C URRENT LITERAT LIRE.
PEASANT LIFE IN THE HOLY LAND.
Peasant Life in the Holy Land. By the Rev. C. T. Wilson. (John Murray. 12s. net.)—Most books about the Holy Land I"have been written," remarks Mr. Wilson, "not by residents, but by travellers." This has given him an opportunity, which he has used to the great advantage of the reader. He writes about the people rather than the place. One highly interesting point comes out at once. The fellaheen of Palestine are descendants of the old Canaanites. The Jew is a stranger, and brings with him Western habits; for illustrations of Biblical manners one has to go to the people whom he was to have exterminated three thousand years ago. There is something curiously _paradoxical here. The majority of the people are Moslems ; but it is probable that the proportion will be changed. Moslems are taken for military service, and a soldier who leaves the country seldom comes back. A Christian has to compound for service by paying a tax. Both faiths are held, it would seem, in a somewhat slack fashion, the Christian not showing to any particular advantage by the side of its rival. In both pagan beliefs and practices survive, that of magical charms being prominent among them. It is, of course, against rule to interfere with the local Church; but it sorely needs some reform,—perhaps, one should rather say, some life. Mr. Wilson's book is full of interesting details about Palestinian life. He has extended his observations to natural objects, and has much that is curious to tell us. Here is a picturesque little illustration. One has sometimes wondered at the precise meaning of the phrase, "Thy children like .the olive branches round about thy table." The "branches" are the suckers that shoot out of the ground round the trunk.
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