1 FEBRUARY 1902, Page 25

Poetical Works of Robert Burns. With Life and Notes by

William Wallace, LL.D. With Illustrations by W. D. McKay and others. (W. and R. Chambers. 6s.)—Dr. Wallace's brief memoir — it is of barely eight pages — is satisfactorily free from the detestable " Titans must have their recreations " apology for the poet's misdoings. These are impartially recorded, including the inexcusable transgression after his marriage, when he was past thirty; the little rhetorical flourish about the generation that " had not the wisdom to kill the fatted calf" for a prodigal who never returned is de rigueur for a Scots- Man writing about Burns. The edition is in a very serviceable shape, and the editing is worthy of so capable a scholar and publicist as Dr. Wallace. The Scotticiams are not crowded together in a glossary, but given as glosses on the text, and there are footnotes, explanatory and other, from time to time.