grapher shall have added those which he may find commencing with a b, and others commencing with o, he will have manufactured a goodly regiment out of one or two cognate words: but it is a regiment which has neither the advantage of a uniform,-we mean in Mr. Halliwell's interpretations,-nor the merit of keeping its ranks, for its members are scattered like sharpshooters, each erecting its head as an independent member of the Archaic vocabulary. The general import of the word appears be that of awaiting with patience. Hence its application to suffering, and expiation; and sometimes perhaps to obedience, though the word obedience itself has another origin, in the Latin. Hence also its application to continual remaining at one spot, and the word abode still in common use. The bay of dogs also was their waiting, not their "barking;" as now used, it is only a particular species of "barking," at the most: they bark while they are kept at bay. As for the sense "to bow," which Mr. Halliwell has introduced under the "forms" ABEYE, ABOUGHWED, ABUE, and ABUY, it more properly belongs to the verb byg-an, to bow, or bend: words so similar as abey, abow, and obey would naturally fall into some confusion in colloquial use. Probably to bid, to offer," as under ABUDE, in Anglo-Saxon biddan, is connected with the other verb abidan, inasmuch as the person making an offer, abided, or waited for, its acceptance.

66

Mr. Halliwell will probably tell us, that these are the very etymological questions that he professes to avoid. But are they not inseparably connected with his proposed "correct meanings?" It might perhaps have been better if he had avoided all the inflections of verbs, and generally all such words as are noticed in our best modern dictionaries, which is the case with those we have noticed. As it is, he has vainly attempted to explain every inflection of the language, written in an antique orthography, that he may happen to have met with, at the same time disregarding those operations of grammar and etymology to which the "forms" owe their birth.

We need not say more to shew how much space might have been saved by compressing and coalescing the multiGENT. MAG. VOL. XXIII.

form heads which are presented by such words as the verb abie. A still greater saving perhaps would have resulted from the omission of such words as are found in the early-English language employed in the same sense as they are still, but merely written in an obsolete orthography, which in no case obscures their meaning. The author has been sadly led astray by his "forms" of spelling, which after all are not forms of speech; their perfect enumeration is impossible, and would be useless if it were not. Acquaintance with the varieties of antient orthography is acquired by reading, and not by a dictionary.

A third means of economising space and cost would have been the rejection of words that are culled from the canting or Slang vocabulary : these might very properly have been left in that choice repository.

Fourthly, technical words might have been consigned in confidence to technical dictionaries, particularly if occurring only in works of science. They are generally derived from the learned languages, and their signification is therefore seldom obscure. This rule would have relieved our lexicographer from many words belonging to the law, to mathematics, astrology, chemistry, &c. and of a great many belonging to botany or natural history.

Fifthly, Mr. Halliwell has incorporated many solecisms, which we think were scarcely deserving that attention. They are of two origins, either of pedantry or euphuism; or else of editorial misapprehension and mere typographical error. Of the first kind is that under ABBREVYATE,— "caused Collyngborn to be abbrevyate shorter by the heade"-a mere cir cuitous expression for "beheaded," but where our author explains "Abbrevyate, decreased!" Something like this is the meaning he assigns to a line of Lydgate,

"Alle myscheffes from him to abrigge." Now, every body knows the real import of "abridge; "but Mr. Halliwell says

"ABRIGGE. To shield off."

The solecisms of the other kind are, where he corrects an editorial error, as under A-BOUET and AVELACE. Of K

these it may certainly be said in excuse that a reader might turn to an Archaic Dictionary to learn whether any knowledge had been acquired of a word that had baffled an editor: but, at most, a mere reference in such cases would be enough, as "A-BOUET, see BONET," and the explanation should come under the real word, not the imaginary one.

Lastly, for "Proverbs, and Antient Customs," surely it was extending the scheme too widely to include them. We do not, however, find that they have hitherto occupied so much space as one might suppose their incorporation would require. Mr. Halliwell is not, under letters A. and B., excessively Full of wise saws and modern instances,

though a few choice references of the latter kind may be found, as under AIT to the "Times of Aug. 20, 1844," and under ALLEY and ANTIENT to the "Pickwick Papers."

But we abstain, purposely, from further observations on particular words, as that would lead us far beyond our present limits. We have preferred, in this our first notice of an extensive and important undertaking, rather to discuss its general merits and arrangements, and shall be glad if we find that our remarks in any respect conduce to greater caution and consideration, and above all to a more lucid arrangement, in the future portions of the work.

