us.

are pure Saxon, yet the English have so completely made them their own by daily use, that they are called, and rightly, English words. In Naples, also, the same process may be observed. This is about the tenth century since the Greek ceased to be the vernacular language of this kingdom, yet the presence of several Greek words is still to be detected among Such are vallana, a roast chestnut, from Báλaros; vastaso, a walking-stick, from Basraw; strummulo, a whirlwind, from orgóßilos; catapano, a surtout, from xarà nàv; nfenocchiare, from qerazio, to deceive; smorfia, from àμoggía, deformity; centrella, a goad, from zévrov ; chiafeo, from prageùs, a fuller, etc., etc. The same may be said of the Greek still lingering in occasional words among the people of Bruttio and Sicily, and of the Latin among the Italians, French, and Spaniards. If the case be unquestionably as we have put it, among the English and Neapolitans, who so many generations back lost the Saxon and Greek, what must we say of the Jews of that day, who only two centuries before had spoken the Chaldee? Beyond all doubt they would employ unnumbered words, phrases and idiotisms peculiar to the Hebrew and Chaldee, and retain them as native and familiar forms. They would the rather do this because of the composition of the Hellenistic itself, which we have already proved vernacular in Judea. So completely was this made up of foreign admixtures, that, were all the contributions from various quarters removed, little would remain. To make bold. then, to say that Gabbatha, Bethsaida, Hakel-dama, Rabbi, and Osanna are Hellenistic forms, is to say nothing more than cirrcumstances warrant, for that dialect abounds in such words, and so thickly are they scattered over the Books of the New Testament, those of the Maccabees, and the Version of the Seventy, that one may almost stumble over them at every third word. If Hakel-dama, then, be called a name derived from the language of the dwellers in Jerusalem, it gives us no serious concern, nor does it, for the reasons assigned, at all shake our confidence in the truth of our opinion, that the Jews spoke this bastard Greek.

ARTICLE IX.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

1-A Commentary on the Apocalypse. By MOSES STUART, Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass. Andover: Allen, Morrell & Wardwell. New-York: Mark H. Newman. 1845. 2 vols., 8vo.

FEw, if any, in our country, have prosecuted Biblical studies with so much zeal and for so long a time, as Professor Stuart. And to the work now before us he has devoted the unremitted researches of many years. It must, therefore, of necessity be a work of more than common value. And, from the partial examination we have hitherto been able to give it, we are of opinion that it is the result of more critical investigation, and contains more accurate critico-historical interpretation, than any work hitherto given to the public by an American scholar.

Whether men agree with Professor Stuart or not, in his interpretation of the Apocalypse, all will confess that, in these volumes, there is compressed an unusual amount of learning, and not a little of argumentative power. The first volume, treating of the numerosity, trichotomy, economy, æsthetics, time, authorship, etc., of the Apocalypse, is a rich mine of wealth, especially to those unacquainted with the German language, and the labors of German scholars in this department.

Whilst Professor Stuart pays great respect to the biblical scholars of Germany, (and in their critical acumen and research they are unquestionably before any other people,) and adopts rather the German than the English system of interpretation, he by no means concedes the claims of Eichhorn, Herder and others, who regard the book more as the production of mere genius, than of intellect and genius under the guidance of the Spirit of all truth. He attributes to it a full inspiration, the same which lies at the basis of all the sacred Scriptures. He shows conclusively, we think, that it is not properly speaking dramatic, but a symbolical representation of truth adapted to encourage and console the Church under all the trials and persecutions of her pilgrimage.

The Professor's interpretation of the text, embraced in the second volume, will, doubtless, offend the prejudices of some; and as it departs from the beaten track of exposition as applied to this portion of God's word, will not seem to be the right one. Yet, we think the Professor's views well worthy of serious consideration; and if to be overthrown, it must be by careful research and thorough knowledge of the established principles of hermeneutics. No superficial science, no every-day interpretation will do it. We hope some able critic will occupy our pages with a review.

2.-Plato contra Atheos. Plato against the Atheists; or the Tenth Book of the Dialogue on Laws, accompanied with Critical Notes. and followed by extended Dissertations on some of the main points of the Platonic Philosophy and Theology, especially as compared with the Holy Scriptures. By TAYLER LEWIS, LL. D., Professor of the Greek Language and Literature in the University in the city of New-York. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1845. pp. 378, 12mo.

We welcome such a book as this to our shelf for Classical Literature. Its exterior is attractive; its interior well executed; its inmost, its style and spirit,-admirable. The whole is worthy the taste and scholarship of its author, and must tend to give reputation to the classical department in the Institution with which he is connected.

The design is, in these pages, to develope some of the higher views of Plato on philosophy and theology, and to compare them with the revelations of God in the Scriptures. The book, therefore, becomes eminently a Christian Classic. True, its basis is the work of a heathen, but of a heathen whose thoughts on philosophy and morals were scintillations from that bright Luminary, which subsequently rose upon the world and diffused the light of life in all its reality and glory. And then the commentator is deeply imbued with the Christian spirit, and brings his familiarity with the truths of the Bible to bear, with force, upon the text of Plato.

In the volume will be found,-an Introduction-Statement of the Argument-Greek Text and Critical Notes, and Excursus LXXV.

