Recent Wiltshire Books, Pamphlets, Articles, &c. 511 



each picture, with a note on the painter, this catalogue contains exhaustive 

 biographical and historical notices of the numerous members of the 

 Herbert family whose portraits exist at Wilton. (Messrs. H. Sotheran's 

 prospectus.) 



A Life of Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, by 

 T. B. S. Clarke, B.D., Minister of Saltoun, and H. 

 C. Foxcroft, with an introduction by C. H. Firth, 

 M.A., Regius Professor of Modern History, 



Oxford. Cambridge University Press, 1907. Eoyal 8vo., 15*. net. 



The Times Literary Supplement, Dec. 19th, 1907, says " The present 

 work contains the first real Biography of Bishop Burnet. ... In 

 the mouth of many witnesses Burnet's truthfulness would seem to be 

 established. ... It was his fate to render an adverse interpretation 

 of his actions most probable when it was most unjust . . . un- 

 spotted in character, he had created scandal by a clandestine marriage ; 

 aiming at high and noble ends and anxious to further a statesmanlike 

 policy, he had incurred the suspicion of both sides; loyal to his friends, 

 he had brought upon himself the accusation of treachery to Lauderdale ; a 

 convinced Protestant, he had become the confidant of the Duke of York. 

 . . . His credulity combined with his love of talking to bring him into 

 many minor difficulties and the cumulative effect of so many awkward 

 public appearances was to convince the world that no man could be so 

 unfortunate as to be misrepresented on so many occasions, yet the present 

 work and the ' Supplement ' to the history (edited by Miss Foxcroft five 

 years ago) go far to assure us that the world was wrong, and that Gilbert 

 Burnet was, if not a wise, yet an honest and kindly man, who tried to do 

 his duty. All we know of his private life is in consonance with this view 

 . . . his meditations reveal an inner religious life of a kind which 

 cannot but create a certain amount of surprise. This life of Burnet will 

 remain the permanent authority on the subject ; it is a great addition to 

 our information, and it is a sound and convincing defence of Burnet, 

 when defence is necessary or possible." 



An interesting article on ''Gilbert Burnet'' founded on this book, 

 occurred in Black wood' s Magazine, Jan., 1908, vol.clxxxiii., pp. 138 — 146. 

 It deals well with his character, life, and writings. 



Wilts and Dorset Bank Annual. Salisbury, Christmas, 

 1907. 8vo, pp. 104, seven plates. The only "Wiltshire paper in this 

 number is that entitled "Once upon a time," by G. E. Dartnell, containing 

 a number of good stories of North Wilts. The same writer has a poem, 

 " Manzelle Fifine." The other "Wiltshire authors are J. R. Rees, of 

 Salisbury, who contributes " Books you need'nt read," and "The charm 

 of the Omitted"; B. Chaffey, of Salisbui-j', " The Land of Song and 

 Story"; and J. B. Cox, of Salisbury, " A Fortnight in Switzerland." 

 The only Wiltshire illustration is a pretty photo, " Spring, Stratford-sub- 

 Castle." 



