Stockbridge, wrote to the commissioners at Boston to appoint Brainerd to succeed Edwards: they also wrote to the trustees of the college to use their influence for this purpose. The Housatonnac tribe offered a part of their lands to the Indians at Cranberry, to induce them to remove to Stockbridge.

About this time the province of New Jersey purchased all the Indian titles in their limits, and then bought for the Indians a tract of four thousand acres at Edge Pillock, in Evesham township, Burlington county. The governor requested Brainerd to resume his mission. He was present at synod in May, 1759, with his elder, Joseph Lyon, and applied for advice whether it was his duty to comply with the proposal. Arguments on both sides were fully heard; and, though tenderly affected with the case of Newark congregation, yet, in consideration of the great importance of the Indian mission, they unanimously advised him to resume it. With this advice he readily and generously complied, giving up a very comfortable settlement for hardships and an uncertain and scanty support. The annuity from Scotland was not renewed. The synod gave him the interest of the Indian Fund, and, in 1761, allowed him one hundred and fifty pounds out of the general collection: "It is agreed that, to the utmost of our power, we will support Mr. Brainerd." He had under his care two Indian congregations, embracing one hundred and twenty families.

Review and Criticism.

ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS: The Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853, 54, 55. By ELISHA KENT KANE, M.D., U. S. N. Illustrated by upwards of three hundred engravings. From sketches by the Author. The steel plates executed under the superintendence of J. M. Butler. The wood engravings by Van Ingen & Snyder. Vol. 2. Philadelphia: CHILDS & PETERSON, 124 Arch Street. 1856.

Dr. Kane is a prince among Arctic explorers. Brought up amidst the endearments of refined life, and of a fragile physical frame, he had the enterprise to project, and the hardihood to endure, one of the most celebrated and hazardous explorations on record.

The party left New York in the "Advance," on the 30th of May, 1853. The rules of the ship were made for the occasion; they were few and simple, and were adhered to through all the vicissitudes of the expedition. They included, "First, absolute subordination to the officer in command, or his delegate; second, abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, except when dispensed by special order; third, the habitual disuse of profane language. We had no other laws." These few rules were efficient promoters of discipline, health, and good morals. Dr. Kane was once a Sabbath-school scholar, and afterwards a teacher in the Sabbath-school of the 2d Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. Do we not here catch a glimpse of his own early discipline and sound principles ?

The expedition reached Greenland on the 1st of July, Melville Bay about the end of the month, and on the 7th of August, Littleton Island. Here a cairn was left, and also a boat with a supply of stores, in case it

was necessary to retreat. On August 9th, the Advance was at Refuge Harbour, in latitude 78° 30', which was almost the extreme degree of north latitude attained by the vessel; the longitude was 74°. At this point, the coast of Greenland begins to run eastwardly; and the remainder of the month was employed in working the vessel along through the ice, as far as longitude 71°, and latitude 78° 40'. Here the brig was laid up for winter quarters in a haven, called "Rensselaer Haven," after one of Dr. Kane's maternal ancestors. Providence so ordered it that the vessel never went farther. The ice never relaxed its Arctic grasp; and the Advance was ultimately abandoned to her fate. In all probability, "the same ice is around her still." Dr. Kane was remarkably fortunate in getting so far north; a higher latitude, indeed, than was reached by any of his predecessors, except Parry on his Spitzbergen foot-tramp.

The party passed two winters in the brig, in the vain hope of being able to proceed with it, at some future time, on their explorations. The average temperature of the Arctic winter, was about 50 degrees below zero; and one hundred and forty days were sunless as night. This dark cold was terrific. It is impossible, in a brief review like this, to give even an outline of the employments, scenes, enterprises, &c., that engaged the explorers. Suffice to say that they were not idle men. Dr. Kane was ever on the alert. Various exploring tours were made from the head quarters of the Advance; and much valuable information was obtained. The two great objects of natural curiosity that surpassed all others in interest, were the great Glacier of Humboldt, so named in honour of the distinguished philosopher, and the open Polar Sea. The following is the account of the great Glacier :

"I will not attempt florid description. Men only rhapsodize about Niagara and the ocean. My notes speak simply of the 'long ever-shining line of cliff diminished to a well-pointed wedge in the perspective; and again, of the face of glistening ice, sweeping in a long curve from the low interior, the facets in front intensely illuminated by the sun.' But this line of cliff rose in solid glassy wall three hundred feet above the water-level, with an unknown, unfathomable depth below it; and its curved face, sixty miles in length from Cape Agassiz to Cape Forbes, vanished into unknown space at not more than a single day's railroad travel from the Pole. The interior with which it communicated, and from which it issued, was an unsurveyed mer de glace, an ice-ocean, to the eye of boundless dimensions.

