BRIEF MENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19252, 16 August 1924, Page 4

BRIEF MENTION.

The addition to the world’s classics of the ‘’’Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” (Oxford Fniversly Press. Cloth, 2s net; leather, 3s 6d net) is of value to students in search of a scholarly edition of this masterpiece. Twenty years ago Franklin’s autobiography was included in Hutchinson’s ‘‘Library of Standard Biographies,” which, well enough for the general reader, lucked both the stylc_ and completeness of Mr Humphrey Milford’s now pocket edition. T his includes -lolm Bigelow’s historical sketch and Franklin’s outline, together with tho full text of the autobiography and several valuable appendices, It was the Rev. Sydney Smith who remarked, ‘‘l recommend the study of Frank! in to all young people; he was a real philanthropist, a wonderful man. ’ Lord Macaulay dubbed Franklin ‘’’Jho Great Pennsylvanian.” A portion of the autobiography was published in a French translation in 1791, and two English retranslations from tho French wore issued independently two years later. Tho first English edition from the original manuscript was printed in 1817, but it was not until 1868 that Mr Bigelow edited and published tho complete work. It is Mr Bigelow’s version that is reproduced in the World’s Classics.

From the Oxford University Prats also issues a copy of “Israel Before Christ : An Account of .Social and Religious Development in tho Old Testame-nt,” by A. \V. F. Blunt, B.D. (2s 6d net). This is otto volume of a projected series entitled “The World’s Manuals,” designed as introductions for students undertaking special subjects and giving landmarks to guide them. Tho series should prove useful to tho general reader who lacks time and opportunity to devote to more exhaustive research. It cowers history and geography, art, religion and philosophy. language and literature, science and social science. Canon Blunt in “Israel Before Christ” divides his subject into five sections—“Th© Period from Abraham to Joshua,” ‘’The Settlement ot Israel In Canaan.” “The Period of the Monarchy.” ’The Exile,” ami “The Returned Jews.” The attitude adopted throughout this scholarly work may be sufficiently indicated by two short extracts from the “Introduction”

The Old Testament as a whole is the product of constant editing and re-edit-ing. . . . Most of it was shaped in written form, sooner or later, by writers deeply imbued with the spirit of the prophetic movement and to illustrate the point of view which it strove to tea - b. These writers took such materials as they found, gongs, stories or legends, laws written and traditional, state archives, or recent sermons; themselves .saturated in the spirit of the prophetic teaching, they produced a body of history which, though it often presents a baffling problem to the student who wishes to investigate the exact historical facts at the basis of all this narrative, is always a suggestive and even illuminating illustration of the kind of religious and moral thoughts, ideas, and principles, with which the higher teachers of Israel in successive generations were labouring to nourish the mind and soul of the people. ... <*o read, the Old Testament is one of the most interesting subjects of _ study in the world. . . . The doctrine of

the inspiration of the Old Testament has been too long stated as if it proclaimed the verbal infallibility of that literature, as in every point the accurate statement of exact fact, whether of science or of history. This theory, a man-maJe thing, for the Bible itself knows nothing of it—has been for many centuries ’mnosed by Western literalism on tho Old Testament and made tho measure to which all the infinite variety of (rod’s methods of educating mankind must be made rigidly to conform. . . . For

long it was rendered just tolerable by the well-meant evasions of allegoristio interpretation; but it became unbearable when the Bible began to bo read for what it actually said, and not for what it might by the exercise of ingenuity be made to mean, and when tho respect for all truth, however and by whomsoever discovered, began to supplant in men’s minds the rspect for a preconceived

theory of God’s ways of revelation. “Tho Heart of a Father,” described as “A Human Document by a well-known public man” (George Allen and Unwin, 2snet) is a touching account of a father’s communication with a dearly loved son who lost his life by drowning. The little book is prefaced by Dr James Marchant, who says: “t was recently editing a work on “Immortality,"and at the same time gathering material for a companion volume on ‘Survival.’ My mind not infrequently turned towards the author of the following pages, an old and valued friend, who last summer had lost his son under tragic circumstances, and whose letters continued to sound tho note of mourning. One morning his letter, even as I opened it, revealed in the firmness of the handwriting, and in its first word, evidence of a welcome change. As I read I realised that life, for the author, had again become a song. And tho cause was obvious—the conviction that his dead son was alive again, the lad was found. A fuller account of this startling change came later, and after reading it and knowing that the author is a twisted public man whoso testimony would be received with respect, I invited a number of friends to meet and hear it from bis own lips.” These friends comprised a number of well-known clergymen, who desired to bo associated with Dr Marchant in testifying to their belief “in tho author’s irreproachable honesty, and of our conviction that what he here relates he believes actually happened.” What renders the narrative the more striking is the testimony by its author. “I have always been suspicious of spiritualism,” lie Writes. “Tears ago I investigated tho subject, and then turned from it with repugnance. I detected one medium in open fraud. I witnessed phenomena which were entirely unconvincing, and heard long trance addresses which bore no mark of having been delivered by the entities to whom they were referred.” Nevertheless, tthe author explicitly sets down the receipt of what he believes to be authentic communications from his son who has passed over. The booklet is so phrased as to be read with respect even by doubters, and all will await with interest the promised publication in an enlarged edition and in a more strictly condensed form of the actual communications, to which will be appended the author’s own name. The, popularity of the boxing ring is an increasing factor in modern times, for which reason a book entitled “Seconds Out,” being “Chats About Boxers, their Trainers and Patrons,” by Fred Dartnell (T. Warner Laurie, Cs not) is likely to have many readers. M. Georges Carpcntier contributes a preface, in the course of which ho writes:— “Seconds Out!” What a world of Memoirs the phrase excites! It is the boxer’s call to action. To the young lighter the doorstep to destiny. Many people, through ignorance or prejudice, look down on the boxer and his profession, bnt. the profession is an honourable one, and the boxer is human. Boxing is a great sport. Some people think that it degrades the man who practises it. On the contrary, it elevates. It encourages a man's self-respect ,it. teaches him the discipline of Life and Control, creates respect for the rival who is worthy. .... Boxing is an English sport in its origin, ami I have found ilte English the most sporting people in the world. Tho fairness, generosity, and loyalty of tru* English-speaking public is rarely equalled and never to bo surpassed. Mr Dartnell adopting a conversational sivlo gives a chatty dcstription of modem prize-fighting, in which all the best known boxers appear. Interspersed are, some shrewd comments on tho psychology of the ring, temperament in boxing, superstitions and punches, the cinema and critics, and (he referee. The book is well illustrated, and all interested in boxing wall find much to interest and to entertain in its pages.