unbroken body of evidence. In the sixth chapter, the author has examined the bearing of the wonders of mesmerism on the miracles of the New Testament, though why he has confined it to the New we do not know; but he says, "It is notorious that a feeling is gaining ground that these several facts exhibit an equality of power, and that the divine nature of the one is impaired by the extraordinary character of the other." Mr. Sandby shows that a part of our Saviour's miraculous acts of power is altogether removed out of the sphere of mesmeric influence; as his stilling the waves of the sea, withering the fig-tree, changing water into wine, feeding the multitude in the desert, walking on the sea, being transfigured on the mount, raising the dead. He then comes to the other class of miracles, healing all manner of diseases; and he distinguishes the wonders recorded in the Gospel from those performed by merely human means; by showing in the first place that no mesmeriser could claim, or claiming prove, the possession of a power of removing diseases, that was infallible and universal. He succeeds in many cases, he fails in others; sometimes the benefit is lasting, sometimes temporary. Secondly, the cures related in Scripture are of a far higher order than those that mesmerism can boast; and thirdly, the change that followed the touch or voice of Christ was instantaneous, whereas mesmerism requires some interval of time, longer or shorter according to circumstances, to develope its effects. "A fourth distinguishing mark (he says) attendant on the cures related in the Gospel, is the permanency of their effect. There is no reason to suspect from the slightest phrase that drops from any of the New Testament writers, nor from any charge that was advanced by the unbeliever, that the benefit was not as lasting as it was complete. No one can assert the same of all mesmeric cures. Many are indeed permanent, but with a large number the action requires to be renewed at intervals, especially in some diseases that are of a chronic kind." Yet Mr. Sandby does not positively deny the identity of mesmerism and the Christian

miracles. He says, "Christ may have exercised a latent mesmeric power to

an extra and miraculous extent;" and yet he adds, "this is rather mentioned in deference to the views of others, than as expressing his own opinion." And lastly he mentions a fifth and remarkable distinction, the cure of persons at a distance, whither the assumed mesmeric virtue could not possibly except by miracle extend: nothing in the annals of mesmerism has a parallel to this. He then turns to the subject of clairvoyance, internal vision, and the predictive faculty, all of which are phenomena partaking of the miraculous character, and then he shews how they are to be distinguished from similar supernatural powers mentioned in Scripture. He lastly takes a view of the modern miracles among the Roman Catholics, that have excited of late such reverential curiosity in the members of that Church, and especially the Tyrolese nuns of Lord Shrewsbury, the Ecstatica of Caldaro, and the Addolorata of Capriana, and he considers their states to be states of catalepsy; this part of the work we recommend to the attention of our readers, and particularly that relating to the sympathy between the mesmeriser and his patient, and the transference of thoughts from one to the other, which we consider to be a key unlocking much difficulty, and opening a new region of experiment. As regards clairvoyance, from what we ourselves have seen of patients in mesmeric states, we should say that its effect on all the senses, in rendering them supernaturally acute, is too plain to deny; and this extraordinary power of vision is to be paralleled by a similarly increased fineness in the touch, in the taste, and in the ear. All is wonderful; but the power of the eye to read writing through an interposed medium, is not more so than that of the ear, to catch the faintest whisper at a distance inaudible to all others; that of the tongue to distinguish tastes from substances in the mouth of others; that of the touch, (if so it may be called,) which enables the mesmerised person, though with eyes fast closed in sleep, to feel where the mesmeriser is and to approach him in the most direct line, as if led by some subtle fluid to the spot. But not only the senses but the whole brain is excited to a sensibility that it does not

know in its natural state, as if the man had become all mind, and the body was only the more dormant and half-lifeless vehicle, over which it reigned supreme, and from which it threw its intellectual illuminations wide around. Mr. Chevenix said a few years back,

By

The Philosophy of Training, &c. A. R. Craig. 12mo.-This little essay is worthy of attention, for its purpose is not only to advocate the necessity of normal schools for teachers to the wealthier classes, but to afford better guides to the mode of teaching languages, so as to abridge the time employed in attaining them, and to enable the learner to gain them with more ease as well as accuracy. It is said (p. 92,) "That the late accomplished Sir W. Jones said, he considered a course of six months' study by the way he practised, a sufficient length of time to acquire a thorough knowledge of any language.'" Now, as life is short and languages numerous, he who teaches us to master them with the smallest expenditure of time, is conferring an inestimable benefit on society.

