amidst all their sins, still cling to that cross as their best hope of happiness here, and their only hope of happiness hereafter."

If the cause of our national Christianity should indeed be lost; so far, at least, as any act of the legislature can occasion its loss; it will not be lost for lack of a faithful, and zealous, and most eloquent advocate.

THE MOURNER.

I HAVE seen man's glory pass away,
The warrior's plume laid low,
And the radiant bloom of youth decay,
In its first and fairest glow.

I have seen the day, that proudly rose,
In sunshine and in mirth,

Grow dark and lower toward its close,
And blight the hopes of earth.

I have seen the brow, so calmly bright,
Grow sadder day by day;

And the fair cheek's transparent light
In beauty droop away.

I've whispered then, in bitterest grief,
"To sorrow man is born;

For Autumn brings its withering leaf,

The Summer rose, its thorn."

But spake a voice-"Know grief was given

To try thy faith and fear,

And wouldst thou share the bliss of heaven,

'Tis Faith must guide thee here."

AURORA.

REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE TRUTH IN REGARD TO ENGLAND IN 1817. By a Frenchman. Translated by William Tanner Young, Esq., Late Her Majesty's Consul in Palestine. London: Peter Jackson, (late Fisher, Son & Co.) Angel Street.

THE translator of this work met with it in Switzerland, in its original language, in the summer of 1846; and finding it to be dedicated to "The People of England," and being much "struck with some of its sentiments," he determined to present it to his fellow-countrymen in an English dress.

Aware, however, that of such a work it might possibly be said, " Its interest is gone by," Mr. Young submits to his readers the considerations which induced him to undertake this translation; and in so doing, he throws considerable light upon the nature of the work on which he has expended his labour.

Thus he speaks: "The Dead leave us their experience; a solemn warning, a sacred trust, which we are not to use as idle spendthrifts, but to regard as materiel in preparing the way for generations which are to succeed us, as we have succeeded others, in the inheritance which God has entailed upon our race for their good, and for his own glory.... History is but the world's cemetery, where not the bones merely of nations are entombed, but where their spirit lies embalmed, and where we may gather, from human example and experience, illustrations of what Divine revelation is, in precept, daily setting before us.”

Again : "The work under consideration is a species of essay on, or defence of, the practical working of the British Constitution, at a time when it was passing under the severest ordeal to which a nation could possibly be subject."

A brief extract from the Dedication prefixed to this work by the original French Editor, may serve to convey a more accurate idea of its character and design:

"It is to the People of England, that a work ought to be dedicated which is designed to refute the exaggerations, impostures, and absurdities, with which certain authors are by their books, continually inun

dating France, Germany, and the Netherlands, against the English government and nation.

"A Frenchman, as distinguished by birth, as by the nobleness and independence of his character, who has thoroughly studied the country which these writers have feebly pretended to portray, is desirons to evince his gratitude to the generous nation which has provided him an asylum, at the same time that it has preserved to the French their KING AND THEIR PRINCES. He has thought it his duty to vindicate the truth, which has been wantonly outraged."

Wantonly outraged, indeed, the truth, as it respects English morals and manners, appears to have been by the writers here alluded to; and it is doubtless well that such "impositions and absurdities" should be contradicted and exposed.. M. de la Vauguyon's work is, however, yet more valuable, as exhibiting its author's own views of English society and English institutions, than as exposing the mistakes or misrepresentations of other and less influential writers. The work is conceived in a spirit of warm gratitude towards England; and the present translation of it will doubtless be received with the favour which it deserves.

THE CONVENT; a Narrative founded on Fact. By R. Mc Crindell, Authoress of "The School Girl in France," "The English Governess," &c. London: Aylott and Jones, 8, Paternoster Row. 1848.

As the posthumous work of its pious author, who, to use the words of her surviving relative, "having passed several years in Roman Catholic countries, was well prepared to expose the system there practised to deceive the simple-minded," and who was most anxious to warn the rising race of England, "against the soul-destroying doctrines of Popery," this volume comes before the public under circumstances of peculiar interest.

