No More Learning

the
be due rather to Ramsay the painter or might be included. We again see
The records of the present volume are simply
omission
Purcell the engraver than to nature.
of Murray's Guides for
the parings of observations upon notable
countries where Baedeker is given, and note
people. We are not impressed by the con- Melville (Lewis), SOCIETY AT ROYAL TUN- that the edition of Baedeker's Eastern Alps!
versational powers of the celebrities. "
BRIDGE WELLS IN THE EIGHTEENTH is not the latest published.
CENTURY, AND AFTER, 10/6 net. Nash Under Turkey we are told that the first
Clarke (Abp. Henry Lowther), STUDIES IN
Mr. Melville's book is disfigured both Turkish Parliament was dissolved this year,
THE ENGLISH REFORMATION, 5/ S. P. C. K.
in its text and illustrations by a certain and we have a good paragraph about the
These are the Moorhouse Lectures for
amount of padding. Portraits of Fanny forms of the Constitution ; but it is impos-
1912, delivered in St. Paul's Cathedral,
Burney and of Beau Nash that have already sible for Englishmen to understand the
Melbourne. In his Preface
explains that their character was conditioned of repose; the latter worthy's Rules to
the author often appeared might now enjoy a period extraordinary way in which the Young Turks
“ by the needs of the hearers, to many of
gerrymandered” the constituencies in the
whom Church History is a largely unexplored
be observed at Bath' have been reprinted recent elections. Englishmen have not yet
region. ” Accordingly, in a clear and pains-
several times already, while the verses that sufficiently realized that a packed committee
form the appendix might, with advantage, has taken the place of what was at first
taking way, and with conspicuous fairness,
he has set forth-as if telling them for the
never have been reprinted at all. But supposed to be a Constitutional Parliament.
first time-facts already familiar to most teenth-century correspondence, most
there are a good many extracts from eigh-
of
readers in this country. They are thrown
Geograpby and Travel.
into the form of half a dozen biographies,
which are fresh, and new illustra-
tions. The portrait of Mary Berry as an
and illustrated by copious notes and quota-
Canuck (Janey), OPEN TRAILS, 6/ Cassell
tions. Appendixes deal briefly, with the that of Queen Victoria at the age of about sketches, descriptive of Canadian life and
elderly woman in a cap is delightful, and
A series of incomplete and disjointed
ecclesiastical problems which, in modern twelve particularly interosting as a likeness, scenery, which will, we fear, prove of scant
times, have grown out of the Reformation.
though of no artistic merit. It is convenient interest to the serious reader. The author
In so far as the judicial balance inclines at
all, it is towards leniency in regard to bridge Wells thus brought together.
to have so much information about Tun- is obviously a keen and sympathetic observer
Henry VIII. and the Protestants; while
of nature, and possesses some facility of
the treatment of Laud betrays some want of Review of Historical Publications relating to expression ; but she overwhelms us with a
sympathy.
Canada : Vol. XVI. PUBLICATIONS OF multitude of haphazard anecdotes and im-
THE YEAR 1911.
pressions, presented with little regard to
Conway (John Joseph), FOOTPRINTS
Toronto University Press construction, and with a lack of definite
FAMOUS AMERICANS IN PARIS, 12/6 net.
A useful book of reference; but would it purpose. Further, over-anxiety to maintain
Lane
not be of more historical value if fewer the interest leads her to write in a sort of
Mr. Conway's volume is more interesting
for its portraits than for its text, and more
books were noticed, and the more important breathless and garrulous haste. The style
interesting in its earlier than its later half.
at greater length ?
is colloquial, and often unduly sententious
and egotistical. The text is plentifully
While Franklin, Jefferson, and Rumford Shaen (William), A BRIEF SKETCH, edited by illustrated with some little pen-and-ink
were persons of character and of some his daughter, M. J. Shaen, 3/ net.
sketches, and there is a frontispiece in colour.
genuine importance, the useful, respectable,
Longmans
dull American Parisians of the nineteenth A simple record of a life spent in arduous clinch (George), LONDON, 2/6 net. Methuen
century furnish but poor reading. It seems and honourable service. Shaen's activities
also a little unnecessary at this time of day were very wide, but he will be best remem-
Mr. Clinch is already well and favourably
to proclaim so insistently the superiority of bered for his championship of the cause of known as a writer on particular phases of
the republican to the monarchical system of
He was connected with Bedford London topography. It is, however, a com.
government.
