5/0 Monthli/ Review of Literature. [[Xovt^i 



ready to give up every thing to God's service, and think it all gain when called 

 upon to suffer for Christ's sake ; because, in so doing, he is made more like his 

 crucified master, who Avas made perfect through sufferings. He is ready to 

 submit to any privations, or undergo any difficulties for the sake of his heavenly 

 calling ; but he does not esteem bodily mortifications or sensual abstinence of 

 any account, unless accompanied by the lowliness and humility of the inward 

 man." 



What does this mean ? Why, if any thing, that fasting is not fasting. Christ 

 fasted, was tempted, and triumphed. Are we then, his disciples, to fast forty 

 days .' No, we are to be ready — not to fast, but to renounce every thing, 

 if there be occasion. The analogy fails absolutely. It would puzzle an (Edipus 

 to connect the doctrine with the fact. The argument, if it is one at all, is rather 

 one for the neglect of periodical sacrifices. Besides, the fasting itself is of no use, 

 unless it be productive of humility ; and therefore if the humility exists, the 

 fasting is, ipso facto, dispensed with. This is enforcing the observance of Lent 

 with a witness. 



The Van Dieman's Land Almanack for 183L 



The book is got up wholly in the colony. Besides the common matters which 

 usually fill up almanacks, and the Red-book, the volume contains almost every 

 thing that can be desired to furnish a complete account of the colony, and its 

 statistics. In particular, will be found the state of agriculture, and of garden- 

 ing — a historj' of the colony — a geographical description of the island, and a 

 general itinerary — and the whole series of colonial regulations to the latest date. 

 Among these latter are the proclamations of the governor relative to the native 

 population, about whom we at home have long been very much in the dark. In 

 the year 1828 it seems, about one-half of the island was placed, with respect to 

 them, under " martial law ;" and so late as October of last year (1830) we find 

 the whole island was so placed, because, it is expressly stated, it was very diffi- 

 cult to distinguish friend from foe — and therefore they were all directed to be 

 treated alike. Injunctions are given to the military and colonists, not to fire at 

 the miserable wretches, if they can be captured without ; but captured, they 

 must be, at all events. What is to be done with them when captured, is not 

 stated ; but apparently the adults are to be despatched to neighbouring islands, 

 while the children are to be drilled to the discipline of colonial civilization ! The 

 measure is horrible in itself; but the safety of the colony demands their extir- 

 pation, and it is obvious the colonists will stick at nothing to accomplish their 

 object. The governor can only do as he is bid. The natives are said not now 

 to exceed 2000 — but of course such a statement can scarcely be trusted — if they 

 were 20,000 no scruples would deter those who are past getting the complete 

 mastery. Of this 2000, the males are said to be to the women six to one. 

 What is become of the women ? 



Insect Miscellanies — a Volume of the Library of Entertaining 



Knowledge. 



Another volume from Mr. Rennie, equally important, and more interesting 

 in the details than the former. The subject of insects is inexhaustible. The 

 number of species is endless — all have their peculiarities, and the difficulties of 

 tracing them, if not insurmountable, require reiterated efforts, and the aid of 

 numbers to surmount. It is but now and then that any thing in the shape of 

 satisfactor\' discovery, and indisputable fact, can be caught. Guesses are eter- 

 nally substituted — controversies spring up, and the original object almost for- 

 gotten in the fervours of self-defence. But it is only thus, after all, that truth 

 is to be got at — there is no sharpening men's wits but by collision, and friction. 

 Bees and ants — the insects perhaps which have been most studied — are still in 

 their economy but imperfectly understood ; and many of Mr. R.'s pages are 

 occupied with them ; but the main points of consideration in the present volume. 



