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another place, the author brings an old house over his head; although in circumstances which seemed to ensure his escape, either by land or water.

"We have many ancient settlements," says he, "with the prænomen Hen. Thus if Hen is old, Henham must be old border; Hennock old hill; Henny, a little hill in Devon, little old; Henley in Arden, the old water land in the wood land.--The reader will acknowledge that old house could not be the most early name of this dwelling, and from what has been mentioned he may suspect that it is a modern appellation. Hen, in old Gaelic names, is frequently derived from water or from hill; thus Henley on the Thames means not as usually rendered, but the stream town or territory; and is derived from an or en water, which last though written en was always pronounced hen; but as u and n are convertible, hen may be derived from au or eu an hill. Thus we have Hennock, in Devon, which implies hill land. I know not the situation of Hendra, but if it lie on a stream, I should render it the stream house; if on an hill, the hill habitation." pp, 94, 95.

Ancient houses, called Hendra, are very numerous both in Cornwall and Wales. Hen signifies old; and dra is a common affix in the formation of abstract nouns. These mansions were so named, as permanent habitations; in distinction from the Hafods, or temporary residences, that were used, during the summer season, for the convenience of pastoral occupations.

Many more instances, in which Mr. D. appears to have been misguided by his system, might be adduced; but we hope that the preceding will suffice, both to guard our readers against mistakes on the subject, and to admonish our industrious author to establish his future etymological researches on more solid principles. So far are we from wishing to discourage pursuits of this nature, that we feel ourselves indebted to all who labour to illustrate the ancient languages of the British Islands; and very much regret to see radical errors adopted, which frustrate their well-meant efforts. This misfortune has too frequently happened: and it seems usually to arise from a want of general philological information in persons, who are familiar with the Irish and Welsh Janguages. These are, evidently, both dialects of one original speech, which differs essentially from any that is commonly known in Europe. In its mutation of consonants, it resembles the Masoretic Hebrew, more than any other language with which we are acquainted: and the suppression, in pronunciation, of many letters which are retained in orthography, by the Irish, in distinction from the Welsh, presents an additional similarity to the result of the Jewish punctuation. Lest, however, any of our readers should apprehend, that the original language of the Old Testament, (to which our author appeals, p. 22) is as equivocal as the Gaelic is here represented to be, we would remark, that the prefixes and affixes of Hebrew words have precise significations,

which are either determined by fixed laws, or are at least discoverable from their immediate connexion: consequently, they by no means impair the perspicuity of sentences, although they greatly change the forms of words. Those of the Gaelic tongue differ widely in their nature: yet we hope, that even these might be reduced to some consistent rule; and we recommend the attempt to persons who are intimately versed in that language, as the most effectual means of intitling it to the attention of philologists.

In one respect, we apprehend Mr. D. to be mistaken in the Gaelic idiom. He says, that the adjective should always follow the substantive. This is true, as to the syntax of distinct words; but in compounds, that order is usually reversed: the adjective being prefixed; and if two substantives are thus connected, the first is used as an adjective.

The various dialects of the antient British language deserve far greater attention than as yet they have obtained. We hope that the recent publications of Archæological documents in the Welsh tongue, will excite philologists to search into its long hidden treasures; and may lead to the knowledge of manuscripts in other correlative dialects. In these researches, we earnestly recommend the authentication of facts, as the great object of inquirers, in preference to the assumption of hypotheses on the original construction of the language that is investigated. Mr. Dyer is far from affording a solitary instance of the danger that may arise from analysing the syllables of words, and assigning to such a separate signification. By attempting too much, Etymologists have usually failed of what they might otherwise have accomplished. We wish to see their pretensions moderated, their diligence usefully directed, and their mutual candour duly exercised and we hope that Mr. D.'s future productions will, in each of these respects, demonstrate his willingness to profit by friendly admonition.

