Outlines of Jewish History, B.C. 586 - 0.E. 1885. By the Author
of "About the Jews since Bible Timee." (Longmans.)—This book will take its readers over ground that will probably be unfamiliar to them. A strange and pathetic history it is, this of the people which has changed the face of the world by a movement which it refuses itself to accept, and is more powerful in exile than ever it was at home. There is much merit in the author's treatment of his subject, and some singular defects. That the rise of Christianity should be disposed of in a single page is intelligible enough ; but the Maceabean
era surely demanded a more copious treatment. Its historical interest is great, its interest as the period which really developed spiritual Judaism still greater ; yet less than ten pages are given to it. Why not more about the curious Hellenising tendencies, which, if Antiochus had not been a madman, might have been increased almost to the destruction of the national existence P We think that the author is unduly harsh about converts from Judaism. As he is careful to include those of the nineteenth century, when conversion does not imply relief from disabilities, he clearly goes beyond his right iu asserting that "converts" is but another name for "perjurers."
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