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evidences of our holy faith on an inexpugnable basis. It was not to be expected that Mr. T. would be silent under such an exposure of his unblushing falsehoods, his outrages on truth and reason, and his perfect disregard of argumentative equity. Accordingly, he replied in a pamphlet of 117 pages, which he was pleased to call " a Syntagma of the Evidences of the Christian Religion;" and to this publication Dr. Smith has rejoined in the copious and instructive appendix to the third edition of his "Answer to the Manifesto" now before us. Here again he has detected the quibbling sophistry, the artful perversions of citations, facts, and evidence, and the abandoned defiance of truth, evinced by Mr. Taylor. We could enrich our pages with many valuable paragraphs from Dr. Smith, particulary his observations on the story of the Rocket-maker, and the demonstration that no sale or destruction of the manuscripts, used for the Complutensian Polyglot Bible, ever took place (pp. 17, 48, 49),—his exposure of Taylor's misrepresentation of a passage in Dr. Stein's able Latin Dissertation, vindicating the authenticity of St. John's Gospel against the doubts of Dr. Bretschneider* (pp. 59—61), and the "results" which Dr. S. (who is profoundly versed in the writings of the most distinguished German theologians) has translated in pp. 69-71 from a German treatise of peculiar value, published by Professor Olshausen, at Koenigsberg, in 1823,† on the Genuineness of the Four Canonical Gospels, proved from the History of the first two Centuries. But we think our readers will be obliged to us for referring them to Dr. Smith's cheap and well printed tract for these passages, and also for his critical vindication of at least thirty texts of Scripture from the misrepresentations of his antagonist. We cannot, however, withhold one short passage.

In pretended confirmation of the charge of an immoral tendency against the Scriptures, which Mr. Taylor (parrot-like) has repeated

* Dr. Bretschneider has since acknowledged his doubts to be unfounded. "In the Jena Literary Gazette for January, 1827 (Supplement, No. I.), it is stated that Dr. B. in the preface to the second edition of his Handbuch der Dogmatik (Manual of Dogmatic Theology), declares, that in his Biblical criticisms he has, without any hesitation, used as genuine sources the writings of St. John; because the doubts respecting the genuineness of those writings, which he sometime since laid before the public, were regarded by him merely as suggestions which might give occasion to a more minute and fundamental investigation of the proofs of such genuineness, which proofs at that time had appeared to him to be still incomplete; and also because he trusted that this inquiry would be fully accomplished by the publications respecting it that have already appeared, as well as by those which are announced as preparing for publication." For the knowledge of this fact, so honourable to the candour of Dr. Bretschneider, we are indebted to Horne's Introduction to the Critical Study of the Scriptures, Vol. II. Appendix, p. 252, sixth edition, 1828.

+ Professor Cellérier has acknowledged his obligations to Dr. Olshausen for many of the important facts and observations contained in his clever little treatise, published at Geneva about three months since, and entitled "De l'Origine Authentique et Divine du Nouveau Testament, Discours accompagné de Développemens," in one volume, 12mo.

after his infidel predecessors, he referred to Luke xiv. 26. text Dr. Smith remarks:

On this

With regard to the word hate in Luke xiv. 26, every school-boy, who has but a tincture of the knowledge of ancient forms of language, is aware that it denotes no malevolent disposition, but only that holy heroism of virtue, which enables a man to relinquish his dearest interests and enjoyments upon earth, and even his own life, if he cannot retain them without infringing upon the obligations of truth and conscience. It was finely illustrated in the conduct of the Bavarian martyr; who, when urged to save his life by recanting his principles, and the endearments of his family were pressed upon his feelings, exclaimed,—“ My wife and children! my dear wife and children! I love them more than all Bavaria; but, for the sake of Christ, I know them not.”—P. 21.

This casual mention of the Bavarian, whose noble integrity would not allow him to purchase life by falsehood, Dr. Smith subsequently remarks, throws Mr. T. into a paroxysm of fury which defies description, but which he will not disgust the reader by copying. "But," he continues,

It may well be asked, What can have provoked this burst of violence? Surely, in the estimation of even a Deist, an honest man deserves respect; a man, who will not descend to the meanness of hypocrisy, though it be to redeem his own body from the flames. If his principles be thought erroneous, and his faith a delusion, his integrity must command admiration and esteem. But it is not so with Mr. Taylor. His rage is unbridled; and he asperses the noble-minded man as a foul monster, a rebel against nature, a wretch, a fiend! There is a reason for this, which ought not to sink into oblivion. In the "Times" newspaper of Dec. 11, 1818, Mr. Taylor published a Latin advertisement, stating in the most solemn terms his extreme grief and penitence that he had uttered certain horrid and mad effusions, ["infanda quædam deliramenta effutiebat,"] and imploring the charitable forgiveness of all Christians. Some years afterwards, when he had made himself still more notorious as a blaspheming infidel, the same newspaper revived the recollection of the preceding fact. Upon this, Mr. T. inserted a letter in the "Times," acknowledging the truth of the statement, and not blushing to affirm, that the whole was done to appease the distressed feelings of his pious mother and this avowal of deceit and hypocrisy he made without the least expression of regret or shame! Very shortly after, another letter appeared in the "Times," purporting to be from Mr. Taylor's own brother, contradicting his assertion, and declaring that he had made that solemn recantation of infidelity, in the hope of obtaining a curacy! Mr. T. then closed the correspondence by saying, that the communication just mentioned was not from his brother, but was a forgery. But who can give credit to such a witness ;—a man, who, by his own unblushing confession, was guilty of the most deliberate insincerity and hypocrisy, in an act implying an appeal to the Deity, an act the most solemn and awful of which a human being is capable?-Reader, are you now surprised at his fury, when he saw himself in contrast with an HONEST man? Are you surprised at the perversions, concealments, misrepresentations, and daring falsifications, which characterize his discourses and writings? Can you repose a moment's confidence in such a person, with all his art and plausibility, though to his most earnest asseverations he add protestations and oaths?— Pp. 51, 52.

