24 OCTOBER 1863, Page 22

Handbook to the Modern Provençal Language. By the Rev. J.

Dun- can Craig. (John Russell Smith.)—The author has done good service to the students of language in compiling an excellent grammar and vocabulary of a dialect which once played so great a part in litera- ture. The sooner these local languages die out the better it will be for mankind, but one is glad to see some adequate record of them preserved while it is still possible. Mr. Craig has given some specimens of the language as now spoken ; we could wish that he had added to them a copy of the famous "Rani des Vaches," which ho alleges to have bge-n composed in it.