Liturgical Purity our Rightful Inheritance. By John C. Fisher, M.A., of the Middle Temple. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1857. THE subject of this volume would not fall within the scope of our criticism were it not for certain remarks which it contains on the subject of Christian Education and Catechetical Instruction. The author is a Barrister, and, we believe, a Magistrate for the County of Cumberland. The object of his bulky volume of some 669 pages, is to endeavour to prove the Prayer Book to be semi-Romish, and to establish the immediate need of a thoroughly Protestant expurgation of the same-taking the Liturgy of 1552 and Poynet's Catechism, set forth by the authority of King Edward VI. in 1553 as the standards of reform. The work, though replete with mistakes and errors of fact, and remarkable for its extreme dogmatical assumption,* has made a considerable stir, and has been commented upon by name in the published works of three Bishops, viz. of Bangor, Exeter, and St. David's. A very considerable portion of the work is occupied with a systematic attack upon the Church Catechism as defective in its scope and erroneous in its doctrine, and one great cause of our educational difficulties. And a whole chapter is devoted to an analysis of Poynet's Catechism of 1553; which Mr. Fisher desires to see at once imposed upon the Church by a legislative enactment, and eventually made part of the Prayer Book! (pp. 358, 360, 362.) Now Mr. Fisher completely ignores the fact that the very title of the Church Catechism defines its use, viz. as a manual for Confirmation Candidates (in which point of view it is perfect, so far as its range of topics is concerned); nor does he state, what he can hardly fail to have observed, that until the last revision of the Prayer Book in 1661, it actually stood as a part of the Confirmation Service; and that at the Conference between the Prelatists and the Puritans, prior to that revision, in reply to Baxter's Plea for an enlarged range of topics (which Mr. F. takes care to notice), the Prelatists replied that it "is not intended as a whole body of divinity," (which reply Mr. F. does not notice!) The misrepresentations of the teaching of the Catechism are extreme. And when he argues that the Church Catechism is the Church's "only formula of juvenile instruction," and that "she owns at present no other Catechetical treatise," (pp. 295,) it is remarkable, considering his frequent references to the Code of Canons of 1604, which he describes as of "unimpeachable authority," (pp. 30,) that he should omit to notice that the 79th of these Canons sanctions Dean Norsell's “Larger" and "Second or Middle" Catechisms, both of which have recently been reprinted and published in a cheap form by the "Prayer Book and Homily Society," at whose depôt they can be obtained through any bookseller! And with respect to Poynet's Catechism of 1553, (which is to be found in the Parker Society's volume or King Edward's Liturgies, as well as in Bishop Randolph's "Eucharistich Theologican,") it is still optional with any one to use it. As Mr. Fisher desires attention to be directed to it (pp. 320-1), it is a great pity that he has not published it in a cheap form for voluntary use, together with the information respecting its origin and fate, contained at pp. 320, 321, 323, 352, 354, 355, 356, 358, 360, 361, 362, 634, and 636, of his work (divested of all controversial matter, and of all attacks upon the Church Catechism.) Is it too late for him to do so? In that form the Catechism of 1553 might prove a valuable manual for our schools. If Mr. Fisher will not do it, why should not the "Prayer Book and Homily Society" reprint this Catechism, as it has reprinted Norsell's? * See the Bishop of St. David's Charge of 1857, pp. 51-2. The History of the Prayer-book of the Church of England. By the Venerable Edward Berens, M.A., Archdeacon of Berks. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. (No. 107.) BELIEVING that a general acquaintance with the history of the compilation of the Prayer-book published in 1549, and of its four revisions in 1552, 1559, 1604 and 1662 (when it was settled in its present form by the Act of Uniformity), by no means exists, we are induced to call attention to this admirable little manual of 167 pages by Archdeacon Berens. We have rarely met with so much valuable information so well condensed, and reduced to so small a compass. For the little volume supplies not only a brief and interesting sketch of the details connected with the compilation of the various parts of the Prayer-book, and of the controversies which from time to time led to its revision and of the nature and extent of the charges made at the various periods of its history, but also a notice of many interesting facts in ecclesiastical history, such as the controversies among the reformers while on the continent during the reign of Queen Mary, the translator of the Bible, the lives of the Primates in the reigns of Elizabeth, James I. and Charles I. &c., &c. The book is compiled with great care, and presents many narratives in the very words of some of our best writers on the subject, together with accurate references to their works. And it