at present exists in Bokhara, and evidencing what the country has been, and what it may again become, if a better system of government should take in hand and wisely use the machinery already in existence.

The sketch of the life of the present Amir, which forms the concluding chapter, has little to distinguish it from the ordinary combinations of dissimulation, treachery, and assassination which we find in the career of such men; and who, having succeeded by such means in supplanting some petty ruler, and getting rid of rival claimants, continue, from habit or necessity, the practice of those treacheries and crimes by which they had first attained the object of their ambition.

The Travels of the Baron de Bode in Luristan and Arabistan" is a work of far higher interest and value; both in respect to the countries which he visited, and from the very superior qualifications of the traveller: who not only possessed that kind of information which enabled him to observe, and collect, and record the facts we wish to know, but who, from intercourse with other well-informed men, both during his travels and while preparing his materials for the press, has been able to avail himself of the knowledge possessed by them, as well as his own. Major Rawlinson, Colonel Jackson, and others of the Royal Geographical Society of London, he expresses great obligations; "but in particular to the Rev. Mr. Renourd, for his kind assistance in comparing the narrative of Timur's march with several manuscripts of the original work of Sherefu-d-din, in the possession of the East India Company."

Το

Luristan, or the land of the Lurs, is a mountainous region, forming the western province of modern Persia, between Ispahan on the east, and the Turkish dominions on the west; and Arabistan or Khuristan lies south of this mountainous district, stretching down to the head of the Persian Gulph.

"These regions, which in general now offer to the eye the melancholy spectacle of decay, of devastation, and even spread out at intervals into utter wildernesses, were not so in former ages. There was a time when they must have teemed with an industrious population, as the vestiges of ruined towns plainly denote. The names of some of these have survived, and live in the traditions of the natives; others can be recognized in history; but a greater number lie scattered over the waste, without leaving any records behind, or bequeathing to posterity their names, the nations to which they belonged, or the time at which they flourished. There they crumble into dust, like bones bleaching on a forgotten field of battle; or like a solitary plank on the heaving wave-a sad wreck of some noble vessel sunk in the unfathomable depths of ocean. Shuster is greatly fallen from its former importance; Ahvaz, the winter capital of the Arsacidae or Parthian kings, is a heap

of ruins. The plough is levelling with the soil the only remaining mounds which point to Sondi-Shapur; while Susa, the rival of Babylon and Ecbatana, the vernal residence of the king of kings, hides its ancient ruins under thick grass and waving reeds, as if ashamed that common mortals should see how low it has fallen from its pristine greatness......It is with a view of rescuing from a second oblivion this once classical ground, that the author has endeavoured to draw aside a corner of the veil which still covers this mysterious region.”—(Preface.) We make this extract, not only to allow the baron himself to state the grounds and motives of his publication, but also to shew that, though a foreigner, he needs no apology for writing in English, and that he expresses himself with correctness and force, and, where necessary, with eloquence.

To classical scholars and students of history, much interesting matter will be found in the "Observations on the march of Timur; and on the probable course pursued by Alexander the Great on his expedition from Susa to Persepolis." (pp. 328—398). While to general readers varied and accurate information is afforded concerning regions little known, and the manners and customs of races whose origin is lost in unfathomable antiquity --but who, in many respects, have preserved their identity as a people, and remain unchanged to the present day. We have only to add that these volumes contain two maps of the countries referred to, and fifteen engravings of inscriptions, monuments, and views of remarkable places, which came under the notice of the author. Amongst these we would especially commend that of the Minar at Natens in Asia, which forms the frontispiece of the second volume.

The Accusations of History against the Church of Rome, examined in Remarks on the Principal Observations in Mr. C. Butler's Book of the Roman Catholic Church. By the Rev. G. TOWNSEND, M.A., Prebendary of Durham. A New Edition, by the Rev. J. E. Cox, M.A., for the Protestant Association. London: Dalton. 1845. THE work of Mr. Townsend "has so long been known among Protestants as especially valuable for the great impartiality and for the Christian candour with which it is written, that any further recommendation than that of its own intrinsic merits might seem altogether superfluous. The present edition has been carefully revised, and several references have been added, together with a translation of the Latin documents appended to the former editions; it is also published in a different form, and at a cheaper price, in order that it may be brought within the reach of every person who is anxious to become acquainted with the points of difference between the doctrines of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, with the hope that it may prove as useful in the present day as it did upon its first appearance." (Preface.)

ment.

A Grammar of the Idioms of the Greek Language of the New TestaBy Dr. GEO. BENEDICT WINER, Professor of Theology in the University at Leipsic. Translated by J. H. AGNEW and O. G. EBBEKE. Philadelphia.

