Classical and Miscellaneous. EUROPEAN. An abridged edition of Smith's Great Dictionary of Antiquities, Mythology, and Biography, has been published in London, in one volume, 8vo., for the use of schools. The seventh volume of the translation of Schlosser's "History of the Eighteenth Century, and of the Nineteenth, till the Overthrow of the French Empire," has been published in London. The eighth and concluding volume is announced for speedy publication. M. Botta's Letters on the First Discoveries at Nineveh, have been translated from the French, and published in London, in one volume, 8vo. It is illustrated by numerous plates of ancient sculpture and inscriptions. Among the recent additions to the collection of Nineveh marbles in the British Museum, are two bas-reliefs representing a Winged Human-Headed Lion and a Winged Human-Headed Bull. Mr. Layard writes of the winged Lion as follows: "This colossal figure formed one side of a portal leading from an outer chamber into the Great Hall of the North-west Palace at Nimroud. The one selected, stood on the north side of the western entrance. It was in admirable preservation, and about twelve feet square. Each entrance to the same chamber, and the entrance to most of the halls of the Assyrian palaces, were formed by pairs of similar monsters, either lions or bulls, with a human head and the wings of a bird. There can be little doubt that they were invested with a mythic or symbolic character-that they typified the Deity, or some of his attributes, his omniscience, his ubiquity, and his might. Like the Egyptian Sphynxes, they were probably introduced into the architecture of the people on account of their sacred character. Thirteen pairs of them-some, however, very much injured were discovered among the ruins of Nimroud. At Kouijunjik five pairs of winged bulls were dug out, but neither in these ruins nor at Khorsabad was the winged lion found. They differed considerably in size the largest being about sixteen and a half feet square, and the smallest scarcely five; and in every instance were sculptured out of one solid slab. The head and fore part were finished all round,-the body and hind legs being in high relief. The spaces behind the back and between the legs were covered with a cuneiform inscription." The Winged Human-Headed Bull is thus described: "The figure here engraved is similar in character to the Winged Lion, and formed the eastern side of the southern entrance to the Great Hall in the North-west Palace at Nimroud. It was sculptured out of a yellow limestone. The human head of the bull forming the opposite side of the entrance is now in the British Museum." Among the new works recently announced in England are the following: The Kafir Language: comprising a Sketch of its History; which includes a General Classification of South African Dialects; Remarks upon its Nature, and a Grammar; by the Rev. John W. Appleyard, Wesleyan Missionary in British Kaffraria. 1 vol., 8vo.: -A Pilgrimage to the Land of my Fathers; or, Narrative of Travel and Sojourn in Judea and Egypt; by the Rev. Moses Margoliouth. 2 vols., 8vo. :-Notes of a Residence in Nineveh, and Travels in Mesopotamia, Assyria, &c.; by the Rev. J. P. Fletcher, Minister of St. Saviour's Church. 2 vols., 8vo. -Revelations of Life, and other Poems; by John Edmund Reade, Author of "Catiline," "Italy," &c. Post 8vo. :The Charities of London; their Origin and Design, Progress, and Present Position; by Sampson Low, Jun. Fcp., 8vo. :-The Philosophy of Spirits in Relation to Matter: showing the Real Existence of Two very distinct Kinds of Entity, which Unite to Form the different Bodies that Compose the Universe; by C. M. Burnett, M. D. 1 vol., 8vo. :-The Stones of Venice; by John Ruskin, Author of the Seven Lamps of Architecture." 1 vol., 8vo. :-A Volume of Table-Talk; by Leigh Hunt. Fcp., 8vo. : -Characters, Costumes, and Modes of Life in the Valley of the Nile; by E. Prisse, the letter press by J. A. St. John. 1 vol., 4to., with 31 plates, said to be one of the most beautiful works of art ever issued from the English press-Curran and his Contemporaries; by Charles Phillips, Esq. 2 vols., 8vo. :-Notes on North America, Agricul tural, Social, and Economical; by James F. W. Johnston, F. R. SS. L. & E., &c., Author of "Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry and Geology :"-Thoughts on Being: suggested by Meditation upon the Infinite, the Immaterial, and the Eternal; by Edward Shirley Kennedy. 8vo.:-Elements of Catholic Philosophy; or, Theory of the Natural System of the Human Mind. 8vo. : The Geological Observer; by Sir Henry T. de la Beeche, C. B. F. R. S., &c., and Director-General of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom. 8vo:-The History of the Sicilian Vespers; by Michele Amari, edited, with Introduction and Notes, by the Earl of Ellesmere, 3 vols., post 8vo. : -Life, Scenery, and Customs in Sierra Leone and the Gambia. Written on the Spot from Personal Observation; by the Rev. Thomas Eyre Poole, D. D., formerly of Magdalen Hall, Oxford; and Colonial and Garrison Chaplain of Sierra Leone. 2 vols., post 8vo. :-Personal Adventures during the late War in Hungary by the Baroness Von Beck. Comprising an Account of her Missions under the Orders of Kossuth to the Hungarian Army during the Contest. 