Art. VI. Lectures on some Passages in the Acts of the Apostles. By John Dick, One of the Ministers of the Associated Congregation, Shuttle-Street, Glasgow. 8vo. pp. 391. Price 7s. R. Ogle, London, 1805.

AMONG the various modes of instruction adopted by the

Clergy, perhaps there is no one which bears a higher sanction, or promises greater advantage, than that of delivering expository lectures on the inspired volume. It was the practice of HIM who "spake as never man spake" to read a portion from the Books of Moses and the Prophets, and explain it to the people in the synagogue. The first ages of christianity furnish us with numerous specimens of this kind of preaching. Justin Martyr and Origen bestow on it the warmest encomiums, and VOL. II. Ff

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some of the familiar comments by Chrysostom and Austin are still extant. Besides the plea which is founded on remote antiquity, it cannot be denied, that such a method often renders a discourse more intelligible and useful to the inferior classes of a religious assembly. And, while the preacher is enabled to investigate some distinct point minutely, by condensing his light upon a single text, a comprehensive and perspicuous exposition affords a luminous view of entire chapters or pieces of history, and illustrates the meaning and connexion of the whole.

In England, this useful exercise of the pulpit has been gradually falling into neglect, for the last fifty years; though we cannot perceive that the dereliction of the custom is followed by the collection of more judicious or steady audiences. The Scottish divines, however, maintain the laudable practice, and occasionally present the public with a volume of lectures, one of which now falls under our review.

The professed design of the respectable author is to illustrate those events in the history of the primitive church, which appeared to him to be the most remarkable. He has selected the following subjects.-The resurrection and ascension of Christ-The day of Pentecost-The formation and order of the primitive church-The lame man cured by Peter and John-Peter and John examined by the council-Ananias and Sapphira-The counsel of Gamaliel-The institution of deacons, and the history of Stephen-The_history of Simon Magus-The conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch-The conversion of Paul-The conversion of Cornelius-Paul and Barnabas in Lystra-Thecouncil of Jerusalem.

Mr. Dick's discussion of these topics is well calculated to establish the faith of christians in their holy religion, and furnishes them with some excellent practical rules, for the regulation of their moral conduct. As these lectures were delivered in the ordinary course of his official labours, we should have been gratified by finding more frequent and vigorous appeals to the heart. Although a preacher should endeavour to augment the knowledge, and confirm the faith of his auditors, he should ever keep in view this grand object, "by manifestation of the truth, to commend himself to every man's conscience, in the sight of God." An opportunity for such pointed and striking addresses ought to have been more fully embraced, in the lectures on Ananias and Sapphira, and on Simon Magus.

We were surprised that Mr. D. should divide the history of Stephen, by connecting the first part of it with his observations on the Institution of Deacons. The multiplication of disciples at Jerusalem, and the signal conversion of the prejudiced priests, would have formed a finer close to the 8th Lecture, and prevented so abrupt a reference to the character of the protomartyr.

Our author's stile is in general correct, and sometimes rises

into elegance; but in several places the usual Scotticisms occur, in substituting will for shall and would for should. It is with pleasure, however, that we extract the following paragraphs as a specimen of the work. The first, which describes the termination of Stephen's short but glorious career, forcibly compares the heroism of the Christian with that of autient and modern. heathens.

"The few moments of life which remained, Stephen spent in prayer for his murderers. Calm amidst their fury, full of charity, while they breathed revenge and blood, he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' Human nature, in such circumstances, is apt to harbour very different sentiments. To be persecuted for no fault, to be loaded with foul imputations which we do not deserve, to be deprived of life by the hand of injustice, and, instead of being pitied under such sufferings, to be insulted; these are wrongs too irritating to be borne by an ordinary measure of patience. The victim exclaims against the unrelenting cruelty of his enemies. Finding no redress upon earth, he appeals to the tribunal of heaven, and dies invoking its vengeance. Our natural feelings concur in the appeal, and approve of the prayer; for, is it not right that the cry of blood should be heard, and that the violence of the wicked should recoil upon their own heads? But how much nobler are the sentiments which religion inspires? It teaches us to render blessing for cursing,' and to seek the good of those who are inflicting upon us the greatest evils. Christian heroism is not of a stern and unrelenting character; it is associated with the milder virtues; the same bosom, which is fortified by invincible courage, cherishes all the tender affections; and while the saint encounters danger with the firmness of a philosopher, he melts with compassion towards his persecutors, on whom the wrath of heaven is ready to fall. Lord,' cries exasperated nature, let their sin be remembered, and do thou reward them according to their deeds.' 'Lord,' says the heaven-born soul,lay not this sin to their charge." pp. 206, 207.

