Three Lectures on English Literature. By William S. M'Cormick, M.A.
(Gardner.)—Mr.M'Cormick is a lecturer to ladies in Queen Margaret's College, Glasgow, and the three lectures printed in this volume are on "English Literature and University Education," on "Wordsworth," and on "Browning." He is, we cannot doubt, thoroughly competent for the post he fills, and the three addresses, which are selected from a series on "The English Poets of the Nineteenth Century," do credit to his judgment and ability. At the same time, the criticisms on Wordsworth and Browning cannot be said to have any great value apart from the purpose for which they were delivered. They are thoughtful and highly intelligent lectures on these two great poets, and in the lecture-room such criticisms would be all-sufficient. Something more is needed when an author addresses the public upon themes so familiar, and Mr. M'Cormick says little that is especially significant. The writer does not shrink from the expression of strong opinions, and after giving high praise to "The Ring and the Book" as the crowning evidence of the poet's originality of style, observes that it is a masterpiece "of quaint puerilities, ingeniously stupid conceits, and unfathomable nonsense." It may be doubted whether the lecture on "English Literature and University Education" could have greatly interested the young ladies who listened to it, since it consists principally of a masterly reply to an article of Professor Freeman's, in which he maintained that English literature was not a subject for University training or examination.
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