29 SEPTEMBER 1888, Page 26

Ballads of Books. Edited by Andrew Lang. (Longmans.) —Mr. Lang

has recast a volume, edited by Mr. Brander Matthews, that was published last year in New York, making some additions and some omissions, these latter of his own verses chiefly. They might have been well allowed to stay, even though they are to be found in " Books and Bookmen." " Catullus " (" Quoi dono lepidum novum libellum "), Englished by the editor, is the first piece ; and Lord Lytton's " Souls of Books" the last, though, indeed, Mr. Austin Dobson finishes it with " A Final Word." We should have said that some non-lyrical pieces have been added at the end of the volume. One of theiii is " The Library," by Crabbe. It is in every way a charming little book.