SHORTER NOTICE
“ Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus." Edited by Charles Kerby-
Miller. (Yale University Press. London : Cumberlege. 32s. 6d.)
BY producing this edition of the Memoirs of the Extraordinary Life, Works and Discoveries of Martinus Scriblerus, Mr. Kerby-Miller has performed a most valuable service to scholars and to such " general readers " who happen to be amused in the history of ideas and the pungently satirical treatment of intellectual follies by brilliant contemporaries. Although Arbuthnot, Swift, Gay, Parnell and Pope, with Lord Oxford constituting an appreciative chorus, began the work in 1713, what was published in 1741 was Pope's recension of work done mainly, it seems probable, by Arbuthnot. Mr. Kerby-Miller provides an admirable, readable and learned introduction, very informative as to the Scriblerus Club and the Scriblerians, and, what is more important, full notes to each chapter explaining the main ideas attacked in each, and spotting every allusion. He makes entertaining what would otherwise be verY nearly incomprehensible, seeing how many of the references are local and temporary. The work has considerable literary import- ance, being the arch connecting those two grand iSillars, Gulliver's Travels and " The Dunciad."
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