20 FEBRUARY 1904, Page 24

The latest volume of "The Century Bible" (T. C. and

E. C. Jack, 2s. 6d. net) is Judges and Ruth, edited by the Rev. G. W. Thatcher, 'M.A. Mr. Thatcher thinks that Judges received its present form somewhat late in the seventh century B.C. ; that it was shaped from an earlier book, in which still earlier traditions had been incorporated. The last chapters are regarded as of different origin. Ruth is supposed to be Exilic or post•Exilia, at least in

its present shape, in which various late phrases are found.' We have no opinion to offer on these critical conclusions. We can only repeat what we have said more than once before, that the scanty amount of surviving Hebrew literature makes the task of the critic extremely difficult, and suggests prudence.