On the extraordinary means by which St. Paul's conversion was effected, Mr. D. offers some judicious remarks.

"The laws of nature and of grace are nothing but the order, according to which God exerts his power in the production of physical, moral, and spiritual effects. Creatures are obliged to conform to that order; but the Creator may step aside from it, when any end, worthy of his wisdom, is to be gained. Miracles are deviations from the laws of nature; and such conversions as that of Saul, are deviations from the laws of grace. When the world was created, the power of God was necessarily exercised in a different manner from that in which it is exercised in the ordinary government of it. It is not surprising, therefore, that when the Christian church, which is represented in the Old Testament as a new and more glorious creation, was founded, divine grace should have adopted some unusual methods of accomplishing its designs. But as no man of a sound mind will infer from miracles, that he may safely disregard the established order of nature, and expect, for example, to be cured of an inveterate disease by a word, or to be fed with manna from heaven; so the history before us gives no encouragement to hope, that while men

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are neglecting and despising the instituted means of salvation, God will employ visions and revelations to awaken and convert them. The case of Saul affords no precedent, except as it shews the freeness of divine grace, to preserve the convinced sinner from despair. This is the only use which we are directed to make of it. Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." pp. 265, 266.

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The last lecture strongly marks Mr. D.'s attachment to the presbyterian form of ecclesiastical government. We wish not to occupy the time of our readers with the discussion of minuter points, which have so frequently disturbed the peace, and shaken the prosperity of the church. Our pursuit is directed to higher objects. Upon the whole, therefore, we cheerfully recommend the present volume to the attention of the public.

Art. VII. Travels to discover the Sources of the Nile, in the Years 1769— 1773. By James Bruce, of Kinnaird, Esq. F. R. S. Second Edition, corrected and enlarged. To which is prefixed, a Life of the Author. In Seven Volumes, 8vo. with a Volume of Plates, in Quarto. Price 41. 16s. Constable, Edinburgh; Longman and Co. London, 1805. JAMES BRUCE, of Kinnaird, Esq. derived his descent from

an ancient family, allied by marriage to the Bruces, Kings of Scotland, whose line terminated in David II. 1371. He was born at Kinnaird, in the county of Stirling, Dec. 14, 1730; and received a liberal education in Scotland, which was completed in England at Harrow school, then conducted by Dr. Cox. This seminary he quitted in May 1746, and great expectations were formed by his friends from the abilities he displayed in early life. The profession of an advocate at the Scottish bar was chosen for him by his father; but it is believed that James found the task which he had undertaken, in compliance with this arrange ment, neither agreeable nor instructive. His health was delicate; the chace, and its amusements, became his gratification, and at length established his constitution. Desirous of finding Fortune more favourable in the East, than she appeared to be in Scotland, Mr. B. came to London in July 1753, with views of service in India, but here he met with Miss Allan, a young lady for whose sake he abandoned his projects of Asiatic wealth, and became a partner in the wine trade, carried on by her family. Mrs. B. soon discovered symptoms of consumption, and after visiting the South of France, in company with her husband, she died at Paris, in October 1754. The intolerance of the Romish priesthood at that period obliged the mourning stranger to inter his wife at midnight, between the 10th and 11th, with the utmost privacy." From thence, almost frantic," says he, "against the advice of every body, I got on horseback, having ordered the ser

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