ROBERT BROWNING AND FAITH.
Guidance from Robert Browning in Matters of Faith. By John A. Hutton. (Oliphant, Anderson, and Ferrier. 2s. 6d.)— Although some may think there has been an abundance, if not a superabundance, of Browning literature of late, this little volume will have its function. It consists of four lectures essentially " popular " in their character, which were given by the author to "a considerable class that met on Sunday evenings during the winter," and it "has as its one sincere idea and reason not to estimate the poet or to admire him, but simply to urge his message as offering in these days of ours a basis and motive for faith and hope and love." Mr. Hutton undoubtedly writes with knowledge as well as earnestness, and he puts his case for Browning as a guide in matters of faith very skilfully under the four heads of "The Case for Belief," " The Soul's Leap to God," "The Mystery of Evil," and "The Incarnation." One may differ from certain of his conclusions, as, for example, when he says : "Behind these twinkling eyes of Blougram, I see a convinced and genuine soul." But if the book be taken as a whole, it must be accounted one of the best expositions that have ever appeared of Browning's position as a defender of the leading " funda- mentals" of Christianity. It is very well written, and for many reasons may be found very "helpful," especially by young men.
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