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Those who are interested in the science of Logic, and in Dr. McCosh as a metaphysical writer, will take great pleasure in studying this volume. Although the great principles of Logic are a priori truths, apodictic in their nature, and as unquestionable and unchangeable as the multiplication-table, it is wonderful what a succession of able treatises is constantly appearing on the subject, each presenting it, as a whole, or in some of its sides and angles, in new aspects, which serve to promote or perfect our apprehension and mastery of it. The readers of our late book-notices must have observed the frequent recent instances of this. Dr. McCosh has in this compact volume treated this subject with his wonted clearness, freshness, and thoroughness, and with more than his usual conciseness.

He has especially laid himself out upon that first element of logic, the Notion, or, as it is sometimes called, simple apprehension, in its threefold form of Percept, Abstract, and Concept, and unfolded the whole subject with much originality, force, and justness. None can peruse this chapter without widening their insight into the subject, whether they always agree in all points with the author For ourselves, we see little in it to dissent from, and much to instruct

or not.

us.

The chapter on Language, with which the author closes his discussion of the Notion, though carried to an extent that is somewhat extra-logical, grammati cal, or rhetorical, is, nevertheless, a legitimate outgrowth of his analysis of the Notion. We are glad that Dr. McCosh did not allow himself to be prevented, by any respect for the mere technical bounds of the science, from inserting this admirable chapter.

The volume before us runs rapidly but thoroughly through judgments and syllogisms, and concludes with copious examples for the proper exercise of learners.

It will take rank with those productions of the author which have already established his great reputation as a writer on the Mental Sciences.

Notes on the 'Apocalypse; with an Appendix containing dissertations on some of the apocalyptic symbols, together with animadversions on the interpretations of several among the most learned and approved expositors of Britain and America. By David Steele, Sr., Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation. 16mo, pp. 323. Philadelphia: Young & Ferguson. 1870.

These notes follow with minor and unessential variations in the track of those English expositors who find in the Revelation a consecutive disclosure of the future, and who adapt its mystic symbols. in regular chronological order to the events of ecclesiastical and civil history. The numerical periods are computed on the assumption that a day stands for a year, with the exception of the millen. nium, which is with equal positiveness and equal absence of proof declared to be one thousand ordinary years. The trumpets succeed the seals, and the vials follow the trumpets, or else "cotemporate" (p. 240) with the last of the series. The seals extend from the time of the Apostle John to the accession of Constantine. The trumpets betoken the utter destruction of the Roman Empire. The first four herald the fall of its western portion. The fifth and sixth bring the Saracens and Turks to overwhelm its eastern division. The seventh shall put a final end to all "immoral power," under which broad designation are included all existing

*

European states and American governments. The light in which the writer
regards our own national organization will appear from the following (p. 171):
Speculative atheism caused the French revolution and led to the erection of the
United States government; which, having openly declared independence of
England, soon after virtually declared independence of God."
His feeling
towards "secret and sworn confederacies" appears from p. 172, where, free-
masonry, oddfellowship, temperance associations, and a countless number of
affiliated societies " are indiscriminately spoken of as "the offshoots of popery
and infidelity," and as means or agencies by which "the dragon still assails the
woman."
Whether his censures of "corruptions in the matter of God's worship"
p. 177, and "human inventions as means of grace," p. 205, are aimed at or
designed to cover the sin of singing any thing but Rouse's version of the Psalms,
we cannot say positively; but sundry expressions scattered through the volume
lead us to suspect it. On the whole, if "freedom from any political bias " (p. 6),
and we may venture to add ecclesiastical bias, is an important "prerequisite
to the right understanding of the Apocalypse, we fear that the Rev. Mr. Steele
will fall under the same condemnation which he has passed upon all his pre-
decessors.

Removing Mountains: Life Lessons from the Gospels. By John S. Hart.
16mo, pp. 306. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870.
This is a series of meditations upon Gospel topics written in that graceful and
felicitous style, of which Prof. Hart is an acknowledged master. They are of
various character, but all are full of instructive thought, or happy illustration,
or suggestive application to subjects of immediate interest. The volume takes
its name from the first of these brief articles, in which the attempt is made to
rise to a conception of the power of faith to overcome the most formidable obsta-
cles, as this is set forth in our Lord's familiar words: which from their very
familiarity are apt to make only a vague and indefinite impression. The emblem
is so vast that it requires time and reflection to apprehend it properly. Prof.
Hart will not suffer it to be dismissed in a single sentence but holds it up before
the minds of his readers, and assists them by successive steps to reach an esti-
mate of what it is to remove a mountain; what it would be for a corps of engi-
neers with all the aid of modern machinery and appliances to dig down the
Alleghanies or the Rocky Mountains, and wheel them into the ocean; and what
that must be that can execute a task, to which such an operation can be fitly
compared.

