1 NOVEMBER 1890, Page 20

English Lands, Letters, and Kings. By Donald G. Mitchell. (Sampson

Low and Co.)—This is the first part of a work the sequel of which was lately noticed in these columns. " From Celt to Tudor " is the period of which it treats. In chap. i. we have a brief description of " The Early Centuries," of " Celtic Literature," and "The Beginning of English Learning." This is followed by accounts of " Credmon, Bede, Canute, and Godiva, William the Norman, and Harold the Saxon." In chap. ii., again, -after sections devoted to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the King Arthur Legends, Early Norman Kings, we have two sketches, both the result of no little reading, " Religious Houses," and " Life of a Demoiselle." The next chapter describes Roger Bacon, William Langlands, Wicliff, and Chaucer. The last chapter, again, in which we have got as far as Elizabeth, tells us about Peele, Decker, Michael Drayton, and Ben Jonson, and winds up with a descrip- tion of " The Queen's Professor." Mr. Mitchell writes with spirit, and out of a mind well stored with knowledge of his subjects.