The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-14

solemn sheer has put its stamp upon
those centuries of civilization rotting and
of humanity decaying into ecclesiastical
despotlsm. But his researches are not
equal to his great views; he has read w
more than historian should. FIRST
rate writer, he is not a plodder.'
DR.. Emil Reich writes on him in the
Monthly Review, and sharply cri-
theses He warns against ''oyeresumat-
ing the methods of historical study OF
which Mommsen was the most illustrious
representative" According to him
every one of Mommsen's great treaties
was rather a collection OF monographs
than a work giving a direct and tull IN
sight into the working principles OF Ro-
man Institutions He contends that his
authority has sterilized the study OF
the history Of Rome"
Edmund Gosse is a distinguished ana
very interesting writer in literature. He
is English and one of the best OF the
living critics. He has a life OF Bishop
Jenemy Taylor just out. The riches
of all British prose writers IS this gra
cious, most gifted English divine Of more
than two hundred years ago. His Holy
Living" and "HOly Dying are simply
unique and splendid, and richly deserve
to be read in 1904 by all the members o.
churches, who think a man must 81
every day because the blood OF Jesu;
Christ cannot cleanse from all sin, a.
God affirms most distinctly and posi-
lively in His Bible, and that Holy Llv
ing is not as essential Of true Christian
Lie. and that Holy Dying can CONS
without the preceding Holy Living.
Read the spiritual, richly endowed oiC
English divine and learn better. / hay
no doubt Mr.. Gosse has made book
singular beauty and interest, for he Ia
a noble, delightful theme and he is YER
capable.
Right Hon. John Mosley, the creates
living biographer, no doubt. and one c
the foremost men of letters IN the worll
will visit the United States this year, ],
is announced. He is booked for an ad
dress before the Technical College at
Pittsburg, Pa, in October next. It is
hoped that he Will select the illustrious
Gladstone as his theme. But he has told
all he knows of that greatest Of English
statesmen, in his recent massive two
volume life l have seen mention of but
one adverse opinion of the merits OF that
great biography, ana it appeared in
British Review ever hostile to Mr.. Glad
stone and the Liberals.
One Of the great Biblical Cycopedias
in the world-possibly it is the greatest
is a Methodist publication long before
the public The last edition was publish
ed by Harper and Brothers, l believe. I
do not know it's size, never having seen
it, but I knew it contains at least ten
or more volumes. 1t is by McClintock
and Strong and is entitled, ENCYCLOPEDIA
of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical
Literature" 1t il doubtless most useful
and & credit to our country.
The last novel Of II S. Marriman (real
name Hugh ScotO, who died but lately
much lamcntod in England, is called
'Earlasch OF the Guard 1t is Warmly
praised in England.
w. L. Courtney in the London Tele-
graph, writing Of the numerous novels
produced in Great Britain last year, says
this:
In the class OF fiction we are conscious
of disappointment. This has not been
good year for novels; indeed, it is diff
ficult to find many which rise above the
general level Of promiscuous mediocrity.
In mere numbers the record is no doubt
up to the level Of past years, but the
quality Is dafcient-possibly because this
is, above all. that department of litera-
ture in which fools rush in where angels
fear TO tread"
That fits other countries better than
his own.
The third volume of the new edition of