The value of this very striking narrative is immeasurably enhanced by the fact, that it is no mere work of imagination, contrived for the purpose of exposing the unscriptural doctrines, profane mummeries, or "lying wonders" of popery. "The outline of the Narrative," writes the editor, in her Preface, "is founded on fact; THE SUBSTANCE IS TRUE.” This important circumstance being borne in mind, "The Convent' will be felt to be a work of no common interest. The religious views

• M. de la Vauguyon, fils ainé.

which it exhibits are, as it is needless to inform those readers who are acquainted with the earlier works of the same author, thoroughly Scriptural; and in particular the great doctrine of Justification by Faith, in the ONE MEDIATOR between God and man-"the jewel of Protestantism," is set forth in all its fulness and simplicity. The work contains passages of great vigour; and is pervaded by a tone of earnestness which nothing but truth could have inspired.

We shall give no outline of this singular narrative, because by so doing, we might diminish the interest with which, as we hope, many of our readers will peruse it for themselves; we may, however, venture to give one concluding scene. The day has arrived on which the two novices on whose characters and adventures the principal interest of the narrative turns, are to make their profession; that is, to assume the black veil :

"Several of the elder nuns had been engaged from the earliest dawn of day in decorating the chapel, which presented a most sumptuous and splendid appearance; everything costly and elegant was scattered in profusion over the altars. The Virgin Mary, in her richest robes, looked benignantly on her votaries; gold and precious stones dazzled the eyes in every direction; the seats for the most distinguished visitors were covered with crimson velvet; all that the mind can conceive of gorgeous splendour was there."

The two novices being both of high family, the chapel of the convent (Santa Rosalia, near Palermo,) was crowded to excess; and among the assembled multitude were an English admiral and two of his lieutenants.

The ceremony proceeded according to the usual form. The space in front of the altar was strewed with the most fragrant flowers; the most exquisite music floated around; the usual prayers were repeated; and the usual hymns chanted; and at length the moment arrived for the pronouncing by the novices of the irrevocable vow.

"Father Giacomo blessed the black veils, which were lying on a table before him; and, approaching the novices, asked them, Daughters, is it by your own free will, that you now devote yourselves to God?" "

"No!' burst simultaneously from the lips of the agitated novices; and before the reverend father had recovered from his surprise, they rushed to the railing which separated the chapel from the altar, and throwing themselves on their knees, Isabel exclaimed, Englishmen, help us; deliver us from this cruel bondage! Then rising up, they emphatically begged the interference of the British Government on their behalf."

The scene of tumult which followed is scarcely describable :

"The incensed priest rushed upon the terrified girls; and seizing each by an arm, attempted to drag them from the rails, to which they clung in desperation; while at the same moment, the two lieutenants, by the admiral's order, leaped over the slight barrier, and in the name of the British Government, demanded that the young ladies should be given up to them."

Upon this, the priest stamps and storms; but other English officers had, by this time, surrounded the trembling novices. The admiral himself was by their side, and hope sprang up in their hearts:

"The priest advanced towards the admiral and inquired by what right he interfered in ecclesiastical matters ?"

"This is not exactly an ecclesiastical matter,' was the prompt reply. These ladies are asked by you whether it is of their own free will that they assume the veil? They answer, that it is not. They are therefore free from your jurisdiction; for your own question shows that you have no right to compel them, against their will, to renounce the world."

We cannot quote the passage at length; but the issue of the matter is, that the officer having declared, that the British Government permits no Slavery in its dominions, insists, as its representative, upon the release of the novices, and directs his lieutenants to escort them a place of safety. Both the ladies become confirmed Protestants, and eventually take up their abode in " that favoured land, where the Bible is within the reach of the poorest individual; and where the minister of the Gospel, far from requiring blind submission to his word, says boldly, "Search the Scriptures, and see whether these things be so ;" "requiring nothing to be believed but what is agreeable to the Word of God."

We earnestly hope, that this work, which was " undertaken and carried on" by its departed author "in a prayerful spirit," and with a view to the glory of God, may, by the Divine blessing, be instrumental in inciting those into whose hands it may fall, to value as they deserve to be valued, the various religious and civil advantages which belong to them as Protestants, and especially "the blessed privilege of free access to the Holy Scriptures."

CITY COUSINS. By the Author of " Annie Sherwood." London: Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row, and 65, St. Paul's Churchyard.

THIS is a book of small pretension, but of great merit. It is intended as a sequel to the little work entitled "Annie Sherwood," of which we