The Gospel before the Age. By the Rev. R. Montgomery.-This work is dedicated to Mr. Gladstone, and a long dedicatory epistle to him is prefixed, in which, among other topics, he explains what he means by the title-" The Gospel before the Age"-"that is, that, both theoretically and practically, the age in which we live, to a vast extent, treats the Gospel of Christ as it were behind itself, and hence no longer capacitated to grapple with the great problems of the day, and satisfy the rising wants of the world;" and adds, "A fixed creed, a real Christ, a divine nature, a spiritual home, and a present heaven, these are the satisfying goods, the solid blessings, for need of which a blind and haughty generation is now so disturbed and unhappy. But our carnal reason cannot discern this, and our selfconfiding hearts will not receive it. Accordingly, all the elect of God and the living members of Christ proceed to be their own electics by endeavouring to supply their own deficiencies. Hence empiricism, pride, and presumption, are the leading traits of the times," &c. This is the great principle worked out in the volume, through a variety of particulars, under different modes of reasoning, and with reference to the various and opposite errors it meets with and confutes, whether in the corruptions of the Papal Church, or in the peculiar doctrines of Puseyism or of Evangelicism in our own. We think the book is larger than it need have been; if so, this is a great error, as impeding its circulation and consequent utility. It discusses such a vast variety of subjects, and these lying on the edge and border of controversy, that to say we agree with the author in all his statements, views, or ar

guments would be wrong, neither honourable to ourselves nor gratifying to him. But there is an earnest tone of piety and zeal pervading the spirit of the work, much learned inquiry, and much important discussion. The topics in dispute are fairly stated and temperately argued; and the views of the writer on the most important of all subjects,—viz. our fallen nature and our regenerated state, which indeed is the whole subject of discussion,the sound divine and the pious Christian would equally call their own.

Geology and Geologists; or, the Visions of Philosophers of the Nineteenth Century. By the Author of " The Goodness of Divine Providence."-This work is not written in the style that science requires, nor is the language applied to the illustrious professors mentioned in it such as science gives to her favourite sons. That there are defects, chasms, errors, in the present geological theories and systems, we believe; but in the outline of their general accordance with probability and fact we also have faith, which is not shaken by anything advanced by the present author. His objections to the doctrine of a growing world, or a slowly progressive de

velopement through successive ages, may be seen p. 29.

The Cold Water Cure. By E. Lees, Esq.-A second edition of the work. It is moderate, sensible, and interesting, exhibiting equally the success and failures of this mode of treatment. We will not throw cold water upon it.

Theory of the Fine Arts. By W. Dyce. This is an introductory lecture delivered in the Classical Theatre of King's College in May. The author inquires first into how far the term scientific was applied to the fine arts; and, in his consideration of Christian art, divides it into five epochs or schools, which he terms the Christian- Pagan, the Barbaric, the Ascetic, the Pagan-Christian, and the Sensual. The treatise is to be followed by a fuller exposition of the subject in future lectures.

Introduction to the Second Edition of the Highlands of Ethiopia. By M. C. Harris. This is intended to show the mistakes and malice of his reviewer,every page of whose criticism, he says, abounds with fallacies and sophisms.

Parochial Sermons. By Rev. G. W. Woodhouse, M.A.-These sermons possess, we think, the great qualifications which what are called "parochial" demand, sound scriptural doctrine, clearly explained and strongly enforced, so that attention may be awakened, practice strengthened, and faith confirmed. We do not know how to select any as superior to the rest, for the same character of style and exposition appears in all. We however may point out Sermon ix. "A due Sense of Sin possessed with Difficulty," and then xxii. "Thoughts of Comfort for the Lonely;" and xxiv. "Feelings resulting from the Knowledge of Christ;" but probably a second reading would incline us to include many others under the same approbation. At p. 124 is an excellent note well worthy of attention, on the Discipline of the Church; and at p. 376 on Baptism, which we extract." Calvin says, in baptism God washes us in the blood of his Son, and regenerates us with his Holy Spirit. Luther on the 3rd chapter of Galatians and the 27th verse writes thus: Here he, that is St. Paul, says that all baptized persons have put on Christ,' speaking as I said of a putting on, which should not be by imitating, but by being born." And the sermon asks, after a reference to the foregoing note and some others to the same effect, "Does not this very strongly countenance the idea which

our Reformers entertained, that the remis sion of our sins, and the regeneration of our souls, is attendant on the baptismal rite? Wesley too, I believe, has somewhere said, Who ever denied that we were born again in baptism?' Very possibly statements made by these writers at other times may appear inconsistent with what they have here written; but their having but once expressed themselves in this way is most unsuspicious testimony, because it is the testimony of reluctant witnesses." There is also a sermon " On the Adoption of the Daily Service," a practice which of course would be advantageous to all, and most consolatory to many, but which we should be very sorry to see enforced through the numerous serious impediments which, in many cases, would stand in its way. As a voluntary exercise of piety, it is to be commended, but we think not to be commanded by authority either of the Bishop to his ministers, or by them to the people.

