evinces no defalcation. M. Güte has at length published his "Einleitung in die Psalmen," "Introduction to the Psalms;" and M. Schulze his "Literary Character and Estimation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. Jude, and St. James," "Schrift-stellerische Character und Werth des Petrus, Judas, und Jacobus, zum behuf der Special Hermeneutik ihren Schriften untersucht und bestimmt." The former contains many pertinent observations, and ingenious surmises: the latter is a critical investigation of the chief doctrinal points contained in the epistles in question, and offers an able solution of many difficulties which have often been conceived to attach to them.

In Germany, also, we meet with a multitude of periodical publications devoted to the pursuits of theology, which are well worth noticing, although consisting of detached papers and essays. Of these we ought not to forbear to mention the "Manual of ecclesiastical History," "Ausführliches Handbuch der Christlichen Kirchengeschichte," by professor Smidt, whose name we have already noticed with approbation. This is one of the best journals of the kind which have reached us; it has now completed its second volume, and we trust it will long be persevered in. The ablest papers of which it consists are written by M. Smidt himself, and by M. Henke, of Helmstädt. M. Henke is an indefatigable writer; for, independently of the casual assistance he thus renders his friend, the professor of Giessen, he is also the editor of a journal of a similar description, under the title of "Magazin für Religions Philosophie, Exegese, und Kirchengeschichte," "Magazine of theological Philosophy and Criticism, and ecclesiastical History,"

which has now closed its twelfth volume; and is busily engaged in an extensive "General History of the Christian Church, chronologically arranged," "Allgemeine Geschichte der Christlichen Kirche nach Zeitfolge," which has already advanced to its fifth volume, and brings down the history of the church to the last century. M. Henke gives the most evident proofs of an enlarged and liberal mind, a masculine judgement, and the possession of an ample store of information for the important subjects on which he is engaged. At Tubingen we meet with a magazine of a similar kind, edited by professor Flat. At Marpurg a second, under the conduct of professor Wachler; and at Altdorf a third, superintended by professor Gabler. The "Beyträge zur Beförderung, &c.," "Contributions towards promoting a rational Mode of thinking in Religion," published in Switzerland, under the guidance of the late learned M. Corrodori, is still continued under the title of "Neue Beyträge, &c." and is possessed of the same erudition and spirit.

Among the German catholics the publications chiefly worthy of notice are the "Geistliche Monatschrift, &c.," "Spiritual Magazine, for the Use of the Clergy of the Bishopric of Constance," commenced under the patronage of the baron Dalberg, the late bishop of this city, a learned and liberal work; but now, in consequence of the death of the worthy prelate, unfortunately discontinued; and the "Hebersetzung und Anslegung der neuen Testaments, &c.,"

Translation and Explanation of the New Testament, for the Use of the Clergy," by professor Schwarzel, of Freyberg. This last work is patronised by the present bishop of Constance, and is of a

very different description from that which it has unworthily superseded. The version differs but in few places from the Douay edition, and the explanations are possessed of all its bigotry and commination. Upon the whole, however, the spirit of catholic liberality is considerably increasing; and such publications as M. Kiepler's " Kleines Magazin," ""Small Magazine for religious Teachers," published at Landshut; M. Seik's "Bibliothek für Geistliche, &c.," " Library for Clergymen in Town and Country;" and professor Geishapner's "Theologische Moral," "Theological System of Morality," both published at Linz, are admirably calculated to augment it still further.

The volumes of sermons, as also the single sermons, disposed of at the last Leipsic fair, are very numerous, but in no instance, so far as we are acquainted with them, possessed of such a pre-eminency of merit as to entitle them to individual notice in the present brief sketch. We shall therefore conclude our account of the theological productions of Germany by glancing at a work which, in the present state of religious polemics in our own country, is well worth perusing-we mean the "Weiderlegung einiger der Wichtigsten Einwendungen gegen die Echtheit der Evangeliums Joannis," "Refutations of various Objections against the Authenticity of St. John's Gospel," a work of real merit, and warmly and deservedly recommended by professor Ziegler, in an introduction prefixed to it.

