REGENT PUBLICATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7722, 21 August 1886, Page 6

REGENT PUBLICATIONS.

Rousseau, in two volumes. By John Morley. Maomillan & Co., London, 1886. Mb. John Morley in hit works on Voltaire, Roußaeau, Diderot, and the Encyclopedists and his studies of the principal leaders of the French Revolution, published in his "Miscellanies" and in various magazines, has thrown more light on the causes and principles of the French Revolutionary epoch than any previous English writer. The present work is a reprint of the best known of these works, the first edition of which appeared iD 1873, a second following in IS7B. In his admirable study on Rousseau, Mr. Morley has, we think, made but one mistake, and that is that he has overestimated the influence of the former on the revolution that is, his influence for good, and the permanent effect of his teachings. In the opinion of Mr. Morley, it was Rousseau's work, more than that of any other man, that France arose from the deadly decay which had laid hold of her whole social and political system. Leading French authorities, on the other hand, contend that it was the total ineptitude of his principles, the artificial ( nature of his so-called philosophy, the impracticable character of all his teachings, which led to the collapse of the Republic in the nerveless hands of his disciples, of whom Robespierre was the chief, and which paved the way for S and led up to a military dictatorship. The same may be said of his influence on religion, which, in a creative seuse, was utterly nil. The profession of faith of the Savoyard vicar was the gospel of Robespierre, of Fauchet, Gregoire, and the rest of the constitutional clergy of the period. The vicar affords the chimera of a Catholic priest celebrating with fervour all the rites of the Church without believing in any. He retains intact all the dogmas of the Middle Ages, is in every respect, save in faith, a servant of the old Church, the essence of his teaching being that, "In the uncertainty that surrounds us, it would be unpardonable presumption to profess any other religion than that in which we were born." As Edgar Quinet has pointed out, Rousseau's influence paralysed the Revolution, and prevented the realisation of the magnificent projects of 1789. No one, however, can really understand the revolutionary period without a careful study of the life and workings of Rousseau ; and in this Mr. Morley's able work will prove of great assistance, besides being a book of great literary merit.

What Does History Teach ? Two Edinburgh leotures by John Stuart Blackie. Macmillan and Co., ISS6. The teachings of history in respect of the State and of the Church are the subjects of these two lectures. In the first, the monarchical and democratic systems are compared, the writer leaning to the former, as affording the beat guarantees for personal liberty. In the second, Mr. Blackie teaches that with the peoples of the ancient world the State and Church were one, Christ having first'taught religion to be an independent moral association altogether separate from the State, and that the corruption of Christianity commenced in its again allying itself with the State. "The exercise of sacred functions in the hands of Henry VIII. was an usurpation tolerated by a loyal people as their readiest and most effective way of getting rid of the masterdom of the Roman Pope which in those days pressed like an incubus on the European conscience ; it was invoking one devil to turn out another, and was successful, as such operations are wont to be, in a blundering sort of way." The style of the writer is rather ponderous, and somewhat too didactic, The Growth of the Church in its Organisation and Institutions, being the Croall Lectures for 1886. By John Cun- • ningham, D.D., author of "Church History of Scotland," &c. Macmillan and Co., ISS6. A gradual evolution has been going on everywhere, and from the first in the Christian Church ; and these lectures are designed to show its growth from a very humble beginning to its present greatness. They are six in number, treating of the development of Church organisation, ministers and people, the Church as a teacher, the sacra-, ments (2>4- »nd Sunday- and its nonsacramental services. Delivered in St. Andrew's Church, Edinburgh, during January and February of the present year, they are admirable both in manner and in matter, besides being liberal in tone. The latter characteristic is conspicuous in Dr. Cunningham's treatment of the Sabbath question, when, after quoting Luther, Calvin, and the early reformers generally, he adds : " How wofully have some of the Reformation Churches declined from these noble Reformation sentiments by introducing a Jewish Sabbath without the Jewish joyfulDess 1" s PERIODICALS. The Ladies' Gazkttk of Fashion. Houlston and Sons, 7, Paternoster Buildings, London, E.C. This periodical, which has been established for more than fifty years, still keeps well to the front as a magazine of dress, fashion, and society. It is well illustrated with specially designed plates of all the latest Paris fashions and novelties; and contains notes on art, ladies' work, gardening, hints to housewives, notices of new music, etc. Old Jonathan, the District and Parish Helpbr. W. H. and L. Collingridge, 148 and 149, Aldersgace-street, London, E.C. A monthly penny periodical, containing matter of interest to old and young which Beems admirably adapted for distribution by district visitors. The contents of the numbers before us are varied and well written, and the illustrations are particularly good, PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CRKISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, LONDON, 1886. Our Island Continent : A Naturalist's Holiday in Australia. By Dr. J. E. Taylor, F.L.S., F.G.S., &c., with map. The first three chapters of Dr. Taylor's very interesting and instructive little book is ah excellent narrative of a voyage from Europe to Adelaide in one of the P. and 0. steamers, with descriptions of the places touched at en route, while the rest of the work describes his rambles through Sonth Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. The Doctor's impressions of the colonials and their doings are frosh and vivid, and he gives a very accurate and readable account of their industries and occupations, as well as of the geology, the flora, and the fauna of the Australian Colonies. The book is intended for parochial libraries, and will do good service in making the country more popularly known at home. Missionary Work Among the Ojebway Indians. By the Rev. Edward F. Wilson. Illustrated. The country inhabited by the Ojebway, often called the Chippeway Indians, is but little known ; and most of our knowledge of their language, manners, and customs is derived from Longfellow's story of Hiawatha. Mr. Wilson's account of mission work in their regions is highly interesting, and will weil repay perusal.