Prof. Hart's position and experience as an educator will naturally attract attention to his views upon the relation of Christianity to our public-school system, as shown in Chapter IX.: "The Things that belong to Cæsar." And SabbathSchool teachers and others interested in promoting the efficiency of this important agency will find timely and useful suggestions in Chapter XLIV.: "Nothing but Leaves."

History of the Presbytery of Erie. By S. J. M. Eaton, Pastor of the
Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Pa. New York: Hurd & Houghton.

A valuable contribution to Presbyterian Church History, undertaken by appointment of the Presbytery. It contains a graphic account of the early churches in Western Pennsylvania; this being the third Presbytery organized

west of the Alleghany Mountains. Redstone was first, 1781; Ohio, second, 1798; and Erie, third, 1801. The manners and customs of our fathers at the beginning of this century, in that region, are described with singular vivacity and justness. And it must be said of the author, in this second attempt at authorship, in this department, that he proves to be an historian of unquestionable excellence. He adds to diligence of research, accuracy of statement, and rich variety of details, a style of classic purity and beauty; full of quiet humor, and pertinent allusion,

The biographical sketches of deceased ministers, about fifty in number, make a valuable and interesting record, for the whole church. The sketches of living men, nearly seventy in number, who are, or have been members of this Presbytery, though scarcely more than statistical, in any case, and even suppressed in the statistics, the age, for example, being commonly withheld,—are made with the manly good taste, which avoids all compliment, and even estimate of ability or service.

The third part of the book consists of an admirable register of the churches; date of organization, succession of pastors, of edifices, and distinguished members, especially young men reared for the ministry, and connection with Old or New School, in the thirty-two years of division, now terminated.

Elocution: the sources and elements of its power. By J. H. McIlvaine, Professor of Belles Lettres in Princeton College. New York: Charles Scribner & Co.

The Introduction consists of a comprehensive estimate of the utility and importance of this great art, and a refutation of the reasons for disparaging and neg. lecting it. The dignity of the art is also shown, with uncommon force and beauty; so that the reader is well prepared to engage in the minutest labor, to which the author leads him; made to feel, with Herbert, in his "Country Parson," that there can be "nothing little " in the cultivation, he proposes; and to "covet earnestly" this elocution, as even foremost among "the best gifts." With rare felicity, he cites the memorable saying of Socrates, the greatest of all uninspired teachers: "I would rather write upon the hearts of living men, than upon the skins of dead sheep." In the example of our Lord Jesus himself, the dignity and value of oral teaching over book-making, appears to encourage this art; and restrain the inordinate valuation of the press in our day, as the best means of greatness, and permanent influence for good.

The book is then divided into two parts: I. The sources of power in delivery. II. The elements of power in delivery.

THE SOURCES are ten in number: viz., Thought, Feeling, Earnestness, Direct Address, Sympathy, Mastery of the Subject, Facility of Remembering, Familiarity with the Manuscript, Vitality of the Physical Man, and Self-control. This part of the work is exhaustive and profound. It ranks the author fairly with Fenelon, Campbell, and Vinet, in the great philosophy of rhetoric; and elevates the study to an intellectual importance, which is second to no other in scope; and transcends every other, in the permanency of its form, and the obvious value of its principles.

The Second Part is also divided into ten chapters, viz.: Articulation, Accent, Pronunciation, Qualities of Voice, Powers of Voice, Pitch and Inflection, Time and Pause, Force, Emphasis, and Gesture.

Since the production of that original and matchless work of Dr. Rush on the human voice, it may be safely affirmed that these pages of Dr. McIlvaine are the best contributions to the scientific side and true mastery of elocution. The combination of philosophical analysis with the practical details of the school-room is wonderful. The directions, given with ever so much minuteness and specialty, are never trivial. The rules, however positively furnished, are perfectly saved, by principles on the one hand, and facts on the other. A judicious compilation of the best instruction hitherto afforded, is accompanied, all along, with much independent and fresh exposition of the resources and means of public speaking.

