The Book of Psalms in Blank Verse, with Practical Reflections. By the Rev. JOHN EDEN, B.D., late Vicar of St. Nicholas and St. Leonard's, Bristol. With a Brief Memoir. London: Hamiltons. 1842.

It is so unusual a thing to see a new quarto volume of poetry, that when this splendid book was laid before us, we instinctively looked to see the date 1818, or even 1812. But no; it was thirty years later than the last mentioned period. As a translation, Mr. Eden has certainly succeeded in making a very close one, and one, too, which wonderfully preserves the poetical beauties of the Psalms. We do not know whether to regard this costly tome as anything more than a literary curiosity; for the version, being in blank verse, is not adapted for singing, and for reading we are by no means sure that the literal version of the authorized BIBLE is not preferable; but as a work of artas a triumph of skill over materials more than ordinarily intractable, the execution is very remarkable. In turning over the leaves of Holland's "Psalmists of Great Britain," we find that this version had received the notice of "one of the highest authorities in the Church of England, who had pronounced it the best metrical version of the Psalms he had ever seen.' With this judgment we agree, if it be what is commonly called a metrical version. Taken as a whole, it is solemn and sustained, free from faults, such as abound in other translations; terse, and sufficiently energetic. We say, taken as a whole, because we can easily find single psalms far more splendidly versified than those in Mr. Eden's book. There is prefixed a memoir of the author, with a portrait; and, indeed, it would appear, that however highly we may speak of his "Book of Psalms," the title of poet was the least of those to which the late Vicar of St. Nicholas could lay claim. We cannot close the book without adverting again to the sumptuous style of the volume, and noticing the fact, that only two hundred and fifty copies were printed.

Faust: a Tragedy. Part II. Rendered from the Original German of Goëthe. By ARCHER GURNEY. London: Senior and Co. 1842.

WE have never seen any translation of this work before; the first part of "Faust" has been attempted over and over again, with various success. The second part is not equal to the first in literary merit-second parts seldom are; but the translation before us, which is all with which we are now concerned, is, so far as it goes, creditably executed.

Gerald: a Dramatic Poem, and other Poems. By J. WESTLAND MARSTON, Author of "The Patrician's Daughter;" a Tragedy. London: Mitchell. 1842.

MR. WESTLAND MARSTON is the author of a tragedy which cannot fail to have a great and permanent influence upon the English drama. He has ventured upon a daring experiment, no less a one-viz., than to adapt the high tone of dramatic poetry to incidents of domestic life, and transpiring in our own day. The idea is original; it is a trial which has never been made before, and which, were it only for its boldness, deserves to be looked upon with respect. The ancient Greek dramatists, when they wished to give vent to the lofty conceptions of tragedy, took for their heroes the gods and demigods of distant antiquity, fabulous kings, and heroes no less fabulous. Milton, speaking on such subjects, throws back the object of contemplation as far as possible :

"Sometimes let gorgeous tragedy

In sceptred pall come sweeping by,
Presenting Thebes or Pelops line,
Or the tale of Troy divine.'

Indeed, to imagine a tragedy with its deep thrilling interest, and its agonizing conclusion taking place among beings clothed in swallow-tailed coats and black velvet vests, chinchilla boas, and white satin frocks, does seem rather daring. Yet Mr. Marston has made the attempt, and what is more, he has proved his strength by succeeding. Knowing this fact, we looked with some interest to the announcement of a poem by the same author; nor have we been disappointed: the poem is always good, sometimes splendid. Nor do we despair, as a few years ago we did, when we see such stars rising around us, to have another poetical age worthy of that wherein Byron and Coleridge blazed, and over the decline of which the setting glory of Wordsworth still

"throws its horizontal beam." We hope to hear more from Mr. Marston.

A Letter to the Very Rev. William Cockburn, D.D., Dean of York, occasioned by his late Remarks on the Charge of the Lord Bishop of London. London: Rivingtons. 1842.

A LETTER this is, which will make the Very Rev. the Dean careful in future how he publishes "Remarks" on subjects which he very imperfectly understands. The less the Dean of York puts himself forward the better.

C

An Index to the Analogy of Bishop Butler, prepared by the Rev. Dr. BENTHAM, Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford; and adapted to the original editions and to the late Oxford editions, by THOMAS BARTLETT, M. A. London: Parker. 1842. δνο.

WE are great lovers of indexes. They are so very useful in enabling industrious students to refer to any important topic in the course of their reading, that no volume of any size should be without one. The students of Bishop Butler's admirable "Analogy" are, therefore, much obliged to Mr. Bartlett for procuring an accurate copy to be made of Dr. Bentham's manuscript index, which is now the property of the University of Oxford, and which, it appears from Mr. Bartlett's very satisfactory preface, was approved by Bishop Butler himself, whose corrections are printed at the end. Dr. Bentham adapted his index to the first edition of the " Analogy," which was in quarto. Mr. Bartlett, at no small expense of time and labour, has adapted it to the second edition, and to the subsequent Oxford editions which are in octavo. We have compared it, in several instances, with the very neat and accurate edition printed at London, in 1802, by Messrs. Hansards, for the principal London booksellers, and we find that it agrees generally with the pages of that edition. Every one who possesses an Oxford edition of "Butler's Analogy," ought to purchase this beautifully printed and cheap index.