College from its foundation; and Girton, paratively easy matter to write at length
Horne (C. Silvester), DAVID LIVINGSTONE, 11 him in their early days.
Newnham, and Somerville owed much to upon a given district, such as Bloomsbury or
Marylebone ; but it requires a rare combina-
net.
Macmillan
tion of wide general knowledge, critical
This biography of the great missionary and Statesman's Year-Book, 1912, 10/6 net. acumen, and common sense to produce a
explorer has been written in anticipation of
Macmillan good book of less than 250 small pages on
the centenary of his birth, which occurs next To praise this most useful book year by so vast a text as London. These qualities
year. It describes sympathetically his con- year is to become monotonous. It is as Mr. Clinch possesses.
We have tested the
tinuous struggle against the horrors of the up-to-date and as accurate as ever. Recent book severely in various directions, and
slave trade, his appreciation of the good legislation in Great Britain and other can pronounce it with confidence to be free
qualities of the natives, and the intense countries with reference to insurance of from almost any kind of blunder. Though
devotion he inspired in them, as shown so workpeople and with regard to old-age adopting the useful method, characteristic
some
OF
women.


## p. 532 (#402) ############################################

532
THE ATHENÆUM
No. 4411, May 11, 1912
&
as
one,
SO
are
are
of the Little Guide Series, of arranging the length of Harvard, not merely in accepting teaching of the subject down to the present
descriptive matter in alphabetical order, the local social survey as the subject of a day, avowing himself at the same time a
book opens with several carefully written doctorate thesis, but also in actually pro- new physicist and democrat. He
introductory sections, wherein Mr. Clinch moting the inquiry by the provision of a then discusses the method of the science, its
is seen at his best. They deal respectively fellowship. Díckens, after his American pedigree and biography, and indulges by
with London in Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and visit of 1842, paid a special tribute to the the way in some loose and exaggerated
Medieval days, and also supply interesting, factory girls of Lowell in • American Notes,' rhetoric against Greek thought. There are
condensed information as to literary associa- while about the same date Miss Martineau patent faults, but the work as a whole is
tions, trades, and street signs. The brief favourably reviewed in the columns of The readable and stimulating.
descriptions of places are subdivided under Athenæum the Factory Offering, an organ
special headings, such * Bridges,' conducted by these girls. To-day the city
Pbilology.
• Churches,' ' Parks,' Streets,' and Old is entirely different. Of its hundred thou-
Theatres,' so that some care is required in sand inhabitants a fifth alone are native- Burkitt (F. C. ), THE SYRIAC FORMS OF NEW
consulting these pages, and an index is born of native parents, and about a half TESTAMENT PROPER NAMES, 2/ net.
a necessity. Here is a good
aliens from non - English - speaking
Frowde
far as it goes, but it will be well in another countries. The city therefore presents pro-
An erudite and exhaustive treatise em-
odition to improve it by the insertion of such blems of special difficulty to the social bodying the latest research upon the subject.
entries as Picture Galleries, Libraries, and a investigator. Complete budgets were ob- It should be instructive to those engaged
few other subjects, of which there are no tained from 228 families, all of whom in elucidating this intricate problem of lan-
summaries in the general text. By the by, belonged to the “respectable, sober, in- guage.
we fail to see any reference to the really dustrious, and thrifty wage-earners of
noble library of the Guildhall, with its fine Lowell, who constitute nearly one-fourth Edmonds (J. M. ), SAPPHO IN THE ADDED
collection of MS. records of the City parishes; of the population. " These show an average
LIGHT OF THE NEW FRAGMENTS, 1/ net.
nor is the notable Williams Library in Gower yield from food of 5,510 calories per man per
Cambridge, Deighton & Bell; London, Bell
Street named. There several good day (including waste), and are satisfactorily A pamphlet containing a paper read at
appendixes.
above the standard requirement for a man Newnham College in February last, which
with moderate muscular work of 3,500, as gives a pleasant picture of Sappho and
Cobb (Rev. G. H. ), THE PILGRIM'S GUIDE TO
calculated by Prof. Atwater, and the figure translations of the Fragments ascribed
LOURDES AND THE CHIEF PLACES EN
of 4,181 obtained by Mr. B. S. Rowntree to her, old and new. Mr. Edmonds is bound,
ROUTE, 1/ net.
