a blue lambent flame upon the wood coals should remain, in which state it would be dangerous to shut the sliders. Unfortunately, not being aware of this critical symptom,-which, in fact, denotes the formation and disengagement of carbonic acid gas,—and finding it difficult to warm so large a room at all, we stopped up the chimneys as soon as we could do so without filling the room with smoke; and the consequence was, that we very narrowly escaped being killed. The author first felt the attack: it came on with great coldness in the extremities, and a tendency to sneeze; followed by a general sensation of shivering over the whole body, and violent head-ache. Presently, he fell senseless on the floor. His companion, being roused by the noise, and finding him in this situation, attempted to raise him; but was by this time also simi larly affected, and had barely strength enough left to call in the servants, who alarmed the people of the house. Luckily, there happened to be in the inn, as a lodger, a young man who was an itinerant Lecturer in Natural Philosophy: as soon as he came into the room, in which many were now assembled, he perceived the cause of the accident, and immediately drew back the iron sliders which had closed the chimneys, and opened the doors. Two persons had lost their lives in the same chamber but a short time

before, and from the same cause. This young man told us that similar accidents occur frequently, in winter, among the peasants; ̇the chimneys in all their houses being constructed with a slidingboard, to close over the embers of burning wood: but as the severity of the climate always tempts them to shut their chimneys before the carbonic acid gas has completely effected its escape, the most fatal consequences ensue. Their mode of treating persons under these attacks is, to carry them out naked into the open air, and rub their bodies with snow until the vital functions are restored. We felt the bad effects of this accident in violent head-ache, which lasted during many days afterwards." P. 385.

The University of Åbo is little known out of its immediate neighbourhood, even by name; and to many of our Academical readers this sister in letters will, probably, be wholly new. Yet Abo has produced scholars and philosophers, who, as Dr. Clarke assures us, would confer honour on any seat of science. The population of the town is more than three times larger than that of Upsala, and it ranks next in grandeur to Stockholm and Gottenburgh. We shall not, however, pause upon the Pokjarne and other Finnish odes of Professor Frantzen, whose fame, we think, has been ill consulted by the introduction of a bald prose English translation of rather a high-flown love poem; nor shall we examine the respective merits of Chancellor Wachtmeister, Drs. Gadolin, Cavander, Tengström, Pipping, Wadell, Tolpo, Fattenborg, or Winge; gentlemen, no doubt, as highly esti

mated in their own latitude as many whose reputation fills the wide limits between Trumpington and Barnwell, the Dan and Beersheba of our own Alma Mater. Dr. Clarke staid some time at Abo; and it was natural that he should treasure up such matters which a stranger may be excused for omitting. One fact in justice we must mention; that, in all points both of study and discipline, he appears to rank Åbo far above Upsala.

All Finland pours into Åbo during its annual fair; and brandy and tobacco are the great baits which allure the visitors. By half a yard of pigtail dangling from his pockethole, Dr. Clarke secured the services of almost every native whom he met an experiment which, it is but proper to add, he had before tried with equal success in the Highlands of Scotland. The fair commences on the twentieth of January, and continues for three days only. During these, it is not possible to penetrate any of the streets leading to the market. After they have terminated, the purchasers on the moment retrace their long and weary journey, often extending to the whole length of the Gulph of Bothnia.

It was with deep regret that Dr. Clarke exchanged the hospitality which he had so largely tasted in Sweden for the widely different reception which he was about to encounter in Russia. His opinions of the latter country have long been before the public; and this is not the time at which it is necessary to examine them. The spirit which Dr. Clarke carried with him into all the relations of life was not one by which good qualities of any kind were likely to be underrated: and if we were disposed to point out a fault in his general judgment, we should rather place it in an amiable disposition to exaggerate what in itself deserved admiration, rather than in a facility of discovering ill where it did not really exist.

Be this as it may, his pictures of Russia are confessedly 'dark; and the facts which he produces unquestionably bear out his conclusions as far as his own experience was concerned. We pass over these, however, and hasten to a more agreeable theme. The description of Petersburgh is in his best manner; although it should be remembered that we quote it from a part of his work not finally arranged by himself for the press.

"The united magnificence of all the cities of Europe could but equal Petersburg. There is nothing little or mean, to offend the eye;--all is grand, extensive, large, and open. The streets, which

are wide and straight, seem to consist entirely of palaces: the edifices are white, lofty, and regular. At first sight, the whole city appears to be built with stone; but on a nearer inspection, you find the walls are of brick, covered with plaister; yet every part is so clean and in such excellent order, and has an appearance so new, that the effect is as fine and striking as if they were formed of marble. The public structures, on whatever side you direct your attention-quays, piers, ramparts-are all composed of masses of solid granite, calculated to endure for ages. It seems as if the ancient Etruscans or Egyptians-stimulated by emulation to surpass their prodigious works, aided by despotic power, and instructed by Grecian taste-had arisen, to astonish the modern world. Such is the metropolis which Catherine has left! ¡Much had been done by her predecessors; but her labours surpassed them all and our admiration is increased, while we behold the magnificence of the buildings, the breadth of the streets, the squares, and openings, and noble palaces,-and recollect that a century has not yet elapsed, since the first stone of the foundation of the city was laid by Peter the Great.

