mon by the Rev. John Stephens, (Stephens, London,) though short, contains many judicious observations, and is deserv- | ing of serious attention. We think that, without bigotry or enthusiastic ardour, the author has placed this subject in a commanding yet proper light.

11. An Introductory Discourse by the Rev. William Orme, and a Charge by the Rev. Andrew Reed, on the Ordination of the Rev. Ebenezer Miller, M. A., over the Church assembling at Old Gravel Lane, London, (Holdsworth, London,)| have much of the stilt and formality by which such compositions are characterized. The views, however, which the authors respectively take of their subjects, are both comprehensive and instructive. We can find in them much to admire, and but little to reprehend. Should the ordained minister uniformly adopt what both conspire to enforce, he will prove a workman that need not be ashamed." 12. Anti- Slavery Monthly Reporter for March and April, 1828, presents to our view once more the curse of slavery. The theme of misery and wickedness connected with this abominable traffic is almost inexhaustible. We strongly recommend this little monthly tract to every Negro's friend and foe.

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13. The Suttee's Cry to Britain, &c., by J. Peggs, late Missionary in Cuttach, Orissa, (Wightman, London,) has already appeared before us, and our opinion of its merits may be found in our number for July, 1827. It is now enlarged with some valuable materials, which, with what the author had previously laid before the public, will be found worthy of deep attention. Mr. Peggs undertakes to prove, that the horrid custom of burning widows on the funeral pile of their deceased husbands, is not an integral part of Hindoism. In support of this position, he has produced authorities from their sacred code, which are more than sufficient to decide the question. He also argues that it may be abolished by Great Britain without endangering the tranquillity of our Indian possessions; and that both justice and humanity demand the interposition of the British legislature, to put an end to this disgraceful custom. He strongly recommends this subject to the notice of his countrymen, and urges them to petition Parliament, that the expediency of the abolition may be speedily taken into consideration. His appeal is forcible but dispassionate, and we hope that, in behalf of the widows in India, he will not plead in vain.

14. A Practical and Pathological Inquiry into the Sources and Effects of Derangements of the Digestive Organs, &c., by William Cooke, (Longman, London,) is a volume which seems exclusively addressed to gentlemen of the medical profession. Of its intrinsic and comparative merits we are wholly incompetent to decide. We can only announce it as a well-printed octavo volume, containing about three hundred pages, which courts from the sons of Esculapius an impartial examination.

15. Revised Prayers for Family Devotion every Morning and Evening during a quarter of a Year, by the Rev. John Sheppard, M. A., (Seeley, London,) are taken exclusively from the works of divines of the Church of England. These prayers embrace a great variety of subjects, and display much of the spirit of true devotion, but they are not wholly untinged with the shibboleth of party. This may naturally be expected, when the name of archbishop Laud appears among the authors of them.

16. Ruddiman's Rudiments of the Latin Language, with Alterations and an Appendix, (Whittaker, London,) has reached a second edition. We are informed in the title-page that it is for the use of the Edinburgh academy; to which we beg to add, that it has been found equally beneficial in other seminaries.

17. Memoirs of the late Elizabeth Stones, Wife of William Stones, Wesleyan Minister, by her husband, (Simpkin, London,) exhibits in pleasing and vivid colours, the personal piety of an individual, | who,

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"Along the cool sequester'd vale of life, Pursued the noiseless tenor of her way." This memoir is compiled from her diary and epistolary correspondence, and chiefly remarkable for that amiable spirit of Christian simplicity, and uniform devotedness to God, which it every where breathes. To her husband, her friends, and acquaintances, and all such as delight in beholding the power of Christianity embodied in actual experience, this little volume will afford a large share of gratification.

18. The Barn and the Steeple, (Holdsworth, London,) introduces to our notice, in the form of a dialogue, a revival of the old controversy between conformity and non-conformity. In this conversation, the Steeple, as in duty bound, espouses the cause of Episcopacy, and the Barn that of Dissent. The idea is quaintly conceived, and humorously introduced. The debate

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Brief Survey of Books.

