30 JANUARY 1909, Page 13

Benares. By the Rev. C. Phillips Cape. (R. C alloy.

2s. 6d.)— 13enares, says Ur. Cape, who is engaged in missionary work in that city, is "time Jerusalem of the Hindu." If it could be won to Christianity, a great work indeed would have been accom- plished, But it is a stronghold, and strongholds are not easily captured. Anyhow, this gives a special interest to Mr. Cape's book. We want to hear all about a place so important. Here we have a seasonable instalment. We read of the part Which it has had in British history; of its forms of worship, Juggernaut (rightly spelt " Jagannith ") among them; of the "Holy Men," many of whom, unhappily, are "notoriously Unholy"; of the great buildings; of the peculiarities of caste ; of the plagues of life, mosquitoes, fleas, and snakes ; and of many Other things, good and bail. Some of the chapters are specially written for children; as a whole, the book is much to be Commended.