already blazing there was no lack of kindling stuff, and in a few minutes a complete circle of fires, almost touching one another, burnt upon the ground.

"The boys had lost no time, working as if for their lives. It was well they did so; for the voice of the cougar that they had heard at intervals, each time growing louder, now echoed through the aisles of the forest, drowning all other sounds. Strange to say, the howling of the wolves suddenly ceased, and these creatures were no longer to be heard. But there were other sounds audible-the stamping and snorting of the terrified horses. The young hunters up to this time had not thought of the safety of these poor animals. It was now too late to relieve them-the cougar was within a hundred yards of the camp!

"All three, along with Marengo (the dog), placed themselves within the circle of fire. Fortunately, there was no wind, not a breath; and the smoke rose vertically upward, leaving them a breathing space within. There they stood, guns in hand. Around them the fires blazed and crackled; but above the snapping of the knots, and the hiss of the spurting, piping tree gas, could be heard the wild cry of the cougar. It now became evident on what side the animal was; for, as the young hunters peered through the smoke and blaze, they could distinguish the yellow, cat-like body moving to and fro under the hanging meat. The rounded head, the long, hollow back, the smooth, tawny skin, were not to be mistaken. As if to add to their terrible situation, the boys now saw that not one, but a pair, of these fearful creatures were on the ground, moving backward and forward, passing each other, and looking eagerly up at the meat where it hung.

"Their efforts to reach the meat occupied nearly an hour. During all that time the boys stood within the circle of fire, in the most distressing situation. They were half-roasted by the heat, that had been all along increasing, as the black logs burned into red embers. They had made their circle too small; and they stood as in the midst of a fiery furnace.

"I can stand it no longer!' cried Basil; 'let us fire at them, rush out, and take our chance.'

"Patience, brother,' replied Lucien; one moment longer. Perhaps they may go away.'

"As Lucien spoke, the cougars, who had now given up the bears' meat, stealthily approached the fire. They crept forward like cats, when stealing upon their prey. At intervals they uttered a strange sound, like the low cough of a person in consumption. They gave forth another sound, which fell equally strange upon the ears of the hunters. It resembled the purring of a cat when caressed, but was much louder, and in the forest, now silent, could be heard at a considerable distance. It was too plainly heard by those who were near. Both uttered it, as if to encourage one another in their approach; and they kept crawling on, waving their tails as they advanced. When within a few feet of the fire they stopped, and laid themselves almost flat upon the ground, yet evidently prepared to spring forward at any moment. It was a terrible sight to look upon these fierce creatures as they lay. The light of the great fire made every part of them fearfully apparent. Their elaws, their teeth, half uncovered, and even the bright irides of their shining eyes, were seen dis tinctly. But they looked not half so fearful as at first. The young hunters now contemplated them from a different point of view. They were suffering, where they stood, so fearfully, that there seemed no danger beyond that hot circle of firenot even from the claws of a cougar.

"I shall stand it no longer!' cried Basil; 'we'll be roasted outright. You, brothers, take that one; I'll aim at this-so-now-fear not-fire!'

"As Basil ceased speaking, the three cracks sounded almost together, and as soon as they had fired, all three leaped out of the blazing cordon. Whether Lucien and François had missed their

aim was not known till afterwards; but Basil had not missed his. He had wounded the cougar; and scarcely had the young hunters got clear of the fiery circle when the infuriated animal sprang into it, and was seen now upon his feet, and now rolling over the ground in the throes of death. Marengo attacked it; but both got among the red cinders, and the dog was fain to make his escape out again. The cougar, left to itself, soon ceased its struggles, and lay upon the ground to all appearance dead. "But what of the other?

"As all three stood listening, the snorting and stamping of horses fell upon their ears, and above all was heard the sqealing of the mule of Jeanette. This lasted for a few minutes, and at length all was silent as before.

"Poor Jeanette!' thought they; the other has made a meal of her. Well; we must do without her, that's all.'

