Dr. Margaret Smith, whose monograph upon the Moslem. Rabi'a, showed
a keen interest in mysticism and con,' 'siderable knowledge of its documents, has now produced in An-Introduction to the History of Mysticism (S.P.C.K., 4s.) a. -slender and simply written handbook consisting of ten short' chapters on its nature and meaning and its principal schools. A book Of 120 pages which begins with the Bible, touches China, India and the Sufis, and brings the story down to, Browning and Wordsworth, cannot be expected to introduce' us into the King's Treasuries ; the best it can do is to show. 'us a handful of jewels, which hint at the richness within. In this Dr. Smith succeeds, admirably, and will probably entice' many readers to' explore further for themselves. She defines
• Mysticism as the vital element in all true religions," and draws attention to the wonderful uniformity- of its ideals and. methods in every, time and place. - * * * *
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