be judged to require an abstinence from all mandatory measures, in prevention of even the most atrocious parts of the policy of a petty ally?-provided, that is to say, that he is guilty of no improper proceedings in the matter of traffic in coffee and sugar. Or is it that the sacrifice of so many thousands of men and millions of money, with the addition of individual contributions to relieve national distress, could carry no authentic sign of generosity, if all his should be accompanied by a decisive interdiction of be racking and burning of our innocent subjects on the Malabar coast? Or is it that it may be questionable whether dungeons and tortures, and Autos da Fé, are quite so detestable in a government which is at war with the French? Or is it that Dr. B. is apprehensive that a remonstrance to the Portugueze government in too dictatorial a tone, might lead to the humiliation of hearing some such reply as this,-Abolish first that part of your own system, which formally patronizes Juggernaut and his whole crew. The opprobious fact, that numbers of cur own best subjects in the east are at the mercy, and may at this very moment be struggling or expiring ia the fangs of the Inquisition, is certainly the strong ground for the Doctor's recommendation of interference; but at the same time it appears to us, that the Inquisition is one of those things against which, as in the case of a pirate or a den of murderers, power is enough to constitute right. If the commander of a stout battalion of English soldiers, happening to be encamped near Goa, were to receive unquestionable information that several meritorious persons, perhaps for renouncing popery, from the conviction forced on them in reading, for the first time in their lives, a bible, which had found its way to them through some channel opened by the British Bible Society, were at this very time on the rack, and that to-morrow, or a few days hence, if they maintained their fidelity, they would infallibly be burnt alive,--whatever departure it would be from official propricty, we suppose he would, on the highest ground of morality, obtain the applause of all generous protestants, if he instantly summoned the infernal fortress, and, if refused entrance, forced the gates with his cannon, rescued all the victims, drove out the judges and torturers, and laid the whole edifice in ashes.-in justifying such an act, it is perhaps a requisite proviso, that the power that will deem itself aggrieved, is such, as not to have the means of doing any very serious mischief in revenge. We must bere take our leave of Dr. Buchanan, though there are several subjects treated in his book, to which we have not adverted, especially the present and probable future condition of the Jews; and the means and plans for promoting, on a magnificent scale, biblical literature and translations in the East.-He still zealously insists on an ecclesiastical establishment in Hindoostan. Art. X. The Psalms Evangelised, in a continued explanation; wherein are seen the Unity of Divine Truth, the harmony of the Old and New Testament, and the peculiar doctrines of Christianity in agreement with the experience of believers in all ages. By Richard Baker, D. D. Rector of Cawston, in Norfolk. 8vo. pp. xiv. and 398. Price 12s. Longman and Co. 1811. THE compositions of David, and other eminent saints, to whom the Psalms are attributed, are distinguished by their typical character. The personal feelings of the writers, and the events of their own times, by which those feelings were excited, are employed by the spirit of inspiration to prefigure and illustrate the character of the great Messiah of HIM, who was "David's Son, and David's Lord." That this is not a conjectural supposition, is evident fromt he highest authority. The New Testament writers repeatedly apply various passages from the Psalms to their exalted Redeemer; and even reason on the absurdity of their primary application, on account of the language, (admitting that application to be exclusive, being more than the simplicity or accuracy of truth required. The frequency of these quotations in reference to Jesus Christ, naturally suggests the pro priety of reasoning analogically respecting those parts of the Psalms, from which no citations are recorded in the Christian scriptures. But it is obvious that such a principle, however supported in the general admission of it, is liable to an immense perversity of construction, when submitted to the direction of a well-meaning but misguided ima gination. We will not venture to assert, that only those passages which are quoted in the new testament, ought to be applied to the Saviour; but we think there is less danger of fallacious interpretation even in this opinion, than in supposing that such a reference is intended in every psalm and every verse. Both extremes should be avoided. How widely Dr. Baker has erred, will appear from the following example. It is the argument to the fifty-first Psalm. This psalm is usually attributed to David, in penitence for his murder, adultery, and deceit with the wife of Uriah, according to its title; but Dr. Kennicott thinks this is contradicted from the last verse; which shews that it was written during the captivity; and from the fourth verse, that the crime was neither murder, nor adultery, but probably some compliance with heathen idolatries. And indeed it never was probable, that the King of Israel should think it right thus to expose his abominable crimes and sins to his subjects. However, on whatever occasion, it is the finest model of the deepest penitence, from the conviction of the eternal spirit, and of the only way to pardon and peace; and applies in general to the strong crying and tears of the great Redeemer under the burden and sufferings for the sins of others, and to the case also of every convinced sinner.' p. 127. Now, let any attentive reader peruse the psalm in question, and apply one verse of it, if he can to Jesus Christ. Did He need mercy, pardon, cleansing? Had he been stained with "blood-guiltiness?" The doctrine of imputation, scripturally understood, can never account for language like this. It should ever be remembered that though the effects of guilt and innocence are transferable, that is though a sinner may be treated as righteous and one that is innocent, may for wise purposes, be regarded as though he were guilty,-yet guilt and innocence, in themselves, cannot be transferred. When Christ gave himself offering for sinners, he was still the just-dying for the unjust.' an On this ground we conscientiously object against such evangelisation of the Psalms, as Dr. Baker commends, and to which he seems inordinately attached. The volume before us, we conceive, will never approve itself to the taste of those readers, who consult propriety and reason, as well as a devotional fancy, in their interpretation of scripture. We