that though our entire work, and that work four times the size, were devoted to publications on religion, we should not be able to overtake them. Still the connexion between the discoveries and deductions of a sound philosophy, and the truth of revelation, and the injuries done to religion by a philosophy falsely so called, are so important, that it is our duty, as often as we can, to give warning of what is false and injurious, and to recommend what is safe and useful.

Those who are acquainted with the work of Brucker, "Historia Critica Philosophiæ," or the abridgment of it by Dr. Enfield, which is better known, and more generally accessible; or who have read the invaluable Preliminary Dissertations in the Supplement to the last edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, will not perhaps think that the present work was wanted. But when it is considered how many persons either have not time or opportunity for the consultation of these large and expensive productions, who might nevertheless be both gratified and profited by a judicious compendium, we feel persuaded that the work of Mr. Morell will be viewed with great satisfaction. Even more profound thinkers, and more extensive readers, than belong to the general mass, will derive advantage from this welldigested and most judicious abridgment of the labours and discoveries of philosophy, during the long succession of ages which have now passed away.

In one of the sections of his introductory chapter, the author sketches an outline of his plan, notices the objects which his work embraces, and refers to the difficulty of forming such an arrangement as is necessary at once to preserve consecutiveness in the narrative, and consistency and fulness in the description.

"From the preceding introductory remarks, the principal object of the writer of the following pages, in compiling the present work, and the species of information it is intended to convey, will be readily perceived. It professes not to take the entire range of ancient and modern literature in all its numerous ramifications, for this would require a degree of erudition to which the author can make no pretensions; but merely to exhibit a kind of bird's eye view of the most important discoveries of human genius in the departments of philosophy and science, marking, as we proceed, the æras when they took place, the persons by whom they were made, and the successive stages of improvement through which they have passed. In attemping this, it will be requisite to attend both to the order of time, and the mutual relation, which the objects of human science bear to each other; and this has constituted the chief difficulty in arranging the plan of the present work. If the chronological order were alone to be regarded, the attention of the youthful reader would be perplexed

by a multitude of objects promiscuously presented to his view, and by perpetually passing and repassing from one department of science to another: if, on the other hand, the proposed classification of the objects of human research were alone to be regarded, a more distinct knowledge

might indeed be possessed of each, but their connexion with the history of mankind, and their relative bearings, would not be perceived. Combining, therefore, as far as possible, both these objects, the be observed, as that which appears to be following arrangement of subjects will upon the whole the most convenient and useful.

1. To divide the whole series of ages, into four great periods. a retrospect of which is about to be taken,

"1. That of remote antiquity, when the cultivation of human knowledge was an exclusive occupation and a separate profession; the principal records of which are confined to the oriental nations, and have been handed down by tradition from eastern priests and sages.

"2. The second period embraces the literary history of the Greeks and Romans, from the first colonization of the Grecian

states, to the final dismemberment and dissolution of the Roman empire.

of the state of philosophy and science, both in Europe and Asia, during the middle ages, if the logomachies of the scholastics, and the feeble glimmerings of intellectual light that served but to make the surrounding darkness more visible, may be thus designated.

3. The third will include a brief view

4. The fourth and more important period will bring down the history of hu

man knowledge, and trace the progress of mind, from the revival of letters, which took place about the fifteenth century, to the æra of Locke and Newton, which may be referred to the close of the seventeenth. After this period, the ramifications of science became so numerous, and the field of general knowledge so enlarged, that to take even the most cursory review within the limits which the author has prescribed to himself, would be almost an impracticable attempt. This latter epoch has been fitly termed by a modern writer, that of the second emancipation of science, in which she appears armed with better instruments, supplied with more abundant materials, and secured alike from attack or decay, by a happier order of society.'

"II. The literary history of each of the above-mentioned periods will be sub

divided:

"1. With reference to remote ages and countries geographically, that is, according to the relative positions which the several nations occupied in the map of the world; for the records of that distant period are so brief and indistinct, that they will scarcely admit of a more minute classification.

"2. As we descend the stream of time, and advance to the region of authentic history, the chronological order, in which scientific discoveries were made, or philosophical systems devised, will be more distinctly marked.

"3. In proceeding still farther, it will be attempted to sketch the history of the sciences separately, under the two great divisions of matter and mind, agreeably to the general classification suggested in the

last section.

