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of the edition. We cannot see why the editor should have preferred the text of Mill to those later recensions which are certainly to be regarded as improvemeuts upon that critic, however learned and acute.

4. The Poetical Works of John Milton, with a Memoir and Critical Remarks on his Genius and Writings. By JAMES MONTGOMERY. With one hundred and twenty engravings by William Harvey. 2 vols. fc. 8vo: Harper & Brothers.

MR Harvey's drawings in illustration of the text of Milton, have been greatly praised for their delicacy of conception and chaste and beautiful grouping. Though they do not express, in their grasp of the mighty theme or adventurous sublimity, the genius of Milton, yet never offending by ineffectual attempts, and always graceful and in the finest keeping, they seldom fail to please, if they do not instruct. They embody much of that delicacy and grace which pervades the poetry of Milton, though but little of its grandeur and sublimity. The illustrations of the minor Poems are therefore superior to those of the Paradise Lost. To this great epic none but the daring genius of Martin has ever done justice. The execution of these illustrations on wood is admirably done; there is a distinctness and finish which is rarely attained in wood engravings, and a very pleasing effect almost uniformly produced. They are numerous as well as good, and greatly enrich the page. The paper, letter, press and binding are so good as to render this, on the whole, the very best American edition of Milton we have ever seen. The entire poems, including the Latin, of Milton are here included; and what a treasure of noblest wisdom and highest sublimity, beauty and truth is implied in this fact, the world has known too long and too admiringly to need to be reminded. The greatest and the best of Poets, the sublimest of uninspired interpreters of God's ways to man, the world can never over-estimate its indebtedness for many of its highest and broadest views of truth to his transcendant genius.

5. The Bible Not of Man; or, the Argument for the Divine Origin of the Sacred Scriptures, drawn from the Scriptures themselves. By GARDINER SPRING, D. D. American Tract Society.

WE may say of this book that it is distinguished by conciseness of statement, an orderly and comprehensive arrangement, and candor. The argument from internal evidence is drawn out with clearness and precision, and marshalled with a tact that gives to each part its just force, and increases the strength of the impression as it advances. Designed for popular reading and to produce a general impression, it does not enter into the explanation of minute details, and often assumes as true, truths and results which have been elsewhere demonstrated. This is far from being a defect-it rather disembarasses the argument, and renders it more clear and effective. Taken as a whole, we think that this branch of Scripture evidence has been here presented in a more compact and popular form, and in a better way to carry conviction to an honest mind, than we have met before. For the general circulation, which the Tract Socicty is prepared to give it, nothing could be better on this subject; and dealing, as it does, with the very structure and substance of the Bible, it is a religiously impressive volume, setting forth truths of practical and personal interest and of the most solemn nature. It is printed in a style, we are glad to say, much superior to former works of the Society, as wetperceive all their publications are of late. There is nothing lost by this.

6. An American Dictionary of the English Language. By Noah Webster LL D. The entire work unabridged, in one volume, Crown quarto. Re vised and corrected by CHAUNCEY A. GOODRICH, D.D. Springfield, Mass., C. & G. Merriam. New York, M. H. Newman & Co. THE issue of an edition like this is a truly gigantic enterprise, for the successful and highly satisfactory completion of which the admiration of the literary public, will not be withheld. A better specimen of the art of book-making, it is seldom indeed that our country has afforded. The paper is clear and fine, and the typography beautiful, exact and well-arranged, so as at once to gratify the eye and please the taste. There are three columns on a page of convenient-sized quarto, and yet such is the typographical skill that nothing could be more distinct aud clear than the vocabulary. It is a credit to the publishers and an ornament to the noble art, and by far exceeds any previous editions of the work.

The publishers are likewise to be strongly commended for the reduced price at which it is offered. The entire work, which once could not be obtained at à less price than twenty dollars, is now offered for six, a price so very reasonable that it must promote a wide circulation of the work. Certainly it is our hope that it may.

In noticing in a former number, the emendations made by Prof. Goodrich, to the octavo edition of Webster, we detailed substantially the improvements and modifications which give to this edition its peculiarity. Some of Dr. Webster's innovations in orthography had given pretty general offence-carrying the law of analogy with rather too bold a hand in some cases, and showing capriciousness in its application, in others. Changes in orthography, also, for etymological reasons, were originally made by him, which command the assent or consent of nobody. These changes, in so far, at least, as they had proved themselves unpopular and offensive, are in this edition suppressed; while, on the other hand, those alterations which were founded in good reason, and though innovations at first, are beginning to find their way into popular and respectable usage, have been retained. As it now is, the principles of orthography adopted are such, on the whole, as are either allowed by good use, or are fast working their way into favor The objections which have been felt and expressed against Webster's dictionary, we think have been fairly removed by the corrections of Prof. Goodrich.

