Original Letters and Papers of the late Viscount Strangford upon
Philological and Kindred Suljects. Edited by the Viscountess Strang. ford. (Triibner.)—Interesting and valuable as this volume is, we cannot but regret that it is not more worthy of the genius of the man to whose learning and sagacity it forms a memorial. The editor, indeed, has done all that she could, but her materials failed her. Few, it may be said, to judge by the quality of such letters as have survived, astonishingly few of Lord Strangford's correspondents preserved the com- munications which they received from him. Nor did ho give to his amazing treasures of linguistic knowledge a permanent form. Reviews of books that were not always worthy of his pen, criticisms of persons who might very well have been left to obscurity, and notices of occur- rences that have long since ceased to have any importance, occupied his time. Probably there were reasons which forbad more continuous efforts, and we may be thankful for what we have. To most of us, indeed, many of the subjects of which he treats will be strange. Yet it is easy to recognise everywhere the hand of a master, and to see that he writes out of a full mind. Philology was the main subject that inter- ested Lord Strangford, but philology is often joined by side-issues with politics. They were so in his case, and for this reason this volume has now a special interest.
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