12 JANUARY 1901, Page 26

A Book about Longfellow. By J. N. Mcllwraith. (T. Nelson

and Sons.)—This is a very pleasing account of one of the most attractive personalities in tho history of literature. Cer- tainly the American poets, regarded as men, present a higher average of moral goodness than any other nation, past or present, can show. Where could one find six poets who stand on so high an ethical plane as Bryant, Emerson, Whittier, Longfellow, 0. W. Holmes, and Lowell? This has done much to make them so popular at home. An American plEbiscite of the world's poets would probably give these names a place considerably above that which intellectually they deserve. In this volume there is no blind worship, but a sound and reasonable appreciation of merits and defects.