Lara. Illustrated by C. B. Birch. (Art Union of London.)—Mr.
Birch has illustrated Byron's poem with twenty correct and elegant drawings. Lace is not one of the poet's happiest efforts, resembling, so far, moat other continuations. "No circumstance of local or national description fixes the scene or hero to any country or ago," is the author's own remark (accounting for the use of the word "serf "). It would scarcely be too much to say that there is not more nature than there is local colour in it. Such a poem does not lend itself very well to the artist, who can hardly escape being as artificial as that which he illustrates. Mr. Birch has probably done as well as the cir- cumstances admitted. Scenes and characters which are so vague can only be represented in a conventional style ; and this the artist has employed with considerable success.
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