The Ottoman Empire. The Sultans, the Territory, and the People, London: The Religious Tract Society.

THIS admirable work embraces the whole period of the Turkish Empire, from its origin by Seljuk to the present day-from the period when ferocious Khans led their predatory tribes westward from the steppes of Central Asia, to the civilized rule of Abdul Medjid, now on the Turkish throne. The materials are carefully collected, and the work is beautifully written. A mass of valuable information is condensed into a portable form, and placed before the reader in an attractive and elegant style. Events are contemplated in a Christian aspect, and God is seen by the judgments that he executeth. To those who rejoice in the advance of liberal opinions, the work will be interesting; but to the Christian who studies the operations of Providence and marks the progress of events as they prepare the nations for the reception of the truth and the final triumph of the Gospel, the book will yield a richer and profounder interest. We cordially thank the Religious Tract Society for the publication of this important and seasonable production, and earnestly recommend it to our readers.

Historical Tales for Young Protestants. London: The Religious Tract Society.

THE directors of the Religious Tract Society are alive to the wants of the age. They see the vigorous efforts and baneful influence of Popery, and wisely employ their extensive resources to unfold the true character of the man of sin-his cunning and his cruelty, his despotism and deep malignity. In an age when a pseudo-liberalism looks with affected candour on all religions with equal complacency, and when a canting Puseyism ignores the suffer.

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ings of our martyrs, and lauds and flatters the monster Popery, no human means can be more important than to imbue our youth with just ideas of the true character of Rome; and no works can be more adapted to this purpose than those which afford, in popular style and phraseology, the authentic facts of history. Such we have in the volume before us:-"The Merchant of Lyons," Peter Waldo; "The Good Pastor of Lutterworth," John Wycliffe; "The Bohemian Witness," John Huss; "The Monk that shook the World," Martin Luther; "The Maiden Martyr," Maria of Seville; "The Protestants;" "St. Bartholomew's-day;" "The Flight of the Hugenots;" "The Nun of Jouance;" "The Gunpowder Plot;" "The Forfeited Crown;" and "The History of the British Bible," are the themes here illustrated. The topics are well chosen, the scenes graphically depicted, and the sentiments inculcated are sound and evangelical. The entire book is calculated to inspire a healthy feeling of abhorrence towards Popery, and a grateful estimate of our invaluable privileges. We shall rejoice if the work obtains, as it richly deserves, a widely extended circulation.

Practical Hints on the Management of the Sick-room. By R. Hall Bakewell, M.D. London: J. Snow.

DR. BAKEWELL is the son of the Rev. John Bakewell, a name wellknown and much esteemed in our religious denomination. It rejoices us to find that son winning his way to honourable distinction in his profession. The purport of this manual is clearly indicated in the Doctor's own language. He says: "It is my intention, in these pages, simply to describe, as plainly and succinctly as possible, the best manner of doing those little things on the proper

Bradshaw's Illustrated Guide to Manchester, furnishing, in a new and comprehensive form, chronological, historical, and descriptive information of all that is worth seeing in the city and surrounding towns, embellished with splendidly engraved views of the Art Treasures Exhibition, with other public buildings; a finely executed plan of Manchester, and grand plan of the Exhibition, forming an indispensable companion to strangers and residents. By Thomas Bullock. London: W. J. Adams; Manchester Bradshaw and Blacklock.

THE town of Manchester stands pre-eminent in its public spirit, and the powerful influence it exerts on the commercial and political interests of this great nation. In the promotion of science, art, and general literature, it has also won a highly honourable distinction. The Art Treasures Exhibition, just now attracting thousands from all parts of the kingdom to that busy hive of industry, is the outgrowth of that refinement and public spirit which have been so fully developed in connection with its commercial enterprise. It is a noble movement, every way worthy of the eminent position of Manchester, and we earnestly hope its success may be

fully equal to the most sanguine expectations of its promoters. The myriads of strangers visiting Manchester at this time, will need a guide. Here is one ready for their hand, brief, descriptive, portable, and comprising ninety pages of information for Sixpence.

Exhibition Flowers. The Calceolaria: Its history, properties, cultivation, propagation, and general management in all seasons. By Shirley Hibberd. London: Groombridge and Sons.

THE Calceolaria is a favourite plant, yielding a flower of grace and beauty, which will attract the amateur and scientific florist. The present work gives the natural history of this lovely plant, and affords valuable information as to the best mode of its cultivation. The work is illustrated with superior engravings, and a richly coloured frontispiece-view of the Calceolaria

itself.

The Annotated Paragraph Bible:
containing the Old and New Testa-
ments, according to the authorized
version, arranged in paragraphs
and parallelisms; with explanatory
notes; prefaces to the several books;
an entirely new selection of refer-
ences to parallel and illustrative
passages; maps, tables, &c. Part
V., the Four Gospels. London:
The Religious Tract Society.
THE notes are brief, but judicious,
and thoroughly orthodox, and so free
from sectarian bias as to be
generally acceptable to all evangeli-
cal denominations. They are also
plain and simple, but not the less
valuable, giving, as they do, the re-
sults of a learned investigation,
without burdening the page with its
process. For the general reader
this commentary will be a valuable
as well as a very cheap acquisition.