is distinguished for a remarkably calm and candid tone, which renders it incapable of giving offence to any one, for its author is appreciating piety and good intentions even on the part of those from whom he differs. The following incident related below of one of the leading Puritans at the Hampton Court Conference in 1604, (to whose suggestions on that occasion we are indebted for the present authorized translation of the Bible, and for the latter part of the Church Catechism,) will not be without some interest :— "Dr. John Reynolds, who took so prominent a part in this conference, was a man of great learning and piety, and was appointed one of the commissioners for the new translation of the Bible, but died soon after engaging in the work. He was born at Pinho in Devonshire; bred at Oxford, where he was King's Professor of Divinity, and President of Corpus Christi College. His brother William and himself happened to divide in their religious persuasion; John was a zealous Baptist, and William as heartily engaged in the Reformation. Afterwards the two brothers, entering into a close dispute, argued with that strength that they turned each other. This gave occasion for a copy of verses, concluding with this distitch :— Quid genus hoc pugnæ est ? ubi victus gaudet uterque, Et simul alteruter se superasse dolet. What war is this! when conquered both are glad, And either to have conquer'd 'other, sad.--Berens, pp. 57, 198. : We cordially recommend this excellent little work, the low price of which, (to members 1s. 3d. and to non members 1s. 8d.) renders it accessible to all. Experiences of a Workhouse Visited. Fourth Edition. London: Nisbet and Co. THIS is a most interesting and instructive narrative of an excellent lady at Frome of her experience in a course of systematic visitations at the Union Workhouse. We heartily recommend her example to the notice of Christian ladies resident in towns wherein union workhouses are situated. Many of her suggestions are also worthy of the attention of Boards of Guardians for the amelioration of the condition of the aged poor. And since we find an allusion to a remark of some magistrate that a 66 workhouse bird is the next door to a gaol bird," it obviously suggests the desirableness of attempts to raise the character of and to give some little self-respect to the juvenile inmates of our union workhouses. Much might be effected by the christian efforts of resident gentry and their families. Thus the authoress reprints from the Bristol Times a narrative of the joy caused to the pauper children by a collection and Christmas donation to them of the cast off toys of children in the neighbourhood. But to give any adequate idea of the pamphlet is impossible within the space of a short notice; and we hope that our readers will make acquaintance with it for themselves. The Nature of Christ's Presence in the Eucharist or the True Doctrine of the Real Presence Indicated in Opposition to the Fictitious Real Presence asserted by Archdeacon Denison, Mr. (late Archdeacon) Wilberforce, and Dr. Pusey, &c. Two volumes, 8vo. London: Hatchard, 1856. TO enter into the theological question, so fully discussed in these two volumes, would be entirely out of our province. At the same time, we may be permitted to call attention to them for the immense amount of valuable information on important matters of fact and history which they contain. Like most of Mr. Goode's works, these two volumes comprise a sort of portable library on the subject which they discuss, and will be found most useful to those who may chance to be involved in controversy or discussion with Roman Catholics, for they contain a thorough investigation of, and copious extracts from, the writings of "the Fathers" upon the question of the "real presence.' The catera of extracts from writers of our own church is also most useful. We may just observe, that a perusal of Mr. Goode's treatise will amply vindicate the Church Catechism from the charges alleged against it by Mr. J. C. Fisher. LITTLE BOOKS. The Arts of Life. By Lucy Aikin. London: Longmans. 1858.-Miss Aikin, daughter of the celebrated Author of "Evenings at Home," has just laid before the public this little book which was written by her father some years after he published the former. She has corrected and added to her fathers compilation, in which she has received considerable aid from her brother's address to the Society of Arts and also from Mr. James Yates' valuable work "Textrinum Antiquorum." The subjects treat of "the arts relative to food," 66 agriculture," "animal food and the means of procuring it," "the preparation of food," "cookery," arts relative to clothing," "vegetable clothing," "animal clothing,' ""manufacture of leather," ," "the art of providing shelter." The subjects are well chosen but the language in some parts is not sufficiently simple. It is a useful book on the whole. The Protestant Character of the Prayer Book. By the Rev. S Jenner, M.A. (No. 18 of Tracts for Churchmen.) Wertheim and Co.