THE magnitude of this book-four hundred and sixty-nine octavo pages of closely-printed matter—may suggest to the hasty and contented reader of the Greek Testament that there must be something in it which has escaped his observation. Its appearance is a phenomenon which the thoughtful divine, who must know that every new ray of light cast upon the sacred pages is priceless, should seek to explain. He is virtually told by it, that Mathiæ, and Buttman, and Kühner, though sufficient guides for Thucydides and Eschylus, are not sufficient for the Greek Testament. But can this suspicion be true? This is a question which we may probably discuss at fuller length on some other occasion. In the mean time, we would draw the attention of the English divinity-student to the existence of this book, translated and published in America. There are now, we believe, two grammars of this kind published in England; only one of which we ourselves have seen. But the editor of that candidly acknowledges that Dr. Winer's Grammar has yielded him the most important of his materials. We should rather regard them as introductions to Winer's, than as at all superseding it. We are quite prepared to agree with the American critical judges: There is nothing like it. It is beyond all question a nonpareil of its kind."..." I consider Winer to be at the head of the severe and critical schools of sacred philologists."..." It is a work of the highest authority, and of the greatest practical usefulness."

We deem the subject one of the greatest importance, as we are convinced that the exegetical study of the Greek Testament is still but little appreciated by the generality of English students. And yet we know of no course of study, however extensive and severe, which can compensate for the neglect of this habit (for such it is) of verbally studying the Greek Testament. It is on this ground that we would so earnestly recommend Dr. Winer's most learned work. For the present we will only repeat our remark, that the fact of the appearance of this bulky volume should suggest to the student to inquire into the state of his own knowledge on this subject-a knowledge which, in proportion to his opportunities and ability, is so evidently a duty that wilful ignorance must be regarded as a deep reproach. Of course it is to be used as a book for constant reference, and not for consecutive study.

Parochialia or, Church, School, and Parish. The Church System and Services, practically considered. By JOHN SANDFORD, M.A., Vicar of Dunchurch, Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Worcester; Honorary Canon of Worcester; and Rural Dean. Longmans. 1845.

THE title of this volume expresses what it is meant to be-a manual for the clergyman in making the most suitable arrangements for the worship of God, and the education of the young, and the supervision of all-and the book is what its title imports: it is a book which we should advise every clergyman to consult who wishes for full information on any of these points. And we can also recommend it as containing practical information, the result of experience, and going into all the necessary details, and accompanied with plans, and illustrations, and tables, and estimates.

Having said thus much, we are at a loss in proceeding further, lest we should seem to be only expressing the usual phraseology of blind indiscriminating eulogy; for we do think this a very valuable work, and have not found anything in it with which we do not entirely agree: nor are we able to point out any omissions, nor can we suggest any additions or improvements. And yet, we assure our readers that we are quite impartial, and have no acquaintance whatever with the author.

The work is so strictly practical, that it begins with a statement of the improvements actually made in Dunchurch, which, having been injudiciously repaired and disfigured thereby, is now restored as nearly as possible to its original state. "And as the restoration is of a simple character, a description of it may be useful to those who, without aiming at costly decoration, may still be desirous of promoting decency and convenience in the house of prayer." (p. 11.) And, with this view, representations of all the restored parts of the fabric are given: of the whole, first in a general view; and then of doors, windows, roof, pillars, galleries, pulpit, font, vestry, sittings, and all accompaniments. This forms the substance of the first chapters of church restoration, pews, and churchyards.

The second part treats on schools, school-building, interior arrangements, and play-ground; again rendered practical, and exemplified in its working by reference to the Dunchurch schools. The second book of this second part treats of school economy, and all the details of moral and religious training; on teachers, subjects of instruction, management, Sunday-schools, and infant-schools.

The third part treats of the parish-first, as to pastoral care; next, as to church services: public worship, daily prayer, holi

days, week-day lecture, public baptism, catechising, confirmation, and holy communion, are the several subjects discussed and enforced. Then follow the charitable offerings, and the parochial institutions, in their respective subdivisions; and fay help-as district visitors, nurses for the poor, sponsors for the poor, and church officers-closes the volume: save that an appendix of authorities is given in confirmation of the assertions made in the text.

This enumeration of the contents, while it shews the importance of the work, suggests also the possibility of considerable room for difference of opinion where the subjects are so numerous and various. But we think that materials are herein afforded for coming to a correct opinion, even should it differ from Mr. Sandford. He says in the preface-"I have embodied some of the experience of a ministry of twenty years. I have of course touched upon points at present in debate, and on which men, wiser and better than myself, may take a different view. But I trust that I have written with becoming moderation, and with that meekness of wisdom which is never so needed as in days like the present. My object has been to produce a practical volume, such as may be useful to younger labourers." And we think that he has succeeded.

Poems. By ROBERT BLOOMFIELD. "The Farmer's Boy," with Thirteen Illustrations. Van Voorst. 1845.

THESE poems have been long before the public; and the volume derives its novelty, and present interest, from the illustrations, which are wood-cuts, forming headings to the seasons, and to the best of the poems. Ten of these appear to us of the highest order of merit in their kind, and we will not now specify the three which please us less than the rest, as even these would appear to advantage compared with the best works of the kind executed in former time. We are not able fully to account for the pleasure we derive from wood-cuts of this description: it may be partly owing to the consciousness that a great difficulty has been surmounted in attaining such excellence; but we think that it is more to be ascribed to a superior degree of brilliancy and sharpness from the very nature of the operation, which, when combined with this degree of clearness and finishing, becomes very fascinating. For it is to be remembered that, in engravings, the ink which produces the shadows lies in hollows of the copper-plate, and therefore, when transferred to paper, causes the shadows to be slightly raised, and the lights to be depressed-contrary to wood-cuts, in which the shadows are