MEDITATIONS ON THE ESSENCE of ChrisSTIANITY, and on the Reli gious Questions of the day. By M. GUIZOT. Translated from the French, under the superintendence of the Author. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. 1865. 12mo. pp. 356.

Since the Revolution of 1848,-when this eminent Protestant statesman found retirement from the cares and perplexities of public life, in which thirty-five years had been passed, he has been consecrating his life and strength, he says, to the cause of Christian Faith and Christian liberty. Yet his Meditations on the Essence of Christianity are not valuable for any new light they throw on questions of learned skepticism. Neither his past history, nor the pursuits of his riper years, have fitted him for such a labor, and whenever he has attempted anything of this sort, in the volume before us, he has signally failed. But he has done a good and noble work, in re-stating the argument for Christianity, from its evident adaptedness to the conscious wants, and from the clear light which it casts upon the dark enigmas, the deep mysteries, of our spiritual being. And this will always be one of the strongest arguments for Christianity. These "Meditations" are to be comprised in a series of four volumes. This first volume, on the "Essence of Christianity," treats of those Supernatural Facts on which he considers the dogmas of Christianity to rest; as Creation, Revelation, Inspiration; God, according to the biblical account; and Jesus, according to the Gospel narrative. His representation of these Facts is in accordance with the general acceptance of believers.

THE MISSING LINK; Or Bible-Women in the Homes of the London Poor. By L. H. R. Author of "The Book and its Story." New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1862. 12mo. pp. 302. LIFE WORK; Or the the Link and the Rivet. By L. H. R. Author, &c. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1865. 12mo. pp. 343. These two volumes give the full details of a wonderful work which has been going on in London, within the last few years, in behalf of the lowest classes of the poor, to relieve their spiritual and temporal wants. It had its origin, as such movements almost always do, in a little incident, a trifling circumstance. It began in the employment of a single woman, Marian B., who was engaged to sell Bibles in St. Giles District, one of the worst parts of London. "The Missing Link" gives an account of the commencement and progress of the work; and "Life Work," as a sequel to the former publication, continues the narrative through a period embracing about four years, or down to 1861. At that time, nearly one hundred and fifty districts were regularly visited, and the monthly expenses of the Mission were about four thousand dollars. The whole enterprise is in the hands of women, yet many of the Clergy of the Church give to it their constant coöperation. Not only are Bibles supplied to the destitute; but food, clothing, proper lodgings, are placed within their reach; habits of industry and cleanliness are encouraged, and the

effect already produced is most apparent. The work, so simple in its origin, has been reduced to order and method, and is in the hands of persons of great practical wisdom. Movements of the same sort have already been commenced in New York and Philadelphia; of which, in this Review, we have some account. Nor are we yet done with the subject. Modifications of the plan will be necessary, to adapt it to the condition of the poor in our American large cities; but to all who have a heart for such Christian labors, the volumes are full of interest and instruction.

READINGS FOR EVERY DAY IN LENT. Compiled from the Writings of Bishop Jeremy Taylor. By the Author of "Amy Herbert." New York: H. B. Durand. 1864. 12mo. pp. 357.

The Christian who is learning to live by rule, who seeks to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of God, can hardly find a better work for the private reading and devotions of the closet than this. The piety of Jeremy Taylor, while far removed from the gloom of the misanthrope, or the self-righteous spirit of the Romish anchoret, was yet deep and controlling. These selections, by Miss Sewell, are fitly chosen.

SICKNESS, ITS TRIALS AND BLESSINGS. Second American, from the Fifth London edition. To which is appended Prayers for the sick and dying. New York: H. B. Durand. 1864. 12mo. pp. 490. A former edition of this work we warmly commended, and we are glad again to express our opinion of its admirable adaptedness to the spiritual wants of those for whom it was specially prepared.

ST. PAUL IN ROME; Lectures delivered in the Legation of the United States of America, in Rome. By the Rev. C. M. BUTLER, D. D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Divinity School, Philadelphia. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1865. 12mo. pp. 295.