-This admirable little fourpenny tract is full of the most important and valuable information connected with the history of the transition from Romanism to Protestantism in the Church of England, as manifested in its authorised formularies. It will be found very useful and instructive. A Catechism of Chemistry. By the Rev. J. W. Neat, M.A. of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. London: Longmans, 1858.-Mr. Neat's little examination book will be found very useful. It includes questions upon Heat, Magnetism, and Electricity, which, like the rest, are nicely put and simply answered. The author's chief aim is to meet the wants of candidates for government and other appointments, but we discover in his pages a variety of useful information which everybody ought to possess. As a classbook, the "Catechism of Chemistry" will prove instructive and valuable, while to the general reader it will afford a clear knowledge on many very important subjects. We have, explained, among other things, the effects of heat in ventilation, and in the action of chimneys, &c. the composition of the air we breathe and the water we drink; the chemistry of plants and of soils, together with the nature of animal and vegetable manures, and the most profitable arrangement in the rotation of crops. We have no doubt that Mr. Neat's book will gain the public approval. Grammar at Sight. By Walter William King. Second Edition. Houlston and Wright, London.-Though we do not generally like books written in questions and answers, yet we must in this instance depart from that rule and confess our approval of this little work for we have seldom seen the study of grammar made so easy or agreeable, The charts are calculated to be of great assistance to pupil teachers and students. There are good rules for composition of sentences and figures of speech, &c., &c., and in short we can recommend it highly as an easy and useful" chart and key to the English language." SERIALS RECEIVED. Sunday School Teacher's Magazine. The Monthly Register. The Canadian Journal of Education. The British Workman. The Band of Hope Review. Note.-The Deserted Village with notes for School Instruction is published at Kilmarnock by Matthew Wilson. LIST OF NEW BOOKS, Anderson' Personal Journal of the Siege of Lucknow. Arts of Life, (The) by the Author of "Evenings at Home." Baron's Scudamore Organs, with Designs by Street, 8vo. Blackstone, The Student's, by Kerr, post 8vo. Bohn's Illustrated Library, "Lindsay's Letters on Egypt, &c." Bohn's Scientific Library, "Mantell's Wonders of Geology," vol. 2. Cambridge Greek and Latin Texts, Eschylus, Paley, 18mo. Candlish's Life in a risen Saviour, post 8vo. Chambers's Comfort in Sleepless Nights, 8vo. Comstock's System of Natural Philosophy, revised by Lees. Good's Synoptical Euclid, 3rd edition, 12mo. Hatchard's (Adelaide C.) Memoir: The Flower Gathered. Havelock: The Broad Stone of Honor, by Hood, 18mo. Howitt's Land, Labor, and Gold, second edition, 2 vols. post 8vo. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE C. B. ADDERLEY, M.P. is the new Vice President of Education, to which office he has succeeded Mr. Cowper, together with that of President of the Board of Health. These appointments have given the utmost satisfaction. Few men have given more practical attention to Education than Mr. Adderley. GLOUCESTERSHIRE SCHOOL PRIZE SCHEME. - This scheme, under the Presidency of the Lord Lieutenant, and elaborated by Mr. Bowstead, H. M. Inspector of Schools, appears to us so much better framed than any we have yet seen that we are tempted to give copious extracts from it. "Its prizes are open to Schools of every denomination, and whether under government inspection or not, subject to the following regulations :"I. Every School, admitted to present candidates for the prizes offered by the Association, must be either an elementary day-school for the working classes, a Workhouse School, or a Ragged School, must be nominated by a member of the Association, and must be situated either within the county of Gloucester or within ten miles of its borders. "A School nominated by a member who subscribes one guinea, may present any number of candidates not exceeding ten; if nominated by a member or members subscribing two guineas, it may present any number not exceeding twenty; if nominated by subscribers of three guineas, it may present any number not exceeding thirty; and so on. "Boys' and Girls' Schools under distinct teachers, though belonging to the same establishment, need not have separate nominations. "2. The candidates must be boys or girls (not pupil teachers or paid assistants) who are at least ten years old. "They must produce the following certificates, signed by their respective teachers and countersigned by one of the managers of their schools: "(a) That they have punctually attended some school, nominated by "(c) That they can be recommended for truthfulness, industry, "In Ragged Schools, attendauce for 176 half days will be accepted as a qualification for admission to the examination. "The candidates will be grouped in two divisions, senior and junior, which will be examined on different papers. "This year, all children under 12 years of age must enter the junior division, all above 12 the senior division. "In future years every candidate that competes for the first time, whatover his age, must enter the junior division; and the senior division will |