17 JULY 1869, Page 23

Early Sassanian Inscriptions. By Edward Thomas. (Triibner.)— The central point

of interest in this volume, which generally does. credit to the zeal and energy of the writer, is the account of the in- scriptions of Sapor, especially that in which he commemorates his triumph over Valerian ; and another, which may be, for the interpretation is uncertain, of still greater interest, as recording the influence of Western thought on the Persian King's mind. We do not pretend to pronounce- an opinion on matters so difficult and obscure.