• These are derivatives of WAG, taken only in one of its numerous senses.' pp. 447, 448. As a specimen of etymology, take the following: 'Dash, DWAGS, DWASCH; die, deag, dweag, become weak, soft, insensible, as if crushed or beaten. Dull is DOFL, DEAFL, DOBL; deaf is DEAF, DAUBS in Visigothic; dumb is DOMB, DAUBN, and DAUBENIBA, all from DWAG-BA, bruised, blunt, obtuse in mind, body, ears, voice, and eyes; for the Greek TUPHLOS is from DOFel. Dull is also what is not firm, deaf, douf, hollow.' p. 154. We deem it unnecessary to add any further remarks on this most philosophical history of language. Of all theorists, a philological one is the wildest. These volumes deserve to rank among the curiosities of literature. Never was profound learning allied to greater imbecility as manifested in the use of it. As to the attempt to shew that the verb was the first invented part of speech, it strikes us as very much like undertaking to prove that fire existed before fuel. Art. VI. A Manual of Devotion; being Meditations and Hymns for every Day in the Month. By Mary Holderness, Author of "New Russia" and "Manners and Customs of the Crim Tartars." 12mo. pp. 152. Price 4s. London, 1825. THE little volumes by which Mrs. Holderness is known to the public, were the result of, we believe, an involuntary residence of several years among the semi-barbarous hordes of New Russia. The preface to the present work alludes to the trials which the Author has been called to sustain, in a manner which will not fail to create an interest in the minds of our readers, and pre-dispose them in favour of these simple effusions of heart-felt experimental piety. • Called to much trial, and exercised in the school of Affliction, I have had more than common reason to be grateful for the sustaining influence of Religion; and under all difficulties and dangers and trials, like David, to say, "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice :"-" My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in the God of my salvation." Induced by peculiar exigencies to make some more than usual effort for my Family, I desired to do that which, through the blessing of God, might induce others to seek that refuge from the storm, which it has happily been my lot to have chosen, or, that it might at least give me the privilege, the Christian's exalted privilege, of magnifying God on earth.' We shall make room for an entire meditation with the an nexed hymn, and leave these specimens of unaffected Scriptural piety to speak for themselves in recommendation of the volume. SEVENTEENTH DAY. ON THE SABBATH. "A day in thy courts is better than a thousand; I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" Ps. lxxxiv. 10. The ardent delight which David expresses in the privileges of public worship, must be more or less felt and acknowledged by all such as worship the Lord their God in spirit and in truth. Yet that too many live in contempt of the holy ordinances of the Sabbath, or in a cold and formal observance of them, it is to be feared, the rience of all Christians will find a subject of mourning and regret. expe We realize one of the promises of our great and merciful God, when we find some degree of spiritual growth, a blessing consequent upon the keeping holy the Sabbath. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord." It has been said, that the keeping holy the Sabbath, is no where so strictly enjoined in the New Testament, as it was under the Mosaic dispensation. But let it be remembered that our blessed Lord said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." And St. Paul also saith, "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." And indeed we might as reasonably contend for the dismissing or annulling any other of the Commandments from the Decalogue, as seek to remove the force of that which enjoins us to consecrate one day in seven to the service of our God, to the concerns of immortality, and to the hopes of a glorious resurrection. Oh! if we be indeed persuaded that we must soon enter into that eternal world, from whence there is no returning; surely we shall not only be ready to rest from the cares and pursuits of this world, and meditate upon the things which belong unto our peace, but we shall with joy hail each revolving Sabbath, and in humble gratitude acknowledge the infinite mercy of our God, in giving to his people so great and inestimable a blessing. • Retire then, Oh my soul! and in the inmost recesses of the chamber, pour out in humble prayer and ardent praise, thy feelings to thy God; let it be to thee a joyful and a valued privilege, to spend this holy and consecrated day peculiarly as in his presence; either in the public sanctuary, in private communion, in family worship, or in conversation holy and profitable for thy eternal good. Carry with thee to God's house, a spirit of lively devotion for prayer, a spirit of solemn attention to hear; that the preaching of the word may not be in vain unto thee, but that it may be found by thee VOL. XXIII. N.S. 2 J "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" that thou mayest become" perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works," At home, recount the unwearied mercies of thy Heavenly Father, and think upon his unbounded love. What possessest thou, which his bounty hath not given? What attainment dost thou own, which may not be converted to his praise ? Think not, if thou be rich, thou hast no need to ask his blessing; think not, if thou art poor, thou art beneath his notice; think not, if thou be afflicted, that his anger having chastened, his mercy will not hear thee; think not (sinner though thou art) his mercy will not spare thee. Seek the Lord thy God, and honour his holy Sabbath ; for "all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies;"" for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous."" 