26 DECEMBER 1925, Page 24

FIVE HUNDRED YEARS OF CHAUCER CRITICISM AND ALLUSION, 1357-1900. By

Caroline F. E. Spurgeon. 3 vols. (Cambridge University Press. 50s. net.)

THREE stout volumes filled with references to Chaucer would seem, to the general reader, scarcely necessary, but Professor Spurgeon uses them in her masterly introduction to follow the evolution of literary' criticism and of scholarship, the fortunes of Chaucer's reputation. and the changing face of poetical fashion, guiding us to the significance, of important comments and concentrating the flavour of much secondary matter. The mere labour of collection is enormous, but Miss Spurgeon has been rewarded by being allowed to- put forward her own conclusions in a summary which is an important Con- tribution to the history of taste. The illustrations from manu- script and other sources are excellently chosen and give 'us an opportunity of seeing Blake's neglected " CanterburY = Pil- grims " once more. The work is of the highest value to scholars and of great interest to those genuinely interested in literature and the growth of the modern mind. If Professor Spurgeon would reprint her introduction, together with a systematically arranged selection of her material in a handy volume, she would earn the gratitude of students, and perhaps get a wider appreciation of her very valuable labours in a necessary but ill-rewarded field of research.