Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 5.djvu/519

 9". 8. V.JuNE 23, 1900.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

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Museum by Sir Gep. Hayter; and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, by T. Phillips, R.A. ; with a view of the Temple of Zeus Nemeus, after William Pars, A. R.A. Mr. Coleridge's work is admirably exe- cuted ; his prefatory comments leave nothing to be desired, and his criticisms maintain the right measure betwixt extravagance and eulogy. There is no temptation to enter on the vexed question of Byron's position in poetry. No English writer since Shakespeare has exercised an equal influence upon European thought, and though he cannot be credited with the lyrical inspiration of the greatest of his rivals and successors, his place on Parnassus will not be disputed. There are few collectors or students who will not be glad to have in their possession the latest, handsomest, and most autho- ritative edition of his works. Apropos of Mr. Coleridge's note on the word caloyer, used by Byron in ' Childe Harold ' and ' The Giaour,' both passages being quoted s.v. in the 'H.E.D.,' Mr. Coleridge may care to know that Rabelais styled himself "calloier des isles Hieres."

Sweet Hampstead and its Associations. By Mrs.

Caroline A. White. (Stock.)

SWEET is not the adjective usually applied to Hampstead, and visitors on the opening days of the present month to that lofty and salubrious suburb may even have doubted its appropriateness. Constable, who was long a resident there, though under circumstances pleasanter than now prevail, called it "Sweet Hampstead," and we will not cavil at the appellation. Among many books that have been written concerning Hampstead Mrs. White's is the most recent and one of the best. It gives much information concerning spots of beauty and interest and residents or visitors of distinction. Little of this is new it could not, indeed, well be so but it is brought together in a convenient and an attractive form. The illustrations, moreover, are valuable, as preserving the recollection of beautiful spots which are in the way of losing much of their beauty. " Martin of Gal way " scarcely distinguishes for the present generation Richard Martin of Balli- nahinch, more commonly known as "Humanity" Martin. "Of Gal way" he certainly was, though he was presumably born in Dublin. Colley Gibber is mentioned in terms more disparaging than he merits, which is not a matter of much importance. For the " brothers Chalons " we should read the brothers Chalon. Our author would not talk of the sisters W rights. These are all the improvements we have to suggest. Mrs. White seems to have somewhat wearied of her task as she progressed, and her style in the later pages grows occasionally a little slip- shod. Her book is, however, a pleasant souvenir of spots that we have long loved, and is worthy of a warm welcome.

Johnson and his Circle. By James W. Hoste.

(Jarrold & Sons.)

THIS is an interesting booklet of some sixty pages, dealing with Boswell's hero and some of the modern editions of Boswell's book. Mr. Hoste is judicious in his estimate of Dr. Birkbeck Hill's services to his subject, but might have indicated more clearly what the student desires and gets, or does not get, in other editions. The view of the sage is a little roseate. As a bookman he was an unblushing skipper ; his liberal mind was probably his greatest part; his talk a performance miles beyond ' Rasselas.' There can be no doubt that he succeeded in im-

pressing the fair sex when he chose ; still, his uncouth habits were not so ignored by them as Mr. Hoste supposes. The famous Duchess of Devon- shire recognized Johnson's learning, but did not forget to note his unpleasant side, as may be seen in her recently published letters. Mr. Hoste con- cludes with a tribute to the ' Dictionary of National Biography,' a great achievement which is but too little appreciated indeed, ignored by many who consider themselves cultivated. Its value and accuracy in eighteenth-century matters are con- spicuous. Mr. Leslie Stephen's articles are justly praised, as also those on Burke, Garrick, and Reynolds.

A Glossary of Botanic Terms. By B. D. Jackson

(Duckworth & Co.)

MR. JACKSON has profited by the published work of others, and added a great deal of his own, with the assistance of competent authorities, so that his dictionary may be pronounced an exhaustive and highly meritorious performance. One word, "escape," which we could not find in the main work is duly noted in the addenda. Conferences of recognized authority ought from time to time to decide definitely on scientific terms, as several have only the authority of one name, and after a period of usage sink into desuetude. Meanwhile, the existence of two terms for the same thing, as hystrella and carpel, is a nuisance. An important word like dicotyledon should have a heading to itself. To indicate the scope of Mr. Jackson's book we should say that it devotes itself to scientific terminology without giving old plant -names or Latin names of plants such as ranunculus. Con- genital should be explained more fully as " connate" or "constitutional," in opposition to acquired. "Use-inheritance" and " use-modifications," which crop up, for instance, in the case of Oleana num- mularifolia, are not very elegant terms, but, we think, have sufficient authority and convenience to call for a place here. Kinetogenesis may stand for the first, if classical words are preferable, which we doubt.

Coutts & Co., Bankers, Edinburgh and London. By

Ralph Richardson, F. S. A. Scot. (Stock. ) THIS is not the first attempt to depict the prosperous career of the Couttses. Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, an apprentice first and then a partner in Coutts's, the friend and biographer of Beattie, left an account of the early fortunes of the house in his autobiographical 'Memoirs of a Banking -House.' He, however, dying in 1806, carried the record no further than 1803, and the tale has been taken up by Mr. Richardson, who brings it up to date, dealing at some length with the fortunes of Sir Francis Burdett, the marriage of Thomas Coutts with Harriot Mellon, subsequently Duchess of St. Albans, and the charities of Lady Burdett Coutts. Throughout his book he is the loyal champion of the Couttses and the various partners in their firms. He dismisses as infamous attempts at extortion which, indeed, most of them were the pam- phlets directed against Mrs. Coutts or the Duchess of St. Albans, and sees everything in the most roseate hue. His book is padded with descrip- tions of Edinburgh in the last century, with references to Sir Walter Scott and Green Mantle, and with extracts, but moderately appropriate, from 'Rokeby' and other poems. We wish Mr. Richardson had looked more carefully after his