Southern Christian Advocate

LITERARY NOTICES.

The Southern Quarterly Review for January 1845.

This number commences the fourth year of the publication before us. A gratifying amount of success we learn, has attended the publication. The first article in the present number takes up at length and in a vigorous style, the important subject of education. The following is the Table of Contents :

Art. 1. Education in Europe.
2. The Sieur de la Salle.
3. Literature of the Bible.
Life and Writings of Rabelais.
5. La Havane.
6. Works of Wilhelm Hauff.
7. Mrs. Gray's History of Etruria.
8. Memoirs of Aaron Burr.
9. Critical Notices.

THE PULPIT CYCLOPEDIA, and Christian Minister's Companion; containing three hundred and sixty skeletons of Sermons; and eighty-two essays on biblical learning, theological studies, and the composition and delivery of sermons. By the Author of Sketches, &c. The London edition of four volumes, complete in one. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. 1845.

There is probably a legitimate and valuable use of sketches and skeletons of sermons: certainly there is a strong liability to abuse. To those so indolent and careless of their own improvement, as to lean entirely upon such foreign helps, the whole tendency is disastrous. The mind is dwarfed and crippled; and all manly vigour and independent thinking are abandoned. There is however a valuable assistance afforded by such works as the one before us, likely the very best of its class,-to an industrious, active mind ; particularly in the way of suggestion, in the many examples it furnishes of methodical arrangement, and thorough analysis. The sketches embodied in the "Pulpit Cyclopedia," are concise and comprehensive, the range of subjects is broad, the storehouse of materials, ample. Besides the sketches the volume before us comprehends four different series of Essays, selected from the best writers in the language, and devoted to "theological study," the "composition and delivery of sermons," "the essential characteristics of an efficient ministry." and "revivals and Pastoral duties." There are 690 pages of double columns, handsomely printed and bound ; and for sale by J. W. Stoy, Agent at the Methodist Southern Book Room.

Essays on the Nature and Principles of TASTE. By Archibald Alison, L. L. D., F. R. S. With corrections and improvements by A. Mills, A. M., Prof, of Rhet., and Belles Lettres. New York, Harper & Brothers, 1844.

We are pleased to see a new edition of this sterling and standard work. It appears in a beautiful dress, and should find a place in every well furnished library. For the gratification of the reader who has not perused these essays, we copy the closing paragraph of the book : "It is of much consequence in the education of the young. to encourage their instinctive taste for the beauty and sublimity of nature. While it opens to the years of infancy or youth a source of pure and of permanent enjoyment, it has consequences on the character and happiness of future life which they are unable to foresee. It is to provide them, amid all the agitations and trials of society, with one gentle and unreproaching friend, whose voice is ever in alliance with goodness and virtue, and which when once understood is able both to soothe misfortune and to reclaim from folly. It is to lay the foundation of an early and of a manly piety; amid the magnificent system of material signs in which they reside, to give them the mighty key which can interpret them; and to make them look upon the universe which they inhabit, not as the abode of human cares or human joys only, but as the temple of the Living God, in which praise is due, and where service is to be performed."

The INTERPRETER. Vols 1 and 2. An Aid to the study of Modern Languages. Containing extracts from French, Spanish, Italian and German writers, with word for word translations &c. Edited by B. Jenkins. Charleston, S. C., 1844.

The slender encouragement which is given to literary undertakings in this matter-of-fact, go-ahead country of ours has led to the suspension of the valuable publication which we have just named. It has been discontinued at the close of its second volume; but the two bound together make a handsome octavo of 380 pages, which we are free to recommend heartily to the student of the French, Spanish, German or Italian Languages. Mr. Jenkins has made no money by his labours, and probably never indulged many expectations in that line. He has however rendered a valuable service to the cause of self-education, and made an acceptable contribution to the literary character of the South. The work bound as just stated, may be had at any of the bookstores in this city; and we should be extremely gratified if this brief notice might bring some score or two of applications for it.

Harper's Illuminated, Pictorial Bible. No. 16.

Each succeeding number of this magnificent series, tends to sustain and increase the reputation won at first. Paper, typography, engravings, artistic beauty, every thing, is just what a fine taste could desire; and the price at which the work is furnished, brings it within the reach of the great mass of the people.