An Anglo-Saxon Reader. By Alfred J. Wyatt. (Cambridge University Press.
12s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Wyatt's anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry and prose is an excellent piece of work. It is much more varied than the older books of the kind. The editor has rightly aimed at selecting passages of literary merit or human interest rather than at illustrating linguistic or textua., problems. The notes are abundant, and the glossary, filling nearly eighty pages, would help the mere beginner to read the texts. It is worth while, as Mr. Wyatt's selection shows, to make the slighteffort needed to read Anglo Saxon. Much Anglo- Saxon writing is dreary enough, but "Beowulf," the "Battle of Brunnanburh," the "Battle of Maldon," the "Dream of the Rood," and some passages in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: are really fine things. The literary historian's praise, too often con- ventional, has not been bestowed undeservedly upon these.
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