account of his official acts relating to the school. The first sentence is: “E. D. ward vam rade bewilligt, dat men dat schwarte closter buwen und to einer scholen anrichten scholde," i. e. "the same day (May 10, 1559) it was granted by the council that one should repair the Black Cloister, and fit it up for a school." This curious specimen of old Low German is a sort of middle link between the High German and English. "April 20, 1560, the rector Widemann was installed with much honor in the new school at St. Catharine's, and the government of it committed to him by me in a Latin oration." 66 May 31, I was appointed with J. S. and J. N. by the council an overseer of the new school, but I would accept only for one year." The next year we find this remarkable entry: "I read the new laws before the rector and his colleagues. They requested a copy, and a terminum deliberandi whether they would accept them, or rather leave the service." The unfortunate rector had a difficulty with his wife, and went to the burgomaster for advice. A few months afterwards we find this sad record: 66 Magister Widemann's wife was with me (was Mgr. Widemanns wieff bi mi), and gave me her decision that she would not receive her husband again." The next extract will give us a change from the grave to the gay. "The Cantor sent me to-day (Jan. 7, 1565) from the school a song for four voices, which he himself, perhaps, composed. What he means by it I do not know, but conjecture that it may be to remind me of a former one with which he honored the city, propter remunerationem quam hactenus forsan avide expectaverit." O Mr. Burgomaster! With this we must stop, although there are several touching letters respecting the hard service and pecuniary distresses of teachers which we should like to present, as they would be sure of finding sympathetic readers. It is with regret that we part with an author who is so true a scholar and who has so genuine an antiquarian spirit. Upon the last half of the work we have not entered at all, nor can we do so now. ELLICOTT ON THE EPHESIANS.1 IN the preface to this volume Prof. Ellicott, acknowledges his obligations to Harless's Exposition of the Epistle to the Ephesians, "which," he says, "for accurate scholarship, learning, candor, and ability, may be pronounced one of the best, if not the very best, commentary that has ever yet appeared on any single portion of Holy Scripture" (page v). He also makes respectful mention of Dr. Stier's Exposition, and that of Prof. Eadie. He avows his great and peculiar obligations to Dr. Meyer. It is evident, how 1 A Commentary, Critical and Grammatical, on St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. With a revised Translation. By Charles J. Ellicott, B.D., Professor of Divinity in King's College, London, and late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. Andover: Warren F. Draper; Boston: Gould and Lincoln; New York: John Wiley; Philadelphia: Smith, English, & Co. 1861. PP. 190. 8vo. ever, that Prof. Ellicott is himself an independent critic. We have often characterized his comments as brief, lucid, pertinent, and sensible. His learning is full and accurate. He is less influenced than some of our American commentators, by theological prejudices and by mere theories of religion. His aim is to ascertain the grammatical meaning of the sacred word, to explain scripture by scripture; and not to exercise his ingenuity in reducing the utterances of the apostle to a merely human standard. The present edition of his Commentary on the Ephesians is carefully printed; in some points it is more correct than the English copy; and Mr. Draper merits the thanks of American scholars for giving them so valuable a work in so attractive a form, and for so low a price. ELLICOTT'S LIFE OF CHRIST.1 DURING the last quarter of a century, a larger number of works on the life of Christ have been published than ever appeared before within so brief a period. Many of these works have been written in the interest of rationalism or pantheism; and have been elaborate attempts to prove that the narratives of the evangelists are not accurate, or that the character of Jesus is not faultless. The present volume is not only evangelical in its tone, but is earnest and enthusiastic. It stands in marked contrast with the Life of Christ by Strauss, and Hase, and even Neander. It sometimes glows with religious feeling, where we should expect a strictly argumentative and critical discussion. The volume would have been more satisfactory to scholars, if it had discussed with more definiteness certain disputed questions in regard to the life of Christ; and it would have been more fascinating to the general reader, if it had introduced more of the dramatic element into its narrative. This element is less conspicuous in the work of Ellicott than in the antiquated work of Hess on the same