It

with its attractive accessories of paper, type, and binding. answers to its title, a "Pastoral of Norway," depicting Norwegian scenery and wilder Norwegian manners, and the latter the more strikingly for the marked contrast exhibited as the story advances. The first of the three books delineates the heroine Brita and her two lovers, Lars and Per, between whom she holds the balance provokingly even till they fight each other hooked together in the fiercest of death-struggles, and then she scornfully rejects Lars, though himself wounded, for the love of his slain rival. The second book describes him going into exile, not through fear of the revenge vowed by Per's brother, but in grief and despair for Brita, and wandering till he comes into a settlement of Friends in Delaware, where he finds relief and attraction in the contrast, and especially in Ruth Medenhall. After inward struggles and through the discipline of contact with the saintly lives about him, he becomes her husband and himself a Friend. In the third book they set out for Norway, impelled by the philanthropic impulses that move the Friends on so many errands, and tarrying a little among English brethren, take up their abode among his own people, where they make converts, and he wins the victory of peace over his former sworn enemy, Per's brother and avenger, by non-resistance, when others have pitted them for conflict, and Brita is herself won by the saintly bride. It will be seen at once that to delineate such a transformation of character and such contrasts of principles and manners was a task of no little delicacy. The chief figures, with their subordinates not here mentioned, are happily drawn, and the effect is harmonious and pleasing. The Friends may well accept the tribute here paid them. And the poem is aptly introduced by graceful stanzas to Whittier.

THE YEAR.*—A series of poems on the successive months of the year and the seasons and Christmas, with a dedication to the now venerable John Neal, whose name we are pleased to see in this connection, and a few pages added of commendatory notices from various prints of an earlier volume of poems from the same pen. We have marked correct sentiment and regularity of measure and rhyme in these pieces, with some fervor of evangelic thought in "Christmas," and from notices that have come under our eye we judge the author to have the esteem and good will of his personal acquaintances. The mechanical execution of the book is excellent.

*The Year. By D. C. COLESWORTHY. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1873. 16mo, pp. 120.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

Sunday School Edition of the Gospel according to Matthew, together with general, theological, and homoletical introduction to the New Testament. By John Peter Lange, Professor of Theology at the University of Bonn. Translated from the third German edition, with additions, original and selected. By Philip Schaff, D.D. Twelfth edition revised. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co., 1873. One volume, 8vo, pp. 568.

Index to Systematic Theology. By Charles Hodge, D.D. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co., 1873. 8vo, pp. 81.

The Natural Theology of the Doctrine of the Forces. By Prof. Benj. N. Martin, D.D., L.H.D. 8vo, pp. 26.

Proportional Representation. By S. Dana Horton. 8vo, pp. 36.

The True Method of Representation in Large Constituencies. By C. C. P. Clarke, of Oswego, N. Y. 12mo, pp. 24.

Star Papers; or, Experiences of Art and Nature. By Henry Ward Beecher. New edition, 1873. J. B. Ford & Co. 12mo, pp. 447.

The Wishing-Cap Papers. By Leigh Hunt. Now first collected. Boston: Lee & Shepard, 1873. 12mo, pp. 455.

Work: a story of experience. By Louisa M. Alcott. 1873. 12mo, pp. 443.

Palmetto-Leaves. By Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. James R. Osgood & Co., 1873. 12mo, pp. 321.

Boston: Roberts Bros.,

Illustrated.

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Ferdinand de Soto. The Discoverer of the Mississippi. By John S. C. Abbott. Illustrated. Dodd & Mead. New York, 1873. 12mo, pp. 351.

Play and Profit in my Garden. By Rev. E. P. Roe, author of "Barriers Burned Away." New York: Dodd and Mead, 1873. 12mo, pp. 349.

Report of the International Penitentiary Congress of London, held July 3-13, 1872 By E. C. Wines, D.D., LL.D., United States Commissioner. 8vo, pp. 493. The Nature and Utility of Mathematics, with the best methods of instruction explained and illustrated. By Charles Davies, LL.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co., 1873. 12mo, pp. 419.

