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ART. XIII. SELECT LITERARY INFORMATION.

In a few days will be published, in two volumes, Memoirs and Poetical Remains of the late Jane Taylor; with extracts from ber correspondence. By Isaac Taylor, jun.

Speedily will be published, A Practical Illustration of the Book of Psalms. By the Author of the Family Commentary on the New Testament.

Joseph John Guruey has an octavo volume in the press, to be entitled, Essays our the Evidences and Doctrines of Christianity.

Preparing for publication, The Cottager's Family Altar, containing a course of Prayers, with Scriptural references for Daily Reading

In the press, Essays and Sketches, designed to illustrate the mode of Education pursued in Sunday Schools, and to remedy some of their most importaut defects. By A. H. Davis, Author of Teacher's Farewell, &c. 1 vol. 18mo.

A Book of Martyrs for the Young. By the Rev. Isaac Taylor. Allustrated with upwards of 50 engravings from designs by Harvey, and engraved by Sears.

Dr. Paris has in the press a volume, on the Digestive Functions, and on the various complaints incident to their disordered states; with a general view of Curative Dieteties.

In the press, A Practical Treatise on Poisons; forming a comprehensive Manual of Toxicology. By John Gordon Smith, M.D. 8vo.

In the press, A Treatise on Epidemic Cholera, and sketches of the Diseases of India; including Statistical and Topo graphical Reports, &c. By James Annesley, Esq., of the Madras Medical Establishment. 1 vol. 8vo.

Shortly will be published, Sephora, a Hebrew Tale, descriptive of the country of Palestine, and of the manners and customs of the ancient Israelites. 2 vols. post 8vo.

Outlines of Truth, by a Lady, 1 vol. 12mo., will shortly appear.

In the press, Botanical Sketches of the Twenty four Classes in the Linnean System, with Fifty Specimens of English Plants, taken from Nature; containing an account of their place of growth, times of flowering, and medicinal properties; with many plates, post Bro.

Nugæ Sacræ, or Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, will shortly be published, in a neat pocket volume.

In the press, and nearly ready, A Critical Essay on the Writings of St. Luke, translated from the German of Dr. Frederic Schleiermacher: with an Introduction by the Translator, containing an Account. of the Controversy respecting the Origin of the Three First Gospels since Bishop Marsh's Dissertations. 1 vol. 8vo.

Nearly ready, Scottish Songs, Ancient and Modern: illustrated with Notes, a Critical Introduction, and Characters of the most eminent Lyric Poets of Scotland. By Allan Cunningham. 4 vols. post 8vo.

In the press, The Elements of the Differential and Integral Calculus. By the Rev. Dionysius Lardner, of the University of Dublin. 8vo.

In the press, An Analytical Treatise on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. By the Rev. Dionysius Lardner, of the University of Dublin. 8vo.

A work on the plan of the German Literary Almanacks, will be published early in the mouth of November, under ̧ the title of the Amulet, The volume is intended more especially for religious readers, and will, therefore, contain` only such productions as have an ob viously, religious or moral tendency. It will consist of Tales, Essays, and Poetry, by about twenty-five of the most popular writers of the age. The illustrations (twelve in number) are by Martin, Westall, Corbould, Wright, Brooke, &c.; and the engravings by Heath, Finden, Mitchell, Melville, &c.

The Rev. John Burder, bas in the press, A Series of Twenty-four Lectures on Religion; in which, after elucidating, in an introductory discourse, the nature of religion, and fixing on a criterion for distinguishing truth from error, he exhibits, in eight lectures, the characteristic features of the more remarkable of the false religions which have prevailed in the world. The following fifteen discourses relate to Christianity: first, a concise statement is given of the evidences of its being the true Religion; secondly, the principal facts and doctrines of the Gospel are contemplated; thirdly, the truths of religion are considered as embodied in the Christian cha

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racter; and finally, the Gospel is shewn to have undeniable claims on all who hear it, in reference both to a personal reception of it, and to the commuuication of it to others.

An Annual Work is announced under the title of Janus. We are promised the first volume before the termination of this year. The prospectus states, that the most distinguished literary men in the kingdom are engaged in the undertaking. It will appear in one vol. post Svo., and will consist of Tales, original and translated, occasional Essays, popular Illustrations of History and Antiquities, serious and comic Sketches of Life and Manners, &c. &c.