In all other respects, it has never had a rival. In the completeness of the vocablary, the fulness and precision of its definitions, its learned solution of the true source of words, and its apt and copious authorities, it is a work of amazing labor and scholarship, which has made English lexicography an entirely new thing. Prof. Goodrich has added such new words as are respectably known, and has especially enhanced the value of the work by incorporating a complete list of scientific, technical, and peculiar words, relating to all the various departments of science, art, manufactures, philosophy, philology, &c, In this he has been aided by his very able corps of fellow-professors in Yale College; and the result is that all the benefits of a technological dictionary, so far as the popular wants are concerned, have been secured to this edition,

Without entering into a farther description of the editor's labors, it gives us great pleasure to commend it, with scarcely any qualification, to scholars and the public generally, as by far the cheapest, most beautiful, and most useful lexicon of our language that can be obtained.

7. Lectures on Christian Theology. By George Christian Knapp, D.D. Professor of Theology in the University of Halle. Translated by LEONARD WOODS, D.D. President of Bowdoin College. Second American Edition. M. W. Dodd. 1 vol., 8vo., p. 572.

THE first edition of President Woods' translation of Knapp's Theology, was published in 1831, and has been for some years out of print. In preparing a second, the publisher has brought it into a single volume, of double columns, but of fairer type and better appearance than the first, and reducing the price to almost onethird of what it originally was. The work is one of such great learning and worth, and so particularly valuable to American students, trained in the systems of dogmatic theology which prevail among us, and in which English thinking is so apt to run, that we are glad to welcome an edition which will come within the reach of all.

The peculiarities of Knapp's system are well known. It is directly founded on exegesis, and most of its positions, as well as arguments, are derived from the Scriptures. Compared with the philosophical arrangement and ratiocinative manner of other systems, like Ridgely, Dwight, Dick, or Hopkins, this simple mode of seeking what the Bible teaches, is at once peculiar and refreshing. It arrives at the same point, but by a different process, acquaintance with which will form a useful diversity in the usual method of theological study. Knapp is, too, remarkably full in the history of doctrines, which is an invaluable feature of his work, and evinces an extent of learning and research in this particular, rarely possessed by any but German scholars. Without at all superseding other systems, we do not doubt that the use of Knapp in a course of theological study, is a thing to be very much desired. Much can be there learned of great value, which can be no where else obtained.

8. Thomson's Seasons, illustrated by numerous engravings on wood. Harper & Brothers.

IN a handsome volume, of convenient shape and tasteful execution, a new edition of this inestimable work has been issued. Besides the excellent letter-press, there is a profuse variety of embellishments illustrative of the text, which are inbued with all the quiet grace and delicate feeling which give the Poem its most beautiful characteristic. They are worthy accompaniments of the work, and give it a peculiarity which renders this by far the most desirable edition of the Seasons yet produced in this country.

9. Life of Henry IV., King of France and Navarre. By G. P. R. JAMES. Harper & Brothers. In 4 parts.

WHATEVER may be thought of Mr. James's powers as a writer of Romance, his tact and skill in depicting the incidents, and portraying the features of individual life, are indisputably of a high order. Familiar with all the particulars of French history, and animated by a strong admiration for his subject, he has drawn a picture of the great Henry, with such sharp lines of individuality, and such beauty and geniality of coloring, as to realize one's highest ideal of the man, the monarch, and the soldier. We esteem it a rare contribution to our reading, and as one of the best episodes of French history, which have become not uncommon, that the age has furnished.

10. Undesigned Coincidences in the Writings of the Old and New Testaments, an Argument of their Veracity; with an Appendix, containing undesigned coincidences between the Gospels and Acts, and Josephus. By the REV. J. J. BLUNT, D.D. R. Carter. 1 vol. 8vo.

THIS is a very successful extension of Paley's method in the Horæ Paulinæ, to the coincidences between the Old and New Testaments. They are traced with great ingenuity, and exhibit a fairness and candor not unworthy of Paley himself. The argument it evolves is of the most satisfactory kind. The work exhibits scholarship, ingenuity, and good feeling, and is specially worthy the attention of students of the Bible.

THE

BIBLICAL REPOSITORY

AND

CLASSICAL REVIEW.

THIRD SERIES, NO. XIV.—WHOLE NUMBER, LXX:
APRIL, 1848.

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