—and, indeed, it may be said the last few months—this work has been issued in various forms. No better or more trustworthy translation remains than that of Long, which, since its revision in 1873, has remained in highest estimation. The work is an indispensable portion of the library of every scholar. To the present reprint is added the well-known essay of Matthew Arnold, which belongs to the first edition of the 'Essays in Criticism.' The admirable essay in question is given as an appendix.
The Intermediaire still continues to draw into the
secure shelter of its erudite pages a world of notes
making a strong appeal to every one concerned
with genealogy, history, and archaeology. The
student of modern literature and drama may
also find instructive, and at times highly amusing
information scattered among the more learned dis-
sertations; for even in a journal principally devoted
to antiquarian research the Gallic spirit refuses to
be too grave and orderly. Among the subjects
lately discussed are the misdemeanours attri-
buted by tradition to the notorious Gilles de Rais,
Benedictines who were Freemasons, Norman con-
freries de charite, the source of the spikenard used
by the Romans, the primitive form of confession
in the Christian Church, and the pronunciation
properly given to the name of Montaigne.
The most important treatise in Folk-Lore is
'Midsummer Customs in Morocco,' by E. Westermarck, which shows that among the Berbers there
are many observances not unlike the bonfire or
water-ceremonies still practised among certain
European peoples at that season. This coincidence
probably points to racial affinity, for these customs
are said to be unknown beyond the lands yet
influenced by the ancient "Mediterranean race"
from which the modern Berber and modern
European are now believed to inherit many
characteristics. 'Some Notes on the Huculs' is a
paper which affords sad reading, since it is evident
that "civilization" is once again destroying the
virtue and integrity of a people which was happy
enough in its simple way while left in comparative
barbarism. The note on 'The Padstow Hobby
Horse,' an animal which still promotes holiday
mirth on the 1st of May, contains a couple of
curious May-songs; in one of these there is a dis-
tinct reference to the use of the long-bow:—
Where are the French dogs that make such boast, O?
They shall eat the grey goose feather,
And we will eat the roast, O.
At Helston, as we are told in a foot-note, it is "those gallant Spaniards" who are to "eat the grey goose feather."
The possession of The Publishers' Weekly and its
advertisements, which cannot be accused of being
over-diffident in statement, will certainly prove
profitable to booksellers and bookbuyers. It supplies
a list of the literary ventures, immortal and other-
wise, which are now put forward by the aspirants
for fame who are engaged in laying siege to the
affections of the American reading public.
The Library Journal, which also reaches us from "the States," is full of carefully prepared papers that ought to be of service to many English librarians. The general education of the masses is said to have done scarcely anything to develope an appreciation of true literature in England; but in many parts of America, where "plain people" are not only taught to read, but also supplied with free libraries controlled by trained librarians, a certain wide-mindedness forming a basis for true cultivation must surely be acquired by men and women possessed of a little more than ordinary ability. If not, why not? Where is the fault in the efforts made to train the intellects of all people capable of real education?
Abbot Gasquet has in the press an important work entitled 'Henry III. and the Church: a Study of his Ecclesiastical Policy and his Relations with Rome.' The work is based upon original documents, both in the Vatican and in England, and treats this important period in the develop- ment of English polity with the same impartiality that distinguishes the author's well-known works on 'Henry VIII. and the English Monasteries' and 'The Eve of the Reformation.' The book will be published shortly by Messrs. George Bell & Sons.
Prof. A. S. Cook, of Yale, has edited '[[The Dream
of the Rood]]'—an Old English poem attributed to
Cynewulf—for the Oxford University Press, and
the little book will be ready very shortly. The MS.
was discovered in 1822 in the Chapter Library of
the Cathedral of Vercelli, where it still remains.
Prof. Cook discusses and dismisses the theory of
Caedmon's authorship.
Notices to Correspondents.
We must call special attention to the following notices:
We cannot undertake to answer queries privately.
To secure insertion of communications corre- spondents must observe the following rules. Let each note, query, or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with the signature of the writer and such address as he wishes to appear. When answer- ing queries, or making notes with regard to previous entries in the paper, contributors are requested to put in parentheses, immediately after the exact heading, the series, volume, and page or pages to which they refer. Correspondents who repeat queries are requested to head the second com- munication "Duplicate."
R. S. ('Reminiscences of Thought and Feeling').—This work was written by Mary Ann Kelty.
J. Pickford ("Gagger").—One who applies the gag, concerning which the 'N.E.D.' says: "Now often applied opprobriously to the action of a parliamentary majority in 'closuring' a debate."
Harry ("Blanco White's 'Mysterious Night'").—This is in many sonnet collections, and also printed in 'Chambers's Cyclopaedia of Literature,' s.v. 'Joseph Blanco White.'
NOTICE.
Editorial communications should be addressed to "The Editor of 'Notes and Queries'"—Advertisements and Business Letters to "The Publisher"—at the Office, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, E.G.
We beg leave to state that we decline to return communications which, for any reason, we do not print; and to this rule we can make no exception.