'HYMN. The brightest hours of bliss below, To learn thy love and gracious will, My soul enjoys the sacred hour. Art. VII. 1. "The Progress of Dissent;" containing Observations on the remarkable and amusing Passages of that Article in the Sixty-first Number of the Quarterly Review: addressed to the Editor. By a Nonconformist. 8vo. pp. 140. Price 2s. 6d. London. 1825. 2. The Protestant Dissenter's Catechism; containing-1. A Brief History of the Dissenters. 2. The Reasons of Dissent from the National Church. The Seventeenth Edition, with an Appendix and Preface. By William Newman, D. D. 12mo. Price 1s. London. 1823. A T length we have endeavoured to do our duty. Wheresoever the English language is understood, there will this Review go forth.'*-Such is the imperial tone in which the Conductors of the Quarterly Review now think themselves warranted to speak of their critical labours. On the strength of a large sale, which is not precisely synonymous with a rising reputation, this holy alliance' of literature, the Church, Albemarle-street, and the Admiralty, imagine that they may dispose of facts, doctrines, and reputations, in the same style as the Congress of sovereigns partitioned territories, and cut and shuffled nations. We deeply feel our comparative insignificance in the presence of this mighty boaster; we have no such means of forcing our way into high places, and making our voice to be heard. Nevertheless, we have a duty to perform to our readers, and to ourselves, which forbids our passing over in silence the wanton aggressions of this literary autocrat. The tract which stands second at the head of this article, has lately obtained very distinguishing attention, no fewer than three Reviews in the interest of the hierarchy having condescended to notice it. To review a pamphlet for the first time in its seventeenth edition, when its Author has been deceased more than twelve years, is a somewhat unusual mode of proceeding; and in the present instance, the circumstance is the more remarkable, inasmuch as other recent publications bearing on the same points, have been passed over in expressive silence. We happen to know that the writer of one of the articles alluded to, had forwarded to him, by his own desire, several of these publications, (among others, Mr. Conder's work,) for the purpose of reviewing; but, when the Number appeared, lo! an article on Mr. Palmer's Catechism! The Quar *No. Ixi. p. 125. terly Reviewer affects to consider this tract as a sort of official publication, being a modified reprint of the old standard work ' among Dissenters.' For this representation there is not the slightest ground: it has not a single mark of an official or semiofficial publication. It has not the recommendation of any name affixed to it besides that of the Editor,-a deservedly respected individual, but who would indignantly repel the charge of having put forth this Catechism in the name and on the responsibility of the body to which he belongs. It can only be in sarcasm, or for the purpose of misrepresentation, that this Reviewer styles this Catechism, a standard work' among the Dissenters. We cannot give him credit for so much ignorance. There are tracts explanatory of the principles of Dissent which have obtained a ten-fold larger circulation. But, if he never met with any of these, he must have heard of Towgood's Letters to White, which, perhaps, has some claim to be styled a standard work among Dissenters, as it is a staggering work among Churchmen, a work which it would have been worthy of the prowess of a Quarterly Reviewer to encounter. We say nothing of Mr. Conder's work for obvious reasons,-although it might be presumed to be not less a standard work, than the Protestant Dissenters' Catechism. The Reviewer is, in fact, pleased to refer to it as a work of superior pretensions, and to style its Author the defender of Protestant Nonconformity." Mr. Conder would, we are persuaded, feel duly grateful for the high honour conferred upon him by this condescending reference, slight and passing as it is, were it not that the compliment has attached to it, the drawback of a gross misrepresentation, and, founded on that misrepresentation, a sweeping charge of intolerance. In a passage cited by the Reviewer, the Defender of Nonconformity' ventures to put the question, What is the Scriptural character of the possessors, the proprietors of this world? · Whom, under any conceivable change in human affairs, which should leave human nature itself un⚫ changed, can we expect them to be, but such as the inspired writers emphatically denominate the men of this world; men who discern not the things of the Spirit of God." This charitable and sweeping condemnation, be it observed,' says the Reviewer, comprises in its sweeping malediction, all the prelates and chief ministers of the crown, in whom the greatest part of church patronage is usually vested.' By what spirit was the Reviewer actuated when he termed Printed in the Review, How,' under any, &c. |