The Nineteenth Century, August.—" Achilles over the Trench," the Poet-Laureate's
specimen of a translation of the "Iliad," does not quite content us, though the last lines are extraordinarily fine. The rhythm Is stiffer than a translation from Homer should be, and suggests the effort of translation. Mr. Dicey continues his argument that England ahoulcl take Egypt, and Mr. Gladstone gives the answer we noted last week, an answer, as we think, most imperfect. Mr. Fronde con- tinues his hostile life of Thomas It Becket, and Mr. Dale gives us a very striking estimate of George Dawson, the lecturer, who must have pos- sessed greater powers, especially the powers which come from physical organisation, than he usually obtained credit for. Ho was an emotional teacher, with too little respect for thought, but as an emotional teacher, and more especially when praying aloud, he had a great and probably beneficial influence. The best paper, however, by far, and we may add, the best in any magazine this month, is Mr. W. R. Grog's, on Harriet Martineau. It is a serious and in many ways successful attempt, by one who knew her well, to account for her character, and though mar- chess, is highly appreciative. Mr. Greg believes that Miss Martineau was one of those who are quite compelled to pour out what is in them, and who are mentally so self. dependent that anything or anybody that comes athwart their self-derived convictions, creates irritation and dislike. He remarks that throughout her autobiography there is no evidence that the thought of her deafness being a depriva- tion of power ever occurred to her. The article is essential to any one who wishes to understand Miss Martineau.
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