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23. Memoir of Martha Fowler, a Sabbath School Teacher, who died at Carlisle, by the Rev. Richard Hunter, (Nisbet, London,) is a tribute of respect to a pious girl, whose excellent example is at once worthy of preservation and imitation. We recommend it to all Sunday Schools.

between these grotesque personages takes | acquainted with the subject that he has place by moonlight. This is overheard taken in hand. by the reporter, who embodies the whole in the volume before us. The dialogue ranges over the beaten track, from which controversy has for more than a century banished all vegetation. Some of the well-worn arguments have received a new dress; and in others, the attire that had been torn in the field of conflict, has been repaired with patches. We perceive, however, but a scanty portion of new forces, and the weapons can add but little to the triumphs of mechanical invention. At the conclusion of the contest, victory of course declares in favour of Mr. Stackhouse, and Dr. Bellchambers suffers a total defeat. To such as feel an interest in this controversy, and have not an opportunity of consulting larger works, this volume will communicate much useful information, and to others it will prove interesting by the entertainment it can hardly fail to afford.

19. Mary Harland, or the Journey to London, a Tale of Humble Life, (Whittaker, London,) is an interesting but melancholy story, the outlines of which may be given in a few words. Mary leaves her father's house with innocence, proceeds to London, is seduced, suffers misery, and returns a true penitent. The tale is well told, and exhibits a train of disastrous truths, which the history of every day but too mournfully confirms.

20. Plain Advice to Landlords and Tenants, Lodging-house Keepers and Lodgers, &c., (Washbourn, London,) will be found highly serviceable to persons filling either of the above relative situations in life. In this little work much useful information is embodied within a narrow compass; and in London, and large towns, the legal knowledge which it communicates, will be found almost indispensable.

21. Life of John Erskine, Baron of Dun, by James Bowick, (Hamilton, London,) is rendered doubly interesting from the exalted station of its subject, his great usefulness in the church of Christ, and the turbulent days in which he lived. His name has been enrolled among Scots worthies, and we doubt not that in its present detached form it will find as many admirers as readers.

22 "On Religion and its Attainment," by John Brown, (Oliphant, Edinburgh,) places this important subject in an amiable light. The author justly argues, that it is connected with the highest wisdom, that it is attainable, and is inseparably combined with happiness. Mr. Brown seems well

24. The Spirit and Manners of the Age, Nos. 1-3., contain several excellent articles, and should the succeeding numbers equal those now before us, we doubt not that the volume when complete will be worthy the company of its predecessors.

25. A Defence of our Fathers, &c., by John Emay, is a transatlantic publication, where, we doubt not, from the research which it displays, and the ability with which it is written, it is deeply interesting; but on this side of the water it cannot expect to gain much attention, except among a few of the Wesleyan Methodists, and such as stickle for the old farce of apostolical succession.

26. A Sermon preached at Trevor Chapel, Brompton, by Thomas Wood, B.A., (Westley, London,) contains, in epitome, a general outline of the evidences of Christianity. This system the author contrasts with infidelity, and from a comparative estimate of their respective peculiarities, he argues, that the difficulties attendant on the latter far exceed those of the former. This conclusion he has placed in a luminous and convincing light.

27. Select Remains of John William. son, who died at Dumfries, 1826, aged sixteen, (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh,) present us with the history of an amiable and pious youth of promising talents, cut down by death, as life began to put forth its richest bloom. Among his friends and relations, there can be no doubt that this little volume will be highly esteemed, and its piety will give it a strong recommendation to strangers.

28. The Scilly Islands, and Famine, &c., by G. C. Smith, (Wakefield, London,) contains an interesting narrative of the sufferings experienced by the inhabitants of these islands about twelve years since, and of the efforts made by the author to afford them relief. As his unremitting exertions on that occasion exposed him to much obloquy, in the pamphlet before us he vindicates his conduct from the aspersions of malevolence; and it must be confessed that he makes out a strong case in his own favour, which his opponents are bound in justice, if able, to refute. This we think they will find no easy task.

They may affect contempt for what they cannot answer, and leave Mr. Smith to enjoy an uninterrupted triumph.

29. The Life of Samuel Rutherford, by Thomas Murray, F. A. S. E., (Duncan, London,) has been long before the world. It is again reprinted, and what may be deemed its strongest recommendation is, that although nearly two hundred years have elapsed since Mr. R. flourished, its interest still remains almost undiminished.