Christian Solicitude for the Salvation
of Men. A Lesson from Esther.
By the Rev. Morgan Lloyd.
London: J. Snow.
EARNEST and eloquent.

the Great Preachers; or, the Masterpieces of Pulpit Eloquence of all Ages and Countries. Comprising the best Discourses of Cyprian, Athanasius, Chrysostom, Augustine, Bossuet, Bourdaloue, Masillon, Fléchier, Abbadie, Taylor, Barrow, Robert Hall, Richard Watson, M'Laurin, Chalmers, Christmas Evans, Edwards, Davies, J. M. Mason, &c. &c., and representing the Greek and Roman, mediæval and later Byzantine; the English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh; the German, French, American, and Negro pulpits. London: Ward and Lock, 158, Fleet-street.

MRS. JAMES SYKES,

OF HUDDERSFIELD.

In entering on a brief notice of our departed sister, we will at once avow that we have no startling incidents to narrate, nor are we concerned to cast the glare of the marvellous over her memory. Wholly void of the inclination to acquire notoriety, she has left for our review a quiet and unostentatious career, in which the useful seems to have entirely superseded the brilliant, and to have given as its one distinguishing seal, the form of a steady and tranquil piety. She could cheerfully take the shady side of life when seeing the path of duty marked along it. With no higher ambition than to "do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God," she made little noise in the world, and knew none of those stirrings of spirit, and strange reverses of condition that sometimes give the air of romance to life.

Happily for her, the training to which she was subjected was fitted to produce such a character as she possessed. She may be said to have inherited an interest in the work of God in connection with our community. From her brother Godfrey I have learned that her grandfather was one of those who seceded from the parent Wesleyan body at the origin of our denomination in 1797, and her father and mother trace their wont to worship with our society here, as far back as to the time when

the Bank Chapel was the gathering place for praise and prayer.

During her childhood, respect for the house and ordinances of God was most carefully impressed on the mind of our departed sister; and by eminent dutifulness to her parents and attachment to every member of the home circle, she afforded pleasing proof that it was not in vain the sacred influences of religion were invoked to guard and beautify her earliest years. When she had attained the age of seventeen years an event occurred which was destined deeply and permanently to affect her character. The Rev. George Bradshaw was at that time labouring in this circuit with eminent zeal and success. The word of God bad free course and was glorified. A season of holy excitement arrived, many hearts were moved and a glorious ingathering to the church, was the result. Our departed sister was one of those to whom the truth was

clad with power. She heard-she thought-she wept-she prayed; she sought with earnestness, and by faith in Jesus as her atoning sacrifice, she realized the forgiveness of sins. Her union with the church was only a natural result of this happy experience.

In the month of February, 1834, in her eighteenth year, she became a member of this society, and she maintained, and we will add, honoured, her connection with us to the period of her death. Time had nought but depth and firmness to give to her trust in

Christ. It was by a class under the conduct of the Rev. J. Curtis she first became united in fellowship with the people of God. After his departure, she joined one held at Mould Green under the leadership of the late Mr. Joseph Beaumont; but during the last fourteen years she had met in that committed to the charge of our respected friend Mr. Samuel Hirst. As a member, there were two characteristics eminently manifest in her procedure. She was scrupulously punctual_in attendance. Scarcely ever, says her leader, was she absent, and though she had a very considerable distance to walk, the severity of the weather never affected her habit. Sometimes when surprise was expressed at this fact she would meekly remark, "It is only my duty to be regular, and I cannot allow the weather to keep me away."

Her experience-the other trait to which we referred-ever indicated an unfaltering trust in God.

With no doubtful or timid acknowledgment, but with sweet assurance, she was wont to testify of the grace that bringeth salvation. But 'tis not only as a member, and a fine exemplification of consistency in all that that relation implies, that our departed sister demands our notice. Her union with the church was succeeded by an engagement in our Sunday school. In this a suitable sphere invited her energies, and she gladly gave them to its interests.

Her fellow-teachers can testify with what fidelity she laboured in this capacity. For upwards of twenty years did she with unflagging zeal seek to sow the seed of eternal life in youthful hearts. She sought the salvation of those under her charge, and taught them Jesus and the resurrection.

As in the matter of membership, so in this office of instruction she was scrupulously regular and diligent. Nor can we overlook another significant fact. She was an ardent lover of our prayer and fellowship meetings, and but rarely was she absent from any of them. Our Saturday evening prayermeetings seemed her especial delight. She was most devoutly attached to them, and in writing to one of her dearest earthly friends, while on a visit at Scarborough, about a month before her decease, she made special reference to them as having had a signally beneficial influence on her religious experience. Through drenching showers

of rain, or while rudest winds were raging, she came and joined our little band to spend an hour in supplication before God. She knew how to say as the Psalmist said, as to the spirit as well as the letter of the words, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts. My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh crieth out for the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee."