"They kept watch until daybreak, still fearful that the cougar might come back for its mate. The rain had now begun to fall, and poured down in torrents, drowning out their fires. They did not attempt to re-kindle them, but stood, with their blankets round their shoulders, sheltering themselves as they best could under the trees.

"When the daylight came, what was their surprise as well as joy to see Jeanette quietly browsing at the end of her trail-rope, and close by her the body of the cougar lying dead upon the ground!"

A Manual of Homeopathy and Hydropathy. By HENRY KELSALL, M.D., F.R.C.S., Physician to the Hahnemann Hospital. London: A. J. Powell, Newington-causeway.

An unprofessional opinion as to the relative value of two rival systems of medicine may not be of much value; but prior to saying anything of the little work under notice, it may be necessary, for the benefit of many of our readers, to explain the meaning of Homœopathy, as distinct from or opposed to the common and orthodox system of medicine. Homœopathy, then, claims to be a system of treating disease, at once simple, rational, and effective, more certain, safe, and scientific in its character than the common practice, which, in contradistinction, is called Allopathy. The meaning of the word Homœopathy is explained by the principle on which the system is based-expressed in the Latin aphorism, similia, similibus, curantur; in English, like things are cured by like. To be plainer; that a disease is cured by remedies which produce in the healthy body symptoms similar to those exhibited by the disease. Thus, vomiting is to be cured by emetics; diarrhoea, by laxatives, &c. This is a principle which has more or less

been acted upon, and with success, since the time of Hippocrates. Thus, senna and colycinth have been given for cholic; rhubarb for diarrhoea; stramonium for insanity; the sweating sickness has been treated by sudorofics; burns by holding them to the fire; and frozen limbs by rubbing them with snow. What the founder of the Homoeopathic system claims is, not the discovery of the idea, but its development, systemization, and application to the whole range of diseases to which flesh is heir. As a corollary arising out of this principle, is the theory of small dozes; for it is argued, that if the correct mode of treating a disease be to administer a medicine which will first produce a slight augmentation of symptoms (aiding, rather than retarding those efforts of nature, known amongst medical men as the vis medicatrix naturæ, or medical power of nature), and, subsequently, a healthy reaction, then it follows that the smallest possible amount of such medicine will be sufficient to act upon an organization already abnormally sensitive to its operation; and that a larger dose of any medicine than is just sufficient to produce this healthy reaction must be injurious to the system, as the action of all medicinal substances on the human physiology is destructive. This is a brief statement of the principles of Homœopathy. As on the introduction of all new principles, which affect established interests, the system and its adherents have met with much abuse from what are termed the legitimate faculty; in spite of which, however, it appears to be making rapid headway, having a large body of respectable practitioners, properly qualified by the diplomas of the recognised school of medicine, in all parts of the civilised world, and also numerous public hospitals, where cures are daily and openly effected. For ourselves, we may remark, that we think its principles fairly made out in theory; and if this were not so, the number of indisputable cases of signal success which have come under our attention, would leave us no room for doubt as to its worth.

The little work under notice is a manual for domestic use, which, in addition to pointing out the specific homopathic remedies to the most common forms of disease, gives directions for the application of the water cure, where the symptoms indicate its efficiency for their removal. It is admirably clear, carefully arranged, concise, and compendious. It has also the advantage of being the production of a physician of successful practice and high reputation.

Select English Poetry, designed for the use of Schools and Young Persons in general. Edited by the late DR. ALLEN. Sixth Edition. London: Jackson and Walford. A School Geography. By JAMES CORNWELL, Ph. D. Thirteenth Edition.

A School Atlas. By JAMES CORNWELL, Ph. D. London: Simpkin and Co.

