In the course of these sermons, many expressions will doubless be found, to which the advocates of creeds, which differ from the author's, will not readily assent. But making all due allowances for the peculiarity of phraseology, they may be read with much advantage by all who are inquiring the way to Zion with their faces thitherward; and to all such we think they will prove a valuable acquisition.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. What have I been about? Or Infidelity silenced by the Testimony of Truth, by the Author of "Jessy," (Bennet, London,) is a little volume containing about one hundred and twenty pages, and exhibiting in the composition, narrative, dialogue, testimony, and anecdote. The style is pleasing because familiar, and the author has contrived in each department to render it interesting to his readers. Amusement is, however, rendered subservient to instruction. Its design is to establish the truth of Christianity, by proving its unrivalled excellence when compared with the frigid dictates of philosophy, and the arrogance of infidelity.

2. A Week at Margate, or Economy of Time and Money, (Elder, London,) is a pretty little amusing shilling's-worth, and in this light it seems to have been viewed by the public, for the copy before us belongs to the sixth edition. It delineates the scenery from London to this fashionable watering place, describes with fidelity and minuteness all the prominent features of the town and vicinity, and calculates with exactness, the expense of a tour thither and back, without forgetting to reserve the last halfpenny for poor Jack, at the Tower stairs.

3. Friendly Hints, principally addressed to Youth of both Sexes, by John Doncaster, (Wightman, London,) is now passing through a fifth edition in parts. It contains much wholesome advice, on various topics, connected with common life. Many of the admonitions are illustrated with striking anecdotes, which can hardly fail to make deep and favourable impressions on the youthful mind.

4. A Letter to a Clergyman on the Scriptural Authorities in favour of Adult Baptism, and traditional Authorities in favour of Infant Baptism, by a Hermit, (Wightman, London,) is written with terseness and good humour, but we fear that it displays too great a spirit of levity to be productive of much good. It must, however, be confessed that the hermit makes

out a strong case, founded on plain passages of scripture, and obvious inferences deduced from them, in favour of adult baptism. Both parties, however, admit that even the rite itself is not essential to salvation, and of course the mode and period of administration are of still less importance.

5. A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery, consistent with the Interests of all parties concerned, (Sidford, London,) is a closely written pamphlet, dictated, without all doubt, by the purest of motives, with a design to put an end to this abominable system. To all the plans hitherto proposed the author states numerous and formidable objections, but whether his own scheme be practicable remains to be tried. He recommends that all who are now slaves should remain so; that philanthropic societies should be formed for giving religious education to the rising generation, who should be free at a given age; that a remote period, say fifty or one hundred years hence, should be fixed for the total extinction of slavery; that the system of agriculture should be altered; that the emigration of white people should be encouraged; and that, under companies formed as above, the system recommended should be carried into effect in all slaveholding countries, that example might teach what theory might fail to accomplish. The great difficulty will be, to reduce this scheme to practice, even respecting the rising generation, while for the eight hundred thousand now in slavery it makes no provision.

6. The best Means of promoting the Revival of Religion in the Churches, a Sermon by John Neave, (Wightman, London,) are fairly stated on scriptural grounds, and enforced by arguments which no real friend to Christianity can dare to dispute. Among these means, he observes, all the members of our churches should deeply feel the importance and necessity of the object in view;-an adherence to the primitive purity and discipline of the apostolic churches should be uniformly cherished-unity among the members, both in affection and effort, should be cultivated, greater degrees of personal holiness should be sought. Ministers should be faithful in the discharge of their duties-and finally, prayer for the influence of the Holy Spirit should be constant and earnest. A pleasing strain of liberality running throughout this discourse, inclines us to think that the author is more intent on the spread of Christianity, than on the aggrandizement of a sect.

LEAVES FROM A POCKET-BOOK.

Picture of Life.

In youth we seem to be climbing a hill on whose top eternal sunshine appears to rest. How eagerly we pant to attain its summit; but when we have gained it, how different is the prospect on the other side. We sigh as we contemplate the dreary waste before us, and look back with a wistful eye upon the flowery path we have passed, but may never more retrace. Oh, Mary! life is like yon portentous cloud, fraught with thunder, storm, and rain; but religion, like those streaming rays of sunshine, will clothe it with light as with a garment, and fringe its shadowy skirts with gold.

