Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 4.djvu/477

 9* S. IV. Deo. 16, '99.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 509 four portraits of the artist, with others of X., Clement VII., Paul III., Charles V., icis I., Alessandro de' Medici, Cosimo de UlUttllsntolll NOTES ON BOOKS. Ac Chixtl. Pen, anil Poimiard; or, Btneenuto Cellini, kin Times, and hix Contemporaries. By the Author of ' The Life of Sir Kenelni Digby.' (Longmans & Co.) Materials for the life of Benvenuto Cellini are abundant and have been well employed. The autobiography itself is one of the best known of works, and the artistic career of the great artist has been traced with signal patience during recent years. The latest biographer has been impelled to his task by no excessive admiration for the man, whom indeed, from a mildly Roman Catholic point of view, he rebukes and confutes. He gives, however, a summary of the ' Vita/with some added and welcome passages from the ' Trattati,' and with illustrations, some of which have, we think, already appeared in the admirable monograph of M. L. l'lon. Cellini's descriptions of his own loves and the accusations brought against him are lightly glided over, and the chief aim of the writer appears to be to dwell upon Cellini's genius, his turbulence, and his mendacity. To those from whom Symonds's translation of the 'Life' is properly withheld the present volume will serve to convey a good idea of one of the most interesting figures of Renaissance times. The illustrations, which include no fewer than four portraits of the artist, with others of Leo Francis Medici, La Duchesse d'Ktampes, and Kleonora de Toledo, besides many of Cellini's designs, add greatly to the value and attractiveness of the work. Given as he is to scold and, in a sense, dis- parage the man with whom he deals, our author is careful to say that he does not hold him "'an un- mitigated liar." He scarcely acquits him, however, of being a prodigious braggart. Cellini's offences were mostly those of his time. One has only to read the Tudor and Stuart drama to find what sort of men were in fashion in Cellini's times. We detect some errors, as "Animanato" for Amnta- nato. None of these is, however, of much signi- ficance, except when our author speaks of sybils (*iY) and cupids. As a whole the book is correct as well as agreeable. The Daiiy ; or. Cautionary Stories in Ver.it. 1807. (Leadenhall Press.) The. Coicslip ; or. More Cautionary Storiex in Verxe. 1811. (Same publishers.) A New Riddle ■ Book: By John-the-Giant-Killer. I77S. (Same publishers.) Unwearying in directing our attention to the children's poetry books of a century or so ago, Mr. Tuer reprints in facsimile—extending even to the paper, the printing, and the covers, as well as the text and the illustrations — some indescribably quaint children's books of a century or so ago. Some of these were the solace of our own childhood, and must, accordingly, have enjoyed considerable vitality. We have already spoken of ' The Daisy,' though, owing to defective sight and calligraphy that can scarcely be regarded as perfect, the title appeared as ' The Dairy.' Reading the book afresh brought with it a whiff of a long-forgotten youth, and was a real pleasure. ' The Cowslip ' is a com- panion volume, with equally naive verses and quaint cuts, also intended for children of from five to eight. ' A New Riddle-Book,' the first title of which is 'Food for the Mind,'gives some fifty or more riddles in very primitive verse, with expla- natory cuts, by the aid of which most, but not quite all, may be answered. The last is, as our readers know, a crux. We, at least, are not able to solve it. It is proposed by the Leadenhall Press to reprint a series of these books, the originals of which, thanks to the destruction wrought by tiny fingers, are of extreme rarity. These quaint works will scarcely serve as a preparation forGirton, and, indeed, will create a smile by their simplicity. There are those, however, and we are of the number, who hail them with delight. The Scarlet Herring, and other Storiex. By His Honour Judge Edward Abbott Parry. (Smith, Elder*. Co.) The publication of Judge Parry's stories—told primarily for the delectation of his own children, interrupted last year by causes which won for him and his general sympathy—has now happily been resumed, and we have this year the best child's book he has yet given us. Though occasionally breaking out into verse, the narratives are mainlv in prose. They have much of the character of folk*- stories, and display both imagination and fancy. ' The Scarlet Herring ' might almost be taken to be of Oriental origin, as might, indeed, ' The Golden Jujube,' which, amidst all its extravagance, re- minds us of Russian folk-tales. ' Aunt Apple-Tree' is pretty and fanciful as well as pleasantly domestic, and 'The Gay Umbrella' is a rollicking piece of absurdity founded on a notion not wholly unlike that of ' La Canne de M. de Balzac' Mr. Rusden's illustrations are very spirited, and the book, with its pleasant mixture of satire and of fun, will be a delight to youth and to age. The Adventurer of Beowulf. Translated by Clara Thomson. (Marshall A. Son.) Thoi'oh intended for use in schools and well adapted to the purpose, Miss Thomson's rendering of 'Beowulf may be commended to a large circle of readers. It is not intended for scholars, and those studying closely our literature are not likely to turn to it. To those, however, who have no knowledge of literature before the time of, say, Chaucer—a class which includes nearly ninety- nine out of a hundred readers—it will be of ser- vice. It contains an intelligible account of the scheme and action of the poem, and a translation of a great ]>ortion of it. The introductory chapter will be specially serviceable. The Pocket Encyclopedia of Useful Knowledge on a Thousand Subjects, by Henry Grey, F.R.B.S. (Sonnenschein & Co.), has been issued ufresh. It may bo consulted with advantage by those who are away from more important works of reference. The ninth volume of the Journal of the ExLibris Society is completed by the apiiearauce of the December number, still under the editorship of ^j W,H- K- Wr'ght- The number includes an address by the Treasurer; a frontispiece, with four designs, by Major E. Bengough Ricketts; and a further contribution by Mr. Bolton on 'The Humes of Polgarth.' Amidst much admirable fiction, the Christmas number of Caxxel/'x Magazine has an article, by the Marquess of Lome, on Windsor Castle; an appre- ciation of Sir Henry Irving, by Mr. Malcolm C.