indefinable sort of a book. The present volume (says its author) forms the first of three, two of which are hereafter to appear. Mr. Rogers evidently endured that disagreeable state of dubiety usually termed a quandary, whether to prefix his name or not to this hopeful offspring of his original genius. His pros and cons on this nice point are very ingeniously acknowledged in two successive paragraphs; in the first of which, his native modesty shrunk from public notoriety, but in the second the love of fame carried it hollow. Here they are totidem verbis: “Firstly, I have to apologise to my reader for publishing my work without my name. Anonymous publication is naturally objectionable and offensive to frank, honourable, holy people of a noble spirit, who like writers to declare openly their real and honest opinion. I decidedly think that the publishing without the name is bad, and therefore ought not to be done as the rule. An exception, however, may occur; and I candidly and truly affirm the present case to appear to me a real and adequate exception. For withholding my name on the present occasion, I am not condemned in the court of conscience." This satisfactory decision is, however, immediately knocked on the head by the next sentence. Second thoughts are doubtless best, and therefore it follows thus: "Secondly, since writing the former part of the present article, I have come to the determination not to print anonymously, but to put my name on the title-page." Such are the puzzles and perplexities of unhappy authors, who ask themselves,

"What shall I do to be for ever known,

And make succeeding ages all my own?"

To which enquiry Peter Pindar very shrewdly replies: "If thou dost sigh for reputation,

Do something to deserve damnation."

Joking apart, however, it is not so much with the style of this book that we quarrel, nor with the huge jaw-breaking Græco-Germanic compounds with which it abounds; but, to speak frankly, we dislike the spirit and the principle which pervades its entire mass. To our minds, the divine religion of the Catholic and Universal Church recognises and encourages all that is true and good in the several mixed systems of ecclesiastical and civil institutions which have sprung up in successive ages. Christianity, properly so called, is a perfect theory, combining and harmonising the conservative, and conciliating the dissentient and destructive principles, both for the defence of right and the demolition of wrong. Christianity should so operate on mixed systems as to preserve all that is good, while overturning all that is bad. We therefore wish by all means to cherish and coalesce whatever is good and true in those mixed systems, which our author denominates "Popery, Politikirkality, and Priestrule." We wish to preserve the wheat that is in them, though we seek, as far as possible, to eradicate their tares. Now, Mr. Rogers appears to forget that these are mixed systems; that they contain a vast deal of good as well as evil. In him the spirit of the dissentient and destructive is triumphant; and he would annihilate entire constitutions for the sake of partial defects. Such is not the benign philosophy which descends from heaven. As well might we think of destroying a man because he was infected by loathsome disease; as well might we think of desolating a city because there were wicked desperadoes within its walls. We cannot therefore sympathise with our author in his slashing invectives against the Roman Catholic Church, or the union of Church and State, or the clerical institution of priests, &c., &c. To ennoble, to purify, and harmonise them, we have long earnestly struggled; but to proceed against them as enemies, as undiluted abominations and mischief, we will not do. This sort of method we leave to the throng of sects and parties, that delight in wholesale abuse.

Yet, to do Mr. Rogers justice, his book contains some grand and admirable ideas, that indicate a mind sincerely bent on diviner objects, and not unacquainted with spiritual communications from the sphere of eternal truth. His

O'Connell Answered.

book may be of service in certain quarters, from the bold and unflinching mode of dealing with crying abuses.

True union and coalition can be established only as we get rid of those errors and corruptions that now keep sects apart. We are grateful, therefore, to all writers who point out to Roman Catholics those objectionable points in their system, which continue to annoy and disgust a large body of thinking men. Let them but get rid of these morbid excrescences that deform the fair countenance of Catholicism, and the reconciliation of Papists and Protestants will become feasible. We are no less glad to meet with books which shew up the blunders of doctrine and discipline prevalent in Protestant establishments. The use of party philippics is considerable when they teach parties to amend the faults that keep them asunder. They are, perhaps, necessary evils in this transitory state of human politics, which is gradually preparing the dawn of more perfect economics.

