the movers in this work disclaim reliance upon man or men; and by their silent, individual, undistinguished labors they are doing the best work just now for Italy. The truth is, and should never be lost sight of, the work going on in the Italian Peninsula is altogether an unexceptional one. Not one of the civil governments has armed itself against the Roman Catholic religion. Not one of the states has been revolutionized by questions of religion. True, the Jesuits have in some cases been expelled, and the clergy have been reminded that politics are not exactly within their province. ular religious instruction. Some of his publications have been very popular, and greatly blessed. At Genoa there is Mazzarella, of whom we have spoken, and who is always ready for every good work. He is a man of great influence, and has sent out a good number of laborers into the field, whom he follows with his prayers, his counsels, and his aid. Count Guicciardini is another wellknown promoter of the Protestant cause, and even in his exile has never lost sight of the spiritual concerns of his countrymen. Then there is, for the present at least, Signor Gavazzi, who if not formally associated with them, is allied with them in heart, and pants A general feeling prevails that the pope for the spiritual regeneration of Italy. This ought not to be a king, and that the priesteminent and excellent individual, whose pe- hood has been more intent upon the fleece culiarities have gained him more applause than was conducive to the welfare of the among us than his heroic courage, his high flock. The agency employed for evangelizmoral principle, his profound religious con- ing Italy has not been employed at the revictions, and his wonderful appreciation of quest of the mass of the people. It is a the woes and wants of Italy, may, and we voluntary, spontaneous movement on the trust will, yet do much for his country. We part of individuals in that country already are quite sure he deserves all the confidence converted, sustained by Christians of other and encouragement of English Christians. countries, especially Great Britain, who beAfter long acquaintance with his charac-lieve that Christ really meant that his folter and labors, we are profoundly convinced, lowers should go into all the world and with such men in the field, the cause of Italy preach the Gospel to every creature. Hence is not lost, nor her case desperate. The whole head is sick, and the whose heart faint; | from head to foot there is no soundness in it. As the prophet says, "From the least to the greatest every one is given to covetousness, and from the prophet to the priest every one dealeth falsely." Long years of civil despotism have wellnigh obliterated conscience, and stifled all noble feeling. Ages of priestly exaction and imposition, of Jesuitic craft and cunning, and of Inquisitorial éspionage and cruelty have done their proper work upon the national character. The banishment of the Bible, the suppression of Christian literature, and the reign of ignorance, have left their impress upon the people. A religion which benefited neither the heart nor the life, and a Christianity without Christ, have taught many to abhor the name of both. What marvel if some should think the wound past cure, and refuse the divinely appointed remedy itself? Still we repeat, the cause of Italy is not lost, and with such men at the work it will not be. We admit the apparent want of some one, who, like Saul, shall tower up above the rest of the host. Looking at the work, we might wish for some leader who shall combine in himself the patient industry of a Wiclif, the glowing zeal of a Savonarola, the martyr spirit of a John Huss, the Hector-like soul of a Luther, the learning of a Calvin, and the consecration of a Zwingle. We know not such a man; nor is such a man necessary. It is to be remembered that the analogy with what occurred in the apostle's days, when the disciples traversed Àsia Minor, Greece, and Italy, preaching the gospel to all who would hear it, without waiting to be invited. And just as then there was little uniformity and organization at the outset, so is it now. Institutions then grew up as they were wanted, out of the Church, and not the Church out of them; and so we expect it will be in Italy. Multitudes of persons, meeting in different places, agreed as to essentials, but perhaps varying in some details, will of their own accord sooner or later associate more or less closely, for the advantage of mutual fellowship and support, and for the promotion of common objects. Seeing this will, in all probability, occur in its proper time, it will be the duty of foreign Christians not to hasten or to force their brethren. Consolidation, which is natural and free, will be more real and permanent, and lead to better results, than what is premature and constrained. Until now, there has been on all substantial questions, a harmony which may be called unanimous, and any indications of restiveness and alienated affection, which may have occurred, have arisen almost entirely from the indiscreet zeal of those who wish to propagate some foreign system of Church order upon the Italian soil. We therefore warn all who love Italy, and wish well to the new-born Churches there, not