If young he were, 'twas only seen From lines that told what once had been; As if the withering hand of Time So the wan captive, o'er whose cell No solitary sunbeam fell; When years and years have lingered by, Had smote him ere he reached his Fixes his first enraptured gaze prime. The bright rose on his cheek was faded; Unswayed by man, and uncontrolled, But high-mysterious-and unknown, And knows nor hope nor fear below; Oh! how shall mortal dare essay, On whom no prophet's vest is thrown, To paint that pure celestial ray? Mercy, and tenderness, and love, And all that finite seuse can deem Of him who reigns enthroned above; Light-such as blest Isaiah's dream, When to the awe-struck Prophet's eyes, God bade the Star of Judah riseThere heaven in living lustre glowedThere shone the Saviour-there the God. Oh ye-to whom the dying Lord Your sorrows-not his own-deplored: Thou, on whose guilt the Saviour cast A look of mercy-'twas his last: Ye-who beheld when Jesus died, Say ye-for none can tell besideHow matchless grace, and love divine, In that immortal glance would shine. And she too felt and owned its power To sooth in that despairing hour; Her pulse beat quick-and to her heart A ray of rapture seemed to dart:The cloud that hung upon her brow Wore off-and all was comfort now;And why? She thought not on the deadHer sight on Him was riveted, Whose look such peace and glory shed: Upon the bright sun's living rays. 'Short space he stood-his lifted eyes To Heaven a moment raised-he spoke These words the solemn silence broke: 'Young man, I say to thee, arise!" pp. 37-12. The conclusion of the poem is easily conceived: we shall give one short extract more. Whate'er in other worlds he saw Still lightened lingering on his brow, Which throbs-and man has ceased to be: The frame is clay-the soul is free. I deemed the change had passed on me, And my light spirit soared on high, I knew not where-from memory All passed with life's returning breath;— Yet still I feel, if such be death, "Tis blesseduess to die. But, speak-what means this sable bier, This funeral train-whence came I here? Ha! thou too, mother-thou so near, pp. 44, 45. The remainder of the volume consists of fifteen short poems of a respectable degree of merit, but not equal in interest to "The Widow of Nain." The author frequently fails, where others have so often failed, the devotional, parts of his poems; in the strictly religious, especially thus verifying the remarks with which we commenced the present paper. We might exemplify this in what may be called the confession of faith in the widow's son; (p. 16-18), the minstrel's dirge (p. 31), part of the widow's lamentation (p. 35-37); and even in the concluding passage of this poem, which of course was intended to be, if possible, the best. We shall extract this passage, in order to shew how difficult it is for a poet, in writing religious verses, wholly to divest himself of the sing-song which so often finds its way into collections of sacred metre. The sentiments, we need not say, are excellent; and they follow as an appropriate conclusion to the raising of the widow's son. They are, in fact, some of the most important truths which Scripture reveals, or which it behoves mankind to know: they are the very basis of divinity, and constitute the strength of the feeble, the refuge of the guilty, the solace of the dejected, the triumph of the dying; but they are not poetry. "Yes-God, in human flesh arrayed, sword, Unsheathed, awaits th' avenging word: vail And can a dying Saviour fail? What hast thou here? a fleeting day, Delusive hopes, which charm—and va, nish A still small voice thou canst not banish ; A dread which tells thee, Thou must die,' And warns thee of eternity! If Christ has died in vain for thee. Of guilt pollute the rising prayer? Fear'st thou repulse? Thy fears are vainKnow-all thy guilt, and all thy care, Thy gracious Lord will freely bear. Still mercy calls thee to his throne, The day of grace is still thine own; To him thy willing heart resign, And make eternal glory thine."" pp. 47, 48, Our chief motive in making the foregoing remarks, is to stimulate our author, and other young men of poetical talents, to exert themselves to redeem sacred poetry from the reproach under which it has fallen. There are more than sufficient exceptions to the general rule of the insipidity of religious poesy, to shew that there is no absolute need of its being conducted on the plan of those inferior models which are so often copied by the aspirants for the sacred wreath. We would particularly advise a scrupulous rejection of every combination of words that would remind the reader of the pulpit and the hymn book. These are good things: indeed, there are no better things in their place; but their place is not in poetry. If the youthful bard desire a model, let it be such a one as the concluding pages of the fifth and sixth books of Cowper's Task;" a passage which we mention chiefly with a view to shew that, in wishing to see the technical part of theology less obtruded in sacred poetry, we by no means wish to see excluded that holy animation and prominence of evangelical sentiment which never appear to more advantage than under the auspices of the Christian muse. LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL INTELLIGENCE, &c. &c. GREAT BRITAIN. PREPARING for publication:- History of the Crusades, by C. Mills;-A Voyage in the Persian Gulph and a Journey overland from India, by W. Hende;Litchfield Cathedral, by Mr. Britton ;— Letters, by