The names of Drs. Allen and Cornwell, associated with educational literature, have long been familiar with all who have taken any interest in the subject, as having materially aided in giving a new character to elementary instruction. The school books used during the youth of almost all who have now attained manhood or middle age, were of an essentially different class to those before us. Correct in matters of fact, careful in arrangement, and clear and compendious in style, many of them undoubtedly were; but no attempt whatever was made to develop the mental powers of the student. Instead of awakening his reasoning powers to an understanding of his subject, the sole object of the works seemed to be to store the memory of the scholar with an immense array of names, dates, numbers, and rules, which too often lay in his mind like a heap of shot rubbish, crude, undigested, and not understood. When the business of life began, gradually and with great effort, the youth was enabled to sort out a fact or a principle when circumstances arose which connected some exigency of his present position, with the half forgotten task of his school days. A new aim seems to have possessed the recent writers of school-books generally, one which pervades the works of the authors under notice in a pre-eminent degree; namely, that of engaging the interest and informing the mind of the pupil, rather than overloading his memory with a jargon of half-understood terms and formula. From these remarks, it must not be imagined that the cultivation of the memory is in any degree intended to be neglected. The volume of selected poetry, edited by Dr. Allen, being prepared with the especial object of exercising it, and of the taste and care used in the selection, the fact that the work has reached a sixth edition, is, perhaps, the best assurance.

Dr. Cornwell's School Geography is incomparably the best work of the kind that we have met with. Geography, of all studies, requires to be thoroughly comprehended and understood, to render it in any degree usetul, and here, therefore, the plan of awaking the intelligence, rather than crowding the memory of the pupil, is of most essential service. Instead of a merc dry enumeration of facts and statisties, hard names and long numbers, we have

here a system of geography, in which the scholar will feel a similar interest to that felt in a book of travels, whilst the face of the globe, with all its varying characteristics, will be mapped on his mind with the utmost vividity. The work is a perfect cyclopædia of facts and details; the distinction between physical and political geography is broadly marked; the etymology of names is carefully explained, and their pronunciation and accentuation accurately marked; the exercises are comprehensive; and the classification and arrangement of the whole easy, simple, and natural. The author remarks, that the preparation of this book has been a long and laborious work. We can readily believe him; and it is from that simple reason that its study will be easy and delightful. The School Atlas is a beautiful and complete little work. It will prove highly acceptable to all who use the Geography.

London:

The Sunday Picture Book. Chapman and Hall, Piccadilly. This deserves to be a popular book, and to be widely circulated in Christian families. In too many instances the Sabbath is looked upon by young children as a day of silent dulness and irksome restraint, unrelieved by anything in which they can feel concern. Works like the present have a powerful influence in changing this monotonous dreariness into eager interest, and causing the distasteful Sabbath hours to be anticipated with delight, and spent in instructive exercise. We have here a series of fifty engravings, of the most exquisite design and finished execution, illustrating various scenes from the Gospel histories. With each engraving is a page of descriptive text, mostly given in the words of the inspired writers, to whom the youthful reader is referred for the context; and such is the charm of the engravings, that few children, we imagine, will rest content until they have read in the New Testament all the circumstances of the subject illustrated.

The Rosebud: A Christian Gift to the Young. The Child's Companion for 1852. Lives of the Popes. Part IV. London Religious Tract Society. The publications of the Religious Tract Society are always welcome visitors to the Christian household. "The Rosebud" is especially intended as a gift-book, and is highly suitable for the season. Full of pretty little tales and sketches of a wholesome character, profusely illustrated with beautiful engravings and coloured plates, tastefully and elegantly bound, we have not recently met with a more desirable present for a good child. The "Child's Com

panion" is the annual volume of a well-known and favourite monthly periodical. The fourth part of the "Lives of the Popes,"being the last issued of the Monthly Series, -concludes that work, and embraces the period from the Romanist reaction, A. D. 1605, up to the present time, and includes the life of the present Pope, Pius the Ninth. As we have before remarked, it is a work of considerable value, being clear, concise, and comprehensive.

The Book of Almanacs. By AUGUSTUS DE MORGAN, Sec. R. A. S., F. C. P. S. London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberley, Upper Gower-street.

This is a marvellous book; and, to the scientific reader, a highly interesting one. It consists of a series of tables, from which, by the aid of an index of reference appended, the almanac may be found for every year, whether in old style or new, from any epoch, ancient or modern, up to the end of the twentieth century, A. D.; and also of means of finding the day of any new or full moon from two thousand years before Christ to two thousand years after. The main object of the author is stated to be "to supply the place of the old almanac, which is never at hand when wanted; of the older almanac, which was never at hand; of the future almanac, which is not yet at hand; and of the universal almanac in every shape." In a work of this kind accuracy is of primary importance; and of this the name of Augustus de Morgan is sufficient guarantee.

