SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week es have loot bun reserved for room in. other forms.] In "Bell's Miniature Series of Great Writers" (G. Bell and Sons, 1s. net each) we have two volumes the merits of which promise well for the undertaking. These are Chaucer, by the Rev. W. Tuckwell and Coleridge by Richard Garnett, LLD. There is not much now to be said about Chaucer, for of the personal side very little is known, though not a little has been invented. The de- scription of the "Canterbury Tales" is excellent; but the question is unanswered—possibly it is unanswerable—What did Chaucer think of the 'whole pilgrimage business? Is he ironical ? It is quite clear that, with a few exceptions, these pilgrims were a very irreligious company. Dr. Garnett's Coleridge is very good, especially in the section of "Personal History," and in the very able analysis of the "Ancient Mariner." Incidentally there is a very just appreciation of Southey. Of Coleridge as a critic Dr. Garnett expresses himself in terms of the highest praise. "As- a. critic he is absolutely supreme."
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