Page:Notes and Queries - Series 9 - Volume 9.djvu/288

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NOTES AND QUERIES.

. ix. APRIL 5,1902.

the dramatic work of Mr. Stephen Phillips, th( success of which is one of the signs of the time Criticism in England we suppose theatrica criticism is meant is said to be in a rather chaotic condition, and Dr. Todhunter, aspiring presumably to make up for its shortcomings, passes in review the dramatic productions of Mr. Phillips, of whicl he forms a favourable estimate. Other theatrica experiments are the subject of comment, and the writer's mood is not wholly despondent. ' Away, by Mr. W. B. Yeats, deals with quaint forms o pagan superstition still existing in Ireland. Mr J. L. Bashford arrives at the rather sanguine con elusion that Anglophobia in Germany is on the decline. Dr. William Wallace notes some curious transformations in the temperament of the Scot, andholds thatScottish enthusiasm has been diverted from dogmatic religion and Radical politics and now goes out to music, to athletics, to sport. Mr. Witt's ' Concerning the Value of an Old Work of Art ' is fruitful in suggestion. The Nineteenth Century has also an article on the theatre. This is by Mr. Frederick Wedmore, and is entitled ' Literature and the Theatre.' Not too optimistic is Mr. Wed- more, who, though recognizing an advance in the drama, sees the necessary limitations, and is more readily disposed to seek for " Art" and discover it in story than in play. In the estimate of playwrights Mr. Grundy is credited with special gifts as an adapter. Mr. Pinero is held to be nearly always strong in stage technique and weak in psychology. Of 'The Liars' and 'The Case of Rebellious Susan' of Mr. Henry Arthur Jones it is asserted that they are " of the truest comedy," and the fact, for fact it is, that they are delightful in perusal is recognized. Some sound criticism is found in Mr. Percy F. Rowland's 'Literature of the Australian Common- wealth.' In ' Where are the Village Gentry?' Col. Pedder returns to the charge and maintains his former contention maugre the opposition of Col. Harcourt and Mr. Waters. Miss Goodrich-Freer depicts ' The Hobson- Jobson,' an Eastern holiday ceremony, in which quaint title it is not easy to recognize the names of Hassan and Hussein. Mr W. H. Mallock has a characteristic paper on 'The Latest Shipwreck of Metaphysics'; Miss M. F. Johnston voices the popular cry against hospital nurses; Mr. G. A. Raper gives' some in- teresting statements concerning 'Freemasonry in France'; and Mrs Popham is mystical in 'Crossin^ the River. '-In the Pall Mall Mr. J. Holt School ing reports upon Mrs. Gallup's application to certain works of Bacon's bi-literal cipher, and states that as her mode of applying the cipher is not only lacking in any justification by fact, but is also shown to be wholly erroneous by fact, it follows that a 11 her conclusions are proved to be without foundation, and that Mrs. Gallup's book ' Francis Bacon s Bi-hteral Cypher ' can be regarded only as a phantasy of her imagining, wholly unworthy of credence. Mrs. Gallup has promised further explanations. We are curious to see what she can ay '. then U See Us ' supplies an account of

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P r ds Salisbury, Curzon, Cromer, and Lansdowne, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, Sir William Harcourt and Messrs. Brodrick and Wyndham as seen through American spectacles. Portraits of all are supplied. Mr. Douglas W. Freshfield gives par ticulars i of 'A Holyday Tour in the Himalaya!' . is illustrated by photographs of stupendous peaks. A botanical article of interest is 'The Plants that Walk 'of Mr. Edward Step. Mr 0.1!

Keary has an excellent contribution on * Homer at Her Majesty's.' Another illustrated article of great interest is ' The Panama Canal,' showing the progress that is being made with the great under- taking. Mr. Archer s " real conversation " is with Mr. Heinemann. The reason why America has half a dozen first-class illustrated magazines against one in England is in this attributed to the facilities for distribution afforded by the American post office. The Cornhill opens with 4 At Casterbridge Fair,' a poem by Mr. Thomas Hardy. Dr. Garnett's ' Alms for Oblivion,' part ii., deals with the record by Leodius of the adventures in Spain of Frede- rick II., Elector Palatine, and of his brief visit to England. Many of the facts narrated are very curious. Lady Lisle, his hostess, presented him with a toothpick which she had used for seven years. 'In Praise of Birds,' by E. V. B., bewails the recognized impossibility in the matter of fashion of teaching women any lesson of humanity. The Viscount St. Gyres writes concerning * Madame de Maintenon.' Part xv. of a ' Londoner's Log-Book ' preserves a full measure of interest. Among ' A Few Conversationalists' are mentioned Browning, Leighton, Chorley, and Lord Coleridge. Barbara Clay Finch deals in the Gentleman's with 'Bells' and their mottoes. Mr. S. E. Saville writes on that interesting figure Thoreau, and Mr. Atten- borough on ' The Sonnet from Milton to Words- worth.' The specimen sonnets given are not those ordinarily selected. In Lonyman's the Rev. J. Isabell discusses ' Why are Sea Birds White,' and the Rev. J. Vaughan has an essay on ' Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick.' Mr. Lang's ' At the Sign of the Ship' is now, as always, the most interesting and readable portion of the contents.

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