to intermeddle in their *This view is fully comfirmed by numerous letters in our possession. affairs, not to resolve their questions, not to dictate their proceedings, nor to enforce their form of Church order. They have scarcely had time to look calmly at this matter yet, they are hardly in a position to do so and their minds are too much intent on simply preaching Christ for men's salvation. When they have more leisure they will come to reflect upon these things in the light of their circumstances, and will decide for themselves, whether they will be Presbyterians, Episcopalians, or Congregationalists. Experience will gradually teach them what form is most conducive to the interests of the gospel in their country, and which harmonzies best with the policy that is suitable to their circumstances. awakened. This is much to say, and what no one would have ventured to predict a few short months ago. Whence, it may be asked, come the means to carry on these operations? We have already named the Bible and Tract societies, but these are not all. The converts themselves are some of them most liberal and self-denying. For example, recently one of them received a sum of money, left as a legacy to his wife. This sum he immediately devoted to the purchase and fitting up of a house for public worship, in order to overcome the difficulty of finding proper accommodation. Many of them give all the time and money they can to help on the work. But since they are for the most part poor, We have not dwelt too long on these and new openings are continually presenting questions, seeing they are of vital impor- themselves, foreign aid is imperatively retance, and persons are found ready to qualify quired. To supply this, there is the comthe tendencies to delay organization in Italy, mittee for Italian Evangelization at Geneva, as Plymouthism and so forth. To us it mat- which does more than contribute money, inters little what the Italians are called, pro- asmuch as it, to a certain extent, directs the vided they make good claim to the name of movements of its agents. The principal Christians, and this they have done. All of member of this committee is the excellent them showed an apostolic zeal during the Colonel Tronchin. Another committee exlate war, and backed by the noble liberality ists at Niee, mainly composed of Englishof the British and Foreign Bible Society, men, and this, like its Genevan colleague, they commenced a system of colportage not only collects, but looks after the approwhich has gone on to this day. The society just named, with true Christian disinterestedness supports twelve or fourteen agents of different kinds, who labor in every part of Italy now open; and we have no doubt are quite ready to distribute the " Word of God," in what is absurdly styled the "Patrimony of St. Peter," the moment Peter's writings cease to be interdicted. The Religious Tract Society is another helper in the work, and is rendering good service in its own quiet and effective way. Vast numbers of Italian Bibles, and useful books and tracts have been put into circulation, and either secretly or openly they are extensively read. Evangelists and private Christians read and expound the Scripture to the people; and every night in a multitude of places, converts and inquirers meet for conference and prayer. In the principal cities, and in some smaller towns, meetings are held for the public preaching of the gospel. Some of these meetings are largely attended, and are always characterized by seriousness, propriety, and decorum. Churches have been formed, the members of which assemble to celebrate the Lord's Supper. A few schools, chiefly on a small scale, have been opened for the instruction of the young. In a word, a great work has been accomplished, and that both directly and indirectly. Prejudices have been subdued, evangelical religion is better understood; its professors are no longer regarded as monsters, and curiosity has been priation of its funds.† It is much the same with the Waldenses. Then there are certain individuals who superintend the distribution of funds entrusted to them. In England, there are generous and devoted Christians who give or collect money for the same purpose, and the case may be the same elsewhere. Sympathy is all very well, but money must be had, for rents have to be paid, and the expenses of the meetings must be met. Evangelists, with their wives and families, must be kept from starvation, and books must be purchased. Travelling involves an outlay; and when the converts have done their utmost, a wide margin remains to be filled up. In some cases, agents have to be trained, and fitted for their work. But to return to the sources of supply. There are certain committees for continental evangelization in Scotland, Ireland, and England. In Scotland the Free Church vigorously assist the Waldenses. In England, we find two societies, the Foreign Aid and the Evangelical Continental; and also an Italian committee. This latter is a small organization whose movements are very private, and therefore its action is limited, and its influence trifling. It is the opinion of some that its existence is superfluous. We turn, then, "Quarterly Reporter of the Evangelical Continental Society;" where, however, all