CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 297 



factor. — Dr. Threlkeld's book is intituled Syiwpsis Slirpium Hibemicarum 

 alphahetice dhpositarum : sivc Commentatio de Plantis Indigenis prascrtim 

 Duhliiiensibun inslituta : being a short Treatise of Native Plants, especially 

 such as grow spontaneously in the vicinity of Dublin ; Avith their Latin, 

 English, and Irish names, and an abridgement of their vertues ; with several 

 new discoveries ; with an Appendix of Observations made upon Plants, by 

 Dr. Molyneux, physician to the State in Ireland: the first Essay of this kind 

 in the Kingdom of Ireland : auctore Caleb Threlkeld. ]\I. D — Est (/uiddam 

 prodire tenux, si non dalur vlira:" small 8vo. Dublin, 1727. Dr. T. describes 

 five hundred and thirty-five species alphabetically arranged according to 

 their Latin names, unaccompanied by a regular paging. The appendix is 

 paged, and has the sub-title ''•Planls (jroirinq in Ireland not yet described," with 

 the prefatory note — " there are more kinds of marsh and aquatic plants in 

 Ireland, as also mosses, mushrooms and such imperfect plants, than there 

 are in England, and in far greater plenty." Eighty-eight articles are inserted 

 in this list, and it is interspersed with a variety of important and curious ob- 

 servations. Those on the Henbane, Winter-Barley, and Wood-Sorrel, de- 

 serve attention. Dr. T. affirms that " what some have suggested, that the 

 Elm is a foreigner in England, and that it is not found northward of Gran- 

 tham, is trifling and false; for, near the small river of Croglin in Cumber- 

 land, from the place where it disembogues itself into the Eden, up to the 

 very Fells, I have seen the Elm grow, some of which are large trees, without 

 any' art or culture, and I dare say were never planted by man; it grows often 

 so near the river that the boys could come at its bare roots to peel off the 

 bark." 



The Literary Beauty of the Bible, a Lecture delivered in the Lite- 

 rary and Scientific Institution at Staines, Tuesday, November 

 7th, 1837, being the commencement of its fourth season ; by the 

 Rev. Robert Jones, D. D., Vicar of Bedfont, and Vice-President 

 of the Institution; 8vo. London, 1837; pp. 3fi. 



Dr. Jones makes the title-page of his printed Lecture announce 

 the time and place of its delivery : its object is explained in his in- 

 troductory observations. He commences thus — 



" It is the object of this lecture, to solicit for the Sacred Scriptures a 

 idace at least — if not the highest rank — in literary pursuits. The Bible has 

 iiitherto been considered too much in a single view — too distinct from liberal 

 enquiries. But, is it instruction only in doctrine and in morals that can be 

 found there ? Surely, it merits a larger and more dignified treatment. May 

 it not rank with literature, science, and the arts ? May it not extend its 

 empire from the heart to the understanding," in other words, from the af- 

 fections to the intellect, "and assist in furnishing and embellishing the mind 

 with those jjowers and graces wliich crown the phihjsojilier and the scholar ? 

 It is for sui)cr8tition to take refuge in wonders and tradition, or to seek the 

 aid of arms ; rather to constrain than i)crsuade. It is for pagan idolatry, 

 conscious of fraud and imposture, to bow down in silence at the feet of sci- 

 ence and learning. But Revelation fears no comparison, and shrinks from 

 no tests. As it is tlie beacon of our inmiortal ho])e, and the exam])le of our 

 daily conduct, let it be also the grand basis of our intellectual taste — the rich 

 treasury to us, of all that is beautiful." 



Instead of wandering into generalities, Dr. Jones marks out, with 

 much clearness and accuracy, the grounds on which these claims 

 arc founded. For this purpose, he arranges his Ent^uiry under the 