A Few Thoughts on the Latest Legislation of the Conference, addressed to all True Wesleyans. By GEORGE SOUTHERN, Wesleyan Supernumerary. London: Partridge and Oakey.

We admire much the argument of the writer, and not less his Christian courage. Understanding that his constitution is not the strongest, that of private resources he has none, that his family is large and young, it is an answer to the Infidelity of the age, a rebuke to the timid and time-serving, and an example to be held up to others, that Mr. Southern dares at any risk "to maintain the answer of a good conscience," and will rather brave the heartless vengeance of a cruel and relentless clique, than expose himself to self-reproach by being silent respecting the tyranny of the Wesleyan Conference. For this alone he is deserving of our most profound respect. He has put "his life into his hand" to protest publicly against the unchristian and despotic acts of a mean and contemptible priesthood, attempting to rob the Church of its New Testament privileges. He has

waited two years in the hope that others of the preachers, in his opinion more able to combat with the tyranny of the clique, would take the lead in an openly avowed condemnation of the acts of the Conference; and finding such as might be deemed "pillars" have not courage or conviction sufficient to break the ice, he can no longer keep the pent-up fire of holy indignation within him, but must, for conscience sake, denounce the "godly discipline" that has already cost the divan not many less than one hundred thousand church members. As the only man out of fourteen hundred who has dared to " beard the lion in his den," had the pamphlet been but an ordinary one, we should have respected the writer for his manliness. The "Few Thoughts" are, however, a masterly performance as to argument. Mr. Southern exposes the duplicity, inconsistency, contradiction, and unscriptural character of the legislation adopted by the last Conference. We regret that we cannot give in this brief space extracts, which, for force of logic, point, and biting sarcasm, accompanied by a truly Christian spirit, however, are not exceeded by any previous writer on the polity of Methodism as it is. Our readers will do themselves an injustice, and suffer a great loss, if they do not avail themselves of an early opportunity of reading these "Thoughts." Nor can they more effectually, through the press, promote reform, than by putting a copy of it into the hands of Conference men.

By

A Pulpit Estimate of Wellington. JOHN G. MANLY. London: Partridge and Oakey.

The Duke: A Sketch. By THOMAS ARCHER, D.D. London: John Snow. Iron and Clay. A Funeral Sermon for the Duke of Wellington. By J. DE KEWER WILLIAMS. London: John Snow. The press and the pulpit seem to have vied with each other in the production of sketches of the hero now sleeping in St. Paul's Cathedral. It has been remarked, that a nation is known by its heroes; but in order to this knowledge, it is necessary to ascertain the national estimate of such heroes, and for what specialities they are valued or honoured. It is with this view that Mr. Manly remarks that, we cannot discern the signs of the times without studying the men of the times; and, in relation to such a man as the departed duke, the pulpit should neither be silent nor give an uncertain sound." Of the three sermons before us, each one will amply repay perusal. Mr. Manly is no commonplace talker, but a careful and close thinker,

and his discourse is full of profound reflections arising out of his subject. Dr. Archer is well-known as a graphic delineator, and his pulpit sketch of Wellington is a vivid portraiture of the character of the great chief. Mr. Williams, in his sermon, "Iron and Clay," has skilfully worked out the idea suggested, by showing the Duke's power as a man among men, and his weakness, as being of mortal mould. There is one circumstance in connection with the three pamphlets before us, which we think noteworthy; namely, the disuse, in each instance, of the honorary prefix, "Rev." before the names of the authors, as they are given on the respective title-pages.

The Case of the Manchester Educationists. By JOHN HOWARD HINTON, M.A. London John Snow.

