And as to Cilley-his whole conduct, from the first, when he made the remarks which occasioned the duel, down to the time when he decided to accept Graves's challenge, appears not only unexceptionable, but truly dignified. Would he had nobly refu sed to fight with anybody! Then, if disgraced in the opinion of fools, or assaulted or assassinated, he would have indeed been a "martyr." As it was, he violated all his obligations as a man and a representative, in accepting the challenge, as much as Graves did in sending it; though, if sincere in his declaration of his grounds and motives, there is much more to extenuate his conduct than that of Graves and his friends. We say, if sincere; for we confess there are some things in the circumstances of the case, to make us fear that in the eye of his Maker, there was a point of time when a murderous intention, born of his own suggestion, or of his friends', took possession of his mind. We would not dare be positive; we can not but doubt. The practisings with the rifle before accepting the challenge the nature of the note which led to the challenge-the choice of the weapons, &c., &c., are circumstances that make against Cilley in a moral estimate of his intentions.

Finally, as to the conduct of the parties on the field. We have no language here to express our reprobation and abhorrence of the whole procedure. It was throughout barbarous, and unjustifiable by the rules of the very law under which they acted. If we were staunch advocates· -as we are despisers and loathers of the silly and wicked practice-of duelling, we should say there were almost no terms too unmeasured in which to reprobate the conduct of the seconds on that occasion. To suffer a meeting upon a mere point of form, an etiquette of honour, to proceed to such a murderous conclusion! After the first exchange of shots, the seconds should have compelled their principals to a reconciliation; - had we been in the place of either of them, no second shot should have been fired but through our body. But, as we have said, we despise the code under which they acted; and shall never cease our exertions to promote such an advancement of true civilization, as may render the giving a challenge infamous.

36.-The Voluntary System, a Discourse delivered in St. John's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., &c. By EVAN M. JOHNSON, Rector. Brooklyn: Arnold and Van Anden. 1838.

THIS discourse presents a sufficiently clear and sensible view of a familiar argument. It has no special claim, however, upon the public attention, and would have been passed over by us without animadversion, but for the following note on page seventh :

"In an article on the present state of the Church of England, in the last New York Review, we were not a little surprised to read the following: page 306. That only one nation (unless the reign of Atheism in France be an exception) While we join has ever yet attempted to do without a formal connexion between Church and State, and in this one case the experiment is but a few years old.' most sincerely with this writer, in the hope that in the attempt to correct abuses, and to restore the doctrines and practice of the primitive church, the friends of that church may be guided by wisdom and moderation; we cannot join in that hankering' after the loaves and fishes' which is manifested so often in this whole article."

It is not perfectly clear what it is precisely in the remark of ours he has quoted, that "surprises" Mr. Johnson. The assertion, we take it, is perfectly true in point of fact, not likely to be questioned by any one competent to judge; nor is it liable, so far as we can perceive, to any inference of a nature to excite "surprise."

Let this, however, pass; it is the latter part of the note to which we take exception, in which Mr. Johnson accuses us of a "hankering after the loaves and fishes" of church establishments.

Now WE, the New York Review, are such a "synodical individual"-(individuum synodicum,) as old Andrew Marvel would say such a manifold passionless personage, that we notice this charge against us less from any special concern it gives us, than for the sake of the principle involved.

another

hankering"

odious person We remark, then, that to charge upon motives or dispositions has, by the consent of mankind, always been considered a grave offence against courtesy, charity, and justice. the author of We have nowhere avowed any such " this sermon knew, of course, that the charge would be offensive to He knew that we should not admit that us, and repudiated by us. there is any thing in the article that "manifests" such a "hankering;" therefore, to make such a charge-to charge us, by an inference of his own from something else which we have expressed, with having certain wrong feelings which we have not expressed, and which he knew we should deny-without any proof, or citations in justification of his opinion, we look upon as a violation of christian charity and justice.

We regret that the impropriety of making such kind of charges, is too little understood or felt in the religious community. For ourselves, we simply assure the public that, as we believe we know our own feelings best, we disclaim the disposition imputed.

37.--Memoir of Mrs. Sarah Louisa Taylor, or an Illustration of the work of the Holy Spirit in awakening, renewing, and sanctifying the heart. By Lor JONES, A. M., Missionary, &c. NewYork: Published by John S. Taylor. 1838. 12mo. pp. 324.

