continued extension of trade, and the improvements constantly making in arts and sciences, will also furnish fertile sources of information; and these, the author well knows how to turn to his own advantage.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. Anti-slavery Reporter, Nos. 80, 87, are as usual filled with details of injustice and inhumanity towards the slaves, that cannot be perused without horror. The facts recorded are a disgrace to human nature. If false, they may be easily detected and exposed; if true, they cry aloud for the total abolition of this abominable system. This little periodical must be a piercing thorn in the sides of the abettors of slavery. 2. Scripture Chronology made easy and entertaining, &c., by T. Keyworth, (Holdsworth, London,) is an amusing contrivance to assist the memory of children in recollecting historical events in this department. We think it calculated to be very serviceable. 3. A Key to Reading, &c. &c. by John Smith, (Simpkin, London,) is founded on sterling principles, and makes its appeal to common sense. The author intends to teach the rudiments of Grammar without the drudgery of tasks; and this, we know from experience, may be fully accomplished. The methods which he here recommends by example, if adopted and followed, will speedily lead his pupils to obtain this desirable end.

4. Halifax, a Poetical Sketch, and the Battle of Hastings, by Thomas Crossley, (Nicholson, Halifax, 1831,) is a neat little effort of the muse, to give in detail the names of individuals, and the historical events which distinguish this place and its vicinity. Mr. Crossley is already well known in the neighbourhood of Parnassus, and this little production is not unworthy of

his name.

5. Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible, by the late Mr. Charles Taylor, with the Fragments included, in eight parts, Part 1. (Holdsworth, London,) will place this valuable work within the reach of multitudes of readers who could have no access to the folio or quarto volumes. It is a work of intrinsic excellence, on which all commendation is useless.

6. A Catechism for Children, &c., by the Rev. Rowland Hill, (Page, London,) having reached a third edition, is too well known to be consigned to oblivion. It contains a vast number of questions and answers on those important scripture topics, in the knowledge of which every reader is

deeply interested. It is an excellent little book.

7. A Sermon preached in York-street, Manchester, March 13th, 1831, on the Death of the Rev. Robert Hall, A. M., by John Birt, (Westley, London, 1831,) contains, in addition to the pathetic topics usually introduced on such occasions, a tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. It is an excellent discourse; but so many sermons have been published on this melancholy event, that we feel some delicacy in adverting to its distinguishing peculiarities.

8. Modern Infidelity considered with respect to its Influence on Society, by the late Rev. Robert Hall, A. M., (Stockley, London,) is one of the most masterly productions of this justly celebrated man. It has been long before the public, but the interest it has excited still remains undiminished. It is now incorporated in the first volume of Mr. Hall's works, just published; but those who wish to have it in a detached form at the low price of six-pence, have here an opportunity. It is accompanied with a memoir of the author's life.

9. Welm and Amelia, with other Poems, by James Taylor, of Royton, (Hurst, London,) form a small volume, which comes before us under very peculiar circumstances. The author is a cotton-weaver, and at the age of twenty-four did not know his letters. In the year 1827 we reviewed his "Miscellaneous Poems," and found in them many emanations of genius, which he has since cultivated with success. Of the articles now before us, simplicity and plainness are the distinguishing characteristics, though sometimes his muse mounts on a more elevated wing. "Sir Roland and his Servant-maid," "The closing Year," and "On Woman,” contain many excellent lines. We rejoice to find that the author has been so liberally patronized by his neighbours.

10. "Remember Me," a Token of Christian Affection, consisting of entirely original pieces, in prose and verse, (Simp kin, London,) is a neat little volume, rendered peculiarly attractive by its outward decorations, and highly respectable by its valuable contents. It has no engravings. but in every other respect it may be ranked among the annuals which bloom in the depth of winter. Decidedly religious, without being ascetic, its character refuses to be equivocal; while the originality of all its articles will give it a feature of countenance which many others want. The prose is less in quantity than the poetry, but in each department the compositions are respectable.

11. Hymns for Children, by the Rev. W. Fletcher, of Cambridge, (Hailes, Lon

don,) are rather injured than benefited by the preface which precedes them. The author's language in the hymns is adapted to the comprehension of the infant mind. His sentiments are sterling, and the versification is simple and flowing.

