entire exclusion of the other and often more important characters, events, and occurrences, that really make up the body, form, and pressure of the time.

'Next to the sovereign, the most conspicuous figure on the canvass is usually the historian himself, whose opinions and peculiarities are frequently more forcibly displayed than the age he has undertaken to delineate. Aspiring to a higher office than that of simple chronicler of facts, which is his chief vocation, he seeks to embellish, or rather to distort the truth, by beauties of style, by the charms of narrative, by moving and adventurous incidents, by picturesque and contrasted portraits of eminent persons, and by ingenious theories, conjectures, and unravelments of historical obscurities. The legitimate uses of history are thus sacrificed to the ingenuity or vanity of the author, and to the graces and excitements of literature; its authority depreciated, and an agreeable romance rather than faithful record elaborated.

A second evil, from the historian putting himself forward in place of his subject, is in the spirit of partizanship, by which his narrative thereby becomes imbued." This has been the great bane of history. Every epoch, every political, social, and religious transition, and every prominent personage, has advocates and impugners, each of whom, by dexterous representation, suppression, or exaggeration, seeks to maintain a peculiar thesis, according to his connexions, personal temperament, education, early impressions, and associations.

6

A third, and ordinary defect of history, is the neglect of chronological order. It is only by marshalling in line, as it were, events and occurrences, foreign and domestic, moral and physical, social and intellectual, that the bearing and action of an age can be comprehended. Changes of the seasons, domestic incidents, discoveries and inventions, the births, characters, and deaths of remarkable persons,-all contribute to the drama of life, influence the course of legislation, the policy of government, and the progress of society; and, unless each is explained and brought forward in its due place, proportion, and juncture, the panorama is incomplete, the contemporary scene imperfectly delineated, and the reader's path obscure and perplexed.

In the plan of the publication now submitted, the aim has been to avoid these defects. Its basis is classification and chronological arrangement. Each reign or historical period is prefaced with an introduction, explanatory of the character of the governing power, or of the prominent features of the time, political, social, or industrial; then follow the events and occurrences, facts and incidents, in chronological order, upon which the introductory view has been founded; and after these, distinct sections, illustrative of legislation, finance, commerce, science, manners, literature, internal improvements, or whatever else has constituted a leading characteristic of the time, and influenced the state of the Commonwealth. The design partakes of the interest as well as something of the arrangement of an ordinary newspaper. There is the leading article; then the occurrences of the day, diversified and illustrated with such incidents, facts, and information, as usually fill the columns of the journalist. The great advantage possessed over such vehicles of intelligence has been in the circum

stance that, the author's labours mostly referring to transactions long past, information relating to them was more copious and mature; and, having no fixed time for appearing before the public, opportunity was thereby afforded for being more deliberate in commentary, and more correct and condensed in the details.'-PREFACE.

To this are added, Biographical Notices of Eminent Public Characters; Tables of the progress of Taxes, the National Debt, Agriculture, Commerce, Shipping, and Navigation; Accounts of variations in Prices, Wages, and Currency; List of the Public Statutes from Magna Charta, and of the Men of Letters and Science who distinguished each reign; with Accounts of changes in the Manners, Diet, Industrial Pursuits, Amusements, and Costume of the people; with Comparative Statements of Crime at different periods, &c.

The whole is well arranged and ably condensed. The various statistical information considerably enhances the value of the book, which is impartially written; and we feel a pleasure in cordially recommending it.

Brief Notices.

A Manual of Christian Antiquities; particularly during the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Centuries: with an Analysis of the Writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. By the Rev. J. E. Riddle, of St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford. 8vo. pp. 832. London: Parker.

