Retrofpedi of German Literature.— Theology. 699 
VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. 
‘¢ F] Viagero Univerfal ; 0, Noticia 
del Mundo antiguo y nuevo; Obra re- 
copilada de los mejores Viageros, por D. 
Pepro Estata, Prefbitero: quaderno 
x0.” —The Univerfal Traveller ; or, Ob- 
gexvations on the Old and New World, 
compiled from the Works of the bet 
Travellers, by D. Pedro Eftala, Prieft : 
No. 10. 
The fourth volume begins with this 
number, which is the laft of the Supple- 
ment, and contains additional matter on 
Greece and Perfia. . 
HALF-YEARLY RETROSPECT OF GERMAN LITERATURE. 
LTHOUGH the price of books has 
of late confiderably rifen in Germa- 
ny, yet we do not perceive that this cir- 
cumftance has, in the fmaileft degree, lef- 
fened the number of new publications, the 
Catalogue of laft Eafter-fair being as vo- 
luminous as ufual, But, numerous as 
the new works are that have been brought 
to the literary market, our readers muft not 
expe& to find the proportion of excellent 
publications greater than ufual. Whilft 
the vitiated talte of the reading public 
continues to exercife its baneful influence, 
it is but natural that the fcribbling tribe 
fhould Jikewife continue amply to fupply 
it with food. But we fliould be wanting 
in juftice, were we co deny, that amonett 
the multitude of works that will be fooner 
buried in eternal oblivion than their infa- 
tuated manufacturers apprehend, there are 
fome that have a jut claim to immortali- 
ty ; and others, the perufal of which will 
at leaft, in fome degree, indemnify the lo- 
yer of icience for the time beftowed upon 
af. ; 
THEOLOGY. 
Germany ftill continues to eclipfe all 
other Chriftian countries, by the liberal 
{pirit of mguiry, which her divines fo 
laudably diftay, fully convinced that the 
religion of Chrift needs not to fhrink 
from. the moft rigorous and minute {cru- 
tiny, but, on the contrary, cannot. but 
acquire additional fplendour by the invef- 
sigations of philofophical inquirers. The 
learned SinTENIs, of Anhalt Zerbft, who 
has already largely contributed to the pro- 
motion of rational inquiry into the ge- 
muine fpirit of the Chriftian religion, and 
by his ‘ Elpizon,”’ and his ‘* Poftills,”’ 
has effectually furthered the caufe of true 
Chriftianity, has publifhed a new work, 
fander the title of ** Piftevon; or, on the © 
Exiftence of God,” which will raife him 
yet higher in the opinion of thofe who 
already effeem him as he deferves, for the 
manly fpirit with which he encounters 
the numerous difficulties that bigotry and 
fetarifm are ftill oppofing to thofe ration- 
al and philanthropic divines, who are 
zealoufly employed in the beneficial en- 
deavour to reltore the 1eligion of Chrift to 
its priftine purity and fimplicity... To the 
prolific pen of the fame author, we are 
alfo indebted for ‘* Scenen aus dem Leben 
Jefu,”” as well as for a .new periodical 
work, which he calls * Memorabilien.’” 
The chief aim which the author had in 
view, in compofing the former work, is 
the promotion of Chriftian greatnefs and 
generofity among the believers in Chrift, 
by recommending to their imitation the 
excellent example of the holy Founder of 
our religion. He has fele&ed the mot 
affecting and ftriking {cenes from the life 
of Jeftis Chrift, and treated his fubje& in 
fo mafterly a manner, that the hearts of his 
readers muft be very callous indeed, if 
they be not animated with the moft ac- 
tive defire of acquiring that purity and 
greatnefs which he fo amiably pourtrays, 
and fo fkilfully exemplifies. The “ Me- 
morabilien” are executed upon a plan 
which is extremely well calculated for the 
wants of the clergy of our age, who are 
defirous of keeping pace with the {pirit of 
the times ; it being chiefly intended to il- 
luftrate, in practical tracts, a variety of 
ideas more or lefs known, the more gene- 
ral circulation and difcuffion of which the 
circumfances of the age in which we are 
living, feem imperioufly to demand. It 
will, at the fame ume, occafionally con- 
tain fermons on peculiarly delicate themes, 
that require to be handled with more cau- 
tion than the bulk of our pulpit-orators 
offefs. M, Sintenis has alfo lately pub- 
ifhed a ‘* Communion-book,”’ that pro- 
mifes greatly to contribute to render the 
celebration of the Lord’s Supper more 
eficacious, and contribute to the improve- 
ment of aétive piety. 
Ripeek has publithed a fifth volume 
of his juftly efleemed ‘ Sermons adapted 
tothe Spirit and Wants of the prefent 
Age,” which, in eyery refpe& are equal 
in value to the four preceding ones, and 
juftify our defire to fee this ulefulculleStion 
continued. 
A. * New Library for Public Teachers 
of 