the Hon. Lady Spencer to the late Duchess of Devonshire. In the press :-Sermons, by Dr. Chalmers;-Clarke's Travels through Denmark, Sweden, Lapland, Finland, Norway, and Russia ;-Translation of the Abbé Guille's Treatise on the Amusement and Instruction of the Blind ;-A Course of Sermons on Christian Responsibility;— Remarks on Scepticism, especially as it is connected with the Subject of Organization and Life, in Answer to certain French and English Physiologists, by Mr. Rennel;-The Penal Code of Napoleon; - Familiar Dissertations on Theological and Moral Subjects, by the Rev. Dr. Barrow, Prebendary of Southwell;-Golownin's Recollections of Ja pan. The Rev. C. Simeon has issued proposals for publishing by subscription, in 10 or 11 volumes, demy 8vo, price 10s. 6d. each, Hora Homileticæ, or Discourses (in the form of Skeletons) upon the whole Scriptures, containing altogether at least 1200; similar to, but distinct from, those in the five volumes already published. The first four volumes will be ready for delivery at Michaelmas next; the second four at Lady-day, 1820; and the remainder at the Michaelmas following. The entire profits will be given to aid the Society for the Conversion of the Jews, and one or two other religious Institutions. large paper, on or before the 1st of April, at the first price. Twelve Numbers will be published in the year, each Number containing 672 pages. The Edipus Romanus; or, au Attempt to prove, from the Principles of Reasoning adopted by the Right Hon. Sir W. Drummond in his dipus Judaicus, that the twelve Cæsars are the twelve Signs of the Zodiac. Addressed to the higher and literary Classes of Society. By the Rev. George Townsend, A. M., of Trinity College, Cambridge. Cambridge.-Dr. Smith's annual prizes of 251. each, to the two best proficients in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, amongst the commencing Bachelors of Arts, are this year adjudged to Mr. Joshua King, of Queen's college, and Mr. George Miles Cooper, of St. John's college, the first and second Wranglers. The subjects for the prizes given by the Representatives in Parliament for this University for the present year are, for the Senior Bachelors: "Quænam fuerit Oraculorum vera indoles ac natura?” Middle Bachelors: "Inter veterum philosophorum sectas, cuinam potissimum tribuenda sit laus veræ sapientiæ?"The subject of the Seatonian prize poem for the present year is, "Moses receiving the Tables of the Law." The reported discovery of M. Morichini, respecting the magnetizing power of the violet rays (Vide Christ. Observ. for 1817, p. 540), which was scarcely credited in this country, has received the confirmation of Professor Playfair. He gives the following account of an experiment of which he was a witness: Just published,—The Delphin Classics, with the Variorum Notes, intitled "The Regent's Edition." No. I., January, 1819. P. Virgilii Maronis, Opera Omnia ex ed. Chr. G. Heyne, cum variis Lectionibus, Interpretatione, Notis Variorum,et Indice locupletissimo, accurate recensita. Curante et Imprimente A. J. Valpy. The price is now raised, to new subscribers 198. each part; on the first of" After having received into my April it will be raised to 20s.; and on the first of June to 21s. large paper. Subscribers always remain at the price they originally enter. Any original subscribers may change their small for chamber a solar ray, through a circular opening made in the shutter, the ray was made to fall upon a prism, such as those which are usually employed in experiments upon the primitive colours. The spectrum which resulted from the refraction was received upon a skreen: all the rays were intercepted except the violet, in which was placed a needle for the purpose of being magnetized. It was a plate of thin steel, selected from a number of others, and which, upon making the trial, was found to possess no polarity, and not to exhibit any attraction for iron filings. It was fixed horizontally on the support by means of wax, and in such a direction as to cut the magnetic meridian nearly at right angles. By a lens of a sufficient size, the whole of the violet ray was collected into a focus, which was carried slowly along the needle, proceeding from the centre towards one of the extremities, and always the same extremity; taking eare, as is the case in the common operation of magnetizing, never to go back in the opposite direction. After operating fifty-five minutes, the needle was found to be strongly magnetic: it acted powerfully on the compass; the end of the needle which had received the influence of the violet ray repelling the north pole, and the whole of it attracting, and keeping suspended, a fringe of iron filings." from manufactures 2,202,000 .... Uncertain 734,000 These form the principal exports of domestic product. The exports of foreign articles for the same time, amounted to nearly twenty millions of dollars. The iron, in all shapes, exported amounted to 138,579 dollars; and the gunpowder to 356,522 dollars. Amongst the more curious exports may be ranked maple sugar, which amounted to 4,374 dollars. Crystallized Tin.