24 SEPTEMBER 1881, Page 21

The Essential Characteristics of the Romantic and Classical Styles. By

C. H. Herford, B.A. Members' Prize Essay. (Heighten, Cam- bridge.)—The writer draws his illustrations from English literature, showing a fairly wide reading and some originality. Of cleverness, there is more, perhaps, than in the average prize essay, but it is a good deal spoilt by epigram and catch-words. Mr. lierford says his pamphlet was "composed in odd hours snatched from severer work ;" he is evidently capable of better timings, and may hope to escape

same day from the beggarly elements of "higher synthesis," or "rounding off the climax with touches of paler but harmonious colour."