4. In reviewing the latter of the above-mentioned periods, when men of genius and science began to crowd the arena, it will be desirable not only to distinguish the departments of physical and intellectual science, but to notice more particularly the individuals who contributed to their advancement, the order of time in which they flourished, their principal productions, and the influence of their writings and labours, both immediate and remote."-pp. 12-15.

This extract will explain to our readers what they are to expect in the work of Mr. Morell. That the subject is important, and that the plan is well devised, all will agree. It is our province to pronounce on the execution, which we have no hesitation in saying, is not only most creditable to the author's good sense aud information, but far exceeds what we

should have thought practicable within the bounds of an octavo volume. It condenses more correct and useful knowledge in the various departments of which it treats, than any book with which we are acquainted; and is calculated to give a juster view of our obligations to the ancients, and of the superiority of the moderns, than most of the treatises devoted to the history of science.

True, it is not a work of profound originality, and this will be considered by some a sufficient reason for regarding it with indifference. Such persons would do well to reflect, that originality and profundity are not so common as is generally supposed. There is less new under the sun than we sometimes persuade ourselves to believe. That which is new to us, is not always a discovery; and that which is really novel, is not always useful or profound. That book is the most valuable which, in a given space, communicates the largest portion of such instruction as may be most beneficial to the present or the future interests of men. To enable our readers to judge of the manner in which the work is executed, and its title to the highest commendation which we can bestow upon an elementary production, we shall present to them the author's account of the intellectual character of Lord Bacon.

Many of the distinguished names which have occurred in former sections are identified with some one department of science, in which they excelled, and where their efforts proved most successful, Few, comparatively, are those who have acquired honourable distinction in both the great divisions of human knowledge, scientific and intellectual; and among these, Lord Bacon stands pre-eminent. Galileo, Kepler, Huygens, and, above all, Newton, may perhaps rank above Bacon, both in mathematical and physical science; but, if we except the last of the illustrious train of natural philosophers just enumerated, their views even on physical subjects were far less comprehensive than those of Bacon; and in intellectual science

they were utterly unable to approach him. While pursuing their most brilliant discoveries, the former were led on step by step without any anticipations of the developments of future ages; but the latter seems to have astonished both his contemporaries and his successors, by a long catalogue of desiderata and facienda, by his almost prophetic visions of futurity. Upborne by his mighty genius, as to the summit of some lofty mountain, his eagle sight penetrated through the surrounding darkness, and saw, dimly and indistinctly indeed, but yet with sufficient clearness to guide future inquirers, the vast regions of experimental philosophy, which have since been traversed in every direction.

"But merited as is the renown of Lord Bacon, acquired by his physical researches, it is manifest from his writings, that he was more completely at home in intellectual philosophy; and that, if the properties and laws of matter were subjects, to the investigation of which the force of his genius was frequently directed, those with which he was most familiar, and in which he most delighted, were the phænomena of mind,-- the laws, the resources, and the limits of the human understanding.'

(1.) As a profound logician, Bacon stands unrivalled. Despising the subtilties, which, during many ages, had been mistaken for true science; passing over, with silent contempt, the absurd logomachies of the schoolmen, he devised a method of reasoning at once the most simple and conclusive-that of legitimate induction. The object of this inductive process of reasoning is, by ascending from axioms, or self-evident truths, to principles of universal application, to arrive at demonstration and absolute certainty; just as in physics, we are led onward from individual facts, by a series of experimental proofs, to the discovery of some general law of nature. That this most satisfactory process should have effectually subverted the scholastic logic, without any attempt, on the part of its author, to expose the absurdities and sophistry of the schoolmen, might reasonably have been expected; nor would it require much penetration to perceive, that such a work as the Novum Organum,' could not fail to produce a new æra in the dialectic art.

"(2.) With logic, universal grammar, or the theory of language, is closely connected. Nor did this escape the penetrating genius of Bacon, though his aphorisms on this subject must rather be considered as hints suggested to future logicians, than systematically arranged. His inquiry into the mutual influence of thought and language is most important, and still remains as a bighly interesting

The

object of philosophical research. distinction made by him between grammar, considered as a branch of literature, and as a department of philosophy, affords a fine specimen of the enlarged, the comprehensive, the almost boundless view he was accustomed to take of whatever subject fell beneath his notice. The former is chiefly concerned in tracing out the analogies and relations of words among themselves; but the latter aims at the discovery and adjustment of the relation between words and things,--it is the sensible portraiture of the mental process. This important subject, which was first brought forward in a transient but masterly manner by Lord Bacon, has of late years been discussed by philosophers of no ordinary name, with distinguished

success.

