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vention, and romantic fancy, in depicting a number of unconnected scenes in the families of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She has been happy in her selection of incidents, and in the management and denouement of the critical events. Her style is the rampant prose of Hervey's Meditations, and the Euglish translations of Klopstock and Gessner; with fewer faults than occur in the first, and with no mean resemblance to the beauties and extravagances of the two latter. Yet, notwithstanding occasional rhodomontade, with some quaint, affected, and ungrammatical expressions, the work is agreeable, and often fascinating.

Though we would not positively say that it is morally wrong to build the enchanted houses of fictitious narration on the sacred ground of Scripture history,-yet, the least that we can require in such attempts, is a reverential observance of the holy tendency of the divine book, and a studious preservation of that great character, as well as of general verisimilitude. Our chief objection to Miss OK.'s performance arises from this principle; not that there is in it any thing immoral.-The tendency is good, according to the author's apparently defective views. Obedience and resignation to the divine will, and all the social virtues, are steadily recommended and honoured; but the religion attributed to the Hebrew patriarchs is nothing better than the religion of nature, a mere chimera. Not an idea is given of the instructive sig nificancy and design of the sacrifices which are occasionally introduced. Not a word is dropped of that righteousness in which the Pattern of believers exercised his firm and productive faith. Not a hint of the glorious PROMISE which he

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and his converted descendants embraced, confessing themselves strangers and pilgrims in the earth. The Sun of righteousness here shines not. The glory of the Old, as well as of the New Testament, is absent;-HE, whose day Abraham rejoiced to see, and beheld it, and was glad.'

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We would not, however, say that, under the judicious care of a Christian parent or friend to supply these deficiencies, by conversation or in any other mode, these volumes of Miss O'Keeffe may not be rendered an useful addition to the juvenile library.

Travels in Greece, Palestine, Egypt, and Barbary, in 1806 and 1807. By F. A. De Chateaubriand. Translated from the French, by Frederic Shoberl. 2 vols. 8vo, price 11. 14s.

THESE Volumes fall under our notice only in consequence of their containing interesting, and, as we suppose, authentic information, concerning these parts of the world which are rendered important to Christians by having been the scenes of Scripture events. The author is the grandson of the celebrated Malesherbes, and well known in France as the writer of

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The Martyrs; or the Triumph of the Christian Religion.' was very desirous of seeing those places with his own eyes, to which he had so often referred ;-and to indulge reflections, such as the sight of Sparta, Athens, Smyrna, Cairo, and Jerusalem, would naturally inspire. The author, we presume, is a Catholic, and expresses himself, at times, with the enthusiasm of a pilgrim; but we are certainly indebed to him for many curious and entertaining circumstances relating to the Holy Land especially, He continued for some time at Je rusalem, visiting with much diligence, and no smail degree of veneration, all the places to which tradition has affixed some memorable Occurrence. The author's observations certainly tend to strengthen the evidence of Scripture facts, and consequently to confirm the Christian in his faith. On this head Mr. C. thus expresses himself:

What an astonishing body of evidence is here! The apostles saw Jesus Christ; they knew the places honoured by the Son of Man; they transmitted the tradition to the first Christian church of

Judea; a regular succession of bishops was established, who preserved the sacred tradition. Eusebius appeared, and the history of the sacred places commenced. It was continued by Socrates, Sozomenes, Theodoret, Evagrius, and St. Jerome. Pilgrims thronged thither from all parts. From this period to the present day, an uninterrupted series of travels for four teen centuries, give us the same facts and the same descriptions. What tradition was ever supported by such an host of witnesses!'

Mr. C.'s account of Jerusalem forms the fourth part of his work, and occupies 185 pages, including many portions of the gospel history, with occasional comments, and also a large account of the taking of Jerusalem by the Crusaders. This part of the work is peculiarly interesting to the readers of Scripture; and is probably full as genuine as any description by former travellers.

This work contains a fund of entertainment, which may be turned to good account by a serious, reader.

Considerations on the Causes and the Prevalence of Female Prostitu tion; and on the most practicable and efficient Means of abuting and preventing that and other Crimes. By W. Hiale. Sun, 2s.

ON a former occasion we have plainly avowed our difference in sentiments with the author of this pamphlet, upon one of the methods in which the liberality of British Christians has exerted itself to diminish guilt and assuage misery, the establishment of the London Female Penitentiary. In proportion to our past regret in being compelled to differ from one whom we highly respect for his integrity and openness as a writer, and his benevolence and activity as a man and a Christian, it is now a pleasure to us to have an occasion of meeting him on ground of concord and approbation. Mr. Hale's exertions and success in counteracting, or in preventing the sins and miseries of the lower orders, have given him

