the whole paper:-"Let a reasonable Christianity, a Christianity that does not flout the intellectual convictions or the moral sense, be maintained and defended on the reasonable lines followed in the treatises which we have passed under review; let Christians, by their lives, practically evince the regenerating and purifying power of their creed, and show that in following Christ, the true reconciliation of the intellect and the heart, the genuine sweetness and light, can be nobly attained; and we have a confident anticipation that, as the hollow and barren theories of unbelief yield to the theistic conception of the universe; so will Theism itself go on to perceive more and more clearly the manifestation in Christ of all that is divinest and of the most everlasting significance, until it is constrained to prostrate itself before Him with the cry, My Lord and my God."

A keen review of M'Carthy's "History of our own Times" shows how little the author troubles himself about "chronological arrangement," how "his history advances by leaps and bounds," how his "sketches are guilty of more than mere flimsiness," and how prominent are the marks of his partisanship. To such a degree is this carried, that the reviewer naturally asks the question, "Is it really history at all?" Speaking of the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in 1866, in Ireland, the reviewer considers that Mr. M'Carthy "judges coercion merely on abstract principles," and further states that even on the author's "own assumption, coercion would not be one whit less the duty of England in the present, on account of the errors of England in the past." The writer says, "Mr. M'Carthy, in dealing with the Irish Church question, is misleading in one particular and superficial in another, inasmuch as he thinks an Established Church rests entirely upon its doctrines being accepted by the majority, or at least this is the only possible foundation for its existence to which he thinks it proper to allude.” In Mr. McCarthy's history, "The moral altitude of the Liberals attains to new eminence. When English feeling agrees with them, it is rising in its nobility and might; when it disagrees, it is the product of the besotted denizens of London music-halls. When the Liberals gain a Parliamentary victory, it is due to their eloquence and the strength of the Government; when the Conservatives gain, it is due to a mechanical majority. When the Conservatives take part in foreign politics, they are bent on filibustering abroad. When they turn from foreign politics to internal reform, they are rolling in a tub. When the Liberals interfere in foreign affairs, the words are all words of wisdom; when they make an abortive effort at internal reform, they are attempting great things; and, even in failure, gain new laurels. When Conservative schemes of legislation fail, they fail because of bungling, and dishonesty and chicane. When the Liberals commit a fiasco so monstrous as the Irish University Bill of 1873, their failure is still condoned on account of the heroism that prompted the attempt." The writer shows, we think, conclusively, "how cursory" Mr. M'Carthy's "book is throughout," "how superficial it is always;" "how often grossly unfair."

An article entitled "Employment of Women in the Public Service” shows how on the continent of Europe ladies are admitted into certain government offices, and "the distinctions of class are maintained, and how experience has proved in Switzerland that in cases where the staff is composed partly of women, of men and of boys, the influence of women has a beneficial effect on their associates in official work." It refers also to the employment of women in England in the telegraph and postal department. "For women of the lower and lower middle classes there are almost countless occupations open." The article is a plea for the admission of gentlewomen to appropriate posts in the service of the Government. Victoria in this respect is certainly in advance of England.

An exhaustive paper on "The Ritualists and the Law," proves that "the upshot of all the judgments of the Ecclesiastical Courts is that everything, except the right to stand at the West of the Table (if they can there break the Bread and take up the Cup in the sight of the people), that has been introduced by the Ritualists, and manifestly, if not avowedly, copied from Rome, has been pronounced illegal by the Judicial Committee in all the argued cases." This is the only point of interest presented by the article, especially among readers who live in a country that does not recognise any legal difference in religious sects.

The concluding article, "The Truth about Ireland," should be carefully read by all who feel an interest in Irish affairs. They will learn "that Ireland before the English Conquest was the prey of unmitigated anarchy and violence; that the conquest of the country by the English made no alteration in the ancient feudal system of land tenure; but that, since the subjugation of the island by the lieutenants of Elizabeth, Ireland, in spite of many deplorable episodes of harshness and injustice, has made a vast advance in wealth and order, much of the improvement in the social position of the nation having been effected by that very race of landlords whom it is now the fashion to hold up to public execration." While the population of Ireland is about five times as great as in 1652, the value of the live stock is more than thirty-nine times as great; in implements, utensils of husbandry, furniture, clothing and the like, the rate of increase must have been much greater. Griffith's valuation is explained by the writer, as well as the unfairness of applying it to those farms which have been improved solely by outlay on the part of the landlord. "It is not the accursed system of landlordism which keeps the small farmer poor, but bad farming." "The Land Act of 1870 gave the Irish tenant a security not possessed by any other occupier in Europe, although it only gave legal effect to the Ulster Custom wherever it existed. It is shown how disadvantageously and unfairly the adoption of the so-called "three F's" will militate against the rights of property, inasmuch as rent, that ought to be guided by supply and demand, will be ruled by the unjustifiable interposition of the State. The writer considers that "the sole remedy for the poverty and over population of Mayo, Connemara and Galway is emigration." The article is written in a spirit of impartiality, and contains truths, however unpalatable, which can scarcely be gainsaid.

