writings of the evangelists. Although the historical records of our Lord's earthly sojourn is to him no mere journal of picturesque rambles through Judea, enlivened by the telling of beautiful parables, he is far from disregardful of the time and place of the occurrences of which he reads: he dives with studious and minute accuracy into every circumstance or fact, which can tend to throw the least light on the subject of the sacred narrative, and with a religious, though not a superstitions, zeal notes every particular of locality or time. Nay in some instances much of the force of a passage will depend upon the observance of these collateral illustrations; one example will suffice: how is the unbelief of the people of Capernaum (mentioned in the 6th chapter of St John's Gospel) aggravated when we see that it was in the very same place our Lord had chiefly resided since the commencement of his public ministry, and had wrought so many miracles, and, above all, had delivered that memorable discourse in the eleventh chapter of St Matthew's Gospel, and that solemn denunication of the city's impenitence, "And thou Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven," &c.

Every

The chart may be briefly described as a pictorial Monotessaron; it is on a large scale a complete map of the country, in which the events recorded occurred, with a small and distant plate of every important transaction, having the reference to the respective gospels clearly printed underneath; the progress from place to place is shewn by a coloured line, with the words and reference printed upon it. separate scene is numbered, and there is a list of numbers in the margin (corresponding to the numbers of the pictures,) to which are appended the words describing the event. In one corner is a map, of Jerusalem and the places adjacent, on an enlarged scale; the pictures of the events at Jerusalem are placed separately, as well as those at the Crucifixion, and those after the Resurrection-each set in a different colour. In another corner is a list of the places mentioned in the evangelists with the authorities for their geographical position, and near the foot of the chart there is a short summary of all the gospels, very neatly and distinctly printed. In fact, Mr. Mimpress' chart is, we think, in every respect perfect, and well worthy of the distinguished patronage it has received from many dignitaries of the Church and other eminent divines; and we cannot doubt that

There is a small volume, called A Key to Mimpress' Pictorial Chart, which renders the whole plan of its multifarious arrangement at once easy and intelligible.

he will be still farther rewarded fr Christian labour and ingenuity or, that ligent christians, especially instructas, avail themselves of the aid which afforded them.

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For the exercise of pupils and for self-improvement of private students f is a series of skeleton charts to be t by the respective subjects, as they o the Pictorial Chart, or according harmony of the four evangelists by same author, which we shall take me opportunity of noticing, as soon as have examined into its merits. The three degrees of ornament in which blank charts may be had-on common or on superfine writing paper, or on tinted according to the colours in the It will be found very useful to ex pupils frequently in giving a comperin and harmonised view of parts of the g narrative, and when they have at facility and familiarity in the practic will be gratifying and instructive to C out the result in the columns of the sk charts, at the same time affixing the com to the places, which are marked (by a a circle)on the corresponding maps.

We cannot lay down our pen once more admiring the ingenuity played, as well in the execution, as in da design, of this elegant literary curiosity.

REVIEW.-An English and Hebrew Ia ↑ con; to which is added, a Selectin Proper Names occurring in Script and in the Rabbinical Writings. B Michael Josephs. London. Werth, 57, Aldersgate-street. 1834. GERMANY, which may not inappropri be termed the classic land of education, t at last, by the industry of its massive karing, succeeded in drawing the fixed ter tion of our country to the sacred bat ke: neglected studies of Hebrew philology. Te valued labours of Dr. Wilhelm Gese and Dr. George Benedict Winer, with mary writers of subordinate importance, ba awakened a spirit of criticism in bo England and America, which will not b suffered to die. The study of Hebrew, which so many an empty head was wat to be shaken in affected ridicule, and wh even by the learned, used to be so frequently disregarded, or regarded, if at all, only as an unattractive and repulsive pursuit, e to none but the theologian and the by profession, has now received an impeta which cannot fail, if, indeed, it has t already begun to conduct to important results; and it is not, we believe, too man

expect that, before many generations I have elapsed, it will occupy as proent a part among the subjects of general ication, or at least of general learning, has for more than three centuries been igned to the most sacred of its progeny, : all-expressive Greek. Nor, now that have alluded, though incidentally, to s latter tongue, can we forbear staying to nark on the admirable consistence of the o languages with the character of their spective people, and on the beautiful aptation of each to the peculiar province lotted to it in the revelations of the Divine ill the latter redundantly comprehensive, e former rigidly exact; the Greek indeitely capable at once of compression and dilation, the Hebrew confined in its flexions and parsimonious in its synoymes; the one ductile and endlessly conertible, the other inflexible and prominently arsh; Hebrew the language of penurious fancy, Greek the language of luxuriant aanhood; the one ever equable in its enour, whether attuned to the high and tately melodies of David and Isaiah, or ecording, through the pen of Moses, the wonders of the world's creation, the other ver varying, ever fluctuating, now earnest and intense, now soothing and lightsome, at one time in harmony with the far-echoing ocean; at another time flowing with the softly sounding Dirce; the latter containing within its capacious range all the treasures of history and eloquence, poetry and philosophy, the former not proud of its achievements, limited in its powers; the Hebrew fitted for partial and introductive truth, the Greek adapted for the conveyance of unlimited and universal truth.

