overhanging sky of metaphysic fixedness, stretching like a brazen deep over the world. They swept away much of the old system of generating clouds for the obscuring of learning, and founded the human mind upon positive knowledge, the only abiding basis. Thus they were the greatest of apostles for religion, as well as for the truth of the physical world.

The attempts to reconcile the empirical and rationalistic schools of the ancients were a failure. Governments had improved, individual character had been cultivated, and clearer ideas of the laws of reciprocity were obtained, and a better system of getting at positive knowledge, or practical ethics, was necessary to meet the wants of the new times. The limits of real knowledge were beginning to be appreciated. Galileo, Kepler, and Copernicus had aroused an interest in the sciences, and suggested the true mode of the acquisition of knowledge. Where his influence was felt, the human mind commenced its journey toward rest.

I. V.

ART. XIII.

Literary Notices.

1. A Standard Imperial Quarto Bible. Published by H. C. Peck, and Theo. Bliss. Philadelphia.

WE call attention to this edition of the Bible, with a view to do justice to what is, beyond question, the noblest specimen of typography ever executed in this country; and which, so far as the Scriptures are concerned, has no equal in the old world. The Oxford Imperial Quarto is the best edition yet printed in England; and a moment's attention in the comparison, will satisfy any one that the edition of Peck and Bliss is far before the Oxford. The type is much larger, more beautiful, and the paper every way as good. It is the first attempt to print a Quarto Bible on great primer type,-which heretofore has required the unwieldly folio form. But by excluding all illustrations,-which, it strikes us, are always out of place in a Bible,—the large type

has been put into the quarto form,-the most desirable for pulpit use. We are aware that inducements to purchase any printed work based on simple gratitude, are absurd. No American publisher will substantiate a claim to patronage in preference to foreign publishers, unless he produces better work. The Philadelphia publishers of the edition of the Bible named above, have no occasion to appeal to the generosity of their countrymen. Those who desire the best edition of the Scriptures for the pulpit or the family, would commit an act of folly, were they to purchase an English print. And this they will see if they take the trouble to make comparisons. The impression has been,and thus far with reason,-that American publishers cannot equal their rivals across the water. We trust the force of habit, which often outlives its reason, will not lead churches and families to do themselves the injustice of not giving the issue of Peck and Bliss an examination. Aware that we have the attention of a large number of clergymen, we feel impelled to do them the favor of urging them to exercise this degree of care in selecting copies of the Bible for their pulpits. We call particular attention to the Alphabetical Index,- a new feature in American prints, -the convenience of which makes it second in importance only to the Concordance.

2. Nature and The Supernatural, as together constituting the One System of God. By Horace Bushnell. New York: Charles Scribner. 1859. 8vo. pp. 528.

What the Sophists did for the mythologies of Greece and Rome, Dr. Bushnell fears will be done for Christianity by the imperfect science of the present age. The supernatural in the ancient myths was resolved in principles of nature; and so the supernatural of Christianity is fast being resolved into a naturereligion. Atheism, whether boldly scoffing, or cowardly insinuating; pantheism, fastening the deity to the universe, as its intelligent law; materialism, making man the slave of his bodily organization, in connection with external influences; naturalistic tendencies, as particularly exhibited in the Unitarian movement, substituting developement for salvation; community schemes, relying upon organization for progress and redemption; clairvoyance, resolving Christianity into necromancy; modern politics, which make an imaginary compact the sovereign arbiter in morals and conduct;-all these are but the inevitable results of identifying religion with nature. The practice of assuming that religion is but a particular, while nature is the universal,-which makes religion a part of nature and embraced within it,-Dr. Bushnell regards as the root of all modern heresy. And from

this root he thinks great mischief has spread; and he affirms that the evangelical party even is infected with the poison of skepticism. He purposes therefore to show, that the supernatural is co-ordinate with the natural; that neither is embraced in the other; that each has its own laws; and he teaches that while science and physical laws, cause and effect, and the force of circumstance belong to nature; religion, with its miracles, mysteries and redeeming processes, belongs to the supernatural.

He has produced a work of great ability; exceeding in point of style and argument, as it seems to us, any of his former issues. He evidently regards it as his greatest production. It is certainly ingenious; and is, we think, the most philosophical attempt to resist rationalism yet given to the public. Were it our purpose to review, we should meet it with an argument, to show that its fundamental proposition is assumed; and also with evidence that its fears as to the results of the present attitude of science, are imaginary,-proceeding from a false estimate of human nature. Further, we think it clear that the reasoning of Dr. Bushnell authenticates conclusions from which none could demur more emphatically than himself. The monstrous claims of the Roman Catholic is predicated of the distinction between the natural and the supernatural; and we think no class of theologians will welcome the present argument for this distinction, so cordially as the Catholics. But whether we are right or wrong in these convictions, we are ready to give our author thanks for the great pleasure his book has given us. Differing, as we certainly do, very widely from his reasoning, or at least, from the data of his reasoning,-it is but justice to say, that he has given the public a book which no religious student can afford to neglect.