THE PENNY POSTAGE. By W. COOPER. London: Fisher & Co.

This is one of the numerous pamphlets which have passed through our hands relative to the penny-post scheme. It is said that there have been laid before We are glad to find government no less than 2,000 plans for the new system. that government has reconsidered Mr. Hill's proposition, and modified it. Second thoughts are best, and discretion the better part of valour. The wiser portion of the writers on this topic generally stated, that the charge for letters could not safely be reduced below twopence, and that an universal twopennypost would pay. Perhaps this may be yet realised in a few years. For the present, we have escaped an imminent risk of illustrating the adage, “penny wise and pound foolish," as well as the humbug of envelopes.

O'CONNELL ANSWERED.-Or a Reply to a Letter addressed to the Wesleyan
Methodists, &c. Third edition. DREWETT.

Mr. O'Connell certainly allowed his pen too free a licence in his encounter
with the Methodists; and in his zeal for his cause indulged that sort of elo-
quence, which, if at all proper, is better adapted to the common law bar than
the page of literature. The present able pamphlet exposes the defects of his
logic, and handles with just severity the atrocious notes which the Papalists
have attached to some of their editions of the Bible. Until they expunge the
damnable bigotry and malice displayed in these indefensible annotations--
until their leading ecclesiastics publicly and absolutely disown such detestable
tenets as those which figure in several of their cherished works, the Protestants
If their forefathers
can feel no confidence in them. This is but reasonable.
have been such bigoted pedants as to declare all that differed from their way
of thinking heretics, and then proceeded to punish them by the most infernal
cruelties the modern known Catholics ought not in any way to countenance
errors so odious; but with generous ardour to come forward and denounce
Let them do this, and Protestants will no longer
such tenets as impious.
condemn them for the blunders of their predecessors; but till they do this in
a far more open and authoritative manner than has yet been done, they will
needs be distrusted, With the kindest feelings towards our Roman Catholic
fellow-countrymen, we strongly exhort them to remove those causes of dislike
and disgust which now excite the just indignation of the Protestant party. By
this noble and generous conduct alone will they induce Protestants to renounce
those vehement antipathies which, whether just or not, have been the result
of incessant crimination and recrimination.

PLAIN ABSTRACTS FOR POPULAR USE OF ALL THE ACTS OF PARLIAMENT.
By JOHN H. BRADY,

A very concise epitome-to be continued annually-of all the acts of public interest. It appears faithfully executed, and deserves encouragement.

N. S.-VOL. II.

4 z

DODD'S CHURCH HISTORY OF ENGLAND, with Notes, Additions, and a Continuation. By the Rev. M. A. TIERNEY, F.S.A. Vol. II. London: C. Dolman. 1839.

This is the second volume, just published, of the important work which we described in our number for October. The time of which it treats is from the year 1547 to 1579, exhibiting the further reforms under Edward VI., the reestablishment of the ancient faith under Mary, and the accession of Elizabeth, with all the events, vicissitudes, contests, and declarations, so startling and striking-so interesting to the historical-so appalling to the moral studentthat make it so absorbing a period in our annals.

