We should not agree with those publicists who would accept these tables as a warrant for a return to the severer penalties of former times; but while we should reject the arguments which they offer, as inconclusive for such a purpose, we would interrogate them again and again before we ventured to advance still further in the same direction. Until some mode of punishment as terrible as death, and as likely to operate with equal power to deter, be discovered, we should tremble at the idea of abolishing death-punishments. We are not without hope that such may be found-a mode of expiation of a less irremediable nature than execution; but until that is devised, and proved to be effective, it would betray a strange lack of ordinary prudence to suspend a punishment which statistics prove to act as a powerful preventative.

But again, it is only fair to suggest, that probably one of the causes of the increase of those serious crimes which are not now capital is to be found in the uncertainty of the punishment attached to their commission. For several years past penal science in England has been in a state of prolonged crisis. While extreme penalties have been abolished altogether, the system of secondary punishments has been in a state of the utmost anarchy. Before, the culprit knew his fate well; it stood before him-fixed-speedy -terrible. There was no hope, juggle, or equiVocation about a death sentence. On those which have been substituted for it there have been every kind of doubt, as to their reality, their amount, and the mode of suffering them. There is evidence to show that this doubt-unavoidable perhaps in a period of experiment and transition like the present-has exercised great influence over the minds of criminals in diminishing the terrors of the law. This uncertainty should be put an end to with all possible despatch. There ought to be no misconception in the country on this point. Certainty, promptitude, severity, are all necessary elements of prevention; the notion that any one of these is relaxed, should be avoided as a fatal mistake. If our present scale of punishments is to be maintained, something must be done to render it more operative. How it is to be rendered more operative, which of the penal theories now prevailing is best adapted to render it such, is a question too large to be entered upon here; but we shall have only too frequently occasion to return to the subject. Enough for the present that we have pointed out the terrible increase of the more serious crimes, cotemporaneously with as remarkable a diminution of general criminality throughout the country; and indicated the necessity of arranging our system of secondary punishments so as to give to them a character more calculated to deter-a change which may probably be effected without materially, if at all, diminishing the humane hope of reforming the criminal.

COST OF CREATING DISEASE.

THE Conclusions to which our examination of sanitary tests and estimates has led us are the following:-1. That the advocates of sanitary reform are justified in assuming two per cent. as the rate to which the mortality of all towns, and à fortiori of the country at large, may, by proper

sanitary measures, be reduced. 2. That there are fair grounds for assuming for the whole of the population a still more favourable rate of mortality. 3. That the estimated annual sacrifice of 35,000 lives in England and Wales, and of upwards of 60,000 in the United Kingdom, is not greatly exaggerated; and that a more moderate estimate of 80,000 for England and Wales, and 51,000 for the United Kingdom, may be very safely assumed. 4. That the estimated amount of sickness, like the estimated waste of life, expressed in years, has been somewhat exaggerated by the advocates of sanitary reform; that twenty cases of unnecessary sickness to one unnecessary death is a safer proportion to assume than twenty-eight to one; and that the total cases of unnecessary sickness will have to be reduced accordingly. The annual waste of life and sacrifice of health reduced to equivalents in pounds, shillings, and pence, under the heads of sickness, funerals, and labour lost. is represented by a grand total for England and Wales of 14,873,931, or little less than 15,000,000l. sterling. Of this enormous total the metropolis contributes very nearly 2,000,000l., and Lancashire upwards of 4,000,000l. The standards of comparison employed in these calculations are the rate of mortality and average age at death in the most healthy registration district of each county; the ages of the living being disregarded, and the rates of sickness to death being taken as one to twenty-eight. If this essential element of age had been taken into account; if the more moderate standard of two per cent. had been substituted for the perhaps too favourable mortality of the most healthy districts; and if the ratio of one to twenty-eight between deaths and cases of sickness had been made to suffer some abatement, it is not impossible that these 15,000,000l. might be reduced to considerably less than half. Possibly the total waste of money might not exceed the sum annually raised in the shape of poor-rates. The calculations published in the tables of the Health of Towns Association embrace only three heads-funerals, sickness, and labour wasted. Orphanage and widowhood, which impose a perpetual burden on the Poor Laws of about 50,000 women and children, and an annual burden which, though not yet ascertained, cannot but be considerable, are not taken into the account. Then there is another enormous item of waste or misappropriation of money not contained in these tables-namely, the sums squandered in the shape of defective and costly structural arrangements above and below ground. What all these barbarisms have cost and are costing us it would be difficult to say; but that they amount to several millions a-year no reasonable man can doubt. We refer our readers to the reports of the Health of Towns Commission, and the publications of the Health of Towns Association, for particulars. If they appear exaggerated, let them halve or quarter every item, and there will still remain the most remarkable exposé ever yet made of municipal and national extravagance. One broad principle may be safely enunciated in respect to sanitary economics-that it costs more money to create disease than to prevent it; and that there is not a single structural arrangement chargeable with the production of disease which is not also in itself an extravagance.-Medico-Chirurgical Review.

