The Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola: illustrating the Progress of the Reformation in Italy during the Fifteenth Century. London: Whittaker. 1843.

WHEN we first heard of Mr. Whittaker's intention to publish a series of "Lives," which might illustrate the working of the Reformation and the unchangeable character of Popery, we were much pleased; we thought well, and still think well, of the scheme-but it must not be carried out by works so unsound and unsafe as this "Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola.' The beginning is well, and, so far as the mere facts of Savonarola's eventful life are concerned, we have no fault to find; but when the author goes on to make his own what he would call philosophical reflections, he so completely forsakes all Church principles, and so decidedly runs into the wildest excesses of independency, that we would far rather have the Reformers left alone, than their "times" attempted by such hands as these.

The Jews in China, their Synagogue, their Scriptures, their History. By JAMES FINN, author of "Sephardim," &c. London: Wertheim. 1843.

IT has been long, though not extensively known, that there existed in "the Celestial Empire" a body of Jews who retained their ancient customs, the books of the law, and who, moreover, were ignorant of the very existence of Christianity. Our knowledge of this highly interesting fact has been derived from the Jesuit missionaries, and they, in the first place, became acquainted with it by accident. It appears that, shortly after these missionaries were settled at Pekin, a stranger called upon them, attracted by what he had heard of the comparative simplicity of their Monotheism: after several misunderstandings, the astonishing truth was discovered that the visitor was a Jew, and that he took them for Jews also. This curious discovery induced further communication, and the result was, that the Jesuits transmitted to Europe an account of the synagogue, literature, and manners of these previously unknown children of Abraham. They had, it appears, at Hang-chow-foo, a copy of the law, more than five hundred years old, but said that they considered their people on the very verge of extinction, partly from the decay of their national language, and partly because their chief had lately died at a very advanced age, leaving for his hereditary successor a son, very young, and very little versed in the peculiarities of their religion. It does not appear that the Jews were unwilling to embrace Christianity; but when Ricci sent

a messenger to Kae-fung-foo, to the chief rabbi, that officer replied that the Messiah was not come, nor would he come for ten thousand years; but he expressed at the same time so high. an opinion of Ricci's learning and ability, that he offered to give up to him the government of the synagogue, if the latter would but abstain from swine's flesh, and reside with the community. Since that period several attempts have been made to open a communication with these Chinese Jews, but as yet they have all failed. Indeed, till now, internal communication with the Chinese has been absolutely prohibited; and it is but an additional proof of the power and versatility of that wondrous society, the Jesuits, that they succeeded in establishing themselves, even though but for a time, in the metropolis of the "Celestial Empire." Mr. Finn, the author of this new but very valuable work, is already favourably known to the public by his "Sephardim ; or, a History of the Jews of the Peninsula." Here he has, however, a still more interesting story to tell, and we have not the slightest hesitation in declaring that this little history of the Chinese Jews-and it does not extend to one hundred small pages -is yet a more valuable present to the Church than twenty score of bulky tomes occupied with controversial theology.

The Warden of Berkingholt; or, Rich and Poor: a Tale. By FRANCIS E. PAGET, M. A. London: Burns. 1843. THE writings of Mr. Paget offer so many points of interest, and are at once so pleasant and so practical, that it is ever with delight that we take up a new book by him, and with regret that we lay it down. "The Warden of Berkingholt " is one of the best of his tales; and as it has less of caricature than he sometimes indulges in, it is all the more likely to do good. What a pity it is that he does not speak out, and condemn some of the impertinences of the young Tractarians, who, as it is, claim him to be altogether such as they are. This claim much impedes Mr. Paget's usefulness, and occasions in some minds a suspicion of his principles.

The Priest's Companion in the Visitation of the Sick. London: Burns. 1843.

THIS volume proceeds from Mr. Dodsworth, and must therefore be looked upon with some caution; moreover, we do not see the necessity for it. It is far too Tractarian to satisfy us; and we would have been, besides, quite contented with the ordinary Prayer-book.

A Practical Exposition of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, and the First Epistle to the Corinthians, in the form of Lectures; designed to assist the practice of Domestic Instruction and Devotion. By JOHN BIRD SUMNER, D.D., Lord Bishop of Chester. London: Hatchards. 1843.

THE truly apostolical author of this treatise is, we rejoice to find, proceeding gradually, and as fast as the multiplied and multiplying affairs of his vast diocese will allow him, in his lectures on the New Testament. This we receive as an instalment, and most sincerely do we pray that his lordship may be long spared to the Church, both as a bishop and as a defender of the faith.

