Varia. By Agnes Repplier. (Gay and Bird.)—A new volume of
essays by Miss Agnes Repplier is a pleasure which more than compensates for much that is not altogether agreeable in a reviewer's work. It is not easy to say which is the most delightful of these nine papers. Perhaps " Cakes and Ale " is the most delightfully audacious. Some very serious critic re- proved Miss Repplier for writing an essay on war-songs when she might have better employed her time in helping " Lady Somerset" (out of England no one seems able to give a title rightly) in her war against intemperance. And now Miss Repplier writes, under the title of "Cakes and Ale," on drinking songs ! The subject is handled in the most tactful and pleasant fashion. We are obliged to it for telling us, among other things, where Sir W. Harcourt may have got the famous phrase that " We had drunk ourselves out of difficulties." Shadwell sang :— " The Ring's most faithful subject., we In service are not dull,
Wo drink to show our loyalty, And make his coffetefull ;"
whereupon Dryden unkindly remarked that Shadwell could serve the King only by increasing his revenue by drinking. (We may remind our author that Cowley's verses, " The thirsty earth," &c., are borrowed from the Pseudo-Anacreon.) " Little Pharisees in Fiction" is a vigorous protest against the monstrous children who are portrayed in some " goody " books. " The Fairchild Family " is happily forgotten on this side of the Atlantic ; but " Elsie Dinsmore" seems popular on the other ; and Elsie, to judge from Miss Repplier's samples of her ways and sayings, is an awful little creature. On the whole, the little heroines of fiction are more simple and natural than of old. " Guides : a Protest" and "The Fete de Gayant " are two highly entertain- ing experiences of foreign travel. " The Royal Road of Fiction " is full of sound sense and sober criticism. We must not omit
" The Eternal Feminine," a sprightly and vigorous apologia pro sexu sue.
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