These last abound with beautiful and striking classical and Scriptural illustrations, and discuss points of exceeding interest to the Greek scholar and to the theologian, e. g., Platonic View of the Parental and Filial Relations-Subjective sense of the word 'Aŋɛúœ—Orphic Poetry-Divine Justice the ground of Human Law-Universality of the Belief in a God-Principle of Authority-Soul older than Body— Philosophy of the verb To Be-Platonic Doctrine of the Evil Principle, etc., etc.

Although some will not accord with Prof. Lewis, in his eulogy of Plato, and depreciation of Aristotle, yet is it true that "the young man who is an enthusiastic student of Plato can never be a sciolist in regard to education, a quack in literature, a demagogue in politics, nor an infidel in religion.

We desire for this work an extensive circulation, and feel persuaded that none can study it without pleasure and profit. The higher classes in our colleges, and theological students would find it valuable.

1

3.-Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistles of Paul to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. By ALBERT BARNES. New-York: Harper & Brothers. 1845. pp. 331, 12mo.

These are brief Epistles; and consequently the Commentary, intended as it primarily is, for Bible Classes and Sunday Schools, is by no means extended. This one small volume embraces the notes on the three Epistles, with a useful introduction to each, elucidating all the points usually included in Introductions to the books of Scrip

ture.

Whilst we do not consider this equal to the Commentary on Job, we put it on a par with his previous Notes on Epistles, and consider it well adapted to the uses intended. All who are familiar with the others will, doubtless, possess this volume, and they will find in it much excellent comment, and many interesting and wholesome practical remarks.

4.-The History of the Popes; their Crimes, Murders, Poisonings, Parricides, Adulteries and Incests, from St. Peter to Gregory XVI.; including the History of Saints, Martyrs, Fathers of the Church, Religious Orders, Cardinals, Inquisitions, Schisms, and the Great Reformers: with the Crimes of Kings, Queens and Emperors. By LOUIS MARIE DE CORMENIN. Translated from the French. Philadelphia: James M. Campbell. New-York: Saxton & Miles. 1845.

The title sufficiently describes the intent of the author in this work. Although, specifically a history of the Popes, it becomes, of necessity and in fact, a general history of the state of the world from the time of Christ to the present period. M. de Cormenin is a Roman Catholic, who has imbibed deeply the spirit of liberty, and who sees and confesses the existence of the most horrible crimes in the bosom of his own Church.

He appears to write without prejudice, and probably details what he believes to be the facts in the case. In respect to his history of the lives of the Popes, he cannot be supposed to be actuated by any desire to blacken the character of the papacy and priesthood in his own communion, and consequently his testimony on this behalf cannot well be called in question.

Whilst he concedes the right to Protestants, in many instances, he is evidently not imbued with an evangelical spirit, and probably regards Christ as nothing higher than a pure teacher of a lofty morality, and the gospel as a valuable book of history and philosophy. The Introduction or Analysis, embracing the first fourteen pages, we think, requires some correction, especially the first part of it, in order to make it truthful history. What is said about the Christians of the THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. NO. III. 37

first century, is a relation evidently either derived from infidel sources, or colored by skepticism in the author's own mind.

The work is to be issued in numbers. Two have appeared, the first containing two beautifully colored lithographs, one of Sabas, Bishop of Jerusalem, the other of Clovis I., King of the Franks.

5.—Travels in the Californias, and Scenes in the Pacific Ocean. By THOMAS J. FARNHAM. New-York: Saxton & Miles. 1845. pp. 416, 8vo.

Mr. Farnham is known as the author of "Travels in the Western Prairies, and Oregon Territory," in respect to which he has diffused some interesting and useful information. He here discloses to us his travels through the Californias, and his views of things in some of the islands of the Pacific. As the former have been but little known among us, those who read this volume will find themselves rewarded with some pleasant and useful intelligence. His account of the proceedings and death of Capt. Cook, derived from an aged woman in authority, enters more into particulars than the ordinary narratives of this event, and shows that the first provocation was on the part of Cook's men, and that his death was in consequence of the death of a chief by the hand of Cook. There seems to be great simplicity and apparent truthfulness in the statements of the old lady, in respect to Vancouver's visit in 1779.

The incidents of the revolution of 1836, under Alvarado, aided by Americans and Britons, of his subsequent adhesion to Mexico and horrid treatment of those same foreigners, are thrilling, and, in some parts, almost blood-congealing. His notices of the American Mission at Hawaii, and its meliorating influence on the native inhabitants, although mingled with some philosophical views, which would not be altogether acceptable to the lover of Bible-truth, are commendatory, and confirm the testimony given by all unprejudiced beholders.

We cheerfully recommend the volume to any of our readers who wish to acquire information about the Californias.

6.—The Romish and Prelatical Rite of Confirmation examined: and proved to be contrary to the Scriptures, and the practice of all the earliest and purest Churches, both Oriental and Western. By THOMAS SMYTH, D. D. With an Appendix, on the Duty of requiring a Public Profession of Religion. New-York: Leavitt, Trow & Co. 1845. pp. 213, 18mo.

This is another useful little volume from the prolific pen of Dr. Smyth: and whilst it most triumphantly proves the rite of confirmation, as practised by prelatical churches, to be unscriptural and of human invention, it also contends, in an appendix, for a public profession of religion, by a form of covenant, entered into in presence of