Thus, because our LORD is ascended into heaven the Bishop argues that the Church knows of no Substantial Body upon earth, whereas our LORD when bodily upon earth still spake of Himself as being "in heaven." (S. John iii. 13.)

If, then, there was then a twofold real, Substantial Presence in heaven and in earth, why may there not be now? Again, the continual taunt (we can call it nothing else) which is repeated against Mr. Cheyne in almost every page is that he argues "like a Romanist Divine!" Lastly, the finding is that Mr. Cheyne has defined or explained certain points on which our Formularies are silent, and therefore (observe the sequence!) his teaching is subversive of the Church's teaching. We need scarcely say that our most earnest sympathies are with the orthodox Clergy in this great trial, and we sincerely trust that they may find some way of saving the Faith of their Church.

Mignonette. By the Author of "The Curate of Holy Cross." 2 vols. J. H. Parker.

It is becoming a grave question whether the publication of the religious tales which have of late been made so great an element in the literature of the Church, is not rather a decided evil than a gain in any shape.

For what purpose, let us ask, are such tales as "Mignonette" written? if for the mere amusement of the public-as novels, in short, they ought not to contain religious discussions, nor introduce the clergy in the exercise of their sacred office: if, on the other hand, they are written with the view of influencing persons for good, and advancing the cause of the Church, they ought to contain matter of a very different description from the details of a passionate love story, in which the gratification of earthly affection is made the highest good attainable in life. We have no objection whatever to the sort of thing in an honest novel, pretending to be nothing better than it is, the profitless relaxation of an idle half-hour; but in a work professing to influence the spiritual nature, it is absolutely detrimental to have no higher aim than these most earthly desires placed before us. The fact is, that when religious tales were first introduced by good and wise men as a means of conveying the true principles of the Church of CHRIST to minds that could not be reached by any graver teaching, it was intended that they should contain the very highest order of religious instruction, and that nothing like the low and earthly matter of ordinary novels should be admitted into them.

This purpose was very fairly answered in the tales which appeared during the first few years of the Catholic revival, although none equalled or even approached that beau ideal of all writers who have made fiction and imagination the handmaids of religion-Fouqué; yet they did their work well in enunciating those truths which lead men to set their affections on the things that are above, and not on the things of the earth. But of late a most serious deterioration has taken place in this species of writing. The well-known authors of that day, Gresley, Paget, and others, have become almost altogether silent, and the daily increasing numbers of tale-writers are nearly all ladies, although the work actually under consideration bears unmistakeable evidence

of a masculine pen. Of those who have newly appeared on the scene, not one, so far as we know, has made any real attempt to rise out of the worldliness and sentimentality of the common novel; or at best, they have contented themselves with extolling the natural virtues and domestic affections which are happily common in the families of England,-while many of the writers who did good service a few years since have manifested in their later works a lamentable falling off. It would seem as though, without any conscious seeking for popularity, they had after a brief struggle for a purer faith yielded to that mighty world-current which ever bears men on in one universal selfishness and earthliness. Miss Sewell's first book set forth the doctrine of Baptismal Regeneration in all its richness of blessing: her last inculcated the virtues of prudence and common-sense, and the charity which begins and finishes at home. Miss Yonge's first book taught the fallacy of all well-doing which was not sanctified by the love of GOD: in her last she speaks eloquently of the charms of noble birth, and indulges in an episode on the love of a butler and housemaid.

We do not mean to say there are not redeeming points in some of those works, but in all, without exception, the standard is miserably low; it is the old story of dust cleaving unto dust, and human beings fondly loved, while the King of Saints is coldly worshipped. In not one do we find aught of pure self-sacrifice for His dear sake; of lives devoted in their untried youth to Him alone; of hearts ignoring earthly ties to seek the more excellent way. Surely if our tales are to be of this description, it is better that they should at once be recognized as mere unprofitable novels, somewhat more harmless perhaps than others. As such we are willing to receive them, but let them have no pretension to aid the Church's work, whose weapons must be of very different metal. The author of " Mignonette" is a writer of no mean ability, and the work, such as it is, is not without power, but let him answer candidly, what good can he expect such a book to do?— even his love-story is defective-his heroine mars her own and her lover's happiness by a most sinful and unfeminine pride amounting to vindictiveness, and yet he extols her as an angel! and while the whole book is overflowing with earthly passion, we have grave discussions against the celibacy of the clergy and similar topics.