30. Butler's Gradation in Reading and Spelling, (Simpkin and Marshall, London,) is admirably adapted to suit the capacity of children. Its great plainness and simplicity render it a valuable little book for infant minds, although the manner in which the author has divided some of his words into syllables, may not be always unquestionable.

31. The Life of John Elliot, the Apostle of the Indians, (Hatchard, London,) is a reprint, but it is one that is rendered particularly valuable by the incidents which it records. It displays the unwearied diligence of this pious minister, in spreading among the wandering tribes of America, a knowledge of salvation through Christ. It is rendered also equally entertaining by registering the manners, peculiarities, and modes of life, which he observed among these untutored children of

nature.

32. Hiero-Mastix, a Satire on the Apocrypha Controversy, (Longman, London,) is a silly composition, exhibiting but little wit, and, if possible, less point. The author did wisely to conceal his name.

appeals to scripture; and the argument to prepare for death is enforced by the demise of Mr. Mollard, who was cut down in the prime of life, and in the midst of his usefulness. In some portions of this discourse the language is peculiarly affecting and pathetic.

ASTRONOMICAL OCCURRENCES FOR

MAY, 1828.

THE sun enters the sign Gemini on the 21st, at 34 minutes past three in the morning; his declination on the 1st is 15 degrees 9 minutes north, and on the 31st, 21 degrees 57 minutes north: his semidiameter on the 1st is 15 minutes 53 seconds and 3-tenths, and on the 25th it is 15 minutes 48 seconds and 5-tenths: the length of the day on the 1st is 14 hours 48 minutes, and on the 25th 15 hours.

The Moon enters her last quarter on the 6th at 32 minutes past five in the afternoon; she is exactly between the Earth and the Sun on the 13th, at 50 minutes past nine in the evening, when her change takes place; on the 21st, at 11 minutes past 11 in the evening, she enters her first quarter; and on the 29th, at 17 minutes past eight in the morning, she is in opposition to the Sun, and is consequently full. She is observed a considerable distance above Mars on the morning of the 4th; on the 12th she is in conjunction with Mercury: she is seen below Venus and Saturn on the evening of the 17th, Venus being noticed to the west of Saturn; and on the evening of the 26th she is observed near Jupiter. She is in perigee on the 4th, and in apogee

on the 19th.

33. Longinus, a Tragedy, in five Acts. The Funeral of the Right Honourable George Canning, &c. by Jacob Jones, Esq. (Hurst, London,) is a pamphlet that The beautiful planet Venus still conhas some good passages in the tragedy, tinues the fair regent of the heavens, during and some that fall below mediocrity. The the absence of the queen of night, when funeral of Mr. Canning occupies a very the Sun has descended beneath the western conspicuous place in the title-page, but no horizon. She sets on the 1st at 43 minutes more than one leaf in the book. The past 11 in the evening; on the 19th she arlines, however, have a pleasing smoothness, rives at her greatest distance from the Sun, which will in some measure compensate and sets on this evening at 51 minutes past for the paucity of their number, but not for 11; on the 25th she sets at 45 minutes the contrivance which the title-page exhibits. past 11. She is at first observed a little to 33. Substance of a Discourse delivered the east of a line drawn from 132 to 136 at Chester-le-Street, Durham, on the Death Tauri, and is noticed gradually to recede of the Rev. Thomas Molland, &c. by from these stars, directing her course beD. Fraser, (Mason, London,) inquires tween Auriga and Geminorum, passing into the preparation necessary for death, them on the 6th; she then proceeds to adduces the argument by which this prepa- ε Geminorum, and is seen above it on the ration is pressed on our attention, and 13th: she is now observed to approach finally, in a friendly but candid manner, Saturn, which is noticed to the east of her; estimates the character of the deceased. on the 20th she is seen between Castor The discourse is well arranged. The ne- and Geminorum, on the 21st above cessary preparation is proved by numerous & Geminorum, and on the 23d about three

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Astronomical Observations for May.

