a Bishop of Hong Kong; and as all great works are undertaken by Parliament, in answer to the prayers of the people, we would suggest that petitions should be prepared in every diocese, to be presented to both houses, and perhaps also to her Majesty. Were petitions general, we feel assured that the united requests of the people would not be disregarded.

General Literature.

Η ΚΑΙΝΗ ΔΙΑΘΗΚΗ, ΕΚ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΛΑΙΑΣ ΔΙΑΘΗΚΗΣ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΟΥΣ EBAOMHKONTA EPMHNEYOMHNH.-Novum Testamentum Græcum. Editio Hellenistica. Londini: Pickering. 1843. 2 vols. 8vo.

It is the express design of this work to illustrate the style of the New Testament by a minute and comprehensive analysis of the Septuagint Greek version of the Old Testament, and thus to substitute, in lieu of heathen writers, the more appropriate and befitting aids which are so abundantly furnished by that ancient and venerable translation. For this purpose the editor, the Rev. Thomas Grinfield, M.A., has, with singular industry and patience of research, collated almost every word and phrase of the Greek Testament which is to be found in the Septuagint, and has placed it under each separate verse, so that the eye may immediately perceive the illustration. When the word or phrase does not occur in the Septuagint, assistance is sought from the Greek Apocryphal books, and also from Josephus and Philo, the two most eminent Jewish authors who have written in the Greek language. Occasionally a striking illustration is inserted from the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, or from some of the earliest Hellenistic Ecclesiastical Remains; but these are always enclosed in brackets, in order to show their minor importance, and to intimate that they are designed merely for philological purposes. At the end of the work there is a comprehensive list of all the texts (three hundred and ten in number) which are cited in the New Testament from the Old; and as these are exhibited in parallel columns, the student will be enabled to judge for himself how nearly they in general approach to the language of the Septuagint version. The following specimen, necessarily a brief one, will convey to our readers some idea of the execution of Mr. Grinfield's arduous undertaking. It is Eph. ii. 12:

Ότι ητε εν τῳ καιρώ εκείνῳ χωρις Χριστου, απηλλοτριωμενοι της πολιτείας του Ισραηλ, και ξενοι των διαθηκων της επαγγελιας, ελπιδα με εκόντες, και άθεοι, εν τω κοσμι

απαλλοτριώσει σε των ιδίων σου. Sir. xi. 35. Ezech. xiv. 5. απηλλοτριωμενος εγενήθην τοις αδελφοις μου, και ξενος τοις υἱοις της μntpos μov. Ps. lxviii. 8. των πατριων δογμάτων απηλλοτριωμένος. 3 Mac. i. 3. της νομιμους καταλυων πολιτείας. 2 Μac. iv. 11. διεθέμην διαθήκην τοις εκλεκτοίς μου. Ps. lxxxviii. 3. Conf. Esa. lxi. 5. Ose. iii. 4. και εν αυτη εχει την ελπιδα. Deut. xxiv. 15. ELS ουρανον την ελπιδα εχων. 2 Mac. ix. 20. Conf. Rom. ix. 4. και τις γαρ εστιν ελπις ασεβει, κ. τ. λ. Job. xxvii. 8. [απηλλοτριωμενος. Conf. Jos. Ant. xi. 6. 4. Ottium et Krebs. in loc. et ad Col. i. 21. p. 335.]

[και μηδεμιαν ελπιδα εχοντες σωτηρίας, ει μη την παρ' αυτού. Clem. Rom. Epist. ii. 1.] Conf. Sap. iii. 18. xiii. 1.

There is one feature in this edition of the New Testament which we think is quite original. The authority of Philo is very frequently adduced for particular texts, which are almost always in the very words of the Septuagint: this is a very important testimony to the authenticity of that version, and to the fact, that it has escaped any serious mutilation. Philo (as our clerical readers are aware) was a Jewish priest, who came from Alexandria to Rome, A.D. 40, in order to plead the cause of his fellow Jews before the Emperor Caligula. Philo has cited several thousand passages from the Old Testament; and it is especially worthy of remark, that they are almost invariably in the words of the Septuagint version, as we now find it extant in what is commonly termed the Vatican text.

Upon the whole, we are disposed to hail this edition of the Greek Testament (the preparation of which must have cost Mr. Grinfield the patient labour and persevering researches of many years) as a valuable and successful attempt to introduce a far better and more appropriate mode of studying it in schools and colleges than that which has hitherto prevailed. It is impossible to read without amazement many of the classical quotations which have been made, in order to illustrate words and phrases occurring in the writings of the apostles. Whoever has looked into Wetstein's Notes, in his critical edition of the Greek Testament, will be at no loss to understand our meaning. Such writers as Ovid, Catullus, and Sappho are there adduced, for the purpose of explaining the words of Him who spoke as never mortal spoke. But we augur far better things from the appearance of this Hellenistic edition of the New Testament, which, while it lays open the peculiarity of the various grammatical forms of the New Testament Greek, leads on the mind of the thoughtful student to the interior meaning of the sacred writings. In this view, indeed, the work may prove eminently useful to the clergy and to candidates for holy orders, to whom we cordially recommend it. The typographical execution is very neat.

The Church of England-her Excellencies and Defects: with a
Plan of Ecclesiastical Reform in her Temporalities and Spi-
ritualities. By the Rev. J. PRIDHAM, M.A.
Seeleys. 1843.

