and below them is the Latin version accommodated to this edition. In order to facilitate reference, the editor has noted at the top of every page the corresponding pages of the editions executed at Amsterdam, Cambridge, Mayence,* or Mentz, (a reprint we understand of the Parisian edition) and Turin *; which are respectively designated by the letters A. C. M. and T. A copious Index is subjoined; the volume is very neatly printed, and on rather better paper than we commonly meet with in the ordinary productions of the German press. We cordially unite with Professor Zimmermann, in his wish that - the present edition of the venerable ecclesiastical historian, Eusebius, may promote and facilitate the study of ecclesiastical antiquity and of sacred literature.

ART. VI. Conversations on Mineralogy, with Plates, engraved by Mr. and Miss Lowry, from original Drawings. 2 vols. 12mo. Longman & Co. 1822.

ÚNTIL the appearance of Mrs. Marcet's well-known volumes, few works on Science existed which were calculated for any, but the scientific. Elementary Treatises for the most part, are any thing but elementary: and those who are themselves sufficiently well informed to instruct others, too often, like Commentators on Greek Plays, puzzle the Critic while they profess to write for the Tyro. The Lady whom we have just mentioned deserves no slight praise for her productions; and it is but natural that the example which she has so well set, should be eagerly followed; if it is always as well imitated as in the work by the family of Lowry now before us, we shall heartily rejoice in every succeeding adventurer who pursues a similar track. A modest and unassuming preface notices the rapid advance which the study of Mineralogy has made of late years in England, and assigning to its rightful owner the praise of applying the conversational method to science in general, points out that this mode has not yet been adapted to Mineralogy in particular. The writer then states that it is not his intention to enter into minute details, nor to support any favourite system; but to convey to the uninitiated clear ideas of the principles of Mineralogy and Crystallography. On the latter subject the theory of Haüy has been

These editions have never fallen under our observation.-EDITOR.

taken as a ground-work; but many original observations are introduced, and the figures which illustrate them are wholly new. The recent system of Professor Mohs is passed over; and, as appears to us, for good reasons: first because it only describes crystals without explaining their structure and formation; and secondly because its acknowledged abstruseness rendered it irreducible to the form of these volumes. It is upon the commoner minerals that the authors very naturally have been most diffuse; and they have usually appended an account of their application to the several arts and manufactures.

Mineralogists are much accustomed to vaunt the philosophy of their classification, and to claim a superiority for their study above all similar studies, on account of the immutable basis, as they call it, of their arrangements; but few sciences in fact, are less substantially fixed; the following apology therefore is almost unnecessary, except as a proof of the diffidence of the writer:

"My classification of Minerals differs in some respects from all that I have seen; but as it is not, to say the least, calculated to perplex the learner more than any other arrangement, I trust it will not be severely criticised: it is, perhaps, as defective as those which I have examined, and rejected because I was dissatisfied with them; for I am far from presuming that I can effect what has hitherto baffled the attempts of the most able Mineralogists and Chemists." Vol. I. p. vi.

The principal synonymes, with the English names annexed, are inserted in an Index. Such technical terms as are necessarily used, are defined at the beginning, but they are wisely used with a sparing hand; and the young Mineralogist, who does not bring a cargo of Etymology with him, is farther pre sented with a catalogue of 187 derivations. On this point we would suggest to the "classical friends" upon whom Mr. Lowry has relied in the Greek and Latin languages, that ava does not signify " without," and that such words as Anal. cime and Anhydrite, have nothing to do with và in their composition.

Our readers may wish for a single extract to show the manner of these volumes, and it is of so little importance from what part it comes, that we shall present them with one caught at random. The Sortes Mineralogica have opened on Vol. I. p. 75.

66 MRS. L.

"It is of the greatest consequence to observe the fresh fracture of a mineral; that is, the appearance of a fresh-broken part; ber cause it is perfectly clean, and you can better observe the form

and lustre which are peculiar to it, than in a part which has been exposed to the weather, or otherwise injured by external causes : but observe, that when I speak of the different kinds of fracture, I do not include under that term cleavage, which is peculiar to some crystallized minerals.

"FRANCES.

"Are not all minerals which crystallize capable of division by cleavage ?

66. MRS. L.

"In some cristallized minerals, the cleavage is obtained with such difficulty, that were not the primitive form known, it might be doubted whether they possessed a cleavage; in such substances the fracture is generally conchoidal.

"The word conchoidal means, literally, having the form of a shell; but as that expresses nothing precise, I should say, that a conchoidal fracture very much resembles the form of a muscle shell. I mentioned that it is exceedingly difficult to obtain the cleavage of some minerals, as spinal ruby, zircon, and quartz: on the contrary, there are substances which divide so readily, parallel to the primitive form, that it is difficult in them, to produce a frac ture; such are sulphate of barytes, diamond, carbonate, and fluate of lime; a specimen of any of these having a conchoidal fracture, is valuable to a collector.

