Music for the People. By Robert A. Marr. (John Menzies,
Edinburgh.)—This book, which is one of the apparently innumer- able " retrospects " of the Glasgow International Exhibition of last year, is an interesting, comprehensive, and yet compact account of the rise of choral societies, and of the progress of music generally, in Scotland. It certainly demonstrates that the Scotch people have, more particularly within the past half- century, taken to cultivating music with an enthusiasm which is indisputable, even if it be not always well regulated. As a rule, Mr. Marr writes simply, and therefore well. He should not, however, attempt to be sarcastic, or "graphic." "The little, dark-haired, pale-faced, and keen-eyed Jullien, who, in white vest and large stock of laundry-ware, lounged in exhausted attitude, as the grand finale to each piece performed by his famous orchestra," is a slightly vulgar piece of description.
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