16 SEPTEMBER 1893, Page 24

Primer of Italian Literature. By F. J. Snell, M.A. (Clarendon

Press.)—It is difficult to say whether one ought to criticise this book from the point of view of the student or of the reader.. Taking the latter, one would wish to have more about the great men and less about the small. On the other hand, there is something to be said for the system of mentioning all the names that have any claim to a place. Perhaps it would be well to restrict this mention to a simple catalogue. The brief notices that we have of the obscure writers, their names, works,. and subjects, are not more interesting than a catalogue, and occupy more space. When Mr. Snell has something more satis- factory to say, he says it well. The reader will carry away an adequate idea of the great Italian writers.