Liguori, are exposed, and contrasted with the very different principles inculcated by the Church of England. The volume concludes with some observations on the ignorance of Romanists as to the real tenets of their Church on the Popish mode of convincing heretics, and on the effects produced by Protestantism and Popery respectively, and with concise answers to certain Popish objections.

From this brief analysis of the topics discussed by Mr. Hobson, it will be perceived that all the material points of the Romish controversy have been brought forward, and, we must add, satisfactorily refuted. The typographical execution of the volume is singularly neat; and, what is no trifling consideration, it is offered to the public at a reasonable price. Mr. Hobson is already advantageously known as the author of numerous many practical tracts, which are admirably adapted to impart information to the working and agricultural classes, and many of which have for some years been on the list of the excellent tracts circulated by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Christian Consolation. By DANIEL MOORE, M.A. London: Bowdery. 1848.

THIS is a series of "Discourses on the Reliefs afforded by the Gospel under different States and Trials of the Christian Life," by the perpetual curate of Camden district, Camberwell. The volume is inscribed by the reverend writer to his congregation, among whom he is deservedly popular-a circumstance which must greatly enhance the usefulness of these discourses; and we can well imagine that he could scarcely have made them a more acceptable offering. To say that Mr. Moore illustrates his preaching by his life is to remark that of him which we honestly believe is applicable to the great majority of his fellow-labourers in the vineyard; but we also believe that there are few among them who so entirely carry with them the hearts of their flock. The style of these discourses is simple, earnest, and affectionate; for the general soundness of their doctrine, his reputation as a divine is a sufficient warrant.

Essays on Human Happiness. By Dr. HENRY DUHRING. London: Longman.

CLEARLY, sensibly, and, we doubt not, honestly, written; full of acknowledgments of a Creator, but without one allusion to a Redeemer. The author may be a Jew or a Mahomedan, for aught that we find in these pages to the contrary.

The Imperial Dictionary, English, Technological, and Scientific; adapted to the present state of Literature, Science and Art; on the basis of Webster's English Dictionary, with the addition of many thousand Words and Phrases from the other Standard Dictionaries and Encyclopædias, and from numerous other Sources, comprising all words purely English, and the Principal and most General and Technical and Scientific Terms; together with their Etymologies and their Pronunciation, according to the best Authorities. Illustrated by about Two Thousand Engravings on Wood. Edited by JOHN ÖGILVIE, LL.D. Volume the First. London and Edinburgh: Blackie and Son, 1848.

THE dictionary, of all works, is the most progressive; and its actual value must be dependent upon its being brought up to the actual state of our knowledge. The last great English dictionary was sent from America. Barker's English edition of Webster's may be looked upon as an improvement upon the original. Dr. Ogilvie, as we think, has wisely taken the latter as his basis, and in addition to that fundamental stock, enriches his work by diligent researches through the other standard dictionaries, encyclopædias, and technical and scientific authorities; and the result has been the production of the first volume of certainly the most copious dictionary of the English language hitherto published. Of late years science has so rapidly extended its boundaries-new terms of pressing practical utility have grown upon us so fast, and language itself in other respects, especially since the continent has been thrown open to the traveller, has undergone such a revolution, that a dictionary, such as that now before us, compiled as it is with an erudition equal to the infinite demands of the undertaking, may be regarded as one of the most important accessions to our library which has of late issued from the press. Dr. Ogilvie's publication embraces all the pure English words to be found in other dictionaries or employed in our oral vocabulary, and all words, not English, which by habit have grown into common use amongst us. Scottish words, which have heretofore found no place in our dictionaries, are also introduced-scientific and technical terms are given and carefully explained-Scripture terms and phrases are also included. Obsolete, obsolescent, and unusual words are distinguished-etymology and pronunciation are exhibited-and the various uses of words are illustrated by examples from the best authors. Another and very important feature is the introduction of beautifully executed diagrams and other illustrations which give a peculiar value and interest to the work. From a careful examination of the plan and execution of this vast undertaking, we are prepared to

say that it deserves to supersede all other existing authorities. The utmost vigilance appears to have been exercised in keeping clear of all doubtful or unnecessary speculations; the explanations are clear, sound, and full; the examples judiciously selected, and extensive learning is visible in the department of etymology. Dr. Ogilvie states that to Webster's addition of 12,000 words to Todd's Johnson, he has made a further addition of at least 15,000 words, terms, and phrases. The work will be completed in three volumes. Neither labour nor expense appear to have been spared in producting the first volume; and when it is complete, we believe, with the editor of the Times, that the "Imperial Dictionary " will be "the most elaborate and successful undertaking of the kind which has ever appepred."

