body of clergy were organized for the special work of preaching and exhorting, under the Bishop's sanction, throughout his diocese. Such clergy might most properly be connected with the Cathedral Church, and might be licensed by the Bishop for temporary Service in parishes where their presence was desired by the parochial clergy. We believe that such an institution would be of great service in parishes of unmanageable size, in those which might have been injured by past ministerial neglect, by the action of demoralizing influences, or by the inculcation of Roman or other error; and lastly, that it would tend, in a beneficial manner, to supply wants arising from such inequalities in ministerial gifts as must be found in so numerous a body as the English clergy.

"In conclusion, we are of opinion that, inasmuch as the efficiency of the Church depends mainly on the adequate discharge of the duties of the episcopal office, and as it was the design of our Reformers to erect a large number of additional sees, and as the population of England and Wales has since their time been multiplied nearly fivefold, while the episcopate has received scarcely any augmentation in the last three centuries, it deserves attentive consideration, whether for the due performance of the Church's missionary work, an increase in the episcopate is not now necessary, especially in our great centres of population."

We are so thankful to see such a move that we will not for a moment enter into a consideration of details. Something must be done, and that soon; and for their Lordships' report we cannot be too grateful. We hope that the time will yet come when some measures will be taken to relax the binding character of the "Act of Uniformity;" though such a step must be taken by those in authority, since irregular, individual movements are ever dangerous, and produce no little mischief. Whilst upon this subject we may express a fervent hope, that the offer of Mr. Walker to provide a much needed Bishop for Cornwall will be accepted, and a measure fraught with so much good, will be ere long carried out. In the Upper House it was also decided to have a committee of both houses for the consideration of the vexed question of Church Rates, from which no little practical good may be fairly expected.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

The new volume of "Christian Biography," is one which opens out a new field of view to most English Churchmen, who know generally speaking, but very little of the lights of any communion but their own. Lives of

Russian Prelates, is one of the most interesting volumes we have read for a long time, containing the lives of Nikon, S. Demetrius, and Michael, and a brief but useful introduction by the Rev. R. Thornton, Fellow of S. John's College, Oxford. Nikon was the son of simple peasants, and was born at a time of great excitement in matters ecclesiastical and civil. He early felt a desire to enter the monastic life, but yielding to the wishes of his parents, he consented to become a Parish Priest. After being married for ten years, he retired into monastic seclusion, and subsequently became Archimandrite of the Novospassky monastery, where he became the friend of the Tsar.

"Some secret influence," says his biographer, "seemed to bind together the monarch and the Archimandrite. Alexis was a deeply religious man, humble, and of keen sensibility; but it is very seldom that devotional princes are at the same time strong of mind and firm of purpose. In their case there seems to be the strongest possible contrast between the wisdom of this world and that which is above, the council table and the altar, the weapon of carnal warfare and the sword of the Spirit, the wrath of man and the righteousness of GOD. And so it was with Alexis. Quiet, loving, self-denying, self-distrusting, he seemed to be drawn irresistibly to one whose character presented in several points so striking a contrast to his own: and to cling with confiding friendship to the stern, resolute, and inflexible Nikon, just as the fruitful vine holds fast by the tree, which, though barren, and inferior in grace, sustains it by superior strength. And a kind of fascination too seems to have attended upon Nikon. The peasant-boy and hermit, uneducated, without knowledge of the world, or of man, suddenly emerged from his cell, a courtier, and companion for royalty itself." For three years Nikon was on terms of close intimacy with his sovereign, and advised him on matters of state as well as religion. At the end of this time he became metropolitan of Novgorod, stipu lating however before he accepted the see that certain obnoxious regulations should not be enforced in his diocese. The labours of Nikon in the Patriarchate, and his unceasing efforts in Church reform are admirably told. To the Church he was faithful against the claims

