In the series of "Media:mai Towns" (J. M. Dent and
Co.) we have The Story of Chartres, by Cecil F. Headlam, illustrated by Herbert Railton (4s. 6d. net), and The Story of Prague, by Count Liitzow, illustrated by Nelly Erichsen (3s. 6d. net). Mr. Head- lam, in his very picturesque story, begins with a vivid description of the Beauce country, in which Chartres is situated, tells us about the Druids, and briefly sketches the dealings of Caesar with the Carnutes, the old dwellers in the Chartres country. He goes to the verge, or even beyond the verge, of probability when he sug- gests that the Church of Chartres may date back to the first century. Gaul, however, was certainly Christianised at an early date, not, of course, without martyrdoms. Mr. Headlam gives various explanations of a local custom at Chartres that when the Bishop chants the Paz Vobis the choir does not respond in full, but only the nearest priest in a low voice. The most attractive of all is that it is a reminiscence of the days of oppression when the voice of praise had to be hushed. The religious and ecclesiastical history of the city reaches far back and is remarkably varied and full of interest, and Mr. Headlam relates it, especially in connection with the magnificent Cathedral, which still stands to witness to it, with strong and intelligent sympathy. We cannot subscribe to all his opinions. "Men dedicated to the -Church their money and their labour for the remission of their sins, and not with the object of acquiring fame." That seems to us but poor theology, and indifferent morality. To seek remission of sin by building a Cathedral seems a deadly error. "You lay down a law for the benefit of the wealthy," as Death said to Apollo in the Alcestis. How fatally easy to sin again at the price of another Cathedral ! • Ad maiorem Dei gloriam is the one unimpeachable motive, as Mr. Headlam is himself aware. But his description of the Cathedral is admirable. We cannot imagine a better handbook, so eloquent is it and so careful. And then there are Mr. Railton's drawings, so full of delicate grace, worthy, as far as the work of pencil can be worthy, of the glories of the place.—Prague does not possess anything that can be matched with the Cathedral of Chartres. It suffered from the iconoclasm of the followers of Hue. Nevertheless, the catalogue of its historical remains is a long one, and curiously varied. Its history does not go back to any very remote time. Its earliest legendary ruler of whom anything is related may be referred to the sixth century of our era. This was Libursa, daughter of Krok, who, finding her subjects discontented with a woman's sway, took a husband from the plough, one Premysl, a Bohemian Cincinnatus, as he may be called. Some time in the tenth century comes the famous St. Wenceslas. Not long after we come to traces, very interesting in the light of recent events, of antagonism between Bohemian and German nationalities. In 1306 the dynasty of Premysl came to an end, and was succeeded by a German line. Doubtless the great reforming movement under Hus and Jerome had a national side. Religion certainly was a powerful factor in Bohemian history for many generations. When Protestantism was ultimately extinguished in the seventeenth century, Bohemian independence perished with it, and the national tongue was, for a time at least, suppressed. One cannot but feel, on reading Count Lfitzow's story, that there is more excuse for the violence of the Czech party in the Austrian Reichsrath than would at first sight appear. The nation has little reason to love the German race. The history, it will be seen, is the most prominent feature of this volume; but other matters are not neglected. The illustrations are pleasing, though they lack Mr. Railton's magical touch. A very interesting engraving of Prague temp. Rudolph II. (1676- 1612) is given, in three sections.
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