Poetical Works of Robert Burns. With Life and Notes by
William Wallace, LL.D. With Illustrations by W. D. McKay and others. (W. and R. Chambers. 6s.)—Dr. Wallace's brief memoir — it is of barely eight pages — is satisfactorily free from the detestable " Titans must have their recreations " apology for the poet's misdoings. These are impartially recorded, including the inexcusable transgression after his marriage, when he was past thirty; the little rhetorical flourish about the generation that " had not the wisdom to kill the fatted calf" for a prodigal who never returned is de rigueur for a Scots- Man writing about Burns. The edition is in a very serviceable shape, and the editing is worthy of so capable a scholar and publicist as Dr. Wallace. The Scotticiams are not crowded together in a glossary, but given as glosses on the text, and there are footnotes, explanatory and other, from time to time.