THE EDINBURGH REVIEW.

The first article is a review of the "Memoirs of Prince Metternich," and the writer says:-"The first thing which must strike every reader who even superficially peruses these pages is the wonderful self-sufficiency of the author, barely stopping short of a claim to infallibility." "Metternich, in writing the several papers of which his autobiography is composed, did not even consult his own despatches, and is therefore constantly contradicted by them, as well as by other documents which have been lately published." This the reviewer shows, and hence it becomes a question how far these "Memoirs" are a real contribution to the knowledge of a most important period of modern history, namely, of France under the First Empire. "The autobiography in the first volume, though historically worthless, furnishes us with a curious key to the character of a man who played a great part on the world's stage, and the documents and VOL. III.-No. 18.

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despatches in the second volume are of genuine value and importance." Metternich was not, according to the reviewer, a statesman in the largest sense of the word, for his hatred of the Revolution made him overlook the truth of the saying “ On ne détruit que ce que l'on remplace."

"The Navies of the World" is an article that describes the leading ships in the several navies of Europe, America and Asia, and shows "how continuous has been the progress in naval design."

A paper, entitled "Jacob van Arteveld, the Brewer of Ghent," seems to be written for the purpose of showing that Van Arteveld, who ruled Flanders for seven years and seven months during the reign of Edward III. of England, was an enlightened and patriotic statesman rather than, as has been supposed, a seditious, self-seeking demagogue. The article is interesting as a fragment of Flemish history during the earlier middle part of the 16th century.

The next article is a review of Lord Beaconsfield's "Endymion." The writer says, "The glimpses of politics and history are to us the most interesting pages in these volumes, for they have a tinge of reality, which can hardly be predicated of the incidents which are crowded in the last half of the third volume." He continues:-"Upon the whole, we close these volumes not without gratitude to the author for the amusement he has afforded us. It may be suspected that he is laughing all the time at society, at politics, at his readers." But what then? We can laugh with him. To take such a book au grand sérieux, as the French say, would be a mistake. A thoughtful and able review of "Dr. Caird on the Philosophy of Religion,” requires careful reading, as it presents a variety of logical thought on an allimportant question. The writer says, "No intelligent people can have a religion among them for any length of time before they inquire whence it came, what were the causes which produced it, and what the reasons which justify it." "Without the spirit of criticism, which regards religion as an object for scientific reflection, religious ideas would become petrified-no reform, no reformation, no new religion, would be possible." He further states, that "The name of Hegel is not mentioned"-by Dr. Caird—“ but the influence of the master is felt through-the Hegelian philosophy is the key-note to the book." "Religion," says Dr. Caird, "so far from forming an exception to the all-embracing sphere of philosophy, is rather just that province which lies nearest to it; for in one point of view, religion and philosophy have common objects and a common content, and in the explanation of religion, philosophy may be said to be at the same time explaining itself." The reviewer gives the foundation of Dr. Caird's philosophy in the following words:-" Dr. Caird bases his philosophy of religion upon the existence in man of a special organon of thought,' which is necessary for the 'immanent logic of religion," he "contends that not only can we attain to a scientific thought in the sphere of religion, but that in a certain sense we must, because the mind is impelled onward, by its own inward dialectic, until it finds its goal in a thought which is universal and absolute -the absolute thought or intelligence in which all finite thought and being rest."

"Laveleye's Italy as it is," forms the subject of a review, from which we gather that M. de Laveleye repaired to Italy "to study on the spot the working of the institutions newly introduced into the peninsula." "He desired to make the acquaintance of the Italian economists, who have produced very instructive and very useful books." The reviewer says, that "two practical problems, relative to education, have received in Italy an amount of illustration that merits attention." These are, the question of religious teaching as a portion of primary instruction, and the mode of recruiting the body of professors in the university. He further

says, "Above all, the alarm excited in the minds of the ablest statesmen by the apparent withering up of the religious principle throughout Italy, is echoed again and again in M. de Laveleye's letters." "The political situation of Italy," according to M. de Laveleye, "is regulated by the cardinal fact that there is no line of distinct demarcation traced between political parties." "M. de Laveleye attended with much interest the debates of the Italian Parliament;" and we are informed that "The press is treated as a fourth power, the whole of one side of the tribunes being reserved for the reporters." With regard to education, the writer says, "The general result would seem to be that the main educational changes, which the last ten years have wrought in Italy, are with regard to the women." "The female teachers, from their want of due good support, arising from their miserable pittances, are in many cases unable to go through the simple forms of gymnastic exercise which form a part of the course of the school." "One of the main features of the policy of the present Government is to keep the priest out of the school." "He is regarded as a natural enemy to the unity of Italy, and a well wisher to the re-establishment of the temporal power of the Pope." The writer goes on to say that "The great number (twenty-one) of universities in Italy is a curious feature of the country;" and he says, "In each great centre of Italian life the heavy pressure of the national and local public expenditure on the people is a frequent subject of anxiety." Very much of the outlay on local works in this country has been professedly encountered for sanitary purposes. "M. de Laveleye," we are told, "rather indicates than dwells upon the immense damage which has been done lately by the destruction of timber and of coppice." He also "points to the increase in the number of emigrants and to the increase in the number of criminals." One fact which we must not omit will be gratifying to Australians, viz., that " "great hopes have been entertained of the beneficial effect of the eucalyptus in destroying the malaria of the Campagna."