strong claims on the attention and the respect of real patriots and Christians; and have, on more than one occasion, been marked with the honourable testimony of the legislature. A parish, one of the most populous, and formerly one of the most disorderly,in the metropolis, has, in the course of a few years, been made the example of all others for its good order and public decorum. This surprizing change has, we believe, been effected principally by the well-laid plans and the unremitting toils of Mr. H. In the pamphlet before' us, he details, for the benefit of others, the plans which he and his parochial coadjutors have pursu ed with such encouraging success. Not only the crime of prostitution, which he justly regards as the hydra prolific of all others, but those of Sabbath breaking, drunkenness, the nefarious subterfuges of brothels, the abuses prevalent in low public-houses, and the melancholy extension of corruption and misery over the children of the poor,—are topics on which we are presented with much information, and furnished with the results of large experience in opposing and preventing them. Adverting once more to the Penitentiary, we take occasion to say that the grand object of its establishment, an object which, through the riches of divine grace, has in some encouraging measure been already attained, is in perfect accordance with the design of the book before us. That is remedial; this is preventive. Neither should be rejected; but both the kinds of measures should diligently and faithfully be pursued.

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through a miserable life into eternity! From this distressing picture of female depravity, the number can easily be ascertained that are annually swept from off the stage by disease and premature death. But notwithstanding this, their places are immediately supplied; and, which is by far the most afflicting consideration, if there were room, their numbers would more than double their present amount.'

These unhappy women Mr. H. divides into the following classes: -Women who have been in servitude, those who work at trades, or in manufactories, and those who sell fruit and other articles about the streets during the day, and at night prowl the streets for prey'; beside which there is another class who reside in the various temples of prostitution, and devote themselves wholly to work iniquity!

To stop the progress, and to reduce the actual magnitude, of this and the other abominations which he laments, Mr. H. lays down the MEANS which the respectable and religious inhabitants of every parish have in their power; and he is careful to point out the causes which have occasioned the failure of some well intended efforts, through the incaution and inexperience of those who have made such attempts, and the evasive manoeuvrings of hardened practitioners in wickedness. These details and cautions, with the requisite citations of legal authority, take up a considerable part of the pamphlet. The leading position appears to be, that it is IN THE POWER of the truly religious and most respectable part of most, if not of all, parishes, to discountenance vice, encourage and protect good morals, and render the criminal practice, which is devouring our youth, extremely difficult to he carried on. In many instances prostitution would be rendered impracticable; our streets and purlieus would be freed from its serpentine allurements; and, humanly speaking, the temporal and cternal ruin of thousands would Le pre vented.'

That this is a reasonable and just expectation, and that the grounds of it are satisfactorily made out, appears to us undeniably proved. The evidence which the author adduces from authority, from reasoning, and from ascertained facts, is such as, we confess, carries conviction to our judgment, and authorizes him in his zealous endeavours to arouse from their sinful supineness,' the many men of real piety and universal benevolence' who are doubtless to be found in every parish of London and its suburbs.

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We hope that this publication will be extensively useful. It speaks in loud and awakening language to our pious and active merchants, tradesmen, and gentry; especially to that numerous and valuable class whose success in business has freed them from the obligations of constant and personal attendance.Surely, such an appeal will not be made in vain. Surely, the holy and active Christians, whose love to the Lord Jesus, and to the highest interests of mankind, gave birth to the Missionary Society, the Bible Society, the Tract Society, the Female Penitentiary, and other monuments of truest benevolence,-c not be unfeeling or inactive in this cause! No new Society is wanted,no plans to be devised,--no funds to be raised. The machinery is complete and ready; it has been prepared by the provident care of the legislature, and is a part of the law of England: it only wants diligent,faithful, and persevering hands to work it. We pray and hope that God may raise up many such, and bless their exertions most abundantly.

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Emelia Geddie. Recommended by
Mr. Whitefield. A new edition. 6d.

ONE character will serve the whole of these little works. They contain very interesting, and, no doubt, authentic accounts of the deaths of pious children; which may be very useful as examples to others, and as affording an unanswerable demonstration of the great advantages of genuine religion both in life and death. There is one objection, however, which young people are apt to make against such narratives; it seems as if all the good children died young; but this is by no means the fact. It would not, indeed, be proper to publish an account of the piety of children while living; and when they grow up to manhood, and persevere in the same paths, the blossoms of early piety give way to the fruits of a holy and a useful life.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Mr. Allen's new Translation of Calvin's Institutes, in 3 vols. 8vo, is in the press; for which subscriptions continue to be received.

A second edition of Rev. W.Bennett's Essay on the Gospel Dissertation, much enlarged.

A Translation of Professor Franck's Guide to the Reading and Study of the Scriptures, by Mr. Jaques; a volume of Sermons by

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National Education. - The First

Part of the Sunday Spelling is printing in large type (on the plan of Mr. Lancaster's Spelling Book) with considerable improvements.

There is also in the hands of an eminent engraver, a Missionary Map, on Mercator's plan, intended to be coloured in such a manner as to shew the reigning religion in all parts of the world, with the Missionary Stations of all the various Societies for the Propagation of the Gospel. This Map will be accompanied with an explanation, containing a concise, but authentic account of each Missionary station, and of the Missionaries employed at the present time; also the Population of the various Heathen and Mahommedan countries; the whole being designed to shew how little has been hitherto effected in the Missionary work, and how much yet remains to do.

