Edward Hoare, M.A. Edited by the Rev. J. H. Townsend,
M.A. (Hodder. and Stoughton.)—Canon Hoare left an autobiography which told in some detail the story of the first half of his life. Letters were also available. On these Mr. Townsend has founded the first part of his narrative; the second, which is concerned with Aix. Hoare's ministry at Tunbridge Wells, a period of more than forty years, is put together with no small skill and in the best taste. The biography, in fact, well executed as it is, and brought within a moderate compass, is an excellent example of its kind. Edward Hoare came of a well known Quaker family ; but his parents received Anglican baptism soon after his birth. They retained, however, what Mr. Townsend calls " their early Quaker prejudice against infant baptism" (surely the "Quaker pre- judice" is against all baptism), and the son was not baptised till his fifteenth year. 4.11e was educated at home (he did not think it altogether a success), then sent to a private tutor ; thence went to Cambridge, where he graduated as Fifth Wrangler (the Sixth being Main, afterwards Radcliffe Observer at Oxford). Throughout his clerical life he was an eminent representative of the Evangelical party; indeed, latterly its leader; but his views broadened out, and the extravagances of High Doctrine (High Calvinism, we mean) vexed him greatly. The story shows him as a man of singular disinterestedness and courage, and of a fervent piety. The salt of humour was not wanting in his speech. " Who can imagine," he said on one occasion, in refer- ence to the growing passion for musical services, "the poor publican waiting to hear the note of the organ or the trumpet before he smote upon his breast, and said, God be merciful to me a sinner ! '"
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