History of the British Church. By J. Romilly Allen, F.S.A.
(Scot.) (S.P.C.K.)—This Society is doing a really good work by issuing in so handy a form, information on such an interesting subject. Of course in so small a space it would be impossible to go deeply into it ; but the author seems to write con amore, and gives his authorities freely, so that those who wish to do so, will find this little volume a good basis for further research. The diagrams, taken some of them from rubbings, others from drawings, are also a great help to the student, and very interesting to all lovers of good ornamentation. There are also several lists of the geo- graphical distribution of various structures and relics, which would be found a great help in pursuing the subject; and many of the alphabets placed side by side so as greatly to facilitate what, with the best of helps, must remain an abstruse study. Alto- gether, the author is quite justified in claiming for himself the im- munity asked by the musical entertainer in America whose words he quotes at the end of his preface : " Please do not shoot the performer, as he is doing his best." He is also justified in remarking that while the history of the Early British Church, as revealed in documents, has had almost, if not all, possible light thrown upon it, the archaeology, as revealed in structures, monuments, and portable relics, will still bear a great deal of looking into, and will well reward the student.
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