There-establishment of the catholic religion in France has not yet produced any original works of prominent value or importance, though it has occasioned new editions of several that were out of

print, as well as a few translations from authors of our own country. Among the former may be mentioned the "Pensées," "Thoughts of Father Bourdaloue of the Society of Jesus," in three volumes twelves; " History of the Esta blishment of Christianity in the East Indies," by the French bishops, in two volumes twelves; and the "Agreement of the Book of Genesis with Geology, and human Records, upon the Facts and Epochs of the Creation, and the universal Deluge," by the elder M. Gervais de la Prise, one volume octavo. Among the latter may be instanced "Mr. Jenyns's Evidence of the Christian Religion, followed by Fenelon's Plan upon the same Subject, together with his Thoughts on Providence; and still further aug. mented by a Discourse of the late Dr. Blair, on the Advantages of Religion, and the Maxims of Christianity."

M. Lucet, author of the "Principles of universal Canon Law," has published a work entitled “La Réligion Catholique, &c.," "The Catholic Religion the only true Religion, and the sole suitable to the Dignity and Wants of Man." The principles inculcated, as well as the spirit that pervades it, may easily be surmised from the title. We are sorry to behold any consi derable body of Frenchmen thus for ever running from extreme to extreme-from monarchy to anarchy, from anarchy to tyranny, from superstition to atheism, and from atheism to fanaticism and bigotry.

From the short interval we have enjoyed of a general peace, and the unhappy revival of a new war, it has not been easy to obtain importations of French works upon any subject; and we have hence been incapable of noticing, till the present moment, a publication of M. Necker,

M. Necker, which, in point of date, ought to have been introduced into our account of foreign literature for the last or even the preceding year. The work we refer to is entitled "Cours de Morale Réligieuse," ," "Course of religious Morality," and was printed at Paris in three volumes octavo. Its object is to inculcate and revive religious impressions in France, which of late years have been felt in a very superficial and contracted degree, and which even at present, now that Christianity in every form may be publicly professed with less danger of derision than a few years ago, do not appear to have taken any very deeply-rooted hold of the heart, or to have been rendered generally apparent otherwise than by official parade, and the sinister countenance of the existing government. This then being the object of M. Necker's work, we have next to observe that its form is sermonic; that it is divided into five sections, and each section into a certain number of discourses, introduced with, or dependent upon, a preliminary text selected for the occasion. The whole catalogue of sermons amounts to twenty-nine; of which the first section, devoted to a consideration of the grounds of natural religion and morality, contains four, the subjects being the existence of a God, the union of morality with the divine perfections, the doctrine of a Providence, and the immortality of the soul. The second section comprises the reciprocal duties between man and man, as truth, justice, and charity. The third extends to duties which result from family connexions and dependencies, as those of husband and wife, parent and child, master and servant. The fourth section is directed to predominant and immoral passions, such as envy, vanity, am

bition, and the lust of gain. The fifth and last takes a general survey of the Christian religion, and of the various systems by which it is opposed. We have never regarded M. Necker as a rigid dialectician; a writer whose arguments, even when he condescends to adopt any, follow with close succession, or legitimate and necessary dependence: he is a declaimer rather than a logician; and in the work before us his apostrophes and personifications are often extended to subjects that render them rather ludicrous than impressive, and debase the topic it is his indubitable intention to exalt. Thus, in the introduction of a sermon upon death, we meet with the following exclamation" Death! death! What is this name which I am pronouncing? Death! every thing flies, every thing vanishes before it. What a dreadful and funereal image am I about to propose to your meditations! The spring has enamelled our fields, the earth is adorned with fresh splendor, the flowers, the plants, the fields, our groves, our gardens, our meadows, all are animated, all embellished. Death! and shall you be suffered, &c." A sermon on the subject of love seems to have been chiefly composed out of a spirit of commiseration for old maids and old bachelors, and kindly to assure them

from what authority we know not-that in the indulgence of this passion they shall be happier in the next world than they have been in this. "Ah! ye, too, have equal vows to make, ye tender friends! ye affectionate souls! who have never been able to trace on earth a companion worthy of your own refined sentiments, console yourselves! live in hope; for you awaits a futurity in which your nature, rendered perfect, will discover its counterpart." The style seldom varies

from

from this stilted and gaudy sublimity; and though we confess we perceive nothing that is inconsistent with "religious morality," we behold very little that refers to the peculiar doctrines or sanctions of the Christian faith. The texts are deduced from the Bible; but the infidel may make as free a use both of the texts selected, and the discourses deduced from them, as the Christian himself. They are hence sermons of universal application: but this is according to M. Necker's mode; whose religion is rather a system of feeling, than of practicable doctrine.

