various assemblages that constitute the species, the genera, the families, the orders, and the classes of those beings; and, lastly, as they concern the whole collective union of the organized world. Those peculiar laws, which it is the province of physiology to investigate, are of two kinds, each founded upon relations of a different class. The first, which depend upon the simple relation of cause and effect, are concerned merely with the natural powers of matter. They are the laws that regulate the succession of phenomena purely physical in all their stages. These phenomena consist in changes among material particles, which are either of a mechanical or chemical nature; or in the affections of imponderable physical agents, such as heat, light, electricity, and magnetism; and they include also the phenomena that take place in organized bodies, and which are referable to the operation of certain physical powers, appertaining to particular structures, such as muscular contraction and nervous irritation. ... The second class of laws comprises those which are founded on the relation of means to an end, and which are usually denominated "final causes.' They involve the operations of mind, in conjunction with those of matter. They pre-suppose intention or design; a supposition which implies intelligence, thought, motives, volition, particular purposes to be answered, requiring the agency of powers and of instruments adapted to the production of the intended effects; the knowledge of the properties of matter, the selection and choice of particular means, and the power of employing them in an effective manner. * * It will argue no undue presumption, therefore, if, in our earnest endeavours to form just ideas of the attributes of the Deity from the examination of nature, we are led to institute comparisons between his works and those of man, and strive to gather some faint notions of the Divine intelligence by applying the only standard of admeasurement which we possess, and are permitted to employ, namely, that derived from the operations of human intellect. Our interpretations of the designs of the Creator must here be obtained through the medium of human views; and our judgment of his benevolence can be formed only by reference to our own affections, and by their accordance with those ardent aspirations after good, which the Author of our being has deeply interwoven with our frame, &c. &c.-Vol. I. pp. 21, 23, 28. The more we extend our knowledge of the operations of creative power, (we are sure our readers will pardon the length of our quotations) as manifested in the structure and economy of organized beings, the better we become qualified to appreciate the intentions with which the several arrangements and constructions have been devised, the art with which they have been accomplished, and the grand comprehensive plan of which they form a part. By knowing the general tendencies of analogous formations, we can sometimes recognize designs that are but faintly indicated, and trace the links which connect them with more general laws. By rendering ourselves familiar with the handwriting where the characters are clearly legible, we gradually learn to decypher the more obscure passages, and are enabled to follow the continuity of the narrative through chapters that would otherwise appear mutilated and defaced. Hence the utility of comprehending in our studies the whole range of the organized creation, with a view to the discovery of final causes, and obtaining adequate ideas of the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of God.-Vol. I. c. i. pp. 33, 34. Our readers will see at once how impossible an enterprise it would be to give even a scanty analysis, in our confined limits, of an elaborate treatise, which comprehends" the whole range of the organized creation:" they will be satisfied, therefore, with a brief outline of its contents, and a few samples of its style. The Treatise is divided into four parts; containing, respectively, Part I." The Mechanical Functions;" which is subdivided into ten chapters, headed thus:-1. " Organic Mechanism."-2. "The Mechanical Functions in Zoophytes."-3. "Mollusca."-4. "Articulata." 5. "Insects."-6. "Vertebrata."-7. "Fishes."-8. Reptilia."-9. "Mammalia."-10. "Vertebrata capable of flying." 66 66. - Part II. which opens the second volume, and is headed," The Vital Functions." It is subdivided into fourteen chapters.-1. Objects of Nutrition.”—2. "Nutrition in Vegetables."-3. “Animal Nutrition in general."-4. "Nutrition in the lower orders of Animals."—5. "Nutrition in the higher orders of Animals."-6. "Preparation of Food."-7. "Digestion."-8. "Chylification."-9. "Lacteal Absorption."-10. "Circulation."-11. "Respiration."-12. “Secretion." 13. " Absorption."-14. "Nervous Power." Part III. treats of "The Sensorial Functions," in eight chapters— thus:-1. "Sensation."-2. "Touch."-3. "Taste."-4. "Smell." 5. "Hearing."—6. "Vision."-7. "Perception."-8. “ Comparative Physiology of the Nervous System." 66 Part IV. is headed "The Reproductive Functions;" and has four chapters.-1. "Reproduction."-2. "Organic Development."-3. "Decline of the System."