The Bible True from the Beginning. By Edward Gough, B.A.
Vol. III. (Kogan Paul, Trench and Co.)—Mr. Gough carries on his work of interpreting the Scriptures on what may be called, for brevity's sake, the figurative method. He prefers to call it "a doctrine of grades," a term which it would take us too long to explain, but which may be found set forth in the first volume and defended in that now before us. We confess to a certain sense of bewilderment, when, for instance, we read that it is a fallacy to suppose that when St. Paul enjoins on women silence in the church, he means "literal women." It is scarcely less perplexing to read that the " goats " in the Parable of the Judgment are "evil natures." But if any one wants a real exercise of mind, and, we may add, patience, let him try to master the chapter on David and Abishag. Gnosticism, the "Shepherd of Hermes," and a variety of other matters are mixed up in it ; but the upshot may be briefly stated by saying that "the writer regards Abishag as a symbol of truth." One can only say, "This way madness lies," —not, we hasten to add, for the writer, who walks with certain steps in this labyrinth, but for the reader.
We have received The Medical Register,1890 (Spottiswoode and Co.) It contains a list of the General Medical Council, as it is at present constituted, and a table of past members, Medical Acts from 1858-1886, a summary of accounts, and, with other matters, some interesting "tables of members." The present Register contains 28,348 names, of which 5,939 belong to Scotland, and 4,538 to Ireland. From this we gather that in England and Wales we are blessed with one doctor to 1,462, while Scotland has one in 629 (many, probably, academically employed), and Ireland one in 1,140. Is this another Irish wrong ? It is certainly strange that the wealthiest country should have the fewest doctors. In Scotland, considering that there are great spaces of country where a doctor is scarcely to be found, they must be very thick in some places, as in Edinburgh. The Register gives name, address, and qualification—With this may be mentioned The Dentists' Register (Spottiswoode and Co.) It appears that there is a grand total of 4,805 dentists in the United Kingdom, 3,700 of whom have only their own statement that they are dentists. The Licentiates are 1,079.
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