Books of Devotion. By the Rev. Charles Bodington. (Long. mans
and Co. 5s.)—This is a volume of the "Oxford Library of Practical Theology," and naturally occupies the standpoint common to the series. It is not exactly stated for what readers these volumes are intended. It may be presumed that they will largely come into the hands of the clergy. In that case we may suppose—if it does not imply too much confidence in the thorough. ness and good faith of clerical education—that the reader will know how to distinguish between the authoritative and non- authoritative books and documents quoted. Canon Bodington is scarcely as precise as he might be. On p. 212, for instance, it might have been as well to note that the table of "the times when marriages are not solemnised" has no authority in the Anglican Church. An over-zealous young parson might refuse (or use language tantamount to refusal) to celebrate a marriage within such times. In this year 1902-1903, between December 1st and June 7th, more than six months, there are fifty-seven lawful days and some hundred and thirty that are unlawful. The book, as a whole, may be used with profit; but certainly calls for caution. It is not without significance that of the books of devotion recom- mended, a list borrowed from elsewhere with a manifestly implied approval, fifteen Roman books are put in the first class to Ave Anglican. It is true that the Roman books predominate in the list, as, indeed, they are bound to do, but the proportion is not the same, being not three to one, but very nearly three to two (seventy-four to forty-six).
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