The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-07 00:00:00

L ITERATIIRE

A Book About the Clergy. By John Cordy Jeaf-
freson, 8.A., Author of " A Book About Doc-
tors," " A Book About Lawyers," &c. Two Vols.
Hurst and Blackett.
The readers of Mr. Jeaffreson's former works,
his "Book About Doctors" and his "Book About,
Lawyers," will not require much recommen-
dation to induce them to turn to this third„
and, we grieve to add, final work of the series„
" A Book About the Clergy." The author
tells us in his introduction that some twelve year:
ago difficulties that he had encountered in a courses
of reading determined him " to endeavour to sup-
ply a want in English literature by writing a book:
that should commemorate the usages and charac-
teristics of the followers of Divinity, Law, and.
Physic in past times of English History—a book
that, without arrogating to itself the dignity of his-
tory, should be useful to historians, and while
affording diversion to all readers of general litera-
ture, should be of special service to artists bent ott
illustrating the life of our ancestor.; with pen or
pencil." We quote the author's own words, because
they so simply and accurately define the object an I
achievement of his work. His conception has bee 2
mos4successf oily realised, and we congratulate Mr.
Jeaffreson very heartily upon the issue of his perse-
vering labours. Immediately on first projectin
this threefold enterprise, it appeared evident
that its combination in one single work would
be impossible, hence the separate composi-
tion and publication of the " Book About Doctors,"
and the " Book About Lawyers ;" and last, and not
least, this "Book About the Clergy." The character
of this last-mentioned work differs somewhat from
that of its predecessors ; it is not, necessarily, so
gossiping and anecdotal, but is written in a more
dignified tone, and partakes more of an his-
tocical than of a biographical character. One
very admirable characteristic in Mr. Jeaffreson,
and one eminently essential to a work of this kind,
is the tolerant and impartial spirit,in which, for the
most part, his religious researches have been con-
ducted. The Christian spirit which animates his
writings induces Mr. Jeaffreson, in his closing ob-
servations as he bids his reader farewell at the end
of the second volume, to remark that "we still have
reason to deplore our shortcomings in respect of
brotherly lore and decent fairness to men, whose
religious convictions rouse our disapprobation and
provoke our antagonism, but when compared with
the period specially considered in the foregoing
pages, the present generation, while not found want-
ing in devoutness of temper and eagerness of truth,
may be commended for tolerance and charity.
My survey of the social
.aspects of reli-
gious life in England in past times has brought
- me to this conclusion, in which I venture to hope
that some of my readers will be sharers." Mr.
Jeaffreson speaks of himself as an Englishman,
who, trained from childhood in schools of fervent
Protestantism, has consistently striven to study his
national history by the light of liberal thought, in
proof of which the " fervent Protestantism" of
which he speaks does not prevent his recognising,
when treating of the early monastic institutions
of this country, that " the triumph of monasticism
was the triumph of order over anarchy, of know-
ledge over ignorance, of refining charity over bru-
talising selfishness, of civilisation over barbarism, of
Christian light over Pagan darkness." The work
is divided into six parts, the first " Wycliffe's
England," describing those pioneers, the monasteries,
Gothic architecture, &c.—part 11. is entitled
Persecution"—part 111. " Clerical Women"—
who are not to be confounded with Mr. Dixon's
" Spiritual Wives"—part IV. " Old Ways and
New Fashions"—part V. " Religion under the
Commonwealth"—and part VI. " Before and After
the Restoration." While many of his readers will
differ from Mr. Jeffearson's opinions, as wo do
ourselves in some instances, we are confident that
all who turn over the pages of this work will do
justice' to the persevering research which has
amassed the materials of which it is composed, and
the admirable skill with which those materials have
been classified and displayed ; but, above all, the
courteous tone and Christian spirit by which the
whole coinpoition is remarkable from that to last.
While completing the projected history of divinity,
law, and physic, this "Book About the Clergy" will
materially add to the reputation and popularity of
its gifted and laborious author.

The Book of Nature and the Book of Man. By
Charles 0. Groom Napier. One Vol. John Cam-

den Rotten.

Mr. liotten deserves much commendation for his
numerous and costlyreproductions of old and curious
books. The one now before us, with the original
preface written by Lord Brougham, is most beau-
tifully embellished, not only with numerous en-
gravings, but with many most valuable photographs,
among others, one from Raphael's picture of " St.
Atichael destroying the Dragon;" remarkable also in
a very different way is a charming collection of
bird's nests, photographed from nature. Both in re-
gard to its original design, and its composition,
and the attractions of its new appearance, this
book is a matter of curiosity and interest.