135

Hora Biblica Quotidiane. Daily Scripture Readings, by the late THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D., LL.D. In Three Volumes. Vol. II., pp. 478. Sutherland and Knox, Edinburgh; Hamilton and Adams, London.

IN a former Number we introduced this work to the attention of our readers, and have now the pleasure of apprising them of the issue of a second volume, extending from Judges to Job, inclusive. The volume is got up in the same beautiful manner as its predecessor, and is marked internally by the same excellences. It is, indeed, more diversified in its subject, comprising a wider range, and a larger period. Everywhere at home in the company of the Old Testament worthies, Dr. Chalmers seems to have been particularly in his element while conferring with old Job, who, while by his pathos he melts the heart, by his sublimity fires the genius of the Scottish philosopher. Nothing that has preceded has by any means so much waked up his mighty spirit. Yet there are spots in the sun; but we can, at present, only note his peculiar, irrepressible bias in favour of Religious Establishments, and the ingenuity with which he tortures some of the facts of the heathen history of Ezra to support this theory. The great man is enraptured with Cyrus and Darius, of the latter of whom he "His genersays, ous allowance for the expenses of the sanctuary, with the clause that its SERVICES should be according to the appointment of the PRIESTS, marks exceedingly well the respective parts which belong to the civil and ecclesiastical in matters of religion." In reference to some subsequent verses he says, "After this, let us hear no more of the incompetency of a church receiving aid from a civil government, whether for the erection of its churches, or the maintenance of its clergy." This is a short and easy method of dealing with the Voluntaries; but we presume the disciples of the Doctor must be content to hear a little "more" yet on the question.

The Child of Poverty, and other Poems. By JAMES CREASE. pp. 315. Blackwood and Sons.

SEVERAL volumes of poetry have recently appeared, of a very respectable character,

Its

such, indeed, as, some fifty years ago, would have commanded attention,-perhaps have secured some measure of celebrity for their authors. Even to the men of this practical generation, we presume, it will be refreshing to the hearts of many to meet such volumes as that before us, which is clearly the production of a cultivated, devout, and superior man. The first and principal piece, which extends to nearly seventy pages, it is probable that few will read without a tear. object is to paint the vicissitudes of the life of the poor man; and it is so constructed that it may be read by both rich and poor with benefit. It is pleasing to find men of genius thus devoting their talents to search into the circumstances, to gauge the sorrows, and to plead the cause of the oppressed and unpitied multitude, since the song of the poet may, in many cases, succeed to enlist the sympathies of the statesman and philosopher. Robert Burns threw the fascinations of his genius around the Scottish peasant, but in another spirit and in connection with other principles than those of James Crease. The piece next in magnitude, as well as merit, is entitled, "The Winter Night.' This fine solid piece of blank verse is chiefly descriptive of hardship, calamity, and horror, indicating a considerable acquaintance with human nature, both in its special and general aspects. The third of the large pieces is entitled "Morning," where the scene is somewhat changed, and streaks of light are thrown across the sky. In this piece we have more to do with nature than with man; but still with nature in its relations to the human family. Here, too, as in the former pieces, all is pure and lofty, calculated to elevate the mind and to improve the heart. Among the smaller poems, which are numerous, diversified, and interesting, there is one entitled "The Year," which deserves notice, as illustrative of the poet's versatility, and power of concentrated, yet luminous observation. As a fair specimen of his artistic ability, we have given it at length in an adjoining page.

