range (to be counted, as we have said, by hundreds of millions of miles), through which the August ring extends, the system has a depth exceeding some four hundred times the diameter of the earth on which we live. Yet it is probable that the whole weight of the August system, vast as are its dimensions, is infinitely less than that of many a hill upon the earth's surface. For the weight of the separate falling stars of the system has been determined (by one of the wondrously subtle applications of modern scientific processes) to be but a few ounces at the outside; and even during the most splendid exhibition of falling stars the bodies which seem to crowd our skies are many miles apart, while under ordinary circumstances thousands of miles separate the successively appearing meteors. Indeed, it was well remarked by an eminent member of the Greenwich corps of astronomers, that the planets tell us by the steadiness of their motions, that they are swayed by no such attractions heavily-loaded meteor-systems would exert. "The weight of meteor-systems must be estimated by pounds and ounces, not by tons," he remarked. as The spectroscope has taught us something of the constitution of these bodies, though they never reach the earth's surface. Professor Herschel, third in that line of astronomers which has done so much for science, has employed an August night or two in trying to find out what the August meteors are made of. With a spectroscope of ingenious device, constructed by Mr. Browning, F.R.A.S., words of the observer, "their condition" (when rendered visible to us by their combustion) "is exactly that of a flame of gas in a Bunsen's burner, freely charged with the vapour of burning sodium; or of the flame of a spirit lamp newly trimmed, and largely dosed with a supply of moistened salt." It is strange to consider what becomes of all the sodium thus dispersed throughout the upper regions of air. There can be no doubt that in some form or other-mixed or in combination -it reaches the earth. The very air we breathe must at all times contain, in however minute a proportion, the cosmical dust thus brought to us from out the interplanetary spaces. Nay, for aught we know, purposes of the utmost importance in the economy of our earth, and affecting largely the welfare of the creatures which subsist upon its surface, may be subserved by this continual downpour of meteoric matter. We know already that the different meteor-systems are differently constituted. instance, the white November stars are much less rich in sodium than the yellow August ones. Each system, doubtless, has its special constitution, and thus the air we breathe is continually being dosed with different forms of metallic dust, -now one metal, now another, being added, with results in which, did we but know it, we are doubtless largely inter For ested. Nor is it certain that deleterious results do not occasionally flow from an overdose of some of the elements contained in meteors. It might be plausibly maintained, on evidence drawn from known facts and dates, that occasionally a meteoric system has brought plague and pestilence with it. The " sweating sickness" even has been associated (though, we admit, not very satisfactorily) with the 33-year returns of great displays of November shooting stars. Without insisting on such hypotheses as these, which scarcely rest on stronger evidence than the notion that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was brought about by an unusually heavy downfall of sodium-laden (that is, salt-laden) meteors, we may content ourselves by pointing out that the labours of eminent chemists have shown that the air is actually loaded at times with precisely such forms of metallic dust as the theories of astronomers respecting meteors would lead us to look for.-Spectator. Literary Notices. [We hold it to be the duty of an Editor either to give an early notice of the books sent to him for remark, or to return them at once to the Publisher. It is unjust to praise worthless books; it is robbery to retain unnoticed ones.] THE REVIEWER'S CANON. In every work regard the author's end, Since none can compass more than they intend. MANUAL OF HISTORICO-CRITICAL INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. By KARL FRIEDERICH KEIL. Translated by GEORGE C. DOUGLAS, D.D., B.A. Vol. I. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. "DURING the last twenty-five years there has manifestly been an increasing interest expressed among us in all questions connected with the authority of Scripture, the extent of the canon and the circumstances of its formation, the age of the books contained in it, and the condition of their text." The author thus explains the object of this work. "The problem which I set before myself, as I worked at it, was not merely to collect, to complete, and to present compendiously the results of older and of more recent historico-critical investigations into the origin, the genuineness, the integrity, and the credibility of those scriptures of the Old Testament on which theological scepticism has cast doubts, and which it has stripped of historical and theological claims to respect. But along with this, it has been my effort to vindicate for Old Testament isagogic the rank of a theological science, by an organic division and arrangement of the material which works on introduction handle, in correspondence with the gradual origination and the historical transmission of the Old Testament; so that this science might form the indispensable foundation on which to work out historically, dogmatically, and apologetically, the revealed religion of the Old Testament." This is a work of immense labour and great scholarship. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT. By FRIEDERICH BLEEK. Translated by Rev. WILLIAM URWICK, M.A. Vol. I. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark. THE author of this work was one of the most eminent and distinguished scholars of the Evangelical Church in Germany. He lectured on the subject of this volume from four to six hours weekly during the winter of 1822, and he revised and repeated his lecture twenty-four times down to the winter of 1858. The work, which is now presented to us in English, is distinguished by succinctness, accuracy, candour, love of truth, and, above all, reverence for the revelation of God in Christ, and for Holy Scripture as the record of that revelation. They who hesitate to acknowledge the authenticity of the fourth Gospel should at once procure this volume, and profoundly study what it says. THE HERO OF THE DESERT; OR, FACT MORE WONDERFUL THAN FICTION. By Rev. JAMES SPONG. Second Edition. London: The Book Society, 28, Paternoster-row. "The THIS book consists of eleven chapters, the subjects of which are:Providence of God as exemplified in the Birth and Preservation of Moses -God or Mammon; or, the Choice of Moses-Communion with God; or, Moses in the Desert-Hardness of Heart; or, Moses before