Sands from the study of 20 servant-keeping class like other scholars, to enter the region of
Contains a good deal of practical informa- families of York in 1899. Fruitful results are conjecture, but his possibilities are plausible
tion in a convenient form, with a Preface obtained by grouping according to races. enough to make us interested in the text
by the Archbishop of Westminster.
The Irish inhabitants, for example, have a and translation of the Minor Lyric Poets
Fascination (The)' of Switzerland, written the remainder of the population. There are
drunkenness-rate of about four times that of which he promises. He gives references
here in each case to the original text of the
and photographed by L. Edna Walter.
certain obvious gaps in the author's survey. pieces translated, but he would have added
The subject of Switzerland is so hackneyed to families who have not the virtues enu-
Black He devotes little attention, for example, to the interest of students by printing them
all at the end, or at any rate such as have
that it argues some temerity to write about merated above, nor has he studied the been recently discovered.
it. This little book, except for some seasonal fluctuations of employment or
instructive matter upon glaciers, adds little inquired fully into the status of the woman
Manilius (M. ), ASTRONOMICON, LIBER SECUN-
to the countless records, personal, historical, worker. The book is illustrated with nume-
DUS, edited by A. E. Housman, 4/6 net.
descriptive, and geographical, which we rous excellent photographs and maps.
Grant Richards
already possess.
The Preface is an exposition in English of
Macleod (Olive), CHIEFS AND CITIES
the astrological contents of the book, with
Education.
CENTRAL AFRICA : ACROSS LAKE CHAD
parallels. The notes are in Latin, as in
Prof. Housman's edition of Book I. , which
WAY OF BRITISH, FRENCH, AND Education by Life : A DISCUSSION OF THE
GERMAN TERRITORIES, 16/ net.
appeared in 1903, and included some of
PROBLEM OF THE SCHOOL EDUCATION OF
Blackwood YOUNGER CHILDREN, by Various Writers, explanation and conjecture the editor is
the conjectures here adopted. Alike in
“A simple, unexaggerated narrative of edited by Henrietta Brown Smith, brilliant, and his comments are, as usual,
travel through little-known regions " is the 3/6 net.
Philip incisive. He supports all his views by a
author's own description of this work. There Embodies useful suggestions as to the
are many such, of course, and, if any part of art of reading and methods of inculcating of the best conjectures is the reading in
wide knowledge of MSS. and language. One
Africa continues to be little-known, it will not the love of it. The choice of literature and 1. 7092,
be for lack of a multitude of commentators.
et sæpe in peins deerrat natura
its results upon the childish mind are
But these journeys to and from Lake Chad important and neglected educational studies, the MSS.
maremque,”
. " for the
in pecudes errat” of
are good reading, without too much adven-well worth the examination the author has
ture of a highly coloured kind, and we get devoted to them.
Scbool-Books.
the right sort of information upon native
life and customs. Incidentally Miss Mac- Hock_ (W. H. ), MENTAL DISCIPLINE AND Hall (H. S. ), A SCHOOL ALGEBRA, Parte II.
leod pays a high tribute to British adminis- EDUCATIONAL VALUES, 3/6 net.
and III. , 2/6
Macmillan
tration. There are numerous illustrations,
Lane Part II. takes the student through
a map, and a classified list of plants collected This book, which is apparently a second Progressions, Indices, Surds, Logarithms,
by the author and her companions. The edition-although the title-page gives no Ratio and Proportion, Variation, and the
book is unnecessarily cumbrous.
indication of the fact—belongs to that Theory of Quadratics, with numerous mis-
wearisome class of publications which present cellaneous examples. Part III. deals with
Reynolds-Ball (Eustace), JERUSALEM : a series of passages by various authors upon the remainder of the subject up to the
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO JERUSALEM AND some debatable topic. The repeated changes standard required in schools and colleges.
ITS ENVIRONS, 2/6 net.
Black not only from one point of view, but also Throughout the work is well arranged,
A second edition of this well-known from one style to another, exhaust the explanations are clear, and examples are of
guide-book, which has been revised and attentive reader, and leave in his mind a the most modern type.
enlarged.
chaos of uncertainty. The experiments,
which form the really valuable portion, lose More (Sir Thomas), UTOPIA, edited, with
Sociology.
much of their value by being described
Introduction, Notes, and Glossary, by
obscurely.
