siders the exhortation contained in his text under another point of view, namely, that in which it simply enjoins humility, "as though it were through abasing himself that a man might look to be exalted." Mr. Melvill's observations under this head are equally striking and eloquent as those which we have already noticed:

"The truly humble man must be, so far as character and achievements are concerned, the truly great man. I call not that man great who has conquered a nation, if he have failed, after all, to conquer himself. True greatness must be moral greatness, greatness of soul-that nobility of spirit which proves of a man that he has measured his duration, and proved himself indestructible. And I recognise this greatness, not necessarily when a man has a world bowing at his footstool, but when he is himself bowing at the footstool of God. The rebel against lawful authority cannot be truly great: the slave of his own passions cannot be truly great : the idolater of his own powers cannot be truly great. And the proud man is this rebel, this slave, this idolater; for pride spurns at the divine dominion, gives vigour to depraved affections, and exaggerates all our powers. What then can be more accurate than that pride destroys the chief elements of which a great character is compounded, so that it must be to direct a man in the way to eminence, to prescribe that he be clothed with humility.""

Mr. Melvill then reverts to his former line of argument, and makes a very apt and forcible reference, couched in very eloquent terms, to the case of the institution which he is addressing, as furnishing, in the objects which it has in view, a remarkable illustration of the text, and affording an additional proof, that greatness is to be won through being useful to our fellow creatures. After describing the truly eminent and humane offices in which this Corporation is continually employed, and speaking of the benefits which our commerce derives from it, he points out the duty of making this pursuit subservient to the spread of Christianity. This is a theme which was worthy of the preacher; and the glowing language in which he has clothed it is honourable to himself and to the holiness of his cause:

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England has been mistress of the seas: every where has her flag floated, and every where commanded respect. Yet we have not made commerce tributary to Christianity: we have not practically regarded the sovereignty of the ocean as given us that we might be enabled to disseminate truth. Fleet after fleet has left our shores: the East, and West, and North, and South, have all been steered for by our adventurous ships: but we have swept into our harbours the riches and luxuries of the globe, without leaving in exchange the precious seed of God's word. And for this we may yet expect retribution." "When we look on that finest spectacle which our Metropolis presents-and this spectacle is not its streets, and not its parks, and not its palaces; but the forest of masts which rise far mile upon mile upon its noble river; and when we remember how, with Christianity at the helm of the swarming vessels, the glorious news of Redemption might be rapidly borne over the habitable

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globe, it is not easy to repress all foreboding, to keep from anticipating a time when God may visit upon us the not having used in His cause the vast powers derived from our traffic, and when this nation shall cease to be great amongst kingdoms, through having failed to be their servant, 'ministering the Gospel of God. At least, let it be remembered by those who have in any way an influence on the commerce of the country, that God has given spiritual blessings to be diffused as well as enjoyed; and that it cannot be in His sight an indifferent thing, whether we keep them to ourselves, or act as stewards, and communicate them to others."

Wisdom. By the Author of "Think" and "Act." London: Mitchell. 1838.

THIS little manual is the third of a series, and if possible surpasses its predecessors, on which our readers will remember we spoke in the highest terms of commendation. We especially recommend this little work to the public: it merits, and we trust that it will receive, an extensive circulation.

Woman, as Virgin, Wife, and Mother. London: Mitchell. 1838.

THIS work is written by a lady, and contains many excellent precepts and recommendations. It may safely be placed in the hands of the Virgin, Wife, and Mother, for whom it is written.

The Pilgrim's Progress. By J. BUNYAN. London: Fisher. THIS is a beautiful edition of the Pilgrim's Progress, embellished with twenty engravings. It would be useless for us to say a word in favour of this work-we have only to add our meed of praise to its execution, which we can do in sincerity and truth. Like most of Fisher's publications, it is well adapted for the drawing-room table.

