Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 5.djvu/27

 9 th S. V. JAN. 6, 1900.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

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Alleyn, Drayton, and Field, from the Dulwich Gallery ; Samuel Daniel, from the likeness prefixed to his ' Civile Warres ' ; Spenser, from a portrait at Dupplin Castle; James I., from Paul van Homer; Fletcher, from the 1647 edition of his and Beau- mont's' Works,' and so forth. Of singular use to the student are the views of Shakespearian London, presenting the Bankside, with views of the Globe and the Swan theatres and the Bear Garden. These are taken from Visscher's ' View of London, executed in 1616. With these may be classed the recently discovered sketch of the stage of a London theatre made by a Dutch visitor to London in 1596, now in the University Library at Utrecht; the interior of a London playhouse, from the title-page of * Roxana ' ; Norden's ' View of London Bridge from East to West in 1597,' and innumerable further illustrations of a similar kind. Most important sections are the reproductions of title-pages to Shakespeare's works, the facsimiles of autographs, signatures, seals to documents, and other like matters. It will convey an idea of the number and variety of the illustrations supplied when we say that the mere list occupies eight pages. Thus equipped, Mr. Lee's book will take up its position as the standard authority upon the greatest of English- men. On its literary claims we have previously insisted. If we have dwelt upon the illustrations it is because they do not serve a purely decorative purpose. Whatever information we possess as to the state of London and the stage in Shakespeare's times is incorporated in the volume. That Mr. Lee will, as further editions are called for, strive lovingly to augment the value and attractions of his work we doubt not. As it stands, however, though it will not replace, for the student, all previous or contemporary works, it will at least enable him to dispense with a library of reference, and leave no trustworthy or important information concerning Shakespeare ungarnered.

The Students' Standard Dictionary. By James C.

Fernald and others. (Funk & W agnails Co.) WE recently reviewed an ' Intermediate - School Dictionary' founded on the well-known Funk & W 7 agnalls dictionary. This volume is similar in origin and appearance, only larger, running to some nine hundred pages, and, it must be added, uncom- fortably heavy to hold. It is meant for "the English-speaking peoples," and therefore it seems a pity that it is distinctly American in tone and phraseology. The vocabulary is, however, more extensive than that of the ordinary English dic- tionary of the same size. It is strong in words like breaJcman, which are hardly English ; on the other hand, a word like camisole is omitted perhaps because not American. It is very unsafe to meddle with English university matters without securing expert knowledge. The term Senior Wrangler is current not obsolete, as these pages represent; and if this special title is included, why is not tripos inserted, which has a much wider application ? The " Standard Script " handwriting, of which specimens are given on p. 823, is a really sensible thing, and the appendices are useful, though the list of distinguished persons occasionally donne furieusement d penser. We notice that the big ' Standard Dictionary ' includes English editors, and suggest that in condensations or revisions their services should be not merely to ornament the title-page. Let them make the Eng- lish usage as prominent as the Americanj or, at any

rate, give it fair representation. Then the 'Dic- tionary' will do, and do remarkably well, for " the English-Speaking Peoples," who care, it is probable, a good deal more about empire than English.

The Library. Edited by J. Y. W. MacAlister,

F.S.A. (Kegan Paul.)

IN its new guise the Library is at once more con- venient and more attractive than before. It is more remunerative also, and its illustrations con- stitute a pleasing feature. We are afraid that some difficulty will be experienced in keeping it at its present level of excellence. Mr. A. W. Pollard contributes a capital paper, illustrated, on ' Wood- cuts in English Plays? Mr. Delisle's * Discovery of Long-Missing Pictures' has a finely executed plate. Mr. J. D. Brown writes on ' Library Progress.' Mr. E. F. Strange deals with 'The Decorative Work of Gleeson White,' and Mr. R. G. Redgrave writes on 'The First Four Editions of "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.'" Among other con- tents is a portrait of Dr. Richard Garnett, serving as frontispiece.

WAR subjects take up the lion's share in the reviews as in the newspapers and in general con- versation. Room is, however, found in the Fort- nightly for a few articles on literary and social topics. Prof. Lewis Campbell writes 'On the Growth of Tragedy in Shakespeare.' There are niany points raised on which we should like to join issue with the Professor, but the article is thought- ful and suggestive, and is sure to be carefully studied in Shakespearian circles. Mrs. Hannah Lynch deals trenchantly with Zola and Tolstoi in ' ' ' Fecondite " versus ' ' The Kreutzer Sonata. " ' In Zola's book, which we ourselves began and were unable to continue, she finds the unexpected reve- lation "of a freshness and an animal simplicity, a sunshine and gaiety," which are welcomed as something new in his works. Severe reprobation is bestowed upon both authors, though Tolstoi is credited with supreme genius. Of the wealthy bourgeois of M. Zola it is said that if the obscene apes were endowed with the gift of speech they could scarcely make a more obscene use of it than do these people. There is, alas! much truth in this arraignment. Mr. J. C. Bailey writes very eulogistically concerning ' Stevenson's Letters,' and quotes some delightful passages, including the charming letter in which Stevenson makes over his birthday to Miss Annie H. Ide, who, being born on Christmas Day, was practically without a birthday. Few more entertaining and graceful pieces of humour are in existence. Mr. Frazer's ' Suggestion as to the Origin of Gender in Language ' is ingenious, if not wholly convincing, which, indeed, it does not pretend to be. Dr. St. George Mivart's ' Some Recent Catholic Apologists ' will scarcely commend itself, we fancy, to the authorities who have placed some of his works in the ' Index.' Prof. Sully contributes an essay on 'Philosophy and Modern Culture,' which was first delivered as a lecture at University College, London. ' Paths of Glory,' by Mr. Joseph Jacobs, deals with the kind of work that gets people into ' Who's Who,' ' Men of the Time,' and the ' Dictionary of National Bio- graphy.' It is readable and entertaining. The first five papers in the Nineteenth Century are on the war, arid two or even three others are on subjects more or less closely connected with it. In the matter with which we can deal is * Shakespeare and