William Dallam Armes, 2/6 net.
Konngott (George F. ), THE RECORD OF
Macmillan
CITY, A SOCIAL SURVEY OF LOWELL, Mann (C. Riborg), THE TEACHING OF Physics
A plain and agreeable edition of the
MASSACHUSETTS, 12/6 net.
FOR PURPOSES OF GENERAL EDUCATION, 'Utopia,' the first edition of the first
New York, Macmillan Co.
5,6 net. New York, Macmillan Co. English translation, as reprinted by Dr.
In a recent issue we drew attention to the The latest volume in the Teacher's Pro- Lupton, forming the basis of its text. Spelling
importance of collecting and marshalling the fessional Library is a careful and earnest and the arrangement of clauses are modern-
facts of industrial conditions preliminary to inquiry into the place and value of physics ized, though not offensively. The Intro-
social legislation. In no country has the in education. The author claims with duction is substantial, but far too prone to
examination of such conditions been under justice that physics, rightly taught, may be head-lines and classification. The notes,
taken more thoroughly than in the United cultural as well as vocational,” which, glossary, and index are complete enough ;
States, and it is doubtful whether any Uni- in plain language, means that it is worth in fact, they tend (especially the notes) to
versity elsewhere would have gone to the studying. He then passes in review the supply a superfiuity of information
OF
BY
A
22


## p. 533 (#403) ############################################

No. 4411, May 11, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
533
on
Shakespeare, MACBETH, edited by 8. E. living apart from his wife, cut by his former loss of " local traditions and humours,”
Goggin, 2/ University Tutorial Press mistress Lady Paignton, and only just consequent upon the modern tendency to
A capable summary of the problems of the having escaped the net cast for him by the migration. The frontispiece shows a typical
play is supplied in the Introduction. The designing Mrs. Latimer, to talk of expe- village street.
editor has a somewhat dull style, but covers
diency and convenience with regard to his Hill (Headon), MY LORD THE FELON, 6/.
the ground well, and does not shirk diffi- desired relations with Betty, a partner in a
Ward & Lock
culties. The notes are satisfactory alike Bloomsbury boarding-house_this is surely
The adoption of a burglar by an Earl as
in explanations and in the quotation of going a little far, even for one of those
his long-lost son and heir is a wonderful
parallel passages.
Candidates for Truth” who are lauded
but fitting opening to a story that gathers
by Emerson because of their aloofness from
excitement on every page, so full is it of
Thole (F. B. ), QUALITATIVE ORGANIO ANALY- all moorings. The further volume which is plots and counterplots. We will not divulge
SIS, with an Introduction by A. E. promised will be awaited with interest.
any secrets that might detract from the
Dunstan, 1/6
Methuen Böhme (Margarete), THE DEPARTMENT pleasure of the reader who loves mysteries
The instructions given in this book on
STORE, translated from the German by and thrilling situations, but will content
practical organic chemistry should prove
Ethel Colburn Mayne, 6/ Appleton ourselves with remarking that the style of
helpful to aspirants for a degree in science. The themo of this German novel may be writing is in every way suitable to the matter.
A logical method is followed throughout, described as the art of moving with the Holland (Clive), IN THE VORTEX, A LATIN
from the determination of elements to the times
final characterization of the compound.
particularly the mercantile and QUARTER ROMANCE, 6/
commercial times. It is a painstaking work,
Hurst & Blackett
and arouses an interest of sorts, but the 'In the Vortex' is far too long, and is put
Unwin (S. R. ) and Abbott (G. ), A SKELETON atmosphere of the emporium is scarcely together in a clumsy, helpless way. The
ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 1/ net.
exhilarating, and English readers may find singular inaccuracy of some of the French
Fisher Unwin the characters lacking in individuality and raises a doubt as to the author's completo
We recognize in this publication some of distinction.
familiarity with the Parisian life that he
the recommendations of the Joint Committee
describes.
on Grammatical Terminology, but we fail | Bosher (Kate Langley), THE MAN IN LONELY
to see how a grammar which eliminates from
LAND, 3/6
Harper Knott (Stephen), THE CUP AND THE LIP, 6/
nouns and pronouns the neuter gender can
This is a pretty story of love and senti-
Murray & Evenden
The ease with which the unattractive
be adopted either for the study of English ment of a type that seems peculiar to
alone, or as a help to the study of Latin, as America: precocious and charming children; characters of this book are allowed to fall in
intended by the authors.
a strong, stern man of the world; thé and out of love with one another may con-
beautiful girl who comes into his life to blow vince those who believe with the author
West (Alfred S. ), THE REVISED ENGLISH away his cynicism for ever.
