the Authoress has too much left out of sight the solemn justice of the world's Governor. We could adduce several passages, but one will suffice to show our meaning, when contrasted with a text of holy writ. "God did not destroy the first-born of creation: I do not think he ever destroys any thing." p. 167. "Fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. x. 28. The earnestness of her own feeling has led our departed friend to the adoption of a style so involved with apostrophes and ejaculations, that it is rather difficult to trace the real character of her reasoning; but we think the point to which we allude can hardly fail to strike a mind imbued with the spirit of deep reverence for the awful holiness and justice of the Most High.

THE TRUE END OF EDUCATION, AND THE MEANS ADAPTED TO IT, IN A SERIES OF FAMILIAR LETTERS TO A LADY ENTERING ON THE DUTIES OF HER PROFESSION AS PRIVATE GOVERNESS. BY MARGARET THORNLEY. (Hamilton.) is a work which can hardly fail to interest that numerous and important class for whose benefit it is especially designed. The standard of intellectual acquirement demanded from the teacher is placed very high; higher, we think, than a young female in most cases can be expected to attain ; but a high standard is seldom injurious, and it is well to be frequently reminded of the wide gulph which separates the mere mechanical routine of book-work, from the life, the interest, the pleasure, the true mental culture which the intelligent teacher will impart, fresh from her own stores, while treating the very same subject. Works like this may also be useful in inducing those parents, who have the means, to give their children the advantage of really superior masters, the only method of JANUARY, 1847.

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securing the best instruction in the different branches of education. Those who have enjoyed this privilege will confess that they have gained 'more in one hour's intercourse with such a master, than in many weeks of common teaching. But while we speak thus to parents, whose circumstances may enable them to secure every advantage, and who are therefore responsible before God for bestowing on the beautiful plants He has committed to their care, the highest mental culture within their reach, we should regret to utter one word which might tend to dishearten others, struggling with difficulties. Faith should reveal the hand of our God, guiding the important and anxious task of education. He knows for what posts of duty and usefulness those children are designed. If He has withheld any of the external advantages which wealth or circumstances might command, it is because He foresees their future course does not require such training. Intelligent parents can scarcely fail, if their heart be in the work, to impart that general intellectual life, which will enable children to make use in after days of any advantages which may fall in their way. Such parents will find many useful hints in the work now before us. Its general tone is decidedly christian. Intellectually it is perhaps too stiff, too little graceful for female education; the matter-of-fact vindication of poetry, and enumeration of striking objects in a glorious landscape would almost provoke a smile, did we not remember it is vain to expect every thing from one mind, and therefore wiser gratefully to receive help from each in its own peculiar province. One point of more importance we must allude to, though we know it is a disputed one among persons whose judgment we esteem; the free permission given to the young, to read all works of

classical literature, ancient or modern, trusting to the strength of implanted principle to reject the evil. Our honoured predecessor felt and expressed herself strongly against such license. We confess that her index expurgatorius would have been larger than we should be disposed to submit to, but we cannot think it safe or wise to permit the delicate minds of young females to come in contact with forms of evil which Providence has not thrown in their path, but of which an Apostle has told us, "Let them not be once named among you

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as becometh saints." Surely when we think what an enemy we have, we do not need to store his quiver with arrows, which may be hurled against the mind in moments of weakness we can now little foresee; nor can we reconcile the petition" Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," with this voluntary admission of false principles and seductive images.

NEOPHILUS, OR MORAL REFLECTIONS, BY THE REV. D. KELLY (Hamilton), is a series of short Essays on moral subjects, written in a vivid and interesting style. A short quotation will perhaps best introduce our readers to its character: 'Christianity is the religion of the bold. Never was system more misrepresented, than when it is spoken of as encouraging pusillanimity. It is essentially the religion of the firmhearted; it raises, expands, and elevates the character; it inspires all that is bold and resolute; morbid feeling of every kind it corrects; for it is essentially the religion of the "sound mind." Under its influence, independence of thought and action is acquired. Its very first requirements show this:-" Choose ye this day whom ye will serve"-" Declare this day to whom you belong"-"Take up your cross; follow through evil report and good report”—“ Obey the dictates of con

science in the face of all opposition and danger." It inspires the courage which shall oppose the world; it raises one superior to the fear of man-to the slavish dread of opinion-to a servile conformity to the world's maxim. It is a foe to all temporizing and expediency -to all attempts at reconciling conflicting interests. The world never beheld nobler instances of courage and self-denial than some which the history of Christians can furnish. And, in proportion to the degree of influence it exerts on us, will the character grow vigorous and independent and bold, though meek and humble and gentle. It will lose what Bunyan calls, "its foolish timorousness"—its groundless fears-its vain imaginations-everything that is weak and morbid. Selfreliance and confidence in its own resources will be acquired. It will learn to feel the strength-the mighty strength of conscious integrity; for "virtue," or moral courage is undoubtedly one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And so the Apostle apprizes us, when he exhorts, "Add to your faith virtue."

THE LIFE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST has just been published by the Tract Society: a small volume, adorned with beautiful vignettes of scenes in Palestine, it contains so much practical instruction, combined with so many illustrations of local customs, historical notices, &c., that it will be found a valuable addition to the village library. For the same purpose we recommend The Seaman and his Family, a little tale, lately published by them. The Face of the Earth, and The Arab, are both useful and interesting little works, published by the same Society. The Missionary Series of Tracts, by the Rev. M. BROCK, are well worthy of attention, for the amount of spirit-stirring detail they present within a very narrow compass.

HERE A LITTLE AND THERE A LITTLE, OR JOSEPH AND JESUS COMPARED AND CONTRASTED (Whittaker), is an arrangement in parallel columns of Scripture passages from the history of Joseph and that of Jesus, and brings out in a most striking manner this deeply interesting Scripture type.

THE WYCLIFFITES, is an historical tale of the 15th century, which we have much pleasure in recommending to our readers. It invites us to watch the earliest birth and progress of the English Reformation in times of political faction and tumult ;-and points out the unseen hand of God which is guiding and controlling the wild and selfish passions of ambitious men, to the advancement of his own cause, and the establishment of a kingdom which can never be destroyed. In the book before us we have been struck with the consistent and successful delineation of character, and the refined and Christian taste of the Authoress, which concentrates the interest upon the moral worth of her leading characters, rather than the external advantages with which she has surrounded them; and only enlists our sympathy where it can be given with the full concurrence of our judgment.

AUNT KATE'S STORY. BY ANN THORPE. Journal Office, Bristol; is a pleasing little tale, and would be a nice Christmas present for a child.