3 OCTOBER 1908, Page 12

Thomas h Kempis. By the Rev. D. Butler, D.D. (Oliphant,

Anderson, and Ferrier. 2s. 6d. net.)—This "religious study" we prefer to leave with a general commendation to our readers. They will find no little instruction in Dr. Butler's effort to put Thomas I Kempis in his proper place among theological writers. We are inclined to be doubtful of the statement that " the monasti- cally ascetic elements seem to have been more the result of his education at Deventer than of personal choice." His story of the life at Mount St. Agnes, which he tells in great detail, is full of praises of ascetic practices which strike us as almost ignoble.