theme, and is of course far less conspicuous than in the Gospels, from which all these biographies of Christ are derived. The present volume will be read with profit not only by clergymen, but also by laymen interested in sacred studies. PROF. STUART ON THE HEBREWS.2 PROFESSOR Stuart's Commentary on the Hebrews was the first of his expository works which gave him a European reputation. It was favor Historical Lectures on the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ; being the Huslean Lectures for the Year 1859; with Notes critical, historical, and explanatory. By C. J. Ellicott, Professor of Divinity, King's College, London, late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, Author of Critical and Grammatical Commentaries on St. Paul's Epistles. Boston: Gould and Lincoln; New York: Sheldon and Company; Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 1862. pp. 382. 12mo. * A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. By Moses Stuart, late Pro ably reviewed by Prof. Bleek and others in Germany, and by Dr. J. P. Smith and others in England. The nature of the subjects discussed in the volume is such, that different evangelical parties unite in commending this Commentary; while the nature of the subjects discussed in Prof. Stuart's work on the Romans is such as arrays different evangelical parties against each other in their estimate of that work. Professor Stuart was an original critic, although he studied extensively the writers who preceded him. No candid man can read his pages without feeling the inspiration of the author's mind. It is unusual to find in a textual commentary such a glow of intellect, such a critical enthusiasm. Professor Robbins has been faithful in his abridgement of the work, and has developed an affluent and exact scholarship in what he has added, as well as in what he has omitted. Every clergyman should own this volume. HOPKINS'S HISTORY OF THE PURITANS.1 THIS Volume completes the work on which Mr. Hopkins has expended so much labor, and which has been heretofore repeatedly noticed in the Bibliotheca Sacra. The work is well adapted to interest the general reader, and is rich in its suggestions to the student who is versed in history. Some features in its plan diminish the authority of the work as one of historical reference, while they add freshness to it as a picture of the Puritans. It is difficult to combine the vivacity at which Mr. Hopkins aims, with the statistical and verbal accuracy which characterizes a volume for historical reference. The moral impression of the three volumes is healthful and invigorating. They reflect high honor on Mr. Hopkins. The publishers, as well as the author, merit the gratitude of the community for presenting to us so suggestive a history in so attractive a style, at a time when men's hearts are failing them for fear, and when they need a faithful portraiture of the Puritans. May this portraiture stimulate the sons of the Puritans to a heroism like that of their fathers! OLIVER'S TRANSLATION OF THE SYRIAC PSALTER. A NEW translation of the Hebrew Bible is a new commentary on it. A new translation of a version of the Hebrew Bible is in like manner, al Edited and Revised by R. D. C. Rob- fessor of Sacred Literature at Andover. bins, Professor in Middlebury College. F. Draper; Boston: Gould and Lincoln; New York: John Wiley; Philadel phia: Smith, English, and Co. 1860. pp. 575. 12mo. 'The Puritans or the Church, Court, and Parliament of England during the Reigns of Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth. By Samuel Hopkins. In three volumes. Boston: Gould and Lincoln; New York: Sheldon and Company; Cincinnati George S. Blanchard. 1861. Vol. III. pp. 675. 8vo. 2 A Translation of the Syriac Peshito Version of the Psalms of David, with though not in like degree, a commentary on the Hebrew. We have been interested in the present translation of the Syriac Peshito version of the Psalms, because it reflects light upon our old English Bible, and suggests many hints which lead into a more exact comprehension of the inspired Psalms than we obtain from our authorized version merely. At the same time, we rise from a perusal of this version with a quickened love for our old English Psalter. When we compare the following translations from the Syriac with the corresponding translations from the Hebrew, we feel, if we do not see, the superiority of King James's words: "Streams of waters come from mine eyes, because they keep not thy law;" "As for wicked men, I will not take salt with them;" "Thy people shall be glorious in the day of power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb, I have begotten thee, O youth, from the beginning." In regard to the last-quoted verse, the translator says in his preface, p. vii: "It will be observed that in Psalm ex. the original is made to contain a reference to