PharaohThe Salvation of God; or, Moses at the Red Sea-Co-operation; or, Moses on Mount Hor-The Giving of the Law; or, Moses on Mount Sinai-Failure and Forfeiture; or, Moses at the Rock-The Provisions of Mercy; or, Moses and the Brazen Serpent-Light from the Holy Oracle; or, Moses a Prophet-Looking beyond Jordan; or, Moses on Mount Nebo." All these subjects are treated in a very admirable way. The author displays great thoughtfulness, a thorough knowledge of the subject in hand, a profound reverence for the Holy Word, a reverent and a Catholic spirit. The style is clear and calm, with here and there strokes of eloquence that stir the soul. The book is in its second edition, and if the religious public deal with it according to its merits, it will pass through many more. THE MIDNIGHT SKY. Familiar Notes of the Stars and Planets. By EDWIN DUNKIN. London: The Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster-row. THIS book contains thirty-two star maps and numerous other illustrations, and a great deal of excellent writing on the stellar universe. The substance of the book appeared in separate articles in the Leisure Hour." Carlyle once said, "Why did not somebody teach me the constellations, and make me at home in the starry heavens which are always over head, and which I don't half know to this day?" Astronomy is the sublimest of the sciences, and yet its study is sadly neglected. This book is an admirable help to an acquaintance with the relative position of the planets and the principal stars, with the general contour of the different constallations. We heartily recommend the work as one of the best that has issued from 56, Paternoster-row. JESUS CHRIST. Conferences delivered at Notre Dame, in Paris. By Rev. Père Lacordaire. London: Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. THE subjects of this book are-"The Inner Life of Jesus Christ-The Public Power of Jesus Christ-The Foundation of the Reign of Jesus Christ-The Perpetuity and Progress of the Reign of Jesus Christ-The Pre-existence of Jesus Christ. The Efforts of Rationalism to Destroy the Life of Jesus Christ-The Efforts of Rationalism to Pervert the Life of Jesus Christ-The Efforts of Rationalism to Explain the Life of Jesus Christ." This is a work of rare worth-the author is a Christian philosopher of the highest type. His intellect seems to penetrate into the depths of every subject-reaches the rationale of things, and yet he is not misty. The hazy writer is the imperfect thinker-the man who has not clear conceptions will always have involved sentences. The author's ideas are complete as a ball, and he wheels them into sunlight. As the subjects are all vital, and are here handled by a master mind, the book is of priceless worth. A NEW INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. By E. P. BARROWS, D.D. London: Religious Tract Society. "THE design of the present work," says the Author, "is to assist in the study of God's Word." It has "special reference to teachers of Bible Classes and Sabbath Schools. Ministers of the Gospel who wish to have ready at hand the results of biblical investigation in a convenient and condensed form; and in general the large body of intelligent laymen and women in our land who desire to pursue the study of Scripture in a thorough and systematic way." It consists of four parts, 66 The Evidences of Revealed Religion," "Introduction to the Old Testament," “Introduction to the New Testament,” and 66 Biblical Interpretation." This book, though very concise in its treatment of subjects, is very complete, it embraces all the points connected with the great subject. It is in fact a library reduced to a volume. Young ministers, and teachers in the Sunday School who have not yet got an introduction to the Bible, should get this,-no book will answer their purpose better. MODERN CHRISTIAN HEROES. By Rev. GEORGE GILFILLAN. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row. ANYTHING from the pen of Mr. Gilfillan is welcome to us, notwithstanding the hostile criticism of miserable detractors-men incapable of understanding a man. There is always a royalty of nature, a freshness of thought, a grandeur of imagery, a freedom from cant, which have long made him one of our favourite authors. This book consists of various chapters, the subjects of which are-Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, The Puritans, The Scottish Covenanters, The Secession and Relief Churches in their Cradle, Rise of Methodism, Nature and Extent of Liberty of Conscience. Those who know Mr. Gilfillan's writings will anticipate a rich treat in the perusal of his volume. How will they be disappointed ! WORDS OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS BEREAVED OF LITTLE CHILDREN. Edited by WILLIAM LOGAN. Sixth Edition. London: James Nisbet & Co., Berners-street. We have noticed and commended this little book before. We are glad to see that it has reached its sixth edition. It is a pity that the Editor did not omit from this edition some worthless extracts, and substitute for them the utterances of a higher class of Christian writers. POEMS. BY THORNTON WELLS. London: Longmans, Green & Co. THIS volume is made up of some twenty-five poems of various lengths. and on various themes. They indicate poetic genius of a superior order, and breathe a tender, meditative, and somewhat pensive spirit. Many of the conceptions are strikingly original, and clothed, if not in gorgeous, in elegant garb. Generally, the rhyme and rhythm are good, and chime music on the ear. SACRED LYRICS. By JOHN GUTHRIE, M.A., Glasgow. London; James Niabet, 21, Berners-street. THE original pieces in this volume entitle the author to be ranked amongst Christian poets of the first order. Of the thirty short poems from the author's own pen, there is not one whose notes do not chime most tunefully of things that transport the soul. We heartily commend this volume of poetic gems. CONCERNING EARTHLY LOVES. By A COUNTRY PARSON. Dublin: Moffat & Co. THIS little volume is made up of poems, many of which are very beautiful in sentiment, elegant in form, and musical in ring. THE MOTHER'S FRIEND. Vol. I. New Series. London: Hodder and Stoughton. THE CHILDREN'S PRIZE. Edited by ERSKINE CLARKE. London: William Macintosh. CHATTERBOX. Edited by ERSKINE CLARKE. London: William Macintosh. THE children of this age are highly favoured. They have knowledge brought to them at the dawn of reason in the most attractive form. Here are three volumes intended for their use. The first, the "Mother's Friend," is the first volume of the republication of a work in its 22nd year. It consists of short tales with a few illustrations. The second and third are edited by our old friend, Rev. Erskine Clarke; and in the literature and pictorial illustrations, they are without a rival and without a competitor, they are unapproached. We tend to the talented Editor our hearty congratulations for the amazing success which he has achieved in this not |