7 FEBRUARY 1891, Page 29

Gaudeamas Songs for Colleges and Schools. Edited by John Farmer.

(Cassell and Co,)—Mr. Farmer has selected a hundred songs, of the most varied nature and from many sources, Of the merits and demerits of a collection of songs, it is not easy to say much when we remember the limits. For the aim in view, he seems to have succeeded in obtaining, at any rate, both an appro- priate selection and plenty of variety. Perhaps if we give a brief selection it will enable some to judge of its claims to merit. " Forty Years On " (a football song), " Auld Lang Syne," " The Massacre of Macpherson," " The, Young May Moon," " Awn', Whigs, awn'," "The British Grenadiers," "O, Willie brewed a peek o' maut," Calverley's " Ode to Tobacco," " Drink to me only with thine oyes," and "Lord Gregory." The humorous, the pathetic, the sentimental, and the triumphant appear well repre- sented, as well as drinking songs ; nor are old English songs neglected. Several, we see, are out of the "Harrow Song-Book." If we regret anything, it is the omission of some of the American melodies, say Mr. Foster's, and others, songs too pathetic for young men to sing perhaps, but which no one should be ignorant of.