18 AUGUST 1877, Page 25

or will it be necessary in this too tardy notice

to do more than recom- mend it very emphatically to such as have not seen it. Professor Mahaffy has views on some matters connected with classical life and literature with which we do not agree, but his acquaintance with his subject is such as few scholars possess. It gives a peculiar vividness and interest to this volume, which has also the advantage of a liveliness, power of observation, and a faculty for description which learned travellers do not always possess. The most important conclusion which Professor Mahaffy has drawn from his observations of Greek life, of the physique of the present population, their habits of thought, is that sub- stantially the modern Greeks are Hellenic. This is quite different from the common belief on the subject, but it is supported by arguments of much force. We may call special attention to the writer's remarks on Art. In his comparison of ancient and modern sculpture he is scarcely fair, we think, to the latter ; but it is certain that he appreciates very thoroughly, and we may add, very justly, the former. His oceasional remarks on literary and political subjects are very good. Wo may single out among them a justly favourable estimate of Plutarch.