-4. "Unity of Design." These admirable volumes enjoy the advantage, so to speak, of an accurate Index; and recommend themselves to their readers by a display of four hundred and sixty-three engravings. As an example of our author's style, we take (almost at random) his description of the offices of the teeth, from the sixth chapter of Vol. II. § 3, p. 143. It is neat, perspicuous, concise, and peculiarly ad rem. Four principal forms have been given to teeth, which accordingly may be distinguished into the conical, the sharp-edged, the flat, and the tuberculated teeth. It is easy to infer the particular functions of each class of teetlı, from the obvious mechanical actions to which, by their form, they are especially adapted. The conical teeth, which are generally also sharp-pointed, are principally employed in seizing, piercing, and holding objects...... The sharp-edged teeth perform the office of cutting and dividing the yielding textures presented to them; they act individually as wedges or chisels; but when co-operating with similar teeth in the opposite jaw, they have the power of cutting like shears or scissors. The flat teeth, of which the surfaces are generally rough, are used, in conjunction with those meeting them in the opposite jaw, for grinding down the food by a lateral motion, in a manner analogous to the operation of mill-stones in a mill. The tuberculated teeth, of which the surfaces present a number of rounded eminences, corresponding to depressions in the teeth opposed to them in the other jaw, act more by their direct pressure in breaking down hard substances, and pounding them as they would be in a mortar. Take another sample. Our author is discoursing on "Sensation," and writes thus: To a person unused to reflection, the phenomena of sensation and perception may appear to require no elaborate investigation. That he may behold external objects, nothing more seems necessary than directing his eyes towards them. He feels as if the sight of those objects were a necessary consequence of the motion of his eye-balls, and he dreams not that there can be any thing marvellous in the function of the eye, or that any other organ is concerned in this simple act of vision. If he wishes to ascertain the solidity of an object within his reach, he knows that he has but to stretch forth his hand, and to feel in what degree it resists the pressure he gives to it. No exertion even of this kind is required for hearing the voices of his companions, or being apprised, by the increasing loudness of the sound of falling waters, as he advances in a particular direction, that he is coming nearer and nearer to the cataract. Yet how much is really implied in all these apparently simple phenomena! Science has taught us that all these perceptions of external objects, far from being direct or intuitive, are only the final results of a long series of operations, produced by agents of a most subtle nature, which act, by curious and complicated laws, upon a refined organization, disposed in particular situations in our bodies, and adjusted with admirable art to receive their impressions, to modify and combine them in a certain order, and to convey them in regular succession, and without confusion, to the immediate seat of sensation.-Vol. II. pp. 372, 373. We would willingly quote our author's most interesting note at the foot of page 535, Vol. II. where he details twelve successive processes as connected with every voluntary action, but our limits forbid us the pleasure. For this painful forbearance, however, large as our extracts have been, we are resolved to compensate our readers with the following passage, touching the fond doctrines of Phrenology, delighted to have the concurrence of such an able physiologist as Dr. Roget, to confirm our views of this much agitated question. His words are what follow: Although the brain is constructed with evident design, and composed of a number of curiously wrought parts, we are utterly unable to penetrate the intention with which they are formed, or to perceive the slightest correspondence which their configuration can have with the functions they respectively perform. The map of regions which modern phrenologists have traced on the surface of the head, and which they suppose to have a relation to different faculties and propensities, does not agree either with the natural divisions of the brain, or with the metaphysical classification of mental phenomena. Vol. II. p. 565. Whilst we thus profess our decided opinions upon the unphilosophical and absurd fancies entertained by the followers of Gall and Spurzheim, we are free to confess that we are not of the number of such as have discarded their doctrines from a fear that they would strengthen the wretched cause of Materialism; since it should seem that their only legitimate effect would be to establish what no man denies, viz. the instrumentality of the brain in carrying on the intellectual operations; but this is a very different thing from confounding the instrument of the soul with the soul itself. In conclusion, we must not part with the volumes under review,— so eloquent, and yet so chaste,--so comprehensive, and yet so minute, so systematic in arrangement, and yet so various in their details,-so devout in their spirit, and yet so entertaining throughout,—without thanking our learned author for the pleasure and the improvement which we have derived from their perusal. It would be superfluous to express our high opinion of the value of Dr. Roget's work. He has completed what his predecessors began. In these elaborate inquiries on Animal and Vegetable Physiology, we gladly attend upon our author, and willingly permit him to guide our feet through the many mansions of the laboratory of nature. In this her workshop, we learn from our author's lips the unity of design and identity of purpose which pervade her laws; and whilst he paints, with fervid tints and glowing piety, the wisdom, the power, and the goodness of the Divine Artificer, “whose mighty works extend throughout the boundless regions of space, and whose comprehensive plans embrace eternity,"—we adore our Creator with grateful hearts for his benevolence, and with profound admiration of his power, exclaiming, in the words of the Psalmist, "O Lord our governor, how excellent is thy name in all the world!" "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all!" ART. III.