*

should, without delay, commence our delightful task. If worth is to be determined by an imposing and beautiful exterior, we have here"-taking up, as she spoke, a handsome volume, shining in all the glories of gold and elegant attire" a most choice and precious work, worthy of a place on any drawing-room table, or the niche of honour in any lady's boudoir. I perceive by the illuminated title that flashes from its back and side that it is a very old friend of mine in a rich new dress. It is THE LISTENER,' by Caroline Fry, and has reached a respectable age, if one may judge by the fact that it has reached its eleventh edition. Rare, indeed, must be the intrinsic excellence and vitality of a work, which can thus survive the inundation of new books that is continually sweeping over the world of letters, and which, instead of exhibiting itself after so extended an existence with faded lustre and plebeian garb, appears adorned with new beauties and riper charms. From a long-established acquaintance with 'The Listener,' I can commend it warmly to the studious and thoughtful perusal of all present, and to the ladies especially."

"I am glad, my dear madam, that you are able to speak in such unequivocal terms of commendation of the volume under consideration," said Ellen. "It is quite an agreeable surprise to one to find, on examining the contents of a book, that the inside sustains the promise and pretension of the outside. In this showy age, books, like multitudes of folks whom we meet in society, are so often 'got up' to please and dazzle the eye, that it requires constant watchfulness to prevent ourselves being taken in by mere meretricious appearances. I have so many times found by experience, that the intrinsic merits of a publication are in an inverse ratio with its external splendour, as to have come at length to suspect the character of every book which displays an unwonted degree of outward emblazonry."

"As a general rule," remarked the Editor, acquiescingly, "I quite agree with the principle enunciated by Ellen--for a really good book, like that native beauty so sweetly sung by the poet,

"Needs not the foreign aid of ornament,

But is when unadorned, adorned the most;" but this rule, like many others, is not without exceptions-a striking instance of which is now before our eyes. Perhaps Mrs. M., who is so thoroughly conversant with this attractive work, will oblige us with her estimate of its character and worth."

* London: James Nisbet & Co. 1856.

"Most willingly," replied that lady. "The title of the book sufficiently indicates its object and aim. The fair authoress glides through society in the character of a 'Listener,' having her ear open to all that is passing around her, and her deeply reflective and vivacious mind ever on the alert to turn all that she hears to profitable account. She bears with her a magic mirror, in which those who are willing to gaze may see reflected a faithful image of themselves. The book is a sort of portrait gallery, filled with studies in human excellencies and defects; and if the display of marred and distorted features greatly outnumber those embodying the noblest forms of symmetry, grace, and beauty, does it not in that respect fairly resemble the world which it is designed to represent and reproduce? Books aiming directly to satirize the evils and foibles of society, to expose faults of character, and to rectify inconsistencies of conduct, are generally repulsive to minds conscious of personal infirmities. The pruning-knife needs to be wielded by a silken hand. The medicine must be mingled with sweets to drown its nauseousness. The mirror requires a gorgeous framing to allure the eye. All these desiderata will be found in the elegant volume which I now hold in my hand. Whilst, for fidelity and vividness of portraiture, the sketches of which the book consists can scarcely be surpassed by our best writers, there is a richness of style and a warmth of colouring throughout, which renders the perusal irresistible. Narratives, storiettes, allegories, fables, episodes of conversation, picturesque descriptions of natural scenery, and glimpses of the interior life of the varied homes to which the 'Listener' gained access, unite their attractions in the formation of one of the most charming books in the English language. The topics treated upon are such as concern every person, and especially every female; and greatly should I rejoice to see it an honoured inmate of every Christian home, which, if its beautiful lessons were properly learnt, it could not fail to brighten and to bless. Such, dear friends, is my candid opinion of the work, and right glad shall I be, if this emphatic testimony to its excellence and value induce any of our readers to possess themselves of so precious and loving a monitor."

66 Wishing theListener' a long life, and success in her beneficent visits to our homes and hearts, allow me," said the Editor, "to call your attention to an elegant little volume of poetry which has been forwarded to us by its gifted authoress a lady who has honoured our pages with her contributions, and an original specimen of whose poetic

talents appears in the present number. The volume bears the title of GLIMPSES OF THE UNSEEN, by A. L. O. E.;'* and includes the following subjects:-The White Shroud, the Spirits of Light, Peace, Fragmentary Thoughts in verse, and Women of Holy Writ. The first-named is a very striking poem, imbued with pious sentiments, founded on an ancient Highland superstition, by which those endowed with the gift of second-sight' were supposed to behold a shroud wrapped round the forms of those who were destined soon to die-the height with which the ghastly mantle is worn denoting the comparative nearness of the fatal hour. Occasion is taken from this tradition to show, with much artistic taste and poetic force, the consternation which would seize upon a variety of characters, if, while in the hot pursuit of pleasure, honour, gold, or other mundane objects, the mysterious token should be permitted to appear to each of them, and signal them away. Perhaps Emmeline will oblige us by reading one illustration-that of the beautiful maiden, making her triumphant début in the world of fashion and rank."

