WINER'S "THE CONFESSIONS OF CHRISTENDOM.”*—Dr. Winer's work on Symbolics, of which a well printed and correct translation is presented in this volume, is marked by the studious candor and conscientious accuracy which characterize all Winer's writings. The points of discordance among the various creeds of Christendom are clearly exhibited, and the statements of the text are fortified by copious citations. The method of the work is so good that it is very well adapted for a manual of instruction, or a book of reference. Winer does not attempt any general discussion of a philosophical nature respecting the relations of religious parties to one another, nor with regard to theological doctrine in general. But his work is an admirable and useful compend.

PHILOSOPHICAL.

DR. PEABODY'S MANUAL OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY† was prepared particularly for the use of the Freshman class in Harvard College, and is designed to meet the want which has been so extensively felt of a text-book fitted for the more advanced classes in High Schools. The author does not profess to discuss the theory of ethics with any scientific thoroughness, but proposes to prepare a more elaborate and philosophical treatise if the present treatise should be favorable received.

The theory adopted by the author, and from which he works out his practical system, is the theory of Price, that right is founded in the fitness of things. The practical rules of duty are set forth in a lucid and interesting manner, with the earnest Christian spirit for which the excellent author is so favorably known and so generally esteemed. We wish for it a favorable trial and hope for its eminent success.

REV. PROFESSOR HILL'S ELEMENTS OF PHILOSOPHY is a well

*A Comparative View of the Doctrines and Confessions of the various Communities of Christendom. With illustrations from their original standards. By Dr. GEORGE BENEDICT WINER, formerly Professor of Theology in the University of Leipsic. Edited, with an Introduction, by Rev. WILLIAM B. POPE, Professor of Theology, Dedsbury College, Manchester. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark & Co. 1873. New York: Scribner & Co.

A Manual of Moral Philosophy designed for Colleges and High Schools. By ANDREW P. PEABODY, D.D., LL.D., Plummer Professor of Christian Morals in Harvard College. New York and Chicago: A. S. Barnes & Co. 1873.

Elements of Philosophy, comprising Logic and Ontology, or General Metaphysics. By Rev. W. H. HILL, S.J., Professor of Philosophy in the St. Louis University. Second Revised Edition. Baltimore: John Murphy & Co. 1873.

wrought Manual of Philosophy after the formal methods which have been received in the Jesuit schools. This volume treats of Philosophy under the two heads of Logic and Ontology, and is to be followed by others upon Psychology, Ethics, etc. The exactness of the definitions and the systematic coherence of the several parts strike the reader at once. The defects of the scholastic method as contrasted with the inductive or analytic are sufficiently obvious, but these do not detract from the very great value of the treatise. American students of Philosophy have reason to congratulate themselves that they have access to so able an exposition of these topics after the scholastic methods.

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

RAWLINSON'S HISTORY OF PARTHIA.*-The history of Parthia has heretofore been described incidentally, as a part of the annals of other Oriental nations and of the Roman Empire. Parthia had, however, for a considerable period a distinctness and a power which entitle it to a separate treatment. In this volume, Rawlinson has framed, from a study of the original sources, a clear and sufficiently concise narrative, the value of which is enhanced by the introduction of maps and other engraved illustrations.

PALFREY'S NEW ENGLAND.t-We trust that the three volumes which have been published of Dr. Palfrey's great work, will yet be followed by others, equally minute in the details of the story, and equally thorough in sifting the authorities. Meanwhile the venerable author has found time to publish, for a larger circle of readers, his more compendious History of New England, in four volumes. This is not simply an abridged edition of the larger and unfinished work; it is, substantially, a new work, covering the whole field of New England History. If it shall induce a wider and more urgent demand for the completion of the author's original plan, it will have answered a great purpose.

*The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy; or the Geography, History, and Antiquities of Parthia. By GEORGE RAWLINSON, M.A. London: Longmans, Green & Co. New York: Scribner, Welford & Armstrong. 1873.

+ A compendious history of New England from the Discovery by Europeans to the First General Congress of the Anglo-American Colonies. By JOHN GORHAM PALFREY. In four volumes. Boston: H. C. Shepard. 1873.

FREEMAN'S HISTORICAL COURSE FOR SCHOOLS.*-Mr. Freeman's "Outlines of History" gained at once the favorable attention of all persons who are engaged in historical instruction. It was announced that that volume would be followed by short histories of all the chief countries of Europe, under his editorship, which should give the results of the latest historical researches, in as simple a form as might be. The volume before us-one of the promised series-gives the "History of England." It is not from the pen of Mr. Freeman himself, but it has received his personal supervision, and is prepared in accordance with the principles which were laid down in his previous work.

SAMUEL J. MAY.-The "Memoir of Samuel Joseph May" is chiefly by himself. About half of the volume, covering thirtytwo years of a life which was prolonged till its seventy-fourth year, is Mr. May's personal narrative. Of the remaining chapters, large portions are taken from his private diary, his published "Recollections of the anti-slavery conflict," and his familiar letters. The result is an entertaining and (to the judicious reader) instructive volume. It is the story of a hearty and hard-working philanthropist, whose power to do good would have been made greater had he been in full religious sympathy with the Evangelical Christianity of New England. Mr. May, as a Unitarian minister, was far advanced in the direction of rationalistic unbelief; but we do not find in him, as the "Memoir" exhibits him, that bitter and contemptuous spirit toward the Orthodox which some Unitarians cherish. Nor does it appear that, as an Anti-slavery agitator, he lost his common sense, and disregarded the relation of means to ends; or that he attempted, like some others, to abolish slavery by making war upon all Christian institutions. We knew something of the man in his public career, and we are thankful to be better acquainted with him.

