Storyology. By Benjamin . Taylor. (Elliot Stock. Ss.)— Mr. Taylor has
ventured into a preserve which is very jealously guarded. On such trifles as politics and religion as much freedom of thought andspeech as can be wished is allowed, but on com- parative folk-lore, for this is about the significance of the barbarous word " storyology," it is necessary to be carefully orthodox. • Mr. Taylor boldly tells us that he does not write for experts; but addresses the "general reader." For -him, indeed, if he wants-to-be entertained, as is the habit of his class, he does *ell.. The book is full of curious matter,—delusions which have a strange resemblance to truth, legends, popular beliefs, and common customs which, unreasonable as they may seem, probably have their root in natural facts. "Davy Jones's Locker" is a specimen of Mr. Taylor's method. " Davy," he tells us, is possibly equivalent to " Duffy," the West Indian for " ghost "; but more probably the Dave of Indian mythology,—our theorist does not want, it will be seen, for boldness. "Jones" is Jonah, "the embodiment of maleiolence at "sea,"—surely the malevolence was not in Jonah? As to the "locker," why may it not be the Veovin:, the prison which the swine-demons. were so anxious to escape; but into which"they were precipitated by their own act? A more agreeable subject is found in the next chapter, which is entitled "Flowers of Fancy." The parsley, the rose, the lily, the clover, the thistle, and the orange-blossom are discussed. This subject;_ again, is followed by " Rosemary for Remembrance." Mr. Taylor has certainly written a readable book, whatever we may think of the quality of its learning.
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