The Shakespeare Cyclopacdia and New Glossary. By John Phin. (Kegan
Paul, Trench, and Co. 6s.)—Professor E. Dowden, who introduces Mr. Phin, promises that the student of Shakespeare will find much that is valuable in this book, and the promise is amply fulfilled. The glossary, which is at the same time an en- cyclopaedic dictionary, is the important part, occupying with the "addenda," which contain many cross-references, nearly four hundred pages. Mr. Phin also gives us in his prolegomena various essays. One is intended to show how Shakespeare should be read; a second gives an account of "Shakespeare Clubs and Societies." Then there is an article on the text; after this a bibliography of editions and "Helpful Books." The Bacon-Shakespeare con- troversy is not forgotten. Of this Mr. Phin gives an excellent summary. One testimony which he quotes has not been made enough of. No man ever knew, or could hope to know, more of Bacon than Spedding, and Spedding says :--" I doubt whether there are five lines together in Bacon which could be mistaken for Shakespeare, or five lines in Shakespeare which could be mistaken
• for Bacon by one who was familiar with the several styles and practised in such observation If there were any reason for supposing that the real author was somebody else, I think I am in a condition to say that, whoever it was, it was not Francis Bacon."-
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