those offensive, pernicious and disgusting details which are too common in works of this description. The author has been too conscientious and considerate to enrich his volume at the expense of delicacy and morality. Those who are familiar with this department of learning will suggest, perhaps, some improvements both in the plan and execution of his labors. If permitted to continue his researches, Prof. Anthon will himself feel, we have no doubt, that he can at some future day make a more perfect exhibition of the subjects here discussed. But he richly deserves, for what he has already done, the thanks of every friend of a thorough classical education. 5.-History of the Establishment and Progress of the Christian Religion in the Islands of the South Sea; with preliminary notices of the Islands and of their Inhabitants. Illustrated by a map. Boston: Tappan & Dennet. New-York: Gould, Newman & Saxton. Philadelphia: Henry Perkins. 1841. pp. 398.

While it is the condemnation of some books that they come from a hand which is too easily recognized, it is the misfortune of others to be anonymous. To the latter class belongs the volume before us. We commenced its perusal with many misgivings as to its character and worth. It is so uncommon for the writer of a valuable work to suppress his authorship, that the absence of a responsible name is presumptive evidence of conscious demerit. But this presumption was soon rebutted by satisfactory evidence of a happy combination of those qualties which are essential to a good compiler. We regret that we are not at liberty to give the name of the accomplished authoress, to whom the public are so much indebted.

The design of the work is to present a clear and connected view of the progress of missions in the islands of the South Sea. Interesting accounts, describing the triumphs of the gospel in those distant lands, have been published from time to time; but few of these can be regarded as accessible to the majority of readers in this country. It is the aim of this volume to place the substance of their contents within the reach of all. The first four chapters are taken up with a general description of the islands, and the condition of the inhabitants prior to the introduction of Christianity. The remaining chapters are devoted to the progress of religion in connection with the labors of the London Missionary Society. The work deserves an extensive circulation; ministers may derive much assistance from it in preparing for the monthly concert; and no Sabbath-school should be without it.

6.-Christian Experience, as displayed in the Life and Writings of Saint Paul. By the Author of "Christian Retirement." First American from the seventh London Edition. NewYork: John S. Taylor. 1841. pp. 418.

No character, whether of ancient or modern history, is more deserving of profound study than that of Paul. To the philanthropist and the Christian, he presents a striking illustration of the spirit and aims of genuine benevolence. To the preacher of the gospel, he may be safely recommended as a model of fidelity, zeal and fervor. In no other man do we find such a delightful combination of apparently conflicting qualities. It is a matter of surprise that some master in the delineation of character has not applied his skill to this noble subject. We have admirable sketches of isolated features, but no complete and finished picture.

This particular desideratum it is not the design of the present volume to supply. In his Preface, the author observes that "this little treatise has no pretensions to novelty, being on subjects which form the daily meditation of the devout Christian, and from which he derives his purest enjoyments; neither does the author presume to vie with those whose works on the life of St. Paul have enriched the stores of sacred literature. His design in publishing these thoughts on the experience of the Apostle is, in some feeble measure, to exhibit the beauty of evangelical religion; by bringing into one view the varied excellencies of his character, and by unfolding those principles of faith and love, which, through the Spirit, made him so great a blessing to mankind. Christianity is the religion of the heart. Every doctrine of the gospel is a sacred spring of holiness. In these pages, the author has therefore endeavored to treat these mysteries of grace, not controversially, but practically; not as subjects of speculation, but as sources of peace and joy." The design and spirit of the volume are highly commendable. Indeed it is sufficient to say, that this is "the first American from the seventh London edition."

7.-A Refutation of sundry Baptist Errors, particularly as they are set forth in a recent work of Rev. J. J. Woolsey, and in the third Annual Report of the Am. and For. Bible Society. By Edwin Hall, Pastor of the First Congregational Church, Norwalk, Ct. Norwalk: John A. Weed. New York: Gould, Newman and Saxton; Robinson, Pratt and Co. 1841. pp. 156.

It is a matter of profound regret, that ministers of the

gospel should ever be required to engage in religious controversy. In this feeling, we have no doubt, the author of this volume fully participates. Still he has felt himself obliged to resist the assaults, which have been made upon what he considers "the truth and ordinance of God." In our Oct. No. for 1840, we noticed his "Exposition of the Law of Baptism." This "Refutation of Baptist Errors" he has undertaken to meet the wants of the people of his charge. The first half of the volume relates more particularly to the translation of Baлtis; and he shows, by pointing out the mistakes and even the contradictions of our Baptist brethren, that the confidence with which they have spoken on the subject is altogether unwarranted. The remainder of the work is occupied with the exposure of various misstatements and errors in respect to infant baptism. The whole discussion is clear, forcible and dignified; and it embodies many facts and considerations which are not to be found elsewhere in so convenient a form.

8.-Incidents of Travels in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan: by John L. Stephens, author of " Incidents of Travel in Egypt, Arabia Petræa and the Holy Land," etc. Illustrated by numerous Engravings. In Two Volumes. 8vo. NewYork: Harper & Brothers, 1841. pp. 424, 474.

