"ORIGEN-SEE HELL."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 115, 16 May 1908, Page 8

"ORIGEN-SEE HELL."

There is a popular anecdote (which happens to be true) of the publisher of a Biblical dictionary who, dissatisfied with the contribution "Deluge," and having no time to obtain an article in substitution, staved off the subject by a cross-reference: " Deluge. (See Flood)."' The " Flood" contribution, when received—also at the last moment —was even less to his liking, and in desperation he inserted: "Flood. (See Noah)." A correspondent of the British Weekly has found a dictionary item which even caps this story. It is the "article" on " Origen " in Addis and Arnold's Catholic Dictionary, bearing date 1884. Here it is in full: "Origen. (See Hell)," In this case, it is a back reference, so tne object could not have been to gain time. "A strange place," observes the correspondent, " to send any inquirer who wishes to know about a Father of the Church!"