(3.) Bacon was too sound a philosopher to attempt the establishment of a metaphysical system, or aim at the construction of a complete theory of the human mind; though it is scarcely possible to conceive of a human being better qualified for the undertaking. But he was an avowed enemy to systems and theories: he accounted them the most fruitful sources of error; and therefore determined to be ever on his guard against an ignis fatuus, by which so many had been bewildered. He touches, it is true, in almost every part of his writings, on the intellectual phænomena. He treats separately of the more important faculties of the understanding, and their various modes of operation. He delights to dwell on the capacities and improveability of the human mind: but amidst all the enthusiasm of his genius, when expa tiating on these subjects, he never loses sight of the present imperfection of human knowledge, or lays aside the modesty and humility of a true philosopher.

"

'(4.) The ethical writings of Bacon, though less celebrated than his treatise on logic and metaphysics, are no less characterized by profound thought, inventive genius, brilliant faucy, and correct reasoning. Respecting these moral disquisitions, it is remarked, that on the influence of custom and the formation of habits, Bacon has opened some new and interesting views: a most important article of moral philosophy, on which he has enlarged more ably and more usefully than any writer since Aristotle.' Under the same head of ethics may be mentioned the small volume to which he has given the title of Essays, the best known and most popular of his works. It is also one of those in which the superiority of his genius appears to the greatest advantage, the novelty and depth of his reflections often receiving a strong relief from the triteness of his subject. It may be read from beginning to end in a few hours;

former of these pervades his state papers, letters, and histories ;-the latter is advocated with much eloquence and erudition in one of his treatises, entitled, "The Georgics of the Mind;' the object of which is not only to prove the importance of education, but to suggest rules for the development and improvement of the intellectual character,-a work worthy of its illustrious author, and particularly deserving of attention in the present day, when education is making such rapid progress among all classes of society."pp. 491--496.

CURSORY REMARKS UPON THE PRESENT STATE OF PROTESTANT DisSENTING CONGREGATIONS; with Hints relative to the best Means of securing their Prosperity, and of promoting the Revival of Religion among them. By William Hale. pp. 20. Holdsworth.-The excellent Treasurer of Homerton

College has published these "Remarks" in consequence of the statements of Vigil, in our Magazine for May. With that part of his pamphlet which relates to the question at issue we shall not therefore interfere, as that gentleman has claimed for himself, through our pages, the liberty of reply. There are, however, many valuable hints in this pamphlet, apart from that subject, which deserve the serious consideration of the dissenting body. We are happy to give circulation to suggestions like the following, which we shall rejoice to see adopted by many opulent Dissenters.

"In closing these cursory remarks, may I be permitted to address a few words to those friends of religion, whom Providence bas blessed with the means of retiring from business? I allude to those in particular who have no domestic or relative ties to confine them to any fixed place, who scarcely know where they intend to settle; and to those also who feel themselves somewhat disappointed in not meeting, after all their endeavours, with what they anxiously looked for,--the constant comforts and pleasures of a retired life. Some of this class have removed to several of our fashionable watering-places, and after trying the experiment for a year or two, the novelty wears off; the sameness of the place rather tires them; their time hangs heavy upon their hands; they scarcely know what to do; and they secretly wish that they had not retired altogether from trade.

"Those who have thus withdrawn from the active scenes of life, generally find themselves mistaken as to the measure of

happiness which they calculated upon; and they learn from experience, that employment of some sort, which places before them some useful object, is better adapted to the frame and constitution of their minds. The more this employment is brought to bear upon the cause of God, the happier will real Christians be many of these gentlemen would rejoice in the prospect of being able, by any active service which they could engage in, to promote the interest of religion and the happiness of their fellow-creatures. They are sensible that all is not quite right; and, upon the whole, they are dissatisfied with pleasure in the things around them. themselves, and have scarcely any real

