14 MAY 1927, Page 35

In our opinion, Mr. Kingsland's Anthology of Mysticism and Mystical

Philosophy (Methuen. 7s. 6d.) suffers from two prevalent defects of such works : firstly, that the Aryans, in whose brain first blossomed the flower of spiritual thought, are inadequately represented by an occasional quotation from the Upanishads and (of all people) Madame Blavatsky. Secondly (and perhaps inevitably), the passages of one's favourite authors are always omitted. But after all, the reader of an anthology, like the listener to the average sermon, generally feels that he could do the thing better himself. In spite of these cavillings there is much to commend in this volume, for we may find here many noble thoughts, and much wisdom in convenient and accessible form.