ranges through the various branches of the science like one who has been long accus. tomed to traverse through their intricate paths, and shapes his course towards the point of his ultimate destination, with a consciousness of reaching it in safety.

and intrigue, is reduced to distress. Anthony in the mean while is caressed by the prince who owns the forest, and returns in time to dissipate the cloud, and reinstate the family in prosperity and peace.

not furnish a primitive agent—that geological facts correspond with the Mosaic history--and that to reason from phenomena, and the operation of natural causes, to the action of the primitive cause, is fallacious.

REVIEW.—Tales, from the German, with Lithographic Sketches, by a Lady. 8vo. pp. 192. Anderson. London. We have more than once had occasion to introduce to the notice of our readers, Tales from the German; and from their contemptible character, to animadvert with some severity on the sickly taste of our country-men and -women, who, not content with the productions of their native soil, encouraged the importation of nonsense from a foreign shore.

It is, however, with pleasure we can state, that these tales are of a very different description. In their construction they contain nothing unnatural, and to each there is a moral attached, which may be easily understood, and cherished with peculiar benefit.

The tales are three in number, bearing the titles of "Christmas Eve,' "The Canary Bird," and "The Fire Fly." The work is also embellished with fifteen lithographic sketches in rough outline, designed to illustrate such parts of the tales as furnished subjects to the artist, though it must be admitted, that many others might have been selected with equal if not superior advantage.

In the tale called "Christmas Eve," Anthony, a poor boy, cold, hungry, and benighted, reaches the hut of a pious forester, the inmates of whose family are celebrating the nativity of Christ. By these he is taken in, warmed, refreshed, and finally adopted as one of the family. From Anthony's tale it appears, that his father, a soldier, was slain in battle, and that his mother shortly afterwards died in a barn. Discovering some taste for painting while residing with the forester, Anthony is confided to the care of a painter whom he accidentally meets, and sets out for Italy, where he becomes an artist of the first character. During his absence, his benefactor, through falsehood

revolutionary tribunal of France, where his wife had retired during his imprisonment.

"The Fire Fly," by alighting behind an old chest, leads to the discovery of some papers of the utmost importance to an injured family, and by their recovery saves them from ruin.

Throughout these tales the superintendent care of divine Providence is both seen and acknowledged by the parties concerned, and a constant reliance on the goodness of God is uniformly inculcated. The tales will be read with interest by most young persons; and we can confidently assert, that the book may be safely put into the hands of any member of a family, as one that blends amusement with instruction.

THESE Volumes bear some resemblance to a well-known work entitled "Elegant Extracts," or to another more commonly known in seminaries as "The Speaker." In general character these works are much the same, consisting of extracts from eminent authors both in prose and verse; but in several respects they are widely different, varying in the nature of the selections, their length, variety, the authors from whose works they have been taken, and the particular uses to which they are applied.

Combining the two volumes together, the articles they contain amount to some hundreds in prose and verse, collected from the writings of our most celebrated living authors, and of those who flourished in preceding ages. These furnish specimens of nearly all the varieties that can be included within the range of elegant composition, displaying in commanding attitudes the vigour and richness of the English language, and embodying sentiments in expressions that rival each other in their claims to perpetual remembrance.

In the commencement of the first volume we have an outline of the elements of

elocution, exhibited in connexion with numerous rules, and illustrated by examples drawn from the most unquestionable authorities. These rules will be found of essential service both in reading and in public speaking; and although at first they may appear somewhat tedious and perplexing, by a little attention and patience, the difficulties may be overcome, and the student will find himself amply rewarded for his perseverance. In the introduction of these rules and their elucidations, Mr. Scott lays no claim to the merit of originality. He acknowledges himself to, be chiefly indebted for them to the talents of Walker; but for the judicious manner in which they are laid down, arranged, and perspicuously explained, the author is entitled to the gratitude of every aspirant after fame in this field of honourable distinction.

Many of the pieces here selected have frequently been before the public in a detached form; but Mr. Scott has introduced several others that have been but rarely transplanted from their original soil. In this he has displayed both the delicacy of his taste, and the accuracy of his judgment. They are admirably adapted to elucidate the subjects for which they are selected, to display thought in varied combinations, and to mark the pauses, tones, and emphasis with which the modulation of the voice should be regulated.