America is rather a recipient of theological labours from the old world, than a contributor by the exercise of her own efforts. Its principal exertions are in the line of sermons upon temporary and local events, and which are almost always published in the form of single discourses. Of these we may notice Mr. Spring's "Sermon delivered before the Massachusetts' Missionary Society," from Rom. xi. 25; intended to prove that the Gentiles are to be the medium, in the hands of Providence, of converting the Jews: Mr. McLeod's, in opposition to the slave-trade, preached before the "Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, in the City of New York;" a subject of considerable moment, in reference to the place in which it was delivered: Mr. Hempill's "On the Nature of religious Fastings," which appears to be rather serious than eloquent, rather diffuse than impressive.

Independently of these effusions, we perceive an anonymous publi

cation entitled "A Paraphrase on eight Chapters of the Prophecy of Isaiah, wherein it is attempted to express the Sense of the Prophet, in proper English style." The paraphrase is more brief than explicit, and rather designed to con vey an idea of the writer's individual opinion than of the real scope of the prophecy itself. Dr. Bendinct has thought it necessary to add another answer to Thomas Paine's "Age of Reason," which he has brought forwards under the title of "The Age of Revelation, or the Age of Reason shown to be an age of Infidelity." The writer would have performed a better service, in our apprehension, by reediting one or two of the numerous replies which have been so successfully published against this blunder. ing and infidel book in our own country, and especially those of the bishop of Landaff, or the late Mr. Wakefield.

Mr.Dobson has brought forwards

Letters on the Existence and Character of the Deity, and on the moral State of Man;" a useful and judicious volume; and Dr. Dwight, in a new edition of "Dr. Watts's Psalms," has added many of his own, by a version of various Psalms omitted by the original translator; and has moreover altered several of those already be fore him. We do not, in general, perceive that much is gained by this spirit of innovation; nor is it necessary for us to designate those which are introduced by Dr. Dwight himself; the very inferior poetry they exhibit sufficiently indicates them, without further interference.

CHAPTER

'N the department of the healing

wide, and filled with publications so valuable, that it is with difficulty we shall be able to restrain ourselves within the bounds to which we are necessarily limited. We shall commence with the productions of France, and shall first notice the "Medical and Philosophic Treatise on mental Derangement, by Ph. Pinel, Chief Physician at the Hospital at Saltpetriere, and Professor in the School of Medicine at Paris." This is the work of a vigilant and intelligent practitioner. Mr. Pinel was formerly physician to the Bicétre, an extensive hospital for lunatics, in the vicinity of Paris: he asserts that he had always a strong desire to investigate cases of insanity, and the situation he then possessed gave him ample scope for the gratification of his predominant inclination. The treatise is introduced by a preliminary dissertation upon subjects generally connected with the malady in question, and forms one of the most valuable parts of the book. work is then divided into five sections; in the first of which the author treats of periodic or intermittent madness; in the second of the moral treatment of the diseased; the third contains anatomic inquiries into the defective conformation of the skulls of the insane; in the fourth the author offers a new arrangement of the disorder; in the fifth presents his outline of the proper internal police for a lunatic hospital; and in the sixth and last developes his principles of medical treatment and regimen. M. Pinel

The

pays several handsome compliments

country for their successful results, but laments at the same time, and certainly not without reason, that men, who from extensive experience should be capable of commu. nicating much valuable information, should communicate so sparingly. It is mortifying to the pride of medical science to perceive, after all, how little is known of the nature of this disease-the most cruel that can afflict the human race, by whomsoever, and in what place soever, it may chance to be studied. We cannot, to a certainty, trace the remotest degree of organic injury in the brain, as its immediate cause: an inflammatory affection in the membranes of the brain itself is, indeed, occasi onally found on dissection after death, but by no means always; and even in the cases in which it occurs, it is impossible to ascertain with precision whether such appearance be the cause or the consequence. The new division offered us in this work is neither peculiarly accurate, nor peculi arly scientific: it comparts the disease into five distinct speciesmelancholy or delirium restricted to one object; mania without delirium; mania with delirium; abstraction (demence) or abolition of thought; and idiotism. We could easily point out a variety of errors into which such a system must necessarily betray us, if we had time; it is of more consequence to observe that M. Pinel very judiciously objects to the use of any degree of coercion that is not abso

lutely