We are inclined to think that there are some topics naturally arising from the consideration of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans on which our views are not in accordance with those of the bishop, and we accordingly looked at once to those passages in the "Exposition" of which the contrariety might be apparent. When, however, we turned to these passages, we found that so carefully had his lordship avoided ministering occasion to strife, that the "Exposition" was purely practical. Thus we are at liberty to say, that there is no Churchman, whatever may be his views on the question of election, who may not take up the "Exposition" of the Bishop of Chester on the Romans, and, without one dissentient feeling, read it all out to his flock. The object of the venerable author was to set forth the love of Christ, and he has, therefore, avoided every irritating topic. Oh that so admirable an example might be universally followed. This is, however, by no means the only, nor even the chief merit of the work before us. It abounds with clear statements of evangelical truth, with pithy and practical illustrations, and is in all respects worthy of a Father in God."

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Sabbaths at Home; or, a Help to their right Improvement. By HENRY MARCH. London: Simpkin and Marshall. 1843. THE forty-second and forty-third Psalms, which are well treated in this little volume, abound with matter for practical contemplation. We are certainly no friends to the multiplication of books like these, because "the old are better," but among new books this is a good one.

Ancient Hymns for Children. London: Burns. 1843. THESE hymns are highly poetical, but far too elevated for the capacities of children; moreover, they are also a little tant soit peu Popish, and we cannot trust our little children to play with edge-tools.

Sermons on Doctrine, Discipline, and Practice. By the Rev. ALEXANDER WATSON, M.A., of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; Licentiate in Theology of the University of Durham; and Curate of St. John's, Cheltenham. London: Rivingtons. 1843.

It could hardly be expected that a person holding the almost extreme opinions which Mr. Watson is reputed to have done, would, without opposition, propagate them at Cheltenham; and accordingly, very soon after the commencement of his residence there, a kind of fermentation began. We are inclined to think that Mr. Watson's views have, perhaps unconsciously, become considerably modified, and the sermons which he has now published are distinguished by a temperate and judicious tone. many topics, however, we think his statements would have been clearer had he consulted the third volume of the "Tracts of the Anglican Fathers," that volume, viz., which treats of Church discipline.

On

The Scenery and Antiquities of Ireland. By N. B. WILLIS, Esq., and JOHN STERLING COYNE, Esq. Two vols., 4to. London: Virtue. 1843.

It is one of the signs of the times with which we are most pleased, that a greater attention is beginning to be paid to that longneglected part of our empire, Ireland. Tours are now more common among her lovely scenery, and, as might be expected, the disposition of her warm-hearted inhabitants is becoming better understood. The publication before us is the joint production of Messrs. Willis and Sterling Coyne, and we are bound to say that it is the best treatise, rambling though it be, which has been of late published about the Sister Isle. Mr. Coyne's descriptions, in particular, are peculiarly and racily Irish. We shall return and speak at some length on this highly interesting work.

The Little Catechism of Roman Idolatry. A Warning to Parents who may be tempted to send their children to Roman Catholic Schools. London: Painter, Strand. 1843.

THE title of this little pamphlet explains its object, which is, by a series of questions and answers, to display some of the most remarkable dangers which threaten the spiritual health of those children who are intrusted by their parents to Roman Catholic guardianship. Our opinion is, that none of the accomplishments which continental education is supposed to supply, can compensate for the absence of the pure and invigorating atmosphere of home virtues and home wisdom.

VOL. XIII.-K K

Tracts for the Last Days. Nos. 1 to 10. London: Painter.

1843.

It would require an article of no ordinary length to enter into the various and highly important topics on which these Tracts are written. We recommend them to our readers, not to be glanced at for then very erroneous impressions will be made on the mind concerning their purport and tendency; not to be read in a mere cursory way-for then the startling character of some of the propositions which they contain will effectually deter the reader from properly digesting them; but to be carefully, slowly, and thoughtfully perused, with a mind in no sceptical state, and a Bible open before the reader. We do not say that then he will be prepared to accept the conclusions to which the writers come, but, at all events, he will be benefitted by his task, and disposed to think differently on many topics on which he may previously only have had a traditional opinion. We hope to see these Tracts continued, and feel assured that they will exert, so far as they are read, a powerful influence, and that for good.

Baptism not Regeneration. By the Rev. ALEXANDER PATON, M.A. London: Seeleys. 1843.

Baptismal Regeneration. A notice of an examination of the Charge of the Lord Bishop of London, delivered October, 1842, which appeared in "The Record" newspaper. By the Rev. JOHN OSMOND DAKEYNE, M.A. London: Riving

MR. PATON, whose sermon we have attentively perused, is evidently a right-minded man; but he is fighting with a shadow, for no one, so far as we have heard, ever contended that baptism was regeneration, but only that the one was attendant on the other-a position which Mr. Paton certainly does not disprove. Mr. Dakeyne's pamphlet is the more valuable, as he is beneficed in another diocese, and therefore his defence of the excellent Bishop of London against the unchristian attacks of the Record, is not to be attributed to any selfish motive.

Christian Unity Stated and Enforced. By W. J. KIDD, Perpetual Curate of Dedsbury. London: Burns. 1843. THE Wesleyan Methodists have fallen into the hands, we will not say of the Philistines, but into those of one well able to expose the manifold errors of their position. Mr. Kidd gives them good advice, and gives it, too, in a Christian spirit.