In these Lectures, twelve in number, Dr. Butler describes the character and special mission of St. Paul; his connection with the Church in Rome; his labors, journeyings and teachings, in connection with the religious, political and social condition of Rome at that period. It is a subject admirably suited to the descriptive talent of Dr. Butler. In a Note to Lecture XI, he expresses his doubt whether St. Peter was ever at Rome at all. The fallen condition of the modern Church of Rome, in doctrine, discipline, and holiness of life, is clearly set forth.

ZULU-LAND; or Life among the Zulu-Kafirs of Natal and Zulu-Land, South Africa. With Map and Illustrations, largely from original Photographs. By Rev. LEWIS GROUT, for fifteen years Missionary of the American Board in South Africa. Author of the Grammar of the Zulu Language, &c. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Publication Committee. 1865. 12mo. pp. 351.

Mr. Grout is a very clever writer, and a clear-headed, sensible man. In this small volume, he has condensed a great amount of valuable information respecting South Africa, and especially Natal and ZuluLand; their discovery, conquest, and occupation; the people, their origin, religion, language, and habits; the country itself, its geological features, climate, productions, animals, and resources; also sketches of the Mission of the American Board, and of the English Wesleyan Mission, the Berlin Mission, the Hanoverian Mission, the Norwegian Mission, the Roman Catholic Mission, and the Church of England Mission. The Mission of the American Board has twelve stations, thirteen missionaries and their wives; an average Sunday attendance of seven hundred and ninety-nine, two hundred and nineteen pupils in their Schools, and two hundred and twenty-four members in their communion. We learn, from other sources, that the Church Mission is sadly depressed, in consequence of the conduct of Bishop Colenso; there are about a dozen Church Clergy in Natal, not one of whom sympathizes with the Bishop. A writer, under date of Oct. 1st, 1864, says:-"And yet here is Dr, Colenso, instead of setting to work in his diocese to remedy such a state of things, going home to make mischief and unsettle men's minds by his vagaries! Really, it makes one awfully indignant to see the Church thrown back for years in a colony where it had, at its planting, every prospect of flourishing vigorously; for everybody agrees that, on the first arrival of the Bishop and his party, they were received with open arms; but he seems continually to have behaved in the most eccentric manner whilst here, and to have quarreled with nearly all those who were ready to have been his warmest supporters."

ARCTIC RESEARCHES, and Life among the Esquimax; being the Narrative of an Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, in the years 1860, 1861, and 1862. By CHARLES FRANCIS HALL. With Maps, and over one hundred Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1865. 8vo. pp. 595.

The great interest awakened, not only in England but in the United States, respecting the Franklin Expedition, and the desire to learn the fate of those martyrs to science, seem to have been, together with a strong love of adventure, the exciting cause in starting Mr. Hall upon this perilous journey. It had already been ascertained, by Capt. McClintock, that Sir John Franklin's party had abandoned their ships, in April, 1848, in Victoria Strait, and had probably attempted to reach home by way of King William's Island and the Continent. Beyond this all is uncertainty. Mr. Hall is confident that the Esquimaux must know the fate of those men, even if none of them are still alive; and yet this he does not believe. It is certainly possible, that of 105 men, some may still survive. Enough is positively known to provoke inquiry. Mr. Hall was aided and encouraged in his enterprise by Mr. Henry Grinnell, of New York, who also believes that survivors of the Franklin party may still live among the Esquimaux of Boothia, Victoria, or Prince Albert Lands. He started

from New London, in the barque George Henry, May 29th, 1860, for Northumberland Inlet, and returned to New London, Sept. 13, 1862. The first winter was spent in Frobisher's Bay, and his Journal is a record of adventure, sledge excursions, &c., and sketches of life among the Esquimaux, &c., &c. While here he found, as he thinks, numerous relics of Frobisher's Expedition, in 1576, 1577, and 1578, and these are the most important of his discoveries. It was not until July 17, 1861, that the George Henry was released from her icy prison; still, he was obliged to abandon the attempt to explore King William's Land, nor did he prosecute his discoveries beyond the west coast of Davis' Strait, and, of course, gained no information on the great object of his voyage. Having returned to this country accompanied by two Esquimaux, he started again on his second voyage, in June, 1864, determining to go among the Esquimaux, to live among them, confident that he shall thus be able to acquire the information that he seeks. The book has been published by the Harpers with great liberality; it is full of information concerning the Arctic regions, and is, withal, a most entertaining volume.