"It was in full sight-the mighty crystal bridge which connects the two continents of America and Greenland. I say continents; for Greenland, however insulated it may ultimately prove to be, is in mass strictly continental. Its least possible axis, measured from Cape Farewell to the line of this glacier, in the neighborhood of the 80th parallel, gives a length of more than twelve hundred miles, not materially less than that of Australia from its northern to its southern

cape.

66

Imagine, now, the centre of such a continent, occupied through nearly its whole extent by a deep unbroken sea of ice, that gathers perennial increase from the water-shed of vast snow-covered mountains, and all the precipitations of the atmosphere upon its own surface. Imagine this, moving onward like a great glacial river, seeking outlet at every fiord and valley, rolling icy cataracts into the Atlantic and Greenland seas; and, having at last reached the northern limit of the land that has borne it up, pouring out a mighty frozen torrent into unknown Arctic space."

This extract affords a good specimen of Dr. Kane's literary and descriptive powers, which are of a high grade.

The open Polar Sea was not seen by Dr. Kane himself, owing to the state of his health, which prevented him from visiting it. William Morton and Hans were spectators of the Polar Sea. Dr. Kane has some shrewd observations on this discovery, to which we refer the reader. Dr. Kane further remarks:

"It must have been an imposing sight, as he [Morton] stood at this termination of his journey, looking out upon the great waste of waters before him. Not a speck of ice, to use his own words, could be seen. There, from a height of four hundred and eighty feet, which commanded an horizon of almost forty miles, his ears were gladdened with the novel music of dashing waves; and a surf, breaking in upon the rocks at his feet, stayed his farther progress."

The volumes abound in numerous lively incidents and descriptions of Arctic life. No romance is more interesting. After many trials and dangers, the expedition reached the south of Greenland, on the 20th of May, 1855, and the United States on the 14th of August.

Dr. Kane has added to his fame, as explorer, that of a fine writer. His book is written in an interesting style, free, animated, and terse. During all his absence, Dr. Kane held daily prayers among his companions, honoured the Sabbath, and kept his records in a serious spirit. We wish we could pursue our remarks further; but want of space must be our apology. Dr. Kane sums up the results of his expedition :

"A summary of the operations of the expedition will comprehend:

"1. The survey and delineation of the north coast of Greenland to its termination by a great glacier.

"2. The survey of this glacial mass and its extension northward into the new land named Washington.

"3. The discovery of a large channel to the northwest, free from ice, and leading into an open and expanding area, equally free. The whole embraces an iceless area of four thousand two hundred miles.

"4. The discovery and delineation of a large tract of land, forming the extension northward of the American continent.

"5. The completed survey of the American coast to the south and west as far as Cape Sabine, thus connecting our survey with the last-determined position of Captain Inglefield, and completing the circuit of the straits and bay, heretofore known at their southernmost opening as Smith's Sound."

In execution, the work is unsurpassed by American publications. The steel plates, under the superintendence of J. M. BUTLER, and the woodengravings, executed by VAN INGEN & SNYDER, are superior specimens of art. The stereotyping by L. JOHNSON & Co., and the printing by COLLINS, are in the best style. Mr. G. W. CHILDS, the acting manager of the firm, has gained great reputation by the enterprise, perseverance, tact, and admirable management displayed in getting up and in circulating the work. He is a young gentleman worthy of all the praise he has received. He is an intimate friend of Dr. Kane, and a member of the same congregation.

THE UNITED STATES GRINNELL EXPEDITION in Search of Sir John Franklin. A Personal Narrative. By ELISHA KENT KANE, M.D., U.S.N. New Edition. Philadelphia: Childs & Peterson, 124 Arch Street. 1856.

This work contains an account of Dr. Kane's first expedition. Some consider it even more interesting than the second expedition. It is a book that will, no doubt, be in greater demand than ever. Those who own the

Arctic Explorations ought to be in possession of this volume also. The two works illustrate the same interesting topics, and form together a complete view of two of the remarkable enterprises of modern times. This new edition of Messrs. Childs and Peterson contains some additional engravings.

ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN PULPIT: embracing the Trinitarian Congregationalists. By WM. B. SPRAGUE, D.D. New York. R. Carter & Brothers, 1856.