2 vols., post 8vo. AMERICAN. The A step forward has been taken by the University of Virginia in the arrangement of a course of lectures on the Evidences of Christianity by various eminent divines from different sections of the country. topics are well chosen in view of the present aspects of the strife between Christianity and infidelity. The lectures are to be delivered during the present winter session of the University. The names of the lecturers and their subjects are as follows: I. Introductory-Man's Responsibility for his Belief, Rev. W. S. Plumer, D. D., Baltimore, Md. II. The Necessity of a Revelation, and the Condition of Man without it, Rev. A. B. Van Zandt, Petersburg, Va. III. Miracles-their Nature, and the Possibility of Verifying them; Hume, &c., Rev. Henry Ruffner, D. D., Lexington, Va. IV. Prophecy-the Argument from, Rev. A. T. M'Gill, D. D., Western Theological Seminary, Alleghany, Pa. V. The Canon of Scripture History of the Text; Preservation Hampden Sidney College, Prince Edward, Va. XII. Objections to Christianity(2) Objections from other Sources; Popular Objections, Rev. B. M. Smith, Staunton, Va. XIII. Difficulties of Infidelity-the War carried into the Adversary's Camp, Rev. Stuart Robinson, Frankfort, Kentucky. XIV. Effects of Christianity-differing from VII. supra, in representing the Moral Effects of Revelation on the Individual and on Society, Rev. N. L. Rice, D. D., Cincinnati, Ohio. The Lectures are to be published in a volume. It may excite some surprise that the lecturers should all be of one religious denomination; but the explanation is, that the course is arranged by the chaplain, as such a series of lectures could not be provided for in the regular work of the University without an express act of the LegislaAs the chaplains are chosen in rotation from the different religious denominations, so, in the course of years, the lecturers will be. Integrity; the Hand of God Manifested, Rev. F. S. Sampson, D. D., Union Theological Se minary, Prince Edward, Va. VI. Internal Evidences, in General, Rev. R. J. Breckenridge, D. D., Lexington, Ky. VII. Internal Evidences, in a Particular Point, namely, the Argument from the Character of our blessed Lord, Rev. J. W. Alexander, D. D., Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J. VIII. The Success of Christianity, as affording an Argument, otherwise an Effect without an adequate Cause; Gibbon's famous Chapter answered, Rev. M. D. Hoge, Richmond, Va. IX. Inspiration of the Scriptures-Morell's Theory examined and refuted, Rev. T. V. Moore, Richmond, Va. X. The Nature of Christianity-shown to be a Perfect and Final System of Faith and Practice, and not a Form in transitu to a higher and more complete Development of the Religious Idea. Vide Carlyle's View, Morell's, Bailey's, (in Festus,) and an Article in the Westminster Review, Rev. John Miller, Philadelphia, Pa. XI. Objec tions to Christianity-(1) Objections from Science; the Geological Argument; the Ethnological Argument; the Astronomical Argument, &c., Rev. L. W. Green, D. D., FOURTH SERIES, VOL. III.-12 ture. Messrs. Harper & Brothers will republish immediately the abridged edition of Smith's Dictionary of Mythology and Biography for the Use of Schools. It is revised and edited by Professor Anthon. The Monthlies seem to be absorbing all popular favour now. One of the best of the miscellaneous Magazines is SARTAIN'S, which not only deals in a much more substantial literature than is common with such journals, but also moves in a totally different moral sphere. Professor Hart does not cater for low or unformed tastes, but seeks to elevate the tone of both intellectual and moral life in his readers. There is hardly a number without some article of permanent value. In the hands of Professor Hart, this journal also maintains a high critical character; its judgments of books are genuine, and are, therefore, sought after.-A still higher moral aim characterizes the LADIES' REPOSITORY, which is the only one of the month lies, to our knowledge, expressly devoted to "Literature and Religion." Under the editorship of Dr. Tefft it has reached what we are inclined to think must be its acme of excellence, and certainly it appears to us to be the best of the American monthlies. As a literary journal, its range is wide and elevated; we have become accustomed to look in every number for the exposition of some grave and weighty topic, always, however, in an attractive form. But its pages afford as much to cultivate the heart as the mind; the intellect that enlivens them is consecrated to the service of religion. The value of this work to our Church cannot be overrated. The giant of the monthlies is HARPERS' NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, which, in the short space of nine months, has leapt into a circulation of over fifty thousand copies. This unparalleled success is doubtless, to some extent, due to the remarkable cheapness of the work; but cheapness, without merit, would never have secured it. As our readers well know, its columns are filled, not, as in the monthlies above noticed, with original matter, but with selections from foreign journals. The vast wealth of the periodical literature of the age -the richest of it—is made tributary by this Magazine to the culture as well as to the 12* entertainment of the American people, at an almost nominal price. And what is a most cheering feature of the times, an indication not merely of the good taste and good sense of the editors, but also of the intellectual and moral progress of our people, its selections are generally of a very high order, both in point of