At the conclusion of the second volume we haye brief biographical memoirs of about fifty authors, both in prose and verse, from whose works extracts have been made. These, in a concise manner, point out the various paths they trod, in winding their way to the temple of literary and poetical fame, and shew to their successors the steps which must be taken, to secure their claims to immortality. We have examined these volumes with much interest and pleasure, and think they will prove a valuable acquisition to young persons, who, by one effort, are desirous of obtaining intellectual improvement and useful information.

REVIEW.-The Protestant and Catholic, with other Poems, by Matthew Bridges. pp. 98. Seeley and Šon. London. 1827. WE rise from the perusal of this volume, fully convinced of at least one thing, that hinds and panthers are the most learned and argumentative quadrupeds in the world; and they have discussed the question which was most likely to concern such excellent cattle, (i. e. the Papacy,) with considerable tact and temper. But we have to accuse

Mr. M. Bridges of a slight partiality towards the hind, (who personates Protestantism,) whom he thus magnificently introduces to our notice, as being — "A beauteous hind, so elegant and white, She seem'd the offspring of a beam of light." p. 2.

This, to be sure, is rather difficult to comprehend; but, then, what of that? There always have been, and always will be, wonders : and if they can only be squeezed into a distich, with rhymes into the bargain, we are well satisfied.

But, with all these minor blemishesand Mr. Bridges can afford to be now and then laughed at for his eccentricities-the poem does him great credit, and shews a manly and powerful mind, expressing itself in forcible, if not mellifluous versification. The hind is really very acute, and, in our opinion, has much the better of its opponent. We quote the following striking lines, as among the best to be found in the volume:

"In the deep silence of the other night
Portentous visions passed before my sight:
Methought, at first, some lofty altar reared
As if prepared for sacrifice appeared;
Clear, through its glare, a peerless phenix shone
Fearless the wonder stood, and bravely prest
Exulting proudly on her dreadful throne;
The blazing terrors nearer to her breast,
And, though consumed in overwhelming fire,
Behold-the bird remounted from her pyre,

Upon the air refulgent glories threw
Unveiling every splendour, as she flew.

"There was a change, and then I seemed to climb

Whose base the billows wrapt in sheets of spray
The towering summit of a cliff sublime,
As on they came, and foamed in froth away:
Thence, in the distance, tossed from side to side,
A floating fabric rode upon the tide,
Like to the ark of old, round which the roar

of the fierce surges sounded more and more;
But there was One, the pilot at the helm,
Who hushed the waves when threatening to o'er-
And those, around, who hung upon his look
whelm,
Nor with pale fear, nor trembling horror shook,
Calmly protected by his heavenly forin
In perfect peace amid the raging storm.
At length, the bark, through every peril brought,
Touched the fair haven that she long had sought;
And every peril past, a radiant band
Came forth, with welcome joy, upon the strand,
Issuing from out some golden city's gate
The glorious Salem of a future state:

I heard the shouts of the celestial throngs,
Loud were their notes, and blissful were their
songs.'

The panther cries, but business calls me home;
"Your visions might perhaps relate to Rome,'
Emancipation may be near at band,
And wrath is pendent o'er a guilty land;
This hint, from one, who knows behind the scenes,
More truly what Emancipation means.

"The savage smiled, as with malicious play, She shewed her shining teeth, and slowly skulked away." P. 46.

To this poem several notes are appended, which illustrate, by an appeal to fact, various expressions that would have otherwise been obscure.

REVIEW.-Stories of Chivalry and Romance. 12mo. pp. 275. Longman and Co. London. 1827.

IT has been observed, that if the productions of a writer excite sufficient interest in his readers, so as to abstract their attention from themselves, and from the disagreeable incidents of life, that he has accomplished no little service, and the world is indebted to him for his performance. This has been completed in the present instance.

The title of the work notifies, that the events recounted by the author appertain to the "days of chivalry," that romantic period which still dazzles our imagination with the glory of the tournament, and the deeds of the warrior. The changing influence of time, which has carried away all that was admirable and cheering, has also destroyed the iron chain which bound the feudal vassal to his lord, together with the prevalent influence of that system of priestcraft and intolerance which held in equal bondage the minds of all.

