effects of this stupendous undertaking, now that it has been for some years in successful operation. This volume furnishes that information, with much other interesting matter of a collateral nature. Mr. Bourne's lithographic drawings are already favourably known, and it is sufficient to say that he has displayed the same spirit, taste, and accuracy of delineation in this work as in his former subjects.* The present views embrace thirty-six different points upon the Great Western, from the Paddington Station and the Hanwell Viaduct, to the Slough and Swindon Stations; and particularly the Great Box Tunnel, also the interesting scenery and works in the vicinity of Bath and Bristol. There are also fourteen architectural drawings as an Appendix, being views and details of the most remarkable ancient churches upon the line of the railway, their fonts, doorways, sepulchral effigies, &c. The illustrative department is

Heidelberg, a Romance, by G. P. R. James, Esq. 3 vols. We have great pleasure in meeting Mr. James again in his old and well accustomed path,-that, namely, of the romantic tale,-a style of writing in which he is so much more successful than most of his contemporaries. We like to travel back with him to times of old, to pass in the mind's eye through the stately palaces, the castles and halls of by-gone days, and once more to look upon the personages, heroes in their day, who inhabited them. Agnes Herbert, the heroine of the tale before us, is one of the most charming delineations of the female character we have ever met with; excellent as the author is, in general, in his portraiture of the gentler sex, he has been most happy, certainly, in the present instance. It is one of those delightful descriptions which dwell in the mind long after the page which contains it has been closed. And yet it is only a sketch, an outline, as it were, made up of little traits and incidental notices, intended by the author to be filled up from the imagination of the reader. Among other persons who play their part in this stirring

His illustrations of the London and Birmingham line, with descriptive essays by Mr. Britton, have been favourably noticed in a former volume of our Magazine.

completed by a map and section of the line, and a geological map of the singular district in which the Great Western Railway terminates, and across which are carried, in opposite direction, its continuations towards Exeter on the one hand, and Gloucester on the other. The letter-press, besides a description of the route of the railway, of those fine architectural works, its viaducts and bridges, which, though daily crossed by thousands, are actually seen by few, and of the topography and geological features of the line, comprises a brief history of the formation of the company, whilst in an introduction the non-professional reader is made acquainted with the principles of railway construction, and the application and regulation of locomotive steam power. Thus it will be seen that every branch of the subject has received attention, and the result is the production of a volume highly creditable to all the parties concerned.

and eventful tale, are, the Queen of Bohemia, the ill-fated and interesting daughter of James I. and her unfortunate husband.

Laneton Parsonage, by the Author or "Amy Herbert," "Gertrude." 12mo.This is a charming little work, well calculated to amuse and interest, and, at the same time, to instruct and inform, not only the young for whom it is principally designed, but those of more advanced years as well. The author is evidently well acquainted with the habits, dispositions, and ways of thinking and acting peculiar to children; she enters into their joys and their sorrows, their amusements and pleasures, in the most easy and natural manner, so as to throw an air of truth over her pages, and to rivet the attention of the youthful reader. We cannot, however, help observing, that the system of discipline enforced in this work is somewhat too strict and rigorous, and, in the case of many children, might tend to repress and subdue the youthful disposition, and to check that buoyancy of spirit so delightful in the mind of the child, and so useful in enabling it to overcome the many difficulties and trials with which it has to contend.

Father Davy, a Tale, by the Author of "Mount Sorel," "Two Old Men's Tales." 2 vols.-The subject of this tale

is the famous Gunpowder Plot, and in its pages that most wicked and detestable conspiracy is traced through all its various windings, through the machinery of a tale possessing much power and beauty of description. The interest, moreover, is kept up to the end of the work with much skill and ingenuity, a task of no slight difficulty where the result, as in this case, is a matter of history. There is an air of sadness, a dark shadow of gloom, as it were, thrown over the work from its very commencement, which prepares the reader for some unhappy and tragical termination. The author has employed the materials furnished by the history of the times with great ability in setting forth his tale of misery and guilt. The character of Garnet the Jesuit, the chief actor in that atrocious treason, is a masterly delineation. The manner in which this adept in wicked artifice and craft weaves his web of villany, and incloses in its entanglements the wretched victims whom it was his policy to employ as tools, is drawn by no common hand, as indeed is the whole picture of the spirit of Jesuitism and its machinations, as exhibited in this execrable conspiracy. There are certain events and circumstances in history which are well fitted to serve as warnings to those who come after. Surely this is one of them. We believe it is the fashion in certain quarters to think that the spirit of Rome is changed. Do the times in which we live exhibit such a result? We fear not.

