BENARES, THE SACRED CITY.
Bemires, the Sacred City. By E. B. Haven. (Blackie and Son. 12s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Havell, in treating his subject, emphasises the importance of the distinguishing epithet of Benares. His book is, in fact, a study of Indian religion, in its two great provinces, viewed both historically and from the standpoint of the present-day observer. When the city itself is described, it is as illustrating the religious beliefs and practices of the faith of which it is the metropolis. It will be understood, therefore, that this volume—the work of one who is not only well read in the literature of his subject, but possessed of a sympathetic spirit— is not by any means of the guide-book order. The picturesque character of the place, its people and its buildings, has justice done it, but we have besides an intelligent appreciation of its importance in the history of religion in general, and of Indian religion in particular. Mr. Havell has also a keen eye for the curious and significant details which one who studies Hindu life at first hand is sure to find. What a strange contrast, for instance, is here. Mr. Havel visits the Shivilla Fort and finds a
monastery, the dwelling of some fifteen or twenty Hindu ascetics, followers of a sage whose supposed date precedes that of Pytha- goras by a century or so. One of these men claimed the age of one hundred and fifty years. He had seen eight rajas, and remembered Warren Hastings. He begged the intercession of his visitor in mitigating the severity of a municipal demand for water-rate ! The value and attractiveness of the book are increased by a number of good photographic illustrations.
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