Village Life in Palestine. By the Rev. G. Robinson Leee.
(Elliot Stock.)—After a general sketch, in which the differences between ancient and modern Palestine are described and accounted for, and chapters on the religion, &c., of the present inhabitants, Mr. Lees gives a number of instances in which the language of the Bible is illustrated by the usages of to-day. This has been often done before, but there seems to be always room for a fresh observer. Mr. Lees, too, gives us the results of his observations in a very convenient shape, and adds to their value by a number of illustrations taken by himself. The book is, of course, mostly serious, but does not lack an occasional gleam of fun. So we have the story of the bridegroom who, having to pay the last instalment of five gold pieces, proposed to pay it in Napoleons instead of pounds Turkish ; they were more valuable, he explained, but be wished to express his satisfaction at the bargain. The father-in-law demurred, and Mr. Lees was called in to arbitrate, and had to explain that five Napoleons were worth 10s. less than five pounds Turkish.
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