The Student's Manual. By John Todd. Eighth Thousand. Post 8vo. pp. 194. This is the cheaper edition of a work, which is also published in 12mo. with a larger type, as a more library-befitting form, though the one before us is obviously most adapted to general circulation. It was written in America, as the reader will soon see by local allusions, which however will not impair its usefulness elsewhere by their number or obscurity. The author observes, that "Hardly any class of men are so difficult to be reached as students;" nevertheless he has tried to make his book such as a parent will wish to leave with his son at parting, to aid him in forming his character. "The youth who goes from home... has no friend who has been over the ground, and knows it all, to whom he can go for advice, for encouragement, and aid; for such I have endeavoured to write this book." (Preface, p. iii.) After having read it through at intervals, we can testify, that it deserves the student's attentive perusal; indeed we recollect no other exactly supplying the place. The several heads of chapters are, Object of Study,

Habits, Study, Reading, Time, Conversation, Politeness and Subordination; Exercise, Diet, Economy; Discipline of the Heart, The Object of Life. Under the third head physical directions for study are given, and under the fourth some cautions as to the choice of books: the ninth will shew the excellency of the principles inculcated, by its contents :"No safety in opinions if religious views are loose. Religion exalts the mind. Cultivate the conscience. Avoid tempta. tion. Daily reading the Word of God. Daily prayer."-Our opinion is, that not merely schoolboys and college students will be benefited by this book, but that it contains much for grown persons of intellectual pursuits, and as such we mean to read it a second time. There is however one sentence which we must consign to such as are skilful in errata, for as it stands it is absurd :-" Above you are the pious dead, watching around your steps, and ready to minister to your wants." (P. 194.) Inferentially judging, this is inconsistent with the opinions expressed, in general language, at page 176.

Scriptural Evidences of Creation, or the Mosaical History of the Creation illustrated by Geological Discoveries. Post 8vo. pp. xvi. 295.-This volume is one of the criticisms called forth by a recent work, entitled "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation." The concluding sentence will serve to show the temper of the book, which is a very commendable one, inasmuch as it pleads its own cause, without underrating the judgment or casting aspersions on the motives of the other party. "These and other questions of like import present themselves in such formidable array, that though great deference may be claimed, and will at all times be justly claimed, for the opinions of wise, learned, and scientific men who support the present geological theory, some excuse we trust may be urged in behalf of those who ask further time to consider." (p. 295.) The author is opposed to the theory of progressive development, contained in the work above-mentioned; to that of Lamarck, which is adopted in it in a modified shape; and to the views of Dr. Buckland in his Bridgewater Treatise on Geology.* The author earnestly contends for literal interpretation, arguing, that any other is involved in difficulties, and that the language of creation cannot be interpreted, as Dr. Buckland has done, of renovation. Incidentally we may remark, that he pre

* He considers Whiston the founder of Dr. Buckland's theory.-p. 72.

1. The Life of Wesley, and the Rise and Progress of Methodism. By Robert Southey. Third edition. 8vo. 2 vols.

2. Catalogue of Works in Refutation of Methodism, from its origin in 1729 to the present time. Compiled by H. C. Decanver. Philadelphia, 1846. Imp. 8vo. pp. 54.

IN consequence of the favourable reception of two editions of Mr. Southey's Life of Wesley, the author had designed a third, but the preparation was delayed, by other engagements, till completion was impossible. The task has therefore devolved on his son, the Rev. Charles Cuthbert Southey, Curate of Cockermouth, with the benefit of a few alterations and insertions made by his father, as was his custom, in his own copy. There are, however, two important additions. 1. The MS. notes of the late Mr. Coleridge, whose was returned, after his death, by his own request written therein, to the author. They were not intended for publication, nor originally for the author's view, and therefore, as the editor justly observes, "they show, in a very interesting manner, the fresh impressions made upon Mr. Coleridge's acute mind." 2. An elaborate critique on Mr. Wesley's life and character, by the late Alexander Knox, who was member of his society at an early age (though the connection did not last long) and held occasional intercourse with him. He had drawn up this paper at Dr. Southey's request, and "chiefly with the view of convincing him, that he had judged erroneously, in ascribing to Mr. Wesley any motives of an ambitious character." Of these two communications, which are not perfectly identical in sentiment, the editor says,