substantial literary merit and of moral tendency. Were it not for the occasional works of fiction to which the pages of the Magazine give currency, and for the fashion-plates, which seem sadly out of harmony with the general character of the journal, our commendation would be absolutely unqualified. Its Monthly Record of Current Events is prepared with great skill and judgment; and the Literary Notices are both impartial and discriminating. In a word, as we have said, Harpers' New Monthly has achieved its great success by deserving it. Precisely such a journal is demanded for the religious wants of the age. The field is ample-and we trust it will soon be entered upon by our own Book Agents in the publication of a Monthly that shall concentrate the best of the foreign religious literature of the age, and offer it, in a form at once elegant and cheap, to the American people. THE METHODIST QUARTERLY REVIEW. APRIL, 1851. ART. I.-PHILOSOPHY AND FAITH. 1. An Historical and Critical View of the Speculative Philosophy of Europe in the Nineteenth Century. By J. D. MORELL, A. M. New-York: Robert Carter. 1 vol., 8vo. 1848. 2. Essais sur la Philosophie et la Religion au XIX. Siècle. Par EMILE SAISSET, Agrégé à la Faculté des Lettres de Paris. Paris: Charpentier. 1 vol., 18mo. 1845. WE have no design of subjecting the works specified in our rubric to any formal examination. We shall avail ourselves of their assistance without entering into their excellencies or defects. Mr. Morell's is sufficiently familiar to the reading public, and has been already criticised often enough, to render such a labour on our part with respect to it a work of supererogation. M. Saisset's is little more than a collection of essays originally published in the "Revue des Deux Mondes," and written in the highest strain of polemical declamation we might, perhaps, venture to add, of polemical sophistry also. To criticise the latter, might be deemed false heraldry; for it is as contrary to the ordinary etiquette and procedure of the literary censorship to review a review, as it is in the theory of coat-armour to blazon metal upon metal. Moreover, M. Saisset's articles were written with a direct reference to a local question the general superintendence of education-which was then agitating the French public; and if the subject at any period possessed much interest for Americans, the time has now passed away, and the present condition of France presents new and more exciting topics for our study and investigation. Under these circumstances, we deem it of more importance to enlarge upon our texts than to point out the merits and note the deficiencies of the text-books themselves. FOURTH SERIES, VOL. III.-12 The struggle between science and religion, between philosophy and faith, has been protracted through centuries; but it is only within recent years that the breach has become so open and avowed as to be declared by many to be irreconcilable. Even Bayle, an acute sceptic in an infidel age, who did more, perhaps, than any other single individual to exhibit the difficulties and the conditions of concord, expressed a lively hope that this conciliation would be effected in his own day.* But the contest is both more arduous and more general now than in the times of Bayle: it is no longer confined to the hierophants of human speculation, but has been diffused among the multitudes; and on all sides we hear the mingled voices of despondency, despair, and exultation-exultation on the part of those who triumph in the abasement of religion--despair on the part of those who would uphold, if they only knew how, what they regard as the tottering fabric-and despondency on the part of the small remainder who, clinging to the faith themselves, witness with dismay the terrible success of the strong influences which are warring against it. Such a time is not one in which we can, without madness, conceal the magnitude of the danger, or supinely disregard the conditions of the enigma to be solved. "It is well," as Dr. Chalmers said, "to know the dimensions of the spectre," if spectre it should prove on examination to be. Certainly we cannot safely affect to ignore its existence, with such universal evidences. of its vitality around us. A recent writer in the Westminster Review has boldly announced the failure and exhaustion of Christianity. Strauss and Morell, to whom we might add Saisset, and many others, propose, as the sole remaining expedient for the preservation of religious faith of any kind, to sublimate Christianity in such a manner that all that is essential or characteristic will necessarily be volatilized. Comte declares continually, in his "Cours de Philosophie Positive," the absolute incompatibility of science with religion; and, widely opposed as are the systems of Comte and Saisset, the latter approximates closely to the great Positivist, by his denial that there can be any perfect conciliation between philosophy and faith, and by his proposal to erect the former into an authority co-incident and co-equal with Christianity.† At such a time, the duty of every man who is unwilling to renounce "Sperare potuit (Bælius) ex sublimibus illis ingeniis, a quibus nova systemata hodie proficiscuntur, non defore, quæ gloriæ aculeis stimulentur opera sua, fierique posse, ut extricationem hactenus incognitam excogitent.”—Resp. Posth, ad Clericum, cit. Leibnitzii Opera, tom. i, p. 114. Ed. Dutens. Saisset, Essais, &c., Preface, p. ix, xxiv, 287, 322. |