The qualifications of Mr. Tierney, displayed in the former volume, which commanded our praise,—his historical knowledge, inquisitive research, scholarlike ability, and the free, open, manly, unprejudiced treatment of his subject,— are here manifested in equal clearness and vigour. Upon the persecution which was exhibited by both parties (that of the Reformers and the Church to which he belongs), he expresses himself with the dignity and impartiality of the historian-the feelings of a man, and the sacred duty of a spiritual teacher. We now know, and all unprejudiced men admit, that the cruelty, of which both parties were guilty, was the fault of the age, not a consequence of their faith. The absolute and indefeasible right of freedom of conscience, although it had been so frequently and heroically maintained by the martyrs of the Church, was forgotten or overlooked by the men of that day. Every thing was to be done from without, instead of being allowed to spring and operate from within. The sword of Herod was to be swayed, instead of the persuasive words of Christ being suffered to work out their peaceful but victorious mission. Mr. Tytler justly says (Edward and Mary, vol. ii., p. 210): "The truth seems to be, that the principle of toleration, whether we look to Catholics or Protestants, was utterly unknown. In this respect, Gardiner and Knox, Pole and Calvin, Mary and Elizabeth, stand pretty much on the same ground." But darkened as was the atmosphere of strife and prejudice through which so many then regarded the question, it is gratifying to find that there were some who, by the guidance of the spirit of religion and humanity that dwelt within them, could look through "the smoke and stir of that dim spot" around, and, in the boldest and noblest manner, proclaim the eternal laws of mercy and justice written in the imperishable heavens. On the occasion of six of the Reformers being condemned to be excommunicated, and subsequently delivered over to the civil magistrate to be burnt, "Alphonso di Castro, a Spanish friar, and confessor to Philip, ascended the pulpit, and, in presence of the court, loudly condemned these inhuman and unchristian proceedings." For a moment the spirit of intolerance seemed to quail. The execution of the prisoners was suspended; all further prosecutions in cases of heresy were arrested: nor was it till some of the excesses, mentioned in the text, had again provoked the anger of the government, that at the end of five weeks the fires of persecution were rekindled. The reverend editor and annotator then continues, page 103, "To the atrocities that ensued allusion will hereafter be made. To detail them would be a revolting task; the mind would shudder-the heart sicken at the recital. Suffice it therefore to say, that the persecution continued to rage until the death of Mary. At times, indeed, a momentary suspension of cruelty seemed to indicate the presence of a milder spirit. But the illusion was quickly dissipated. New commissions were issued, new barbarities were enacted, and a monument of infamy was erected, which, even at the distance of three centuries, cannot be regarded without horror." And further on, at page 107: "As to the number and character of the sufferers, certain it is that no allowances can relieve the horror, no palliatives can remove the infamy, that must for ever attach to such proceedings. The amount of real victims is too great to be affected by any partial deductions. Were the catalogue limited to a few persons, we might pause to examine the merits of each individual case; but when,

after the removal of every doubtful or objectionable name, a frightful list of not fewer than two hundred still remains, we can only turn with horror from the bloodstained page, and be thankful that such things have passed away.”

We have narrated in this volume the deceitful conduct of Elizabeth on her accession, in her declaration of adherence to the old faith, and her subsequent separation from it, and consequent persecution of the Catholics. The religious communities which in many cases had re-established themselves in Mary's reign, the ceremonies and worship, cross and altar, pictures and images of saint and virgin, again went into exile-that virgin, of whom our friend Wordsworth, in his beautiful Ecclesiastical Sketches, thus speaks :

"Mother! whose virgin bosom was uncrost
With the least shade of thought to sin allied;
Woman! above all women glorified,
Our tainted nature's solitary boast;
Purer than foam on central ocean tost,
Brighter than eastern skies at daybreak strewn
With fancied roses-than the unblemished noon
Before her wane begins on heaven's blue coast:
Thy image falls to earth. Yet some, I ween,
Not unforgiven the suppliant knee might bend
As to a visible Power, in which did blend
All that was mixed and reconciled in thee
Of mother's love with maiden purity,
Of high with low, celestial with terrene!"

It is difficult to determine to what extent Elizabeth was sincere either in her profession of attachment to the Catholic faith, or its subsequent persecution : the agencies operating upon her were strong and distracting, and her conscientiousness is now left to a higher tribunal than an earthly one. The pressure and influence of the Puritans, who were powerful in her reign, at what objects they aimed, and how they were opposed; their effect on the Reformed Establishment, how, like a tree newly planted, it was assailed and wavered, but ultimately enrooted itself,-is here given, accompanied by a large collection of documents, corroborative and illustrative, which very much enhance the value of the work. The compilation and execution of the book deserve our highest praise; its importance, also, cannot fail to recommend it to our readers.

