Jair the Apostate. By A. G. Hales. (Methuen and Co.
6s.)— This is the story of Samson, filled out with some curious
modernities. Among other things, we have the Anti-Semite spirit.
Jair, who is represented as the prime mover in the betrayal of Samson, is made to be the father of all those who lend money upon usury. He is even described, by a peculiarly audacious stroke of fancy, as the inventor of the sign of the three golden balls, meaning, "There is gold inside for myself, for my wife, and for the stranger that calleth upon me in distress—at a price." As for the style in which this queer tale is told, it must be seen in bulk to be appreciated. A stranger mixture of the Biblical with twentieth-century fine English we have never seen. " When the Assyrian had ceased speaking, Samson said: 'Thou hast indeed brought me news, 0 traveller; now, if thou art a man's son and no weakling, veil not thine eyes, but look me in the face, for I love not a coward.' It was moonlight in the Valley of Sorek. Like the eye of God the beautiful moon lay in the breast of the boundless blue." But, as we have said, extracts do not represent this strange compound.
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