The preceding facts require no comment of ours; they sufficiently attest how little attention is due to this unhappy man, who (we understand) has been perambulating the country on, what his friends and supporters are pleased to call, "an infidel mission!"

We cannot conclude the present notice of Dr. Smith's masterly publication, without reminding our readers that he is the author of two large large octavo volumes, entitled "The Scripture Testimony to the Messiah;" concerning which the late learned Bishop of Oxford (Dr. Lloyd) several years since, in conversation with the writer of this article, stated that he considered it to be the ablest treatise extant against the assertions and misinterpretations of the modern Unitarians; and that eminent Prelate subsequently shewed that his opinion remained unchanged, by including Dr. S.'s work in the list of books, which, as Regius Professor of Divinity, he recommended to be attentively studied by those who were desirous of pursuing an extensive course of theological literature.

LITERARY REPORT.

An Address delivered to the Candidates for Holy Orders, in the Diocese of Barbados and the Leeward Islands. London: Rivingtons. 1829. 3s.

For this very able address we are indebted to the Bishop of Barbados. An address more comprehensive and instructive, as to the duties of the Clergy, seldom comes under our notice. It treats of the private and public duties of the minister of God, in a manner so sincere, affectionate, and holy, that the heart of him who is about to take, or we will even say of him who has taken upon himself the important office of Ambassador for Christ, must be more hard than we in charity can suppose, if it be not sensibly impressed by its perusal. The advice given to the young clergyman on entering upon his charge, is well worthy of quotation.

"He," says his Lordship, "that would succeed in his ministry must acquaint himself with the state and temper of his parish, and be content to feel his way, before he ventures on any important measure; must labour to win the affections of his parishioners before he admonishes them; must be scrupulously attentive to the discharge of his own duties, that he may the more confidently press upon his flock the performance of theirs: must watch

his opportunity that he may be heard the more gladly must yield in trifles that he may carry greater matters: must neither needlessly offend the prejudices of his people, nor unjustifiably encourage them in their errors must point out their faults with tenderness; instruct their ignorance with patience; tend on them in their afflictions with affectionate solicitude; and ever in his visits among them show that interest in their temporal, which may enable him to exert a salutary influence over them in their spiritual concerns." P. 5.

We must likewise transcribe another short passage, which, to those whose duty calls them to the difficult and often painful, though spiritually profitable, employment of visiting the sick, must strike conviction.

"The visitation of the sick is perhaps the most difficult part of a clergyman's office. To be performed well, there is need of much presence of mind, and knowledge of the human heart; much quickness in detecting its hidden failings, much art in convicting without irritating the sick person; much judgment in pointing out, and tenderness in applying the remedy; much power of reasoning, much happiness of elucidation, and above all, a familiarity with the Holy Scriptures. One passage of Scripture, plain and to the point, is of more value to a dying man than the strongest deductions of mere unassisted reason." P. 41.

At the foot of almost every page, his Lordship has enriched his own remarks by beautiful quotations from our best authors who have written upon the ministerial duties, and which alone form a fund of sound matter for reflection and improvement. To the address there are subjoined two appendices: the first containing selections of passages of Scripture, setting forth the duties and encouragements of the servants of God, and arranged under their distinct heads: the second, recommending such sound and excellent works as would form a thesaurus for the young scribe, out of which to bring forth things new and old. We are happy in giving to this volume our decided approval and our warm recommendation.

Evening, and other Poems. By the Rev. PERRY NURSEY, B. A. Norwich: Stacy. London: Longman. 1829. pp. xviii. 175. Price 7s. 6d.

The

MR. Nursey is already known to the public as an exhibitor at Somerset House, where he has appeared as the author of some pretty pictures of dead pheasants, rural cottages, &c. "Ut pictura poesis" of Horace, who, by the quotations in the volume before us, seems to be the author's favourite, has, it appears, induced him to bestow a little attention on another of the muses. But we question, whether the lady will think much of this secondhand love. She appears, at present, rather coy, and by no means so affable as a young poet desires, who calls on Sacred truth, to impart her heavenly fire, And guide his hand to touch the trembling lyre.