A Pekp into Ceylon, a book of travel written for children by Mrs. Arthur Thompson. In a serieß of letters to her children in England, the writer gives a clear and entertaining account of a voyage to Ceylon and the principal features of that country, which will interest and instruct many more children than those for whom the letters were originally written. A Charge Fulfilled. By Mrs. Moles worth, author of " Lethie." A tale of duty faithfully performed. Through Tumult and Pestilence. By Emilv M. J-awson. A story of Bristol in 1831-32, giving an account of the great riots and the first cholera epidemic. The Tents of Kedar. By the author of "The Valley of Baca." Inculcating the necessity of keeping to the paths of duty, swerving neither to the right hand nor to the left. Inasmuch, or The Flower Sermon. By F. C. F. Illustrates the advantage of a word in season, and t-i e new impulse it may give to a life. A Lucky Mistake. By Cecilia Selby Lowndes, author of "Two Violets," etc. A story of a happy Christmas. The above are five excellent stories for children of all ages, which wall sustain the reputation of the admirable series of moral tales issued by this society. Cheerful Christianity. By L. B. Walford. Brief essays dealing with the lesser beauties and blemishes of the Christian life. Our Own Book, By the Rev, Francis Bourdillon, M.A. Very plain reading for people iu humble life. Spiritual Counsels or Helps

and Hindrances to Holy Living. By Regi- | nald George Dutton, M. Addresses to young men on points of spiritual interest. j The three preceding works are manuals of devotional reading. An Address to Churchwardens. By Harvey Goodwin, D.D., D.C.L., , Lord Bishop of Carlisle. A tract explaining the duties of churchwardens, i 'ith the view to cherish the feeling that they > lave undertaken to do work for their parish, aad a determination to do it with all their might. ' u Halfan-hour with God. By the Right Rev. W. Walsham How, D.D., Bishop of Bedford. A tract for the use of candidates for confirmation during the laying on of hands. . m , mPenny Library of Fiction: Three Times Tried. By B, L. Far eon, author of Blade of Grass," "Grit,* 1 &c. This is one of * series of popular stories by celebrated authors which the society is now issuing to meat the growing demand for light literature of a cheap, wholesome, and interesting type. It is got up in an illustrated paper wrapper in colours, and is in appearance much like the blood and thunder penny dreadfuls which it is the object of the society to supplant. The issue should prove a success. The next number to appear will be "Golden Feather," by the author of " Mehalah.