22 SEPTEMBER 1906, Page 22

Pribbles and Prabbles: Rambling Reflections on Varied Topics. By the

late Major-General Patrick Maxwe]l. (8keffington and Son. 10s. net.)—This is certainly one of the books which may be read without flagging of interest from cover to cover. Major-General Maxwell was a man of letters whose activities extended over a wide range of subjects, the most important of them being German and Italian literature. And whatever he writes, he writes in the fashion of a scholar. He quotes Greek and Latin plentifully, and his quotations are correct. This may sound a trifle, but we can assure our readers, on the strength of a very large experience, that it is not as common as it should be. We do not always agree with his criticisms ; he is a little hard, we think, on Aeneas, not Virgil's Aeneas only, but Homer's also. What, we wonder, is the disgrace in the hero suggesting to Pandarus that if they did get the worst of it in attacking Diomed, it would be well to have good horses to carry them away? Diomed's prowess must have been pretty well known. But our author always makes out a good ease for himself; he is always readable, and very often entertain- ing in a high degree. If eminent conversationalists ever prepare themselves for an evening in society by studying a book of good things, this is the very volume for them. Here are two fine specimens of Baboo English :—" You have been very kind to me : God Almighty give you tit for tat ! " "May God pickle your worship" An English lady meaning to say, "I have eaten enough, and do not wish for more," used the Italian, "Ho mangiato bastimento, non voglio anebra," which is equivalent to " I have eaten a ship, and do not wish to eat the anchor also." A French translation of "a stickit minister" was "un pretre assassink" and of "Love's Last Shift" "La derniere chemise de ramour." Jules janin rendered "Out, out, brief candle !" by " Sortez, chandelle, sortez !" another Frenchman, " woe-begone " by "ainsi, douleur, va-t-en !" But there is nothing better in this way than what appeared in a volume translated from the French less than a year ago, that " Vattel killed himself because the fish would not rise." It is curious that our old friend the " laughing " augur appears again, and yet the Latin haruspex is actually given I