The Lowly Station Dignified; a Sermon preached at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, on behalf of the Burlington School. By the Rev. R. C. COXE, M.A., Curate of St. James's, and late Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford. London: Rivingtons. 1838. WE are heartily sick of the hypocritical affectation of liberality assumed by a certain class of persons in the present day. We have long been convinced that these persons are, without exception, most illiberal towards every one, themselves only excepted. A striking proof of this occurs in the sermon before us. The author tells us in his preface—

"Since its delivery, two complaints have been made against it. One that it is too political; the other, that it is too eager in its advocacy of the Church of England."

The first charge is utterly without foundation. The sermon is exactly such a discourse as we should have expected from the author, knowing, as we do (we have the pleasure of being a member of his congregation), his orthodox principles, his accurate information on all subjects connected with his profession, and his zeal according to knowledge, for the faith as it is in Jesus. In preaching for the benefit of schools, many of whose pupils, if we mistake not, are expressly trained to become domestic servants, what could be more natural and proper, than for the author to allude to the relation of master and servant, particularly as his text is drawn from the history of Joseph; and to speak of the advantages, the comforts, and even happiness, to be found in the more humble of these stations, as well as in the more elevated? What could be more accordant with the spirit of Christianity, than, when addressing individuals about to enter upon the duties of a particular station of life, to endeavour to make them contented and satisfied with their situation, by pointing out the advantages belonging to it?

The second charge, we sincerely hope, is well-founded, for we cannot conceive it possible for any Clergyman to be too eager in advocating the cause of the Church of England, or in enforcing its claims, as the source from which education should proceed. It is very evident the persons who made such a charge, must be grossly ignorant of the duties of a minister of our Church, and at the same time hostile to that Church. At any rate, the observations of such persons are utterly contemptible, and scarcely worthy of notice. For our own parts, if we happened to stand in the position of the anthor, we should feel gratified and proud at such charges being made against a discourse of ours, and should consider it the best proof that we had done our duty. The parish in which this sermon was preached, we regret to say, contains within its limits a certain number of persons, who take every opportunity in their power to annoy the Clergy, and to display their hostility to the Establishment. We believe that it was in this parish, the very singular announcement was made, by handbills circulated by the parish beadles, that one of the churchwardens would take the chair at a public meeting, called for the purpose of petitioning against churchrates. We rejoice to perceive, that the controversy on that subject which has for some time agitated the parish, has terminated in the complete and humiliating defeat of the anti-church-rate party. Should any of our readers happen to be inhabitants of this parish (that of St. James's, Westminster), we would earnestly recommend them to attend at all meetings of rate-payers, and to give their votes for Conservatives, to be appointed as vestrymen, and to fill all other parish offices.

Hill and Valley; or Hours in England and Wales. By CATHERINE SINCLAIR, Daughter of the late Right Hon. Sir J. Sinclair, Bart. Authoress of "Modern Accomplishments," "Modern So ciety," &c. 8vo. Edinburgh: W. Whyte and Co. 1838.

Books of travels abound. Every antique building-every 19markable work of art-every celebrated gallery and museum, whi h the Continent possesses within its limits, is examined and described with diligence and accuracy. The manners, customs, habits, a ad circumstances of each nation and people are investigated, and we are presented with numerous inferences and deductions, the esult of such inquiries. But amongst all these various volumes, we scarcely ever meet with one which describes our own country. Indeed, we might almost venture to assert, that out of any given number of writers or readers of foreign travels, not one half are acquainted with the various beauties, both of nature and art, with which their own country abounds. The appearance, therefore, of such a volume as the present, gives us great pleasure. The design is. excellent, and the execution is by no means inferior. It is written throughout in an agreeable, lively, and animated style; and, what is far better, the sentiments which it expresses are sound and good. Miss Sinclair allows no occasion to pass which will admit of it, without introducing some pious and religious reflections. These are generally well-timed and appropriate. Miss S. also displays considerable powers of description. We shall extract one or two passages in this style:

"Who has not read, heard, and dreamed of Tintern Abbey, examined prints and copied sketches, talked and listened about its beauties, till they seem to have been haunting the venerable ruin all their lives; I scarcely felt as if a spot could be unknown to memory there, even when thus approaching it for the first time:

'Hail to thy pile! more honoured in thy fall,
Than modern mansions in their pillar'd state.'