The Christian Dwelling.

No doubt you would be happy under the hallowed roof of Mr. C- for hallowed indeed is the dwelling of a Christian family. These little domestic temples are the gems and bulwarks of the world. They are spots on which the eye of Deity loves to repose. I often think that to the eyes of ministering angels, earth presents the appearance of an inverted sky, and that the dwellings of pious families are the stars which stud it with

beauty and with light. This we know, however, that NATIONS are preserved for THEIR sakes--we cannot doubt it. Ten righteous persons would have saved even Sodom.

The Goodness of God. MOMENTARY feelings of gratitude to our Maker, perhaps swell in every breast, at certain seasons; but this is not enough, God must be praised in the shades as well as in the sunshine of life. I know that in a fine summer's morning, when I have been gazing on a landscape, as rich and beautiful as ever met mortal eye, and heard above and around me the lark, the linnet, the thrush, and the wood-pigeon, I have felt so impressed with the goodness of God in the works of creation, that I have almost involuntarily taken off my hat, and exclaimed, "The Lord be praised for all his mercies!" May these occasional elevations of my mind be the constant frame of yours.

Transactions in Life.

In every transaction of your life, ask yourself this question, Am I able to justify myself to my conscience, and have I left no room for after-regrets by my present conduct or decision? Old James W. turned his unhappy daughter and her helpless infant out of doors, just after her confinement. The wretched mother soon sank into the grave; but twenty-five years after,

Died.-On the 19th of August, after a short illness, at Helston, in Cornwall, while on a visit, with her husband, to their family connexions and numerous friends in that county, Mrs. Dnew, wife of SAMUEL DREW, M.A. the Editor of the Imperial Magazine.

Defence against the Caterpillar.-An experi. ment has been tried for three years, to preserve gooseberry plants from the ravages of the caterpillar, by brushing the stems with a soft brush dipped in common train or fish oil, about the time of their first appearance, or at any time when infested, which appears to destroy or greatly to annoy them. It also much improves the growth and productiveness of the tree the following year, and clears it of moss. This communication is made public, in the hope of exciting experiments to prove how far it may be useful for the preservation of other trees.

Dante.-When this distinguished poet was in banishment at Verona, he had for his patron Candella Scala, the prince of that country. At his court were several strolling players, one of whom, beyond the others. The prince, on one occasion, distinguished for his ribaldry, was much caressed

when this man and Dante were both present, highly extolled the former, and, turning to the poet, said, "I wonder that this foolish fellow should have found out the secret of pleasing us all, and making himself admired; while you, who are a man of great sense, are in little esteem:" to which Dante replied, "You would cease to wonder at this, if you knew how much the conformity of characters is the source of friendship."

Quakers and Moravians.-The following important law, (9 Geo. 4, chap. 32,) permitting the Affirmation of Quakers and Moravians to be evidence, was passed on the 27th of June, 1828, by which it is enacted, "That every Quaker or Moravian, who shall be required to give evidence in any case whatsoever, criminal or civil, shall, instead of taking an oath in the usual form, be permitted to make his or her solemn affirmation or declaration in the words following; that is to say, 'I, A. B. do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm; which said affirmation and declaration shall be of the same force and effect in all courts of justice, and other places where, by law, an oath is required, as if such Quaker, or Moravian, had taken an oath in the usual form; and if any person, making such affirmation or declaration, shall be convicted of having wilfully, falsely, and corruptly affirmed or declared any matter or thing, which, if the same bad been sworn in the usual form, would have amounted to wiltul and corrupt perjury, every such offender shall be subject to the same pains, penalties, and forfeitures, to which persons convicted of wilful and corrupt perjury are, or shall be, subject,"

Coals against Gold.-A Spaniard, in an interesting work recently published, has shewn that the value of the coal dug up every year in Great Britain, even at the mouth of the mines, is much greater than all the gold and silver which is yearly obtained in the New World; and, moreover, that the coal is the occasion of the employment of so great a number of persons, that the annual value of their labour surpasses that of the valuable metals found in America each year. From his tables and statements it appears, that the value of the coal, and the wages of labour, profits, &c. on it, amount to the sum of 450,000,000f.; and that the value of the gold and silver, together with cost of carriage, amounts to 222,500,000f. This shews that there is an overplus in favour of the English coal trade to the amount of 227,500,000f.