In these volumes we are called to notice another splendid American work. Few writers of travels, who have come so recently before the public, have been so extensively read, and so much admired, as our young and enterprising fellow-citizen, Mr. Stephens. His popularity has been occasioned in part by the intrinsic interest of the scenes and countries to which his thirst for knowledge and his adventurous spirit have led him forth, on his distant and perilous journeyings; but not less, perhaps, by his happy talent at description, the ease and versatility of his style, and an enthusiasm which gives life and spirit to his narrative, irresistibly drawing the reader into sympathy with himself, and making him, as it were, a fellowtraveller. Those of our readers who are familiar with the "Incidents of Travel," by this author, "in Egypt, Arabia Petræa and the Holy Land," "in Greece, Turkey, Russia, and Poland," will appreciate the correctness of these remarks, and rejoice to take another voyage, with a companion and guide whom they have accompanied with so much pleasure in his former excursions.

Our traveller, however, in the present work, brings tidings not from the Old world, but from the New. Let not the reader

be deceived by this contrast of Old and New. We here speak after the manner of men. Enlightened men, men of learning and of civilization, the whole world, as it is known to history, -have looked upon the American continent as new,-new to civilization and its arts and refinements. But he who sitteth upon the circuit of the heavens, and keepeth record of the world's history, has doubtless watched over and directed the rise and fall of empires, and the lapse of centuries and millenaries, as well on the Western as on the Eastern continent. Some traces of these are discoverable by us. They are found, not on the pages of written history, but in the rude mounds and monuments which remain in our own country; and from the time of the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, some accounts have been preserved of the monuments and architectural remains of the aborigines of South America. These accounts, however, have been esteemed as worthy of but little credit. Dr. Robertson, in his History of America, (1777,) as quoted by Mr. Stephens, considers it certain "that America was not peopled by any nation of the ancient continent which had made any considerable progress in civilization," that the inhabitants were 66 unacquainted with those arts which are the first essays of human ingenuity in its advance towards improvement.'

Since Dr. Robertson's time, however, new light has been thrown upon this subject, through the discoveries of the learned Humboldt, who travelled somewhat extensively in South and Central America, about the beginning of the present century, and others. But the ruins of ancient cities and structures in Mexico were especially brought to the consideration of Europe and this country, by the report of Colonel Galindo, who visited the ruins of Copan in 1836, under commission from the Central American government, and the results of whose examination were published in the proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of Paris and in the London Literary Gazette. But his account Mr. Stephens regards as unsatisfactory, though not exaggerated; and his drawings of the monuments were necessarily imperfect, from the fact of his not being an artist.

Our space will not allow us to enlarge upon what was before known of these ruins, or of the others described by our author, and which we hasten to notice. This voyage of discovery was undertaken with peculiar advantages and facilities. Mr. Stephens was intrusted by the President of the United States with a special, confidential Mission to the Government of Central America; which, though not always an effectual

security against suspicion and assault, in the then distracted state of the country, was, in several cases, of essential service. He was also peculiarly fortunate in having engaged, as his companion and helper, Mr. Catherwood, well known as an experienced artist, and who had spent more than ten years in studying and sketching the antiquities and architectural structures of the Old world. Thus associated our travellers left New-York in October, 1839, and were absent ten months; nearly eight of which they spent in exploring the country of Central America, from the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Honduras to the Pacific Ocean, and in examining and sketching the wonderful monuments of its ancient greatness.

The report of the whole is given in these, so called, "Incidents of Travel." But with all due respect to the taste of our author, we must regard the title of his work a misnomer. Incidents it does indeed contain,-many, amusing, surprising, perplexing, and interwoven with the whole thread of his narrative. But this is not all. It brings before us substantial facts and venerable realities, by the side of which the mere incidents of a journey, however thrilling and entertaining, for the moment, are triffes soon to be forgotten. These constitute the principal value of the work.

First, we place ourselves by the side of these explorers amid the ruins of the ancient city of Copan, three hundred miles from the ocean, on the bank of a river not navigable even for canoes, except for a short time in the rainy season, and in the midst of a dense forest, the remains of the city extending along the river more than two miles,-its front wall, of cut stone, from sixty to ninety feet high. Behind it are ranges of stone steps and pyramidal structures, rising from thirty to one hundred and forty feet high on the slope. Standing among the trees are numerous pillars of stone, each a single block, carved with the most exquisite and elaborate workmanship, exhibiting portraits of men and women, and figures of, perhaps, idols in front, and on the sides numerous hieroglyphics. These pillars are from ten to twenty feet high and from three to four in diameter, and stand upon pedestals of stone. In front of each is an altar of stone, some of which are also elaborately carved with hieroglyphics. Of these monuments, as well as of the plan of the city, accurate drawings were taken by Mr. Catherwood, which have since been engraved on steel at great expense, in the best style of the London artists, and accompany the description by Mr. Stephens in these volumes. Several other ruins of less interest are described.

The next most important ruin brought to view and illustra