"Now, to such of our Christian friends as are thus circumstanced, I would recommend a serious attention to the pro

priety of their fixing their habitation in some place (where they might reside for the greater part of each year) in which they can be eminently useful, and where all their active powers can be brought into full play, and be made the happy means of rendering an efficient support to the cause of God. There are many churches in various parts of the country, which are in a low, languishing state, whose Ministers are sighing in secret for the loss of their best friends. Death frequently removes the family of one or two who were the chief support of a place, and there appears to be no prospect of any to come forward and fill up the important breach: the cause suffers incalculably from the want of some judicious head of a family, some steady, respectable friend, or friends, to give new life to the declining interest. There are many churches in different parts of the country suffering greatly from these and many other causes, which produce similar effects; and there are as many

gentlemen of property, and friends of religion, who are out of trade, who have no one object in view; who are living in comparative idleness, in crowded water ing-places and other towns of fashionable resort, and who might, by adopting a different line of conduct, be brought to - render the most efficient and important services in the support of real religion throughout the land. If some of these gentlemen could but be prevailed upon to travel through the country, and to fix upon those places where their services were most wanted, and there be determined to settle with their families, they might be the honoured instruments of effecting great good. If only one or two such families would resolve, for this purpose, to live the greater part of every year in the country, and to fix their future residence in some town, or village, where there is a Dissenting interest that is gradually declining for want of support; oh! what happiness would they impart to many sincere Christians: they would rejoice the heart, and revive, immediately, the almost last expiring hope of the faithful Minister: he would be relieved by their pecuniary aid; he would be encouraged by their presence, cheered by their society, and animated with fresh vigour in the cause of God. Their constant attendance with their servants at the place of worship, would set an example which would be followed by others: they might render considerable assistance in employing a small portion of their time in visiting the poor, in directing means for the instruction of the ignorant, and for communicating religious knowledge throughout the district. The blessed effects of their endeavours would soon be visible in raising the moral tone of society; the congregation would soon increase, and many more might be brought to the knowledge of divine truth.

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They would feel infinite satisfaction in seeing the cause of religion flourish from the personal support they had given to it; they would experience a growing attachment to the place; and their declining years would be daily refreshed by that delight and happiness which the world could never give, and which in their former years they had never known." -pp. 17-20.

ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL CRITICISM AND INTERPRETATION. Translated from the Latin of Ernesti, Keil, Beck, and Morus; and accompanied with Notes, by Moses Stuart, Associate Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover, North America. Republished with additional Observations by E. Henderson, D. D. Theclogical and Resident Tutor of the Mission Col· lege, Hoxton, &c. London: Holdsworth. 12mo. 4s. 1827.-The Institutis InterN. S. No. 31.

pretis of Ernesti, enlarged by Ammon, has been long known to biblical scholars. The sentiments of the author himself were substantially orthodox; but those of his commentator Ammon, were of the wildest style of German neology. This created a just prejudice against a book otherwise calculated to be exceedingly useful. Professor Stuart, who has of late distinguished himself by his labours in introducing expurgated translations of German critical works, has added to the obligations already due to him from his countrymen, by translating the original work of Ernesti, leaving out the notes of Ammon, and adding, in their place, remarks from Keil, Beck, and Morus. This work Dr. Henderson has re-edited, with a preface, and a few additional observations of his own. To ministers, students, and translators we The strongly recommend this work. rules it lays down are exceedingly judicious, and the occasional illustrations of the meaning and phraseology of Scripture highly important. America appears to have the start of us in the cause of biblical theology, and if we do not disbids fair to distance Great Britain, with play a little more zeal and liberality, she its richly endowed Universities, and its numerous and well-paid clergy.

THE EARLY LIFE OF CHRIST AN EXAMPLE TO YOUTH. By Henry March, Author of Sabbaths at Home. London: Holdsworth. 1827. 12mo. 4s. -Those who are acquainted with the "Sabbaths at Home." will be prepared to expect something very good from the pen of their excellent author, and we can assure them they will not be disappointed by this little work on the Early Life of our Lord. The situation which Mr. March occupies as Chaplain at the Mill Hill Grammar School-an institution, which, by the way, does not receive that extent of patronage from the Dissenters which its merits, and their principles would lead us to expect-naturally calls his attention to the circumstances of the young, and leads him to seek their improvement; a more interesting subject than the early life of Christ he could not have chosen, and he has treated it in a manner highly creditable to his piety, discerument, and aptness to teach; considered as a specimen of the instructions delivered to the youth of some of our opulent Dissenters, we think it will tend not only to the profit of the young persons whose benefit were originally consulted, and those who may read it; but to recommend the schoo 3 D