12. The Family Memorial, or a Father's Tribute to the Memory of Three Children, with Remarks and Admonitions, by Stephen Morell, of Baddow, Essex, (Westley, London,) is an exquisite little volume of religious biography. The loss of three children, at a time when the mental powers begin to expand, is a severe trial to parental affection; but their triumphant departure from life, in the full assurance of faith, blunts the sting of sorrow, by destroying that of death. It contains, in three instances, the most unequivocal testimonies to the sovereign efficacy of divine grace.

13. Prize Letters to Students, in Colleges and Seminaries of Learning, by the Rev. Baxter Dickinson. A. M., New Jersey, (Westley, London,) we are informed, in a note on the back of the title page, entitled the author to the sum of fifty dollars, awarded to him for their superior excellence. These letters chiefly relate to the authenticity of the sacred writings, to the danger of scepticism, and the advantages of saving faith. They are written with much simplicity of language, but great strength of argument, founded on a comprehensive survey of the momentous topics brought under discussion. These letters will amply repay the reader for an attentive perusal of them.

14. The Harmonicon, a Monthly Journal of Music, for July, August, and September, (Longman, London,) continues boldly to preserve its character; and, to the admirers of this tweedling science, it cannot fail to furnish a fertile source of amusement. It contains many humorous anecdotes, connected with scraps of history, and the names of celebrated men, not only in our own country, but in foreign parts. It is a publication which shews the state of music throughout the civilized world.

15. The Voice of Humanity, No. V., (Nisbet, London,) is a quarterly periodical, which ought to be heard and read in every circle of society. Until this publication made its appearance, we had no conception that such a frightful mass of inhumanity towards the animal tribes existed. In the instances of barbarity recorded, sordid interest, and wanton experiment, contend for the palm of superiority, in extorting groans from their common victims.

16. Rollin's Ancient History, to be completed in twenty-one monthly Parts.

Part I., (Stephens, City Road, London,) will place, at one shilling each part, a valuable work in the hands of multitudes, to whom the price, in former years, rendered it inaccessible. In favour of Rollin's Ancient History, all further observations would be superfluous.

17. The Church Establishment founded in Error, by a Layman, (Wilson, London,) supports opinion by argument; but every reader will not be a proselyte. On the nature of church establishments many things may be advanced on each side, and every advocate will have his friends. We have no doubt that our national church requires reformation, but we are equally persuaded that its abolition, which "a Layman" seems to recommend, would be a national evil.

18. The Three Sisters, or Memoirs of Mary, Jane, and Eliza Seckerson, by their Father, (Mason, London,) we are glad to find in a new and enlarged edition. It is a neat little volume of christian biography, which evinces the influence of genuine religion on the human heart. To young persons it can hardly fail to be very instructive, and charity would be usefully employed, in giving it gratuitously an extensive circulation.

19. A Bird's-Eye View of Foreign Parts, and a Look at Home, by Harry Hawk's Eye, (Wilson, London,) aims at satire and humour: but the former will not inflict any mortal wounds; and not many by the latter, will, perhaps, ever die through laughing. The author, however, has in his lines a shrewd kind of poetical quaintness, which, if we do not admire, we are forbidden to despise.

20. Remarks on the Architecture, Sculpture, and Zodiac of Palmyra, with a Key to the Inscriptions, &c., by B. Prescot, (Rivington, London,) is a pamphlet which displays considerable research, and one which antiquaries will deem of much importance. Fac similes of the inscriptions, in, to us, an unknown character, are given in several pages. The dissertation is ably written; but whether, at the conclusion, the author's attempt to decipher these inscriptions has been successful or not, we are not competent to determine. He is, however, to be commended for his endeavour, and his effort may induce others to prosecute what he has commenced with so much commendable enterprise.

CELESTIAL PHENOMENA.-OCT. 1831. THE Sun enters Scorpio on the 24th at 3 minutes past 4 in the morning; his semidiameter on the 1st is 16 minutes and 9

tenths of a second; and on the 25th, 16 minutes, 7 seconds, and 5 tenths.

