Christianity and Islam in Spain. By C. R. Haines. (Regan
Paul and Co.)—This little book (originally a prize essay), dealing with a period between 756 and 1031 A.D., about which a good deal is at once generally and vaguely known, is worth reading by all who wish to understand the evolution of Spanish history. The standpoint of the author, who is obviously a scholarly and well- informed man, may be almost gathered from his assertion that "had the Arab domination embraced the whole of Spain, and con- tinued to be established over it, Spain could never have become the priest-ridden country which it now is ; but the gradual advance of the Christian arms in the North brought in its train a more and more complete subserviency to the Pope." The author, however, looks at his subject essentially from the purely historical and non-controversial point of view, and his book will be found of interest chiefly on account of the wealth of detailed information which it supplies on men and movements—take, for example, John of Gorz and Muzarabic Christianity—which had their influence in Spanish history, but which, to the ordinary reader are voces et pra•terea niha. It will be found especially useful for reference purposes.
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