“ The Man in
that “ love stands but a poor chance if
GRAMMAR FOR BEGINNERS, New Edi- Lonely Land” fulfils his destiny, and his weighed against lucre";. but such gym-
tion, based upon the Recommendations story will be read with pleasure by the nastics of affection are unlikely to appeal to
of the Committee Grammatical unsophisticated.
any one else. The philosophy of this
Terminology, 1/
novel, what there is of it, is superficial,
Cambridge University Press Buckrose (J. E. ), A BACHELOR'S COMEDY, 61 | the characters are unconvincing, and the
This new edition may be safely adopted
Mills & Boon style is not good.
by those who accept the recent recommenda-
There is nothing very virile in this account Leigh (Edgar), A DAUGHTER OF FATE, 6/
tions on terminology.
His
of a country parson's love - affair.
The only drawback
Murray & Evenden
is the small type so much in evidence, which strikes us as more futile than generous, and worth publishing. Characterization, con,
sacrifice of the woman he loves to a drunkard We cannot think that this novel was
is due to the author's desire to deal fully that worthy's elopement with another girl struction, grammar, and narrative are all
with his subject in a limited space.
tions and rules are clearly stated, and ex-
at the last moment is suggestive of a time- below the standard that criticism
amples are commendably brief.
worn convention. The author's style does recognize. Moreover, from first to last,
not impress us, and the characterization is the author never clearly explains what
weak.
Fiction.
his story is about, what the papers are
Colly (F. and A. )
and Baker (Nellie), A Two kidnapping and killing one another, nor
for the possession of which people are
Atkinson (Eleanor), GREYFRIARS BOBBY, 51 FOLD MISTAKE, AND OTHER STORIES, 3/6 what are the aims pursued, apparently,
Harper
Bobby was a faithful Skye terrier whose There is an amateurishness in these short by two opposing groups of conspirators.
life-story of devotion will certainly be read stories, in the mechanical movement of Lone (C. ), JOURNEYS END, 1/ net.
with interest by many dog-lovers, especially events, the lack of sequence of ideas, and the
Murray & Evenden
if they are Scots. For it must be explained studied school-essay style of writing, which
We have read this book with feelings of
that Bobby's career began and ended in is not to be covered by the supposed realism mingled pleasure and regret-pleasure in
Edinburgh, and we think that many of a series of unhappy endings. Such endings, the vividness of much of the writing and
foreign readers will find the dialect the authors might be advised, are not the in the truth of the feelings portrayed, and
difficult.
only requisite of an artistic short story. regret at the choice of the subject. The
central idea is morbid, the situations evolved
Barr (Amelia E. ), SHEILA VEDDER, 6/ Dorrington (Albert), THE RADIUM TERRORS,
are puerile and impossible, and the whole
Fisher Unwin 2) net.
Nash plan unworthy of the writing. We shall,
The story of Sheila Vedder is altogether The nefarious doings of a party of Japanese however, look forward to another book by
commonplace, and the local colour of the desperadoes, who succeed in blinding their the author.
Shetland Isles is by no means interesting victims by means of radium, provide plenty Rowlands (Eme Adelaide), A KING AND A
enough to impart originality to it. Critical of excitement of the usual transpontine
readers will be irritated by the affected and order. The narrative describes a sort of
COWARD, 6/ Hodder & Stoughton
didactic archaism of the style ; but the intellectual duel between the arch villain, the hero, the despicable meanness of the
The loyalty and long-suffering nobility of
simple-minded will doubtless be impressed a doctor, and the inevitable and preter- villain, the sweetness of the heroine_all
by it.
naturally stupid detective.
these things could never be excelled, and
Beresford (J. D. ), A CANDIDATE FOR TRUTH, Hardy (Thomas), FAR FROM THE MADDING only equalled in a Drury Lane melodrama.
6)
Sidgwick & Jackson CROWD, 7/6 net.