The different subjects of these stories are well selected, and the arrangements so managed, that the attention is kept alive to the conclusion. The three first tales give all the pomp and circumstance of chivalrous assemblies, and delineate the ceremonies, manners, costume, and deeds of the heroes of those "by-gone days," with faithfulness and accuracy; the three last are within the regions of romance. One of these, entitled "the Devil's Gorge," the scene of which is presumed to be in Wales, is introduced by the following description of this natural curiosity.

"A place not improperly denominated, if any place in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth, can be said to deserve such a title of terror. Even now, while attempting its descrip tion, I feel a passing tremor steal over me, akin to that which I invariably experienced when gazing upon the frightful and appalling reality. The lower entrance, being that through which the stream rushed to this gloomy cave, was about six feet square, (if we may use such a term for that which was perfectly shapeless); and presented, from the opposite side of the river, a somewhat sublime appearance, as the waters, dashing from one huge mass of rock to another, were driven back again into the main current, or hurried impetuously forward into the ever-open 'jaws of death.' For the distance of many yards around this fatal opening, the ruggedness of its bed kept the river in a state of continual and fearful agitation, which, when swelled by the mountain rains, gave it the appearance of the ocean itself, when, tossed by conflicting winds, the eye beholds only one immense sheet of foam, and the ear is sensible to no other sound than that of the boisterous breakers. At the height of twenty or thirty feet above the river, was another and more spacious entrance, attained without much danger, save to persons of weak nerves, by ascending a rude, though secure ledge of rocks. From this point the deep cavern became visible. At the first gaze, a place of utter darkness was alone perceived, though after the eye had accustomed itself to the sight, the blackness

of darkness' disappeared, and a scene of perfect sublimity (if the theory of Burke be valid,) be

came dimly distinguishable. A rude and irregular flight of steps, or rather of huge stepping-stones, stood proffering their assistance to the inquisitive the secrets of the perilous abyss, while a feeble and fearless adventurer, who wished to explore glimmering of light, issuing from below, seemed, like the rays of hope, to invite him onward. After a descent of ten or twelve yards, the spacious cavern opened upon the view. The supply of light received through the openings in the rocks above, and reflected again by clusters and masses spar into every part of this subterraneous dwelling, gave it a most unearthly aspect, heightened as this effect was by the sullen roar of the stream which ran through its centre, and which had now exchanged its tumultuous for a more silent, but scarce less destructive course. Unlike the foam of ocean, it now rushed along its well-worn bed, black as the fabled waters of Avernus. Its race was short, and it fell with a loud noise into the Devil's Gorge, a huge basin at the end of the cavern, where it was lost for ever."-p. 219.

of

The Lord Villemorris owned the territory in which this terrific production was located. He was hospitable-Sir Hugh Mathravel was his guest-the knight desired the baron's possessions, and resolved on obtaining them ;-a vague prophecy, directed all who sought wealth to repair to "the Devil's Gorge," whither Sir Hugh went, and amid the darkness heard the following chant :—

"Go see where the treasures of Villemorris shine, Aid look on his lady, for both shall be thine; And all his possessions shall soon be thine own. Confide in thy falchion before thy renown, And fear not the vengeance of earth's guilty crew, No power that is human shall injure Sir Hugh!" The knight returns to the castle-becomes determination to depart. an unpleasant guest-and expresses his

"Well pleased did the Lord Villemorris hear his guest announce his intention to bid adieu to the castle; and saw his gloomy and taciturn attendant prepare for the departure. The last evening arrived; he could not refuse the invitation of Sir Hugh to make a final visit to the romantic spots around. The evening was fair, and beautifully bland; but as the sun sank beneath the western horizon, and the moon rose in the east to supply its place in the firmament, the clouds were seen to ascend in dark and detached masses, betokening the approach of a storm, which was confirmed by the large pale halo which encircled the fair and virgin queen of night. Villemorris felt ill at ease in his company, and urged his return, lest the approaching storm should overtake them. The wind had already risen, and rendered all their caution necessary to preserve them from falling as they traversed the rocky shelves above the waters of the Ogmore. On the part of Villemorris this caution was vain. The sight of the furious element below, brought to the mind of his companion the vain prediction of the unseen spirit, and he fancied he heard it still ringing in his ears

Confide in thy falchion before thy renown,

And all his possessions shall soon be thine own. And in a paroxysm of madness he obeyed the dire command, and plunged his sword into the back of his generous host! Villemorris shrieked, and fell, pushed over the precipice by the demon-nerved arm of his assassin. The noise of the fall was drowned in that of the boiling waters; and Mathravel stood gazing upon the dark void beneath him, and smiled upon the deed he had done!"

