"Mr. Sikes. Yes, yes, of course: but the case is different where the established religion is the true one. It is not possible, I tell you, that an honest Dissenter can be so good a subject in this country as an honest Churchman, because the Churchman obeys all the King's laws without exception, while the Dissenter has got leave to break some of them: in other words, has got leave to go wrong • Thomas. Why, now, Sir, you puzzle me. It is strange, is it not, Sir, that there should be laws which give a man leave to break the laws, making it right to go wrong? You say, Sir, that there are certain laws which we Dissenters have got leave to break. Then, Sir, if we have got leave to break them, it is lawful to break them. But if it is lawful to break them, they have ceased to be the laws of the kingdom: because the laws are binding upon all, and laws which may be broken with impunity, are no laws. And so you see, Sir, the Dissenter breaks no laws at all for, if he did, you, as a magistrate, would soon have him up to answer for it.' Thomas Johnson's religious reasoning is as good as his political, and we should be glad if that portion of evangelical churchmen, who are so loyal to the religion of the parish, as to recommend an attendance on its forms, even where the truth is not preached, would spend fourpence on the purchase of these Dialogues. Query, would St. Paul have recommended any disciple to attend a teacher, whom, for the sake of his doctrine, he had pronounced to be accursed? Art. X. An Essay on the Evils of Scandal, Slander, and Misrepresentation. 12mo. pp. 144. Price 3s. 6d. London. 1821. A philosophical investigation of this baneful propensity, would afford a framework for the introduction of much interesting matter illustrative of the natural and artificial character of man. How far it belongs to the elementary qualities of our composition, and how far it is to be referred to the circumstances in which we are placed by the refinements of civilized association, is a question involved in some difficulty. Without puzzling himself with this laborious and circuitous train of inquiry, the present Writer takes the shorter and easier course of pointing out the evils of the carping and calumniating habit, and describing some of the usual modes of its operation. We cannot say that he has done this in a very impressive manner, but he has made his book the vehicle of much sound and wholesome admonition. It is but fair to add, that his declamation is occasionally spirited, and that a due attention to his counsels would prevent much injurious conduet, and much consequent misery. ART. XI. 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 con sistent with its plan. In the press, Pulpit Orations, Lectures and Sermons, delivered in the Caledonian Church, Hatton Garden, by the Rev. Edward Irving, M.A. 1 vol. 8vo. The Rev. Alexander Fletcher has in the press, a small volume of Sermons addressed to Children. Also, a new edition of the Spiritual Guardian for Youth. Shortly will be published, in 1 vol. 8vo. A Diary of a Journey through Southern India, Egypt, and Palestine, in 1821, 2. By a Field Officer of Cavalry. Preparing for publication, the whole Works of the Rev. John Owen, D. D. Edited by Thomas Cloutt, M.A. In the press, The Doctrines of Grace conducive to eminent Holiness, a Sermon preached at Salter's Hall, Dec. 5th. By the Rev. J. B. Innes. Proposals have been issued for publishing by subscription, the Portraits of the late Rev. John Owen, A.M. the Rev. Dr. Steinkopff, and the Rev. Joseph Hughes, from original drawings by Mr. Slater. That of Mr. Owen will appear about the end of March. Prints (the three) 11. 1s. Proofs, 21. 28. Mr. Boyce has in the press, an improved edition of the Belgian Traveller, with additional views. Mr. James White, Civil Engineer, has in course of publication, A New Century of Inventions, being designs and descriptions of one hundred machines relating to arts, manufactures, and domestic life, illustrated by 50 engravings. To be completed in five parts, demy 4to. 21. each part. The Lives of Scottish Poets, complete in 3 vols. with portraits, will be ready in a few days. In the press, The Eventide, being Dissertations on the Prophecies of Daniel and St. John. By J. A. Brown. 2 vols. 8vo. Early in January, will be published "Relics of Literature," by Stephen Collet, A.M. in 8vo. with a frontispiece of Autographs of eminent Characters. In the press, Sequel to an Unpublished Manuscript of Henry Kirke White's; designed to illustrate the contrast afforded by Christians and Infidels, at the close of life. By the Author of "The Wonders of the Vegetable Kingdom Displayed," &c. In the press, the Antiquities of FreeMasonry. Comprising illustrations of the five grand periods of Masonry, from the Creation of the World, to the Dedication of King Solomon's Temple. By George Oliver, vicar of Clee, in the county of Lincoln, P.G. chaplain for the same county, and domestic chaplain to the right hon. lord Kensington. In the press, an Introduction to the Hebrew Language, by W. Heinemann, Professor of the Hebrew and German languages, and author of the Catechism of Hebrew Grammar, an introduction to German reading. 12mo. In the press, the Theory and Practice of Music, professionally analysed, for the use of the instructor, the amateur, and the student, with a brief history of the science, &c. together with a practical essay on the capabilities and application of the human voice. By J. Nathan, author of the "Hebrew Melodies." royal 4to. Preparing for the press, Systematic Geography, or a simple, new, and practical plan for the use of young ladies. By S. Renou. Also, by the same author, an Introduction to Astronomy. Mr. Grant of Crouch End, has nearly ready for publication, a new edition of his Institutes of Latin Grammar, revised and considerably augmented. Martin Luther, on the Bondage of the Will. The subscribers to Vaughan's Luther are respectfully informed, that the work is now going to press, and will be ready for delivery to subscribers on or before the 31st day of March next ensuing. Mr. Vaughan considers himself re sponsible for the delivery of the book to all subscribers, when the price of subscription is to be paid. All fresh subscribers are requested to send their names without delay to the Editor only, at Leicester. Fürther particulars will be advertised in due time. Mr. T. E. Evans is engaged in translating from the French of Messrs. Dufau, Duvergier, and Guadet, a collection of the constitutions, charters, and laws of the various nations of Europe, and of North and South America, with histori cal sketches of the origin of their liberties and political institutions. The first volume, containing the rise and progress of the governments of France and the Netherlands, will appear very shortly, and the remaining volumes will be published periodically. Art. XII. