Tell not thy opinion before required: it will look as though thou upbraidest others' ignorance, and overvaluest thy own sufficiency. Make an even account with Heaven by repentance at the end of every day; so shalt thou have but one day to repent of before thy death. REVIEW. The Students' Manual of Modern History: containing the Rise and Progress of the principal European Nations, their Political History, and the Changes in their Social Condition; together with a History of the Colonies founded by Europeans, and the general Progress of Civilization. By W. C. Taylor, LL. D., M. R. A. S., of Trinity College, Dublin. Large 12mo., pp. 519. J. W. Parker. NEARLY two years ago, (in February, 1837,) we mentioned Dr. Taylor's Manual of Ancient History, and recommended it to our readers. This Manual of Modern History completes the work, bringing it down to our own times. In these two volumes, therefore, the youthful student, and general reader, will find a complete sketch of the history of mankind, from the earliest period to that in which we ourselves live; and as we think that no person, except he be willing to remain in indolent ignorance, ought to be unacquainted with the history of the world in which he lives, we recommend these two Manuals as containing sufficient information for all who only require a general outline; and as well calculated to prepare the student for those more advanced historical studies which he contemplates. To the former, it will be an historical library of itself; to the latter, it will be a useful guide, however large the library to which they may have access. Divine Inspiration: or, the Supernatural Influence exerted in the Communication of Divine Truth; and its special Bearing on the Composition of the Sacred Scriptures. With Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. E. Henderson, Doctor in Philosophy. 8vo. pp. 574. Jackson and Walford. THIS very useful volume is intended for students and divines; but as we believe our "Reviews" not only assist in the formation of juvenile, but of Sunday-school libraries, and that they direct the more advanced class of our readers to suitable works for their perusal, we have resolved to mention Dr. Henderson's work, even though it has now been published between two and three years. In addition to his very valuable remarks on the Inspiration of the Sacred Volume, Dr. Henderson examines the whole question of divine communications of truth, and brings before the reader a condensed, but luminous, account of a subject which has occupied the attention of some of the wisest and most learned men. We have no hesitation in speaking of the volume as being, in small compass, a library of information on the momentous topics to which the title-page refers. We call them momentous; and if these are not, what subjects are there which deserve the name? Here is a book which professes to teach me concerning God, his nature, character, and will; concerning man, and his relations to his Maker, Sovereign, and Judge; concerning futurity and eternity. Is this book the work of man, or the gift of God? This question Dr. Henderson very satisfactorily answers, proving that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God;" and that therefore it "is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto every good work." NOTICES OF ANIMATED AND VEGETABLE NATURE, FOR JANUARY, 1839. BY MR. WILLIAM ROGERSON, Royal Observatory, Greenwich. "AQUARIUS rules the frozen skies; Deep frowning clouds on clouds arise, Fraught with the thunder's roar ; With fury heaves the raging main, "No flowery vale now charms the eye, Now cheer the lingering hours; THIS is certainly the most dull and uninteresting month of the year, so far as vegetable and animated nature are concerned, especially if it should appear (as we may not unreasonably expect) clad in snowy robes, and bound in adamantine chains. Sometimes, however, January has proved remarkably mild; as was the case in the year 1834, when snow-drops were in full blow about the middle of the month, and the vernal crocus unfolded its golden cups to the notice of the admirer of nature, and several other flowers presented their beauties: while the song-thrush, the blackbird, and some others of the plumy warblers poured out their melodious lays to the mild and friendly skies. But in the order of Providence, frost and snow have their utility; -they prepare the soil for the fertilizing beams of spring; and it is no unusual thing to see, after a severe winter, a fruitful summer. "Bleak Winter! thee my tranquil thoughts approve, "Thus, though the warblers of the vernal year Droop, and cling lifeless to the naked spray ; "Unchanged the pine and laurel rear their heads, Dormice, squirrels, hedge-hogs, and bats continue in their torpid state: the latter, of which there are a variety of British species, may be seen abroad on their silken wings, on mild evenings. Fieldfares and redwings appear in large flocks, especially in snowy weather. Skylarks are now taken in numbers: males of the last summer breed, caged at this time, will sing freely their natural wild notes in the spring. Chaffinches, yellow-hammers, tom-tits, and other small birds, frequent farm-steads, and out-buildings, in quest of food. Not many insects are to be met with in their perfect state, owing to the coldness of the weather: in mild evenings gnats are seen dancing in the air. It is wonderful how some of the insect tribes will live and sport in the open air, under quite a low and winterly temperature. I was not a little amused on the 18th of November, 1838, while walking in the lane between Widmore and Hayes, near Bromley in Kent, about sun-set, by noticing the numbers of little brown moths that were flying about near the bottom of the hedges, and alighting on the twigs. The evening was cold and rainy, and the thermometer not much above 40 degrees; yet these little creatures appeared full of life and activity. The principal ornaments of our gardens are the evergreens: scarcely any small plant exhibits a flower at this time. In the fields several species of moss arrest the attention of the lover of nature. Common groundsel, chickweed, red archangel, white dead-nettle, and early speedwell, occasionally exhibit a few of their flowers, if the weather be not very severe. BRIEF ASTRONOMICAL NOTICES, FOR JANUARY, 1839. BY WILLIAM ROGERSON, Royal Observatory, Greenwich. "Is heaven the work of chance, or grand design? To which ?