12 SEPTEMBER 1930, Page 29

There is a good deal of information in Mr. R.

W. Muncey's History of the Consecration of Churches and Churchyards (Helfer, Os.), though the style is unattractive. Mr. Muncey's book begins with the early Church and traces the rise of the custom generally before he deals with England in particular. He gives a fair number of typical dedications and a useful plate of consecration crosses. Two chapters on burial places include a description of the Roman catacombs, where the early Christians worshipped and also buried their dead.