NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12377, 16 December 1905, Page 7

NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

On literary and historical, as well as on religious grounds, tho story of the English ifible is full of interest. It is satisfactory to see, therefore, that BishoT> Westoott's "General View of the History of the English Bible," which has for some time been out of print, has been reissued in a third edition, having, at the Bishop : s request, been revised by Mr VV. Alois Wright, Vice Maeuir or Trinity College, Cambridge, than whom no more capable authority could have been selected for the work. As early as'the eiglith contury the Psalms were translated into Anglo-Saxon, and about the same timo Bede, in hie last "Lenios. translated tho Gospel ot St. John. In tho next century iving Alfred prefixed to his laws a translation of the ten commandments and a few other fragments from the. book Exodus, and is said to have been engaged on a version of the Psalms at the time of hia death, in the tenth century other portions of the Scripture were translated from the Latin, but Bishop Westcott chows that the history of the English Bible properly commences with tho translation made by Wyciitfe in the 14th century. Svhiio tne book remained in manuscript its circulation and etudy were not only precarious but perilous. With tho invention of printing a new era dawned. The romantic, eiory-of Tondale's life and labours, the manner in which he made his translation, its reception in. Jtogland, and his martyrdom, ia toid by Disnop Westcott witu> a thrills" the reader. Next we have traced in succession tho nistory of Coverdalo's iiibie, j>laUhew J s Bible, The Great Bible, Taverner's Bible, The Genevan. Bible, The Bisiiop's Bible, A The liheims and Douay Yei-sion, and finally the Authorised Version, the noble.t of them all. Apart from this, external history of the English Bible, Bishop Westcott devotes himself to its internal history, which deals with the relation of tho different versions to other texts, etc. Coming from such an accomplished Biblical critio as Bishop Westcott thie is not the least valuable part of the work. An interesting feature which he points out is the manner m which the Book of Common Prayer cys Utilises as it were the history of tho English Bible by embalming portions of various versions in its pages. The Psalter, as , is well-known, is the version of Coverdale and Cranmer, and Bishop Westcott finds in it, with all its errors and iniperiectione '.'an incomparable tenderness and sweetness." (London: Macuiillan and Co., 12s (3d net.)

A handeome appropriate volume for & Christmas present, is a beautiful edition of "Henry Esmond," with en introduction by Austin Dobson, and illustrations by Hugh Thomson-. If " Esmond " be not Tflackeray's greatest work—which was the view of Anthony Trollope, among others— wo can ad agree with Mr Austin Dobeon that it is unquestionably his greatest work in its particular kind. There is no better authority than Mr Austin Dobson on tho times of Queen Anne, and' his notes and criticisms m the introduction sued a gcod deal of light- on the'Btory, and at the same time snow what a very conscientious artist i'hackeray wae. (.London : MacmilLan and Co., 65.).

Amateur gardeners will welcome a new edition, much enlarged and improved, of " Gardening in New Zealand," by Mr M. Murphy,. ij'.L.S. popularity of the work in proved by the fact that this is the fourth edition which has been published. It has been almost entirely re-written and brought up-to-date, and for the first time is illustrated throughout, a fact which adds greatly to its interest and value. Every department of-gardening is dealt with in ciear and simple language, and not only is the calendar adapted to .New Zeaand requirements, but various modifications in practice, which experience has shown to be advisable* are embodied in the text. It will be an invaluable assistance to those who already work in their gardens, and we shall be surprised if the author's enthusiasm does not communicate itself to his readers and lead many who do not know from experience the delights a garden may afford, to take up the , pursuit* (Cnristcburcb.: Whitcombe and Tombs," Ltd., 3s 6d.). The Christmas Number of "Cassell'e Magazine " (special Australasian edition; is a notable issue, if only for the fine pair of photogravures issued with it. These are "Dick Swiveller and the Marchioneee." and "Bob Cratchit an~ Tiny Tim," from the inimitable drawings by F. Barnard. They are admirably executed, weli-«uited for framing, and should appeal to all lovers of Dickens. The literary contents are varied and of high quality. Mr H. *Rider Haggara commences o new African romance, entitled "Benifca," Mr Foster Ira-er has an interesting illustrated article on " Sledges and Sleighing," and among other contributions are Mies M- E. Braddon, J. J. Bell, Arnold White, and Harry Furniw. Altoj?ether it is a splendid shillings worth. (London and Melbourne: Caseell and Co., Ltd., Is.).