(1.) Posthumous Works of the Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D.D., L.LD. Edited by Rev. William Hanna, L.L.D. Vol. I. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1848. Boston B. B. Mussey &

Co.

The manuscripts left by Dr Chalmers were purchased at a price higher than was ever before given for the posthumous works of any author. In the publication of these writings great interest must be felt wherever the English language is known, and it is a happy circumstance that the habits of precision which Dr. Chalmers continuously cultivated have caused these works to be left in a better condition for publication than is often the case with the manuscripts, of such a public man, preacher, and writer. The editor is the son-in-law of the author, and he states in the preface to the volume before us, that go where the Dr. might, however he might be engaged, each week day had its few verses read, thought over, written upon-forming what he denominated his Hora Biblice Quodiana; each Sabbath day had its two chapters, one in the Old and the other in the New Testament, with the two trains of meditative devotion recorded to which the reading of them respectively gave birth-forming what he denominated Hora Biblica Sabbatice. The handsome volume before us is composed of these meditations and abounds with suggestive thoughts. There does not seem to be any effort made to be profoundly critical, or rhetorically eloquent, but we read what seem to be the thoughts of a mind intent to catch some light from the Holy Record. We see here the feeling and affection which a proper reverential study of the Bible, for practical and devotional purposes will always excite: Dr Chalmers took his idea of these works from Sir Matthew Hale, who pursued this course of study and writing in order to render his confused and unsatisfactory efforts at the sustained contemplation of divine things,' to give place to an expedient for clearer impressions of the truths of the Holy Record. It may not be uninteresting to remark here, that only five books constituted Dr. Chalmers' chosen aids to biblical study: The Concordance, the Pictorial Bible, Poole's Synopsis, Henry's Commentary, and Robinson's Researches in Palestine. These are the books I use,' said he to a friend. All that is Biblical is there. I have to do with nothing besides in my biblical study.'

We commend this work to our readers. The plan pursued by the author deserves imitation.

(II.) The Wreath of School Songs, consisting of Songs, Chants and Hymns, with appropriate music, designed for the use of Common Schools, Seminaries, &c. To which are added the Elements of Vocal Music. By E. L. White, and J. E. Gould. Boston: B. B. Mussey & Co. 1848.

We give the most of the contents of the title page, that the design of this compilation may be understood. It is a good compilation so far as we can judge, but as to being a critic on Music, that is altogether out of our line. Our efforts in the singing line are confined

(I.) Chambers' Miscellany of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. Nos. 10 and 11.

This serial publication is issued very regularly, and continues to deserve the hearty commendations which we have pronounced upon it. Much labor has been expended in abridging popular tales, narratives, and interesting pieces, in order to bring them within the compass of this work and make up the variety which is essential to success in carrying out the objects of the editor. If any one wants to present a really valuable gift to an intelligent youth, inclined to read and remember what is read, let him choose this series. What pleasure such volumes bring to the winter fireside for the young!

(IV.) Edinburgh Phrenological Journal, and Magazine of Moral and Intellectual Science. Edited by George Combe and Robert Cox. Republished by Fowlers and Wells, New York. T. Wiley is the Boston Agent.

The design of this periodical is to publish a selection from the articles in the Edinburgh Phrenological Journal, as may seem best to the American Editor, S, R. Wells. The covers are all that gives it the appearance of a periodical, as the title page within is Moral and Intellectual Science,' applied to the Elevation of Society. By George Combe, Robert Cox, and others. This serial therefore may be regarded as the publication in parts of volumes of selections from the periodical writings of these prominent advocates of Phrenology and Moral Science.

The present No. is ornamented with a pleasant portrait of Geo. Combe, a facsimile of his handwriting is annexed. What is indicated by the firmness of the entire look and costume of Mr. Combe and the absence of punctuation in his subscription? The No. before us contains labored articles on National Education, the Nature and Uses of Phrenology, and Phrenology and Mesmerism, ending with a few pages of variety. The work is elegantly printed, and lovers of Phrenology must find in it irresistible attractions. The editor, in his Introduction, declares his intention to be, not to confine himself to the Edinburgh publication, but to form an Eclectic that will com prise the most valuable papers on Phrenology and Moral and Intellectual Science issued by the European press. To be published quarterly at two dollars a year. The No. before us has 112 large pages.

[Several other Notices of valuable works, received, are unavoidably laid over for next No.]

nge that the wrong takes when set in ining against Wisdom. It is well to mber this range, that we may 'stand in not,' impressed with the solemn conat our limited knowledge of the future erve us from stepping beyond the line of Happy is the soul who within these teadily by faith, for he will thus wrong

invites us to a single idea, the wrong lves, to our individual selves, by sinthe dictates of Wisdom. It is well to t is the first step towards a right view sin. It invites us to commence with lies nearest to us, with which we are , and which is too often over-looked in of the evil of sin. Theologians choose to ious by considering that it is against is infinite in its demerit because comst an infinite Being. They say its tennhinge the universe, to introduce disorere, and if not averted, it would overry throne of the Highest. But they are I of the wrong man does to himself by were they to attend more to this matter, ee reasons for saying less than they do of s of sin and the absence of retribution id. Theologians long proclaimed the drunkenness was a great sin against vas all vain because they taught cersetrines which made man distrust his own despair of any success should he attempt But when the evils of this sinning m were exhibited by those facts sight the wrong the intemperate If, when his life was appealed to, given how men honored themand the change was exhibispace of abstinence, then the ny a deluded one said to ! I am my own worst en's thraldom and be free! ve wrong ourselves we Is it not true that