Unless a change is worked in this branch of our literature we had better go back to the days when there was no medium between a sermon and a novel, and resign the publication of all fiction to Messrs. Bentley, and Hurst and Blackett.

In noticing Mr. CHOPE'S Hymn and Tune Book we ventured to suggest that, even if his music were unexceptionable, he could not expect all persons to adopt his Tunes, and that, therefore, it was practically inexpedient to print both universally together. Since that time we are glad to see he has published the Hymns in a separate form, for the wonderfully cheap sum of a penny per copy, in paper covers. The effect of this is that persons using his book can now sing the Dies Iræ, the Vexilla Regis, the Dulcis Memoria, and the like, to their proper Tunes; and with the addition of about a dozen Hymns and about six metrical Psalms, which any one may print for himself for another penny per

copy, the Parish Priest will find that he has every thing that he can desire. At the same time the Collection is altogether free from Methodistical or Oratorian heresy. We are glad also to learn that a new Edition of the Tunes may shortly be expected, in which some questionable melodies will be omitted, some defects in harmony corrected, and some Tunes that have been tampered with restored to their authentic form. The Parish and the Priest, (Masters,) is a Book which ought to gain a wide circulation. It consists of Colloquies on the condition of our Country Parishes, and on ways of improving them. In this manner it falls in with the current of popular feeling; and is written in a genial and amusing vein, while the views put forth are almost in all respects what we should approve. It is just the volume for our Country Book Societies, and will not fail to suggest many useful thoughts both to Clergy and Laity.

Confession consistent with Holy Scripture, the Church, and Reason, by an M.A. of Cambridge, (Hayes,) is a seasonable little Tract, and will do all the more good in certain quarters, from being the work of a writer of great moderation.

From the same Publisher we have Counter Thoughts, in defence of the Bishop of Oxford's diocesan administration. We should like to know what the persons who attack the Bishop of Oxford's so-called "meddling" activity will say of the Bishop of London's rude and heartless tyranny?

We have to thank the Rev. G. F. LEE for a very suitable Advent Book, in the shape of Four Sermons on Death and Judgment, Hell and Heaven. (Masters). Mr. Lee has evidently a gift for preaching, and we hope that he will cultivate it carefully.

Amongst single Provincial Sermons, we commend (1.) that by the Rev. JOHN BAINES, M.A., preached on the opening of S. Stephen's Chapel, at Enfield, and containing a faithful rebuke of the worldly and selfish principle which prevails so sadly amongst us. A free Church and weekly communion, we are glad to see, are here provided. (2.) The Rev. W. W. HARVEY'S Sermon, preached before the Cornwall Association of Church Choirs, on the Music of the Church, is a carefully composed discourse, well fitted for general circulation. (3.) A Sermon on Education, by the Rev. E. E. B. SALISBURY, has also reached us from Messrs. Rivingtons, which is creditable to the author. It hardly seems worthy, however, of publication.

The Rev. ROBERT MATTHEW MILNE, B.A., appears to belong to the order of "Unattached Christians ;" and, under the title of Clerical Oaths and their Equivalents a Hindrance to Unity, (Partridge and Co.) has framed an attack on all parties in the Church. On our side it falls very harmless, the difficulties which he imagines for us arise chiefly from his unacquaintance with the meaning of theological terms. How the other two parties get over their difficulties is no secret. The Evangelicals petition for the alteration of the Prayer Book; the Latitudinarians care nothing about it; the High Church party alone act up to its requirements.

JOSEPH MASTERS AND CO., PRINTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, LONDON.