An Examination of the Demonstrations of Davies' Legendre, showing how the polygon becomes the circle by the methods of Newton. By Charles Davies, LL.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 16mo, pp. 36.

Across the Desert. A Life of Moses. By the Rev. S. M. Campbell, D.D. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 12mo, pp. 342.

Trye's Year Among the Hindoos. By Julia Carrie Thompson. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 16mo, pp. 320.

Neither Rome nor Judah. By Erniest Hoven. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 16mo, pp. 251.

The Church School and its Officers. By J. H. Vincent, D.D. New York: Carlton & Lanahan. 1873. 16mo, pp. 224.

The Man with the Book; or, the Bible among the People. By John Matthias Weylland. New York: Nelson & Phillips. 12mo, pp. 268.

From Atheism to Christianity. By Rev. Geo. P. Porter. New York: Nelson & Phillips. 1873. 16mo, pp. 121.

Outline of Bible History. By John F. Hurst. New York: Nelson & Phillips. 12mo, pp. 62.

Sunday School Institutes and Normal Classes; with an introduction by Alfred Taylor. By J. H. Vincent. New York: Carlton & Lanahan. 12mo, pp. 186.

Outlines of Christian Evidences. By Rev. Joseph Alden, D.D. New York: Nelson & Phillips. 12mo, pp. 32.

Historical Illustrations of the Old Testament. Eclectic Sunday School Library. By Rev. G. Rawlinson, M.A., Camden Professor of Ancient History, Oxford. New York: Carlton & Lanahan. 12mo, pp. 159.

The Memorial Pulpit. Faith and Failure. Sermon preached in the Presbyterian Memorial Church, New York City. By the Pastor, Charles S. Robinson, D.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co.

A Sermon delivered at the funeral of the Hon. Thomas Fitch (late Governor of the Colony of Connecticut). By Moses Dickinson, A.M., Pastor of the First Church in Norwalk, 1784. Reprinted. pp. 35.

The New Cyclopedia of Illustrative Anecdote, religious and moral, original and selected. With introduction by the Rev. Donald Macleod, D.D. New York: A.

D. F. Randolph, 1872. 8vo, pp. 559. Price $3.

The Missionary World, being an encyclopedia of information, facts, incidents, sketches, and anecdotes, relating to Christian Missions in all ages and countries, and of all denominations. With a recommendatory preface by Rev. W. B. Boyce, Sec. of the Wesleyan Miss. Soc., Rev. J. Mullens, D.D., Sec. London Miss. Soc., Rev. E. B. Underhill, Esq., LL.D., Sec. Baptist Miss. Soc. New York: A. D. F. Randolph. 8vo, pp. 568. Price $2.50.

The Logic of Accounts. A new Exposition of the Theory and Practice of Double Entry Book-keeping. By E. G. Folsom, A.M. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York. 12mo, pp. 430.

English Grammar for beginners; with Illustrations and Diagrams. By Stephen W. Clarke, A.M. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York. 16mo, pp. 192.

Monteith's Comprehensive Geography, with map drawing and relief maps. A.

S. Barnes & Co., New York and Chicago. Quarto, pp. 97.

Elementary Drawing Book. A Progressive Course of Practical Exercises, adapted to schools and home instruction. By John G. Chapman. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York. Quarto, pp. 87.

Year Book of Nature and Popular Science for 1872. M.D.

New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co.

1873.

A Metrical Translation of the Electra of Sophocles. delphia: John Campbell & Son. 8vo, pp. 92.

Edited by John C. Draper,

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By J. G. Brincklé. Phila

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Had you been in his place. By Lizzie Bates. New York: R. Carter & Brothers. 1873. 16mo, pp. 122.

12mo, pp. 415. Price, $2. New Edition, with about By Henry Ward Beecher.

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Motherly Talks with Young Housekeepers. By Mrs. H. W. Beecher. With carbon-photographic portrait of the Author. 12mo, pp. 594. Price, $2.00.

The Land of Shadowing Wings; or, the Empire of the Sea. By H. Loomis (late Corresponding Secretary of the American Seamen's Friend Society). New York: Nelson & Phillips. 1873. 12mo, pp. 279.

