THE CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST AS SEEN BY THE PRIMITIVE MASTERS.
By Emile Cammaerts. (S.P.C.K. 6s. net.)—In this departure from poetry into the field of Biblical exposition, M. Emile Cammaerts gives a new method for the better understanding of the Scriptures. To appreciate more fully the significance of the Gospels, the Cammaerts family chooses certain reproductions of Italian art, illustrative of some episode in the life of Christ, and, in the light of the master's interpretation, proceeds to reconstruct the incident. M. Cammaerts offers this work, not as a criticism of either pictures or subject, but as an exemplification of his method. Excellent as this may be for the promotion of Biblical know- ledge, it cannot be said to be very desirable as giving a true appreciation of the Primitive painters and sculptors. It can be well understood how M. Cammaerts, primarily concerned with literary values, will find very acceptable any aspect of plastic art which enhances and amplifies the story, but in fairness to the early masters it must be emphasized that their work, as an independent expression, can stand apart from any subject-matter which acted as stimulus. In the fact that this is too often forgotten lies the danger of M. Cam- maerts's method. The fourteen half-tone illustrations, exceedingly well chosen by the author's children, are equally well reproduced.
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