to hear the charge brought against Paul. It was a question of Jewish Ecclesiastical law, not of civil wrong, or crime. His province as a Roman functionary had its limits; in keeping within which, he only followed his official instructions, and the examples of other Procurators. Although we commend him, yet no special or exclusive commendation is his due. In what remains of the transaction, he may appear blameable. Justice was insulted by the outrage committed before his eyes; and yet he looks on carelessly. A magistrate who passed over such an assault, might be supposed to invite a repetition of the offence! When I think, nevertheless, on Gallio's high fame for a knowledge of mankind, I incline to the belief that he was purposely silent, and designed to mortify the Jews, by his not punishing the assailants of Sosthenes. It might be his object to check, in every possible way, the fondness of this people for obtruding their technical controversies on a Roman tribunal. I will not affirm that, in doing so, he either thought or acted rightly: I simply intimate what seems a better explanation of his conduct, than ease of temper, or want of thought about religion."-Pp. 216-218.

In the above note Mr. Kentish speaks of "other Procurators," as though the office of procurator and proconsul were identical. This he will find, on consideration, to be an oversight. The office of procurator was subordinate to that of proconsul, and every proconsul had his own procurator. But a procurator sometimes discharged the duties of president, or governor, in a smaller Roman province, or in a portion of a larger one which was remote from the principal seat of government. This was the case in Judea, the civil affairs of which were administered by a procurator, although Judea itself was regarded as belonging to the province of Syria. Thus, Pilate (John xviii. 31) and Festus (Acts xxv. 11, 25, xxvi. 32), to whom Mr. Kentish refers by way of illustration, were procurators; but Gallio ranked as a proconsul (Acts xviii. 12).

Latin made Easy; an Introduction to the Reading of Latin, comprising a Grammar, Exercise-book and Vocabulary. By the Rev. J. R. Beard, D.D. Second Edition, revised and enlarged. Pp. 210. Simpkin, Marshall and Co. 1846.

THOUGH agreeing with Miss Edgeworth, that "perhaps nothing can be done more practically useful than to simplify grammar and lighten as much as possible the load that is laid on the memory," yet we are not in the number of those who think it desirable, even if it were possible, that a royal road should be formed for the attainment of the Latin language. Could the Hamiltonian and other systems resembling it which have from time to time been introduced, and which have all proved signal failures, have been effectual in accomplishing their proposed end, still we should decidedly object to them as calculated to defeat one of the great objects for which the Latin tongue is made an essential part of a liberal education. The process which the mind undergoes in the very toil and drudgery to which it is obliged to submit, is one of the chief (if not the chief) advantages derived from this study, and tends more effectually, perhaps, than any other mode to develop its powers and to strengthen it for future exertion, for future conquests over all future difficulties. But although it may be neither practicable nor desirable to render the path to the attainment of classical literature altogether smooth and easy, yet the ordinary process admits of great improvement; and by so many painful and unnecessary impediments has the task of learning as well as of teaching been beset, that he certainly is to be regarded as a benefactor to both tutor and pupil who produces an elementary book which shall give the youthful learner more light, remove from his road obstructions over which he constantly stumbles, and guide him cheeringly along the path he has to pursue. With such a book has Dr. Beard furnished us, after long practical acquaintance with the duties of a teacher.

The grammar of almost every language is necessarily a great difficulty; but writers of Grammars have often evinced such a want of method, clearness and

simplicity, that many a pupil, becoming inextricably confused in the labyrinth into which he has been led, has abandoned his task in despair. Some of the Latin Grammars which have (from accidental causes) been most in vogue, are among the worst that have been written, and it will be, we fear, the work of time to supplant them by others which are simpler and in all respects better. Dr. Beard is well entitled to the thanks of the friends of education; for though neither he nor any one else may be able to make the acquisition of the Latin language an "easy" task, yet he has made it comparatively easy; and we should think it a national blessing were his book to occupy the place in our schools and seminaries of learning which is now so unworthily held by the Eton Grammar and others that we could mention.

We avail ourselves of the appearance of this Second Edition to renew the expression of our approbation and good wishes, and to record our opinion that, in its "revised and enlarged" form, it has additional claims on the patronage of the public.

Poems. By Ralph Waldo Emerson. Pp. 200. London-Chapman, Brothers. 1847.

HAVING been necessitated by a sense of duty to express disapprobation of portions of Mr. Emerson's prose, it would have afforded us sincere pleasure to be able honestly to praise his poetry. But the volume (in the beauty of its paper and type and binding it cannot be surpassed) is from beginning to end a riddle to us. In its metres, its rhymes and its meaning, it is strange, wild and nearly incomprehensible. The first poem is entitled "The Sphynx," and is, we suppose, typical of the volume and the poet. The concluding verse runs thus:

"Through a thousand voices

Spoke the universal dame,

Who telleth one of my meanings,

Is master of all I am.'