Macmillan Each character seems to possess
The character study in 'The Early History The second of the “novels of character quality which he absorbs and makes peculiar
of Jacob Stahl is continued in the present and environment," with the same character to himself. This naturally, gives a single
volume, which is written with a certainty of istics of equipment as the first of this
ness of purpose to his aims in life, and
detail which is admirable. But this very handsome
edition. Mr. Thomas often leads him to excesses. Readers who
conscientiousness will mislead many readers Hardy contributes an interesting Preface to
like an exciting story will not be dis-
as to the fascination for women with which this volume, explaining that Far from the appointed in this book.
the hero is evidently intended to be en- Madding Crowd was the first novel to Shore (W. Teignmouth), OH MY UNCLE, 3/6
dowed. The questions as to whether law is which the appellation
net.
Stephen Swift
but expediency, and convention a synonym applied by him, The Examiner of July The title of this book belies its nature, for
for convenience, are without doubt debatable; | 15th, 1876, being the first to adopt one of it is not really boisterous. It consists of a
and that the dictates of the individual the happiest place-name crystallizations not unpleasing jumble of airy fancies and
conscience are the true guide to morals that have obtained universal currency in amusing contes, which, while they scarcely
many will doubtless agree. But for Jacob, | English literature. Mr. Hardy deplores the merit the lengthy eulogy on the cover, will
some
new
66
23
was


## p. 534 (#404) ############################################

534
No. 4411, May 11, 1912
THE ATHENÆUM
8
we
3
an
66
a
yet serve to while away some time for best work is familiar will find pleasure in Critchell (James Troubridge) and Raymond
those who have not entirely lost their love another opportunity of communing with a (Joseph), A HISTORY OF THE FROZEN
of fairies. The occasional poetry is weak. genuine lover of good letters. In the first MEAT TRADE, 10/6 net.
Constable
Snaith (J. C. ), FORTUNE, 7d. net.
Nelson half of the volume we are introduced to the This exhaustive and monumental twork
This novel formerly appeared in Messrs. poet's workshop, and see him inventing must necessarily exercise a restricted appeal,
Nelson's Two-Shilling Library. A book of phrases, coining similes, and seeking this for its scopo does not extend into the social
80 whimsical and excellent & fancy well way and that to find expression for the and economic aspects of the industry. It is
deserved a reprint.
beauties of nature, which he loved SO simply an account of the ramifications and
intimately and observed so closely.
development of the trade in frozen and chilled
Swain (E. G. ), THE STONEGROUND GHOST
The phrases are not always notable, meat, the methods of transportation, pre-
TALES, compiled_from the Recollec-
tions of the
Rev. Roland Batchel,
Vicar But if we are left to wonder at the fatuity completeness of the survey are unimpeach-
nor are the expressions invariably happy. paration, and marketing. The accuracy and
of the Parish, 3/6 Cambridge, Heffer
of the word motionless " in this,
able, but we should have liked some in-
Nine short stories describing various
formation as to the conditions of the workers.
supernatural episodes at & country par-
And like & solid vapour, motionless
A gray-blue mountain on the horizon stood,
sonage in the Fen district. Some of the
Langdon (Ida), MATERIALS FOR A STUDY
tales are quaint and original, but the benign we are quickly rewarded by such a fine, OF SPENSER'S THEORY OF FINE ART,
and inoffensive character of the ghosts imaginative phrase as
a Thesis submitted to the Faculty
is at variance with the traditional
of Arts and Sciences of Cornell Uni-
The forest leaves in pleasant idleness
awe they inspire. The style is at times a
Are fingering the cool air.
versity in Candidacy for the Degree
trifle prosy, but is often relieved by a certain But though these pages reveal Allingham as
of Master of Arts.
dry humour.
Ithaca, New York, the author
an artist in words ever striving after great
Vachell (Horace Annesley), BLINDS Down, a phrases and the magic of words, here, as
Miss Ida Langdon's ‘Materials for &
CHRONICLE OF CHARMINSTER, 6/
Study of Spenser's Theory of Fine Art
elsewhere, he seems to achieve real success
Smith & Elder when he is most simple, with something of the poet's
prose and poetry, and a mediocre
consists of 120 pages of quotation from
Hog Lane was an eyesore to those in the artful naiveté, the curiosa simplicitas Introduction of half that length. Con-
habitants of Charminster whose good for- of William Blake :-
tune it was to reside in the more pleasant
sidering the unreality and barrenness of
In the Night Time,
Elizabethan criticism, should not
parts of that diminutive English village.
