not the immediate burthen of his message, is constantly pointed to as "at hand." That such preaching as this is peculiarly called for in the present day, as much so as when the old Reformers' testified' against the licentiousness of their times, will hardly be denied. We do not say that it claims to be generally adopted; far from it. But we should wish that this kind of preaching, so explicit, so uncompromising, so fervent, and yet so argumentative, should be heard in our large cities and towns, where there is no dearth of the systematic knowledge of orthodox doctrines; not that it should in any case take the place of the exposition of the whole range of Christian doctrine, but that it should blend itself with other modes of popular instruction, as one mode in which, most certainly, the mass of the people ought to be addressed. On this account, we are glad that the parochial ministrations of Dr. Chalmers are thus by means of the press indefinitely extended and perpetuated. If, in these sermons, any thing in point of doctrine is felt to be wanting, nothing is concealed. Whenever the Preacher has occasion to advert to the grand peculiarities of the Christian system, he does it in language the most explicit. His principles are thoroughly scriptural. He wastes no time in going over the imaginary deductions of natural theology, but refers at once to the law of Revelation. He does not tamper with men's eternal interests, by talking to them of the reasonableness of obedience, and by appealing to what is termed the prudential motive for the practice of virtue; but ínsists on the eternal claims of God to the service of the creature, and on the total change of heart which is connected with a reception of the Gospel. In these respects, these discourses will be found to differ essentially, we were going to say infinitely, from the practical essays upon piety and virtue which are sometimes substituted for Christian preaching. The class of hearers whom the Preacher is addressing, are supposed not to be susceptible of those appeals, drawn from the peculiarity of their relation to God, their character as sanctified, and their participation in spiritual blessings, by which the Apostles enforced their practical exhortations on the first Christians. Motives such as these, the only efficient ones, indeed, that can really be brought to act on the heart, are unintelligible to any but the real Christian. Yet it must never be forgotten, that they are the basis of the morality of the Gospel. In reading the eighth sermon, on the love of money, it appeared to us, that Dr. Chalmers would, notwithstanding, have done well, instead of fixing his whole attention on the extreme case of an engrossing idolatry, to take into his view the numerous instances in which this most plausible and reputable of vices is found in alliance with real though imperfect piety, and to have pointed out the baleful tendencies of the insidious passion in its more incipient stages. It would not be difficult, we think, for a very large class of money-worshippers to shift off, on the ground of inapplicableness, the whole of his eloquent appeal. We quite agree with Dr. Chalmers, that no honour is done to Christianity, by confining the application of its principles to vague generalities. It is not vulgarizing Christianity to bring it down to the very humblest occupations of human life. It is, in fact, dignifying human life, by bringing it up to the level of Christianity. It may look to some a degradation of the pulpit, when the household servant is told to make her firm stand against the temptation of open doors, and secret opportunities; or when the confidential agent is told to resist the slightest inclination to any unseen freedom with the property of his employers, or to any undiscoverable excess in the charges of his management. This is not robbing religion of its sacredness, but spreading its sacredness over the face of society. It is evangelizing human life, by impregnating its minutest transactions with the spirit of the gospel. p. 135. But then it must be the spirit of the Gospel. While the place for the practice of duty is the familiar and week-day scene,' the principle must be drawn from the sublimest heights of thesanctuary of God.' This is where, in the attempt to be practical, most Christian teachers fail. Whereas it is highly observable, that some of the sublimest and most explicit references to the doctrines of religion in the whole compass of the Apostolic writings, are those which occur incidentally in the midst of practical exhortations.* Religion, from first to last, is practice-is obedience; a word which comprehends at once both faith and morality; and this obedience can originate but in one efficient principle, that of the renewing energies of the Divine Spirit. The duties of religion, apart from its doctrines, are overwhelming and this must be felt by every one to whose conscience they are brought home in all their extent. If Dr. Chalmers does not very prominently exhibit the promises with which the Christian is furnished, it is because he is aware that, as the renunciation of self-righteousness must precede a cordial acquiescence in the great doctrine of justification, so, a consciousness of moral impotence will alone prompt that prayer which lays hold of Omnipotence. But his immediate business is with men who deride, or, at least, undervalue, these doctrines; and these discourses seem almost to dare them to do without them, in the spirit of the apostolic challenge: "Who "is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that "Jesus is the Son of God?". * See Phil. ii. 6, 13; Eph. iv. 30; v. 27; 1 Pet. ii. 9, 24 ; iii. 18. ART. XI. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION. *Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the public, if consistent with its plan. Shortly will be published, The Poeti. cal Works of the late Dr. Thomas Brown, Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. Speedily will be published, in 3 vols. 8vo. A History of the British Empire, from the accession of Charles I. to the restoration. With an introduction, tracing the progress of society and of the constitution, from the feudal times to the opening of the history; and inclu-. ding a particular examination of Mr. Hume's statements relative to the character of the English Government. By George Brodie, Esq. Advocate. Mr. Robertson of Surry House Academy, Kennington, wil in a few days re-publish his Geographical Exercise Book, which is not only enlarged and improved, but printed on a fine writing paper, so as to serve the purpose of a writing, as well as Geographical Exercise Book. In the press, Observations shewing the National and Domestic Evils resulting from too low wages; with hints respecting the means likely to render the working classes better satisfied, more loyal, contented and happy, to which is annexed a copy of the Act of Parliament upon this subject passed July 24th, 1890, and the speeches of the members of the House of Commons thereon. Mr. Robinson, whose local knowledge of the country and of the transactions, rendered him peculiarly competent to the task, has written the History of the late Revolution in Mexico, including a Narrative of the Expedition of General Xavier Mina, with some observations on the practibility of opening a commerce between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and on the future importance of such commerce to the civilized world. This interesting work will be publisheed in the course of a few weeks. Mr. Nichols is preparing for publication, Queen Elizabeth's Entertainment, by the Countess of Derby, at Harefield Place in 1602, with an introduction and notes. Also, a new edition of the most interesting Portions of the Elizabethan Progresses. The Hon. R. K. Craven is printing in a quarto volume, a Tour through the Southern Provinces of Naples, in 1818, illustrated by engravings. Mr. John Wilks, jun. is preparing, a Christian Biographical Dictionary; containing an account of the lives and writings of many of the most eminent christians in every nation. Mr. Wm. Davis, author of the Olio of Literary Anecdotes, has in the press, a Journey round the Library of a Bibliomaniac. Kennilworth, a romance, by the Author of Waverley, is preparing for publication. Dr. Paris will soon publish a Tabular View of Medicinal Combination, illustrating its objects and effects, on one large sheet coloured. J. S. Stanhope, Esq. has in the press, Olympia, or Topography illustrative of the actual State of Olympia and the City of Elis, in folio, with plans of Olympia and Elis. John Clare, the Northamptonshire Peasant, has another volume of poems nearly ready to appear. Mr. Kerrigan, of the Royal Navy, has in the press, the Young Navigator's Guide to the Siderial and Planetary Parts of Nautical Astronomy. Lord Byron has a tragedy nearly ready for publication, entitled the Doge of Venice. Dr. Cudworth's unpublished MSS. in the British Museum, are reviewing by the archdeacon of Lincoln, in order to a complete collection of his works, with notes. The Rev. C. Benson is preparing for publication, Twenty Discourses preached before the University of Cambridge in 1820-being the first course of sermons delivered at the lecture founded by the Rev. John Hulse. In a few days will be published, in 1 vol. 4to. The General History of the House of Guelph or Royal Family of Eugland, from the first record of the name to the accession of George the first to the throne of Great Britain. Printing under the immediate patronage of his Majesty. In the press, and speedily will be pub lished in 8vo. Volume first, of the Principles of Medicine, written entirely on the plan of the Baconian Philosophy, to prove that the only rational method of curing disease is, to induce by medicine an opposite or counteracting action, sufficiently powerful to expel the disorder. By R. D. Hamilton, Medical Practioner. In a few days will be published, The Elements of Oral Language; or a dissertation on the art of speech, with respect to its elementary sounds, and to the combination of those sounds in the current and rapidity of discourse: including also a universal alphabet, intended to express with precision all the articulate sounds uttered by the human voice, in connexion with their various modifications, being the result of an attempt to facilitate the acquisition of foreign languages, and to furnish a mode of correctly expressing our own. By John Freeman, author of the Improved Method of teaching Adult Persons to read. In the press, a Memoir of the Operations of the British Army in India, during the Mahratta War of 1817, 1818, and 1819; illustrated by maps and topographical plans. By Lieut. Colonel Blacker; Companion of the most hono⚫ rable Order of the Bath, and Quarter Master General of the Army of Fort St. George. In 1 vol. 4to. and a separate vol. of maps and plans. The Author's military appointments having afforded him a ready access to the original documents, they form a very valuable appendix to the work; while the important station he occupied in the active operations of the war, secures to the memoir itself every thing that is to be expected from intelligence and authenticity. The plans have been most carefully drawn under Col. Blacker's own eye, the maps are from actual surveys under his