One of the few intelligible poems is the following Fable, in transcribing which we italicise some curious rhymes and an exquisite Americanism :

As we were about to put aside this volume of Poems, in troubled amazement at Mr. Emerson's ideas of poetry, we observed the concluding verses, a Hymn sung at the completion of Concord Monument, April 19, 1836. It is simple and pleasing, and we are glad to find one extract which we can praise. "By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept,
Alike the Conqueror silent sleeps,
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone,

That memory may their deed redeem,
When like our sires our sons are gone.

Spirit! who made those freemen dare
To die, or leave their children free,
Bid time and nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and Thee."

1. The Silent Pastor, or Consolations for the Sick. By Thomas Sadler, Ph.D. 18mo. Pp. 128. Chapman, Brothers. 1847.

2. "Cast thy Bread upon the Waters." A Sermon preached at WorshipStreet Chapel, London, before the General Assembly of Unitarian Baptists, held on Whit-Tuesday, June 2, 1846. By the Rev. Thomas Sadler, Ph.D. Svo. Pp. 23. Chapman, Brothers.

IN the first of these works, Dr. Sadler offers consolation and instruction to the tenant of the sick room. His tone is gentle and persuasive, and true piety pervades his "Christian View of Sickness." The Scripture passages, the prayers and devotional poems, which form more than half the volume, are well selected. The "Silent Pastor" will, we trust, speak comfort to many a sad and disconsolate heart. There is an affecting Dedication to the author's Mother, now no more.

The second work is a sermon, vigorous in thought and admirable in spirit, recommending the fearless performance of duty, be the prospect of success or reward what it may. We have felt ourselves bettered by reading this righthearted discourse, and trust this will be the experience of many other readers.

Prayers for the Use of Families. 18mo. Pp. 36. Norwich.

MR. TRAVERS MADGE, the author of this surprisingly cheap little book of Prayers, has been induced to prepare and publish them by the amiable and pious wish that he may "be the means of introducing family worship into many homes." We have put these Prayers to the test of use in a family circle, and now warmly recommend them. They possess the desired variety of topic and phrase, and are besides beautifully simple and perfectly Christian in their tone.

Lectures on the Parables. Lecture I.

THIS is the first of a series of cheap and popular tracts by Mr. Knowles, of Park Lane. It treats its subject, "The new Cloth and the old Garment-the new Wine and the old Bottles," concisely and judiciously. All the NewTestament stories may be turned to account in explaining and upholding pure Christianity. The doctrine and spirit of the parables of Christ are fatal to the orthodox system. Oriental as many of them are in dress, they speak persuasively and convincingly to the universal mind of man. As the sale of this tract is to determine the progress of the series, we hope it will be promptly encouraged.

The Poor Man's Four Evils. Pp. 12. London-C. Fox.

THIS little tract is worth a heap of what passes current under the name of religious tracts. We bespeak our readers' help in giving to it, as it deserves,

a wide circulation.

PERIODICALS.

Howitt's Journal.-" WILLIAM and MARY HOWITT" are names around which a thousand pleasant literary memories gratefully cling. We welcome them, and wish them much prosperity in their "Journal," which they devote "to the cause of Peace, of Temperance, of Sanatory Reform, of Schools for every class; to all the efforts of Free Trade, Free Opinion; to abolition of obstructive Monopolies, and the recognition of those great rights which belong to every individual of the great British people." The Nos. hitherto issued are of high merit. In No. I., besides papers by the Editors, there is an important article on Sanatory Reform by Dr. Southwood Smith. In No. II., Dr. Bowring began a series of rich promise, entitled "Free-Trade Recollections." We have no faith in the "Co-operative" movement on which Mr. Howitt smiles. We trust he will not give any countenance to trade combinations and strikes. We have witnessed the dreadful physical sufferings and moral blight which follow in their train, and we regretted to observe in the "People's Journal" so strong a leaning to them. In most cases, trade unions are tyrannical invasions of freedom of labour, and serve to put on a level the skilled and the unskilled, the conscientious and the careless artizan, to embarrass the capitalist, and ultimately to injure the operative.

Mary Howitt renews in the "Journal" the "Lyrics of Life." The opening verses of the Lyric entitled "THE CHILDREN" are full of sweetness, both metrical and moral. We must find room for them.

"Beautiful the children's faces!