the facts are not named. † Report of the "Foreigners' Evangelization Committee at Nice," Nov., 1859. to the Foreign Aid. This society is chiefly And now comes the Evangelical Contisupported by evangelical members of the nental Society, which is supported almost enChurch of England. Two of its executive, tirely by Nonconformists. We find that this the Rev. Richard Burgess, the secretary, and society has issued a series of appeals on bethe Hon. Arthur Kinnaird undertook a jour- half of Italy from the commencement of the ney to Northern and Central Italy in Sep- opportunity in its favor. These appeals tember last, for the laudable purpose of mak- have been widely circulated, and extracts ing themselves acquainted with the field. from its correspondence have been published. From a very interesting report of this jour- And with what result? At a soirée held in ney, we gather a number of facts in the main London, on the 1st of February, the secreharmonizing with our own convictions al- tary announced that the subscriptions for ready expressed. We cannot sufficiently Italy amounted to three hundred pounds. commend the candor and truthfulness of this This is but a paltry sum, and seems to be a report, coming, as it does, from those who reproach to British Nonconformists. Why, might have been expected to withhold their compare this with the large amounts endue meed of praise from the irregular modes thusiastically forwarded to Garibaldi to buy of religious activity they witnessed and yet rifles and gunpowder. The list is before us, admired. They describe with great fairness and we find that only one dissenting congreand accuracy what they witnessed at Turin, gation in all England has contributed six Milan, Florence, Genoa, and elsewhere; and pounds as a collection on behalf of Italy; the general impression their statement leaves and though the sum is small, it is worthy of upon the mind is, that it will be a shame and record, showing one honorable exception sorrow to England in after years if British among the thousand free churches of EngChristians now stand aloof from their brethren land. We shall not plead for the two socienow laboring to spread the gospel in Italy. ties we have alluded to; but we must say We are not aware to what extent their appeal has been responded to; but we have reason to believe that hitherto a very limited sum has been placed at the disposal of the Foreign Aid Society for this object. Of course, the claim is yet new, and popular interest must gradually be awakened in it.* This letter from Mrs. Desanctis may interest English readers in the school that is so admirably conducted by her husband and herself: 66 'July 23. "I am anxious to give you a few details of the examination which took place on the 20th instant. It would have rejoiced your heart to have seen how the numbers have increased. Every seat in the chapel was taken up by these dear children, and their happy countenances showed how delighted they were that the long-expected day had at last arrived. At one end of the room were placed two tables, one containing the prizes and upon the other were exhibited a variety of things, such as shirts, collars, samplers, etc., which had been made by the elder girls;-letters written in French and Italian, copy-books and several other things written by both boys and girls. There was also a list containing the names of all the children, showing how many had been regular in attending the Sunday school, and another list of good conduct. But all eyes were directed to the table containing the prizes, where besides the Bibles and Testaments, and other neatly bound books, were the two large silver medals, the gift of our valued friend Gavazzi, for the two boys who had made the greatest progress in knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. "It was sweet to hear these dear children lift up their voices in praising the Lord. All joined in chorus most sweetly. After the hymn was sung, Dr. Desanctis came forward with the Bible in his hand, and commenced the examination. Two of the boys, Carnano and Bernato, showed such thorough acquaintance with God's Word that there was no doubt that cach deserved the honored prize; their answers were so correct and given in such exact Scripture language. that, as the only two societies in England which profess to assist in the present Italian movement, they ought to have received more than five or six hundred pounds from all classes of British Christians for the work's sake, if not for their own. The little they have raised has been principally given to the Waldenses and the two committees at Geneva and at Nice. We are aware that an impression is abroad that the Italian work is very insignificantthat what little is done must be kept secret and that money is not required to aid it. As to the first, the Italian work is small, if compared with the millions who inhabit the country. But it is large when contrasted with what it was a year ago, and for many years previously; it is large when it is considered that scarcely fifty missionaries and colporteurs are engaged; and it is large if we bear in mind the immense extent of territory thrown open, and the possibility of an increase. To our minds it is enough that Italy is the field. As to the second affirmation, that pecuniary aid is not required, it is an amiable delusion whereby to excuse an unwilling mind; but the facts we have cited must dispel it. With regard to the third point, the statement is partially true; and in this paper from giving statements through this is the chief reason why we have refrained which any danger could accrue to the unprotected and scattered evangelists who are now doing the work of God. We regret this necessity imposed on us, as the narration of facts known to us would enlist sympathy more effectually than any other appeal.