Caught Napping (London: Palmer) is an exceedingly clever satire, which we advise all our readers to procure at once. Stiff Anglicans will find themselves photographed herein. The leading idea of the work being so good, our only regret is that its author did not more thoroughly work it out in detail. The Song of Songs in English Verse (London: Church Press Company) is valuable rather for the notes with which it is illustrated than for the versified form in which it is given. It would have been well to have printed the Anglican version of the Canticles at the head of the book, and to have borne in mind throughout, which we are not sure the Editor has done, that the Church universal has been careful, discriminating, and guarded in putting this highly mystical book before the faithful in general. Mr. Masters has issued a most practical and valuable work, entitled d Catechism of Theology, which is admirably calculated to be of service in impressing dogma upon the minds of the young. As a school book for the higher classes it has few competitors and no superiors. The Book of Church Hymns, (London: Bosworth,) of which the third and a cheap edition has been sent to us, is not inferior to some of the most popular collections. Its religious tone and type are high, some of the hymns are original and particularly good, while the arrangement is very commendable. One noteworthy point is that the Editors have avoided that clipping and altering of well-known favourites which so jars on the ears in other cases, and is so thoroughly unjustifiable and unfair to their authors. If our readers desire to obtain, for a mere nominal sum, a series of very practical notes on the celebration of Divine Service, in which Holy Communion, the daily offices, and all the other rites and functions of the Church are each considered, and ritual directions given for their reverent celebration, together with a supplementary series of most valuable and suggestive hints on subjects of secondary importance, we recommend them to procure Notitia Liturgica, (London: Hayes). It is full, accurate, plain, and Catholic, while the Form for the Admission of a Chorister" appended, adds materially to its value. Mission Life, (London: Lothian,) a publication of great moderation, continues its career of providing undogmatic reading for those hopeful people who, in the teeth of startling failures, believe that heathens will be converted to Christianity, while the Christian family remains visibly divided. The useful publication by Mr. Shipley of The Liturgies of 1549 and 1662 (London: Masters) is increased in value, by an interesting preface full of curious information and valuable suggestions. Mr. Michell's new volume of sermons, The Churches of Asia as types of individual character (London: Masters) will be welcome to all those who are acquainted with his previous book. That on "Lukewarmness " is remarkably striking, and that for “All Saint's Day" singularly plain. The volume, as a whole, is to be commended, for its simplicity of language, aptness of illustration and high tone of thought. Would that such really excellent sermons were more commonly preached, and when preached, published! We have received several single sermons. First, one by Mr. Upton Richards on Eucharistic Adoration, mainly taken from Mr. Keble's well-known work of that name. Secondly, a discourse by Canon Humble on Associations for Churchmen for Church purposes (Aberdeen: Brown), in which the principle of co-operation amongst Catholics is temperately and ably defended: Thirdly, A Door opened in Heaven, etc., (London: Palmer) by Mr. Wroth, being a defence of Ritual, preached when the Eucharistic garments were first assumed, at S. Philip's, Clerkenwell. The doctrinal statements at p. 12, however, involve a greater difficulty than any theory of Transubstantiation: "He maketh bread remaining bread to be His Body, and wine remaining wine to be His Blood." Fourthly, Mr. Hewett's Sermon on The Teaching of Midsummer Day, (Derby: Bemrose) is a touching, thoughtful and practical discourse of great beauty and power. Fifth and lastly, we have three "Irvingite " sermons by Messrs. Groser, Dalton, and Böhm, all published by Bosworth. That on Prayer in reply to Mr. Tyndall is very remarkable both for its close reasoning and sound common sense-though we deny altogether the conclusion that is drawn. Mr. Dalton does but repeat what has been said again and again from his point of view, with no satisfactory reply to objections and objectors. on 66 66 The great majority of our readers will no doubt be glad to obtain the last work of our learned and revered friend the late Dr. Neale, just published under the title of Sequences, Hymns, etc., by Mr. Hayes. A few poems in this collection are old and standard favourites; others are the latest and most recent productions of their author. Of the thirty-four poems, thirtythree are comparately brief-the longest being that at the end, "The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus." Sequences," Hymns" and "Ecclesiastical Verses" form the divisions of the first portion the book. Of the Hymns, the most beautiful is that for "S. Margaret's Day." Others, now well-known, e.g., those for the Cattle Plague, The Harvest and the Blessing of a Bell, are wisely given here, together with a number of new Ecclesiastical poems of the greatest beauty. "The Battle of the Alma" contains principles which hardly chime in with those of "In Memoriam" commemorating the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at p. 120. The Christmas Carol (p. 89), is a poem of great swing and spirit, admirally adapted to the stirring tune for which it was written while those on "The "If Death's ministrations be so glorious, O'er the