Emmeline, with her sweet silvery voice, accordingly read as follows:

A fairy vision is gliding there,

With roses wreathed in her auburn hair.
Proudly watches a mother's eye,

That form of loveliness glancing by ;

Sole object of each ambitious scheme,

The star which brightens each golden dream.

High beats that heart in that lordly hall,
To see her idol adored by all!

Fond ambition is picturing now

A coronet gracing that snowy brow;
In fancy she sees the future bride,
Object of envy, love, and pride,

In bridal garments, with jewels sheen.
But ah! less gay would her glance have been,
Less high beat the mother's heart, I ween,
Had she seen her child as by Ernest seen!
How moves she still in the dance so fleet,
With that white mass clinging around her feet?
Mother! from thy fond dream awake,
The hand of death shall thine idol break;
Raise thy ambitious hopes more high
Than the changes of mortal destiny!
Thy star below may in heaven shine,
Thy earthly jewel become divine!
Short, short are the moments given

To wean her soul from the world for heaven;

Edinburgh: Gall & Inglis. London: Houlston & Stoneman; and Simpkin & Co.

"Thank you, dear," said Emma; "it is very touching. But what, Mr. Editor, is the character of the second poemThe Spirits of Light?'

"It is a beautiful conception, finely executed. I could not help being reminded by it of that exquisite portion of Moore's 'Lalla Rookh,' on Paradise and the Peri."

"That is high praise, indeed," remarked Edward.

"I do not claim for it all the ethereal sweetness, the flowing melody, and the rich imagery of that fascinating composition; but if it falls short in these characteristic qualities of the Irish bard, it is permeated by a mellowness of evangelical sentiment which places it on a vantage ground of its own. The poem opens with a description of the ascent of ransomed spirits to heaven. As they draw near the mansions of the blest, they are received and welcomed by convoys of angels, who lovingly attend them to the pearly gates, questioning them as they go concerning the circumstances of their respective earthly lots, and the scenes from which they have just emerged. The bulk of the poem consists of the life-stories of the different spirits, which are couched in rhythmical forms, varying according to the complexion of the history to be narrated. The choice of representative cases is good, and the description generally animated and striking. Indeed, the collection altogether is one that deserves to be known and widely circulated in Christian families."

"While we are criticizing the ladies," said Mrs. M., with a smile, "here is a little unpretending work, but one on a subject of considerable importance on the present day among Christian people, at which I request a passing glance. It is from the graceful pen of the accomplished and zealous daughter of our great northern philosopher, Sir David Brewster. You are all acquainted with that admirable production of hers on 'Work-plenty to do, and how to do it,' and anything from the same source is sure to be welcome to any one familiar with its earnest counsels and vigorous appeals."

"Yes," said Augustus, "Miss Brewster has already won a reputation in the world of practical religious literature, quite independent of any consideration derived from her relation to the worthy successor and biographer of Sir Isaac Newton; so much so, indeed, as to entitle her to be heard with respect and confidence whenever she addresses us through the press. The little book to which you refer is, I presume, that entitled 'THE WORD AND THE WORLD?'"'*

"Just so. The purpose of the publication is to exhibit the inconsistency and danger of allowing the sons and daughters of pious parents to indulge in worldly amusements and fashionable frivolities. Its pleadings are especially directed against the ball-room, and the dancing custom which is now spreading so widely and fatally in our Christian households. The common excuses offered by those professors who vindicate the practice, are taken up and exposed in a very satisfactory manner. Among the random assertions, oftentimes so heedlessly put forward, are the following:- The amusements of the world are innocent '-'These amusements do me no harm, for I do not love them'-' Were I to withdraw from such amusements, it would look as if I wanted to appear better than my neighbours'-'It is better for young people to spend their time in dancing than in gossiping'-Balls are not worse than dinner parties'-and I am forced to join in worldly amusements by my friends.' Any of our friends who may be sheltering themselves behind such untenable refuges, are entreated to procure, and read with great seriousness and prayerfulness, the little tract under review. Meanwhile," added Mrs. M., "there is a short passage, containing an earnest appeal to parents on a rapidly growing evil amongst us, which I should like to read to you.

"There are many Christian parents throughout our land,' writes Miss Brewster, who look with dread and dislike upon the world's snares and amusements, who entirely withdraw from them, and who loudly express their hope and determination that their children may be kept from participating in such scenes. But how do they act? A fashionable dancingmaster comes to their vicinity. Youthful beings, who are to live for ever in heaven or hell, are seen flocking to his hall of tuition. What will they learn there? To love the world or to love not the world? to please God or to please men? to follow after Jesus or to follow after vanity? Those who have seen a little girl preparing for a dancing-school exhibition, or watched her through the day which is to her so eventful and exciting, may easily trace the germ of every possible form of

Edinburgh: Constable & Co. London: Hamilton & Co.