London:

MR. PRIDHAM tells us in his title-page that he is "of the University of Oxford;" and, moreover, has put this marvellous production into the shape of an address to the Queen, both Houses of Parliament, and, in short, to "all and sundry." He informs us that the bishops ought forthwith to give up their seats in the House of Lords; and is a reformer of so very radical a description, that he would no doubt soon "reform away the Church from the face of the earth." No part of her, neither discipline nor doctrine, liturgy nor practice, find favour at the hands of this Master of Arts. What was Mr. Seeley thinking about when he allowed this book to issue from his "officina ?" Surely he does not go quite so far as this.

Day Dreams. By CHARLES KNOX, Author of "Hardness," and "The Riltmeister's Budget." With twenty engraved illustrations by Mason, from drawings on wood by H. Warren. London: Ollivier. 1843.

THIS is truly the age of very pretty books with elegant illustrations; and if they be less costly and less durable than the illuminations of old times, they are, at all events, far more numerous. This volume is bound in blue ultramarine cloth, and the wood engravings are as exquisite as wood engravings can be. Nor are the literary contents unworthy of their splendid vehicle. Such books are just what the French call bijoux, adapted for presents; and this one, when the azure cover is spoiled, which it will be before the book is half read through, merits to be transferred to durable leather, and to be promoted to a shelf in the library.

Shadows of the Future. A Series of Resolves on the Data of Unfulfilled Prophecy. By R. W. JOHNSON, M.A., Perpetual Curate of Packwood, Warwickshire. London: Hamilton. 1843.

THERE is in this little volume much food for serious thought; and though the speculations of the author are sometimes a little extraordinary-as, e. g., when he supposes St. John and Nero to be still alive, and the latter to be antichrist!—yet these pages cannot be seriously perused without both pleasure and profit.

Chronological Pictures of English History, from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria. By JOHN GILBERT. Part IV. London: Roake and Varty. 1843.

THIS part brings us to the reign of Edward VI., and we must say that the progress is exceedingly satisfactory. There is a greater richness of tone and greater breadth of design, as well, we think, as a more judicious selection of subjects. We have before spoken decidedly in terms of high approbation of Mr. Gilbert's design, and we are bound to apply the same entire approval to the execution. We know of no publication calculated to make the study of history at once more agreeable and more useful to the youthful mind. The dress, customs, architecture, and other peculiarities of different ages, are brought before the eye in a pleasing form, and a correct taste is induced at the same time that a correct knowledge is implanted. In the present number the first plate presents us with the reign of Edward IV., and in addition to a portrait of that fascinating and able but unscrupulous prince, we have portraits of Margaret of Anjou, the lionhearted consort of the weak and wavering Henry VI., and George, Duke of Clarence. The other illustrations are a representation of Caxton's printing-office at Westminster, Edward's disavowal of all designs on the throne, and an admirable design of the celebrated meeting between Edward and the wily Louis XI., on the bridge at Picquigny; the two kings are shaking hands through the bars of the barrier. The most striking portion of the next plate is that which gives a representation of the murder in the White Tower; the head of the youthful king is, however, rather feminine than infantine. The plate of Henry VII.'s reign is hardly so effective, but the following is exceedingly fine. The field of the cloth of gold affords an excellent sketch; and Henry VIII. is not caricatured, as he too frequently is in popular representations. We like very much, too, the grand and imposing figure of Cardinal Wolsey, and see clearly the propriety of the adjuncts to this plate; but the last is the best, and we have but one fault to find-we could have wished, that instead of the picture of the well-meaning but puritanical Hooper, decked in robes which he considered Popish, and always refused to wear, we had been presented with the glorious Ridley, the very type of our pious and orthodox Reformation.

Lectures on Popery; delivered at All Saint's, Leicester, on the Wednesday Evenings in June, 1842. By the Rev. JOHN OWEN. London: Seeleys. 1843.

WE have referred to these Lectures before, when they were published separately, and are glad to see them collected.

Rational Conviction the Groundwork of Faith; Good Works its Superstructure. A course of four Sermons. By a Graduate of Oxford. London: W. E. Painter, 342, Strand. TAKING for the theme and text of his argument the declaration of the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, that "he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that serve Him," the writer of these sermons proceeds to show the necessity of a belief in the existence of God before we can truly come to Him; and having, by the demonstration of this existence, reached the first stage of the enquiry, the author ascends the next step in the argument, and shows what God is; and an investigation into-what God is? implies an investigation into His nature, His attributes, and His commandments. The writer treats this division of his subject with some ingenuity and clearness; and, indeed, throughout these four sermons, in which he has developed his views of this passage in the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author displays much earnestness of purpose and no inconsiderable force of language.

Sixpenny-books, Fourpenny-books, Threepenny-books, Twopenny-books, Penny-books, and Halfpenny-books. London: Burns. 1843.

WE can generally speak well of Mr. Burns' little books, but there are some among those which he has lately put forth which we do think very ill-advised. We allude to some little books of ballads, especially one by the Rev. Mr. Neale. We quite agree with Mr. Neale in lamenting the existence of Dissent, and that, as he says, "Dissenters are mushrooms;" but then we would say, not sing, this-we would say it gravely and sorrowfully, and like those aware of the fact that most Dissenters are so rather by misfortune than their fault. We would rather, too, draw them, than drive them into the Church. And we are very sorry to see a similar song about pews. Be assured that we shall never scold Dissenters into orthodoxy, or sing the pews out of churches. The days of "lilly-burlero!" are past.

Bibliotheca Clericalis. A Catalogue of the Queen-street Clerical Library. London: Darling. 1843.

THE value of catalogues is but little known to ordinary readers. The catalogue now before us is useful, very useful, even to those who have no means of making use of the library which it describes; and every man who makes a catalogue deserves well of all readers.