The Jubilee Singers; and their Campaign for Twenty Thousand Dollars. By G. D. Pike. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1873. 12mo, pp. 221.

The Science of Elocution; with Exercises and Selections systematically arranged for acquiring the art of Reading and Speaking. By S. S. Hamill, A.M. (Professor of English Literature and Elocution, Bloomington, Ill.) New York: Nelson & Phillips. 12mo, pp. 388.

Normal-Class Outlines on Teaching. By Rev. Joseph Alden, D.D. New York: Carlton & Lanahan. 12mo, pp. 32.

Home Songs for Little People. American Tract Society. New York. 24mo, pp. 278.

Livingstone, and his African Explorations; together with a full account of the Young, Stanley, and Dawson Search Expeditions; Chapters on Ancient and Modern Nile Discovery; on the Central African Slave Trade, &c., &c. New York: Adams, Victor & Company. 12mo, pp. 292.

Fourteen Weeks in Human Physiology. By J. Dorman Steele. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York. 12mo, pp. 238.

Instauratio; or, the New Era. Hartford: Case, Lockwood & Brainard. 16mo, pp. 311.

Bible Work in Bible Lands; or, Events in the History of the Syria Mission. By the Rev. Isaac Bird. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 12mo, pp. 432.

The New York City Ring. Its Origin, Maturity, and Fall Discussed, as a reply to the New York Times. By S. J. Tilden. New York. pp. 31.

Church Defence. Report of a Conference on the present danger of the Church. New York: Catholic Publication Society. 24mo, pp. 144.

Ups and Downs. An everyday Novel. By Edward E. Hale. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1873. 16mo, pp. 319.

The Dead Sin and other Stories. By Edward Garrett. New York, 1873: Dodd & Mead. 12mo, pp. 444.

Little Grandfather. Little Prudy's Flyaway Series. By Sophie May. Illustrated. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 16mo, pp. 221.

The Other Girls. By Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. 12mo, pp. 463.

Sunday School Institutes and Normal Classes. By J. H. Vincent. With an introduction by Alfred Taylor. New York: Carlton and Lanahan. 12mo, pp. 186. Amer. Tract Soc.-Gaboon Stories. By Mrs. J. S. Preston. 16mo, pp. 160.— Gretchen, the Day-Laborer's Daughter. 16mo, pp. 163.-The Three Gifts. By Mrs. R. N. Cromwell. 16mo, pp. 125.-Bessie White. By Mrs. E. B. Hill. 16mo, pp. 149.—Lizzie Blake. 16mo. pp. 112.-Link Bank Cottage: a tale for young women. 16mo, pp. 304.-Jessie's Work; or, Faithfulness in Little Things. By Mary E. Shipley. 16mo, pp. 224.-Daily Communion with God. On the plan recommended by Rev. Matthew Henry. 16mo, pp. 104.-Our Baby: a collection of picture-poems of baby life. 16mo, pp. 200.

THE

NEW ENGLANDER.

No. CXXV.

OCTOBER, 1873.

ARTICLE I-THE SCIENTIFIC DEMOLITION OF PRAYER.

THE proposition for what has been popularly termed The Tyndall Prayer Guage, which appeared in the Contemporary Review a few months since, has already excited considerable discussion. Though baptized by Mr. Tyndall's name, it will be well remembered that he was rather its sponsor than its parent. In an age less accustomed to startling propositions, this, clashing as it does with the oldest and most universal sentiments of man, would have occasioned more than a transient ruffle upon the surface of popular thought. The belief that there is a Power above which controls the happening of events in this world, is moved by the intercessions of men, averts catastrophes, and dispenses favors in answer to their prayers, is not a distinguishing feature of Christianity. It is not peculiar to any religion or any era. Its impress is indelibly stamped on all history. It is written in unmistakable characters on all mythology. Laying aside the Christian revelation, and judging in the light of the histories and traditions of the past and the literature of the present, we might not unreasonably pronounce it the common starting-point from