HAD there existed any popular work, exhibiting all Religions and Religious Ceremonies in a manner similar to the following Volume, it would not have been added to the number.

Dr. EVANS's liberal work on the Sects and Denominations of the Christian World, is, professedly, "a Sketch," and does not come within the scope and plan of this Volume. It is, however, an excellent summary and guide to the most popular Christian Sects; and in treating of that portion of the religious world, the author of the present publication has repeatedly drawn information from it, and has, as often, acknowledged the obligation.

Mr. BELLAMY'S Volume on all Religions, is a useful compendium; yet, not treating originally on the subjects spoken of, it has not been consulted in this compilation.

Mrs. HANNAH ADAMS's View of all Religions, is a good book of the kind, but appears somewhat objectionable on account of the plan. It is, moreover, too multifarious in its subjects, and, of course, too meagre in its details.

Mr. ADAMS's large work is a very excellent book, but too expensive and bulky for general use.

Abundance of information is to be gleaned from Dr. ROBINCON's invaluable Theological Dictionary, which constitutes a Complete Library of Divinity; nor are Mr. Buck's two volumes, on a similar plan, destitute of great merit; but both works are, in a great measure, irrelevant to the present design.

HURD's Religious Ceremonies, and BROUGHTON'S Dictionary, but, above all, PICART's great work on Religious Ceremonies, have furnished ample materials for the purposes of the present volume. This latter work, however, is now extremely scarce. It extends to six folio volumes, and is not to be purchased for less than thirty or forty pounds: yet there is nothing of real interest contained in it, nor in the others above-mentioned, which has not been incorporated into the performance.

SOLVYN'S Splendid work, in four volumes, atlas folio, intituled "The Hindoos; a Picturesque Delineation of the Manners, Customs, and Religious Ceremonies of that People," has been

consulted for much valuable information: nor has there appeared a single book of consequence, that could throw any light on the various topics treated of in these pages, that has been intentionally left unexplored.

Mr. WARD's book on the Hindoos, is a great and valuable acquisition to the religion and literature of this country, and reflects the highest honour on the talents and principles of the author, whose motives for its publication are evidently of the purest nature. Of the use that has been made of it in this work, the reader will have no cause to complain.

The information contained in Mr. MILLS's work on Mohammedanism, is as creditable to his intelligence as the style in which it is conveyed is honourable to the taste and ingenuity of that liberal and enlightened writer.

It has been the Author's constant aim, to render this Book at once instructive, moral, and amusing; and he has been uniformly careful to speak of the numerous sects and parties, in such manner as should not give offence to any person; on the contrary, he has constantly endeavoured to enlighten, improve, and instruct all. Of Christian sects he has, generally, spoken as they have spoken of themselves in their own publications. He has avoided fulness of detail respecting sects whose doctrines and practices are already well-known; but has endeavoured to devote as much of his work as possible, to interesting particulars of sects and parties of nations and individuals, whose opinions and ceremonies have hitherto been slightly illustrated.

Without making the present work a vehicle of his own private sentiments, the Author has never failed, when necessary, to advocate the great cause of religious toleration, and has endeavoured to impress the mind of his Christian readers with the necessity of constantly keeping the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace," a lesson which he and they cannot fail to learn. while they contemplate the amazing variety of practices and the delicate shades of doctrines that exist among conscientious men of all denominations and in all countries, on subjects of religious faith and practice.

DESCRIPTION OF ENGRAVINGS.

Plan of the City of Jerusalem to face the Title.

Auricular Confession. [Page 23.]

The Priest in the Confessional, hearing the Confessions of the people. A female speaks to him through a lattice. The rest are waiting to be admitted.

Extreme Unction. [Page 23.]

The Priest in the act of administerng the last said rite to a dying man.

Elevation of the lost. [Page 56.]

A Roman Catholic Priest at Mass, in the act of raising the consecrated wafer, after it has been transubstantiated into the real body of Christ. The Accolites ring a little bell, holding his garment, that people may know what is then doing, and may behold their Redeemer before them.

Elevation of the Cup. [Page 56.]

This is the same ceremony as the above, after the wine has been changed into the real blood of Jesus Christ.

Grand Mass. [Page 61.]

This is the greatest Mass, performed only on particular days amongst the Roman Catholics.

Mass of the Holy Ghost. [Page 62.]

This is a very grand and solemn Mass, peculiarly offered to the third person in the Trinity of the Roman Catholic Religion.

Giving the Benediction. [Page 62.]

A Roman Catholic Priest giving the blessing to the people after Mass.

Procession of the Host. [Page 63.]

A public Procession of the Host, or consecrated wafer, as practised in Roman Catholic countries; children strewing flowers, &c. in the way.

Procession of Cardinals to the Conclave. [Page 65.] This is a magnificent Procession of the Cardinals at Rome going to elect a new Pope.

Reverencing the Pope. [Page. 65.]

This cut describes the manner of what is called kissing the Pope's toe.

Procession of the Flagellants. [Page 67.]

Devotees and fanatics amongst the Roman Catholics, publicly flogging themselves, by way of "mortifying the flesh." They are now almost extinct.

Worshipping in St. Patrick's Cave. [Page 69.]

This is a custom in some parts of Ireland, where the lame and the sick perform their religious adorations in a certain cave, named as on the cut.

Passing through the Fire on St. John's Day in Ireland. [Page 69.]

The country people are here described in the act of passing through the flames, called St. Patrick's Purgatory.

Baptism in the Russian Church. [Page 117.]

A Priest immersing a boy in water.

Worship in the Armenian Church. [Page 117.] The Priest in the act of pronouncing a solemn Bene diction on the People.

Bethlehem. [Page 129.]

The holy town or village of Bethlehem, where our Saviour was born, is faithfully represented in this cut.

Nazareth. [Page 129.]

The town and country of Nazareth, as it at present appears, in a valley, is here accurately represented

Grotto of Nazareth. [Page 130.]

The holy Grotto and Manger, the Birth-place of the Saviour of the World, are here faithfully delineated.

The Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem. [Page 130.] This Sacred Place, the tomb of the Redeemer, now Chapel for Divine worship, is here shown.

St. Peter's at Rome. [Page 181.]

St. Sophia at Constantinople. [Page 181.J

St. Paul's Church. [Page 180.]

This is a view of the great Western entrance and Front of St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

Westminster Abbey. [Page 180.]

This venerable Church and Abbey are here shown, as they are seen from the East. Part of Henry VIIth's Chapel, and the two lofty towers of that ancient and beautiful building are here accurately drawn.