when a pedagogue it disposed to astonish the world with a book of his own, he may venture to make tolerably free with any three or four of these, without the least probability of being detected. With regard to the performance before us, we have little more to say, than that it is neatly printed, and seems tolerably well arranged. In our opinion it is too short; but as we have no means of precisely ascertaining the author's capabilities, we cannot say positively whether this brevity be wise or otherwise.' As the substance of the epitome is designed to be committed to memory,' the author thinks it should be encumbered as little as possible, with other matter usually found in larger works on this highly useful and interesting subject. All this may be very well; yet we should hardly think it furnished a sufficient apology for omitting, in the enumeration of English hills, to name Whernside and Ingleborough, the two highest of them, or to overlook Ben Nevis, among those in Scotland. We are not always perfectly satisfied with Mr. Bullock's definitions. An occan,' he says, is the greatest expansion of water, of which there are three.' Are there three greatest expansions? If so, there are two more than we were aware of. Again, a sea is a large extent of water, but considered only as a branch of the ocean.' We would ask of what ocean the Caspian or the White sea are branches. The most valuable portion of this work in the author's estimation, and, indeed, in ours, is the part called examinations, in which the substance of the whole is turned into a series of questions, each of which is numbered. The answers to these questions may be easily found by referring to the numbers in the lessons, which are included in brackets, and succeed each other by fives, it being presumed, that the intermediate answers will not be difficult to discover.' These questions are in number 820, and are not of the forced unnatural kind, which enter some of our modern syllabuses of geography. Mr. Bullock's fancy of the geographical game with at moderator, we must beg leave unequivocally to condemn. It is quite as unlikely, in our opinion, that a young disciple should have any useful knowledge played into him as whipped into him. If knowledge be worth possessing it is worth labouring for: and the sooner a student is convinced of this truth, the more safe, pleasant, and successful will be his progress. Mr. Bullock's directions for the mathematical uses of maps' are very imperfect. Surely he cannot teach geography without shewing his pupils a terrestrial globe. For what possible purpose, then, does he give such defective accounts of latitude and longitude as are exhibited in this book. Art. XV. A Discourse occasioned by the Death of Elizabeth Prowse, late of Wicken Park, Northamptonshire; delivered in Substance at Fulham Church, on Sunday, March 4, 1810. By the Rev. John Owen, Rector of Paglesham, Essex, and Curate and Lecturer of Fulham. 8vo. pp. 22. Price Is. 6d. Hatchard, 1810. WE have read very few funeral discourses-especially where professed panegyric is attempted,-with such unqualified pleasure a this of Mr. Owen's. A sweet simplicity, more touching and impressive by far than all the pomp of eloquence, pervades the whole composition; and the delineation of character is so delicate and discriminating, that it cannot be contemplated, we think, without exciting a very lively sympathy and interest. The text is chosen from Job v. 26"Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age like as a shock of corn cometh in his season ;" and appears peculiarly applicable to the venerable person whose death is commemorated and improved. After briefly noticing the three particulars expressed in the text-fullness of age, ripeness of character, and an easy, happy, dissolution-Mr. O. proceeds to a more minute description of her character; and assuming that "to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God" may be considered as the scripture standard of religious excellence, inquires how nearly she approached this standard, and in what degree the several qualities it contains shone forth in her life and character.' < 'It was evident,' he observes, from the conscientious regard which she paid to the most minute and delicate offices of domestic kindness, that religion prescribed to her feelings; and that in her case the springs of natural affection were touched and directed by the finger of God. -Time would fail to enumerate the various ways in which the love of mercy' manifested itself: with what a soothing complacency it arrayed her countenance; what affectionate tenderness it infused into her expression; what an engaging condescension it introduced into her whole demeanour. The spirit of devotion rested upon her, in the absence of all its forms; and while it seasoned her speech and purified her actions, communicated to her looks a refinement, a sweetness, a celestial grace, which art must fail to imitate and language to describe. Her humility kept at least an equal pace with her piety: she walked, in the