23 SEPTEMBER 1905, Page 23

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as have not been reserved for mists in other forms.] The Layman's Book of Saints. By the Rev. Gerard Sampson. (Mowbray and Co. le. 6d. net.)—Mr. Sampson must have a good opinion of himself when he undertakes to provide the Anglican laity with a devotional book of this kind. He ranges over the whole region of hagiology, chooses what pleases him best, and publishes it for the edification of the Church. Mr. Sampson does not even keep to the names in our Calendar, substituting Winwaloe for Prisca (January 18th), Sebastian for Fabian (January 20th), Pacian for Dunstan (March 19th), Ludger for Augustin, and John of Egypt for Bede. These last three changes, apart from the wilfulness which dictates them, are quite unaccountable. A much more serious matter, however, is the inserting of " William of Norwich, Boy Martyr" (March 24th). These stories of ritual murder are notoriously untrustworthy, and in these days, when there is such a recrudescence of anti- Jewish feeling, ought to be absolutely banished. Mr. Sampson has incurred a very serious responsibility.