Russian Porta and Poems. Vol. I., " Classics." By Mme.
N. Jarintzov. (Oxford : B. H. Blackwell. 10a. 6d. not.)—Mme. Jarintzov has followed up her very able and stimulating book on the Russians and their language with this instructive volume of translations from nine of the older Russian poets from Krylov to Nekrassov, accompanied by short biographies and an illuminating essay on Russian verse-forms and the difficulties that beset the English translator. We can bear witness to the accuracy of such of the versions as we have compared with the originals, and the Russian metres are reproduced with really astonishing suocesa. Unfortunately we must add that the English reader knowing no Russian will too often be impressed by the queer mm-English turns of phrase rather than by the poetic merit of the selected pieces. The rendering of Lermontov's " The Demon," however, is strong an•I dignified, though in the first four lines we are distressed by the rhyming of " world " and " whirled." To appreciate Russian poetry one must know Russian, but Sims. Jarintzov has at any rate illustrated its range and variety. Her book will help and inspire many students.
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