On the whole, we heartily recommend this work as the best book we have yet seen for use as a text-book on elocution in schools and colleges. The blemish of the page to a cursory reader, in being cut up into so many parcels of black letter and italics, only enhances its value to the teacher and the student in recitationblending admirably science, catechism, and praxis. The vast amount of diligence and painstaking this little volume must have cost the author, deserves all praise and substantial remuneration. Dr. McIlvaine has been well known as a massive thinker and powerful speaker in many another department. But we are now to appreciate him for minute labor, and patient pains, and generous toil, in the service of education—a higher meed, after all, than any personal gifts with which he has been endowed. Whilst we may not concur in every particular lesson of the book we now recommend, we must regard it as faulty in nothing to hinder its usefulness in the noble accomplishment to which it invites the youth of our day.

The Private Life of Galileo. Compiled principally from his Correspondence and that of his eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste. Boston: Nichols & Noyes. 1870.

Not only will astronomers and men of science look into this book with deep and tender interest. Those who take an interest in the progress of science and its relations to religion, and in the life and character of one of the greatest but most unfortunate and abused of men, will read it with melancholy satisfaction. This volume contains his letter to Castelli, on the Copernican system, which brought him before the Inquisition, and subjected him to its terrible fulminations because they found that he held as true, "the false doctrine taught by many, that the sun was the centre of the universe, and immovable, and that the earth moved and had also a diurnal motion." The narrative of the trial has been enriched and enlivened by new matter, which researches among the archives of. the Vatican have disentombed.

The volume also contains correspondence between Galileo and his daughter, of a very significant character, and has all the charm of the simple domestic affection cherished by the illustrious astronomer, alike when scaling and measuring the heavens and under the screws of the Inquisition.

Warp and Woof. A book of verse. By Samuel Willoughby Duffield. New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Co. 1870.

This book shows a fair degree of poetic power, with a promise of still better things, as age shall strengthen and inspire the young poet for higher flights.

IXOYE-Christ in Song. Hymns of Immanuel, selected from all ages, with notes. By Philip Schaff, D. D. New York: A. D. F. Randolph & Co. 1870.

This fine contribution to our hymnology has already reached the present, which is its fourth, edition. Although issued in good style of paper, type, and binding, it is made less expensive than former editions in accommodation to the popular demand. Its price is $2.25. The fact that it is collected and edited by Dr. Schaff is a sufficient guaranty for the exclusion of whatever is undevout, unclassical, unpoetical, or without some breathing of faith, love, or adoration for Him who hath a name that is above every name. Not only so, but the book is very rich in the choice hymns of all the ages and churches which magnify Christ in his Person, Incarnation, Agony, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, Enthronement, Dominion, Mediation, Intercession-in all his offices and ministries of love, and the responsive trust, love, gratitude, devotion of his people. We notice that the post-reformation hymns are not more decided, but more full and emphatic than those of preceding ages, on the relation of the piacular character of Christ's death to Christian experience and life.

The Life of our Lord. By Rev. William Hanna, D. D., LL. D. volumes. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870.

In six

We have received the four remaining volumes of this scholarly, beautiful, and devout work, which bear the characteristics we ascribed to the first two volumes, in our last number. The critical press on both sides of the ocean has spoken with one voice, not in vague, but in discriminating commendation of this excellent Life of our Lord. The four volumes now before us are the 3d, on the Close of his Ministry; the 4th, ou Passion Week; 5th, on the Last Day of our Lord's Passion; 6th, Forty Days after the Resurrection: each topic of the profoundest moment and interest.

The Life of James Hamilton, D. D., F. L. S. By William Arnot, Edinburgh. Second Edition. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870.

It is rare that so fine a subject, endeared to the literary and religious English speaking world by a series of the best specimens of our religious literature, finds so capital a biographer. Dr. Arnot, now on a visit to this country, and delegate to our Assembly, has shown every where that aroma of refined culture, piety, and fervid Christian eloquence which fitted him to be the confidential friend and biographer of Dr. Hamilton. He has given us a beautiful and life-like portrait, which has met a wide and ardent welcome.

Memoir of the Rev. Wm. C. Burns, M. A., Missionary to China from the English Presbyterian Church. By the Rev. Islay Burns, D. D., Professor of Theology, Free Church College, Glasgow. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1870.

This biography of one heretofore less known than Dr. Hamilton, in no way falls below that of the latter in the worthiness of the subject, the points of interest in his life, or the success of its execution. Dr. Burns, the great preacher, evangelizer, and missionary, is well portrayed to us by Dr. Burns the biographer. His eventful but noble and useful life as preacher, often amid revivals in Dundee,

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