Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 4.djvu/625

 iv. DEC. 23,1905.] NOTES AND QUERIES. Milton, we maintain constitute "delights." The shape of the book is convenient as well as hand- some, the 470 o.id pages containing 200 stories. No fear is there of its attractions giving out, and the whole constitutes an inexhaustible treasure-house of delight. Few things strike more frequently or more forcibly one whose initial studies were pursued in a period many decades ago than the advantages which wait upon the career of his successors. Books, any one of which would in early days have been attended with educational advantage and literary delight, but which were at that time unattainable and non-existent, multiply around his successor and bewilder him with opportunities of choice. In the matter of Christmas presents the same con- fusion of temptations bewilders the book-lover, and the publications of Messrs. Routledge enable the benevolent uncle or godfather to bring with him, whatever his responsibilities, a variety of tempting gifts which can administer delight to many and excite envy in none. That beautiful collection of volumes known as " The Photogravure and Colour Series" enables the art-lover to retain and the benevolent to distribute books of priceless worth under conditions such as have not previously been realized. Not entirely new is it—three volumes, including the ' Quatrains' of Omar Khayyum, Mr. Lang's rendering of 'Aucassin and Nicolete,' and an edition of ' Paradise Lost,' having appeared six months ago. Just in time for Christmas has, how- ever, arrived a large and noteworthy addition to a series the attractions of which cannot easily be overpraised. Two of the volumes constitute a set by them- selves, to be further enlarged. This is styled " The Colour Series." The first is entirely occupied by the 'Flower Poems' of Robert Herrick, beautifully illustrated with coloured plates by Florence Castle. By way of prefatory note it is accompanied by Mr. Swinburne's eloquent and almost too rapturous eulogy of Herriok prefixed to " The Muses' Library " edition of Herrick's poems. The illustrations con- sist principally, but not wholly, of maidens tending or wearing the flowers mentioned. Satisfactory in all respects is the reproduction of colours. A cluster of daffodils growing by a grove, and watched by blonde maidens, constitutes the frontispiece. Eleven other plates, similarly devised, follow. • Christmas Carols and Songs' are edited by W. S. W. Anson and illustrated by Alan Wright and Vernon Stokes. A good many of the poems in this also are by Robert Herrick. Other contributors are Scott (from 'Marmion'), George Wither, Jeremy Taylor, and Drummond of Hawthornden, one poem being avowedly derived from ' N. & Q.' Abundant mate- rials are naturally at hand for such a selection. The choice, however, has been well made, and the designs, happily executed, show many forms of revel and festivity. Among "The Photogravure Series" the first place in the present instalment may perhaps be assigned to trie reproduction of Blairs 'Grave,' with Blake's designs. If we consider the popularity it once enjoyed. Blair's solemn poem is rarely encountered. We did not previously own a copy, and have only memories, now remote, whereby to judge of the accuracy of the reprint. Blake's illus- trations are to be numbered with his boldest and most characteristic work. It is superfluous to attempt afresh their praise. Milton's 'Comns' is illustrated by Miss Jessie M. King. The plates, in outline, are pretty, and have an element, not un- acceptable, of fantasy. It is not possible to say- that the artist is inspired by a strongly Miltonic spirit, and the goblins shown are more suggestive- of Puck and his elves than of Milton's Goblin or swart faery of the mine. A more serious complaint is that the text is not so- tail ht'ullv respected as in the case of a supreme- master it ought to be. The printers should know better than to alter, however slightly, the text of Milton, of which a perfect rendering is now within reach. It is only tor scholars and worshippers we are thus precise. For the general public the work will answer all requirements, and it is very beau- tiful. From the other volumes 'The Imitation of Christ' differs in more than one respect. It is an inde- t>endent translation, executed from the Latin by Canon Benham, and its illustrations are not the- work of any one hand, but are photogravure reproductions of masterpieces. The frontispiece is 'The Saviour of the World,' by Fra Bartolommeo. Eleven other works now presented are by Raphael,. Domenichino, Rubens, Correggio. Le Sueur (Jean Marie), the great painter of St. Bruno, and other artist*. It would be scarcely surprising if this eminently devotional work were the most popular of the aeries. 'Poems by Matthew Arnold' consist of the earlier works of the poet, ' The Scholar-Gipsy,' 'Sohrab and Rustum,' 'The Forsaken Merman,' &c., to which Mr. Gilbert James supplies a dozen, quaint pictures, of which the best is perhaps that of Iseult on deck with Tristram drinking the magic draught. ' Cupid and Psyche,' from Adlington's now famous translation, is also illustrated by Mr. Gilbert James, and forms a companion volume to the ' Aucassin and Nicolete' of Mr. Lang, previously issued. It is one of the most charming volumes of the collec- tion, and one we should ourselves select for pre- sentation if we could bear to break into the series. The story, which Keats calls the loveliest vision of all Olympus' faded hierarchy," is well told by Adlington, and lends itself to Mr. James's facile brush. The Cinderella-like atmosphere is amazingly well preserved. The same brush illustrates ' Ruth and Esther, which consist of two well-known Biblical legends. The six designs for ' Ruth' are from the collection of Mr. Leverton Harris, M.P., and may count among the artist's best work. In the picture of the hanging of Hainan, the persecutor of the Hebrews is seen hanging by the feet, which suggests a very lingering death. The covers of the books are similar in design, though the colour of the cloth is different. A more attractive series, or one destined, we should judge, to greater popularity, is scarcely to be hoped. Awient Carols. — Festiee Songs for Chriitmat. (Stratf ord-on- A von.) THESE little works constitute the first and second1 issues of "The Shakespeare Head Booklets," and are among the prettiest, chea|>est, and most attrac- tive of volumes. They are apparently taken from MS. sources, and are selected and edited with Mr. Bu lien's unfailing taste. The first number in the 'Festive Songs' consists of a version of the well- known boar's head carol, differing in many respects from that ordinarily sung. This is the only one v