28 JULY 1928, Page 19

It is not true that the Quarterly Review " snuffed

out Keats with its article on Endymion, but it is well known that the Quarterly under Lockhart and Croker was uncom- monly plain-spoken in its criticism. We are reminded of those early days by the article in the current Quarterly on the Life and Diaries of the late Sir Henry Wilson, except, indeed, that Sir Andrew MacPhail's scathing analysis of the Field-Marshal's character as revealed in his diaries is delicate rapier-work rather than Croker's bludgeon-play. " A man writes a diary with the intention of creating a monument," says Sir Andrew ; " he may erect a scaffold instead." Dr. Lyttelton, whose zeal for reforming the schools is notable, denounces " The Nightmare of Examinations " in good set terms, and propounds the advantages of the Mason method. Other notable articles are Mr. Justice Marshall's defence of " The Capitulations in Egypt," and the Dean of Winchester's charming appreciation of Bunyan.