Ultimately, Sir Hugh obtains possession of the castle and estates, and repairs again to the cavern, where "he bound himself by no ordinary vow, to revisit its unholy tenants as soon as their predictions were fulfilled."

"In the castle of Villemorris there was no ordi

nary stir! The voice of the trumpet had ushered in the morn, and the silver-fringed banner of its ancient lords was again waving over its lofty towers. Its numerous domestics have exchanged the sable dress of grief for the gayer colours of rejoicing; and behold in its spacious courtyards, bards and minstrels have assembled, and are tuning their harps in expectation of some high and joyous festival. What can it be ?-The illuminated chapel, and the stoled priest, standing in an attitude of deep devotion, with all the paraphernalia of the nuptial ceremony arranged around him, indicate the answer. The lovely lady of the peerless brow, is to be united to him whose importunities she had so often rejected with scorn and indignation. Let us not dwell upon the unnatural, the unaccountable event. The trembling priest hath ended his reluctant task and the lady Villemorris has become the wife of him who made her "Amidst the height of the bustle which followed their union, Sir Hugh Mathravel forgot not his vow. He stole from his guests, and hastened towards the water's edge, where, to avoid discovery, entering into a small boat, he pushed off towards the mouth of the appointed rendezvous. The river had recently been swollen by a mountain flood, and the knight soon found that he had committed a fatal error in now seeking the Devil's Gorge by and rapidity which rendered perfectly useless every attempt to check its speed. He shot through

first a widow!

water. His frail bark was borne along with a force

the jaws of death, and as he entered upon the more silent, but not less rapid stream in the dark interior of the cavern, and was hurried onward to inevitable destruction, he recognized the familiar,

but unwelcome strain

"Go see where the treasures of Villemorris shine, And look on his lady, for both shall be thine; Confide in thy falchion before thy renown, And all his possessions shall soon be thine own: And fear not the vengeance of EARTH'S guilty crew, No power that is HUMAN shall injure Sir Hugh !” Reader, askest thou the fate of the lovely lady of the peerless brow? She complied with the advice of Denmark's prince, and retired to a nunnery. The princely domains of Villemorris divided among his vassals and "poor relations," while his name was transferred to the regions of romance.

were

tice, the wholesome doctrines and truths which the author recommends and exhibits fairly to view, will be made wise unto eternal salvation.

In looking through the various topics which this volume presents to the eye, we do not tarry to inquire whether the author's creed has been cast in the mould of Arminius or Calvin. Subjects more interesting and momentous than the combined names of all the founders of sects can confer, absorb the attention, and call the contemplation from parties to Christianity, from earth to heaven, and from mortals to God.

This work is divided into six parts, each of which is devoted to the eluci dation of some important scriptural truths, such as the means employed for the propagation of the gospel; the power of the word of God; the force of original sin; the plan of salvation; the operation of grace in the heart; and its influence on the life of the believer, &c. Each of the above parts is again subdivided into chapters, to which an appropriate section of the part is assigned. These are followed by a copious supplement containing much important matter, but too multifarious to admit in this place any thing like a fair analysis.

In supporting the numerous propositions thus brought under the reader's inspection, the author, instead of resorting to the dogmas of schools, and the subleties of metaphysics, has constant recourse to the authority of scripture. In making his appeal to this standard, he has not, however, tortured the passages adduced, in the forge of barbarous criticism, to serve an unholy purpose, but exhibited them in such a plain and obvious light, as to convince the judgment, if not to alarm the conscience, and renovate the heart. fact, it is a volume consisting in a high degree of quotations from scripture, selected and arranged with so much care, that the reader beholds with surprise the aggregation of evidence which a com. bination of scattered passages affords.

In

In the fifth part, the directions given for the profitable reading of the holy scriptures, may be followed with much advantage. The arrangement furnishes, within a narrow compass, a judicious syllabus in consecutive order, and to many untutored minds it will communicate no contemptible epitome of sacred chronology.

The twelfth section of the supplement contains a plan for ensuring the reading of the sacred writings among the adult population of towns and villages. For

2 H