immediate direction, and will be engraved under the superintendance of Mr. Arrowsmith. The Rev. John Hughes Author, of Horæ Britannicæ in two volumes, is arranging materials for a supplemental volume which will contain a translation of the Welsh Historical Triads, with two essays presented to the Cambrian Society, &c. Col. de Bosset's new work, embracing the history of the Parguinotes, from the earliest period of the present day, is now completed. This work, in addition to the substance of a former one, entitled Proceedings in Parga," &c. comprises a more detailed account of the Septinsular States, and of Parga, of the cession of the latter place to Ali Pasha, and of the British Lord High Commissioner's share in that transaction. It also contains an answer to the article in the 45th number of the Quarterly Review, and an examination of Sir Thomas Maitland's dispatch to Earl Bathurst, on the same subject. To the whole is subjoined a full and accurate report of the Author's trial against Sir Thomas Maitland in the court of King's Bench, in which the latter was convicted of "unlawfully, wrong. fully, and maliciously" issuing a general order affecting him. The work forms 1 vol. 8vo, and is illustrated by maps. The Rev. W. Thorn, of Penrith, has in the press, a new and improved edition of his Lectures on the Christian Sabbath. N.B. The profits of these Lectures will be devoted to aid the erection of a place of worship in the town of Penrith. The Rev. Mr. Fry, Author of Lectures on the Romans, &c. is preparing for the press, a work to be entitled, The second Advent or Glorious Epiphany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, being an attempt to elucidate, in chronological order, all the prophecies both of the old and new Testament, which relate to this most important subject, and to the events immediately connected with it, the judgment of apostate nations, the restoration of Israel, and the final establishment of the promised kingdom of Messiah, &c. &c. In the press, the Philosophy of Painting. By Wolstenholme Parr. Mr. Buck's long expected work on the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature, will be published in February, A new edition of the Practice of the Customs, with considerable additions, including the new consolidated duties, by Mr. Smyth, one of the surveyorsgeneral of H. M. Customs, will be publishhed in the course of the present month. Preparing for the press, Happiness, a Tale for the grave and the gay. In the press a third edition of Brown's Memoirs of Hervey, with considerable improvements: also, a second volume of a collection of Religious Letters, by the same Author. L. Towne has in the press, The Farmer's and Grazier's Guide, containing a collection of valuable recipes for the most common and fatal disorders to which horses, horned cattle, and sheep are subject. In the press, Principles of Forensic Medicine explained, illustrated, and applied to British Practice. By I. G. Smith, M.D. Dr. Brewster has nearly ready for publication a new edition of Ferguson's Astronomy. In accommodating it to the present state of the science, by means of notes and supplementary chapters, he has studiously endeavoured to imitate the plainness of the original work. In this new edition, many alterations and additions have been made in the notes and supplementary matter; and the work put into a form more convenient and less expensive, with the view to its being more generally introduced into public schools. New editions of Ferguson's Electricity, his Perspective, and his Ladies' and Gentlemen's Astronomy, edited by Dr. Brewster, will speedily be published. ART. XII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. Elements of Chemistry, with its Application to explain the Phenomena of Nature, and the Processes of Arts and Manufactures. By James Millar, M.D. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Lecturer on Natural History and Chemistry. 8vo. 12s. A Dictionary of Chemistry; on the basis of Mr. Nicholson's: in which the Principles of the Science are investigated anew, and its Applications to the Phenomena of Nature, Medicine, Mineralogy, Agriculture, and Manufactures, detailed. By Andrew Ure, M. D. Professor of the Andersonian Institution, Member of the Geological Society, &c. &c. With an Introductory Dissertation; containing Instructions for converting the Alphabetical Arrangement into a systematic order of study. With 14 Engravings. 8vo. 11. 1s. EDUCATION. Grotius de Veritate Religionis Christianæ: with the notes of the Author, Le Clere, and others, translated into En12mo. glish, for the use of Schools. 6s. Collectanea Minora; containing the following extracts: 1. The History of Joseph and his Brethren, and the Decalogue, from the Septuagint. 2. The Lord's Prayer, and other Extracts from the New Testament. 3. Extracts from the Cyropædia of Xenophon, from the Dialogues of Lucian, the Odes of Anacreon and Tyrtæus. 4. The whole of the First Book of the Iliad. 5. Copious Annotations, explanatory of Phrases, Idioms, &c. 6. A Lexicon of all the Vocables that occur in the Extracts. By Professor Dunbar of Edinburgh. Conversations on English Grammar, in a series of familiar dialogues between a Mother and her Daughters; in which are introduced the various Rules of Grammar, and explained in a manner calculated to excite the attention of Children, and at the same time to convey to their minds a clear and comprehensive idea of the general principles of Language. By Honoria Williams, Author of the Summary Method of Reading, &c. 3s. 6d. The Mental Calculator; being a Compendium of concise yet general Rules of the ready Solution of various useful and |