NEW BOOKS AND REVIEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 490, 24 April 1909, Page 9

NEW BOOKS AND REVIEWS.

' "Dictionary of the Bible," edited by James Hastings, 'D.D., with the co-operation, of John A. Seller, D.D., and with the-assist-ance of John C. Lambert, D-D., afld of Sbailer Mathews, D.D. Edinburgh, T. and T. Clark: "Wellington, New Zealand Bible, Tract and.Book.Society, " To provide a complete and independent dictionary of the Biblo in a single volumo and abreast of ■ present-day scholarship" is' tho avowed object of the editor of this work, and the result is a well-printed volume, just largo onough to carry easily iii one hand.; -With .the aid of contractions, its thouEond pages are mads to contain an immense ; amount of matter, all of which, tho introduction. states, has 'been especially written .for this work. ..Tho dictionary gives ail account of all tho. contents of the Bible, the articles ■being as numerous as in the largest dictionaries, but written to a different scale. This scale, however,'is not so diminutive as to starve important subjects, • for 4he article on Israel covers 24 pages, and that on Jesus Christ 23 pages, while a dozen,more pages are given to a further'article on the Person of Christ. The index of Dr. Hastings's famous Dictionary of the Bible. in five volumes has been made the foundation, additions being . made to, it as' the latest .research has suggested. The persons, places, and important events in the Bible are described. -There are articles on tho: Biblical theolocy and etkica. on the antiquities, -and_

on tho languages—English, as well as Hebrew and Greek. The books.of the Biblo are carefully explained in their origin, authorship, and contents, and full account is taken of the results of literary criticism and archaeological discovery. Tho convenience of size and comprehensiveness of treatment of this work, together with the proved scholarship of its experienced editor and his assistants, should make the work a very valuable one- to Biblical students. ' "Prince Karl," by Archibald Gunter. Ward, Lock and Co., London; 2s. 6d. and 3s. Gd. Archibald Gunter ha 3 written many books, but in none of them lias ho captivated the ?)pular fancy as Jie did in "Barnes of New oik," In ''Prince are to bo found a number of short stories placed under 'the ab'ovo title, mostly American in their .characters and incidents. If tho reader is anxious to get sensation ho finds it there. Tho stones are full of exciting incidents, heroes who are ready to fight at any..minute of the .day,: mid heroines who fly into rages, stamp their little feet, and scream at tho slightest provocation. : Perhaps tho best, of the stories are "Her Barbarous Papa," a story of Californian life, and "A Silent Honeymoon," where a. troubled time with strikers is made the,most of. There is no lack of romance, in any of tho stories. .'•.-.

The spirited battle pictures and pageants of Mr. Ernest Crofts, R.A., are generously reproduced for the first article of "Windsor for April, which excels in a variety :of interests. An Australian authoress, Mary Gaunt, contributes a ■■ rather gruesome story of the bush, Clotildo Graves ■ and B. A Clarke, in other stories, afford some wholesome comedy relief, and Charles jG. ;D. Boberts provides one of hie excellent •; animal stone's. .The new; serial ' 'The Quest," by Justus Miles Forman, increases in interest, and Maurice Hewlett's "Brazenhead in Milan" has a striking' close. Some new facts aboat a ferocious Red Indian rising, are contributed by Mr. W. Bleasdcll Cameron in: >; graphic article,; and "The Inspectorship of Weights and Measures" is another subject treated. Illustrations are as usual numerous and admirable. :