The History of Greece, from the Earliest

Times to A.D. 1833. For Schools and Families. pp. 370. Religious Tract Society, London.

WE look on this work with great and

unmixed satisfaction. It is truly gratifying to find the Tract Society bringing its vast and purified resources to bear on Scholastic Literature. There are many Histories of Greece, some of them possessing literary merits of a superior order; but all of them defective in those qualities which, to the Christian mind, are essential to morally unexceptionable and really instructive history. This is, moreover, in other respects, of its class, by far the amplest, and, indeed, the only complete embodiment we have of the wondrous facts of the story of this famous people, since the narrative is brought down nearly to the times which are passing over usthus presenting the whole course of events in those lights which are shed on them by Christianity. For families and for schools it is alike intended, and greatly suitable. One thing deserves peculiar notice-a rich vein of Biography pervades the whole, the principle, it appears, having been adopted that the History of Greece is the history of her great men. We do fervently trust that the Tract Society will persevere in their “Educational Course," till the great enterprise on which they have entered has been completed.

Memoir of Samuel Walker, late of Weymouth, who was drowned while bathing, June 13, 1846, aged Twenty-one Years. By his SISTER. With an Introduction by the Rev. J. SMITH. pp. 356. Hamilton and Adams, London. As a rule, it is far from desirable for very near relatives to engage in the work of Biography. The advantages of such relationship are less real than imaginary, and they are almost always attended with disadvantages which nothing can compensate. The perils are greatly increased when the Biographer is not only a relative, but a female. The number of ladies is very small who can be safely trusted with the manufacture of masculine memorials. With rare exceptions, indeed, the most successful efforts have been comparative failures. Of this fact a fresh example, although a small one, is supplied by the work before us, which is clearly a first effort, exceedingly deficient in artistical skill, badly edited, and badly printed, while the Introduction, by some other hand, adds but little to the general value of the volume. Mr. Samuel Walker, nevertheless, appears to have been a lovely youth, of respectable talents, which he was laudably bent on improving, and

of true and fervent piety, which only wanted time to ripen it into eminent sanctity. In the hands of a Fuller or an Orme, his memoir might have taken its place by the side of a Pearce or an Urquhart.

CHARACTERISTIC NOTICES.

The Genius of the Sabbath; or, The Nature and Design of the Sabbath, as a Divine Institution, and its Perpetual Obligation upon the Church. 18mo, pp. 60. Snow.

A HIGHLY intelligent production, adapted to instruct and edify; but the title is too large for the book. To satisfy it fully would require a considerable volume.

Prayers for the Educated Deaf and Dumb, and other Young Persons. By ROBERT KINNIBURGH. Third Edition. 18mo, pp. 72. Hamilton.

A VERY interesting publication; correct in sentiment, suitable in matter, and simple in language.

"What have I to do with Sailors?" By THOMAS TIMPSON. Fifth Thousand. 18mo. Ward and Co.

AN important question ably answered in a copious and beautiful dialogue.

A Testimony against Popery and Puseyism, &c. By S. THORROWGOOD. 18mo. Ward.

A VIGOROUS, out-spoken pamphlet.

Hebrew Reading Lessons, &c.; with Grammatical Praxis, and an Interlineary Translation. pp. 70. Bagster and Sons.

AN invaluable publication, which we earnestly recommend to all beginners in the study of this noblest of all languages.

