27 MAY 1899, Page 23

Omar Khayyam. With Drawings by Gilbert James. (L. Smithers. 7s.

6d.)—The fascination of Fitzgerald's translation of Omar has compelled artists to try to give their feelings about it in form. Whether this is advisable may be doubted. In the mystic vagueness of the verse lies its charm, but form has to work with actual and visible objects. There is much originality and a certain charm about the present drawings. The artist has drawn the poet himself sitting in the garden with the cup-bearer, or quietly drink- ing while the warriors pass, and heeding not "the rumble of a distant drum.'