Love's Martyrdom : a Play and Poem. By John Saunders.
(Kegan Paul and Co.)—As a letter from so able a critic as Charles Love's Martyrdom : a Play and Poem. By John Saunders. (Kegan Paul and Co.)—As a letter from so able a critic as Charles Dickens is printed with the play, this short notice refers merely to the poem. The author could not write a tale, in prose or verse, without importing into it a great deal of interest for his readers, but we still prefer his prose. Yet there are fine lines and passages in the poem, which would, however, be much more effective if the ideas, language, and customs portrayed were more in harmony with the time assigned to the action ; they are so modern, that the mention of a literal martyrdom, and even the wearing of arms by Franklyn and the other gentlemen, come upon one as a surprise. Nor are we quite interested enough in the principal characters to rejoice as we should that the "martyrdom" was not completed.
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