The Quakers, from their Origin to the Present Time. An
International History. By John Cunningham, D.D. (Edinburgh, Menzies.)—The ambitions title of an international history covers a succession of some- what disconnected sketches of the doings of certain prominent Quakers. Dr. Cunningham states in his preface that he has endeavoured to do justice to the sincerity, devotedness, and unwearied zeal of the Society of Friends, though he has not always been able to repress a smile at their oddities. It is not always easy to discover where the line between zeal and oddity is to be drawn. In the case of George Fox, Dr. Cunningham .admits that there was a streak of insanity in his brain, but cheeringly .sebserves that "insanity is nearly allied to many noble qualities both -of head and heart." When, however, insanity takes the form of going about naked, it is no longer respected. So much of the history of the Quakers is taken up with similar eccentricities, that the whole effect of the book is slightly ludicrous. But as we come to modern times, the -oddities are toned down, and the zeal remains. Dr. Cunningham remarks on the comparative infrequency of the Quaker costume in the present day, and on the growing love of music and dancing among -those whose ancestors bore testimony against such vanities. And, on the other hand, Mrs. Fry's good work is of a recent date.
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