* *The prudence that is required by Christian But the public prints abound in details quite | been truly said that this passage proves what explicit enough to show the character and spirit they are of, and forcibly reminds us of bearings of the movement. It is certain that admirable scene in the Pilgrim's Progthat the pope and the Italian archbishops ress, where Bunyan says of old giant Pope, and bishops do not look on with indifference." He can now do little more than sit in his They have uttered the most absurd and exaggerated assertions about it, misrepresenting it in every way, and they have thundered out their anathemas against all who favor and promote it. His holiness, for example, says to his Irish supporters, "Let us unite in invoking the patronage of all the blessed in heaven, especially of the immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, that the pest of heresy and schism, which men the most wicked are striving to introduce into the regions of Italy, may be driven from them?" It has men in Italy is indicated in the touching words of one of her noble sons, who thus writes : "In order not to ruin every thing by too hot a zeal, I must, for the present, remain silent, merely observing and studying our affairs. Until the fate of Central Italy is decided, we must not risk the great cause of the Gospel. Not that I see Italy unprepared.-she is even very much prepared, but the temporary governments are so timid, they take fright at the very mention of the preaching of the gospel.... I have found, even more than I expected, minds disposed to abandon popery, when there shall be liberty to speak freely." cave's mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go "Quarterly Reporter of Evangelical Continental Society."-P. 6. DISCOVERIES AT VAN.-The following state- what to make of this talisman treasure-trove, ment appears in the Levant Herald: "I have the discoverers hastened with it into town, where to tell you of the discovery of a perfect mine of news of the incident soon reached the pasha, who antique art-treasures, in some mounds outside speedily called the men before him. Through this old Armeno-Assyrian city (Van). The ex-no love of art, Allah knows! but in evident hope istence of such relics amongst the many low hill- of lighting on something more convertible than ocks which stud the plain between the lake and metal plates, Ismail Pasha despatched a party the town, and far inland behind the latter, had of explorers to the mounds where the antiquities long been suspected, but neither Layard nor any had been found. The result of a few days' of the two or three other European travellers, search was the discovery of a splendid bronze who have visited this remote and out-of-the-way human-headed bull, about three-quarter life size, region, had an opportunity of testing the ac- a large winged eagle, and two elaborately carved curacy of this prevailing opinion. The jealousy serpents, all of seemingly the purest bronze. of the natives and the authorities- Stamboul- Fancying that the metal of these might be someees' though the latter were-always raised in-thing more valuable than copper and brass, the superable obstacles in the way of such research; and thus the sculpture and plastic-art remains of Semiramis and her successors have been allowed to lie on in their three-thousand-year-old obscurity, till now accidentally unearthed about a fortnight ago. Just as the buried treasures of Nineveh itself were brought to light by the chance discovery of a protruding brick, so these mementos of Old World art have been hit upon by the hap-hazard digging of a couple of peasants. These last were engaged in digging out some loose stones from the mounds in question, when they came upon, first one, and then a second bronze plate, thickly embossed with cuneiform inscriptions, interspersed with rude angular figures of men and animals. Not knowing pasha stopped the exploration till this point was settled; but, indifferent assayists as are the 'cunning workmen' of Van, a little chipping and filing soon showed that copper and brass were all that could be made out of the images. Since this damping discovery, the exploration has not been carried further, though there is every reason to believe that, if it were, the results would more than repay every trouble incurred, and add many a precious leaf to the history unburied at Nineveh and Nimroud. To complete the crime of his Vandalic indifference to these invaluable discoveries, the pasha has handed over plates, bull, cagle, serpents, and all, to the karabash (bishop) of the Armenians, who is about, I am told, to melt them down, for the sake of the copper!" From The Saturday Review. THE