"These two additions, I am confident, will be well received by the public, as affording them, with the work itself, at one view, the opinions of three men of no ordinary minds, upon the life and character of a fourth. Somewhat widely indeed do they, on many points, differ in their estiGENT. MAG. VOL. XXVI.

a

Indeed, how

much will not philosophy owe to Robert Southey, for the preservation of so many facts, that serve as clues through the labyrinth of religious fanaticism!" (vol. i. p. 140.) And he expresses a wish that Southey had written the History of the Monastic Orders, or, at least, the lives of Loyola, Xavier, Dominic, and the other remarkable founders. (p. xvi.) For our own part, we regard the work as one of the most valuable psychological books in our language, though the author, in venturing on theological questions, goes to the full extent of his depth. If it has not satisfied the community whose rise it relates, the question may justly be asked, what body of men were ever satisfied with a history not written by one of themselves, who would consult their feelings, both as to what he inserted, and what he omitted? Some specimens of it, but the author did not create them, the ridiculous may be gathered from nor are they peculiar to one community. The general tendency of the work is serious, and exhibits Mr. Wesley as an unwilling separatist, as his other biographer Watson wishes

3 S

him to be thought, on the occasion of his address to the clergy, which he printed in 1756.

We shall now give a few specimens of the contributions from the pens of Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Knox, premising, that they partake of the nature of the two annotators' minds.

On the expression "the evils which Puritanism had brought upon this kingdom," (i. 128.) there is a characteristic note of Mr. Coleridge's, inquiring what these evils were?" and replying much as Mr. Carlyle might be expected to do. He quotes Hume, as allowing that "our present political liberty is the direct consequence of this Puritanism, and religious toleration indirectly," though surely we may remark that the Seven Bishops are entitled to a share in it. He considers the temporary suspension of the hierarchy and hereditary senatorship, "with the, alas! too brief substitution of a hero for an imbecile would-be despot," as the effect of a collision between the two extremes, viz. the prelatic prerogative party, and the Puritan parliamentary; and asks, "why attribute these evils to the latter exclusively?" If Mr. Coleridge could now give his suffrage in answer to the question, Should Cromwell have a statue? we may judge what it would be.

At vol. ii. p. 97, on the subject of Universalism, or rather of the question, "can an unbeliever, whatever he be in other respects, challenge anything of God's justice?" Mr. Coleridge properly observes, that Wesley, if obliged to vindicate himself on this point, would have done so, by laying the stress on the words challenge and justice. Such a position would be impregnable, for nothing can be challenged, except in respect of a covenant, of which to such persons there is none. He observes, that, if the question were put differently, the answer might have been, "L

we may hope, though we are not authorised to promise." But where hope itself is the result of promise, it must not be indulged too

*Wesley, in the main, inclined to the milder extreme, though we are not aware that, like the Portuguese Andrada, he attributed a justifying faith to the sages of antiquity.

readily without such a warrant. All the speculation in the world cannot affect the question, which is determined beyond our control; and its real bearing, as frequently mooted, is, not whether those who had not the light of a revelation are safe without one, but whether modern unbelievers can reject it with impunity.

These specimens will show the nature of Mr. Coleridge's notes. Mr. Knox's remarks occupy more than ninety pages, but he was in some degree identified with the subject, having formerly published, in a newspaper, a sketch of the impression made on him by Wesley's manner and conversation, which was inserted by Moore, his first biographer, and copied both by Hampson and Dr. Whitehead. He also possessed several of Wesley's letters (between forty and fifty). His estimate of Wesley is mainly formed from the correspondence published in 1809; a single expression, "Mr. Wesley's uniform integrity," (ii. 416,) will serve as a specimen of it, beyond which we have only room for a single sentence; but we must remark, that it would be well for eminent men if they had always such zealous advocates, since Mr. Knox is to Wesley what Mr. Coleridge, as we have seen already, is to Cromwell.

