19 SEPTEMBER 1863, Page 23

The Battle Won. By a Carthusian. (Riving,tons.) —This is an

epic poem in twelve books, narrating the Old Testament history in the first seven and the New Testament history in the last five. "How goodly are thy tents, 0 Jacob, and thy tabernacles, 0 Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river side, as the trees of lign- aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters." It is simply incomprehensible to us how any man with the music of those verses in his ears could dilute them as follows :— " Oh ! Israel, how goodly are thy tents !

Beneath the Lord's outehadowing hand outspread, Like the lign aloes which the plains adorn With graceful symmetry of growth, untrained By human culture, and, on Zephyrs borne, With aromatic perfume charm the air ; Or stately cedars by the rivers' bank, Which, towering heavenward, their umbrageous arms Extend, and cast around a spreading shade."

Probably, the Carthusian really appreciates both his Bible and Milton, for we observe that he has seized on the most beautiful passages of both. Readers who like this sort of thing will find it in abundance hi The Battle Won.