sages occur in his pages. His chapters on the New Learning and the attitude which the various occupants of the Papal Chair assumed toward it, though dealing with a well worn subject, will be found fresh and interesting.

By

Historia Numorum: A Manual of Greek Numismatics. BARCLAY V. HEAD. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1887. Valuable as this work is, the class to which it appeals can scarcely be said to be numerous, yet few as they are there is not one of them by whom its appearance will not be eagerly welcomed. It is many a long day since a similar work of equal value was issued. The last thorough retrospect of the science to which it belongs was made towards the close of the eighteenth century, when Eckhel published his monumental Doctrina numorum veterum, but since then the science which Eckhel illustrated with such marvellous skill and erudition has shared in the general forward movement, and may be said to have been advancing by leaps and bounds. For the first principles of numismatics the student will always consult the Doctrina with advantage, and in all probability it will never be altogether superseded. But since the beginning of the present century, as Mr. Head points out, much has been accomplished; whole fields of study of which Eckhel was entirely ignorant have been opened up and explored, and hoards upon hoards of ancient coins have been brought to light.' Of the electrum staters of Cyzicus, for instance, of which no fewer than 150 varieties are now known, Eckhel had never seen a single specimen, and was led to doubt the evidence of ancient writers and to dispute the fact that any such coin had ever existed. In the same way he had never seen a gold stater of Athens, and disbelieved in the genuineness of the few specimens which had been described by others. Archæology, too, is a science of quite recent growth, and it is only within a comparatively few years that archæologists have become aware of any strict scientific basis of criticism for determining the exact age of any works of ancient art. Metrology was declared by Eckhel to be involved in Cimmerian darkness, but, thanks to the progress of archæology, which has made it possible to assign definite dates to the various issues of the cities of the ancient world, and to the writings of Boeckh, Mommsen, Lenormant, Bartolotti, Hultsch, and others, the science of ancient numismatic metrology has been placed on a firmer footing. 'It can no longer be maintained,' as Mr. Head observes, that this branch of our subject is shrouded in Cimmerian darkness; the night has at last broken, and we are beginning to see well enough to feel our way.' The Historia makes no pretensions, as we need hardly say, to take the place of the Doctrina. Nor does it profess to be a complete Corpus' of Greek coins. The time for the compilation of such a work, Mr Head believes, has not yet arrived, and doubts whether the completion of so colossal an undertaking is now within the power of any single scholar. Still less does Mr. Head's manual profess to be a general treatise or a series of Essays on Numismatics. 'My aim,' he says, 'has been to produce a practical handbook in a single portable volume containing in a condensed form a sketch of the numismatic history of nearly every city, king, or dynast known to have struck coins throughout the length and breadth of the ancient world.' Want of space has prevented Mr. Head from attempting to give complete catalogues of all the known coins of any particular cities, or even to describe in minute detail the specimens selected. 'All that I have found it possible to accomplish in a manual of moderate size,' he remarks, has been to draw attention to the leading and most characteristic coin-types of each city and king as far as possible in chronological order, taking care to distinguish the

It

dialectic forms of the ethnic noun or adjective, to note the metrological standards in use in the various periods, the local myths, and the names and epithets of the deities chiefly revered in each locality, and to indicate remarkable palæographical peculiarities in so far as this could be done without having special types cut for the purpose.' The plan here indicated is adhered to throughout the volume with remarkable, and unless our memory fail us, perfect consistency. Its advantages are obvious, not only for the history of numismatics, but also for the history of the various cities and districts represented, and for the history of Greek art. Specially deserving of notice is the introduction, written with admirable clearness and precision, which Mr. Head has prefixed to his volume. In this he deals with, among other things, the primitive methods of exchange by barter, the metric systems of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, the origin of the Greek monetary standards and the different routes by which they were transmitted from the East to the West, symbols and inscriptions. is here, probably more than in the body of the work, that the majority of readers will be best able to appreciate the rapid progress which has been made in numismatic studies during the past fifty years, and the immense significance it has for the history of the Greek cities and colonies and for Greek art. We are not sure as to the religious value of the mythological figures which most of the coins bear, and have grave doubts as to whether in many instances, they were used with any religious significance at all. We have a suspicion, too, that trade and commerce and neighbourhood, apart from politics and religion, had a good deal to do in determining some of the types adopted. But whether that was the case or not, Mr. Head has here put into the hands of the student an exceedingly valuable key of knowledge. His book is not only opportune; it is one which must necessarily take a high place among works of its kind for a very considerable period. It is a monument of learning, and deserves the highest praise. The History of St. Cuthbert. By CHARLES, ARCHBISHOP OF GLASGOW. Third Edition. London: Burns & Oates.

1887.

