30 DECEMBER 1893, Page 24

Christian Workers of the Nineteenth Century. By G. Barnett Smith.

(S.P.C.K.)—Archbishop Tait, Bishops Pattoson, Daniel Wilson, Samuel Wilberforce, Hannington, and G. A. Selwyn, with Lord Shaftesbury, Dr. Arnold, and George Moore, are the subjects of Mr. Barnett Smith's volume. He does not tell us where he obtained his materials, and, as far as we can see, makes no aoknOwledgment of indebtedness. It would have been more gracious if he had done so, for such indebtedness there un- doubtedly is. Let us take the first sketch, " Archbishop Tait " :—

Ma. BARNETT SMITH. DAVIDSON AND BENHAM. "He rode or walked from Oxford Ito "Riding or walkieg from Oxford Bahlon] eoyers1 times a week, usually several time., a week, usually sleeping sloping on Saturday nights in a hired on Saturday nights in the hired trittage cottage, which served for a parsonage, which served as an apology for a par- and returning to Balliol in time for the sonny', and returning to Ball el in time College service on Sunday afternoons." for the Oollego service on Sunday liner-

noon's."

Then there is a list of ten books which Tait studied in 11:338-39. It is precisely the same, both in names and order, as we find in David- son and Benham. Where did Mr. Barnett Smith get this list P We do not blame him for utilising this and other information. On the contrary, we think he has done well. No one, of course, who can get the great and interesting " Life of Archbishop Tait" will fail to do so ; but it is out of the reach of many, and Mr. Barnett Smith's volume will be useful. Still, we think that a very hand- some acknowledgment ought to have been made, and not only in this case but wherever a similar obligation has been incurred. The volume is published, we see, "under the direction of the General Literature Committee." Did it occur to no one of these gentlemen that this ordinary courtesy of literature should be paid P