"We were told that we should find Petersburg like London, and that we should everywhere hear the language and see the manners of England; but nothing can be farther from the truth. This city presents to the stranger a sight as novel and interesting as any which he will meet with in Europe. In the general appearance of features and countenance, the Russians have nothing very characteristic; and when their beards are cut off, as is the case with those who live as servants in the families of Gentlemen, they could not be distinguished from Englishmen but in the dresses of the people we are reminded of the inhabitants of some Asiatic towns; though perhaps in summer, when the robes, pelisses, and caps are not worn, the impression may be different. The resemblance to Asiatic customs and manners, perceptible in Moscow and Petersburg, will probably decrease, in proportion to the intercourse of the Russians with other parts of Europe. The stile of dress in the seventeenth century was more Oriental than it is at present: a robe was then in use called Feredja, which is a Turkish word. At this season, the streets are filled with sledges; and with peasants in various costumes, having long beards, straight locks, bare necks, and their feet covered with shoes of the matted bark of trees." P. 482.

The insane tyranny of the emperor Paul was at its height during Dr. Clarke's visit to Petersburgh; and he has collected various anecdotes respecting it. Souwarof alone appears to have been unintimidated by the despot. The two following stories of that extraordidary man are introduced in notes by the editor, on the authority of M. Depping.

"The Emperor ordered some models of tails to be made,

which he intended should be worn by the officers and soldiers ; and despatched them to different corps of the army. Souwarof, on receiving a packet of these tails, shook his head, and exclaimed, These tails are not bayonets; and no fire will come from this powder.' A translation cannot give the spirit of the original, which has a rhythm, and metrical cadence, often used by Souwarof in his conversation. Kaçoi nè kalot, bouklai nè palit, poudrei nè streliat.' P. 520.

The second regards Koutizof, originally a Greek slave, and latterly the imperial valet de chambre. When Souwarof returned from exile, Paul sent this favourite to him.

"Count Koutizof' was announced. 'Koutizof!' cried the General: 'I do not know any Russian family of that name.' The Count answered, that he was from Turkey, and that the favour of the Emperor had raised him to his present dignity. You have then doubtless distinguished yourself in arms?' I have never served.'Or in the ministry?' 'I have never been in any civil office. I have always been about the person of the Emperor.''In what capacity ?-Koutizof wished to turn the conversation; but Souwarof mercilessly pursued him with questions; until he confessed that he had been valet de chambre. Souwarof, on this, turning to his servant, said: You see, Ivan, what it is to conduct what you are: behold

yourself well. This gentleman was, once, him Count now, with the blue ribband!'"

P. 521.

The character of this volume will be easily appreciated from the detailed abridgment and large extracts which we have given above, even if Dr. Clarke's writings were new to our readers. It bears the same stamp of an ardent, original, and active spirit which has marked its predecessors: and in one material point it differs from most posthumous publications which have fallen in our way; it increases the reputation of its Author, and it reflects credit upon the judgment of the Editor.

ART. II.

A Letter to the Right Rev. Herbert, Lord Bishop of Peterborough, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, on the Independence of the Authorized Version of the Bible. By Henry Walter, B.D. and F.R.S. Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge; Professor in the East India College, Herts.; and Chaplain to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. 8vo. 154 pp. 3s. bd. Hatchard and Son. 1823.

THIS is the best controversial work that has appeared for many a day. It states the points upon which the author

differs from his respected friend, succinctly details the grounds of the difference, and leaves it to others to decide between them. There is not a word too little, or a word too much. And as Reviewers themselves must sometimes err, we can safely say that when it comes to our turn to be refuted, we shall desire no better than to be answered with the same temper and talent as that with which the Bishop of Peterborough has now been treated. We shall wish for nothing more than such an honest chronicler as Mr Walter.

Having made this acknowledgment to our excellent letter-writer, the next person whom the subject requires us to name with gratitude is the learned Mr. John Bellamy. Before the appearance of his speculations, there existed a considerable portion of doubt and suspicion respecting the merits of the Authorized Version of the Bible. Rival translators, as Mr. Walter justly terms them, had spoken in strong terms respecting the faults which they undertook to amend; and as the failure of their various attempts was not attributed to a deficiency of critical skill, it was supposed that their censures might be deserved, although their improvements found few admirers or advocates. Mr. Bellamy collected their censures, and forced them upon public notice. The general merits of the Authorized Version have been fully canvassed, and by the assistance of Lawrence, D'Oyley, Todd, and Whittaker, fully understood. Not only were Mr. Bellamy's pretensions exposed, but the borrowed plumes which had for a time concealed his colour, turned out in many instances to be themselves factitious. With no ally but Sir James Bland Burgess, with no converts but Socinians and Deists, the new translator may now have the pleasure of seeing the public completely satisfied of the general fidelity of the English Bible, convinced of the exaggeration with which its errors had been described, and of Mr. Bellamy's inability to point out or rectify the unimportant errors which do actually exist.

But this is not the whole of his services. By calling forth extensive and accurate inquiry into the history of the Authorized Version, he has not only been instrumental in silencing its traducers, but he has enlarged the information, and corrected the oversights of its friends. Occupied with the various departments of their extensive science, theologians were naturally willing to avail themselves of the labours of their predecessors, and rest satisfied with a second-hand knowledge of the history of English Versions. And the statements of such writers as Macknight or Johnson were transferred into the pages, and clothed with the authority