It was very fitting that a zealous priest, while labouring in that Northumbria which was the scene of the labours of the Saint and over part of which he ruled as bishop, should write a history of the great St. Cuthbert. The twelfth Centenary of the death of St. Cuthbert has been celebrated this very year, and the occasion has called forth from that priest, now Archbishop of Glasgow, this, the third edition of his work. As far as paper, type, binding and whole get up is concerned, this most handsome volume leaves nothing to be desired. Its value is greatly enhanced by giving us a number of maps and plans, which help considerably to the easy comprehension of the narrative. The map, however, and the description (p. 8) of antient Northumbria, manifestly err. They ignore the kingdom of the Britons of Cumbria and Strathclyde. The style is easy, plain, and clear. There are many quotations from old authorities, not a few remaining untranslated in their original Latin. There are also notes, full of information on various subjects, and a useful index at the end.

St. Cuthbert was born in the second or third decade of the seventh century, and he died in 687. He seems to have been of lowly parentage, for we find him first noticed as a shepherd near Melrose. The Archbishop maintains, and every probability is with him, that he was a native of the neighbourhood. He was of a pious disposition, and in early youth he became a monk at Melrose in 651, under the guidance of a holy priest called Boisil. The course of his life is briefly told. As monk and prior, he lived

at Melrose thirteen years, as prior at Lindisfarne twelve years, a hermit on Farne island nine years, and as bishop of Lindisfarne two years.

Whoever wishes to learn what manner of men made this country Christian, and what manner of Christianity these men practised and taught, must go back to such early lives as that of Cuthbert. And in as much as he was a disciple of our Columban monks of Iona, who were sent thence to convert Northumbria, his life becomes of much more interest to the student of Scottish and Celtic Christianity. Christianity civilized our forefathers, and the historical student by such study as this finds what means were employed, what course of action was followed, and what principles were inculcated to mould the minds of men by the founders of our civilization. In Cuthbert we find a man of great meekness and patience. No harsh word or action is recorded of him. 'He was so zealous in watching and praying, that he is believed to have sometimes passed three or four nights therein; p. 29. The passage is from Bede. When Cuthbert was on a visit at Coldingham, Bede tells us, that 'one night he left the monastery, went down to the sea, and going into it, until the water reached his neck and arms, spent the night in praising God '-p. 20. In his zeal for souls he did not forget humility. It is Bede again that tells us, that 'he often went, sometimes on foot, sometimes on horseback, and preached the way of truth in the neighbouring villages.' 'He was mostly accustomed to travel to those villages which lay in out of the way places among the mountains, which by their poverty deterred other visitors.' 'He would often shed tears over those who confessed their sins to him, pitying their weakness, and would himself point out, by his own righteous example, what course the sinner should pursue '-pp. 19-30. His asceticism was of an extreme kind. He shut himself up in his cell, remaining a hermit for nine years. Listen to Bede again: At length, as his zeal after perfection grew, he shut himself up in his cell from the sight of men, and spent his time alone, in fasting, watching, and prayer, occasionally conversing from within, through the window, with those who came to him; for it at first was left open, that he might see and be seen by the brethren; but, after a time, he shut it up, and opened it only to give his blessing, or for any other purpose of absolute necessity '-pp. 44-45. That he might be no burden on others he grew some barley and, it would seem, onions, on which he lived. An altar for his mass was almost the only thing in his cell. What a marvel! It confounds one to think of such a life on this lone island of Farne for nine years. It is said that in Russia, civilization is but skin-deep, and that if you but scratch a Russian you find a Tartar; so in Cuthbert's day, Christianity was but skin-deep in Northumbria, if you scratched the Angle, you found the heathen. They were men of blood. It was war with each other, war with the Pict, war with the Scot, war with the Briton. Rapine, spoils, possessions, conquest, mastery were what they sought after. It required strong words, and stronger example to bring the Gospel teachings home to their minds, to drive this world out of their heads and hearts, and the next into them. And Cuthbert's utter renouncement of the world, and the like example of many others in those days, had its effect. Bede says 'Many came to the man of God-even from the more remote parts of Britain, led thither by the fame of his virtues, to confess the sins which they had committed, or to lay before him the temptations that they suffered, or the adversities for no one went away from him without consolation; no one returned home with the same sorrow of mind that he brought '-p. 48. A last quotation from Bede to show how he was made a bishop: They could not, however, persuade him to leave his cell, though many letters and messages were sent to him (from the Synod at Twyford); at last the king himself (Egfrid), with the

holy Bishop Frumwine, and other religious and great men, went over to the island; many also of the brethren of the isle of Lindisfarne assembled together for the same purpose. They all knelt, conjured him by our Lord and with tears and entreaties, till they drew him, also in tears, from his retreat, and forced him to the Synod. Being arrived there, after much opposition, he was overcome by the unanimous resolution of all present, and submitted to take upon himself the episcopal dignity'-pp. 52-53. Such was the influence in the world of a man crucified to the world.'

The History of St. Cuthbert' occupies but a small portion of this goodly volume. The second part of the work is in three sections. In the first of which there is a long account of the wanderings of the monks of Lindisfarne with the body of the Saint to preserve it from the Danes. It at last was enshrined in the cathedral of Durham. His body, as is maintained, remained and remains incorrupt, whole and entire, more like to one asleep than to one dead. The second section gives an account of the state of St. Cuthbert's body, from the time of his decease till the year 1542. In that year King Henry VIII. sent the spoiler to rob the shrine. The third section gives long and interesting details about the different monuments erected in honour of St. Cuthbert, and especially dwells on all that is connected with him in his great cathedral at Durham-his feretory, shrine, the vestments, lamps, and offerings thereat, etc., etc.