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"The form outside is so magnificently simple, that its full extent is scarcely at once appreciated; but those walls, where princely abbots. dwelt of yore,' were considered a true emblem of that Christian character to be recommended and practised there, the exterior aspect so plair, and all the richest ornaments concealed within, while it exhibits an air of meditative seclusiveness. Some small wretched cottages have stuck themselves close to the walls, like barnacles on the side of a stately vessel, which do all in their power to disfigure it; but on entering the western gate, a coup d'œil is presented, inconceivably fine. A forest of venerable pillars, looking almost like the long avenue at Wynnstay, is surmounted by four rows of noble arches, appearing gracefully to intersect each other, ending at a window of very splendid proportions, said to be eighty feet high, and facing, as the principal window of all old churches is made to do, towards the east, in remembrance of Jerusalem, while the whole building is shaped like a cross. Descriptions of Tintern Abbey should be written on ivy

leaves and with a poet's pen, for no other could do justice to the air of solemn grandeur and religious melancholy reigning within its desolated cloisters, and inspiring that mysterious sentiment of awe with which we gaze on an inanimate body from which the soul has departed. The form still appeared in its beanty, while the life and animation which had reigned within, were now extinct for ever."

"It is interesting to perceive, that by visiting all cathedrals and churches in England, we might find the burying-place of nearly every character in our national history. I remember once expressing some doubts whether such a prince ever existed as William of Hatfield, and a very short time afterwards I became enlightened by discovering his tomb in the chancel of York. At Worcester, we met with Prince Arthur, elder brother of Henry VIII. Catharine of Aragon's first husband, who is only remembered in history, because he served as the excuse for her being afterwards divorced. The marble chapel in which he was buried is carved in wreaths of roses, to represent the Houses of York and Lancaster; and so pure and delicate is the workmanship, that it seems as if built with ivory fans. Specimens of sculpture are shown in this cathedral by Nollekins, Chantery, and Roubiliac. The most affecting of these is raised to the memory of Miss Digby, who died of consumption at the age of nineteen. Few could gaze long at this graceful work of Chantrey's, and not feel inclined to exclaim, 'Oh, that these lips had motion! The feeble and emaciated, but resigned aspect of the young sufferer, is beautifully represented, while, with a look of devout contemplation, she is languidly reclining on a couch. The very word consumption brings exactly such a form before our imaginations, and I almost felt as if we ought to see the hectic colour burning on her cheek, and the bright eye full of hope with which its victims approach the grave, dying, like a bright sunset, with colours more lovely than the glare of meridian day. Another very touching monument is erected here to the memory of a gentleman who died suddenly at Worcester, when travelling on a party of pleasure. It represents his lovely young wife, in an attitude of deep despondency, carrying her infant, and leading two interesting children by her side. The very marble seemed to weep, so affecting was the whole grouping and expression. I returned again and again to renew my wonder that dumb figures should be so eloquent, but the simple pathos of their appearance strikes at once to the heart. It seems as if sorrow had turned them all iuto stone. In the days of childhood, I often wished that when a death was about to take place, it could be put to the vote who might best be spared from the world: but in such a case, how seldom the blow would fall where it does! the most beloved, the wisest, and the best, are generally soonest fitted for a better world, while the mere refuse too often remains behind. Roubiliac's celebrated monument to Bishop Hough is a noble piece of sculpture. You could scarcely wish to see any one more alive than the venerable prelate ascending towards heaven from a sarcophagus of black marble, în an attitude of triumph, and with a countenance full of dignity and animation. His hands are clasped in apparent devotion-his arm rests on a Bible-and his drapery is so light, it looks as if a breeze might blow it aside. On a tablet of marble is represented his interview with the royal commissioners, when he refused obedience to King James's mandate, ordering him to retire from the Presidency of