In the press, The Contest of the Twelve Nations; or a Comparison of the different Bases of Human Charac

ter and Talent. 1. vol. 8vo. This Work consists of Twelve Chapters; in each of which a different kind of genius, or turn of mind, is brought into view, described, and copiously illustrated by an enumeration of its distinctive qualities and their modifications. The object of the Work is, to shew that the peculiarities of character observable in every individual may be traced to some one or another of twelve departments, and that be may have his place assigned him in a classified view of the diversities of hu

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ART. XIV. LIST OF WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

GEOLOGY.

Antediluvian Phytology, illustrated by a collection of the Fossil Remains of Plants, peculiar to the Coal Formations of Great Britain. By Edmund Tyrell Artis, F.S.A. F.G S. Author of Roman Antiquities. royal 4to. 21, 10s.

MEDICINE.

The Works of the late Matthew Baillie, M.D. To which is prefixed, an Account of his Life, collected from Anthentic Sources. By James Wardrop, Surgeon Extraordinary to the King, &c. &c. 2 vols 8vo. with a Head. 11. 5s.

Medical Researches on the Effects of Iodine, in Bronchocele, Paralysis, Chorea, Scrophula, Fistula Lachrymalis, Deafness, Dysphagia, White Swelling, and Distortions of the Spine. By Alexander Mauson, M.D. &c. 8vo. 12s,

MISCELLANEOUS.

Chinese Miscellany, consisting of original extracts from Chinese authors, in the native character, with translations and philological remarks. By Robert Morrison, D.D. F.R.S. &c. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

The Duty and Advantage of Early Rising, as it is favourable to Health, Business, and Devotion; including valuable extracts from the writings of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M.; Rev. Philip Doddridge, D.D.; Rev. W. Paley, D.D.; Right Rev. George Horne, D.D. Lord Bishop of Norwich; Dr. Gregory; Miss Taylor, and others. With an elegant and appropriate engraving 2s. 6d.

Domestic Duties; or, Instructions to Young Married Ladies, on the Management of their Households, and the Regulation of their Conduct in the various Relations and Duties of Married Life. By Mr. William Parkes, Second Edit. 10s. 6d.

Letters from the Irish Highlands of Cunnemarra. By a Family Party. Second Edition. pust 8vo. 10s. 6d.

POETRY.

Thoughts on an Illustrious Exile; occasioned by the Persecution of the Protestants in France, in 1815. With other Poems. By Hugh Stuart Boyd, Esq. 8vo. 3s. 6d. sewed.

The Fruits of Faith, or Musing Sinner; with Elegies, and other Moral Poems. By Hugh Campbell, of the Middle Temple. 12mo. 6s.

Martin Luther; a Poem 8vo. 6s.

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A Voyage towards the South Pole, performed in the Years 1822-23-24; containing an Examination of the Antartic Sea to the 74th Degree of Latitude and a Visit to Tierra del Fuego, with a particular Account of the lubabitants. To which is added, much useful information on the Coasting Navigation of Cape Horn, and the adjacent Lands. By James Weddell, Esq. Master in the Royal Navy. 1 vol. 8vo with charts, and plates. 18s. Dedicated, by permission, to Lord Melville.

THE

ECLECTIC REVIEW,

ECLECTIC

FOR NOVEMBER, 1825.

Art. I. 1. A Vindication of the Proceedings of the Edinburgh Bible Society, relative to the Apocrypha, against the Aspersions of the Eclectic Review; in a Letter to the Members of the Committee of the Parent Institution. 8vo. pp. 36. London. 1825.

2. The Christian Guardian, Oct. 1825. Art. Gorham on the Apocryphal Controversy, in Reply to the Eclectic Review.

Tis not without reluctance that we again call the attention of our readers to the Apocrypha question, more especially because, in returning to it, we shall have occasion to speak of ourselves. We owe it, however, to the Edinburgh Bible Society, to notice the present plausible and, upon the whole, temperate apology for their proceedings; and we wish to make one more effort to place the question in its true light.