THE memoirs of Mrs. Taylor, we should judge, will not be particularly interesting to the religious public at large. The incidents of her life are nowise noteworthy; and the history of her "religious experience," and the record of her sentiments and feelings in the earlier part of her life-though not, as in many books of this class, unsound, exaggerated, or morbid—are still sufficiently commonplace. We think Mr. Jones would have made a much more interesting and edifying book, by curtailing the earlier, and enlarging the latter part of the memoir.

As it is, however, whoever will read the work will receive a salutary impression from contemplating the character of a truly excellent woman, of superior endowments, and a faithful and exemplary piety. They will also derive a high impression of the affectionate fidelity of Mr. Jones, in the discharge of his peculiarly responsible duties as a city missionary in the service of the Church. We do not mean that he exalts himself: we mean that there is that sort of indirect evidence of his fidelity, which is the stronger from the simplicity and unconsciousness of the author.

NOTE.-There are a number of books still before us for extended review, or briefer notice. They include several published during the last quarter, and some of previous publication. Many of these relate to subjects of great interest and importance; and we hope to do them full justice in our next number. Our readers will perceive, that we have in this number approached more nearly than before, to a fulfilment of our intention of making this article, a complete critical survey of noticeable current publications. We shall aim to realize our ideal still more completely in the succeeding numbers. In the meantime we wish to say that the maxims which govern us are: first, the judgments of this article shall be pronounced only upon a thorough examination of the works: secondly, upon literary principles, unaffected by any personal considerations: and, thirdly, from a high moral stand-point.

THE

NEW YORK REVIEW.

No. VI.

OCTOBER, 1838.

ART. I.-History of the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times; or a concise Account of the means by which the Genuineness and Authenticity of Ancient Historical Works are ascertained; with an Estimate of the Comparative Value of the Evidence usually adduced in Support of the Claims of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. By ISAAC TAYLOR. London: Svo. pp. 256.

It is not our intention to enter into any analysis of the volume above named, which is well enough of its kind, though not very original, nor profound, nor meant to be. Availing ourselves of the privilege of our craft, we shall simply use the title as a starting point for some observations we are about to offer on ancient writing and its materials, and the preservation and transmission of books before the invention of the art of printing;-a subject, not without interest, considered absolutely in itself, and especially as viewed in connexion, or rather contrast, with modern discoveries and improvements.

The extensive diffusion of the means of knowledge and intellectual gratification, the result of the multiplication of copies of books by the use of moveable types, is an advantage enjoyed at the present day, to the full value of which its very commonness renders us in a manner insensible. Books are now easy of access. They find their way into the humblest dwelling, proving themselves emphatically the poor man's friend; elevating alike his

understanding and his heart, and solacing him amid the labors of life. The product of a few hours of toil is now sufficient to secure no small amount of pleasant and profitable reading for one's self and family.

In former ages it was different. Copies of books being multiplied only by the slow and tedious process of transcription, were few and expensive, and were perpetually exposed to injury, mutilation, and loss, by the hand of violence or time. Libraries were then rare, and the business of collecting them was an affair of great labor as well as expense, for not only was a sum equivalent to a large private fortune sometimes demanded for a single copy, but the collector was often obliged to undertake long journeys, and frequently to visit foreign countries, in search of manuscripts. These, if he was so fortunate as to find them, he was compelled, if he did not choose, or was unable to purchase, to transcribe, or hire a copyist to do it for him. Few private persons could possess books. They were the luxury of the rich and curious. The great mass were without the means of mental culture, and the pleasures and advantages which reading affords. In regard to the intellectual condition and enjoyment of the people, the art of printing has imparted, or is imparting, a totally new aspect to life. The character of modern civilization, man's social relations, and the whole current of thought and opinion, have been deeply affected by it.

Literature has assumed a new garb and form since the people have become readers. Writers now no longer address solely the few who occupy an elevated position in society, since they have ceased to look to them exclusively for their reward. They write for the people, who are now found to be their most efficient patrons; and as the supply always shapes itself to the demand, the character of literature has been changed, or rather a new literature has sprung up. The consequences of the change, the tendencies, good or evil, of modern literature, its merits or defects, for it has both in a marked degree, it is foreign from our present object to discuss. Undoubtedly the people have been great gainers by the emancipation of learning from the cell and cloister, and the free air it now breathes. By keeping in view our present advantages, the general diffusion of the stores of intellectual wealth, and the accessible nature of its treasures, we shall be the better prepared to profit by a survey of the former tardy and imperfect methods of communicating and transmitting knowledge, and the scanty amount of it which found its way to the common mind, to refresh and to delight. There are infer