and "time serving Bishops" of Henry VIII. Finding several inaccuracies he was induced to look further, and the result is that he certainly shows Dr. Kenrick to have most grossly misrepresented facts-for instance, Dr. K. represents Jewel to have given three several unwilling replies to as many questions, on the subject of his ordination to the priesthood and episcopate, propounded to him by Harding, whereas far from these answers being extorted unwillingly and at considerable intervals, they are contained in one and the same paragraph of Jewel's apology, which Mr. R. cites. We are glad that Dr. Kenrick has been thus taken to task, because we know that Roman Controversialists are constantly open to the same charge, owing in a great measure to the habit of quoting at second-hand-at all times a bad one, and surely most reprehensible in such works as that of which Mr. R. is the castigator, where inaccuracy destroys the whole cogency of the argument, and consequently the trustworthiness of the writer. We should hope that Dr. Kenrick did not publish Permissu Superiorum. Mr. Russell has wisely not entered at this time of day into a defence of English (why does he call them "Anglican"?) Orders. A Manual of English Grammar adapted to the use of Classical, and the Upper Classes of Parochial Schools, by the Rev. C. J. Smith, M.A., late Curate of S. Paul's, Knightsbridge, &c. London: Cleaver, 18mo. pp. 84. No person possessing a competent acquaintance with the comparative philology of different languages has as yet undertaken to prepare an English Grammar for English Schools. That of Mr. Kerchever Arnold, is the most scientific; but it is intended for Classical Schools; and in Schools of that kind English Grammar, we believe, is rarely an object of direct instruction. Mr. Smith at least has a knowledge of the Classical languages of antiquity; and therefore we gladly welcome the effort which he has made in this direction. The merit of the Grammar is that it has greatly simplified and reduced the rules of Murray, Lennie, Macculloch, &c. At the same time the faults are more numerous than we have space to recount. A few only can be here noted at hazard. It is wrong to say that which is only of the neuter gender, or that "bowels has no singular number: it is absurd to say that there is no future tense; or to give as a rule in Syntax, that two negatives make an affirmative, or to teach children that "the English Alphabet is defective." We also very strongly object to using texts from Holy Scripture as illustrations of Grammar. For the characteristic method in which Verbs form their Past Tense, we would refer Mr. Smith to the ontline of Grammar prefixed to Richardson's English Dictionary. At the same time, with all its faults, we should prefer placing this little Manual in the hand of a pupil to giving him one of the Grammars in common use. Dr. Hook has published a new and greatly improved edition of his Church Dictionary, (Leeds: Harrison.) Still there remains a good deal that we would gladly see retrenched or altered. A work of this kind should be dogmatic, not controversal. First Lessons in English History, by the Rev. Dr. Giles, (London: Hayward and Adam,) though a tiny work written in a catechetical form, contains a good deal of accurate information. It is strange however that the reign of Charles I. should make no mention of Archbishop Laud. Bishop Mant has again done good service to the Church by the publication of his Religio Quotidiana, (London: J. W. Parker,) consisting of a Pastoral Letter addressed to the Faithful of his Diocese, and a Catena of Divines, and Churchmen of all kinds, commending the practice of Daily Prayer. In the defection of so many who once called themselves High Churchmen, it is cheering to find one who was an exponent of that party thirty years ago, still preserving his consistency, and not alarmed at the prospect of what he then held in theory being turned into practice. A new Edition of Spelman's most striking History and Fate of Sacrilege, has just been published (London: Masters), containing a great mass of new matter and a very able introduction. In our next Number we hope to give the subject the consideration which it deserves. Confirmation or the Laying on of Hands catechetically explained, by the Rev. Walter Blunt, (London: Cleaver,) is a sound Tract; but it proceeds on the plea of assuming all kinds of objections to exist in the mind of the reader. This in our judgment is not the way to deal with the young. The Nottingham Church Tracts, originally published weekly, have now reached a Volume. (London: Burns.) They contain the usual variety of Tales, Conversations, Sermons, Poetry, &c.; and seem to breathe a sound and loving spirit. We do not consider however that the Preface to a Volume of this kind is the place for making remarks about "defections to Rome" and the "unfaithfulness of the Church's sons." Mr. Neale has favoured us with a second part of Christian Heroism, (Burns, and Masters;) and a charming little volume it is. The Series commences with the stories of the "Thundering Legion" and the "Statues of Antioch," both so beautifully told that those who know them best will be glad to read them again in these pages; and comes down to quite recent days. The last is a well authenticated Derbyshire story of the interposition of Providence by the visible ministration of an angel to save the life of a young child. We do think that the service done to the cause of truth by a careful and judicious selection and publication of such stories as the latter ones, especially, of this series is very considerable. We say the more recent ones, because, unreasonable as it is, still, it is natural that people should be more affected by a narration of recent rather than of ancient, illustrations of the power of faith and the reality of unseen things; though the latter are not unusually at least as well if not better authenticated. Our readers will thank us for recommending to them The Captive Maiden (London: Sharpe, 18mo. pp. 221.) A tale of greater gracefulness and interest we never read; moreover it is the work of a thoroughly pure and delicate mind. Mrs. Vidal's Tales for the Bush, (Rivingtons,) though originally published in Australia, are well adapted for circulation in an English parish. They depict the ordinary trials and temptations of persons in the middle and lower classes with interest and simplicity. The engraving of a Font on the title page seems altogether out of place. |