throne, shook the Pope from the alleged chair of St. Peter, and modified the whole political aspect of the Old World, the Jews had an immense agency. And such is the position of certain well-known families in several European kingdoms, that if they were to withdraw their vast capital, empires would be crippled, and some of the mightiest armies and navies in the world would be powerless. With Jewish talent thus operating upon literature and the press, and Jewish wealth thus holding the politics of kings, and the movements of armies in a sort of dependency, the Puritan Recorder does not hesitate to credit the assertion, that the Jews are now exercising more influence in the world, than they did under the reign of the most renowned of their kings.-American Jewish Chronicle.

INTERESTING HEBREW RELIC.

By the politeness of Colonel Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, we have seen a curiosity of great rarity and interest, left for a few days at the Bureau. It was brought from the Pottawatomie Reservation on the Kansas river, by Dr. Lykins, who has been residing there nearly twenty years of the thirty he has spent on the frontier. It consists of four small rolls or strips of parchment, closely packed in the small compartment of a little box or locket, of about an inch cubical content. On these parchments are written, in a style of unsurpassed excellence, and far more beautiful than print, portions of the Pentateuch, to be worn as frontlets, and intended as stimulants to the memory and moral sense.

Dr. Lykins obtained it from Pategwe, a Pottawatomie, who got it from his grandmother, a very old woman. It has been in this particular family about fifty years. They had originally two of them, but on one occasion, as the party in possession were crossing a rapid in some river, in the lake country of the North, the other was irrecoverably lost. The one lost was believed by the Indians to contain an account of the creation of the world. That brought by Dr. Lykins has been kept for a very long period in the medicine-bag of the tribe, used as a charm, and never allowed to suffer any exposure, until, by strong entreaty, and the great influence he had with Topinepec, the principal Pottawatomie chief, he was permitted to bring it on to Washington, but under a firm pledge to restore it on his return.

It has hitherto been most carefully kept from the rapacious vision of the white man. Pategwe had it in his possession

many years before his curiosity prompted him to cut the stitches of the cover, and disclose the contents. But this coming to the knowledge of old Billy Caldwell, Chief of the Council Bluff branch of the tribe, he strenuously advised Pategwe to shut it up and keep it close, and say nothing about having it. Dr. Lykins came to a knowledge of the circumstance of its possession from a half-breed.

The wonder is, how this singular article came into their possession. When asked how long they can trace back its history, they reply, they cannot tell when they had it not. The question occurs here, does not this circumstance give some colour to the idea, long and extensively entertained, that the Indians of our continent are more or less of Jewish origin?American National Intelligencer.

Review of Books.

Female Scripture Biography; preceded by an Essay on what Christianity has done for Woman. By F. A. Cox, Dd.d., L.L.D. London: Snow.

About fourteen years ago, it was our lot under the direction of editorial authority, and in connexion with a then existing periodical, to sit in critical judgment upon a prize essay by Dr. Cox, entitled "Our Young Men," and to give-as we did, and ever design to do,‚—a faithful verdict upon the merits of the publication placed before us. In the discharge of that duty, we felt it incumbent upon us, most emphatically, to record our grateful estimate of the labours of the successful essayist; and in the name of "Our Young Men," to tender to Dr. Cox, the hearty thanks which he deserved, for his valuable manual for the regulation of conduct, and the formation of character, mental and moral, among the rising youth of the day. And now, after so long a lapse of time, having been promoted to the honourable post we at present occupy, our venerable friend comes before us once more, and asks, at our hands, a critical examination of a work that may be regarded as suitable for the female sex, and especially for the youthful portion thereof, as his prize essay was for "young men." The "Female Scripture Biography," is a reprint (a very beautiful, and at the same time, a cheap one,) of a work which, in two volumes, was given to the public several years

ago. It now appears in one, with all the advantages which the recently improved style of printing and binding can give it.

The first fifty pages are occupied with an "Essay on what Christianity has done for Woman;" in which we have a rapid survey of their position among the different nations of the world, in ancient and modern times, and an adduction of well-authenticated particulars, illustrative of their degradation and dishonour. This portion of the volume we hold to be of especial value. Within the compass of an hour and a half's reading, we have the results of many long days laborious research, presented to us in an epitomized form. Femaleswhether their hearts have yet paid that homage to Christianity which its glorious founder demands of all, or are yet insensible to the solemn obligation--by a perusal of this introductory essay, cannot but perceive how inestimable are the blessings which the religion of Christ has conferred upon them, by the contrast which their own happy position in this and other Christian lands affords to that of their sisters in Pagan and Mahommedan countries.

