The Ancient Use of Liturgical Colours. By C. C. Rolfe.
(Parker.) —The author's purpose is to show that the use of liturgical colours is primitive. This theory is opposed to the conclusions of the learned author of the Vestiarium Christianuns, and goes, we imagine, beyond what Dr. Rock, another eminent authority, would have advanced. It is a question which we do not care to discuss, and on which, indeed,. all our knowledge is second-band. Mr. Rolfe does notgive us a favour- able impression of his logical powers. On p. 22 we find this para- graph :—" It has been considered that the fourth and fifth chapters of the Revelation describe the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, as it was celebrated in the early ages of the Church, and as it is still celebrated in the East. This indirectly proves that the five mystic colours were worn by St. John, and by the Bishops of the early Christian Church,—i.e., by God's High Priests of the New Dispensation, when offering the Holy Sacrifice on the Altar." Surely this is a very easy way of proving a thing. " It has been con- sidered," &c., therefore the conclusion follows. But " it has been con- sidered " that the Revelation does nothing of the kind, and that the whole theory of the Ritualistic bearing of the Revelation is a prepos- terous assumption. One of Mr. Rolfe's authorities is a certain Mr. A. D. Crake. His dicta appear to be final. But our remembrance of this gentleman's books has led as to pat a very different value on
his conclusions. We can give Mr. Rolfe the praise of industry. We hope that it is not too late for him to go through some training which would improve his reasoning powers.
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