13. — Rhetorical Praxis: The Principles of Rhetoric exemplified and applied in copious exercises for systematic practice, chiefly in the development of Thought. For use in Schools and Colleges. By HENRY N. DAY, author of the "Elements of Rhetoric," and "Art of Elocution." Cincinnati: Moore, Wilstach, Keys & Co. 1860. We heartily agree with the closing sentence of the preface of this book, "that no greater desideratum exists in the supply of educational text books, than precisely in this field of instruction." And we concur in the judgment, that "exercises in composition in our seminaries of learning are, for the most part, repulsive to teacher and pupil, and attended, comparatively, with little profit." We took up this book, therefore, with peculiar pleasure, hoping that the "desideratum" had, at last, been obtained. No one, who has given any attention to this department of learning, will say, that any one, of all the text books before the public, halfway meets the wants either of pupils or teachers. Those teachers who have tried most faithfully to instruct in this department, will admit most freely that their efforts have, in large part, failed for the want of a suitable text book. None that has been offered has fully met the approbation of teachers; although many of them have been extensively used for the want of better ones. The Lectures of Dr. Blair, so long and so extensively used, are too rhetorical, shallow, arbitrary, giving rules for practice without a thorough discussion of principles; and are now considered antiquated. Campbell's "Philosophy of Rhetoric," invaluable as a discussion of the principles that underlie the whole subject of thought, and its expression in language, is well adapted to edu cated men, already well drilled by metaphysical discussions; but, for this reason, poorly suits the learner. Whately's Rhetoric is a brief compound of Logic, Metaphysics and Elocution. The Logic he has himself better taught elsewhere; the Metaphysics others have better taught; the Elocution well emanates from an author who condemns all practice in speaking. Other works that we have seen are inferior to those mentioned. The "idea" in this book, that makes it worthy of special attention, is contained in the saying of Daniel Webster, that, "all true power in writing is in the idea; not in the style." Agreeing with this view, the author has prepared this book "as a guide to the unfolding of the thought." Its purpose is to teach the art of composition, by first teaching to think, by waking the dormant faculties of the young, stimulating them to mental action, and guiding them to independent efforts. It overturns, completely, the fatal fallacy of the young writer, that good writing consists merely of "pretty words and sonorous periods." By a judicious selection of themes, adapted to the pupil's progress, on which he is required to think patiently and write methodically, he is conducted along from his earliest efforts in composition, to the highest which can be reached by a mind still under instruction. The book is peculiarly rich in themes, containing over a thousand well selected, supplying freely that greatest of all wants, to a young writer, a "subject." "Rhetoric is the art of discourse." "Discourse is the expression of thought in language." Each and every kind of discourse is clearly defined, and the pupil taught, by precept and example, how to write well all the kinds-and thus is taught Rhetoric. The book is called a Praxis, and is to English what the "Latin and Greek Compositions" are to those classic languages. The idea of teaching our native tongue in this scientific form is new with this author and a few others. We welcome it with pleasure as an evidence that attention is beginning to turn at last to the study of our own rich and classic language. We are persuaded that, if composition is taught on this method, it will prove repulsive neither to pupil nor teacher; on the contrary, will become an exceedingly interesting subject of study to the pupil, and in the hands of an intelligent teacher, may become one of the most effective instruments of mental discipline; for it is easy to see, that in so teaching Rhetoric, he is teaching not only the philosophy of language, but also of mind. Under the ordinary acceptation, this is not a complete treatise on Rhetoric, ignoring (wisely in view of the purpose) many matters commonly treated in such works. We do not, therefore, think it adapted to supply the place of more extensive works for the higher College Classes-it ought to be thoroughly studied in the Grammar School, or lower College Classes. There yet remains, then, the desideratum of a scientific and exhaustive text book for mature minds and the higher classes of undergraduates. "As the object of this work is purely practical, only summary state ments of the principles of Rhetoric are given." "For more ex- NEW PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. The Atonement: its Reality, Completeness and Extent. By Robert S. Candish, D. D., Free St. George's, Edinburgh. London and New York: T. Nelson & Sons. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co. 1861. 12mo. pp. 400. Gildas Salvianus. The Reformed Pastor: shewing the Nature of the Pastoral Work, especially in private instruction and catechising. By Rev. Richard Baxter. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1860. 8vo. pp. 560. Outlines of Theology. By the Rev, A. Alexander Hodge, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Va. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1861. 8vo. pp. 522. An Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes. By Rev. Chas. Bridges, M. A., Rector of Hinton Martell, Dorset; Author of "Commentary on Proverbs,' "Exposition of Psalm cxIx," &c. New York: Robert Carter Brothers. 1860. 12mo. pp. 389. Annals of the Rescued. By the Author of "Haste to the Rescue." With a Preface, by Rev. Charles E. L. Wightman. New York: Robert Carter & Bro thers. 1861. 12mo. pp. 263. True Manhood: its Nature, Foundation and Development. A book for young men. By Wm. Landels. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1861. 12mo. pp. 260. Evenings with John Bunyan; or the Dream interpreted. By James Large. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers. 1861. 12mo. pp. 353. Memoir of the Life and Brief Ministry of the Rev. 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The Limits of Religious Thought examined, in eight Lectures delivered before the University of Oxford, in the year 1858, on the Bampton Foundation. By Henry Longueville Mansel, B. D. First American, from the third London, edition, with the Notes translated. Boston Gould & Lincoln. Cincinnati: Geo. S. Blanchard. 1860. 12mo. pp. 362. TERMS, THREE DOLLARS A YEAR, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. THE DANVILLE QUARTERLY REVIEW. EDITED BY AN ASSOCIATION OF MINISTERS. SEPTEMBER, 1861. Φωτίσαντος δὲ ζωὴν καὶ ἀφθαρσίαν διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου.—2 ΤΙΜ. Ι: 10 DANVILLE, KY., AND CINCINNATI, OHIO: PUBLISHED BY RICHARD H. COLLINS, 25 WEST FOURTH STREET, CINCINNATI, AND SOLD BY CROSBY, NICHOLS & CO., BOSTON; ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, NEW ST. LOUIS; WM. G. HOLMES, CHICAGO. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. 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