29 SEPTEMBER 1888, Page 26

Stray Chapters in Literature, Folk - Lore, and Archoology. By W. E.

A. Axon. (John Heywood.)—A regular a/a podrida of, essays and articles on the most diverse subjects. The style is clear and not too diffuse, and the pieces themselves not too long, and thus not likely to tire the reader. As some of the most in- teresting we might instance " The Old English Guilds," " Byron's Influence on European Literature," and " George Eliot's Use of Dialect." The whole are about twenty in number. Different chapters will be found to suit different readers.' The book, If not solid, will yet impart plenty of information in a pleasing manner. We do not agree with the decision arrived at in the case of "Blind- ness v. Deafness," though, as far as temperament is concerned, the writer's conclusion appears to be justified.