The Bookworm : an Illustrated Treasury of Old-Time Literature. (Elliot
Stock.)—The Bookworm is a collection of "ana " that would have delighted Southey, who enjoyed literary gossip, and the scraps collected about books from out-of-the-way sources. The editor does not, however, keep entirely to " Old-Time Literature," for he transcribes an interesting letter of Lady Burton's about her husband's MSS., has something to say about
the fact-simile recently published of Dickens's " Christmas Carol," and the new edition of "Lyra Elegautiarum ;" • while the list Of topics includes the poetry of the Brontes, Browning's- study, notes on Tennyson and Thaekeray, and the interesting fact that in India " Silas Manner " is included among the books used in the public schools. Mr. Birrell, having lectured on " Books and Libraries," has also two pages awarded to him under the title of "More °biter Dicta.' " Two papers by the editor upon Pope's. John Dennis, a bad playwright but a fairly good critic, contain in a concise form all that is known of " Appius," who received the last and worst blow from Pope when the poet -wrote the prologue to a play acted for his benefit.
Previous page
