23 SEPTEMBER 1871, Page 22

CURRENT LITERATURE.

English and Scotch Historical Ballads. By Arthur Milman, M.A. Mr. Milman describes this volume as having boon edited "for the use of schools." We have no hesitation in saying that it will be very welcome to teachers. The editor has selected live-and-twenty ballads, the stan- dard favourites among them. Besides a general introduction, ho fur- nishes each with a preface giving some account of the historical or legendary event to which it refers, authorship, date, &c. Notes aro added explaining any difficulties that may odour, and there is a glossary with explanations. We notice as a praiseworthy feature that the famous. "Battle of Otterbourno " is given in the Scotch and English versions. Among less known ballads which are very properly inserted on account of their historical interest may be mentioned "The Rising in tho North " (IMO), "The Battle of Bothwell Bridge," dm.