Treatise on Forest Trees. By John Smith. A useful, practical, little work, containing judicious advice on most branches of forest culture, as planting, fencing, preparing the ground, thinning, pruning, &c. and containing at the end a very judicious list of the best apples and pears suitable to the climate of Scotland; though a few of the names, as doux morceaux and others, do not appear to us to be correctly spelt.

A Manual of Devotions for the Holy Communion. Compiled from various sources.-The author mentions that he has made in this little work "an unsparing use of the Latin Manual called Paradisus Animæ, a book comparatively little known in this country." It concludes with a Hymn of St. Thomas Aquinas, in the original Latin, and translated.

Sermons preached before the University and other places. By Rev. C. Marriott, A.M.-These are very impressive, earnest, and even elegant discourses, and we think so equal is their merit, that it would not be easy, perhaps not just, to select any particular ones as superior to the others; but it is difficult to read any volume with. out preferring some parts to others, as more easily associating with our feelings and knowledge. We were accordingly struck with the spirit and tone of the

"Mesmerism is established." Mr. Sandby adds, "soon, very soon, will it be acknowledged an admitted branch of medical practice;" and, when that day arrives, "a grateful posterity will respond with the name of John Elliotson."

26th discourse, called "Christ the Door." We cannot deprive ourselves of the pleasure of giving one short passage, (p. 440,) and that is all for which space is granted us.

"When we are occupied with our own immediate belief and first duties as Christians, we may be said to stay within; and when we range over a wider field, and apply our minds either to the arts of life, or to secular knowledge, or to the general study of humanity in history, philosophy, and literature, still must our Lord be kept ever in view, unless all is to be lifeless and starving to the soul. Whoever has entered in by Him' is in a position where he may discern the true life and meaning of all that is in the world,-of all that really concerns man here. What is the aim of political science, but that which has began to be realised in his kingdom? What is the aim of moral philosophy, but the saintly character, the transcript of his? What is liberty, but choosing the Father's will? What is Christian education, but fulfilling the mystery of his birth and our new birth in Him? What is reason, but a partaking of the light that lighteneth every man that cometh into the world? What is poetry, but the baring of the heart when he is near? What is art, but the striving to recollect his lineaments? What is history, but the traces of his iron rod or his shepherd's staff?"

This is beautifully imagined and expressed we glean a few words from another.

"The Christian may seem minute in fixing his practice and ordering his thoughts; but, if he only does this according to the heavenly standard, he really enlarges his powers of discerning truth. He is like the astronomer who gazes intently on a microscopic adjustment that he may measure spaces so great as to be scarcely conceivable to thought, and who proves again and again the calculation of a cypher, that navies may traverse the boundless ocean in safety. We disconnect our life, that we may have some of it at our own will, and for our own indulgences; but so much as we thus set apart for ourselves, so much do we kill, and the rest is weakened by the loss," &c.

The Doctrine of Changes as applicable to the constitutions of Social Life, &c.The design of this treatise is to ascertain "as far as possible the laws to which these great changes which occasionally vary the scene of human life seem to be subject, and to point out the rules which ought to be applied to all such events, with a view of determining whether they are in accordance with the progressive tendencies of nature, or are to be regarded as but occasional irregularities or retardations of her course," &c. This search, philosophical and moral, the author pursues with zeal and diligence through more than 500 pages of his volume; and, as philosophical arguments are bound together by long and curious chains of reasoning, they are not fitted for short quotations or extracts; but the reader will peruse parts of the book with pleasure, and feel the justice of the author's views and deductions. The subjects treated of certainly are of the highest interest to the moralist and the politician, and many of the questions raised are worthy of serious inquiry, and demand a very strict and severe analysis. The table of contents will best put the reader in possession of the different portions and divisions of the subject.