Chinese Female Schools.-The advantages derived by the Rev. Samuel and Mrs. Dyer, from their assiduous attention to the study of the Chinese language, during a period of two years, previous to their departure from England, enabled them in a few weeks after their arrival at Penang, to commence schools for Christian instruction, which were well attended; and in November last, Mrs. Dyer was preparing to open one on the 1st of December for fifty girls, upon the Royal British System. This will afford to Christian females in Britain the opportunity of promoting the spiritual welfare of children of their own sex, born of heathen parents, by the employment of their needle upon (or otherwise preparing) useful or fancy articles, for sale in India, for the benefit of such schools. Babies' caps, all kinds of children's apparel, pincushions, needle-books, and dolls, (not wax) are among the more acceptable articles, all of which will be thankfully received by Mrs. Dyer, 4, Lisson-street, Paddington; Mrs. Tarn, 8, Parkplace, Islington; and by Mrs. Tarn, 76, Goswellstreet Road.

Table of the Average Length of the Life of some Animals.

Ass,...... years 26 to 30 Hare,

Bees,.....

Bear,.

Bull,

1 Hog,

..25 Horse,.. ...30 Lark,

.7 or 8 .....20 25 to 40

15 to 18

Camel,..........50 to 60 Linnet,..........14 or 15 100 to 150 Lion, .......

...60

Carp, Canary, without coup- Lobster,....20 and more. .22 Nightingale,

ling,..

....

15 to 18

Ditto, with .........10 Ox (in draught) ......19

...18 Otter,

.20 Parrot,

..20 Peacock,

....19 Pike,

Crocodile,..100 and more. Rabbit,

15 to 20 Raven,..

40 .50 .24

40 and more. .... 8 or 9 .........100

..22 to 28 Rhinoceros,......50 to 60 ....30 Sheep,

Cat,..

Cock,

Cow,

Cricket,.

Deer,

Dog...

Dolphin,

Eagle,.... 100 and more. Sparrow,

Elephant,. ..150 to 200 Squirrel, Ephemeron Fly,....1 day Stag,..

Goose, .............50 Wolf,

.......12 .......12 to 15 1 and more. ...... 7 .........10 to 15 ...100

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

100 and more. .........20

Memoirs of the Life, Character, and Writings of the Rev. Matthew Henry. By J. B. Williams, Esq. F.S.A. With a portrait. 8vo. bds.

Sermons intended for the use of Families, and to be read in Villages. By the Rev. W. Garthwaite. One vol. 8vo.

Russel's Calculator, for Wages, Rent, Taxes, &c. &c. by the year, half year, quarter, month, week, and day, from Sixpence to One Hundred Pounds per Annum. A Companion to the "Ready Reckoner."

18mo.

The Life and Opinions of John 'De Wycliffe, D.D. Illustrated principally from his unpublished Manuscripts, with a preliminary View of the Papal System, and of the state of the Protestant Doctrine in Europe to the Commencement of the Fourteenth Century. By Robert Vaughan. With a finely engraved Portrait by E. H. Finden, from the original picture by Sir Antonio More, now an heirloom to the Rectory of Wycliffe, Richmondshire. 2 vols. 8vo.

The third Edition of the Contributions of QQ. to a Periodical Work. By the late Jane Taylor. With some pieces not before published. 2 vols. 12mo.

Memoirs, including Correspondence and other Remains, of Mr. John Urquhart, late of the University of St. Andrews. By the Rev. W. Orme. 2 vols. 12mo. 2d Edition. With a portrait, and Prefatory Letter of Dr. Chalmers.

New Editions of the Bible Teacher's Manual, being the substance of Holy Scripture, in questions on every chapter thereof. By a Clergyman. Parts I. and II. Genesis and Exodus.