Such and so different in character are the two languages in which the will of the Deity has been revealed to man; and surely it must be the duty of every Christian gentleman to become acquainted with these languages, in which the records of his religion are composed: nor, so far from their study being considered as an irksome or unrefined pursuit, can it reasonably fail of being regarded as a high and valuable privilege to have the inspired archives of the elder dispensation within such commodious and easy reach, as the labours of recent philologists have placed them. But what and how great soever the opportunities of acquiring may be, real and sound acquirements can be made only by the individual perseverance of the student: and the most effectual exercise of this perseverance deserves to be considered. The student may have fully mastered the rudiments and 2D. SERIES, NO. 47.-VOL. IV.

groundwork of the language, and may be competent to read, nay, he may have read over and over the whole Hebrew Bible, and yet not possess that familiarity with its idioms and its modifications, that at-homeness with its genius and phraseologies, which is necessary in order to the complete appropriation of its contents as elements of power for future acquisitions. Nor can this intimate acquaintance with any language be secured by any plan of tuition or any method of study, but actual composition; and we would say without hesitation, as a maxim to be universally applied, let him who wishes to read easily, write much. Now this brings us to the subject of the work, whose title stands at the head of the present article. It is manifest, if the principles we have stated be correct, and we appeal to all who have the slightest acquaintance with the subject whether they be not correct, than an English-and-Hebrew Lexicon is at least as essential to the student as a Hebrew-and-English Lexicon. We believe we are right in stating, that Mr. Josephs' Lexicon is unique in kind; we know of no Lexicon but his, exclusively English - and - Hebrew there are Hebrew Lexicons with English vocabularies annexed, calculated, however, rather to shew the need of a fuller Lexicon, than to satisfy the requirements of the students.

some

A small and cheap volume, entitled "Helps to Hebrew, with Exercises," by the Rev. T. Boys, has been published by Mr. Wertheim: we could have wished that the author had not distracted the attention of the beginner by the study of the accents; they surely cannot be considered important enough to be obtruded on him in the very threshold of his career. With this excep

tion, (which can be no impediment if they are passed over,) the book forms a very admirable companion to Mr. Josephs' Lexicon.

Mr. Josephs has added an alphabetical list of Proper names, drawn from the best authorities. We are persuaded, that his well-directed labours will not be in vain ; for surely no one who has read the observations of the learned and acute Mr. Conybeare, (in his lectures on Christianity delivered at Bristol College,) and who has the slightest opportunity, will long defer the study of the Hebrew language. It is by such aids as are presented by this dictionary, that advances to the perfection of biblical knowledge can be effected, and that increasing numbers will be enabled to search the Scriptures diligently in their original language.

3 Y

191.-VOL. XVI.!

Oft have I watch'd the close of day,
When her faint beams expiring shone,
And gaz'd upon the heavenly way,

'Till ev'ry tie of earth seem'd gone,
And my freed soul, in wanton flight,
To hover round the glorious light.
Now in the air disporting free,
The light-wing'd insect nation see,
Full often doom'd to fall a prey
Where the pied swallow skims its way;
Within the bush, or on the tree,
Hear'st thou the thrush's minstrelsie;
And that sweet lark to whom is given
To chant his vesper song to heaven.
Where browse the cattle on the plain,
The cowherd's voice is heard again ;
Up-rising, and without delay,
Instant his charge that call obey,
And round the heathy hillock wind,
While playfully he lags behind,
"Till bordering on the daisied green
The rustic residence is seen;
Where leaning on the open'd gate,
He sees th' impatient master wait,
And, reading anger in his face,
Changes respectfully his pace :
Across the moor, and o'er the plain,

The wearied hinds return again."-p. 113 to115.

MANY of our readers are doubtless aware of the existence of a sect of philosophers, and we fear a growing one, whose first principles are, that utility is the measure and criterion of virtue, that it is by the calculation of remote effects that we are to determine the character of our actions, their tendency in the long-run to produce the greatest amount of happiness being the test of their being virtuous. They think no better guide for our judgment has ever been, can, or need be proposed, and they build their hopes of a new and better æra on the universal recognition and adoption of this standard of morality.

If all this be true, then it would follow that gratifications of any sort would be allowable and virtuous, if there were nothing in the constitution of things which rendered them eventually productive of pain; that they were so indeed at a period prior to that in which experience pointed out the folly of pursuing them; vice being vice because it is after this discovery foolish, prudence and virtue being convertible

terms.

The substance of these propositions can however in a different form be incorporated into what we consider a juster view of the matter. We may agree with them that it is impossible to add to the stock of virtue

without adding to that of felicity, but only because the Divine Author of the system of which we form a part has so ordained it that no course of action which is contrary to the eternal rule of right shall fail sooner or later to produce misery to the perpetrator, though, from his want of the true susceptibilities which would render its nature repugnant to him, he may be able to enjoy the immediate gratification it imparts. That as this is a probative state of being, pleasure is the immediate consequence of vice and pain, frequently that of virtue-to teach us that virtue is something different from pleasure, and to afford opportunities for the exercise of a discrimination of a totally distinct order from that of prudence.