..

An Exposition of various Passages in Holy Scripture. Adapted to the use of Families, for every day throughout the Year. By the Rev. JOHN WM. SMYTH, D.D., Incumbent of Woolfardisworthy, Devonshire. London: Hatchards. 1842. AMIDST the hundreds of expositions which every publishing season sends forth to load the shelves of the shopkeepers and the consciences of the authors, it is always a satisfaction to find one which has a distinct aim. That of Dr. Smyth has this recommendation; and, after an attentive examination, we feel happy to recommend it. It will afford families a useful selection of passages well adapted for social worship, and calm, sensible and practical remarks on the parts chosen. Far better will this be than the random reading of the Scriptures adopted in some families, or the regular going through of all, however unadapted for worship which marks the practice of others. We sincerely wish Dr. Smyth's work the success it merits, a success which will then be great and lasting,

Montgomery's Sacred Gift. Fisher and Son. 1842. SHOULD the reader desire to present any estimable person with a truly beautiful book, on a subject that might imply the welltrained mind of the receiver and the sacred and respectful feelings of the owner towards that person, no better gift could possibly be selected than the handsome and strictly moral work now before us. It consists of soul-breathing poetry, recording and meditating upon various scriptural incidents, which are rendered additionally interesting by spirited engravings. Mr. Montgomery is too well known, by his poem entitled "Satan," to require from us any new examination of him as a poet; and all we can say, therefore, is, that his reputation in that capacity is sustained, if not increased, by this collection of his poetic versions of sacred events. We shall take the liberty of transplanting from this beautiful gift-book two short passages, which gave us great pleasure in perusing them :

:

-"wondrous is the o'erwhelming thought,

That He who breath'd the Bible into man
By inspiration from his Spirit drawn,
Studied that book! and from its pages drank
Sapience and truth-though in himself, as God,
Subject and spring of revelation all!

For what is Scripture but Immanuel's type?
A Christ in language all its words present,
As God in flesh, the incarnation proves."

Our second and last quotation is from the author's prose essay on Abraham offering the sacrifice of Isaac:

"The entire structure of the Bible appears to be arranged as a doctrinal protection against man's ever presuming to whisper to his heart, that it cost Jehovah nothing to pardon the guilty! And the approval which He utters from the skies on the costliness of the patriarch's obedience in offering his son, is not the least among those influences which He brings to bear upon the human spirit, when he would teach it somewhat of the majesty, and mercy of mystery, of the fact, that God so loved the world as to give his only begotten Son' for the redemption of it! 'So' loved it! Eternity will study the meaning of that monosyllable; and angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, will heighten their praise, and deepen their anthems, as more and more they are initiated into the glories of its significance."

We wish, for religion sake, every success to such an annual as this!

On the Economy of Nations. By THOMAS SHARPE SMITH, Esq. London: Carpenter. 1842.

RATHER a misty publication, and directed against the Corn Laws; it will be hardly necessary for us to say more.

Memoir of the Life of the late Rev. Peter Roe, A.M., Rector of Odogh, and Minister of St. Mary's, Kilkenny. With copious Extracts from his_Correspondence, Diaries, and other Remains. By the Rev. SAMUEL MADDER, A.M. Dublin : Curry. 1842.

THE life of Mr. Roe, though comparatively but little known beyond the circuit of his immediate labours, was in every point of view a useful one. He spread the truths of the Gospel widely, though he declined taking any irregular steps to do so; wisely considering that the Church was the engine by which his beloved country would be soonest evangelized, he restrained his energies within her pale. Nor did he go without his reward. It may emphatically be said of him, "he saw of the travail of his soul, and was satisfied." The book before us gives us some interesting extracts from his correspondence, and is one which the student of Irish Church history will do well to peruse. We do not profess to agree with all Mr. Roe's doctrinal views, but we look upon him as doing abundantly the work of an apostle; and we are glad to see so elegant a volume as this devoted to his life and writings. May it prove, by God's blessing, an incitement to many an Irish clergyman to "go and do likewise."

Christ on the Cross; an Exposition of the Twenty-second Psalm. By the Rev. JOHN STEPHENSON, Perpetual Curate of Cury and Gunwalloe, Cornwall. Sixth Thousand. London: Jackson. We have already in a former number spoken highly of this work, and we now notice it again, not merely because our previous judgment has been confirmed by the book's having passed through six editions of a thousand each, but because we find the object of the publication, so far as pecuniary matters are concerned, as to enable the excellent author, whose health is very infirm, to have the aid of a curate: his benefice produces only 1207. per annum. The intrinsic merits of the book should secure its sale; but this reason will, we hope, accelerate it.

A Charge to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Durham, delivered July, 1842. By CHARLES THORP, D.D., F.R.S., Archdeacon and Canon of Durham; Warden of the University, and Chaplain to Earl Grey. Durham. 1842.

A VERY admirable Charge, and exceedingly suited to the exigences of the times. This is not a period when the clergy, especially those in stations of authority, can be innocently silent; and we are glad to hear the voice of the Archdeacon of Durham so ably lifted up.