What Matters. By the author of "Honoria's Patchwork." (Chapman and
Hall. 6s.)—The author knows how to write an essay, and this knowledge stands high amongst literary achieve- ments. The first three chapters are on "Values," and have suggested the title of the volume. " Everything matters" and "nothing matters" are the two notes of thought in this subject, and dwellers in the middle world, that is, most of us, find not a. few doubtful cases. Then we read about social subjects, about street music, of which we should be as tolerant as is our author if only it were played on the other side of the house, about certain books and about London sights, and a variety of other subjects. Our author always writes with ease, and the reader does his part also easily—not an invariable consequence by any means. Finally we have quite a pretty little love story, the hopeless passion of a man of low degree for a well-born maid. We read of a difference of opinion about what is described as a favourite text, " Jesus wept." A friend whom our author names "Psyche" told her that the original 46cispvcre is badly translated by the words, and that it really means "tears fell"—not of lamentation but indignation. This is all wrong. The word means tears of quiet sorrow ; what " Psyche " was thinking of is expressed by etritauccv (Luke xix. 41„ when Christ comes in sight of Jerusalem). Thayer, in his "Dictionary of New Testament Greek," says " Baty/Jen, means to. shed tears, weep silently,' laden* to weep audibly," adding explanations of four other terms.
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