A Practical Treatise on Congestion and Inactivity of the Liver, &c. Illustrated by Cases. By F. J. MOSGROVE, Surgeon. Royal 18mo, pp. 120. Simpkin:

AN interesting publication, which may be perused with benefit by the general reader.

Heaven Physically and Morally Considered; or, An Inquiry into the Nature, Locality, and Blessedness of the Heavenly World. By JOSEPH ROBERTS. Royal 18mo, pp. 97. Dyer. WE confess a strong aversion to this species of publication-the favourite of sentimental drivellers and gospel idlers. We have never met with anything on the subject entitled to be known by any other designation than the babbling of childhood. We have never yet found that either heads or pulpits filled with such speculations are efficient in promoting the glory of God or the salvation of men. The business of life does not consist in scheming, but in labour.

The Influence of Respect for Outward Things: in
Two Dialogues. pp. 130. Fox.
WELL thought, and vigorously expressed, but
defective on the score of religious principles.

Memoir of W. A. Tayler, Jun., of Castlecombe, Wills. Royal 18mo, pp. 60.

MR. TAYLER died in his twenty-second year. A valuable book for young people; deriving peculiar value from the prominence it gives to the subject of conversion, and the testimony it bears on the subject of Total Abstinence.

A Concise View of the Ordinance of Baptism. By W. URWICK, D.D. pp. 79. Groombridge. THERE is, of course, much in this tractate that we approve, and which we cannot gainsay; but there is, also, that in it in which we can by no means concur. We consider promiscuous baptism to stand on the same foundation as promiscuous communion at the Lord's table.

The Young Women of the Factory; or, Friendly Hints on their Duties and Dangers. 18mo, pp. 176. Tract Society.

A TREASURY of wisdom. Only let the young women of our factories act on this, and every factory in England will become a Lowell-a fountain of virtue-a seminary of knowledge.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

The Pastor's Gift; or, A Manual of Pastoral Instruc-
tion. In Letters from a Pastor to his Flock.
By ALEXANDER GORDON, M.A. pp. 120. Snow,
London.

Christ God and Man; or, A Brief Exhibition of the
Scripture Testimony respecting the Person and
Two Natures of Christ.
pp. 120. Religious
Tract Society, London.

A Manual of Phonography; or, Writing by Sound: a Natural Method of Writing by Signs that represent the Sounds of Language, and adapted to the English Language as a complete system of Phonetic Short Hand. By ISAAC PITMAN. Eighth edition. pp. 72. Pitman, London.

The Jewish Exile; or, Religion Exemplified in the Life and Character of Daniel. By the Rev.

JOHN KENNEDY, A.M., Stepney. pp. 202. Snow, London.

The Olive, Vine, and Palm: embracing an Illustration of the numerous Allusions in Scripture to these Trees and their Produce. With an Introduction, by JOHN KITTO, D.D., Editor of the "Pictorial Bible," &c., &c. pp. 164. Grant and Taylor, Edinburgh.

Primitive Christianity. A Tract for the Times. Independent, or Congregational Churches.What is their Origin, and on what Principles are they Founded? A Reply to the above, illustrated by Scripture and History; and contrasted with a brief sketch of the rise and progress of Parochial, Diocesan, Metropolitan, Patriarchal, and State Episcopacy. Commended by J.

BENNETT, D.D. pp. 95. Snow, London. Christianity in its Power; or, Piety exemplified, in the Heart, the Family, the Church, and the World. By J. MORISON, D.D., LL.D. pp. 114. Ward and Co., London.

Montmorency, a Roman Catholic Tale. By A. M. Reprinted from the "Protestant Magazine," with Introductory Remarks by JAMES LORD, of the Inner Temple, Esq., Barrister-at-law. pp. 267. Seeley, London.

Meditations and Spiritual Experiences. By the late Rev. Mr. SHEPPARD, M.A., Emanuel College, Cambridge, England; afterwards minister of the Church of Cambridge, in New England. With a Preface, by the late Rev. D. BRAINERD, and an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. J. R. ANDERSON, Minister of Knox's Free Church,

Glasgow. pp. 137. Bryce, 101, Buchanan

street, Glasgow.

