The Books of the Apocrypha : their Origin, Teaching, and
Contents, By W. 0. E. Oesterley. (Robert Scott. 16s. net.)—The discussion of the various apocryphal books occupies only the second and smaller part of Dr. Oeeterley's volume. The first part consists of general prolegomena to the whole subject ; giving an admirably clear and concise account of those movements which filled the gap between the Testaments and form the background to the Gospels. Our grandfathers were accustomed to turn for the history of this period to the pages of Joaaphus ; but for a hang time now Whiston's Josephus has joined The Whole Duty of Man on the top shelves of second-hand-book shops. The recent attention given by scholars to the Jewish apocalyptic books has, however, once more revived popular interest in this dark period of Jewish history ; and in Dr. Oesterley's pages may be found a scholarly account, not only of the apocalyptic school, but of the Hellenistic movement which preceded it, of the Wisdom literature, and of the origin of those Scribes and Pharisees and Sadducees of whom we road in the Gospels. Dr. Oosterley's learning in all Jewish antiquities is well known ; he is Warden of a " Society of the Apocrypha," founded by an enthusiastic clergyman to promote the study of that literature, which has for ten years issued a quarterly International Journal ; so that we need do no more than call attention to his most useful book.
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