10 DECEMBER 1898, Page 25

The Robert Browning Birthday Book. Compiled by J. P.. (Routledge

and Sons.)—Mr. C. W. Vick tells us, quite truly, that Browning is not the poet from whom to pick mottoes, but that he has a great deal to say about human life, duty, and destiny. Very true; but such things are apt to be marred by these little snippets. And what reason, physical or metaphysical, is there for giving us under January 6th :— " Into the garden I brought it to read And under t he arb,,te and lanrnatine

Read it, Fn help me gra -e in my need, From t,t .page to mooing line "