The Motherless Family; or, Maternal Influence displayed. By Esther Copley, (late Hewlett,) author of Cottage Comforts, &e. 18mo.

Anti-Slavery Monthly Reporter for August. Hymns, chiefly on the Parables of Christ, by D. E. Ford. 18mo. cloth.

Second Edition. The Desolations of Evam the Emigrant; a Tale of the American Woods. By William and Mary Howitt, authors of The Forest Minstrel," and other poems.

A Volume of Sermons. By the Rev. Charles B. Tayler, M.A.

The History of Little Jack, in French and English; with a Two-fold Key on the Hamiltonian System. By Philip Orkney Skene.

Protestant Remarks on Transubstantiation, and other Tenets of the Church of Rome; with an Appendix, containing Observations on Purgatory, and the Duration of Future, Punishments. By the Rev. W. Cowley, A.M. 12mo.

Plain Observations on the Management of Children during the First Month, particularly addressed to Mothers; with an Appendix, coutaining a few prac tical Hints for the Guidance of the Nursery. Stitch'd. Notes of a Journey in the North of Ireland, in the Summer of 1827. Fine plates.

Historical Sketches of the ancient Irish and their Descendants. By Christopher Auderson.

A Compendium of Modern Geography, &c. By the Rev. Alexander Stewart.

Theory and Practice of Arithmetic, in which the subject is treated upon its own principles, illustrated by its own evidences, and made effectually subservient to an attainment of the mathematics. By George Hutton. 12mo.

We are glad to find that the valuable Commentary of Matthew Henry is now translating into Welsh, and publishing in parts. 4to.

In the Press.

A Universal Prayer, a Poem; Death; a Vision of Heaven; and a Vision of Hell. By Robert Montgomery, author of "The Omnipresence of the Deity." An Historical Romance, chiefly illustrative of the public events and domestic manners of the Fifteenth Century, entitled, "The Last of the Plantagenets." In one volume, small octavo, Effusions of Genius." By the late Rebecca Ribbans, of Lavenham school.

An Inquiry into the popular notion of an Unorigi nated, Infinite, and Eternal Prescience; for the parpose of ascertaining whether that Doctrine be sup ported by the dictates of Reason, and the Writings of the Old and New Testaments; with a Preface, containing a Dialogue between the Author and one of his Readers. By the Rev. James Jones.

Forty-Five Expository and Practical Lectures on our Lord's Sermon on the Mount. By I. F. Good.

In one volume, post 8vo. Literary Remains of the late Henry Neele, Esq. consisting of Lectures on English Poetry, Tales, and Miscellaneous Pieces in prose and verse, never before published.

The Grammatical and Pronouncing Spelling-Book. The Dissertation on the Priesthood of Christ. By the Rev. John Wilson, of Montrose.

A New Edition of the Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mrs. Sarah Savage, eldest danghter of the Rev. P. Henry; with additions. By J. B. Williams, Esq. F.S.A. and a recommendatory Preface by the Rev. Way, of Bath. 12mo.

The Schoolfellows. By Mrs. Copley, (late Hewlett.) Stitched.

The Juvenile Forget-Me-Not," for the year 1829, is in a state of considerable forwardness. It will contain a number of Engravings on Steel, and several exquisite Wood Cuts. Its principal feature of attrac tion in this department will be an Engraving by Thompson, from Behnes' Bust of Her Royal Highness the Princess Victoria.' The literary portion of the volume is formed of the contributions of Mrs. Hannah More, Mrs. Opie, Mrs. Hemans, the author of "Selwyn in Search of a Daughter,' James Montgomery, William and Mary Howitt, the Author of "My Early Days, &c. Rev. Dr. Walsh, Miss Mitford, Mrs. Hofland, Richard Howitt, Miss Jewsbury, the Author of "Solitary Hours," Allan Cunningham, &c.

The Amulet" for the year 1829, is expected to appear early in November, with attractions, both literary and pictorial, greatly exceeding either of its predecessors, and will contain articles from a number of the most distinguished writers of the age, among whom are many who have not heretofore contributed either to this work, or to those of a similar character; and that its illustrations will be of the highest order of art.

Erratum. For "Poetical Researches,” in col. 761, read Poetical Recreations."