Art. XIV. Village Sermons; or, short and plain Discourses, for the use of Families, Schools, and Religious Societies. By George Burder. Vol. VI. 12mo. pp. 160. price 2s. sewed. Black, Parry, and Kingsbury., 1812.

IF we are not misinformed, the preceding volumes of Village Sermons with which the world has been favoured by Mr. Burder, have not Only obtained the cordial approbation of almost all religious and intelligent Persons among the Dissenters, and many in the establishment, but have been honoured with very high praise by a pious and learned prelate of the English Church. In fact, we acquainted with no collection of Sermons, so happily adapted to awaken and instruct the lower classes. Trivial improprieties of expression are but insignificant specks even in the style of these performances, which is plain, simple, and unaffected. The explicit statements of evangelical truth, the forcible exposure of men's hearts, with which they abound, and the alarming, yet affectionate manner which distinguishes them, leave us at no loss to account for their eminent popularity and usefulness.

We are told in the preface, that in the choice of subjects for this volume, the author determined on the divine perfections, apprehending that no branch of religious knowledge can be of greater importance, on account of its inseparable connection with every branch of practical religion: and he was the rather inclined to this decision, because he knew of no work whatever, in which the Attributes of God are treated plainly and briefly, in a manner adapted to the im. provement of that class of people for whom he professedly writes. Many authors have indeed discoursed admirably on the perfections of Deity, and none more admirably than the learned and judicious Charnock; but their writings are too profound, as well as too voluminous, for ordinary Families and Village Readers. The author has, however, not scrupled to avail himself of the aid of several excellent writers, especially of Charnock, to whom he frankly owns that he is indebted for many of the best thoughts in the following pages.'

The Sermons are thirteen in Number; and treat on the following subjects, and texts.

The Importance of the Knowledge of God. John xvii. 3. The Power of God. Genesis xvii. 1. The Wisdom of God. Romins xvi. 27. The Holiness of God, Isaiah vi. 3. The Justice of God. Deut. xxxii. 4. The Omnipresence of God. Ps. cxxxix. 7. The Patience of God. Romans ii. 4. The Sovereignty of God. Ps. cxv. 3. The Goodness of God. Ps. xxxiii. 5. The Mercy of God. Ps, lxii. 13. The Love of God. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The Faithfulness of God. 1 Cor. i. 9. God, with all his Perfections, the Christian's God. Psalm. xlviii. 14.'

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We think this volume a valuable addition to the five which precede it. Though of a higher character, it may be presumed to be sufficiently interesting and intelligible, wherever the former sermons have been employed. It is in some respects still more suitable than many of those for the purposes of family worship.

Art. XV. Poems and Letters. by the late William Isaac Roberts, of Bristol, deceased. With some account of his life. 8vo. pp. 250. Price 10s. 6d. Longman and Co. 1811.

THESE Poems have a double claim to our recommendation. They were written by a young man of superior mind, and they are now published for the benefit of his family. They make their appearance, too, under great disadvantages, without either the revision or the selection of the writer. Yet even in this form, they display, though certainly not the creations of genius, considerable versatility of fancy, and amiable. ness of disposition.

The life of Roberts was short and uneventful, and derivés interest only from the virtuous industry and early death of its respectable subject. He was compelled to earn a scanty subsistence as a banker's clerk, and it is highly to his praise, that he never suffered his poetical propensities to seduce him from the drudgery of business, and that he denied himself the common relaxations of youth, that he might minister to the necessities of his mother and sister;-a benevolent purpose,which we hope the extensive circulation of the volume before us, will serve to promote.

Art. XVI. A Guide to the lustings and the House of Commons, or Voter's and Candidate's Pocket Companion. By a Gentleman of the Inner Temple, 12mo. pp. 264. Gale and Curtis. 1812.

THE avowed object of this little volume is practical utility: and we presume it will be found serviceable both to voters and candidates. It is divided into three parts. The first contains the substance of the existing laws of election from the earliest period to the present time, with suitable referénces. The second contains the present state of representation of all the counties, cities and boroughs of the United Kingdoms; viz. The municipal government; right of election; returning officers and number of Voters. The third contains practical forms of Oaths, writs, declarations, certificates, and other instruments required at the Hustings and the House of Commons. The note of reference at the bottom of page 220 should certainly have been placed at the beginning of Part II. and is not likely indeed to be generally understood. It would not have been amiss to mention, under each county, the number of Members returned within its limits, and also the place of election.

Art. XVII. On the Education of Daughters; translated from the French of the Abbé Fenelon, afterwards Archbishop of Cambray. 12mo pp. 111. W. Darton, jun. 1812.

WE are very much disposed to think that men are not altogether so well qualified as women to write on female education; and that it is little -less than absurd for those to meddle with the general subject, who have not been so situated as to be compelled to pay a minute, and even parental attention to the character of childhood. Both these objections lie against the little work before us; of which we cannot say much more, than that it contains some things useful, some impracticable, a few objectionable, and many which are now, by incessant repetition, become threadbare.