"You must not expect always to find a perfect conchoidal fracture; it is very often confused and irregular. The form of the fracture varies with the texture of the mineral: in those which are compact, it is even, conchoidal, splintery, uneven, earthy, or hackly the last kind is peculiar to the native metals; and you may see it by breaking a piece of silver or copper wire common chalk and fuller's earth are good and familiar examples of earthy fracture."

1

Those who wish for a popular acquaintance with Mineralogy, will do well to consult these volumes; and we think a desire for somewhat more than a popular acquaintance will soon be excited by them. We had almost forgotten that which it would be most unjust to forget, the delicacy and accuracy with which the plates to this work are executed. But it is enough to say that they are from the burin of Mr. and Miss Lowry.

ART. VII. 1. An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. By Thomas Hart1.well Horne, M.A. (of St. John's College, Cambridge,)

Curate of the united Parishes of Christ Church, Newgate Street, and Saint Leonard, Foster Lane. Second Edition, revised, corrected and enlarged. Illustrated with numerous Maps and Fac-Similes of Biblical Manuscripts. In 4 vols. 8vo. Cadell. 1821.

2. Supplement to the First Edition of the Introduction. 1. vol. 8vo. Cadell. 1821.

3. The Introduction. Third Edition, corrected. In 4 vols. 8vo. Cadell, 1822.

4. Supplementary Pages of the Second Edition of the Introduction. 8vo. Cadell. 1822.

IN our Number for July 1819, we introduced the first edition of this work to the notice of our readers; and as the author, in his preface, solicited hints and corrections "from the organs of public criticism," we freely offered such hints as occurred to us, for improving the arrangement of the whole, together with various strictures on particular portions of it, which seemed to require further consideration and correction. It is gratifying to us, on examining the second and third editions, to find that our well-intended suggestions have been adopted by the author, who has corrected all the errors which we pointed out; and as our hints and remarks have had the effect of inducing him to re-cast and almost to re-write the "Introduction to the Critical Study of the Scriptures," we think it but just to him,-as we trust it will be satisfactory to our readers,—to give an analysis of the work in its present greatly improved state.

The first volume is devoted to a critical inquiry into the genuineness, authenticity, and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures; which, to an experienced biblical scholar, may almost appear a work of supererogation, after the many elaborate and (we may safely affirm) unanswerable treatises on this subject, with which the English language is enriched. The motives, which induced the author to discuss this subject de novo are thus assigned by him; and our readers, we think, will deem his reasons perfectly satisfactory.

"In the former impressions of his work the author had given a very brief outline of the evidences for the genuineness and inspiration of the Old Testament, and a more extended view of the genuineness, credibility, and inspiration of the New Testament, and, being unwilling to augment, unnecessarily, the number of treatises extant on these subjects, he referred his readers to a few which are justly accounted the most valuable. In preparing the present edition for the press, it was his intention to condense these remarks,

and to subjoin a few additional considerations: but he has been induced to deviate from this design by the extensive circulation of infidel works and tracts, whose avowed object was, by the unblushing re-assertion of old and often refuted objections, or by specious insinuations, to undermine and to subvert the religion of Jesus Christ, the pillar of society, the safeguard of nations, the parent of social order, which alone has power to curb the fury of the passions, and secure to every one his rights; to the laborious the reward of their industry, to the rich the enjoyment of their wealth, to nobles the preservation of their honours, and to princes the stability of their thrones. Called upon, by name, from the press, to consider these objections to Divine Revelation, the author felt it his duty not to shrink from the task; and as the antagonists of the Scriptures have in some degree varied the ground of their attacks, he indulges the hope that a temperate discussion of this subject, accommodated to the present times, may not be unacceptable to the biblical student, who may, perhaps at some future time, be exposed to meet with the enemies of the Scriptures. To his own mind, indeed, the result of the laborious inquiries, in which he has thus been necessarily involved, has been highly satisfactory:for, not having access to all the numerous and able defences of Christianity against the infidels of former ages, he has been obliged to consider every objection for himself; and in every instance he has fonnd that the numerous-he had almost said innumerablecontradictions, alleged to exist in the Sacred Writings, have disappeared before an attentive and candid examination. It may, perhaps, be thought that the gross and illiberal manner, in which some of the productions in question have been executed, renders them unworthy of notice; but nothing surely is unworthy of notice that is calculated to mislead the ignorant or the unwary; and though some of the objections raised by the modern opposers of Divine revelation, are so coarse as to carry with them their own refutation, yet others are so concisely and speciously expressed, as to demand several pages,-the result of many days' laborious research, in order to detect their sophistry and falsehood." Vol. 1. Pref. p. ix. 3d. edit.

In conducting his inquiry into the genuineness, authenticity and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the author in the first chapter shews the necessity of a Divine revelation, from the defective state of moral and religious knowledge among the ancient pagan nations, and also from the actual state of religion and morals among the modern heathen nations; he then proceeds to refute the objection (so frequent in the lips of the self-styled philosophers of our day), that philosophy and right reason are sufficient to instruct men in their duty, -by presenting in their own words an abstract of their absurd and contradictory tenets both in religion and morals, The necessity of a Divine revelation being proved, and the