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. ARCHITECTURE. The Architectural Antiquities of Rome: consisting of views, plans, elevations, sections, and details of the ancient edifices in that city. By G. L. Tavlor, and Edward Cresy, Architects and F.A.S. 2 vols. imp. folio, 150 plates, 181. 18s. The Revived Architecture of Italy, selected from palaces, churches, and other edifices in which the architecture of the ancients has been most succesfully appropriated to domestic purposes. By G. L. Taylor, and Edward Cresy. Nos. 1 and 2. imp. folio, 1. lis 6d. BIOGRAPHY. Memoirs of Timothy Dwight. 18mo. 1s. 3d. fine 2s. Active Goodness beautifully exemplified in the Life and Labours of the Rev. Thomas Gouge, of London. 6d. Memoirs of the Rev. Jos. Benson. By the Rev. James Macdonald, 8vo. 10s. 6d. Memoirs and Remains of the Rev. John Griffin, Junior, late minister of Castle-street Chapel, Exeter. By John Griffin, of Portsea. 8vo. 8s. FINE ART3. A Series of Portraits of eminent historical characters introduced in the Novels and Tales of the Author of Waverley; with biographical notices. No. 7, containing Graham of ClaverhouseRob Roy-Prince Charles-King James. 12mo. 8s. 8vo. 10s. HISTORY. Sir Robert Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia, or Court of Queen Elizabeth. A new edition, corrected by the origi Hal MSS. With notes and a life of Naunton; eight portraits. small 8vo. 12s. 6d. demy, 21s. MISCELLANEOUS. Remarks on the usefulness of Classical Learning. By James Beattie, LL.D. a new edition, with a biographical sketch of the Author. royal 18mo. 2s. 6d. An Accurate Table of the Population of the British Empire in 1821; specifying all the Cities and Boroughs in Great Britain, with every other parish or place, containing two thousand inhabitants or upwards, &c. double demy paper, 5s. or, on fine paper of very large size, 7s. German Popular Stories, translated from the Kinder und Hausmarchen of M. M. Grimm. With an introduction and notes, and 12 plates by G. Cruikshank. 12mo. 7s, cient Saviour: the substance of a Sermon by John Peacock. 1s. The Bible Teacher's Manual. By a Clergyman. Part I. Geuesis. 6d. The Redeemer's Tears wept over Lost Souls; with two discourses on selfdedication, and on yielding ourselves to God. By the Rev. John Howe, A.M. With an introductory essay, by the Rev. Robert Gordon, Edinburgh. 3s. 6d. Baxter's Compassionate Counsel to young men. New edition, 1s. The Perseverance and Success of Messiah, in promoting the submission of mankind to his government, by the agency of the Gospel. By the Rev. William Logan, Lesmahago. Is. TRAVELS AND TOPOGRAPHY. The Journal of a Tour through the Netherlands, to Paris, in 1821. By the Author of the Magic Lantern, Sketches and Fragments, &c. fcap. 8vo. 8s. Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land. By William Rae Wilson, Esq. 8vo. 18s. Fifteen Years in India; or Sketches of a Soldier's Life. Being an attempt to describe persons and things in various parts of Hindostan. From the Journal of an Officer in his Majesty's service. 8vo. 14s. ** The Title-page, Index, and Contents to Vol. XVIII., will be given in the Number for February, in which will appear Articles on the Napoleon Memoirs, Lord John Russel's Don Carlos, Lord Byron's Werner, Archbishop of Dublin's Charge, Montgomery's Songs of Zion, Joyce on Love to God, Bracebridge Hall, Martyn's Sermons, &c. &c. THE ECLECTIC REVIEW, FOR FEBRUARY, 1823. Art. I. A Treatise on Love to God, considered as the Perfection of Christian Morals. By the Rev. James Joyce, A.M. Curate of Hitcham, Bucks. 8vo. pp. 248. Price 7s. 6d. London. 1822. WE have read this volume with very high satisfaction. The subject, strange to say, possesses a kind of novelty, owing to the comparative neglect it has met with from Christian. writers; and those who have treated of it, are, for the most part, theologians of a stamp little to our taste. The Mystics on the one hand, and the Platonic moralists on the other, have descanted sometimes sublimely on love to the Supreme Being; but the metaphysical aberrations and the objectionable phraseology of the Quietists, throw a disguise over the principle of Scriptural piety; while the philosophic notion of love to God is little better than a barren, though beautiful speculation. It is, in fact, that subject of theology, or rather that view of religion, which, though above every other in importance, is the most rarely treated with perfect propriety. Mr. Joyce, we are happy to say, has shewn his sound judgement and piety equally in the choice and in the treatment of his subject. His work may be appealed to as an evidence that it is very possible to combine piety and philosophy, without abandoning the ground of evangelical principles, or ceasing to be practical. The treatise is of a more philosophical character than may perhaps suit the taste or intellectual habits of the generality of religious readers. The style, however, is extremely lucid, while the sentiments are free from any obscurity; and not the least recommendation of the work, is, that its spirit is highly devotional. We speak not altogether as critics when we say, that we hope we have not read it without advantage to our VOL. XIX. N.S. I |