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Woman: her Mission and her Life. Two Discourses. By the Rev. ADOLPHE MONOD of Paris. Translated from the Third Edition by the Rev. W. G. BARRITT. Second Edition. London: Hall, Virtue, and Co. 1852.

THIS volume has been preceded-we will not say superseded— by an original English work under a similar title, "Woman's Mission," which appeared some years since. There is much in the little volume before us which may be read with profit by the women of England. The standard proposed to them is very high, and, we may be permitted to add, in some instances unattainable by even the best of created beings. There is, moreover, an earnestness, rising often into eloquence, that gives a charm as well as a value to these "Discourses," which, we think, are likely to attain to a fair share of popularity.

French Extracts for Beginners; with a Vocabulary and an Introduction for Reading. By FELICEAN A. WOLSKI. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1851.

THE popularity of this addition to our school literature is vouched by the fact of its having reached a third edition. It contains one hundred specimens of the style of nearly forty different authors; and the present edition includes extracts from Thiers and other celebrated French writers of the present day. It is prefaced by a concise but able introduction to French reading. The vocabulary is most copious, and occupies a considerable portion of the volume, which we can cordially commend it to the adoption of all who are engaged, whether in families or in schools, in the education of the young.

Women of Christianity Exemplary for Acts of Piety and Charity. By JULIA KAVANAGH. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. A MORE noble and dignified tribute to the virtues of her sex we can scarcely imagine than this work which, like a monumental tablet, Miss Kavanagh has reared to the memory of the "Women of Christianity." To this grateful task the gifted authoress has brought talents of no ordinary range; and more than all a spirit of eminent piety, an admiration for the good and beautiful, and a heart entirely absorbed in the work to which she had devoted herself. Need we say how ably and entirely she has accomplished it? The press has already accorded its warm admiration, and we are happy to swell the general praise by paying our homage to the general spirit which dictated so holy a tribute to the departed "Women of Christianity."

Thoughts on Several Subjects. By the Author of a "Working Man," &c. London: C. Cox. 1852.

A SOMEWHAT vague title to, nevertheless, a very interestingand regard being had to the condition and opportunities of the author-somewhat extraordinary book. Mr. Carter has not put his name to this volume; but he is well known as the author of "A Working Man," which we took occasion to notice with praise in a previous number of this Review. The greater portion of the work before us is devoted to "Sacred and Devotional Poetry." It is full of striking and original views of the subject, and displays much deep and patient thought. There is another curious and we may add highly interesting paper on the "Varieties of the Human Face," which is equally indicative of an original and reflecting mind; and the same eulogium is due to the chapter "On Men who have been called Great." gether, we can safely, nay, cordially, commend to our readers this little work, as containing much of value and interest for which we vainly look in many volumes of higher pretensions. Mr. Carter was first known to the public as the author of "Lectures on Tosti," which, if we recollect rightly, were delivered and published many years since in a provincial town, and of which we are glad to see he promises us a second edition.

Convocation: its Origin, Progress, and Authority, Legislative and Judicial. With a Scheme for Amending its Power and Constitution. By T. H. FELLOWS, Esq. London: Rivingtons.

THIS pamphlet, which has reached us at too late an hour for a due exposition of its views, fulfils to the letter the promise held out in the title. It is a succinct but clear history of the "Origin, Progress, and Authority, both Legislative and Judicial," of Convocation; and, as such, will be found useful, both as regards the law and the faith, by all who are interested, pro or con., in the subject. With regard to the remedy proposed, and the general merits of the question, we wish that all who have written on it had brought to their task the temand moderation which Mr. Fellows-a lawyer of no mean repute has displayed in its discussion. The principle on which the author proceeds will be best explained in his own words :--

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Every sensible man, whatever may be his own religious opinions, must admit the necessity and propriety of giving to the Church, what was unintentionally taken from her by the abolition of the High Court of Delegates, and what is conceded to all classes of Dissenters—the right of self-government in spiritual matters. Cuique sua in arte credendum est. No one in his senses would consult the Commander-inChief as to the lines on which a ship ought to be built, or the Lord

High Admiral on the method of constructing fortifications. No man in his senses would consult the Lord High Chancellor on a question of anatomy, or the Archbishop of Canterbury as to the possibility of defeating an executory devise. Why, then, should he be forced to consult a parcel of lawyers on an important article of faith or doctrine?" Mr. Fellows, referring to the opinions of " many men, clergy as well as laity-honest and upright men whom we must revere if we do not agree with-who are impressed with a notion that, to remedy existing evils, Church and State must be disunited," enquires "if there be no remedy short of that which cannot be brought about except at a cost little less than revolution;" and, "whether we cannot gain all or much that we require by recurring to past principles and remodelling our present system;" and maintains that it requires but little alteration and no abandonment of any vital principle to adapt that system to the age in which we live.

The author purposes first to abolish the three Convocations [the two English and one Irish] now in existence, and to establish one in their stead-"thus following the civil precedent which substituted an Imperial for an Irish and British Senate." With regard to the representation of the Church in convocation, he submits that, "as the number of which each chapter is composed has been considerably lessened by the Ecclesiastical Duties and Revenue Acts, while the number of clergy has increased," that the archbishops and bishops-retaining of course their seats as at present, but not in a separate or upper house, the proctors should be elected-not as now, exclusively by "parsons, vicars, and perpetual curates"-but that "licensed stipendiary curate or lecturer, whether in priest's or deacon's orders," should have the elective franchise. He proposes that the whole body should elect an archbishop or a bishop to be president who is to hold office for life, unless displaced by the Crown, which is to have this power "to guard against the possibility of having a president non compos; but in order to provide against any arbitrary exercise of that power, the Convocation is to have power to re-elect him, toties quoties, notwithstanding his deposition." We have restricted ourselves to an outline of the author's plan, which we have not time or space, on the eve of publication, to discuss; and must, therefore, for the present at least, content ourselves with referring our readers to the pamphlet itself, appended to which is a proposed "Bill to Amend the Constitution and Power of Convocation," displaying much professional knowledge and acumen.

William Edward Painter, 342, Strand, London, Printer.

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