IN A MINSTER GARDEN.
In a Minster Garden. By the Dean of Ely. (Elliot Stock. 6s. net.)—This is a pleasant enough volume, an olla podrida of hymns and religious verses, essays on the history of Ely, and eauseries dealing mostly with social and economic questions. The Dean gives an interesting account of his holiday in the United States, and mentions with particular approval the essential " friendli- ness " of the American, whose chief fault, according to this observer, is "a certain self- consciousness under criticism
and a certain over-anxiety, not only to be well thought of, but to have the good thought publicly expressed." A very slight love episode makes little difference to the character of the book, and the lovers, a most earnest and—perhaps—a somewhat academic pair, might reasonably complain that they are never permitted to be frivolous—and human. The author gives us an amusing story of Thompson, who was Canon of Ely in Dean Peacock's time. The Dean was anxious to remove the capital of an old Norman column, which interfered with his view of the Cathedral. The Chapter objected strongly on the ground that the capital was a most interesting historical relic. "The dispute in Chapter became heated. Finally, it is said, the Dean lost his temper, and called the Chapter a pack of geese.' Canon
Thompson saved the situation by his humour: 'Really, Mr. Dean: he said.' you forget your—' As be hesitated for a moment, they thought he was about to add manners,' but he went on—' your Roman history. The cackling of the geese saved the Capitol.' "
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