Art, XVIII. Sketches of the present Manners, Customs, and Scenery of Scotland, with incidental Remarks on the Scottish Character. By Elizabeth Isabella Spence. In two volumes, 12mo. pp. 500, Longman. and Co. 1811.

THESE volunies are not very attractive, nor remarkably well written; but they contain a tolerable itinerary of part of Scotland-some respectable indications of Scottish scenery and a few miscellaneons anecdotes, which are not altogether without interest. We are not prepared, however, to extol Mrs. Spence's sketches' of the wild and magnificent landscapes of the North, as affording any very adequate intimations of the originals;- -nor can we greatly admire her talent for criticism. She is willing to allow that the mountains of Loch Catherine do really, as Mr. Scott expresses,'

66 -like giants stand

To centinel enchanted land.",

but then the metaphor, she thinks, is a very unfortunate one; as the comparison of giants with such elevated ridges of mountains is worthy of Martinus Scriblerius !"

Art.

XIX. Four Sermons, addressed to Young People: to which are added Two Meditations on important subjects. By James Small. 12mo. pp. 144. Conder, 1812.

WE have been very much pleased with these sermons, considered as familiar addresses to young people not unaccustomed to religious instruction. They abound with useful hints and admonitions, breathe a most affectionate and pious spirit, and are written in a lively, yet simple and perspicuous style. The titles are, the Evidences of Real Piety, 2 Chron. xxxiv. 3; the Advantages of early Piety, ib.; the Friendly Question addressed to Youth" Is it well with thee 2 Kings iv, 26; the Invitation of Christ, John vii, 37. The third of these discourses consists, in a great degree of momentous questions, which will be a valuable guide in the important exercise of self-examination. As most families consist partly of the young, and of domestics who require nearly the same sort of instruction, we apprehend these discourses may be advantageously employed by those who conduct a religious exercise in their own houses on Sunday evenings. It is obvious that the nature of the publication stands in no need of being explained or recommended by means of extracts, which we should otherwise find no difficulty in selecting.

The meditations subjoined are adapted to nourish devotional feelings, though in some degree chargeable with quaintness.

Art. XX. Letters addressed to the Editor of the Tyne Mercury, on the Annual Subscription for the Sons of the Clergy. By W. Burdon. 8vo. pp. 47. price is. Longman and Co. 1811.

TH HESE letters contain Mr. Burdon's part of a controversy in a provincial newspaper, commenced by him with an endeavour to shew that

the relief of the sons of the clergy ought to be provided for, out of the revenues of the church; and in the course of which he has favoured the public with a declaration of his disbelief of Christianity, and his tender concern on account of the calamities which he ascribes to its influence.

Art. XXI. School of Instruction, a Present, or Reward to those Girls who have left their Sunday School with Improvement and a good Character. By a Lady. 8vo. pp. 92. Rivingtons, 1812. IN recommendation of the lessons contained in this little book, it is sufficient to say that they convey religious instruction, very much adapted to those to whom they are addressed, and in language perfectly level to their capacity.

Art. XXII. The Mirror of the Graces; or the English Lady's Costume; combining and harmonizing Taste and Judgment, Elegance and Grace, Modesty, Simplicity and Economy with Fashion in Dress, &c. &c. &c, By a Lady of Distinction, who has witnessed and attentively studied what is esteemed truly graceful and elegant among the most refined Nations of Europe. 12mo. pp. 241. price 5s. Crosby and Co. 1812. AN intelligent reader would at once conclude from the title of this work, if quoted at a length, that it was melange of that nature, which usually goes under the denomination of a catch penny.

Art. XXIII. An Analysis of Blackstone's Commentaries on the Lawus of England, an Series of Questions, to which the Student is to frame his own Answers by reading that Work. By Barron Field, of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Student at Law. 8vo. pp. 286. Price 7s. bds. Cadell and Davies. 1811.

WORKS of this kind are now becoming so common, that to repeat the approbation of them which we have frequently expressed, seems altogether needless. Mr. Barron's compilation, as far as we have been able to examine, is, upon the whole, respectably executed; though in many instances too scanty, and in some not perfectly clear. We were rather surprised to find him saying in his preface, that Blackstone's Commentaries are to the Law Student " already a sort of 'Bible!" Does he mean that Blackstone is a book of authority in the science of law; or that the Bible is a book of no authority in that of divinity? In a future edition, we think the author will either curtail or omit this preface.

Art. XXIV. Religious Contemplations. 12mo. pp. 36. Eaton. 1812. THE epithet "religious" is not very applicable to this publication. From the "contemplations" it records, we select the following.

• I hear the mindless infant squall!

I see the helpless infant sprawl!'-p. 18.

ART. XXV. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

Gentlemen and Publishers who have works in the press, will oblige the Conductors of the ECLECTIC REVIEW, by sending information (post paid) of the subject, extent, and probable price of such works; which they may depend upon being communicated to the public, if consistent with its plan.