17 SEPTEMBER 1881, Page 21

In Spite of Fate. By Katherine Clivd. (Tinsley Brothers.)—The heroine

is an utterly reckless and unlifelike young woman, with "the dark, luscious eyes of a Provençal." She is the daughter of an English farmer ; studies Victor Hugo, Lamartine, Thiers, and other unlikely authors; now feeds her father's pigs, and now is the acknow- ledged beauty of an Earl's ball. She has two lovers, between whom she oscillates ; and is generally prepared to run away either with or from one or other of them, on the slightest provocation. They, on the other hand, never seem quite sure whether they are in love with her or with a plain-featured heiress, who is a secondary heroine. The book does not contain one single natural character, scene, or conversation, from beginning to end ; and in matters small and great, it is made up of improbabilities. Any one who does not object to this may, perhaps, find it amusing, as there is a good deal of move- ment and incident. For our own part, we think it very poor stuff.

A new series, "The Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools," begins with an excellent volume, St. Matthew, by the Rev. A. Carr, M.A. (The University Press, Cambridge.) Mr. Carr's "Notes on the Gospel of St. Luke" are already favourably known to teachers and students of the Greek Testament. In both volumes the chief aim of the writer has tben to illustrate the language of the New Testament from classical sources. The general utility of this course is evident. However far the Greek of the first century had departed from the Attic standard, a knowledge of the classical writers must always be essential to its interpretation. Another point of no small importance is gained, one which makes itself felt by the teacher. There is no Greek which so imprints itself upon the memory of a young student as the Greek of the New Testament, and it is important, in the interests of scholarship, that he should have at hand the best information about the differences between Hellenistic and Classical usages. The notes abound with illustrations from his- tory, geography, the study of antiquities, and the like sources. It is curious to contrast the bulk which they occupy, and occupy, it may be said, without anything that may be called prolix or superfluous, as compared with what was deemed sufficient for the schoolboys of a generation ago. This single Gospel occupies a volume at least equal in bulk to " Bloomfield's School Testament." The only question that occurs is this,—is it recognised enough that the capacity of the average English boy has limits, and these limits not by any means large ?