-1. A Charge, delivered at the Triennial Visitation of JOHN, tons. 2. Church and State. A Charge addressed to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Stafford, June, 1834. By GEORGE HODSON, M.A. Archdeacon of Stafford. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., Simpkin & Marshall, Hatchard & Son. Birmingham: Beilby, Knott & Beilby. 1834. Pp. 38. 3. Ecclesiastical Establishments not Inconsistent with Christianity : with a particular View to some leading Objections of the Modern Dissenters. Second Part: including Remarks on the Voluntary System, and on the Baronial Functions of the Bishops. By WILLIAM HULL. London: Rivingtons. 1834. Pp. xii. 60. YET once, and twice, again, glory to the dissenters! More episcopal and archidiaconal charges, filled, not as of yore, with the simple details of local duties, but occupied, exclusively, with plans of defence! For this new feature of such productions, whereby they become invested with a general interest, and the instructions offered to the clergy of Lincoln and Stafford become interesting to both clergy and laity all the kingdom over, glory to the dissenters! The Bishop of Lincoln's Charge is entirely occupied with the matters discussed in the several charges we have lately reviewed; and the following passage occurs towards the end of it : Our lot, my Reverend Brethren, has not been cast in those happier days when the Clergy of the Established Church, secure of not being called to tread the thorny paths of controversy, could devote their time and thoughts exclusively to the guidance of an affectionate flock in the way which leads to salvation. The doctrine, the services, the polity of the Church, are now the daily objects of attack; and ill are we qualified for our office, if we are not prepared at all times to enter on their defence.-Pp. 36, 37. And Archdeacon Hodson observes : Far more congenial would it have been to my own feelings-and, if I misjudge not, my Reverend Brethren, more in unison with yours-to have devoted the time, usually allotted to this part of our proceedings, to the consideration of topics inore immediately relating to our ministerial office, and to the welfare, temporal and spiritual, of our flocks; thankful if we might have returned to our respective scenes of labour with hearts refreshed and hands strengthened for the high and holy functions in which we are engaged. Unhappily, however, the temper of the times is unfriendly to repose. We are engaged in a conflict, of which though the ultimate issue may, and I think ought to be anticipated with hope, yet the progress cannot be contemplated without some measure of disquietude, not to say of alarm: and it would scarcely, perhaps, be fitting to pass wholly unnoticed the peculiar difficulties by which we are surrounded, and the special duties to which, in connexion with those difficulties, we are called.-Pp. 5, 6. It is with deep regret that we avow our full concurrence with the excellent prelate, whose work is now before us, in the following remarks: - The time to attempt to conciliate by concession has passed; the attempt will avail us nothing; it will be regarded as the effect of fear, or of a base desire to retain for a brief space the temporalities of the Establishment; instead of averting, it will accelerate our destruction, and will render us contemptible in our fall. We must therefore prepare for the contest; and in preparing for it, derive comfort from the reflection that it is not sought by us, but forced upon us; that we are not assailing others, but acting in self-defence; and struggling for the preservation of institutions which we are pledged, by the most solemn engagements, to maintain in their essential integrity.-P. 3. While, with Archdeacon Hodson, we would adopt, more than ever, a conciliatory demeanour towards dissenters, not because we fear them, but because their violence endangers our christian spirit, and we are in temptation of rendering railing for railing, we would still make no concessions in the hope of obtaining a visionary conciliation on their part. We would not answer them according to their folly, lest we also be like unto them; we would not adopt their style, nor their artifices. And yet we would answer them according to their folly, lest they be wise in their own conceit. We would expose their sophistries, lest they should deem them unanswerable, and their fabrications, lest the simple should believe them.* We would, above all, impress upon Churchmen, that the conciliation of dissenters, if even possible, would be dearly purchased at the cost of our Church. And therefore would * See Prov. xxvi. 4, 5. |