ret of large classes, or of
the whole nation.

On the 1st of February occurred the death of Mrs. Shelley, widow of
Percy Bysshe Shelley, the celebrated poet. Mrs. Shelley was a lady of
extraordinary gifts, and these were stimulated by the genius of her
husband. As an authoress she will always rank high, although only one of
her books has attained a just proportion of fame, "Frankenstein." That
was received throughout Europe and America as one of the most remarkable
works of imagination which the 19th century had seen, and it gained for
her a reputation as lasting as extensive. "Lodore," "Volperga," "The
Last Man," and others produced also a great impression, but not one of a
very permanent character, at least, in the British Isles. "The Last Man"
deserves a higher estimation than has been awarded to it. There is a
very penetrating sadness in all Mrs. Shelley's works written after the
loss of her gifted husband, and an impression of enervated physical
strength, and effort to write in spite of depression, is conveyed to the
reader.

On the 5 th, at Guildford, Surrey, the Rev. John Pye Smith, D.D., LL.D.,
F.R.S., for many years Principal of the Independent Congregational
College, at Homerton. He was one of the greatest scholars of his age.
The author of this work knew him well, and can in truth say his virtues
were as conspicuous as his scholarship was profound. He was especially
benevolent and modest. A celebrated divine once said of him that he
"had a very _troublesome_ conscience," referring to its extreme
tenderness, and his nervous scrupulousness lest he should wear the
remotest appearance of evil. His religious works are chiefly critical
and controversial, and are written in a style of quiet and graceful
simplicity, with great perspicacity of expression and perspicuity
of thought. His "Scripture Testimony of the Messiah" is a wonderful
monument of human learning and clear, candid, and cogent logic. It
is the greatest standard work in the language, on "the Unitarian
Controversy." When he retired from the direction of' the college at
Homerton, where he trained many eminent men for the Christian ministry
among congregationalists, three thousand guineas were presented to
him as a tribute of respect. At his death the interest of the same
was applied to divinity scholars in the college for candidates for the
Christian ministry among the congregationalists, established at St.
John's Wood, London, the Principal of which wa