Before the Sun was made,
The house which was the residence of the
expect much light from Spenser as a
I heard sweet music chime
leading spirits of the local élite, two some-
Through the world-shade.
deliberate and theoretic critic. It is chiefly
what supercilious but worthy spinsters, was The remainder of the book is composed of ate, pronouncements that
with his deliberate, or apparently deliber-
Miss Lang-
so unhappily situated as to overlook the reflections upon literature and contemporary don has dealt. She has discovered for
squalid exterior of the poverty-stricken authors, little essays in criticism, in manner
and unsavoury street before mentioned. not dissimilar to those 'Guesses at Truth
us little or nothing that can reasonably be
The Hon. Misses Mauleverer had cultivated which delighted earlier generation.
supposed to represent the poet's own view
" the habit of ignoring what they did not wish As
or experience. Thus she quotes the passage
& critic Allingham knew his own
to believe," dreaming placidly of things as mind, and could express his point of view in waters, all agree
where “birdes, voices, instruments, windes,
1. in one harmony, with
they had been rather than as they existed telling phrases. But that point of view was
when the story opens.
With them resided not inevitably right. After
the critical opinion, cited by Hallam, that
generous
& young and beautiful stepsister, whose eulogy of Browning, and the acute observa-voices and instruments, the interruption
“ to a person listening to a concert of
nature, although antagonistic in many ways tion that Clough wrote in verse, not from
to that of her sisters, possessed in common
of singing birds, winds, and waterfalls
any natural impulse, but because it lent would be little better than the torment
with them the power of enduring and enjoy- his shyness a veil, and excused his dislike of Hogarth's enraged musician. "
ing respectively the hardships and oppor- of uttering a definite opinion,” he commits
tunities of life. The story is divided into himself to the opinion that FitzGerald's
But it is not from such a poet that we
two sections, the second being in many ways Omar Khayyam is commonplace beyond or account of his own practice. He spoke
can expect a clear-eyed theory of poetry
a repetition of the first, which forms a expression, and “not worth thinking twice of the poet as inspired by " celestial rage
romantic narrative of the multitudinous about," and Meredith’s ‘Egoist' is
of love," and also by lavish cups and
and varied aspirations of the sisters. The cessively clever, and tedious. As a critic, thriftie bits of meate. " He said that it
author's descriptive powers as applied to for all his eager love of literature, Alling- was the pride of poets “ virtue to advance
English country life, and the careful study, ham seems to have been more honest than and vice deride. He declared it his own
and portrayal of his characters, will compel inspired.
interest from beginning to end, though
particular end to fashion a gentleman
subconsciously the reader may be aware of a Bayley (Stanhope), THE CAMPAGNA OF ROME, or noble person in virtuous and gentle
lack of originality in the incidents.
A SYMPHONY; IN THE SLEEP OF THE discipline. " As to the Irish bards, they
Sun, 1/ net.
Wodehouse (P. G. ), THE PRINCE AND BETTY,
Elkin Mathews
of another mind, and so far from
6/
Mills & Boon These prose poems are in a strain of melli- instructing young men in moral discipline,
they themselves do
deserve to
Mr. P. G. Wodehouse, whose fertile inven- Auous sentiment which cloys after a page or
tion and airy style wooed grown-up readers two.
The author is familiar with the
be sharply disciplined " for praising the
bold and lawless, &c. ; but he does not
to the pages of The Captain, has given elements and the sun and the hills and the
Miss
novel-we had nearly said an trees and the stars and the sky. He is also deny them the title of poets.
ordinary novel-in The Prince and Betty much interested in beauty and appears there was, if any, between Spenser's
Langdon has not inquired what relation
It is gay, well written, just enough exag- to be conscientious in his art, but a touch of
Clever characterization, but there is nothing baseless fabric, and leaves us with the Spenser's words his debt to his predeces-
gerated to be piquant, and not devoid of real life or a gust of passion destroys the practice and his scattered fragments of
in it so good as the delightful impertinences notion that the whole business is only a
of the admirable Psmith in Psmith, trick, and the style only a skilful mosaic.
sors must be studied with exquisite close-
Journalist. ' But 'The Prince and Betty If any one likes poetic prose, he will find
ness, yet, we believe, with no great hope
is an original and humorous variant of the it here, with all its vices, and, at any rate, accomplishing the impossible task of
of success ; for to succeed would mean
Zenda motif.
some of its virtues.
getting at what Spenser intended, as well
General.