The Moon is new on the 5th, at 44 minutes past 9 in the evening; enters her first quarter on the 13th, at 59 minutes past 11 in the evening; is full on the 21st, at 44 minutes past 8 in the morning, and enters her last quarter on the 27th, at 2 minutes past 12 at night. She passes near Saturn on the 3d, and again on the 30th. The following conjunctions of the moon and fixed stars are attended with occultations. 2 Ceti on the 21st at 12 minutes, 24 seconds, past 10 in the evening. μ Ceti on the 22d, at 12 minutes 38 seconds past 5 in the morning. ƒ Tauri on the same day, at 6 minutes 51 seconds past 12 at night; Tauri on the 23d, at 41 minutes 15 seconds past 7 in the evening; a Tauri, or Aldebaran, on the 24th, at 2 minutes 57 seconds past 2 in the morning; and Leonis on the 31st, at 1 minute 14 seconds past 4 in the morning.

The planet Mercury is stationary on the 5th, and arrives at his greatest elongation on the 12th. Venus passes the Sun at her inferior conjunction on the 8th, at half past 12 at noon, and is stationary on the 29th. Mars is too near the Sun for observation this month: Jupiter is the most conspicuous planetary object during the evenings: he is stationary on the 10th. There are four emersions of his first satellite visible this month: on the 6th, at 22 minutes 13 seconds past 8 in the evening; on the 13th, at 18 minutes past 10 in the evening; on the 22d, at 42 minutes 48 seconds past 6 in the evening; and on the 29th, at 38 minutes 37 seconds past 8 in evening. An emersion of the second on the 23d, at 38 minutes 58 seconds past 7 in the evening. And an immersion of the fourth on the 16th, at 31 minutes 25 seconds past 8 in the evening. Saturn is visible in the eastern hemisphere before sun-rise; he is situated in the constellation of the Lion. The Georgian planet is still situated in the Goat; he is stationary on the 21st near 21 Capricorni.

SUNDAY SCHOOL JUBILEE.

FROM the advertisements and notices published in various ways throughout the united kingdom, great expectations were excited among all the friends of Sunday Schools, respecting the celebration of the event announced. In no place, however, we conceive, was a greater intensity of feeling manifested on the occasion, than in London and its extensive suburbs.

We learn from an address of the Com

mittee of the Sunday School Union, that the proposal of a Sunday School Jubilee was first suggested on December 11th, 1829, by James Montgomery, Esq., of Sheffield, a gentleman well known throughout the religious communities, as an admirable christian poet, the warm friend of Sunday Schools, and the zealous advocate of every good work.

On this occasion, in a letter to the foreign secretary of the Sunday School Union, Mr. Montgomery observes as follows:

"It has occurred to me, that a Sunday School Jubilee in the year 1831, fifty years from the origin of Sunday Schools, might be the means of extraordinary and happy excitement to the public mind in favour of these institutions, of which there was never more need than at this time, when daily instruction is within the reach of almost every family; for the more extensive the education of the children of the poor becomes, the greater necessity there is that they should have religious knowledge imparted to them, which can be done perhaps on no day so well as the Lord's."

The friends of Sunday Schools were generally pleased with this proposal, and the Committee of the Union having considered the subject, thought it their duty to promote so desirable an object. They therefore suggested, that the SUNDAY SCHOOL JUBILEE should be celebrated on September 14, 1831, the anniversary of the birth-day of Robert Raikes, Esq. the founder of Sunday Schools; and accordingly issued papers, which, among many other things, embodied the following resolutions :—

"1. That the Sunday School Jubilee be held on Wednesday, September 14th, 1831, the anniversary of Mr. Raikes' birth day.

"2. That a Prayer Meeting of Sunday School Teachers, either united or in each separate School, as may be thought most advisable, be held from Seven to Eight o'clock in the Morning.

"3. That the Children in the Schools connected with the Auxiliary and Country Unions be assembled for Public Worship; the service to commence at Half-past Ten and close at Twelve.

"4. That at Six o'Clock a Public Meeting be held in Exeter Hall, for the Teachers of London and its Vicinity, and that Public Meetings be held at the same time in each of the Country Unions.