The question of National Education by the State or by Voluntaryism, is one as perplexed and involved as it is important and interesting; and, as good Sir Roger de Coverley would remark, "much may be said on both sides." We have here a careful summary and intelligent review of the evidence taken before a Committee of the House of Commons in relation to the state of education in Manchester and Salford; but, whilst the evidence refers to this district simply, it may be said to represent the state of the manufacturing population of the country at large. The view here taken is, of course, that of a Voluntaryist, but that it is ably and candidly given will not be doubted by those who know the author; and all interested in the general subject, but indisposed to wade through the dry ponderosities of a blue book, will gladly avail themselves of a work like the present. We may possibly recur more fully to the subject hereafter.

The Sunshine of our Home. Words by J. E. CARPENTER; Music by EDWARD LAND. London: Robert Cocks and Co., New Burlington-street.

Uncle Tom's Cabin Hymns. The Words selected from Mrs. H. B. STOWE'S Work. The Music composed and arranged by EDWARD CLARE.

Oratorio Songs, selected from the Sacred Scriptures. No. 1. Ruth's Entreaty to Naomi. Music by EDWARD CLARE. London: Messrs. Holdernesse.

Few works have been so prolific or sugges tive as Mrs. Stowe's great anti-slavery tale; and if all the progeny, direct or indirect, of that work, were as worthy as the one which stands at the head of this notice, we

should not have occasion to regret it. "The Sunshine of our Home" is a piece suggested by the most touching incident in Mrs. Stowe's work-the death of little Eva. The words are good, and the music full of the most exquisite tenderness and pathos, according in a high degree with the sentiment awakened in every one who has read that affecting and hallowed scene.

We wish we could speak as favourably of the next publication, but truth obliges us to say, that we have not met with a more censurable attempt to make capital out of a prevailing excitement than this appears to be. It consists of four hymns, purporting to be "Uncle Tom's Cabin Hymns," the words of which are selected from that work, and the music said to be "composed and arranged" by Mr. E. Clare. The music of the first of these merits little remark of any kind; and having been heard once, is not likely to be thought of again. The second is better, but is highly suggestive of plagiarism from Beethoven. The third, if our memory serves us, is an old hymn tune; and the fourth, a modification of a

THE religious intelligence of the month presents few features of interest or importance. The party of Wesleyan Methodists, known as the "Mediationists," or "Moderates," held a meeting at Birmingham on the 8th ultimo; but as it was conducted with closed doors, and the accuracy of the somewhat indefinite and unsatisfactory account which obtained publicity has been impugned, it is difficult to form any just estimate of the character or results of the meeting. Very great difference of opinion seemed to prevail as to the position most desirable to be assumed by the representatives of the movement; some urging measures differing little from those of the Reformers; whilst others most earnestly deprecated anything which could be construed into even the appearance of identity. A general opinion seemed to exist, however, that the time was at hand when a more aggressive aspect must be assumed, and some more active propagandism attempted. A protest or declaration, embodying the views of the party, was proposed and discussed; but as to the form in which it was adopted, or the final results of the meeting, we are in the dark.

The resignation of the superintendent of the Bradford Circuit, and chairman of the district, under circumstances the most

painful and disgraceful, is another event o. the month. For many years during Dr. Alder's secretaryship at Centenary Hall, reports as to his addictedness to strong drink have been whispered; and, it appears, the charge having now been brought against him in a serious form, and under circumstances not to be evaded, he has resigned his office as a minister of Christ, and, practically, bishop over a district of churches. Earnest Christians will derive satisfaction from the assurance given in the Watchman newspaper, that he was no Reformer, nor was his resignation in any way connected with causes arising out of the Reform agitation.

Another Wesleyan minister has been suspended. The Rev. GEORGE SOUTHERN, a supernumerary, having waited with much patience for any indication of an intention on the part of the Wesleyan Conference to meet the desire of a large portion of the Methodist Church in regard to a revisal or reversal of their late absolutist policy, has at length, finding all his hopes unrealised, felt it due to his conscience and to his manhood no longer to hesitate to avow publicly, that he can be no party to the maintenance and exercise of such unscriptural prerogatives. He accordingly published, in a small but vigorously-written pam