A General Index to the first Twenty Volumes of the Evangelical Magazine, is preparing for publication at the close of the present year.

SELECT LIST OF RELIGIOUS
Fawcett's Devotional Family
Bible, complete, 2 vols. royal 4to,
51. 5s.

Sermons and Letters to an Under Graduate, by the late Rev. W. Gunn, 8vo, 10s. 6d.

A Second Volume of Bogatsky's Golden Treasury, revised by Mr. Steinkopff, with a Memoir of the Author. 12mo.

Concise View of the State of Religion throughout the World. By T. Haweis, L. L. B. & M.D. 8vo, 2s.

A Funeral Sermon for the Rev. W. Heudebourk. By J. Small; with an Address at the luterment, by T. Golding. 1s. 6d.

A concise Account of the Rise and Progress of the Missionary Society. 6d.

PUBLICATIONS.

Ewing's Greek Lexicon. New edition, enlarged, royal 8vo, 15s.

A Funeral Sermon for Miss French, with Memoirs of the deceased. By the Rev. J. T. Sangar, A. M. Svo, 3s.

Memoirs of Dr. Vanderkemp, with his Portrait. Second edition.

1s.

Memoirs of the Rev. T. English, late of Wooburn; to which is added a Selection of his Letters, and a Poem, by J. Griffin, 8vo, 5s. For Children and Sunday Schools. Scenes from Bunyan. Five Parts; each 3d. Half-bound, 1s. 6d.

Watts's Prayers, Part I. 2d.; Part II. 3d.; Do. complete, ls. The Breakfast, by Dr. Hawker, 2d. Memorandums of a Young Man,

6d.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

IRELAND.

NOVEMBER 28, 1811, the Annual Meeting of the Hibernian Bible Society was held at the Royal Irish Academy House, Grafton Street, Dublin. There was a very numerous attendance of persons of various religious denominations. The Bishop of Kildare, one of the vice presidents, had been appointed to take the chair; but a letter from his Lordship was read, slating, that he was unable to attend, in consequence of indisposition. Mr. Shaw, therefore, member for the city, another of the vice presidents, was called to preside at the meeting. The Report of the Committee for the past year was then presented. It commenced with a statement of the resources of the Society arising from the donations and subscriptions of the members, congregational collections in different places of worship throughout Ireland, and the liberal aid afforded by similar institutions in Great Britain. Among the last were mentioned two donations from Scotland; one of 200 from the Edinburgh Bible Society, and another of £150 from the Scottish Bible Society. Two new branches of the Institution, it appeared, have been formed during the year, one at Strabane, and another at Raphoe, under the patronage of the Bishop of that see. The zeal and activity of the various branches, and their exertions to increase the funds of the Society, and to disseminate the Scriptures, were meutioned in strong terms of approbation; as were also the efforts of some benevolent individuals, who are employed in the same glorious work. The following paragraph of the Report, deserves particular

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made use of by some of the lower classes to obtain the means of procuring the Scriptures; and instances have not been wanting of females in that rank of life dispensing with the merely ornamental parts of their dress, to lay out the price of them in the purchase of a Bible.'

Another fact which the Report stated, must give universal satisfaction, viz. That there is a growing desire for the Scriptures in the soldiery in Ireland; and, as a proof of this, it was mentioned that 39 men of one company, belonging to a regi ment quartered at Island Bridge, near Dublin, had presented a inemorial, accompanied by a recom mendation from their officers, pray, ing to be supplied with Bibles at the reduced price. To meet these increasing demands, the Committee, it was stated, had imported in the course of the year, more than 20,000 Bibles and Testaments; and that there were issued from the Repository during the last twelve months 6379 Bibles and 6405 Testaments; in all 12,784 Bibles and Testaments. This report was received with loud applauses, and appeared to excite the most pleasing sensations in the members and friends of the Institution. Several very animating speeches were de livered; Rev. B. W. Mathias, and Dr. Thorp, Secretaries; Mr. Singer, Rev. Peter Roe, Rev. Robert Shaw, Rev. George Hamilton, &c. severally addressed the meeting; and one determination seemed to pervade the whole, that of never relaxing in exertion till the Bible was put into the hands of every individual in Ireland who can read. In fine, their meeting bore resemblance to that held annually in the metropolis of the empire, when nearly two thousand persons assemble, and engage in the great work of sending the Bible to every quarter of the globe. Various resolutions were passed; by one of which the new Committee is instructed to apply to the clergy, and also to the ministers of dissenting congregations in Dublin, to make collections for the Society in the respective places of worship.

Your Committee have much pleasure in informing the members of this Society, and all others interested in the circulation of the Scriptures in Ireland, that there exists in this country a great and increasing demand for them. Your Committee have been informed of the great efforts of industry

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