To say nothing about the philosophical defect of this much vaunted theory of virtue, as it leaves the main difficulty of the investigation just where it finds it, utility being a quality of many actions, by the common consent of mankind neither vir tuous nor vicious, and therefore not the element which can serve to distinguish virtuous from any other class of actions; we object to it on the ground that it is contrary to the whole tenour of revelation, for, confessing the present miserable state of mankind, it essays to redress it by means which no one who is acquainted with the Divine plan of restoration can expect to be in any degree successful. It proceeds in a noble contempt of that which all who believe in the Bible, as a revelation from the Deity, regard as emphatically the wisdom and power of God, though little better than foolishness in the estimation of these utilitarian philosophers.

It is not designed by these remarks to

hinder attention to those schemes which are comprehensively benevolent, by arraying the odium theologicum against them. We only wish those who have accepted the bible for the word of God, to satisfy themselves by a fair examination of the fallacy of the philosophy we condemn, and its direct opposition, by neglect, to the means by which Christianity is to redeem the world from sin and suffering. This, we are sure, will not be accomplished by perfecting the general mind in the power of computing consequences: it will be by no such species of arithmetic. That which effects it for the individual will do so for the mass. The repentance which flows from the conviction of sin, and not the mere self-resentment which proceeds from a perception of folly (gratitude constraining, rather than reason directing) will be the "characteristics of the new and better æra,"

both parties are prepared to expect. The world will not only see the absurdity of sinning, but the greater absurdity of rejecting the only way of saving themselves from committing it. Thousands daily see the folly of their ways without having the power of relinquishing them, and the bible is no better than a dead letter, if there be any mode of doing so other than that to which we are invited in its pages.

To sum up all, if our readers agree with our representations, they will no more than ourselves desire the sentiments of the volume whose title heads our remarks, to be those of the rising generation, to which it is especially addressed. They will see in the literary merit of its composition only additional reason for discarding it from any co-operation in forming the principles of their offspring; a work, which, if it have its intended effect, will only promote that cheap appreciation of the unsearchable riches of the gospel, which all are too prone to already; and they will join us in thinking this, though a little book, a very great evil.

REVIEW.- Herbert's Sacred Poems, &c. 32mo. Henry Washbourne, Salisbury Square. London. 1834.

THE faults of Herbert were those of his age, and in an excessive degree, but they should be noted with toleration, when we remember that almost all its authors, the sagacious Bacon himself, were careful to tickle, even when most in earnest to instruct, and lost no opportunity of spicing their discourse with the wily trivialities, a correcter taste has taught us to despise.

Still we think his metrical productions additionally deformed by vices for which he alone is responsible. He seems determined to look at no object from a common point of view, and to express his conceptions in a diction as far as possible removed from what was ordinary even in that day; preferring to go out of his way rather than make use of the obvious. Hence the similes by which he explains himself are often far-fetched and of faint similitude, and his metaphors themselves require illustration. Perhaps this was in some measure owing to the resolution he appears to have formed, to extract a spiritual signification from every thing of nature or art which addressed itself to his senses, or could form the subject of his contemplation. The external world was to him one great allegory, and the business of his life, to interpret it in this notion; he was certainly war.

ranted by holy writ, in which it is abun dantly implied, and perhaps expressy declared. But, Herbert forgot that every thing which is right to be done, is not to be done always, but with due attention to times and limits; that it is possible to destroy the most wholesome food as an aliment, by exhibiting it with a nauseous profusion.

As we have so freely pointed at his defects, it may be asked, for what is he to be read, and how is it that he has preserved his repute, and made himself so long the delight of genius and the companion of devotion? Simply because a high degree of both is infused into his compositions.

He had a keen perception of the beauties of nature, and feelings readily attuning themselves to a sympathy with her varying aspects, upon which excellence in their description mainly depends.

His commerce with mankind in a sphere which presents to those who are willing to use them, peculiar advantages for the study of human nature; a learned, politic, and accomplished court, was not lost upon him. The result may be seen in numerous passages of his works, which evince the pene trating view he had taken of the life and manners of the world before he retired from it; a devote dcountry parson, to study and promote the growth of a better life in his own heart, and those of whom he had the cure. The maxims of moralists are generally pointed, when the force and weight which Herbert's possess are added, the shaft is driven home, and we feel where our folly and hypocrisy have rendered us vul nerable. But beyond this, the spirit in which he seeks to convict us, makes us drop our guard.

speak merely to remind us we are bad, but We perceive he does not to incite us to be better. This is more than can be said for many who give themselves to the delineation of human frailty, seeming from their tone, to make their general asset. tion and proof that all have gone astray and become abominable, with a special exception of themselves. In penning those remarks we have an eye particularly on the piece introductory to the series collectively, entitled "the Temple,' which Herbert, with happy quaintness, terms the Church Porch a metrical commentary, as we understand it, on the text which directs those who would worship God, to do so in the beauty of holiness.

But the quality of Herbert's poetry, which we would fain believe has procured him the best and largest portion of favour, was derived from something of greater price and holier inspiration than mere genius;