The subject divides itself into two parts: first, the propriety of what has been done; and secondly, the rule by which the future proceedings of the Bible Society should be governed. The Committee of the Parent Society were accused of violating their original contract with the public, of acting in direct infringement on their own laws, of violating integrity of conscience, of doing evil that good may come. Now, whatever decision the Committee may come to on the pending question, these accusations we cannot but regard as alike groundless and uncourteous. Without laying claim to any professional zeal in defence of the Bible Society'-an imputation which sounds too much like an encomium for us to quarrel with it--we assuredly did feel ourselves called upon to vindicate the conduct of the Committee,-and this without having had the slightest communication with any member of the Committee on the subject. It was our object to shew,-and our readers will judge with what success-that they had not broken their faith with the public; that the fundamental law of the Institution left the Committee entirely at liberty with respect to foreign VOL. XXIV. N.S. 2 M

versions; that the rules were framed without any reference to the case which has arisen; and that whatever may have been taken for granted by the country subscribers,' the rules do not prohibit the including of the Apocrypha in the foreign versions printed or circulated by the Bible Society. Of the intention of those who framed those rules, we could only speak conjecturally. We are now, indeed, told, that

It is unanimously declared by the survivors, the Rev. J. Pratt, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, the Rev. J. Townsend, the Rev. J. Hughes, and Mr. Z. Macauley, that the rules were expressly framed with the view of excluding the Apocrypha. Mr. Hughes does not indeed so perfectly recollect whether foreign operations were contemplated in framing the rule so as to exclude the Apocrypha. But this circumstance does not weaken our confidence in the memory and opinion of his able coadjutors.'

Surely, a rule cannot be so very clear or explicit, which requires to be interpreted by the memory of those who assisted in framing it. The Committee are bound by their rules, but not by the recollections of any of their members. That it was the intention of the founders of the Bible Society, to exclude the Apocrypha from the English Bible, we have not the smallest doubt, because on no other terms would the Presbyterians of Scotland or the Protestant, Dissenters of England have given it their support. But even this intention is not expressed in the rule; and if it had been, it is our firm belief,. that umbrage would have been given, and that unanimity would by no means have been secured among the earliest patrons and supporters of the Society. This understood condition, then, this tacit compact, is all that the Committee can be charged with violating. But the question is, How far did this understanding extend? Did it relate to foreign versions, and that under all circumstances? On this point, here are conflicting views of the rule, and differing recollections about the intention of the rule, which could not exist if the case were clear, or the rule explicit. If the Committee have erred in judgement, let it be shewn. This is a matter of opinion. But to charge them, in the terms of the Edinburgh Statement, with a direct violation of the original contract of the Society with its members, is, we repeat it, a gross misrepresentation, implicating the integrity of the Parent Committee. As such, we indignantly deprecated it. No accusation could be more adapted to inflame the public mind, or to raise a clamour against the Society. And the circulating of this charge all over the country, as was done by the Edinburgh Committee, we must still maintain, wore the appearance of conduct dictated by strong irritation and vindictive feeling. Nor were we

singular in this opinion. It was entertained by many individuals who differed from us on the question at issue. For the venerable Vice-president of the Edinburgh Society who lent his name to the document, we entertain the most unfeigned respect; but we entertain an equal respect for the individuals implicated in the accusations put forward under his sanction; and while we readily allow, that his name stands too high to ⚫ be injured by the breath of slander,' we must take the liberty of thinking that it stood higher before it was affixed to that document. Sensibility is sometimes not a little eccentric. While this Member of the Bible Society' is so much offended at what he calls the attack made on the Edinburgh Committee, he surely forgets the attack which was made by them on the London Committee. But when he charges the Eclectic Reviewer with descending to personalities, he himself defames. No particular individual of the Edinburgh Committee was, in the most distant manner, personally referred to.

Seeing, however, that different views have been taken of the latitude allowed by the rules of the Bible Society, while we think that the Committee have, up to this time, been fully justified in acting according to the discretion with which they conceived themselves to be invested, it is now highly necessary that the rule for their future proceedings should be distinctly and definitively laid down. What this rule should be, is the real question to be determined. The old rule left the giving or withholding of the Apocrypha to the discretion of the Committee. The alteration proposed, would deprive them of any liberty in this respect. To have a full and fair view of the question, it will be necessary to determine; first, whether it be lawful to circulate the Apocrypha with the canonical Scriptures; secondly, whether it be necessary; thirdly, whether it be expedient.

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1. Is it lawful? The Vindicator puts the question thus: Can any fancied ideas of expediency justify the British and Foreign Bible Society in lending its sanction to a canon of Scripture, whose pretensions it knows to be false?' If they be fancied ideas' of expediency, the question is easily answered; but we must, for the present, assume, that a strong apparent necessity exists for the concurrence which is so warmly deprecated. This fancied expediency' has for its object, the spiritual illumination of millions of our fellow creatures who are destitute of the word of life. It is a part of the misrepresentation which, unhappily, has been employed by the objectors to the Apocrypha, to give to this object the name of expediency and yet, they are well aware, that the only motive for giving the Apocrypha at all, by which the Committee have

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