desires to know them, let him conceive the
exact opposite of every liberal principle in politics, political
economy and theology, which at present obtains in the world, and he
will have the system of "Hawkstone."

A good deal of the zest of the novel comes from the throng of
paradoxes in which the author wantons. He has a complete system of
thought to kill out all the mind of the English people, and render
them the mere slaves of a hierarchy, and all for the most benevolent
of purposes. In his theory he overlooks the peculiar constitution and
character of the English people, and also all the monstrous abuses to
which his system would inevitably lead, in his desire to see a
practical establishment of the most obnoxious and high-toned claims of
his church. He is evidently half way between an idealist and a
sentimentalist, with hardly an atom of practical sagacity or knowledge
of affairs. The cool dogmatism with which he condemns the great
statesmen of his country, is particularly offensive as coming from a
man utterly ignorant of the difficulties which a statesman has to
encounter. It is curious also to see how extremes meet; this theory of
absoluteism "fraternizes" with that of socialism. A person reading, in
the second volume, the account of Villiers' dealings with his
tenantry, and his new regulations regarding manufactures, would almost
think that Louis Blanc had graduated at Oxford, and left out in his
French schemes the agency of the church, from a regard to the
prejudices of his countrymen.

With all its peculiarities and heresies, however, the novel will well
reward the attention of readers of all classes. It is exceedingly well
written, and contains many scenes of uncommon power, pathos and
beauty. With these advantages it may also claim the honor of being the
most inimitable specimen of theological impudence and pretension which
the present age has witnessed.

_The Planetary and Stellar Worlds: A Popular Exposition
of the Great Discoveries and Theories of Modern
Astronomy. In a Series of Ten Lectures. By O. M.
Mitchell, A. M. New York: Baker & Scribner. 1 vol.
12mo._

Mr. Mitchell is not only an accomplished astronomer, in every respect
qualified to be the interpreter of the mysteries of his science to the
popular mind, but, if we may judge from the style of his book, is a
fine, frank, warm-hearted, enthusiastic man. On every page he gives
evidence of really loving his pursuit. B