"5. That a Collection be made at the Public Meetings, to complete the Jubilee Offering.

"6. That as Sunday School Unions do not at present exist in some parts of this country, it is recommended that in such places Sunday School Teachers should unite

for the purpose of celebrating the Jubilee according to the above plan, and transmit their Contributions to the Sunday School Union."

The Committee further resolved-that "the money thus raised should be applied to encourage the erection of additional permanent buildings adapted for Sunday Schools, which may also be suitable for Infant or Day Schools, and for the promotion of Sunday School Missions."

According to the arrangements thus previously made, on Wednesday, September the 14th, the majority of children attached to the Sunday Schools throughout the metropolis, assembled at various places of worship, and were suitably addressed by their respective pastors, after which they returned to their destinations, and were plentifully supplied with suitable refreshments, and in most cases, we believe, with some apt memorial of the day. The principal meeting was that of the Western District of London, which took place at Exeter Hall, in the Strand, where they mustered to the number of nearly 5,000. A few minutes after ten o'clock, every part of the large room was crowded to excess; and several schools being excluded, from the want of space, the lower room was immediately filled; and as, even then, great numbers remained unaccommodated, the remainder were conducted to Orange-street Chapel. It is not easy to describe the scene which presented itself on this occasion. The extensive hall was completely filled in every corner by neatly dressed children, whose healthy looks, cheerful countenances, and decent order, as it must have been highly grateful to the teachers and supporters of the various schools, was a living, speaking commentary on the vast utility of Sunday School Institutions.

At half-past ten the religious services commenced. The children sang a hymn, which had been composed for the occasion by Mrs. Gilbert. An impressive prayer was then offered up by the venerable Dr. Winter, in which he earnestly invoked the Divine blessing on this embryo of the future church. The Rev. Dr. Morison, of Brompton, then delivered an address to the children, founded upon Jeremiah iii. 4. "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?" The majority of the children were very attentive. A hymn, composed by J. Montgomery, Esq. of Sheffield, was then sung, and the services closed by prayer.

In the evening, a public meeting of the teachers was held in the same hall. The chair was to be taken at six o'clock; but

as, long before that period, the great hall, and every avenue leading to it, was crowded to a dangerous excess, the lower room, as well as the chapel in Crown-court, Drurylane, were engaged, and also filled; several ministers volunteering their services to address the audiences collected. At six o'clock, the chair was taken by Lord Henley, and, as soon as order could be established, the services were commenced. The 2d of the Jubilee Hymns was given out by the Rev. Mr. Belsher, of Chelsea, after which prayer was offered by the Rev. R. H. Shepherd of Pimlico. The assembly was then addressed by the chairman and various other speakers. The meeting continued until about nine o'clock, and, although crowded almost to suffocation, the utmost harmony and order prevailed.

The speakers were heard with deep attention; and the heat was borne by the assembly, without any symptoms of a wish to see the meeting concluded.

It was stated by Mr. Lloyd, whose portrait and memoir appear in this number of the Imperial Magazine, that one thousand pounds had been already raised in the metropolis alone towards the great objects for which the contributions were solicited, independently of collections to be made that evening both in town and country. The same gentleman also observed, that American papers, lately received, had announced, that the Sunday School Union throughout the United States, had also resolved to celebrate this remarkable Jubilee.

By J. I. Briscoe, Esq., M. D., it was stated, that 100,000 teachers were now engaged in instructing 1,000,000 of children, which could not fail to convince every unprejudiced person, that truth and order were likely to make great progress throughout the

country.

It was remarked by Dr. Morison, that the 3,000 persons at that moment present, were engaged every week in teaching to 30,000 children in London and its vicinity, the great truths of our common christianity, and that the multitudes of children assembled in the morning would not have listened to what was delivered with the attention they manifested, if some serious impressions had not been made on their minds.

After the momentary tumult which marked its commencement, had subsided, this meeting was deeply interesting in all its proceedings and details. We are not aware of one individual having expressed any dissatisfaction; and many would rejoice to have an opportunity of witnessing, every year, the name of Robert Raikes inscribed on the tablet of immortality.