MEMORIALS OF A QUIET LIFE.-This book is quite remarkable for the pictures it gives of English home-life; and the home-life

1873.

*History of England. By EDITH THOMPSON. D.C.L. New York: Henry Holt & Co. + MEMOIR OF SAMUEL JOSEPH MAY. Boston: pp. 297.

Edited by EDWARD A. FREEMAN, 24mo, pp. 252.

Roberts Brothers. 1873. 12mo,

Memoirs of a Quiet Life.-By AUGUSTUS J. C. HARE, author of "Walks in Rome." New York: Geo. Routledge & Sons, 416 Broome st. In two volumes. 1873. 12mo, pp. 480, 482.

of some of its very best people of the present century; home-life, too, in more than one of those old ancestral mansions, whose exteriors are so attractive to all American travellers. The principal character in the Memoirs is a clergyman of the Church of England, the Rev. Augustus W. Hare, who died early in life, after having already gained a name at home and abroad as a scholar and an original thinker, and given promise of a life of very distinguished usefulness. The home of the Hare family, now in ruins, was at Hurstmonceaux; and, in its day, was said to be the largest house in England inhabited by a subject. A coach and six could turn around in its kitchen fire-place! Twenty old women were constantly employed in keeping its various courts free of weeds! Four men were kept whose sole business was to wind up the various clocks in the establishment! Mrs. Augustus Hare was descended from a family whose first English ancestor came over with William the Norman, and was the own cousin of the Conqueror. Her early home was in Toft's Hall, which had been in the family since the Conquest. The special friend of the early years of Mr. and Mrs. Hare was Reginald Heber, the well known Bishop of Calcutta ; and their most intimate acquaintances and family connections were with a great number of persons of the highest position and culture whose names are historic. We have already said that Mr. Hare had taken from the first a high place at home and even abroad as a scholar; but he consented to serve a very humble parish in a remote part of the country; and perhaps the most interesting part of the book is the glimpse which we are permitted to have of life in this little parsonage, into which he introduced his young wife. But there are many other English homes to which the reader is introduced. We shall not undertake to mention whose and where they were; but, as we may revert to this book again, shall only say here that we do not remember any memoir of modern times which will so well repay perusal.

THOREAU.*—Mr. Channing's half biographical, half critical sketch of Thoreau is interesting so far as it gives us any new information respecting Thoreau the poet-naturalist; but it is very disappointing so far as it supplements this by Mr. Channing's astonishing rhetoric and marvelous acrobatic word flights. In Thoreau himself, we confess an interest that amounts to fascina

* Thoreau: The Poet-Naturalist, with Memorial Verses. By WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1873.

tion. Whatever he did or wrote never fails to interest us, however much it may move us to vexation or compassion. But we desire the original and genuine cynic, in the simplicity of his own individual and uncompromising nature. To set forth such a man in the grotesque and ambitious drapery which Mr. Channing piles upon him, is a serious offence to propriety which almost becomes an offence against sound morality. We are constantly on the watch to learn something of Thoreau, but we are constantly finding Mr. Channing and little else. Even when we are treated to extracts from Mr. Thoreau's own writings, they are so heralded and followed by Mr. Channing's peculiar discoursings, that we cannot more than half recognize or enjoy the direct and forcible utterances of our favorite. We do not deny that Mr. Channing has genius and culture, but his genius runs wild in this volume, and his manifold reading has almost made him mad; certainly it threatens to bewilder his readers. We trust that we are suitably gratified for the information which this volume does not suppress, and only wish that this admirable theme had been treated with the simplicity and earnestness which became it. We cannot but hope that the character of this singular product of American culture and American life will at some time be fully portrayed and suitably criticised.

Messrs. Osgood & Co's little memorial of JOHN STUART MILL: HIS LIFE AND WORKS* consists of twelve brief sketches by H. R. Fox Bourne, W. T. Thornton, Herbert Spencer, Henry Trimen, W. Minto, J. H. Levy, W. A. Hunter, J. E. Cairnes, Henry Fawcett, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Frederic Harrison, W. A. Hunter, with the following titles: A sketch of his Life; His career in the India House; His Moral character; His Botanical studies; His place as a Critic; His work in Philosophy; His studies in Morals and Jurisprudence; His work in Political Economy; His influence at the Universities; His influence as a practical Politician; His relation to Positivism; His position as a Philosopher. These sketches have an additional value from the circumstance that they were written by persons who were especially qualified to write them well by reason of their intimate acquaintance with Mr. Mill, and in the special relations of which they write. Some

* John Stuart Mill: His Life and Works. Twelve sketches by HERBERT SPENCER, HENRY FAWCETT, FREDERIC HARRISON, and other distinguished authors. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. 1873.