Alarm in Zion; or, A few Thoughts on the Present State of Religion. By Rev. D. E. FORD, Author of" Decapolis," &c., &c. pp. 117. Simpkin and Marshall, London.

Congregational Independency in contradistinction to Episcopacy and Presbyterianism: the Church Polity of the New Testament. By RALPH WARDLAW, D.D. pp. 379. James Maclehose, 83, Buchanan-street, Glasgow.

Aubrey Luson; or, The Field of Sedgemoor. An Historical Tale of the Dissenters. By the Author of "Hildebrand," &c. pp. 140. W. J. Adams, Fleet-street, London.

THE YEAR.

JANUARY.

How changed the scene, since erst, on summer

morn,

The lark, upspringing, hail'd the rising day;
And from the branches of the blooming thorn,
The mellow blackbird pour'd his plaintive lay.
Now leafless is the grove, and
flower
every
Has vanish'd from the sight-the voice of song,
Which cheer'd the wanderer at morning hour,
Is heard no more, as he pursues along
The frozen plain his solitary way.

Now Nature lies as she would ne'er awake,
Nor from her frame the icy slumber shake,
And start to life again in splendour gay-
She seems like beauty slumb'ring in the tomb,
Enwrapp'd in silence deep, and midnight gloom.
FEBRUARY.

Still, still the keen winds sweep the snowy plain;
No flowers, as yet, the wither'd sward adorn,
Save where the snow-drop, Flora's eldest born,
In spotless robes, heralds the beauteous train;

The earliest lark has not, at morn, begun
To warble high in air his cheerful song-
The lovely leader of the tuneful throng,
Whose sweet notes hail fair April's morning's

sun.

Stern Winter eyes bright Spring approaching slow,

And shrinks before her form; anon his wrath
Bursts on her, in a chilling fall of snow,
As on she moves along her lovely path;
But soon shall Winter cease to rage, and Spring
O'er Nature's face her robe of beauty fling.

MARCH.

At morning, now, if calm and fair, the eye
Delighted, sees the ploughman drive afield;
The little lark, ascending to the sky,
Is heard, although from mortal sight conceal'd;
The song thrush, from the twig of hawthorn tree,
Sings sweetly, and the blackbird's mellow lay
Is heard at early dawn, or closing day;
And Labour whistles o'er the fallow lea,

Guiding his plough, and all is glad and gay. And here and there, upon the sward are seen, Flowers, as if dropt in Flora's careless play; Sweet to behold, amid the cheerful green, While Winter hurls his ice-incrusted car Quickly away to northern regions far.

APRIL.

What time the blackbird sings his evening hymn,

And pours his sweet notes through the stilly air,
Ere yet the shades of night, descending dim,
Obscure the beauteous face of Nature fair,
Then from the wood, at intervals, you hear
The cuckoo's often imitated note;

And, 'mid the new-born beauties of the year,
In the mild air the chirping swallows float,
And all is harmony. Yet sometimes o'er
Thy face, fair April, is a shadow cast,
When sweeps athwart thy path the bitter blast,
Where erst the gentle zephyr breathed before.
But, lo! at hand, approaches o'er the plain,
Thy sister, May, with all her smiling train.

MAY.

Hail, month of pleasure! lovely, blooming May!
Beauteous art thou, and pleasing to the eye.
The cheerful fields appear, and, 'neath the ray
Of morn, the lark mounts, singing to the sky.
Now Nature dons her robe of many hues-
The flowers are breathing fragrance, and below
The hedge-row covert, steep'd in freshening
dews,

Retired from view, the scented violets blow.
Oh! sweet it is to leave, at morning's dawn,
The city's range, and, whilst the lovely May
Gladdens the earth, to take my devious way,
And meet her smiling on the quiet lawn;
When, borne upon the south wind's wing, we
hear,

Sweet month, thy music falling on the ear.

JUNE.