Sir Theodore Broughton; or, Laurel Water. By G. P. R. JAMES, Esq. Three Volumes. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. 1848. THIS is another production of what we almost believe to be an inexhaustible mine of fiction. Mr. James has ably and honestly achieved the rank and popularity he holds among the novelists of the day; and we always hail with pleasure a new work from his pen. "Sir Theodore Broughton" is inferior, in point of interest, to none of the many works of its class for which we are indebted to his untiring invention; and it is, for the most part, distinguished by the good taste and right feeling which characterise his previous works. We regret, however, that, in the story before us, he has endeavoured to enlist our sympathies in favour of an unworthy object-a military highwayman-one Colonel Luwich, who resorts to the road as a means of repairing his dilapidated fortunes. True it is that, in the way of example, it is harmless; inasmuch as a gentleman who, in those days, resorted to the same expedient, would have but a short and not over merry life of it. The moral, however, of it is-and it is not a very good one-that he wins a wreath of laurel instead of one of hemp, and so far poetical as well as magisterial, justice is defrauded of its due. For the rest, as we have said before, the plot is interesting and rather original: it abounds with vivid, vigorous, and, withal, delicate delineations of character. We very much regret the necessity thus imperatively imposed on us of qualifying our approbation of a work by one whose high personal character and kindly heart have so largely enhanced the respect which his able and generally instructive stories have won for him.

Six Letters on Dr. Todd's Discourses on the Prophecies Relating to Antichrist in the Apocalypse. By E. B. DENISON, M.A. London: Painter. 1848.

DR. TODD belongs to that school of interpreters who are called Futurists, in contradistinction to those who are called Preterists the former maintaining that all the visions of the Apocalypse relate to things that are yet future—the latter maintaining that they relate to things that are past. Both these classes of interpreters are alike disregarded by plain simple Christians, whose piety and common sense assures them that neither of these systems can possibly be true; as in either case the Church would be left for nineteen hundred years without the guidance of prophecy, and would have been treasuring up a book professedly coming from the risen Lord himself and given to the beloved disciple, the study of which was enjoined, and blessings promised to those who should hear and keep its sayings-which book, after all, would be a dead letter for the Church of eighteen centuries. Common sense rejects all such notions as a libel upon holy Scripture and a denial of the continual providence of God.

Mr. Denison, however, finding that such statements had weight with certain persons, examines Dr. Todd's book, as that which is considered the chief work in maintenance of the idea that the whole of the Apocalypse yet remains to be fulfilled. And to such of our readers as may have thought such an idea at all likely or at all tenable, we recommend Mr. Denison's refutation of it. But, to the generality of readers, it will be sufficient to say that the foundation of the whole hypothesis is a novel interpretation of the first words used by St. John when he begins the description of the Apocalyptic visions. St. John says-" I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." "This (says the Futurist) does not mean, as is commonly supposed, I was in a state of inspiration on a certain Sunday ; but I was carried forward in the Spirit so as to be in the day of the Lord'-i.e., the day of judgment" (49). And so all the visions of the Apocalypse are but different phases of the one day of judgment, and simultaneous-not consecutive. This gratuitous and unsupported conjecture is sufficient to make any person of common sense waste no time in examining an argument which rests on such a foundation.

Dr. Todd concludes his first lecture of objections to the received interpretations by saying--" If such interpretations, or even the principles on which they proceed, be true, the Apocalypse can be read and understood by the scholar and

man of learning only: whereas a blessing is promised to those who hear, and read, and keep the words of the prophecy" (Rev. i. 3). But, if this were true, it would apply in an infinitely greater degree to the Futurist schemes, which all assume that the Apocalypse can be understood by none, whether learned or unlearned, before the last day; so that none whatever can receive any blessing from this book. But we deny the fact, and we assert that the pious have at all times derived encouragement and strength from this book, and have discerned the character of their enemies in the antagonists of the Church therein symbolised, and have been able to appropriate to themselves the promises which are made by Christ to those that overcome and keep his works to the end.

France and its Revolutions; a Pictorial History. By G. LONG, Esq. Charles Knight. Nos. I. and II.

THERE are in these pages some vivid and vigorous pictures of the earlier scenes of the first French Revolution. The publication of a popular history of those days is well-timed just now; and the author has avoided disputes upon unimportant matters of fact which stop the reader's progress in so many narratives of the period. The prints, too, are good; and, if the future numbers keep up the spirit of the first, we shall have a valuable addition to our popular literature.

In perusing the account of the first outbreak of the Revolution, it is actually alarming to find the good feelings and intention which existed amongst the revolutionary leaders, seeing in what they ended. The comparison of the events of those days with the events of the present exhibit many instances of a similarity more fearful in its better points than in its worst. But for the beacon afforded by past experience, we should have much reason to fear that the protests and regulations in favour of good order and government, so profusely lavished at this moment by the party leaders, would end as they ended before-in anarchy and bloodshed. We can only trust that the lessons of history thrown away upon the French kings will not be equally thrown away upon the French people.

Life and Times of the Rev. Philip Henry, M.A., Father of the Commentator. London: Nelson. 1848.

THIS is a very neat edition of a most interesting biography, and we are glad to find it issued at a price which places it within the reach of all but the very humblest of the reading public.