10 SEPTEMBER 1864, Page 21

Seatonian Poems. By the Rev. J. M. Neale, M.A. (Bell

and Daldy.)— Ten times has Mr. Neale been crowned with the Seatonian chaplet, and on one occasion the subject of Egypt was so inspiring that he wrote two poems of which one got the prize and the other a premium. They are really good specimens of versification, spirited and polished;—so good

that one feels quite angry with the respected founder of the prize for bribing so clever a man to write in years of maturity what is after all of no value. That which is a useful exercise for lads at school or college is a waste of time afterwards. And yet there are people who admire this style of composition, for Mr. Neale was induced to suffer these Seatonians to be reprinted by the promise of aid to a charityin which he is interested. "He has since had cause to be thankful that he gave way, in that he has been allowed to dedicate them to his Bishop." Happy Mr. Neale !