TliJi ARCHITECTURES OF EUROPEAN RELIGIONS.
The Architectures of European Religions. By Ian B. Stoughton Holborn, M.A. (T. and T. Clark. 6s. net.)—One might say that Mr. Holborn's book is about equally divided between non-Christian and Christian architectures, were the author not careful to explain that there is no such thing as an architecture of Christianity. Surely, if this is so, the title of his book is not very happily chosen. Nor can it be doubted that the central idea of Christianity has profoundly affected the character of its religious buildings. It is a religion of worship, and the worship is such as demands the presence of the people. Mr. Holborn fully recognises that this idea was not Greek. The worship took place in the tomenos (p. 65). Practically, however, we have no complaint to make against his treatment of his subject. It indicates the thoroughness of his acquaintance with it. Possibly he is apt, as the possessors of such knowledge often are apt, to be a little too particular. Is it not too much to say that the phrase "basilican style" is "unfortunate, illogical, and misleading " ? Is it really " misleading" ? Does it not give a practically useful idea of what is meant much better than the term "Latin" which is suggested? "Carpenter's Gothic" is not a logical phrase, but it is really serviceable. One valuable feature of this volume is the glossary of architectural terms. The bibliography might have been expanded with advantage.
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