3. A New History of the Conquest of Mexico. In which Las Casis' Denunciations of the Popular Historians of that War are fully Vindicated. By Robert Anderson Wilson. Philadelphia: James Challen & Son. 1859. 8vo. pp. 539.

The severe test of historic fact, sharply distinguishing between the mythical and the actual, inaugurated by Niebhur, and which, through him and Arnold and Grote, has wrought a revolution in ancient history, now threatens the history of the Conquest of Mexico, by the Spaniards, and gives, in the nobly printed volume above named, a history directly and avowedly in opposition to the popular work of Prescott! The charges brought against the latter are of a very serious nature. It is affirmed that Mr. Prescott has misapprehended the character of the Mexicans whom Cotez conquered; that his descriptions of them are Moor

ish and not Indian; that he knew nothing of the topography of Mexico, and that his narrative is often inconsistent with it; that he knew but little of the Indian character, and therefore was unable to identify it in the peculiar mode of warfare resulting in the Conquest; and that he has therefore mistaken the genius of Cortez and his method of conquest, describing a guerrilla campaign as if it was a succession of pitched battles; and the general conclusion is reached, that the authorities relied upon by Prescott are untrustworthy; and hence, that his history is a romance in which the legendary preponderates over the actual. "The despatches of Cortez, are our only written authority. These are found to consist of two distinct parts,-one, an accurate detail of adventures, consistent throughout with the topography of the region in which they occurred, as shown by our section maps; the other, a mass of foreign material, apparently borrowed from fables of the Moorish era, for effect in Spain." The allegation is, that Mr. Prescott has allowed himself to be imposed upon by these fictitious dispatches.

It can hardly be said that the points thus brought into dispute are for the learned to settle; for even of the learned, there are but few who can be in possession of the means to decide upon such questions. The very great popularity of Prescott will prevent any injustice being done to his fame as an authentic historian. On the other hand, Wilson is, seemingly, at least, supported by such names as Lewis Cass,-a high authority in every thing pertaining to Indian matters,-the late Albert Gallatan, and other distinguished men of letters. Sustained by such a weight of authority, the new history will command respect, and compel candid criticism.

We admire the manly independence,-usually courteous and dignified,—which pervades the work. It has none of the apologetic strain which belittles not a few of our New England authors. The work overflows with mature research; and is full of interest from the novelty of its statements. In this we make particular allusion to the fifth chapter; in which the extinct empire of Central America is thought to be identified as Phoenician in its architecture, art and religion.

The mechanical execution reflects the highest credit on the publishers, and this in all the particulars of print, paper, and binding. The volume will not be likely to come to pieces in the reader's hand. The illustrations are numerous and beautifully executed. There is hardly any class of readers that will not find the book full of instruction, suggestion and interest.

4. The New American Cyclopædia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. Volume V. New York: D. Appleton & Company. Boston: L. A. Elliot & Company. 1859.

To the favorable opinion of this great work, heretofore expressed by us, we wish here to call attention to what seems to us an almost peculiar excellence in such a publication. In all matters of history,-so far as we have given them attention,—we are impressed with its impartiality, its truthfulness, its aim to give every party interested exact justice. This virtue is rare, because it is difficult. It requires something more than honest intentions to be impartial. It requires a special ability, the faculty of seeing the truth, of distinguishing between it and the notions which we may wish to be true. The wish will be father to the belief, unless it be accompanied with the faculty of resisting the temptation. A liberal, generous spirit, and a wide and varied culture, must go with honest intentions, else prejudice and passion will pervert history. And so strong and so general is this danger, that of the many illustrious names on the list of historians, very few have the reputation of being impartial.

The historical element must fill a large place in the plan of such a work as the New Cyclopædia; and if it shall deserve the reputation of impartiality in this particular, it will establish very strong claims to the confidence of the public. We trust we do not speak without having made sufficient examination, when we express the opinion, that the work is eminently just to all parties who feel an interest in historical questions. No better test of its merit in this respect, can be had, than its article "Christianity," filling ten pages of the fifth volume, the read- ing of which has suggested the point which we have been elucidating. Protestants are usually under irresistible temptations to do the Catholics injustice in presenting the historical points of difference between the two parties,-to extenuate and explain away their own persecutions and atrocities, and to magnify, and to set in the strongest light, those of the Catholic. A remarkable absence of every thing of the kind characterizes the article referred to; and is a ground of confidence that the New Cyclopædia will prove a reliable reference in all particulars. We may add, in this connection, that we have noticed the same purpose to do justice to the Catholic element of history, in the preceding volumes.

The fifth volume comprises seven hundred and seventy doublecolumn royal octavo pages; and with many others, presents elaborate articles (to name those we have read), on "Chemistry," "China," "Chronology," "Coal," "Comparative Anatomy,"