8 OCTOBER 1881, Page 21

Outline Lessons on Horeb:. By Gertrude Martineau. (C. Kegan Paul

and Co.)—Miss Martineau has written what we hope and believe will be found a really useful book. She discusses what are called in the chapter-headings of the Book of Proverbs "Moral Virtues and their Contrary Vices," and some other kindred topics, such as "Prayer," " Thanksgi% Mg," and "Toleration." Some things receive detailed treatment- ; elsewhere, a simple suggestion is made, which the teacher may enlarge. Sound sense, without any attempt at subtlety, or any lapse into sentimentality, characterises the book. One criticism we feel bound to make. The subject of "Purity" is one which, it is quite possible, it would be better not to discuss at all, in a class such as these " lessons " may be supposed to be intended for. But it seems idle to put the word at the head of a chapter, when it really does not deal with it at all. In a book on morals, it has a distinct meaning, and that is not the meaning which we find given to it here.