Launcelot of the Lake: a Tragedy, in five Acts. By C. J. Reithmüller.-We never heard the name of this author before, but we shall be glad to see him again in the walks of poetry, for the present specimen of his poetical powers is full of promise. Perhaps the subject is not well chosen, and the story too well known to excite surprise, or to admit much deviation from the received tradition; but it is well told by the author. The language is correct, the rythm harmonious, the poetical images pleasing, and the whole plot conceived and conducted with judgment and taste. Some of the gentle and tender scenes are very beautiful, and evidently are in harmony with the poet's genius. We should advise him to try a subject which will admit a bolder flight, and the struggle of contending interests, and the conflict of human passions, without any intervention of supernatural agency and we heartily wish him success in his arduous and honourable undertaking. Of the present drama no specimens would be sufficient that are not too long for our pages, and we will not do him injustice by too brief a quotation.

Early Hours and Summer Dreams.The object of these poems, the author says, "is to turn the sensual passions into the channel of more refined affections :" and he adds, that in early life he was remarkable for simplicity and purity of character, and, before these valuable qualities were adulterated by a worthless intercourse with the world, he was thrown into the society of a young lady of irresistible attractions, and favoured with her par

tiality; but the ambition of friends, and the dread on his part of reducing to lower habits one justly qualified to shine in more elevated spheres of life, produced a separation, &c. The longest poem is Chrysis and Euryalus, a pastoral; but we must quote from a song, which shews that the author is not yet dead to the impression of female charms, under the regulation of prudence and virtue.

'Tis not Harriet's brilliant eyes,
Full of nature, full of fire,
Which delight, confound, surprize,
Wake, and yet chastise desire;
Nor her softly blushing cheek,
Where Love sits in dimples sleek;
Nor her bosom, gently swelling,

Where around the Graces play;
Nor her shape, all shapes excelling,
Conquering with resistless sway:
But within that form enshrined

Are native goodness, native truth, Honour,-gem of noblest kind,

Guileless, unsuspecting youth.
Sensibility her heart,

Bleeding quick at others' smart.
The good there ever, calm Content,

Fond Affection's matchless power,
Heaven their native element,

Plants of Eden's blissful bower, &c.

The Christian Student: designed to assist Christians in general in acquiring Religious Knowledge. With a full List of Books on Religion. By the Rev. E. Bickersteth. Fcp. 8vo. pp. xiv. 567.This we consider to be the most important of Mr. Bickersteth's works-indeed to be the one with which he will go down to posterity. The present edition is the fourth, and it differs from the preceding ones both in respect of compression and addition. Since the last was published, new controversies have arisen, which deserve a notice, not only in the body of the work, but also in the list of books appended to it. Mr. B. is in favour of the student's possessing a good collection, though, as he justly observes, there are many books which in their nature belong rather to public than private libraries. The critical remarks are short but clear, and will often serve to guide the student in his choice. We wish they had been more numerous, as several books in which we have looked for the author's opinion are merely mentioned, without any character being given. Occasionally additions might be made, but a list which would not leave room for some is scarcely to be expected.

A Memorial to bring to Remembrance. Twelve Sermons preached in Christ Church, Barnwell, By the Rev. J. D,

Lave, M.A. Fellow of St. John's College, and Curate of Barnwell, Cambridge. Fcp. 8vo. pp. viii. 203.-The matter of these sermons is solemn, and their style plain. The author, having been "laid aside from the exercise of his ministry," has selected and published some of his latest discourses as a memorial. The second subject, which is entitled The New Birth (and which appropriately follows that of Original Sin), might, we think, have been treated more clearly; for, as the author has alluded to the controversies which beset the subject, he should either have said more, or less. When, however, at p. 28, he observes, "The strong words used in our baptismal service. . I cannot but believe are to be used in the judgment of charity," we would add, that this view of the case, though objected to by Mr. Gresley, has a very respectable supporter in Bishop Carleton. "Israel was called to be a people of God, yet all that were so called were not so in truth; so all that receive baptism are called the children of God, regenerate, justified, for to us they must be taken for such in charity, until they show themselves other." (See an Examination, &c. 1626, 4to. pp. 96-106.) All the sermons have not been preached, but some have been written for the occasion, in order to make the volume more complete as a series of discourses.