The facts recorded here are valuable to the historical student, as portions of English history; but, to him who looks deeper, they are evidences of the phases of the human mind-the history of man's heart and soul. Faith and heresy, belief and misbelief-the spiritual and the sensual-the light of heaven shining down, the darkness of Hades gleaming up-truth, error, creeds, forms, traditions, and articles-are here "in dire oppugnancy" displayed; not only declaratory of a temporal past, but typical of an eternal present in the inward man. Every one, the meanest of mankind, has his paradise, his state of innocence, his fall, his truth, his error, his reformation, and his ultimate re-integration into the Catholic faith, if he will but strive after it. In him, round him, and about him, are ever the temptations of his spiritual enemy, with spells seductive as heavenly melodies; the voice of the Church always uttering the laws of the eternal and the absolute, as warnings and invitations that he dare not gainsay, to lead him to that "one fold and one shepherd," where all are united, peaceful, and secure. Well is it with him, and happy shall he be, if he hear and obey-if he listen to, reverence, and fulfil its divine oracles.

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA by the NORTHMEN in the TENTH CENTURY: By Joshua Toulmin Smith; with Maps and Plates. London: Charles Tilt, Fleet-street, 1839.

Christoval Colon, commonly called Christopher Columbus, was not the first discoverer of America-the Northmen discovered and explored it in the tenth

century. Bancroft's History of the United States, contains a world of errors on this point. Mr. Washington Irving, also, in his "Life of Columbus," has suffered himself to be deluded by the authority of M. Malte Brun and Mr. Forster. Thus, however, it must be, when Authors depend on fourth-rate resources instead of the first. From these facts, the Author of the work before us rightly argues, that the publication of the original documents was necessary, so that all may have access to them, and be enabled to examine directly into the internal evidences of trath, which they exhibit. The present volume gives the actual contents of such documents; and shows abundantly enough that, in the case of the "voyages of the Scandinavians," we have no loose remarks or "deductions drawn from very vague and questionable facts," but, on the contrary, we have simple, unadorned narrations of the transactions themselves; the whole free from ostentation or art, and characterised by a straight-forward plainness and simplicity:-there is no attempt to impose a tale of wonders on the reader's imagination; but we have a brief narrative of unvarnished facts, told in a strain of conscious truth,-there is no monstrous relation of marvellous adventures which are adverse to all probability; but there is a detail given of facts, which carry in themselves the air of truth, and which bear on their very face marks of the highest probability :-there is no contradiction between these relations and other known facts, and all external and internal evidence; but there is a strict harmony in all the parts of the narration with the facts of known authentic history; while all external evidence testifies to the authenticity of the documents, and all internal evidence testifies to the same point, and to the truth of the narration contained in those documents; -in addition to which, there are incidental allusions, in several ancient works of acknowledged authenticity, to facts narrated in detail in these documents, which allusions can only be accounted for on the supposition of the authenticity and truth of these documents and narratives.

It would seem indeed that Colon himself corroborated his idea of reaching land by crossing the Western ocean, by a visit to Iceland. We commend the volume before us to our readers. It is in the form of dialogue, and is well supported.

WESTERN INDIA in 1838. By Mrs. Postans, Author of Cutch, in two volumes. London Saunders and Otley, Conduit-street, 1839.

:

This book professes to supply much wanting information on the great and varied branches of the natural scenery of India-of its social condition, of its agricultural capabilities, of its vegetable productions, of its geological formations, of its necessities as an empire, of its value as a colony-and well fulfils its task. It is illustrated by coloured engravings.

POEMS WRITTEN IN NEWFOUNDLAND. by Henrietta Prescott. London: Saunders and Otley, Conduit-street.

The leading poem of this volume consists of Three Cantos on the subject of Tasso-taking up the three periods of his life-his boyhood-his love-tide, and his death-hour. There is very great tenderness and much fancy shown in the treatment. The other poems which are mainly lyrical, are so very correctly versified as to be charming reading. Altogether this is such a volume of poetry as is seldom met with. It is wanting neither in elegance nor strength. It shows both sentiment and knowledge, and skill in the combination of these to the specific end of each separate poem. We know not what success the authoress may meet with, but she certainly deserves some. Such promise as this should not be blighted in the bud. Fatal it is for the public mind, that it should manifest so little appreciation for the poetic veins that are almost daily opened.