world under the title of Apologia, he intimated that he had been hindered by Church authorities from fulfilling the purpose of writing a work on the Evidences of Religion. Whether the present book is the accomplishment of that intention, or a substitute for a work upon another plan which he has been prevented from carrying out, we are not informed. Like everything from Dr. Newman's pen, it is marked by a felicitous use of English, subtlety and grace of thought, and by a seeming confidential tone, which wins upon the reader. The nature of mental Assent is philosophically discussed, with close reference throughout to religious problems and difficulties. Among the propositions defended is, that we may be as free from doubt in cases of probable reasoning as in those of strict demonstration. This is a just doctrine. I am as certain of the existence of London, as I am that the sum of the angles of a triangle equals two right angles. But Newman goes farther, and disputes Locke's statement that we may have different degrees of belief, from certainty to a state bordering closely on doubt. Although much ingenious argument is brought forward to sustain the opposite theory, namely, that Assent is a perfect act and exists, where it is present at all, without admixture of doubt, we think that the effort is a failure: unless, indeed, Assent is defined in such a way as to limit its sense to suit the author's proposition, in which case the question is one of logomachy. There are propositions which we, on the whole, believe to be true and on the truth of which we might deem it safe to stake valuable interests; and yet we are not perfectly certain of their truth. Dr. Newman inadvertently declares his opinion on various philosophical points in controversy. Thus, he holds that the principle of causation is not that every event must have a cause, but that every effect is from a personal will; it being a generalization or inference from our own conscious exertion of power. He manifests here and in other writings a tendency towards Berkeleyism. One of the fundamental distinctions of the book is that between notional and real Assent, the one being the result of abstract or conceptive thinking, and the other being the imaginative or "realizing" act, whereby life is given to the object of belief, which is a concrete reality. This is an important and fruitful distinction, and it is easy to anticipate what application Dr. Newman would make of it, in the province of theology. The two sorts of faith, for example, doctrinal and practical, are correlated to the two species of Assent. The chapter on the Trinity is quite able. The separate

propositions-the disjecta membra-it is claimed, of this Article of Religion, are capable of receiving a real Assent. Taken together, they authorize and require that Assent which is termed notional. The sections on the Illative Sense, illustrate the different conclusions which different minds come to, respecting historical and other questions, according as they vary in their antecedent tempers and habits of thought. An example is taken from the dissonance among the ablest writers, upon the subject of the early history of Greece and Rome. The entire work, though containing matter to which, as we think, just exception may be taken, is an awakening and instructive consideration of the foundations of belief.

STEPS OF BELIEF.*-Rev. James Freeman Clarke's Steps of Belief is a valuable addition to the apologetic literature of the day. Following the general title, it is divided into four "Steps," which are arranged in order thus: "First Step from Atheism to Theism," four chapters; "Second Step from Theism to Christianity," four chapters; "Third Step Romanism to Protestantism," four chapters; "Fourth Step from the Letter to the Spirit," two chapters. The lectures are timely and able-they are also interesting and popular. They have the interest and freshness which characterize all the well-meant and useful writings of their author. We always find in him much that is quickening and truthful—not a little earnestness and devotion in the service of important truth, a clear style, familiar and varied illustrations and practical aims. We are forced to add, that there are occasional weaknesses of thought and feeblenesses of illustration, which seem to belittle his subject, and almost to insult the understanding of manly and earnest enquirers after truth. The remarks upon eternal punishment and on the relation of religion to theology, in the present volume, are neither true nor strong. Mr. Clarke would be not a whit less liberal, in the best sense of the word, were he sometimes not a little less superficial.

THE ANTE-NICENE LIBRARY.-The two latest volumes of the

* Steps of Belief; or Rational Christianity maintained against Atheism, Free Religion, and Romanism, By James Freeman CLARKE. Boston: American Unitarian Association. 1870.

The Ante Nicene Christian Library. Vols xv. and xvi. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark & Co. 1870. New York: Charles Scribner & Co.

series are the "Apocryphal Gospels, Acts and Revelations," translated by Alexander Walker, Esq, and the second volume of Tertullian. It is stated that five or six volumes more will complete the Ante-Nicene period. These, it is presumed, will consist, partly at least, of writings of Origen. Only the de principiis and a small portion of the treatise against Celsus have, thus far, been introduced into the collection. The Edinburg publishers announce a new edition of the select writings of Augustine, which will include the most important of his polemical treatises, together with the "City of God," etc.

AMERICAN EDITION OF SMITH'S DICTIONARY OF THE Bible.— The xxvii.th and xxviii.th numbers of the Dictionary have been received. The last (unfinished) article is "Syria." The learned editors deserve congratulation that so solid and useful a work and one which involves so much labor on their part, approaches its completion.

PROFESSOR HOPPINS'S HOMILETICS.--A new and revised edition of this treatise has just appeared. The wide circulation and cordial reception of the work among ministers and theological professors affords a gratifying proof that the subject attracts attention, and that Professor Hoppin's treatment of it is justly appreciated.

THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF MARRIAGE.*-Dr. Evans' treatise on the law of marriage has the air of one of those exhaustive and learned works upon special themes, which are more satisfactory and convenient for reference than attractive for the common reading. The titles of the fifteen chapters and the intermediate sections would indicate that most of the aspects of this important relation of life are considered in the light of the teachings of the Scriptures and of sober human experience. The author was a distinguished member of the Episcopal Church, well known as a writer upon topics connected with ecclesiastical matters, and who merited the high esteem of the community in which he lived. Dr. Evans' treatise is timely in its relations to a subject which is now so earnestly discussed by moralists and divines and which deserves to be pondered by every lover of his

* A Treatise on the Christian Doctrine of Marriage. By HUGH DAVEY EVANS, LL. D. With a Biographical sketch of the author, etc., etc. New York: Hurd & Houghton.

1870.

country and his kind, in view of the fearful laxness of sentiment and practice which prevail among us. It deserves a place in every library, for its exhaustiveness and sobriety.

FAIRBAIRN ON THE TYPOLOGY OF SCRIPTURE.*

This book has

been so well known for several years both in England and in this country, that we only deem it necessary to call attention to the fact that it is now issued in a fifth edition. The fouth edition was published in 1863, and was very carefully revised and re-written, with a view to recent discussions and views upon the subject of Typology. The present edition is only a reprint of the fourth with very slight changes or improvements.

ASPECTS OF HUMANITY-WINDFALLS.-The anonymous author of " Aspects of Humanity" and Windfalls," is at once gentle and profound in his musings upon Science, Theology, and Human Life. His spirit has been largely moulded by Christianity according to William Penn, and consequently is always refined and thoughtful, while it is in a good sense independent and individual in its movements and products.

HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.

MOMMSEN'S HISTORY OF ROME, VOL. III§-The interest of this remarkable work deepens with each succeeding volume. The one now before us takes up the history of the great republic at the close of the third Macedonian war in 168, and traces the progress of its external growth and its internal decay for nearly a century, closing with the death of the dictator, Sulla, in 78. It rehearses the extinction of Grecian independence, the destruction of Carthage and Numantia, the reforming and revolutionary career of the Gracchi, the first great aggressive movement of Ger

*The Typology of Scripture, viewed in connection with the whole series of the Divine Dispensations. By PATRICK FAIRBAIRN, D. D., Principal and Professor of Divinity, Free Church College, Glasgow. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1870. 2 vols. 8vo., pp. 504-550. New York: Charles Scribner & Co.

+ Aspects of Humanity, brokenly mirrored in the over-swelling Current of Human Speech. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1869.

Windfalls. By the author of " Aspects of Humanity." Philadelphia: 1870. The History of Rome, by THEODOR MOMMSEN. Translated by Rev. WIL LIAM P. DICKSON, D. D. Volume 1II. New York: Charles Scribner & Co1870. 12mo, pp. x, 571.

manic barbarians (the invasion of the Cimbri and Teutones), the tremendous convulsion of the Social War, the bitter and bloody party-struggles under Marius and Sulla, and the short-lived organism of the Sullan constitution. In his estimate of the Gracchi, Mommsen differs from most historians, treating Tiberius as a wellmeaning booby, and showing an evident preference for the unscrupulous but clear-headed and capable Caius. The narrative of the Social war is a marvel of historical construction. The interest and importance of this mighty contest have long been recognized, but the materials for tracing its course are so amazingly scanty, that the historians have generally given it up as an insoluble problem. Mommsen alone has worked it out into a continuous and in

telligible story.

The portraitures of character scattered through the volume are singula ly vivid and intense. We are strongly tempted to quote the description of Mithradates, which sets forth with impressive power the combination of boundless activity, ever-wakeful suspicion, and unrelenting cruelty, in that old sultan of the Orient. But the passage is almost too long for quotation, and we must be content with commending it to the attention of our readers.

THE PRIVALE LIFE OF GALILEO.*-The anonymous author of the Private Life of Galileo has compiled from authentic documents a very valuable sketch of this most remarkable philosopher. It is unpretending and seemingly dry, even to repulsiveness at first, but as the narrative proceeds and the reader is taken up by the details of the story, his imagination is kindled, and the inner and outer life of the great discoverer are recreated before him. The letters from his daughter, in the trivial details which they contain, enable him to understand the life of those times. The sad replies of the father reveal the mortifying humiliations to which he was subjected and expose the horrible nature of the machinations by which he was surrounded. The sentence of the inquisition concerning the doctrine of the motion of the earth, in all the grim solemnity of its asseverations, is an excellent travesty of the approaching declaration of infallibility. It was lucky that only seven caardinals signed this sentence, in their official capacity as inquisitors, and that the wily Jesuits who

* The Private Life of Galileo. Compiled principally from his correspondence and that of his eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, now in the Franciscan Convent of St. Matthew, Arcetri. Boston: Nichols & Noyes. 1870.