Of the Imitation of Christ. By Thomas a Kempis. A
Metrical Version by Henry Carrington, M.A. (Began Paul and Co.)—Of one of the most popular books in the world the authorship is un- certain, and Thomas h Kempis may perhaps be receiving the praise which is due to another. Apart from the authorship, this profoundly devout little volume tells its own tale as the work of a recluse whose religion leads him to live apart from the world instead of in it. In all books that have undying fame there is a charm of style, and Hallam points out that there seems to be an inimitable expression in its concise and energetic though barbarous Latin. That expression is by no means retained in Dean Carrington's attempt to produce a metrical version of the volume. Southey tells us of a clergy- man who preached a sermon in blank verse, and a very poor sermon it was. We fear that a similar verdict must be passed upon this endeavour to do what is impossible to be done. There are good translations of this pious treatise in prose, and where are the readers who will be allured to it by Dean Carrington's tame couplets, of which the following is a sample?- "'Tis difficult from habits to desist, But harder our own wishes to resist.
Yet if thou eonquerest not things small and light, How shalt thou vanquish in a harder fight ? Resist thine inclinations at the first, From chains and fetters of ill habits burst : Lest if from these thou art not throughly freed, They shall to greater difficulties lead."
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