Now, high in heaven, the glorious orb of light
Burns brightly, and, athwart the "blue serene,"
Holds on his way, rejoicing in his might,
Diffusing glory o'er the splendid scene!
The woods with music, from ten thousand throats,
Ring pleasantly; the little early bee,
Upon the gently-breathing zephyr, floats,
Booming from flower to flower with joyous glee;
And all is glad around. Hope lifts his eye,
Beaming with rapture, and afar descries
The future harvest plenteously arise,
And wave its wealth beneath a kindly sky-
The while, enrobed in all the rainbow dyes,
He sees fair Nature in her beauty lie.

JULY.

Now, oft amid the sultry heat, when o'er
The crystal lake the soft winds gently breathe,
The labourer at noon lies stretch'd beneath
The shade of broad-leaved plane, or hawthorn
hoar.

And now, when all is hush'd, save when the sound

The big warm rain-drops make attracts the air,
Oh! it is sadly pleasing then to hear,
At intervals, the thunder roll around;
And as the dark cloud steals athwart the sky,
Involving all in murky gloom profound,
Then bursts the vivid flash upon the eye,
While loud and louder still the deafening peal
Strikes awe into the soul, and makes us feel
The power and presence of the Deity!

AUGUST.

"Beneath the fervour of the noontide sky,"*
The yellow harvest waves before the breeze,
That o'er the fields sweeps soft and pleasantly,
And makes sweet music 'midst the leafy trees,
That now are bending with a plenteous load
Of fruits of golden hue. The happy swain,
Delighted, hails thee, lovely month, again,
And lifts in gratitude his soul to God!

To Him, who bids the various seasons roll-
Gay Spring; the child of beauty, Summer bright;
And Autumn, crown'd with plenty; and, in

might

Array'd, stern Winter, from the farthest pole-
He sees with joy the face of Nature smile,
And reaps the rich reward of all his toil.

SEPTEMBER.

The glare of Summer now is past; at morn
The cheerful redbreast trills his ditty clear;
While, on the breezes borne, falls on the ear
The twanging of the huntsman's distant horn.
Yet, when the bright sun wheels his car on high,
When not a cloud obscures the lovely blue,
When all is still, how pleasant to the eye,
September, is thy robe of varying hue!
Though shortening days tell Winter's reign is

near,

Yet well I love to mark, at evening grey,
The brown leaf lightly fluttering on the spray,
Beneath the face of heaven, so chill and clear-
Then is the time, when calm and holy joy
Reigns in the breast, unmix'd with base alloy.

OCTOBER.

October's sun is shining fair, the breeze
Plays cheerily o'er the surface of the lake,
And ever and anon the waving trees
The sere leaves on the forest pathway shake;
The swallows now forsake our northern clime,
And o'er the trackless ocean wing their flight;
The harvest work is o'er, and now the Night
Appears, in all her attributes, sublime;
The northern lights blaze bright amid the blue;
And oft, at eve and morn, the chilling breath
Of Winter tells he now is on his path
To snatch thy beauties, Nature, from our view;
And now we bid each lovely flowery wreath,
That charm'd the raptured eye, a long adieu.

NOVEMBER.

The morn is cold and dark, and o'er the sky
The clouds sweep hurriedly; the winds are out,
And shake the leafless tree; the rain descends,
And pattering on the window-pane, forewarns
The shepherd, ere he leave his humble cot,
Of cheerless work upon the mountain side,
Tending his bleating charge. Still, 'midst thy
rains

And mists, November, still it is a sad,

Yet pleasing sight, to mark the wither'd leaves Strewing the woodland path. 'Tis sweet to hear The redbreast, while he on the barn-roof sits, Mourning in pensive strains the waning year; Meet music for the mind with care oppress'dMore to be prized than strains of boisterous joy.

DECEMBER.

December, welcome! though thy brow is dark
And gloomy, yet thou hast a soothing charm
To me. I love thy solemn march to mark
O'er the wide heath; and while the raving storm

* Grahame.