The article on 66 Army Reform" condemns the short service system, and the enlistment of boy recruits; and, at the same time, contains many common-sense suggestions, based on Lord Cardwell's reforms.

A very sensibly written review of "Grove's Dictionary of Music," will well repay a careful perusal by all lovers of music, and will afford much information to those who are not versed in the technicalities of the art. Its object is, according to the editor's preface, to supply a work "in English, from which an intelligent inquirer can learn in small compass and in untechnical language, what is meant by the symphony or sonata, a fugue, a stretto, a coda, or any other of the terms which necessarily occur in every description or analysis of a concert, or a piece of music; from which he can gain a readable and succinct account of the history of the various branches of the art, or of the rise and progress of the pianoforte, and other instruments, or the main facts and characteristics of the lives of eminent or representative musicians, or the circumstances attending the origin of their chief work."

"Kinglake's Invasion of the Crimea" is keenly and somewhat adversely criticised. The reviewer considers Mr. Kinglake as "a man with a theory, and also a man with a mission." "The theory is that, under our monarchical system, the control of the Crown over the discipline and command of the army, is in itself dangerous, and is so used as to subvert the constitutional basis on which it purports to rest." This theory the writer shows to be " wrong in principle, an unwarranted attack on the power assigned by the Constitution to the Crown, and untenable in fact." "The mission is to clear the memory of Lord Raglan from some blame which has been cast upon it." The reviewer sympathises with the mission, but condemns

the means used to support it, viz., "to sacrifice every other person's reputation to that of Lord Raglan." The reviewer shows that the great misfortune was, that when the weather broke up "the transport failed, and for want of transport the commissariat failed." The "supplies were abundant, but there was no road from Balaclava to the camp by which they could be distributed." Lord Raglan was clearly answerable for this mistake.

The concluding article is entitled "England and Ireland," and is a clear statement of the position that each country has held, now holds, and is likely in the future to hold to the other, if the Land League accomplish what evidently seems, under this cloak-name, to be the aim of its principal supporters, viz., Repeal and Independence.

THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.

The North American Review opens with an article by General U. S. Grant, entitled the "Nicaragua Canal." The writer says:-" Leaving out of consideration the danger and delays of the Cape, we should not forget that by the canal now proposed the distance from New York to Hong Kong is shortened by 5870 miles; from New York to Yokohama, 6800 miles; from New York to San Francisco, 8600 miles; from New York to Honolulu, 6980 miles; from Liverpool to San Francisco, 6065 miles; and from Liverpool to Callao, 4374 miles; and we need no longer question the value of ban interocanic canal on the Western Continent. To Europeans the enefits and eadvantages of the proposed canal are great; to the Americans they are incalculable." He gives cogent reasons why the "Nicaragua route" should be preferred to the "Panama route."

"The Pulpit and the Pew," by Oliver Wendell Holmes, sets forth certain rights of laymen. He says:-"The layman who sits silent in his pew has his rights when out of it, and among them is the right of questioning that which has been addressed to him from the privileged eminence of the pulpit, or in any way sanctioned by his religious teacher." He does not think theological students are prepared for their prescribed duties until they have learned something of "bodily derangements" and the "gamut of mental discord in the wards of an insane asylum." He concludes by saying, "But many of its professed creeds imperatively demand revision, and the pews which call for it must be listened to, or the preacher will by-and-by find himself speaking to a congregation of bodiless echoes."

Under the title of "Aaron's Rod in Politics," Judge Albion W. Sourgee states that "there is a general belief that ignorance is at the root of some of our national ills, and that sometime and somehow danger is likely to result therefrom." As illiterates cannot be excluded from the right of voting, he proposes a system whereby they should be educated, so that they at least may understand the value of their voting power to themselves and to the interests of the state.

In a paper by James Keernan Clarke, under the head of "Did Shakespeare write Bacon's Works?" he gives plausible reasons for an affirmative

answer.

Partisanship in the Supreme Court," by Senator John S. Morgan, is an article which advocates such a mode of appointment of judges as to exclude the possibility of political partisanship being used as a basis.

The sixth contribution of "The Ruins of Central America," by Désiré Charnay, deals with the village of Comalcalco, where were "found no longer