has so much good sense been compressed into so small a compass, or the real importance of comparative trifles made so manifest. Theresa Tidy's Eighteen Maxims need no recommendation from us: they are stamped with the unquestionable proof of public acceptation. Yet should any reader of these pages be conscious of having neglected to provide herself with them, we earnestly conjure that individual no longer to lack the best nine-pennyworth of wisdom that can be found, bearing upon the ordinary comforts of this sublunary world.

NOTES ON THE GOSPEL. Principally designed for Sunday School Teachers and Bible Classses. By Albert Barnes. Luke and John. Condensed from the American Edition. Religious Tract Society.

WE had intended ere now to have noticed this commentary, and regret that it escaped us. The notes are copions, perspicuous, and, to our judgment most sound. All the grand fundamentals of religion are kept in view; first principles never lost sight of; and that vein of pert, generalizing philosophy, which disfigures what we suppose is considered the rational school, among our transatlantic brethren, appears not here, to dim with its earth-born fumes the bright magnificence of divine revelation. We believe that Matthew and Mark have been added to Luke and John: and from our perusal of the two latter, we should have no hesitation in warmly recommending

the whole series of notes, not only to the class for whom they are expressly designed, but to the Christian public universally.

LETTERS TO A FRIEND whose mind had long been harassed by many objections against the Church of England. By the Rev. A. S. Thelwall, M. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. Seeley and Burnside.

MR. THELWALD comes forward, armed at all points, determined to fight the battles of his revered mother church. And truly we do not see why he should not be as alert in the defence as others in the attack. He has taken up the question in all its parts, left nothing unnoticed, that could reasonably be brought to bear upon his position; and has advanced many things that it would be no easy matter to refute. Lamenting, as we unfeignedly do, the languishing . of that flame of love which ought to burn brightly in every Christian bosom toward ALL who own 6. one Lord, one faith, one baptism;' and deprecating, as we also most heartily do, the kindling of far other heats among them, we still rejoice when the doctrines and formularies of the Establishment are vindicated alike from the aspersions of open foes without, and the more perilous perversions of nominal members within. Between the two modes of assault, we know that numbers are, like the lady to whom Mr. Thelwall wrote his spirited letters harassed by many objections,' and such may be thankful that so resolute a champion has appeared in the field. One of the first

publications that, about five years ago, drew our attention to the spiritual beauty of our much-abused Articles, was that of the Rev. W. Hancock, entitled, 'Hear the Church.' It has maintained, we believe, an honourable station among the many striking works that have recently been called forth by the vigorous assaults of our objecting brethren; and indeed, for sound piety and practical usefulness, that slender volume ranks above many of more sounding pretensions. It is very remarkable how the Lord has overruled what we must all deplore, for solid good to his people. Many a hard knock has been given and received, as between flint and steel; but these have elicited sparks from which not a few fires have been kindled, to burn brightly on the altar of incense. We fervently desire to see all the Lord's followers perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment; and, next to this, we rejoice to see them mutually bowing to the authority of scripture, and content to try the merits of their respective modes of worship, according to their approximation to the divine standard. Mr. Thelwall has certainly been very successful in his recent undertaking.

PASSION WEEK: A devotional and practical exposition of the Epistles and Gsspels appointed for that season, adapted for use in the closet and the family. By the Rev. Robert Meek, Rector of Brixton Deverill, near Warminster, Wilts, Author of "Reasons for Attachment to the Church of England," &c. Hatchards, 4s.

WE fear that the number is greatly diminished, of those who pay that observance to the sacred season above named, which the early church of Christ religiously rendered, and which the venerable framers of our liturgy expected us all to do. Mr. Meek has furnished a very acceptable book, for such as desire to enter deeply into the grand and glorious event, commemorated during the "great week." His exposition is really devotional and practical, and suitable for the purpose designed. He gives first the collect and epistle for the day; then proceeds to expound the latter. Afterwards he gives the gospel, which, being very long, he divides his commentary into moderate portions. We notice the book with pleasure, as the season approaches when, we think, it may be found very useful. The style is perfectly plain, and the matter adapted for general instruction.

POLITICS.

"AND also much cattle."-I caught the words, as my uncle passed behind my chair, and I looked up, to discover, if possible, what was the purport of his half-uttered thought. He was pacing the room with slow and measured steps, his hands behind him, and his head pensively inclined forward. I saw that his reflections were both deep and sad; I did not like to break in upon them. But when he perceived that my eye followed his progress, longing to read his mind, he spoke. It was in that subdued tone which, of late, has generally marked the solemnity of his feelings, when touching on the point of our national

concerns.

'Is it not astonishing, my dear, how lightly we pass over things that are brought before us with the strongest impress of divine concernment upon them; and harden ourselves on points where the Lord our God has laboured, if I may so speak, to soften us?'

'From your quotation, which I just now overhead,' replied I, it would seem, dear uncle, that your thoughts are employed on a subject where mine frequently dwell with intensity of pain—the wrongs of the dumb and irrational creation.'

6 It is so. What an emphasis is given to Jehovah's merciful concern for the creatures of his hand, in those words-closing, as they do, one of the most