The Pulpit and its Three Handmaids.

HISTORY, SCIENCE, ART.

vegetation swept down by rivers.
Ages had gone by while reed was
bound to reed and one bed of
clay laid upon
another. The

ocean had thrown up its pebbles
on the shore; the wind had sown
tree and herb on the naked sides
of the tall rock; the tree had
drawn the clod and from its
roots let loose the spring. Cities
and empires perished, while this
little island was forming into
loveliness. Thus nature per-
petually builds whilst decay does

its work with the pomps of man. DR. CROLY.

CANDOUR IN JUDGING OTHERS.

When the furious Orson saw his own image reflected from his brother's shield, he started back and stayed his blow; and many of our own attacks upon our brother's faults might be arrested if there were a mirror on his bosom, to show us our own likeness there.

Literary Notices.

It is

[WE hold it to be the duty of an Editor either to give an early notice of the books sent to him for remark, or to return them at once to the Publisher. unjust to praise worthless books; it is robbery to retain unnoticed ones.]

THE REVIEWER'S CANON.

In every work regard the author's end,

Since none can compass more than they intend.

THE CANTERBURY TALES OF CHAUCER. To which are added, an Essay on his Language and Versification, and an Introductory Discourse, together with Notes and a Glossary. By THOMAS TYRWHITT, F.R.S. With Memoir and Critical Dissertation, by the Rev. GEORGE GILFILLAN. In Three Volumes. Vol. I. THE POETICAL WORKS OF JOSEPH ADDISON; GAY'S FABLES; and SOMERVILLE'S CHASE. With Memoirs and Critical Dissertations. By the Rev. GEORGE GILFILLAN. Edinburgh: James Nichol. WHEN the English Nation held her present greatness as yet only potentially and unconsciously, when that marvellous English tongue, which, for purposes of the most varied literature, the most exact science, and the widest and busiest affairs, surpasses, on the whole, all others, ancient and modern, and is destined by Providence to become the common organ of humanity, was as yet unformed, then arose the star of Geoffrey Chaucer, and with him the dawn of English poesy.

Whoso delights in the genuine character and force of his mothertongue, or wishes to feel what was the life of his ancestors in the fourteenth century, or by communion with poetry of morning freshness and purity to find recreation and strength, will become a loving student of Dan Chaucer.

The great hindrance to the popularity of Chaucer hitherto has been the frequency of obsolete words and the antiquated spelling, necessitating the diligent use of a Glossary. This objection is however, as far as possible diminished in Mr. Gilfillan's edition, by placing the Glossary in the margin, as before in the case of Spenser. With regard to the retention of the old words, the Editor justly remarks,"Unlike the text of Spenser, that of Chaucer cannot be remodelled, without affecting the integrity of the text, so as to afford the same facility of perusal as a modern publication; but few intelligent readers will be at a loss to follow the author readily, with the helps which this Edition affords." We believe also that every intelligent reader will appreciate the taste which presents the text in integrity, without expurgation. On the whole, we think this Edition suited to do much in smoothing the general path to the desirable end of acquaintance with the noble old poet, who, in vigor and manifold genius, stands next to Shakspeare.

Among writers many may be admired, only a few can be loved ;ADDISON is one of the few. As the parlour is incomplete without the family portrait or the old familiar piece of furniture, so the bookshelf were strange if it lacked the dear old Spectator. If we do not ascribe to him genius of the first order, or assert his writing to be perfect, we are yet tender of his reputation and resent the exposure of his faults. This feeling, which originally respects the prose of Addison, is then extended to the poetry, which to subject to severe criticism were a kind of impiety. His Cato and other larger pieces may be seldom read, but the shorter strains of his chaste muse, ennobled and sanctified by that sacred star of Christian godliness, which, like a seraph, she wears on the brow, will aid devotion as long as a Church remains on earth.

We are glad to see the fables of the Devonshire Gay arrested in their apparent but unmerited progress towards oblivion by inclusion within this volume. If they lack the terseness of Æsop and the finish of Phædrus, they cannot be said, as La Fontaine's and Lessing's, to be imitations of the ancients, but have a character of wise and sly English humor entirely their own.

SOMERVILLE was a sporting Warwickshire squire in the early part of last century; and his "Chase," in tolerable blank verse, reminding of Thomson, deserves the attention of those who combine the, at first sight, incongruous tastes and pursuits of the god of the lyre and the silver bow.

As often before, so now we heartily commend this series of the British Poets, judiciously selected, carefully edited, conveniently and elegantly "got up," and a miracle of cheapness.

ALBAN: A NARRATIVE POEM. By WILLIAM THURSTON. London: Judd and Glass. There is here plenty of genuine feeling, and imagination is ever busy to multiply the scenes, illustrate the thought, and enrich the diction. There are some very felicitous lines; but, although as a rule, the current runs smoothly enough, yet strange to say, there are some which can hardly be called verses; which, however solicited, prove unmanageable by the tongue and displeasing to the ear. A HANDFUL OF Letters on STRAY THOUGHTS AND FANCIES, in Prose and Rhyme. By WIlliam Ormond, Letter Carrier, Bristol. These "Stray Thoughts" are creditable both to the heart and head of the author. Some of the conceptions are brilliant, all are healthful and manly. May these "stray thoughts" in their rovings meet with many a soul to whom they shall minister something to quicken right impulses and direct right efforts. THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. Two sermons preached at Christchurch, Church Street, Marylebone, On Forgiveness of Sin, and Christ Dying for Men. By the Rev. J. LLEWELLYN DAVIES, M.A. Rector of Christchurch. London: Macmillan. These sermons are on the most cardinal points in Christian Theology. The little-heresy hunters will discover something here to raise their ire and set their slanderous pen and tongue to work, but the truth seeker, will find in these two Sermons suggestions that will aid him in his honest investigation. THE MAGDALEN'S FRIEND. By a CLERGYMAN. Published by Nisbet and Co., London. THIS new Serial has entered upon a work the most delicate, important, and necessary, to which philanthrophy can direct its attention. If it set to the work in a thorough way; go to the primary causes of the "SOCIAL EVIL" and seek to provide, and apply expedients, philosophically adapted, we shall hail its existence as a social boon. We cannot but think that some of the special efforts that are now being made by certain good meaning men, will prove utterly abortive. The cause being social, mere religious sentimentalism cannot remove it. We heartily recommend this, "the Magdalen's Friend," to the public.