The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-16 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

Menuotrs of the Life and Writings of the Right
Rev. Richard _Hurd, D.D. By the Rev. T.
K lived, M.A. Bentley.
" This volume," says the author, "is designed as
an act of tardy justice to the memory of one who
desc.rved better treatment from posterity than he
has met with at their hands." No lengthened and
authentic account of one, who was certainly emi-
nent as a scholar and a writer, has appeared since
his death, in 1808 ; and yet some features in his
career seem especially to have merited such a tri-
bute. The rise of a man of humble and obscure
parentage to an eminent position ; the works of one
who was distinguished for his literary attainments,
no less than his ecclesiastical dignity, would have
been conspicuous in his memoir, and have served
to distinguish them from similar biographies. The
truth. 'seems to be, however, that the unpopularity
of the, court and circle with which he was con-
ncetc.d have induced the public to regard him with
somfi disfavour, and accordingly, as Mr. Kilvert
obst irves, " The prevailing idea which most modern
readers have of the Bishop is derived not from his
b4;12 qualifications as a divine, a preacher, a critic,
.an,d man—in all which points he excelled, but fro.i
his two controversial pamphlets against Jortin mut
Leland, in which his zeal for his friend
u.nd patron, Warburton, got the better of his
'temper and discretion. This erroneous impression
it is hoped the following account of him may avail
to rectify." Mr. Kilvert has made copious extracts
from Bishop Hurd's correspondence, and from the
incidental notices of him met with in Miss Bur-
ney's Diary and other works of the time. The most
valuable part of the work is, however, the selee~
tions from the Bishop's common-place book. Some
of the " Historical Characters" show keenness of
perception and soand judgment, while they testify
the writer's ready familiarity with the history of
many lands. The critical and miscellaneous rjx_
tracts, too, contain many fine thoughts and hap pily
worded phrases, though generally speakin2; the
style is subservient to the thought, and the expres-
sions are not always equal to the meaning that lies
beneath them. Brief and disjointed as they neces-
sarily are, these extracts show the scholar, the
theologian, the man of vigorous intellect and
studious research. Mr. Kilvert has done good
service to his memory in bringing his name so
prominently before the public, which, in this day,
is so little familiar with his life or his writings.

On the Right Managenzent of the Voice in Speaking
and Reading. By R. W. Cazalet, M.A. Bosworh
and Harrison. .

This is the third edition of this useful little trea-
tise, enlarged and improved. It gives a good deal
of information respecting the structure of the vocal
organs, the right management of the breath in
reading or speaking, and various other branches of
the subject. The writer, having himself suffered
from relaxation of the throat and exhaustion after
exertion of the voice, set to work to consider the
cause, and therefore affirms that the present expo-
sition of his opinions is the result of 15 years' study
and experience. Being a clergyman, he is well
qualified to discuss the subject, and, indeed, he de-
votes one of his chapters entirely to clerical sore
throat. His plan of treating all affections of the
voc:tl organs is to consider the natural formation,
and especially to avoid in any degree forcing or
straining them. We recommend this little work
to the attention of all who have occasion to make
mitch use of the voice in their profession, especially
if they find any inconvenience result from long-
continued. effort.

The Rhetoric of Conversation. By G. W. Hervey.

Bentley.
This is a work of very excellent intention and
considerable ability, but somewhat too professedly
pious in its tone to be altogether suited for general
readers. It divides the subject into many branches,
and treats of them very fully. It is edited by the
Rev. Stephen Jenner, M.A., author of " Essays on
the Errors of the Day," who prefixes a highly
eulogistic introduction. The work is ably written
and suggestive, though we regret the continual refer-
ence to sacred and religious things, and are surprised
that a man of the author's sense and judgment does
not perceive that his rules and regulations, if fully
carried out, would infallibly make a great number
of hypocrites. The following passage contains
some excellent advice :