation, and conversation, for a series of years, in this particular direction." It is a book of warnings; well adapted for a southern market, where it is hoped it may make a salutary impression. The trifles out of which most duels grow illustrate the two-fold character of the "Code of Honor,"-its puerility and barbarity. "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. So the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things; it setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and it is set on fire of hell." We are happy to record that of late among southern gentlemen, there have been some instances of dignified, Christian bearing, under those

wordy insults which ordinarily lead to duels. They have recognized the authority of a Higher Law than "the Code of Honor."

Aleck, and The Mutineers of the Bounty; or Thrilling Incidents of Life on the Ocean. Being the History of Pitcairn's Island, and a remarkable illustration of the Influence of the Bible. New Edition, revised and enlarged. (p. 176.) John P. Jewett & Co. Boston: 1855.

This book, chiefly the production of the late Prof. N. W. Fisk of Amherst College, has been revised and enlarged by Rev. S. W. Hanks, Corresponding Secretary of the Boston Seamen's Friend Society. It is a most remarkable and instructive narrative; fitted to interest and impress the minds of those "who go down to the sea in ships," and convince them of the Divine origin and renovating power of Christianity.

The Daily Monitor; being a portion of Scripture, an Anecdote, and a verse of a Hymn for every day in the year. By Rev. JOHN ALLEN. With an Introduction by Rev. E. N. KIRK. John P. Jewett & Co. 1855. Boston: for sale by Thomas H. Pease, New Haven.

This little work appears to be an interesting and efficient aid to religious meditation. Many Christians are indebted to books of this general character for an intimate acquaintance with particular passages of Scripture, and for subjects of profitable reflection day by day.

A Christian Gift: or Pastoral Letters. By Rev. F. DE W. WARD, late Missionary at Madrass, and author of India and the Hindoos." Second Edition. Rochester: E. Darrow & Brother, 1854.

A small volume of very useful advice to young Christians. The Westminster Shorter Catechism; with Analysis, Scriptural Proofs,Explan atory and Practical Inferences and Illustrative Anecdotes. By Rev. JAMES R. Boyd. 1854. M. W. Dodd, New York. F. T. Jarman, New Haven.

The peculiarity of this work is an effort to analyze the orig inal answers of the Catechism, and turn them to some practical account. The plan here pursued will doubtless impress the doctrines and duties inculcated in this little manual more vividly on the minds of youthful readers.

Prayer for Colleges; a Premium Essay, written for the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West. By W. S. TYLER, Professor of Greek in Amherst College. New York: M. W. Dodd. New Haven: F. T. Jarman.

The great importance of the subject of this Essay, in its bearing on the interests both of the Church and the State, seemed to require an extended and thorough discussion. The first chapters are occupied with a clear enforcement of the duty of prayer in general; the illustration of prayer, as the

great spiritual force in the world; and the great need to the church of the spirit of believing prayer, as a means of relig ious strength, and necessary to success in the constant conflict with worldliness and impiety. The remaining chapters unfold the history and design of Colleges, and their relation to the interests of the church and the world. The book deserves a careful reading by a multitude of readers. A more particular and extended notice of this Essay, is necessarily deferred to the next Number.

Sabbath Morning Readings on the Old Testament, pp. 347; and The Daily Life: or Precepts and Prescriptions for Christian Living. By Rev. JOHN CUMMING, D. D., Minister of the Scottish National Church, London. pp. 279. 1855. John P. Jewett & Co., Boston. For sale by Thos. H. Pease, New Haven. We cannot too earnestly commend these books to the Christian public. They are adapted to supply a widely extended want, which religious newspapers and magazines cannot meet. Even the books of Leviticus is found by this instructive author to be full of the great truths of the Gospel. "The Daily Life" abounds in practical thoughts, and is eminently fitted to afford guidance and encouragement to those whom duty calls to a busy life. They will learn by these pages how "true religion may enter into every relation, transaction and toil; and not only regulate them, but give energy of heart and strength of hand to fulfill them."

The Rich Kinsman. The History of Ruth the Moabitess. By Rev. STEPHEN H. TYNG, D. D., Rector of St. George's Church, New York. pp. 425. 1855. Robert Carter & Brothers, New York.

This work is an attractive, spiritual commentary on the Book of Ruth; originally presented by this popular and evangelical minister to his congregation in the form of Sabbath-afternoon lectures. The straying into the land of Moab of a family of Israelites, is made to illustrate the sorrows of the wanderer from God. The conversion of the youthful idolater, her acquaintance, and subsequent union with the rich kinsman, her peaceful life and excellent character, serve for the preacher to show the blessedness of the sinner's return to God, the riches of divine grace, the joys of forgiveness and salvation. The book is replete with plain, pointed religious instruction, and will doubtless find a multitude of interested and edified readers.

The Living Temple. Philadelphia: American Sunday School Union. (pp. 90.) Alice Clifford, and her Day Dreams. Philadelphia: American Sunday School Union. (pp. 208.)

Catacombs of Rome. Philadelphia: American Sunday School Union. (p. 250, 12mo.) For sale by F. T. Jarman, New Haven.

"The Living Temple" is a narrative of simple and earnest piety struggling with the common trials of life. It exhibits a

character of great beauty and elevation, in the midst of many disadvantages. It has this value, that to many readers who are placed in the same, or like circumstances, it is real and practical. It marks out their own path, that they may trace their own difficulties and sorrows, and may know their true support and relief, and that they may see what flowers of the sweetest fragrance touched by a divine hand, and what fountains of blessing may spring up by the way-side of an humble life.

"Alice Clifford and her Day Dreams" is a work of uncom mon ability. A skillful hand here delineates distinctly the movements and acts of the mind and heart, and sets them forth in a living narrative, so that they stand before us as the facts of an outward life, or as interesting and striking objects, which pass in succession before the sight. With some changes of lights and shades of facts and details it is the correct mental biography of many a young person, and a likeness of himself so plain, and obvious, that he may recognize it; and therefore it cannot fail to be useful in exciting and assisting the act of reflection, and thus repressing wrong and mischievous habits, which are more dangerous because they lie under the surface, and are unseen and secret.

"The Catacombs of Rome" treats of a subject out of the common range in an interesting manner and is therefore striking and attractive by its novelty. A great variety of information concerning these singular excavations and their uses has been collected by diligent research. The facts of past history and the details of the description are skillfully mingled. The writer is our guide, conducting us by his torch through the labyrinths of the past, and exploring its dark passages. We are carried back to the early ages of the Christian church, and contemplate their simplicity and holy affection, their selfdenial and self-sacrifice, in contrast with the later ages of Rome, their darkness and superstition, their worship of relics and images, and their wickedness and delusion. We have presented to us a book of records of former times, dug out of the earth, and brought up out of the darkness and dust of centuries, that we may read in it, and be instructed.

Harpers' Gazetteer of the World.

We gave our opinion of this work, as far as it was completed, in our last Number, and now that it is finished, we have only to repeat our commendation-that it is compiled with great care and accuracy, well printed and supplied with good maps; in short, is one of the best works of its class.