11 MAY 1901, Page 23

Without making any pretence to an exhaustive treatment of the

subject, Mr. C. F. Abdy Williams's Handel (" Master Musicians Series," J. M. Dent, 3s. 6d.) gives a pleasant and unaffected account of the life and works of the great Saxon composer. The narrative is enlivened with plenty of character- istic anecdotes, and enriched with a number of excellent illustra- tions,—always a strong feature in this series. We may note with approval the care taken by the author to render this Life useful as a book of reference. Besides the usual index, we have a catalogue with dates of Handel's works, a bibliography, and a glossary of musical terms.