Dr. Sprague, of Albany, has completed the first series of his "Annals of the American Pulpit," in two volumes. The remaining five volumes will follow in order; the next two volumes, embracing ministers of the Presbyterian Church. We congratulate the distinguished author on the remarkable favour with which these volumes have been received. The public expectation has been fully met; indeed, we may say, that high as was this expectation, it has been more than met. The general belief is, that no other living man could have accomplished what Dr. Sprague has done, much less could have accomplished it as well. The Annals required a peculiar combination of traits and circumstances in their preparation.

In the first place, a generous catholic spirit was necessary. Sectarian purposes would have been out of place in biographical annals. Dr. Sprague had no denominational ends to gratify. He rightly conceived, and has perseveringly pursued the plan of rendering impartial justice to every division of the Christian Church. No minister has probably ever enjoyed so extensive an intercourse with all denominations. In early life a Unitarian, at the commencement of his ministry a Congregationalist, and for the last quarter of a century a Presbyterian, Dr. Sprague has been providentially educated to the practice of a charity that "thinketh no evil," and that "endureth all things." His own orthodoxy, intelligent and uncompromising, guards the ANNALS from that spurious charity which sometimes unwittingly, and at other times with evil intent, indulges in forms of expression that virtually inculcate error. Dr. Sprague's is the catholicity of a champion of the truth; it is a trait in his character that, like the polish and ornament of ancient armour, mingles admiration with awe, and glistens to the eye of the spectator, whilst it calls forth the sympathy of his heart.

The law of kindness rules in these volumes. Not only is sectarianism silent, but there is no room for opprobrious tattle, or for the perpetuation of malevolent, traditionary anecdote. There is historical candour, but it is to the exclusion of gossiping evil. We do not mean to say that Dr. Sprague has withheld anything that fairly developes the character of his subjects. Far from it. His book abounds in anecdotes and personal illustrations, many of them humorous, and others full of flashes of suggestion which mean more than meets the eye; yet everything is so considerately told, so genially put together, so fairly inwrought with truth, that the great purposes of the Annals are fully set forth without any disparagement to biographical accuracy. Cases of backsliding, or defection from doctrine, are stated impartially; or where surviving relatives have felt unwilling that such statements should be made, the biography is omitted altogether. A harsh writer might easily have done evil to the memory of good men by unfair, unnecessary, or exaggerated incidents. Dr. Sprague's amiability and principle have set him above this disreputable infirmity.

Great research was required in the preparation of so vast a work. Dr. Sprague shows the fruits of it in the two volumes before us. In fact, all New England history and biography has been ransacked to obtain biographical incidents and historical dates. Much learned and skilful research has been put into requisition to secure the rich materials of these volumes.

Patience of labour is discernible in this work. The manual part of the writing is the least item of all the toil. Who can ever know the number of libraries examined, the multitude of persons conversed with, the number of miles travelled, the hours taken from the demands of a laborious profession, the quantity of letters written? As a single specimen, we may state that the postage on letters has amounted to more than one thousand dollars, notwithstanding some peculiar facilities of the writer for conducting a considerable part of his correspondence free of charge.

The plan of the work is unique and excellent. Dr. Sprague first gives the results of his own researches in regard to the life and character of the persons in the Annals. These sketches, which differ in length according to their importance and the materials accessible, are luminous and well drawn. But in addition to these, Dr. Sprague has secured a large number of letters from persons who were acquainted with the individuals whose characters are drawn. These letters form a very valuable part of the volume. They are a rich repository of personal reminiscences, the like of which is nowhere to be found.

In short, the ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN PULPIT, of which these two volumes are a part, will constitute a standard work of American literature and biography. In a cursory perusal we perceive nothing to find fault with. The work has been done thoroughly and once for all. No one can tread, or need tread, over the same ground. We shall look with interest to the appearance of the remaining volumes, especially to those relating to Presbyterians. May the health and strength of the writer be made equal to the labour yet required in completing the undertaking!

The Messrs. Carter have brought out the work in excellent style, and have added another treasure to their catalogue of Christian riches.

JESUS UPON EARTH; or, The Story of His Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection. Designed for children. New York. C. Scribner, 377 and 379 Broadway.

The children must be well taken care of "about these days." They are expecting presents. They need good books. A book, in the hands of a child, may determine its destiny. Give the children, therefore, books that are of use. Here is a good one. It is on the greatest themes of knowledge and revelation. This little work is well done, and handsomely printed. We wish our friend, Mr. Scribner, a "happy New Year."

THE CHRISTIAN'S GIFT. Edited by Rev. RUFUS W. CLARK. Boston: Published by John P. Jewett & Company. 1857.

"The Christian's Gift" is among the handsome books of the season. These memorials, passing from friend to friend, contribute much to cherish pleasant feelings among households. Messrs. Jewett & Company have sent forth an elegant volume.