Heralds of Revolt. By William Barry, D.D. (Hodder and Stoughton.
7s. 6d.)—Although the author of these "Studies in Modern Literature and Dogma "—we prefer the sub-title of this book to the title, more imposing though that is—has a perilous command of a vaguely attractive rhetoric, they are conscientiously executed, and will be found stimulating as well as interesting, even by such as have read the most that has been written on such subjects as George Eliot, "John Inglesant," Carlyle, Amiel, and Nietzsche. Something must be allowed for the form in which these studies originally appeared—that of magazine articles—and for Dr. Barry's standpoint, which is that of "the Cathedral of the Ages as it truly is—a temple all glorious within; its lamps kindled for the sacrifice that consecrates and ransoms Nature no loss than man ; its music never silent ; its song of all kindreds and peoples as they kneel in white raiment round immemorial shrines." But Dr. Barry has saturated himself with the literature, vast though that is, of modern "revolt," and his book will be found stimulating and suggestive, even by readers who may not see their way to agree with all his conclusions. His studies of Amiel, Heine, and Nietzsche are admirable, and it is evident that Dr. Barry found himself very congenially occupied in writing them. His treatment of figures like Dumas, Balzac, Zola, and Hugo is, perhaps, a trifle scrappy. Still, there is genuine critical insight in such a judgment as this :—" It cannot be said that Hugo was the master of a new philosophy, or brought elements which had not been secretly working there, into French literature. He did but throw into startling and magnificent forms the principles which Jean Jacques had developed by means of that insistent corrosive rhetoric, eating its way as straight towards its object as a whole swarm of locusts, whereby he beat down rivals and opponents." Although Dr. Barry keeps his ethico-religious and profoundly Roman Catholic purpose steadily before him, almost any chapter of his book can be regarded as a special essay and read by itself. Looked at thus, "John Inglesant " is, perhaps, not only the most symmetrically artistic chapter in the volume, but is one of the best and most comprehensive studies of the subject that have ever been published.
MAN AND HIS ENVIRONMENT.
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