ages, nor dangers, nor pleasures, nor sufferings, ought to have any opposing influence in regulating our conduct."

The attempt to establish a system of such uncompromising morality, must necessarily bring the writer into direct collision with the advocates of the utilitarian scheme, particularly with Dr. Paley; and accordingly it will be found that he frequently enters the lists with this great champion of expediency. With what success-how well he exposes the fallacies of that specious but dangerous doctrine-how far he succeeds in refuting the arguments by which it is sought to be maintained, and in establishing another system of obligations and duties and rights upon a more stable foundation, must be left to the reader to determine.

He

In thus attempting to convert a system of moral philosophy, dubious, fluctuating, and inconsistent with itself, into a definite and harmonious code of Scripture Ethics, the author undertook a task for which, by the original structure of his mind and his prevailing habits of reflection, he was, perhaps, peculiarly fitted. had sought for himself, and he endeavors to convey to others, clear perceptions of the true and the right; and in maintaining what he regarded as truth and rectitude, he shows everywhere an unshackled independence of mind, and a fearless, unflinching spirit. The work will be found, moreover, if we mistake not, to be the result of a careful study of the writings of moralists, of much thought, of an intimate acquaintance with the genius of the Christian religion, and an extensive observation of human life in those spheres of action which are seldom apt to attract the notice of the meditative philosopher.

In proceeding to illustrate his principles, the author has evidently sought, as far as might be, to simplify the subject, to disencumber it of abstruse and

metaphysical appendages, and, rejecting subtleties and needless distinctions, to exhibit a standard of morals that should be plain, perspicuous and practicable.

Premising thus much, the work must be left to its own merits. It is the last labor of a man laudably desirous of benefiting his fellow men; and it will fulfil the author's wish, if its effect be to raise the general tone of morals, to give distinctness to our perceptions. of rectitude, and to add strength to our resolutions to virtue.

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF

JONATHAN DYMOND.

In attempting to compile a biographical sketch of Jonathan Dymond, to accompany the present edition of his "Essays on the Principles of Morality, and on the Private and Political Rights and Obligations of Mankind," it has been a matter of some surprise that the material for such a memorial has proved to be very meager. The explanation is probably to be found in the retiring character of this gifted man, the close application to business which he found needful in maintaining his little family, and the brief period of life allotted him. While therefore, his may be termed an uneventful life, and one devoid of striking incident, it was marked by rare fidelity to duty, the diligent occupation of talents of no common order, combined with a clearness of perception, and maturity of judgment seldom met with in early years.

The thoughtful cast of his mind readily turned toward questions involving some of the highest interests of humanity, and the promotion of the Redeemer's kingdom, while in the eminently wise and just conclusions which are reached in his writings, we cannot doubt his intellectual powers were quickened and sanctified by Divine grace, and his course of reasoning guided by that "Spirit of truth" which our Lord

promised his willing disciples should "guide them into all truth; should take of the things of Christ and show them unto them.

It has been long felt that an abridged edition of the valuable treatise above referred to would prove of especial service to schools in the United States, and be the better adapted to the average American reader. With this end in view, there have been omitted chapters which treat of the national Constitution of Great Britain, the system of Ecclesiastical Tythes, and some views relating specifically to English law or usage.

It has also been thought best to omit chapters on Slavery, as well as some other subjects, and a few chapters have been simply abridged. It may be here proper to state that when any alteration has been made from the original text, it consists in omissions only. This course has resulted in the production of a much smaller volume which, while carefully preserving the line of argument on which the author rests his conclusions, it is believed does full justice to his exhaustive and forcible method of dealing with the subject in hand.

Jonathan Dymond was born in the year 1796 at Exeter, England, where he generally resided until the close of his life. His parents, John and Olive Dymond, were highly esteemed members, and recognized Ministers in the Religious Society of Friends. They sought early to imbue the hearts of their children with a deep love for their Heavenly Father, and a reverence for the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, their Saviour.

The bent of their son Jonathan's mind was soon displayed in a disposition for quiet reverie, so that, from his contemplative habits, and the sagacious observations which he frequently dropped, his brothers play

fully termed him "the philosopher." They, as well as he, possessed strong literary tastes, with good conversational powers, while a fondness for discussing subjects of general interest, and often those of graver import, served to train their minds for taking broader views on the leading topics of the day than were generally accepted. In these discussions Jonathan took an earnest part, exhibiting in his boyhood a marked talent for debate.

In person he was slight, and in stature tall, being somewhat above six feet in height. His countenance, which was habitually pale, was brightened by a highly intellectual and winning expression. In manner he was unassuming, his habits were simple and inexpensive. The business in which he engaged on reaching manhood, was that of a "linen draper," and throughout the period of financial depression which prevailed in England during the latter part of his life, his dealings were marked by strict integrity. In the settlement of disputed claims, he was from time to time appealed to by his fellowcitizens, and his mature judgment, as well as nice sense of justice, especially fitted him for the service of an arbitrator, in which he was not unfrequently employed. It was at the conclusion of a wearisome and harassing case of this kind, which had long and closely occupied him, that the disease which eventually proved fatal first made its appearance.

In 1822 he married a member of his own religious persuasion, residing in Plymouth. The tender union thus consummated was however but of brief duration. A daughter and son completed their little family group. The latter was a child of remarkable precocity, but was removed by death when about seven years old. Anna Dymond survived her husband nearly twenty-one years. From a brief memorial written in 1850, the following testimony to her character and worth, will