The Life of Benvenuto Cellini. Translated by R. H. Hobart
Cust. (G. Bell and Sons. 25s. net.)—Mr. Cust gives as a reason for undertaking a. new translation, which is unexpurgated, the fact that since the well-known version by J. A. Symonds appeared Italian scholars have produced critical editions of the text. It does not seem, however, that any great addition or modification has been made, and indeed the copious notes with which the present book is furnished are its best excuse. After comparing some passages of Mr. Cast's translation with their equivalents in that of J. A. Symonds, we cannot say that there seems to be any marked difference, both doubtless keeping very close to the original. But there is this difference : in the details of the English this new version is less happy than the older one. For instance, such little things are to be noted as the use of the objectionable word "commence," and again "coppers " in a passage where J. A. Symonds uses "small coins." No doubt Cellini was in the habit of using colloquial expressions, but in translating these it is use- less to render them by words which call up a wrong image. "Coppers" suggests England, not Florence. It must not be supposed that these blemishes are frequent, and taken as a whole the translation of this extraordinary book is easy and Sowing.
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