The Treatise of John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople, on the Priesthood. Translated by E. G. Marsh, M.A. Canon of Southwell, &c. 8vo. pp. vii. 234.-"This work," observes the translator," has been continually quoted and appealed to by all subsequent writers on the qualifications of ministers of the gospel." (p. iv.) It is the oldest production on the subject, and, to quote further, it seems therefore desirable that the English reader should be put in possession of it. The translator has prefixed an eulogistic preface, and subjoined some notes, the purpose of which is professedly to combat some of the doctrinal allusions. "But

(as he candidly says) the main subject of inquiry, the spirit in which the holy office of the ministry ought to be undertaken, and the manner in which it ought to be discharged, constitutes the value of the work, and will amply repay a diligent perusal." (p. vii.)

Vigilantius and his Times. By W. S. Gilly, D.D. Canon of Durham, and Vicar of Norham. 8vo. pp. xiv. 488.-This volume may, in some respects, be regarded as the expansion of the article on Vigilantius, in the last edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, which was written by

Dr. Gilly, who has printed it in a pamphlet along with his articles on Valdo and the Valdenses. The nature of the augmentations and additions is indicated by the title, which though short is full of meaning," Vigilantius and his Times." The fourth century is the ground on which the principal part of our present controversies are being fought, though of course the first and the nineteenth are the positions which it is sought to win and to occupy. This volume may accordingly be regarded as a contra-pendant to Mr. Newman's translations from Fleury, which embrace a main part of that period. Apart, however, from considerations of that kind, it is important on account of the subject. We know little of Vigilantius, and for that little we are chiefly indebted to his enemies, who have handed him down to us in the character of a schismatic. Not that their reports have been taken entirely upon trust, for his testimony as a remonstrant has been duly estimated by those to whom it is deservedly valuable. The object of Dr. Gilly is, to show that he was a person of irreproachable character (from the admissions of his enemies), that he opposed prevalent corruptions, and that he was the forerunner of the Valdenses, not merely in respect of doctrine, but also of locality. The memorials of Vigilantius are introduced by sketches of the lives and characters of Martin of Tours, Sulpicius Severus, Paulinus, and Jerome. We hardly know how to characterise the principal part of the account of Vigilantius, except by saying that it is a fictitious narrative composed of genuine materials. Conversations and reflections are introduced like the speeches in Greek and Roman historians; but the attempt, though based on real ground, is a hazardous one, and for our own part we would have preferred a skein in which there was less mixture of threads. Still the author has grouped together a collection of facts and opinions relating to the fourth century which the student of ecclesiastical history cannot neglect, without exposing himself to the charge, perhaps of the inward suspicion, of partiality. It would, we think, have been better to leave the anecdote given at p. 157 in the original Latin, not to add that at p. 147. At

p. 181, Thrason, we believe, should be Thraso. How the misprints came to be so numerous we do not ask; but some additional care will be necessary in the next edition.

A Selection from the University Sermons of August Tholucke, D.D. Translated from the German. 8vo. pp. viii. 223.-The author of these sermons is professor of theology and preacher in the University of Halle, before which learned body they were delivered, and published under the title of "Sermons on the Chief Articles of Christian Faith and Practice." In this country he is principally known by his Commentary on the Romans, which has been commended as a whole, and attacked in detail, by the American Professor Moses Stuart. The translator is Lady Adeliza Manners, aided by the revision of the Rev. William Selwyn. In judging of a volume of sermons, we must do as Johnson did by Potter's translation of the tragedies of Eschylus, namely, read one, and accordingly we have taken the first, which treats of The substance of Preaching, and the disposition of the Preacher," on the words of 1 Cor. ii. 1-5. From this we augur favourably of the others; but there is one passage at p. 12, which some readers would think very fine, and which we think decidedly open to criticism. "The government of the world is given into that hand which was PIERCED." Now, for government to be given into a hand is a figurative expression, while the piercing of the hand is a real one, on which account we think the ideas are confused and the diction vicious, although, to do the writer justice, an important truth is contained in the sentence, namely, that He, whose hands were pierced as a criminal, is exalted as a ruler. The following simpler passage is more to our taste, in respect of language, and not the less impressive for its simplicity:-" The house, therefore, whose only foundation is human wisdom, is built upon the sand. It may stand in splendour, and be the wonder of all admirers, so long as the wind blows not; but how long does the wind remain still in this stormy troublesome life?" The allusion, as will at once be perceived, is to Matt. vii. 27.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

Dec. 10. Edmund Markham Heale, Commoner of Queen's, was elected to the vacant Boden Sanscrit Scholarship.

The Port-Latin Exhibition of 50%. at

St. John's College, has recently been adjudged to Charles Thomas Culvert.

The prizes at Trinity College have been adjudged as follow:

English Declamations,-"On Sympathy