On hearing of a new book containing ecclesiastical history or antiquities, it is not mere party spirit which dictates the instant inquiry, To what school the writer belongs. For although the being numbered with a moderate and sober school does not ensure impartiality and accuracy, to be under the influence of an intolerant school ensures the contrary qualities. Mr. Riddle is a clergyman, of the most moderate and candid sentiments, supporting Episcopacy as a highly expedient institution, but regarding English Episcopacy as obviously not identical with, only analogous to, that of the primitive church. He speaks with just disapproval of the claims of those who affect for their own church system a divine sanction, and pleads only for that toleration to the Anglican Episcopacy, which he grants to other churches. In conformity with this excellent foundation, his whole book displays unaffected candor. He exhibits without disguise the state of the early churches, not seeking to hold them up as models, yet keeping quite clear of the spirit of vituperation. He appears entirely to agree with Bp. Newton (although he states it rather in the Bp.'s words than in his own), that the ascetic apostacy predicted in 1 Tim. iv. had received

its accomplishment already in the fourth and fifth centuries. This opinion is also strongly pressed in Mr. Taylor's Ancient Christianity.' While, therefore, Mr. Riddle's book is in no sense controversial, being a simple statement of facts, seldom with any comment, we trust it will prove a most valuable antidote against enthusiasm in behalf of the Nicene church.

He professes himself indebted for his materials, mainly to Augusti, and secondly to Siegel; but we understand him to say that the latter writer, though very valuable, has been used with great caution by reason of his neological tendencies. This is a book of antiquities, not of history; yet his analysis of the writings of all the Ante-Nicene Fathers is more than would be expected from mere archæology. The reader may gain an insight into the work from the following syllabus.

Preface. Four preliminary essays, occupying seventy pages; third being historical.

Book I. Lives and writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers.

Book II. Of the Church, or General Body of Christians; under their ancient divisions and names.

Book III. On Ministers of the Church-ordinary and extraordinary Their names, functions, insignia, rank, rights, and privileges modes of appointment and deposition. On Bishops and PresbytersOn councils-On ordination-On the revenues of the Church, &c.

Book IV. On Christian Worship and Discipline-Public Prayer, Psalmody, Liturgies, Prayers for the Dead-Preaching-Catechising -Secret doctrines-Creeds-Baptism-Confirmation-Sponsors-The Lord's Supper-Penance-Confession-Absolution.

Book V. Festivals-Lord's Day-Saturday or Sabbath-Fasts-Holy Days-Cycles of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide.

Book VI. History of Church Buildings-their form-position-structure-immunities--ornaments.

Book VII. On Marriage-Annointing of the Sick-Funeral Rites -Agapæ or Love Feasts-Stations-Processions, Pilgrimages-Monachism and Monasteries.

Chronological and Alphabetical Tables-Eight Appendices.

In the present state of English theology it is quite refreshing to find a clergyman lay before the public a learned but plain account of those human ordinances which so many of his order are striving to pass off as of divine obligation. Indeed, his protest in the preface against the evil superstitions which he has to record, will be so much the more forcible to his brethren for its remarkable mildness and tranquillity.

Henry of Guise or the States of Blois. By G. P. R. James, Esq. Three volumes. London: Longman and Co.

We are not in the habit of frequently noticing works of this class, and the reasons of our not doing so are well known to our readers. It is not that we object to fiction as such, or that we sympathize in the indiscriminate and unintelligent condemnation which some pious people pass, upon the whole range of our lighter literature. Such a course fails to commend itself to our judgment, and though in some instances it

may have withdrawn temptation from the inexperienced, it has served, we are confident, in many other cases to foster mischievous prejudices, and to destroy that respect for parental teaching which is of the last importance to the moral welfare of the young. The loose morality by which the English novel has been ordinarily distinguished is the great and solid objection to this species of composition; in addition to which, the false views of life it has been employed to broach, and, in connexion with its low literary character, the enervating influence it has been found to exercise over the intellect, have disposed us to exclude it from our editorial oversight, and to discountenance its introduction to our family circles. An attentive observer of the human mind in its earlier and more immature stages, must have noticed the deleterious influences both intellectual and moral-frequently exerted by this class of publications. Still there is room for discrimination, and we ought not to be deterred from its exercise by mere prejudice or terms of general reproach. Fictitious works occasionally appear free from the more serious, if not from all the objections we have specified, and it is only justice, bare justice, in such cases to notify the fact, and to award to their authors the praise which is their due.

