18 APRIL 1863, Page 23

Ballads from Scottish History. By Norval Clyne. (Edmonston and Douglas.)-A

gentleman, whose name is Norval, has put together in this nice-looking little volume a number of ballads on various events in Scottish history, ranging from the advent of St. Columba to the Union with England. Although Norval is, no doubt, a warm admirer of the noble old Scotch ballads, yet we can scarcely say that he has boon suc- cessful in catching their spirit, his productions being distinguished from the originals by a superfluity of polish, and at least a corresponding deficiency in vigour. He devotes a few pages in an appendix to vindi- cating the antiquity of the ballad of " Sir Patrick Spens" from the im- putations that have been cast upon it by Mr. R. Chambers.