There are contemporary authorities almost on every point. The venerable Bede, who wrote two lives of the Saint, one in prose and one in Latin verse, besides his frequent mention of him in his Ecclesiastical History, was fifteen years old at Cuthbert's death. An anonymous monk of Lindisfarne wrote a life of him seemingly about the year 700. And the most wonderful statements about the incorruptedness of the body of St. Cuthbert have a great body of minute evidence to rest upon. It is worth the study of the curious. Everyone, who takes an interest in antient church matters, will welcome this History, and thank the Archbishop of Glasgow for placing before them such varied information in so acceptable a form.

Correspondence between Goethe and Carlyle.

Edited by

CHARLES ELIOT NORTON. London and New York:
Macmillan & Co., 1887.

The

The letters which are here published are not numerous, but they are extremely precious. Of late there has been almost a surfeit of Carlyle literature, but no one will complain of this latest addition to it. name of Goethe is sufficient to lend an interest to it, and the fact that it presents Carlyle in a comparatively new light will scarcely fail to win for it an attentive reading. Exclusive of those contained in the appendices, the letters, which are about forty in number, are mostly between Carlyle and Goethe, the rest of them being between Carlyle and Eckermann or Hitzig, and Goethe and his 'Fifteen English Friends.' For the convenience of English readers the editor has appended to the German letters excellent translations. He has also written an introduction for the volume and added a number of useful notes. The correspondence was opened by Carlyle who after long casting about for light and rest had at last found what he desired in the study of several of Goethe's writings. His first letter, which was written in London, June 24, 1824, and was accompanied by a copy of the translation of Meister's Apprenticeship, is simply an expression of profound gratitude and the desire for personal intercourse. Similar letters must have reached Goethe frequently. was then in his seventy-sixth year and was unceasingly occupied by the cares of office and his literary work; but the reply which Carlyle received,

He

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though brief, was full of sympathy, kindness and encouragement. reached him in a parcel containing two small pamphlets which Goethe had sent as a present. Carlyle's feelings are best told in his own words. 'Conceive my satisfaction,' he wrote immediately after its receipt to Miss Welsh; it was almost like a message from Fairy Land; I could scarcely think that this was the real hand and signature of that mysterious personage, whose name had floated through my fancy like a sort of spell since boyhood, whose thoughts had come to me in maturer years with almost the impressiveness of revelations. But what says the letter! Kind nothings, in simple patriarchal style extremely to my taste.' The correspondence thus begun was kept up during the remainder of Goethe's life, always growing more intimate and being accompanied in almost every instance by some fresh token of appreciation or esteem. Pleasanter reading of the kind it is scarcely possible to desire. The letters show the two men at their best. Goethe's are always kindly, genial, suggestive. From first to last they show his project of bringing about a better understanding amongst nations by means of a universal worldliterature, or to establish a sort of exchange by which different countries might share in whatever great intellectual work any of them might produce. Carlyle's letters are at first somewhat stiff. His reverence for Goethe seems indeed to have amounted almost to awe; and it is only towards the close of the correspondence that he shakes himself free from its restraints, and expresses himself with the ease and fluency characteristic of his correspondence with others.

Victoria, R. 1.: Her Life and Reign. By DR. MACAULAY. Portraits and Illustrations. London: Religious Tract Society. 1887.

In compiling this beautifully printed and altogether handsome volume, Dr. Macaulay has attempted, he tells us, to recall those qualities in the personal character of the Queen and the incidents in her life which have most endeared her to her people during the last fifty years. At the same time he has given a comprehensive summary of the great public movements of the time, noting the progress made in political, religious, and educational matters, and the rapid strides by which science and invention have attained to their present high position. That so accomplished a writer as Dr. Macaulay has done his work with taste and skill, need hardly be said. The book is full of interest. It is profusely illustrated and is one of the most successful of the many publications which have been issued in connection with Her Majesty's Jubilee. There is one point to which we may call attention. The Royal Scots Regiment has undoubtedly a long and illustrious history. It has the longest unbroken history of any regiment in the British army; but it is doubtful whether it can trace its origin to the times of the Crusades.' According to Mr. Ross, the Royal Scots was not raised and did not enter the service of France till the year 1634. Dr. Macaulay does not seem to be exactly clear that this body of troops was neither the Scots Men-at-Arms nor the Scots Guards, whose history Father Forbes-Leith has so well written.

Par LE

L'Ecosse jadis et aujourd'hui: Études et souvenirs. COMTE L. LAFOND. Paris: Calmann Lévy. 1887. This is a book which all Scotchmen familiar with the French language will, we think, enjoy. We may set their minds at rest about it at once by telling them, if they have not yet read it, that it is not a volume of jottings from the diary of a flying tourist, nor a protracted grumble over our cli