-The art lately discovered in France, called Metallic Watering, depends upon the action of acids on alloys of tin. The process is as follows:-first, dissolve four ounces of muriate of soda in eight ounces of water, and add two ounces of nitric acid: second mixture, eight ounces of water, two ounces of nitric acid, and three ounces of muriatic acid: third mixture, eight ounces of water, two ounces of muriatic acid, and one ounce of sulphuric acid. The watering obtained by the action of these different mixtures used warm upon tinned iron, imitates mother-of-pearl and its reflections. By heating the tinned iron to different degrees of heat, stars, fernleaves, and other figures, are produced; and by pouring one of the above mixtures, cold, upon a plate of tinned iron, 9,717,423 at a red heat, a granular appearance is 4,530,156 obtained. Different colours and shades 1,501,237 may be given by varnishes. When the 3,907,178 tin is upon copper, the crystallization appears in the form of radiations or United States.-The following is a Ditto of France ...... Dollars 68,313,500 stars. LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. THEOLOGY. A Dissertation on the Scheme of Human Redemption, as developed in the Law and in the Gospel; by the Rev. John Leveson Hamilton, B.A. 8vo. 12s. Sermons on the Parables and Miracles of Jesus Christ; by Edward W. Grinfield, M. A. 8vo. 10s. Plain and Practical Sermons; by the Rev. John Boudier, M. A. 8vo. 9s. Real Charity and Popular Charity: a Discourse, delivered in Charter-house Chapel, London, on Friday, the 12th December, 1818, being Founder's Day; by the Rev. Josiah Thomas, M. A. 1s. The Claims of the Church of England to the Fidelity of its Members, calmly, fairly, and plainly stated: a Sermon, for The History and Antiquities of the Town of Newark, (the Sidnacester of the Romans); interspersed with biographical Sketches, and Pedigrees of some of the principal Families, and profusely embellished with engravings; by W. Dickinson, Esq. 4to. 21. 2s. The History of the Town and Borough of Uxbridge; containing copies of interesting public documents, and a particular account of all charitable donations, left for the benefit of the poor; by George Bedford, A.M. and Thomas Harry Riches. 8vo. 11. History and Description of the City of York; by W. Hargrove. 3 vols. royal 8vo. 11. 16s. Remarks on the Causes, Prevention, and Treatment, of the present prevailing Epidemic, commonly called Typhous Fever, for the use and benefit of the people; by W. O. Porter, M.D. 2s. 6d Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay. 4to. The Annual Biography and Obituary, for 1819, with Silhouette Portraits. Svo. 15s. Biographical Conversations on Celebrated Travellers; comprehending distinct narratives of their personal adventures; by the Rev. W. Bingley, M. A. F.L.S. 6. 6d. Annals of Parisian Typography; by the Rev. W. P. Gresswell. 8vo. 14s. A Compendium of the Theory and Practice of Drawing and Painting; ilInstrated by the technical terms in art; with practical observations on the essen. tial lines, and the forms connected with them; by R. Dagley. 4to. with plates 10s. 6d. The Life and Adventures of Antar, a celebrated Bedowen Chief, Warrior, and Poet, who flourished a few years prior to the Mohammedan Era: now first translated from the original Arabic, by Terrick Hamilton, Esq. 8vo. 9s. 6d. Letters on the Importance, Duty, and Advantages of Early Rising; addressed to heads of families, the man of business, the lover of nature, the student, and the Christian: 8vo. 6s. A Description of a New or Improved Method of constructing Wheel Carriages; to which are prefixed some Observations on Wheel Carriages in general, with engravings; by J. T. Koster. 3s. A Letter to Henry Brougham, Esq. M.P. from John Ireland, D.D. Svo. 1s. A Letter, addressed to Agriculturists, on Tithes, Tithe-owners, Tithe-renters, and Tithe-payers; by R. Bingham. 9d. Facts and Observations towards forming a New Theory of the Earth; by William Knight, LL.D. Belfast. 8vo.9s. Newgate, and other Poems; by Dr. O'Halloran. Hora Britannicæ, or Studies in Ancient British History; by J. Hughes. 2 vols. 8vo. 18s. boards. An Historical, Topographical, Statistical, and Philosophical View of the United States of America, from the earliest Period to the present Time; by the Rev. William Winterbotham. No. I. 3s. History of Brazil. Vol. III; by R. Southey. Narrative of an Attempt to discover a Passage over the North Pole to Bhering's Straits; by Capt. David Buchan. 4to. with plates. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. EDINBURGH MISSIONARY SO CIETY. THE Edinburgh Missionary Society was formed in the year 1796. Having speedily obtained funds to a considerable amount, it soon after, in conjunction with the London and Glasgow Societies, actively engaged in missionary labours. In those exertions which have proved so highly beneficial in the South Sea Islands, Western Africa, aud Jamaica, this Society formerly gave assistance, although these missions have for some years past been conducted entirely by other institutions. The deplorable situation of the Mohammedan tribes of Russian Tartary having been particularly brought under the notice of the Society, a mission was, in the year 1802, established at Karass, a village on the lines of Caucasus, where a grant of land was obtained from the Russian Government. Here much good has been done. The Scriptures have been translated and printed in the Turkish or Tartar language, and circulated among the natives; as well as various tracts on Mohammedanism and Christianity. A number of children redeemed from slavery, still remain at the Society's settlements, and promise to be eminently useful in diffusing the Gospel among their countrymen. Three of them are already actively engaged in missionary services; others have died in the faith and hope of the Gospel. At this interesting station, the Sultan Katte |