Such we are happy to say is the case with the work now before us, and hence our brief introduction of it to the readers of the Eclectic. I consider it,' says Mr. James, when referring to the slight use he has made of Madame de Noirmoutier in the construction of his tale, 'an insult to virtue to endeavour to excite interest for vice.' To this honorable principle he has steadily adhered throughout the work, and it is consequently free from the serious blemishes which disfigure many contemporary publications. The work belongs to the class of historical fictions, and the personages introduced are those which took a prominent part in one of the most memorable periods of French history. The chief interest of the tale is derived from the opposite characters of two brothers, Charles of Montsoreau, Count of Logères, and Gaspar, Marquis of Montsoreau, whose early affection was turned-so far as the latter was concerned-into deadly hatred, by a mutual attachment to Marie de Clairvaut, a niece of the illustrious Duke of Guise. The open manliness and virtuous courage of the former, strongly contrast with the dark subtlety and frenzied passions of the latter and are ultimately rewarded, notwithstanding the deep scheming of the Abbé de Boisquerin, the early tutor and professed friend of both brothers, by the attainment of the object so faithfully and honorably sought. Though the work throws but little light on the extraordinary moderation evinced by the Duke of Guise on the 12th of May, 1588, when the crown of France was within his grasp, and was refused, yet an interesting and not unimportant object is attained, in familiarising to the English reader a period of French history of which little is generally known, and of rendering more definite our conception of the character and policy of several of the historical personages of the times, such as Henry III., Catherine de Medicis, and Réné de Villequir, the fiend-like favorite of the monarch. The assassination of Guise which shades the coloring of the narrative, is skilfully combined with the virtuous love and accomplished hopes of Montsoreau and his bride.

Melaia, and other Poems. By Eliza Cook. Tilt London.

This volume does great credit to its spirited publisher. It is handsomely printed, and embellished by a frontispiece containing what we presume to be a portrait of the authoress, and clever vignettes in steel of great beauty. The poems are chiefly short pieces, many of which have appeared in a weekly newspaper, and seem to be composed on almost every subject which presented itself to the young lady's mind. With the exception of the longest poem, which has a good deal of spirit, the bulk of them are in anapaestic measure, or what has not unaptly been called wheelbarrow-verse, and which, once having taken possession of the mind, comes rolling off at any casual suggestion, as glibly and mechanically as the tunes of a barrel-organ. Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Howitt, and Miss Landon, are the chief muses of Miss Cook's inspiration, indeed, Buttercups and Daises,' The Song of the Sea-Gulls,' The King of the Wind,' with 'Homes of the Dead,' and some others are too palpably little more than imitations. Chiming common-places we can tolerate, but we cannot away with literary poaching. For the rest, those who are fond of fluent verse, embodying many amiable sentiments, and care not for originality, may find much to please them.

The Redeemer. A Poem. By William Howorth, author of The Cry of the Poor.' Tilt: London.

Mr. Howorth's poem is in the Spenserean stanza; and is distinguished by the harmony of its versification and the piety of its sentiments. Should it not win much eclat in this age of almost illimitable rhyme, it will still be acceptable to those who reverence the subject.

1. The Statesmen of the Commonwealth of England; with a Treatise on the Popular Progress in English History. By John Forster, of the Inner Temple. Five volumes. London: Longman and Co. 2. A Treatise on the Popular Progress in English History. Being an Introduction to the Study of the Great Civil War in the Seventeenth Century. By John Forster, Esq. London: Longman and Co.

Having had occasion frequently to refer to this series of political biographies, it is unnecessary that we should do much more at present, than simply announce the fact of their separate publication. 'A desire having been expressed in many quarters,' says Mr. Forster, that this portion of a series of British statesmen originally published in Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia' should be given to the world in a distinct form, that desire is here complied with.' We rejoice that it has been so, and shall lose no opportunity of commending the volumes to the good favor and attentive perusal of our readers. The biographies they contain are so eventful, that the history of the age itself might well be written in them. For the times, awful as they were,

VOL. VII.

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