habit of attempting to weigh and measure individual character in a manner which was formerly but little known, is one of the most characteristic peculiarities of modern habits of thought. Since it became usual, and indeed all but universal, to write history and biography upon pictorial principles, the classifications which spring from party or personal predilections have come to wear an unreal and pedantic appearance. Mr. Carlyle has perhaps done more than any other single individual to introduce the plan of looking, as the phrase is, at the essence of men's characters, to the neglect of the accidental phases of opinion or feeling which, by the force of circumstances, may have been associated with them. All his characters are drawn upon the supposition that every individual forms a whole, of which we can predicate all kinds of qualities which do not attach to any part of him in particular, but to the man himself, considered as an indivisible unit. For example, Mr. Carlyle would never say of any man that he had a strong understanding, an imagination of average power, rather warm affections, a good deal of stinginess, and a most inveterate habit of lying; but if he came across a person whom that description would suit, he would never rest till he had found some point of view in his own mind from which he could take in all the various parts of the man's character as a single well-connected whole, capable of being placed before the world by a few vigorous characteristic epithets. There is a great deal to be said in favor of the mode of proceeding, when it is carried on by a man of genius. It is incomparably lively and interesting. By the help of something which has no very definite name, but which is to writing what gesture and mimicry are to conversation, it gives much information which is too delicate and volatile to be condensed into precise statements; and it practically enforces what is no doubt a great truth-the fact, namely, that the language by which we describe each other in common life is very incomplete, far less exact than its precision would lead us to suppose it to be, and very likely to lead us to forget that men are, after all, individuals, and not mere collections of qualities. It cannot be surprising that such a mode of viewing character should be extremely popular, not merely because it is new and gives little trouble to the reader, but because it has a strong and direct tendency to exalt the dignity of the writer. To take in a man's whole nature in one single view, and to describe it by a few bold, ingenious, and comprehensive phrases, is a process which im plies higher powers, and appeals to wider sympathies, than the mere enumeration and measurement of a number of detached qualities. The process, however, has its weak as well as its strong points. Its value entirely depends on the genius with which it is applied, and it puts the reader at the mercy of the author. It is a method which places those who employ it beyond the reach of controversy or refutation. It is always possible to examine specific assertions, and to test specific inferences, but when the assertions range over the whole of a man's life, and the inferences extend to the whole of his character, it is all but impossible to attack either the one or the other. It is possible to argue the question whether, in a particular instance, Robespierre acted right or wrong; but who can possibly controvert the assertion that he was a "logic-formula especially against a man who is so satisfied that he was one, that he has constructed a theory of his whole life and conduct upon that supposition? The truth is that, as painting can never supersede anatomy, so the study of human beings as individuals can never supersede the necessity for an independent study of the separate qualities which belong to them and distinguish them from each other. For serious and practical purposes, it is necessary not merely to know how people look, and how they affect the imagination, but also why they do so; and though pictorial accounts of human beings, taken individually, certainly suggest the direction which ought to be taken by inquiries of this kind, they do not in themselves satisfy them. Their true value, apart from the pleasure which they give, appears to lie in the fact that they indicate more emphatically than any other process yet discovered, what the points are in any one man which really interest others, and that they thus suggest an examination of the causes by which people are put into a position in which others are attracted to and interested in them. Such inquiries would, of course, range over an immense number of subjects; but it may not be uninteresting, in order to illustrate the scope of the foregoing remarks, to give a single illustration of the sort of topics which they would have to embrace. There is no one subject which Mr. Carlyle so much delights to draw as the hero or great man. He always specifies what may perhaps be called the moral size of his characters, and he has probably never written a line which does not imply more or less directly that there is such a thing as general mental stature, apart from specific power in, or aptitude for, any particular mental quality or exercise. It is impossible to deny that there |