Page:The Journal of English and Germanic Philology Volume 18.djvu/653

 Reviews and Notes 649 dwell upon that argument; Ruthwell and Bewcastle attract us because they are uniquely uncommon (p. 29)." Other state- ments showing the same attitude could be cited. The manner of presentation leaves much to be desired. Abrupt and obscure statements are not seldom found. Besides, much extraneous matter is inserted, the lecture abounding in digressions and rambling talk. For instance, on page 21 he observes: "If space permitted, I should have liked to quote a charmingly poetic account which Aldhelm gives of the musical services in one of the other new basilicas." At times he refrains from inserting the mentioned irrelevant matter, but time and again he yields to the temptation, as on page 64: "It may be mentioned as a quaint coincidence, though with no bearing upon our present subject. . . ." One may overlook the vain remarks which obtrude in not a few places, while personal and facetious observations enliven the discussion. So on page 12, in referring to the columns at Sandbach, he speaks of the two crosses on an old platform, with short carved posts at the cor- ners: "As the platform is some 4 ft. high, the total height is sufficient to make it not an agreeable task to hang on to the top in a storm of driving sleet, examing with eye and finger the sadly perished details, as I had to do, tied on with rope." Here also belongs the footnote on the same page about the manner by which gypsies indicate to their friends the direction in which they have gone, as also on page 76 the mention of the author's attempt to torment a poultry-loving mother by singing Scott- ish rimes. It is the candid opinion of the reviewer that a book like Browne's adds little or nothing to one solution of a difficult problem. Prof. Cook's volume with its citation of the chief literature is also clearly much more serviceable as an introduc- tion to the subject. According to the author's own admission, the book may be set down as showing the human competence of making mistakes; as, to quote his words, "I offer myself as a palmary example of that competence, and this present essay as an ideal opportunity for its display (p. 25)." ALBERT KEISER. Beloit, Wis.