We have received a handsome edition, in small quarto size,
of John Banyan's Pilgrim's Progress, illustrated by W. Strang (John C. Nimmo). The frontispiece is a portrait of Bunyan, reproduced by Mr. Strang from a contemporary drawing; on the title-page we have "Bunyan's Wife Reading the Bible to Him." The other pictures are twelve in number. It is doubtful whether the great allegory lends itself very readily to illustration. The burden, for instance, is not impressive when it is represented by the sort of pack which a pedlar carries. We have seen it pictured by a huge load under which the pilgrim can barely stagger. That gives the spiritual meaning, but can be criticised from another point of view. The "Slough of Despond" should be a whole wilderness of marsh. We are not quite satisfied with Mr. Strang's drawings, though they show unquestionable power.
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