the eternal generation of the Son of God." We often hear complaints of the grammatical inaccuracies in our English translation. A similar want of grammatical nicety is seen in the present translation from the Syriac: "Thou openest thine hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing." On the whole, however, the English style of the present volume is excellent. The preface, too, is interesting and valuable, and the notes are judicious. The entire work is well worthy of repeated perusal, and reflects high honor on the carefulness, fidelity, taste, and scholarship of Mr. Oliver. We are particularly gratified to see that a volume exhibiting so much erudition has been prepared in a rural parish of Vermont, and its accomplished author has done so good a work amid “the want of those literary facilities which are seldom found in the libraries of parish clergymen." (Preface, p. xiv.) This remark is a rich hint to many pastors in our rural settlements. COLLEGE EDITION OF HAMILTON'S METAPHYSICS.1 THIS volume is prepared on the basis of Sir William Hamilton's Lectures, and contains such additions to these Lectures as are derived from his Discussions, Notes on Reid, the Memoranda of his English editors, etc., etc. The additions are made with care and skill; the needless repetitions of the Lectures on Metaphysics are omitted, and the arrangement of the Lectures is somewhat and judiciously modified. Sir William's language is preserved throughout the volume, with the exception of a few instances where slight Notes Critical and Explanatory. By the Rev. Andrew Oliver, M.A. Boston: E. P. Dutton and Company. London: Trübner and Company. 1861. pp. 331. 12mo. 1 The Metaphysics of Sir William Hamilton, collected, arranged, and abridged for the use of Colleges and Private Students. By Francis Bowen, Alford Professor of Moral Philosophy in Harvard College. Cambridge: Sever and Fran changes were indispensable; these alterations are designated by brackets. It is easy to distinguish the assertions in his Lectures from those in his Discussions, Notes, etc. We think that a more connected, complete, and lucid view of Hamilton's Metaphysics can be obtained from this volume than from either of the volumes previously published, and pertaining to this branch of his studies. It is well fitted for an introduction to his entire works. At the same time it does not dispense with the necessity of perusing his Lectures on Metaphysics, or on Logic, or his Discussions, or his edition of Dr. Reid. The volume has been the result of patient study on the part of Professor Bowen, and it illustrates his conscientiousness and scrupulous exactness in his editorial labors. A MEMORIAL OF REV. GEORGE B. Little.1 WE have refrained from noticing this volume hitherto, because we have regarded it as sacred to private affection, and printed for the solace of bereaved friends, rather than published for the use of the entire community. We are happy to know, however, that the volume has been purchased and highly prized by many who were personal strangers to Mr. Little, and that it is regarded as one of the most appropriate and comfortable New Year's gifts which can be made to the invalid, and to the friends of the invalid, and especially one who is slowly lingering, as was the subject of this memorial, on his way to the tomb. It records with great simplicity the words of a man whose taste had been refined by skillful culture, and whose intellect was enriched with the fruits of many sciences. He was a lover of music, and of all the fine arts. He was an exact linguist and an accurate metaphysician. He was a diligent student of the Bible, and an earnest, wise preacher of its truths. He was eminently modest, humble, devout. He was well furnished for the scene of his death. The words which he uttered during the wearisome months appointed to him, were simple, natural, alive with thought and feeling; many of them are bright gems. They were his own words; not cast in a stiff mould, not stereotyped from metallic plates. The freshness of his utterances, their unstudied pertinence, their lowly tone, their hopefulness, their rich hints, ingratiate them into the heart of the reader who remembers that he must die at some time, and that he may die soon. The sententious instructions of Mr. Little are clothed in the garb of easy conversation; and we are taught, while we regard ourselves as merely reminded of what we knew before. His words are arranged in this volume with a logical care which hides itself under a charming unconsciousness of skill; and so they are delicately fitted to soothe the sorrowful, and especially to light the invalid in his path to the A Memorial of Closing Scenes in the Life of Rev. George B. Little. side Press Printed by H. O. Houghton, Cambridge. 1861. pp. 171. 8vo. For sale at the Depository of the American [Boston] Tract Society. River |