Begbie (Harold), THE ORDINARY MAN AND
as at what he does, in fact, convey.
Allingham (William), BY THE WAY: VERSES, THE EXTRAORDINARY THING, 6/
Mickle (Alan D. ), THE DARK TOWER, 3/6 net.
FRAGMENTS, AND NOTES, arranged by
Hodder & Stoughton
Melbourne, Lothian ;
Helen Allingham, 5net. Longmans Mr. Begbie tells us that he has been asked
Walter Scott Publishing Co.
A few felicitous lines have given Richard by many readers of his . Broken Earthen-
This small volume of rather jerky essays
Lovelace a place in English Literature, a to write a book describing the con- and aphorisms seems to be little more than
place whereto one kindly welcomes him, versions of " ordinary ? ? In the book a restatement of the Superman theory of
looking at his portrait, the handsome, high- under notice he gives us the history of the life. It lacks charm of style, but gives the
bred, melancholy face. " So writes the Young Men's Christian Association, and impression of genuine sincerity.
author of this book (p. 103), and, if we put describes many striking, instances of the Stevenson (Robert Louis), WORKS, Vols.
Allingham for Lovelace, the sentence might influence of that institution. He lets most XI. -XV.
Chatto & Windus
serve well enough for his own literary of his characters tell their own story, so The volumes before us of the Swanston
epitaph. The present collection of frag- that the book as a whole savours of the Edition include Catriona," "The Master
ments in prose and verse will add nothing journalistic interview. We have seen far of Ballantrae, The Wrecker,'_ ‘A Child's
to his reputation ; but those to whom his I better work from his pen.
Garden of Verses, and Other Poems, and
ex-
were
more
us
a
2
2
ware
men.
1


## p. 535 (#405) ############################################

No. 4411, May 11, 1912
535
THE ATHENÆUM
ILLUSION
DANS
the four plays written with Henley. The and likewise his view of nature, affect his
FORTHOOMING BOOKS.
illustrations are of exceptional interest, educational system. Montaigne's ideas of
offering some characteristic portraits of pædagogy are so attractive and compre- MAY
Theology
Stevenson in the South Seas. One of them hensive that Dr. Barth has done well, at the 13 Book of Prayers, by the late Rev. James
presents him and his household on the back end, to point out where they are open to O. Street.
Lindsey Press
verandah at Vailima, and another dictating criticism.
31 Witnesses to the Historicity of Jesus, by
to Mrs. Strong in his study at the same place. The second number is almost entirely Prof. Arthur Drews, translated by Joseph McCabe,
6
Watts
Trevelyan (G. M. ), THE POETRY AND PHILO- German in scope, beginning with Dr.
The Liturgy and Ritual of the Ante-Nicene
SOPHY OF GEORGE MEREDITH, 2/6 net. Schuster's reprint of the long and inter- Church, by the Rev. F. E. Warren, Second Edi-
Constable esting. “ instructions” concerning the education, revised, 5/
S. P. C. K.
A hearty welcome is due to this pocket tion of the two young Markgraves Erdmann The Life and Times of St. Dominic, by the
Rev. De Lacy O'Leary, D. D. , 2/6 S. P. C. K.
edition of Mr. Trevelyan's examination of August and Georg Albrecht of Brandenburg-
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, by the Rev. De
the genius of George Neredith. It is in the Bayreuth, addressed in 1630 and 1637 to
Lacy O'Leary, D. D. , 21
S. P. C. K.
main an appreciation, couched in full and their tutor by their father. The third
Apollos ; or, Studies in the Life of a Great
dignified language, and bearing the impress number has an important article by Dr. Layman of the First Century, by the Ven. G. R.
S. P. C. K.
Wynne, D. D. , 1/6
of a mind that has passed over the border- Richard Bitterling on the literary and
An English Churchman's Profession of Faith, by
land of superficial analysis into the more
other remains of Fröbel now in Berlin.
the Rev. J. K. Swinburne, with Preface by
pregnant realization of Meredith's mental In the fourth number Dr. Kammradt's Canon Randolph, D. D. , 6d.