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January last, when he was south of it 2 minutes; Geminorum will therefore become a very interesting object, to ascertain the change that has taken place in the latitude of Saturn since January 16: after passing this star, he continues his course above three stars of the sixth magnitude, which form a scalene triangle; they are marked p, q, and r Geminorum; p is the northern, q the south-western, and r the south-eastern: he passes very near P Geminorum on the 24th, and gradually approaches a line drawn from Castor to Procyon, finishing his course a little to the west of it, and between the first of the Twins and the second of the Lesser Dog; he was in this situation on the 20th of December last, with the exception of being a little nearer ẞ Canis Minoris. During the month he forms a scalene triangle with a Orionis and a Canis Minoris, and on the 16th an isosceles triangle with them, Betelguex being the apex; he formed a similar triangle with these stars on the 10th of January last: he is also noticed to form scalene triangles with a and ẞ Geminorum,

degrees north of Saturn after this day she is observed to the east of Saturn, and passes under Pollux on the 26th; she then directs her course to the constellation of the Crab. On the 3d she is the apex of an isosceles triangle, Aldebaran and Bellatrix forming the base; she also forms an isosceles triangle with 132 and 136 Tauri, 132 Tauri being the summit; a star of the sixth magnitude is also noticed between her and the latter star marked 139 Tauri; on the following evening 136 Tauri is the apex of an isosceles triangle, 132 Tauri and the planet forming the base. After the 6th she forms a scalene triangle with x Auriga and n Geminorum until the 13th, when she forms an equilateral triangle with them; she also forms an isosceles triangle with Castor and Geminorum, the first of the Twins being the summit; after this day, and until the 20th, she forms a scalene triangle with these stars, being noticed to the west of them; on the 16th she is observed very near a star of the sixth magnitude, marked 40 Geminorum; on the 17th she is the apex of an isosceles triange and p Geminorum forming the base, and on the 19thy Geminorum and Procyon, and the latter she also forms an isosceles triangle with these stars, & Geminorum being the summit; she is also the apex of a similar triangle, and Geminorum forming the base. Above, and very near to her, may be observed a star of the seventh magnitude, marked 49 Geminorum. On the 20th she forms an isosceles triangle with ♪ and p Geminorum, the former star being the summit on the 23d she forms an isosceles triangle with and p Geminorum, the latter star forming the apex; she is also noticed very near a star of the fifth magnitude, marked A after the 20th, and until the 30th, except on the 24th, she is observed to form a scalene triangle with Castor and Geminorum, being noticed to the east of them; on the 24th she is the apex of an isosceles triangle, these stars forming the Virginis, the northern star being marked base; and on the 30th she is observed to 2 Virginis; at the end of the month he is form an isosceles triangle with them, p Ge- 1 degree 42 minutes from λ Virginis, and minorum being the summit: on the 25th 1 degree 8 minutes from 2 Virginis, being she passes a little to the south of g Gemi- noticed to the east of them, and nearly norum, and on the 27th, very near Ge- forming an isosceles triangle with them, minorum. On the 20th she has 6 digits A Virginis being the apex. During the illuminated on her western limb, her ap- month he forms scalene triangles with a and parent diameter heing 24 seconds, herμ Libræ, the latter star and the second of telescopic appearance will consequently be that of a half-moon.

:

The planet Saturn is observed until the 10th, to the west of 8 Geminorum; on this day he is in conjunction with it, his distance from it being 10 minutes, the star being to the south our readers will recollect, that the planet passed this star on the 16th of

star and p Geminorum. He sets on the 1st, at 45 minutes past 12 at night, and on the 25th, at 16 minutes past 11.

The eastern hemisphere is embellished during the evenings of this month with the noble planet Jupiter, which is, with his belts and satellites, a very interesting object to the telescopic observer. On the 1st he passes the meridian at 53 minutes past. 11, and on the 25th he sets at 11 minutes past three in the morning. His situation at first is about a degree and a half eastward of 5 Libræ, being noticed in a line with this star and the first of the Balance; he is observed to direct his course to two small stars in the constellation of the Virgin, a considerable distance to the west of him; the southern star is the brightest, which is marked

the Balance, the first of the Balance and μ Virginis, and the last-mentioned star and the tenth of the Virgin; on the 16th he forms an isosceles triangle with Spica Virginis and Arcturus, the latter star being the summit. During the last five months we have given the times of immersion of the first and second satellites of Jupiter