30 MARCH 1867, Page 23

Tales, Songs, and Sonnets. By J. W. Dalby. (Longmans.) A

Waif on the Stream. By S. M. Butchers. (Trabner.)—We sit with sad civility over the books of verse which pour in upon us, feeling with Pope that to laugh were want of goodness and of grace. But unfor- tunately, in very few instances, are we able to praise, and in some instances we are unable to read. Perhaps this last is, after all, the truest kindness to the author. It is certainly kindness to the critic.