25 DECEMBER 1886, Page 22

The Lay of the Last Minstrel. By Sir Walter Scott.

(Chatto and Windas.)—This is one of the best illustrated books of the year,

taking the word "illustration" in its strict sense. The drawings do help the reader to understand and appreciate the text. It has, of course, the advantage that the artists know the poem that they are dealing with. In too many of the so-called illustrations of the day, it may be conjectured that the draughtsman has but a very cursory knowledge of the writer's work. We prefer here the landscapes to the figures. On the whole, this is a handsome and attractive volume, and should take a good place among the gift books of the season.