Mr. TAYLOR, of Norwich, has completed his Survey of German
Poetry. The first volume appeared during an early stage of our labours ; when we had occasion to speak'. highly of the literary character of our author. He is not a writer of the modern spirit : he aims much more at truth than effect ; he is conscientious and just in his criticisms, faithful in his descriptions, correct, though peculiar, in his translations. He is thoroughly imbued with German literature ; and his undertaking is consequently the result along study, and not of a bookseller's offer. The plan of the Survey might have been much improved, and the title also. the Survey is not uniform : sometimes it is in detail, sometimes general; the specimens are frequently too copious, and appear as if they were quoted rather because the author had translations of them by him, than because they were demanded for the purposes of illustration. We are glad, however, to add the concluding vo- limes to the one already on our shelves : it is a sterling work ; and though it may not give the spirit of German poetry, it gives much of the body. A history of German literature in English, by one who is thoroughly master of it, is still a desideratum.
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