QUEENS OF SONG. Being Memoirs of some of the most celebrated Female Vocalists who have performed on the lyric stage, from the earliest days of Opera to the present time. To which is added a chronological list of all the Operas that have been performed in Europe. By ELLEN CREATHORNE CLAYTON. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1865. 12mo. pp. 543.

Miss Clayton has chosen, as subjects of her brief memoirs, about forty of those who, within the last century and a half, have been most distinguished in musical drama as Queens of Song. She begins with Katharine Tofts and Margarita de l'Epine, at the commencement of the last century, and closes with the name of Mlle. Tietjens, the "bright, particular star" of the year 1863. The work is illustrated with portraits of Mrs. Billington, Madame Pasta, Madame Sontag, Madame Garcia Malibran, Madame Giulia Grisi, Madame Clara Novello, Madame Viardot Garcia, Madame Marietta Alboni, Madame Jenny Lind Goldschmidt, and Madame Marietta Piccolomini. The modern Opera, as it had its origin in Italy, so it has, especially in this country, retained its strongly marked Italian character, though French, German, and English composers and artists have won celebrity; not to forget her name, so fresh still in memory, the Swedish Queen, Jenny Lind. Not one American singer has place in these pages; and yet there is at least one whose genius and talent and culture have extorted homage, against the force of strong prejudice, and in the face of the most brilliant competition. Of course we mean Miss Kellogg. The author of the work has hardly written a gossipy book; yet it is full of personal incident and anecdote,. She exhibits considerable musical knowledge and taste, and her critical opinions are given in a spirit of impartiality.

THE CULTURE OF THE OBSERVING FACULTIES in the Family and the School; Or things about Home, and how to make them instructive

to the Young. By WARREN BARTON. Author of "The District School as it was," etc. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1865. 16mo. pp.

Parents, and teachers, and others who feel the importance of training children in the habit of forming a clear, definite idea of the thousand objects of daily life, and who would encourage, instead of frowning upon, the inquisitive curiosity of childhood, will find many valuable suggestions in this little volume. It is these little things, far more than difference of natural endowment which, in the end, make

the man of power. The general lack of accuracy of knowledge, will surprise those who have not given their attention to the subject.

The Church Book Society have published the following new books: (1.) LAURA CLIFFORD; or Emulation. By MARY GRANGER CHASE. 16mo. pp. 293.

(2.) MARGIE; A Christmas Story. By MARIA H. BULFINCH. 16mo. pp. 136.

(3.) FOLD OF THe Good ShepheRD SERIES. No. I. The Christmas Present. No. II. The Rope Makers. No. III. The Invited Guests. No. IV. Huldah's Wedding Ring. No. V. St. Michael and All Angels. No. VI. Transplanted Flowers. No. VII. The Stray Sheep.

(4.) MY ANGEL, AND OTHER POEMS. By Miss M. H. BULFinch. 1864. 18mo. pp. 24.

The first of these volumes exhibits the power of Religion as a ruling principle in the midst of worldly temptations, and as a refuge and consolation when earthly comforts fail. It treats the Church, and

its system of nurture, as realities, and is a really good book. The other little volumes will attract juvenile readers.

DISCIPLINES, Instructive and Devotional, for Missionary and Parochial Use, in the necessary preparation of persons for Holy Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Communion. New York: Church Book Society. 1864.

We have here, bound in a neat volume, a collection of Tracts, which the author, the Rev. Dr. J. L. Breck, says, have had the trial of twenty years of Missionary life. Their object is to prescribe a course of preparation, for each of the Sacraments, of the most thorough character. No candidate, who faithfully uses this volume, can fail to realize the blessings of the Sacraments; and, at the same time, to learn the deep meaning and priceless value of the Book of Common Prayer.

AN EXPOSITION OF THE CHURCH CATECHISM. By HENRY J. CAMMANN, late Superintendent of St. Thomas' Church Sunday School, New York. Boston: E. P. Dutton & Co. 1864. 16mo. pp. 62.