have no doubt that many Passages in this work, will impart real satisfaction, to serious minds, and aid them in expressing the best feelings of their hearts. But those who wish to understand the psalms, will be glad to exchange the verbose and paraphrastic explanations of Dr. Baker, for comprehensive views and sound criticism. Art. XI. Ode on the present State of Europe. By T.G. Lace. 4to, pp. 28. Price 2s. 6d. Liverpool printed. Cadell and Davies, 1811.. IT has been recently asserted in a popular journal, that there is no point in which our age differs more from that which preceded it, than in the apparent apathy of our poets to the events that are passing over them; and this their indifference is grievously deplored as marking a decay of public spirit. It may admit of some dispute we think, whether the fact is not stated rather too roundly: but it is still more questionable whether even if true, there is any good reason to lament it. It is obvious to remark, how very few of the projects for uniting poetry and politics have succeeded-even in the hands of superior genius. In point of taste, therefore, the alledged infrequency of these awkward coalitions should, one would think, be a matter of congratulation rather than regret. And there is just as little occasion for impugning the patriotism of the age. If the poets are apathetic, there is at least no dearth of prose declamation: nor has there been any remarkable falling off in the circulation of newspapers. While the expression of national sentiment is as loud and general as it ever was, it really looks a little affected to sigh after extemporaneous flights of bad poetry. In making this last remark, we mean no disparagement to Mr. Lace, whose ode, on the contrary, we regard as considerably superior to the general run of similar performances. Several of his topics, indeed, are a good deal worn-and he has put an absurd he of Bonaparte. But discovers speech into agreeable facility, and has produced a poem, on the whole, rather the mouth ап pleasing than otherwise. As a favourable specimen of his manner, we give the following extract. Oh mournful change!States, that e'erwhile O'er whom, for ages, Freedom held -Immortal guard !. -her eacred shield,-- Low, low are laid. Among thy craggs, the troublous yell Art. XII. Lectures on the Elements of Algebra: designed for the Use of the Students of the East India College, and such other young Persons as may be desirous of making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the First Principles of that Science. Second Edition. By the Rev. B. Bridge, A. M. Fellow of St. Peter's College, Cambridge, and Professor of Mathematics in the East India College. 8vo. pp. xii. 266. Price 7s. Cadell and Davies. 1811. THESE Lectures are rather privileged. It is seldom that a book treating of any department of mathematical science, reaches a new edition in so short a period after its first publication. We congratulate. Mr. Bridge on the success of his labours; and think it due to his candour as well as his ingenuity, to remark on the present occasion,, that he has adopted our hint of publishing this work in a more convenient shape, and at a very reasonable price; while he has, at the same time, rendered it more correct and more worthy of general encourage ment. The present edition contains an additional lecture, on unlimited and Diophantine problems, and the most useful, properties of numbers the investigation of the binomial theorem-Lacroix's approximation to the Logarithm of any small number and exponential, equations. We hope this ingenious author will not be long before he completes his Lectures on Algebra, by publishing the volume,, which is to contain "the general theory of equations, the summation, "and management of series, and the application of Algeora to "Geometry." Art. XIII. The Philanthropist, to be continued every three months. Nos. I. II. III. Price 2s. 6d. each. Longman and Co. Darton and Co W. Phillips. 1810, 1811. IT is a deviation from our ordinary plan to notice a periodical work; but we think it justified, in this instance, by the objects and general tendency of the publication. The design of it is stated to be, to encourage benevolent feelings, and shew how they may be most beneficially exerted, particularly by pointing out to those who occupy the middle and superior ranks in society, the results of such endeavours as have proved successful in alleviating the miseries of man, and improving his moral character.' It includes details of various charitable institutions both at home and abroad, especially those for the education of the poor; and devotes a particular attention to the subject of the slave-trade, the civilization of Africa, and the North American Indians, the economy of prisons, and the punishment of death. The work is said to be conducted by a scientific and most respectable individual of the Society of Friends. In expressing our general good opinion of it, we wish to hint the propriety of abstaining from the introduction of peculiar and sectarian notions, either by way of dogmatical assertion or covert insinuation, as likely to impede rather than promote its avowed and leading purposes. Art. XIV. Somerset, a Poem. By F. Webbe. 4to. pp. 42. Bentley. 1811. IN attempting to give his description of the county of Somerset a poetical cast,' we do not think Mr. Webbe has been remarkably successful. He seems, in the first place, to have too much confidence in proper names, Thus in the compass of the first forty lines we are brought acquainted with Italia, Parthenope, Valclusa, Petrarch, Philomela, Maro, Hermes, Somerset, Valdarno, Pomona, Paradise, Eromeo, Ceres, Vertumnus, Albion, Colchis, Phryxus, Boeotia, Phasis, Jason, Greece, Iolchos, Britain, Iberia, and Somerset again, to say nothing of that class of words, which the grammarians call gentilitia; as Mantuan, Arcadian, Dorian, Ammonian, Thessalian, Icenian, &c. Now, though we readily grant, that these and similar vocables are of excellent service to the poet in making the proper complement of syllables, yet we cannot say much in praise of what they effect when played off against his readers. They may be compared, we think, to certain military companies, notorious for their fierce appearance on parade; or if that comparison should be thought too favourable to Falstaff's regiment of ragamuffins, which might in vain attempt to cut through the enemy, and storm the fortress, but would do well enough to receive the first fire, and fill up the ditch. up Another point in which Mr. W. seems to be mistaken is, that in order to be poetical,' it is necessary to be obscure. There may be some doubt whether Pride would know what to make of the order at p. 5. Vail, pride, to beasts; thy pageantry's their gift.' The poem, again, aboun s in inversions. Rays of no virtue his dark night of mind ever illum'd.'-This sentence, indeed, may be for. |