The biographical sketches, beginning of course with Eve, "who is the mother of us all," and ending with Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened," are admirably wrought out, evincing a deep acquaintance with the workings of the human heart in its various moods and developments. The style is smooth and flowing, in perfect harmony with the subject, and calculated to chain the attention, and preserve it from weariness; while the ever-changing variety of circumstances and position, effectually secure a freedom from sameness, even in the illustration of similar moral excellencies in the characters of these scripture heroines. Beautiful indeed is the exhibition of piety and faith as displayed in the lives of most of the women, whose names are enshrined in the sacred volume; and nothing surely, next to the contemplation of the life of the Divine pattern, can be more likely to kindle in the female heart, a love of holy things, and to give a right direction to her naturally tender and generous susceptibilities, than a thoughtful consideration of the peculiar features of moral beauty, which the history of the women of Scripture presents to their notice. While it will ever be acknowledged, and by none more cheerfully than by the author of this volume, that nothing can equal the inimitable simplicity of the sacred narratives, and that, in a few strokes, we have the most exquisite etchings of character pourtrayed-so that the peculiarities of each person are, to the contemplative mind, distinctly visibleyet is there ample room left, and numerous favourable oppor

tunities afforded, to a practised pen, guided by an intelligent and devotional spirit, for expansive and profitable meditation. Dr. Cox has then, we think, done this in a manner that entitles him to the thanks of all who are desirous by means of biography-one of the most instructive kinds of teaching-to improve their own hearts, and to take a part in promoting the improvement of others. A more suitable present to the wives and daughters of our Christian families we do not know. We rejoice that Dr. Cox has been permitted, in the evening of life, to send forth once more, a messenger of winged words to the homes of England, to tell those who are the joy and sunshine of these homes, of "the holy women who in the old time trusted in God," and adorned themselves with ornaments which in His sight are of great price. Let the record be to the honour of the sex-the great majority of those of whom the Word of God makes mention were of this class. May all our fair readers help to increase their number!

We cordially commend the volume.

Funeral Services for the Rev. Thomas Lewis, Minister of Union Chapel, Islington. By the Revds. J. WATSON, Dr. LEIFCHILD, and HENRY ALLON. London: Snow.

A threefold testimony to the sterling worth of a much loved and honoured servant of Christ, who, after half a century of labour in the vineyard of his adorable Master, and in one portion thereof, calmly sank to his rest on Sabbath-day, Feb. 29, of the present year. No one who knew Mr. Lewis could fail to love him. His simple-hearted kindness, and generous tenderness of spirit endeared him to all; while his transparent excellence of character, which the breath of calumny never ventured to attempt to dim, made him as much to be reverenced as loved. Ân Abraham in simple and confiding piety, and a John in affectionate gentleness of soul, all bowed before his worth of character, and mourned his removal from the Church below. May his example stimulate many; and thus will it be seen, that "being dead he yet speaketh.'

Of the respective excellence of this prose, "In Memoriam," there is no need to speak. To select from one of the writers and not from the other two, would be invidious. Each production bears distinctive marks of its author's mental characteristics; but, as we read, a feeling of the sacredness of the theme seemed to forbid the exercise of the critical faculty. All that we can say is, that we rose from a perusal of all the pages of this work, with our veneration for the sainted subject more enhanced, and our esteem for the writers greatly increased.

Devotions for the Daughters of Israel; a Collection of Concise Prayers for Jewish Females, for Week Days, Sabbaths, New Moons, Festivals, and Fasts. Also prayers suitable for various occasions. Translated and adapted, from a Prayer Book in general domestic use throughout Germany, by M. H. BRESSLAU. London: Vallentine, Houndsditch.

It has been with very mingled feelings we have looked over this publication, which has been sent to us by the author for review.

The wants of humanity are felt by the Jew as well as the Christian; and there is this in common with both, that they alike look to the Lord God of Abraham, as the source of their mercies, and the hearer of their prayers. But to the question "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God?" they gave very diverse replies. There is before the eye of every one, who still clings to the ritual of Judaism, a yawning chasm between him and Jehovah, which he cannot pass; because from the doctrine of the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," which the Christian receives with all humility and gladness, and by which that dark and deep gulf is at length bridged, our Jewish brother resolvedly turns. Through the labours of prophets and holy men of old, an arch is gradually spanning the fathomless abyss, but the Israelite rejects the key stone that is to give adherence and stability to the structure. As long as he does this, his work must ever remain imperfect; his labour meet with no return: without Christ he can do nothing. Hence, in reading these prayers for the daughters of Israel, one is painfully conscious of the absence of that which gives efficacy to the plea and encouragement to intercession. There is no daysman between the Father and the rebellious child. The hope of acceptance, so far as these prayers are to be received in evidence of the nature of Jewish anticipations, rests upon repentance and good deeds. Thus in page 26, we read of "the hope that, as a loving father of all men, thou forgivest their sins as soon as thou perceivest repentance and improvement." Alas! a sandy foundation, on which Abraham and David refused to build.

So in "the prayer for departed souls,"-which, by-thebye, is a great misnomer: instead of a prayer for them, it is a meditation on pious ancestors-we are startled with these words-" And when I shall once enter the field of the departed, leaving the rough road of this life behind me, then