of the state. Accusations were brought against him, and every effort made to poison the Tsar's mind. At length worn out by constant care, he laid aside his episcopal vestments, dressed himself in the garb of a monk, and though the people entreated him with tears not to abdicate, yet he was fully resolved to do so, saying that if others than he were to administer the office of superintending the affairs of the Church, which belonged to him alone, he could not be their Primate. He was some years after deposed, and sent to end his days in a monastery. For the interesting details of so chequered a life, as well as that of S. Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostoff, we refer our readers to the volume itself, which we hope they will all soon possess. The lesson derived from the life of Nikon is well put by Mr. Thornton, and is one moreover full of comfort. "So it is with those who in the midst of a perverse and ungodly generation, set themselves to work the works of GOD. Taunts and revilings may pursue them, cruel persecution and calumny may overtake and crush them, that the excellency of the power may be not of them but of GOD," but their memorial does not perish with them; their LORD thinketh upon them for good, according to all that they have done for His people, "their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth for evermore; the people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will show forth their praise."

A beautiful and touching Memoir of Helen Inglis, by the Bishop of BRECHIN, illustrating patience perfected by suffering, may well claim circulation, among invalids to whom it will give comfort, and the healthy whom it will instruct.

The Churchman's Library progresses, the last numbers being entitled "Grace, and how to gain it ;" and "The Prayer Book, and how to use it."

We cannot but give a hearty welcome to Mr. GURNEY'S Songs of the Present. (Clarke and Beeton.) A true poet (which, in spite of idiosyncrasies, Mr. Gurney is) never discharges his high mission so well, as when he devotes his powers to the dissemination of sound principles among the people, and endeavours to cheer, instruct, and elevate them at the same time. To the "Songs of the Present,"

we give no ungrudging welcome, and trust that they will find an echo in many a breast, and that some will become household words. In the very division of the book there is somewhat of an artistic character, containing as it does Battle Ardours, Warning Voices, Voices of Hope, and Voices of Cheer. It is really a volume of, and for the people, and as such we heartily recommend it. There is much of beauty in the following, an emigrant's parting song:

"And must I cross the seas, dear wife,

And leave you here behind?

We've battled on for half a life

Through stormiest wave and wind;
And here's the end of toil and strife!
But we must be resigned.

"Remember you that bay-tree low
Beside your father's door?
You pluck'd a leaf, long, long ago,
And said, However poor,
My heart is yours for weal or woe,
And here's the token sure!'

"I've worn it, love, these many years;
"Tis bound upon my breast,

In velvet cas'd, but why those tears?
GOD knows what must be best:

I've glowing thoughts, and small, small fears,
But we shall yet be blest.

"You know I well can fortune court,

Nor arm, nor heart will tire;

Port Philip is a golden port

And golden hopes inspire;

We soon shall see our children sport
Around our own hearth-fire."

We shall on a future occasion quote one or two ballads which are as beautiful as any we ever met. Forget your old feuds, Mr. Gurney, with the critics, and go on in your work of faith and labour of love, and then our heartiest welcome shall ever be yours,

Notices to Correspondents.

F. T.-A Letter addressed to the Rev. the Principal at the College, will obtain every information.

"If we do meet again, why then we'll smile :

If not, why then this parting was well made."

Julius Cæsar.

SINCE her return to Constantinople, Anna Patellari had lived in the most obscure and retired manner. The sale of some jewels had provided her with the necessaries of life, and she was desirous of escaping public observation, as well because the infamy of her husband was known far and wide through the city, as because the share she had taken in his liberation, though only suspected, would not bear legal inquiry; and she was anxious to avoid giving occasion for it. She lived, then, in an obscure lane in the very heart of the city, in the house of a poor woman to whom, in the days of her prosperity, she had been kind, and who now showed her gratitude by attending her former benefactress with all possible zeal and devotion. She had not even ventured to see Theodora ; not even when the infant, from whose birth she had hoped to win the affections of her husband back, was taken from the world.

But now, when rumours were rife in the city of imminent danger, when she had not another friend to apply to, and her heart was failing her both with sorrow for the past, and fear for the future, she determined to obtain an interview with the friend of her childhood. Accordingly, at dusk on the same evening, the events of