Aids to Catechetical Teaching; being the Church Catechism illustrated by Parables and Anecdotes. By a Clergyman. -The design of this work is good, and in many cases the illustrations from his. tory are aptly and well chosen, and calculated to arrest the attention and awaken the feelings in the youthful mind; but the author should be very careful that his anecdotes are taken from authentic sources: and therefore, in the next edition, he should omit those regarding the latter end of Voltaire and of Shelley (vid. p. 90.) One history which is found to be erroneous will do much to efface in the youthful mind the best impressions left by those that are true, and may indeed shake the whole building, that otherwise would have stood firm and unassailable.

posed. A very interesting table of the principal churches throughout the world closes the volume, giving an account of the number of the bishops to each, the presbyters and deacons, the amount of the laity, and the authorities from which the table is taken. The Church of Russia contains forty-seven millions; that of France, thirty millions; Spain, thirteen millions; and the Church of England, sixteen millions.

Spiritual Thoughts: a poem, &c. By G. A. Wingfield, esq.-There appears to us to be some obscurity or mysticism in the poetry of this author, who is strongly attached to the tenets of Swedenborg (see p. 60); but there is poetical feeling as well as expression throughout, which, if employed on subjects less abstracted and less elevated above the participation of common understandings, would not fail to please and instruct. As it is, the author must be content with a more confined circle of admirers. We give a specimen of the style.

TO THE SPRING.

Sweet Spring! thou leadest to thy sunny
bowers,
[flowers;
Thy looks with smiles, thy tresses deck'd with
With voice of joy, to greet thy smiles again,
The west wind murmurs to the laughing plain.
Along thy path the unbidden violets spring,
And wide around their od'rous fragrance fling.
See! Nature's mighty heart leaps up to prove
Thy brooding influence and thy quick'ning
love.

Ages may pass,-ages of countless time,-
Years hasting ever on the wings of crime,
These thee profane not, nor to anxious sight
The glory dim of thy returning light;
Ever thy smiles as in their earliest prime,
Nor fade the locks of youth that shade thy
brow sublime.

the doctrines of Dr. Pusey ?), it throws together the scattered tenets and opinions of various persons, many anonymous, as if they had mustered under certain rules and compacts and agreements, and formed themselves into a corporate religious body. In one place (p. 20) the present Bishop of London is quoted, though we never before heard that he was enumerated in the list of Oxford divines! But, we repeat, as the doctrines impugned are, for the most part, not the particular doctrines of a particular sect, but those generally held by our Church,-held by the generality of the members, there is scarcely a scriptural writer of note who might not be classed with those whom it is Mr. Weaver's principle to refute and to condemn.

Edmund Somers; a Domestic Story.A pleasing, well-written story, the characters well contrasted, and the incidents in general true to nature, though the death of Wildbore might have been more naturally brought to pass. We were much amused at Mr. Nethersole's examination for his degree at Oxford. He was asked, What brute animal is recorded as having spoken in Scripture? Mr. Nethersole looked first at the table before him, then at the ceiling and walls of the room, and, finding they afforded him no assistance, at last answered, "The whale." The examiner was taken rather aback at this preposterous reply, but, wishing to sound the depth of the examinee's ignorance, veiled his astonishment as best he might, and proceeded to ask in a very bland and conciliatory tone of voice, to whom the whale spake? "To Moses in the bulrushes," answered Nethersole, who now fancied he was getting on famously. What passed between them? was the next question." Moses said unto the whale, Thou art the man;' and the whale answered and said, 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,'" &c. At p. 207 an eccentric old clergyman who kept an old servant, John Winsley, asked him whether he had seen the beautiful planet Venus, now clearly visible every night. "Sir, I never looks upwards," was John's reply. We presume that the Rev. Roderick Fitzflummerie is intended for the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, but the picture, though like, is a little caricatured.