Spite of all that mars and sears:
To my inmost heart appealing;
Calling forth love's tenderest feeling;
Steeping all my soul with tears.
Eloquent the children's faces-

Poverty's lean look, which saith,
Save us! save us! woe surrounds us,
Little knowledge sore confounds us:
Life is but a lingering death!
Give us light amid our darkness;
Let us know the good from ill;
Hate us not for all our blindness;
Love us, lead us, shew us kindness-
You can make us what you will.

We are willing; we are ready;

We would learn, if you would teach;
We have hearts that yearn towards duty;
We have minds alive to beauty!

Souls that any heights can reach !

Raise us by your Christian knowledge;
Consecrate to man our powers;
Let us take our proper station;
We, the rising generation,

Let us stamp the age as ours!"

The Christian, No. LXI., January, 1847.-Mr. Barker offers his readers, as a New-year's gift, some very good advice, enjoining upon them faithfulness to their work as moral and Christian reformers, the formation of Sundayschools, the opening of places of worship, plain but spacious, and a plentiful circulation of books and tracts. He takes a hopeful, but we believe correct, view of the signs of the times. "The religion of goodness is taking the place of the religion of selfishness and superstition." He cheers his disciples with the promise of aid from others.

"I am aware that in many places the Reformers are poor, and neither able to build rooms nor to rent them at any considerable rent. But if they will do what

they can, they will find others who will help them. The Reformers at Mottram were poor; there was not a man among them, I believe, but what had to work for his bread: still they have built a school-room that will accommodate seven or eight hundred scholars, with a lecture-room over it in which I have preached to more than a thousand people. And there is very little debt on the premises. The way they did was this. They first subscribed what they could among themselves, and then went round to ask subscriptions from such as were friendly to their object in the neighbourhood. In this way they raised perhaps a hundred pounds or so. They then asked assistance from some liberal and wealthy Unitarians about Hyde and Dukinfield. When the Unitarians found that they were proceeding on liberal principles, they helped them cheerfully. One, an attorney, made them their deeds gratis; others gave them money and good counsel; and thus they accomplished their object. Why should not the Reformers at Halifax, King-cross, Pudsey, Stanningley and other places, do the same?"

The sentence which we have put into italics is not correct. A debt of three hundred pounds hangs over this zealous and worthy congregation. But we trust they will, by the aid of individual friends and our societies, soon free themselves from the incumbrance. We feel assured they deserve the liberal aid of the Unitarian body.

The Unitarians are the next objects of Mr. Barker's advice. He counsels our ministers to preach once at least every Sunday without book; to "go out on a week-night into country places to talk;" to urge their hearers to benevolent action; to establish good large Sunday-schools and free libraries; and he urges on the rich to employ a tenth or twentieth portion of their incomes in circulating good books and tracts. He also wishes Unitarians to "throw away caste," and "not to trouble themselves about political or municipal honours." We cannot second Mr. Barker in this advice, which savours somewhat of the old Methodist leaven. The world is the scene of the true Christian's efforts to benefit others. So far from wishing our wealthy and well-educated Unitarians to look with indifference on a seat in Parliament and in municipal corporations, we say such men are greatly needed there, and proportioned to the eminence of their station is the good they may effect. If Mr. Barker will inquire in Liverpool, Birmingham, Macclesfield, Stockport, or in his own neighbouring town of Leeds, he will learn that individual Unitarians, by the admirable discharge of their duties as chief magistrate of their several towns, have not only benefited the morals and happiness of their neighbours, but in many instances conciliated attention and respect to their religious opinions.

The Inquirer, No. 236.-Our last No., being the commencement of a new volume, received the unexpected and gratifying compliment of a very friendly notice from the Editor of the Inquirer. We avail ourselves of the first opportunity of reciprocating our contemporary's feelings of respect and good-will, and of assuring him that such feelings alone live in our memory. Though not always able to agree with our contemporary's views on political and ecclesiastical matters, we have admired and rejoiced in his able and zealous support of sound and properly evangelical views of Unitarian Christianity. If in vindicating ourselves from censures which we thought harsh, we have been "captious towards the newspaper," we regret it.-We may state that various improvements are announced in the new volume. The Editor has promises of important literary aid, and improvements are to be made in both the Parliamentary and Legal reports, which will hereafter contain the "personal impressions" of an eye-witness.

The Kent and Sussex Friendly Visitor.-This is the first No. of a new Unitarian quarterly periodical, published at a very low price by the Kent and Sussex Unitarian Association. For their expression of good-will towards our work we heartily thank the Editors, and wish them every success in their meritorious labours.