"Another charge against Mr. Wesley I cannot equally dispute, namely, that of enthusiasm. Still he was an enthusiast of no vulgar kind: as Nelson was an enthusiast for his country, so was John Wesley for religion. Where the highest interests of man were concerned, Mr. Wesley made no account of precedent, or public opinion, or maxims of human or even of ecclesias

tical prudence. ... Singular as his course was, he no more supposed himself raised above the guidance of his reason than of his conscience." (Vol. ii. p. 432.)

The last assertion will best be supported by a passage of Wesley's own, which shows how rationally he could judge of a principle of decay contained within Methodism itself, and which indeed narrows the effect of every religious revival. His discernment in this respect must place him far above the common run of enthusiasts, even some of very high cha

racter.

"I do not know how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any revival of

true religion to continue long. For religion must necessarily produce both industry and frugality, and these cannot but produce riches. But, as riches increase, so will pride, anger, and love of the world in all its branches.... Is there no way to prevent this-this continual decay of pure religion? .... There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If

those who gain all they can, and save all they can, will likewise give all they can, then the more they gain the more they will grow in grace, and the more treasure they will lay up in heaven." (Vol. ii. pp. 369-70.)

As we have the opportunity, we shall enforce this excellent reasoning from a little work entitled "Christian Liberality in the distribution of Property illustrated and enforced. By J. G. Pike." 18mo. 1836. The author remarks, chap. i. s. 8, p. 9, that

"Christians usually give to the cause of religion nothing like that amount of property which religion saves them .... Religion preserves its friends from numerous expenses that press heavily on others: it saves them, if poor, from the wasteful expenditure of the alehouse; if in the middle or higher life, from squandering the sums that others expend in scenes of dissipation. Besides this, religion forms and promotes those habits of industry, economy, and integrity to which many that prosper in the world are principally indebted for their worldly prosperity. Thus religion saves its followers much... and, in return, it justly demands from them that its interests should be supported by a willing and abundant liberality."

In closing the book we regret the want of an index, although the table of contents is so minute as to make reference pretty easy. Singularly enough, this edition makes an elucidation necessary from the additions it contains. At note iv. p. 444, vol. i. on the question of John Wesley's having been educated at Westminster or the Charterhouse, Dr. Southey says, "That he was not at Westminster is certain; a list of all entrances there has been kept from a time earlier than his boyhood; and my friend, Mr. Knox, has ascertained for me that the name of John Wesley is not in that list." But who is the author's friend, Mr. Knox? The reader, if not already aware, will infer that Alexander Knox obtained access to the register, and made the necessary search, which was not the case. The gentleman men

tioned was the Rev. John William Knox, usher of Westminster School from 1806 to 1821, when he retired as the senior usher. He was an intimate friend of Dr. Southey's, (and we have been sitting in his tuition-room when a presentation copy of a volume of the History of Brazil has arrived from the author,) which intimacy led to his undertaking the inquiry. Mr. Knox rendered great assistance to the rehearsals of the play of Terence, annually performed by the Westminster scholars, and the revision of the Latin grammar used in that institution was entrusted to his care. He also published, after his retirement, an edition of Longinus, in which he contended that the treatise on the Sublime, as it now stands, is much interpolated, and that it was not written by the secretary of Zenobia.

Since this work first appeared several other lives have been published I which will interest the reader if he wishes to study the subject more extensively, particularly those of the Countess of Huntingdon, Sir Richard Hill, Rowland Hill, and Walker of Truro, the three last by a relative of That of Walker is the most important, the Hills, the Rev. Edwin Sidney. since it supplies a want in the history of Methodism, as the minutes of the conference at Leeds in 1755, on the separation from the church, are lost, and the correspondence of Wesley with Mr. Walker does much toward filling up the chasm. Their views on that point differed, as Walker was most averse to the breach, which has never yet been found to admit of closing.

Since the above remarks on Dr. Southey's Life of Wesley were written, Mr. Decanver's Catalogue has been put into our hands. It professes to be a list of "the various publications which have appeared from the pens of the opponents of Methodism," on the subjects of Lay-representation, Methodist Episcopacy, and of the political pamphlets occasioned by Wesley's "Calm Address to the American Colonies." It embraces two hundred and seventyseven anti-Methodistical works, fiftyfive by Methodist authors, eighty-two miscellaneous, and twenty political. It is therefore a bibliography on that peculiar subject; yet the compiler regrets that there are many pamphlets,