Coningsby; or the New Generation. By B. D'Israeli, Esq. M.P. 3 vols. -This, like all the author's other writings, is a very singular production. He aims at originality, and he has certainly succeeded in his object, although we cannot say that it is a species of originality much to our taste. It is more confined

to style than to thought, and the flights of fancy in which it displays itself are somewhat too irregular and capricious. Mr. D'Israeli's design in this book appears to be to delineate the opinions of that party which is termed "Young England; moreover, he is much more inclined to tell his readers what are not the sentiments of this party than what they are, and it is only from obscure hints and faint intimations scattered here and there that it is possible to make out what the feelings of its members may be on any of the great questions of the day. Judging from these we cannot say that we should feel much inclined to trust ourselves to the political guidance of " Young England." We prefer "Old England" with all its faults, and even think that if new theories were less attended to by all parties and old practice more followed, the country at large would be more happy, and its prosperity more likely to continue. Some of the author's observations, however, on political matters contain much good sense, and might be attended to with advantage. But it is as a political satire that the work will be chiefly read, and under this head there is undoubtedly a great deal of lively and piquant matter. We cannot say though that we at all admire the spirit in which the book is written, nor do we think it likely to improve the tone of thought in the minds of those who read it. The author has gone at some length into the present state of the Jews, confirming in many points the account given by Mr. Borrow in "The Bible in Spain." Judging from what the author says on this subject, people may be led to imagine that he is by no means hostile to the Hebrew faith, which his family have left. Be this as it may, we by no means admire the tone of thought in which he speaks on Church subjects.

Rose D'Albret; or, Troublous Times. By G. P. R. James, Esq. 3 vols.-Another work from the prolific pen of Mr. James, equally good if not better than any of his other productions, and that is saying a great deal in its praise. This book possesses one peculiarity which displays the author's powers of writing in no small degree. The events which it describes all take place within the space of eight days, and yet the tale is full of incident and adventure, brings the reader into acquaintance with many distinguished personages of the age to which it belongs

that of Henri Quatre-not omitting that monarch himself, and possesses a most thrilling and engrossing interest. For our own parts, we must say we always look forward to the appearance of one of

Mr. James's tales with somewhat of the same feeling with which in our younger days we used to anticipate the publication of one of the wondrous creations of fancy of the king of romantic fiction-the poet of Abbotsford.

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; with Historical Notes, and engravings of many ancient coins, illustrating the narrative portions of the New Testament. By John Yonge Akerman, F.S.A. No. I. [To be completed in about VIII Numbers.]-We have had illustrated and "Pictorial" Bibles of late, as well as Pictorial histories and poets; but such undertakings, in the very zeal of their editors, are liable to result in mere picture-books, and a medley of heterogeneous matters. The rule is good, Ne sutor ultra crepidam. Where the plan is encyclopediac, either a numerous band of coadjutors is necessary, or that universal knowledge, which

is so rare as to be nearly unexampled. Now, how far the numismatology of the illustrated Bibles has been well founded, we ourselves are unable to say: but this we know, that Mr. Akerman has acquired a well-earned reputation for his skill in that science, and that therefore he is highly qualified to illustrate the holy scriptures in the department he has here undertaken. His engravings are beautifully executed in wood, and among those in this first Part are coins of Herod the King, Archelaus, the Community of Syria, Tetradrachms of Tyre and of Sidon, the Shekel, the Half-Shekel, the Assarion or "farthing," the "penny" with the image and superscription of Cæsar, &c. &c. some cases the devices of the reverses appear capable of fuller explanation, which would always be acceptable. In his notes generally Mr. Akerman confines himself to history and philology, clearly and suc cinctly stated, excluding everything of a doctrinal or controversial character.

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