31 OCTOBER 1891, Page 23

Thoughts on Religious History. By the Hon. Albert S. G.

Canning. (Remington and Co.)—Mr. Canning assumes, it seems to us, a somewhat patronising air to the religions a which ho speaks ; nor has he anything particularly novel to say ; but his reflections are mostly just and reasonable. We must remind

him that Marcus Aurelius can hardly be said to have desired to restore Paganism, though he certainly persecuted Christianity, and that, whatever he did or did not attempt, it was certainly not, as Mr. Canning seems to think, after the time of Constantine.