11 OCTOBER 1879, Page 21

The Cornhill Magazine, for October, depends on its stories; the

padding being unusually devoid of interest, unless we except a terri- ble attack on the character of Burns, which ought, in Scotland, to call forth replies. We do not know, however, that Scotchmen will care much about it, Burns belonging distinctly to that class of poets who are funnels, through whom streams a poetry far brighter and sweeter than themselves.