Clarke (Samuel), 1675.

A profound metaphysician, who applied his powers to some of the most difficult questions in natural and revealed religion.

Butler (Joseph), 1692.

Author of the “ Analogy,” a work which needs no praise. Kennicott, 1718.

A celebrated Hebrew scholar.

His excellent Sermons recommend him, but more, the publication of the Hebrew text of the Bible, collated from the various MSS.-Enc. Am.

Rosenmüller, 1736.

His "The East in Ancient and Modern Times," 16 vols., "Manual of Bible Antiquities," and "Manual of Bible Criticism and Exegesis," 4 vols., in German, contain a great mass of valuable matter, critical, exegetical, geographical, historical.

(See third part.)

Paley, 1743.

Horsley.

A most cogent and learned controversialist, an acute critic, and an eloquent preacher.

Porteus, 1731.

An able, pious, and eminently useful prelate.

Hall, 1774.

A celebrated English divine. His fame as such was established by his sermon upon Modern Infidelity. The plainest and least laboured of all his discourses are not without delicate imagery and the most felicitous terms of expression. -Enc. Am.

12 vols. 8vo. $35 00.

PART III.

USEFUL BOOKS

FOR

POPULAR AND MISCELLANEOUS LIBRARIES.

The wholesom'st meats that are will breed satiety,
Except we should admit of some variety.

In music, notes must be some high, some base.
And this I say, these pages have intendment,
Still kept within the lists of good sobriety,
To work in men's ill manners good amendment.
SIR JOHN HARRINGTON.

R

PRINCIPLES.

THE following have occurred to the author as principles which might, with propriety, regulate the choice of books for private or public libraries. They have been kept in view in the selections made throughout this part.

1. Works of mere fiction* should be excluded.

2. The greatest care should be taken to exclude works of a licentious cast.

3. Native should be preferred to foreign authors.

4. Works of established reputation should always be selected in preference to those of a more recent and ephemeral The popularity of many books is exceedingly

character. short-lived.

5. Books calculated to seize upon the attention and quicken the mental activity of the young, should be multiplied. Hence the value of Travels, Voyages, Biography, &c., &c.

6. Books should be preferred which are calculated to cultivate vigour of thought, and purity and elegance of taste. Hence the value of standard classics of our own language, as compared with the ordinary publications of the day.

7. Whenever controversial works are admitted, both sides should be allowed to speak through their ablest representatives.

8. Until a library contains at least 500 volumes, no money should be expended in the purchase of books in any foreign language.

9. Where of two works, otherwise equal in merit, one only

* By works of mere fiction, those are more especially intended which only excite and amuse without improving taste, enlarging knowledge, or strengthening virtuous principle. It is believed that this is the case with a very large proportion of what are usually called novels.