-to one we must the cause assign! No sun, no stars, no planets ever move By chance; and hence a different power they prove: A power that gave to vast creation birth; A power that brought from dark chaotic night O, happy they, who can alliance claim With heaven's eternal LORD, and who adore his name!' The SUN rises on the 1st, at London, at eight minutes past eight, and sets at one minute after four; at York, he rises at twenty-two minutes past eight, and sets at forty-six minutes after three; and at Edinburgh, on the same day, he rises at thirty-five minutes past eight, and sets at thirty-three minutes after three. On the 21st day the Sun rises at London at fifty-six minutes past seven; at York, at eight minutes past eight; and at Edinburgh at eighteen minutes after eight: on the same day he sets at London at twenty-eight minutes past four; at York at sixteen minutes past four; and at Edinburgh at six minutes after four, according to mean solar, or true clock time. The Moon rises on the 1st at about half an hour past five in the evening; on the 4th she rises at a quarter past nine, and on the 6th at twenty minutes before midnight. The Moon enters on her last quarter on the 7th, at five minutes past nine at night; after which she gilds only the mornings with her sun-illumed horn: she changes on the 15th, at seven minutes before three in the afternoon : she beautifies the western skies with her fine crescent on the 17th, and sets at a quarter before seven: she sets on the 19th at twenty minutes before ten, and on the 21st at half-past twelve, at night. The Moon enters her first quarter on the 22d, at eighteen minutes past eleven in the forenoon; and on the 23d is due south at seven o'clock, and on the 25th at eight minutes before nine: she is full on the 29th, at forty-one minutes past three in the afternoon; and rises on the 30th at a quarter before six in the evening. MERCURY is invisible. VENUS is invisible till the last week, when she appears very near the western horizon, soon after sun-set. MARS is to be seen in the east about midnight; he is due south at the middle of the month at half-past four in the morning, and may be easily known by his red colour: this planet is in conjunction with the Moon on the morning of the 7th day. JUPITER appears a very splendid object in the southern skies every clear morning. This beautiful planet is near the Moon on the 8th day. SATURN is now slowly moving along among the stars in Scorpio: he is visible near the south-eastern horizon at day-break. The FIXED STARS.-The clear frosty nights of this month afford many an opportunity for observing these innumerable central orbs of planetary worlds. About ten o'clock at night, the splendid constellation Orion is in the south; Sirius, or the Dog-Star, to the south-east, and low; Aldebaran and the Pleiades towards the west, with great elevation; and Capella nearly overhead. While the intelligent youth is engaged in contemplating these distant suns, he will say with the poet, "Great, glorious the day, when the Author of all, Having spoke ye from nought, and ye sprung at his call! Through the regions of space from his hand ye were hurl'd, When each sped to his point in the boundless expanse, JUVENILE OBITUARY. 1. DIED, in the Bristol North Circuit, May 5th, 1836, in the seventeenth year of his age, Samuel J. Osborne, son of the Rev. Thomas Osborne. He was born in Jaffnapatam, in the island of Ceylon, where his father then laboured as a devoted Christian Missionary. From a child he was kind in his disposition, amiable in his manners, apt to learn, and uniformly obedient to his parents. About two years before his death he was convinced that he was by nature a child of wrath even as others; and that without forgiving mercy and renewing grace, he could neither be happy nor safe. He earnestly sought redemption; and under a sermon which he heard, by faith he received the atonement, and through Christ was reconciled to God. His short Christian course he ran with even joy. He was modest and devout, diligent in attending the means of grace, and conscientious in his employment as an apprentice. The disease which terminated his mortal life was typhus fever. On his bed of death, his mind was kept in peace, and at times he rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. After he had prayed with great freedom, fervour, and power for himself, his afflicted father, his mother, and family, he became delirious, and in a few hours the "silver cord was loosed, the golden bowl broke," and he was 2. AT Newport, in the Isle of Wight, June 11th, 1836, Benjamin Carvosso, jun. He was born at Parramatta, in New South Wales, October 11th, 1824; and in 1830 accompanied his parents to England. In the autumn of 1834 he was sent to Kingswood School, where he associated with those of the boys who were more seriously disposed; and by paying diligent attention to the instructions which he received, made very considerable improvement. In the course of the following year, however, it became obvious that strong and painful disease had fastened on his whole system; and no medical advice that was obtained was able to do more than give him very partial relief. Under his sufferings, which were often very acute, he was invariably patient, and regarded them as chastenings from God. Perhaps to him the most severe portion of "the fiery trial," through which he was called to pass, was, that his sight became so painfully affected, that for some time before his death he was deprived of the comfort he had derived from books. He was shut up in darkness and pain. Suitable books |