But yet in another aspect our sister must be presented, as to her exhibition of love to the cause of Christ. She was an indefatigable collector for our missions. In this way did she toil, and cheerfully toil to do good. The near did not exhaust her sympathies, nor shut out from her prayers and efforts the afar off. In the every-day affairs of life, our sister evidenced strictest uprightness, and was nicely honourable in all her transactions. Careful in making promises, she was still more so in observing them when made. Her ardent disposition may sometimes have led to warmth of expression and seeming severity, yet she well knew how to respect the feelings of those with whom she associated, and to blend the gentleness and forgivingness of the Christian character with its hostility to all that is base and derogatory. As a daughter, sister, and wife, she uniformly manifested tenderness of sensibility, and yet ever evidenced that the wisest courses of action were uniformly sought for and traversed. Not in vain had she learned those Bible mottos for our busy existence, "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."

In a letter recently received from the Rev. G. Bradshaw, most emphatic attestation is given to the truth of the foregoing remarks:-"I can testify sincerely to the excellence and beauty of her Christian character," is the substance of his statements. The Rev. Robert Henshaw, in a similar communication to the family, states the result of eighteen years' acquaintanceship, in the conviction that she was an intelligent, cheerful, and devoted Christian.

It was on the 9th of October, 1856, our departed sister's latest illness began its fatal progress. Sudden in its commencement, and most painful in its character, the trial of her faith and patience was as by fire. Medical skill was brought to bear, but in vain.

Almost uninterrupted suffering attended her during so much of her course as yet remained unaccomplished. But the soul triumphed amid the wrecking of its frail habitation. She rose superior to every pang, and with a calmness which astonished all who witnessed it seemed only to await the signal of her departure. Apprehensive from the first that the serious character of her illness precluded all reasonable hope of recovery, she asked her medical attendant if there was any likelihood that her life would be spared, and on his answering that but little ground for such a hope existed, she remarked, "The Lord knoweth what is best for me, and I am quite willing to go and be with Christ, which is far better." To her dear husband she expressed herself in the most affectionate terms, telling him she was going to heaven, and urging him to meet her there. Her father and mother were frequently addressed by her in a similar strain, and she often begged them not to weep, assuring them of her strong confidence that all was well.

With wondrous calmness she arranged the particulars of her funeral; sent her dying love to many of her friends, and distributed small presents to the members of her family. Her leader visited her on the afternoon of the last Sunday she spent on earth, and found her suffering severely, but with rather a smile than the trace of grief on her countenance. To his inquiry as to the sufficiency of the faith she had so long professed, to sustain her in the hour of agony, she answered, "Yes;

'Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on thee.""

While he prayed she joined in many fervent responses. On the following (Monday) morning, the writer of this notice having heard the previous night of her serious illness, visited her, and was amazed at seeing how much a very little time had served for effecting the prostration of her physical energies. She could say but little, and yet nought remained unsaid that the most devoted friends could wish to hear. There was trust in her tone, hope in every syllable. She had given everything over as far as this world is concerned, and only retained the "looking for and hastening unto the glorious appearing of her God and Saviour." On the

following day, to her brother Abraham, in answer to his inquiry as to her support in this trying season, she emphatically said, "He does not leave me, nor forsake me. I saw her again in the evening.

The day had been a very solemn one to the household, for during its progress the faint hopes entertained by some of its members as to her recovery had been wholly dissipated. There was the quiet tread, the subdued whispering, and the deeply mournful expression of countenance which told more impressively than words could do, that a crisis in the family history had arrived, and that each one, while shrinking from the event, had become distressingly conscious of its certainty. With an almost trembling step I went up to her room, and with a voice which faltered from emotion asked of her welfare. "I am very ill," she said, "but my trust is in Jesus." It was with the utmost difficulty she could speak, and I almost feared to occasion her suffering by my questions. I uttered the sweet promises in her hearing, "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flames kindle upon thee. I will help thee, yea, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold thee by the right hand of my righteousness. Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine." I then prayed with her, and she joined most earnestly in every petition. When leaving her she shook hands with me and tried to speak, but wearied nature refused the power of utterance. I left her scarcely expecting to see her again, and returned homewards, wondering on my way at the privilege of every child of God. "All is yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."

She continued meekly enduring affiiction to the afternoon of Friday, the 17th of October. In the interval, to this date, as her strength permitted, she testified to all who visited her of the sufficiency of the divine presence to scatter every fear. When asked by her sister if she had any message for two dear, but distant friends, she said, "Tell them I have a better world in view." On the day previous to her death, I was again by her bedside; she was failing fast. It seemed as though she had to sound the depths of afflic