Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 4.djvu/429

 9* S. IV. Dec. 2, '99.] 469 NOTES AND QUERIES. ecclesiastical authorities chose to lay down. He was, however, strongly in favour of what may be called disciplinary reform. He disliked professed theologians almost as much as he hated monks, who, according to him, took vows of ignorance as well as of poverty. If he cannot be regarded as a supporter of the Reformation, his influence was, on the whole, favourable to it. There are those nowadays who regard men such as Erasmus and Rabelais—who, while aiding in the task of throwing off the fetters upon thought, held, from reasons of conviction, prudence, or indifference, aloof from active participation in efforts after doctrinal reform — with more favour than combatants such as Luther, Zuinglius, and Calvin. It is true that neither Erasmus nor Rabelais can be claimed as a Reformer, and it is conceivable that a bigot such as Calvin would have treated either, if he had had the power, after the fashion in which he treated Servetus. The influence of both was, however, favourable in the main to the cause of reform, and the ' Encomium Morise '—which Dr. Gasquet, very strangely, allows thrice within two pages to appear as the ' Enconium Moria; '—will, in spite of protest, be held to tell in favour of Pro- testantism. See what is said in it concerning miracles, indulgences, and the like. One of the most important chapters is that on "The Printed English Bible." Following Brewer and Dore, Dr. Gasquet holds that at the time of the appearance of Tyndall's New Testament there was no call what- ever on the t>art of the public for an English version, and he quotes Brewer's words that "to imagine that ploughmen and shepherds in the country read the New Testament in English by stealth [under hedges], or that smiths and car- penters in towns pored over its pages in the corners of their masters workshops, is to mistake the character and acquirements of the age." Dr. Gas- quet does not, however, quote—and in justice it must be owned is not called upon to quote- Brewer's subsequent statement that Tyndall's translation, to men who knew the Scriptures only through the Vulgate, " was a great boon." He regards the translation, on the contrary, as dis- ingenuous, following in so doing More, who calls it a " false translation," leading those who studied it into " very false and pestilent heresies." He de- fends the Church from the charge of entertaining hostility towards the vernacular Bible. Other chapters which will be read with interest are on " Parish Life in Catholic England," " Pre-Refor- mation Guild Life," and " Wills, Chantries, and Obits." The book is so well written that we are unable to account for the slips we have indicated, and is admirable in spirit. It will be read with pleasure and advantage by many who will dispute its conclusions, and is a valuable contribution to our knowledge of a jieriod of extreme interest. The Story of 7'ristan and Inenlt. Rendered into English from the German of Gottfried von Strass- burg by Jessie L. Weston. 2 vols. (Nutt.) A prose rendering of the story of Tristan and Iseult, as told in the thirteenth century by Gott- fried von Strassburg, constitutes the second issue of the "Arthurian Romances" unrepresented in Malory's ' Morte d'Arthur.' So far as regards Sopular purposes the rendering is all that can be esircd. The translator has taken some liberties with her theme, and omits much which she thinks repellent or unsuitcd to the modern reader. As a compensation for these proceedings, which stand in need of some defence, she has tola the story with much spirit and charm. The narrative of the manner in which the ill-starred and fateful passion of Tristan and Iseult of Ireland was brought about is very sweetly and pathetically told, and the con- cluding scenes, due to the treachery of Iseult of the white Tiands, draw tears. The story now told is unfamiliar in England. All know of the effect upon the lovers of the potion unhappily swallowed, of Tristan's inevitable disloyalty to King Alark, his uncle, and of the tragic deaths of the lovers. The opening scenes will, however, be new to most—the early adventures of Tristan, the death of Rivalin and Blanchefleur, the protection accorded Tristan by Rual, the means by which he reached Corn- wall, his adventures in Ireland, and the circum- stances that made Iseult for a while his enemy, and even led her to aim at his life. These things are admirably presented, and the story deserves thoroughly the nigh praise bestowed upon it by Miss Weston in her interesting and erudite pre- face. To those who love to linger in the fields of chivalry, and to read the adventures which surly Ascham so fiercely denounced, these volumes may be earnestly recommended. We can think of no legend belonging to the Arthurian cycle, with which this must necessarily be linked, more tender in itself or told with more charm. In addition to her excellent introduction, Miss Weston supplies a few—a very few—pleasant and helpful notes. The designs, by Miss Caroline Wells, are agreeably suggestive, and constitute an enhancement of delight. The Hixtory of Fetterrairti. By Archibald Cowie Cameron, A.M., LL.D. (Paisley, Parlane.) A history of the Kincardineshire parish of Fetter- cairn was undertaken by Dr. Cameron at the in- stance of those who had listened to a lecture he delivered seventeen years ago on the same subject. As his work is continued up to present times, and deals discreetly with persons still living, it has involved considerable labour. Works of the class are always welcome, since some particulars of anti- quarian interest arc sure to be gathered from these pages, or some light of illumination is safe to be cast upon past customs or modes of thought. Fettercairn possesses a fine market cross, with an iron ring and links, to which the jougs, old instru- ments of punishment, were formerly fastened, and has also a line cut out, 3 ft. li in. long, representing the Scottish ell. It has also a few signs of Roman occupation, and a petrified fort of a kind not un- common in the neighbourhood of the Grampians (see ' N. & Q.,' 1"' S. iii. 495). In connexion with this (Greencairn) castle, at one time the supposed residence of the legendaiy Fenella, to whom is attributed theniurderof Kenneth III., Dr. Cameron prints for the first time a very interesting letter of Walter, afterwards Sir Walter, Scott to the Rev. Mr. Walker, minister of Dunnottar, describing son e researches made under Scott's own supervision into the foundations of the castle. A jiortion of the letter is given in facsimile. The historical and descriptive portions of Dr. Cameron's work are of general interest, and the whole will be of value to local historians. The only part by which we are unimpressed is the account of " Fettercairn Worthies." These strike a Southron reader with apprehension that there may, after all, be some- thing in the idea that a certain proportion of our Scottish kinsmen have no very quick perception of