The Works of Lord Byron. Vol. II. New and Revised
Edition. (John Murray. 6s.)—We intend, as we said on a previous occa- sion, to reserve our criticism of this important work till the whole of the volumes have appeared. We may say, however, of the present volume that it is of the very highest interest. It makes clear, or at any rate clearer, a number of doubtful points in Byron's career, and it is full, both in the old and in the new letters, of matter that is in the widest sense readable. The notes are a mine of learning as to the personages of the Regency period. The accounts of Lady Caroline Lamb and Lady Oxford are very curious, and the pictures cf these two remarkable women are most interesting. The miniature of Lady Caroline Lamb dressed as a page, though not beautiful, is extremely characteristic, and suggests her nickname of " Squirrel." Very charming is the reproduction of Hoppner's picture of Lady Oxford.
Among the latest examples of the delightful little books which Messrs. Dent issue under the name of "The Temple Classics" (Is. 6d. net each) are Keats's Longer Poems and Browning's Paracelsus, and The Haka-Bharata. The appearance of these reprints needs no further praise from us, as it has again and again been expressed.—We may note also Kyd's Spanish Tragedy among " The Temple Dramatists," and Quentin Durward in " The Temple Waverley."
If the rest of " The Bibelots Series" (Gay and Bird, 2s. 6d. each) is as good as the first issue, Coleridge's Table-Talk, it will give a great deal of pleasure to all who like books which are well-printed enough not to hurt one's eyes, and small enough to go into a waistcoat pocket. Coleridge's Table-Talk not only never wearies, but proves whenever re-read to have more and more matter in it. We trust Messrs. Gay and Bird will provide us with more table-talk in this same style. Mrs. Thrale would give us Johnson. and a compilation for Goethe could easily be made. Napoleon should also be represented; but here the task of selection should be given into specially able hands. Then there is Selden and Luther. In fact, there is enough for a dozen volumes.
Previous page
