The Bishops of Lindisfarne, Hezham, Chester - le - Street, and Durham, A.D. 635 - 1020.
By George Miles. (Wells Gardner, Darton, and Co.)—The Beginnings of English Christianity, By William Edward Collins. (Methuen and Co.)—Mr. Miles follows the lead of Bishop Lightfoot, and considers St. Aldan to be the true Apostle of England ; Professor Collins, on the other hand, sees the real and effective beginnings of English Christianity in the Roman mission of Augustine. We have no intention of pro- nouncing a verdict on the case. Both volumes may be consulted with advantage, for both are the results of careful and conscien- tious study. Possibly it may be said that, to a certain extent, different aides of the shield are described. We may say, however, that it is impossible not to be struck with the mastery of his subject which Professor Collins, who is evidently an expert, displays throughout. His survey of British Christianity during the early centuries of the Christian era is particularly able. In both volumes we have much information, not easily accessible else- where, about minor characters in the story. The pictures of great
figures, Augustine, Paulinus, Aidan, Cuthbert, had to be supple- mented by other information, and we are specially obliged to our two authors for doing this.
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