sin which gave to Autumn birth, Theirs, each kindred, people, tongue and nation,— Living Waters and the Living Tree? "Shall the crimson glory of the Forest Teach us of the Victor-Martyr's gore, "When these leaves the Autumn winds shall wildly In its purity their relics shades; "So, we think, the body of the Martyr, "Who may not believe the old, old story, A second book from the same pen, also published by Mr. Hayes, is a translation, of which the original is given side by side, of Father Giacopone's beautiful poem Stabat Mater Speciosa. Cardinal Diepenbrock's German version is appended. Of Dr. Neale's translation we can only say that it is quite worthy of him; being literal, melodious and powerful. We trust to hear this beautiful hymn frequently sung at Christmas-tide, and expect to find it no less a favourite than others with which the translator's name is so intimately connected. Both this, and that previously noticed are most handsomely printed and published at a very reasonable price. A Manual of the Services of Baptism and Confirmation (London: Mozley) will be found useful to the clergy for catechising, as well as for schools, for it is drawn up with judgment and, generally speaking with theological accuracy. But the compiler lays too much stress on the subjective aspect of Confirmation. Mr. N. H. J. Westlake is favourably known to many of our readers as a distinguished artist, whose works are remarkable as well for their thoroughly Christian character, as for sterling ability, great force and feeling. He has just published in quarto, A Souvenir of the Christian Art Exhibition at Mechlin, 1864 (London: James Parker & Co), containing sixteen pages of facsimiles of his clever and accurate drawings-all of which will be eminently welcome to the Christian archæologist. To these are prefixed written details and descriptions. The metal work on plate 3, as well as the representations of embroidery later on, are full of spirit and force; while the figure of Our Blessed Lady with her Divine Child from the chasuble belonging to the Church of the Hermitage at Sierre deserves particular notice from its beautiful simplicity. The concluding illustrations are taken from the remarkable Chasse of S. Mark, and together make up a volume of great beauty and no common interest. Mr. Robert Brett's Office of the Most Holy Name (London: Rivingtons) is a compilation which will no doubt prove of great value to many. Simply arranged, it is divided into three parts, the first containing "Rules for Daily Life," the second Daily Offices, and the third a miscellaneous collection of Offices and Hymns. The introductory part is eminently practical, and the whole book deserving of commendation. Before the members of a certain school of Anglicans arrive at the dignity of canon or archdeacon, they are usually "Liberals," because political liberalism is popular, and leads to exaltation. When they have obtained what they desire, happily for the Church of England, they become Conservative. The Archdeacon of Exeter has published a valuable Tract about Church Rates, etc., (London: Masters,) which is thoroughly Conservative, backed up by the opinions of the Apostle S. Paul. Mr. Edward Malleson's Sermon on the Death of Dr. Neale (London: Hayes) is more than a kind and generous defence of a mob and bishop-persecuted priest; it is a thoughtful, discriminating, and yet hearty and outspoken funeral sermon, upon one whose efficient services in the great work of reCatholicising England are already fully appreciated by all who are prepared to rank themselves opposite to, and not alongside of, such worthies as Cranmer and Cromwell. Dr. Neale was a Reformer of a truer type. May he rest in peace! ART. XXV.-1. Benedictio Campane, (In Maskell's Monumenta Ritualia, p. 156.) London: Pickering, 1846. 2. The Bell: its Origin, History, and Uses. By the Rev. ALFRED GATTY, M.A., Vicar of Ecclesfield. London: George Bell, 1848. 3. The Quarterly Review. Article-Church Bells. Sept. 1854. On Church Bells and Clocks. Reprinted in Denison's "Lectures on Church Building." Second Edition. London: Bell & Daldy, 1856. 4. An Account of Church Bells, &c. WILLIAM C. LUKIS, M.A., F.S.A. : By the Rev. London and 5. The Church Bells of Sussex, with the Inscriptions of all the Bells in the County. By AMHERST DANIEL TYSSEN, of Merton College, Oxford, Esq. Reprinted from Vol. XVI. of the Sussex Archæological Society's Collections. Lewes: G. P. Bacon, Sussex Advertiser Office. 6. Wolsey's Bell in Sherborne Abbey Church, with Sermon by the Lord Bishop of Salisbury, and Office used at its Dedication after being re-cast, on Tuesday, the 2nd January, 1866. London: Parker & Co., 377, Strand. Sherborne: James Ellis. 7. The Bells of the Church. Sermon by Rev. H. T. ELLACOMBE. London: Bell & Daldy. Penzance: Cornish. Exeter: Roberts. 1865. 8. Practical Remarks on Belfries and Ringers. By Rev. H. T. ELLACOMBE. With Appendix on Chiming. Bell & Daldy, 1861. 9. Sundry Words about Bells. (Reprinted from the Ecclesiologist.) London: Masters, 1864. 10. Church Bells; their Antiquities and Connection with Architecture. A Lecture delivered at the Architectural Museum by the Rev. J. H. SPERLING, M.A. Or all the material things which serve as links between the Church of the present day and the ancient English Church, there are perhaps none which have undergone so little change as those bells which have survived the sacrilegious greed of the spoiler or the wear and tear of use and abuse. In many an old church tower may still be found one or more of these interesting and valuable relics of the past, and they still speak for God and the Church in the self-same tones as of old. While altars have been levelled in the dust, and sacred vest2 8 VOL. IV. |