Ithuriers Spear. By W. H. Fitchett. (Charles H. Kelly. 6s.)
—Dr. Fitchett's subject is one unfamiliar in these columns, though sufficiently familiar to theologians. A " Preethought" movement makes great way in Middleford under the leader.. ship of an eloquent lecturer. The local representatives of Christian belief are powerless to arrest it; one of them fails conspicuously in a public disputation. But this modern evangel cannot be applied to practical life. It has no power to work a moral change ; it has no message to the sorrow- ful; it does not strengthen the sanctions of morality. These things are set forth in powerfully painted scenes, and illus- trated by vigorous sketches of character. We are inclined to think that the story, so far as it supports Dr. Fitchett's special contention, would have been better without Mr. Creakle's villainies, though these, taken by themselves, are a skilfully contrived episode. All readers will agree that the finest passages of the tale are to be found in the South African chapters. The hero, discredited at home, finds employment in the Transvaal, hears the story of Majnba as he goes out, and takes part himself in the battles of Talana and Wagon Hill and the defence of Ladysmith. Here Dr. Fitchett is at home, and shows his literary power at its beat.
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