SOME BOOKS OF TILE WEEK.
[17ncter this heading we notice such Books of the wish u have net been reserved for renew in other forms.]
Mark Twain. By Archibald Henderson. (Duckworth and Co. 5s. net.)—Mr. Henderson's appreciation of the great American humorist seems to us somewhat extravagant. "Ono of the supreme geniuses of our age " ; " unique and incomparable position" ; "a place in the minds and hearts of the great mass of humanity throughout the civilised world which, if measured in terms of affection, sympathy, and spontaneous enjoyment, is without a parallel." These aro, indeed, superlatives. Mr. Henderson deals largely in these. Still we are glad to have his book. He tells us much about the man's early life; he brings into strong relief the serious side of his character. If he had but had the bump of veneration a little more developed ! But we cannot assent to this coronation of the man who could descend to the crudenesses of the " Innocents Abroad," and who lapsed at last into so deplorable a condition of disbelief in God and man. Might we suggest to Mr. Henderson that the Terontian maxim stands thus : " Homo sum ; humani nihil a me plenum puto." This is a verse, though it does not, it must be owned, look much like one. But it has an iamb at
rtie end, pato, and we do not find this saving element in Mr. Henderson's emendation : "Humans Islienum es" To scan this would puzzle the most ingenious. "Humanst. 3 sum ; et nil humanism mihi
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