Dr. Dibdin has supplied the sketches of the Reverend Authors and the Notes. One of the latter on a passage in the Sermon, _Scripture Difficulties Vindicated_, by the Rev. C. Benson, relates to a noble, but lamentably sceptical, poet. We have looked through the second volume, which contains twenty-three Sermons, and notice this beautiful passage from a Sermon by Dr. Townson: "And, to take up once more the comparison of life to a voyage, in like manner it fares with those, who have steadily and religiously pursued the course which heaven pointed out to them. We shall sometimes find, by their conversation towards the end of their days, that they are filled with hope, and peace, and joy; which, like those refreshing gales and reviving odours to the seaman, are breathed forth from Paradise upon their souls; and give them to understand with certainty, that God is bringing them unto their desired haven." (_Note by the Editor._) The poetical spirit of this paragraph is not less remarkable, than its discriminative piety. It seems probable, that Dr. Townson had in view the fine passage of Milton: And of pure, now purer air, Meets his approach; and to the heart inspires Vernal delight and joy: now gentle gales, Fanning their odoriferous wings dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sail Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past Mozambic, off at sea north-east winds blow Sabean odours, from the spicy shore Of Araby the bless'd; with such delay Well pleas'd, they slack their course; and many a league Cheer'd with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles: So entertain'd those odorous sweets _Paradise Lost_, iv. 152. Another passage, scarcely less poetical, and, in moral beauty, far superior, affords a still more striking coincidence: The merchant, who towards spicy regions sails, Smells their perfume far off, in adverse gales; With blasts which thus against the faithful blow, Fresh odorous breathings of God's goodness flow. _Bp. Ken. Works_, i. 494. It is an interesting proof of the fertility of Dr. Townson's mental resources, that in the original manuscript, he has left behind, on a separate leaf, an equally fine illustration; to be occasionally substituted for that which has called forth these remarks. It were injustice to withhold it from the reader: