1 JUNE 1901, Page 24

Songs of the Sword and the Soldier. Collected and edited

by Alexander Eagar. (Sands and Co. 3s. 6d.)—Mr. Eager has gathered here, and arranged in eight books, one hundred and sixty war-songs. Book I. " Singeth the Praise of the Sword," the most notable poems in it being "The Sword Canto " from Longfellow's "Saga of King Olaf,"" Herewarcl's Sword-Song," by Charles Kingsley, and Lo,d Macaulay's "Prophecy of Capys." The editor himself contributes some spirited lyrics, and he has borrowed some more from Dr. Savage-Armstrong. The other books, all of them devoted to some aspect of war or of the glory of warriors, are put together in the same way. We miss one or two great names; but considerations of copyright have doubtless limited the selection. By a happy arrangement, Book VIII. con- tains, along with some other pieces, various national anthem;.