7. Astronomical Maps. By Rev. HIRAM MATTISON, of the Black River Conference. THESE maps constitute what appears to us a successful effort at making the study of astronomy easy and pleasant, even to children. There are in the set sixteen maps, thirty-five by forty inches, embracing the different appearances of the heavens, and the phenomena of the heavenly bodies. They are suited to the use of schools, and may be advantageously employed in the instruction of private classes in the sublime science of the heavens. We most cordially recommend them to the attention of teachers; and most ardently hope that our friend, who has in his state of ministerial superannuation had the strength and perseverance to carry his plan to so high a state of perfection, may find an ample reward in the patronage of a generous public.

8. Ecclesiastical Polity: its Form and Philosophy. By Rev. A. N. FILMORE. 12mo., pp. 216. Rochester: Harrison & Luckey. 1847. FROM the cursory examination which we have been able to give this work, we are very favorably impressed with regard to its real merits. The genius of Methodism is brought out with a strong hand, and in a clear light. Radicals will ultimately find that their true policy is silence. Every assault they have made upon original Methodism has resulted in a defeat. The present work is equally an antidote for high churchism and radicalism; both of which are as contrary to the Bible, as they are ruinous in their practical operations. We have no hesitation in recommending the work of brother Filmore to our readers.

9. History of the Discovery and Settlement of the Valley of the Mississippi, by the three great European Powers, Spain, France, and Great Britain; and the subsequent Occupation, Settlement, and Extension of Civil Government by the United States, until the Year 1846. By JOHN W. MONETTE, M. D. New-York: Harper & Brothers.

THESE two handsome octavo volumes are devoted to the historic records of the great Western Valley, already fast becoming the most important section of our rapidly expanding country. This valuable work is therefore a most opportune and desirable contribution to our national archives. If the work is in part void of methodical arrangement, and occasionally disfigured by inelegancies of style, yet these are but minor defects, and more than compensated by the great collection of facts and documents which the author has gathered from the existing sources at home and abroad, in many instances rare and heretofore inaccessible. Some colored maps accompany the work-one describing the French, English, and Spanish possessions in North America in the year 1745, which cannot fail at the present time to prove interesting and valuable in determining disputed points as to boundary lines between us and our Mexican neighbors. We heartily commend this highly important production of Dr. Monette to the attention and patronage of our readers generally, for it deserves a permanent place in every private collection.

10. Homes and Haunts of the most eminent British Poets. By WILLIAM HOWITT. THE Messrs. Harper have conferred a favor on all lovers of elegant literature by their beautiful edition of this work. It is comprised in two splendid volumes, enriched by a series of nearly fifty exquisite engravings, descriptive of the "homes" of the sons of song. We are much mistaken if this work do not prove eminently successful; and sure we are that all who will take the trouble to inspect it, and read

a few pages, will not hesitate to purchase and peruse them throughout. Mr. Howitt -himself a poet of no mean pretensions-has performed his task in a genial spirit. His scenes, gossip, anecdotes, and biographical sketches of the poets, are given with charming effect, and evince an appreciation of his subject that is truly delightful. We may add that these charming volumes include characteristic notices of these immortal men, from the times of Chaucer down to our own day: interspersed with which will be found a large fund of rich anecdote, and private elucidation of character, not to be met with elsewhere. Speaking of these volumes, we observed in the columns of an Albany paper, the other day, that they were pronounced "worth their weight in gold." This, though a designed hyperbole, is great and just praise.

11. The True Evangelist: or an Itinerant Ministry, particularly that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, explained, guarded, and defended. By Rev. JAMES PORTER. With an Introduction, by Rev. ABEL STEVENS. 18mo., pp. 162. Boston: Waite, Peirce, & Co.

We have not been able to give this book a careful perusal; but from what we have read of it, and from the high recommendations which it has received, we have no doubt that it is emphatically a book for the times, and every way worthy of the confidence of the public. Mr. Stevens, in his introduction, says,—

"It is, as it should be, a popular discussion of the subject, in style and spirit, but proceeds on a solid theoretical substructure. The details of the discussion are there amply traced, more so than in any other work extant. I doubt not that its circulation will tend very effectually to correct the prevalent prejudice against our ecclesiastical system, and invigorate the interest of our people for it."

We hope this little book will have an extensive circulation. At this moment efforts are in progress to disaffect our people with our Scriptural itinerant plan. This work of brother Porter comes just in the right time.

12. Myrtis, with other Etchings and Sketchings. By Mrs. L. H. SIGOURNEY.

Harper & Brothers.

THIS beautiful volume comprises a dozen fugitive pieces in prose, from the popular and instructive pen of Mrs. Sigourney. An author so well established in the good opinions of the public as the present requires little in the way of criticism or commendation. The same gentle and kindly virtues which her muse inspires, we find glowing in her more sober prose.

13. Christian Love: or, Charity an Essential Element of True Christian Character. By Rev. DANIEL WISE. 24mo., pp. 128. Boston: C. H. Peirce. 1847.

A REFRESHING little volume-full of instruction and encouragement. The theme itself is enough to secure the attention of the true disciple of Christ. In this cold world, where all is selfishness and hatred, "Christian love" is the grand catholicon. Whoever wishes help in the cultivation of this heaven-born principle, will be much profited by carefully and devoutly reading this manual. It is got up in an inviting style, and is just suited for a kind of pocket companion.

THE

METHODIST QUARTERLY REVIEW.

OCTOBER, 1847.

EDITED BY GEORGE PECK, D. D.

ART. I.-The Pictorial History of England: being a History of the People, as well as a History of the Kingdom. Illustrated with several hundred Wood Cuts; Monumental Records; Coins; Civil and Military Costume; Domestic Buildings; Furniture and Ornaments; Cathedrals, and other Great Works of Architecture; Sports, and other Illustrations of Manners; Mechanical Inventions; Portraits of the Kings and Queens; and remarkable Historical Scenes. By GEORGE L. CRAIK and CHARLES MACFARLANE; assisted by other contributors. 4 vols. 8vo. New-York: Harper & Brothers.

THE value of a truly good history of England issuing from the American press, attractive in form, and at a price which brings it into popular use, cannot be overrated. We care not with what other work of science, learning, or literary art, it be compared, in all its deep and enduring influences on the American mind, such production, we hesitate not to affirm, will rank first. Setting aside our religion, there will be found no such teacher as our own ancestral history-none whose lessons will be found so familiar or so persuasive, so practical or so much needed. There is, in short, no such mine of national wisdom for us Americans as the study of English history. Our silver and gold may have come to us from other regions, but what is better than silver and gold has come to us mainly from old England. Never, surely, in the past history of the world has the great problem of man and his capabilities, of society and its institutions, of religion and its influences, been so fully or so satisfactorily worked out, as in that little island which looks so small, and counts so great, as we cast our eyes over the terrestrial globe. With all its defects, too, the British constitution has yet been the freest and the best working which the nations of the earth, with their ten thousand experiments, (setting VOL. VII.-31