20 NOVEMBER 1909, Page 14

The Old Testament in the Light of the Religion of

Babylonia and Assyria. By J. Evans Thomas, B.D. (A. and C. Black. 3s. 6d. net.)-In this useful little volume Mr. Thomas summarises for us much that has been written about the great nations of the East. So we have the Babylonian story of the Deluge, and the Code of Hammtusbi compared with the Mosaic Law. Possibly he makes too much, here and there, of difficulties, chronological and other ; but his attitude is one of moderation. The difficulties of the Egyptian episode, for instance, might have been more insisted upon. The book, as has been said, should be useful ; but those who occupy the conservative standpoint will not like it.