THE CAVE OF ADELSBERG. But other mystic types are here, And the heart makes them all its own; -Droppings, like softening rains from heaven, Hath life green hopes like feathery palms, As if in haste to cleanse and cheer; But quickly gulfed in caves of night, Floors paved with crystals crushed, which once As if kind Nature stood to make them one. Descend in vain; like seed from heaven, Growing to pillared principles, 357 They prop the roof through which they first were given. J. H. D. * The eyeless and lizard-like Proteus Anguinus, of which a specimen was shown to me, is not a native of the cave river, the Poik, though a few Protei are kept there, but is brought from caverns a few miles distant. REVIEW OF THE MONTH. In order to complete our narrative of current events, it is our pleasant task to record the conclusion of a peace with Russia. It was signed at Paris on the 30th of March - two years and two days having then elapsed since war was proclaimed. The Allies have secured their object; and perhaps the peace will be all the more permanent, that it has been achieved without inflicting on Russia any of those signal humiliations which leave in the vanquished no feeling except a longing for vengeance. In the death of the Rev. Adolph Monod, French Protestantism has lost its brightest star. After a long illness he expired on the 6th of April. His "Lucille" and his sermons give a good idea of his elevated, refined, and sagacious intellect, and of his deeply experimental piety; but of a preacher so great as he, the best is gone when we have lost his living presence. The following table gives the number of visitors to the British Museum during the last six years :— It is not easy to account for this sad falling off. The attractions of the Museum have been increased by the addition of the Assyrian antiquities and large accessions in the Zoological department. But many of the most interesting curiosities are inaccessible to the public. Coins, autographs, personal relics of illustrious men, can only be seen by the courtesy of the curators; and although no guardians of public property can show more alacrity and zeal in rendering their treasures accessible to intelligent visitors, they are still beyond the reach of the multitude. And when are lectures to be given in connexion with the various departments? At present the specimens are mute; and few can spell out for themselves the "sermons" latent in the "stones" of the Geological Gallery and the Egyptian Saloon. We are glad to find that the Scriptural Museum makes progress. The Earl of Chichester is President; and among the Vice-presidents are the Earl of Shaftesbury, Sir Culling Eardley, and Sir Henry Rawlinson. Already the collection at 22 Hart Street will repay a visit; and as there are few who do not possess some object or some book calculated to throw light on the Word of God, we submit if they could find a better use for it than to send it to a depôt, which, we trust, will soon be the great imperial magazine of all the materials requisite for Bible illustration. Amongst many excellent books which have lately reached us, we would first of all notice "The Life of the Rev. Joseph Beaumont, M.D." It is the record, remarkably well written, of a career bright with benevolence and abounding in labours of usefulness; and it teaches two great lessons,-how natural defects may be overcome by good sense and energy, and how by a fervent spirit every fresh acquisition will be turned to the furtherance of the Gospel. "Fragments of the Great Diamond," by the Rev. J. Bolton, of Kilburn, are great lessons for young people, full of ingenuity and conveyed in a style of charming vivacity; and to those who desire "aids towards development" for the use of their children, we commend Mrs. Gatty's "Worlds not Realised," a very fresh and suggestive little volume. "Fernfoot, or Heart Portraits," is a series of vigorous photographs from North-country faces, so strongly marked, that many will recognise the originals, and all will admit the artist's cleverness. The title, "John Sadleir, M.P., A History and a Warning," did not prepossess us; although it would be difficult to give a good reason for the pulpit ignoring the tragedies of the day any more than the sins of the time. But after reading Mr. Hill's publication, we render our hearty homage to the force of thought, the practical sagacity, and the Christian faithfulness by which it is distinguished. "The Hidden Life," is a short treatise, affectionate, Scriptural, and experimental, like the other works of its venerable author, Dr. Morgan of Belfast; and "Good, Better, Best," by Dr. Alexander of New York, is a book which every one should read who studies social problems, and who wishes to be of service to his fellow-creatures. In "Tenby: a Sea-side Holiday," Mr. Gosse has made. a delightful addition to that literature in which he has now no rival. And we are glad to find that it is his purpose to organise a class this season for the study of Marine Natural History, similar to one which assembled last year at Ilfracombe. This summer Tenby is the probable locality, and should any of our readers wish to combine instruction with amusement in their sea-side sojourn, we counsel them at once to communicate with Mr. Gosse. Under his pilotage they will bring back "treasures from the deep" sufficient to store the most capacious vivarium,-bright and beautiful creatures, which, even in a London drawing-room and a foggy November, will call up the vision of sunny skies, fresh breezes, and a sparkling ocean. SOCIETY FOR IRISH CHURCH MISSIONS TO THE ROMAN CATHOLICS. Chairman of General Committee. Chairman of Executive Committee. Chairman of Finance Committee. MAJOR-GENERAL ALEXANDER. Treasurers. HON. ARTHUR KINNAIRD, AND JOHN LABOUCHERE, ESQ. Honorary Secretaries. REV. A. R. C. DALLAS, M.A.; REV. ROBERT BICKERSTETH, M.A. Secretary. GEORGE MAXWELL, ESQ. THIS Society continues to pursue its great object-viz., the CONVERSION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLICS OF IRELAND TO SCRIPTURAL TRUTH, and the advancement of the Reformation in that country. Owing to the pecuniary difficulties of the Society during the past year, the Committee found it necessary to make considerable reductions in their missionary operations. The following is their PRESENT AGENCY.-Ordained Missionaries, 48; Lay Agents, and Scripture-readers, 231; Schoolmasters, 75; Schoolmistresses, 76; Irish Teachers, 336: Total, 766, exclusive of agents employed in connexion with local committees. The number of missions is 34; of daily schools, 124; with 6860 scholars, besides those who only attend the Sunday-schools. Churches 15, together with 32 school-houses licensed and used for worship. The spirit of inquiry among Roman Catholics is unabated, and the attendance at controversial sermons and classes, as well as on other means of scriptural instruction, is most encouraging, while the Scripture-readers have ready access and much acceptance among the Roman Catholic population; notwithstanding the organised and often violent opposition, which, through the influence of the priests, they have, in some places, to encounter. The financial principle of the Society is to pay its agents monthly in advance, and never to incur debt. The extent of its operations must therefore be determined by the measure of the liberality by which its funds are sustained. A RESERVE FUND, lately established with the view of meeting the fluctuation in the monthly income, and which it was intended to maintain at the sum of 50001., has not yet reached half that amount; and, owing to the small balance that remained in the Treasurer's general account when the last month's cheques were drawn, that fund must be applied in payment of the cheques at the end of this month, unless prompt assistance is provided by the friends of the Society. The Committee earnestly commend the cause to the Christian public, in the hope that they may not be compelled yet further to limit those operations in Ireland which, hitherto, it has pleased God so greatly to prosper. THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL (D.V.) BE HELD IN EXETER HALL, on FRIDAY, the 2d of MAY, Further particulars will be given in future advertisements. Annual subscriptions and donations to the Society will be received at the Office of the Society, Marlborough Chambers, 49 Pall Mall; or by Messrs. Ransom and Co., No. 1 Pall Mall Fast; Messrs. Williams, Deacon, and Co, Birchin Lane; Messrs. Herries, Farquhar, and Co., St James's Street; Messrs. Nisbet and Co., Berners Street; Messrs. Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday, Fleet Street; B. Seeley, Hanover Street, Hanover Square; and by T. Hatchard, Piccadilly. Money-orders in favour of the Society's funds are requested to be made payable to Mr. Charles A. Johnson, to be drawn on "The Charing Cross" Money order Office. |