strictest acceptation of the term, humbly with her God. Wherever she went, and whatever she did, this grace, so precious in the sight of God and man, invariably accompanied her. spread a modest covering over her other virtues, improving at the same time what it was intended to conceal. The veil with which it enveloped her, transmitted those virtues to the eye with so soft a lustre, and tinged them with such heavenly hues, as rendered her an object of love and admiration to every beholder. She saw no merit in her best services, no righteousness in her exactest obedience, no virtue in her holiest attainments; and if any thing could disturb her present blessedness it would be the honourable notice into which they have now been drawn.' The sermon is concluded by an appropriate and animated improvement. It is dedicated to Mrs. Prowse's brother, the excellent Granville Sharp. Art. XVI, The Pleasures of Friendship; a Poem, in Two Parts. By Frances Arabella Rowden. fcp. 8vo. pp. 140. price 7s. Longman and Co. 1810. IF we must not rank this volume with the productions of Akenside, Ro gers, and Campbell, nor even compliment the fair author on equalling the performances of her friend Miss Mitford, to whom she very elegantly inscribes it, we are nevertheless free to own that it displays con * See Ecl. Rev. Vol. VI. p. 374. siderable powers of fancy, a good taste in versification, and what is most valuable a generous and affectionate disposition. It illustrates the power and delights of Friendship by numerous anecdotes and allusions, from the history of almost all ages and nations; among which, however it was quite needless to include the literary circle at Sans Souci. These references are explained by a number of entertaining notes. We think the insertion of the following extract, in praise of Love, will enable the poem to recommend itself. 'Tis the strong link that kindred spirits binds: Love best display'd in mis'ry's bitter lot, Which triumphs most when pleasure is forgot.' # Art. XVII., Jesus the true Messiah. A Sermon, delivered in the Jews' Chapel, Church Street, Spital-fields, on the Lord's Day Evening, Nov. 19, 1809. By Andrew Fuller, Printed for the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews. 8vo. pp. 36 price Is. Black and Co. Hatchard, Rivingtons, Conder, Maxwell and Co. 1810. IN this discourse, the author's usual acuteness and force of reasoning, are happily set off with more than his usual neatness of composition. He argues the Messiahship of Jesus from three particulars which he finds in the sixth, seventh, and eighth verses, of the fortieth Psalm. • Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, &c. The coming of the Messiah, he observes, is represented, in this passage, as distinguished by the abolition of sacrifices and ceremonies, by the accomplishment of the great body of Scripture prophecy, and by the perfect fulfilment of the will of God. He disputes the perpetuity of the ceremonial law, from the depreciating language of Scripture respecting it, and from the fact of its having ceased to be observed. On this subject, he addresses the Jewish part of his audience in the following terms: In maintaining the perpetuity of the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Mosaic law, your writers are not only opposed by Scripture but by fact. Whether Messiah the prince be come, or not, sacrifice and oblation have ceased. We believe they virtually ceased when Jesus offered himself a sacrifice, and in a few years after they actually ceased. Those of your nation who believed in Jesus, voluntarily, though gradually, ceased to offer them; and those who did not believe him, were compelled to desist, by the destruction of their city and temple. You may adhere to a few of your ancient ceremonies: but it can only be like ga. thering round the ashes of the system: the substance of it is consumed. The sacrifices of the holy temple,' as one of your writers acknowledges, ' have ceased.' The amount is, whether Jesus be the Messiah, or not, his appearance in the world has this character pertaining to it, that it was the period in which the sacrifice and the oblation actually ceased. And it is worthy of your serious inquiry, whether these things can be accomplished in any other than Jesus. Should Messiah the prince come at some future period, as your nation expects, how are the sacrifice and the obla tion to cease on his appearance, when they have already ceased nearly eighteen hundred years? If, therefore, he be not come, he can never come so as to answer this part of the Scripture account of him.' • Under the second division, Mr. F. notices the prophecies concerning the time of the Messiah's coming, the place of his nativity, the family from which he should spring, the kind of miracles he should perform, his lowliness, death, resurrection, and rejection by his own countrymen; he points out the striking fulfilment of these prophecies supposing Jesus to be the Messiah, and insists on the impossibility of their being fulfilled at all on any other hypothesis. He then