"Ut pictura poesis" ought to have suggested a somewhat different application of the advice which follows that expression. Painters, we know, are, in great measure, mannerists- the "nature" of the "council room" is not the "nature" of the woods and fields; and men must sacrifice real "nature,' oftentimes, in order to attain the praise of a natural painter. Now, something of this kind strikes us as having operated on the pen of Mr. Nursey. He

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wants the elasticity of genius, and to make up for it, has written by line and rule, borrowing the hackneyed phrases of the school-boy, to express the ideas which could have been better expressed or better neglected. He is evidently studious, and thoughtful, and pious, most undoubtedly, to boot. But as we have often said, in these pages, piety is, though a pleasing companion, no substitute for poetry. We take one

instance, for all, of the common-place alluded to above.

Hark! how the echoing vale responsive rings,

As light of heart the peasant blithely sings; Or shepherd, tuning shrill his rustic reed, Slow drives his weary flock along the mead.-P. 6.

This rustic reed, as we are informed in a note, "is formed of a hollow tube of elder, or the stalk of the hemlock, and the shrill, wild note it produces may be heard at a considerable distance." Surely, Tityrus did not sing the praises of his woodland muse on such a hedgewhistle as this; the "Musa sylvestris" must have had a sorry taste to have listened. The chief poem, "Evening," contains some fair versification, quiet remembrances of the joys of a rural life, and many touches of feeling, highly creditable to the author's taste and judgment. It is the best piece in the book; but not judged sufficiently good to gain the prize at Cambridge, for which we have been told it was written. The minor pieces are neither remarkable for skill nor taste, and betray, too frequently, the author's besetting temptation-imitation. His sonnets are defective in mechanism; there is not a "sonnet," properly so called, in the book. He should refer to Petrarch, Milton, Donne, or Wordsworth, for models.

The volume closes with three "specimens of sacred poetry," consisting of "paraphrases" of the English versions of Ecclesiastes xii. 1-7; and of Lamentations i. 1-7; and a piece called the Deluge. The first is ingenious and pretty; the two others failures. On the whole, Mr. Nursey seems to be a very amiable man, but no genius; we think his talents will find a more profitable employment in the school of painting, than in that of poesy; and,

we are sure, now a-days, when all the world is rhyming, that it were creditable to die without having committed a stanza, than to add to the multitudinous array of second-rate poems, which already present such a barrier to the critic. We hope soon to meet our author where he is more "at home"and if he could write as well as he can paint, we should be glad to meet him where he is now, unfortunately, out.

An Analysis of Bishop Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles. With Notes. By THOMAS NEWLAND, A.B. of Trinity College, Dublin. 12mo. Pp. xxiv. 543. Dublin : Curry and Co. London: Hurst, Chance, and Co.

BISHOP Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles has for more than a century been found in the library of every divine; and the adoption of his work, as a text-book, in our universities, and also as a manual to be studied by candidates for holy orders, sufficiently attests the estimation in which his talents and learning have been held. At the same time candour requires the admission, that his treatise is defective both in perspicuity of style, and in clearness of arrangement. Replete as his pages are with important facts and valuable information, his arguments are not unfrequently so scattered, and his observations so misplaced, that the student finds it laborious to connect and appreciate them. Mr. Newland has endeavoured, successfully, to rectify these defects, and at the same time to retain all the excellent matter of the original author which they are calculated to obscure. He has adhered to the Bishop's observations as closely as was consistent with his plan of retaining only what would prove generally useful; and he has clearly stated Burnet's arguments; which are arranged methodically under general heads printed in italic, so that the student may, at a glance, collect the substance of the entire article. With regard to those articles, which allude to the differences unhappily existing between the Calvinists and their opponents, he has laudably endeavoured to follow Bishop Burnet's impartiality without obtruding his own individual

VOL. XI. NO. X.

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H. Et cette Casette comment est elle faite ?

J. ... Elle est petite, si on le veut prendre par là; mais je l'appelle grande pour ce qu'elle contient.-Molière.

SUCH is the motto prefixed to this publication. Benevolence originated

it-and in the cause of benevolence we supplicate attention to it. The character of "Maître Jacques," in the motto of his Casket, applies to this. For we have here nearly two hundred poems, many of them of great merit, contributed by living writers, many of them of established reputation in the literary world; and all of them, either by their previous fame, or their station in life, affording sufficient guarantee for the respectability of the undertaking. Mr. Blencowe is the editor of the Casket, and the party whom our bards have thus conspired to bless and honour, is deserving of all commiseration and kindly charities. Once they were above want-now they are not in a situation to smile at the frowns of Fortune.

The immense list of subscribers is a guarantee that the claim of the parties interested is unobjectionable; and we do not fear the incurring of censure for recommending the purchase of the volume, which, in point of typographical excellence and literary value, is "haud ulli veterum secundus," issuing from the splendid luxuries of Albemarle Street publications. The following extract will shew that there is something more than the circumstances of an unfortunate case to

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