Translations from Martial, Book I. By an Eton Master. (Rivingtons.
2s. 6d.)—Here we have translations, paraphrases, or adaptations of fifty epigrams, executed, in the first instance, for the benefit of the author's pupils, and now published with the same educational purpose. The humorous are better than the serious. XLIL (" Old Boreham thinks himself a wit"), a para- phrase of " Urbanus tibi, Ciecili, videris," is distinctly clever ; but that which follows, a rendering of " Coniugis audisset fatum cum Porcis Bruti," is but poor. A good specimen of a quotable length is the following (LXVI., " Erras, meoram fur avare librorum ") :— "Just for a • tanner' d'you think you're a poet? Just for the price of the binding and ink? No. sir, although you seeni scarcely to know it.
Fame Is not bought quite as cheap as you think.
You ought to hunt out some -virgin edition, Still In ILS. and unknown to us all : Still In Its pristine unpublished condition, Never yet Angered on Smith and Son's stall.
Once a book's known, It can not change its master ; I have some ready at which you may look ; No one will know—you'll grow famous the faster By buying my silence, instead of my book."
—Lyra Fumosa, by E. H. Griffiths (Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., 3s. net), contains nine humorous ballads, both words and music, seven of which are due to Mr. Griffiths, one was written by a fellow-collegian now deceased, and another is incerti auctoris. There is fun in them, not absolutely convulsing perhaps, but good in its way and always wholesome. Here is a sample :— "Behold a gallant Freshman a-strolling down the street, Conscious that the Universe Is prostrate at his feet : A very cheery optimist, 'tis evident he feels Like a monarch of creation, or a llttle god on 'wheels.
Returning next October, he has somewhat sobered down ; 'Tis true he's learned a thing or two, can colour meerschaum brown ; But as to knowing everything that every man should know, Well 1 he isn't quite as certain as he was a year ago 1
Another year : and now at last his Tripos he must face! And he enters for it sailing, though he cannot win the race ; For the 'Varsity has taught hIm, and the lesson's worth the fee, When he can't be an Optimist, to be an Opthne 1"
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