points out the full accomplishment of the divine will, both precept and purpose, in the obedience of Christ. He afterwards refutes several objections which are current among the Jews; and concludes with a pressing appeal to their consciences, and an earnest exhortation to professed Christians to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. We recommend the sermon as one of the most convincing performances of the size which have ever been written on this subject and sincerely wish success to this and every other effort, that may tend to promote the benevolent intentions of the Society, for whose use and benefit it is printed. Art. XVIII. A Statistical Synopsis of the Physical and Political Strength of the Chief Powers of Europe, down to the Peace of Vienna, 1809; with a Table of the Routes and Distances from London to all the Capitals in the World. By William Ticken, Professor of Mathematics, Geography, and History, &c. 4to. pp. 12, with one plate. price 2s. 6d. Sherwood and Co. Goddard. 1510. ⚫ tables. WE are not quite so much delighted with the plan or execution of this synopsis, as the author is: being troubled with an unfortunate antipathy to bad grammar, bad spelling, clumsy composition, and useless There are only two pages at all worth having; those, we mean, which comprise the comparative table of the extent, population, miles of sea-coast, and revenue of the several European states. We must commend the good sense, however, which Mr. Ticken discovers, in directing a traveller to Madrid to proceed by way of Paris! Art. XIX. Remarks on the favourable and unfavourable Signs of the present Times, in Reference to the Church of God in this Kingdom, the State of the Nation, and the Interests of Religion in the World at large. By John Holloway, Reading, Berks. 12mo. pp. 71. price 1s. 6d. Button. 1810. THESE remarks, which were originally delivered from the pulpit, Mr. H. has digested into the form of an essay, with a view to increase their utility and extend their circulation. Under the three divisions specified in the title, he has entered into a pretty full detail of facts and circumstances tending to ascertain the character of the times; and has concluded each division with a suitable improvement. His view of the favourable side is as follows: • We have much more gospel preaching in this country, (especially in the villages,) in the present day, than we had thirty years ago. The people of different religious persuasions, exercise a greater measure of love and charity towards each other, and are more disposed to form themselves into societies for the purpose of uniting their talents, their property, and their exertions in the cause of Christ and humanity, than at the commencement of the last century. In consequence of which, such great and important things have been planned and executed for the promotion of Christianity, and for building up the church of God in the world, that individuals, nor even a few united, could never have attempted, and much less have effected. There is in the present day more of a missionary spirit pervading the minds and influencing the conduct of ministers and private christians, than our forefathers ever felt or witnessed. Much larger sums of money are expended in the service of religion than formerly, which does not arise merely from its being more plentiful or of less value, but from the encreased number of persons who profess religion many of them being men of considerable property. Also, from the new places of worship, fresh interests, various societies, village preaching, missionary exertions, translations of the holy scriptures, and the Lord's opening the hearts of the people to give liberally for the support of his cause. There are many more gospel ministers in the established church, and there is a much greater degree of evangelical religion among its members, than in any former period, since the exclusion of the two thousand mi. nisters by the act of uniformity. The attention paid by the religious public to the instruction of the children of the poor, and the helps afforded to pious parents in bringing up their offsprings in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, by a variety of suitable publications, far exceed any thing of the kind ever known before. The reign of ignorant superstition, phara saical formality, and anathematizing bigotry is neither so universal, nor so powerful as in some ages past. Professors of religion, are not now so carried away with republican principles, nor agitated with such a degree of political phrenzy, as that which infected their minds, and deprived them of the spirit and comfort of the gospel, at the time of the French revolution. In consequence of the wider circulation of the scriptures, the more general spread of the gospel, and the extensive diffusion of religious knowledge, the state of morals among the middle and lower classes of society, is not so generally and desperately depraved and corrupt, as in times past. In proof of this, let it be observed, that upon an average our jails |